The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

at dawn and closed at dusk allowing for a continuous flow of humanity in and out of the castle. The town of Riverdowns grew up around the southern end of the castle and the town had a high wall sharing stonework with the northern wall of the castle. A visitor would be admitted at the town gate before approaching the castle gate. The town garrison was either very young or very old, not worthy in the eyes of Sir John Plucker, Captain of the Guard at Riverdowns and a source of a bitter stomach for the old captain. Often the city guards allowed untrustworthy people into the city; however they never entered the castle. The castle guards were the best, handpicked by Plucker and trained under his supervision. Nothing happened in the castle without Plucker's knowledge. Once a feared knight for Henry Islen, Plucker's tremendous strength battered his opponents and helped Henry drive out Robert Oswald and claim the throne. But age and past injuries were rapidly claimed the old knight and he drove his guards to perfection in an effort to forget his own frailties. An old sword wound to his knee pained him and he could not hide the limp anymore.
    Townsfolk spent their mornings buying and trading for the goods they needed. Traveling merchants would set up at the end of the merchants beyond the walls and attract attention from the curious for the unusual wares.
    As his wont, Plucker walked the market every morning, both in the castle and out, down to the very last cart in the city. He never refused a free sample and many merchants were quick to offer him their wares.
    "Good morning, Sir Plucker!" called a merchant. "Freshest in town. A sample for you if you spread the word."
    "A deal, good Ulf. Everyone will know where this fruit came from."
    Plucker kept an eye on Prince Edward's men, huddled in the far side of the market. It was always dicey when both princes were in Riverdowns. Each brought armed men and it was all Plucker could do to keep the men away from each other, the soldiers and the princes, too. The rumors were too common; most citizens knew Edward thought he should have the Eslenda throne despite Hal being the eldest. However, Edward also claimed Oswald blood through his mother, Mary Oswald Islen, Hal's stepmother. The Oswald's were the ruling family until Henry Islen wrested the crown from Mary Oswald's uncle. Edward seemed to think the double royal blood counted more than the order of succession. Hal for his part had no thoughts for his brother. Prince Hal stayed at his castle whenever he could and hated being summoned to Riverdowns. Over the years, Hal's respect for his father slipped and he distrusted the court phonies. He would rue the day he became king and disrupt his pleasant life. But it was the only way for his son, James; to become king and so Hal would become king willingly for James' sake.
    The castle courtyards were filled with people busy about their life's business but a sound from above caught their ears and drew their eyes upward. One of the windows of the castle hosted shouts and curses and the people below wondered at the sound. One of them, Sir John Plucker, looked up and formed a curse upon his lips. He limped quickly through the doors of the castle.
     
    The knife flashed in Hal's eyes as he spun to the side. He brought his own knife upward to gut his opponent but his brother danced away, his boots rapping on the wood floor. Prince Hal regained his balance and glared at his younger brother. Prince Edward was some twelve years younger and fitter and it showed. Edward grinned and moved lightly on his feet. Hal's breathing labored and he knew he had to finish this soon. Both for his continued good health, and to avoid the chance their father, King Henry Islen, would discover them fighting again. Hal's mother, Beatrice, died when he was a toddler and although he was fond of Queen Mary; his half-brother was an evil weed in his life. Queen Mary was an Oswald, and it was no secret her brother, Charles Oswald,