Read Treasure So Rare (Women of Strength Time Travel Trilogy) for Free Online

child's game." He threw back his head and laughed.
"Yes!" Pushing his sword point into the fine white sand, he leaned
heavily against the jeweled hilt. He nodded. "Aye, 'ere from this day on
you will go in my stead, 'tis you who will bear the brunt of the fates and I
will take care of more important concerns."
    "All I hear is riddles," Erik said.
    The other man stood upright. "You know!" he
accused, mottled color rising in his cheeks and the edges of his blond beard.
"You've come for her, is that not so? Are you not man enough to admit it
is she whom you seek?" He untied long leather thongs which held a shield
against his right shoulder. A dragon reared against a royal blue background on
the battered shield. The man thrust it toward Erik.
    "Recognize you this crest? It is the crest of Weinroof
of Camdork."
    Moving swiftly, Erik stepped forward to knock the shield
from the other's hold. The shield landed face down in the sand as Erik brought
his sword swiftly up against the man's neck. Deliberately, he touched the blade
to flesh, pulling the man to his chest, ignoring Camdork's man Ulrich who moved
threateningly closer. He could feel the heat of the man at his back.
    "Call him off and drop the sword," Erik instructed
softly. Camdork jerked his hand back and Ulrich retreated. He dropped his own
sword to the sand and it clattered against the shield. Erik kicked both away
with his boot. "I have just arrived, and I find this a poor welcome for a
visitor to your land."
    "You must go to Dutton Keep in my stead," choked
out the other man.
    "What makes you think you can bid me to follow your
orders?"
    The man managed to jerk his head toward his men. Erik turned
but too late. Two of Camdork's men grabbed Jock by the elbows and pulled him
back, his heels digging into the sand. One of the men held Jock against him,
his arm tight against his throat in the same manner that Erik now held Camdork.
Jock stared at Erik, grave apology evident in his eyes. His small size gave him
no leverage against the giant who held him.
    "You will go in my stead," the man choked,
"or my men will make short work of that one. A small twist and his neck
will snap. Or perhaps we could make sport and have him drawn and quartered, his
innards left for the birds to pick at."
    Erik tightened his fingers, allowing the steel edge to cut
into the man's skin, causing a small trickle of blood to run, soaking into his
wool mantle. "Why do you threaten my ship and involve me in this scheme? I
should cut your throat."
    "Nay, desist. Think you are quick enough before a blade
finds its way to your heart?"
    The dark giant, Ulrich, was at his back. Jock was hoisted
between two of Camdork's men. With a mutter, Erik stepped back slowly, lowering
his sword.
    Camdork straightened. "You have no choice but to do my
bidding," he growled, adjusting his hauberk which had been twisted askew,
and then he smiled. "In my stead you will go to Dutton Keep. It is hidden
deep along the edge of the forest, an advantageous site that controls trade
into the countryside. You will find the village and then the keep a mere day's
ride from here. You must swear on your scrawny friend's life to do as I bid
ye."
    Camdork looked Erik up and down and sneered, "We may
look alike but you come from the sea, a sailor, not quite what was expected.
But you will have to do."
    "And who is Iliana?" Erik asked coolly.
     "She is pledged to me by the queen. I am on my way to
Dutton Keep, but have discovered a vile plot against my queen is afoot. I am
needed elsewhere."
    "If I am to go in your stead, I would hear what it is
you have planned," Erik declared, a deep tightness in his chest.
    Suspiciously, the other man peered into his face, a muscle
twitching alongside his mouth. "It is a simple matter of a
betrothal." His smile was feral. "The women of this land warrant the
handling of a man unafraid of womanly vapors. I have heard Iliana detests the
very idea of marriage -- but I have vowed to have her." He laughed.
"My