The spring wind blasted chill from the sea, howled around the walls and whistled through the crannies and corners of the dun. An occasional spatter of salt spindrift crossed the wall, to spray over the assembled throng without raising comment or complaint. The people faced the stone platform on the eastern side of the courtyard, talking, gesticulating, speculating, laughing; men, women and children together, with the occasional bark of a dog to enliven the proceedings.
The two heralds mounted the platform, moistened their lips and sounded their trumpets and as the echoes faded, there was complete quiet from the crowd.
"Silence for the king!" the heralds demanded.
Drest"s grey cloak ruffled in the wind, with the gold threads of the decorated hem catching the slanting rays of the sun. He
