Read Elizabeth English - The Borderlands 02 for Free Online Page B

to
twist ye into something ye were never meant to be. And I have not quite given
up hoping yet."
    Fergus tried to speak cheerfully, but this morning he
felt very old and weary. If the one he waited for did not come soon, it would
be too late. He would die without passing on the knowledge that had come down
to him in a line unbroken for a thousand years.
    "The world changes, lad, whether we will it or
no'," he said softly. "Perhaps 'tis meant that it should end with
me."
    "Can I do aught for you before I go?"
    "Nay." He smiled and laid a hand on
Alistair's brow in blessing. " Go néirí do thuras leat ," he
said. "May the one who watches over all speed your journey. And wherever
ye go, Alistair, remember ye are always in my prayers."

CHAPTER 5
     
    T he hall at Cranston Keep was a small place, usually
dark and cheerless. Tonight it blazed with torch and candle while many voices
echoed from the bare stone walls. Knights and squires, men-at-arms, and hired
soldiers sat at trestles or walked about the hall. It was a crowd such as
Deirdre Maxwell had never seen in all her time in Scotland.
    Brodie strode among his men, stopping here and there
to talk to the small groups that had gathered. He was in a good humor tonight,
for which all the gods be thanked. Tomorrow the men would march forth to meet
Johnson and settle for good and all the disputed lands between their borders. The
talk of battle was thirsty work.
    Deirdre cast a practiced eye over the hall. Varlets
scurried about, bearing trays of mugs and pitchers of ale, all of which were
disappearing as fast as they could bring them. She turned back to the kitchens
to order another cask be opened. As she left the hall, she heard the voices
roar out a startled greeting. Another one, she thought with a sigh, and where
were they to put him?  Well, he'd just have to crowd in somehow with the others
in the hall.
     
    A listair smiled as Kinnon Maxwell came forward and took
his hand.
    "Alistair, where have ye been, man?  There have
been the strangest tales told about ye lately—"
    "Aye, I imagine that there have," Alistair
answered with a grin. "And with luck, maybe half of them are true."
    Kinnon laughed a little nervously, toying with the
fringes of his beard. "Later on, when we've the time, perhaps you'll tell
me the truth of it."
    "I'll do my best," Alistair promised. "But
I've heard tales as well. Is it true Brodie needs men against Johnson?"
    "Oh, aye, as ye can see," Kinnon said,
gesturing about the crowded hall. "Why, is your sword for hire?"
    "That it is."
    "Well, that's a bit of luck for us! Sit down and
eat—ye look as if ye could use a good hot meal." His small dark eyes moved
over Alistair in a quick, assessing glance, taking in the patched cloak and
plain leather tunic, devoid of identifying colors. His face was filled with
questions, which Alistair supposed was only natural, but good manners kept him
from voicing them.
    "Alistair! Alistair Kirallen, is that really
you?"
    Kinnon's sister, Jennie, ran lightly through the hall.
Alistair smiled and caught her hands. "Why Jennie, lass, you're just as
fair as ever!"
    She dimpled, her brown eyes dancing. "Och, go on,
and me a mother three times over!"
    "Impossible!" Alistair exclaimed. "Ye
look just the same as the day we danced at Ian's wedding."
    "Such blether!" Jennie said with an
unconvincing frown. "But, oh, 'tis good to see ye, Alistair."
    It was good to see Jennie and Kinnon as well. Though
the Kirallens and Maxwells had never been more than lukewarm allies, Alistair
had visited this place many times before. The last occasion had been four or
five years ago, with Ian. They had stayed a night, and then, their business
done, had ridden back to Ravenspur.
    Now everything was different. Alistair wouldn't be
given the second finest guest chamber on this visit. He wouldn't be offered a
place at the high table. And when he left, he wouldn't be going back to
Ravenspur.
    He was a banished man, an outlaw, cut off from home
and