Read Online Shadowmoor (de Lohr Dynasty #6) by Kathryn Le Veque - Free Book Online Page A

had no home,” Liselotte pointed out. She couldn’t help it. “Yet you have two castles?”
    Daniel nodded. “I do,” he said. “But I have never lived at them. Mayhap someday I will, but for now, the floor of my home is the land and the roof of my home is the sky. All of England is my home and I like it that way.”
    Liselotte simply nodded, perhaps not entirely happy to hear that answer, as Gunnar continued with his questions. “Have you seen lots of battles, then?” he asked. “Have you killed a lot of men?”
    “Gunnar,” Etzel admonished softly. He smiled weakly at Daniel. “He is young, my lord. Blood and battles excite him.”
    Daniel put a big hand on Gunnar’s blond head. “When I was young, they excited me as well,” he said. “But that is a story for another time. It would seem to me that you and I have had an extraordinary day and I, for one, am looking forward to sleep. What say you, young Gunnar?”
    Gunnar shrugged. He wasn’t quite ready to go to bed. “You are sleeping in my chamber,” he said. “Shall I show you where it is?”
    Daniel nodded, rising wearily to his feet. His saddlebags were over near the hearth along with his tunic and cloak, which were now virtually dry from the intense heat of the fire. Gunnar ran alongside him and then darted in front of him, trying to help him with his things. Daniel nearly tripped over the skinny agile boy.
    “I will show you where to sleep,” Gunnar said. “Come follow me!”
    Daniel slung his saddlebags over his shoulder and collected his broadsword, still packed carefully in its sheath and propped against the saddlebags. By this time, Liselotte and Etzel were up because their guest was about to retire for the night.
    “Are you sure you have had enough to eat, my lord?” Liselotte asked. “My brother seems to be rushing you away. Surely you would stay and enjoy the remainder of the ale?”
    Daniel shook his head. “Nay, my lady, although your offer is gracious,” he said. “I will retire for the night for tomorrow, we will take a trip into the nearest northern town to find both a messenger and some supplies. It will be a big day for us all. In fact, my lady, I would consider it an honor if you would accompany me. I may have need of your guidance and expertise. I am a stranger to his area and you are not. Your knowledge will be invaluable.”
    Liselotte was thrilled at the prospect of accompanying the man into town. But she looked at her father for permission first and, when the man gave her a brief nod, it was all she could do not to gush like an excited fool.
    “If you think I would be of help, my lord,” she said. “I am happy to go with you. Only….”
    “Only what?”
    “I do not leave the fortress too often,” she said honestly. “My father is afraid that Lord Bramley’s men will capture me and take me back to him.”
    Daniel shook his head firmly. “That will not happen with me as your protector,” he said. “Therefore, you will be ready at dawn to depart. We have a good deal to do tomorrow and I do not want to delay.”
    “Can I go?” Gunnar begged, jumping up and down. “Please? Can I go?”
    Etzel put his hand on the boy’s head. “You have been away from home for weeks yet you want to leave us again so quickly?”
    Gunnar was still jumping up and down. “To town, Papa, to town !”
    Etzel could never refuse the boy. There was so little in his life to be excited about and especially as of late. He could hardly deny that hopeful face. He grunted reluctantly.
    “Very well,” he said. “But you will not be a burden and you do everything your sister and Sir Daniel tell you to do. Do you understand?”
    Gunnar was nodding eagerly, now running for the hall entry where the rain and thunder still pounded outside.
    “Come on!” he stopped at the door and turned to yell for Daniel. “Come with me!”
    Daniel wriggled his eyebrows at the eager lad and, begging his leave of Etzel and Liselotte, followed the happy boy to