Read Online The Crystal Chalice (Book 1) by R.J. Grieve - Free Book Online Page B

there were other
things which did not quite fit the pattern. His voice was well educated, even
cultured. He knew the Book of Light and was clearly acquainted with the old
language. Moreover, he was more perceptive that she would have predicted. She
supposed intelligence must not be inconsistent with cruelty.
      He proceeded to demonstrate the point. “So, the
Prince and his army have gone. They have decided in all probability that
teaching me a lesson is too expensive an exercise for the present, but that
leaves me with you. With the Princess in my control I could have named my
price, but with you, well, I doubt anyone would pay so much as a groat to get
you back. Relisar’s mistake! What an embarrassment! They are probably glad to
be rid of you. But what shall I do with you? As you rightly pointed out, I do
not relish having been made a fool of.  You seem intent on making a
sacrifice of yourself, and I have no intention of depriving you of the
satisfaction. The problem is that the choice is endless.” He appeared to
consider the matter. “I could give you to my men. There are few women up here
and they no doubt would make the most of the opportunity. Then again, there are
several inventive and unpleasant ways to die, most of them long drawn out
affairs..... ”
     “.......that is unworthy of you” she interrupted.
“You’re trying to frighten me and that is the  mark of a bully - but you
are not a bully.”
     “What makes you say that?”
     “Because bullies are cowards and whatever your
reputation, you are no coward.”
     “You know nothing about me.”
     “I know I have angered you. I know also that you
will do to me whatever you deem expedient, and there is nothing I can do to
stop you. But if it gives you any satisfaction, let me tell you that I am
already so afraid, that nothing you can say will make my fear any worse. If you
want to kill me, just do it. Just lift that carving knife and slit my throat.”
     “Do you think I won’t?”
     “I think you are capable of anything.”
     Suddenly, to her amazement, a hint of amusement
crossed his face. “You keep telling me you are afraid, but you don’t look
afraid. Moreover, you have said things to me that few people would have dared
to say.”
     She smiled wryly in response. “That’s just the wine
talking.”
     “Perhaps, but I think that is not entirely the
answer. Perhaps you think that if you build up some kind of rapport with me, I
will not be able to kill you.”
     She looked a little disconcerted, because that was
exactly what had been in her mind.
     “You are not what I expected,” she conceded. “But
that is both good and bad. You are not the unthinking brute I was led to
expect, but on the other hand your intelligence makes you difficult to deal
with.”
     Although his expression did not alter, once again
she had the impression that he was secretly amused.
     “Are you always so frank?”
     “Unfortunately, yes. It has got me into a great deal
of trouble at times.”
     “Does your Prince not admire the quality?”
     “He’s not my Prince, and yes, he admires honesty,
it’s just that my honesty can stray into the regions of tactlessness on
occasion.”
     “I can well believe it,” he murmured.
     She leaned across the table towards him,
unconsciously stretching out her hand in a gesture of supplication.
     “Why don’t you just let me go? I’m of no value to
you. You can’t use me to bargain with. Why not just let me go?”
     But as she looked at him, she knew the wine had
betrayed her. She knew that she had made a mistake.
     “Your Prince may not return your regard, but he is a
man with a conscience and that is a weakness which can be exploited. I imagine
his conscience is giving him a great deal of trouble at the moment and he may
be prepared to bargain something to put it to rest. Then there is the not
insignificant matter of the fact that you have made a fool of me before my men.
I do not rule a kingdom