The Aebeling (38 page)

Poor Alric was stunned. He had offered gifts that were priceless; even the Healdend would have difficulty in purchasing the necklace in one piece; it was far too valuable. He looked confused. Addressing the Healdend, he actually asked.

‘Healdend, I apologize if I have offended or disappointed you in any way. My offerings are of considerable value and yet I did not sense that you felt they were adequate. I did not see today anything of greater value.’

Driscol smiled. ‘Your offerings are considerable, and please be assured that they have not disappointed us. They are magnificent, but’, the Healdend stood and walked towards Alric. He slowly withdrew the Katana from its scabbard, and showed it to Alric, ‘yesterday I was offered this.’

Alric looked at the blade, and Conn noticed that he went a little white before he spoke. ‘That is indeed a mighty blade. I have never seen finer. In fact, I have only ever heard of one such blade before...’ and he stopped thinking aloud. He tried to regain the initiative, ‘I accept that my offerings are a mere trinket in comparison to such a blade…. But the necklace is the work of the finest craeftiga in Rakiak. Did it not meet with your approval?’

Cliona spoke. ‘I apologize if I too appeared to undervalue your gift. It is simply the finest necklace I have ever seen. I thank you again.’

‘And yet…?’

‘My gift was an Elfina.’

‘An Elfina? You mean one of the fabled horse of the Twacuman?’

Cliona nodded.

‘But that’s impossible…they are extinct.’ he almost yelled, ‘And no one can gift a Twacuman horse. For a Priecuman to have such a horse is impossible. Surely you are mistaken.’

Conn was having two much fun but decided enough was enough. He spoke. ‘It is not impossible...’

Alric spun to follow the voice. He almost fainted when he saw the speaker, the tall blond warrior, but he steadied himself. The voice in his head reacted as well. It was livid that he was still alive. ‘Are you not the Thane of Hama? What is a Thane of Lykia doing in Moetia? Or even ali…’ As he spoke, his left hand moved and rested on his sword. He regained control long enough to not finish his last sentence.

‘Rakian, I would keep your hand well off your sword if I were you. Drawing the sword will be the last thing that you ever do, and I would hate to dishonor our hosts by spilling blood – even yours – in a place and a time of peace.’

Alric quickly moved his hand from the sword. ‘I apologize, I mean no disrespect.’ He turned and bowed to both the girl and her father, the Healdend. ‘I was simply surprised by the presence of someone who is considered an enemy of Rakia, a harborer of escaped theow, and a lawbreaker.’

Conn walked forward and addressed the Healdend. ‘The Rakians had a habit of sending their wiga over my border searching for refugees, and because they don’t take no for an answer, they usually die. They don’t send any more. Alric was also surprised to see me as he expected that the four Ancuman assassins that had been sent to kill me would have succeeded – which obviously they didn’t. Quite the reverse in fact…’

The Healdend was confused. ‘There are Ancuman in Meshech? There are Ancuman assassins in Lykia? What is going on?’

They waited while Driscol berated his staff for not keeping him informed on events in Lykia. He then returned his attention to Conn.

‘I’m confused – does not the law say one must return escaped theow?’

‘Apparently – but no one has successfully brought me to task yet – though some have tried but they are no longer alive.’

‘A conundrum that bears reflection.’

‘I do not break the law – the law clearly states that a payment of a wergild is sufficient to free the theow. The Thane of Hama sometimes feels generous enough to pay the fine – sometimes the Thane of Veii.’

‘Are you not paying yourself?’

‘Not according to the law.’

‘Another conundrum.’

Conn smiled. ‘I didn’t write the laws – and as for the Elfina, if the Rakian wishes to denounce my word, then I’m sure that I can accommodate him in any forum he chooses – according to the law of Moetia.’

Alric decided to quit while he was ahead.

‘I will concede my point, clearly what I thought was impossible is not. I apologize.’

Conn offered his hand to the Rakian and he begrudgingly accepted it. ‘But do not worry, I am not the suitor; it is Daray, the Eaorl of Erbil’s brother.’

As they walked back to their tables, the Healdend announced that the feast would start. Tables were rearranged again so that the Rakian were at the front as well. Alric had several men and a couple of women with him. None were Ancuman, and one of the women had clearly spent time in Alric’s bed as she looked at Cliona with venom. Aerlene stayed with Conn at his table for the feast of fine foods, exotic dancers and music. Before the party ended, Cliona sought him out.

‘I am informed that you wish to take me for a ride again tomorrow?’

‘Indeed I do. I have a surprise for you – a picnic. If you want to know what it is, collect all your suitors together straight after breakfast with their horses.’

‘What’s a picnic?’

‘You will find out tomorrow, Cliona. Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight Thane. And thank you.’

CHAPTER 19

Conn arrived back at the Inn and found that another communique from Abrekan had arrived. An envoy from Gatina had arrived in Trokia to negotiate a solution to the dispute. Apparently some form of remedy was agreed upon but soon after the departure of the envoy from Trokia, his vessel disappeared with the loss of all life. The envoy was the brother of the Healdend of Gatina, and Gatina has subsequently accused Trokia of sinking the vessel. Coincidently, negotiations are cancelled and a war was now immanent as Trokia refused to pay the extraordinary wergild that was being demanded. The fyrd is on a war standing and was being sent to the Gatinan border.

Conn drafted a reply, and had just completed it when Aerlene made another last night visit. She noticed that Conn was a bit tense, and suggested that she knew ways that might relieve his tension. He knew a few as well.

The next morning, as requested, the suitors were all gathered outside the keep with their horses, and most seemed fairly annoyed that they had been made to travel out for the day. Cliona waited standing with her father, who was also mounted. Conn rode up, with the pinto mare at his side, and she trotted forward and greeted Cliona. Conn observed Alric’s face – he didn’t know if it was disbelief or just plain shock – he just suddenly looked really unwell. Although he had begrudgingly conceded the point yesterday, it seemed that he didn’t personally believe it. The voice in Alric’s head was literally foaming at the mouth – it seemed to hate Elfina – which was curious in itself. It almost made Conn wanted to allow her into his mind and say ‘Told you so’ but rational thought prevailed.

Not to miss all the fun, Conn taunted him. ‘Well, Alric il Rakia; is it or is it not an Elfina?’

‘I have to admit that it indeed looks like an Elfina.’ Alric shook his head, ‘I just don’t understand how that is possible – they are extinct.’ He bid Conn farewell and pulled his horse away, turning towards the rear of the column.

Within minutes, the group was underway and on their way out of the Cotlif. They rode for the woods that sat on the cliffs overlooked the cotlif; it was part of the Healdend’s private forest and was largely untouched. Conn had sent his Silekians ahead to prepare. He rode with the Healdend.

‘Healdend, I’m surprised that you have come out for the picnic.’

‘Thane’, the Healdend exclaimed, ‘I don’t even know what a picnic is! And it seems that I need to keep an eye on things. You have everyone else convinced that you are not a threat, but I’m still not sure. I’ve been finding out more and more about you, and frankly, I don’t believe half of it. But even if the half that I think I believe is true, then I definitely need to keep an eye on you.’

Conn laughed. ‘Healdend, I am no threat to you or Moetia. But I will defend Lykia against anyone, including the Rakians. I do have a question, however.’

‘Go on.’

‘What do you know of the situation in Gatina and Trokia?’

‘Not much – I was informed that there is disagreement – something about missing ships or something – and the payment of wergild. I understand that they are negotiating.’ The Healdend was not used to such questions from Thanes about other nations, and Conn saw the confusion on his face. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Well, I do a lot of business with Trokia – and there are only two kinds of people who are concerned by wars – Healdends and Merchants. Merchant generally profit from them. I believe you have met a merchant called Abrekan?’

He nodded. Conn knew he had – Abrekan had paid a lot of money to the Healdend to purchase the land and buildings around the Inn to expand it. Conn continued.

‘Abrekan advises me that the situation in Trokia is rapidly deteriorating; negotiations are off as the envoy of Gatina has gone missing on his return voyage. Gatina has mustered a fyrd of thousands on the border and is preparing to invade Trokia. Trokia has sent its fyrd to the border as well.’

‘I had no idea that things were so serious. But why would Gatina start a war. The Healdend is not an unreasonable man… I don’t understand this at all.’

Conn nodded. ‘Trokia has no desire to enter a conflict that they have a very big prospect of losing – they do not have a fyrd of any consequence, and are poorly equipped to fight a fyrd made up of cavalry like Gatina. As for cause, there are elements within Gatina that are heavily influenced by Rakia, and it is them that have manipulated this problem – I don’t know how yet – and there are over a thousand Rakian forces in the Gatinan Fyrd. If we asked, I’m sure that Alric could tell us what is happening, but I doubt that he will.’

‘How do you know all this – you seem very well informed?’ Driscol didn’t know whether to be impressed or concerned.

‘Information is power. I make it my business to know everything … that might affect my trading activities. ‘Conn added the last part as seamlessly as possible. Driscol looked like he believed him.

‘Anyway, why would Rakia want this war?

‘I think they wish to destabilize Meshech in any way that they can – the war in Silekia is not going well for Rakia – it is at a stalemate.’

‘I can only guess you have had some influence on that as well – given Alric’s response to you.’

Conn smiled. ‘I haven’t helped their cause. If they can win this war with the Trokian, they will have greater resources to attack Silekia, and it wouldn’t withstand combined Rakian and Gatinan assault. And behind all that is the Ancuman. Everything is connected.’

Driscol was silent for a while. ‘What you suggest is impossible to believe. It has been a long time since the Ancuman walked in Meshech – and the last time they were here they almost brought the entire land into civil war. And you say they are back – and they want to do that again?’

Driscol knew of the assassination of the Silekian Healdend, but Conn was able to connect the dots with that and the attempt on his life, and the Ancuman. Driscol was astounded. ‘So what are you going to do about it?’

‘I am going to raise a Fryd and take it to Trokia. They will need help and I am prepared to do so.’

‘But why? Why would you join a war between Gatina and Trokia...’ He stopped to consider the question, ‘because you believe that it is important that Gatina not win.’

‘Of course, and I need your approval to prepare my Fyrd here in Moetia.’

Driscol didn’t reply immediately and they rode silently for a while. ‘Thane, this is all very vexing. Anyway, to march to Trokia, you have to march through Kania; I doubt that the Aebeling will let you pass.’

‘I thought the Kanians were aligned with Trokia.’ Conn was unable to get much information about Kania – Abrekan didn’t visit because of the pirate problem, and travel by road was slow.

‘At one time – but because the Aebeling’s mother and grandmother were of Rakia, alliances have changed. I guess all this agrees with the scenario that you proposed – Rakia is trying to encircle us all.’

Conn nodded towards Alric who travelled ahead of them speaking with Cliona. ‘You will also understand why Alric can never be Aebeling of Lykia – though I think that he knows that it is extremely unlikely. I do not understand his game yet.’

Driscol understood Conn’s point of view. ‘I would prefer it if you didn’t start a war in my backyard – if you don’t mind.’

‘I will try.’

The group had arrived at the picnic site and Conn’s wiga had erected a large yurt style marquee with mats and cushions on the ground. They had a large fire going and food was being cooked. As they arrived, the wiga collected the horses and allowed the guests to sit and rest; while others handed them drinks. His musicians played to the side. Cliona came over to him, and her reaction reminded him that she, like Allowena, was still a little girl, and yet her decision would affect the lives of thousands. She gave him a big hug and squealed ‘Thank you, thank you; this is wonderful!’

Allowena, who Conn noticed had spent the last part of the ride with Cliona talking with her, punched him as she passed. ‘How come you have never given me a picnic?’

As Conn rubbed his arm, Driscol laughed. ‘Just can’t please ‘em, can you!’

After their ‘barbeque’ of grilled meats and fine wine, they had an archery competition.

Although supposedly fun, it was very serious. In the knock out competition, the last four were Arlen, who had beaten Driscol, Alric, Daray and Conn. Arlen was matched against Conn and Daray with Alric. Alric was a reasonably talented and skilled archer, and he managed to beat Daray by one point. Daray was gracious in defeat though he gave Conn a dirty look. He hated losing – especially when told to do so.

Arlen was ultimately no match for Conn and huffed a little in defeat. However, he was rapidly changing his alliances, as he was starting to feel that Alric was the main problem; not Daray.

The final bout started evenly. After three rounds they were tied; where Alric had made an error, Conn seemed also to do so. They moved the targets back another five paces, and then another. Still they were even. They changed the format to three flights each.