Song of Albion 2 - The Silver Hand by Stephen R. Lawhead

Author:Stephen R. Lawhead [Lawhead, Stephen R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Historical, Mythology; Celtic, Imaginary Places, Voyages to the Otherworld
Published: 2012-01-16T00:01:57+00:00

"Yes, Meidron attacked me-as he has attacked everyone else in Liogres," the Cruin king explained.

"We held out as long as we could, but his forces are better armed and their numbers greater. Many have joined him. Those he has not put to the sword have alliances forced upon them. We resisted for a time, but it was useless."

"How did you know to come here?" I asked.

"We heard there was safe haven in the north, in Caledon."

"Then why did you come with the sword, man?" Cynan bawled in exasperation. "Mo anam!"

Calbha's answer was a groan. "Ahh. . . I was afraid.. . I acted rashly."

"Stupidly!" Rhoedd whispered. He had taken his place beside me.

Bran joined us then, and Llew acknowledged him. "Eight dead," the battlechief reported. "Six wounded- they are receiving aid now."

"The blood debt is mine alone," Calbha muttered. "I am ashamed."

"How many are with you?" LIew asked.

"Three hundred-not counting children."

"Three hundred!" Rhoedd repeated, astonished.

"Are they with you now?" asked Llew.

"Yes," Calbha answered. "They are waiting in the forest."

"Gather them and bring them to the lake. We will receive them there."

"What are we going to do with so many?" Rhoedd Wondered aloud. "Three hundred-"

"Not Cruin only," Calbha hastened to add. "We met others on the way: Addani and Mereridi. They were

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without a lord and had no protection. There are also Mawrthoni, Catrini, and Neifioni wandering in the hills. . . we have seen them." He fell silent as the enormity of the calamity engulfed him.

"All of Liogres is in upheaval-no man's hearth remains secure."

The Banfáith's prophecy came to mind: "Liogres shall be without a lord," I mused to myself.

"Mark me well." Calbha spoke in somber tone. "When Meidron has finished with Liogres, he will turn to Caledon. There is no end to his battle-lust. He means to rule all Albion."

So saying, the Cruin king remounted his horse and returned to the forest to summon his people. And the invasion of Dinas Dwr began.

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20

Great Hound of Havoc

Calbha disappeared into the forest, and we returned to the lake to await the people's arrival.

Soon they were streaming from among the trees. They came by scores; tribes and clans and families, survivors of Meldron's wanton depredations. Weary, travel-worn, exhausted, they came, dragging themselves miserably from hiding. But the setting sun lit their haggard faces and filled their eyes with light.

"Rhoedd is right," Bran remarked, watching the streams of refugees mingle to become a flood. "There are too many. How will we feed them?"

"The forest is full of game," Liew observed, "and the lake is full of fish. We will survive."

Cynan was not so certain. "They cannot stay here," he complained. "No-let me speak. I have been thinking, and it is clear that we do not have the means to support them."

"I have already told Calbha that they can stay," LIew replied.

"Clanna na cii," grumbled Cynan. "A day-two at most. Then they must move on. I do not like to say this, brother, but I will, because someone must: laudable your generosity may be, but it is also foolhardy.

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