Strangclyf Secret Read Online Free PDF Page B

William sighed. “You may rise, Lady
Strangclyf, and tell me more about the holding you passed on to
Bernon. I would hear the truth of the mysteries spoken of the
place.”
    Barwolf stood and stepped
back next to Bernon, keeping her head bowed.
    King William glowered at
her continued silence.
    Bernon considered the
notion of tossing his bride over his shoulder, so he could take her
to his chamber for a firm lecture. “The king asked you about
Strangclyf. You should not keep him waiting.”
    Barwolf looked at Bernon
then returned her gaze to the ground and shook her head. Twitters
and whispers could be heard from jealous court woman who seemed
delighted over his bride’s ill-bred display. His peers grinned,
some chuckled, apparently finding a source of entertainment in his
discomfiture.
    “ Do you refuse our king to
deliberately embarrass me?” Bernon asked in a tight voice,
clenching his jaw in amazement at her audacity. What was wrong with
her? She raised confused eyes to his. Tears pooled in their depths.
God’s teeth, he hated tears. If she cried, he wouldn’t control his
temper.
    “ Is this some kind of test,
Bernon,” she whispered. “You ordered me to silence.”
    Stunned, he stared at
her.
    “ You see, my friend.” Geno
smiled. “Your bride simply complies —obedient to your
command.”
    Bernon favored his
obedient wife with an exasperated look. “You may answer King
William.”
    Barwolf turned toward the
king and her face glowed with animation. “’Tis a grand and
bountiful holding, which has protected the southern aspect of
Northumbria since the time of Roman rule. We have three lesser
holdings that also provide coastal defense. Our army is composed of
a full legion of the best warriors in the world divided into
fifty-eight centuries of eighty men. The main fortress is
impervious to attack from without and may be approached only by
water or by passing through a long gorge.”
    “ I thought you said ‘twas
taken by your cousin, little wolf,” Geno said. “How, if ‘tis
impervious as you say?”
    Barwolf glanced at Geno
then cast a quizzical gaze at Bernon.
    The king chuckled. “I
believe you only gave her permission to speak to me,
Bernon.”
    “ You may
speak, milady,” Bernon said, sending a why-me glance toward heaven.
Honestly, one would think she had been beaten for disobedience. He
frowned at the thought and turned a speculative gaze on
her.
    “’ Twas taken from within
after—”
    “ Your Majesty, excuse the
interruption,” a soldier called, approaching the king followed by
an armed Saxon. “This messenger has arrived with news of an attack
by Earlingsson. The Vikings should land near Norwich by dawn
tomorrow.”
    Barwolf gasped, stepped
behind Bernon, and tugged on his tunic.
    “ Not now, woman. I would
hear this conversation,” he admonished then returned his attention
to the dialogue.
    “ How many ships?” William
asked.
    “ Thirty, Your Majesty,” the
Saxon answered. “Each carries about fifty warriors.”
    “ Bernon, ‘tis not true. The
Saxon brings false information,” Barwolf whispered.
    Bernon turned and frowned
down at her. “What do you mean?”
    “ The Saxon is Cedd,”
Barwolf warned, clutching his arm. “He is the one who took me to
the dungeon after my cousin killed my father. He spies for the
rebels. The real Viking invasion takes place at Lothair. I sent
Aurick to counter it last week.”
    Bernon faced the Saxon
then drew Barwolf forward and watched the man’s
reaction.
    Cedd got a glimpse of her
and his eyes widened. He stepped back, pulling a dagger and placing
the blade against his wrist. Before he could draw blood, Balen
seized him from behind and disarmed him.
    “ Rack him and get any
information you can,” King William barked. Two soldiers escorted a
struggling Cedd from the hall amid a drone of excited whispers from
the courtiers.
    “ Clear this hall now,” the
king ordered. “Matilda, please remain. Bernon, you and your lady
stay. And you