First entry!
The Wee Blue Men
PROLOGUE
Rain swept across the moor, the wind brushing the heather down the rolling hills. A buzzard was fighting against the gale, not losing hope despite their being none, the gale being many times stronger. Malcolm smiled; it reminded him of the state Scotland was in. Vikings across the sea, English on the border, and the clans warring with themselves, it seemed Scotland would never survive this century. But Malcolm was old; soon, his son Edward will take up the throne. He had taught him everything he knew, but it wouldn’t be enough.
“Let’s go home, this is ****ing miserable weather”.
Edward saw his father arriving, back from his meeting with the scouts. They had gone to Inverness, to see what the northern clans were doing. This was his father’s goal; to unite Scotland, before he gave up the crown. Then, maybe then, Edward could hope to defend Scotland. He knew the enormous task set before him. The English were larger, more powerful, and richer than Scotland. The Vikings could come when they please, Scotland could not build a navy to strike back. Like rats in a barrel some would say, Scotland would stand no chance. Edward, was an optimistic man though, he often told those people “No, I’d say we are more like a cornered wildcat, you can try to kill us, but we’ll take off a few fingers before you do”.
“Edward, come here, I’ve got good news” Malcolm beckoned his son over. Upon the table lay a map of Scotland. “Remember the Macdonald clan? How I thought they were also involved in the northern clans who occupy Inverness?”. Edward nodded. “Well, I was wrong. This makes Inverness considerably weaker than I thought. A small, organised army could take the castle within a year. I want you to do this, prove to the people you are a strong leader and warrior”. Edward gave a small smile. “Good, you show no fear for battle”. Edward smiled wider, almost a grin. He loved battle. His mother would say he had read too many fairytales as a boy, but he always had the perfect image of charging into the thick of the enemy with his trusted countrymen and coming out alive and glorious.
CHAPTER 1
Edward surveyed his men from atop the hill. His father had granted him control of the southern clans. The richer of them had horses, but were still poorly armoured. They were no knights. The majority of the clans were simple warriors. Mostly in kilted clothing, the occasional leather breastplate, they were armed with whatever was around. Axes, scythes, sticks, stones, hammers, picks. The hunters for each clan formed into archer companies. The drill sergeant was training them to volley. Believe it or not, this was Scotland’s army. But their secret weapon, was not strength, nor cunning, nor discipline. It was bravery, these men, armed with farming tools, half starved, old and young, were willing to lay down their lives for their families freedom, protection and fortune. Tomorrow, they would begin the march through the cairngorms, towards Inverness. Normally, it is already an exhausting journey, but it is winter soon, and the journey becomes that much more dangerous when the hills are white.
Malcolm sat in his chair, in deep thought. Edmund was at the other end of the table, eagerly awaiting his father’s response. Eventually, the old man spoke “Why would England accept an Alliance with us?”. Edmund already had his answer. “Because father, we are the two strongest kingdoms on Britannia. An alliance between us would mean complete dominance over the isles. The Welsh and Irish would never be able to fight back against a united force of Scotland and England!”. Malcolm let out an exaggerated laugh. “This is why your brother is the next heir, you are far too naive. Firstly, an alliance can only work when both sides mutually benefit from it. We would be the only ones who would benefit that alliance, we would have protection from any threat inside the isles. But the English would still have to do the fighting by themselves, Scotland has no proper army to field with the English, and then England would be bound by treaty not to attack us, which is something I know they plan. Which brings me on to my second point. The English hate us. They despise us. They want Britannia for themselves, and as it is, we are a problem for that plan.” Edmund’s face changed from a cocky smile to red faced. He was no use at diplomacy, but he could fight and lead an army with a natural talent. The problem was, as his father pointed out, there was no army. His brother believed that Scotland’s army was just... different. Edmund knew that a professional army needs three things. Knights, skilled archers, and heavy infantry. Scotland had none of those, their horsemen were simple men, their archers were too ineffective and their infantry wore no armour. Edmunds dream was to give Scotland a professional army, one that could stand toe-to-toe with the Vikings, the English and any other people who would threaten his country. “Of course telling you this is useless. You already sent our best diplomat to talk with the English didn’t you?”. Edmund sheepishly nodded. “You bloody idiot, if they don’t laugh at him, they’ll cut his head off and send it back up in a basket...”
CHAPTER 2
The courier was panting furiously. “Take a seat, catch your breath...”. Malcolm told him. The courier collapsed on the bench. Malcolm placed his hand on his shoulder, and asked where his message was. He reached into the pack and pulled out a letter with the English royal seal. Malcolm had a sudden pang of dread. What was this? A declaration of war? Demands for money?
When he opened the letter, his chest fell as a sigh of relief came from the old man. “Hmm, it would appear Edmund is lucky, our diplomat survived, and even better... has...” Malcolm’s eyes burst with bewilderment. “They accept our alliance?!”. For a moment, he was unsure whether to laugh, or to be furious with his son.
As Edmund approached the door, he wondered what his father would say, or more importantly, do. His hand trembled as he knocked. A stern voice on the other side answered. “Come in”
Inverness, was not as formidable as Edward had expected. The wind from the sea pierced the skin, as if leaving icicles in it. The land he was in now, was very different from that which he travelled through. It was soft, rolling hills, with forests across the landscape, compared to the jagged rocky mountains with not a single sign of life that he travelled through over the last month. He went back into his tent. “We need to get a way through those walls. From there, Inverness will fall. There are plenty of trees around, we can use them to build rams and ladders. Have men block all roads out of Inverness, no one leaves it.”
“To my surprise, England, has accepted the alliance”. Edmund did not look up, he kept staring at his feet. “While, I should be angry with you, for taking such a risky move, I am only filled with an overwhelming pride, that my son has outsmarted me. Of course, an alliance with England benefits them. All I thought of, was what England could do to us, but what if we struck them? They would be unable to deal with us, the Welsh, and Irish all at once, while also fighting the French across the sea. This means, that once they have dealt with the Irish, the Welsh, and the French, they will come for us. But this is of great advantage to us. We can prepare. We can be ready for them.” By now, Edmund was smiling. Of course, he never saw this side of the alliance, as his father pointed out before, diplomacy was not his strong point. It was a lucky side effect of what he originally intended. “Thank you, father”. Malcolm replied, “No, thank you son”
