The Aebeling (37 page)

‘I didn’t want to waste time.’

‘Clearly.’

CHAPTER 18

Aerlene left well before dawn, and Conn spent the morning familiarizing himself with the cotlif and the docks with its surrounding commercial areas. Not surprisingly, it had a smattering of Lykian Craeftiga in newly established shops, that had been funded by the ‘Meshech Finance and Insurance Company” that had been established by Godric (and Conn). Ostensibly to facilitate trade; the MFIC also provided loans to more than a few Eaorls who needed help to maintain their expensive lifestyles, and was an excellent cover from the transfer of information from one location to another. No one thought anything strange about money going from one place to another under guard and in haste.

By midmorning Conn was back at the Inn, bathed, dressed, and ready to take a horse to the keep – a lovely black filly from the line of his stallion. When he arrived at the stable, he found an old man sitting watching the pinto filly in her stall. Strangely the filly seemed not to mind the man. He looked around as Conn arrived.

‘When my grandson told me that you had an Elfina, I didn’t believe him’ he said.

‘Your grandson?’ Conn responded cautiously. No one ever described the filly as an Elfina.

‘My grandson is the stable master. I haven’t seen an Elfina since I was a child – and then only once. I was in Farah near the great forest when a small herd of horses came out and grazed on the meadows when I was herding cattle. I didn’t know they existed anymore. Where is she from?’

‘She was bred in Halani – but her sire belongs to me. Her dam is from Piada.’

The old timer nodded knowingly, ‘My grandpa told me that these horses decide themselves who is their rider and master. Are you going to offer the Healdend’s daughter to her?’

Conn laughed. It seemed to be in reverse order, but it was also something that he hadn’t considered. ‘I hadn’t considered doing so but what you suggest sounds reasonable. The girl is a good idea – the filly sure doesn’t like men much. She tries to nip me all the time.’

He laughed, his old body rattling. He was the oldest man Conn had ever seen amongst the Priecuman. He stood and started to hobble away; and his parting comments gave Conn further concerns. ‘Then you are lucky; she must actually like you. They can kill people they don’t like. So if you are to give this horse to the Healdend’s daughter, you best make sure that you ask first.’

‘Thank you old timer,’ Conn called out as he hobbled away. ‘Come again, I’d like to talk more.’ But the old guy didn’t hear him and disappeared out of the barn.

Within minutes both Daray and the stable master had arrived. Daray informed him that the black filly was ready to go. Conn thanked him and spoke to the stable master. ‘Your grandfather was very informative. I hope I can talk with him again.’

‘My grandfather?’

‘Yes, the old guy you passed on your way here.’

‘What old guy? And my grandfather died thirty years ago; when I was a child…’ He and Daray looked at each other, and Conn strode past and looked around the corner. There was no old guy.

When he came back, he instructed Daray to take the pinto as well – and put the girl’s saddle on her.

‘But the filly has never been broken – or ridden – how can you put the girl on her?’

Conn walked up and patted the filly; she head-butted him in response. ‘She is Elfina – they are never broken. If she wants to be ridden she will be. Put another saddle of the black filly – as backup.’

The thanks he got for that comment was a nip on the backside, sending him a foot in the air.

‘Dammit girl. Will you stop that?’

Conn watched Daray bring the saddle and a bit-less bridle to the pinto and put them on her. She didn’t complain – or kill anyone. They looked at each other and shrugged. So far so good.

Finally ready, they rode to the keep, leading the colt. The filly did as she always did, trotting along at Conn’s side, nipping him whenever he didn’t pay her attention. ‘She’s like a bad mistress’, Conn muttered, evading her nip yet again. Finghin was waiting for them at the main gate, agitated, but still polite.

‘I don’t quite understand why I had to bring my horse’, he complained.

‘We thought we’d take Cliona for a ride on her new horse; and just so they don’t think we are kidnapping her, we’d take you with us.’

The six horses stood in the forecourt, side by side, while Finghin was sent to advise the Healdend and his daughter that the second part of her present was waiting outside. It took a few moments for them to arrive with a dozen other members of the court; including Arlen and Devlin, suitors to the daughter. As everyone arrived on the steps, the noise stopped completely.

Driscol and Cliona walked down towards Conn but only got halfway before the filly pushed through and walked towards the girl. She stopped and reached out her neck and nose, almost as a greeting.

Driscol stopped in his tracks, and saw tears in Cliona eyes. ‘She’s beautiful’, she whimpered. Before she touched her, Conn urged caution.

‘Cliona; please put your hand out and ask her if you can touch her, and then wait. She’s a little strange like that.’

‘What is her name?’

‘I have no idea; she won’t let me give her one.’

‘Aoife – that is her name. Aoife, can I touch you? With that the filly walked forward and nuzzled her chest. Conn noticed that she was dressed in her outfit from yesterday; she looked beautiful.

Driscol walked towards Conn. ‘You are going to be the death of me, Thane. I can’t imagine how a Thane from Lykia has an Elfina horse, so I’m not even going to try. That is an Elfina isn’t it?’

Conn nodded.

Driscol continued. ‘I presume that you know that such an animal is beyond any measure of value. They are animals of legend that no one thinks exist anymore. It is a devious plan you play, Thane.’

Conn looked at him. ‘I don’t understand, Healdend. I am only doing what I feel is right for Lykia.’

‘How do you imagine she is going to give back the horse if she doesn’t choose Daray? The sword’, which he wore, ‘is going to be hard enough, but the horse!’

Conn laughed; ‘You are quite right, that would be unforgivable – and she wouldn’t come back anyway.’

To the crowd, Conn addressed his next comments, ‘People of Moetia, as I stand before you I declare that this gift is not bound by the laws of courtship, it is a gift without ties – as is everything that Daray has given.’

‘I get to keep her for forever!’ Cliona cried out. ‘She is mine?’

‘Yes, Cliona, she is yours forever. Now would you like to go for a ride – if, of course, your father permits?’

Driscol looked at Conn, ‘I suspect that she is safer with you than almost anywhere else. Yes, you can go.’ Arlen wanted to object, but was unable to do so.

Conn looked at Devlin and Arlen. ‘I have an extra horse; would one of you like to take it for a ride?’

Arlen took the offensive. ‘Thank you, but no thank you.’

‘As you wish.’ He looked to the next suitor who stood nearby, ‘Devlin?’

Surprised at being asked, he nonetheless answered quickly. ‘I would be delighted, Thane. It would be an honor and a privilege to ride one of the horses of Hama.’ He walked forward and claimed the reins of the filly. The others had already mounted and awaited Conn. Conn addressed the Healdend. ‘You look worried Healdend, but you have no need. I will return your daughter safe and sound.’

Driscol smiled; ‘I have little concern about the ride, Thane. If what they say is true, she is safer riding an Elfina then she has ever been. What concerns me is that where I thought I was in control of events, I’m starting to feel that I am not. And that is a feeling that I am not used to and one I do not enjoy.’

As they rode out, Conn noticed that Cliona was riding next to Daray, chatting quietly, followed behind by Devlin and Allowena. He rode with Finghin. They travelled for some time out of the Cotlif, up into the forest and finally overlooking the ocean. As they stood and rested their horses on a vast escarpment overlooking the town and the harbor, they saw several ships, including some of Conn’s, heading for port. They all had the brown sails and the golden sun symbol.

One of the many that were not his, was a long Meshechian Dhow with its steering oars at the stern and a lateen rigged sail; but it was larger than most, and its insignia defined it as Rakian. He was surprised to see a Rakian vessel in Moetian waters. He mentioned it to Finghin, and he was at a loss to explain its presence. Vessels from Gatina did visit, but had not for some time.

As they rode back to town, Conn rode with Cliona and talked. The girl, only sixteen years of age, was carrying the hope of a lot of people on her shoulders, but she seemed up to the task. She spoke easily with Conn, and asked him lots of questions about Atrak – it seemed that the port was becoming very well-known because of its innovations. All this time the filly did not try and bite him – not even once, until he asked.

‘So how is the horse? Would you like to swap her for the black filly?’

The filly got him a good one that time; right through the leather. Conn had a bruise and teeth marks for weeks. She commiserated with Conn for the bite but laughed as well.

‘How can you say such a thing – she is wonderful.’ She paused, ‘I thank you for not making her subject to courtship rules. It would have made things very hard – even harder than now.’ She turned and looked towards Daray, who walked with Finghin. ‘He is a lovely boy.’

Conn laughed. ‘He is – almost a son to me. Cliona, do not do what your heart tells you, or what your head tells you. Each lacks judgment alone. Do what they both agree with – that is the best advice I can give. It was the best advice ever given to me.’

Allowena trotted up and challenged Cliona to a race to the tree in the distance. Cliona won easily. The filly was fast, perhaps not as fast as the stallion, but he suspected that she would have more stamina. She was faster than anything else they had there – and Allowena rode one of his best.

Back in the Cotlif, they returned Cliona to the keep and retired back to the Inn – the pinto was to stay with him until she found a stable-hand that the filly liked – or at least tolerated.

The next engagement was after lunch; when the rest of the suitors made their pitch, and after which Cliona had a week to make her decision. The hall was packed when they arrived, and the table designated for them was at the back so Finghin had to get things moved around until they found themselves sitting in the front row. They watched the Healdend stand and speak to the crowd.

‘Fellow Moetians; today is the formal day for the declaration of suitors for the hand of my daughter Cliona. As you all know, several hundred years ago when the first Aebeling of Lykia was created, but it has been vacant for fifty years. It is our right to determine the next Aebeling, and we have decided that the dowry of my daughter will be the domain of Lykia.’ After the serious and genuine clapping, he continued. ‘Who wishes to make a declaration?’

Arlen was the first to be heard. ‘Healdend, I wish to declare my intention as suitor to my cousin Cliona. We are not so close by blood as to make our joining unacceptable by the rules of consanguinity.’ He then proceeded to offer a gift to the Healdend, and another to Cliona. Both were accepted. Conn thought the offering of gifts was an interesting concept as it lacked risk. It was like a wager that if you failed, you got your money back. Sadly the gift, though magnificent in their own ways, failed to live up to those given by Daray.

Aerlene joined them at the table. ‘What do you think of our new friend?’ she asked. Conn had noticed him arrive earlier; he had created even more confusion as there was no table set for him and the Burhgerefa had to create space. More disgruntled Eaorls moved from prime positions.

The Rakian’s arrival had been followed by another voice in Conn’s head – a Gyden – but one he definitely recognized. He knew this one didn’t like him at all, and its presence meant that the Rakian was a member of the Ancuman royal family. Conn knew that the Rakian Healdend descended from the Ancuman, so this man must be the Healdend’s son.

What was also fascinating to Conn was that the Axum Gyden didn’t seem to know about the other voices in his head – it was almost like they were on different wavelengths. He presumed Badb was on a different one as well – and he opened up his mind to let her in – just to check.

‘You are a very rude Priecuman – you know that, don’t you.
’ was her opening comment.

‘I have been told. What did you think of the Rakian?’
he thought back.

‘Rakian? I know not of what you speak…’

Which was an answer in itself; the Rakian was totally blocked from the Priecuman Gyden. Conn returned to observing the new arrival, shutting her out again.

When the Healdend asked if there were any more candidates, the Rakian took his opportunity. He was tall, ruggedly handsome as seemed typical of the Rakians, dark hair and dark eyes. He was dressed totally in black, and he wore a black leather cape; imposing and impressive.

‘Honorable Healdend of Moetia, citizens of Moetia, my name is Alric, second son of Fallon, Healdend of Rakia. I offer my humble self as a candidate for the hand of Cliona, daughter of the Healdend of Moetia. I wish to offer these humble gifts as is customary.’

‘Nothing humble about him’, Aerlene offered.

The Healdend greeted him. ‘Welcome Alric. How is your father Fallon and Gillean your brother. It is many years since we have met.’

‘He...they are very well, Healdend. My father sends his greetings to his kinsmen.’

Alric called a servant forward and handed him a box, which he opened and presented to the Healdend. In the box were six wine goblets; immaculately crafted from gold and encrusted with gems. Driscol picked up one, and waved it to the crowd. They clapped but not to the extent that Alric had hoped. Given the right to proceed, he waved forward another servant, who handed another smaller box, which was delivered to Cliona. Inside was a necklace, also finely crafted in gold and encrusted with emeralds and rubies as well. It was as good as Conn had seen anywhere, and worthy of praise. Cliona appraised the gift and declared it worthy, and thanked him for the offering.