The Marquis by Michael O'Neill Page A

mother had been cast out at that time – and being a girl, her daughter went with her. She also refused to become bedda to her father’s choice.’
    ‘You can refuse?’
    She nodded. ‘Once – but only once. She then had no choice about who she could become bedda to. He father was disappointed at her rejection that he gave her to an old friend – the Folctoga of the Town Guard, a man three times her age. Twice is fine, three times is insulting.’ She stood to go. ‘I will leave you – there are other desirous of your attention in completely different ways than I…’
    It was consequently very late when Conn returned to the barracks to sleep off the bad alcohol. In the morning he found Derryth in the kitchen nursing a cup of coffee. He poured one for Conn as he arrived. He seemed to begrudge sharing.
    ‘When are supplies coming from Meshech? We are running out. I could only carry so much – and the Marquis of Sumy has taken a liking to coffee as well. I had to give him some.’
    The Twacuman had no vices. None. Until Conn introduced coffee that is. Derryth could only be described as addicted, and his trade with Halani from Lykia was larger than any other market. Halani had actually invited miners into their demesne so that they had gold to buy coffee. Derryth had serious withdrawals whenever he ran out.
    ‘Njil should be here soon. He was due in Subari ten days ago. As soon as he reloads he should turn up here. He has the special cargo as well. I’ve asked Wystan for assistance organizing space on the docks but I’m unsure that the port is large enough as there are a lot of Ancuman vessels waiting to leave. Wystan has almost completed the inspections of all of the ships to ensure that nothing of value is taken, and they should start leaving tomorrow but it might take some time for Njil to unload… ’
    ‘That’s alright. I’ll go to him.’
    With Conn’s arrival, the Ancuman ships were able to depart, on his approval. After an extensive meeting with Wystan, he gave his approval and it wasn’t long before the first vessel started to make its way out of the port. On the conclusion of the meeting, Conn went to the donjon to meet some of the more senior Ancuman on their last day in Samria. He arrived as the bedda and children of the ‘deceased’ Dagrun were meeting with the Wealdend. Dagrun had three bedda – with two small children, including a boy. It seemed that they were most upset that Dagrun’s sister was now Wealdend, and they were demanding to know how they could be treated the way they had – not only to be confined to their rooms, but also to be summarily thrown out of Samria.
    ‘For your own protection.’ Efilda responded, ‘The Border Guard saved your lives. Some people blame you for what happened to their family members just three years ago. If you wish, you are free to go to the port without guards…’
    They declined but still protested. ‘What happened was not our doing – the assassins were only defeated because of us – without us you would all be dead!’
    ‘That is what you would like us to believe. But my child who died at their hands do not share your views.’
    ‘And you would expel your heir – this boy’ one pointed to her son that she held in her arms ‘is the rightful heir no matter what you say. You are too old to bear children – there will be no fruit from your loins.’
    Efilda smiled. ‘I hate to disappoint you yet again – by the Gyden that has long abandoned us has blessed me. I am with child. I have also adopted the grandson of the Marquis of Sumy. If your child wants to stake his claim, tell him to come back with lots of wiga. I will ensure that there is no welcome this time.’
    Wailing, the bedda were led to the side of the room as three more Ancuman, males, were brought into the room. Conn recognized Geirnarr and Agkell, but not the third.
    He was an elderly man – and clearly one of nobility. This was confirmed with the voice that Conn felt as he came