Read Online The Marquis by Michael O'Neill - Free Book Online
Authors: Michael O'Neill
Ads: Link
and Balios. ‘And you have Twacuman and Elfina riding with you. It sounds a lot like the famous Battle of The Plains.’
‘I am not familiar with that battle…’
Mungan paused to reflect, as he directed his visitors around the campfire.
‘The “Battle of The Plains” was the battle that saw the Ancuman vanquished and banished from Sytha. It was also the battle where on the night before a Gyden was supposedly seen walking amongst the horses, and as she touched each animal, they went half white and the Elfina were created. Ridden by the Twacuman, and led by the mighty Casere, a force of ten thousand Ancuman and their allies were defeated by a force a third its size. History said that that battle was won because of the Elfina. They did what no normal horse would do.’
‘You seem to know a lot.’
He agreed. ‘I am one of few that know that story here in Samria. My grandfather told me because he had a tutor from Meria. Meria was the home of the Casere. We didn’t arrive here until some hundred years after the event.’
It took two days to organize their purchases and start the journey home. Mungan was also getting ready to depart – he had to report to his Healdend with his wiga – he was just taking his time. Getting back was also easier as Mungan’s riders helped them steer the huge herd of cattle up the mountain and through the tiny valley that had been cleared for their passage. As they watched the last one scamper through the opening and follow the herd down into Subari, Mungan mused at the pathway.
‘No wonder we never found it. I’m amazed that you did.’ It was amazing; it was like an S bend dividing two mountains, less than ten yards wide. Cleared of trees, it was a viable passage.
‘My mother always said that luck often rides alongside of need. Farewell, Mungan, Frithlyn. Hope that we meet again in happier times.’
Conn watched the siblings pass meaningful glances and as he turned his horse to follow the cows, Mungan spoke.
‘Marquis… before you leave. I have a request.’
Conn turned back. ‘Of course. Whatever is in my power...’
‘Can I ask that you take Frithlyn with you?’
Conn didn’t hesitate. ‘Of course. If you feel that she will be safer with us than with you…’
‘I do. Somehow I think that you will be more than a match for the Ancuman. I will explain her absence by saying that she was kidnapped when you stole the cattle. Her reputation will be ruined because it will be expected – even if it is not true – that ruffians and rebels such as yourselves’, he smiled, ‘have no respect for a woman’s virtue and her reputation. If peace does return, I expect that she will survive that – with the right connections.’
‘Again, we will do what we can. Frithlyn, you are most welcome to join our small band of ruffians and vagabonds. We will try to ensure that your reputation is totally sullied.’
With a broad smile the young woman rode forward and followed Wystan down the hill. Conn and Derryth brought up the rear, finally farewelling the Marquis.
Derryth looked back as Mungan disappeared. ‘Unusual, a brother happy that’s his sister’s reputation will be ruined.’
‘Rather her reputation than her happiness. That is not something you see every day in these parts.’
~oo0oo~
As soon as they got to the plains, more herdsmen waited, and the heifers were directed into the paddocks that had been specially built for them, and where the bulls that Conn had brought from Meshech awaited them. The bullocks were directed up towards the mountains to feed his fyrd.
Leaving the livestock behind, Conn led his troop up the mountain. The snow was clearing quickly, and with no time to take her to Subari, Frithlyn accompanied them, happily. After several days they caught up to the tail end of his fyrd. It was logistics, with over fifty carts taking up supplies.
Frithlyn was confused, ‘but if this is just your support wiga, how big is your fyrd?’
‘Almost two
‘I am not familiar with that battle…’
Mungan paused to reflect, as he directed his visitors around the campfire.
‘The “Battle of The Plains” was the battle that saw the Ancuman vanquished and banished from Sytha. It was also the battle where on the night before a Gyden was supposedly seen walking amongst the horses, and as she touched each animal, they went half white and the Elfina were created. Ridden by the Twacuman, and led by the mighty Casere, a force of ten thousand Ancuman and their allies were defeated by a force a third its size. History said that that battle was won because of the Elfina. They did what no normal horse would do.’
‘You seem to know a lot.’
He agreed. ‘I am one of few that know that story here in Samria. My grandfather told me because he had a tutor from Meria. Meria was the home of the Casere. We didn’t arrive here until some hundred years after the event.’
It took two days to organize their purchases and start the journey home. Mungan was also getting ready to depart – he had to report to his Healdend with his wiga – he was just taking his time. Getting back was also easier as Mungan’s riders helped them steer the huge herd of cattle up the mountain and through the tiny valley that had been cleared for their passage. As they watched the last one scamper through the opening and follow the herd down into Subari, Mungan mused at the pathway.
‘No wonder we never found it. I’m amazed that you did.’ It was amazing; it was like an S bend dividing two mountains, less than ten yards wide. Cleared of trees, it was a viable passage.
‘My mother always said that luck often rides alongside of need. Farewell, Mungan, Frithlyn. Hope that we meet again in happier times.’
Conn watched the siblings pass meaningful glances and as he turned his horse to follow the cows, Mungan spoke.
‘Marquis… before you leave. I have a request.’
Conn turned back. ‘Of course. Whatever is in my power...’
‘Can I ask that you take Frithlyn with you?’
Conn didn’t hesitate. ‘Of course. If you feel that she will be safer with us than with you…’
‘I do. Somehow I think that you will be more than a match for the Ancuman. I will explain her absence by saying that she was kidnapped when you stole the cattle. Her reputation will be ruined because it will be expected – even if it is not true – that ruffians and rebels such as yourselves’, he smiled, ‘have no respect for a woman’s virtue and her reputation. If peace does return, I expect that she will survive that – with the right connections.’
‘Again, we will do what we can. Frithlyn, you are most welcome to join our small band of ruffians and vagabonds. We will try to ensure that your reputation is totally sullied.’
With a broad smile the young woman rode forward and followed Wystan down the hill. Conn and Derryth brought up the rear, finally farewelling the Marquis.
Derryth looked back as Mungan disappeared. ‘Unusual, a brother happy that’s his sister’s reputation will be ruined.’
‘Rather her reputation than her happiness. That is not something you see every day in these parts.’
~oo0oo~
As soon as they got to the plains, more herdsmen waited, and the heifers were directed into the paddocks that had been specially built for them, and where the bulls that Conn had brought from Meshech awaited them. The bullocks were directed up towards the mountains to feed his fyrd.
Leaving the livestock behind, Conn led his troop up the mountain. The snow was clearing quickly, and with no time to take her to Subari, Frithlyn accompanied them, happily. After several days they caught up to the tail end of his fyrd. It was logistics, with over fifty carts taking up supplies.
Frithlyn was confused, ‘but if this is just your support wiga, how big is your fyrd?’
‘Almost two
Similar Books
