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But merriment turned to serious discussion when many spoke of the repercussions Peter Kilkern would inflict on them when he learned of the Legend’s interference. After all, this was Kilkern land, and the Legend had no right here. What then?
Reena wondered herself, and her concerns grew when she realized that food was not being distributed to cottages but kept in the wagons. What were the Legend’s intentions?
It was not long before she had her answer.
Thomas informed her to gather the villagers once again, for the Legend wished to address them.
Children were still stuffing their mouths with honey cakes as they leaned against their parents and stared in awe at the Legend. Women openly admired him, though they kept their eyes from his. The men waited with caution, though less caution than before, since their stomachs were full.
Reena remained by her parents’ side. As she glanced around the crowd, she could see that many villagers had food in their hands, fearing that if they did not hold on to every morsel they could once again be close to starvation.
Magnus raised his voice for all to hear. “I will make this brief and easy for you all to understand. I have no right to this land and I cannot force the earl of Culberry to treat you fairly.”
Sighs were heard and tears soon fell.
“He rules this land as he sees fit, fair or unfairly. But you have a choice.” A sudden silence descended over the crowd. “You can stay and tenant his land for unreasonable fees, or you can tenant my land for reasonable fees.”
Grumbles and whispers rushed like a gust of wind through the gathered crowd.
“We have paid our tenant fee for the year,” one man called out.
“And you have nothing left for yourself. How will you feed your family?” Magnus asked.
“How do we pay you when we have nothing left?” asked another man.
“I will take no fee from you for one year’s time. You will have time to till the land, and I will provide food and shelter for you while you work the soil.”
“And in return?” asked a man suspiciously.
“You pledge your loyalty to me and tend my land with the care and love that you once did this land.”
Two men, their wives and children in tow, stepped forward. One followed the other, though their words rang the same.
“I pledge my loyalty to you.”
Reena was not surprised by William and Paul’s hasty decision. Both had six children between them, and William’s wife was heavy with another child. Both men felt their duty was to provide for their family and keep them safe.
Old Margaret, the healer, stepped forward. She was seventy and five years, but no hunch marred her back. Her face was aged, though ageless, and all in the village loved her and sought her talent and wisdom for healing.
“My loyalty I pledge to you.” She paused a moment. “As long as I have enough time to dig up my herbs and ready them for a new patch of soil.”
“My people will help you with whatever assistance you require.”
Margaret nodded. “Then you have my loyalty and I will serve you and your land.”
“I thank you—” Magnus waited.
“Margaret, I am Margaret, the healer.”
“I welcome you to my family, Margaret, and pledge my protection to you.”
The wordprotectioncaused an outburst of villagers to step forward, and in the end all in the village had decided to pledge their loyalty to the Legend.
It was little Daniel, the bowman’s son, who stepped forward with courage and asked, “Where is our new home, sir?”
Magnus patted the young lad’s head and looked out over the sea of anxious faces. “My land is not far, for you have just pledged your loyalty to the new earl of Dunhurnal.”
Chapter 8
