Rising Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

skin burned everywhere. His thoughts jumbled, and the chamber before him grew hazy and smeared as though rain had run over it all and washed away the colors and textures. He lifted his hand to find support and instead grasped the king’s hand.
    With a jolt, his head cleared. Then plans for attack appeared before his eyes, as drawings would look. A stone castle surrounded by acres of farmland. The hills in the distance. As he watched the scene unfold, William knew the weaknesses in the castle’s defenses, the best path to approach and the strength and numbers of the guards. His blood heated and surged through him as his vision strengthened and his mind raced with options for deploying his men for the attack, how to control and even destroy Lord Hugh’s unholy demesne.
    He stumbled back at the realization of the vision before him. The king watched without a word, slowly nodding as though he could see what William did.
    â€œSomething is awry in my kingdom, William. You are part of it.” At the solemn declaration, William shook his head, denying the truth of it.
    â€œSire, I know not of what you speak,” he argued, but the visions flooding his mind and the need to fight, defeat, destroy, and conquer filled him, body and soul. His fists clenched against the strength of the need now flowing through him. He shook his head again, but it convinced neither him nor the king.
    â€œI was led to you, William. I cannot explain that partof it, but I knew you would be the one to help me in this task,” the king assured him.
    Whether the king’s words were madness or part of some bigger plan, William knew not. He was publicly a minor member of a very large and powerful family, and the king had had no way of knowing that William would arrive to request his sanction against another branch of the family.
    â€œI am your man, Sire, but this . . . this is not something I have experience in. Why not speak to Bishop—” Before he could continue with a list of possible people who could help him in this endeavor, the king leapt to his feet and grabbed William’s shoulders, forcing him close.
    â€œYou must do this for me, William. For my kingdom. For all of Scotland and more,” he demanded.
    Regardless of the unexplainable things going on, no matter the strangeness of the request, this was his king. Obedience was a foregone conclusion, even if the methods of executing such a task were questionable.
    â€œAye, Sire,” he said, with a bow of his head. “I am at your service.”
    The mad expression in the king’s eyes seeped away, leaving the one he recognized. With a nod of his head, Alexander released him. Stepping back, the king called out to his ministers.
    â€œSpeak to no one about this, William. No one. The royal Exchequer will provide what you need. Mention the name of your holdings and he will understand.”
    The king’s councilors and servants returned quickly at his call, and soon they were surrounded with many other courtiers and concerns. William met the king’s gaze and bowed his head, acknowledging his orders.He backed from the chamber and turned down the hallway to return to Roger . . . and sanity.
    But as he strode toward the larger waiting area, the intense burning on his arm increased as some shape was drawn—burned—into him. Between that and the plans rushing through his thoughts, he was convinced that he, too, might be part of the king’s madness.
    *   *   *
    With only hours left before darkness fell over the city of Edinburgh, William led his two closest and most able friends to a table in an alcove at a noisy inn. Doubting this whole endeavor, he had followed the king’s instructions and visited the Exchequer. The bag of gold coins now lay beneath his hauberk, tied firmly to his belt where none could see. They’d eaten their fill and consumed a fair share of the inn’s finest ale before he