Douglas Billymac

1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4835-4594-3
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 163 Seiten

These are the amazing adventures of William MacAndrum, a 14 year old Scottish schoolboy, who inherits `special` powers from Odin, the Norse God, and the incredible ability to travel through time! On his travels he meets an arch enemy, sent by Odin, who knows he has a `weakness` and they fight across the centuries until Billymac`s destiny is finally revealed. As Billymac, he transforms into a fully grown warrior and travels to ancient encounters, like the battle at `Stamford Bridge`, Bannockburn and Knorrsgarde, where he fights for what he believes to be the righteous cause.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Douglas, Paul

Leseproben

Chapter 2

The Long Box

Long ago, before the time of Black Fergus, a Viking ship had anchored off the Outer Hebrides, and Fingalls had come ashore at North Uist. This voyage had not been to rape and plunder but to bury the body of Prince Bleiki, a Norse King`s 14year old son who had died from `palsy`. The King had thought Bleiki was cursed and indirectly refused Odin`s help by not believing a messenger, who brought a book, and a dagger plus a message, that the King must give these gifts to the boy Prince, who would be able to heal himself and become a great warrior. The stranger, under instructions from Odin, did not tell King Arnfinn that only the fair headed blue eyed Bleiki or one other could benefit from the power of the book and dagger! If only Arnfinn had trusted this stranger and given the gifts to his son. But the dagger, bonny though it was, was just a dagger to the King and the `B` on the haft a mere coincidence! The pages of the book were stuck firmly together and Arnfinn, unable to open it, put the stranger to death for wasting his time! He kept the dagger and book from his son and the boy died shortly afterwards. Such was the King`s grief and fear of an epileptic curse affecting his people that he cremated his son`s body and put the ashes in an urn. He then placed all the young prince`s belongings, along with the book, into a Long Box and locked it with a Key his shipwright was moved to cast. Unknown to Arnfinn, the young Prince`s sister, who believed the stranger, was inspired to carve Odin`s message on the Long Box. When the Vikings came ashore near Belmartine they hid the Box in a cave and beside it they placed the urn, the small dagger and the key, all wrapped in a Viking flag. These items remained there until a young MacAndrum found the cave and his family took the Urn, the dagger, the key and the Long Box into their possession. With the passage of time the dagger was stolen or lost and although the key wouldn`t open the Long Box, they kept them both in case it could be opened one day and great treasure discovered! There was also writing on the Box lid but it stayed unread until it came into the possession of Black Fergus, a skilled translator as well as being expert with sword and dirk. It was his interpretation of these writings that had been passed down to Alasdair and then to Hannah after his death in 1917.

Note: The Fingalls were fair haired Norwegians (Fingal`s Cave is on Staffa Island).

The Long Box

When William and Ian returned to the farm by way of the `Tor`, a craggy outcropped hill to the east of Levenside, his brother was up helping their mother in the kitchen. Unlike Billy, 12 year old Robert had the MacAndrum`s thick black hair. He was shorter and stockier than William and when they wrestled he thought he could best his brother but never did, for William`s slim frame was supple and strong and he always escaped from any hold Robert was able to get him in! Robert was good hearted and loved his brother and there was no envy in him. The fact that he was a better horseman, fisherman, footballer and shinty player than William , made jealousy unnecessary! As Billy came in Robert got an arm lock round his throat and wrestled him to the kitchen floor.

“I will best you on your Birthday brother so ye might as well gie in!”

“Dinna be daft ye muckle gowk, yer nae match for me and well ye ken it!”

Whereupon, William rolled over on top of him and pinned him to the floor. The lad had to release his hold. Then moving swiftly William sat on his brother`s face and Robert yielded, pushing his brother away with a cry of :-

“ Get yer mingin doup aff o` me and let`s hae breakfast afore I thrapple ye for guid!”

“Chance wid be a fine thing!” Rejoined William as the brothers sat down on either side of the farmhouse table and looked at each other with affection.

“Happy Birthday William” Said Robert grinning. “Ye`re getting` awfae auld!”

“I am, and that means obey yer elders and dae whit yer telt, ye wee bairnie!”

“Och Aye, I`ll likely do that, Your Royal Highness, Prince o` the Pig Pen!”

They chatted about the trip to Fort William as Morag served them with good helpings of porridge, commenting:-

“Get that doon ye, it will stick tae yer ribs and mak ye stand tall and straight!” Morag was a great believer in the power of porridge for energy and well being. She then brought bacon and eggs to the table on a griddle plus rolls and coffee, and then sitting down herself the family joined her in the Selkirk Grace:

The Selkirk Grace

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it,

But we hae meat and we can eat

And sae the Lord be thankit.

Note:- Attributed to Robert Burns but it is likely the Grace was in use before he wrote it down.

“It`s high time they built a Bridge over the `narrows`” Offered Morag, already anxious about the heavy rains a few days ago and crossing the loch by Ferry.

“Och, there`s been a right stooshie in council chambers aboot it and they`ll get roond to building it soon, but they`ll need tae improve the road that goes on to Fort William first.”

“Aye husband, Sybil Buchan was saying much the same thing efter Kirk last Sunday. I guess we`ll see it when it happens!”

“What did ye think of Fianach`s Sermon on Sunday last about `Giving`.” Put in Ian, wanting to take his wife`s mind away from the heavy rains and the upcoming Ferry crossing.

“Oh, it was grand. It reminded me of our Highland custom of hospitality and sharing what we have wi` others, and I am proud o` that tradition.”

“Aye, welcoming folk to your fireside an` sharing yer breid is being a good Christian.” Ian agreed but then he thought of Glencoe in 1692 and wondered.

Although keen to open his presents, William was persuaded to take them to Granny Drums so that she could enjoy seeing them being unwrapped. Both boys were looking forward to the journey and seeing grandmother. Of course it was extra special for William, for he knew the secret of the Long Box, if there was one, would be revealed to him this very day. With breakfast over the boys tackled their chores for there was much to do before they could leave the homestead. It would take the best part of the morning to get to Fort William and Ian had planned for only two nights away. The borrowed horse had to be watered and fed, so the lads pumped water to fill the trough and fetched bales of hay. Ian then led the Clydesdale to the pasture field and locked the gate. Robert tethered Gertrude the minshoch (2 yr old she goat) in the yard, where she could reach her feed and water and left some old newspapers for her to chew on! The pigs had a good supply of mashed tatties, and the chickens, being free range, could wander where they pleased or as far as `Red` the Rooster would allow them! With their tasks completed Ian put a saddle on Jenny the mare and the boys backed her between the shafts of the cart and adjusted the harness, checked the bridle and that the bit was not too tight and fed the reins through. Morag and the boys climbed into the back of the cart which had bench seats on either side. Ian passed up William`s presents and these were put under a plaid for safekeeping. Then he went round, climbed onto the driver`s seat and picking up the reins gave a `clucking` sound. Jenny stepped out briskly with ears forwards, and as they joined the main road and headed north, an amazing journey of discovery began. Barely fifteen minutes on Morag was bending her son`s ears!

“Have you completed your History project for Mr Lindsay, William?

“Och Aye Mither. Ye ken fine I love reading aboot ancient Battles. I think he`ll like it.”

“That`s grand William.” “Now, boys, I was preparing a `packed lunch` and noticed that someone had pinched the last roll, was that you Robert?”

“It wisna me mother, I think William took it!” Robert thought he`d blame his brother because it was his birthday and that William wouldn`t get into trouble for taking the roll without permission.

“Is that, how it was Robert? Well, let me tell you, my son. It is always better to tell the truth, even though sometimes you get into trouble for it! I remember the story of James Stewart. A man who told the truth but nobody believed him and he was `hanged` for a crime he didn`t commit.”

“A fat lot o` guid that did him, Mither!” Robert exclaimed.

“Maybe so, but he died an honest man and I`m telling the pair of ye, being truthful is good for your soul – so think on that!” They thought on that. Then Robert admitted:-

“Dinna blame William. It was me took the roll and I`ll tak` ma punishment.”

“I knew it was you ye wee scallywag but I wanted ye to own up. Now, do ye no feel much better having told the truth?”

About to answer Robert was cut short as William got him in a headlock and wrestled him to the cart floor.

“Blame me wid ye! I`ll gie ye a right thrashin` for that!”

“Stop fouterin` aboot and forgie yer brother William. He`s learnt his lesson. Now, sit up the pair of you, enjoy the trip, we`ll be at the Ferry soon!

On reaching the slipway they noticed the tidal current through the `narrows` was more like 20 knots than the usual 7, due to the recent heavy rains. The Ferryman greeted them with a `Madainn mhath` and they responded in like manner. Switching from the Gaelic the man explained that although the water was running high he could make another trip quite safely and bid them come aboard but Morag thought the crossing unchancy.

“Dinna fash yersel lass, it`ll be nae bother, it`s only a couple o` hundred metres.”...