The Bretwalda (The Casere Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

them.’
    Conn looked at Derryth and Derryth looked back. He shrugged.
    ‘And’ Alana continued, ‘Asbera is wearing something that I recognized. I was very surprised. Asbera, please show my father.’
    The young woman was wearing a tunic that was up to her neck and she reached around and undid the leather lace and pulled out a medallion. It wasn’t so much a medallion as a rectangular gold coin that had been pieced and turned into a necklace. She handed it to Conn, hesitantly. Alana reassured her.
    ‘My uncle gave me this before he died. He said to castle it always. Never let it go. It tells everyone who I am.’
    Conn and Derryth inspected the coin together, and Derryth laughed. ‘I’m looking forward to you explaining this.’
    Conn looked at the girl. ‘Asbera, how old are you?’
    ‘I have seen thirteen winters.’
    Conn nodded. ‘And what is the name of your mother?’
    ‘Elddis il Nobatia.’
    ‘And your father?’
    She shook her head. ‘I do not know my father. My mother came back from Meshech, pregnant. My father’s name was not mentioned, but I was told that medallion belongs to him.’
    ‘And where is your mother now?’
    The girl suddenly looked sad. ‘She is dead – I did not know her. My uncle told me that she died not long after we were born. He said that she had complications from a wound she got fighting in a war somewhere.’
    ‘Wait. You said “we were born”?’
    ‘Yes, I was told that I have a twin brother; I think his name is Farrun. I think he is in Saba somewhere. My uncle said that he was adopted by his nephew from Kinjan.’
    The knowledge made Conn pause to contemplate, before asking. ‘So why are you here and not in Nobatia yourself?’
    ‘My mother didn’t return to Nobatia – she went to Saba where her mother is from. But she had problems there as well because twins are not considered acceptable amongst the Ancuman and particularly by the Axum. So soon after I was born, we were separated and my uncle left Saba and brought me here. We were going somewhere else but he died before we got there. I also don’t think he knew how to get there.’
    ‘What happened to him?’
    ‘Illness – he was quite old. They had to find someone who was not going to be missed in an Axum census of the noble families in the Southern Isles – no one would be surprised about his death.’
    ‘When did he really die?’
    ‘Two years ago.’
    ‘So where have you been living since then?’
    ‘Anywhere that I can. The family that took us in when we arrived are kin to my uncle but not to me. They also have sons that were not as welcoming as their parents. Aeaea is a dangerous place to be female if you don’t have protection -- and they would protect me if I offered something in return. So, with my uncle dead, it was safer for me to be out of the house than in it. Luckily, it wasn’t long after my uncle died that Siga found me – I was being attacked by two men – not the sons. She saved me. We have been hiding ever since.’
    ‘Fortune has certainly been on your side, then, Asbera.’ Conn handed the necklace back. ‘As for the necklace, this coin is called a Koban. I gave it to your mother when I farewelled her so many years ago.’
    ‘So you really are my father? Alana said that she thought we might be sisters – but she didn’t know of me. She tells me that I have a lot of sisters and brothers.’
    ‘Yes, I really am your father. Alana didn’t know because I didn’t know. Perhaps you were safer that way.’
    Asbera actually smiled. ‘Yes, I gather you are not very popular amongst the Axum.’
    ‘Even less today.’
    ‘I’m not sure if it is possible for them to like you any less.’ Derryth added in cold comfort. ‘Although those from the Southern Isles might dislike you less.’
    Conn gave him a scowling look before turning his attention back to Siga. She told them that she had been on Aeaea for three years; when she was fifteen a trading cog ran into trouble next to her