Read Betrayal for Free Online Page B

him.’
    Ailsa took over. ‘You were irresistible, Torkyn. I loved you from the moment I set eyes on you, and with each passing year I loved you more, child. Your father and I could not get with child, you see. We had tried for so many years.’
    She threw a knowing glance at her husband, who returned it as he remembered the nights of love in this same bedroom.
    Tor looked at his mother. ‘And she gave me to you?’
    ‘Yes. You were helpless, homeless and unwanted. We were not wealthy but we were comfortable. We had no children but so dearly wanted a child of our own. We wanted you. It wasn’t a hard decision, Tor, you were so easy to love.’
    ‘Nobody asked any questions?’ Tor asked incredulously.
    ‘Why, yes, of course. Lots of questions were asked by the Flat Meadows folk,’ his father replied. ‘We told the truth and before long the questions stopped and you were accepted as Torkyn Gynt, our son.’
    ‘And the woman?’
    ‘She moved on to Tal, I imagine. She seemed very happy to find a good home for you and she left immediately. We’ve never heard from her again.’ Ailsa looked at him uncomfortably. ‘Why, would you prefer we had let you go on with her and live what sort of life, I wonder?’
    ‘No, but this is such a shock. I…well…have you ever thought of finding out more about my real parents? Who they were? How the fire happened?’
    It was his father’s turn to look uncomfortable. ‘No, Tor, we haven’t. You were a blessing—a gift from the gods.’
    Tor shuddered involuntarily at his father’s words.
    ‘They were dead. We had no reason or business to go in search of ghosts. You were ours. We just wanted to give you a home of love and laughter,’ Ailsa said gently.
    ‘And that you did.’ He squeezed her hand tightly. ‘Is there any more to this tale?’
    Jhon Gynt stretched. ‘No, son. That’s the only secret we have ever kept from you. But your mother and I knew this day of reckoning would probably come. From the early days we knew you were special, but we ignored it. You were sensitive enough to realise you are blessed with a dangerous gift. I have to say, after talking at length with Physic Merkhud, Itrust him. He will protect you as you tread your own path now.’
    ‘When do you leave us, child?’ Ailsa wondered aloud, not really wanting an answer.
    ‘Merkhud has given me a purse. He wants me to buy a horse and some stout boots and come when I’m ready. He leaves tomorrow but I thought I’d wait a few days and help you with the letters over at Beckynsayle…er, perhaps leaving Sixthday…’ Tor’s voice trailed off.
    Ailsa poked her husband in the ribs. ‘What about the stones?’
    ‘Oh ay, the stones. Almost forgot.’ Jhon Gynt tut-tutted to himself and reached over to a small cupboard. He rummaged through the drawers and pulled out an old sock from which he took a small pouch of very soft animal skin, the contents of which clinked together. Tor looked puzzled.
    ‘Yes, well, I’m as curious as you to know what these are all about. The beautiful woman with the golden hair told us these were tied around your neck when they rescued you.’
    Gynt tipped the contents gently into his palm: three small, dull spheres clunked into his hand.
    ‘She was very clear, though, with her instructions. You were to have these when you were…of an age, she said.’
    Ailsa stared at the orbs. ‘We asked what she meant by of an age, but she only said we’d know the right time to give them to you.’ She looked up. ‘I imagine this must be the right time, my child.’ Her voice was soft.
    ‘Here, Tor, keep them safe,’ Jhon said. ‘I’m stumped as to why she insisted you have them. All I can think is that they belonged to your birth family and for that reason alone I’ve always considered them precious. At least it’s something you have from them.’
    Jhon dropped them into Tor’s hand where the orbs blazed into spectacular colours.
    ‘Light strike me!’ Ailsa reached out her