The Black Sword Trilogy: The Poacher Read Online Free PDF Page A

ordered.
     
                  Using their daggers and short swords, the guards cut the clothes off of Kenner and his cousins, laughing the whole time and leaving them naked.  Kenner tried to fight when they tried to take the boots his father had made for him, but he was kicked to the ground.
    “Irmgar!” The Prince called out.  “Hand me that sword on the wall next to you.”
    The guard pulled a sword off of the wall and then presented it to the Prince.  Still laughing, one of the guards cut the bindings off of the three prisoners.  Then the Prince tossed the sword to the floor in front of Malton.
     
                  “Your Highness,” Captain Krall called out, “I’m not sure…”
    “Don’t be a mother hen,” The Prince answered.  “That swords as dull as your sense of humor.”  He then spoke to Malton.
    “Pick it up.” He ordered.
    “Your Highness…” Malton tried to say.
    “I said pick it up.” The Prince interrupted.
    Young Malton shakily picked up the sword.
    “Stand.” The Prince ordered.
    Malton slowly and uneasily stood to his feet.
     
                  “Here’s how this works.” The Prince started to say.  “You are convicted criminals and I have the power of life and death over you.  This is my exercise room and you three are going to assist me in my exercises for the day.  It’s as simple as that.  If you impress me, I will set you free.  If not, then I’ll just have to come up with some other punishment for you.”
    The Prince then pulled his own sword from his scabbard.
    “Hold the sword up.” He commanded Malton.  Malton, now thinking that this would merely be an exercise and there was no real danger lifted the blade of the sword in a defensive posture.
    “Not a bad guard you’ve taken,” The Prince said. 
    The Prince swung slowly at Malton and he parried the soft blows.
    “Not bad.” The Prince said, sounding encouraging.  Then with one blow, he knocked the sword out of Malton’s hands, spun around and plunged his own sword into Malton’s belly.
    “No!!” Kenner screamed.  He was again kicked to the floor.  He looked over at his fallen cousin and watched his last breath leave his mouth.
     
                  “You son of a…” Kenner tried to yell, but a guard kicked him across the mouth.  The Prince then picked up the blunt sword and tossed it at Belfor.
    “You’re next.” He said smiling.
    Belfor stayed on his knees.
    “Please Your Highness,” he begged.  “I’m so sorry.  I beg for mercy.”
    “This is mercy,” The Prince laughed.  “I could have had you executed in front of the fountain.  At least this way, you have a fighting chance.”
    “I’m no warrior…”Belfor pleaded.
    “For the Lady’s sake leave him alone!” Kenner screamed.
    “Pick up the sword.” The Prince ordered again.
    “Please, Your Highness…”
    “Pick it up!” The Prince yelled.
    Belfor took the sword in his hands.
    “No!” Kenner hollered again.
    “Your Highness….” Captain Krall tried to interject, “I must object.”
    “Objection noted.” The Prince laughed.  As he had turned to face Captain Krall, Belfor leapt to his feet and tried to charge the Prince.  The Prince turned suddenly taking up a guard position.  When Belfor saw this he froze and then dropped the sword.
    “I’m sorry Your Highness.  I’m so sorry…”
    The Prince then, with one motion sliced Belfor’s head off of his shoulders.
     
                  Kenner tried to shut his eyes to what he’d just seen, but it was too late.  He had just watched his two young cousins; who had grown up with him almost as brothers slain by a brutal Prince.  Tears welled up in his eyes, but he choked them down along with his fury.
     
                  The Prince tossed the sword to the floor in front of Kenner.  Kenner took several deep breaths.  He could almost hear the voice of his father.
    “Never fight angry,” his