‘I gather he was successful…’ Conn had done as much reading as he could, but oral histories are sometimes different to written versions.
‘He was – he defeated and killed his cousin Gaithe in a battle near Dor – the Healdend has lost interest by now and allows the east to separate at the mountains. Dubgall becomes Aebeling but changes that to Healdend when Caoite dies in 754.’
‘Isn’t there a civil war as well?
Kiley smiled. ‘Eaorl, you are well informed. The nephew of the Healdend, Imar, rebels because Caoite does not make him his heir. Aodhan, the brother of the Healdend is his heir as he has no children – many died young – except for one small girl. But when Aodhan dies of illness, Caoite makes his daughter Fastvi his heir instead.’
‘Fastvi is of course Asta’s daughter.’
‘Asta was very young when she fell pregnant – and there are difference opinions between our two branches as to why she was pregnant. Our history is that she was raped by Caoite – but they,’ she pointed to her cousins, ‘believe that she seduced the Healdend.’ Kiley shrugged. ‘I do not know the truth because it was never spoken by Asta – but both are possible because she supposedly was both very beautiful and very small. Caoite could have easily overpowered her but there seems little doubt that her beauty was such that she could have easily seduced him.’
Jofrid interrupted. ‘The cause of her pregnancy is a bone of contention, but not a matter that causes our differences. It is what she did after that made her a vow breaker.’
‘I gather she didn’t go home as is the rule?’
Kiley agreed. ‘No she didn’t – in fact she hid her pregnancy – and only after her mother had returned to Cyme and left Asta in charge did that they learn about the pregnancy, and not long after Fastvi is born, Aodhan dies, and Imar rebels because he isn’t named Aebeling. He attacks the donjon and kills the Healdend in this very hall. Unfortunately for him, the men who were sent to kill the Valkeri failed – and enough survived for Imar to die in a flight of arrows also in this hall.’
‘So the only heir was Fastvi?’
Jofrid interjected before Kiley answered. ‘No – there were many heirs.’
Kiley agreed. ‘True, there were others – but the only male heir alive was Dubgall of Kania – and he had been decreed traitor so was ineligible – as were his sons. They were also half Ancuman…’
Conn interjected. ‘Half Ancuman – now that is interesting. The official pedigrees say Rakian.’
‘Some pedigrees have been ‘cleansed’ – if a bedda is of Rakia, there is a possibility that they are half or full Ancuman – depending on whose daughter the bedda is claimed to be.’ Kiley continued. ‘So with Dubgall ineligible – and there being no other male heirs, the only nominated heir left was female – and that was Fastvi.’
‘What happened next,’ Jofrid added, ‘is the real problem…’ Hall nodded in agreement.
Kiley shrugged. ‘Perhaps. There were three Eaorl that rebelled with Imar – the Eaorl of Ridlah, the Eaorl of Temah, and the Eaorl of Gebal. They had sons – young sons – who were given a choice – to die or to take one of Cyme as bedda. They then repudiated the actions of their fathers and declared that the next Wealdend of Trokia was to be Fastvi. They also nominated that Asta should be Guardian of Trokia until her daughter was of age.’
Conn was all admiration. ‘Very skilfully done.’
‘What Asta lacked in size, she made up with in intellect.’
‘And that was the breaking of vows?’
‘Indeed – as soon as the three Valkeri took the young men as bedda, they lost their bands – and when Asta took the vows of office as Guardian, her bands fell to the ground as well.’
‘What of those that didn’t break their vows?’
‘Asta didn’t need them so she sent them back to Cyme.’
‘And is that why there is no Cirice here?’
They all shrugged. ‘There has never been a Cirice here – the original town was in the north and after it disappeared under water, the Cirice also disappeared. And with no Folgere anywhere – no one has been called to Lilith for centuries.’
It was untrue but Conn didn’t contradict the women. Every single Valkeri was actually a Folgere – they just didn’t realize it.
A question suddenly occurred to Conn. ‘What happened to Asta?’
A smile came over Kiley’s face. ‘That is not a question anyone has ever asked before. We do not know for certain, but when Fastvi was twenty she left. It is believed that she returned to Cyme – to be with her sister. In fact, all the so called vow breakers left together.’
Jofrid disagreed. ‘They didn’t go back to Cyme – I would know about that.’
‘Perhaps, perhaps not. Godelda loved her sister and I believe she accepted them back as novices – and they were given new names. Not to hide their past but to let them start afresh with Lilith.’ Kiley turned and addressed Jofrid directly, she was definitely reaching out. ‘Jofrid, when you return to Cyme, please check for me. I know that you will be leaving soon. And if possible, ask Sibbe if I too may come home. I have lived longer than most – I have a desire to join with our Gyden as well. Will you ask for me?’
Jofrid paused as if to decline, but it was soon clear that her view had mellowed. ‘Of course, Wealdend, I will ask.’
‘Thank you; you will do me great service if you can ask for me,’
The relationship hadn’t thawed, but at least the sun was shining on the block of ice.
Some weeks later, Conn had just returned from another of his early morning breakfasts with the Aebeling and was fetching coffee – the Aebeling had served up lots of things but no coffee, and was about to join the others at their table when they were disrupted by the arrival of Abrecan. He was not looking worse for wear – in fact he was looking fatter than ever before. Obviously being a rich merchant suited him to a tee, and Conn told him so.
He dismissed the criticism. ‘This is Trokia – austerity and simplicity does you no good here – if you have money, you have to show it or you get no respect. Anyway, I’m getting old – gold will be no use to my corpse. To business – I’m still disappointed that you became the Eaorl of Kuita… anyway, that is not why I am here. I have received a message from our agent in Ridlah. Ships have been seen heading up the coast – Rakian and Gatinan ships – and quite a large number of them.’
‘Why didn’t you send a messenger?’
‘I needed to get out of my longhus – being very rich causes a lot of problems – everyone always wants something! There is a lot to be said for being poor.’
Conn looked at him curiously. Abrecan continued quickly. ‘But there is a lot more to be said for being very rich. Anyway, now that you know, I’ll return to my hovel. You know, I might just divorce the lot of them – after all, I can afford it.’
Conn watched him leave. ‘He did that once already – and then got lonely and had to make them all bedda again.’ Conn sent for one of his wiga and sent a message to the donjon.
Halla looked at him disapprovingly again. ‘Why do you look wet?’
‘I had a bath.’
‘Didn’t you have one last night?’
‘I had another this morning.’ They looked at him curiously. ‘Alright, the Aebeling has got one of the new big tubs that we are selling in the Emporium – she wanted to know how to use it…’
‘Seriously – you just get in and sit and wash.’
‘That is not the way we were using it. Anyway, to something more challenging...’
‘I don’t know,’ Derryth piped in, ‘both you and the Ailsly in a bathtub fornicating seems challenging enough for one day. Why don’t we just skip the rest of today and come back tomorrow.’
Conn ignored them. Conn had sent his ransom demands and had expected a response. Given the large number of ships about to arrive, Conn assumed that they had accepted his conditions without negotiation.
‘We need to tell Wilga to ready everyone to leave from Ushu. Derryth, will you
go? Jofrid should go with you to prepare the Valkeri.’
A look passed between the pair, and Halla made a request. ‘If my master would release me temporarily, can I go with Derryth? I still feel … unwell ... and the ride will do me good. Jofrid can help you while I am gone.’
Conn was not inclined to disagree, and the pair prepared their packs and headed out, while Conn headed to the donjon with Jofrid in tow to speak to Devnet.
Devnet was surprised. ‘How do you know if they have been sighted?’
‘I have my ways – anyway just wanted to let you know that you will be going home soon. How is your shoulder?’
Devnet still had his arm in a sling most of the time but was able to more it about more every day. The arrows that had almost killed him had done a lot of damage to his shoulder.
‘Is it still painful?’ Conn asked as he watched Devnet exercise his shoulder.
‘Yes – but much improved. Thank you again. I’m still surprised that you would go to this effort, Eaorl. We are enemies are we not?’
Conn shook his head. ‘We are former enemies, Devnet, one day perhaps allies. I think that it is inevitable that I confront the Rakians. When that time comes, you may have to choose a side. Because of your blood ties with Rakia, I know it will be a hard choice for you, and I hope you choose wisely. For the sake of your people, you can’t afford to make a second mistake.’
‘I understand but I do not also.’ Devnet paused. ‘If nothing else, I owe you for saving my life. One day, I will repay that debt.
Several days later the Gatina ships started to dock; unloading goods and loading people. Some of it was directly reloaded onto Conn’s ships; to go to Menia, Dor or Atrak. The gold was formally handed over in person by the chief delegates of both Gatina and Rakia. Conn arrived in the hall last, and they waited for him. His old friend was the head of the delegation from Rakia.
Conn laughed. ‘Well, well, well. Look who the cat dragged in.’
Alric, Aebeling of Rakia, was trying very hard to be polite. The voice in his head wasn’t.
‘Thane, I would like to say it is good to see you again, but it is not. You are really starting to become annoying.’
‘I’m an Eaorl now.’
He tried to laugh. ‘Eaorl, eh! And which one of the windblown paddocks did they give you?’
‘Kuita.’
‘Kuita! Ha! Kuita is a relic of the past – it doesn’t even really exist anymore; a fit reward and a poisoned chalice.’
‘You are not the first to say that.’
The head delegate from Gatina was introduced as Miach, the Eaorl of Eriak. He was standing with Demne, Eaorl of Eryx – a much thinner, harder man after his months building and digging.
Conn couldn’t help himself. ‘Eryx – so good to see you again. Are you ready for a second round?’
Demne shook his head quickly. ‘Thank you, Eaorl, but I will have to beg your leave at this time. Perhaps some other day.’
‘Perhaps. So, is the gold all here?
‘It is. And a very large amount of it too.’ Halla has been supervising the counting, and she returned to the room and stood next to Conn.
Alric stared in surprise.
‘Cousin – why do you stand at his side?’
Halla held out her arms – showing the band-less wrists.
‘You are theow? You are theow to HIM?’ Alric was beside himself – he fought to control his urge to reef out his sword and run Conn through but he knew he was unable to do that. He knew that was suicide. Through his eyes, the voice in his head saw Halla and its sense of loss was almost equal to the level of hatred it felt for Conn. It was powerless to do anything about it, and Conn could feel the frustration like an unspent volcano.
The arrival of the Ratakian Eaorl, Amargein il Motya, broke the silence. He greeted his cousin the Aebeling and Halla, his other cousin. They had spent some time together during his captivity.
There did not appear to be a lot of warmth between Alric and Amargein; the greeting was cordial at best. Conn immediately suspected that things were not going to go well for Amargein on his return. He had failed in his mission – and that was never a good thing.
Alric looked scornfully at Conn while addressing the question at the Eaorl. ‘Has he caused our men to be mistreated and abused, Amargein?’
Amargein shook his head. ‘No, I can only say that we have been treated well. And I wish to report that the men are loaded and we are ready to leave.’
Alric shook his head in what looked like disappointment. He sighed. ‘We leave then.’ He bowed to Kiley and Devnet, and looked at Halla. ‘Farewell cousin, I can only imagine the torment you must be under. If there was anything I could do I would.’ He looked at Conn. ‘We will defeat you in the end. You are just putting off the inevitable.’
‘We shall see, Alric, we shall see. Farewell.’
They silently watched the Ratakian Aebeling leave the donjon and head to the dock – under guard.
Conn looked at Halla after he left. He asked her quietly.
‘Are you in torment, Halla?’
She shook her head. ‘No. I’m fine.’
‘But you are not that happy are you?’
‘It is hard for a Valkeri to be a theow.’ She laughed sadly. ‘But then I am the first, so how would anyone know. But I am not unhappy.’
‘But what if I unmade you a Theow; I can do that can’t I?’
She nodded. ‘But you can’t make me a Valkeri again – even you can’t do that, and without my bands, I’d rather be a theow – at least I have a place and a purpose. But thank you for offering.’
As they stood, another group of people arrived, and were led into the donjon. Amongst them all was a youngish woman; well dressed and quite beautiful. Devnet was startled to see her ‘Well, I never’. He walked over and greeted her and they hugged. He then walked by her side as she was presented to the Wealdend.
‘Wealdend, Eaorl, I would like to present my sister, Fiona; we share the same father. I was very surprised to see her here. Fiona. This is Conn il Taransay, Eaorl il Kuita’.
She bowed formally at them both. ‘I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Wealdend. As for my presence, brother, I have come to help solve the mess that you and my father created. Eaorl, I understand that I am to be your bedda. I also bear documents that create you Thane of Gambi in the Eaorldom of Eryx.’
Demne, in whose demesne the harbor was, started to react but stopped quickly. Fiona looked at him, shaking her head. ‘Sadly Demne’s family were unable to raise the wergild but we couldn’t just leave him here. His demesne is deeply in debt due to the large fryd he raised on borrowed money, and since they were all captured, the wergild is huge. The only way to raise the funds was for my father to purloin Gambi. He is lucky he is still Eaorl.’
She handed over the scroll of Ennoblement. ‘I also have some other documents and a manifest of everything you asked for and that we have delivered.’
Conn scanned the documents as he looked at the girl. Her brown eyes were clear and striking; her hair long and black; she was a beautiful woman, and as for her age, Conn assumed was around thirty. ‘I thank you for the documents – I hope that your presence here will not be too much of a burden.’
She looked sad but she smiled. ‘I hope not also.’ She smiled. ‘You seem fair enough to look at. And your reputation is that you are a kind and just man. All those that returned had only good things to say – which confused my father immensely. I understand that you also saved my brother’s life – amongst many others.’
Devnet nodded. ‘He did – and I am in debt. Fiona, I just don’t understand why it is you. I know that your bedda died, and I’m sorry for that, but our father would have taken care of you.’
‘My bedda is dead because you killed him – indirectly but still your responsibility, and my child died from illness because we were short of medics while they were with you. There is nothing there for me – and someone had to make this sacrifice – our family caused it; it is only
reasonable that we help to fix it. When you return, you will find only sadness – and it will not be long before you are Healdend; our father is so heartbroken. He knows that he has failed his people,’ she paused while she looked to Conn, ‘because he knew that it was folly – deep down – despite everything he was told. Our father is not a bad man – despite what you may think, Eaorl. He was led to believe that he was doing what was necessary, just, and right.’
Conn had to agree. ‘History has a way of revealing the truth. It may be that there was a grander plan here, and he too was a victim. It is certainly not my intention to destroy Gatina – I seek to increase the links between us. You are to play a part in that. Shall we perform the ceremony?’
She came forward and held out her left arm while Conn held out his right. Kiley came forward and wrapped a rope symbolically around their two wrists. She said a few words and declared that they were bedda. A very simple and functional ceremony.
Afterwards they all walked with Devnet to his ship and waved him off, and then returned to the donjon for a feast to celebrate the handfasting.
The feast was also to farewell Conn – he had informed the Wealdend that he was heading north; he wasn’t that fond of the cold – he had bad childhood memories – and had arranged with the Eaorl of Zedah, Leomon, for him to move there for the winter. It was also closer to Kuita, and he wanted to be there in spring
The fyrd under the command of Wilga was already there. Leomon’s son Sherwin had escorted them, and they would be setting up camp outside of the town – as well as preparing appropriate accommodation for Conn and his entourage.
Aisly had been absent for some part of the morning’s formalities – she claimed she was feeling sick. As Conn arrived, she came over and hugged him – she and her mother were quite emotional.
‘Is anything wrong?’
Aisly shook her head. ‘No, quite the opposite. It seems most likely that I am with child; so thank you. We are pleased; the next Wealdend will not be my cousin.’
The Eaorl (The Casere Book 2) Page 9