Stones of Power 02 - Last Sword of Power Read Online Free PDF Page A

these mounts are at least two hands taller than our own horses, and they are bred for speed and stamina.'
    'Ursus brought something else you might like to see,' said Prasamaccus. 'Come, it will interest you.' The King seemed doubtful, but he followed the limping Brigante back to the paddock gates.
    Here Ursus bowed once more and led the group to the rear of the herdsmen's living quarters. In the yard behind the buildings a wooden frame had been erected -curved wood attached to a straight spine, representing a horse's back. Over this Ursus draped a stiffened leather cover. A second section was tied to the front of the frame and the prince secured the hide, then returned to the waiting warriors.
    'What in Hades is it?' asked Victorinus. Ursus lifted a short-bow and notched an arrow to the string.
    With one smooth motion he let fly. The shaft struck the rear of the 'horse' and, failing to penetrate fully, flapped down to point at the ground.
    'Give me the bow,' said Uther. Drawing back the string as far as the weapon could stand, he loosed the shaft. It cut through the leather and jutted from the hide.
    'Now look, sire,' said Ursus, stepping forward to the 'horse'. Uther's arrow had penetrated a mere half-inch. 'It would prick a good horse, but it would not have disabled him.'
    'What of the weight?' asked Victorinus.
    'A Sicambrian horse could carry it and still work a full day as well as any British war-horse.'
    Gwalchmai was unimpressed. The old Cantii warrior hawked and spat. 'It must cut down on the speed of the charge - and that is what carries us through the enemy. Armoured horses? Pah!'
    'You would perhaps think of riding into battle without your own armour?' snapped the prince.
    'You insolent puppy!' roared Gwalchmai.
    'Enough!' ordered the King. 'Tell me, Ursus, what of the rains? Would they not soften your leather and add to the weight?'
    'Yes, my lord. But each warrior should carry a quantity of oiled beeswax to be rubbed into the cover every day.'
    'Now we must polish our horses as well as our weapons,' said Gwalchmai, with a mocking grin.
    'Have ten of these . . . horse jerkins . . . made,' said Uther. 'Then we shall see.'
    'Thank you, sire.'
    'Do not thank me until I place an order. This is what you are seeking yes?'
    'Yes, sire.'
    'Did you devise the armour?'
    'Yes, my lord, although my brother Balan overcame the problem of the rain.'
    'And to him will go the profit for the wax I order?'
    'Yes, my lord,' said Ursus, smiling.
    'And where is he at present?'
    Trying to sell the idea in Rome. It will be difficult, for the emperor still sets great store by the marching legions even though his enemies are mounted.'
    'Rome is finished,' said Uther. 'You should sell to the Goths or the Huns.'
    'I would my lord, but the Huns do not buy - they take. And the Goths? Their treasury is smaller than my own.'

    'And your own Merovingian army?'
    'My King - long may he reign - is guided in matters military by the Mayor of the Palace. And he is not a visionary.'
    'But then he is not assailed on all sides and from within,' said Uther. 'Do you fight as well as you talk?'
    'Not quite.'
    Uther grinned. 'I have changed my mind. Make thirty-two and Victorinus will put you in command of one Turma. You will join me at Petvaria and then I will see your horse armour as it needs to be seen - against a real enemy. If it is successful, you will be rich and, as I suspect you desire, all other fighting kings will follow Uther's lead.'
    'Thank you, sire.'
    'As I said, do not thank me yet. You have not heard my offer.'
    With that the King turned and walked away. Pra-samaccus draped his arm over Ursus' shoulder.
    'I think the King likes you, young man. Do not disappoint him.' 'I would lose my order?' 'You would lose your life,' Prasamaccus told him.
*
    Long after Grysstha had returned to his own hut in the shadow of the Long Hall Cormac, unable to sleep, wandered out into the cool of the night to sit below the stars and watch the bats circle the