Insurrection Read Online Free PDF

trees, but at least the branches afforded some shelter. Once out of the woods, they were again at the mercy of the gale, which battled constantly against them as they followed the path’s winding ascent through the cliffs, which continued above and below them. The ground was boggy, the horses’ hooves sinking deep into the mud, forcing them to a torturous walk. Adam went in front, bidding Brice to ride behind him and shout warnings of the more treacherous places to the king. Alexander was an extremely experienced rider, but his horse, several hands larger than the squires’ palfreys, found the climb through the sticky mud increasingly difficult and, soon, the king was left behind. He could hear the calls of his men on the wind, but couldn’t see them in the howling dark. Gritting his teeth and berating himself for not heeding the advice of the steward, he forced Winter on, kicking him harder and harder, now swearing, now cursing, until the horse was snorting in agitation. In his mind, the king still cradled the image of his young bride in their warm bed, but now the vision had a sense of salvation about it.
    Alexander struggled with his horse on the incline, the beast thrashing its head against his fierce twists on the reins. This was madness. He should have listened to James, waited until morning. He went to call to his squires, thinking to turn back. They could seek shelter in Inverkeithing until the storm had passed. Then, as lightning seared the night, the king saw the cliffs ahead rising sharply above the path. Beyond that swoop of headland lay Kinghorn. It wasn’t far, only a mile or so. Bearing forward in the saddle, the king struck at Winter’s sides, urging the exhausted animal on. The way became even steeper and Alexander caught the cries of gulls, wheeling in the teeth of the storm. He could no longer hear his men. The path narrowed, bare rocks to his left and a precipitous drop to the right, the yawning black of which opened sickeningly beside him. He knew it wasn’t much more than a hundred feet down to the shore, but it might as well have stretched into hell for all he could see. As his horse slipped, he pulled it up sharply. His hands ached with the effort. ‘On!’ he roared, as the courser slipped again, neighed in fear and tried to turn. ‘ On! ’
    A black shape loomed before him. ‘Sire!’
    Relief flooded Alexander. ‘Take my reins,’ he shouted to Adam, over the gale. ‘I’m going to have to dismount. Winter cannot carry me up here.’
    ‘Wait, my lord, and I’ll come alongside you. The ground is firmer further on. I can lead you.’
    ‘Careful, I’m at the edge here,’ warned the king, feeling the rain trickling inside his cloak, threading an icy line down his back. ‘Where’s Brice?’
    ‘I sent him on ahead.’ Adam manoeuvred his palfrey between the king and the rocks that rose beside the path. A snap of lightning lit his face, revealing an intent expression as he reached across and grasped hold of the king’s reins, steadying his own horse with his knees.
    ‘Right, man,’ said Alexander, readying himself. ‘One last push.’
    ‘One last push, my lord,’ echoed Adam, thrusting towards him.
    The first thing Alexander felt was a jolt as his horse lurched. He guessed in an instant that the beast had been lamed and its sharp cry confirmed it. His own shout vanished in a winded grunt as he fell forward, his stomach striking the wooden pommel. He grabbed at the beast’s neck for purchase and felt another pain, this time in his leg as something crashed into him from the side. He had time to realise that it was Adam’s horse and time to realise that the squire had let go of his reins. Then, he and Winter were falling into darkness.
    Adam strove to get his panicked horse under control as the king’s cry vanished. After a moment, he managed to calm it enough to dismount. Holding the reins in one hand, he bent to clean the blood from the dagger he gripped in the other, wiping it in