The Legend Read Online Free PDF

most men a good deal of trouble. But Ivy rode the beast
effortlessly and Peyton waved her forward.
    Ivy reined her horse next to the
delicate brown palfrey. "Let me guess; you have finally come to your
senses. We are going to turn for home and pretend we never received the
invitation."
    Peyton gave her an impatient
look. "Be serious. I have a plan."
    Ivy grinned with the prospect.
"As I said, you have finally come to your senses. What sort of plan?"
    Her impatient expression turned
sly. "Are you a brave girl, Ivy? What I am about to suggest might shock
you."
    Ivy snorted very un-ladylike.
"You could never shock me. What is it you have in mind?"
    "Bring Jubil forward. She
shall want to help us."
    After a brief conference, the
caravan came to a halt as the ladies dismounted and moved to the rear of the
wagon where their baggage was stored. The curious household soldiers tried to
catch a glimpse of the activity but, other than a good deal of giggling and
commotion, were unable to determine what the women were up to. Resigned to an
impatient wait, they busied themselves with such things as picking noses and
chewing fingernails, keeping vigilant watch for any criminal activity that
might prey upon their valuable caravan.
    It was an excessive wait; nearly
an hour later, the party resumed their journey. Peyton and Ivy rode at the head
of the column, joking and laughing softly between them. Something seemed to be
quite humorous, but the soldiers were at a loss to understand the cause and
were furthermore concerned with keeping alert for bandits or thieves. The roads
north of London abound with the worse type of element and protecting the de
Fluornoy women was of the utmost priority. With a piqued sense of urgency, the
column proceeded onward to the seat of Baron Rothwell.
    Blackstone Castle was a massive
fortress built for protection and strength. Nestled in the serene lands east of
Daventry, the barony encompassed the bustling city and several others lesser
bergs. Peyton had never been to Blackstone, although she had heard tale that
the Summerlins had occupied the bastion since the days of King Harold. They had
been one of the very few noble Saxon families left intact after Duke William's
invasion, wealthy with their ventures in equine and cattle.
    As the party drew closer to
Blackstone, Peyton could deduce how the bastion acquired its name; it was built
entirely with black stone. The dark aura gave the castle a most sinister
countenance and Peyton felt a sharp discomfort as her sapphire blue eyes
scanned the edifice. She shivered involuntarily, passing a glance at Ivy over
her right shoulder. Ivy, too, looked uncertain of the structure and they passed
uneasy glances.
    The party rounded a small crest
and the full impact of Blackstone loomed into view. Huge banners that were
easily ten feet in length streamed from three massive turrets, bright red and
silver with the Summerlin dragon. The gates were extended in a welcoming
gesture and there was quite a bit of activity going on around the place,
although Peyton saw few guests and mostly soldiers.
    "Look at all of the
soldiers," Ivy said in awe, as if reading her sister's mind. "Armed
to the teeth."
    Peyton swallowed her
apprehension. "Be brave, Ivy. We must not fail."
    "We won't."
    Ivy suddenly smiled a huge,
gaping smile and Peyton was jolted from her anxiety at the sight; four front
teeth were blacked-out with a paste made of charcoal and beeswax from Jubil's
medicinal stores. She returned her sister's smile, displaying several
blacked-out teeth that gave her own beautiful smile a most snaggle-toothed
appearance.
    Upon closer inspection, the women
had smudged great dark circles under their eyes and had taken liberty with
Jubil's arsenic powder, giving them an extremely sickly countenance, at least
enough to deter any prospective husband.
    "Thank God for Jubil's
supplies," Ivy said, sticking out her tongue for good measure. It, too,
was black as sin. "The uglier we are, the less