Lord of the Blade Read Online Free PDF

not only your temporary dwellings,
but also the maidservants you have so disgustingly placed in your
stew."
    Malcomn let go of Devon's hair abruptly. "My
father is your overlord and while he is ill, I stand in his
place."
    "How can you stand in his place when the
baroness has already filled those shoes? Nay. While Kenric still
lives, my allegiance is to him and him alone. I'm still lord of
Steepleton, and you, my foster brother, are still a landless knave
with a courtesy title you don't deserve."
    Malcomn snorted, and snapped his fingers.
Two of the lingering maid servants rushed to his side.
    "Enough of your games," continued Corbett.
"I'm short on servants and I insist you break up this little
brothel of yours. Choose one wench to warm your bed and the rest
will return to the great hall at once to help with the chores."
    Malcomn nodded toward a small, flat-chested
blonde and turned back toward Corbett. "This one is mine. I've
brought her with me from Torquey so you shouldn't have to feel I'm
taking anything of yours again."
    With a jerk of Corbett's head the rest of
the maidservants scattered out the door.
    The cry of a bird interrupted them.
Corbett’s raven swooped in the open window and landed on the sill.
The velvet blanket of darkness enveloped the nighttime sky. Corbett
stretched out his arm and the raven flew to him.
    "What is it my friend?" He studied the
raven, sensing that something was not right.
    "Talking to that bird again?" Malcomn
questioned. "Shouldn't that thing have died by now?"
    "This raven is my companion since
childhood," Corbett reminded him with a penetrating stare. "This
bird has warned me many a times of battle. His message tonight must
be of importance to risk his life flying through a darkened
sky."
    Malcomn laughed, "Surely you jest?"
    "When it comes to my raven, I assure you I
never jest."
    "So what does your friend have to say
tonight, m'lord?”
    Corbett studied the bird for a moment,
trying to see into its mind. He'd been able to pick up thoughts of
the raven since he was a child of eight summers. Ever since the day
the bird appeared at his window just after the death of his family.
Others said the raven was the messenger of death. Corbett
considered this bird his only true friend. It was a day later the
baron decided to take Corbett into his household and raise him as
his foster son. The raven was an omen, and it proved so again when
the baron decided to train Corbett as a knight.
    The bird opened its beak and let out a
series of short, loud squawks before flying back out into the
blackened sky. Corbett scoped the land for the men on horseback
he'd seen in his raven's mind.
    He finally answered, seeing the torches of a
small band of men on horseback approaching the barbican. "Soldiers
approach, though I can't decipher their pennant in the dark."
    "'Tis late in the day for anyone to be
arriving unannounced," added Malcomn hurrying to Corbett's
side.
    "I'll tend to this situation immediately.”
With his hand on the hilt of his sword, Corbett made it to the door
in just a few long strides.
    "M'lord?" Devon's small voice came from
across the room." Am I dismissed?"
    "Aye.” He ran a hand through his hair in
thought. He wanted to find out more about the girl, but with
soldiers at his door it would have to wait until later. “Nay,” he
changed his mind. "Stay here until I decide what to do with
you."
    "I'll guard her for you," Malcomn
offered.
    That would never do. Leaving her with
Malcomn would be like throwing her to the wolves.
    "I was hoping you'd come along with me,
Malcomn, to see to this matter at hand." It pained Corbett to have
to say the words he didn't mean, but he knew Malcomn well enough to
know he'd take the bait and therefore leave Devon alone. Malcomn
longed to be the warrior Corbett was, but the baron never saw to it
that his own son was trained as well as his foster son. Malcomn had
always envied him and sought attention throughout his life that
he'd never had from anyone