Legends of Luternia Read Online Free PDF

her, to stay in her warmth, her safety and her love. Helga broke off the embrace, kissed him on the forehead and pushed him away, commanding, “Now go.” She pointed a finger at Edgar as if he were a little boy. “Edgar, you take care of him. You make sure no ill comes to him, or to you either. I want you both back here safe and sound when all this nonsense is over and done with. Get going. The sooner you’re gone, the sooner you’ll be home.” She turned to go, but then returned to them. “But most important, God bless you both, keep you safe, and send his angels to watch over you.” After bestowing this final blessing, she hurried out of the stable.
    They waited in silence until she was well on her way to the kitchen. Edgar shattered the stillness by taking the mule’s reins and walking to the door. Ulrik followed. On the way out the door Edgar noticed some words carved on the doorpost. “Uley, what’s that?”
    The prince brushed away some of the grime to uncover the lettering and read:
    Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending; by paths untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
    “Amen,” Ulrik said softly. Edgar quietly echoed his amen and they headed out the door.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Ulrik and Edgar paid no attention to the sound of the hoof beats fast approaching from behind. Near to hand ran the rivers and streams that they fished, the rocky hills that they climbed, the meadows where they would lie and watch the stars on soft summer nights. Edgar pointed out familiar landmarks as they passed. With only three hours under their feet, they felt no danger. Their disguises had worked because the prince passed through the villages unnoticed, even those he frequented on market days. The only difference was the hostile attitude of the villagers they met. Even Mr. McGory, who was always cheerful with the prince, ordered him off his farm with a comment about another pair of beggars on the road.
    Rising over the sound of the hooves came a familiar and unwelcome bellowing of their names, “Ulrik, Edgar, wait for me!” Barty’s cries sounded like an alarm, “Ulrik! Ulrik! Thank heavens I found you!” He galloped up to them, clinging to the horse’s bare back. The horse stopped and Barty collapsed on the ground. The horse immediately took the opportunity for freedom and ran back to the castle and its rightful owner. Barty looked at the fleeing horse and then at Ulrik. “I only borrowed him; I had to make a hasty exit.”
    Ulrik looked down at his cousin sprawled on the roadside. A makeshift bandage torn from his silk shirt bound head. Ill-fitting peasant’s pants that had seen too many seasons replaced his finely embroidered trousers. His left eye was swollen shut and the bruise was spreading while Ulrik and Edgar watched.
    “What in heaven’s name happened?” asked Ulrik.
    Barty tried to speak. The words came out as thick as his swollen jaw. “Those new soldiers are no respecters of royal rank. They failed to see the honor of losing most of their pay to one of noble blood.”
    “They beat you up because of that?”
    “No. They treated me in such a churlish fashion because I tilted the odds in my favor.” Edgar looked at him with a confused look, not understanding what he was trying to say.
    “They saw that my little friends were friendlier to me than to them. Help me up,” he ordered. Edgar obediently eased him to his feet. Barty grimaced as he took to his feet; they had been beaten as well.
    “What happened?” Edgar asked.
    “If I understand him, Edgar, the soldiers caught him cheating and didn’t like it one bit.” Barty nodded, and began hobbling down the road, acting as if he were the leader.
    “I’m going with you. You’ll need someone like me. I may be battered, but I remain the Duke