The Crimson Chalice Read Online Free PDF

immediately she realized how glad she was to see them all.
    Baradoc said something softly to Bran, and then jumped down to the poolside and came across to Tia. Bran lifted himself from his perch, beat upward in a slow spiral toward the grey sky, which was now showing an occasional break, in the clouds, and then drifted away southward. He was free now to do his own foraging. There would be something to be picked up down by the river where the crewmen of the long ship were now busy setting up a shore camp. Such men ate until they were full and then tossed their leavings over their shoulders to make easy prizes for any ready scavenger.
    From his shoulder Baradoc dropped the hind leg of a young deer to the short grass. Then, from the inside of his shirt, he pulled out a handful of different fungi.
    Squatting on his hunkers, he took out his dagger and began to skin the leg; looking at Tia for a moment with a smile and saying. “Fill the cauldron with water, Lady Tia, and then search around for dry grass, dry twigs and some of that crumbly dry moss from the rocks.” He paused and nooded at the clothes she had washed. “I see you have been busy. Turn your head.”
    Tia slowly turned her head so that he could see her cropped hair. She said with a note of sarcasm in her voice, “I hope it meets with the great Baradoc’s approval.”
    â€œAie! but’tis a pity to see such a fine flow of golden locks go. Still, a few weeks in Aquae Sulis will see them back and you’ll be able to look in your mirror and admire yourself again.”
    Rising to get the cauldron, Tia said, “You are in a good and teasing humour.”
    â€œWhy not? The hunt was quick and easy. The dogs have already eaten and I brought only what we might need for a while.”
    â€œHow did you catch it?”
    â€œOne day soon when your wind and legs are stronger I might show you. Now fill the cauldron and tip the toadstools into it.”
    â€œAre they good to eat?”
    Baradoc sighed. “Would I have brought them else?”
    Tia filled the cauldron and did as she was bid, by which time Baradoc had skinned the meat and cut off four fair-sized portions. Then he gathered the little heap of kindling and tinder moss together that Tia had gathered and carried them to a dry flat stone at the foot of the rock face. As he arranged them he said, without looking at her, “Bring me the spear and the flint and your mantle.”
    It was no order. He just said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world to order her around without thought of resentment from her. So, she told herself, if she wanted to get to Aquae Sulis it must be.
    He took the spear and jammed the two prongs into the ground at the edge of the stone, easing the dry grass and moss close to it. Then taking up the flint, he said, “Drape the mantle over me and hold the edges so that no wind comes in.” At last when her arms were aching from holding the tented mantle around Baradoc she heard him blowing gently without stopping. Then a thin trickle of fine blue smoke seeped through the edges of the mantle. Baradoc lifted away his covering and put aside the spear. On the flat stone little tongues of flame were working through the dried grass and twigs.
    Baradoc, face covered in sweat, said, “Now build it. But remember only dry wood. We want no heavy smoke from damp stuff. What little there is this wind will whip away from the top of the bluff. The fire and the cooking is all yours.”
    â€œAll mine?”
    â€œWhy not?” Baradoc was genuinely surprised. “Did you think you would ride the whole way to Aquae Sulis lolling on a litter and not a hand to lift for any comfort or food?”
    â€œBut I’ve never cooked in the open. In fact I—” She broke off.
    Baradoc grunted. “In fact, you’ve never cooked at all. Well, a late start is better than none. I’ve brought you the meat and the flavouring and made