The Blood Knight - J. Gregory Keyes [0]
Title Page
Dedication Page
Prologue: In the Chamber of the Waurm
Part One: The Waters Beneath The World
Chapter One: Lost
Chapter Two: The Ogre’s Trail
Chapter Three: Country Known and Strange
Chapter Four: A New Music
Chapter Five: The Demon
Chapter Six: The Slinders
Chapter Seven: Vengeance
Chapter Eight: A Hard Choice
Chapter Nine: Rebirth
Part Two: The Venom In The Roots
Chapter One: Among Them
Chapter Two: Conversation with the Duchess
Chapter Three: Children of Madness
Chapter Four: The Tale of Rose
Chapter Five: In the Trees
Chapter Six: Haunted
Chapter Seven: The Revesturi
Chapter Eight: A Change of Scene
Chapter Nine: The Woorm
Chapter Ten: Blade Music
Chapter Eleven: The Epistle
Chapter Twelve: Hearts and Swords
Chapter Thirteen: Sonitum
Chapter Fourteen: War Council
Chapter Fifteen: An Ambush
Part Three: The Book Of Return
Chapter One: Labyrinth
Chapter Two: The Poel
Chapter Three: In the Bairghs
Chapter Four: A New Mode
Chapter Five: Return to Eslen
Chapter Six: Crossroads
Chapter Seven: The Mad Wolf
Chapter Eight: A Well-Mannered Viper
Chapter Nine: Skin
Chapter Ten: Gobelin Court
Chapter Eleven: Sarnwood
Chapter Twelve: Sister Pale
Chapter Thirteen: Crepling
Part Four: Thrones
Chapter One: The Charlatan
Chapter Two: Goatback
Chapter Three: A New View of History
Chapter Four: Death Songs
Chapter Five: Witchhorn
Chapter Six: The Spoor of Death
Chapter Seven: Triey
Chapter Eight: The Battle of the Waerd
Chapter Nine: An Unexpected Ally
Chapter Ten: The Ships
Chapter Eleven: Free
Chapter Twelve: Entirely Sword
Chapter Thirteen: Muriele’s Watch
Epilogue: Best Work
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Greg Keyes
Copyright Page
For my son,
John Edward Arch Keyes
Welcome, Archer
SMILING, Robert Dare offered Muriele a rose.
“Keep it,” she suggested. “Perhaps it will improve your smell.”
Robert sighed, stroking the small black beard that sharpened his naturally fine features. Then he retracted both hand and flower, allowing them to rest on his breast, fixing his dark gaze on Muriele.
He looked far older than the twenty winters he had spent in the world, and for the barest instant she felt a distant sympathy for this man who had murdered her husband and daughters, for what he had become.
Whatever that was, however, it wasn’t human, and her sympathy was dragged off by a tide of revulsion.
“As charming as ever, my dear,” Robert said evenly.
His gaze shifted slightly to the other woman who stood with them in the room as if he were a cat trying to keep track of two mice. “And how does the beautiful Lady Berrye fare today?”
Alis Berrye—Muriele’s maid and protector—favored Robert with a cordial smile. “I am very well, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Robert said. He stepped near and lifted his right hand to stroke Alis’ russet locks. The girl didn’t flinch, except perhaps around the eyes. Indeed, she held very still. Muriele imagined she might react thus to an adder poised to strike.
“In fact, you have quite the bloom on your cheeks,” he went on. “It’s no wonder my dear deceased brother was so taken with you. So young—so full of health and vigor, so smooth and firm. No, age hasn’t begun even to breathe on you yet, Alis.”
That bait was meant for Muriele, but she would not rise to it. Yes, Alis had been one of her husband’s mistresses—the youngest, as far as she knew—but since his death she had proved herself a useful and loyal friend. A strange thing, but there it was.
The girl lowered her azure eyes demurely but did not answer.
“Robert,” Muriele said, interrupting the silence, “I am your prisoner and therefore at your mercy, but I hope I’ve made it plain that I am not afraid of you. You are a kinslaughterer, an usurper, and something far worse for which I have no name. I deem you will not be surprised when I say I do not enjoy your company.
“So if you could please get on with whatever degradation you have planned for me, I would much appreciate it.”
Robert’s smile froze on his face. Then he shrugged and dropped the