Chapter One
France
October 6, 1307
“No. Absolutely not,”Raven Hawke said, crossing her arms.
Moonlight shone down on the three sisters in the dirt yard behind the wooden inn. A horse whinnied from the stables across from the building.
Raven glared at Sage. Her sister was gently biting her lip, pleadingly clutching a black book against her leather-armored chest. A lock of her brown hair fell over her forehead, freeing itself from the braid she wore.
Willow stood beside Sage, her hands clasped as if in prayer. Her blonde hair glimmered in the moon’s light, and her blue eyes sparkled. Even her wide-eyed look could not budge Raven’s decision.
Raven couldn’t believe Sage and Willow had come to her seriously, suggesting they defy their father’s orders. His instruction was for them to go to Sybil’s farm and wait for him. And now, Sage wanted to travel a half day’s ride to the Chateau le Bezu because of abook. Her sister was brilliant, but right now, addle-brained.
“Father wouldn’t want us traveling the roads without him.” Raven walked across the yard toward the stables. She couldn’t believe Sage had mentioned disobeying Father’s order. What was she thinking? They needed to be on the road to get to Sybil’s farm.
Sage and Willow stood unmoving. They cast glances at each other.
“He doesn’t have to know,” Willow pleaded, trailing Raven. Sage followed, holding that black book to her chest as if it were the most precious treasure in the realm.
Raven whirled on Willow. “Don’t you think Sybil will tell him we didn’t help her with the harvest and we weren’t around for an entire day?”
Willow cast an imploring glance at Sage for help.
“We’ll make something up,” Sage told her. “That we were out hunting.”
“All day?” Raven asked in disbelief. She was an excellent hunter. It only took her half a day to return with an animal. She put a hand on her hip. “And what do we say when we come back with nothing?”
“We didn’t find anything,” Willow added to the story.
Raven’s lips quirked in skepticism. “And you think Father will believe that?”
“We got distracted practicing,” Sage suggested quickly.
Raven glanced at Sage. Her brown eyes were wide and bright with hope.
Sage was smart. Practicing was the only thing that would pacify their father. Working on their skills was the only excuse he would understand.
Willow nodded enthusiastically, a curl of blonde bobbing with the movement. A grin spread over her face. “We could stay an extra day and help Sybil with the harvest. It will work! Please, Raven.”
Raven shook her head in doubt. Now they were consideringlyingto Father. What if he found out? They would be in even more trouble. And all that trouble wasn’t worth it just for some old monk to read a book. She could understand Sage’s interest in the book; Sage always asked for someone to teach her to read. But Willow didn’t care for books. That realization made Raven pause. She swiveled her glare to her youngest sister.
Willow’s hands were clasped beneath her chin.
“Why is this so important to you?” Raven demanded. She jerked her chin at Sage. “I can see Sage being so adamant, but you? You want us to ride an entire day for some old monk to read a book? You’ve never cared about a book before. What do you think it’s going to say?”
“I don’t know,” Willow admitted. “But aren’t you curious?”
“No,” Raven insisted. “I don’t care about a book. I’d rather be practicing. Or doing something that will help me hone my skills. And you should, too.” She looked at Sage. “Bothof you.”
Sage scowled. “Books are important,” she insisted.
Nothing new there, Raven thought. Sage always thought books were worth more than gold.
“They hold knowledge, and knowledge is power,” Sage continued.
“I don’t want that kind of power,” Raven replied. “It’s dangerous.”
