Free The Crimson Chalice by Victor Canning Page B

tight as, lying full length, hidden behind him, she sawed at them with her small dagger. When they came free, he said quietly, “Stay where you are.” He took the dagger from her and brought his right hand-around quickly and began to cut away at his ankle bonds.
    Across the clearing Enghus stepped back from the fire, whirling his brand to make it glow. Colta was pulling at the old man’s beard while Atro supported him as his legs sagged. The light spear lay on the ground, unheeded. Atro’s bow was slung across his back, the quiver and broadsword hanging at his belt.
    Baradoc’s ankle binds came free. Dagger in hand, he began to rise swiftly. The movement caught Atro’s eye. He turned full toward Baradoc, let out a loud warning cry, and began to fumble to free his bow from his back.
    Through Tia raced a sudden surge of fear as she saw Atro beginning to unship his bow as Baradoc ran across the clearing. Then she heard theracing Baradoc shout, “Saheer! Aie! Saheer!”
    Lerg leapt from the thicket behind her and with him went Aesc and Cuna. Before Baradoc could reach the group at the fire, Lerg was past him and leaping at Atro as the youth freed his bow. They went over in a roaring, growling mêlée of arms and legs and twisting grey body. A long shriek of pain cut through the air. Colta let go of the old man and he fell to the ground. Enghus threw his burning brand at Aesc as the dog rushed in and bit and snapped at his legs as he tried to reach his light spear. Colta raised her fish spear and ran at Baradoc, but before she could reach him Bran dropped from above in a threshing at her eyes. Colta screamed, dropped the spear and ran for the woods, covering her face with spread hands. Enghus ran after her, away from the snapping, savage attack of Aesc and Cuna, abandoning hope of gaining his spear.
    Baradoc shouted to Lerg and the dog drew back from the fallen Atro. Baradoc picked up the light spear and stood over him as Colta and Enghus disappeared in the woods. Tia ran forward and, hardly knowing she was doing it, pulled the old man away from where he had fallen so close to the fire that the hood of his gown was burning. She beat out the flames with her hands.
    Baradoc stood over the fallen Atro, spear and dagger in hand. Blood was pouring from the side of the youth’s neck where Lerg had taken him.
    â€œMake one move,” said Baradoc, “and I’ll put the hound on you.” Spear poised for action, he bent down and picked up the Parthian bow and threw it behind him. Grimly, he said, “Stand up and keep facing me.”
    Holding his hand to his neck, Atro rose to his feet. Then with a slow shrug of his shoulders, he smiled and said, “What need is there for all this? The talk of selling you as a slave was not in earnest. You should join us. Together nobody could face us.” He nodded toward the old man. “There is treasure here. Everyone around knows it. We have only to make him speak and then share it.”
    Baradoc pressed the point of the spear against Atro’s breast, pressed it hard so that it reached his skin and made him wince away. “Undo your belt and let it drop. And give me no more talk. After all I’ve seen—a wrong word could yet move me to kill.”
    Slowly Atro brought his hands to his belt buckle. The belt fell to the ground, an arrow slipping from the quiver, the heavy sword ringing against the stones.
    â€œNow go,” said Baradoc harshly. “And remember this—you are marked by me and by the hound. To see you again means a killing. Go!”
    Atro, tight-lipped, faced him for a moment or two and then turned and began to walk to the trees. Behind him stalked Lerg and when Atro passed into the trees the hound still went with him.
    They took the old man into his hut, stripped the gown from him and laid him on his bed, which was made of long, rough-hewn boards without over or undercoverings. He lay, there, breathing