Druids Read Online Free PDF Page B

the shadows beyond the hearth, trying to keep my mouth closed and my ears open.
    Nantorus asked about me. “What plans have you for this tall lad, Menua? Shouldn’t he be out training to replace his father on the battlefield?”
    Menua chuckled. “Perhaps I’m saving him to eat when our supplies run low again.”
    Nanlorus laughed too, then sobered. “I hope you don’t say things like that when the Roman traders are around. They don’t understand druid humor; they might carry back tales of Camutian man-eaters.”
    “Romans.” Menua twisted his mouth with distaste. “The Greeks were better. I remember those we used to see in my youth, long-headed men with a nice appreciation for irony and sarcasm. I would no more joke with a Roman than I would with
    a bear. Who could understand me better,” he added.
    “I see you still dislike the Romans.”
    “I merely meant I would be careful what I said around them, as you yourself just advised,” Menua replied. My ears had grown sensitive to his tone; I detected the faintest stiffness, a guarded quality that had not been there before.
    Nantorus turned toward me.’ ‘Your father was a good man with a shortsword. Are you?”
    “Ainvar may have other gifts,” Menua interjected smoothly. “He is apprenticed to me, for now.”
    ” You intend to make a druid out of a potential warrior?” Nantorus did not sound pleased.
    “We have a number of warriors. But every generation there are fewer druids.”
    Nantorus fixed me with his eyes. “I revere the druids as must we all, Ainvar, but surely you are aware that honors and status within the tribe are won in battle. You might aspire to be a prince someday with men of your own at your command.
    “The value of a druid is the equal of a prince, because of his worth to the tribe,” I replied.
    Menua’s face remained impassive, but there was a smile in his
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    voice when he said, “The lad knows the law. I’ve beaten it into his head.”
    “Have you? And is there anything else in that head? Or is it, as I begin to suspect, solid rock? If it is rock I want him for a warrior, Menua; hardheaded men are worth their weight in salt when someone tries to bash in their skulls.” Suddenly Nantorus reached out and caught me by the ears. He pulled me toward him until he could look deep into my eyes.
    I made myself meet his scrutiny without flinching.
    “Those eyes!” He released me and passed a hand across his face as if to wipe out the sight of me. “Those eyes!” he repeated. “They are like doorways opening onto endless vis-tas, Menua. …”
    “Extraordinary eyes,” the chief druid agreed. “I think whatever is in him is worth exploring before it is lost to a spear thrust or a sword slash. Don’t you agree?”
    The king nodded slowly. He still seemed shaken. “Perhaps. Still … he will be a big man, and he comes from the blood of fighters … Tell me, Ainvar: Is there nothing about being a warrior mat interests you?”
    “There is one question I would like to ask.”
    “Yes?” said Nantorus eagerly. “What is it?”
    “You are a champion with both sword and sling,” I reminded Nantorus. Young as I was, I knew that kings never object to flat-tery.
    “I am.” He stroked his moustache.
    “Then you are the person to tell me. Why is a stone thrown from a leather sling so much more deadly than one thrown by hand? I’ve always wondered.”
    “Why?” Nantorus opened his eyes very wide. Once or twice he started to say something, then stopped. He shook his head, a rueful smile forming beneath the brown moustache. ‘ “This one is all yours, chief druid,” he said. “I should never have questioned your decision to keep him.”
    But be did not answer my sincerely meant question. He was just a warrior. He did not know,
    The two men shared cups far into the night, discussing tribal matters and the concerns of men. As I had not passed my manmaking, I was not invited to join mem.
    I resented being excluded. There was