The Eaorl (The Casere Book 2)

by Michael O'Neill

  ‘So, shall we walk or ride?’ He didn’t move so Conn presumed that meant ride and leapt aboard. The horse turned and they headed for the docks. By the time they arrived; the loading of the horses and wiga was almost complete. Conn dismounted and led the horse to the loading plank. Njil waited for him.

  ‘I presume the horse goes with us. Will he go on?’

  Conn nodded. ‘Yep, shouldn’t be a problem. I think you will find that he is not an ordinary horse.’ Conn hailed a groom and gave him instructions. Balios needed his own stall; and it should be twice the size of any other horse. ‘If you needed to, leave one of the other colts behind.’ he instructed.

  The groom led the horse to the plank and Balios quietly followed along behind; the sway of the plank and the rocking of the ship was not a problem. Unlike the others he hadn’t done this ten times already – on calm days – for practise.

  Two hours later they were finally at sea; the Schooner and junk were waiting and they set course north east. As the wind filled their sails Conn thought he should warn Njil.

  ‘What do you mean – expect bad weather?’

  ‘Only passing on what I have been told. I think you should assume that hatches should be battened down at all times. This is not going to be an easy trip. See those clouds on the horizon?’

  Njil sighed. ‘And it started out as such a beautiful day.’