Free The Sword and the Flame by Stephen Lawhead Page A

castle, then return with a complement of knights to follow the king.”
    â€œWe will see to the bier,” said Esme. “You must go at once and assemble the knights as the king has ordered. Do not delay!”
    Toli hesitated. Those had not been the king’s instructions.
    Bria came to herself. “Yes, I agree. You must not waste a moment. Go now.” Bria placed a hand on his arm. “Please hurry.”
    Toli still hesitated. “I should have been there,” he said. “I should have never left them alone.”
    â€œNo,” said Esme. “There is no time. What is done is done.”
    â€œGo. He will need you with him,” Bria added.
    â€œVery well. You will find Durwin in a glade along the southern trail. I will send someone to lead you.” Toli bowed his head, and then he was back in the saddle, racing once more for the forest, where he would find the knights he sought, for most were taking part in the hunt.
    Bria turned to her friend. She tried to speak, but no words would come.
    Esme put an arm around her shoulders. “Come. There is much to do. We have work to occupy us while we wait. And we must pray the wait is not long.”
    â€œYes, we must pray for Quentin and Gerin. They will need our prayers this day.”

11
    T oli reached Pelgrin and struck out along the foremost trail leading into the heart of the forest. The hunt had moved deeply into the wood and scattered widely. He would have to keep a sharp eye for signs along the trail, and listen for any sounds of nearby hunters. He came to a place where a small stream trickled among the great trunks of ancient oaks. Along the low banks he saw the imprints of horses’ hooves where several had stopped to drink before pressing on. Without a second thought he leaped across the stream and into the forest after them.
    Soon he was rewarded with the blast from a horn. The long, ringing note was sounded from far off, but the tone lingered in the air and gave Toli all the direction he needed. Alert to the minute signs of the hunters’ passing, Toli followed the party unerringly through the thick, woody tangle. Riv charged through the undergrowth, head down and ears laid back. The horse, so responsive to his master’s subtlest commands, passed like a glimmering shade between trees and outstretched branches.
    And then, a little way ahead, Toli heard voices. He slapped Riv on the rump once more, and they jumped a fallen log, landing square in the center of a well-used path.
    â€œHo there!” one of the men cried when he saw Toli. “Toli! Look here!” The others with him looked up from their work. They were a party of four—Lords Galen and Bossit, Sir Hedric and Sir Dareth—and they were gutting a boar they had just killed. Toli thanked the Most High that these able and brave men were the first he met in his search for assistance.
    â€œLord Galen—good sirs . . . ,” Toli greeted them. He reined Riv to a halt, and the horse snorted loudly. The others saw the steed’s white-lathered flanks and shoulders and knew Toli had come on an errand of some urgency. “My lord, what is it?” asked Lord Bossit. A look of concern clouded his features.
    â€œThe king’s minister has been struck down, and the prince kid-napped,” said Toli, his breath coming hard from his ride.
    â€œBy the gods!” exploded Sir Hedric, jumping to his feet.
    â€œHow?”
    â€œWhen?”
    Toli took a deep breath. “We were set upon by assassins in the wood not far from here—only a short while ago. I went after them, but they doubled back and attacked the prince. Durwin fell protecting him.”
    â€œThe hermit dead? The heir gone?” They looked grimly at one another.
    Toli continued, “Mount up at once and come with me. We ride to meet the king, who is pursuing them.”
    â€œBy Zoar, these rogues will pay for this outrage!” vowed Lord Galen. “We are at