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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
"Its evil that has come among us." Nosnra stated flatly to
his witan. "Its evil that breaks Eadwig's spirit. You are strong
Engenulf, and you know much, but you are not your father." he caught
the angry flash in his friends eye. "And I am not Tofig, but I tell
you, he would have done as I do now, and Engulfen would have stood
beside him."
"I stand beside you." said Engenulf.
"No my friend, you obey me." Nosnra said sadly, "there is a great
difference." He cast a lonely eye across the hilltop. The crowd of
warriors had dispersed, the majority followed the pair that carried
Eadwig to a cell, they were young, as was Eadwig and while loyal to their
thegn, the sub-chief was as an older brother to them. Nosnra did not doubt
that had the fight gone against him. it would be his body, lifeless most
likely, that the warriors would be dragging away.
The Steading looked peaceful enough, no harm had come to the
walls or roof, or to most within, just two of his kindred, like his own
sons, that he could not allow to rest.
* * *
Once again the chiefs hall was filled, but a sober calm had
silenced the gathering. Word of Huon's and Eadnoth's fate had spread, as
well as the tale of Eadwig's fight, defeat and imprisonment in the
dungeon of the Keeper. The chief saw defiant looks here and there, but
these were an older bunch than those who lionized his sub-chief. Many here
could have been Eadwig's sire, but even those, older in years, had a
fondness and respect for their youthful leader.
Few male giant young were of the sub-chiefs age, a sickness had
come that defied the spells of the aging witan, Engulfen, and babes and
moters both had died. For five seasons, young brides had joined the ranks
of kindred dead, the pyres burnt on and on. Yet matrons who had birthed
before survived, and girl children lived, though only one in three, but
each year would pass and not a single son would see an hours span upon
the oerth.
Engulfen aged a year for every kindred dead and in the end he set
a pyre, he offered up himself, his life, so that one son might live
and break the curse. A wailing babe was born that day, Eadwig, Tostig's
son, though he soon became the son of all the clan. His birth saw the end
of the deadly spell, Engulfen's sacrifice had proved it s worth.
* * *
"Yes" said Nosnra to the leaders of the clan. "Eadwig has fallen
too."
"But chief..." a bald greybeard began.
"There is nothing to be said. Its done, his fate is set. He lives
or dies, but his time among the clan is over."
"Exile!" cried Engenulf.
"Had I lost and lived, such would be my fate" Nosnra replied.
"Enough! He will be given time, but when he rises and walks again, he
leaves."
"But..." Engenulf sought to change his old friends mind.
"No!" His voice was harsh. "I said enough, I will not hear more.
Those who wish may share his fate, speak now and leave this hall, or
raise their hand against me. Who challenges my right to rule?" He faced
the all, defiant and without fear. No voice called out, no giant
moved, though some lowered heads or looked away, torn at heart between
thegn and kin.
* * *
(To Be Continued)