Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls Read Online Free PDF Page A

was using the last of his strength now, and whispered hoarsely through a foggy blur.
     ‘Mr. Jolly, you are a brave man. I thank you for what you did, but you will not live at all if you don’t do as I say, now hand me over. This leg will kill me in a day in any event. You must look after yourself, and this poor woman,’ He indicated the quivering Mabel. ‘Just do it now before it is too late.’
    And so the Innkeeper took a rope from behind his serving bench and tied the man’s hands in front of him and led him swaying and stumbling out into the street to face the mob.
    ‘I have been tricked,’ he shouted, ‘this man is not a king’s man, he is my prisoner and this town will do well to hand him over to the authorities immediately.’
    The small but vocal crowd cried out in support. They knew too well that the King would not only destroy the Innkeeper and his family but the whole town as well. They were all in the gravest danger, and so then everyone, those who supported the king and those who didn’t, took up a cry.
    ‘Hand him over, hand him over…’
    Finally the man collapsed unconscious and the scared and bewildered crowd stood silently around not knowing what to do.
    Suddenly and soundlessly a man appeared. He wore a hooded cloak which spoke of hard work but gentleness and compassion. It was hard to see his face but the eyes were full of light and grace. He walked without fear up to the crowd and spoke in the warmest and most disarming manner.
    ‘I am a doctor, let me look at this man, he is no threat as you can see. We can’t hand him over in this state. I am sure the king will want him better if he is to stand trial.’ His words were so very smooth and full of assurance and simple authority. There was no protest, and so they watched as the doctor stooped low over the unconscious stranger who had turned their small town upside down.
    Several dwarfs standing at the back of the crowd were not so easily swayed and muttered loudly amongst themselves.
    ‘Another stranger, who is this monk?’
    ‘I’ve never seen a monk in these woods, there are strange things going on.’
    ‘This will be the end of us…’
    At that moment a dwarf, one of the ones who had so angrily and easily denounced the man the previous evening let out a cry.
    ‘The king’s men are coming, there are horses approaching.’ He was pointing triumphantly down the main street. The crowd turned as one to look in the direction he was indicating, and sure enough, a band of heavily armed men riding beautiful black war horses could be seen riding toward them. One rider bore the yellow and royal purple standard of the King of Revelyn, With deliberate show and much snorting the cohort of the King stopped, and the soldiers dismounted holding their charges easily whilst the leader came forward. He was a tall man with a strong jaw and evil eyes, which spoke of anger and the pleasure of meeting out punishment in the name of another. He held one hand on the sword at his side as if to say, I am a soldier, I am ready to strike down any who prevent my will from being obeyed.
    He stood arrogantly before the fallen man and the kindly doctor.
    ‘Get up monk!’ he ordered. Then turning to the townsfolk he spoke loudly and with the air of one who was superior and to be obeyed instantly,
    ‘I am to take this man into custody, by order of the king, Lord Petros Luminos. He is an outlaw or some such. He will be tried and sentenced as the King sees fit. Any who stand in the way of the King’s orders will be arrested immediately.’ He gave a small flourish with his free hand which was a somewhat effeminate gesture and caused several of his men to smirk; but very carefully.
    He turned back to the monk who remained bent over the fallen prisoner. He spoke angrily now.
    ‘Up now monk or you will taste my steel.’ An involuntary and horrified gasp escaped from the crowd. Revelyn had always respected those who wore the habit. Man or woman. To so easily threaten