Warrior's Song Read Online Free PDF

to be frightened. I did not wish to dirty my gown."
    Â Â Â Â "Because you did not like the room, because you did not want John to whine, because you did not wish to soil your gown, you broke Father's rule? You actually came out by yourselves, of your own free will? You simply chose to disregard my father's orders?"
    Â Â Â Â "Your father isn't here," Lady Dorothy said. "Even though you like to pretend that you are the one who is important here, you are not. It is my responsibility to see to the castle. Just look at you, a dirty hag, here in your bedchamber with this man, nearly alone with him. Why is there the smell of vomit?"
    Â Â Â Â "I was ill," Chandra said. "It doesn't matter."
    Â Â Â Â "No, it doesn't. I hope you weren't ill in front of our guest. Why ever did you bring him to your bedchamber? You should be seeing to his comfort. By all the saints, Chandra, you aren't good for anything, must less protecting your father's precious holdings. John, come here."
    Â Â Â Â The boy, small and slight, moved to stand beside his mother. He was, Graelam saw, looking over at his sister, and there was a smirk on his small face. He looked very pleased with himself. Graelam wanted to pick him up and throw him out one of the narrow windows. What was going on here?
    Â Â Â Â "I didn't like that room, just as Mother told you," John said, and he put his hands on his hips, daring his sister to say something. "Who is this man? Is he really a guest and not one of father's enemies?"
    Â Â Â Â Chandra said, still not wanting to believe what they'd done, "You really came out of hiding because you decided you wanted to?"
    Â Â Â Â "I am the mistress here, not you," Lady Dorothy said. "I will do as I please. Now, answer your brother. Who is this man?"
    Â Â Â Â Mary made a very small sound in her throat and slowly fell to the floor.
    Â Â Â Â "What is wrong with her?" Lady Dorothy asked to no one in particular.
    Â Â Â Â "She seems to have fainted," Graelam said. He walked to Mary, picked her up and gently put her on Chandra's bed, the bed he would share with Chandra this very night. When he straightened, he said, "I am Lord Graelam de Moreton of Wolffeton in Cornwall, my lady. I am here to wed your daughter."
    Â Â Â Â Lady Dorothy just looked at him.
    Â Â Â Â John said, "Chandra doesn't want to marry, ever. Everyone knows that. She won't marry you, will she?"
    Â Â Â Â Lady Dorothy said slowly, tightening her fingers on the boy's shoulder, making him wince, "Welcome, my lord. I am pleased to give my precious daughter over to you, a great lord, who will see that she becomes what she is meant to become, if it isn't, of course, too late."
    Â Â Â Â Chandra felt such pain that she wanted to fold in upon herself, but she couldn't. She heard John say, "It's about time she was gone from Croyland. It's mine, Mother, just as you're always telling me, not hers. I'm the important one here, not her. I don't want her here."
    Â Â Â Â "That's right, my love. Soon you will rule Croyland, as you were always meant to, with no more interference from your sister. Now, Chandra, I will see that the servants prepare a lovely wedding feast. I will see to Lord Graelam's comfort since you have not bothered. Now, bathe the filth off yourself. My lord, I am pleased that you have come."
    Â Â Â Â Lady Dorothy actually gave him her hand. He bowed low over it, then watched her walk out of the bedchamber, the boy swaggering beside her. He turned to Chandra, his forehead furrowed in thought, his voice calm. "It is just as well that you will soon be gone from here. I should not have liked to have her for my mother, although my own was just as vicious. Ah, Mary is coming around. I will speak to Father Tolbert now. Then I will go to your father's bedchamber. Prepare yourself, Chandra."
    Â Â Â Â He paused at the doorway, saying over his shoulder, "I