The Warrior Poet Read Online Free PDF Page B

terrified,
confused with uncertainty, and he took another step in her direction to hasten
her compliance.
    "My patience grows thin,” he growled. “You will
deliver the woman to me or face my wrath."
    The nun took a step back, nearly tripping over her
woolen robes. "I... thou hast violated God's house, my lord. Punishment
will be severe."
    Christian's jaw ticked again, hearing his own thoughts
in the woman's shakily-uttered threat and he found himself again wishing he had
refused to do his father's bidding. Nonetheless he had been foolish enough to
come and refused to leave without his objective. Irritated
with himself as well as the resistant nun, his manner hardened.
    "Where is she?" It was a demand, not a
question.
    The woman's courage was rapidly failing. "She has
sought sanctuary, my lord. Thou art forbidden her company."
    "I have not ravaged your door only to be denied the
object of my endeavor. I will not ask you again."
    More urgent whispers came from the shadows and the
slight nun was growing increasingly agitated. Although she was rightly
terrified of the massive knight before her, Christian lacked the patience to
extend the understanding he was capable of demonstrating; instead, he moved toward
her with deadly assurance and the woman stumbled away from him, falling to her
knees and raising her hands as if to ward of his evil. Her fear, her abject
panic, was a palpable entity as she cowered at his feet.
    "Up the stairs!" she cried, her voice quivering
with terror. "In the communal infirmary!"
    "Nay!" Another nun came screaming from the shadows, her palms
extended to Christian as if to physically stop him. "You have no right!
The woman is under God's protection!"
    He raised a dark-blond eyebrow at the woman, his
expression impassive. "She is mine and you will not interfere."
    The nun was older, wiser, and far less terrified of his
mighty presence. Instead, she seemed deeply angered at the intrusion and after
a lengthy pause, she forcibly calmed as if to realize that paralleling the
knight's fury and power was an improbably feat.
    "Are you from Eden?" she asked.
    Christian was momentarily caught off-guard as he faced
off against the seasoned woman; his icy stare glittered in the weak light.
"What do you know of Eden, other than the Biblical reference?"
    The nun met his gaze evenly, perhaps knowingly. Calming
further, she cocked a worn eyebrow. "I am told that a demon resides there. At least, according to Gaithlin de Gare. Are you
perchance that demon, my lord?"
    His irritation with the situation faded somewhat as he
gazed into intelligent, shrewd eyes. "To some."
    The woman's attention lingered on him a moment and he
heard her sigh heavily; with a touch of resignation, mayhap. "I have
granted the lady sanctuary and I will repeat my subordinate's denial of your
request,” she said evenly. “You may not have that which you seek and I beg you
to leave us in peace."
    Christian realized that he might be forced to carry out
his violent threat and he was loathed to do so. Issuing his own heavy sigh, his
massive gauntlet rested on the hilt of his sword. "I will leave you in
peace if you turn the woman over to me." Almost as an afterthought, he
added: "I will not harm her, I swear it."
    Clearly, the nun was unconvinced. "But you are her
enemy, Devil. You are our enemy as well, which you have proven by raiding our
sanctuary."
    "I am not your enemy nor am I a raider. Were I
either, your abbey would presently be on fire and your nuns would be fodder for
my men. As you have witnessed, I am attempting to gain my ends with the least
violent means possible. Whether or not I commence with my threats is your
choice alone."
    "There is no choice to be had. If you leave now
under peaceful conditions, I shall not mention your violation to my superiors.
I vow the entire event will be forgotten."
    Christian sighed again, feeling his fatigue and disgust
all over again. After a moment, he turned to one of his men and rumbled a
series of