Read Online The Blessed by Lisa T. Bergren - Free Book Online Page B

are on God’s own errand, traveling to Avignon to await an audience with the pope. We are the Gifted, a group of believers whom God has drawn together for his good purposes. I have the gift of healing; Gianni, the captain of my guard, has the gift of faith; Father Piero, the gift of wisdom; little Tessa here, the gift of discernment.”
    â€œAnd the others?”
    â€œPart of my adopted family or my guard. Necessary all.”
    â€œVery well. As I told the countess, I no longer have bedding or suitable accommodations for any of you. You shall have to find . . .” He wavered on his feet, as if about to fall. Gianni reached out an arm to his elbow, but the lord shook it off, turned on his heel, and walked up the stairs. “Come, healer. Do your worst and then be on your way.”
    Â 
“TO whom does this land belong? Why do they now tarry here?” Amidei asked Vincenzo.
    â€œThe scouts report that it belongs to a Lord Devenue, once a suitor of the Countess des Baux.”
    â€œOnce?”
    â€œLord Devenue ails from the cancer and broke off their engagement some time ago. Many believed him already dead.”
    â€œNo one knows if he is alive or dead?”
    â€œNay.”
    â€œThey could have made Avignon in a day and found much more appealing accommodations. But instead they come here with masons, stone, and mortar. They knew they were to stay for a few days, mayhap even as long as a week. Lord Devenue may be near death’s door, but I’d wager our Daria is about to change that.”
    Vincenzo said nothing.
    â€œI want our men to be watching the Gifted night and day, armed and ready to seize them if any opportunity arises. And while we wait, I refuse to sit here and watch while they go about the task of our enemy. We shall go to town, spread word of a meeting here, in the hills, in two nights’ time. It’s time for us to draw our faithful in again. We shall have use for them at some point. The master calls and I aim to answer.” He jutted his chin out, as if pointing with it to the mansion. “They’ll feel us here. Know we’re present. It may impede their progress.”
    â€œDo you truly anticipate trying to intercept them? Take them?”
    â€œWe will toy with them, remind them of who their enemies are. We cannot take them here, not now. Not with the manpower they boast, not at risk to the count and countess of Les Baux. If we wound one of them, our enemies will triple. Our only opportunity is if they enter the right road where we can separate the Gifted from the others. At that perfect moment, should it present itself, our goal shall be solitary.”
    â€œKill them.”
    â€œKill all the knights. Capture and sacrifice the others. Slowly.” Abramo grinned. “If they won’t make haste and get to Avignon where I can get the churchmen to do my work for me, then I must do it myself.” He leaned closer. “But I must confess, brother, that I would not mind it at all, to feel the terror within that girl child. To see Daria broken. I believe I might give them the taste of me and our master tonight. Remind them of their weakness, the danger hovering nearby.”
    â€œYou shall draw near? How?”
    â€œThey fear us. We simply play upon those fears. Come, we shall gather some of the village simpletons and tonight, I shall show you more of the master than you have ever known before.”
    TESSA stood at the window with Anette, and Daria went to join them. Outside, the count and his men were already at work. They could hear men entering and exiting the rooms downstairs. The smell of cooking food roamed through the mansion. Two bonfires had been lit, and the men fed them with the broken furniture of Lord Devenue’s mansion. Only his bed and the massive dining table had been spared, it seemed. Every other piece had been torn apart, broken apart, pulverized by the raging, lonely lord. Atop the fires were massive cauldrons,