The Sorcerer's Ring: Book 05 - A Vow of Glory Read Free

taking
her down the too-familiar road to Savaria. She had been screaming and kicking
at the beast the whole way, trying with everything she had to get it to turn
around, to ride back to Erec. But it would not listen. She had never
encountered any horse like this one before—it listened unwaveringly to its
master's command, and would not waver. Clearly, it was set on bringing her
exactly where Erec had commanded it to—and she finally resigned herself to the
fact that there was nothing she could do about it.
    Alistair
had mixed feelings as she rode back through the city gates, a city in which she
had lived so long as an indentured servant. On the one hand, it felt familiar—but
on the other, it brought back memories of the innkeeper who had oppressed her, of
everything that was wrong about this place. She had so looked forward to moving
on, to moving out of here with Erec and beginning a new life over with him.
While she felt safe within its gates, she also felt an increasing foreboding
for Erec, out there alone, facing that army. The thought of it made her sick.
    Realizing
that Warkfin would not turn around, she knew her next best bet was to get help
for Erec. Erec had asked her to stay here, within the safety of these gates—but
that was the last thing she would ever do. She was a king's daughter, after
all, and she was not one to run from fear or from confrontation. Erec had found
his match in her: she was as noble and as determined as he. And there was no
way she would ever live with herself if anything happened to him back there.
    Knowing
this royal city well, Alistair directed Warkfin to the Duke's castle—and now that
they were within the gates, the animal listened. She rode to the castle
entrance, dismounted, and ran past the attendants who tried to stop her. She
brushed off their arms and raced down the marble corridors she had learned so
well as a servant.
    Alistair
put her shoulders into the large royal doors to the chamber hall, crashed them
open, and barged into the Duke’s private chamber.
    Several
council members turned to look at her, all wearing royal robes, the Duke seated
in the center with several knights around him. They all wore astonished expressions;
she had clearly interrupted some important business.
    "Who
are you, woman?” one called out.
    “Who
dares interrupt the Duke’s official business?" another yelled.
    "I
recognize the woman," the Duke said, standing.
    "As
do I," said Brandt, the one she recognized as Erec's friend.
    "It
is Alistair, is it not?" he asked. “Erec's new wife?”
    She
ran towards him, in tears, and clasped his hands.
    "Please,
my lord, help me. It is Erec!”
    "What
has happened?" the Duke asked, alarmed.
    "He
lies in grave danger. Even now he faces a hostile army alone! He would not let
me stay behind. Please! He needs help!”
    Without
a word, all the knights jumped to their feet and began to run from the hall,
not one of them hesitating; she turned and ran with them.
    "Stay
here!" Brandt exhorted.
    "Never!"
she said, running behind him. "I will lead you to him!”
    They
all ran as one down the corridors, out the castle doors and to a large group of
waiting horses, each mounting theirs without a moment's hesitation. Alistair
jumped on Warkfin, kicked, and led the group, as anxious to go as the rest of
them.
    As
they charged through the Duke’s court, soldiers all around them began to mount
horses and join them—and by the time they left the gates of Savaria, they were
accompanied by a large and growing contingent of at least a hundred men,
Alistair riding in front, beside Brandt and the Duke.
    "If
Erec finds out that you ride with us, it will be my head," Brandt said, riding
beside her. "Please, just tell us where he is, my lady.”
    But
Alistair shook her head doggedly, pushing back tears as she rode harder, the
great rumble of all these men around her.
    "I
would rather go down to my grave than abandon Erec!”

CHAPTER
THREE