Read Online The Cross Legged Knight by Candace Robb - Free Book Online Page B

moonlight to outline shapes. The fruit trees shivered in the light wind, something skittered beneath the hellebore leaves, but other than that all was still, and he picked out no unexpected silhouettes.
    With a sudden rush of noisy movement, a shape emerged from his left, blocking the path.
    ‘Who goes there?’ Alfred demanded in a loud, resonant voice.
    ‘Your captain,’ said Owen, stepping into the light. ‘What were you doing back there?’
    ‘I thought I saw someone. Creeping along, staying low, as you were just now. But I can find no trace. If someone was here, he escaped over the wall.’
    At four feet high, that would not be difficult for an agile person.
    ‘I fear you were right that we should watch,’ said Alfred.
    He deserved to know just how dangerous this was. ‘Someone murdered that woman in the undercroft tonight. If the man in my kitchen is not the murderer, it might be the intruder you just frightened off.’ Or there might have been nothing in the garden but Alfred’s imagination. Owen must remember that.
    ‘I guessed her death was no accident when you set us up to guard, Captain. You are not an idle worrier.’
    ‘I intend to move him on the morrow’ – as soon as Owen told Lucie what they were dealing with. He hoped she would agree with him. ‘I commend you for your quick response.’
    ‘Get some rest, Captain. I’ll be watching.’
    When Owen returned to the kitchen, Magda had removed the cap that had held her grizzled braids from her neck and was pinning them high on her head.
    ‘Trouble?’ she asked.
    ‘Alfred fears we had an uninvited guest.’
    ‘It is good thou hadst the foresight to set a watch. Help Magda shift Poins on to his stomach.’ She tucked the light cover around the injured man, took her position at his feet.
    Her lack of concern regarding a possible intruder calmed Owen. He bent to slip his hands beneath the man’s chest, smelling the noxious lotion Magda had spread on the right side of his face. Poins shuddered with pain, cried out at the movement beneath his shoulders and the rasp of the rough cloth against his burns as they lifted and rolled him on to his stomach, the cover now beneath him. Here were the worst of the burns, on his upper back, the back of his head, his buttocks. Some of the flesh was blistered, some of it burned more severely.
    Magda began tucking folded cloths and cushions beneath Poins to ease the strain on his neck and allow him to breathe freely. Though her skin was a web of wrinkles, she was yet a strong woman, manipulating the man as if he were but a child.
    ‘Bring Magda the ointment she was stirring.’
    ‘It smells as if you mean to tan him.’
    ‘Magda must cleanse the wounds, prepare the flesh for healing. Adderwort, oak bark, lady’s mantle …’
    ‘… and urine.’
    ‘Dost thou suddenly have a weak stomach?’
    ‘No. We used it in the camps. But it is not a pleasant odour in the kitchen.’
    ‘Thou shouldst move him above the shop, keep himand the guards from thy children.’
    ‘I mean to move him at least that far.’
    The oil lamp was flickering, about to go out, when Poins groaned and blinked rapidly.
    Owen spoke his name.
    Poins struck out with his remaining arm, knocking aside the bowl Owen had left beside him.
    Owen caught his arm, held it down. ‘You are safe, Poins.’
    The injured man opened his eyes, staring wildly. He opened his mouth, but had little voice. Twisting away from Owen, he arched, trying to roll on to his back.
    ‘You do not want to do that,’ Owen said, holding fast.
    Magda appeared at Owen’s side. ‘There is sometimes this wildness after the dwale leaves the body. Magda is grateful thou wert wakeful.’
    Poins began to breathe shallowly. ‘I am burning,’ he moaned. His face contorted. ‘My arm.’
    ‘Thou art saved,’ Magda said. ‘Sleep now. Thou hast much healing to do.’
    His breathing slowed.
    Magda turned to Owen. ‘Take thee up to thy bed. Thou hast returned him to the living. For