The Blue Falcon Read Online Free PDF

if he had been caught doing something wrong.
    “ Conan prizes his possessions. He would be grateful for help in guarding and caring for them.”
    Galen’s grin was quick and bright. “ Yea, my lord,” he replied. And from that moment on, Galen stayed near Conan’s tent, serving him in any possible way.
    Red and blue pennants and streamers flew over the center gallery. The fair and beautiful Lady Udele sat before all others as the Queen of Beauty. Deep rose was the color of her woolen gunna, and a soft pink kirtle showed beneath, matching the length of sheer pink cloth that fell from her headpiece to cover her hair. When the tournament was over, she would be the one to present the prizes to the victors.
    Beside her was Lord Alaric, his hulking frame erect and proud as he waited for the opening ceremonies. His thick hair was white and his beard full and snowy, but one look at the powerful lord’s eyes would quell any thoughts that he was weakening with age.
    To the left of Alaric’s pavilion flew a pennant bearing the fish. Medwin sat there with his daughters. Medwin had no sons, but he was not lacking in strength. Many knights in service to him were present, and Medwin had the funds to back them. His strongest holding was Phalen Castle and its surrounding lands. That alone made him a rich man indeed, but he also held the picturesque hamlet of Cordell and its modest castle on the sea, which had been dearly loved by his late wife. In dedication to her, his banner flew the fish.
    A man with so much should have sired only sons, but to Medwin came three daughters. Edwina, the eldest, would one day bring Phalen to her marriage. Laine, the middle child, was promised to the convent at an early age. And Chandra, the youngest, would take Cordell.
    On Alaric’s other side, the banner flew the fox. Sir Theodoric sat there proudly. This was a man of wealth and wisdom, Conan’s master for many years. He sired seven sons, all grown and knighted. That a man would bring so many successfully through boyhood was a tribute, for of all children born alive, nearly three fourths died in their youth.
    In this contest, Tedric, the youngest of the seven, would show his skills. Other sons’ successes were highly sung, but for this youngest, Theodoric had no great ambitions. Tedric had never shown a great love for battle and had proven himself poorly. In this contest, he could have ridden at the right hand of Conan in the melee, but Tedric would not. Instead he insisted on challenging the obviously stronger knight. The outcome was inevitable, and Tedric’s action raised Theodoric’s ire no small bit. There was no valor in foolishness, and Tedric would draw the ransom from his own purse.
    Among all the prestigious families present, with their banners rippling in the wind against the clear blue sky, these three men were considered to be the most powerful, if not in wealth, at least in arms and influence. They brought their best, and the money to back them.
    Scattered below the gallery on the grass were hundreds of peasants eager to see the matches. The contest promised m ore than good sport and victories; there would be a feast of colossal proportions. Inside the great keep, special delicacies were being prepared for the gentry, while outside, the spits were turning to roast venison and boar. Huge quantities of cider, mead and ale stood ready to be consumed.
    The trumpets sounded and the crowd cheered. From opposite ends of the field the knights rode together, their helms still held in their hands or resting on the pommels of their saddles. They met in the center of the field and rode toward Lord Alaric and Lady Udele. Their shields told their identity, and spectators craned their necks to have a good look at the procession.
    Garrett the bastard bore his shield proudly. The bent , sinister, and black , rose that once suggested his lack of belonging was now his symbol of success, for he was one of the mightiest. In the midst of this throng was