vengeance

chapter 3 part 3

  Ul-ion opened the door to the Lords quarters , the old man sat within , a longsword on his lap and a whetstone in his left hand. Deftly he moved it along the edge of the iron blade. It was a typical Celtic blade , double-edged blade nearly three feet long with a short handle and crescent shaped hilt and pommel. The old Lords bald head never rose from his work , but he knew it Ul-ion that entered.

 “Take a seat Ul-ion, we have much to discuss.” Ul-ion did not need to be asked twice , he took an old wooden stood from the corner and placed it in front of where Lunn’s grandfather sat. the old man continued honing the blade for some time with cold silence , Ul-ion sat and watched patiently beside all he had was time. Time , honour and Utha was all he had and all he ever wanted. 

  The fire in the heath was growing low and the candles lighting the room burnt out by the time the lord was done. Ul-ion rose and threw a log on the fire sending bright wisps of flame skyward. When he sat back down lord Mag Uidhir was inspecting both edges before at last he offered Ul-ion the handle. Ul-ion was confused and studied the lords face searching for the reason her was being given the sword.

  “Take it Ul-ion.” 

  “My lord I-” The old man cut him off. 

   “What good is a sword without a strong arm to raise it. I am frail old friend but my wits have yet to leave me so take this sword as a gift and when Lunn returns to take ownership of these lands give it to him. You remember who it belonged to don’t you?”

  Ul-ion let a sad smile spread across his face as he took the sword and moved it around slowly to test its weight. 

 “I remember,” Ul-ion rested the sword across his lap. “ it was your father’s and his father’s before that for a thousand years, you told me before. I will use it with pride I promise and when the time comes I will give it to Lunn and council him in lordship as I have in war.”

 “You are a true and honest friend Ul-ion White-Leaf. You have helped me beyond measure , my father before me and now Lunn. You have asked nothing in return , what is it that we have given you to make you so grateful?” 

  “Friendship , protection and the asylum for me to raise my family, I would rather not talk of the reasons why I needed asylum.”

  “I won’t intrude I owe you that much , there is two more points of business though before you leave.” 

  “Then please continue.”

  “You should know that Cullum was furious when I told him that Lunn chose you to bring him to the Elf lands. I agree you are the best choice considering you are from there , speak the language and have contacts but it isn’t tradition.”

  “I have already heard , the guard told me you have him under house arrest. 

 I want him no where near my wife when I leave.”

 “ worry not old friend , I plan for her to take Lunn’s room when he leaves.”

 “Thank you it means a lot , I know he would kill me if he had the chance , after you pass from this world I would like you to instruct someone to care for her.”

  “Why not just bring her with you and Lunn to the elf lands if you worry about Cullum’s actions.”

“My wife is not well liked there she may be the target of hired knives she will stay , she is with child and I will most definitely not bring them to danger.”

 The lord sat back in is seat and a smile appeared but his eyes were sad they were always sad. “That is what I was hoping you would say , I plan to leave Utha in charge while Lunn is gone , I know neither me nor his grandmother will live to see his return.”

  “She will look after the town well I’m sure.” Ul-ion always felt awkward when dealing with the death of humans , they were so frail and had such short lives. Ul-ion had seen so many come and go, it was hard to forge friendships with them. that’s why he was going to spend as much time as possible with him. It hurt not to witness the birth of his child but he had centuries with his child and only a few short decades with Lunn.

  “That she will , there is one last thing we should discuss , and quickly the hour grows late , Lunn will soon need to be off to Dun Dalga to take his ship.”

  “Then please continue.” Ul-ion could sit and talk for hours but he knew ever minute was precious to humans so he let things be rushed.

  “I had your Elven armourer make a gift for Lunn , to symbolise the rise of a new age of friendship between our people.” the old lord stood, walked over to a chest and took out some large triangle shaped object wrapped in cloth and string. His arms strained to lift it and that was when Ul-ion realised how frail the man had become. When the lord handed the package to him , he knew it was a shield. He had used its like before, a kite shield , favoured by Elven infantry and knights from the Imperial Kingdoms of Norda and Albion. Ul-ion used the Celtic sword to cut the string and the cloth fell away.

  What it reviled was as fine a shield Ul-ion had ever seen. It was rimmed in Elven sun-steel. It had three points , the one in the centre. The other two marked the sides which curved into a sharpened point at the bottom. The background colours were green and white , like Ul-ion expected but in the place of the Mag Uidhir warrior on horseback crest  was a gold phoenix. The flaming bird had two burning wings curving far above its head. Its head itself had a pointed curved beak and a single lick of flame atop its skull. Its tail resembled a wildfire and between its body and tail were two outstretched talons.

The one on the right held a sword the one on the left clutched a crown. In the centre of the birds chest was a small black outline of a man on horseback holding a sword. He , has fit so much into one symbol , Ul-ion thought , But why? It was as if the old man read his thoughts.

   “Lunn is the rise of the old way, I see it in him. For too long we have been soft too quick to surrender , we bend the knee to easily but Lunn is stubborn and hard and fights like Celts of old. He is the Celtic people rising like a Phoenix . The sword represents his skill at war and the crown is a representation of a prophecy a druid gave me , he said one day Lunn would rise to the seat of Ri.”

   “Best he doesn’t know of that , it might give him too much confidence.”

   “I agree , I know the boy will do what’s right.”

    “ I’m sure he will ,” Ul-ion looked back at the shield, I know the boy will rise , but how high and would he always take the right path? Ul-ion wondered. “We had best be on our way , night is upon us I fear.” 

  Ul-ion strapped the Celtic sword to his belt and carried the shield in one hand while offering the other to Lunn’s grandfather as support. It was indeed dark when they got outside. The whole town had gathered to see Lunn off except Cullum. Lunn himself was consoling his crying grandmother. When Ul-ion handed the shield he thanked Ul-ion and his grandfather both. The tailor had given Lunn a new cloak as a parting gift , green outer layer with a white under layer and the mounted warrior crest of his family on the back. 

   Even the Horse Ri’s men and daughter stayed to wish them off. While men and women gave Lunn well wishes Ul-ion found Utha. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her long and passionately. He would remember that kiss every time he thought of her. When they were done he pulled held her tighter and whispered in her ear. “Seven years apart is nothing after all we have been through my Love. Make sure our son has a good name , I will leave that part to you.” 

  “No Ul-ion you choose it is tradition the male chooses.” 

  “I seem to be good at breaking tradition lately,” a sad thought hit Ul-ion , but the right one. “Call him Lacka if it’s a boy , I owe him to be remembered.”

 She looked at him sadly but only nodded. “You had best be off Ul-ion white-leaf.”

  “Until we meet again Utha , my thoughts will be about you.” Tears begun to well in her eyes and Ul-ion knew it was time to leave with a quick kiss on her cheek he turned away. He mounted his white stallion and listened to Lunn say his final farewells .

  “I’ll make you proud , I swear it.” the boy said to his grandparents before getting on his horse. He was clad in mail and wore is new shield on his left arm. Fool , Ul-ion thought , you have already made them proud.