"My son," spoke a gentle voice from behind the low, moss-grown wall, "we must not mourn and weep for those taken from us, as if we had no hope."Face downwards upon the newly-made mound of earth lay a youth of some fifteen or sixteen summers. His slight frame was convulsed by the paroxysm of his grief; from time to time a strangled sob broke from his lips. The kindly-faced monk from the Priory hard by had been watching him for some time before he thus addressed him. Probably he now saw that the violence of the outburst was spent.The youth started upon hearing himself addressed, and as he sprang to his feet he revealed a singularly attractive face. The brow was broad and massive, indicating intellectual power. The blue eyes beneath the pencilled arch of the delicate eyebrows looked out upon the world with a singular directness and purity of expression. The features were finely cut, and there were strength and sweetness both in the curved, thoughtful lips, and in the square outline of the jaw. The fair hair clustered in curling luxuriance about his head, and fell in sunny waves to his shoulders. His hands were long and white, and looked rather as though they had wielded pen than weapon or tool of craftsman. Yet the lad\'s habit was that of one occupying a humble rank in life, and the shoes on his feet were worn and patched, as though by his own apprentice hands. Beside him lay a wallet and staff, upon which the glance of the monk rested questioningly. The youth appeared to note the glance, yet it was the words addressed to him that he answered."I think it is rather for myself I weep, my father. I know that they who die in faith rest in peace and are blessed. But for those who are left—left quite alone—the world is a hard place for them."Father Ambrose looked with kindly solicitude at the lad. He noted his pale face, his sunken eyes, the look of weary depression that seemed to weigh him down, and he asked gently,—"What ails thee, Leofric, my son?""Everything," answered the youth, with sudden passion in his tones. "I have lost everything in the world that I prized. My father is dead. I have no home. I have no fortune. All that we had is swallowed up in paying for such things as were needful for him while he lay ill. Even that which he saved for masses for his soul had to go at the last. See here, my father, I have but these few silver pieces left in all the world. Take them, and say one mass for him, and let me kneel at the door of the chapel the while. Then will I go forth into the wide world alone, and whether I live or die matters nothing. I have no one in the wide world who will know or care."But the monk gently put back the extended hand, and laid his own kindly upon the head of the youth."Keep thy money, my son. The mass shall be said—ay, and more than one—for the repose of thy father\'s soul. He was a good man and true, and I loved him well. That pious office I will willingly perform in memory of our friendship. But now, as to thyself. Whither goest thou, and what wilt thou do? I had thought that thou wouldst have come to me ere thou didst sally forth into the wide world alone."There was a faint accent of reproach in the monk\'s voice, and Leofric\'s sensitive face coloured instantly."Think it not ingratitude on my part, my father," he said quickly. "I was coming to say good-bye. But that seems now the only word left to me to speak in this world."CONTENTSTHE DIE CASTA RIVER JOURNEYOLD OXFORDTHE FIRST DAYTHE NEW LIFEA "MAD" PARLIAMENTTHE CONSTABLE\'S CHILDRENSTORMY SCENESA STUDENTS\' HOLIDAYTHE FAIR OF ST. FRIDESWYDETHE MAGICIAN\'S TOWERWINTER DAYS WITHIN THE CASTLEKENILWORTH CASTLETHE GREAT EARLPRINCE EDWARDBACK AT OXFORDTHE BELL OF ST. MARTIN\'STHE NEW CHANCELLORTHE CHANCELLOR\'S AWARDTURBULENT TIMESKING AND STUDENTSIN ARMSON THE FIELD OF LEWESAFTER THE BATTLECHRISTMAS AT KENILWORTHPLOTSTHE CAPTIVE A CONQUERORTHE FATAL FIGHTLEOFRIC\'S REWARDON THE STILL ISIS Views: 105
In the third installment in the Knights' Tales series, Gerald Morris tells the laugh-outloud tale of King Arthur's most celebrated knight, and nephew, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. With lively illustrations by Aaron Renier, Morris creates a captivating and comical medieval world that teems with humor and wonder.This chapter book is sure to set young readers on another rollicking and hilarious Arthurian adventure! Views: 105
On her deathbed, Beaufils's mother leaves him with a quest and a clue: Find your father, a knight of King Arthur's Court. So Beaufils leaves the isolated forest of his youth and quickly discovers that he has much to learn about the world. Views: 105
No sooner does Luneta leave home to visit King Arthur's Court than she gets swept up in adventure, romance, betrayal, and more than a little bit of magic. Views: 105
Winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2015. "What kind of a girl steals the clothes from a dead man's back and runs off to join the army? A desperate one. That's who." At the end of the American Civil War, Charley – a young African-American slave from the deep south – is ostensibly freed. But then her adopted mother is raped and lynched at the hands of a mob and Charley is left alone. In a terrifyingly lawless land, where the colour of a person's skin can bring violent death, Charley disguises herself as a man and joins the army. Soon she's being sent to the prairies to fight a whole new war against the "savage Indians". Trapped in a world of injustice and inequality, it's only when Charley is posted to Apache territory that she begins to learn what it is to be truly free. Views: 105
James Otis was a 19th century American journalist who remains best known for writing a number of popular kids books. Views: 105
Hockey stars Mike "Crazy" Keats and his new friend, Dakota, are caught in a web of violence which makes winning a championship the least of their concerns. Dakota Smith is in trouble. But Mike "Crazy" Keats doesn't care. He is new to the Seattle Thunderbirds, and Dakota seems like a good guy to have for a friend. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts Dakota's Native North American heritage so easily. Views: 105
The Aldens are joining Dr. Iris Perez as she investigates legendary creatures around the world. In the last leg of the journey, the children travel to the Amazon Rain Forest. They love learning about all the different plants and animals they have never seen before. But is there really a creature in the forest that hasn't yet been discovered? Views: 105
Timoken has to flee his secret forest kingdom after it is attacked by sneaky, shape-shifting viridees. Protected from birth by a magical moon spider web, he travels with his camel, Gabar, seeking a new kingdom – a new home. Timoken also has magic himself. He can conjure rain from the air, talk to animals and fly high in the air. And when he saves three leopard cubs from a hunter, they become enchanted too, and sworn to protect him. But the powerful, slimy green viridees are always just a breath behind him. They want the moon spider's web. And they will do anything to get it . . . Views: 105
At first it seems as though Maxie, Rosie, and Earl have nothing in common. Maxie is too smart for his own good, Rosie is a born tattler, and Earl can't stop cracking up when he reads out loud in class. But when all three kids land outside the principal's office in disgrace, they can't help comparing notes.Just when they think there's no chance of a reprieve, the fire alarm goes off. There's only one thing for three doomed nerds to do -- head straight for the exit doors and dive into the Dumpster!From the Trade Paperback edition. Views: 104
Destiny Weller and her twin sister, Livvy, were as close as two sisters could be–until Livvy chose to become a vampire, leaving Destiny behind. Now Destiny will do anything to bring Livvy back to the family. But in Livvy's world of endless darkness, she knows there is only one way she and Destiny can be reunited –– Destiny must become a vampire too... . Which sister will live to see the glow of the next full moon? Whose lips will savor the taste of night? Who will survive? Ages 12+ Views: 104
