Warrior's Ransom (The First Argentines #2) - Jeff Wheeler Page 0,72

of the blade.

“That would be murder,” Estian said.

“Which is no less than what you are planning. Release my knights.”

Estian squeezed the armrests of his throne. Ransom felt the king’s vulnerability. One thrust was all it would take to destroy him. How he wanted to, even if it ended in his own slaughter!

“Don’t be a fool, Ransom,” growled Benedict. “You cannot defeat us all.”

“I don’t need to,” he answered, glowering at Estian. “Just him. That leaves your sister, Noemie, does it not?”

Sweat had formed on Estian’s brow and began to trickle down his cheek. “Sir Robert, be so kind as to let our guests leave the palace.”

“Aye, my lord,” said Sir Robert in a disgruntled tone. Ransom hated the man even more now. It was obvious he’d wanted to slaughter his own countrymen.

He turned his head and saw Sir Robert returning the knights’ weapons. A sense of danger to his left shifted his gaze to Benedict, who was tensing as if prepared to spring from his chair and tackle Ransom.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Ransom said to the prince in a menacing way.

“Benedict, I forbid it,” said the king. “Your men are leaving, Sir Ransom. Lower your sword. You may go free as well.”

“I intend to,” Ransom said. More sweat trickled down Estian’s face. “Call her off, my lord.”

“Who?”

“You know who I speak of. Your poisoner. If Devon is dead when I return, I swear on the Fountain that I will be back to take off your head.”

Estian licked his lips. “Very well.”

“You have a way to stop her?” Ransom asked, pressing his hand harder against the king’s chest. His sword arm burned from holding the same position for so long, but he ignored the sensation.

“I will recall her,” he said. “It’s that simple.”

“It better be,” Ransom said. “Your life depends on it.”

“I understand you. Lower your sword.”

Ransom did so, although it was now aimed at Estian’s stomach. The urge to drive it through him was so powerful he almost shook with it. He wanted to rampage throughout the throne room, to slay all of them in his fury, even though he knew he would die doing so. Or would the scabbard miraculously keep him alive?

No, he didn’t believe it was that powerful. It made him difficult to kill, not immortal.

“We are enemies now,” Estian said softly. “You realize that. I will never permit you to step foot in Pree again on pain of death. I banish you. Your lands are forfeit. But go in peace. I swear before my nobles you will not be harmed.”

Ransom wasn’t surprised. “I don’t intend to come back,” he said curtly.

He lowered his hand from the king’s chest until his sword pointed at the floor. He turned, basking in the enmity focused on him. Then he marched past the nobles, watching as some of them shrank from him. When he reached the door, he exchanged hostile glares with Sir Robert Tregoss.

“Until next time,” Sir Robert said with the promise of vengeance.

“I look forward to it,” Ransom shot back.

It has been over a year since I last scribbled on these pages. I think my loathing of this confinement made me loathe this little book as well. At least I’ve had letters aplenty from Ransom. Quite a few of them talked about his past conflicts with Sir James, which leads me to believe someone told him about that fool eejit’s interest in me. I like that he wants to protect me, and I truly wish I could have been there in his youth to see him take on James and his moody henchlings when they were at Averanche together. So many stories. I cherish each one. He also told me about Lady Alix and her role in the Occitanian court. I’ve spent the afternoon reading through those letters as well as these pages again, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with tears. Sir Dalian says the dungeon is full of prisoners now, and many of them are sick and dying. I don’t know how those poor souls can live with their chains. My captivity isn’t nearly as onerous as theirs, but a caged bird is still caged, no matter how expensive the bars.

Well, if Benedict wins, we will shortly earn our release. But at what cost?

As I understand things—you must pardon me, future reader, if any of my facts are in error—the Elder King intended to press his son to relinquish the Vexin lands to his youngest brother, Jon-Landon, in return for being named heir presumptive and