Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 02] Saxon Revenge Read Online Free PDF

were seventy five my lord, I counted them.”I nodded my satisfaction.  That would shake Wach up and make him take notice.  It had been a good start but I had meant what I had said to Garth; the next attack would not be as easy.
    King Gwalliog was delighted with the results of the raid.  The arms we brought back would be valuable additions when his farmers fought against the Saxons. The young priest, Brother Patrick, who had tended my wound when I had returned from the first raid watched me as I dismounted and hurried after me to my quarters.
    “My lord you have burst your wound.  Lie down!” I was unused to taking orders but I knew from Brother Osric and Brother Oswald that the White Christ priests were a law unto themselves. He almost pushed me to my bed and then he pulled the boot off and a pool of blood flooded to the floor.  He tut tutted his annoyance. “You should not have ridden to war.  All my good work is undone.”
    “Then stitch it again!”
    “Am I a seamstress?” Despite his words he took the needle and held it in the flame.  Suddenly an evil smile crossed his young face as he watched the blue and golden flame flicker.  “If you are determined to go to war then there is but one solution.” He went to the door and said to the two guards who stood there.  “You two, carry Lord Lann to the blacksmith’s!”
    As I said priests are a law unto themselves and my men obeyed but they, and I, wondered why we were going to the blacksmith’s.  King Gwalliog and Raibeart saw me being carried and they followed, equally curious. Brother Patrick did not seem concerned by the exalted audience. The blacksmith’s jaw dropped as the priest marched into his place of work.  The fire was burning fiercely and we could feel the heat as soon as we walked in. “Put the lord face down and give me his sword.” I had no opportunity to argue as Raibeart removed Saxon Slayer from its scabbard and my men place me face down on the dirt.  It was undignified and I was about to argue when the piping voice of the priest sounded, “Hold down his shoulders.”
    Out of the corner of my eye I saw him plunge my sword into the fire which burned almost white and I knew what he was going to do.  This would hurt. “Lord Raibeart, hold your brother’s leg. Lord Lann is a brave man and he will not move the leg himself but I have seen limbs move of their own accord, even after a man is dead.” I felt my brother’s hands gripping my leg and it, somehow made, what was to follow, easier to bear. I felt the heat from the blade before it even touched my leg.  When it did strike the flesh I felt such a pain as I have never borne before.  It seemed to lance through my whole body but I dug my nails into my palms and did not utter a sound.  The smell of burning hair and flesh almost made me gag and then suddenly I heard the priest’s voice.  “Well my lord that was bravely done but your leg will not bleed again. Your wife may find the scar uglier than the stitches I would have preferred to use but it was your choice.”
    I rolled over and sat up.  I held my hand out to Brother Patrick and a brief look of fear erupted across his face; he thought I was going to strike him. “Thank you, priest; I am a poor patient but I will buy you a cross for your church as a token of my thanks.” He beamed with pleasure; for some reason priests like to remember that their White Christ was crucified on a cross.  I could never understand it myself.
    Raibeart helped me up and King Gwalliog said.  “We will need some ale tonight my lord to celebrate our victory and to ease your pain.”
    Later that night as we feasted and ate I knew that it was not a great victory.  We had surprised them and we were lucky.  Wach was a cunning leader as his trap at Wachanglen had shown.  It would not do to under estimate him. “Your majesty when we next attack it will not be quite so easy.”
    “And when will that be Lord Lann.”
    “Tomorrow.” I ignored the