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strip of cloth beneath him and began wrapping it around the other blood soaked bandages.
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    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    "I will begin my investigation."
    "Do so. But once you finish, you may await news of my father's condition outside our walls."
    "I have yet to question you about the earl's murder."
    "Be gone," she replied, and cast a glance at Deryll before continuing to wrap her father's wound.
    Gerwain hesitated, then left, accompanied by Deryll.
    A dizzying jolt of panic threatened to reduce her to tears as she watched the new layers of bandage too quickly soak up blood. "He still bleeds." She cast a helpless glace at the maid.
    "I have seen worse."
    Airin saw no deceit, however well intended it might have been, and choked back a sob.
    Cerdwin nodded in understanding. "'Tis a nasty wound, but your father may not yet be ready to meet his maker."
    Airin's heart swelled. At seventy years of age, Cerdwin had lived through disease, clan attacks and a fall down the stairs.
    She well knew about locking the door against the Leveller.
    They added pads of cloth, then wrapped more bandages until blood no longer seeped through. Then the maid dipped a rag in a basin of warm water, rung it, and passed it to Airin.
    She was mopping his brow when Deryll returned.
    "Gewain has begun his investigation ?" she asked, and received a recriminating look from Cerdwin.
    Deryll closed the door. "Aye."
    Airin reached for the blanket that covered her father's hips. He unexpectedly seized her arm, and she and Cerdwin cried out in unison. Deryll was instantly at Airin's side. She 50

    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    dropped to her knees beside the bed and looked into her father's eyes. She saw his pain and had to force back a cry.
    His hand fell limp over the side of the bed and she gently lifted it onto the covers. His mouth moved as if to speak, then he took several labored breaths.
    "Father," she said, catching her voice before it broke,
    "rest."
    He tried speaking again, only to whisper something incomprehensible. Airin gave Deryll a questioning look. He shook his head, then dropped to a squat beside her. His shoulder brushed hers and Airin closed her eyes, thankful for his strength. She breathed deeply and opened her eyes.
    Her father was looking at Deryll as he whispered,
    "Protect."
    Embarrassment tinged her cheeks with warmth when Deryll nodded.
    Douglas shifted his gaze onto her. "Land yours."
    She shook her head stubbornly. "Nay. You will be well soon. I am not—" He grabbed her arm again with surprising strength.
    "There!" She bit back tears. "You are still strong."
    "W-wed," Douglas said with a tightening grip. "To-day."
    "Father," tears washed her eyes, "you will heal."
    His gaze hardened. Even at heaven's door, the weight of his authority remained strong. "Today," he repeated.
    "He is right," Cerdwin said. "God have mercy, if he does not live, his land is yours. 'Tis no small parcel, and King Robert will command you to marry—without delay. The king's 51

    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    choice will not be Sir Deryll." She shifted her wide-eyed gaze onto Deryll and dipped her head. "Forgive me, my lord."
    "You have spoken true, Cerdwin. You owe no apology."
    She nodded in gratitude and looked again at Airin. "When Robert commands you to wed, you will have no choice. It will matter not that the man is a stranger or that he beats his dogs. The land he gains will insure his allegiance. Nothing else will matter."
    Airin buried her face in her father's neck. "You will recover."
    "Wed," he repeated. She did not immediately answer and he added in a raspy whisper, "Lass."
    The endearment tore at her heart and she nodded into his neck. "Aye, my lord."
    He released her.
    Deryll stood. "Cerdwin, have we a priest?"
    "Aye. Father Triston. He is half an hour's ride."
    "Call for him."
    Airin lifted her head. "Wait." She started to push to her feet, but Deryll grasped her hand and pulled her upright.
    She stared at him, for the first time in her