vengeance

chapter 2 part 1

Chapter 2 

  A month had passed since Kyra had left Sliabh Slante. Lunn still wore the pendant she gave him , squeezing it in his palm whenever he felt lost or alone. This was one of those times. Scouts had reported an orc war band on the moved toward Sliabh Slante . Accounts of its size varied from two hundred to a thousand , no one seemed to be sure. Farms in its path were destroyed their livestock slaughtered with their owners. The lucky ones had made it here to Sliabh Slante or fled to the Hilltop Fortress , the seat of the Ri of the hill province. 

  The yard below was filled with noises. The sound of blunted iron swords being given an edge again , shouts of men to bring out more spears , others shouted to do a sweep of the houses outside the wall, and the moans of cows driven here by their fleeing owners. It all scared Lunn , every sound . He fought to control his fear , it would make him weak when it came to the fight. Lunn’s first real battle.

  His gear lay out on his bed. He donned the leather jerkin first lacing up the front . He was no knight like those of the Imperial Kingdoms. He has a Celt and Celts had no squires to help with armour , as helpful as they would be. The chain mail was next it was heavy , more heavy then he would like but it would keep him safe from glancing blows. It went down to the top of his knees it had been made to go just passed the waist  on a bigger man , his father . He tied leather bracers to his forearms and a thick black leather belt with an empty scabbard for both his longsword and dagger. He slid both blades into their sheaths . The last thing was his helm. 

 It was the only piece made for him . Iron , with a visor that when you slid it down it left a horizontal slit to see through. Five bronze horns topped it in the likeness of a crown . Four were set at the corners inlaid with white enamel studs . The tallest which slid down with the visor , bore a thumbnail sized piece of emerald. Lunn reluctantly placed it on his head , it would make him stand out he thought . 

  The walk down the stairs felt longer then ever, the scuffing sound made by his boots on stone sent echoes through the stones. The great hall was packed with people young old , all weak. Armed men on the last desperate tasks , sun was setting and soon the creatures of night would attack the men of the sun. death , Lunn , this will be the death of them all if we fail to hold, if I fail to hold. His grandparents , Ul-ion , his wife Utha and two Celtic men stood waiting for Lunn. 

 “ You don’t have to do this Lunn , said his grandmother weakly , “you’ve nothing to prove lad.” 

  Oh but I do , he thought , I’ve got everything to prove. I’ve to prove I’m more Celt than Imperial for a start. Lunn shook his head “I’m ready.” his grandmother looked as if she might cry at the answer he gave but she was a Viking and the one belief Celts and Vikings shared was honour in battle , and glory in death.

  “ I told you the boy is strong ,” his grandfather spoke up in his harsh raspy voice. “ the  Ard Druid was right woman, Finn,” he said turning to one of the men “ bring me that heavy oak box from my quarters , the one with all the battle carvings.” 

  “ yes my lord.” and off Finn went through the tightly packed crowd. The other man produced a gold and green tartan cloak and pinned it on Lunn’s left shoulder with a gold broach. The cloak was so thick it was nearly as much protection as leather , but it added yet more weight. 

  “ boy ,” his grandfather said when he saw Lunn was staring at him. He was an old stout man , and although he still carried a sword Lunn doubted he could use it. His grey hair ran from ear to ear but left a bald spot on top. His eye’s were a cold green filled with regret and the bags under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights. Pity stabbed Lunn , this won’t be my future , Lunn thought. “ you are my heir Lunn , its about time you knew everything . On the night of your birth the sun shone at midnight , people say on the boarder mountains dragons stirred from ancient slumbers and bellowed in fear. The next day the Ard druid of the golden city arrived apologising for being late.”