The Ransom Knight Read Online Free

siege.”
    “You’d need the entire host of Knightreach to take it by storm,” said Mazael. “If you tried to starve it out, the castle can be held with so few men that any besiegers would run out of food long before the castle did.” 
    “It might take only a few men to hold the place,” said Tollard, shielding his eyes as he looked at the curtain wall, “but I don’t see any men upon the ramparts.”
    “Nor do I,” said Mulger. 
    “It is possible,” said Trocend, “that Sir Traeger has employed guardians of a more…spectral nature, shall we say.” 
    “Splendid,” said Mazael. “It’s time to make up our minds, Brother Trocend.” The wizard raised his thin eyebrows. “Are we here to ransom Sir Edmund, or are we here to kill Sir Traeger?”
    “We are here to ransom Sir Edmund,” said Trocend, “and to determine if Sir Traeger is a threat to Lord Malden’s lands.” 
    “Fine,” said Mazael. “Wait here. I’ll head onto the bridge and demand Sir Traeger send forth a herald. We can negotiate terms, make the exchange, and get the hell out of here before Traeger or whoever else is in that castle summons up an army of spirits to kill us all.” 
    “I should accompany you, Sir Mazael,” said Gerald.
    “No, stay with the others,” said Mazael. “If they take a shot at me, I don’t want you catching an arrow in the throat.” Gerald frowned, but nodded and planted himself next to Mulger. 
    Mazael took a deep breath, adjusted his shield, and headed for the bridge. He watched the battlements of the curtain wall as he drew closer. No one stirred on the walls or upon the tower, yet Mazael could not shake the feeling of unseen eyes. Perhaps those phantom warriors would spring out of nothingness and attack when he approached the gate. He strode upon the narrow bridge, the planks thumping beneath his boots, and stopped halfway between the hill and the curtain wall of Castle Highstone. 
    “I am Sir Mazael Cravenlock!” he bellowed at the top of his lungs. “Knight to Malden Roland, Lord of Knightcastle and liege lord of Knightreach! In his name I have come forth to negotiate for the release of Sir Edmund Redmane, a vassal of Lord Malden. I charge Sir Traeger Highstone to dispatch an emissary that we might negotiate!” 
    No answer came, so Mazael repeated his challenge again, and then for a third time. Still no guards appeared on the walls, and Mazael suspected that the castle was deserted. He considered simply walking up to the gate and climbing over the wall when a postern door swung open and a cloaked figure stepped out.
    Mazael blinked in surprise. 
    The emissary was a woman.
    She looked about thirty, and wore a peculiar mixture of clothing - a leather vest laced tight over a white shirt, leggings, heavy boots, and a dusty brown cloak. A variety of pouches hung from her belt, and she wore a baldric similar to Trocend’s. She had close-cropped black hair. Mazael had never liked short hair on women, but her face was pretty enough to pull it off, and the vest and the leggings fit her well. 
    The woman stopped a few paces away and stared at Mazael, arms crossed over her chest, her face suspicious. 
    He waited for her to speak first. 
    “So,” said the woman at last. She spoke with the accent of Knightreach. “You have come for the fat old knight, yes?”
    “That I have,” said Mazael.
    “What are your terms?” said the woman.
    Mazael cleared his throat and started to shout. “I am Sir Mazael Cravenlock, knight to Malden Roland, Lord of Knightcastle and…”
    “Yes, yes,” said the woman with an irritated swipe of her hand. “I heard all that the first time, thank you. As I said, what are your terms?”
    “That depends,” said Mazael. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Atalia,” said the woman. “Lord Traeger has appointed me to act as his emissary in this matter.”
    “Lord Traeger?” said Mazael. “He’s a lord now? I thought it was just Sir Traeger.” He gestured at the