The Eaorl (The Casere Book 2) by Michael O'Neill

friends. ‘How old is she?’
    Aisly paused before answering. ‘She will be sixteen next spring – if you want her for bedda that can be …’
    Conn interrupted her train of thought. ‘No, nothing like that … I was just wondering…’
    By the time Conn was ready to return to his table he had met more people than he could remember – and he was dying for a large tankard of ale. However, he was still to be disappointed and he was led back to the main table where Kiley stood and the room went quiet.
    Kiley, Wealdend of Trokia, granddaughter of a Valkeri wiga, was almost seventy, very old for anyone in Meshech, but still regal and authoritative. She bowed her head to Conn as he arrived, as did the whole court, who were now standing in appreciation.
    ‘Conn il Taransay, Thane of Atrak, and’, she then read from a document handed to her by an official, ‘Thane il Veii, Faleri, Atrak, Rupina, Ebusos, in Lykia and Thane of Barek and Samal in Moetia. You are welcomed to Trokiak as our rescuer – there is little doubt without your archers on our walls and you and your men outside the walls, it would have been little time before we were overrun by our once good friends from the south. You have our heartfelt thanks and you must know that a fitting reward for your service is only yours to request.’
    Conn bowed back, ‘Wealdend, I thank you for the welcome. I was only doing what needed to be done.’
    She smiled back, ‘Be that as it may – many could have stood with you but they didn’t.’ She turned to the crowd. ‘Over these last weeks, I’ve been pleased to assist the Thane to present to the wiga of Silekia and Trokia with medals – to recognize their bravery and service to our people. I would like to present to the Thane a gift of significance.’ She stopped as servants brought forward a wooden box. They opened the case and revealed a sword; it looked like a Gladius; the same size and shape if a little longer. It was a fine weapon, and the scabbard was decorated in gold and silver. She handed it to Conn ceremoniously.
    ‘Conn il Taransay, Thane of Atrak, on behalf of a grateful people please accept this sword. We know little of its history, except to say that we believe that it was manufactured by craeftiga in Silekia some hundred years ago, so it is appropriate that it be given to someone with such strong ties to Silekia.’
    Conn received the weapon respectfully, and as a bladesmith, he noticed immediately two things about it that were unusual. The first was that it had a gem embedded into the pommel – a large one. The second thing was that the gem was not part of the original weapon – it had been added carefully, but much later. There was mystery surrounding the blade. They handed him the box as well and he returned to the table and rested the box on the table he returned the sword to the box.
    Derryth watched him returned the sword and suddenly reached into the case as he was about to close it. He took out a smaller box – it was elaborately carved.
    ‘What’s this?’
    ‘No idea… does it look familiar?’
    ‘No…’ He paused for a moment. ‘Do you mind if I keep it out?’
    ‘Not at all.’
    Conn sat as food and drink was passed around the room. The longhus was very long, and it was packed to the rafters. One guest sitting at the back was Devnet, Aebeling of Gatina. Conn had requested that he be allowed to attend the feast. He was still weak but was recovering quickly, and he would be able to be sent home when the wergild arrived. Later, Conn went to greet him; and he bowed when Conn arrived. He was still too weak to stand.
    ‘Thane, it is a difficult balance when the man responsible for my worst hour is also responsible for life. And while I am grateful for you for saving my life, I am curious why you bothered. Surely I would be better to you dead.’
    ‘One could think that, but it would depend on what you consider my objective to be, Aebeling; but it seems to me that you would be very