The Aebeling (40 page)

He opened his mind to Badb, and she begrudgingly welcomed him to her Cirice – though she did willingly offer him a Folgere or two – if he had the time. He declined – for now – but asked her why he could hear three voices.

‘Three?’

‘Yours; and the one in the keep – but it is very weak, and the one that arrived with Alric.’

She had no answer for him. Instead he could feel her discomfort. Strange.

Satisfied, he was about to leave when he heard a noise behind him. He turned and in front of him, just off the ground, was a girl, about two. Her hair was dirty, brown and black, but her skin was lighter than usual. Somehow she looked familiar – perhaps it was the radiant blue eyes. The only person he knew with blue eyes was him or his children, so he was surprised to see others.

‘Hello,’ she said ‘are you my daddy? Badb says you are.’

‘I don’t know – who is your mother?’

She walked forward with her arms out to be picked up. She allowed herself to be lifted and as she got up close to his face, she put her hand on his face.

‘Your eyes are just like mine – blue! You must be my daddy.’ Then she giggled and cuddled into him.

Conn was about to speak when he heard someone calling ‘Ana, Ana, where are you?’ As Conn turned to the voice, a figure walked briskly around the corner; it was Morna. She stopped in shock, stunned.

Conn spoke first. ‘Hello Morna. I gather we have a child - a daughter. She is very beautiful.’

‘She has a beautiful father. I heard you were here in Moetiak – but Badb told me not to go to you, that you will come to us.’

‘I gather that; Badb can be very bossy.’ He thought he would answer the obvious question. ‘I thought it impossible for you to have a child without Badb’s permission.’

Morna smiled. ‘Yes, Badb was very surprised when I became pregnant. But Ana is special; she talks to Badb already, don’t you, sweetheart? Badb also didn’t allow me to give her away…’ When she saw shock in Conn’s face, she explained. ‘Children born of Folgere are highly valued; they are always adopted into the best families. But Badb said that you would come to collect her.’ She stopped and was quiet for a moment. ‘And here you are. Ana has been waiting for you for days. She is ready to leave, we have said our goodbyes.’

Conn was caught surprised. ‘Sorry, I don’t think I understood you – you want me to take Ana away with me – today?’

‘Yes, the Cirice is no place for a child. Normally it is usual for the children to leave when they are very small – just a baby – but as I said, Ana is special. But she needs to go with you – and now is as good a time as any. We are both ready.’

Conn sighed. ‘OK. I can do that. But Ana isn’t the reason I came here. There is a Rakian in the Keep – and I think he is going to visit here tonight – over the back wall. Why would he do that?’

Morna’s face lost color. ‘There can only be one reason – to destroy the Haligdom; and to destroy her connection with us.’ Morna started to cry as she headed to Badb’s altar. ‘It is almost unheard of anyone attacking a Cirice like that. If the Haligdom is destroyed, then the Folgere here will lose our link to Badb; the Cirice here will be destroyed.’ As she was about to fall to the ground in tears, Conn scooped her up and held her. Ana rubbed her hair.

‘Don’t worry Morna, I won’t let that happen. I’ll come back later; don’t worry. It will all end all right.’ Morna wiped her tears from her eyes and she kissed Ana again.

‘Goodbye’ she said, ‘your father will take care of you.’ She kissed Conn as well, ‘later then. Everything I have and love is now in your hands.’

Conn hurried back to the Inn, and with Ana as his guide it was an easier trip – but she was only two – but having a Gyden in your head does make you more mature than most. When he walked in, Allowena was sitting with Devlin. Devlin jumped up and was about to speak when he saw Ana. His mouth closed and he stood silent. Allowena was never short of words.

‘Are you collecting street children now?’

‘Not quite; this is Ana. She is your sister.’ He looked at Devlin, who looked at him curiously, ‘Long story – best for another day.’ Ana turned her arms out to Allowena, who collected her in a big hug. ‘She has been playing in the dirt - can you give her a bath. You might have to send out for some clothes.’

He then spoke to the child. ‘Ana, This is Allowena; she is your sister and she will take care of you; Okay?’ I have some chores to do before the feast. Now where is Daray?’

Neither was sure but hadn’t seen him since the choosing in the keep. Conn shook his head. ‘I think I need a new apprentice. Daray will be useless now – he will be an Aebeling tomorrow anyway. Devlin, do you know where Arlen might be found? Can you fetch him for me? And you wanted to speak to me?’

Devlin indicated that it could wait, so was sent on two chores, one to find Arlen and to find the tailor’s shop. Allowena had him trained well already. While they waited, Conn first organized his wiga to be armed and ready and he then showered and returned downstairs to wait. Devlin returned with clothes and a bemused Arlen at the same time.

‘Thane, you asked for me?’ Arlen appeared a little put out that he had been summoned to see Conn, but Devlin had apparently given him no choice.

‘I did Arlen, please sit down. Would you be interested in being my Folctoga?’

Arlen didn’t know what to say; it wasn’t what he had expected at all. ‘What about Devlin?’

‘Devlin has other tasks – like an Eaorldom to govern. I also have another duty that I have in mind for him. But you are the second son, you can join the Healdend’s fryd as a wiga – or you can join with me. I have lots of adventures – the first one will be …’ Conn thought that now was a good time to be honest and open, ‘a war.’

‘A war?’ Arlen’s response surprised Conn. ‘Will it be a little one or a big one?’

Conn laughed. ‘It’s with Gatina and the Rakians so I think it will be fairly big - and dangerous. Lives will be lost. And riches made.’

‘With Gatina you say. Sounds like fun. But I don’t understand; Thane, why me? I haven’t actually been very polite to you these weeks?’

‘But all the time you played fair; and you lost with grace. No one can ask for more.’

Arlen thought for a minute or two. ‘I don’t know how I can refuse. I will of course check with my father and the Healdend. So when do I start?’

‘Tonight.’

‘Tonight! What do we have to do tonight?’

‘We have to put a stop to the Rakian’s little plans.’

Arlen smiled. ‘That I’m very happy to do for free – oh, will we miss the feast?’

‘No, but we will have to leave when he leaves. We need to have him in sight at all times.’

‘With your leave then, Thane, I will go and prepare. I will be waiting at the keep.’

When Arlen had left, Conn noticed that Devlin was getting nervous again. He also saw Allowena out of the corner of his eye playing with Ana, and watching Devlin.

‘You are far too nervous, Devlin, you need to take some deep breaths and come out with it. What do you want to ask?’ As if Conn didn’t already know.

Still nervous, Devlin started. ‘Thane, I would like to offer you a gift, with the expectation that by accepting the gift, you will approve me as a suitor to your daughter, Allowena.’ It was the standard customary phrase, and he had much greater difficulty doing it this time than when he courted a Healdend’s daughter! With that, he passed an ancient scroll; taking it from the wrappings, Conn was surprised.

‘Do you know what this is?’

‘It is an old scroll that had been in my family for generations. We have no real understanding of it, nor any use, but I know you have an interest in such things. I think it is what you were looking for – old maps.’

Conn laughed. ‘Indeed it is. I thank you for the gift, it is a treasure. You of course have my permission to be a suitor to Allowena.’ Conn reached out to Devlin and put his hand on his shoulder. ‘You could have given me a kitchen spoon – provided that it was clean, and I would have given you my permission.’

Given that Devlin was an Eaorl and Conn only a Thane, it would have been appropriate for some negotiation about the size of the dowry that Conn would have to pay – but given that he appeared to be wealthier than everyone else, Devlin declined to mention it. He did, however, exit his seat and go to speak to Allowena, and after he spoke, she jumped up and down in excitement. Conn shook his head in amusement and when he looked down, there was Ana, with her hands up and ready to be picked up. She looked completely different.

‘Wow; you clean up well. I wonder what kind of excitement you’re going to create. First there was me and now there is you.’ Conn asked rhetorically as the small child looked at him with intent. They had found some clothes for her and she looked a picture; her brown hair was now shiny, and her skin a light tan – but her eyes were blue, just like her father. It was a stark contrast.

CHAPTER 20

As Conn left for the keep at dusk, a wiga arrived to advise him that the Rakian vessel had left the dock and was now anchored out at sea. It had left without Alric and a dozen Rakian wiga who were in a Tavern at the docks.

‘Are they armed?’

‘Not that we have seen; Thane, but we think they have weapons hidden somewhere.’

‘How are they getting back on to the boat?’

‘They have three rowing boats tied to the dock.’

Instead of in the morning, it would seem that Alric intended to leave tonight, and it was much easier to maneuver a small rowing boat in the dark than a large cog. Conn sent the wiga with a note to Eggar, who had arrived in port with the schooner that morning. He was to seize the Rakian vessel, and try not to kill anyone – unless absolutely necessary.

When Conn finally arrived at the keep, he walked in carrying Ana, with Devlin and Allowena trailing along behind him. The little girl’s eyes shone in amazement as she looked around the huge room with the hundreds of people, and she ducked her head back into Conn’s neck. They joined Arlen, who stood with Cliona’s mother Doneele.

She was very surprised to see Ana.

‘Thane, normally it takes nine months to have a child and years to get one this age – how is it that you have managed to do so in a day?’

‘It is a long story; Doneele, it seems that a past indiscretion had caught up with me. This is my daughter Ana.’ The little girl peered out from under Conn’s jacket.

‘She is beautiful. How many children do you have?’

‘Anna would make it twelve – eleven girls. The eldest is five.’ He changed the subject. ‘Are you happy with Daray?’

‘Yes I am; and she will be happy with him; but nothing is as we had thought it would be. And I was just congratulating Arlen on his appointment as your Folctoga – it seems that good fortune smiles on those that are in your favor.’ She stood and pulled Conn away from the table; leant forward and spoke quietly, ‘Talking about children, I hear you have been making fun with the Healdend’s sister.’

Conn was a little embarrassed that it had got out but couldn’t lie. ‘That is true.’

‘Did you know she thinks she is with child?’

Conn stopped smiling. ‘No, I didn’t. She hasn’t told me yet.’

‘I think she just found out, and she is of course very excited. She might now have an heir for the Eaorldom.’

‘She might not be so excited when she finds that they are twins.’

‘Twins?’

Conn nodded. ‘Most of my children come in pairs. Except, it seems, for Ana and Jowan.

‘Is there something special about their mothers?’

Conn decided that discretion was appropriate here. ‘Well, Ana’s mother is a Folgere.’

Doneele stood with her mouth open. ‘So this is Morna’s child! Well, that explains a lot – you are the father; I heard that she had a daughter – which surprised everyone. Driscol is going to be most amused.’ She smiled wickedly, knowing that he wasn’t really going to be that amused.

She bid him adieu and Conn watched her move back to the Healdend’s table, where Alric sat talking to the Aebeling Bran.

Allowena rescued Ana from him; and took her to meet Cliona and Daray. Daray came over with a big smile on his face. He remembered Moana. He also congratulated Arlen on his appointment. Conn explained his fear about Alric, and what was happening in the harbor.

‘I don’t suppose you need my help?’ he asked wishfully. ‘I would love to see the conceited fool’s face when his plans come unstuck.’

‘I think you have other things to do – much more enjoyable. As for Alric, I’ve an idea of what he has in mind, but not yet how he plans to achieve it.’

The wedding feast soon got under way, and the Healdend had lashed out on the best food and alcohol – surprisingly which a lot of sourced from Lykia – and Hama. The Healdend commented on that fact as he shared a bottle of the best available with Conn. Later he called the host to order; and called forward a Folgere from the Cirice – it wasn’t Moana – who went and stood in front of the dais. She called forward Daray and Cliona, and then held the right hand of Daray and the left hand of Cliona, and performed the bedda ceremony. Short and simple.

As soon as the ceremony was over, Arlen appeared at his side.

‘Alric has left.’ he reported.

They exited the hall in as dignified manner as possible, to the horses that were waiting outside. If Alric was going over the wall, they needed to get to the Cirice as soon as possible without following him, and in through the front door, where they would not be expected.

The Cirice proved not near as hard to find as usual. They dismounted close by and travelled the last stage cautiously on foot. His Silekians were waited for him. Conn asked for a report.

‘Six men have gone inside – a dozen are standing guard on the outside of the Cirice – at all the gates.’

‘Can we get to them without making noise?’

The Wiga shook his head.

‘Then we will have to take them out.’ On that signal twenty men stepped out of shadows and fired arrows at the Rakians. The dozen men fell almost simultaneously – crumpling to the ground with arrows in their chests and throats. They didn’t know what hit them.

With the Rakians dealt with, six wiga and Arlen accompanied him down an alley to the side of the Cirice. He lifted Arlen to see over the side wall and with an all clear, Arlen helped him over. Soon everyone was inside, and he sent Arlen and the wiga to the back of the Cirice while he entered the cella of the Cirice through the side door.