The Promise Read Online Free PDF Page A

at the end as though it came through a tight tube.
    “Easy, my friend,” Günter cautioned him, alarmed at the rattle in his breath.
    Martin nodded, and after a few moments, recovered his voice. He shook his head. “You should not have risked yourself. But it gives me the chance to settle things now. To say goodbye.”
    “Nay, this isn’t the time for goodbyes—” Günter began, but Martin stopped him with a look.
    Günter knew the truth of what Martin said and did not argue with him any further. He had seen death too many times in his seven years as a soldier. Often, the dying man would seem to rally, even to the very last moment, but then would fade away. Martin knew it, too.
    Günter stared at the square face and kind eyes of his boon companion of three years, and understood that it might be the last time they spoke.
    “I must beg a favor of you, my friend,” Martin said now.
    “Anything,” Günter murmured.
    Martin managed a smile. “You don’t even know what it is.”
    Günter lifted a shoulder. “It doesn’t matter.” His vision blurred, and he blinked. “If not for me, you wouldn’t have been injured. You should have held your position, but you came to me instead. You saved my life, not for the first time, only now you have given your own in the bargain.”
    Martin nodded. “That is true.” He took a deep breath, his voice a spidery whisper. “Because of it, I’ll ask you to care for my most precious possession. It’s something that means more to me than anything. I want to give it to you.”
    Günter shook his head. “Surely you’ll want me to take it back to your family.”
    “No. This is too important. It belongs to you anyway, I think.”
    Günter frowned. “What do you mean? What is it?”
    Martin smiled sadly. “Alonsa’s heart.”
    Günter stared at him in shock. “What?”
    His friend speared Günter with a sharp and steady gaze. “You love her.”
    “Nay—”
    “Don’t deny it. God revealed it to me as I lay here making friends with Captain Death. It suits my desires.” A racking cough possessed him. He drew in another deep breath and closed his eyes.
    “Why? Why are you saying this?” Günter had to know.
    Martin opened his eyes. “Because you’ll love her in a way that I could not. I see it now. The woman who stood with me in these dark hours, who fought for my life with her own two hands … she isn’t weak, as I thought, but strong. A warrior’s bride.” He coughed once more.
    Günter touched his shoulder. “Calm yourself, my friend.”
    Martin touched a finger to his breast. “Inside her is a wound. Only love can heal it. At last I know my love for her,” Martin murmured, “but it’s too late.”
    He turned haunted eyes to Günter. His strength seemed nearly at an end. “Only you can save her now.”
    “Martin, I am no knight errant. Saving people is your talent, not mine.” Günter hesitated, then shook his head. “You know my tale. Love is not for me.”
    Martin smiled. “That’s what you wish others to think. I know differently. You must open your heart again. Return to the world. Fall in love.”
    Günter snorted. “I would rather face the Black Band without a sword than risk the prospect of love again. I’m not suited for it.”
    Martin’s eyes glinted, and his voice grew stern.
    “What you say to me now will go to God’s ears within the hour,” he charged. “Speak well and truly, my friend.”
    Günter could not bear the omnipotent peril of Martin’s gaze. He turned his eyes away. “If, as you say, I feel things for her … and I didn’t say that it is true, only if it were … what would you have me do?”
    “Speak the vows in my stead and know that you bring me peace, knowing she is loved by you. Heal her wound. Promise me.”
    Günter stared at him. “You wish for me to marry Alonsa?”
    His friend nodded.
    Günter raised his eyebrows. “You ask much.”
    “Not so much … she’s not such a hardship, eh?” Martin asked with a