Free Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 10] - Lanterns by Patricia Veryan Page A

was curious now, and she went on, peeping about at a succession
of dark and empty rooms, constantly surprised by the excellence of
craftsmanship that had gone into the construction. She had wandered
across a very large entrance hall when at last she had an indication
that she was not alone. She checked, listening intently. The closed
door before her must lead to the older wing, and from beyond that door
faint sounds became identifiable as running footsteps drawing ever
nearer. There was an unmistakable stumble, accompanied by a frenzied
panting and then a blood-curdling shriek.
    Marietta's heart jumped into her throat. She turned to escape,
but paused. Suppose the runner was her brother? She bit her lip, looked
around desperately for something with which to defend herself, and
snatched up the only article within reach, a wooden and comfortingly
solid music stand. She had only time then to shrink against the wall to
one side of the door before it burst open. Another piercing shriek rang
out. Arthur raced past, head thrown back, legs pumping frantically.
Heavier footsteps were following.
    A male voice roared, "You can't escape, you varmint! Stop, or—"
    Somewhere beyond that voice a door must be open because light
was casting a shadow on the dusty floor—the shadow of a terrifying
figure with one upraised arm brandishing a great two-edged sword.
    To shock and terror was added rage. Marietta flailed the music
stand with all her strength at the murderous creature who plunged
through the door after her brother. Her fingers tingled at the impact.
Caught squarely across the chest, the pursuer reeled backward, tripped
on the steps, fell heavily and sprawled face-down, unmoving.
    Another shriek rang out.
"Etta!
What has
you gone and done?"
    Her breath fluttering, Marietta cried, "It's—it's all right,
dearest. You're safe now, but… No! Stay back! Keep away from him!"
    The boy eluded her outstretched hand and raced past to drop to
his knees beside the fallen man and pull at one unresponsive arm. "Sir
G'waine! Get up! Do
please
get up now! Oh, do!"
    A dreadful suspicion began to dawn. Shaking, Marietta wavered
down the steps. "Arthur—what are you doing here? Did that man—"
    "He's not a 'that man'!" The boy's eyes were tearfully
accusing. "I found him for a new friend. We was playing. He was Sir
G'waine, but now he's being the Black Knight and he makes it much
better than Fanny does. He didn't do nothing bad, Etta! And now, you've
gone and
killed
him dead!"
    The room swung around Marietta. She was suddenly icy cold, but
she forced the faintness away, and bent over her victim. He had
discarded his coat and waistcoat, and the white shirt had ripped in his
fall. She saw a crimson stain on the fine linen and was sickened by the
fear that he had fallen on that great sword. She said in a far-away
voice, "Arthur, you must—you must help me, dear."
    "Yes, but why did you do it?"
    "I thought— But never mind that now. Can you find your way to
the kitchen? I think I saw a water jug. Bring it to me as quickly as
you can."
    Sobbing, the boy ran off.
    Marietta knelt beside the injured man and took up one thin
hand, searching for a pulse. She could have wept with relief when she
detected the beat, rapid but firm. She put down his hand gently and
tried to turn him, but although there seemed to be not an ounce of fat
on his lean body, he was far from frail and she lacked the strength to
discover where else he was hurt. She widened the tear in his shirt and,
investigating, gave a gasp. He had evidently suffered a recent injury
and the fall had broken open the wound a little, but it was not the
torn flesh that so appalled her, but the long scar that angled from his
left shoulder; the mark on his right side that looked like the imprint
of a horseshoe; the evidence of a healed bullet wound above it.
    "What 'ave it 'appen to my Diccon?
Tiens!
Is 'e shot again?"
    The voice at her ear almost made her jump out of her shoes.
With a muffled yelp of