Fire Bringer Read Online Free PDF Page B

others of the Draila stamped and moved forward.
    ‘But you are present, Captain Brechin,’ said a thin, hard voice. It was Sgorr. ’Don’t the Outriders see you as their lord? You can represent them.’
    ‘Sgorr. You know full well that the captains of the Outriders meet as equals. Equally they must be present if the council is to be called.’
    ‘That may be,’ said Sgorr, smiling, ‘but isn’t it strange that such a respected Outrider cannot come when the Lord of Herds asks? Is nothing sacred any more?’
    Sgorr’s tone was sly and sneering.
    ‘Lord Drail,’ said Brechin. ’All the herd knows that one of my hinds, Eloin, is very close to her time. The pregnancy is proving difficult and I had to attend to her first. Perhaps even the captain of the Draila can understand that?’
    ‘I only understand,’ said Sgorr coldly, ‘that Captain Brechin shows little respect. Perhaps he forgets that the council comes before any other matter in the herd. Besides, isn’t it strange that he spends so much time with a hind?’
    As though on cue the Draila nodded and snorted.
    ‘As I’ve said,’ continued Brechin calmly, ‘this is no council, so I cannot see—’
    ‘Silence, Brechin,’ cried Drail suddenly. ‘You forget yourself. Now I have something to say to you, all of you. Captain Brechin, you are an example of just how little respect is shown in the herd. It is time that stopped, time some changes were made. First and most importantly Anlach will be with us soon enough, so the members of the Corps should know that I, in consultation with Sgorr and the Draila, believe that it is dangerous and wasteful to the strength of the herd that there should be such regular challenges for the lordship. And as for the choosing of hinds. . .’
    The wind had dropped now and Drail’s voice sang in the moonlight. If the members of the Corps had not been rooted to the spot by the sheer enormity of what they were hearing they might have noticed a group of thirty or so Draila moving silently through the heather behind them.
    ‘Therefore,’ bellowed Drail, ‘the members of the Draila have voted that I should continue to guide you for three more summers at least.’
    Drail paused to listen for the effect of his words as the Draila began to close in around him. They had already heard the news. Brechin stood quite motionless. He didn’t know whether to laugh or shout. Indeed he could hardly understand what Drail was saying. Not even he had suspected that Drail would try this. To hold himself in place without even a challenge! It was unthinkable. It meant – Brechin tried to weigh up the idea – it meant abolishing Anlach. It was like abolishing the forest itself.
    Across the home valley a hind, heavy with her fawn, winced in pain. Nearby an old doe came forward but Eloin stamped and told her to stand off. Eloin lifted her head and sucked at the air. Her muscles tightened and she started to shake. Around her the forest and the stars and the great moon began to swim before her eyes.
    ‘No. It is unthinkable. You cannot. It is against all the laws of Herne.’
    Brechin was speaking now, in a clear, strong voice. The thunder of his words made even the assembled Draila stir uneasily.
    ‘It is already done, Brechin,’ said Sgorr, stepping forward and baring his teeth, ‘and many of the herds in the Low Lands have accepted Drail’s command.’
    ‘You’re a fool, Sgorr,’ shouted Brechin. ’The Corps will never allow it. And you,’ he continued, turning suddenly to address the younger stags, ‘listen to me. Drail has gone mad.’ But as he said it Brechin started. From the darkness antlers were emerging on all sides. Lines of Draila were flanking them everywhere. Their heads were lowered and their antlers prone. The trap had been sprung; they were completely surrounded. For a moment irresolution wavered up and down the Corps.
    ‘You were saying, Captain Brechin?’ sneered Sgorr.
    ‘No,’ shouted Brechin. ’If the Corps