Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:36:00 +1300
From: arthur carkeek <artcart65@gmail.com>
Subject: eventide chapter 7

EVENTIDE

CHAPTER 7

BY

ARTHUR


artcart65@gmail.com




For the next month, Eventide watched over Freeman as he healed. Eventide
was not above using some of his brotherhood skills to help Freeman; a small
touch of the white powder of the slave maker to ease some of the pain his
new father suffered; was not wrong as long as he used the bare minimum. The
last thing Eventide wanted was for his own father to be slaved to the white
powder.

At last Freeman was healing enough to leave his bed; his wounds had closed
nicely and any chance of infection had ceased to be a worry. Freeman took
walks each day to rebuild his strength; not once did he question Eventide
about the terrible deaths that had taken place while he was ill.

Over the next month; Freeman noticed that Eventide would spend more and
more time in the library. After watching his new son spend hours poring
over large tomes one day; Freeman went in after the boy had left to see
what he had been reading. Much to Freeman's surprise, he saw that all of
his sons reading was from the Baron's large battle library.

Another item now struck Freeman as unusual. Eventide had spent long hours
in perfecting his writing skills; as Freeman well knew; it was not
Eventide's favourite subject yet, here he now was spending hours writing
letters and sending them away.

Freeman wondered at the vagaries of youth and forgot all about it. As the
second month of his recovery ended; Freeman was surprised one day by
Eventide's mention of the King's Joust.  For Freeman it was a surprise;
there had been so much going on he had forgotten that another year had
almost passed; it was time again for the jousts.

Freeman knew and had also sent letters to the King; that he would not be
able to stand in any of the joust this year; his past injuries made it
impossible. The King had replied that he understood well but asked if
Eventide would again stand with the people under the King's colours.

After Freeman had confirmed with Eventide, that the boy would attend the
Joust as before; they began to make arrangements to move back to England
for the event; there had been no word about Mahmud appearing and Eventide
refused to say yay or nay.

Travel back to England had been organised by Eventide himself; he felt it
was his duty to watch over his father's health and had broken up the trip
into smaller parts; he did not want to overtax his father's strength even
though Freeman had insisted he was now well.

Freeman took note of the procession; he now had an added banner to his
colours and each was carried by one of the young brotherhood. Shaun; who
was now well and could move as well as anyone else, except for the
slightest of limps which did little to limit him in any exercise; became
the bearer of Eventide's blue banner.

Between the group there were now four banners flying; the green banner with
the crest of the Barony of Lancaster, the plain blue banner with a Celtic
Rune in black; there was also the furled black banner of the brotherhood
called the Banner of Jihad and the last was a plain white banner with
golden script in the style of the Aramaic; this was the Banner of the
Kahlif of Wadhi Sufaria.

With all of the Baron's guards as well as the younger teens of the
brotherhood; it became quite a spectacle as the long train wound its way
through the countryside of Flanders and finally shipped onto the coast of
England.

When they reached the coast; it was to see that they were not alone on the
roads; the time of the King's joust was nearing quickly and many of the
Knights and Squires were moving.  This year there was also a noticeable
increase in the number of the common people travelling; far more than in
previous years.

Their entry onto the lands of the Manor became a surprise for both father
and son. The lands that spread out before them had little resemblance to
the ones they had left nearly a year ago.

It was difficult to make out all the changes in so short a time. There were
newly built cottages spread around; each with a small garden patch. In the
fields were more cattle and sheep than had ever run on the old Manor
grounds and, in the tilled fields there were the first signs of harvesting.

Wheat, Rye and Barley seemed to cover the ground in waving seas of golden
stalks. The number of farmers tending to the stock and the planted fields
seemed almost endless. Neither Freeman or Eventide could wait to call on
their new overseer for a report.

As the long train rode through the gates of the Manor; all the staff were
present to welcome them home. This was the first time that Eventide noticed
the number of new faces on the Manor staff. On the top step of the
entranceway stood Huntingdon, beside him was the solid figure of Bodan of
the Western Reaches and now overseer of the Manor lands.

Eventide felt good returning to the place that had changed his life so
much; with all the honours he had been given and the many new friends; he
felt he had been blessed beyond his station and would remain thankful for
the rest of his life.

As they walked up the steps of the Manor House; Freeman greeted both his
most trusted men; Huntingdon left to organise the house while Freeman asked
Bodan to join them for the evening meal; he could make his report after the
meal when both men had time to discuss it all at their leisure.

Eventide and his six brothers headed towards his rooms while Shaun took
charge of the fine Arabic horses; Shaitan being the one that he was most
concerned with. Although the others were of the finest stock; even his
smaller white horse; none were as important to Shaun as Shaitan.

After dinner; Bodan began his report. Freeman was now truly impressed by
the man's talent for organisation. Bodan had called in fifty families that
had all been from the Western Reaches; these were hard working and honest
people who had the gift of farming on some of the poorest of lands; when
asked to work at the Manor; not one family refused. It was the best land
they had ever been asked to work; that and the chance to own a little piece
for themselves; soon sealed the deal for them all.

The return for Freeman was already obvious; the huge fields of grain,
potatoes and beets were already more than he would have dreamt of before
Bodan began his magic and now, he could plainly see the improvement in the
number of stock that roamed the pastures set aside for that.

Bodan had planned well and known how to make the best of the land
available; Freeman was duly impressed and told the man so; Bodan had only
one question of his new baron.

"My Lord, I have not yet set a tithe or rents for the holders; they are all
waiting for your word on this matter?"

"I would ask as a rental on their homes and gardens that each man or boy of
age works eight hours a day for six days and has the seventh day as rest;
this will hold except for the harvest time when; as you well know; we must
get all the crops in before the first rains. The Baron's tithe will be set
as one silver coin per year and they have rights to their homes and gardens
until death takes them or they move from the land."

"My Lord that seems a small price to pay; I have never known a Baron to
tithe so lightly?"

"There is another part to the tithe Master Bodan."

"Speak it My Lord and it shall be done."

"If the time arises I would ask each bowman that is of age to stand by my
side in a time of need or in the defence of the Manor lands; this is the
second part of the tithe Master Bodan.'

"Then the price is even more acceptable to my people, My Lord; the bowmen
will await your call if needed."

"Thank you Master Bodan; now for yourself and those who work the
harvest. For harvest time each man, woman and child that works to bring in
the harvest will be paid six coppers per day as extra for the added work;
for yourself; you will receive an added two silvers as overseer. In the
second year; as I see you have already increased my stock by a third; each
family will receive one milk cow as added payment if the harvest then is as
good as it looks this year."

"That seems far too much My Lord; far more than any other of the nobles
would offer common folk?"

"What price do you put on loyalty, Master Bodan?"

"There is no price; My Lord."

"Exactly; I would like these same families to be watching and working over
this land when my son takes over; that is loyalty Master Bodan."

"Thank you My Lord, I shall pass on to the people your generosity; I have
little doubt they will still be on the land when your son is Baron."

"Now Bodan; that's all the business I wish to discuss this night; come and
sit here next to me while Huntingdon finds us something to warm the blood;
I would like to hear how your family is doing."

The two men sat alone as Eventide and the others had left after all the
business had been completed; tomorrow was another day and the trail home
had been a long and slow one; a good night's rest was what they all really
needed.

Three days passed and Eventide was seen working tirelessly in the huge
library. When darkness was near; Eventide left his desk and returned to the
dining hall just in time to see an old and familiar face sitting with
Freeman.

Eventide bowed and salaamed to the Emir who immediately stood and returned
the welcome before smiling widely and opening his arms to hug the smaller
boy.

"And how does my Kahlif feel about another battle with the squires of
England?"

"I am hoping we can win once again; Elder Brother. I thought my brother
would be with you?"

"He is following in another ship; he said it was your instructions but
would not enlarge on it."

"Oh I thought he would just sail with you and bring the extras on other
ships; I did not realise he meant to travel with them as well."

"He would not say what he was doing; perhaps you can enlighten us both with
your plans for this year's joust?"

"I would like to your Highness but then the surprise would be lost. I think
both you and my father will like what we have in store this year."

Eventide's roguish smile told both men absolutely nothing of his plans;
that he had plans for the joust was never in doubt; in all the time they
had known the youngster; he had never failed to amaze them with his
deviousness in planning a battle.

"Did you know that the King has allowed the Squires to use their horse this
year?" Freeman asked his son.

"Yes father; I have taken that into the consideration of the plan of
battle."

"Will there be an opportunity for us to make a little wager again?" Saed
asked with a chuckle in his throat.

"I would hope so Elder Brother; I am sure the common folk would appreciate
any help they can get in their lives."

The general chatter went on for another hour before Eventide called it a
night and retired to his bed. The next day was the one where they began to
prepare to leave the Manor and move to the King's castle for the joust; as
yet there had still been no sign of Mahmud; Eventide appeared to not be
worried and evaded all questions about this fact.

It was only a few days later that found everyone in the jousting arena for
the vows to the King. As normal the Squires gave their vows first; it was
also noticeable that this year there were more than one hundred and fifty
Squires; it was a large increase on the previous year.

When it came time for the people to swear to the King; one of the older
boys from the year before came forward. There were only two of the older
boys from the last joust as the others were now over the age for them to
battle.

The boy stepped forward with the mass of common boys behind him; there was
also an increase in numbers and many of them looked to be very young but;
all showed they wanted to fight.

The older boy stood in front of the others; after bowing and touching his
forelock to the King, he said.

"My Liege, we the people stand under your colours to fight with honour and
to protect your colours with our lives."

"Well said you man; and whom do we call?"

"My name is Kent, son of the Tanner and your humble servant my Liege."

The King turned to the expectant Robin who stood beside the throne holding
the red banner with the gold dragon.

"Squire Robin; protector of our banner; go and stand with the people and
protect our colours as is your duty."

Robin bowed and took the banner down to stand beside Kent; as the colours
appeared on the field there was a mighty roar from the commoners watching
closely around the arena. It was also noticed that the Knights and squires
did not share the same show of enthusiasm; their defeat in the last joust
was still a sore point among them.

It was well known that this year, there would be the added use of the
Squire's horses in the charge; everyone could see the looks of confidence
on the faces of the Squires the extra weight of a full charge would give
them. This year they would all redeem their honour.

The King looked around for the only two still missing; he did not have long
to wait.

From the crowd stepped one of the Bedou; he was dressed in his usual blue
flowing robes. Salud walked to the front of the dais that held the King,
the Emir and Freeman; as the King's champion. Salud bowed low and salaamed
before he lifted his head to speak.

"Your Highness; I am Salud, servant to the Kahlif of Wadhi Sufaria; it is
my duty to stand for my brother the Kahlif Mahmud Sal-A-Hadin. Due to
travel problems he will not be able to appear here today but will join the
people's army on the day of the joust; if that be within the rules of the
joust."

"It is within the rules and is acceptable to us."

Salud bowed and walked to the side to give space for the last to
swear. Eventide appeared as he had been during the battle last year. He was
dressed in the same striped trews with his hair pulled back in a single
plait; this time he also had painted on the blue woad and it took less than
a second for the whisper to spread around the field of commoners.

"The blue warrior is with us."

Those sitting on the dais smiled at the sound of the whisper and watched as
Eventide bowed low then straightened.

"My Liege, I; Eventide stand for the People under the Kings colours and
swear to fight for the honour of the people and in defence of the King's
colours."

"Welcome once again Blue Warrior; we are glad to see you standing for the
colours once more. Do you have a cavalry this year; you will need it I
fear?"

"My Liege; the people cannot gather a cavalry; I fear the collection of
animals is beyond us but; we will still fight for the King's honour never
the less as is our duty."

"Then I can only wish you luck; Eventide, Baronet of Lancaster; I fear you
will sorely need it this year."

Eventide bowed and walked over to join all the common boys at the far end
of the field; there was now only the naming of the battle ground and the
commoner's selection of which end to hold. Although it was common knowledge
where the battle field was, it was still held as a formality.

The King stood and all fell silent to hear his proclamation.

"The Squires battle will be held in the Valley of Bones; I would ask Kent
of the people's army to select his ground?"

Kent stepped forward and; after a quick glance at Eventide, he turned back
and spoke in a clear strong voice.

"My Liege; we the people would select the western end of the Valley."

Everyone looked at the boy as he stood waiting for approval; it did not go
unnoticed by the King or the others with him; that the boy had once again
selected the end of the Valley of Bones that had a slight rise to
defend. It was also noticed by many that the Squires could not believe
their ears.

The area selected by the commoners, while slightly higher than the rest of
the valley; it was also far wider and would be harder to defend against a
full horse charge; smiles began to break out on all the faces of the
squires while the King got only a worried look on his face; his people had
taken the hardest area to defend as their ground. For the first time, the
King began to think they had made a mistake; perhaps this year he would
lose his colours.

The rest of the swearing was soon over and it was time for the great feast
to celebrate the opening of the joust; very few people noticed the
newcomers amongst the large crowd of boys as they all feasted well and
talked about the upcoming battle.

As the days passed and the battle grew closer; Freeman and Saed again
noticed how little they saw of Eventide or any of his brothers; that there
were plans afoot was plainly obvious but; what those plans were, neither
man had a clue and Eventide was as closed mouth as ever.

On the day of the battle; the usual tent on one side of the valley was set
up for the King and his friends; on the opposite side the top of the rise
was covered in thick trees and could not be used by any of the many
spectators.

It did not take long for wagers to start being offered and taken up as the
many mounted squires appeared to take their end of the long wide valley.

At the western end there was little save for a short tower built of thick
tree trunks; it was topped off with five banners and two small figures
standing on top. Lower down the western end of the valley were twenty small
groups of boys that carried small bucklers and the short flails they had
used last year.

The boys stood beside a cart loaded with what looked like hay; at the side
of the cart was a small metal pot that appeared to be smouldering. The King
turned to Saed and Freeman.

"Well what do you make of all this; I think our wagers may be in doubt this
year my friends."

"I really don't know, Your Majesty; but if I know my son at all then he has
something planned." Freeman replied.

"I feel I am missing something; I'm not sure what it is but the valley does
not look right." The King replied.

Freeman looked all over the valley until finally a smile began to touch his
lips.

"What is it?" The King asked.

"Was there not a stream that ran down this side of the valley?"

"Of course there is; there has always....." The King stopped and looked
closer. "Where has the stream gone?"

"It appears to be on the other side of the valley."

"But that can't be?"

"Well My Liege; there it is flowing gently down the other side." Freeman
pointed in the direction of the new stream.

"Then we will have to wait and see what your son has come up with this
time."

The King looked around once again and then coughed.

"What is that at the western end; it almost looks as though the rise has
been increased in height, but that again is impossible."

Freeman looked harder at the distant western end of the valley; again a
smile moved over his lips.

"It would look like some kind of covering; perhaps a netting of some sort
but with strips of coloured cloth to disguise it."

"I really don't know what that son of yours is up to Baron, but he has my
attention."

The usual red banners were flying on the other side of the valley; calls
and cheers rang out as the first fell and the Squires tested their charge
by trotting a little down the valley and lowering their long wooden lances
as a threat to the small group of boys crouched alone in the field.

It was obvious the Squires meant to win the King's colours this year; they
were all outfitted in light armour; not as heavy as a full knight but far
heavier than the previous year; they would be hard to attack and beat when
they got hand to hand with the lightly armed boys on the valley floor.

Eventide and Robin stood alone on the wooden tower; at each corner flew the
four banners of Eventide, Lancaster, the Caliphate and the black banner of
Jihad; at the centre stood the King's banner where the two boys stood.

As the red banners fell the cheers and calls got louder; the Squires were
only too ready for a good solid charge at their enemy or the few they could
see; the smaller boys on the valley floor held little hope of holding the
Squires in any form of defence. The wagers were now well underway and coins
were changing hands almost with abandon.

As the last banner fell, the Squires started their charge; with a long flat
valley before them, they had no intention of taking it easy on anyone that
got in their way; even the rising ground at the western end would do little
to slow such a charge.

From the other end there was little movement; the small group of boys at
the centre and the two boys on the short tower had not made a move of any
kind.

The thunder of the charge could be heard even above the loud cheers of the
many Knights watching; their squires looked good and in full control as
they kept their three lines tight and straight; their long wooden lances
held upright as they gathered speed for the final contact with their
unready enemies.

By the time the Squires were within a hundred paces of the boys; over the
noise came the sound of the cows horn trumpet. First it was a low sounding
note and then it rose higher; at the cessation of the note, the boys on the
valley floor took up the smouldering pots and threw them onto the carts of
straw. With a speed that surprised many; the boys took to their heels and
disappeared into the high trees on the far side of the valley.

It took almost no time at all for the carts of straw to catch fire; as the
Squires drew closer the carts began to emit a thick column of dense black
smoke that began to move towards the Squires as well as covering anything
they could see ahead of them.

The eastern end of the valley soon became covered in the dense and foul
smelling smoke with the Squires and their horses disappearing into its
centre.

As the Squires became covered in smoke and covered from the western end;
the cow horn sounded again in a long single blast. What had thought to be a
single screen, turned out to be three different ones; the first one fell to
reveal a long line of young men with wicker shields and long wooden
pikes. At their front was a solid fence of thick wooden staves buried into
the ground to form a defensive wall that no horse would be able to climb.

The boys with the long pikes stood above the wall and would be able to stop
anyone from trying to climb over. Above them was another stave wall and
behind that were bowmen; but not any bowmen.

For the first time in battle; everyone got to see the long bow; thirty
young teens stood in line with the new bows; ranged in front of them were
another thirty younger boys with the normal Persian bows; the new boys were
strangers to everyone but Freeman.

When the third and last covering fell; it disclosed a vicious line of
sharpened stakes set up as a barrier around what could now be seen as a
taller tower than at first thought; also behind the barrier were more boys
armed with shields and long wooden swords.

While the Squires were still hidden in the thick dark smoke and the younger
boys had fled the field; a short three note call was heard from the cow
horn trumpet; very few noticed the sudden cessation of the water flowing
down the left hand side; for those who took notice it was not long before
they saw why the water no longer flowed.

The King turned to Freeman.

"Are those the long bows I've heard so much about; they look to be too big
for those boys?"

"Yes Sire those are the long bows of the Reaches."

"Who are those boys then that they could bring them here?"

"They are the sons of some of my tenant farmers, Sire."

"Then they are entitled to be here; I am beginning to look forward to this
battle and to see those bows in action."

"Then we should not have long to wait, Sire."

The men looked to where the Squires had been covered in the thick smoke; a
gentle breeze had blown up and everyone began to see the disruption the
smoke had caused.

All of the Squires were still having trouble containing their mounts; the
smoke had obviously not been to the horses liking and they had broken
stride and, in some cases; lost their riders.

The chaos on the field was now more apparent as the smoke thinned and
finally dissipated. The squires were in total disarray and any chance of
reforming a good line was lost; even though they still had a full three
hundred paces to where the solid line of pike men stood waiting for them.

Unfortunately for the Squires, the field was now being flooded by a torrent
of water flowing freely from a narrow trench cut across the full front of
the defenders. It was obvious that the stream had been diverted into the
small trench; how the defenders had accomplished this feat was only known
to those who planned it all.

Slowly the Squires began to reform but it was easily seen they no longer
had the same open enthusiasm after what had happened. It was also noticed
that some of the Squires were on their hands and knees retching from the
effects of the smoke.

For the hundred plus squires left astride their mounts; it seemed ages
before they could reform and start their charge again; this time however;
there did not seem to be the same fire in their bellies as they lined up
and began to move forward.

There were those amongst them that had been there last year and they were
now very wary about what was to come. The charge regained some speed as
they closed on the waiting line of pike men; it was not to be.

No sooner had they straightened their line than the sound of arrows in
flight took their notice; being as far from the pike line as they were;
very few looked up; they were still well out of range of any bowmen; they
had never met the long bow.

Before they came abreast of the smoke carts; arrows began to rain down on
them with power; although the shafts were blunted, it did not stop the pain
of being hit or the horses bucking as they were stung time and time again
by the longer shafts.

As before, the Squires had to lift their shields to protect themselves from
the rain of arrows that should not have been able to reach them at this
distance.

The charge again was broken although the front line worked hard to
continue. It was soon noticed that the front line was now racing through
water and, not long after; those watching saw the horse begin to throw up
large wet clumps of sod.

The charging horses were soon no more than a hundred paces from the first
line when it happened. Those on the front line of the charge were suddenly
finding themselves and their horse ploughing into deeper and deeper mud; it
was not long before the horses were belly deep and unable to move; their
riders caught under a hail of blunted arrows that had increased as they
came within range of the thirty boys with Persian bows.

Only those Squires that had been too slow to get to the front of the
charging line were spared the ignominy of being trapped in the viscous bog
the others now found themselves in; for them it was only the hail of arrows
that slowed them.

As those at the rear were trying to work out how to attack an enemy that
could not be reached through a veritable bog; the cow horn blew a long high
pitched note.

Only those watching saw what happened next; for the Squires it was like a
nightmare as; from the trees above them came a horde of weird and strange
animals with riders mounted high on top.

No one had ever seen an animal like it nor could they believe the speed
that the animals could move at. The riders were all dressed in black and
were waving wooden scimitars above their heads. The animals were even more
terrifying.

Four impossibly long legs were surmounted by a thick round body with; of
all things; a hump on their backs. In front of the hump sat the rider with
one leg tucked under the other as they urged more speed from their unusual
mounts; they did not have long to wait.

With the sound of high pitched ululations echoing around the valley; the
black clad riders drove in among the Squires; for the well mounted Squires
it was like their worst dream; the vile smell of the animals, the loud
ululations of their riders and the surprise was complete.

The horses of the squires were now more afraid of the strange beast than
they were of the orders from their riders. Squires began to be unseated as
the weird animals fell amongst them; wooden scimitars cleaved left and
right as the strange cavalry set panic amongst those who had not fallen
into the trap of the bog.

There was nothing the front line could do; for those Squires who tried to
dismount and attack on foot; there was only one result; they like their
horse sank to their waists and were trapped in the mire; those who had not
entered the bog were now being easily pushed step by step into the mire.

At the sound of the cow horn trumpet and the loud yells of charging
defenders as they left their protective walls; the Squires knew they were
beaten; on one side they were being set upon by unholy beasts and the other
was the trap of the bogs and the closing mass of commoners.

Like any sensible soldier; most saw there was no way to win and began to
throw down their arms and surrender; for those who thought there was a
faint hope of glory; there was only pain and fear.

At the arrival of the foot soldiers of the commoners; all of whom had been
well versed in running only on the edges of the bog; and led by a young
teen painted in blue woad and riding a jet black horse; the Squires had
only one thought; they could not win and none wanted to tempt an ending
like the leader of last year's Melee.

It was an anticlimax as the Squires all called for an end to their
humiliation once again at the hands of the commoners and the young teen in
blue woad.

At the final call for the Squires to yield the field; all threw down their
arms and knelt in surrender; it had taken less than one hour for the
people's army to win the day. It was noticed by the King that on the
surrender of the Squires; the stream once again began to run down its old
course; he smiled to himself as he thought of the mayhem that small stream
had caused.

On the battle field; Mahmud dropped his scarf from his face after kneeling
his camel close to Eventide.

"Ho brother; well we made them think twice this time. This was a well
thought out plan even though it was difficult moving the camels in the
night."

"You did well brother; I don't think we will get away with that one again."

"Perhaps they will ban us from the melee next year?"

"Then we will have to plan ahead for our friends if that happens." Eventide
replied.

Like the previous year; the common army formed ranks and presented
themselves for the King; the five banners flying high

As Robin took the red banner up to stand beside the King; again in victory;
most present did not miss the look of affection Robin received from the
King at once again returning his banner in victory.

It was very noticeable that everyone stayed well clear of the phalanx of
camels as they took up a position at the rear of the parade although all
were now kneeling down as the King stood to congratulate the winners once
again.

Kent was given the place of honour at the front of the common army; it was
for him to receive the thanks of the King on behalf of the people.

Once the speeches were finished; the King then announced the feast of the
Squires; he also asked that the young bowmen of the reaches be present with
their bows as he had many questions for them.

As the crowd left the scene of another defeat for the Squires; all the talk
was on the strange tactics used by the commoner army; the faces of the
Knights and the Squires were the only ones not smiling. The loss of both
the melee and a considerable amount of gold coin; left them with a nasty
taste in their mouths.

At the great feast; the hall was a mass of laughing and shouting young boys
and teens. Up on the high table sat the King, the Emir, Freeman, Mahmud,
Eventide and Kent.

The more the mead flowed; the louder the cheers and laughter; it was only
on the edges of the great hall that the Knights and squires were more
silent than normal for such an occasion.

The King stood and began the giving of honours and the payment as he had
last year; when it came time for the boys of the Reaches to go and receive
their prize; the King called for silence by raising his hands.

"For the first time in our life; we have seen the best bowmen we could ever
hope to see on a battle field. I must admit we did not think you young men
would be capable of pulling such heavy bows but, we were pleasantly
surprised at your skill and accuracy; we would ask if you are accompanied
by those who taught you so well."

One of the boys stepped forward and bowed while touching his forelock; he
then went to one knee.

"My Liege, we are the people of the Western Reaches and work for Baron
Tremaine; it was the desire of Baronet Eventide that we stand with him this
day. Our teachers and parents are outside the castle awaiting our return."

"Then that is not good enough; we will call them to our tables as they
should also be rewarded for their skill in teaching you such a valuable
skill."

The King turned to one of his pages and sent them off to find the waiting
adults after asking Freeman for the name of the Elder teacher of the boys
from the Reaches.

The presentation of awards and payment continued while they waited; each
bowman received the gold coin and then were offered the red sash of the
King's bowmen along with the offer of places in the King's army should they
want it.

As the last boy went back to his table; the page returned a little red
faced and went to bow in front of the King.

"Yes?"

"My Liege; there are a number of strangers that say they are the men of the
Reaches and Moors that wish for an audience; they also state they are the
teachers of the young bowmen but are all painted in Woad just like the
Baronet Eventide. My Liege; they are all armed and are led by one who
claims to be a Druid although we all know the last Druid died many years
ago."

The King looked at his friends around the table; all showed looks of
interest; if the page was certain then there was only one way to find out.

"You will tell the guard to admit them but too keep watch on the arms the
visitors carry."

The page bowed again and turned back to the large double doors. The King
retook his place and waited for the entrance of the newcomers; the day had
already been the scene of many new surprises; one more would make little
difference.

When the great doors were opened; there came a sudden hush in the great
hall; even the Knights held their breath as they saw the large group of men
standing in two ranks outside the door.

It was not only their numbers that caused the silence; it was their mode of
dress. At the head of the two ranks of men stood one with a brown robe; the
hood pulled up over his face.  Those behind were all bare chested and their
long hair was fixed in a single braid. They all wore the same green and
brown striped trews that Eventide had worn and held a long bow in their
hands.

Across their forehead was the same dark blue woad and their chests showed
the swirls of the same patterns. The robed man in the front began to walk
down the wide hall his face still unseen. Over one shoulder he carried
something wrapped in old brown cloth while in his right hand was a thick
staff of well worn Oak. In the crook of his left arm he carried another
wrapped parcel.

The men filed silently along behind the robed man; at their head was
Boden. When all were close to the top table; they all knelt down with bowed
heads; all except the robed figure.  The King stood and looked at the
strange group.

"Welcome strangers; we would ask you to reveal yourselves as this is a
feast to celebrate the accomplishments of our young people; we would ask
you to join our celebrations after you have told us who you are?"

The robed figure stood straighter, then; with a flick of his staff; he
threw back the cowl and revealed his face. Freeman took one look and smiled
widely; he had seen that face a long time ago and; while it was a little
older, it held the same distinct sense of worldly knowledge.

"Your Highness." The robed figure began. "I am called Kendrik of the Moors;
I am also the Druid to the ancient Royal House of Carliegh and have come to
pay homage to the last Prince of the Royal House of the Iceni."

"The Iceni? They were defeated and destroyed by the Romans long ago."

"Your Highness, while there is one man standing on the Western Reaches or
the Moors there will always be Iceni. When the Romans defeated Boadicea
those that were left went to the Reaches; we have survived there over the
centuries and have waited for the return of our Prince; that time has come
and we are here to give him his place."

"And whom might that be?"

"The Lord Baronet Eventide Tremaine. We have looked over all our records
and have concluded he is the rightful heir to the lands and people of the
Iceni. As a final proof of his lineage I would ask permission to ask
questions of him; if it be permissible?"

"If this be true them we cannot forbid such questions. Baronet, do you
agree with this request?"

Eventide looked at the large group of men now all dressed as he had been
for the battle; somewhere deep inside he felt a stirring; was it really
possible he was descendant from a Royal line. Feeling a little numb;
Eventide stood and nodded his head.

Kendrik knelt down and bowed to Eventide; after placing the items he had
carried in with him on the floor; Kendrik stood back up and looked Eventide
in the eye; his lined face was like a mask of stone but his first words
took everyone by surprise.

"Your Highness; we the forty five chiefs, four councillors and the carrier
of the bow and myself, humbly apologise for the questions we must
ask. Should the answers be true we will bow our heads for your sword;
should the answers be not true we must take the head of the claimant; to
this do you agree?"

There was a sudden uproar in the great hall as everyone stood and began to
yell loudly; were they seriously thinking of beheading Eventide. It was the
raised hands of the King that finally brought silence in the hall but it
did not stop the undercurrent of angry whispers to stop.

Eventide looked at the Druid with disbelief; did they really want to take
his head; and he had thought his life had changed; it felt as though he was
in a no win place. It was obvious that if he refused to take the questions
or test they fully intended to have his head; if he took the test and lost
the result would be the same.

Eventide sighed and took a long look at his new father; was this to be the
last day he had with him; he felt he had been through so much; had climbed
so high and now it could end in one stroke; even the sound of a multitude
of guards rushing into the hall and lining the walls could not take away
the feeling of dread he now had.

Eventide looked around the great hall; all his old friends as well as the
new ones he had made at this year's melee; were watching intently as he
tried to decide; whichever way he decided could only lead to one end and
yet; somewhere deep inside there was a small voice telling him to take the
chance.

Eventide sighed again and; with a glance around the great hall, turned to
the Druid Kendrik.

"If it is to be, then it is to be. I will stand your test."

Kendrik bowed deeply and then looked at the fifty men behind him; with a
signal of one hand; the two lines parted and everyone saw a small figure
dressed like the other men walk into the hall. Eventide recognised Gerard
immediately; he must have just returned to England after his lessons about
the new smelting process.

In Gerard's hand was the large Black Bow of Manhood; although he was truly
the keeper until his year of majority; Boden had given him the honour of
carrying the bow before the one they all hoped was the Prince of the Iceni;
if not it would be Gerard's task to use the bow to end Eventides life; it
was the only time the Black Bow could be used to cause death.  It was seen
as an honour for any royal advocate to leave his life to the Black Bow.

Eventide straightened his back and walked down to stand before the Druid
Kendrik.

"What are your Questions, Druid of the Iceni?"

"My Lord Baronet; it has been reported and seen that you have gone to
battle twice dressed as a Woad Warrior; I would ask why you would decide on
such a thing?"

"It came to me in a dream before the first melee."

"How did you know to find the striped trews of the Iceni Warrior?"

"It also was in the dream and I found them in a small shop at the walls of
the castle gate."

"And the blue Woad; where did you find that; it is not common and is not
used by others?"

"It was in the same shop; the old woman told me it would look good with the
trews and showed me how to apply it."

"Why did you plait your hair in a single form?"

"Because it felt right at the time."

"And did it feel right for you to use the cow horn instead of a good
trumpet of metal?"

"Yes." Eventide was now a little nervous although he also thought he had a
chance; he still had his head on his shoulders and none of the kneeling men
had made any attempt to remove it but, the black bow with a knocked arrow
in the hands of Gerard still gave him cause to worry; the arrow was the one
with red fletching.

"I would ask you to unwrap the two bundles and give me the name of those
inside. They are the gifts of the Great Mother and only those of the Royal
blood will know them."

Eventide looked at the Druid with a sense of confusion; if he unwrapped the
items he could easily see what they were and name them; as he looked at the
stony face of Kendrik; he got a sudden thought; perhaps they had a
different meaning than an ordinary name; he had better be careful as he was
not out of the woods yet and that great bow could easily end his life in
the blink of an eye.

Eventide knelt down and began to unwrap the two bundles; the largest one
was round and quite heavy; as he revealed it there was a silence around the
hall.

It was a heavy round shield of old wood and was studded with small bronze
nails; at its centre was a large roundel of bronze with a strange rune
engraved in it. Eventide lifted the shield in his hands and suddenly,
something flashed into his mind.

It was a picture of a large man dressed in the familiar green and brown
striped trews; his long hair flowed behind him and there was a thick bronze
torc around his neck. The shield was on his left arm and he was calling men
to his side; as he did so he said the words `Grandah protect us from the
swords of injustice' The language was nothing Eventide had heard before and
yet he could plainly understand it; his young body shook as he slipped the
shield on his thinner arm; somehow it seemed to fit and the weight was
lifted as though it was meant to be on his arm.

"Its name is `Grandah' the shield that protects the people."

Eventide then knelt down again and unwrapped the second bundle. Inside
there was a bronze sword with finely worked engraving along the blade; next
to that was a short handled axe also of bronze. The handle was old and well
worn and the head was also engraved.

As Eventide lifted each item, he felt as though they belonged in his hands;
it took little time for the picture of the two weapons to came to his mind
and their names he found easy to speak; even though it was in a long
forgotten language that he had never learnt.

"The sword is called `Dalclach' giver of justice and the Axe is named
`Kileigh' render of all who misuse magic. These are the symbols of the
Iceni and the rightful weapons of all who carry the Blood."

Eventide suddenly felt weak as he lowered the weapons; Kendrik quickly went
to one knee and then took from his robe the same bronze torc Eventide had
seen in the first picture that had been around the large man's neck.

"My Prince; I give to your hand the torc of the Iceni Kings; it is yours by
right and all those of the Iceni who remain bow to your will; our heads are
yours to do with as our Prince desires."

Eventide could only stand in stunned awe at these new revelations; where,
how or why he had been chosen was still beyond his understanding; it was as
though some form of magic spell had been cast and he was at the centre of
everything but had little awareness of what it all meant.

Eventide saw that even Gerard was now bowing his head and kneeling; every
man waited for his decision; their heads were now his to command or cut off
as he saw fit; they all waited in silence which also pervaded the great
hall; the revelation of Eventide's true heritage had come as a shock to
everyone.

Eventide stood tall as he looked around the hall; the shocked look on the
faces of the many Knights and nobles in the hall could easily be seen.

"Your heads are safe, men of the Reaches; I would ask you to join our
celebrations if it be the desire of the King."

The King just nodded his head in agreement; how could he refuse a man/boy
that had a title even older than his own claim. It took little time for
more tables and benches to be found for the newcomers although, Kendrik,
Bodan and Gerard along with six others; took station standing behind
Eventide's chair and refused to sit; it was their place to protect their
Prince at all times. Eventide wondered how he was going to keep all his
many guards and new titles around him without confusion.

Unknown to Eventide things were about to change once again when he arose
the next morning but that was for later; for now he had a celebration to
enjoy.

The next morning brought more surprises; his six brothers were still
sleeping on the floor of his rooms as he rose from his bed. The sun had not
yet risen and there was no sign of the early dawn.

With the normal needs of early morning; Eventide made for the small room
where he could relieve the pent up pressure of his bladder. From outside
his door he heard a shuffling sound; pulling his sword from its scabbard
where it lay on a side table; Eventide carefully crept to the door of his
room; even his six brothers had not stirred as he rose.

Carefully he opened the door; his eyes were met with the sight of ten large
Woad Warriors standing in the passageway outside his room. On first
sighting Eventide, the ten men went to one knee and bowed their heads;
Eventide stepped into the passage and asked.

"Why do you guard my door, Warriors of the reaches?"

"It is the duty of every Warrior of the Iceni to protect the Royal line My
Liege; we are but a few of those you can call on at will."

"But I am in the King's castle; no one would dare to attack me here."

"Be that as it may My Liege; it is our duty. Was it not the Romans that
offered sanctuary to your forebears and then turned on them all in the name
of friendship?"

"I would not know; I don't even know if I truly am the prince you speak
of."

"My Liege, only one of the Royal Blood would know the names of the weapons
of old. They are only known by the Royal Druid and members of the Blood."

"I need to speak to Kendrik; where will I find him?"

Much to Eventide's surprise, a soft voice sounded behind him.

"My Liege, you ask for me?"

"Yes Kendrik...uhm...how did you know?"

"The same way that you knew the names from the olden times; we the
fortunate few can see what is ahead; just as you will when you come of age;
until then you are our Prince and only need to ask and it will be done."

"But how am I going to be in so many places at the same time; I have my
duty to my new father and his lands; I also have duties in the holy land as
Kahlif of Sufaria and, now you tell me i have duties to the people of the
Reaches. How can I reconcile all these duties when I am only one boy?"

"My Liege, it is not only the people of the Reaches that are your duty but
also the lands of the Reaches and the Moors. Those lands are all that
remains of the ancestral lands of the Iceni but; those lands we will never
surrender to any invader. To the last man, woman or child; we will defend
them in your name."

"But Kendrik; how can I be in so many places at one time?"

"Perhaps it is time for us to join with your father and discuss this; there
is always an answer for these small problems. Come let us find your father
and then we can settle everything at once."

Eventide could only nod his head and follow Kendrik along the passageway as
they went towards Freeman's rooms. Eventide also noticed the ten Warriors
were close behind and ever watchful.

It almost appeared that Freeman was waiting for them when they gently
knocked on his door; the two guards standing outside barely blinked when
they saw the large group approaching them.  From inside they heard
Freeman's voice call for them to enter.

Eventide entered the room to see Freeman sitting in a chair as though
waiting.

"Well my son, or should I say; Your Highness; things certainly seem to
change quickly around you; to what do I owe this honour of an early morning
visit?"

"Father." Eventide began as Kendrik found another chair close to
Freeman. "I don't know what to do; Kendrik said i should come and ask you."

"And why would that be?"

"If what Kendrik says is true then how can I carry out all my duties? I
still have much to learn about your lands and then there are the duties of
Kahlif, now Kendrik tells me I have land in the reaches; what do I do?"

"We look at the options available to us and work from there. First let's
ask Kendrik what he would do if he had so many duties to perform."

Kendrik looked at the two; his first duty was to his Prince.

"My Liege, Baron Tremaine; it is not unusual for one of the Royal Blood to
have more duties than he can perform alone, if I may suggest something that
may make it easier for our young Prince?"

"Please do."

"Those families that remain in the Reaches are all of the last of the true
blood Iceni. By tomorrow they will know of the return of the Royal Blood
line; if My Liege wishes he can nominate a regent to watch over them until
he himself can appear and take the throne. In the fashion of the Iceni, a
regent can be named but must have also another five men nominated as a
council to protect the throne until the rightful heir can lay full
claim. For the lands that you have made him heir to; then I see no reason
why My Liege cannot continue as he has so far. I would ask only that My
Liege returns to the reaches with us soon, so he can lay his claim and we
can have time to show him his duties to the people; it would be at this
time that he can name a regent and council."

"That seems a good solution; what do you say Eventide?"

"It sounds right but what of my Brothers of the Bedou; I cannot just tell
them to go home; they have sworn an oath that they cannot break?"

Kendrik was the first to answer.

"They are your brothers; they will be welcomed into our homes and onto your
lands as brothers should be."

"Then that is what we will do; I'll go to the Reaches and meet the people
and form a council with a Regent; after that I wish to return to Sufaria as
there is still unfinished business with those Knights and the attack on the
Emir's caravan."

"Good, I will begin preparations for you My Liege." Kendrik replied; he
then stood and bowed low to Eventide before leaving the room. Freeman
looked at his son; the boy had grown fast in the last year and few months
and now he had the duties of a Royal Blood line to work through.

"Well my son; or should I say; Your Highness, what are you going to do
now?"

"I'm still your son and prefer it to any title father. I think I should do
as Kendrik asks; I'll go and tell Mahmud about it all and when he can
expect to see me at Sufaria; I'm worried about those Knights that attacked
the Emir's caravan; I'm sure that is not over with yet."

"That's a good idea but, be careful when you return to Sufaria; I would not
be surprised if the church tried to start a second crusade; the King is
trying to stay out of it, but sometimes other things can change a Kings
mind and not always for the best. If it comes to a second crusade you will
have to make a hard decision; if that happens then follow your heart and
you will know you have done right."

"Yes father; thank you I will do as you suggest."

Freeman was surprised as Eventide left his chair and wrapped his young arms
around him and hugged tightly; it was almost as though the boy was saying
his goodbyes, but Freeman knew that was not it; the boy could barely
remember his own true parents and now he was Prince of a people thought to
be long gone. It was a lot for a young boy to take in and comprehend to its
fullest.

It was two days later; the day after the Knights melee; that saw a large
procession leaving the King's castle. At its head rode Eventide mounted on
Shaitan and beside him was the small figure of Shaun mounted on his pure
white horse.

Next came the six blue clothed figures of his brothers and, behind them
came a long line of blue painted warriors which numbered almost thirty. At
their head rode Bodan with Gerard by his side. Kendrik had ridden out two
days before to prepare the people of the Reaches for the return of their
Blood Prince.

While Gerard carried the black bow in its cover; Bodan carried the three
weapons of the Royal House. When Eventide stood before the people he would
wear those ancient weapons as proof of his claim.

The trip took three days before they came into sight of the border of the
Western Reaches; standing guard at the edge of the vast moors, stood a
group of blue painted men; their numbers even impressed Eventide who had
seen large groups of soldiers before but, these men had a toughness about
them that even made him nervous.

Standing at the head of the large group was Kendrik, now dressed in goat
skins with a rough woollen cloak thrown over his shoulders; on his feet
were to Eventide's eyes; strange black furred boots; it was then that
Eventide saw the other men were also wearing the strange boots.

Eventide now knew these were the men called Moor Runners; each carried a
long bow as well as a short axe in their leather belts; there was no sign
of any shield or other protection.  Eventide was impressed by the toughness
shown on the men's faces.

It surprised Eventide that the men, as soon as they saw him; bent a knee
and bowed their heads; all waited for his command but Eventide did not know
what to say; to see so many tough men waiting for him to speak was almost
unnerving; fortunately for Eventide, Kendrik stood and stepped forward.

"My Liege; these are the Moors Runners and they are at your command; they
will escort you through the many bogs to the place of gathering where most
of your people will await you."

"Thank you Kendrik; how long will it be?"

"Four days My Liege; we have made arrangements for your travel in each
hamlet; the place of gathering is being prepared and cleaned; it has been
many years since a member of the Blood has been there but, it will be ready
by the time you arrive. With your leave, My Liege; I will go ahead to make
sure all is ready."

"Thank you Kendrik."

"It is my duty, My Liege; until we meet at the gathering place."

Kendrik bowed low and then left at a loping and smooth run; it belied his
age and looked to be effortless to Eventide's eyes.

The many Runners now stood and gathered as an extra protection for Eventide
and his group; at the head was Bodan; he was not only keeper of the black
bow but also a chieftain in his own right and held higher rank than others
of the runners; it was also plainly obvious he knew his way around the
moors as he led the large contingent into the depths of the lands few
others would enter.

Eventide did not know what to expect when he was told the first hamlet was
only a short way ahead. What met his eyes could only tell a story of
hardship and poverty. On a piece of land that had painstakingly been built
by hand, was a raised area within the shaking ground of the bogs. A small
group of huts made from wattle and daub sat in a circle and on the very
edge was a small pen with three pigs inside.

The people that bowed low as he appeared; were dressed in animal skins and
looked to be underfed; all the children looked almost feral as they looked
up at the splendour of the Princes entourage. A man who Eventide surmised
was the headman of the small hamlet; rose and stepped forward; his head
bowed in respect.

"My Liege; we have little but what we have is yours to command. I have
given orders for one of our pigs to be killed in your honour."

"Thank you but, no; you have little enough as it is; save your pigs I will
have men sent out to forage for our meal. Bodan!"

"My Liege?"

"Send men out to find food for us all and the villagers; it is not our
place to make hardship for the people."

"As you command, My Liege."

Bodan began giving orders and in no time at all the men of the Moors had
disappeared leaving only Eventide and his brothers along with Bodan and
Gerard with the villagers. The head man bowed to Eventide again.

"My Liege, if you will take my hut to rest; we will prepare for the cooking
of anything that is found."

"I thank you for your kindness but I and my brothers can camp outside for
one night; your home is yours and should not be given away just for me. If
you would have your people prepare fires then it is enough for us all."

"It shall be done as you command, My Liege."

Eventide and the others who had stayed behind dismounted and found a place
to sit and wait for the foragers to return; they did not have long to wait.

The first of the foragers was soon back with a large wild boar on his back;
it had already been gutted and cleaned. It was to be one of four that soon
came in; along with the wild boar were two deer, a large basket of big eels
and two baskets of other mixed fish.

The women of the small village were soon hard at work as they prepared the
great mass of fresh food; what was not eaten this night would be given to
the villagers when the large group moved on in the morning.

The feasting went on into the late evening; for most villagers, it was the
first full belly they had had in a long time; it quickly cemented their
belief in the new Prince of the Blood.

Over the next days; Eventide was to see other villages of a similar nature
although one had progressed to using stone for their huts and was situated
on more solid ground. Each time they stopped for the night; Eventide was
greeted as a Prince of the Blood and protector of the people; his first act
at the first hamlet had soon spread around the rest of the moors; he was
welcomed warmly wherever he stopped.

Finally they were approaching the gathering place. Eventide was impressed
with what he saw. It was not like the small wattle and daub hamlets he had
been seeing so far; this was another place altogether.

As best as Eventide could guess; they had traversed the moors and were now
closer to the Western shore line; before him stood the ruins of a once
great castle. What surprised Eventide even more was the great mass of
people filling the large clearing of what he assumed was once the courtyard
of the ruined castle.

Most of the people looked to be dressed the same as those in the first
hamlet, although there were others who were better off than some; most
appeared to be similar. Kendrik stood at the centre waiting for him; he was
once again dressed in the robe of a Druid and carried his long oaken staff.

Just before they had entered the grounds of the ruin; Bodan had asked
Eventide to change into his Iceni garb; Bodan had also helped him with
painting on the woad. With his new dress, Eventide carried the shield,
sword and axe as he rode into the centre of the courtyard and stopped
before Kendrik.

As he stepped down onto the stones of the courtyard; Eventide was presented
with the sight of every man, woman and child bowing to him and kneeling on
one knee; only Kendrik remained standing but he also had bowed his head.

Eventide was close enough to Kendrik to hear the man whisper quietly to
him. Eventide looked around and repeated what he had heard Kendrik say.

"People of the Western Reaches; I ask you to stand and show yourselves as
true descendants of the Iceni."

Eventide waited for everyone to stand up and all turned to see him. Kendrik
then took over.

"People of the Iceni; all of our chieftains as well as myself as last Druid
of the Royal House; have for more than one full year; searched for proof of
claim for this boy. We have all concluded that the boy known as Eventide is
of the true Blood of the old ones and carries the true blood. People of the
Iceni; this is your true Prince; the last of the true Blood; all bow to
Eventide Carliegh; last prince of the Blood and our leader in all things
from this sacred site to the far reaches of the moors. Let he who would
dispute his claim step forward and challenge."

Everyone stood silently as Kendrik waited for any challengers; there was
little hope of that coming true and they all knew it. After a short time,
Kendrik began again.

"And so it is done. I call for all present to lay their vows and fealty to
Prince Eventide Carliegh; rightful heir to the lands and people of the
Iceni."

What followed was a long procession of people; even the youngest child
stepped forward to vow their support and fealty. Eventide was astonished by
the number of people; it seemed that the Reaches were far more heavily
populated than anyone would guess.

It was late in the afternoon before the last person swore their oath. By
this time the long day had taken toll of Eventide and he was decidedly
tired but he knew there was more to come; the preparations for a great
feast had not gone unnoticed by Eventide nor his friends waiting close by.

The feasting went on into the late hours of the night; as well as the food,
there were competitions of arms by the warriors and a new game Eventide had
never seen called wrestling; it was where two men tried to throw each other
to the ground, blood seemed to be a part of this new game and sometimes
even a broken bone.

By late in the evening; Eventide was ready for his bed; surrounded by his
six brothers and a large contingent of Woad Warriors; he was escorted to
the large tent that had been set up for him; he was glad to be able to
finally lay down and close his eyes. The thought of five more days of this
gave him goose bumps but; as Kendrik had explained, it was expected so he
could not refuse.

They had talked about how to make his time to fit in with so much he now
had to do; to this end, Kendrik suggested they spend the next morning
discussing what could be done and making plans for when he had to be away
from his true people.

For Eventide it looked as though the next few days were going to be just as
hectic as any others he had lived through but; for now sleep was the only
thing on his mind. With his six brothers around him in the tent and a stand
of ten Warriors outside; Eventide lay down and closed his eyes on another
busy day.


TBC.