Read Artesans of Albia: 02 - King's Champion for Free Online Page A

Naturally, I ordered my men to fight. None of them would engage her because she was only a girl, but she wasn’t interested in them. No, she came straight for me. All I saw was a slim young woman holding a ridiculously large sword and—as I thought—an ego to match. My men thought I was mad accepting her challenge, but I intended to disarm her, show off my skill, and teach her the price of her folly. Hah, folly!”
    He pursed his lips. “The folly was mine. I barely had time to raise my sword before she sent it spinning from my hand. She even had the gall to offer it back again, saying it wasn’t a fair duel as I obviously wasn’t ready. But there was no point me trying again. I’d already lost face with my men. It was clearly hopeless, so I surrendered.”
    Staring at the ground, he sighed again. “Another company had arrived by then, drawn by the noise of combat. Their commander wanted to kill us all for breaking the Pact, but Sullyan said we were free to return. I was bound by the terms of my surrender, and she plainly knew our customs. She knew I couldn’t challenge her again. She spared our lives, but I was forced to endure the laughter of my men for being defeated by a woman.
    “A few days after, I received a message requesting safe passage for the Albian King’s ambassador. To my amazement, it was Sullyan who arrived at my door, and that was the beginning of our friendship.”
    He fell silent. Rienne said nothing, digesting the story, thinking what an extraordinary life Sullyan had led. She only belatedly remembered the younger woman’s earlier pain and panic. “So what was all that about in there, just now?”
    Marik started as if he had forgotten she was there. “Oh. I ... I don’t really know.”
    The lie was plain. “Come now, Count. I’m not stupid, but I am a healer, remember? It’s something Rykan has done to her, isn’t it? Tell me. I really need to know if I’m going to be able to help her.”
    He shook his head. “You can’t—”
    Cal’s voice cut across the Count’s and Rienne jumped. She heard the note of fear as Cal called her name again, and hurried out of the barn. “I’m here.”
    “There you are,” he said. “Sullyan’s asking for you. You too, Count.”
    “Me?” Marik frowned. “What does she want me for?”
    Cal shrugged. “You’d better come and see.”
    Rienne entered the hut, followed by Marik. As she blinked in the firelight, the smells of food and fellan hit her like a delicious wave, making her abruptly aware of how hungry she was. The fear and exertion of the last two days had thrown her body rhythms completely out. It must have been getting on for midnight, but she was ravenous.
    The others had already started on the food. Bull passed her a mug of fellan and she sipped the scalding liquid gratefully. He also passed one to Marik, who seemed startled at being included. From his place on the bed, Sullyan cradled against him, Robin watched the Count suspiciously.
    Rienne approached the bed and kneeled on the floor. Placing her mug beside her, she took one of Sullyan’s cold hands. The Major stirred and glanced at her, smiling faintly.
    “Ah, Rienne, there you are. I wanted to thank you for what you have done. You put your life at risk to save me.”
    Rienne shook her head. “I don’t need your thanks. I’m just relieved you’re still with us. I don’t think I’d have survived what you’ve been through.”
    A brief flicker of pain crossed Sullyan’s face. “You have done so much already. I hesitate to ask more of you. I know how tired you must be.”
    Rienne squeezed her hand. “What do you need? Is it to do with what afflicted you earlier? You were in such pain ....”
    Sullyan shook her head, her tumbled hair rippling over Robin’s arms. “Rienne, I have to be able to ride. We cannot stay here much longer. We are too vulnerable this close to Rykan’s palace. But it will take me too long to recover my strength naturally. I am far too