Free The Dragon of Handale by Cassandra Clark

mistress, I don’t know what to do. Please help me!”
    Hildegard leaned against the window embrasure and gave her an encouraging smile. “I will if I can. It’s obvious you’re unhappy. But now you are here tell me how you come to be here against your will?”
    “I’ve got to get away. I’m so frightened. Please say you’ll help?” She glanced nervously towards the door.
    “You’re quite safe here for now. Just tell me how you come to be here in the first place?” Hildegard prompted. “Begin at the beginning.”
    The girl took a deep breath. “My father was a vassal of the earl of Northumberland. We lived in a fortified manor in the Eastern Marches. Father was killed in a skirmish with the Scots when he was in the service of the earl. My mother had already died years ago from the plague. I scarcely knew her. I’m now completely alone.” Tears began to trickle down her cheeks. “I don’t want to be a nun. I just want to go home.”
    Hildegard went to sit beside her. “Who sent you here?”
    “My guardian. A hateful man. He sits in my father’s house as if he owns it. But it’s still at law. It should come to me and my brother. My father willed it so. My little brother is only nine. He can’t do anything.”
    “And where is he?”
    “He’s in the retinue of Sir Edward Umfraville, but it’s miles away, in the west of the county. I’m sure he doesn’t even know our father is dead. My guardian intends to wait until he has ownership of our property before he lets my brother know about Father. I’m so miserable, mistress. I think and think, but my thoughts run all over and I can find no way out.”
    “Isn’t there anyone who’ll support your claim?” Hildegard asked. “What about your father’s steward?”
    “He would help, but he was dismissed by my guardian on the day Father was buried. I have no idea where he is now.”
    “Then we must find out. The law, fortunately for us, often takes its time. Tell me where this manor is.”
    She named an unfamiliar place that was, Hildegard guessed, deep in Northumberland’s most northerly territory. A border stronghold. First to exchange hands in the dangerous game of barter and attrition being played out in the lawless region between Scotland and England.
    “We’ve got to be quick,” the novice whispered. “They say they’re going to send me to the dragon as punishment if I do anything wrong. That’s where they send nuns and novices who need correction. None of them ever returns.”
    “The dragon? But that’s just a story—”
    “No, the novice who was here before me has been sent there. She’ll be his prisoner until he devours her. I’m so afraid—”
    “Who told you this nonsense?”
    “That man, Master Fulke. He was the one who brought me here through the woods on the last stage of the journey.”
    “Be reassured. I won’t let any dragon get hold of you. I don’t believe in them. And as I’m used to fighting for what I do believe in, you can rest assured that will not happen. These days, the theft of an inheritance is a familiar one, unfortunately, but there’s usually a way out for those who are determined to find one. Abduction is a crime punishable under the laws of England. No one should be forced to marry against her will. It cannot be allowed.”
    “They’ll kill me if they find out I’ve been talking to you.”
    “It won’t come to that. Believe me. Now, I want you to promise me you’ll say nothing to anyone, not even to your best friend. Do as you’re told by the nuns, as if nothing has changed, and if anything happens to alarm you, let me know at once.” Hildegard stood up. “You’ll be missed if you stay much longer. Let me make sure there’s no one around to see you leave here.”
    She went over to the window and peered out through a corner of the blind. The garth was deserted. Trusting that no one was watching from the cloister, she doused the candle so that the girl could slip invisibly back through the