The Making of Abigone (Masters and Makers Book 2) by Christopher Mitchell

Author:Christopher Mitchell [Mitchell, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brigdomin Books Ltd
Published: 2024-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

The afternoon drew on, and Abigone still hadn’t eaten anything for lunch. Heston and Eshia remained hard at work, repairing a large plough that a farmer had brought in the previous day. Drummond remained by Abigone’s side, providing a running commentary to explain what they were doing, and pausing to see if she had any questions.

The mid-afternoon bell had rung in the distance when a covered wagon drew up next to the forge. Five men stepped down to the cobbles and approached, while another man remained on the driver’s bench. One of the men was carrying a broken sword, and he entered the forge while the others hung back.

‘Is this Heston’s forge?’ said the man.

Heston glanced up from a large tub of water. ‘And who is asking?’

‘Are you Heston? Can you repair this sword for me? I need it for the mustering of the reserves.’

Heston wiped his hands on a towel and peered at the sword. ‘I could take a look at it tomorrow.’

‘I need it fixed by the end of the day.’

‘Then I suggest you try another smith; there are plenty on the street. I’m busy with this plough today.’

‘I can pay you extra.’

‘Sorry, friend,’ said Heston, ‘but I have already promised to repair the plough.’

Abigone glanced at the other men, who were slowly walking round to the other side of the forge. Drummond noticed them too, and his eyes narrowed a little.

‘All right,’ said the man with the sword. ‘I’ll try somewhere else.’

He turned as if to leave, then he picked up a hammer from a workbench and swung it at Heston’s head. The blacksmith ducked, but not far enough, and the hammer struck his right temple. Eshia cried out as her uncle fell to the ground, then the four other men rushed at Drummond. Two men gripped hold of his arms, as Abigone was shoved to the ground by another man, who placed a boot on her back to keep her pinned down. Drummond struggled in the men’s grasp, then the man with the hammer swung it into Drummond’s face. Several teeth went flying, and Drummond went limp.

‘Get them into the wagon,’ hissed the man with the hammer.

Two of the men started to drag Heston away by his arms, and Eshia ran at them, her fists clenched. The man with the hammer grabbed her by the throat, and pushed her down to her knees. He struck her across the face with the back of his hand, and she fell. Abigone tried to pull herself up, as Drummond was carried over to the wagon, but the boot was fixing her to the ground.

‘Stay where you are, girl,’ said the man standing on her. ‘This doesn’t concern you.’

Drummond and Heston were carried into the back of the wagon, and the other men climbed aboard. The man with his boot on Abigone’s back ran over to the wagon as it started to move off, and Abigone pushed herself up to her knees. The driver whipped the horses, and the carriage sped away as Abigone ran out from the forge.

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