《The Traveller》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《The Traveller（78页珍藏版）》请在金锄头文库上搜索。
1、The TravellerLynn Kurland- Once upon a time there was a knight who made a vow, a solemn vow given with all his heart and soul to protect -one A nearly deserted chapel near the Scottish border, 1299 The air inside the small chapel was thick with portents, omens, and a goodly amount of dust. The latte
2、r caused the resident priest to double over with hacking that came close to rendering him quite unfit for his duties. He straightened finally with a great creaking noise, then coughed gingerly a time or two to test the workings of his frail frame. Finding it not unequal to his present business, he t
3、ook a deep, wheezing breath and continued.Ah, let me think a moment, he said, scratching his stubbled cheek, urn a vow ah, a solemn vow to protectAye, aye, the knight standing before him said impatiently, picking a nit or two off his tabard and noting the threadbare patches. Damned seamstresses.And
4、defend women of all stationsThe knight grunted in grudging assent. All women save seamstresses, perhaps.And champion childrenThe knight turned a baleful eye on the nearest child he could seehis squire, no lesswho was currently rummaging about behind the altar. The old priest was concentrating so har
5、d on remembering what he was trying to say that he apparently didnt realize what mischief the boy was combining. The squire popped up from behind the stones with a triumphant smile, holding aloft a loaf of bread in one hand and a jug of drink in the other.Excuse me for but a moment, Father, the knig
6、ht said politely. He strode around to relieve the lad of his burdens, then booted him strongly on the backside. The boy went scampering off with a curse. Not as foul a curse as it likely could have been, though. The lad had no illusions about not receiving his share of the spoils. He scuttled to the
7、 back of the crumbling chapel and huddled near the knights gear. The knight tucked the bread under one arm, the bottle under the other and went to stand in front of the friar yet again.Now, he said shortly, let us be about this sorry business. Ive an assault to mount, and I need your blessing.The pr
8、iest chewed upon toothless gums. Let us see, my lord, he said, fumbling nervously with his robes and apparently searching his aging mind for further promises to bind upon the hapless man before him. Um women um children erNuisances, both, the knight muttered.Hoisting of swords and such, the priest s
9、aid, looking upward for a bit of inspiration.Aye, aye, the man said, wondering if hoisting his sword with a man of the cloth skewered thereon would count as a breach of the vow he was making. He forbore, however. He had need of whatever help he could obtain. His inheritance hung in the balance.Ah, t
10、he priest said suddenly, springing to life as if hed been pierced by St. Georges sainted blade itself. Aye, one last thing is needful.The knight felt himself chill at the sudden fire that burned brightly in the priests eyes. He hardly dared speculate on what it might mean for him. Even so, he was no
11、 coward, so he pressed forward.And that would be? the knight asked, steeling himself for the worst.The priests words spewed forth in a great rush. The most important thing of all, something that no honorable knight would think to go into battle without, aye, likely the most fitting vow a man of a ch
12、ivalrous nature would take upon himselfThe knight flinched. The saints preserve him.A vow to protectNever a pleasant word.DefendEven worse.And rescueThe knight closed his eyes and began a prayer of his own.Any and all maidens in distress, but preferably a maiden in the greatest of distressAnd then S
13、ir William de Piaget, rebellious son of the useless, never-take-a-vow-upon-pain-of-death Hubert of Artane, grandson of the illustrious Phillip of Artane and great-grandson of the legendary Robin of Artane, knew he was in deep trouble, for no lad from Artanesave his sire, of coursehad ever made a vow
14、 he hadnt kept. It would be as impossible for William to break his word as it would be to take his own life.But the thought of a possible maiden in distress, added to his other problems, was almost enough to induce him to consider both.- Once upon a time there was a knight who made a vow, a solemn v
15、ow given with all his heart and soul to protect women of all stations, champion children, defend and rescue any and all maidens in distress, but preferably one in the greatest of distress -two A deserted health-food store in Manhattan, June 2001 Julianna Nelson stared glumly at the selections facing he
