Read Jerusalem Man 01 - Wolf in Shadow for Free Online Page B

remain, you bring only death and despair to this house. The Committee has declared you a Brigand and a war-maker they will hang you, sir.'
    'When I was a child, Mr Burry, my parents built a home for my brother and myself. It was by the banks of a beautiful river, and the land was rich and open and wild as sin. My father tamed that land, and it brought forth crops and it fed our cattle. Then some men came who wanted fertile land. They killed my father. My mother they abused before cutting her throat. My brother and I escaped, though I was speared and bleeding badly. My brother dragged me to the river and we swam downstream. We were taken in by a neighboring farmer - a strong man, with four strapping sons. No one reproached the Brigands who had killed my parents. That was the way life was.'
    'It is a familiar story,' admitted Burry, 'but times change.'
    'Men change them. But I have not finished, Mr Burry. Both my brother and I were brought up to believe in love and forgiveness. We tried, but the same raiders - growing fat and yet strong -
    decided they wanted more land. One night they attacked our new home. My brother killed one of them with an axe and I slew another with an old musket. But still they won. This time it was I who rescued my brother and we escaped on an old stallion. My brother lost his faith then. Mine became stronger. Two years later I returned to the farm and put the Brigands to death.
    'Since then I have killed many. I have never stolen, or cheated, or lied. Nor have I broken the Commandment: Thou shall not do murder. I am not a Brigand, but I am a war-maker. I make my war upon the evil, and I am no danger to honest Landsmen. Only the ungodly need fear me, Mr Burry, or those who serve the ungodly.'
    'What happened to your brother, Mr Shannow? Did he find his faith?'
    'We both learned to hate. I hated the Brigands and the death dealers, but he came to despise the Landsmen who stood by and allowed the Brigands to prosper. No, Mr Burry, he did not find his faith.'
    'You are a bitter man, Mr Shannow.'
    'Indeed I am. But I am content with what I am and I do not compromise my principles. Now you, Mr Burry, are a man of God. Yet you come to this house to defend murderers, and you align yourself with the ungodly. Fletcher killed Fray Taybard's husband. His men are a pack of cut-throats. And even now, Mr Burry, you sit here as the Judas goat and death is waiting as we speak.'
    'What do you mean? You are speaking nonsense.'
    'Am I indeed?'
    'Explain yourself.'
    Shannow shook his head and smiled. ‘There are three men hiding in the trees to the north. Did they come with you?'
    'No, Mr Shannow, they did not, but you must realize that a sum of fifty Barta coins will be paid to anyone who brings in the body of a known Brigand.'
    'I should have taken the corpses to Rivervale,' said Shannow. 'Both Miles and Pope were known murderers; they killed a travelling family in Sertace two years ago, and they also rode with Daniel Cade when he was raiding the south-west.'
    'I do not believe, you Mr Shannow.'

    'It is better for your conscience that you do not, Mr Burry.'

    The meal was eaten in silence and Burry left soon after. Eric said nothing as the saint rode away but went to his room, shutting the door behind him.
    'I am worried about him,' said Donna as she and Shannow cleared away the dishes and plates.
    'He fears me, Donna. I do not blame him.'
    'He is not eating, and his dreams are bad.'
    'I think your friend Burry is right and I should be moving. But I fear for you - when I am gone, Fletcher will return.'
    'Then do not go, Jon. Stay with us.'
    'I do not think you understand the danger. I am not a man any longer, I am a walking bag of Barta coins for any who feel they can collect on me. Even now there are three men in the hills building their nerve to come for me.'
    'I do not want you to go,' she said.
    He reached out and lightly touched her cheek. 'I want only what you want, but I know what must happen.'
    He left her then