Rigante Series 02 - Midnight Falcon Read Online Free PDF

let them go. No harm has been done.'
    'Why are we listening to this?' Black Beard asked One-eye. 'He's just one man!'
    'Indeed he is, you ugly whoreson,' said Bane, 'and he'd be grateful if you'd just draw your sword and put an end to this debate.'
    'Leave your sword where it is!' shouted Banouin. 'Please, Bane, just let them go.'
    Bane sighed. Moving to One-eye he placed his hand on the man's shoulder. 'He has been like this since a child,' he said. 'It is beyond understanding. I blame the mixed blood, and the fact that his mother is a witch. You know, when other children tormented him he never sought revenge. Has no understanding of hate at all. I've never known anyone like him.' He sighed again. 'And he brings out the worst in me. So, against my better judgement, I'll let you live.' Suddenly he brightened. 'Unless, of course, you'd prefer to fight?'
    One-eye shrugged off Bane's hand and walked to where Banouin stood. 'I am not afraid of death,' he said.
    'You believe me?'
    'I do,' said Banouin.
    'I am glad we didn't kill you,' said One-eye. 'It was good to be reminded of what I once was. You really believe I can become that man again?'
    'If you choose to,' said Banouin.
    'Probably too late for me,' said the man sadly. Gesturing to the others he walked away. The slim blond man followed instantly, but Black Beard stood for a moment, staring malevolently at Bane.
    'Any time, goat-face,' said Bane.
    'Karn!' yelled One-eye. 'Let's go!'
    Reluctantly Karn followed the others.
    Bane sat down on a fallen tree and looked at his friend. 'That was a mistake,' he said.
    'What are you doing here?' asked Banouin.
    'Looking after you, apparently. Do you have any food?'
    It took Banouin an age to light a small fire, but finally tiny flames licked at the tinder. Bane had wandered off, and Banouin unpacked his saddlebag, removing an old copper pot, a wooden plate, a bag of dried oats, and a chunk of dry-cured salt beef. The sun was dipping below the horizon when Bane returned. He squatted down next to Banouin.

    'Time to go,' he said.
    'Go? I've only just got the fire going.'
    'Life just isn't fair,' said Bane. 'But if you'd like to be alive in the morning I suggest you saddle your horse.'
    'One-eye won't come back,' said Banouin. 'I looked into his mind, and I know there is still some good in him.'
    'Maybe he won't, but the big ugly one will. And he won't come alone.'
    Bane moved to his horse and mounted. Banouin repacked his saddlebag, tacked up the chestnut and went back to the fire. 'Leave it,' said Bane. 'In fact, add a little more wood. It'll draw them, throw them off the scent.'
    Banouin did so, then climbed into the saddle and the two men rode out of the woods and down the slope to the old road.
    The horses plodded on as the sun fell. It was colder now, the wind sharp. Banouin lifted his cloak from behind the saddle, untied the thongs and swung it round his shoulders. The sudden flaring of cloth alarmed the chestnut, who reared suddenly, dumping the young man from the saddle. He landed heavily. The gelding ran off to the south. Bane heeled his mount and raced after it. Banouin sat up. He felt sick and dizzy. Bane rode back leading the runaway.
    The stars were bright now, a crescent moon shining in the sky. 'Are you hurt?' asked Bane.
    'No. But you were wrong about me not knowing how to hate. I'm beginning to loathe that horse.'
    Wearily Banouin stepped back into the saddle. Bane led them away from the road and down into a tree-lined hollow where they made camp. Bane lit a small fire, its light shielded by boulders. Then he moved away into the trees. When he returned he sat down beside Banouin. 'You can't see the fire from the road,' he said. 'We ought to be relatively safe here.'
    Once again Banouin unpacked the utensils and the food. There was a stream close by and Banouin filled the pot, added oats and salt, and set it over the fire.
    'Thank you for saving my life,' he said at last.
    'That's what friends are for,' replied Bane