The Dark Age Read Online Free PDF

held out a horn full of liquid.
    â€˜I’m still here,’ Tory grumbled as she sat up, rubbing her bruised cheek. ‘No offence, but I had hoped it was just a bad dream.’ She sighed and accepted his offering with thanks.
    â€˜I understand,’ Maelgwn sympathised, watching her gulp down the mead.
    Tory began to splutter and cough. ‘Good grief!’ She held her chest, trying to catch her breath. What is it … 95 per cent proof?
    â€˜Mead,’ he said grinning, knowing full well it had quite a kick.
    She stared at the warm brew. It reminded her of saki, only it was much sweeter, and on second taste she decided it was rather pleasant. The Prince handed her a large chunk of bread, crammed full of pork, which Tory accepted as if it were a jewel. ‘Maelgwn, thou art a true legend, thank —’ She clasped a hand to her mouth, realising she’d addressed the Prince by his first name.
    Maelgwn just broke into laughter. ‘Thou art most welcome.’
    My, we are in good spirits , Tory observed. Maelgwn sat smiling, watching her eat. Tory found this rather offputting; it was as if he had something to say but couldn’t come out with it. After a few minutes, she could stand it no more. ‘So hast thou been speaking of me?’
    â€˜Aye.’ He sounded perplexed. ‘I told my men all I know and saw.’
    â€˜So?’ Tory asked. ‘What hast thou decided?’
    â€˜Well.’ The Prince sat up straight. ‘I would like thee to show my knights what thou hast shown me, so that they may decide for themselves.’
    Tory considered his request and gave him a thumbs-up with her free hand.
    Maelgwn presumed this meant yes, and so mimicked the gesture as he got to his feet. ‘I will let them know, they will be most pleased.’
    Left alone with her thoughts, Tory’s heart sank as she cast her eyes around the tent. She had never before felt homesick, as she was well used to being separated from her parents. She had always taken it for granted that she would see them again. But now, who could say?
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    When Tory emerged from the tent with her bag of tricks, the Prince escorted her to the fire where the rest of the men had congregated.
    Cadogan came forward to help Tory with her things. ‘It would seem I have missed all the action this day,’ he said, as he relieved her of the weighty backpack and looked to Maelgwn to be introduced.
    â€˜Tory, this be Sir Cadogan, my scout and messenger.’
    Cadogan took up her free hand. ‘At thy service.’ He bowed forward to lightly kiss it.
    Tory slid her hand away, wise to his type. ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ she replied in the nicest possible way, reclaiming her backpack from him.
    This brought a round of drunken laughter from the men. ‘She be on to thy game, Cadogan,’ called the redheaded knight with amusement.
    Maelgwn was glad Tory wasn’t so gullible as to fall for Cadogan’s charms, and moved on with the rest of the introductions. ‘This be Sir Madoc, who takes care of my ledgers. He be an old, dear friend of my father, the King.’
    Madoc stood and bowed to her.
    The Prince walked around the fire motioning to his men, who all nodded when introduced. ‘Sir Angus, Sir Rhys, Sir Vaugnan, my watchman.’
    â€˜Never sleep,’ Vaugnan said, flashing a grin.
    â€˜Sir Brockwell, thou hast already met.’
    Brockwell fixed Tory with his usual glare, and she forced a sweet smile in return.
    The Prince thought it best to move on quickly, motioning to the next in line. ‘This be Jeven, my cook in wartime.’
    Tory stepped forward and shook his hand. ‘I am very pleased to meet thee, sir. Supper was delicious, I was absolutely famished,’ she said to the young man who looked to be the youngest after Brockwell. He was of fair colouring and much smaller build than the other warriors.
    Jeven blushed slightly at the attention she paid him.