Free The Aebeling by Michael O'Neill Page A

first.’
    ‘Wilgar was able to avoid capture, so he hid and when he had a chance, he collected as many as he could while the new ‘Eaorl’ were still unaware as to how many people were in the domain. When the group was getting too big to hide, we left our friends and family behind and started our walk to Lykiak. We are hoping for sanctuary there, as we have heard many of our kindred have travelled that way; when the road to Silekiak is dangerous.’
    ‘Are there twenty in your group?’ Conn asked.
    ‘Yes, fifteen boys and five girls. It was harder to rescue the girls.’
    ‘Why did you not follow the road to Tabae and the Eaorl?’
    They didn’t answer immediately, but Abrekan answered for them. ‘Because of the brands – and Eaorl is required by law to return any theow that he finds, or if he cannot, he is to punish them as if they are his own escapees – with imprisonment, a flogging or death.’
    With Conn looked at him strangely, Abrekan continued, ‘It’s true, that’s how the law is written.’
    ‘That seems a bit harsh. They haven’t done anything wrong, have they?’
    ‘Yes they have; they were on the losing side. There is never much right about being on the losing side’, Abrekan commented sadly.
    ‘Are there alternatives to death or being returned?’
    ‘They can buy their freedom as they have escaped their domains and are seeking sanctuary in another’s – but they would have to prove that the money is not stolen. And that is of course impossible.’
    ‘What is the fine?’
    ‘The current purchase cost of a theow. Plus a penalty of half again. A young male is around three, while a young female is two thousand Ryals. So for this this group the wergild would be a lot of money.’
    Conn addressed the group, ‘So, do you have – what – eighty thousand Ryals?’
    They shook their heads; Shona added ‘We had intended to find sanctuary in Lykiak.’
    There was silence and Conn looked at them silently, watching the fear shine in their eyes.
    ‘Do not worry,’ Conn stated matter of factually, ‘you will not be executed if I have anything to do with it.’
    ‘But how…?’
    ‘Let me worry about that. Now get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow.’ They gathered more wood for the fire, branches to cover themselves with, and as everyone settled to sleep, Conn sat and stared at the blazing fire. He wondered if this was what Caewyn meant when she said to take care of the Silekians.
     
    With the light, Wilgar returned as promised. This group was younger, a lot of them under fifteen. After they had been fed, they were put to work loading the pack animals – work they were grateful to be doing on a full stomach, and reassured that they were not going to die. Despite the late start, the extra hands had them quickly on the road to Tabae, everyone now riding horses.
    It was just after midday when they encountered a small Lykian Fyrd, a dozen men on horses armed with swords, shields and spears. Their horses were similar to the Rakian’s – tough and wiry ponies. The Folctoga, the youngest man in a group of aged wiga, quizzed Abrekan, who he greeted on sight, and the Silekians, and then decided to escort them back to the Cotlif, sending the rest to continue their patrol.
     
    As they travelled, Conn commented that the Fyrd didn’t look very battle ready; the riders were fairly old and grizzly, not dissimilar to their horses.
    The Folctoga, who introduced himself as Oswald, smiled grimly. ‘True, they are not. It is a long time since there has been a war in Lykia – but there are some issue with incursions of Rakians or Silekians from the north so we patrol to keep an eye on things.’ He nodded to the ragged group that walked or rode along behind. ‘We need our young men to work in the fields.’
    Conn commented that they didn’t seem to be going downhill anymore; since coming out of Halani, it had quickly levelled out. And it was still quite cold – although the wind had died down