Eagle's Flight (The Chronicles of Adalmearc Book 1) by D.E. Olesen

Author:D.E. Olesen [Olesen, D.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2024-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

7

A HIGHLAND TALE

A HIGHLAND TALE

Beyond the northern gate of Middanhal lay a wide road, branching out in many directions; on the day that the jarl of Theodstan arrived in Middanhal to participate in the upcoming Adalthing, Ælfwine and Egil travelled in the other direction on their errand, undertaken on behalf of Godfrey. Wearing his blindfold, the sightless beggar let the young apprentice to the King's Quill lead the way. They followed the easterly branch, going against the stream of people on solstice pilgrimage. Their journey passed mostly eventless at first. On occasion, they might ride on a cart with a farmer or trader going north, though they traversed the longest stretches on foot.

Eventually, they left the heartlands of Adalrik and reached Theodstan, the north-eastern jarldom that maintained the border with Heohlond. On occasion, they slept in the wild with only their cloaks for comfort, while at other times, they were fortunate to have a local farmer grant them leave to sleep in a barn on their path; often, Ælfwine would pay some coppers for the hospitality and some provisions. On occasion, when they were in a town or city at day’s end, they might sleep in a tavern, but always cheaply.

Conversation was scarce; Ælfwine seemed to have no interest in it. Egil kept back for a while, and for some days, they only spoke on practical matters such as setting camp. But the curiosity, which had made Egil jump at the chance of becoming apprenticed to the King’s Quill and gaining access to the largest library in the world, could not be silenced forever. “You have never been to Heohlond?” Egil asked his companion.

“If I have, I did not know at the time.”

“How could you not –” Egil began to say, but he fell quiet when he looked at Ælfwine’s blindfold. Silence followed for a long time. “Why do you have a sword?” asked Egil when his curiosity had once again become master of him.

“Do men carry swords for more than one reason?” asked Ælfwine with a disinterested voice.

“Well, no, but…” Egil’s voice trailed off as Ælfwine once again managed to disrupt his train of thought. This time, however, he did not let it silence him. “Is that why you hold the staff in your left hand? To keep your sword hand free?”

“How observant,” Ælfwine replied shortly.

“My master told me I had to be,” Egil said, more quietly. “Though I don’t know why the King’s Quill has to be. I don’t know why he teaches me half the things he does.” If Ælfwine was listening, he did not answer but merely kept up a brisk pace.

One day, Egil summoned the courage to ask a pertinent question. “Why are we travelling to Heohlond?”

“You know that as well as I do.”

“But I’m not sure I understand. The prince died years ago. What’s there to learn?”

“You do not have to understand,” Ælfwine said, his voice still sounding devoid of interest. “Just aid me in whatever way you are able and which I require.”

“But what for?”

“My purpose is to help Godfrey understand, not you.

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