So Speaks the Heart Read Online Free PDF

of kindness.
    â€œSo your father misses you, does he?” Roger remarked laconically. “But why send a knight to call you home, when any lackey could have found you?”
    â€œYou show an untoward interest in my affairs, Roger,” Rowland said flatly.
    Roger offered a sarcastic grin. “My brother has married your sister,” he said, reaching for the serving girl and pulling her onto his lap with a sideways glance at Rowland. “A mismatch, I do believe.”
    â€œI hope you do not think that makes us kin,” Rowland growled.
    â€œI would not claim kinship with a bastard!” Roger spat.
    The silence was heavy. Then Roger’s derisive laughter filled the room. “What? You have no reply, Rowland?” Roger goaded. Hugging the girl he held on his lap, he added, “The bastard has lost his nerve since I defeated him.”
    An explosion ought to have accompanied the sudden blaze that appeared in Rowland’s eyes, but he spoke calmly. “A bastard I am, that’s well known.But a coward, Roger? I had begun to suspect that of you. The last time you attacked me, you made sure I was besotted with drink before you fought me.” Roger started to rise, throwing off the girl, but Rowland’s sharp gaze impaled him. “I was wrong, Roger. You are not a coward. You tempt death with your words, and you do so with purpose.”
    â€œRowland, no!” Gui gasped, and he tried to stop his friend from rising.
    But the volcano inside Rowland could not be stopped. He shoved Gui aside, stood, and drew his sword, moving so quickly that he pushed the stone slab bench from its supports. It crashed to the floor. scattering the others.
    The attention of the whole room was on the combatants, but Rowland and Roger were oblivious to everything but each other. In an act of bravado, Roger swiped the table clean of ale. But the ale splattered over a drunken knight, and the man attacked Roger before Rowland could.
    Rowland waited impatiently, his anger simmering, but he did not wait long. The combat between Roger and the knight sparked others to fight, and in moments the room was a battlefield. Drunken warriors attacked, while sober ones defended. Two soldiers attacked Rowland without cause, and he lost sight of Roger in the confusion. Gui came to his aid and the two friends made short work of their foes.
    Rowland was about to turn to search out Roger when, behind him, he heard the sharp clang of steel. He turned to see Roger standing, surprised, his sword knocked out of his hand. Beside him was a knight Rowland did not recognize. The stranger faced Rowland and was about to speak when suddenly Roger retrieved his sword and ran the man through.
    Rowland was too outraged to move against his old enemy. Before he could recover, a sodden squire came upon Roger from behind and bent the flat edge of his sword over his head. Roger crumbled at Rowland’s feet, next to the knight he had wounded.
    â€œLeave him, Rowland.” Gui stayed his hand.
    Rowland glared at him. “Did you not see? He meant to run me through the back, and this good man prevented him.”
    â€œI saw Roger approach you, Rowland, that is all. Surely he would have given warning before he struck.”
    â€œI know Roger better than you, Gui, and I say his intent was to kill me without warning,” Rowland growled.
    â€œThen challenge him when he recovers,” Gui beseeched him earnestly. “But do not resort to murder. Let it go for now.”
    Rowland had never killed a helpless man, and he agreed. He bent over the knight who had come to his aid, who had probably saved his life.
    â€œThis man is still alive, Gui,” he cried. “We will take him to the surgeon at my camp.”
    Gui hesitated. “What of Roger?”
    â€œLeave him,” Rowland said in disgust. “One of these men here may run him through and save me the trouble.”

Chapter Three
    R owland waited anxiously outside the