Lady Ilena by Patricia Malone

Author:Patricia Malone [Malone, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-307-53652-5
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2005-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

As I step into the yard, I see a familiar face peering over the gate. “Calum,” I call. “Just who I need right now.”

He grins and ducks his head as he comes in. “I'm on my way to gather the livestock—what we've got left, at least.”

Calum is about nine and the liveliest of the village boys, a leader in any group of his companions whether they're tending the village herds or spying on couples who've sought a bit of privacy in the long summer evenings.

“Carry word for me to the mothers that I want every young person over four summers old on the meadow as soon as the sun is above that great oak.” I point to a tall tree that stands at the eastern end of the valley. “Tell them the livestock can wait a bit this morning. And everyone should bring a sling if they can.”

He nods vigorously and turns to leave. “One more thing,” I say. “Find Eogan and tell him I need him.”

The first group of youngsters arrives with Eogan in their midst. “You see that dead tree?” I ask the children. “I want you to practice hitting it with a slingstone.” They jostle for position and begin. I step back to give them room and motion Eogan to join me.

“Will you be staying, then?” he asks.

“A while,” I say. “You and I must form a defensive force for the village.”

He looks startled, then squares his shoulders and smiles. “I've wondered what we could do.” The children are milling about, either casting stones in the general direction of the dead tree or begging to borrow a sling from someone else. “It'll be hard to make a defensive force out of that,” he says.

“Notice that they've made a great shield of stones even though few of them are near the target. No one could have walked safely across that space.”

“Aye, that's right. A stone hurts no matter who casts it.”

“Stop,” I call. “No more slinging now. Go look for the stones. We can't afford to lose any. When you've gathered all that were cast, come sit here in front of me.”

I send Eogan to bring the women, and I study the children assembling before me. Fifteen have come, and I don't think any are missing.

When the last youngster has settled herself on the ground and placed her slingstones beside her in the grass, I say, “Calum is in charge of slingers. It is a big responsibility.” Calum straightens up and looks solemn. “You are all to pay close attention to his directions. From now on no one is to leave the house without a sling and a pouch of slingstones. If you do not have them, talk to Macaulay.”

Macaulay, whose father made most of the shoes and leather goods for the village, gives me a startled look, but listens as I continue. “Has your father taught you how to work leather?”

He nods slightly. “My mother knows more about it than I do.”

“I'll talk to her. Between you, I hope you can furnish us with more slings and pouches.

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