Read Online An Oath Taken by Diana Cosby - Free Book Online

away from this dangerous ground, remembering all too well the aches and pains to be found with the training of arms. The tangible reminder would be as welcome as necessary. She needed to keep her perspective.
    â€œMayhap you are right,” she replied.
    A hint of a smile touched his lips, then faded.
    The sense of loss was immediate. Elizabet wished things were different, the time, the setting, but she might as well wish for the fairies to appear before her eyes.
    Suddenly, a shaft of sunlight danced in a darkened corner, raced up the sturdy wood wall of the stable, then disappeared.
    Stunned, she glanced to see if Nicholas had witnessed the miracle of light, but his unmoved gaze assured her he had nae. ’Twas but an errant ray of sunlight reflected off of the hilt of his sword , but she couldna dismiss the shiver or apprehension racing through her or the question of if a fairy had indeed listened to her plea.
    â€œUpon my return then,” Nicholas said.
    She nodded. Her mind a mix of worry for Giric and intrigue for Nicholas, Elizabet saddled his horse.
    After mounting his steed, the castellan, along with a small division of his men, cantered through the gates. Dust swirled in their wake, clouding their exit like the confusion muddling her mind.
    Rubbing her temple, she stared at the dungeon on the opposing end of the courtyard. Sunlight shattered across the quarried stone filled with macabre blends of grays, browns, and blacks. She frowned, remembering her promise given to Nicholas only moments before. Aye, in the future she would serve him well—except in matters concerning Giric.
    Her loyalty toward her brother must come first.
    How was she going to gain entrance into the dungeon? She released a frustrated sigh. And when she tried, would the guards let her in? Had Nicholas passed orders to his men to forbid his squire entry?
    Hope sliced through her. What if he hadna?
    She glanced toward where the errant beacon of light had shimmered with magical promise moments ago. “Please, if you are listening, let his men be ignorant of this fact.” And she prayed the fairies were listening.
    Elizabet glanced toward the exit.
    The sun’s ray now streamed through the crenulations, streaking swaths of golden light along the opposite stone wall toward the earth.
    Nicholas would be gone a few hours. She needed to gain access before his return, but how?
    â€œWhat are you doing?” a curious but cautious young voice asked from her side.
    Startled, she turned. About four paces away stood the lad who had chased the pig around the courtyard upon her arrival. In his eyes she read adoration, the kind she’d held for her brother and other men who had commanded respect from her father. Mayhap because of her position as squire, the lad now put her in such a light? The youth’s misguided respect left Elizabet feeling all the more a fraud.
    â€œYo—You were staring at the corner.” He dropped his gaze and shuffled nervously.
    She nudged a strand of her unruly hair behind her ear. Had he witnessed the glimmer of light? “I was dreaming.” In reality, with the odds of her getting into the dungeon, she may as well be. But, ’twould behoove her to make friends while she was here. “My name is Thomas.”
    The youth lifted his eyes to her. “I am called Malcolm. My position is to assist the cook, but one day, I, too will become a squire and learn to wield a sword.”
    â€œIndeed you will,” she agreed. “Where are you headed?”
    â€œI am on my way to fetch the healer.” He shot her a glance of pure envy. “But I would rather be tending the horses, or another task.” He paused. “When I was walking past, I saw you and . . .”
    â€œI understand,” she finished as an idea formed in her mind. This could be the opening she needed. Mayhap besides bringing the healer to the dungeon, she could aid her as well. That would allow her to discover if