The Orphan King (26 page)

Thomas clenched his fists and let out a frustrated blast of air. “You talk in circles. Tell me who you are. Tell me—in clear terms, man—what you want of me. And tell me the secret of Magnus.”

The old man turned away from Thomas, disappearing and reappearing in the shadows of the cave.

“Druids, Thomas. Beware those barbarians from the isle, Thomas. They will attempt to conquer you through force. Or through bribery.”

Yet another layer of cryptic answers. “Tell me how you knew of my quest that day at the hanging. Tell me how you know of the books. Tell me how you know of the barbarians.”

“To tell you is to risk all.”

Thomas pounded his thigh in anger. “The risk is shrouded and hidden from me! I am given a task that is unexplained, and with no reason to fulfill it beyond my vow. And then you imply it is but the first of more tasks. No more circles.”

Even as he fought his own frustration, Thomas sensed sadness from the old man.

“The knowledge you already have is worth the world, Thomas. That is all I can say.”

“No,” Thomas pleaded. “Who belongs to the strange symbol of conspiracy? Is the Earl of York friend or enemy?”

The old man shook his head. “Thomas, very soon you will be offered a prize which seems far greater than the kingdom of Magnus.”

The torch flared once before dying, and Thomas read deep concern in the old man’s eyes.

From the sudden darkness came the old man’s whispered words. “It is worth your soul to refuse.”

• Cover
  
• Title Page
  
• Copyright
  
• Author’s Note
  
• Spring, Northern England—AD 1312
  
  • Chapter One
    
  • Chapter Two
    
  • Chapter Three
    
  • Chapter Four
    
  • Chapter Five
    
  • Chapter Six
    
  • Chapter Seven
    
  • Chapter Eight
    
  • Chapter Nine
    
  • Chapter Ten
    
  • Chapter Eleven
    
  • Chapter Twelve
    
  • Chapter Thirteen
    
  • Chapter Fourteen
    
  • Chapter Fifteen
    
  • Chapter Sixteen
    
  • Chapter Seventeen
    
  • Chapter Eighteen
    
  • Chapter Nineteen
    
  • Chapter Twenty
    
  • Chapter Twenty-One
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Two
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Three
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Four
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Five
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Six
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Eight
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Nine
    
  • Chapter Thirty
    
  • Chapter Thirty-One
    
• Excerpt from Fortress of Mist