Silver May Tarnish Read Online Free PDF Page B

The enemy having been drawn off later, Berond’s men were able to return with the body, so that Erondale’s master-at-arms was not left to the birds of the hills but buried in honor in a grave that was deeply dug, and marked with a wooden headstone that I carved myself. I mourned Berond deeply. He had been the only one left from my old life; now he was gone there were none and I walked alone.
    But life goes on. I reached fourteen and Faslane spoke that I should join Paltendale’s fighters. I did so, and had a year of it until the invaders struck deeper into the dales and Paltendale fell. I was fortunate in that I was gone with a small group which had been sent to carry a message to a nearby dale. Faslane and some of his men broke free at the last with the Lord of Paltendale and his son, Hogeth.
There, where I was polishing my sword in my tent, Faslane found me to break the news that I was homeless once more.
    â€œIt went ill, lad. My lord would have it that the invaders could not break through the walls. Thus he took few precautions.” He sighed. “He was wrong and it was others who paid. Soon he rides with his men to join with Lord Imgry. What will you do?”
    â€œI do not know. Your advice has ever been good, Faslane. Do you give it to me now.”
    â€œSince you ask, lad. Let you leave and seek another lord to follow. You’ll get nothing from Paltendale and less from the keep-heir.”
    â€œHogeth,” I said, lowering my voice to a whisper none would hear who were not inside my tent. Faslane, too, spoke in a whisper as he replied.
    â€œAye. Hogeth.” I saw the shadow grow in his eyes until at last the words seemed forced from him. “I cannot swear. It may be I am wrong and do very ill to speak of it. But all know how he resented being third son. Paltendale has lost keep and kin. But the Hold could be repaired, the fertile land remains, and I daresay my lord may find coin enough to rebuild somewhat when the war is done. Hogeth will inherit. There will be desperate maids aplenty also, and he will take one of good blood, perhaps with some dowry but no kin to stand for her. That will please him well.”
    He paused and I saw he would change the subject, yet I must know. If I should not ride with Hogeth I had to know what manner of man was he that Faslane, who owed sword-duty to his House, would caution me.
    â€œFaslane,” I spoke quietly. “Always you have been kind to me. I am kin to Paltendale, and Berond, who was our master-at-arms, was your friend. Tell me what shadows you. What did you see when the keep fell?”
    He took in a great breath. “I cannot swear. His older brother fell honestly fighting two men at once. But Halin was fighting only one. Another came at him from behind and Hogeth leaped in. Halin fell and Hogeth slew the man.
Later I looked at Halin’s body. He died from a dagger-thrust in the back when none save Hogeth had been behind him and, Lorcan, there was no dagger nor dagger-sheath on the enemy.” He fell silent again and I, too, held my tongue while thinking on what he had said.
    â€œPerhaps the dagger was snatched up by another fighter?” I said at last.
    â€œPerhaps. But there was no sheath. The battle still raged and I had little time to be sure. But from Halin’s wound it was no small blade that struck him. None would have paused in the midst of such a fight to unstrap a sheath of that size; they are usually double-strapped.”
    â€œHogeth wears a long-bladed dagger in such a sheath. He had it from that enemy scout he slew and he wears it always.”
    â€œThat was in my mind,” was all Faslane said.
    I leaned back against my saddle. “I owe Hogar kin-duty but you are right. When his son rules there will be no place for me nor would I wish it. I can take up a blank-shield and choose another lord to follow.”
    Faslane looked at me narrowly. “Can you so, lad? Remember, if you leave