Badger's Moon Read Online Free Page B

half-hearted among the mob. He turned insolently back to the chieftain. ‘Do not try to intimidate us, lord Becc. We will have justice.’
    Becc’s face had become red with anger.
    ‘You do not seek justice, Brocc,’ he retorted. ‘What you seek is bloodshed and with no just cause but your prejudice against the strangers.’ He raised his voice again to the others. ‘I call on you once more to disperse to your homes. You currently stand in contravention of the Cáin Chiréib – the law of riot. The consequences of continuing your actions are dire. Do you understand?’
    Once again the faint-hearted would have turned away, accepting the inevitable, but Brocc held up a hand to stay them yet again.
    ‘I am a céile , a free clansman. I work my land, pay my taxes for the upkeep of this community and am the first to join the chieftain’s troops in time of war and danger. I have a voice in the clan assembly and while I may not be of the derbfhine of your family, that band of relatives who elected you as chieftain, my voice should and shall be heard.’
    Becc, sitting easily on horseback, continued to appear relaxed, only his eyes now narrowed slightly.
    ‘Your voice is being heard, Brocc,’ the chieftain pointed out softly. Only those who knew him well could appreciate the dangerous tone in his voice.
    But Brocc did not know him so well. He turned to the crowd and appealed to those who had held their ground.
    ‘There have been deaths in this community. Violent, terrible deaths of young girls. Last night Ballgel, a cousin of mine who worked in the kitchens of our own chieftain’s fortress, was slaughtered on her way home. She is now the third young girl to be slaughtered at the time of the full moon. Did not Escrach, my brother’s only child, suffer this same terrible death last month? And when did these slaughters begin? They began at the time when Abbot Brogán first gave hospitality to the three dark strangers. Black is their colour and black are their deeds. We shall have justice. Bring them out to face punishment.’
    There was a murmur of approval, slightly more muted than previously in view of the armed warriors. But it was clear that Brocc had strong support among the local people.
    Becc leant forward a little in his saddle. ‘Where is your evidence, Brocc?’ His tone was reasonable, almost conversational.
    ‘Evidence was given to your Brehon Aolú,’ replied the man.
    ‘Which he found not to be any evidence at all.’
    ‘And now the old fool is dead. Bring forth a new Brehon and I will give my evidence again.’
    ‘Aolú told you that you had no evidence. What evidence do you now present against the strangers to charge them before a Brehon? Evidence is what is required under the law of this land.’
    Brocc laughed harshly. ‘Their very appearance is the evidence against them!’
    In spite of the growing mutters of approval, the chieftain sat back and smiled grimly.
    ‘So, you have no evidence save your own prejudice?’ he sneered. ‘It is as I have said. You do not want justice; you simply want a sacrifice to your own prejudice. I say again to you, Brocc, and to everyone who now remains before these gates, you stand under the shadow of the Cáin Chiréib . This is the second time that I have uttered this warning to you. I do not want to utter it a third time.’
    Brocc would not be put off. He stood immovable, shaking his head.
    ‘We will not be frightened away from our intention. We aim to enter the abbey and take the strangers and no one will stop us, neither clergy nor you, Becc, and your warriors, if you stand in the way.’
    He lifted his stout cudgel into a menacing position across his chest. He turned to the crowd and raised his voice. ‘Follow me and I will give you justice!’
    No one moved. They were looking beyond Brocc to where Becc and his warriors were seated on their horses. When Brocc turned back he found that Becc had taken his bow and now an arrow was drawn against its string and