The Eaorl (The Casere Book 2) (7 page)

Yet more wiga were sent home by road – they had several hundred head of horses and donkeys – booty from the defeated Gatinan and Rakian fyrds – to take to Conn’s breeding farms in Lykia.

Before every wiga departed Trokia, however, they were paraded in dress uniform to the centre of Trokian, where Conn had the Wealdend of Trokian affix the first campaign medal ever issued in Meshech. The ribbon was gold ribbon with a round cast bronze medallion depicting an image of a Trokian merchant Lymphad. The words “For Service” and the year was cast around the image.

The campaign medal had been prepared prior to the campaign, and additional service was recognized by the three medals created for courage; a Bronze Cross for Bravery, a Silver Cross for Gallantry and a Gold Cross for Valor. The Bronze Cross was issued to anyone that had been wounded in combat, while the other two were issued to additional acts of bravery. By the end of the presentations, Conn had awarded over a hundred Silver Crosses and just over twenty Gold Crosses to his wiga – and even some to Trokian wiga on the recommendation of Eocho.

The pride in which they received the medals confused the Wealdend.

‘Why would they value such trinkets? Surely they would prefer gold instead?’ she asked as she assisted Conn in the pinning on of hundreds of medals.

However, when rumbling amongst her own wiga became loud enough, she begrudgingly requested that Conn allow her to award the same medals to her own wiga.

When Conn finally moved into Trokiak several weeks after the final battle, he moved into accommodation, despite the protestations of the Aebeling, arranged for him in by Abrecan; in an Inn at the waterfront. On his first night in the town, however, the Aebeling instead that he be her guest at an official feast to celebrate the victory over Gatina. She claimed that she had spent weeks organized the feast.

So as not to look too shabby, Conn dressed his entire entourage in the finest and latest clothing just arrived from Atrak; vibrant silk, opulent wools and luxurious cottons. The two Valkeri were ravishing in their sheer and hardly substantial choli and lehenga with new silk scarfs. The choli were embroided but open backed and arm-less and the little silk there was fought valiantly to keep their breasts under wraps. Between the choli and the lehenga was skin – and with the Valkeri it was wiga taunt.

As Conn arrived he found that there was skin everywhere; because of its connection to Cyme, it seemed the fashion of all the women in Trokia was minimal at best; extensive bosoms and plunging cleavage was the order of the day. The Aebeling greeted everyone as they arrived; and she welcomed Conn and his party especially warmly. It was Conn’s first time into the stone walled castle, and it struck him that it was definitely the newest of all the main towns that he had seen – and the poorer construction was probably because it had not been built by the Ancuman hundreds of years previously. It also struck Conn as strange that there was no voice in his head – no annoying Gyden to bother him, but then there was no Cirice in Trokiak because the Cirice was in Old Trokiak – and where was Old Trokiak?

Conn was roused from his musing by Aisly running her hand down his jacket.

‘That is just magnificent. The clothing that is coming from Lykiak is to die for.’ She did a little twirl. Her skirt was expensive – and the choli being encrusted in gems – what there was of it – made the pairing one of the most expensive items his Emporiums had sold. ‘This cost me a fortune! How do I look? Do you think it suits me?’

Conn hated questions like that but at least he didn’t have to lie. ‘Aebeling; you look truly beautiful.’ He bowed slightly, ‘You are truly radiant and your presence lights up the room’. Perhaps just a little lying.

‘Thank you Thane, I am honored.’ She came to his side and steered him towards her mother and whispered, Conn’s arm resting on her right breast. ‘And just between you and me, this is not the only room I’m told that I light up in...’

As well as her mother Kiley, Aisly introduced him around the room – and also to a young girl called Eadan. ‘Eadan is my cousin – she is also a descendant of Fastvi, the first of our house who was Wealdend in Trokia. She is also my heir as I do not have any children. Her mother is the Eaorl of Hatu – you will meet her later, I’m sure.’ She rolled her eyes at the last comment.

Eadan smiled at the comment, rose and bowed politely to Conn. ‘Thane of Atrak; our house is forever indebted to your house. We will never forget.’

As Conn walked away, he looked back at the young girl who had resumed her seat with her friends. ‘How old is she?’

Aisly paused before answering. ‘She will be sixteen next spring – if you want her for bedda that can be …’

Conn interrupted her train of thought. ‘No, nothing like that … I was just wondering…’

By the time Conn was ready to return to his table he had met more people than he could remember – and he was dying for a large tankard of ale. However, he was still to be disappointed and he was led back to the main table where Kiley stood and the room went quiet.

Kiley, Wealdend of Trokia, granddaughter of a Valkeri wiga, was almost seventy, very old for anyone in Meshech, but still regal and authoritative. She bowed her head to Conn as he arrived, as did the whole court, who were now standing in appreciation.

‘Conn il Taransay, Thane of Atrak, and’, she then read from a document handed to her by an official, ‘Thane il Veii, Faleri, Atrak, Rupina, Ebusos, in Lykia and Thane of Barek and Samal in Moetia. You are welcomed to Trokiak as our rescuer – there is little doubt without your archers on our walls and you and your men outside the walls, it would have been little time before we were overrun by our once good friends from the south. You have our heartfelt thanks and you must know that a fitting reward for your service is only yours to request.’

Conn bowed back, ‘Wealdend, I thank you for the welcome. I was only doing what needed to be done.’

She smiled back, ‘Be that as it may – many could have stood with you but they didn’t.’ She turned to the crowd. ‘Over these last weeks, I’ve been pleased to assist the Thane to present to the wiga of Silekia and Trokia with medals – to recognize their bravery and service to our people. I would like to present to the Thane a gift of significance.’ She stopped as servants brought forward a wooden box. They opened the case and revealed a sword; it looked like a Gladius; the same size and shape if a little longer. It was a fine weapon, and the scabbard was decorated in gold and silver. She handed it to Conn ceremoniously.

‘Conn il Taransay, Thane of Atrak, on behalf of a grateful people please accept this sword. We know little of its history, except to say that we believe that it was manufactured by craeftiga in Silekia some hundred years ago, so it is appropriate that it be given to someone with such strong ties to Silekia.’

Conn received the weapon respectfully, and as a bladesmith, he noticed immediately two things about it that were unusual. The first was that it had a gem embedded into the pommel – a large one. The second thing was that the gem was not part of the original weapon – it had been added carefully, but much later. There was mystery surrounding the blade. They handed him the box as well and he returned to the table and rested the box on the table he returned the sword to the box.

Derryth watched him returned the sword and suddenly reached into the case as he was about to close it. He took out a smaller box – it was elaborately carved.

‘What’s this?’

‘No idea… does it look familiar?’

‘No…’ He paused for a moment. ‘Do you mind if I keep it out?’

‘Not at all.’

Conn sat as food and drink was passed around the room. The longhus was very long, and it was packed to the rafters. One guest sitting at the back was Devnet, Aebeling of Gatina. Conn had requested that he be allowed to attend the feast. He was still weak but was recovering quickly, and he would be able to be sent home when the wergild arrived. Later, Conn went to greet him; and he bowed when Conn arrived. He was still too weak to stand.

‘Thane, it is a difficult balance when the man responsible for my worst hour is also responsible for life. And while I am grateful for you for saving my life, I am curious why you bothered. Surely I would be better to you dead.’

‘One could think that, but it would depend on what you consider my objective to be, Aebeling; but it seems to me that you would be very cautious about taking to the field against my fyrd again, and it is best for me that we have caution in our enemy’s mind.’

Devnet smiled thinly. ‘True, I would like to have a lot more disciplined wiga at my disposal if we were to meet again – and perhaps some better Folctoga.’ He changed the subject, pointed to the room. ‘You have mastery over his room, Thane. What do you intend to exercise your power?’

Conn smiled back. Devnet was no fool. ‘True power is exercised with subtlety, Aebeling, true control is felt, but not seen.’

He nodded ruefully, ‘That would explain your ransom demands. They are surprisingly reasonable, perhaps excessively so. It will hardly weaken Gatina and certainly not destroy it, so I begin to see subtlety at play. It is surprising that you would take just a single Thane demesne when you could have more – albeit you have asked for one with a harbor. The most surprising is that you have requested a single bedda from any Eaorl’s family. I don’t understand what you hope to gain?’

Conn sat down beside him. ‘I already have enough land to grow and raise whatever I need – but there is money to be made buying and selling goods – and to get goods around, you need harbors – and good harbors. Have you seen my ships?’

‘The ones with the golden sun? Unfortunately yes – I understand the Rakians had some issues with them.’

‘I think they know better now. Anyway, the ships need much bigger docks than you have in Gatina – so I will have to build my own. As for the bedda – the demesne will require an heir.’

Devnet paused to consider the information. He finally nodded. ‘I guess I understand – but it is still very perplexing.’

‘Perhaps – but there are never winners, only losers in wars, Aebeling; it is just that one side loses less than the other – and to be made to suffer more than necessary only creates future problems. Fear, restraint and caution are my aims; if I have created that, I will have done well. My other aim now is to help rebuild Gatina. There is no profit for me in making it too poor to buy my goods. When you get home, I hope we both work to achieve that.’

‘Perhaps, Thane, perhaps.’

After Conn had returned to his table, the young Earl of Moha, Cenlinda, came and greeted him again. She had with her another girl who she introduced as the Eaorl of Ridlah; they were both barely wearing anything. Her name was Godlyn. She bowed respectfully and thanked him profusely for his assistance.

‘You are very young to be an Eaorl, Godlyn. Did your father fight against the Gatinans?’

She nodded. ‘Also my mother – she was the Eaorl – they tried to prevent the Gatinans crossing the river that makes our border but were simply outnumbered – and of course when the Rakians attacked from behind, they all died.’

‘How did you survive?’

‘My mother put me on a ship – the Captain is a friend of yours – Eggar. He managed to save many women and children on the last day.’

Godlyn continued. ‘There is another matter that I have come to speak to you about – I understand that Cenlinda has offered herself as bedda and her demesne as dowry. I know that you declined – but if I am more to your liking...’ she waved her hands down her body – which was equally delectable if smaller and lithe in comparison, ‘then I would be happy to make the same offer for your consideration.’

‘I thank you Godlyn; it is most generous of you, but I have an alternative suggestion.’ Conn detailed his plan and they left to consider it – promising to speak to him tomorrow,

Halla had been watching silently, with interest. She watched the two young girls leave. She mocked him; ‘I would like to tell everyone to be wary of my master because he is cunning and devious, but alas I cannot as I am theow. Were you not tempted to try Godlyn before you rejected her – after all you did “try” Cenlinda?’

‘It was only the once – and she wanted to show her gratitude…’

‘Gratitude indeed…’

Derryth had been sitting quietly as well; he had the small carved box in his hands and he has spent some time turning it over in his hands. ‘If we all showed our gratitude to you that way, Feorhhyrde, you’d never get out of bed. Anyway, that is nothing – there is something very weird about this box. We will have to wait until we have light to see – even my eyes can’t see anything in this fog of smoke. Someone should install my chimneys…’

‘Tearing it all down and starting again would be the better option I think.

After a lot more music, food, alcohol and dancing – most of the dancers were topless, the party petered out and people started leaving for home. Conn was about to follow Abrecan out the door when a servant rushed over to him.

‘Thane – my master the Aebeling has asked that you stay a little longer. She has something that she needs to discuss with you urgently.’

Halla laughed. ‘Perhaps she wants to show her gratitude as well... maybe we will see you in a week …’

‘It’s nothing like that – it must be something to do with the war…’

Conn was wrong and Halla was right – the servant guided him through the rooms of the donjon until he reached the room where Aisly was waiting for him, it was a bedroom and she had on less clothes than before. In fact she was topless.