Read Online Never Wager Against Love (Kellington Book Three) by Maureen Driscoll - Free Book Online Page A

“But why go to all that
trouble?  Whoever is behind this could have told them in a much easier way.”
    “Normally, I would agree with you, but in this instance, the
item they are being asked to steal is of incalculable worth and great
significance.  The consequences for both the thieves and the contact would be
severe if word got out.”
    “What’s the target?” asked Arthur. 
    “The Larsen broadsword, which is housed in the Norwich
Castle Armory.  If you’ll permit me, I shall give you the background from an
academic’s perspective.  Norwich was a popular landing point for Vikings who
were, as history teaches us, quite bloodthirsty warriors.  They conquered
England and much of northern Europe and some think they even went so far as the
coast of North America. 
    “One of the reasons they fought so well, besides their
innate criminal tendencies – Scandinavians are quite nasty creatures – was
their weaponry.   Their broadswords were crafted by artisans who knew how to
kill efficiently.  They were so good at their craft that entire myths were
built around their weaponry, such as the legend of Thor’s Hammer.  In this
case, there was a Viking leader named Horvath Larsen, who was said to have
conquered the local coastal defenses almost single-handedly.  He did it with a
broadsword of such acclaim that to just catch sight of it was enough to instill
fear in any serfs they encountered.  The hilt was inlaid with jewels taken from
castles they pillaged along the way.  Larsen was said to be invincible.  He marched
on London and likely would’ve conquered it, had it not been for his own
unexpected death.”
    “How did he die?” asked Vanessa.
    “By being lectured to death,” muttered Arthur into his
coffee.  He felt an answering kick under the table from Vanessa.
    “He quite literally fell on his own sword,” said Dumbarton
triumphantly.  “It’s unclear whether an enemy poisoned the sword or it was
simply encrusted with enough bad humors to kill a man.  Some say an enemy snuck
in and killed him with it.  Others say he was drunk and tripped, sustaining a
wound that became putrid.  There’s even a theory that a woman was involved.”
    “A woman is usually involved,” said Arthur.  “At least in
all the most interesting stories.”
    Dumbarton ignored the comment and continued.  “There’s also
a mystical theory that says only someone who is truly good at heart can wield
the Larsen with impunity.  He died when his sins caught up to him.  But no
matter how it happened, his men were so disheartened that the siege failed.  Before
heading home, they discarded the broadsword in Norwich because they thought it
was cursed.  It ended up in some feudal lord’s hands, was passed down through
the generations and is now displayed in Norwich Castle at the Armory as a
symbol of British supremacy.”
    “Or Viking clumsiness,” added Arthur.  And this time Vanessa
couldn’t help but giggle.
    “You don’t believe in mysticism, Kellington?” asked
Dumbarton.
    Arthur thought briefly of Sofia and her predictions.  “I
believe in what I can see and touch.”
    “’There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are
dreamt of in your philosophy,’” quoted Dumbarton.
    “Yes, well, Hamlet wasn’t a man I would choose to emulate.”
    Dumbarton smiled.  “Be that as it may, Kellington, the sword
is the villains’ first target.” 
    “An armory would surely be well-guarded,” said Vanessa.  “How
could they expect to steal the sword from such a place?”
    “Norwich Castle is also the shire’s gaol,” replied
Dumbarton, as he motioned to Sedgwick to clear the table.  “There would be
plenty of distractions by the very nature of the occupants.  If your villains
are as resourceful as you say, they might be able to take advantage of the
situation to steal the sword.”
    “That seems to be a fairly big risk, considering if they’re
caught they can be imprisoned on the