Veneficus by Chris Page

Author:Chris Page
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Stones
ISBN: 9781849898980
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2011
Published: 2011-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Merlin’s eyes took on a deep, iridescent green, and the burial mound and small oak tree were no more.

The men standing around the courtyard drew back and put their hands to their faces in surprise as the mound and tree disappeared.

“What about the battle standards and heraldry adorning the walls of the great hall and the Round Table?”

The long magus smiled down at the young knight. “Leave them. They will serve as a real reminder that she is not dealing with a novice when it comes to the art of warfare. Destroying birds is one thing, but it’s an altogether different matter when facing a tried and tested campaigner such as I. Also, you and your men. She will soon know all about your courageous lineage. Another little worry for the left-handed wolf-woman. If the sight of such trophies causes her and her king to fly into a rage and they are destroyed, then so be it. In truth they are but artifacts of the past, and we must set our eyes firmly on the present. Now, my young knight, it’s time for you to rise to the great heights achieved by your father and assist me and the boy in defeating this odious challenge to our Celtic heartland. It’s away to the Cheddar Catacombs for you and your men, and remember, adopt the tactics of the guerilla brigands. Penda will have to send raiding parties out from this castle, and my guess is they will be around five hundred strong with two or three wolf packs as outriders. Split your forces into lightly armed units of fifty or so men and ambush and attack swiftly. Withdraw before Penda’s men can organize themselves. Sniper bowmen hunting in twos and threes, picking off random soldiers and wolves, then melting into the ground. Loosened trees falling on supply wagons, sawn-through bridges collapsing under the feet of their columns, smokescreens, night marauding, burning tents, poisons, rock avalanches. Frustrate, harry, and panic them. Then they will make mistakes. And always remember the wolves circling on the outer margins, especially here at the castle, for she will keep them outside the walls as a first line of defense and warning system. In the meantime the boy and I and our birds will be doing likewise. In order that we are in full communication at all times I am assigning two of my best hawks to you. Should you wish to meet clandestinely, a note in one of their talons will be with me in no time at all for we will never be far away.”

He paused as Twilight came alongside.

“I have calmed them,” said the boy, his face still streaked with tears. “Now they are angry. Grief has been exchanged for revenge.”

Merlin nodded, pleased at the maturity of his tyro. He turned to the son of his old friend.

“You are also ready for the challenges that lie ahead?” he asked the son of Sir Gawain Godwinson quietly.

The young knight squared his shoulders, nodded, and replied equally quietly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.