The Call of the Crown (Book 1) Read Free

Gialyn guided Pepa along the lane as it splintered from the main road. After taking a final look at his giant , he led her through the narrow gates and on to the green.
    The “ town green” sloped gently to the south. A long line of wild berry bushes ran along the edge on three sides. The centre was fenced off into pens of varying sizes. Half already contained livestock, mostly goats. The Spring Feast organisers—most, if not all of the town council—pitched a dozen large white tents around the outer rim of the field, with long tables set up in front for displaying country-fair produce of every kind. A play area—probably for the younger children—was set up near the food stall. The shooting range, for the archery tourney—an annual favourite, so Gialyn had heard—was at the far end of the field, safely out of the way.
    Groups of small children ran around Pepa’s cart as Gialyn led her towards the produce tents. He laughed at their “tutting” and “arghing” when they discovered the cart was half-full of beets and beans. He laughed again when Daric produced a basket full of sweetroll that Mairi—Gialyn’s mother—had prepared. Daric gave them one each; there was just enough.
    “Best move on before they tell anyone else,” Daric said, chuckling.
    Vin, the local leather merchant, waved Gialyn over. “Why do they bother building a place for children to play if they’re just going to let them run around causing a nuisance?”
    For a moment, Gialyn wondered whether Vin was talking to him or his father.
    “Pepa doesn’t mind, Vin,” Daric said. “And it is supposed to be a family day.”
    Gialyn knew his father was none too keen on Vin Calande; he thought the man was always too eager to complain.
    “It’s not right,” Vin said. “They should do something about it. Now if I were on the council… Do you know they have a girl in the archery tourney this year? Yes… Theo Tanner’s girl, Elspeth. Have you ever heard anything so daft? What is the betting her father had something to do with it? So what if he is the emissary? That doesn’t give him the right to change rules. It is just not proper, girls shooting arrows, phaw . There will be women on the council next, you mark my words!”
    “I didn’t know there was a rule against girls competing, Vin. Are you worried she might win?” Daric said.
    Gialyn tried not to laugh.
    “Well, it ’s just not—”
    “Sorry, Vin, have to get the table set up in the shade before my beans sweat too much.”
    “Uh… oh… right. We will talk later, I expect.”
    “Not if I see you coming, we won’t,” Daric whispered so only Gialyn could hear. Though he suspected his father wouldn’t mind much if Vin had overheard.
    Gialyn led Pepa around the back of the tents. He unhitched her and handed the reins to Gobin the blacksmith. As usual, it would be Gobin’s job to take care of the horses for the day while their owners manned their stalls.
    “Has Vin been chewing your ear as well?” Gobin asked. “The man just cannot shut up about young Elspeth and the bloomin’ archery. If you ask me, I’d say good luck to her. What do you think, Gialyn my lad?”
    “I do not know, Mr . Gobin. I thought the idea was to find out who is best, man or woman… or girl.”
    “Well said, lad. You have the making of a council member here, Daric. He has a good head on his shoulders, this one.” Gobin nodded at Daric while patting Gialyn on the shoulder.
    “Ask him his opinion if it were anyone but Elspeth, Gobin.” Daric cast one of his sly sideways glances at the blacksmith.
    “Aye… bit of young romance blossoming, is it?” Gobin smiled and gave him a wink. Gialyn felt the heat flushing his cheeks. The blacksmith loosened Pepa’s straps as he spoke . “Thought she was too busy sharpening her knives to notice the boys.” He laughed at that. “If you do end up courting, don’t be getting in any arguments, my lad. With that one, you’ll probably come off the worse for