Free The Blue Falcon by Robyn Carr Page A

chance. Their ride north would be secret to all. Even Alaric had not known on which morning they would depart.
    The meal was swift and silent. Conan was the first to finish, though he did not slight his appetite. As a warrior, his body was his most precious tool, and he did not foolishly test his endurance. Food was fuel for him now, for they would travel through no hamlet or town, partake of no landholder’s hospitality, and sleep in no sheltered hall or even a barn. They would take the swiftest route through path and passage without laying open the secret of an approaching conqueror. The next filling hot meal would come when the battle was won and Stoddard was in his possession.
    Alaric walked to the courtyard with his son, his hand upon the shoulder of the knight.
    “ I will not return until I have quelled any disturbance in the town, but I will send you word when there is some quiet within Stoddard walls.”
    “ I would know the details of the fight, if there is one.”
    “ There will be one, rest assured. Rolfe has ignored your orders to yield revenues from Stoddard, and he pays the church in his own name and not in the name of his liege lord.”
    “ ‘Tis my hope that when he sees the size of your forces, he will find wisdom in surrender, but I fear he has planned this action for too long.”
    “ And values his possession highly, for only if he yields before the first arrow is cast will he live.”
    Alaric nodded. He hated the thought of this once-valued friend and vassal’s death. He stood before the gibbet that displayed the justice brought to thief or murderer so that his people would not think him weak of mind or will, but the distaste in having to end a life, even a criminal one, was bitter in his mouth. And he confessed and did penance for his obligation in ruling.
    Those riding with Sir Conan began to enter the courtyard to mount, and to their surprise, horses were saddled and standing ready. While no one in the hall had been aware, provisions had been prepared for this excursion. Even those carrying out the orders of Sir Conan did not realize that they made ready for his attack on Stoddard. It was only early this morn that Conan personally woke several of those castle folk he wished to have accompany him and set them to the task of gathering equipment to be taken along.
    Many a knight stood gaping at the courtyard crowded with heavily loaded carts and horses awaiting riders. While they were often prepared enough to ride out at the first inkling of trouble, and more often alert to defend their walls, a journey such as this would usually take long days of planning. Several smiled as they passed Sir Conan on their way to mount up, for it suddenly was clear that in losing Alaric, as they one day would, they would not lose the wisdom that brought them their successes. Conan’s cunning would bring them even more. At this moment he was in complete control, and not a detail had been forgotten. More than a skilled combatant; he was in command.
    When most of the men were ready and awaiting Conan’s word, Udele stepped out into the courtyard. Behind her, Edythe trailed along.
    “ The word is that you are bound for Stoddard, Conan,” Udele said a bit brittlely. “ I am here to wish you well, though I was not forewarned of your leaving.”
    “ I gave no clue to my departure so as to deter any betrayal.”
    “ And did you suspect your family would betray you to your own cause?” she asked with eyes flashing.
    “ Nay, madam, but a maid or huntsman might, and for that reason I made no announcement until the gate was bolted and the bridge drawn.”
    “ No word was sent to me,” she said, looking at her husband with jealousy in her eyes. “ I heard it from the lips of one servant who was set to the task of preparing the morning fare for two score soldiers and -- ”
    “ Madam, I saw no need to have word delivered to your chamber. The lord of this hall and the men who will fight are those who needed the