Challenge of the clans Read Online Free Page A

horsemen.
    The warriors of Cumhal knew them. They were the Clan of Moma. At their head rode Aed himself,

    flanked by his brother Conan and a giant champion of the Connacht Fian known as Luachra. This fierce, glowering bull of a man towered more than a head above the brothers Morna. The planes of his broad face had the hardness and sharpness of a cliff^ of stone, with thrusting chin and jutting brows.
    The company of warriors drew up a spear s throw from Cumhars clan. Aed moved on, crossing half the remaining distance before reining in. Cumhal turned his horse and rode back through his men to meet the other chieftain.
    He meant to give a friendly greeting, but as he neared Aed he became aware of his grim expression. His warrior instincts told him that it was not comradeship that had brought the son of Morna to this strange place.
    "What is it, Aed?" he demanded.
    "iVe come to challenge you for the leadership, Cumhal," the other answered tersely.
    "Challenge me?" Cumhal echoed in surprise. "But why now? YouVe accepted my leadership before."
    "You no longer serve the Fianna or Ireland," Aed told him in a flat, mechanical way.
    "That's the high king speaking in you!" Cumhal accused. "Is obedience to him more important to you than your own warriors?"
    "I am loyal to the bond we have made, as I must be," Aed told him gravely. "They are bonds of loyalty that we have all sworn to keep. I will do so."
    "Those bonds were not meant to make us slaves to the selfish rulers of Ireland," Cumhal responded earnestly. "Listen to me, Aed: it is ourselves who are the real power now. We can use that power to bring ourselves and all the people of Ireland more freedom, more respect—"
    "Enough talking!" the other said impatiently, sweeping Cumhal's logic savagely away. "Yield the leadership to me, or we must fight."
    Cumhal sighed wearily. "Then we must fight," he said with great sorrow.
    Both chieftains slid from their horses' backs. Their

    warriors followed. There was a sharp clattering of arms as shields were adjusted, spears readied to the hand, gleaming swords drawn. Then the two forces faced one another, waiting, bodies tensed, eyes already searching among their opponents for a suitable adversary to challenge in single combat. But as they set themselves for battle, the men of the Baiscne clan became more acutely aware than ever of the peculiar weakness of their limbs and of the weight of fatigue upon them like a cloak of lead.
    Aed began the fight, striking at Cumhal. As the two leaders engaged, their clansmen surged forward, the sides clashing together with the savagery of two sea waves colliding. The chill air was filled with the sharp clanging of iron on iron, the thud of weapons against thick leather shields, the battle cries of the Baiscne and Moma clans.
    The battle grew quickly confused in the swirling fog. With the two sides tangled closely together, moving constantly, their clan colors almost indistinguishable in the grayness, it was hard to judge comrade from enemy until nearly within sword's length. At one point, Crimall—having hacked the sword arm from one opponent—sensed movement behind him and wheeled in time to fend off a savage cut. He found himself looking into the startled gaze of Fiacha!
    Though the two groups were closely matched in numbers and in fighting skills, the strange weariness upon the Baiscne clan threw a great advantage to their foes. Inspired by the effort of their chieftain, the warriors fought on doggedly, managing to hold their own for some time. But as the battle dragged on, exhaustion came upon them more rapidly. Soon the Baiscne men were falhng in far greater numbers than their opponents.
    Luachra was causing the greatest devastation in the Baiscne ranks. The giant bashed his way through the melee with his broad shield, jabbing out at any vulnerable man with a heavy spear. His own clansmen scrambled to be safely out of the path of the lumbering champion.
    After cutting a wide swath of destruction