Read Online Knight's Blood by Julianne Lee - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Julianne Lee
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Fantasy fiction, Fantasy, Time travel, Scotland, Married People, Kidnapping, Children - Crimes against, Fighter pilots
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accepted that Alex was a descendant, but wrapping his mind around the idea of moving backward and forward through time was a strain on him.
Beltane. Alex remembered it was the first of May. Nearly Beltane would make this April of 1316. He said, “I was in the future four months, Hector. I made him send me back to where I came from, and my son was born there.”
Hector grinned. “A son, ye say? And healthy? Praises to God!”
Pain curdled the joy Alex should have felt, for he wished he could believe the boy was his. But he said, “And as soon as he was born, he was taken. Someone abducted him from his mother. She’s chasing after him, I think. I don’t know where either of them are.”
“Och,” said Hector, more softly than Alex had ever heard him speak. “But you think they may have come here?”
“I’m certain she has. She’s taken my armor. I think she came back because this is where I can find people who might help me.” But he wasn’t finding Danu, and Hector would be no help, either. “I need to take my men and search for her. I think she’s come to this century. She’s got my hauberk and gauntlets, which aren’t much use in future times.”
Hector gave a thoughtful sigh and fed Alex some more soup, then said, “’Tis a rather large century. A man’s life is nae so large.” Meaning, Alex could live his whole life and possibly never live in the year to which Lindsay had returned.
“I know. But there weren’t any other choices. The wee folk were my only hope.”
A small, disgusted noise rasped in the back of Hector’s throat. “Then hope is lost, for the faeries are dangerous and not to be trusted.”
How well Alex knew that! But he said, “They sent me here, and nailed the date pretty well, considering.”
“And nearly killed ye in the nailing.”
“In any case, I’m here. And I must find my wife.”
“Aye. But not today.”
Alex sighed. “No. Not today.” He closed his eyes and tried to rest, but images of what the future might hold buzzed through his brain. Adrift in the grief of the past days, he made his plans to take men to the mainland in search of his wife and her child. And he wouldn’t give up until they were both found.
For several days he slept and ate, gaining strength. Whatever that Brochan guy had done to him turned out to be the worst illness of his life. Even the stabbing he’d taken while on Barra a year and a half ago had not laid him out this badly. He’d never been this sick before and hoped he’d never be this bad off again. A quick death for him would be his preference.
Finally he recovered enough to rise from his bed and dress. It was to his disappointment he wasn’t yet strong enough to don chain mail and ride off on his search, and so he wore his domestic robes to present himself in the Great Hall for breakfast. Deep red to reflect his livery of red, black, and gold, his garb was cinched with a wide, black belt. He wore black trews beneath and black leather boots with unfashionably blunt toes. Pointed shoes irked him. He found it difficult to take seriously men who dressed like munchkins, no matter that it was all the rage among the nobility to have long points that sometimes curled up and over. Every time he saw the truly ridiculous ones, the ones that curled so high the tips wiggled with each step, the Lollipop Guild song leapt into his head and sometimes he found himself humming it to himself the rest of the day.
With as much dignity as he could summon, Alex made his way to the table at the head of the long hearth and presided over the meal among his men. There seemed to be an air of relief in the room that the master was recovered. Men ate heartily and occasionally stood to make short speeches of their joy at his return and improving health. The musician playing small bagpipes kept to lively music, and Alex smiled as brightly as he could. It was going to be a long, expensive
Beltane. Alex remembered it was the first of May. Nearly Beltane would make this April of 1316. He said, “I was in the future four months, Hector. I made him send me back to where I came from, and my son was born there.”
Hector grinned. “A son, ye say? And healthy? Praises to God!”
Pain curdled the joy Alex should have felt, for he wished he could believe the boy was his. But he said, “And as soon as he was born, he was taken. Someone abducted him from his mother. She’s chasing after him, I think. I don’t know where either of them are.”
“Och,” said Hector, more softly than Alex had ever heard him speak. “But you think they may have come here?”
“I’m certain she has. She’s taken my armor. I think she came back because this is where I can find people who might help me.” But he wasn’t finding Danu, and Hector would be no help, either. “I need to take my men and search for her. I think she’s come to this century. She’s got my hauberk and gauntlets, which aren’t much use in future times.”
Hector gave a thoughtful sigh and fed Alex some more soup, then said, “’Tis a rather large century. A man’s life is nae so large.” Meaning, Alex could live his whole life and possibly never live in the year to which Lindsay had returned.
“I know. But there weren’t any other choices. The wee folk were my only hope.”
A small, disgusted noise rasped in the back of Hector’s throat. “Then hope is lost, for the faeries are dangerous and not to be trusted.”
How well Alex knew that! But he said, “They sent me here, and nailed the date pretty well, considering.”
“And nearly killed ye in the nailing.”
“In any case, I’m here. And I must find my wife.”
“Aye. But not today.”
Alex sighed. “No. Not today.” He closed his eyes and tried to rest, but images of what the future might hold buzzed through his brain. Adrift in the grief of the past days, he made his plans to take men to the mainland in search of his wife and her child. And he wouldn’t give up until they were both found.
For several days he slept and ate, gaining strength. Whatever that Brochan guy had done to him turned out to be the worst illness of his life. Even the stabbing he’d taken while on Barra a year and a half ago had not laid him out this badly. He’d never been this sick before and hoped he’d never be this bad off again. A quick death for him would be his preference.
Finally he recovered enough to rise from his bed and dress. It was to his disappointment he wasn’t yet strong enough to don chain mail and ride off on his search, and so he wore his domestic robes to present himself in the Great Hall for breakfast. Deep red to reflect his livery of red, black, and gold, his garb was cinched with a wide, black belt. He wore black trews beneath and black leather boots with unfashionably blunt toes. Pointed shoes irked him. He found it difficult to take seriously men who dressed like munchkins, no matter that it was all the rage among the nobility to have long points that sometimes curled up and over. Every time he saw the truly ridiculous ones, the ones that curled so high the tips wiggled with each step, the Lollipop Guild song leapt into his head and sometimes he found himself humming it to himself the rest of the day.
With as much dignity as he could summon, Alex made his way to the table at the head of the long hearth and presided over the meal among his men. There seemed to be an air of relief in the room that the master was recovered. Men ate heartily and occasionally stood to make short speeches of their joy at his return and improving health. The musician playing small bagpipes kept to lively music, and Alex smiled as brightly as he could. It was going to be a long, expensive
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