The Moidart smiled. ‘Much as I would like to bask in the sunshine of your appreciation, I should point out that I became his enemy after he tried to have me killed. However, that is by the by. You will need to meet the staff officers. I will have them gather in the main hall this evening. In the meantime I shall order a force to march into the lands of the Finance. How many should we send?’
‘Two thousand is all we can spare at present,’ said Gaise, ‘but it should be sufficient in the short term. How capable are the generals under your command?’
‘I have no idea at all,’ answered the Moidart. ‘They chose themselves. The only man I know well is Galliott. He is a fine organizer, but I fear he is no war leader. The others are Pinancers.’
Gaise considered the problem. ‘Galliott’s nephew, Hew, has served with me. He is a brave and skilful cavalryman. I shall promote him and put him in command of the force. He can choose his own junior officers. The majority of the men should be from Eldacre. There will be too many desertions if we allow the Pinancers to head back to their own lands.’
‘Agreed,’ said the Moidart. Gaise rose to leave. ‘An unusual sword,’ added the Moidart, as sunlight glinted upon the golden fist guard. ‘Where did you get it?’
‘From a dead man.’
‘May I see it?’ Gaise drew the gleaming sabre and passed it hilt first to the Moidart. ‘This dead man appears to have had our family crest engraved upon the pommel. It is a handsome piece. What is the meaning of the rearing horse in the clouds?’
‘It stands for Stormrider.’
The Moidart looked nonplussed.
‘It is my Rigante soul-name.’
‘Quaint and yet poetic. Perhaps I should acquire one.’
‘I think, by definition, a soul-name requires a soul, Father.’
The Moidart laughed aloud. ‘You are the second man in a matter of days to remind me of my lack in this regard.’ He returned the sabre. ‘And now you had better seek out Hew Galliott. I will arrange for a meeting of staff officers.’
Gaise Macon sheathed the sabre and walked from the room. The hound padded after him.
The Moidart stood for a moment, his expression thoughtful. ‘I do have a soul-name,’ he whispered.
Jakon Gallowglass was content. He had survived the attack on Shelding and the subsequent flight north. He had eaten a meal in the shadow of Eldacre Castle, and had discovered the whereabouts of a lively whore, with whom he had spent his last chailling. She had apologized for keeping him waiting while she serviced her previous customer. Jakon had not minded. The theatrical moans and cries he had heard only heightened his own anticipation.
Sated and happy Jakon Gallowglass wandered through the night dark streets of Eldacre town, heading back towards the hundreds of tents pitched to the west of the castle. He was idly wondering when the next wage would be paid when he saw a column of dark-garbed men loping down from the hills.
As they came closer he studied them. All of them wore black leather jerkins, beneath pale blue and green cloaks. They carried short, heavy sabres. Many had muskets, and all wore pistols in their belts. Long knives were thrust into scabbards at their sides. Gallowglass was a fighting man, and he knew fighting men. These were special. They were lean and hard-eyed, their movements smooth, sure and confident. Old Tamor had called it ‘the look of eagles’. Gallowglass fully understood the phrase when he saw the warriors move towards the castle.
Colonel Galliott came out to meet them. He seemed uneasy as he approached them. Gallowglass sat on a low wall and cast his eyes back along the column. There was no banter among the men. He saw several of them glance towards him, and felt the coldness in their stares.
One of the warriors emerged from the column to meet Galliott. They did not shake hands, but they spoke quietly. Gallowglass stared at the man. He was powerfully built and dark-haired. He carried no musket, but two silver pistols were thrust into his belt. The two men talked for some time, then Galliott pointed to an area some distance from the tents, alongside a stream. The dark-haired warrior spoke to another man, who led the column away. Gallowglass saw them spread out and begin to make camp. Then Galliott and the leader walked into the castle.