Conn rode straight back to the keep; he wanted to make sure that Ana was alright; he hadn’t considered the effect that removing the stone would have on her. When he arrived, the Healdend summoned him over. He had been crying.
‘What happened? I presume you had something to do with it. Most things seem to these days. All of a sudden the Folgere started crying and then fainted and after a while she revived and was ecstatic. She has only started to recover her composure. And almost immediately, I could sense Badb – I haven’t had her in my head since I was a child.’
He stopped to consider what he was saying. ‘Do you know about the ruling houses of all nations can connect to their Gyden via their Folgere – we feel them in our heads...”
‘Yes, I have been informed.’ He could bear to tell him that he could communicate with all the Gyden.
They looked to see Bran, the Aebeling, being consoled by the Folgere. Driscol continued. ‘And Bran has never had the experience. I hope he can cope – he is not well.’
Conn explained what Alric had tried to do and what he had done. The Folgere had joined then – she did know from Badb that Conn was responsible and came over to thank him; she shook her head. ‘I don’t understand; what you have done; cannot be done by someone not consecrated. It is doubtful that I could have completed the task without dying. But you … I don’t understand.’ But she was none the less happy, and she held Driscol’s hand, and she looked at him devotedly. ‘And I feel her in your mind again – like when we were young.’
Obviously they had a past that involved a lot of offerings to Badb.
Driscol nodded. He had suddenly more tears down his face. He looked sternly at Conn. ‘You could have warned me’, he admonished.
‘True, but would you have believed me?’ He begged his leave and left to deal with Alric. Allowena had advised him that Ana had been unaffected, which Conn thought was strange.
He found his men and the captives. He bundled them onto their boats and then rowed out to the Rakian war ship; which as expected was under the control of Eggar. Once aboard, Conn untied Alric but left the rest tied up. Conn went and claimed the silver and jewel encrusted wine cups from his cabin. ‘This I think, I’ll take in compensation for not having the pleasure of running my blade through you.’
Alric smirked; ‘I don’t understand – why aren’t you going to kill us; I would if I was you.’
‘Have you heard the expression, better the devil you know?’
‘No.’
‘Well, it goes along the lines that I have a greater understanding of what you are going to do than what your successor might do. I don’t know that you can surprise me – though you might try. I will reserve my right to kill you another day.’
Alric remained defiant. ‘It matters not – the might of the One will overpower you and those petty so called Gyden one day and sweep the entire island clean of the impure. You are all doomed if you do not submit.’
‘We shall see, Alric, we shall see. Bon voyage.’ With that Conn climbed down to his row boat and they rowed back to harbor. Within moment, Conn heard the oars of the Rakian vessel slap the water as it started its long voyage home.
Soon after returning to shore, Conn returned to the Cirice as promised – allowing Morna and the other Folgere to show their appreciation – and they were very appreciative. But even Conn needed sleep, so he left after a few hours and returned to the Inn. After all, the next day was a very significant day; Daray was to be crowned Aebeling of Lykia.
He also hadn’t told Daray about his change of plans. The impending war in Trokia, Allowena desire to become bedda, and Aerlene’s pregnancy – were all reasons why he had to stay longer. He was sure he would understand.
At midday, they were all dressed in their finery in the great hall for the ceremony. Daray, with Cliona by his side, greeted them as they arrived. Both looked tired but happy. It had been an exhausting night for them for more than one reason.
Seated, they then waited for the Healdend to arrive, and he led a procession of Folgere, bedda and officials up to the ancient stone throne chair. He tuned and sat, and faced the crowd. He looked tired as well. Conn presumed that he had been visiting the Folgere. He greeted the hall, packed with as many people that it could hold.
‘Fellow Moetians; today is a great day in the history of both Moetia and Lykia. Not for over two hundred years have the two houses been so closely united; never before has an Aebeling of Lykia been crowned here in this hall – and it has been a very long time since the Folgere have blessed us so strongly with the presence of Badb.’ He looked at Conn when he said that, and nodded his thanks. ‘I invite Moana, blessed of Badb, to commence the ceremony.’
Conn was surprised that Moana was doing the ceremony, and as he watched, he felt a small hand reach into his. It was Ana. She had escaped Allowena and come to him. He lifted her up on to his lap. She snuggled in.
‘Mother says thank you.’
‘She is very welcome.’
Moana led a dozen blue gown dressed Folgere, and they formed an honor guard; Moana stood at the front, in front of the Healdend, and they beckoned Daray forward. As he walked up the line, a blue light seemed to seep out of the gowns that the girls wore; making them almost translucent and transparent; and it flickered around Daray as he walked. It was clear that he found the experience unnerving. When he arrived in front of Moana, she indicated that he should kneel.
‘Wait until you have Folgere in the Cirice in Lykiak’ Conn thought, his mind open to the Gyden. ‘That will be even more annoying.’
Badb was immediately annoyed at his suggestion, and the other voice in his head – which he still hadn’t identified – was equally unimpressed. Gyden were such touchy creatures.
The ceremony continued with Moana, her hands now glowing in blue light, placing a gold diadem on Daray’s head. He shuddered as the diadem touched him; his first direct contact with the Gyden.
‘Be nice’ Conn warned her. His reward for the comment was further admonishment. They were not getting used to being told what to do.
Thankfully the rest of the ceremony was brief; Daray stood and Moana kissed him; and then the rest of the Folgere all rewarded him with a kiss. They moved away, leaving him, now blushing bright red, standing in front of Driscol. He kneeled again, and made an oath of fealty to the Healdend as his overlord.
Standing, Driscol directed Daray to his side, and together looked over the room. As the only representative of Lykia there, Conn walked forward and knelt in front of Daray, and make his own vow of fealty.
Driscol burst into laughter.
‘Thane, I very much doubt that you do anything anyone says.’
Conn smiled back. ‘He’s a good lad – he’s been well trained.’
The ceremony was followed by a feast that lasted late into the night. Conn eventually had a chance to explain his plans to Daray. He was not surprised.
‘I’ve long suspected that I was going to have to return alone. I couldn’t see how you were going to extricate yourself from events here.’
Conn nodded. ‘I am sorry I will not be able to help – but Octa, your uncle, and your brother will be there.’ Conn smiled in memory. ‘I hope Octa will be there – he may have laughed himself to death.’
Daray took a deep breath. ‘But it has been so sudden. People normally have their entire life to prepare to rule while I’ve had days. It would have been good to have you at my side.’ Resigned to his fate, he changed the subject. ‘So have the Gatina invaded yet?’
‘No; it seems that they are setting up camp for the winter, but Abrekan’s information isn’t that new. He wrote that Trokia has formally refused to pay the wergild so that gives Gatina little room to back down.’
‘Do you know how many are on the border?’
‘I do not know yet. I’ve hoping for an update soon.’
‘Derryth?’
Conn nodded. A pigeon had been sent to Halani. He needed accurate figures on the size and composition of the Gatinan forces
. He didn’t want to lead the Silekians into certain death or even defeat. Possible death was unavoidable, but certain death should be.
Arlen interrupted. ‘I’m still confused why you want to get involved?’
‘Because the Rakians are involved – this is not just a war between Gatina and Trokia. This whole thing has been masterminded by Rakia – and the Ancuman who are helping them. It has to be stopped – and only the Silekians can do that without bringing the whole continent into war – and that is exactly what the Ancuman want.’
Daray returned to the discussion, ‘Even so, I feel that I’m letting you down in a time of need. Is there nothing I can do?’
‘There is – you will have to protect Lykia, and particularly Hama and Haran. I have almost no wiga left there – even Salvia is low in numbers because he has sent a squad to me. Once they work out that the border is unprotected, they just might try something.’
‘What if I spend my first year as Aebeling in Erbil with my brother? I’m sure he won’t mind – and I would be close enough to deal with any problems.’
Conn agreed. ‘An excellent idea – but the rest you will have to leave to me.’
‘But you will be outnumbered...’
‘True – but I can compensate for that. Sileas has sent five hundred bowmen to Trokia and with everyone from Haran and Hama, and some local recruits, I hope to have close to two thousand.’
‘What about Moetians?’
‘I’m sure Driscol will overlook the participation of any local who might join my Fyrd. I’m hoping that Arlen will have a full company of Moetians to command.’
‘So just over two thousand against over five thousand – including a thousand Rakians who are relatively battle hardened?’
Conn nodded. ‘Yes; I agree that it does not seem a lot under the circumstances, but we will manage. I have no intention of going head to head – and we have something he doesn’t.’
Arlen looked confused.
Conn continued. ‘A supply chain that is inexhaustible – if nothing else, we will outlast them. A great general once said that a Fryd marches on its stomach.’
Daray still had his concerns. ‘Have you forgotten about Kania?’
‘No; I haven’t – but first things first.’
Daray then looked at him silently for a moment, apparently unsure of what to say next. ‘Conn, I’ve been trying to find words to say thanks. I’ve gone from just me, to – well – having almost anything that anyone could ever want. How do you find the words for that?’
‘There really is no need – the responsibility of the rule that I have foisted upon you is a double edged sword, and some days you will curse me. However, I have faith that you will rule both fair and wise. That is the only thanks that I need.’ Conn stood and gave the boy a hug. ‘I will go with you as far as Susa, and then I will go to Menia with Allowena and Devlin. The girl is desperate to become bedda.’
It was much later when Conn finally caught up with Aerlene. He asked her about the pregnancy – he didn’t even know how she could know, it had only been weeks.
She smiled. ‘Moana.’
‘Moana? Moana told you that you were pregnant?’
‘She did – she came to see me. She said that Badb had told her.’ She smiled radiantly. ‘It seems that both Moana and Badb will help me take care of these babies.’ She kissed him. ‘I am very happy – now I can probably keep my domain. Driscol and the Eaorl of Farah will not be happy, but I don’t care.’
Two days later, Cliona’s baggage and personal staff left for Lykia by ship; they boarding vessels that had just emptied themselves of large amounts of military equipment and supplies that were then loaded on horses and carts to be delivered to Susa. With the cavalry arriving from Haran and Hama, the needs grew day by day. The cotlif at Susa was also not the cotlif of some months before; Conn’s craeftiga had transformed the domain from being one of the poorest looking Eaorldoms in Moetia to one of the best.
Within two weeks of the ceremony, Daray and Cliona had departed for Lykia; Cliona choosing to ride the pinto all the way back to Lykiak. Driscoll had even travelled as far as Susa to farewell his daughter, and after they had watched them depart for the border, he sat with Conn in Aerlene’s new longhouse. He was admiring the work; twice the size of what she had previously, and equipped with fireplaces, paved floors and a second storey sleeping area. Warm, clean, and smoke free, there was room for her, the babies and her staff.
‘Taransay must be an amazing place – your wiga are stronger, your houses are bigger, and your wine is better. I’m glad it is a long way away. You must send your craeftiga to build one of the fireplace things in my keep. They did a marvellous job on the roof.’ He poured some of Conn’s wine into his mug. It had recently arrived. ‘So tell me, what are you going to do about Kania?’
‘I honestly don’t know. First I have to go to Menia with Allowena – and Aerlene who says she is coming with me – I’d expected her to stay now that she is pregnant.’
Conn hated himself for raising the pregnancy with Driscol – it seems that it still made him annoyed; but that was half the fun.
Driscol took a deep breath. ‘And twins too. Badb tells me that they will be born healthy.’ He toasted his sister. ‘I am pleased for you, truly I am. There are so few of our house left.’
Aerlene had previously had several pregnancies – never going full term. She explained to Conn that it was the curse of her house.
‘For many generations, the children of our house have been sickly and pregnancies few and far between. No one knows why. There are very few of us left. Driscol only had the one daughter and the one son, and one grandson – despite five bedda. His father only had me and him from several pregnancies and wiga; while our grandfather only had two sons survive – Arlen’s grandfather. Arlen’s father had the two sons – and that was considered remarkable.’
She thanked her brother. ‘Driscol, as to the question of the Eaorldom – as you know, my child is now entitled to inherit.’
He nodded. ‘That has been brought to my attention.’
‘Well, the Thane thinks that it is unfortunate that his involvement has presented you with such problems and wishes to make amends.’
‘For how many – it’s quite a list…’
She ignored the comment. ‘The Thane wishes to purchase Thane fiefs from me and I’ll purchase the domain of Susa from you.’
Driscol looked from one to the other. ‘He wants to give you enough money to buy the Eaorldom of Susa? That is a very large sum of money.’
Conn agreed. ‘My calculation is that you could have expected at most two and a half million Ryals if you were to try and sell the domain...’
Driscol agreed. ‘True, but two and a half million is not a sum of money that any in Moetia would be able to pay. Even I cannot easily find that amount of money.’
Conn indicated to one of his men and two of them carried in a largish wooden box. Conn released the catches and opened the lid. Inside were Lykian gold Ryals – five hundred of them. He showed it to Driscol. ‘There are three hundred thousand Ryals here. There are five more waiting for you in Moetiak – at the Meshech Finance and Insurance Company. I will arrange you them to be transferred into your account.’
Like the Eaorls of Moetia, even Driscol had found a need to borrow from the “MFIC” – he owed almost four hundred thousand Ryals.
Driscol was astounded. ‘Do you own a gold mine of something?’
‘I do as a matter of fact; and a very good one.’
It wasn’t the answer that Driscol was expecting, so he laughed out loud. ‘I should have known. I was wondering how you could afford to pay the wages of over a thousand wiga. I am a Healdend and I can’t afford to do that. This whole activity must be costing you three times what you have offered me for the domain.’
His sister asked again. ‘So will you accept?’
He nodded. ‘I’m not sure if I can afford not to – but what are you giving the Thane exactly?’
&n
bsp; ‘Six Thane fiefs – all I have spare – as well as two children!’
Driscol considered it for a while. ‘They must be very valuable children. Oh, very well, at the next Witan, I will have you confirmed officially as the Eaorl of Susa. But this is all very disconcerting.’
CHAPTER 21
With Susa in the far south and Menia in the far north, the trip between the two cotlifs would be the longest they could take in Moetia – it was at best a two week ride between the two Eaorldoms. Devlin had already returned home direct from Moetia, so it was just the four of them and an escort of twenty wiga and pack horses that left Susa for the initial nine day ride to the cotlif of the Eaorl of Aria. It was fairly slow going as they were welcomed and feasted in the keeps of the Thanes along the way, and they spent an extra day in Aria as Aerlene wished to rest. Allowena didn’t mind much, as Devlin was waiting for them in Aria.
Aerlene explained why she has wanted to visit Menia and travel with Conn – her family used to be the Eaorls of Menia.
‘And what were the ancestors of the Eaorls of Menia then?’
‘They were actually the Aebelings of Moetia.’
‘Aebelings – not Healdend?’
Aerlene nodded. ‘It was before the time of the Healdend.’
‘What happened – did they just swap domains?’
‘That is what I understand. Anyway, my ancestors lived in Menia for two hundred years prior to that.’
‘Do we know why they swapped?’
‘I believe had something to do with the last Casere.’
‘A lot of things seem to be connected to events surrounding the demise of the last Casere.’
From Aria, it would take another two weeks, the first to climb the mountain and the send to travel down the valley into the cotlif. As the northern most point in Meshech, and buffered on three sides by high mountains, Menia had its own sub-tropical climate, and the river that they followed down to the sea, appeared to be was navigable all year, being fed from the high mountain peaks in the distance. The nearer they got to the ocean, the warmer and wetter the climate actually became; every day they had to stop and hide from thunderstorms or squalls. Conn suspected that Aerlene was quickly regretting her decision to accompany him as she was increasingly uncomfortable in the saddle.
The Aebeling Page 33
