The Eaorl (The Casere Book 2) (20 page)

Conn laughed. ‘You have to learn to say no, Healdend – or they will kill you. Leaving town is a good solution.’

He smiled. ‘Perhaps. Still, it is a nice diversion. My bedda are happy for me not to bother them – they were happy to visit my rooms for a week or so but the interested waned. And it is winter – not much else to do. Speaking of winter, what brings you out of your warm house to my cold donjon? Mazra said you have heated floors…’

The Aebeling had arrived, and they were both served drinks. Conn started to explain.

‘I recently had some documents offered to me for a price – a very significant price – which I gladly paid when I understood what the document was. I’ve brought it to you as soon as I could.’

Without further ado, he handed over a copy of the original documents, explained the code, and then gave them the transcripts. The realization of what was in the document dawned quickly; soon followed by confusion, and then anger.

Devnet spoke first. ‘And you can guarantee that these document are genuine?’

‘I can – but I would double check everything before accusing anyone of high treason but while the information is ambiguous, there is enough there to be able to ask some serious questions of a lot of people. The plot is too elaborate to be made up by anyone – and why would they?’

Ailbe protested. ‘The only person that is connected with all these people would be … Fainche – but why would she betray us? Whoever killed her must have stolen this document. I presume this information was going to Fallon in Rakia. And you believe the Ancuman are behind this.’

‘I do – of course everything there collaborates my suspicions.’

‘Why Miach il Eriak. He is a member of my Witan – I have known him my entire life; he has been a trusted advisor. Why would be betray my bother so that he is killed or worse. But if I recall, it was he that insisted we send a senior negotiator – and indeed him also that suggested my brother.’

The documents included a passage about Miach and his disappointment that Fallon had yet to do as promised – he had yet to receive the gold promised and the Rakian bedda for his son had yet to be seen.

Ailbe looked to his son. ‘What should we do?’

Conn had an opinion. ‘I would suggest a trial – the impartial process of your laws will demonstrate that you are a fair ruler. I think you have more to gain by a public humiliation.’

Ailbe and Devnet decided to consider the information further and Conn returned to the Inn, with Torunn. He asked her if she was feeling cold.

‘Freezing – any suggestions.’

‘None that we haven’t already tried several times.’

‘Maybe we should try some again – they might work this time…’

‘All or just a couple?’

‘The night is early…’

It didn’t take long for news to spread that the Healdend had found proof that there was a traitor – or traitors – in Gatina – and they were complicate in the events that led to the death of his brother. A second rumour was deliberately spread that the Healdend was prepared to show clemency to anyone who could provide names and more information. Clemency meant that, except for the most serious of cases, death might not be mandatory. Consequently, people started coming forward in an attempt to save their own hides, and when the Healdend’s officials started questioning, they started at the lowest person in the food chain they could find. Everything fell over like a pack of cards.

When spring finally arrived in Gatina, one Eaorl, three Thanes, and several officials found themselves in the dungeons in Gatinak having been indicted on charges of treason. The Eaorl was Maich, the Eaorl of Eriak – whose protestations were as strenuous as the charges against him were serious. They had not given him the option, however, of escaping over the border – a squad of wiga had been sent to escort him to the town before word had spread, and even more wiga from the town had gone to assist the Earl’s wiga guard the border crossings.

Ailbe had followed Conn’s advice and held public trials; and they started at the bottom – the most minor official. They were offered leniency if they answered every question truthfully and could shift the blame to someone higher up. By the time they got to the Eaorl’s trial, the charges against him and his sons was watertight – they had proof that he had assisted in engineering the war, that he was responsible for spreading lies, and had directly aided in the demise of the Healdend’s brother – all on the instructions of the Rakian Healdend – and all for personal gain.

The great hall in the castle was packed on the day of the Eaorl’s trail. People’s desire to observe the misfortune of others was considerable. Shackled and dirty after his many nights in the dungeon, Miach, Eaorl of Eriak, tried valiantly to deny the charges but when faced with the evidence he could say little. The testimony from his officials, his wiga, his Thanes and indeed his own kin was read out against him, and he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to execution – as were five of his family and officials. Ultimately, the original evidence wasn’t even needed – or referred to.

Conn had some inclination of the motivation of the Eaorl – his was a small Eaorldom on the eastern border of Gatina; relatively impoverished, and due to its position an easy target for Rakian influence. Maich had one hope of avoiding execution – he had to pay a huge wergild – and because he had been found guilty of causing the death of an Aebeling, he had to pay ten times the wergild of a Thane – some 450,000 Ryals. If you also included his sons, three thanes, and officials, the wergild totalled over 2 million Ryals, and Miach was already deeply in debt because of the war in Trokia – his family had to raise money to buy him back, so no one would lend him any more money as the chance of recovering it was non-existent.

In fact, there was only one person in Gatina with that amount of money, and they didn’t ask him – but probably would have considered it if they had known that the Meshech Finance and Insurance Company (otherwise known as the MFIC), having recently set up office in Gatinak, had taken the opportunity of his misfortune to purchase the debts of all the accused other the lenders – at a severe discount.

Some days after the trial, and a day before his scheduled execution and attainment, Conn was present in the hall as Maich had his final chance to beg for clemency – for himself and his sons. Ailbe had already commuted the death sentences for the Thanes and officials to exile. However, neither Ailbe nor Devnet were inclined to give clemency to Maich and his sons because the betrayal was very personal.

Conn had a question however.

‘Healdend, is the Eaorl able to sell the demesne before his execution?’

Ailbe contemplated for a moment before answering. ‘I don’t know that it has happened before but there is probably no law that says you can’t. After the execution of all those found guilty, their demesne and everything they own will belong to the Witan and sold to whoever can pay. They are not worth the wergild – after a recent “misadventure” there are not a lot of Ryals floating around unused. I can have it checked for you?’

‘I already did – and there is no law against it.’

Ailbe laughed, shaking his head in bemusement. ‘Did you know that I had a letter from the Healdend of Moetia? He wrote to ask of you – he says life is boring without you around – but he also warned me that you never ask a question that you don’t already know the answer to.’

Conn had also been communicating with Driscol – though he didn’t tell him everything. Somethings he wanted to “surprise” him with. ‘Unless no one has the answer…I’m still really confused about the Gyden.’

‘Well, don’t expect an answer from me on that one. As to Miach’s predicament, unless someone has two million Ryals to spare, there is nothing for him to gain …who would…?’ He stopped and looked at Conn and shook his head. ‘You? You would buy Maich’s demesne?’

‘His and the Thanes’. I might be able to scrape together the Ryals if they are prepared to sell.’ Conn turned and looked at Maich. ‘Eaorl, my offer is three million Ryals. That will be enough to allow you settle all your debts, and the debts of all those accused with you, and allow you to start a new life in Rakia.’

He was shocked and confused. ‘Why would I need to pay the debts of others?’

‘You are solely responsible for the situation they find themselves in. I think that you should take responsibility.’

It was a hard point to argue but he tried. Conn however insisted; all or nothing. ‘An exile? Do I have to go to Rakia Can I not go to Gela?

‘I would assume that – given the seriousness of the crime – that if the Healdend accepted the wergild, the punishment would still include exile – as the others have received. You couldn’t expect to stay where you have not shown loyalty?’

It was a hard point to argue, and with no alternative except execution, he agreed. Conn agreed to pay all debtors and the two million to Ailbe and what was left over would be given to Miach in Ryals. With agreement achieved, Ailbe declared that he had ten days to leave Gatina, and Maich was summarily escorted from the hall. His fall from grace was complete.

He would find his arrival in Rakia less than welcoming; Ailbe had already severed all ties with Fallon – having sent him a letter of demand for payment of the wergild for the death of his brother – and accusing him for causing and facilitating the death of nearly a thousand Gatinans – and more seriously, lying to a fellow Healdend. All Rakian merchants had been given ten days to leave, and with their departure, Rakia was officially cut off from every demesne in Meshech. Maich would be blamed for the whole debacle.

As they watched the former Eaorl being escorted from the hall, Ailbe turned and looked at Conn.

‘I’m still confused – you could have paid much less to purchase the demesne after his execution. That was a waste of money…’

‘Perhaps, but because he is attained, wouldn’t the aspirant to be Eaorl have to be approved by the Witan?’

Ailbe considered while Devnet laughed. Finally he agreed. ‘I believe it would – as all heirs have to be approved.’ He suddenly realized the implication. ‘And this transaction doesn’t – you just need my approval! Thane, it troubles me that you know more of our laws than I do.’

‘Knowledge is power.’

‘So it seems. Anyway, this seemed to have worked out well for all of us – you get to be Eaorl and Thane of in Eriak, I get two million Ryals, and I don’t have to execute Maich. Miach of course doesn’t get to die from hanging. I wasn’t looking forward to it – I have known him my entire life.’

Conn changed the topic. ‘What have you decided about my requests?’

Ailbe looked back at Conn. ‘Your arguments are sound but just because it sounds good doesn’t always mean that it is a good idea. I know from personal experience. ’ He paused to look at Devnet.

Devnet nodded. ‘I agree father, but if this is a way to increate food production, it is better for all. More food means more taxes. More taxes means more money for us.’ He handed Conn a fresh mug of beer – a Lykian Bitter – and smiled. ‘And this Lykian beer is really expensive.’

Ailbe paused in contemplation, sipping his mug. ‘Let me get this right – we create two more levels of nobility – one called Lairds and the other called Barons –and they are ranked above Thanes but below Eaorls.’

Conn agreed.

Devnet continued for him. ‘And you would have us create you the first Baron of Gambi – and that barony will be divided up into fifty Laird demesnes?’

Conn nodded again.

Devnet looked back at his father. ‘Let’s give it a go – at least the “Baron” will be at the Witan to argue the case – since he is now the Eaorl of Eriak. The other Eaorls will be so confused, they’ll agree to anything.’

Eventually the Witan did pass the new laws and confirmed Conn’s new titles and the new structures within his demesne. Behind the decision making lay the unspoken understanding that all the Eaorls owed a considerable amount of money to the MFIC, that all had requested more money, and that the MFIC was supporting the changes.

The last acts of the Witan was Conn’s request to transfer from him to Eion il Himera the three Thane Fiefs in Eriak that he had acquired – and to create him the first Baron in Eriak – Baron Tissa. He also asked for dispensation that the youngest daughter of Miach, Ceolkilda, be exempted from exile as she would become bedda to Eion. Given what he knew of the predatory activities of Fallon and his advisors in Rakia, he was not going to send a very pretty, and now very poor, girl anywhere near them. It was a victory that he would savour all alone.

Leaving Fiona in charge of the new Barony of Gambi, Conn took Eion, Torunn and Granuaile with him to take control of his new Eaorldom. He had asked Eion to be Steward of Eriak – another new job title – and whilst it was mostly ceremonial given that Conn had arranged for a considerable amount of very well trained people to be sent from Lykia to help him, the money would allow him to develop his own demesne.

By midsummer five hundred tilia, craeftiga and bocere, along with several thousand sheep, goats and cows arrived from Lycia – having taken the direct route through Halani. Derryth loved to complain about how much he hated being a shepherd. He was sitting on his horse beside Conn, Devnet and Ailbe – who had both taken Conn’s suggestion to leave the town to have a break from the Folgere – as well as to see what was happening in the Eaorldom.

‘Derryth, are you going to keep complaining?’ Conn asked, shaking his head in mock annoyance. ‘At least you didn’t have to bring any chickens or pigs.’

He looked at Ailbe. ‘Healdend, let me tell you about the time, I carried five hundred chicken from Halani to Lycia – or the time we stole sheep in Silekia…’

‘We didn’t steal them – we borrowed them.’

‘All the ones we borrowed are dead – we just have their progeny left.’

‘Which are better than the ones we stole…’

‘Moot point, anyway…here I was….’

He complained all the way back, and only stopped when they showed the Healdend around the renovated town.

Ailbe shook his head in awe. ‘Poor Maich will be amazed to see what has happened to his demesne.’

Lots had happened; a new dock had just been finished and ships were being unloaded while others were waiting their turn. Piles of materials filled the new warehouses on the dock, and everything was going in rebuilding the demesne. Dozens of new buildings had been constructed; included stables and barracks.

It didn’t go unnoticed by the Aebeling. ‘How many wiga do you have space for?’

‘Five hundred here and two hundred more in the Tissa in the north.’

‘You surely don’t propose to keep that many…that could become an issue?’

‘No – just a hundred – I have sent them to Lykia to be trained. I have a Silekian company here until they return.’

‘Are we in danger of being invaded by our neighbour…?’Ailbe asked.

‘Not yet – but they don’t know I’m here yet…’ Conn had a wiga run and whispered in his ear. ‘We should return to the donjon – we have a special guest for dinner very soon.’

Devnet was offended. ‘Oh – and here I was thinking that we were the special guests. Still if you have curry, I won’t mind playing second fiddle. What about some of those reds from Atrak?’

Conn assured him that everything he liked was on the menu.

‘Great – anyway – who is the special guest?’

‘Fionn, the Eaorl of Hera…’

Ailbe stopped walking. ‘The Eaorl of a Rakian demesne is coming here for dinner. How is he not going to get killed for treason?’

‘It’s a long story…’

Derryth smiled. ‘But it is a good long story… the only negative is that it doesn’t feature me.’

Conn agreed. ‘Or me – I had to send Wilga.’

As they waited inside the renovated donjon, Derryth had his usual effect on Priecuman when Granuaile fainted after being introduced to him.

Torunn blamed Granuaile’s pregnancy as they carried the girl to a bed to lie down.

Derryth looked at Conn. ‘Yours?’ Conn nodded, and Derryth shook his head. ‘How are we supposed to keep track of all your children if they keep popping up all over the place? Impossible task.’