Read The Sword and the Stallion - 06 for Free Online Page A

and Medhbh the red-haired, Medhbh of the Long Arm, and all four stared at Corum as if they wished to help him and could not.
    Corum did not know why he replied to their expressions in the way he did when he raised the sword high over his head and said to them in a quiet, firm voice:
    "I am Corum. This is my sword. I am alone."
    Then the four walked up the mound and they took him back to Caer Mahlod where many still feasted, unaware of what had taken place in the oak grove when the moon had been at its fullest.
     
     
    THE FIFTH CHAPTER
    A COMPANY OF HORSEMEN
     
     
    Corum slept long into the following morning, but it was not a dreamless sleep. Voices spoke to him of untrustworthy heroes and noble traitors; he had visions of swords, both the one he had been given during the ceremony in the oak grove and others, in particular one other, a black blade which seemed, like the Dagdagh Harp, to have a complex personality, as if inhabited by the spirit of a particularly powerful demon. And between hearing these voices and seeing these visions he heard the words repeated over and over again:
    "You are the Champion. You are the Champion." And sometimes a chorus of voices would tell him: "You must follow the Champion's Way." And what, he would wonder, if that way were not the way of the Mabden whom he had sworn to help? And the chorus would repeat: "You must follow the Champion's Way." And Corum awoke, eventually, saying aloud: "I have no liking for this dream." He spoke of the dream into which he had awakened.
    Medhbh, dressed, fresh-faced and determined, was standing beside the bed. "What dream is that, my love?"
    He shrugged and tried to smile. "Nothing. Last night's events disturbed me, I suppose.'' He looked into her eyes and he felt a little fear creep into his mind. He reached out and took hold of her soft hands, her strong, cool hands. "Do you really love me, Medhbh ?''
    She was disconcerted. "I do," she said.
    He looked beyond her to the carved chest on the lid of which rested the sword Goffanon had given him. "How shall I name the sword?"
    She smiled.'' You will know. Is that not what Goffanon told you? You will know what to call it when the time comes and then the sword will be informed with all its powers."
    He sat up, the covers falling away from his broad, naked chest.
    She went to the far side of the chamber and signalled to someone in the next room. "Prince Corum's bath. Is it ready?"
    ‘‘ It is ready, my lady."
    "Come, Corum," said Medhbh. ‘’Refresh yourself. Wash away your unpleasant dreams. In two days we shall be ready to march. There is little left for you to do until then. Let us spend those two days as enjoyably as we can. Let us ride, this morning, beyond the woods and over the moors."
    He drew a deep breath. ‘ ‘ Aye," he said lightly. "lama fool to brood. If my destiny is set, then it is set."
    Amergin met them as they mounted their horses an hour later. Amergin was tall, slender and youthful but had the dignity of a man much older than he looked. He wore the blue and gold robes of the Archdruid and there was a simple coronet of iron and raw gems set upon his head of long, fair hair.
    "Greetings," said the High King. "Did your business go well last night, Prince Corum?"
    "I think so," said Corum. ‘ 'Goffanon seemed satisfied."
    "But you do not carry the sword he gave you."
    "It is not a sword, I think, to be worn casually." Corum had his old, good sword at his side. "I shall carry Goffanon's gift into battle, however."
    Amergin nodded. He looked down at the cobbles of the courtyard, apparently in deep thought. "Goffanon told you no more of those allies Ilbrec mentioned."
    ' 'I took it that Goffanon did not regard them, whoever they are, as allies, necessarily,'' said Medhbh.
    "Just so," said Amergin. "However, it would seem to me it would be worth risking much if it meant that our chances of defeating the Fhoi Myore were improved."
    Corum was surprised by what he guessed to be the import of