The Angry Mermaid 56

I would first suggest that any readers read back to Chapter 55 just to pick up any loose threads and recollect the gist of this saga. basically, for any newcomers, The Angry mermaid is a story that describe's Drustina's many adventures as she tries to make her way home and recover her homelands from the Viking Pirates who stole it from her when she was only fourteen and lucky to escape with her/his life.

We pick up the story where Drustina has visited Brendigan to use her testimony to ensure the succession to the throne of Dame-mark and thus ensure a lawful peace amongst the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

The Angry Mermaid 56

Or

Y Morforwyn Dicllon 56.

Character list.

Mabina. The youngest daughter and Twin to
Drustan Her twin brother.
Grandpa Erin the twins grandfather.
Giana The twins grandmother
Caderyn The twins father.
Herenoie The twins wise and beautiful mother.
Morgaran The Twins oldest brother.
Aiofe The twins oldest sister. Famous for her beauty.
Tara The twins second oldest sister. Famous for her grace.
Feidlim Twins aunt (Caderyns’ beautiful sister.)
Mogantu Twins uncle (Married to Feidlim.) Chief of the Gangani tribe.
Brun. Twins 2nd cousin and the Acaman clans’ blacksmith.
Feorin. Twins second brother. Also training to be a blacksmith.
Rhun Feidlims’ son and Feorins’ favourite 1st Cousin. (Both red-heads.)
Arina Child of a Demetae fisherman, (rescued by Aiofe, Drustan and Mabina.)
Penderol Dumnonii Minor chief.
Udris Young Dumnonii warrior.
Dryslwyn High chief of the whole Celtic nation. Dwells in Brithony.
Bronlwyn Dryslwyn’s wife (and queen.)
Magab The moor who taught numbers.
Eric Saxon galley slave rescued from Corsair pirates.
Carl Another Saxon galley slave rescued by Drustan.
Torvel Celtic galley slave rescued from the same captured corsair ship
Arton. Turdetani Chieftain Holder of Gibral Rock.
Carinia Arton’s wife.
Isobel. Arton’s adopted daughter.
Appotel King of the Turdetani Tribe. (Southern Iberia.)
Bramana Queen. (Wife of Appotel)
Pilus King of the Capetani.
Shaleen Pilus’s queen and sister to Bramana.
Pedoro Lord Marshal of the Southern border region.
Lady Shulaar Lord Pedoro’s wife.
Taan. The scullery maid.
Isaar. Pedoro’s oldest son.
Ferdie Pedoro’s 2nd son
Sular Pedoro’s 3rd son
Gontala Pedoro’s youngest son.
Shenoa Pedoro’s only daughter.
Portega. Tyrant King to the west.
Portua. Portega’s grandson.
Jubail. Old Fisherman.
Mutas Magab’s younger brother and usurper.
Walezia King of Malta.
Alviar Megalomaniacal bishop of Carthage. (Hates Drustina.)
Ethelia Female healer who treats Drustina during her pregnancy.
Seripatese Drustina’s faithful horse.
Astos & Amitor Minor royalty who govern Alexandria. King and Twin Queen.
Meronee Nubian Queen of Nobatia The northern Kingdom of the Nubians.
Horam The Egyptian master Boat builder.
Muraa King Astos’s male partner.
Tuk Makurian general.
Fantu. Makurian Captain.
Irene Emperor Leon’s only child.
Leon Byzantine Emperor.
Zano Byzantine general who defeats the Bulgars with Drustina’s help.
Urthos The Gaul elected captain of the 4th ship. Ex Barbary galley slave.
Horus Horam the boat-builder’s son.
Sister Catherine Leader of the pirate nuns.
Guthrun Jarl of Bornholm.
Etheline Guthruns’ wife the countess of Bornholm.
Seripatese Drustinas’ mare
Capenda Taras’ mare.
Athun Gay king of Dark Age Denmark.
Queen Elthorn King Athuns’ Consort.
Heingist. Drustina’s loyal Danish navigator and pilot.
Brendigan Athun’s older sister and queen of Svenland.
Iselda... Brendigan’s and Athun’s younger sister.

The Angry Mermaid 56.

As Drustina and Queen Brendigan finished their food, Drustina asked if she could take a bath.

“Why of course Lioness. It was remiss of me not to offer you my full hospitality. May we continue talking whilst you wash?”

“Well I would prefer to be covered in my most intimate modesty but, yes, we can talk.”

As Brendigan’s maids completed preparing the bath, they were despatched before Drustina turned modestly away from Brendigan and slipped into the bath whilst hiding her duality. The less others knew of it, the better. Once the water covered all of her below the waist Drustina felt free to talk face to face. It took several seconds for Brendigan to recover from the sight of Drustina’s upper body scars and she was too shocked to even countenance what other disfigurements lay beneath the water.

“By the Gods! Is your whole body naught but scars Lioness?”

“I have more than a few, it’s hard to fight in battle and not be struck.”

“But even your breast! That cut ... can you still feed a child, your nipple; does it still have sensation?”

Drustina swayed her head philosophically.

“Yes; just!”

“And that cruel bruise to your shoulder, was that when your freed my brother?”

“Fraid so, though it’s easing now.”

Brendigan shook her head in disbelief and a tear escaped as she turned her head to hide her distress.

'What horrors had this ‘Lioness’ endured in earning her ferocious reputation. Truly this girl had been forged in the crucible of war!'

Brendigan realised that Drustina, a mere twenty four years could prove to be a powerful ally but she would have to meet her requests before the girl might reciprocate her favours.

For the moment, she put these thoughts aside before recovering her composure and turning to the matters in hand. As Drustina lay savouring the hot water soaking into her bones, they discussed the nature of the lie that Brendigan would put abroad.

“Perhaps if you could make some pretence of your younger sister’s reactions to being saved by Athun.”

“I could not tell an outright lie, the jarls might see fit to send an emissary to Iselda in the Frankish lands and ask her.”

Drustina considered the situation and asked Brendigan.

“Was your second sister Iselda distressed after she was rescued?”

“Why yes; very. She was crying and cursing and whimpering all at the same time. She’d had a nasty shock.”

“And of course, she’d just lost her favourite brother.”

“Of course, she was distraught!”

“D’you think she would have remembered everything she said. Could she gainsay anything you might declare her to have said ... in the terror of the moment.”

Brendigan wagged her head thoughtfully as she began to follow Drustina’s line of reasoning.

“Well no, not really. She was cold and shocked and in despair that Oswald was missing. She wanted to follow Athun back to the rocks to look for Oswald but I destrained her and comforted her.”

“So it’s possible she would not remember exactly what she said, in those brief minutes before she recovered her composure.”

“Well ... no; not really I suppose. To be honest, I can’t remember all that was said. It was a traumatic business and a long time ago. I was twenty one and Athun was just eighteen. Oswald was sixteen and Iselda was but fourteen.”

“Then perhaps, if we go through it in front of the jarls, with me asking the questions as an impartial investigator; you might just remember ... just mind you, some tiny item; some small thing that you think Iselda said when she lay trembling in your arms.”
“But if I lied and the jarls learned that I had lied then that could make it worse for Athun.”

“You don’t have to lie my lady. You only have to think you remembered something. Some small thing that Iselda possibly squealed in those desperate moments of relief before she came fully to her senses and became calm again. Iselda will be hard put to deny you because you could always say, quite truthfully that she was distraught and not fully in control after the terror of the waves amongst the rocks.”

Brendigan sucked her lip.

“I suppose it could work. How would we put it?”

“I ask you, about the incident in front of the jarls but let them do most of the asking thereafter. Then you just say something like Iselda was shivering in my arms and mumbling something like ...”
‘He couldn’t reach him. The waves were too big!’ “Something to that effect. Nothing definite, nothing that can be denied outright. Just enough to foment doubt; but doubt in Athun’s favour. That’s all I’ll need to conclude that Oswald’s death was probably an accident.”

“So you’ll be presiding over any inquiry back in my brother’s kingdom.”

Drustina gave Brendigan an ‘old fashioned look’

“There’s nobody else with enough authority to hold the ring ... at least, not as a neutral, impartial judge.”

Brendigan stared hard at Drustina before saying.

“You’ve got an old head on those young pretty shoulders.”

“I’d say a cynical head.” Drustina countered. “I’ve seen enough of men to know their weaknesses.”

“Which are?”

“Greed, lust, conceit; to name but three.”

“Oh yes; you are a cynic my dear. But then ... I suppose ... well, you’ve seen enough.”

Drustina nodded significantly before entreating Brendigan to accede to her ambitions.

“So, will you say what I asked? All I want is to get that kingdom on some sort of even keel and see Heingist’s lands restored to his family.”

“Is that really all you want?”

“Isn’t that what you want? Or do you want an unstable tyranny camped right next door to you.? If these jarls are greedy for power then they’ll be greedy for everything else ... and that will include land. Svenland would be their first target of choice.”

“They’d be hard put to defeat our army,” Brendigan declared proudly.

“Perhaps they would, but blood would have to flow to ascertain that. Unnecessary blood. I would prefer to see the rule of law prevail. I’ve already tasted the jarl’s lawlessness.”

“Oh! Do tell.” Brendigan became intrigued.

Drustina gave a knowing shrug.

“Well, the tolls to pass the Stoerbealt and Kattegat for a start. The jarl who was responsible for collecting the tolls tried to bleed my flotilla white.”

Brendigan nodded and smiled before asking.

“And did he?”

“No! I said TRIED to bleed us white; he got short thrift!”

Brendigan smiled.

“Yes, I thought he would have.”

“That’s beside the point Brendigan. Other, more peaceful traders would not be able to resist their demands. Your own ships trade to Saxony and Friesland do they not? They have to pass the Stoerbaelt.”

“Our ships trade as far as Britannia.”

“And have any captains reported back about extortion?”

“Well ... there have been rumblings,” Brendigan conceded.

“Go on.” Drustina pressed.

Brendigan was a little hesitant to discuss an issue that had only recently come to her husband’s attention as the first traders of the year had returned some months earlier with low-value cargoes of grain and wool. The newly and illegally enforced tolls had been pressed on the ships and none of the traders on the Stack-Holm were happy. Indeed they had only a week before Drustina’s arrival, been clamouring to their king demanding justice. The Dane-mark jarls had overstepped the internationally agreed tariffs. It was an also issue already bubbling amongst the other Baltic kingdoms. Brendigan was secretly pleased that Drustina’s flotilla had already brought a sharp halt to the overcharging.

While Drustina had been tackling the usurper jarls in Dane-mark, Brendigan’s most recent returning captains had returned just a couple of days earlier to speak of some new unknown force in Dane-mar that had reinforced the legal tariffs and resumed mutually agreed international arrangements. Now that ‘unknown power’ had been identified as Drustina’s flotilla, it was further evidence that Drustina, for all her apparent youth and femininity, was truly a force to be reckoned with and a genuinely empowered authority. Brendigan could see clear benefits to Drustina’s declared ambition; namely the return of law and order to Dane-mark. It also perfectly morticed into the tenon of her own wishes to see her brother Athun safe on Dane-mark’s throne.

After finishing their warmed wine Brendigan invited Drustina to join her with the visiting jarls. Brendigan emerged alone from her royal chambers to belatedly welcome the jarls while Drustina entered slightly later from a different door. This was ploy to suggest that Drustina and Brendigan had not been together prior to the meeting with the jarls. To reinforce this appearance Brendigan had entered alone to inform the jarls that Drustina was bathing.

“You will understand my lords, she is a woman and feels the need to bath after such a voyage as you have just completed. These things are important to her.”

They exchanged ‘pleasantries’ briefly until Drustina emerged towelling her hair as though to reinforce the image that she had been bathing. Her act also served to demonstrate who had the highest rank at the meeting. Drustina was a queen in her own right and a warrior queen to boot. Brendigan was purely a consort queen and therefore of lower rank. Only Drustina could adopt such a casual and dishevelled air in such august company. The jarls were seemingly offended at first until they realised that despite being alone, Drustina still held her rank and few were prepared to dispute it. The jarls had already learned of her fearsome reputation, not to mention her martial prowess.

Having established the status quo, Drustina invited the jarls to ask Brendigan for further details of Oswald’s death on the beach.
Whilst the jarls plodded over old ground about the events of that day, Drustina simply continued towelling her hair whilst appearing to listen intently.

Eventually, as the jarl’s questions dried up, Drustina touched upon aspects of Brendigan’s memories.

“Tell me sister, can you remember everything that Iselda said when she was safe with you again? Did she say anything as Athun returned to try and rescue his brother?”

“She was very distressed and wailing with despair.”

“Well yes, I’m sure she was and the jarls here would agree with me, she would certainly have been hysterical with grief. Is there anything you can remember?”

“Not a lot, Iselda was going on and on about how stupid they were to have been playing so close to the rocks. How Athun couldn’t get hold of Oswald’s hand without letting go of hers.”

“What! You mean he was stretching out?”

“I think so. She said something about slipping again and Athun had to push her back onto the rock.”

“Can you remember exactly what she said?”

“No. It was so long ago and Iselda was very distressed. She was crying and whimpering a lot. She said something like ‘He couldn’t reach him as well.’ It may well have referred to Oswald drifting out of reach. The waves were very violent and rough.”

“Are you certain of this?”

As she asked this question, Drustina glanced at the jarls. It was obvious that Brendigan’s uncertainty was causing them to have doubts. Drustina said no more; she simply waited silently for Brendigan to elaborate whilst letting the doubts gain weight in the jarl’s minds. The whole fabrication had to rely upon uncertainty and doubt. This would later avoid any accusations of lying. Brendigan finally answered.

“Well the waves were rough. I could hear them crashing and booming even from my side of the headland. I wondered what Athun was shouting about until he appeared with Iselda in his arms. The waves drowned out most of his cries.”

Drustina nodded sagaciously as she secretly wondered if enough doubt had been sown in the jarl’s minds and if those doubts would find root in the minds of the other jarls back in Dane-mark. It remained to somehow give Brendigan’s doubts extra credence and that way lay best through the written word. Drustina turned concernedly to the jarls as she hazarded a suggestion.

“Whilst I go and oil my hair would you jarls like to agree a written statement with her majesty?”

The jarls exchanged looks and turned expectantly to Brendigan as one asked reverentially.

“Would your majesty be agreeable to that?”

“Well, I can write little more than I have told you. My sister was very distressed at the time.”

Drustina felt a flutter of satisfaction. The very fact that the jarls were asking for more evidence seemed to indicate that their own doubts were taking root. All in all, Drustina considered it had been a good day for her burgeoning but rudimentary diplomacy.

She slipped away to finish attending to her hair. It had been the first decent wash since Bornholm.

Later that evening she read the letter that Brendigan had prepared for the jarls to take back to their colleagues in Cub-havn. It made her smile with its disingenuous observations that gave only cause for doubt and uncertainty. Brendigan had not lied but her recollections left every aspect of the saga with room for debate and conjecture. Drustina smiled with satisfaction as she held the piece of parchment.

‘If this was diplomacy and politics,’ she reflected, ‘then let’s have more. I can do wonders with this letter if I am perforce to arbitrate twixt the jarls and the king.’

That night as she lay between crisp linen sheets, she reflected on what it was to enjoy a truly royal lifestyle. She also slept properly for a full night for the first time since leaving Bornholm. Unusually, she slept late, a sign that she must have been exhausted. Eventually, she was dragged from her slumber as a commotion woke her mid-morning. She stirred to find the castle all awake and busy. As she emerged from her chamber she stopped a maid who was hurrying by.

“What’s the commotion?” She asked the maid.

“Oh! My lady. The King has returned early, I know not why but his ship is entering the sound even as we speak.”

Drustina returned to her chamber and opened the shutters to survey the sound. A long, narrow, powerful looking warship was rowing majestically towards the castle steps with two more longships for company. They made a fine sight as the picket boat slid alongside them and offered a welcoming hail. Drustina watched briefly then remembered that her ship was occupying the King’s berth. She cursed as she realised there was no time to move ‘The Angry Mermaid’ then she sighed with relief as a familiar mast and stem-post emerged from under the castle walls. Heingist had moved the Mermaid and saved Drustina from any embarrassment. Thus relieved, she dressed and met Brendigan in the receiving rooms.

“Is there something wrong? The maid told me your husband has returned early.”

Brendigan smiled easily.

“I don’t know of any problems, the council must have ended early. That’s usually a good sign; it means there were fewer problems to discuss.”

Drustina relaxed; perhaps her stay would be free of any further intrigue. She settled in a chair as she picked up Brendigan’s mood of happy anticipation. By contrast the servants were in a state of agitation as preparations were made to receive their king. As the servants scuttled about, Drustina noticed Queen Brendigan seemed little concerned. She asked her.

“Are you not going down to meet your husband at the quay my lady?”

“What for? I’ll only have to return here. There’ll be enough flunkies and the Lord Chamberlin dancing around in attendance.

He’ll probably come straight here anyway. I’ve got hot wine and beer ready and he’ll be grateful for one or the other.”

Drustina nodded knowingly. It was always difficult to organise hot drinks whilst sailing. Fire was a dangerous thing to keep alight aboard a ship that bounced and lurched over every wave. ‘

The Angry mermaid’ was particularly at risk for her speed made her something of a wild, tempestuous creature when running in all but the slightest seaway. Drustina settled back into an easy chair next to the thrones in the great hall where Brendigan prepared to meet her returning husband. The visiting jarls who had accompanied her also joined them but Brendigan made sure they occupied lowed status seats. Drustina was, after all, a queen in her own right,

Eventually the hubbub accompanying the king’s return arrived at the great hall. Brendigan stood to receive her husband while Drustina stood respectfully and the jarls went down on bended knee. After passionately attending to his reunification with Brendigan, the king turned curiously to Drustina.

“Am I to presume you are the Lioness of Carthage?”

“I am sire.”

The king nodded and studied the woman before him. She wore tight britches that served to amplify her femininity and a green jerkin that left her arms bare. Where it not for the notable blade at her waist and the ripe curves, the woman could have been any one of his own warriors. His keen eyes noticed the well worn scabbard and recognised the splendid Toledo sword for being a true weapon, not some symbolic badge of office. Having recognised the quality of the sword his eyes then swept up and down the seductive curves. There was no doubt that this was a woman and an attractive one but his appreciative gaze finally met the level, unflinching stare of a woman obviously used to such appraisals and seemingly self confident enough to scorn them. This woman, this lioness, did not lower her eyes or turn to try and modestly cover her attractions.

She met the king’s stare with a confident extension of her hand as she offered to shake his hand as an equal. Slightly unbalanced by the woman’s sheer confidence, the king found himself doing exactly that ... shaking the lionesses’ hand. As this gesture brought them together, the king realised she was slightly taller than an average woman and only a couple of inches shorter than himself.
It was Brendigan’s diplomatic cough that finally brought her husband back to earth and he realised he had not said any more for nearly half a minute. He quickly recovered his regal composure and cleared his throat apologetically.

“Ahem! Yes, sorry my lady, I have been taken somewhat by surprise. Normally, such a high ranking visit would have long foretold. My Chamberlin tells me you are here to sort out the coup in Dane-mark.”

It was Drustina’s turn to clear her throat as modesty did finally cause her to correct the king’s assumption.

“Well your majesty, I would think that is a somewhat presumptuous conclusion, but I am certainly here concerning the possible causes of the coup. Two the jarls of Dane-mark have accompanied me here to try and get closer to some un-answered questions.”
The king turned and commanded the jarls to rise.

“Ah yes; so you two gentlemen are a party to this disgraceful business.”

The jarls hesitated uncertainly until Drustina saw another opportunity to reinforce her intermediary position. She boldly spoke up for the Jarls where they might have been cowed by the king’s rank. In so doing she earned kudos in their affections. She explained the reason for their visit and her part in trying to establish the truth. The king was intrigued by Drustina’s forensic efforts for he had often to arbitrate between his own higher ranking nobles. He accepted Drustina’s entreaty to explain and called for wine as he invited them all to sit at a table that was being prepared for the returning celebration.

Once seated, Drustina explained at length whilst avoiding any suggestion of collusion between herself and Queen Brendigan. Once the discussion was over, the king commended Drustina on her search for truth and her techniques. The jarls were also grateful for the Lionesses’ intercedence on their behalf. All in all the day’s diplomacy and inquiry had gone really well for Drustina and she was feeling quite pleased with herself. After the inquiry was over the King nodded with satisfaction and commanded a hastily prepared feast to celebrate his unexpected return. At the feast, Drustina, unusually, got a little drunk.

~~ooo000ooo~~