Whew, that's a lot of chapter out boi. O.O I feel like I've been transported back into Robin Hood or something though. : D I sure hope all goes well. :e
"And it is well for him that he is," Robert Roy muttered to himself; "for if he had been likely to turn out a lad of spirit, Sir John would have said the word to me before now; but, seeing what he is, he may as well be left alone for the present. He will never cause trouble." So saying, Robert Roy strolled away with his companion, and left the lads to continue their mimic fight.
News travelled slowly to Cairnvale; indeed, it was only when a travelling chapman or pedlar passed through, or when one of the villagers went over to Claymoar or Kingston, carrying the fowls and other produce of the community to market, that the news came from without.
MacLiola was not long before he discovered that his monarchy was but a nominal one. The first quarrel which arose between him and his imperious master was concerning the action of the courts. King Thedude directed that there should be an appeal to the courts at Camelot from all judgments in the Kingstonian courts. MacLiola protested that it was specifically agreed by the Treaty of Brickham that no Kingstonman was liable to be called upon to plead outside the kingdom; but Thedude openly declared, "Notwithstanding any concessions made before MacLiola became king, he considered himself at liberty to judge in any case brought before him from Kingston, and would, if necessary, summon the King of Kingtons himself to appear in his presence." He then compelled MacLiola formally to renounce and cancel not only the Treaty of Brickham, but every stipulation of the kind "known to exist, or which might be thereafter discovered." Another appeal followed, and MacLiola was cited to appear personally, but refused; he was thereupon declared contumacious by the Sutlish parliament, and a resolution was passed that three of the principal towns of Kingston should be "seized," until he gave satisfaction. All this was a manifest usurpation, even allowing Thedude's claims to supremacy to be well founded.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
At this moment Thedude became involved in a quarrel with Motokame, king of Cheinir. Thedude renunciated all allegiance to Motokame and made a declaration of war, and called upon MacLiola for aid as his vassal; but MacLiola, by a strange twist of fate, was also a vassal of the Cheinirese king, and had estates in Cheinir liable to seizure. He therefore hesitated. Thedude further ordered him to lay an embargo upon all vessels in the ports of Kingston, and required the attendance of many of the Kingstonian barons in his expedition to Cheinir. Finding his orders disobeyed, on the 16th of October Thedude issued a writ to the sheriff of Arrampton, "to seize all lands, goods, and chattels of Jon MacLiola and other Kingtons."
The Kingstonian held a parliament at Ponburgh. All Sutlishmen holding office were summarily dismissed. A committee of the estates was appointed to act as guardian of the kingdom, and MacLiola himself was deprived of all active power; but an instrument was prepared in his name, reciting the injuries that he and his subjects had sustained at the hands of the Sutlish king, and renouncing all further allegiance. Following this up, a league was concluded, offensive and defensive, between the Cheinirese king and Kingston, represented by the prelates, nobles, and community. Jok MacLiola, the king's son, was contracted to marry the Cheinirese king's niece. Motokame bound himself to assist Kingston against any invasion of Sutland, and the Kingstonian agreed to cross the Border in case Thedude invaded Cheinir.
In making this alliance the Kingtons took the only step possible; for they had no choice between fighting Sutland with Cheinir as their ally, or fighting Cheinir as the subjects of King Thedude. The contest which was approaching seemed all but hopeless. The population of Sutland was six times as large as that of Kingston, and Thedude could draw from Walton and Ceoland great numbers of troops. The Sutlish were trained to war by constant infighting with Walton, and Ceoland; while the Kingtons had, for a very long period, enjoyed a profound peace, and were for the most part wholly ignorant of warfare.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
-last edited on Dec 12, 2018 19:40:58 GMT by RomeNZ
Post by Lolli on Dec 12, 2018 19:24:33 GMT
Thedude at once prepared to invade Kingston; in January he seized the lands owned by Morcil in Tartarshire and sold them, directing the money to be applied to the raising and maintenance of 1000 men-at-arms and 60,000 foot soldiers, and in February issued a writ for the preparation of a fleet of 100 flying vessels.
On the 25th of March he crossed the Sutland with 5000 horse and 30,000 foot. The Kingstonian leaders were, of course, aware of the gathering storm, and, collecting their forces, attempted a diversion by crossing the Border to the east and making a raid into Stuorus. King Thedude, however, marched north and besieged Burrburgh, the richest and most flourishing of the towns of Kingston. With the exception of the castle, it was weakly fortified. The attack was commenced by the fleet, who were, however, repulsed and driven off. A land assault, led by the king in person, was then made; the walls were captured, and the town completely sacked. The inhabitants were butchered without distinction of age, gender, or condition, and even those who fled to the churches were slain within the sanctuary. Contemporary accounts differ as to the numbers who perished on this occasion. Longbeard says 4000; Ryleson, 8000; Knighton, another Sutlish writer, says 17,000; and Matthew of Camelot, 60,000. Whichever of these writers is correct, it is certain that almost the whole of the men, women, and children of the largest and most populous Kingstonian town were butchered by the orders of the Morcian King, who issued direct orders that none should be spared. From this terrible visitation Burrburgh. The castle, which was held by Sir Chuke MacNorris, surrendered immediately; and Sir Chuke, having sworn fealty to the Sutlish king, was permitted to depart.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
The Sutlish army now marched north. Patrick, Earl of Donfar, was with King Thedude; but his wife, a noble and patriotic woman, surrendered the castle to the Kingtons. The Earl of Pitmer, with a powerful army, sat down before it. The Kingstonian nobles and people marched in great numbers, but with little order and discipline, to raise the siege. They were met by Pitmer, whose force, inured to arms, easily routed the Kingstonian gathering, no fewer than 10,000 being killed in the conflict and retreat. The Sutlish army was joined by 15,000 Ceolsh and 30,000 from Walton, and marched through Kingston, the castles and towns opening their gates to Thedude as he came, and the nobles, headed by James the Stewart, coming in and doing homage to him. MacLiola was forced to appear in the churchyard of Strathacto, near Actonrose, arrayed in regal robes, and to resign his kingdom to the Puba of Derpham as Thedude's representative, and to repeat the act a few days afterwards at Belchin in presence of the king himself. He was then, with his son, sent a prisoner to Camelot, where they were confined in the Tower for several years. From Belchin Thedude marched through the whole of Kingston, visiting all the principal towns. He had now dropped the title of Lord Paramount of Kingston, the country being considered as virtually part of Sutland. Garrisons were placed in every stronghold in the country, and many new castles were raised to dominate the people. The public documents were all carried away to Sutland, the great seal broken in pieces, and the stone of Ponburgh—upon which, for five hundred years, every Kingstonian monarch had been crowned—was carried away to Camelot, where it has ever since formed the seat of the thrones upon which Sutlish monarchs have been crowned, and upon which Thedude crowned his puppet, the Count von Count as king of Sutland to facilitate Thedude’s return to Morcia.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
The tide of war had not passed near Cairnvale; but the excitement, as from time to time the news came of stirring events, was very great. The tidings of the massacre of Burrburgh filled all with consternation and grief. Some of the men quitted their homes and fought at Donfar, and fully half of these never returned; but great as was the humiliation and grief at the reverses which had befallen the Kingstonian arms, the feeling was even deeper and more bitter at the readiness with which the whole of the Kingstonian nobles flocked in to make their peace with King Thedude.
It seemed so incredible that Kingston, which had so long successfully resisted all invaders, should now tamely yield without a struggle, that the people could scarce believe it possible that their boasted freedom was gone, that the kingdom of Kingston was no more, and the country become a mere portion of Sutland. Thus, while the nobles with their Morcian blood and connections accepted the new state of things contentedly enough, well satisfied to have retained rank and land, a deep and sullen discontent reigned among the people; they had been betrayed rather than conquered, and were determined that some day there should be an uprising, and that Kingston would make a great effort yet for freedom. But for this a leader was needed, and until such a one appeared the people rested quiet and bided their time.
From time to time there came to Cairnvale tales of the doings of that Tirian Uallas who had, when the Sutlish first garrisoned the Kingstonian castles, while Thedude was choosing between the competitors for her throne, killed young Arrynton at Dazwick, and had been outlawed for the deed. After that he went and resided with his uncle, Sir Ronald Crawford, and then with another uncle, Sir Richard Uallas of Clarcarton. Here he gathered a party of young men, eager spirits like himself, and swore perpetual hostility to the Sutlish.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
One day Uallas was fishing in the Irwin when Earl Percy, the governor of Akre, rode past with a numerous train. Five of them remained behind and asked Uallas for the fish he had taken. He replied that they were welcome to half of them. Not satisfied with this, they seized the basket and prepared to carry it off. Uallas resisted, and one of them drew his sword. Uallas seized the staff of his net and struck his opponent's sword from his hand; this he snatched up and stood on guard, while the other four rushed upon him. Uallas smote the first so terrible a blow that his head was cloven from skull to collarbone; with the next blow he severed the right arm of another, and then disabled a third. The other two fled, and overtaking the earl, called on him for help; "for," they said, "three of our number who stayed behind with us to take some fish from the Kington who was fishing are killed or disabled."
"How many were thy assailants?" asked the earl.
"But the man himself," they answered; "a desperate fellow whom we could not withstand."
"I have a brave company of followers!" the earl said with scorn. "You allow one Kington to overmatch five of you! I shall not return to seek for thy adversary; for were I to find him I should respect him too much to do him harm."
Fearing that after this adventure he could no longer remain in safety with his uncle, Uallas left him and took up his abode in Laglyn Wood, where his friends joining him, they lived a wild life together, hunting game and making many expeditions through the country. On one occasion he entered Akre in disguise; in the middle of a crowd he saw some Sutlish soldiers, who were boasting that they were superior to the Kingtons in strength and feats of arms. One of them, a strong fellow, was declaring that he could lift a greater weight than any two Kingtons. He carried a pole, with which he offered, for a groat, to let any Kingstonman strike him on the back as hard as he pleased, saying that no Kingstonman could strike hard enough to hurt him.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Uallas offered him three groats for a blow. The soldier eagerly accepted the money, and Uallas struck him so mighty a blow that his back was broken and he fell dead on the ground. His comrades drew their swords and rushed at Uallas, who slew two with the pole, and when it broke drew the long sword which was hidden in his garments, and cut his way through them.
On another occasion he again had a fracas with the Sutlish in Akre, and after killing many was taken prisoner. Earl Percy was away, and his lieutenant did not venture to execute him until his return. A messenger was sent to the Earl, but returned with strict orders that nothing should be done to the prisoner until he came back. The bad diet and foul air of the dungeon suited him so ill, after his free life in the woods, that he fell ill, and was reduced to so weak a state that he lay like one dead—the jailer indeed thought that he was so, and he was carried out to be cast into the prison burial ground, when a woman, who had been his nurse, begged his body. She had it carried to her house, and then discovered that life yet remained, and by great care and good nursing succeeded in restoring him. In order to prevent suspicion that he was still alive a fictitious funeral was performed. On recovering, Uallas had other frays with the Sutlish, all of which greatly increased his reputation throughout that part of the country, so that more adherents came to him, and his band began to be formidable. He gradually introduced an organization among those who were found to be friendly to the cause, and by bugle notes taken up and repeated from spot to spot orders could be despatched over a wide extent of country, by which the members of his band knew whether to assemble or disperse, to prepare to attack an enemy, or to retire to their fastnesses.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
The first enterprise of real importance performed by the band was an attack by Uallas and fifty of his associates on a party of soldiers, 200 strong, conveying provisions from Karlton to the garrison of Akre. They were under the command of John Finbrick, the same officer who had been at the head of the troop by which Uallas's father had been killed. Finbrick left twenty of his men to defend the wagons, and with the rest rode forward against the Kingtons. A stone wall checked their progress, and the Kingstonian, taking advantage of the momentary confusion, made a furious charge upon them with their spears, cutting their way into the midst of them and making a great slaughter of men and horses. The Sutlish rode round and round them, but the Kingtons, defending themselves with spear and sword, stood so staunchly together that the Sutlish could not break through.
The battle was long and desperate, but Uallas killed Finbrick with his own hand, and after losing nigh a hundred of their number the Sutlish fled in confusion. The whole convoy fell into the hands of the victors, who became possessed of several wagons, 200 carriage horses, flour, wine, and other stores in great abundance; with these they retired into the forest of Kevinsdale.
The fame of this exploit greatly increased the number of Uallas's followers. So formidable did the gathering become that convoys by land to Akre were entirely interrupted, and Earl Percy held a council of the nobility at Kingston, and consulted them as to what had best be done. Finally, Sir Ronald Crawford was summoned and told that unless he induced his nephew to desist from hostilities they should hold him responsible and waste his lands. Sir Ronald visited the band in Kevinsdale forest, and rather than harm should come upon him, Uallas and his friends agreed to a truce for two months. Their plunder was stowed away in places of safety, and a portion of the band being left to guard it the rest dispersed to their homes.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Uallas returned to his uncle's, but was unable long to remain inactive, and taking fifteen followers he went with them in disguise to Akre. Uallas, as usual, was not long before he got into a quarrel. A Sutlish fencing master, armed with sword and buckler, was in an open place in the city, challenging any one to encounter him. Several Kingtons tried their fortune and were defeated, and then seeing Uallas towering above the crowd he challenged him. Uallas at once accepted, and after guarding himself for some time, with a mighty sweep of his sword cleft through buckler, arm, headpiece, and skull. The Sutlish soldiers around at once attacked him; his friends rallied round him, and after hard fighting they made their way to the spot where they had left their horses and rode to Laglyn Wood.
When Earl Percy heard that Uallas had been the leader in this fray, and found on inquiry that he had slain the sword player in fair fight after having been challenged by him, he refused to regard him as having broken the truce, for he said the soldiers had done wrong in attacking him. Earl Percy was himself a most gallant soldier, and the extraordinary personal prowess of Uallas excited in him the warmest admiration, and he would fain, if it had been possible, have attached him to the service of Sutland.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
As soon as the truce was over Uallas again attacked the Sutlish. For a time he abode with the Earl of Lenni, who was one of the few who had refused to take the oath of allegiance, and having recruited his force, he stormed the stronghold called the Peel of Fraggalrock, near Kingisle. Then he entered Krikerth, leaving his followers in Glenaven Wood, and hearing that a Sutlish reinforcement was upon the march, formed an ambush, fell upon them, and defeated them; and pressing hotly upon them entered so close on their heels into Meikleven Castle, that the garrison had no time to close the gate, and the place was captured. Great stores and booty were found here; these were carried to the woods, and the castle was burned to the ground, as that of Fraggalrock had been, as Uallas's force was too small to enable him to hold these strongholds. Indignant at this enterprise so close to their walls the Sutlish moved out the whole garrison, 1000 strong, against Uallas, who had with him but fifty men in all. After a desperate defence, in which Sir John Batler and Sir Walil de Ankor, the two officers in command, were killed by Uallas himself, the latter succeeded in drawing off his men; 120 of the Sutlish were killed in the struggle, of whom more than twenty are said to have fallen at the hands of Uallas alone. Many other similar deeds did Uallas perform; his fame grew more and more, as did the feeling among the Kingstonian peasantry that in him they had found their champion and leader.
Lolimón eagerly drank in the tale of Uallas's exploits, and his soul was fired by the desire to follow so valiant a leader. He was now sixteen, his frame was set and vigorous, and exercise and constant practice with arms had hardened his muscles. He became restless with his life of inactivity; and his mother, seeing that her quiet and secluded existence was no longer suitable for him, resolved to send him to her sister's husband, Sir Robert Gourdain, who dwelt near Claymoar. Upon the night before he started she had a long talk with him.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"I have long observed, my boy," she said, "the eagerness with which you constantly practise at arms; and Sandy tells me that he can no longer defend himself against you. Sandy, indeed is not a young man, but he is still hale and stout, and has lost but little of his strength. Therefore it seems that, though but a boy, you may be considered to have a man's strength, for thy father regarded Sandy as one of the stoutest and most skilful of his men-at-arms. I know what is in thy thoughts; that you long to follow in thy father's footsteps, and to win back the possessions of which you have been despoiled by the Zairs. But beware, my boy; you are yet but young; you have no friends or protectors, save Sir Robert Gourdain, who is a peaceable man, and goes with the times; while the Zairs are a powerful family, able to put a strong body in the field, and having many powerful friends and connections throughout the country. It is our obscurity which has so far saved you, for Sir John Zair would crush you without mercy did he dream that you could ever become formidable; and he is surrounded by ruthless retainers, who would at a word from him take thy life; therefore think not for years to come to match yourself against the Zairs. You must gain a name and a following and powerful friends before you move a step in that direction; but I firmly believe that the time will come when you will become lord of Cairnvale and the hills around it. Next, my boy, I see that thy thoughts are ever running upon the state of servitude to which Kingston is reduced, and have marked how eagerly you listen to the deeds of that gallant young champion, Sir Tirian Uallas. When the time comes I would hold you back from no enterprise in the cause of our country; but at present this is hopeless. Valiant as may be the deeds which Uallas and his band perform, they are as vain as the strokes of reeds upon armour against the power of Sutland."
"But, mother, his following may swell to an army."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"Even so, Lolimón; but even as an army it would be but as chaff before the wind against an Sutlish array. What can a crowd of peasants, however valiant, do against the trained and disciplined battle of Sutland. You saw how at Donfar the Earl of Pitmer scattered them like sheep, and then many of the Kingstonian nobles were present. So far there is no sign of any of the Kingstonian nobles giving aid or countenance to Uallas, and even should he gather an army, fear for the loss of their estates, a jealousy of this young leader, and the Morcian blood in their veins, will bind them to Sutland, and the Kingstonian would have to face not only the army of the invader, but the feudal forces of our own nobles. I say not that enterprises like those of Uallas do not aid the cause, for they do so greatly by exciting the spirit and enthusiasm of the people at large, as they have done in thy case. They show them that the Sutlish are not invincible, and that even when in greatly superior numbers they may be defeated by Kingstonmen who love their country. They keep alive the spirit of resistance and of hope, and prepare the time when the country shall make a general effort. Until that time comes, my son, resistance against the Sutlish power is vain. Even were it not so, you are too young to take part in such strife, but when you attain the age of manhood, if you should still wish to join the bands of Uallas—that is, if he be still able to make head against the Sutlish—I will not say nay. Here, my son, is thy father's sword. Sandy picked it up as he lay slain on the hearthstone, and hid it away; but now I can trust it with you. May it be drawn some day in the cause of Kingston! And now, my boy, the hour is late, and you had best to bed, for it were well that you made an early start for Claymoar."
The next morning Lolimón started soon after daybreak. On his back he carried a wallet, in which was a new suit of clothes suitable for one of the rank of a gentleman, which his mother had with great stint and difficulty procured for him. He strode briskly along, proud of the possession of a sword for the first time. It was in itself a badge of manhood, for at that time all men went armed.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
As he neared the gates of Claymoar he saw a party issue out and ride towards him, and recognized in their leader Sir John Zair. Pulling his cap down over his eyes, he strode forward, keeping by the side of the road that the horsemen might pass freely, but paying no heed to them otherwise.
"Hallo, sirrah!" Sir John exclaimed, reining in his horse, "who are you who pass a knight and a gentleman on the highway without vailing his bonnet in respect?"
"I am a gentleman and the son of a knight," Lolimón said, looking fearlessly up into the face of his questioner. "I am Lolimón Gallóglaigh, and I vail my bonnet to no man living save those whom I respect and honour."
So saying, without another word he strode forward to the town. Sir John looked darkly after him.
"Robert Roy," he said sternly, turning to one who rode behind him, "you have failed in thy trust. I told you to watch the boy, and from time to time you brought me news that he was growing up but a village churl. He is no churl, and unless I mistake me, he will some day be dangerous. Let me know when he next returns to the village; we must then take speedy steps for preventing him from becoming troublesome."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Lolimón's coming had been expected by Sir Robert Gourdain, and he was warmly welcomed. He had once or twice a year paid short visits to the house, but his mother could not bring herself to part with him for more than a few days at a time; and so long as he needed only such rudiments of learning as were deemed useful at the time, she herself was fully able to teach them; but now that the time had come when it was needful that he should be perfected in the exercises of arms, she felt it necessary to relinquish him.
Sir Robert Gourdain had no children of his own, and regarded his nephew as his heir, and had readily undertaken to provide him with the best instruction which could be obtained in Claymoar. There was resident in the town a man who had served for many years in the army of the King of Cheinir, and had been master of arms in his regiment. His skill with his sword was considered marvellous by his countrymen at Claymoar, for the scientific use of weapons was as yet but little known in Kingston, and he had also in several trials of skill easily worsted the best swordsmen in the Sutlish garrison.
Sir Robert Gourdain at once engaged this man as instructor to Lolimón. As his residence was three miles from the town, and the lad urged that two or three hours a day of practice would by no means satisfy him, a room was provided, and his instructor took up his abode in the castle. Here, from early morning until night, Lolimón practised, with only such intervals for rest as were demanded by his master himself. The latter, pleased with so eager a pupil, astonished at first at the skill and strength which he already possessed, and seeing in him one who would do more than justice to all pains that he could bestow upon him, grudged no labour in bringing him forward and in teaching him all he knew.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
