Conflict and Courage Read Online Free PDF

the law.
The Council of Argyll had decreed that all able-bodied citizens
must learn how to fight. Arthur Knott the blacksmith was still
churning out swords and knives and his goods found a ready market
especially among those souls who were moving away from the more
populous areas around Settlement.
    At Settlement
the three saw that the scars of battle were fading, the
grave-mounds grassing over, wild flowers seeding, a promise of
heart-ease for those mourning the loss of families and friends.
They often sighted lone Lind. They were searching.
    It took
Geraldine, Mislya and her brother Jsei time to make the journey
through Argyll, a journey taken in a leisurely manner out of
deference to Mislya’s recently healed wounds on her back
hindquarters that still made running difficult. If it had not been
for her hurts would have searched out Wilhelm long before. They
knew that Louis and Ustinya had gone on a private errand on behalf
of Jim and Larya, they would catch up if they could, but Mislya
didn’t expect to see the two until they were all on their way back
home.
    As the three
ran, Mislya’s thoughts were about her intended human. She had
noticed Wilhelm during the battle and admired his expertise with
the short sword Robert Lutterell’s infantry had used to such effect
against the Larg kohorts on that fateful day. He had killed many
Larg. What would she do if she couldn’t persuade him to come with
her? Mislya approached the farmstead where Wilhelm Dahlstrom and
his family had staked their claim with a great deal of
trepidation.
    ”You think this
man will wish to bond?” asked Jsei of his lisya as they halted to
get their breath and tidy up. The Dahlstrom Farm was beyond the
next hill.
    “Francis asked
him if he would consider being our Weaponsmaster and he refused,”
agreed Geraldine as she combed and brushed the large female. Mislya
wanted to look her best and Geraldine was combing out the tangles
from her coat with due care for the areas where her skin was still
tender.
    “That was
before,” Mislya replied with a confidence she did not feel.
    “I don’t think
it’ll be easy,” said Geraldine, “he told Francis he had signed on
with the colony to farm, not to train children to kill.”
    “That was
before he met Larg,” was Mislya’s logical reminder. “Vada needs
him. I need him. Many more will die if we not get good
training.”
    Geraldine
paused in her ministrations and looked at them both.
    “Do you want me
to make the first move?” she asked. “Perhaps the man feels that his
duty is here in Argyll with his family. Robert Lutterell asked him
to help train the militia and he refused that offer as well. Said
he knew as little about infantry formation fighting as Robert
himself. They fight with the short sword and I don’t think he ever
felt comfortable with it.”
    “Precisely,”
said Mislya, “is why he must teach Vada. Our riders fight
with long sword.”
    “We’re asking
him to give up a lot,” persisted Geraldine.
    Mislya and Jsei
flicked their tails at her.
    “He will
realise that must join with Mislya. It is for the good of his
rtathen. What other choice is there?” countered Jsei.
    Geraldine
laughed. “We humans are not as self-sacrificing as you Lind. A
fault, you might think, but we haven’t had the benefit of your
upbringing.”
    “We will appeal
to his sense of what is right and true,” said Jsei and turned to
Mislya, “did you sense strong thoughts from this man during
battle?”
    “Chaotic, but
yes,” she answered. “This why I say to Asya she must let me go and
find him. Only then will he realise what we ask of him and why we
need him.”
    “We’ll give it
our best shot,” decided Geraldine. She stood back and surveyed her
handiwork. “You look beautiful Mislya. How could Wilhelm
resist?”
    Mislya eyed her
mischievously as she shook the hairs of her luxurious pelt into
place.
    “If you both
ready,” she informed them, “I think we will go now if we want to
arrive