Page 78 of The Runner
Ralph’s brother held up his hand to George, signalling for a truce, and he bent down to examine the wound and exchange words with the injured party. After a minute, he looked up at George and Taylor, and said, ‘It is bad. I fear he may not live if we don’t stem the flow of bleeding and tend to the injury. For the love of God, will you call it off, now?’
George indicated to Ralph’s brother to move aside, and he loomed over Ralph, who lay shaking and ashen on the ground. George prodded his sword into the hem of his opponent’s buckram waistcoat so it wouldn’t cut into his flesh, but so he couldn’t move without the risk of the blade slicing into him again.
‘Although we agreed on a fight to the death, I have no taste for killing, unless it is your wish to continue the duel,’ said George, his tone cold. ‘Do you wish to surrender?’
Ralph nodded.
‘Speak up, man. Which is it to be? Surrender or continue to the death?’
‘Surrender,’ whispered Ralph, his voice only just audible to the stunned crowd.
‘As you wish,’ said George. ‘If I am to show mercy and release you, you must swear before all these witnesses that you withdraw any and all claims to Willow Manor and my estate.’
Ralph’s brother bowed his head over Ralph, and they exchanged a few words. ‘He withdraws all claims to your estate,’ he confirmed.
‘As I thought. We must hear it from his lips, though,’ said George.
Ralph took a shaky breath and shifted slightly under the tip of the sword. ‘Move your blade, Sir, I surrender and withdraw my claims.’
George nodded, satisfied, and wiped his blood splattered cheek with his left hand, still gripping the sword firmly in position. ‘One more thing,’ he said.
‘Speak up, then. I see a pint of my blood is not enough to quench your devilish thirst,’ wheezed Ralph.
‘I will accept an apology and we will end it there.’
‘But it was I who demanded satisfaction—you insultedmyhonour,’ said Ralph.
‘That may be so, but it is you now calling for surrender with a blade near your throat. I advise you to choose your actions with caution, or this could be over swiftly.’
George pushed the blade harder against his waistcoat, a steely resolve in his dark eyes.
Ralph slumped further into the ground. ‘So be it. I apologise,’ he mumbled.
‘Speak up so we can hear you, Knight, and be a good fellow and be clear about what you are apologising for,’ said George, his tone clipped.
‘I apologise for insulting you.’
George looked down at Ralph for a few seconds, then stepped aside and passed his blood-soaked sword to Taylor.
The crowd slowly dispersed, and George and Taylor retrieved their horses.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Taylor.
‘I’ll survive. Let us rouse them at the tavern and see if we may get some water for me to clean up. I can’t return home in this state.’
Ralph stumbled to his feet and quickly bound the wound with his brother’s assistance, and then fled the woods in the opposite direction, his hand pressed to his stomach.
Caroline wasconscious she was Cara as she rode along the footpath, luminescent slivers crossed the sombre grey morning sky, and she started, for the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She sensed a presence and heard the slight rustle of someone passing nearby.
‘Hello? Who goes there?’ Her heart thumped, and she feared she may slip from the saddle as her limbs froze, such was her terror at the unseen force.
Her call was met only with silence, but then Ralph’s dirt-smeared face loomed before her.
‘Ralph! What are you doing sneaking around at this hour?’
‘Say nothing of seeing me.’ His voice was full of menace, and he gripped her wrist until she cried out. ‘Remember, I know where you and your precious earl are,’ he growled.
‘And I know what you did. How could you set the house on fire with innocent people inside?’
