David Gemmell – Rigante 3 – Ravenheart

‘Welcome to you, my friend,’ Call had said warmly, stepping forward and pumping the man’s hand. ‘It is good to see you. Come inside and relax. I have food prepared and a fine uisge ready for you.’

The colonel, a weary, disillusioned veteran, stared at the sword, and then into the pale eyes of the Rigante chieftain. The law states—’

‘You are the law here, Colonel Gates,’ said Call swiftly, linking arms with the colonel and leading him into the great house. ‘We will discuss it over a drink.’

Call took Gates through the central hall, where the feast fire was blazing, past the long room with its massive rectangular table surrounded by twenty chairs, and then into the private inner study. Here there were comfortable chairs set before a small fire. Call filled a silver goblet with uisge and handed it to the officer. ‘You cannot wear a sword, Master Jace,’ said Gates. ‘It is a hanging offence for a clansman.’

‘As I understand it that law was passed against clansmen who rose against the crown twenty years ago. The Black Rigante never fought against the crown. Hell, man, the king has never even been this far north. The real concern here should be these outlaws who are terrorizing peaceful communities. They must be a real worry for you. I know how difficult it is to hunt such men in this terrain, but in the south I expect they blame you for not putting an end to the misery.’

‘Aye, they do. They have no idea of the problems I face. Even so, Master Jace, the sword—’

‘Do not concern yourself over such a small matter. Since you have been a good friend to the Rigante I have decided to help you in the matter of the outlaws. I am sending out some of my own men to scout for them and to protect the citizens. You cannot be expected to provide protection and hunt down criminals with a mere two hundred men. The task is impossible. My warriors will patrol the farms and the roads leading into Black Mountain, while your beetlebacks hunt down the scum responsible for the atrocities.’

‘Your men will patrol the communities?’

‘Aye. We will catch these miscreants together. Then you will receive the thanks of the Moidart. Your reputation will be restored. No more endless days and nights riding the mountains in the snow and the rain. Perhaps you will get a promotion and return to the south. We will be sorry to lose you – but at least we will know we have a friend there.’

Colonel Gates drained his uisge. Call refilled the goblet. ‘Aye, it would be good to catch some of these swine.’

‘We’ll do it,’ said Call soothingly.

The new policy worked well, the raids lessening dramatically. Three weeks later the colonel was back, this time even more agitated. Once more Call took him to the study, though this time the officer refused uisge.

‘By the Sacrifice, Call, your men are armed. Rigante warriors have been seen carrying swords and knives.’

‘How else could they protect communities from the outlaws?’ asked Call. ‘Ask yourself this: how many raids have there been around Black Mountain since your plan came into operation? None. Are the merchants and farmers content with you? Yes, they are. Have the outlaws been driven back into the wild lands? Yes, they have. Everything you have done has been a huge success.’

‘But we have caught no-one, Call.’

‘Your men killed five of them only last week at Col Rasson.’

‘Killed, yes. None were taken alive. We thought we had one of them cornered up on Jallis Crag, but he leapt to his death rather than be taken.’

‘It is only a matter of time before you catch one, colonel. If not that, the outlaws will move on, seeking easier prey. Either way you have succeeded.’

‘I don’t know, Call. One of the farmers has complained that your men have demanded tribute for the protection offered. He has, quite rightly, refused to pay. Did you know your men were doing this?’

‘It is a costly business patrolling the farms. The men who do it cannot work on their own lands. But all payments are voluntary, and offered freely. If the man does not want to pay, then he doesn’t have to.’

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