The Aebeling Read Online Free PDF Page A

in longhouses built in rows along the lake’s edge. The village surprised Conn in its simplicity; there were no palisades or defensive structures of any kind, just a forest full of longhouses, two stories high, built from timbers cut from the huge trees that made up the forest, bamboo, and thatch. The lower level was populated by livestock and workshops, and wooden steps led to the second level which was for living; with thatch roofs and walls made from the local equivalent of wattle and daub. The technology was surprisingly advanced; the Twacuman were obviously master wood workers. That being said, it was what Conn would have imagined an very good Anglo Saxon or Viking village to resemble – excluding they fact that these were very well drained, with ditches carrying away the abundant waste and rainwaters, and raised wooden walkways.
    The next day they continued their journey after fording the lake. The huge lake had very few places to cross in summer but a few more in winter. The alternative was to ride all the way around and that would take days. Derryth had recovered amazingly and was no longer lying in the travois, but now rode alongside Conn and Elva at the rear of the convoy; his injured arm strapped to his chest. Abrekan also rode with them – and continued to ply Conn with questions about the land of Taransay and Alba; it was just as well that Conn was an acknowledged expert on Ancient and Medieval history.
    After his explanation of the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire, Abrekan changed the subject. ‘You do realize that you must be the only Priecuman alive who understands the Twacuman language, don’t you. By the Gyden’s gift, no Priecuman has learnt it as there is no need. I’m not sure what the Wothbora will think of you’.
    ‘Wothbora?’ Conn asked.
    ‘The Wothbora are the spiritual guides of the Twacuman – it is them that speak for and to the Gyden. It is a position of great power and authority.’
    It was late afternoon when they finally arrived at the outskirts of the much large settlement, also on the banks of the great lake. As they rode in, Twacuman gathered to watch them pass. They greeted Abrekan warmly and nodded respectfully to Conn; his rescue of Caewyn was now obviously old news, and once they had seen him, their curiosity sated, they returned to their tasks. In some ways, the pinto mare of Conn’s was of more interest that Conn himself, and a lot of children came out to touch the mare as she passed. She accepted their hands gracefully, but when it was determined that she didn’t have the rumored ‘magic’ of a true Elfina, they left disappointed.
    They arrived in front of what was clearly the biggest building in the village, and a small gathering of people waited for them – led by Caewyn.
    They dismounted; Elva told Conn that she would take care of his animals, as Caewyn collected Conn and Abrekan and escorted them up a long ramp to the second level. Derryth was taken to see the medics, despite his protestations. At the top, they entered a long dimly lit room. The longhouse would have been at least sixty yards long; a large fireplace roared in the center on a huge stone embedded floor, and while most of the smoke escaped through a hole in the ceiling, the rest provided a light fog. Conn tried not to cough – he hated smoke.
    Towards the end of the hall, resting on leather covered pillows, were several elders; with at least fifty others lounging around the room. Caewyn went and hugged a woman who sat in the middle of the group.
    Abrekan also went forward and greeted her warmly, and Caewyn introduced the woman as her grandmother, Brina, Aebeling of Halani. She welcomed Conn graciously as she directed them to sit on cushions placed before her.
    ‘Aebeling, it is my honor to be a guest in your village. I hope that my visit will not trouble you or your people. That is not my intention.’
    Brina laughed a deep laugh. She was genuinely amused at his suggestion. ‘I fear that you