Read Online Longsword by Veronica Heley - Free Book Online

sitting up, all hunched shoulders and knotted hands. Gervase thought he looked more like a king spider every day. A spider calling a fly into his web.
    â€œWell, and what did you make of our noble kinsman, Jaclin?”
    â€œHe says he has sent for my sword. Who told him about it?”
    â€œNurse, I suppose. She thought your routing four unarmed beggars a tale worthy to tell her cronies. Doubtless everyone in the castle has heard of your prowess by now.”
    â€œThe beggars were not unarmed,” said Gervase, taking his customary seat at the reading desk, and looking to see what papers he was to copy, or letters to write. “Is it true that Captain Varons has sent for the sword? Can you not drop a word in his ear?”
    â€œI?” The old man exhibited pious horror at the notion. “How would a word from me …?”
    â€œIt would be more than enough, if you wished it. The Lady Beata promised. …”
    â€œAh, but what power has she here?” The thrust wounded Gervase, as it was meant to do. He tried to give no sign of distress, but knew that Hamo had learned somehow – but how? The girl had not been near Gervase for days – of his love, and of the hopelessness of it.
    â€œA soldier without a sword,” mused Hamo, turning up his eyes. “Eh, dear Lord! A soldier without a sword is like a crab without its shell. …”
    â€œOr a craftsman without tools,” said Gervase. “Luckily a quill costs nothing to make, save a little time. I can always take up a new craft. …”
    â€œYou should not interrupt an old man. I was going to say that a soldier without a sword is like a knight without a name, or a home, or kin that will recognise him.”
    Gervase stroked his beard with the feather of the quill in his hand, and considered the old man. The threat was there, in the air, all about them, even though Hamo had not put it into words. What was King Spider up to now? Did he know something, or merely suspect it? And if so … Gervase was too useful to him to be given over to the officers of the law … or was he? So Gervase peaked his eyebrows in enquiry, and Hamo allowed himself a chuckle of amusement.
    â€œWell, well,” said Hamo. “Let us leave it at that for the moment. You want your sword back, though I Can’t imagine why. Sheer contrariness, I wouldn’t wonder. Just because Jaclin wants it. You have no money, and the clothes on your back are there at my whim – not that you haven’t earned them – I’ll say that for you, you’re no idler. …”
    Gervase waited, stroking his beard the while. The old man had been trying to say something to him for days, but had either been interrupted by visitors, or changed his mind at the last minute. Often now he dropped asleep in the middle of a conversation. Gervase was afraid that Hamo was failing fast.
    â€œMy hands,” said Hamo, holding them up. “I want you to be my hands.”
    â€œI am willing, in so far as I am able. You know that.”
    â€œAnd my eyes and my ears,” said Hamo. “And my brain.”
    There was a long silence. Gervase sat back, throwing the quill onto the desk before him. He folded his arms and surveyed the old man with a mixture of anger and dismay.
    â€œNo,” said Gervase.
    â€œYou are always so hasty, you young men,” said Hamo, at once assuming an air of senility. “We will speak of this again, when you have had time to think about it … you have worn me out with your nonsense, now. …” He closed his eyes and composed himself for sleep.
    Later that day, he called Gervase in to him again.
    He said, without preamble, “Well, have you taken time to consider the advantages of the position?”
    â€œI considered the disadvantages of refusing you,” Gervase replied. “Are you threatening me with imprisonment, or what?”
    â€œI?” The bright eyes twinkled at him, but