The Bretwalda (The Casere Book 4) (24 page)

‘Whilst I appreciate the offer of help from the Marquis of Kerch,’ Conn noted that he used the title deliberately, ‘it will not be required. If anyone stands against Ishtar’s nomination, they will stand against the fyrd of Makuria.’

‘You cannot do that,’ Rubutu protested, ‘it is against our laws for brother to fight brother. You and I share a grandfather.’

‘It has always been our law to follow the Gyden – when Ishtar was our Gyden. Ishtar is back. You all know that, you all feel that. If you choose to break one law, I will choose to break another. You chose first.’

They remained standing glaring at each other until the Aebeling stood – and by protocol, they sat.

‘All of this postulating is unnecessary – we all know that this is for the better. Eldarr will be a fine Healdend – one that has the obvious support of the fyrd and Ishtar. We all also know that for this rebellion to stand the Healdend will need the skill to lead his fyrd and the support of the … Marquis of Kerch. He has my blessing.’

The Aebeling looked to his son and indicated that he should come forward to Alkia; who still stood in the centre of the room, holding the Torc. Eldarr did so, and as he neared her she said something to him that only he heard; but he placed his hands on her wrists and together they placed the crown on his neck. As soon as he touched her, a white glow spread down his arms and up his body until it reached his head. When the Torc touched his body, the glow disappeared. Alkia smiled at Eldarr and kissed him on the lips. She turned and led him to his seat, and watched as he sat. She then knelt and kissed the hand that she had been holding as he sat. She then stood and went to her seat at the Aebeling’s right.

Sigkarl immediately stood and knelt in front of his only child, and he was followed by the Folctoga and the Steward. Very quickly a long line of Jarls formed – headed by the Jarl of Elis, Sipan and Bakan. At the end was an essentially reluctant but defeated Jarl of Rubutu, who was ultimately alone and who stood to lose everything if he stayed that way.

After all the Jarls had made their vows of obedience and returned to their seats, Alkia stood again. ‘It is necessary for the Healdend to take a bedda. I ask Albega il Axum to come forward.’ This caused more complaints but they weren’t too loud as everyone knew of her heritage. ‘I also name Evalida il Rubutu as second bedda.’

That was a surprise. Conn had no idea who she even was. Her father the Jarl was confused – and the young girl – she must have been no more than fourteen, came forward from her father’s table, surprised and scared. But she didn’t hesitate.

With Eldarr in the middle she bound Albega to his right hand and Evalida to his left with white cloth, and a white soft glow that enveloped the bindings that seemed to seep from her gown. ‘Ishtar makes these bindings for the wellbeing of her people. Albega is to join with Eldarr today and Evalida will join later if she so desires after she is of age and after Asbera has a son.’ She then kissed then all and the feast of celebration began.

Derryth looked at Conn. ‘You didn’t think that did you? Some random girl to be selected as the new Healdend’s second bedda.’

‘No, that one had nothing to do with me. I’m as surprised as the girl – and her father. At least it will keep his complaining down.’

The formalities completed, Eldarr stood to make a speech. He thanked everyone for their counsel, and how he looked forward to seeing Makurai return to its rightful place as an independent nation amongst equals. He turned to Conn.

‘For some reason unfathomable to all of us, we owe our freedom to someone we have been trying to kill for over twenty years. Thanks be to Ishtar that we have failed. Hail Makuria! Hail Ishtar!’

The hall bellowed in return. ‘Hail Makuria! Hail Ishtar!’

‘Let us celebrate our freedom the only way we know how. Hail Makuria! Hail Ishtar!’

The hall bellowed in return. ‘Hail Makuria! Hail Ishtar!

Soon the drummers started playing on their drums, the dancers gyrated and the wine and beer flowed; and as the evening proceeded, it became a ruckus event of naked dancers, drunkenness and debauchery that the Ancuman seemed to like when celebrating. It promised to be a good night.

Chapter 11
Eight Eighty-Six

After a season working in his new demesne of Ushu, Conn was more than restless when Sir Njil, and the largest fleet of ships ever seen, arrived in Makuria in the spring. Ushu was in good hands; Guntor was the official steward and Tihild was the official heir. As he was leaving, however, the eight-year-old asked if she could go with him, and both parents agreed. After knowing that she was “different” for so long, and being scared because of it, she adored feeling safe.

Njil’s fleet of ships were filled with merchandise. Conn had not been idle over the winter; within the port he had been meeting and negotiating with merchants, because he not only needed outlets but he needed goods for his ship to take away. It had taken some discussions with the Jarls to find supplies, however, ryals always spoke loudly.

Conn farewelled Sigkarl and Eldarr at the docks – as well as Albega. The pregnant Albega was not being left alone however; Njil had brought with him her mother Agdis and her younger brother Began il Elis. His father, Dengor, was in Sala negotiating with the Healdend.

Tears flowed. ‘Will I see you again?’ Albega asked amid the tears.

Conn shook his head. ‘I doubt it; it is not for me to be interfering any more than I have to. It will take time for the three tribes to fully trust one other and my heavy hand does not make it quicker. All you need to do now is prosper and ensue that everyone prospers along with you.’

He held her long and close before kissing the crying girl and climbing aboard. On deck, Derryth wiped the tears from his face, as he looked at Conn as he struggled with his own tears.

‘This is not going to get any easier is it?’

Conn shook his head. ‘No. I suspect that there will be nothing but tears from here on.’

On board, their numbers were declining but they’d had some late additions. Apart from Tihild, Aga decided she wanted to go as well. There was one other late addition. Conn was saying farewell to the folgere Larena. She had indeed been called, and delighted in their constant fornications. She now understood why she used to visit these rooms with the young Sigkarl to play “games” – so many times. By then end of it, he was refusing because he preferred to play his games with young men anyway.

As he shared a bed with her for the last time, she introduced him to a new folgere. Conn found it hard to take introductions seriously when one was naked and in some form of sexual activity.

‘This is Eldwen,’ Larena panted, ‘she wants to get to know you and she is to go to Alwa with you. She is from Alwa.’

Conn looked at her. Eldwen was middle aged, tall; and extremely voluptuous – even for an Ancuman. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t think of a single reason to decline either request.

Back in open sea, they were on their way to Igili – the northern most Jarl town in Alwa. Sarun was sailing this time with his father because Volund had been sent on ahead on to deliver a company of Twacuman with Wilric. He was to scout the mountains and make contact with the local Twacuman clan. Cuthelm had invaded Igili almost a year ago, and although they knew all was well because the pigeon post was working, they were not sure what was going on outside the walls.

After twelve days at sea, they lay off the coast of Igili, and at dawn they headed into port. It was soon obvious that major works had occurred over the time as they were easily able to dock and unload their horses. Dedicated docks for horse transport for a blessing. After greeting Cuthelm, Conn swept his hand around the town as they walked towards the tower house to meet the elderly Jarl. ‘You have been very productive.’

‘It was necessary to keep everyone busy. With your gold and control of the seas, it is amazing how many dhows turned up with all kinds of goods to sell – timber, stone, even ore. As instructed, we bought it all. All Thanes with access to the ocean have been sending us goods for sale.’

The Jarl was waiting for them in the hall. He was very elderly, and his name was Thorgurl; Cuthelm introduced his brother and nephew to Conn.

‘So where is the boy?’ he asked impatiently.

Sarun stepped forward. Just twelve years of age, he was growing quickly. He bowed to the Jarl. ‘My pleasure to meet you Jarl Thorgurl. I am Sarun Svengur il Taransay.’

The old man bowed back and smiled. ‘So you are Kutidi’s son. You resemble your grandfather very much. Saera was a friend of mine – we trained together. As for your great grandfather, the Aebeling, it is well that you don’t resemble him too much. Lecherous old sod.’ He grabbed his son’s arm and lowered himself to his knee. He called Sarun forward, and taking his hand pledged his allegiance and support. Standing, his son did the same. ‘I have little that I can give other than that – you have everything else already, I think. But I do have one gift.’ He turned back and called out a name.

A child came forward, a pretty girl about the same age as Sarun. ‘Father, you called.’

‘Yes, I did, impudent child. Who else has your name.’ He pulled the girl forward and placed her between himself and Sarun. He spoke to Sarun directly. ‘This is my gift to you – my daughter Sigdis – keep her or give her away as you please. But I do ask that you treat her well – I do love her, despite her impudence. She is eleven.’

Sigdis turned and looked up at her father. ‘You are
giving
me away? I thought I had the right to be sold.’

The Jarl explained to Conn. ‘Her mother is theow. An indulgence at my senior years – and I surprisingly sired a child.’ To the child he explained. ‘This is the future Healdend of a free Alwa. I am not giving you away for nothing. You should be appreciative. I am hoping that you will maybe become a minor bedda to the Healdend of Alwa – or at least a faithful servant.’

‘Oh, well, that is alright then.’ She turned and looked a Sarun and bowed mockingly. ‘Master, please accept me as your loyal and faithful servant. I am yours to command. Would it please you,
master,
to be shown around my father’s
modest
home?’ She paused. ‘Well, it used to be a smelly run down hovel, but it isn’t anymore. Thanks to Uncle Cuthelm. Shall I show you everything that has been done?’

Sarun, however surprised he was at receiving a person as a gift, recovered quickly. ‘It would, Sigdis. Please lead on.’

Conn watched as she led Sarun – and one of Conn’s Twacuman guards – firstly to a woman who stood dutifully at the back of the room. She had tears in her eyes, and she bowed respectfully to Sarun. The girl’s mother, Conn presumed. His attention was drawn back to the Jarl as he directed him to a seat and a tankard of beer. He expressed his gratitude at the work done by the wiga – a hundred years of improvements in less than a year.

‘Well, it seems only reasonable for the inconvenience that I have caused. Tell me, where is Volund?’ Conn was expecting him at the docks and he still hadn’t turned up.

Cuthelm explained. ‘He left with Wilric – a few days ago.’

The Jarl continued. ‘We had some disturbing news – it seems that the Aebeling had discovered that Volund is involved and was in the process of punishing his family. Borgsyn is becoming extremely angry at this whole situation. I am lucky that I have no kin in Alwa – all my bedda are from Saba or Himyar or they would be executed already.’

‘Who is Volund’s family?’

‘His brother is Anbadur, the Jarl of Masila – it is a large and powerful Jarl demesne half way between us and Alwa-Jo. About ten days away. Luckily for Volund, the castle is a large stone fortress which can withstand a siege for some time. It seems that the Aebeling has been so annoyed by his failure to bring the Jarl to heel that he is building catapults. He also withdrew half the forces from here to deal with the issue. Aebeling are not generally allowed catapults but the Axum folgere are helping him. Borgsyn in not a normally Aebeling as you are undoubtedly aware.’

‘When did you find out?’

‘A few days hence.’

‘What is Volund hoping to achieve?’

‘He wants to get his kin out of the castle. After that, he said you will know what to do.’

Conn nodded and turned to Cuthelm. ‘What is the situation outside of town?’

‘The Axum arrived soon after we did – and they did try an assault but that was a mistake – for them. As instructed, we targeted their folgere quite severely with arrow and catapult so they retreated. They have set up a camp about a day’s ride from here – almost two thousand to begin with but now perhaps five hundred men. They are having a huge problem with desertions – we have been flying a flag with the device of Sarun, the last Healdend, on it since we arrived – and it has proven very productive. Winter was not kind to them either but we believe that Borgsyn is coming himself now – once he deals with Masila.’

Conn addressed Hybald – the Jarl’s son. ‘How many wiga do you have?’

‘Fifty or so…’

‘Not enough.’ He requested that Cuthelm assign a company of his wiga to Hybald. ‘Tomorrow at dawn, we are going to ride through the wiga that the Aebeling have left here. This is what I need you to do after that.’

~oo0oo~

When the cataphracts hit the Axum line at full speed the next morning as light from the sun appeared over the horizon, the Axum forces disintegrated. Conn was in a hurry and he was annoyed. He was sure that the Jarl would be able to deal with the remnants, and the sole folgere had met the end of his lance. Conn did dismount to claim his necklace and to sever a few heads of loyal retainers as he tried to remount. After that they rode out towards Alwa-jo, and reunited with the rest of the fyrd, they removed armour from the horses and travelled as quickly as possible. It was a ten-day ride.

If Volund had been successful, they should meet again after eight days at the latest. On the seventh morning, however, Conn and Derryth sat on their horses on the top of a rise at dawn. ‘Over there.’ Derryth pointed. ‘A signal.’

It was a small smoke signal and they traced their way slowly around the range to the position. As they got closer, they encountered Twacuman in sentry positions. Deep in the trees they found about twenty people, men, women, and children, and as they rode in, Volund stood and spoke.

‘About time; I wanted to keep moving but the Wilric wouldn’t let me. Marquis, let me introduce you to my family. This is my brother, Anbadur, Jarl of Masila.’ The group contained his mother, brother, younger sister, the bedda of the Jarl and all his children. He pointed out a young girl last. ‘And that is my niece – Gelef. I would like to introduce her to Sarun. Where is he?’

Conn looked around. Sarun had been there a few moments ago. ‘I think he is with Sigdis somewhere. She keeps waning to show him some plant or another. She is very knowledgeable.’

‘Sigdis –Igili’s young daughter?

‘Indeed. The Jarl gave her to Sarun as a gift to show his devotion.’

Volund was stunned. ‘That conniving sod! I’ll…’

Conn drew him back to the present as Derryth suppressed a laugh. ‘I’m amazed that you could get so many out…’

‘I couldn’t – the only reason I was able to do so is because of the Wilric and the Twacuman – without them we would all be lost. We are in debt to them all.’

‘Stand in line. Anyway, you failed to mention that your brother was a Jarl. I thought you said a Thane.’

He smiled sheepishly, ‘Jarl… Thane… only words. Anyway, you will be happy to know that this morning the gates to Masila will be opened and the Aebeling will learnt that the Jarl has escaped and is fleeing to Igili. He should be headed this way by now. What are you proposing to do about it?’

‘I propose to wait.’

‘More waiting! That is why I went to sea – always something happening.’ He was distracted from his complaining by Sarun’s return. ‘Sarun! Over here … there is someone I want you to meet.’

After that they had to put up with two pouting eleven year olds. Derryth was amazed at the energy they put into it.

~oo0oo~

With the rest of his fyrd arriving over the next two days, Conn had two thousand men in the hills. Soon after, they saw the tell-tale sign of men marching, with a dust cloud on the horizon. They watched the Aebeling then set up camp a day’s ride from them.

‘It’s as good a place as any…’ Conn offered to Derryth as they watched from a distance.

‘There are no good places to die. There are good reasons to die, but all places are the same.’

Before dawn, the cataphracts were dressed and heading down the mountain side. The advantage Conn had from the extraordinary night vision of his five hundred Twacuman wiga could never be overstated.

Farrun was nonplussed. ‘When I studied every document about every war we’, Farrun still considered himself Ancuman, ‘have been a part of, the war in Sytha – the one before the darkening, struck me as unusual. There seemed no reason for my Ancuman ancestors to lose, and yet they did. Superior numbers, weapons, resources; but operation after operation failed because the enemy – the Kerchians as my Nobatian ancestors called them – was never where they were supposed to be. Time and energy was consumed seeking an elusive enemy. Even the Battle of the Plains – the odds were two to one. The reason given – or at least one of them – was that the Kerchians moved during the night – a new moon – over fifty miles. The person who wrote the report I read, was later executed for making excuses. But he was telling the truth. I now know how they did it.’