The cursed towers 286
Bạn đang xem bản rút gọn của tài liệu. Xem và tải ngay bản đầy đủ của tài liệu tại đây (2.89 KB, 1 trang )
"On to the next village!" Lachlan cried. "Indeed, I wish the MacCuinn's land-holdings were no' so wide.
If I do no' fall off my horse from the whippings, I shall from all the wee drams they keep giving me!"
The prionnsachan laughed.
"Just as long as your hand is steady enough to sign the Pact o' Peace this evening, I'm sure we do no'
care," Madelon NicAislin called.
"Ye may no' but I do," Iseult said with a smile. "Too much o' the water o' life and he'll no' be able to
perform his duty to his wife."
They all laughed again and Anghus MacRuraich said, "By the looks o' ye, Your Highness, ye have no
cause to complain!" The black wolf sitting by his horse showed her teeth in a wide grin as if she
understood and enjoyed the joke too.
Iseult smoothed her hand over her swelling abdomen with a slight, dreamy smile. As they rode on their
way, a wagon piled high with the Righ's tithes trundled along behind them, for not only was Lammas Day
the celebration of the first harvest, but also the day when rents and taxes were paid. This was Lachlan's
own land that they rode through, the hills and meadows all round Lucescere, and he had come to collect
his dues.
Dide bowed to the crowd, cap in hand, and began to sing:
"Harvest home! Harvest home!
We've ploughed and sown,
We've reaped and mowed,
Ea's blessing on hearth an' home,
Harvest home! Harvest home!"
The afternoon shadows were growing long when they at last rode home to Lucescere, all rather merry
from the whiskey the crofters and landholders kept pressing upon them. The palace gardens were strung
with lanterns and as the Righ's party rode up the long, tree-lined avenue, they sprang into life with a wave
of Meghan's finger.
All round the great square striped stalls had been set up, giving out Lammas cakes and Lammas ale.
There were bellfruit jellies and roasted apples for the children of the Theurgia, and wild pigs were
roasting on spits for those that did not prescribe to the vegetarianism of the Coven. Lachlan smiled as the
children ran alongside the horses, calling out to him and Iseult. He dug his hand into his sporran and threw
a handful of gold coins to the children, and they ran squealing to catch them.
Tomas was waiting for the Righ by the front steps, Johanna by his side, but Lachlan waved them away,
saying, "What good is it letting them whip me if I come running to ye to heal me the moment I get home?
Nay, they're honorable wounds. Let me suffer them in peace."
He dismounted with a wince and said to Iseult, "The only care I want is ye, leannan. Come and help me
