The Dark Age Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘I am glad it was to thy liking, lady.’
    Finally, the Prince introduced the large red-headed knight. Cedric stood up, quite serious for a change. ‘I wish to thank thee for my Prince’s safe return. I would have had thy throat cut this day —’
    Tory shook her head, cutting him short. ‘There be no need to apologise, sir. It was the least I could do after thy Prince spared me from the Saxons.’
    He bowed, pleased that he’d said his piece. ‘Thou art most gracious.’
    The men were engrossed for hours, truly amazed by the evidence of Tory’s claim that she had come from a future time zone. Maelgwn smiled as he watched her joke and drink with his knights as if she were one of them. She was expected to answer a thousand questions at once, and both she and the men were becoming more talkative as the mead took hold.
    When the haunting tune from her CD faded, a quiet pause descended on the gathering. The Prince considered this an opportune time to bring up what had been on his mind most of the day. ‘Tory?’
    â€˜Yes, sir,’ she answered, still not sure how she should address him.
    â€˜Tell me of the way thee fights.’
    This question seemed to strike a nerve in Brockwell, and his dark mood returned.
    Tory tried not to notice and obliged the Prince with a full explanation. ‘It be an old art of fighting known as Tae-kwon-do. The principle is that one’s strength cannot be based on one’s size. Each person has a great source of power within, which can be channelled through a perfect balance of mind, body and nature.’ She placed her hands on her solar plexus.
    â€˜Ridiculous!’ Brockwell interjected.
    He was hushed to silence by the others, who were listening intently.
    â€˜But how did thee maim Brockwell with one hand?’ the Prince asked.
    â€˜I wish I had seen this,’ Cadogan mumbled, and was immediately reprimanded for interrupting.
    Tory paused a moment to consider how she might best explain it. ‘The brain sends messages around the body through a central nervous system, telling the body what thee wants it to do.’ Tory looked to the knights who stared at her blankly. Maelgwn seemed to be following though, and nodded for her to continue.
    â€˜Within this system there art certain pressure points that when blocked, prevent any communication between the body and the brain. Thy opponent’s limbs, therefore, tend to fail him, either temporarily or permanently, depending upon thy intent.’
    â€˜Amazing,’ Maelgwn concluded. ‘Could I be taught this?’
    â€˜No Majesty, she lies.’ Brockwell took a stand. ‘She be trying to trick her way into thy favour. It be sorcery, I say.’
    Tory rose to face the young knight. ‘Thou art really starting to bug me . What dost thou want from me?’ She threw her arms in the air. ‘Dost thou want me to prove I could have killed thee today? Alright, I will.’ She stormed off.
    Brockwell was stunned by her outburst. ‘She be not normal.’
    â€˜Indeed.’ Maelgwn laughed at this, shaking his head. ‘What on earth?’ He watched Tory drag over a few large logs that had been cut for the fire, and beckoned for Sir Cedric to help her.
    Tory had calmed down considerably and was courteous in her instruction to Cedric to place two logs parallel to each other, a third crossing them both. With this accomplished she smiled with satisfaction, and asked Brockwell to approach. When he didn’t, Tory placed her hands on her hips and smugly said, ‘Art thou afraid?’
    â€˜I do not fear the likes of thee,’ Brockwell replied, as he stepped forward.
    Maelgwn supressed a smile as he awaited her next move with growing interest.
    â€˜Question.’ Tory put it to Brockwell. ‘Could thee split this piece of wood in two, using only thy bare hand?’
    Brockwell briefly examined the heavy log, seeing no purpose in the