Read Online Fallowblade by Cecilia Dart-Thornton - Free Book Online Page B

by their actions or inaction. Risking dislike by speaking out was hard, but remaining silent would have been harder.
    ‘I would that this war had never begun,’ the damsel said to Thorgild, ‘not least because of the terrible toll humankind’s battles take on horses. It is injustice beyond belief that innocent beasts, grass-eaters, should be used as war machines and, usually, end up thrashing and dying in agony at the end of a spear. Our quarrels are not theirs. To use them thus is inhumane in the extreme. The employment of cavalry is unjust and cruel.’
    This was tactless of her, she was aware—particularly at such a time, but contrary to her own best interests she was driven, as ever, by compassionate ideals, even to the extent of sacrificing the kind opinion of those who would review her.
    Thorgild’s increased displeasure was evident. ‘Have you spoken of your concerns with Warwick?’ he asked.
    ‘Indeed, sir, I speak often to him on this subject. He is sympathetic to the cause, however he says he can find no alternative.’
    ‘And there is no alternative, if we are to defend our realms against an enemy who has no such qualms about using horses in warfare,’ Thorgild said firmly.
    ‘Yet that does not diminish the wrongness of it,’ the weathermage persisted.
    ‘With respect, Lady Maelstronnar,’ the king said formally, ‘I am grateful to you for your help and I value your friendship. Nonetheless, I will no longer listen to your lectures. I fear you are in danger of becoming a pedant.’
    The weathermage’s efforts had come to naught, as she had rather suspected they would. She could only hope that by sheer repetition, illumination and persistence she might cause humankind to question the existing state of affairs. She disliked admonishing people in this way and always had to steel herself to the task. The entire business of abuse and exploitation was hateful enough, without that it made her feel obliged to say and do things that grated on the sensibilities of others; it felt like swimming upstream against a fast current, when by nature she would rather have simply crossed to the other side and gone about her business.
    Bowing coldly, the damsel said, ‘Compassionate folk have to show opposition to cruelty, sir, and at times we have to run the risk of having unflattering labels placed on us, because there are some things for which we should display no tolerance.’
    She and the king spoke no more to each other that evening and Thorgild initiated a discussion of strategies with his generals. Prince Halvdan and Asr ă thiel were the last to seek their couches that night; they conversed until late. ‘Like you I am sorely grieved that this war has come to pass,’ the prince told her. ‘I do not want to fight against Slievmordhu. Because of this war I have lost my friends at Ó Maoldúin’s court.’
    ‘You will not lose the goodwill of the crown prince,’ said Asr ă thiel, ‘nor of Two-Swords Gearnach.’
    ‘You think not?’
    ‘Kieran and Conall, above all men, understand the concept of duty. They will absolve you from all blame.’
    ‘I can only hope that the conflict will soon be over,’ said Halvdan, ‘and that peace and amicability will be restored between our realms.’
    A pavilion was set up for Asr ă thiel, and an overnight watch posted on Lightfast . Next morning the entire tent city was dismantled and the army was on the move before sunrise. The weathermage and her maid accompanied them in the aerostat, hovering near the head of the procession at a height of two hundred feet so that she might keep watch for signs of danger. Some of the gawping soldiers took to calling the weathermage ‘The Lady in the Moon’.
    She had temporarily set aside her efforts on behalf of horses used in battle, for no one would listen. Her vexation became part of the general turmoil within her breast. Wrath at Uabhar’s subjugation of her kinsmen ate at her like a canker, and her thumbs twitched with desire