Free In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen Lawhead Page A

settle their accounts.
    â€œThat will not likely happen now. I fear our cause is lost before we have sounded the alarm.” The queen turned to gaze out of the window, but her eyes saw nothing of the scene before them.
    Quentin, feeling at once great pity for the queen and even greater anger at Jaspin, spoke with quiet resolve. “Then we must save the king.” The queen turned her head and smiled sadly.
    â€œA true man you are. Ronsard was right to trust you. But even if I raise a force, the king would forfeit his life. You see, Jaspin would know in an instant. His spies are everywhere; not a leaf drops in Pelgrin Forest that he does not know about.”
    â€œI have friends,” Quentin offered. “It may be that a few can do what many cannot.” How few, Quentin had not stopped to consider—the only people he counted friends in all the world, besides Biorkis, were Theido and the hermit Durwin.
    â€œYou would go to save your king? You and your friends alone?” Queen Alinea seemed about to gainsay Quentin’s offer but then hesitated. She looked at Quentin shrewdly, her head held to one side as if appraising him for a suit of clothes. “It sounds like madness, but your words are wise beyond your knowing. Who are these friends of yours?”
    At the question Quentin blanched, realizing that his list was a short one, and without a solitary knight’s name on it. But he answered with all the conviction he could muster.
    â€œOnly Durwin, the holy hermit of Pelgrin, and one called Theido.” He was embarrassed by his lack of fellowship, but a light came into the queen’s deep green eyes.
    She exclaimed, “Lucky is the man who counts noble Theido his friend. Do you know where he can be found?”
    The question posed a problem for Quentin. He did not know where Theido was; in fact, he scarcely knew anything beyond the fact that Theido had been captured by men early that very morning—a detail he’d forgotten until just that moment. He did not know how to answer, but as he opened his mouth to admit his ignorance, the queen continued. “It has been some time since anyone has seen Theido. He was one of the king’s best knights and a nobleman too. The death of his father occasioned his return from the wars. But on his homecoming he was falsely branded a traitor by Jaspin and his brigands, and his castle and lands were confiscated. He escaped their trap and has lived the life of an outlaw ever since.”
    The queen stood and turned away from the window, gazing down upon Quentin with a sudden warmth. “He also would I trust with my life. I know not of this holy hermit Durwin, but if he is a friend of yours, and of Theido’s, he will not be less my friend.
    â€œBut why do you look so? Is something amiss?” the queen asked suddenly, noticing Quentin’s fallen countenance.
    â€œMy lady,” Quentin groaned, forcing the words out, “Theido was taken this morning by men who lay in ambush for him. I escaped to come here, but I do not know what has become of Theido, or where they might have taken him.”
    The queen’s answer to this seemingly doom-filled pronouncement astonished Quentin and enormously cheered him. “That is a mystery easily solved,” she said, a tone of rancor coloring her reply. “For there is only one person who so oppresses the king’s innocent subjects in broad daylight—deeds for which even the most impudent rogues seek the cover of blackest night. Prince Jaspin has kidnapped our friend. There is no mistake there.” She thought for a moment. “Such arrogance would not shrink from bringing the prize within these very walls.”
    The queen swiftly crossed the room and threw open the door to her chamber and called for the chamberlain, who appeared in a trice. They talked in whispers in the doorway across the room, and the chamberlain hurried off again.
    â€œWe will soon know the fate of