The Isle of Ilkchild (The King of Three Bloods Book 4)

by Russ L. Howard

  In Taxus, Elrus grew old and was full of days. His dolmen stands in Leakey to this day. Arundel II rose up and made a powerful fortress at the Omala which held the Pitters in check throughout his lifetime and for several following generations, until the Pitters came down against Taxus in great droves. Leofric the Nomad, having realized that resistance at that time was futile, led another migration out of Taxus into the White Mountains and dwelt as friends with the Ndee Apache in for a season of forty years. When Leofric was of many days, he sent out scouts to the northwest and they discovered the Umpqua, a naturally defensible stronghold in deeply forested mountains backed by the Great Aurvandilean Sea.”

  Russell could not refrain from calling out, “That’s where we used to live.”

  Lana said, “Shush, while they finish the telling.”

  Red Elf looked up in confusion, but encouraged by his mother, continued reading. “Leofric sent a migration of Herewardi with his son, Sur the Colonizer, to the Umpqua where they met the friendly Umpqua Tribe and the Khirpaleans, who beseeched them to join their small band for mutual defense. Soon Leofric, who had remained behind, was gathered to his fathers in the Elf Hall of Heaven.”

  Another curtain slid back revealing children raising a dolmen on stage, the little boy continued to read. “A dolmen was built for Leofric in the White Mountains among the Ndee. Sur, after half a lifetime of labors, built many colonies in the Umpqua and built Witan Jewell with the consent of the Umpquans, who delighted in the protection the Herewardi and Sharaka gave from the thieving Rogue Nations.” The children, on stage, built forts and huts with sticks to show they now lived in log homes. “Sur, too, had become elderly and commended his spirit to the Progenitor and the Begetter, to eternal rest from mortal toil and joined his fathers in the Great Elven Hall. Then Sur Spear, his youngest son returned from his spying mission to the east and became the next high lord, sweeping far and wide with the many fyrds he had built up, always keeping the Pitters at bay. It was he who called for the Council of Three Tribes to unite the tribes into a tighter, more effective force and unto this calling he appointed his son of three bloods, Sur Sceaf, our new high lord. And now here we are, many generations later, according to the prophecy on the sacred isle the All Father raised out of the liquid ocean for us and lore master Long Swan now writes the story of our generation.”

  The children simulated the building with stone by stacking finished stones in a pile on a mat. From the side of the stage Aelfheah crept in dressed in a black wolf costume symbolizing there was one more battle to finish off the Pitter Wolf and then the final curtain was drawn closed.

  * * *

  Long Swan’s Log: The first day of the Blood Moonth of the Year 584 H.S.O. The Halloween Celebration ended with feasting, athletic competitions, archery, dancing, and singing. As the sun began to drop the adult celebrants scrambled to finish their outside makeshift booths made of grass mats and branches. This night they would sleep under the stars as the memorial required, like their forefathers had done before them, signifying the struggles of Howrus to preserve his people in the wilderness. As the darkness of evening fell, Redith began telling Sharaka tales around the campfire followed by the glorious songs of ancestral praise rendered by Sur Sceaf’s sons and daughters.

  Before the celebrants retired to their booths, Sur Sceaf, finished speaking by prophesying a great and glorious future. “Within three more Halloweens, I prophesy we shall have laid the groundwork for an invincible isle. We have practically finished the great stone stronghold atop Copper Head Ridge, a mighty forge, sewers, and water works and the palace is being refined even now as I speak. Then we will secure all the gates of the land by discovering its unknown borders and posting outposts with fyrds and settlers. New cities will arise on this isle, so that we may extend the curtains of our settlements to the ends of the isle. For Turtle Duck has circumnavigated the isle with Flammalf and says it is enormous, at least as big as the Kalifornias. Finally, it is our goal that we shall raise a temple on Mount Godeselle as a beacon of freedom and light unto all nations, signaling that under our confederation, all men are invited to be free from tyranny and to worship as they please.”

  Chapter 23 : The Council of Gods

  High on top of Mount Elflohana the Northern Lights danced on the snowy throne where the All Father Odhin had called a Council of Gods. The first to come to him were the goddesses Sunna, Sinthgunt, Volla, and Freya. Soon bright Baldur and thunderous Thor arrived followed by Heremod and Beyla, until the whole assembly of gods descended from the heavens and conjoined in holy council.

  All-Father Woon spoke from his golden chariot to the assembled council, “It is time to do on Ea-Urth what is done in Heofonum. I have raised Sur Sceaf to be my champion and I place you, Heremod, over him to guard and to protect whilst you imbue him with the war-spirit. I shall watch over my son, Arundel, and Beyla I commend the Queen of the Crater into your care. Soon we shall tie all the peoples of this isle together in sacred imperishible bonds. Hariasa, Ilkchild shall be your charge. You may suffer him to be sorely afflicted, that he may be forged in the oven of affliction, yet, spare his life for he is Baldur’s Seed and Freya’s utter delight. Gerthr, you shall bless Muryh in all his labors and help him fence my people in safety. Thor and Sandraudiga shall protect and raise Brekka that she may dye the sand red with the enemy’s blood and fulfill her destiny. Sigyn, my daughter Wilona, shall be your charge. Loki, go unto the blind Pitter seer, Katus in Hormah and the Big Springs, and stir the enemy’s heart up in rage and make their hearts hard against my people. Now go down to our children in Middle-Ea-Urth and make it so.”

  The gods all answered, “We shall make it so.”

  The gods chorused, “Holy, holy, holy is he who hanged upon the Tree of Terror for nine days. Lord of the Life Force is his name. Bringer of Victory. Lord of the Hunt. Leader of Souls and Father of the Gods. Let him be proclaimed.”

  * * *

  Long Swan’s Log: It is the thirteenth day of the Blood Moonth in the year 584 H.S.O., the runic season of Nyd, the preparation for winter. People have noticed strange lights such as are usually seen in the aurora borealis emanating from Mount Elflohana followed by an array of shooting stars. It has caused a great stir in Godeselle, with Fromer saying it portends the End of the World, and others believing it may be the sirrings of a volcanic eruption. What was surely a coincidence is that King Sur Spear arrived on the tide this morning in his swan ship. After a tour of Godeselle, he gave Sur Sceaf, the Hyd, the Golden Vellum which in conjunction with the Signet Ring is a charter granting him the high lordship over the Isle of Ilkchild and all the constellations of Herewardi Settlements of the Seven Kingdoms. According to Herewardi custom his acts and deeds will soon earn him his kingship and holy anointing.

  * * *

  It was right after breakfast on the second day of Sur Spear’s visit that Sur Sceaf again sat with his father, Muryh, Mendaka, and Long Swan in the ground floor of the Stone Hall of Godeselle.

  Sur Sceaf addressed his trusted councilors, “I know the building projects are all consuming, and I mark the stress of it in your faces, but I have this inner compulsion that we need to get underway with more explorations, more settlements, and the task of freeing our island of trolls.”

  Muryh scrunched his face and replied, “That is a given, we’ve already got so many projects that we’re stretched uncomfortably thin, my lord, but while all the agricultural groundwork is being laid, we can still continue the work in the quarries and have ships bring in loads of materials for the temple. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “It is well,” Sur Spear pledged, “I shall have ship loads of marble sent moonthly which you can stock pile against the day you build the temple, but I am with my son on ridding the land of these trolls and getting more settlements up and running as far south as it is safe. I am leaving my Baldurean Guard here at your disposal. Commander Rurik has been informed of his reassignment. Another matter that concerns me is I can see the population growth here in Godeselle i
s becoming greater than it is capable of sustaining. I see signs of discontent in the City of Godeselle and pollutions are mounting to unhealthy levels. The patience and goodwill of the people will break like a dam that bursts if you don’t relieve the pressure. It also concerns me deeply that a pirating Mexus ship was sighted passing the isle, near enough for added caution. For if he could pass over the bend in the sea, then likely the Pitters will avail themselves of this knowledge and follow. We now have confirmation that the isle is no longer a secret from them and if that is so, it will soon be known to the Pitters.”

  “I agree, my lord,” Muryh said. “I fear with their new alliance with some of the Mexus pirates, the Pitters will soon have the capacity to get to this island by sea.”

  “Don’t worry, master builder, the Lord Pyrsyrus’ men will be patrolling like a school of sharks in these waters.”

  Sur Sceaf said, “And of course, we will send exploration parties right away, Father. We have to secure the rest of the isle before the enemy can establish a beachhead here. Muryh, you are just going to have to yield up some of these crews from your building projects. It’s got to happen.”

  Sur Sceaf waited for Long Swan to finish transcribing their words, then said, “My focus shall be on building the road system we need. We require a years indenture from each settler in Godeselle which I fear must now be waived. We’ll transfer their indenture to the settlements we’re building and to the road system and other public works. A road system is crucial for military deployment and mercantile exchange. I have decided to assign Laird Jon Dee Lee and his Hickoryans to that task and thereby have more Herewardi to work on other projects. After Turtle Duck returns in a few days, I will send out some exploring parties to the southlands under Mendaka and Xelph. Elf Beard and Jackie Doo will go with them. This way we can secure all the gates of the land and catalogue the resources, determine where our underbelly is unprotected, and build the necessary forts and outposts to shore up this kingdom.” Sur Sceaf turned to Muryh, “I know the temple grounds are one of the first sites we laid out, but, sadly, it will have to be one of the last things we complete. We must not put the cart before the horse, my friend.”

  Muryh looked disappointed, but it was clear from his expression he expected this decision. “Very well, my lord, I shall set my master builders to work at once on the water wheels, sewers, bridges, and aqueducts, and content myself with garnering the materials for a temple. Just so it’s completed within the three years target date we set.”

  “If all goes smoothly, we shall have the man force soon enough to build your temple, Muryh. They’re flowing in by the moonth.”

  “So to be clear, you will set the Hickoryans to building the roads under Laird Lee, and I shall turn my attention to completing the stone fortress and palace atop the Copper Head Ridge, while Pyrsyrus and his Pyringean pirates render the Mexus pirates their due, and the explorers map out the unknown. But I shall not call this a crown city until the temple sets atop that holy mound.” He took a breath. “Have I left anything out?”

  “No, your summation is accurate as always.”

  Sur Spear asked, “Have you a name for the fortress yet, master builder?”

  “It shall be called the Ram’s Head Fortress because the head of a ram and the swirls of its horns form a cursive omicron, and because the ram represents the arrested sacrifice that was provided by the Great Elf to redeem us, his people.”

  Speaking for the first time, Mendaka reminded them, “Govannon is going to need a great furnace and a massive smeltery built if he, Herman, and their apprentices are to work their magic in fashioning the arms, chain mail, and weapons our defenses require. Perhaps the fyrds can be enlisted in this cause since they are the ones who will be using his armaments.”

  “Shape it so!” Sur Sceaf said. They all agreed.

  Sur Sceaf was about to adjourn the meeting, when Sur Spear held up a hand. “One more thing. Finish the great wall at the edge of the gorse trail as a first line of defense and to serve as a customs inspection station. Check the credentials of everyone that enters through the gorse gate, which shall now serve as your port of entry. That way we can guard against nine tenths of the potential assassins, miscreants, and spies that would otherwise pass through undetected.”

  * * *

  Long Swan’s Log: It is Ydalir Day, the day of yews, and the celebration of archery among the Herewardi. Homes are decorated with feathery yew branches and all the youth of the land participate in the archery tournaments, and the planting of yew seedlings throughout the land. In the week since the arrival of King Sur Spear, Sur Sceaf spent many hours consulting with Mendaka, Elijah and Muryh. I, Long Swan, recorded their plans. Together the five of us planned the expansion of the Kingdom of Syr Folk as decreed by King Sur Spear.

  During the past five moonths great numbers of settlers have been transported in from the Herewardi settlements on the main land, mostly builders, carpenters, and smelters. Now in this second wave of settlement from the main land, come settlers consisting of weavers, spinners, dyers, tanners, pottery makers, more carpenters and builders, blacksmiths, glaziers, and metallurgists, as well as hundreds of skalds, godhi, and gadija. Additionally, we had more Hickoryan craftsmen and settlers along with a host of Umpquans and Khirpaleans who immigrated here from Witan Jewell. Six moonths ago in the Hay Moonth, Shug Moss’ in company with his Columba Rogues arrived with their families and their households, horses, livestock, and several slaves. The Rogues were informed that the Syr Folk do not allow for slavery and must either free them or send them back to the other Columbas on the main land. He was informed that the Syr Folk would compensate him with gold for every slave he freed. Shug was disappointed, but reluctantly released his slaves who found immediate employment with Muryh. Some jest that slavery was to be preferred over working with Muryh.

  Eight tenths of everyone who can work, labor on the massive wall of the fortress, and the refinements of the palace. Muryh keeps a skeleton crew working on the temple, around the clock. It seems he can’t completely abandon his work on the temple and told Sur Sceaf he cannot bear to not do something to advance the vision. Sur Sceaf is pleased with the speed at which Godeselle is rising and said that when all the building is completed, he foresees Godeselle will be the navel stone of all the Herewardi realms of Middle Ea-Urth.

  The first shipment of marble arrived on the fifth day after Sur Spear sent a pigeon ordering the loading of the ships with white marble from the forty thousand tons of white marble Sur Spear had stockpiled at Charly’s Harbor for the day a temple would be built. Once a half dozen warehouses had been completed, ships loaded with grains and potatoes were brought to further prime the isle and carry everyone safely through this first winter shut-in.

  During this time the Lord Pyrsyrus has been supervising building a harbor at Troll Landing as well as directing his crews to patrol around the island. In this time, he has shaped the new Jywdic Commander, El Yid, into a highly skilled blades-man. In addition he has commissioned crews to build his triremes, ships capable of great speed that ram enemy vessels to render them incapacitated. Sleek and sturdy, each trireme holds one hundred and forty-four oarsmen per ship for ram power.

  After the winter shut-in passes and perhaps as early as the mud moonth, land expeditions may be launched to determine the best placement of defenses throughout the isle. It was determined, that during the winter, the sea is much too treacherous for the Pitters to launch any gainful invasion. So all focus now, is on the roads and the building of public works.

  * * *

  During rest and refreshment taken high noon on the twenty-eighth day into the Blood Moonth, Sur Sceaf sat on a stone overlooking Godeselle and listened to his friends talking.

  Mendaka said to Muryh, “I heard that slave couple from the Columba Rogues had a baby and have named it after you.”

  Muryh replied proudly, “Yes, can you imagine anyone taking a liking to me?”

  Mendaka jested. “Actually, I can’t, but on occasion you have an
endearing side. The Columbas must have been mighty hard on them.”

  “I think not, I think they had six years of servitude that they still owed and now they are relieved of that.”

  “Was the child a girl or a boy?”

  “It’s a girl, but they still named it Muryh.”

  “Your name is highly unusual. I have not heard of another Herewardi with that name before. Surely there must be some deep meaning in it.”

  “My fa fa Marvie gave me the name which is the name of an ancient builder of olden times. As a child I had been named Morovee by my mother, after a great ancestor in the royal bloodline, but when my fa fa saw my abilities to build, he changed it to Muryh, to reflect the master builder of olden times, who was killed in the ashes of the temple at Heredom. While defending his people, he was struck down with a mason’s mallet.”

  Sur Sceaf said, “Did you make this jerky Mendaka? Because it tastes like it was hammered with a mason’s mallet and you must have added buffalo dung for flavoring.”

  “That doesn’t seem to be stopping you from wolfing it down. If there’s any dung on it, it’s what you’ve been tossing around.”

  Elijah said, “Now children, let’s not fight at the dinner table.”

  After eating and chasing it down with a little wine, they returned to their construction hut to continue their examination of the scouting reports of the lands southward from them. Sur Sceaf was becoming increasingly prone to sending out exploration teams, while merely waiting for a break in the drippy weather.

  Mendaka declared, “Coyote and Red Fox explored the land running on the east of the River Mahallah for as long as a fortnight and report that it is mostly oaken savannah land. They report the land is all fertile, endless springs, ample pasturage, and the soils have good tilth until they butt up against a giant rock escarpment near a great waterfall.”