Heartwood Read Free Page A

yet?”
    â€œEr, no Dux, sorry…” His face reddened as his eyes flicked from her to Chonrad and back again.
    â€œIt is nearly time for the Secundus Campana, so you had best be off.”
    He scurried down the stairs in front of them, his scabbard clanging on the stone.
    She grinned at Chonrad, and he laughed. “You are very scary.”
    â€œIt is all an act. I am a pussycat really.”
    â€œThat is not what I have heard.” Stories of the new Dux had become almost legend, even in the short time she had been in the role. Most of the knights in the Exercitus were scared of her, and he could understand why. He had also heard she was a sight to be seen in battle: skilled, fearless and experienced, fiercely loyal, someone her soldiers would fight to the death for.
    Once again, his interest in her stirred, but he clamped it down firmly. Distract yourself, Chonrad. He thought about what she had said to the Custos. “What is the Secundus Campana?” She had spoken in the language of Heartwood, and he did not understand completely what she had said to the guard.
    She looked at him with surprise, continuing in Laxonian, “I thought you spoke Heartwood’s language?”
    â€œA little of course. But I did not… ah… pay as much attention to my studies as I probably should have.”
    â€œYou are referring to not being chosen at the Allectus?”
    â€œActually, no. I was just very bad at school.”
    She laughed. “The Secundus Campana is the second bell. The Campana rings nine times while the sun is up, marking time for prayer, weapons exercise and meals.” She smiled. “I forget most people are unfamiliar with the ways here. I have known them for so long – they are all I can remember, really.” She began to descend the stairwell to the next floor.
    Chonrad followed her, Fulco trailing behind like a shadow. “Where were you from originally?” he asked, wondering if it was anywhere near his home town.
    She looked over her shoulder at him. There was an impish look in her eyes. “I do not know if I should tell you.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œIt might… unnerve you.”
    He frowned. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI am from Wulfengar.”
    He stopped dead on the steps and stared at her. She laughed, enjoying the effect her words had had on him, clearly not surprised to see his reaction. Her admission shocked him. In Wulfengar, women were not held in high regard, and it was unknown for them to enter the army, or indeed to sit on any council or hold any office in the land. They were forbidden to attend school or university. Wulfengar men regarded their women as brood mares, figures to satisfy their lust and produce their offspring, to cook their meals and look after them when they returned home at the end of the day.
    Needless to say, Procella’s position was rather unusual.
    â€œBy the oak leaf,” said Chonrad. “How did you manage that?”
    â€œMy mother’s mother was from Laxony.” She carried on down the stairs. “My grandfather met her while on a raid across the Wall, and he carried her back with him as a spoil of victory.”
    Chonrad said nothing. It was an increasing problem, one that angered him greatly.
    â€œI do not think they were that unhappy. She grew to love him, in her way. But she brought up her daughter – my mother, to be strong and independent, and although my father did his best to control her, my mother managed to do the same for me. She was determined I escape the hold of Wulfengar, as she had not, and so, unknown to my father, she took me to Heartwood herself for the Allectus, and left me there when I was chosen.”
    â€œThat must have been hard.”
    â€œIt was a long time ago,” was all she said.
    Reaching the bottom of the steps, they entered the large Watchroom. Usually a large oak door closed it off from the corridor to the north tower. Today,