Lawhead, Stephen - The Song of Albion Collection [Omnibus] by Lawhead Stephen

Author:Lawhead, Stephen [Lawhead, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2014-08-05T07:00:00+00:00

19

INVASION

We turned as one to the ridgeway. The battle horn sounded again, coursing through the hushed valley like a shiver of fear. At once my inward sight kindled to the image of a fiery sky, red and gold with the setting sun, and a battle host emerging from the forest—some afoot and some on horseback: a hundred strong with weapons drawn. I saw their shields glint in the dying light. I saw their leader riding at the head of his warriors, surrounded by a mounted bodyguard.

Llew commanded the warriors to their weapons, and everyone else to flee to the crannogs. Although there were yet no timber walls, the people would be safer on the islands than in the houses on the shore. The Ravens flew to arm themselves from the huts, and everyone else surged towards the lake. Cynan ordered his warriors to bring horses, and three heartbeats later all was confusion as warriors rushed here and there, gathering spears and swords and throwing halters on horses. Men ran to launch the boats and women scurried, clutching babies; children bawled, and boats slid into the water.

“We will meet them on the meadow!” Cynan called, leaping into the saddle.

“Where the stream crosses the glen,” Llew answered. “That will give people the time to reach the stronghold.”

Garanaw brought a sword to Llew and began strapping it to his hip. Llew sent him on his way. “Twenty against a hundred,” Llew said as I joined him. “What do you think of our chances, Tegid?”

“I think it would be wise to wait and see who these men are and why they have come here,” I replied.

He stopped jerking at the leather strap. “What have you seen?”

“Only what you have seen: warriors riding into our settlement. But they announce their coming with the carynx,” I pointed out. “A strange thing to do when surprise would assure an easy defeat.”

Llew returned to worrying the strap with his good hand. “It is meant to frighten us. They would rather we surrender without a fight.”

“Perhaps they mean to warn us instead.”

Cynan returned for a final word. “It is a challenge; not a warning,” he advised. “Take the battle to them, I say, before they have a chance to surround us.”

“Fight or talk, it is for you to decide.”

Llew hesitated, weighing the consequences of his decision. Cynan shifted uneasily. “We must take the fight to them,” he insisted. “We are sorely outnumbered. We cannot allow them to surround us.”

“Well? What will you do?” I asked.

“Cynan is right. They come with swords drawn. We must meet them.”

“Yes!” replied Cynan. He jerked the reins hard. “Hie!” He kicked his heels against his mount’s flanks. The horse galloped away.

Rhoedd came running, leading a roan stallion. He gave the reins into Llew’s hand, cupped his hands for Llew’s foot, and boosted him into the saddle; next he held up a shield which Llew took upon his stumped arm; lastly he gave Llew a stout-hafted spear.

Bran Bresal, astride a spirited yellow mare, approached. “Will you ride with us, Lord Llew?”

“I will.

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