Rising Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

doors closed, and William waited to discover the true cost of his request of the king.
    It was not long in coming.
    â€œI know you wish me to rule in your favor in your dispute with the other de Bruses,” Alexander said in a quiet voice. “And I am willing to do that. . . .”
    William heard the pause that signified the conditions of that ruling and waited, holding his breath on the coming words.
    â€œBut I have a small task for you to carry out first,” the king said.
    â€œAnything, Your Grace,” William answered quickly. Truth be told, he would agree to do anything to have his claim settled and the lands his for the taking.
    Alexander reached over and lifted the pitcher of wine before him, filling both of their cups and drinking half of his before continuing. And that worried William, as did the glances toward the doors and the king’s increased nervousness.
    â€œIs there aught wrong, Your Grace?” he finally asked.
    â€œCome,” the king directed. He rose and walked closer to the huge stone fireplace and as far, William noticed, away from the doors, windows, andtapestry-covered walls as one could get. William followed and waited, a shiver of warning tickling the back of his neck as he watched the ever-confident, ever-in-control king change into someone very different.
    Mayhap the king’s grief had caught up with him? Mayhap the lack of suitable heirs and his yet-unfruitful new marriage and the possible end of the Canmore dynasty had changed him from the decisive strong king he had been?
    â€œI have a matter that requires the utmost of discretion and cannot trust it to someone else,” he explained as he sat on a stone bench before the fire. “You . . . you I trust, William.”
    â€œI am honored, Sire,” William began, but a furious wave of Alexander’s hand stopped further words.
    â€œI am not so sure you will feel honored once you hear the matter. Sit close by and listen to my plight. I must have your word that you will speak of this to no one.”
    William hesitated, both intrigued and wary of such secrecy as this seemed to be. Still, the king held the power to grant or deny him his lands, so he would be wise to carry out regardless of his feelings on it. “You have it.”
    â€œGood. I’d hoped I could count on my kin in this, but none are so trustworthy as I know you to be,” he said, glancing toward the door once more. “For some time, I have begun to doubt the sincerity and loyalty of one of my councilors. Rumors persist, and his behavior answers not my questions about him. Strange stories abound. . . . ” He paused and glanced over his shoulder.
    William wondered about this suspicious demeanor,but the man was his king and was to be obeyed without question. “Which of your councilors, Sire?”
    â€œHis advice has recently become less dependable and there are stories. . . .” The king shuddered as he spoke now. “Demons, William. ’Tis rumored that he calls forth demons from the other world.”
    The silence in the chamber surrounded and pressed down on him at the accusations. The old beliefs were long gone from the lands of the Celts and Gaels, but there were always rumors of those who had ungodly and otherworldly powers. William never believed in such things. They were for the fearful and the weak. He believed in the one true God.
    A sudden burning in his arm took him by surprise. Had he been sitting too closely to the fire? Tugging on his sleeve, he watched a patch of redness spread on his forearm.
    â€œWilliam?”
    He pulled the sleeve down to cover the strange spot and turned his attention back to the king. Meeting his gaze, William asked again, “Which of your councilors, Sire?”
    â€œDe Gifford.”
    William leaned back, shocked to hear this name. From another part of Brittany, the de Gifford family was old and powerful. The current lord,