Read Online Servant of a Dark God by John Brown - Free Book Online

armor. The children and I will ride off first. And in the confusion of them chasing us, you can get on Sot.”
    Da fastened his helmet on. “It’s too risky. We need to split them. I should have run to the smithy to draw them away from you, but none of the pieces there would have fit me well. There’s no armor there but what’s made for these short whoreson Mokaddians.”
    Heat began to press down upon them as if they were loaves in an oven. Smoke hung about the room in hazy streaks.
    “It’s time,” he said. Then he took Legs’s face in his hands and kissed his cheek, embraced him, then kissed him again. He did the same to Sugar, but she could not let him go.
    She would not. Lords, she would rather die with him. She had her knife.
    “You are a delight and solace,” he said. “We named you perfectly. Take care of your brother.” Then he gently forced Sugar away.
    He stood and looked at Mother with a fierce light in his eyes. “I could never have found a better woman,” he said. “Even in your arguing.”
    “Take off the armor,” Mother said.
    “We’re not going to be able to make the break together,” said Da. “It won’t work.”
    Mother seemed oddly calm. “Sparrow, my heart. Haven’t you learned yet that I’m always right?”
    What was Mother thinking? Then Sugar realized she had given up. She’d always said that if her babies died, she wanted to go with them. Sugar saw this logic extended to Da as well. And perhaps that was right. They would all die together.
    “No,” said Da. “We’ll not take that route. We’ll not walk into their spears and arrows without a struggle. If they want my blood and the blood of my fine wife and children, then they will pay for it. You’re feeling battle dread; hold your course until it passes. You have a chance, Purity. A slim one. Don’t throw it away.”
    “I’m not talking of giving up,” said Mother. “We do have a chance, but not in this way. They’ll cut you down before those out back even know what’s happening. You’re a mighty man, Master Sparrow, but even you cannot stand against fifty spears.”
    Da’s face was full of confusion. “What better plan is there?”
    “ I will face them.”
    Da’s face softened. “That, love, is my task. Now ready yourself.” He turned, but Mother grasped him by the shoulder and held him back.
    She had gone mad with panic and grief.
    Da tried to pull her hand away.
    “I will face them,” she said calmly.
    “Purity,” he said. “Love.” He removed her hands and tried to stride to the door, but Mother grasped him again.
    “No,” he said and removed her hand. But she took him by the rim of his breastplate and, like a man heaving a sack of meal, threw him across the room. He stumbled over a chair and slammed into the far wall.
    Many men came far and wide to wrestle Da. Few had thrown him. None had handled him with such force.
    Da looked at Mother, his face full of shock. He shifted his mail tunic, then tried again to reach the door. But Mother planted herself in his path. He tried to push her out of the way, but could not budge her. He renewed his efforts, his arms and neck straining. But it was to no avail.
    His expression turned from shock to angry determination.
    He took a step back and then lunged at her, but Mother simply stepped out of his way and with one sweep of her foot took his legs out from underneath him.
    Mother reached down to take his war maul. “I will face them,” she said calmly. “Take off your armor so you can ride more easily.”
    Da grasped the head of the maul. “Purity,” he said.
    “I will draw them to me,” she said. “And you will ride with the children. It will be best that way. They will not be orphaned or caught and sold as chattel. You can provide for and protect them as I never could.”
    “I don’t understand,” Da said.
    “Yes, you do,” she said, then she tugged the maul out of his grip.
    Sugar stood back, confused and alarmed.
    Mother turned to her.