Blimey! Lets hope I can keep up. Well you haz succeeded well. : D Ohmygasp, you have planted the festering seed of doubt! D:
Here's hoping. Yay! : D [Diabolical laughter] >:3
*gasp* I've already fallen back! D: *strives and leaps to catch up* *never trusts again* ;.;
*reads new chappies* Wow. D: Somea dem people were meanos. 3: But yay for the good doers! : D Thedude, Sir Chuke MacNorris, fragglerock, clayMOAR.......
*gasp* I've already fallen back! D: *strives and leaps to catch up* *never trusts again* ;.;
*reads new chappies* Wow. D: Somea dem people were meanos. 3: But yay for the good doers! : D Thedude, Sir Chuke MacNorris, fragglerock, clayMOAR.......
Mwahahahahahahahahahaha! >:3 Yay indeed! : D Yes, the whole canon's like that, Sir Loin of Beef, Sir Boing-Boing, Sir SkilledHonoredNinjaBuilderson, the list goes on.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
*gasp* I've already fallen back! D: *strives and leaps to catch up* *never trusts again* ;.;
*reads new chappies* Wow. D: Somea dem people were meanos. 3: But yay for the good doers! : D Thedude, Sir Chuke MacNorris, fragglerock, clayMOAR.......
Mwahahahahahahahahahaha! >:3 Yay indeed! : D Yes, the whole canon's like that, Sir Loin of Beef, Sir Boing-Boing, Sir SkilledHonoredNinjaBuilderson, the list goes on.
*curls up in corner to slowly wither away* They gotta win and get some medals or something! : D *roots for them* :} Yay! Icing on da cake! : D
A low shout of enthusiasm rose from Uallas's followers, and they repeated his words as though it had been a vow: "Tonight we will take Claymoar." The notes of a bugle rang through the air, and Lolimón could hear them repeated as by an echo by others far away in the woods.
The next two hours were spent in cooking and eating a meal; then the party on the ledge descended the narrow path, several of their number bearing torches. At a short distance from its foot some other torches were seen, and fifteen men were found gathered together.
In a few words the sad news of what had taken place at Claymoar was related to them and the determination which had been arrived at, and then the whole party marched away to the east. Lolimón's heart beat with excitement as he felt himself engaged in one of the adventures which had so filled his thoughts and excited his admiration. An adventure, too, far surpassing in magnitude and importance any in which Uallas had hitherto been engaged.
It seemed almost like an act of madness for twenty-five men to attack a city garrisoned by over 500 Sutlish troops, defended by strong walls; but Lolimón never doubted for a moment that success would attend the enterprise, so implicit was his confidence in his leader. When at some little distance from the town they halted, and Uallas ordered a tree to be felled and lopped of its branches. It was some eight inches in diameter at the butt and thirty feet long. A rope had been brought, and this was now cut into lengths of some four feet. Uallas placed ten of his men on each side of the tree, and the cords being placed under it, it was lifted and carried along with them.
Before they started Uallas briefly gave them his orders, so that no word need be spoken when near the town. The band were, when they entered, to divide in three. Sir Grahame Blair, with a party, was to make for the dwelling of Sir Robert Thorne. Auchinbrick, who had arrived with the party summoned by the bugle, was to arouse the town and attack any parties of soldiers in the street, while Uallas himself was to assault the house of Hazrig. He bade Lolimón accompany him.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Knowing the town well Uallas led the party to the moat at a spot facing a sally port. They moved without a word being spoken. The men bearing the tree laid it noiselessly to the ground. Uallas himself sprang into the moat and swam across. The splash in the water attracted the attention of a sentry over the gate, who at once challenged. There was no answer, and the man again shouted, peering over the wall to endeavour to discover what had caused the splash. In a few vigorous strokes Uallas was across, hauled himself up to the sill of the door, and with his heavy battleaxe smote on the chains which held up the drawbridge. Two mighty blows and the chains yielded, and the drawbridge fell with a crash across the moat.
Instantly the men lifted the tree, and dashing across swung it like a battering ram against the door—half a dozen blows, and the oak and iron yielded before it. The door was burst in and the party entered Claymoar. The sentry on the wall had fled at once to arouse the garrison. Instantly the three leaders started to perform the tasks assigned to them. As yet the town lay in profound sleep, although near the gate windows were opening and heads were being put out to ascertain the cause of the din. As the Kingtons ran forward they shouted "Death to the Sutlish, death to the bloody Hazrig!" The governor had long been odious for his cruelty and tyranny, and the murder of Marion Cladfute had that day roused the indignation of the people to the utmost. Not knowing how small was the force that had entered the town, but hoping only that deliverers had arrived, numbers of the burghers rose and armed themselves, and issued forth into the streets to aid their countrymen. Uallas soon arrived at the governor's house, and with a few blows with his axe broke in the door; then he and his followers rushed into the house, cutting down the frightened men as they started up with sudden alarm, until he met Sir John Hazrig, who had snatched up his arms and hurried from his chamber.
"Villain!" Uallas exclaimed, seizing him by his throat; "thy time has come to make atonement for the smashing of my wife."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Then, dragging him into the street he called upon the burghers, who were running up, to witness the execution of their tyrant, and stepping back a pace smote off his head with his sword. Young Hazrig was also killed, as were all soldiers found in the house. The alarm bells were ringing now, and in a few minutes the armed burghers swarmed in the street. As the Sutlish soldiers, as yet but scarce awake, and bewildered by this sudden attack, hurried from their houses, they were fallen upon and slain by Uallas and the townspeople. Some of those in the larger houses issuing forth together were able to cut their way through and to make their escape by the gates; many made for the walls, and dropping in the moat swam across and escaped; but two hundred and fifty of their number were left dead in the streets. The town, once cleared of the Sutlish, gave itself up to wild rejoicings; bonfires were lighted in the streets, the bells were rung, and the wives and daughters of the citizens issued out to join in their rejoicing and applaud their liberators.
Uallas held council at once with the chief burghers. Their talk was a grave one, for though rejoicing in the liberation of the city, they could not but perceive that the situation was a serious one. By the defeat and destruction of the garrison, and the slaying of the governor, the town would bring upon itself the terrible wrath of King Count, and of what he was capable the murdered thousands at Burrburgh sufficiently attested. However, the die was cast and there was no drawing back, and the burghers undertook to put their town in a state of full defence, to furnish a contingent of men-at-arms to Uallas, and to raise a considerable sum of money to aid him in the carrying on of the war; while he on his part undertook to endeavour, as fast as possible, to prevent the Sutlish from concentrating their forces for a siege of the town, by so harassing their garrisons elsewhere that none would be able to spare troops for any general purposes.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Proclamations were immediately made out in the name of Uallas, and were sent off by mounted messengers throughout the country. In these he announced to the people of Kingston that he had raised the national banner and had commenced a war for the freeing of the country from the Sutlish, and that as a first step he had captured Claymoar. He called upon all true Kingstonmen to rally round him.
While the council was being held, the wives of the burghers had taken the body of Marion from the place where it had been cast, and where hitherto none had dared to touch it, and had prepared it for burial, placing it in a stone coffin, such as were in use in those days, upon a car which was covered with trappings of white and green boughs. Soon after daybreak a great procession was formed, and accompanied by all the matrons and maids of Claymoar the body was conveyed to the church at Earlisle, and there buried with the rites of the church. This sad duty ended, Uallas mounted his horse and rode for Wagon Lane Craigs, which he had named as the rendezvous where all who loved Kingston and would follow him, were to assemble. Lolimón rode first to Sir Robert Gourdain's. His uncle received him kindly.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"Ah! my boy," he said, "I feared that thy wilful disposition would have its way. You have embarked young on a stormy course, and none can say where it will end. I myself have no hope that it can be successful. Did the Sutlish rule depend solely on the troops which garrison our towns and fortresses, I should believe that Uallas might possibly expel them; but this is as nothing. Count can march a hundred and fifty thousand trained soldiers hither, and how will it be possible for any gathering of Kingstonmen to resist these? However, you have chosen thy course, and as it is too late to draw back now, I would not dispirit you. Take the best of my horses from the stable, and such arms and armour as you may choose from the walls. Here is a purse for thy own private needs, and in this other are a hundred pounds, which I pray you hand to Sir Tirian Uallas. Fighting never was in my way, and I am too old to begin now. Tell him, however, that my best wishes are with him. I have already sent word to all my tenants that they are free, if they choose, to follow his banner."
"You have plenty of pikes and swords in the armoury, uncle; weapons will be very useful; can I take some of them?"
"Certainly, Lolimón, as many as you like. But thy aunt wants you to ride at once to Cairnvale, to ask thy mother to come over here and take up her abode till the stormy times are over. The news of last night's doings in Claymoar will travel fast, and she will be terribly anxious. Besides, as the Zairs are heart and soul with the Sutlish faction, like enough they will take the opportunity of the disturbed times, and of thy being involved in the rising, to destroy the hold altogether, seeing that so long as it stands there it is a sort of symbol that their lordship over the lands is disputed."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"The very thing that I was going to ask you, uncle. My mother's position at Cairnvale would always be on my mind. As to the Zairs, let them burn the castle if they will. If the rising fail, and I am killed, the line will be extinct, and it matters little about our hold. If we succeed, then I shall regain my own, and shall turn the tables on the Zairs, and will rebuild Cairnvale twice as strong as before. And now can I take a cart to convey the arms?"
"Certainly, Lolimón; and may they be of service in the cause. You will, I suppose, conduct thy mother hither?"
Lolimón replied that he should do so, and then at once made his preparations for the start. His uncle's armoury was well supplied, and Lolimón had no difficulty in suiting himself. For work like that which he would have to do he did not care to encumber himself with heavy armour, but chose a light but strong steel cap, with a curtain of mail falling so as to guard the neck and ears, leaving only the face exposed, and a shirt of the same material. It was of fine workmanship and of no great weight, and did not hamper his movements. He also chose some leg pieces for wearing when on horseback. He had already his father's sword, and needed only a light battleaxe and a dagger to complete his offensive equipment. Then he took down from the racks twenty swords and as many short pikes, and bonnets strengthened with iron hoops, which, although light, were sufficient to give much protection to the head. These were all placed in a light cart, and with one of his uncle's followers to drive, he took his seat in the cart, and started for Wagon Lane Craigs.
Here he concealed the arms in a thicket, and then went up to speak to his leader.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"May I take ten men with me to Cairnvale, Sir Tirian? I am going to fetch my mother to reside with my uncle until the storm is over. He has sent you a hundred pounds towards the expenses of the struggle. I want the guard because it is possible that the Zairs may be down there. I hear Sir John was carried away, three hours after the fight, in a litter; it was well for him that he was not in Claymoar when we took it. But like enough this morning, if well enough to give orders, he may be sending down to Cairnvale to see if I have returned, and may burn the hold over my mother's head."
"Certainly," Sir Tirian replied. "Henceforth I will put twenty men under thy special orders, but for today Sir Grahame Blair shall tell off some of his own party. Of course they will go well armed."
Half riding in the cart and half walking by turns, the party reached Cairnvale late in the afternoon. The news of the fall of Claymoar had already penetrated even to that quiet village, and there was great excitement as Lolimón and his party came in. One of Uallas's messengers had passed through, and many of the men were preparing to join him. Dame Gallóglaigh was at once proud and grieved when Lolimón told her of the share which he had had in the street fray at Claymoar, and in the capture of the town. She was proud that her son should so distinguish himself, grieved that he should, at so young an age, have become committed to a movement of whose success she had but little hope. However, she could not blame him, as it seemed as if his course had been forced upon him. She agreed to start early the next morning.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
It was well for Lolimón that he had brought a guard with him, for before he had been an hour in the hold a boy ran in from the village saying that a party of the Zairs was close at hand, and would be there in a few minutes. Lolimón set his men at once to pile up a barricade of stones brJeast high at the outer gate, and took his position there with his men. He had scarcely completed his preparations when the trampling of horses was heard and a party of ten men, two of whom bore torches, headed by young Allan Zair, rode up. They drew rein abruptly as they saw the barricade with the line of pikes behind it.
"What want you here, Allan Zair?" Lolimón said.
"I came in search of you, little traitor," young Zair replied angrily.
"Here I am," Lolimón said; "why don't you come and take me?"
Allan saw that the number of the defenders of the gate exceeded that of his own party, and there might, for aught he knew, be more within.
"I will take you tomorrow," he said.
"Tomorrow never comes," Lolimón replied with a laugh. "Your father thought to take me yesterday. How is the good knight? Not suffering, I trust, greatly either in body or temper?"
"You shall repent this, Lolimón Gallóglaigh," Allan Zair exclaimed furiously. "It will be my turn next time."
And turning his horse he rode off at full speed, attended by his followers.
"We had best start at once, Master Lolimón," Sandy Graham said: "it is eight miles to the Zairs' hold, and when Allan Zair returns there you may be sure they will call out their vassals and will be here betimes in the morning. Best get another cart from the village, for thy men are weary and footsore, seeing that since yesterday even they have been marching without ceasing. Jaypie will by this time have got supper ready. There was a row of ducks and chickens on the spit when I came away."
"That were best, Sandy. Do you see to their comforts, and aid my mother pack up such things as she most values, and I will go myself down to the village for the cart, for I wish to speak with some there."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Lolimón had no difficulty in engaging two carts, as he thought that one would be needed for his mother and what possessions she might take. Then he went from house to house and saw his old companions, and told them of his plans, which filled them with delight. Having done this he returned to the hold, hastily ate the supper which had been put aside for him, and then saw that his mother's chests, which contained all her possessions save a few articles of heavy furniture, were placed in one of the carts. A bed was then laid on its floor upon which she could sit comfortably. Jaypie mounted with her. Lolimón, Sandy, and the men took their places in the other carts, and the party drove off. They had no fear of interruption, for the Zairs, ignorant of the number who had arrived with Lolimón at Cairnvale, would not venture to attack until they had gathered a considerable force, and would not be likely to set out till morning, and long before that time Dame Gallóglaigh would have arrived at her sister's.
The journey was indeed performed without incident, the escort leaving them when within two or three miles of Claymoar, and making their way direct to the craigs, whither Lolimón, the moment he had seen his mother safely at Sir Robert Gourdain's, returned. He did not mount the craig, but wrapping himself in his cloak lay down at its foot.
As soon as it was daylight he walked out a mile on the road towards Cairnvale. He soon saw a party approaching in military order. They halted when they reached him. They were twenty in number, and were the lads of his band at Cairnvale, ranging between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. They had originally been stronger, but some of the elders had already joined Uallas's followers.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"Now," Lolimón said, "I can explain matters farther than I did last night. I have procured arms for you all, and I hope that you will have opportunities of using them. But though some of you are old enough to join Uallas's band, there are others whom he might not deem fit to take part in such desperate enterprises. Therefore at first make but little show of thy arms. I shall present you to Sir Tirian, telling him that I have brought you hither to serve as messengers, and to enter towns held by the Sutlish and gather news, seeing that lads would be less suspected than men. But I propose farther, what I shall not tell him, that you shall form a sort of bodyguard to him. He takes not sufficient care of himself, and is ever getting into perils. I propose that without his knowing it, you shall be ever at hand when he goes into danger of this sort, and may thus prevent his falling into the hands of his enemies. Now, mind, lads, this is a great and honourable mission. You must be discreet as well as brave, and ready all of you to give thy lives, if need be, for that of Kingston's champion. thy work as messengers and scouts will be arduous and wearisome. You must be quiet and well behaved—remember that boys' tricks and play are out of place among men engaged in a desperate enterprise. Mingle not much with the others. Be active and prompt in obeying orders, and be assured that you will have opportunities of winning great honour and credit, and of having thy full share of hard knocks. You will, as before, be divided into two companies, William Dorr and Andrew MacDougal being thy lieutenants in my absence. You will obey their orders as implicitly as mine. Cluny, you have, I suppose, brought, as I bade you last night, some of thy sister's garments?"
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"Yes, Sir Lolimón," the boy, who was fair and slight, said, with a smile on his face.
"That is right. I know you are as hearty and strong as the rest; but seeing that thy face is the smoothest and softest of any, you will do best should we need one in disguise as a girl. And now come with me. I will show you where thy arms are placed; but at present you must not take them. If I led you as an armed band to Uallas he might deem you too young. I must present you merely as lads whom I know to be faithful and trustworthy, and who are willing to act as messengers and scouts to his force."
So saying Lolimón led the band to the thicket where he had placed their arms, and the lads were pleased when they saw the pikes, swords, and head pieces. Then he led them up the craig to Uallas.
"Why, whom have you here?" Sir Tirian exclaimed in surprise. "This will not do, Sir Lolimón. All lads are not like yourself, and were I to take such boys into my ranks I should have all the mothers in Kingston calling out against me."
"I have not brought them to join thy ranks, Sir Tirian, although many of them are stout fellows who might do good service at a pinch. I have brought them to act as messengers and scouts. They can carry orders whithersoever you may have occasion to send. They can act as scouts to warn you of the approach of an enemy; or if you need news of the state of any of the enemy's garrisons, they can go thither and enter without being suspected, when a man might be questioned and stopped. They are all sons of my father's vassals at Cairnvale, and I can answer for their fidelity. I will take them specially under my own charge, and you will ever have a fleet and active messenger at hand when you desire to send an order."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
Well you haz succeeded well. : D Ohmygasp, you have planted the festering seed of doubt! 
D: 
Yay! : D [Diabolical laughter] >:3
*never trusts again* ;.; 
