Read Online Hawk Quest by Robert Lyndon - Free Book Online Page B

Richard’s presence. There was no time to hide the letter. Covering it with his blank sheet of parchment, he began to scrawl the first thing that came into his head.
    Another wonder that Master Cosmas told me. In the year I was born a great fire appeared in the southern sky and burned so bright that it was no hardship to read outside at midnight. For ten years the light shone, gradually waning, and when it was gone that part of the heavens where it had blazed was filled with many stars that had not shone before.
    Richard had sidled up and was leaning over in a way that Hero found intensely irritating. ‘What are you writing?’ the Norman asked from behind his hand.
    ‘An account of our journey. If you don’t mind, I require peace to pen my recollections.’
    ‘When your narrative reaches these parts, you should include a description of the wall built by Hadrian. Not far from here stand shrines and castles unchanged since Rome’s legions occupied them.’
    ‘That might be worth a visit,’ Hero conceded. ‘Perhaps I’ll go tomorrow.’
    ‘Not on your own. It’s too dangerous.’
    Hero smiled condescendingly. ‘You’re speaking to a man who’s crossed the Alps.’
    ‘A month before you arrived, three scouts rode north and never returned. The Scots probably ate them.’
    Hero went back to his manuscript, but found he’d lost the thread.
    ‘I’ll arrange an escort if you teach me the mystery of writing.’
    ‘It takes years of study.’
    ‘I would be a diligent student. I’d like to cultivate at least one talent.’
    Hero put down his pen. ‘Show me your face. Come on. Don’t be shy.’
    Richard lowered his hand, revealing a plum-coloured birthmark that stained one cheek from mouth to ear. His features were pale and pinched, but his eyes, Hero decided, held a spark of intelligence.
    ‘I’ve seen worse disfigurements.’
    ‘Is it a bargain?’
    Hero gave a resigned sigh. ‘We begin with alpha-beta, the letters that form the bricks of language. First is alpha, from the Hebrew hieroglyph of an ox’s head, signifying “leader”.’
    The light dimmed. A burly figure blocked the doorway. Richard jumped up, knocking over the inkpot.
    ‘Now look what you’ve done. Your hands are as clumsy as your wits.’
    ‘Get out,’ Olbec ordered, cuffing Richard as he scuttled past. ‘God, how could I have fathered such a maggot? Can’t handle a sword or lance. Can’t stay on a horse. Should have been drowned at birth.’ Olbec’s attention turned to Hero, who was frantically blotting the page. ‘Forget about that,’ he growled.
    ‘He’s ruined my only sheet.’
    ‘I might be able to help there,’ Olbec said. He straddled the bench and examined Hero like a peasant sizing up livestock. ‘A doctor, eh?’
    ‘Not yet licensed. I still have to complete my practical study, and then I intend to do a year’s anatomy course.’
    ‘How old are you?’
    ‘Nineteen this summer.’
    ‘Dear Lord, what I’d give to be nineteen again. Everything to look forward to – battles to fight, lands to win, women to bed.’
    ‘I’m not sure that my vocation leads me on such an heroic course. If you’d care to tell me what ails you. I understand that your wounds trouble you.’
    Olbec glanced at the doorway.
    ‘Nothing you tell me will pass beyond these walls,’ said Hero. ‘My oath to Hippocrates binds me to confidentiality.’
    Olbec prodded the Sicilian’s chest. ‘Forget Hippo-what’s-his-name. You’ll keep your trap shut because I’ll cut your heart out if you repeat one word.’ He went to the entrance, peered about, then pulled the door shut. ‘What opinion have you formed of my wife?’
    ‘A chaste and pious lady of impeccable morals,’ Hero said in a rush.
    Olbec digested this character reference. ‘All those things, of course, but speaking man to man, I must tell you that my lady knows how to give and receive earthly pleasures.’
    ‘Piety and passion in perfect balance. You’re blessed, my