Wolf In Shadow Read Online Free Page A

and Fletcher froze.
     ’I have heard of you, sir. You are a killer and a war-maker. We will not suffer your kind in Rivervale.’
     ’No?’ said Shannow mildly. ‘My understanding is that you are no stranger to murder - and Miles and Pope were riding with Cade only a year ago.’
     ’That is a lie.’
     ’Whatever you say, Mr Fletcher. I have neither the time nor the inclination to argue with you. You may leave now.’
     ’Just say the word, Saul,’ shouted Bard. ‘I’ll cut him down to size.’
     ’Yes,’ agreed Shannow. ‘Do say the word, Mr Fletcher.’
     ’Don’t, for God’s sake!’ shouted Miles. ‘You’ve never seen him.’
     Fletcher was far from being a foolish man and he heard the terror in Miles’ voice. He swallowed hard and then moved to his horse, mounting swiftly.
     ’Too many innocent people could suffer here,’ he said, ‘but there will be another day.’
     ’I hope so,’ Shannow told him and the riders galloped from the yard.
     The crowd remained and Shannow ran his eyes over them. Gone was the open friendliness, replaced now by fear bordering on hostility. Only young Janus approached him.
     ’Thank you, Mr Shannow. I hope you will not suffer for your kindness.’
     ’If I do I will not suffer alone, Stefan,’ he said and walked back into the house.
     The last wagon left just before dusk and Donna found Shannow sitting in the comfort chair.
     ’You shouldn’t have done that for me,’ she said, ‘but I am grateful.’
     Eric came in behind her. ‘What did you mean about father’s grave?’ he asked.
     ’I'm sorry, Eric, but it’s true. Fletcher had him killed. I’m sorry.’
     ’It’s a lie,’ he shouted, tears falling freely. ‘You hated him! And I hate you!’ He turned and fled the house.
     ’Eric! Eric!’ she called and then began to weep.
     Shannow went to her, and held her close until the tears and the sobbing eased. He could find no words to comfort her, and Jerusalem seemed so far away.
     
     Shannow sat at the pine dinner-table watching Donna Taybard kneeling at the wood-stove, as she raked out the ash with even, thoughtless strokes. She was a beautiful woman, and he could see why Fletcher desired her. Her face was strong and finely-boned, her mouth full and made for laughter. It was a face of character, of strength in adversity.
     This talent,’ he said, ‘of seeing faraway things - how did you come by it?’
     ’I don’t know. My father thought it was the Stone, but I’m not sure.’
     ’The Stone?’
     ’The Prester called it the Daniel Stone. It was from the Plague Lands and when held in the hand it glowed like sunlight behind ice. And it was warm. I played with it often as a child.’
     ’Why should he think the Stone caused your talents?’
     She brushed ash from her hands and sat back. ‘Do you believe in magic, Mr Shannow?’
     ’No.’
     ’Then you would not understand the Stone. When my father held it the sick would be healed. Wounds would close within seconds, with no scar. It was one of the reasons he became Prester.’
     ’Why was it called the Daniel Stone?’
     ’I don’t know. But one day it refused to glow, and that was an end to it. It is still in my father’s old house, where Fletcher now lives. Ash Burry tells me that Fletcher is always toying with it - but it will never work again. The Prester told me its power had departed for ever.’
     ’But now you have powers.’
     ’Not of healing, or prophecy, or any real magic. But I can see those close to me, even when they are far away.’
     For a while they sat in silence. Donna added kindling to the stove and lit a fire. Once the blaze was roaring she closed the iron door and turned to Shannow.
     ’May I ask you a question?’
     ’Of course.’
     ’Why did you risk your life with all those men?’
     ’It was not a great risk, Lady. There was only one man.’
     ’I do not understand.’
     ’Where there is a group, there is a leader.