Witan Jewell

by Russ L. Howard

  The Rabbi appeared pleased, “I think it is wise and that’s the best recommendation I’ve ever heard.”

  Sur Sceaf finished rolling up the rope, put it in a side compartment and together with the Rabbi, watched as Elf Beard leaned over the boat to give instructions to three young men, who held several lines of sleek tri-colored hounds tugging at their leashes. “And don’t over feed them. I don’t want my hounds fat and lazy when I return.”

  The boys said, “Yes, Father, you’ve told us that before.”

  “Clean your damn ears, boy. The last time I left you with my hounds, they looked like bloated pigs. Now do as I instructed.”

  Sur Sceaf laughed. “See what I mean.”

  “I do,” the Rabbi said before his attention was drawn to something on the dock. “Ah!” The Rabbi said, “Long Swan has returned from Maiden’s Head with the scribe.” Sur Sceaf looked up to see Long Swan and Yellow Horse boarding together with a slender Jywdic youth. After greeting one another, Sur Sceaf turned to the boy. He had a dark hat and black gabardine coat, a slim face that had the makings of a thin beard and long curly payos at either side of his face. He appeared to be slightly younger than Arundel, maybe, sixteen, pushing seventeen winters.

  Long Swan said, “Lord Sur Sceaf, this is Jesse ben David, whom we told you about.”

  Sur Sceaf took the youth by the hand and said, “Os-Frith, Jesse ben David. Do you think you are up to this calling?” The whaler tilted from too many men on one side and the youth struggled for balance. Sur Sceaf rode the tilt out and continued addressing him. “The role of a scribe requires the utmost discipline and ability to observe the flow of things as well as marking all the important facts. As we Herewardi say, ‘If it isn’t written. It didn’t happen.”

  The young man bowed his head, “My lord, it is a great honor to be thus of service to you. Long Swan has thoroughly tested me and even had me write sample logs. I am a proven scribe under the great scholar, Rabbi Khur-Om, and I vow, I shall render an accurate and correct record of all the affairs of Ur-by-the-Sea in your absence that will be worthy of all acceptation.”

  Long Swan nodded. “My lord, he has tested better than any of my past pupils, though if his services are ever needed in the field, he is fairly lacking in muscling.”

  “Tis well. I wanted a scribe, not a longshoreman. You come under the tongue of my trusted counselors, young man. That is enough.”

  “My lord,” Long Swan said, “I want him to record the crews going on the whaling expedition so that he knows who they are, for these men will surely be the core of the city-state when we return.”

  “I agree,” Sur Sceaf said, “Jesse ben David, feel free to attend our loading and meet the crew members. Why don’t you start right off by asking about any crew member you wish.”

  Jesse extracted a pencil and pad from his satchel hanging from his shoulder. He squinted against the sun and inquired, “And who is this distinguished gentleman now approaching, with the measuring stick or cane and carrying the leather bag?”

  “Oh! That is the Master Builder, Muryh. He never expected I’d request he go on a whaling venture with us, so that scowl on his face is my fault. If he bites off your head, just ignore it.”

  “So may I ask why you are compelling him to accompany you?”

  “Because, I need to get to know him when he is out of his element and in mine. My brother Pyr has told me, he has a strong will, mostly because he has tremendous power from his position of being the foremost architect in this age. One will find no greater builder on the face of the Ea-Urth and he knows it. In his world his word is undisputed law. He must learn that in my world, it is not. I thought it better that I make the point so as to set the stage of the future, otherwise, it would always be a battle for dominance. Although he took to wife my older sister, Syraph, we haven’t had much chance to get to know one another since my young blood days, which means he still sees me as a youth and that has to change.”

  The Rabbi chuckled, “Sur Sceaf, is there anyone you are not related to?”

  “Don’t you know by now, Rabbi, that all Herewardi are related in one way or another?” They laughed.

  “You’re right, even I’m married to your sister, and you, to one of my daughters. Who knows what the future may bring?”

  Yellow Horse declared, “Fiddle dee, fiddle da, the family tree has only one branch at all.”

  Long Swan said, “If you will excuse Yellow Horse and I, we need to stow our bags and assume our positions.”

  Yellow Horse said, “I’m keeping my kukri blade ready in case any monster or sea wylf reaches overboard.” The two walked off. Yellow Horse winked at Jesse.

  Sur Sceaf waved at a band of passing Hickoryans carrying nets. They shouted out, “Best wishes and luck!” and “Bring back the big one.”

  As Jesse was making notes on his pad, Muryh walked up to them, his long brown hair flying wildly in the wind, “Little Bro-Son, Surrey, I am here upon your hair-brained request, by order of your father, to go whaling.” Looking around he scoffed. “Do you not have enough ballast that you should require my presence?”

  From the corner of his eye, Sur Sceaf saw Jesse’s mouth twitch and he smiled to himself. He suspected this Jesse would prove to his liking. “Just take a seat at the back. There beside those pigeons and crates would suit you best. Or, if you like, stay and get acquainted. We’ll be launching shortly. By the way this is Rabbi Amschel with whom you and I will be working very closely. He is the governor of Ur Ford and the Herewardi coasts. I’m sure you’ve heard about him from Father.”

  Muryh brightened. “Os-Frith, I am pleased to meet you and saw immense possibilities for this place as I walked it off for the past two weeks. I only wish I could get started instead of being dragged off on a smelly fishing expedition in which I have no interest whatsoever. But both Pyrsyrus and Sur Spear assure me that this young Aetheling, Surrey, is lead by a double measure of the Ur Fyr, and has garnered the favor of the gods over anything he touches. Such favor usually ends with death by mistletwig. As for me, I await to see what he will produce.”

  “If I may, sir,” Jesse said, “may I ask, why you keep your measuring stick with you while going to sea.”

  Muryh turned on the young Scribe with a scowl. “Young man, with this stick, I measure out kingdoms faster than these warriors can carve them up.”

  “But,” Sur Sceaf said, “If ever one of your kingdoms gets assailed, you’ll be happy for these swords to protect them.”

  “It would seem we buttress one another up.” Muryh admitted with a reluctant snort.

  The eagle-faced, Turtle Duck, yelled over from his ship above the noise of the crowd, “We’re almost prepared to launch, my lord.” Sur Sceaf saluted and signed ‘making ready.’

  Raven’s Tongue gave the sign for all to gather aboard by lifting his bright yellow personal banner of a large black raven sitting atop a clam shell with men and women crawling out of the opening shell. The brisk wind snapped it above their heads.

  His voice carried well through the megaphone made of bullhorn. “Turtle Duck and I will take departure after Lord Sur Sceaf is finished loading. We will pursue a southwesterly course as far as the Redwoods to locate the Whale Road as the whales travel, coming northward. Duck’s son, Shark-Moon-Boy will be my far-seer. Now secure the trypots and harpoons, and load up.”

  Shark-Moon-Boy came up to Sur Sceaf’s boat. “Lord Sur Sceaf, Raven’s Tongue sent me over here to tell you, he wants all non-whalers to leave the boats and for everyone to prepare for launch. Is all in readiness to take to sea?”

  Sur Sceaf looked around and assessed that most seamen were in position, and that the supplies had been safely stowed and secured. Mendaka was busy explaining how to tie a square knot to Yellow Horse. However, he noted Ilkchild had gone back up on dock and was now embracing his newly wed brides.

  “Shark-Moon-Boy, all is in readiness, I just need to order the rest of my crew on board which I intend to do immediately.”

  Boy sa
luted. “I will convey your message.”

  Mendaka warned, “I don’t think Ilkchild wants to come with us.”

  Sur Sceaf yelled, “Ilkchild, do you want to be left behind?”

  Coyote yelled out from the bow of the boat, “Stop the smooching! You lip smacking girl hoarder. All aboard!”

  Ilkchild yelled back, “I’m coming, my lord.” He gave each wife one last kiss, ran down the dock and jumped aboard, still grinning.

  The Rabbi and Jesse, saluted and took their leave. The Rabbi stood upon the dock and shouted, “May the gods keep you, my friends.”

  Ilkchild bounced around aboard like a march hare and boxed playfully with Long Swan and Yellow Horse.

  “You and Long Swan need to take your seats now.” Surrey ordered.

  Muryh asked Sur Sceaf, “Is that Govannon I see there beside Turtle Duck, in the other whaler?”

  “It is,” Sur Sceaf answered. “why do you ask?”

  “I just want to know why I’m not on the wizard’s boat?”

  “Because you are on mine. Your skills, Master Builder, shall be put to good use soon enough. For some reason the gods want you with me on this boat. Endure and embrace your new fate.”

  “I never realized you had become such a smart ass.”

  The final whistle blew. The ships, the Honey Bee and the Raven, were each struck with a bottle of Govannon’s Mead by Turfrida and Ruth. Raven’s Tongue’s whaler moved slowly out to sea first. Sur Sceaf gave the orders to the four rowers in the first watch to commence rowing. The Honey Bee began moving slowly, following in the wake of the Raven. The crowd from the dock shouted, called out, and whistled, sending up a cloud of gulls that circled above them like a whirlwind.

  Chapter 21 : The Battle of Raw Top

  Melyngoch was not happy that his father had taken his most productive and most skilled sea captains, boat builders, craftsman, and masons to Ur Ford to use in building up his brother, Sur Sceaf’s city-state. The shame he bore in his humiliation at being rejected for the commission that was granted to his brother still burned in him like a furnace. But his mother, had assured him that all was not lost. He could still demonstrate that he was a more capable naval commander and fisherman than Sur Sceaf by training his own young bloods in seamanship and doing it in less time than it would take Surrey, who after all, knew little of the sea until recently. His mother had assured him she could handle the routine operations of the fyrds and the administrations of Charly’s Harbor so that he could comfortably focus all his energies on the sea. To this end he launched his young bloods out to sea in three boats in an effort to out do Surrey in his catches.

  They had been out to sea off and on for over a moonth. Clotilde’s advice had proven to be most fruitful. He had trained the young bloods to be proficient at seamanship and as fishermen. They had even caught larger catches of fish than his fishing fleet heretofore had been able to accomplish. He was proud of himself and his young bloods and couldn’t wait to send report to his father of their exceeding bounty.

  As they unloaded the fish and crabs at the docks, waiting merchants were swift to bid on his cargo. He assigned his lieutenants to handle the accounting and made his way up the dock with his ditty bag and catch pole still in hand. It felt good to wear a smile on his face for a change.

  Coming down the dock, he met Jerry Cochran, the richest merchant in Charly’s Harbor, who patted him on the back and congratulated him profusely on his superb catch.

  “Well done Lord Melyngoch, I haven’t seen a catch this big in ten years.”

  “Let my brother have all the experienced seamen he wants. As you can see, I did better with my green sailors.”

  “That you did, my lord. And now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to place my bids.”

  Melyngoch had nearly reached the livery where he stabled his horse when a panting green-clad beetle, came on swift legs down the street.

  “My lord Melyngoch, an urgent message for your eyes only arrived early this morning from the high lord. I have been waiting here for your return since then.”

  Melyngoch took the message, opened it and read:

  Take your fyrds and proceed directly and immediately to Coke Hill. Perhaps you can account for how several Pitter legions have passed through your lands unobserved without so much as a pigeon from you to warn us. Fortunately, a Sharaka young blood sent word from the forest. Rectify this matter immediately by securing your borders and going to the aid of Coke Hill at Tangle Wood Canyon.

  Sur Spear

  The message bore the king’s royal seal.

  Fear shot through him. Swiftly, he turned to the green beetle. “Order Leowulf to rouse the fyrds and meet me before my manor forthwith. Have my groom get my battle garb ready.”

  The green beetle looked dismayed. “But my lord, your fyrds and Leowulf are not available. The queen has sent them to Sunset Bay to complete her palace.”

  Melyngoch was stunned. “But that can’t be.”

  The beetle explained, “You know, the palace that the craftsmen and builders were erecting before they were called off to Ur Ford. All the fyrds and Leowulf have been dispatched to complete it before the rains come.”

  His rage was boiling in him. He smote his catch pole on the ground and pounded the rocks on the shore with it until it was splintered then hurled it in the bay and shouted, “As the gods live, I shall cut off my ear from ever hearing that woman again. It is as father said, ‘She poisons my ear’.”

  “Ride like the wind to Sunset Bay and fetch Leowulf here immediately along with the fyrds. Tell them to prepare for full scale war.”

  The beetle swiftly mounted his horse which had been tied to a nearby hitching post and was off. Melyngoch, hastened to the livery to fetch his own horse, Slep. Without waiting for it to be saddled, he rode with a fury to his manor. Arriving, he jumped off the horse while it was still galloping. A groom grabbed the reins. He flew through the doors of his hall screaming and sending the dogs running out of the home with their tails between their legs. The mouths of his wives and servants all dropped.

  “Mother!” He screamed. “Attend me now!”

  She slowly exited her room on the second story and appeared at the railing of the upstairs balcony, still dressed in her silken night clothes.

  “How dare you shout at me like that? What is the matter?”

  “What is the matter,” he said in a mocking half-feminine voice before switching back to his roar, “you know damned well what the matter is!” His face aflame and fire burning in his eyes. “You pulled the northern defenses to build your palatial manor home on Sunset Bay. Didn’t you?”

  “Well, dear, you were just taking too long to get around to it. Your thoughtless father has once again favored his little darling, Sur Sceaf and taken all my builders. What was I to do? I don’t see why you’re in such a huff. No harm has been done! And besides, what enemy would dare to come into Herewardi Lands.”

  “No harm done! Never dare!” His voice boomed. “The enemy has already penetrated as far as Coke Hill undetected because you used every last man in this kingdom to build a damned palace so that you could flaunt it over the other wives of Father’s covey.”

  “You’ve been at sea. How came this knowledge to you?” She demanded, nervously fingering her nightgown.

  “A Sharaka boy got word to Father.” Melyngoch shook his head. “How could you do this to me?

  “Oh, a Sharaka boy told Sur Spear, did he? Well, who would put their trust in a little savage? They are little more than woodland creatures and beasts of the plains.”

  “The Sharaka are our allies, and a Hell-of-a-sight better friends to the Herewardi than you have been!”

  “Calm yourself my...”

  “Calm myself to Hellheim. And you and your counsel can go to Hell. The king sent the message and has demanded an accounting of the reason for this egregious breach. Now you damn sight better hope that Sharaka boy is a liar, for if I find the enemy hosts entered into my lands, under my watch, then I will never
receive your counsel again.”

  He looked over at his mother’s vase of sculpted sea wylfs. The flames of his rage caught again, he took the vase and smashed it to the marble floor. He gave a breath of satisfaction at the horror on her face then stormed up to his chambers to don his battle gear.

  * * *

  It took all day to rally the fyrds together. They had travelled most of the night, when Melyngoch came upon the chewed up earth from the hooves of horses and the feet of hosts of men. Damn it, the boy was right.

  His tracker, Don the Umpquan said, “My lord, a mighty host has made these tracks, too many to give a count of.”

  The news rolled off Don’s tongue like the venom of a viper. Melyngoch had failed his father. He would have rather drowned at sea than hear the enemy came through his gates. Now how do I do damage control?

  He strained his eyes to see through the fog. With the tracker in the lead, they followed the trail of the host past Coke Hill and then up into the familiar blind canyon of Tangle Wood where Melyngoch called a halt. There is no sight of any enemy and the tracks lead right into the big mouth of the canyon. Puzzled, Melyngoch turned to his chief commander. “Leowulf, this makes no sense at all. Why would they trap themselves in a canyon like this?”

  Leowulf peered into the canyon’s mouth. “I suspect they didn’t realize it’s a blind canyon.”

  “Or perhaps they’re setting up a bulwark and wish to employ it as a stronghold.”

  “If that is the case, their strategy may be to lead us into a trap in this fog. I advise we use caution, it may all be a ruse.”

  Hornmead said, “We should be on alert, they could come roaring out of there any moment.”