A Dark Champion Read Free Page A

through it to offer herself to him and was a bit surprised to find his younger brother there, since Kit held no love of battle and often refused to come near Stryder’s tent.
    Like Druce before him, Kit paid no heed to Christian in the corner.
    Dressed in a garish red and orange combination, Kit held a large basket in his hands that was overfilled with letters and various pieces of ladies’ garb.
    “What is this?” Stryder asked, as Kit set the whole of it at his feet.
    Kit swept his orange hat from his head and wiped his sweaty brow with his arm. “Tokens from your admirers. I have been instructed to give you all of these personally and to make sure no other living human touches them.”
    Christian laughed.
    Kit snapped around to see Christian leaning back in the chair with a stein of ale braced on his stomach while his long legs were stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles.
    Kit’s blue eyes widened considerably. “You’re entertaining priests now?”
    Stryder snorted at that. “Nay, Kit. Meet an old friend of mine, Christian. Christian, meet my younger brother, Kit.”
    Christian inclined his head to Stryder’s brother.
    Kit’s gaze never wavered from Christian, and it turned speculative the instant he noticed Christian’sspurs and mail-covered boots peeking out from the hem of his black robes.
    Stryder cleared his throat to draw Kit’s notice back toward him. Once he had his brother’s attention, Stryder very subtlety shook his head nay and passed a censoring gaze toward Christian.
    Kit immediately took the hint to ask no questions and turned his back to Christian. He leaned over and pulled from the bunch a bright red ribbon that had a key attached to it. “This one in particular said that I was to make sure you received her gift or else she would poison me while I eat. So in lieu of hiring a taster for my meals, I wanted to make sure it reached you.”
    Stryder rolled his eyes as Kit took it and broke the seal on the note that was also attached to the ribbon.
    His brother read it aloud.
    “Milord, ’tis with great honor I give you the key to my chastity belt. Meet me tonight in the rose courtyard.
    Ever your lady,
    Charity of York”
    “A key to a chastity belt?” Christian asked in an amused tone.
    “Aye,” Stryder said, his voice thick with ill humor. “And an invitation to a forced wedding if ever I saw one.”
    Christian laughed again at that. “And you wonderwhy I prefer to wear the garb of a monk. It’s the best shield I have found against conniving would-be brides, and even it isn’t foolproof, as you have seen.”
    Stryder handed the key back to Kit. “Tell the lady I am previously engaged.”
    Kit arched a brow at that, then headed for one of Stryder’s plate codpieces.
    He frowned as he watched his brother place the codpiece inside his hose. “What is it you do?”
    “The last time I told one of your would-be paramours nay on your behalf, she damn near unmanned me. This time I wish protection when I deliver the news.”
    Stryder joined Christian’s laughter.
    “’Tis not amusing,” Kit said, his tone offended. “You think what you do is dangerous? I defy you to be in my boots for one moment when I face the great Ovarian Horde in your stead.”
    “And that is why I send you, my brother. I haven’t the courage to face them.”
    “What?” Christian said in feigned shock. “Stryder of Blackmoor afraid? I never thought I would live to see the day a mere maid could send you craven.”
    “The day you doff your cleric’s robes and don your crown, Your Highness, you may taunt me on that front. Until then, I know you for the coward you are as well.”
    Christian’s eyes danced with mischief. “Women do make cowards of us all.”
    Kit opened his mouth to say something, then must have rethought it. Grabbing a shield, he headed forthe door. “If I don’t return by night’s fall, please make sure I am buried on home soil.”
    Stryder shook his head at his brother’s