The Bloody North (The Fallen Crown) Read Online Free PDF Page A

stop the fighting. They heard what went on down here. They say it was Breakers what did it."
    Row an nodded once. "Yeah."
    "Don't know what they want with you," Tarl said.
    "Think I might," Rowan said and carried on toward the tavern, Tarl in tow. All eyes turned to follow him as he strode in, none of them aware of the way his back was singing. Or that he was doing an admirable job of hiding it.
    "Rowan  . . ." Ceeli started to say from behind the bar.
    "Giv e me a beer, will you?" he asked her. A space had been made for him at the bar, men moving aside to let him through. Let him get a drink. "I need it. One for Tarl, too."
    "Here you are my luv," Ceeli said.
    Rowan said his thanks, lifted the tankard and took a hearty swallow. It felt good. Tarl did the same next to him, though he eyed the tavern nervously as he drank. He hadn't asked about the sword so far. But it was plain as day there, hanging from his belt.
    Hasn't noticed it. Why would he? He's a simple farmer. Never been in battle. Never killed anyone, Rowan thought. He's a good man. The real deal, not just someone playing at being one. Like I had.
    "You Rowan Black?" a voice asked from behind.
    Rowan took another draught of his ale, set it down and turned around. "That's me. Who's asking?"
    An older man held his hand out. He wore leather armour, had a long grey beard , and stood nearly tall as a ceiling beam. His weathered hands were covered in tattoos and scars. Rowan took notice of the heavy sword at his hip. A man from the far North, by the looks of him. "Name's Larch West. But most just call me Larch."
    The two men shook as e veryone else looked on, idle chatter dwindling away to be replaced by curious silence. "You been looking for me?"
    "Heard what happened up at your place. Real sorry for that. Wife, and kiddies too, eh?"
    "Yeah," Rowan said bitterly.
    Larch shook his head slowly. "A sorry business for sure. Makes a man want to do something about it, don't you think?"
    "What're you saying?"
    The older man's eyes sparkled. Young eyes in such a worn, craggy face. "I heard of you, Rowan Black. Way back in the day. A young man who grew up in the South, ended up working with a dark woman from the East. Bonnet and Black. Ice in your veins, the pair of you," Larch said. "Packed it all in and disappeared, disbanded, was what I heard."
    "You heard right," Rowan said. "Decided that way of life weren't for me no more. Tried to move on. Didn't get far."
    Larch glanced down at the sword hanging from his belt. "But ready to get back to it, I reckon. Especially after wh at's happened here. We could use a man like you, Mister Black. Not just a man with ability, but a man with purpose."
    " That so, huh?"
    "Bonnet and Black this, that and the other. All the time. People know your name, and looking at you, now, I know none of it's bollocks," Larch said. "We've got a spare horse out the front; needs a rider if you're so inclined to join us. Help drive these Breakers back. Get us a King back on the throne."
    Rowan stood. He looked at Tarl. The man's eyes pleaded with him not to do it, but Rowan did anyway. He shook Larch's hand again. "I'll go, but on the understanding you know why I'm riding with you. I want to find the bastard who killed my family. I couldn't give a shit about this civil war, or the King, or whoever takes his place. But I'll do what's needed till I get my revenge. On that you can depend."
    "Fair enough son," Larch said. He sipped his beer. "Fair enough."
    * * *
    "What're you doing?" Tarl asked outside. He looked down at the sword. "And where'd you get that from?"
    "Had it from years ago," Rowan said. "Deep down, I always knew I'd use it again. There's no escape sometimes."
    "Escape? Escape from what? I don't understand, Rowan. I don't understand any of it," Tarl said.
    Rowan laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Listen mate, there's a lot you don't know. A lot you wouldn't understand. I had a different life before this place, and now it looks like I'm going