Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 70
Chapter 37
David was glad enough just to lie down in the cart, and close his eyes and control his shaking. He had to admit — at least to himself if to no-one else — he was badly rattled by all of this. He actually wanted to cry and might just have permitted himself a snuffle or two. Was the entire world determined to kill him? He hadn’t even done anything to most of it, yet.
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 69
There was no body. No mutilated dark skinned gray eyed man with his throat ripped out, and his entrails wrapped around the trees.
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 68
Chapter 36
Dana left the cart quietly, early, by the back. If she’d got up normally, before she’d covered thirty paces someone from the urchin pack would have joined her. And mother would have moaned, just like yesterday, and the day before.
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 67
And she should have realized that someone as vigilant as this would not miss the similarity. Or be taken in by the deception. She could only hope that the Raven clan was led by less observant warriors. “They look quite like each other,” she admitted. “If they see him sitting up, they will not realize that he cannot ride away.”
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 66
* * *
David was beginning to wonder whether dying of heat was any better than being murdered. The knights in their armor were complaining. And he, in this hooded cloak, felt as if he was going to melt entirely. Worst of all, it appeared that both Kari and Erik had noticed. “What are you wearing that thing for?” asked Kari. “It’s hot enough to make a bear shed its pelt. Are you hiding something under there?”
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 65
Chapter 35
The knights found Bortai’s cart easily enough. The bullock had pulled its stake and it took Kari a while to find it. He was a better-than-average tracker, Erik noted. He was as useful out here as he had been difficult in more civilized parts. The knights were glad that he had found it. So was Bortai, Erik noticed. It was probably all she had in the world besides a couple of ponies. Good horseflesh, but not on a par with that owned by the Ilkhan’s escort. That was to be expected, naturally. Erik did not have Svanhild’s eye for horse-flesh, or utter passion for it. But he did like horses, and felt that he could tell a great deal about a man and his culture, from his horse. The Illyrians were not great riding people and generally the quality of the mounts of the scouts that accompanied them had not been of the best. Not that they didn’t look after their horses, or were not proud of their steeds . . . but they came across as a people who fought on foot and fled on horses. The Ilkhan’s men used and loved their horses . . . but the Golden Horde came across to Erik as men who lived in the saddle, fought in the saddle, and would probably mount a horse in order to cross the street in a town.
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 64
She rolled off him again and began to undo his breeches. He’d had strange and confused dreams involving this. She lifted her skirts and put her bare leg over him, and guided him into somewhere warm and wet and soft, and slid it down onto him.
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 63
Later, when the merchant had left with his empty wagon, they broke camp. Vlad was surprised at how quickly, and with how little fuss it could all happen. He was also surprised in another way just before they set off. His new quartermaster brought him a cloak. “Black, Sire. As you like it. Made up already . . . But I had to get the girl to use some of the purple satin for a lining. There wasn’t enough to go round, Sire. And best that it go to you, without the men fighting over pieces to give to their lemans.”
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 62
Chapter 34
“We need arms. And gold or at least silver. More horses. And probably food.” Vlad spoke to himself. He did not dare say so to any other person. That would betray the weakness of his position and his own lack of knowledge. He knew he was the Prince of Valahia. He knew from Countess Elizabeth — he kept thinking of her — that his father was dead and that King Emeric was going to have him killed, as he had no further use as a hostage . . . He was not entirely sure why he was of no further use. His mother still lived, didn’t she? A tear pricked at his eye. For years he had avoided thinking of her. It hurt too much. He’d had a baby sister too. Where were they? Still in Poienari castle, high above the ravine? Why could Emeric not just have forced her to act as regent?
Much Fall Of Blood — Snippet 61
Chapter 33
In his throne room in Vilnius, that which sat behind the eyes of the grand duke was concerned by the continued absence of his new shaman. True, he could do without one. He had in the past. But having a shaman was less fatiguing. He would send fresh messengers to Karelia, with dire warnings. He did not like being kept waiting, or — although this was unlikely — being defied.
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