The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  “Your sword, my Laird, and the blood of your enemies,” he said.

  Gòrdan descended the stairs. As he took the sword, thunderous cheers broke out once more.

  “Aiden, can you ever forgive me? I’m so sorry! For everything,” Laird Gòrdan said. Aiden realized he was crying and saw the tears in his father’s eyes.

  “Aye, I’m sorry too,” he said.

  Laird Gòrdan gathered him in an embrace returned by his son. Then the world spun, and Aiden felt his father steady him. Ranulf lowered him to the ground and Tam called desperately for Skive.

  Jamey and Blair carried him inside and laid him on a table. Skive hurried up with his pouch of medicines. He opened Aiden’s tunic and pushed up the shirt to expose his injured side. Ailsa brought hot water and bandages. Skive mixed a paste and, after washing the cuts, spread it over the wound and bandaged it.

  Tam propped Aiden up, half conscious, as Skive looked at the broken prongs still embedded in his arm. Skive pulled a small flask from his bag, uncorked it, and poured some powder into it. He handed it to Tam.

  “He needs to drink all of this. Hold him down,” Skive ordered the others.

  Tam wrapped his arm firmly around Aiden’s chest as he helped Aiden drink some of the liquid. Jamey braced Aiden’s shoulder as Skive began removing a prong.

  Aiden’s whole arm erupted in pain, and he stifled a scream. Jamey and Blair pinned him down to the table as he jerked away. Women hurried the children away, and Laird Gòrdan gripped the edge of the table as he watched.

  “That medicine hasn’t taken hold yet. Just wait!” Blair said.

  “If I wait, he could lose his arm!” Skive’s normally stoic face was agitated and concerned. “Give him the rest, Tam!”

  Skive waited until Aiden had drunk. “Aiden, I’m going to do it again. Are you ready?”

  Aiden nodded numbly, sweat beading his forehead. It took the three men’s combined strength to hold him steady as Skive pulled again.

  Skive reached for the second prong. By this time the medicine had dulled some of the pain radiating from the wound. After the second prong lay on the table, Skive paused. Aiden was trembling, and Tam had both his arms wrapped around his chest.

  “Let me give you some more medicine,” Skive said.

  “No, just finish!” Aiden gritted.

  Skive obeyed and pulled out the final prong. Aiden shuddered as it came free, and Skive began the laborious process of cleaning and stitching his arm back together. At some point, Aiden lapsed mercifully into unconsciousness.

  * * *

  Rona gently washed the war paint and blood from Aiden’s face and arms. He still lay on the table. Skive wanted to wait before trying to move him. Rona felt a tug on her sleeve. She looked down and saw Brannan.

  “Is he gonna be all right, Aunt Rona?” he asked.

  “I hope so, Brannan,” she replied.

  “I want tae be like him when I grow up,” Brannan said.

  Rona smiled. “I think he’d like that.”

  A spasm of pain flickered over Aiden’s face as he moved slightly. Brannan reached out and patted Aiden’s hand.

  “There, there, it’s gonna be all right,” he whispered to the sleeping warrior.

  Chapter 14

  Aiden woke to a sound he had not heard since returning to Scodra; the sound of children laughing. He lay in his own bed, warmly covered against the cool air that eased through the open window. By the light he guessed it was about mid-morning. Of more than that he was not sure. He did not know how much time had passed since the battle. He dimly remembered waking a few times from troubled dreams, but there had been a comforting presence beside him. But for now, he was alone.

  He abandoned any thought of trying to sit up. He could feel the bandage around his side. Looking down, he saw heavy bandages on his arm. The fiery pain of before had quieted to a dull ache, and he was very relieved to find that he could move his hand and fingers. His shoulder had also been re-bandaged, and someone had washed away the woad.

  The door creaked open and Tam entered.

  “You’re finally awake!” He sat down in a chair by the bed.

  “Finally? How long has it been?” Aiden asked.

  “Four days.”

  “Four days!” Aiden exclaimed. “What did I miss?”

  “Not much. Davy and Artair escorted the rest of the Durnians tae the border. Some of the families have returned, and everyone was concerned about you.”

  “Was it really that bad?”

  “For the first two days. Skive was worried until your fever broke. How do you feel now?”

  “Well, considering I feel like I’m held together by bandages, I guess I’m all right,” Aiden replied. “How about you?”

  “Composing my latest epic tae be sung at the feast in your honor when you’re finally up and about.” Tam grinned.

  “Are you serious?” Aiden asked apprehensively.

  “Oh, yes. Father insisted.”

  “How is he?” Aiden tentatively asked.

  “He’s fine. He’s talked with the captains and most of the Clansmen tae apologize. Most seem willing enough tae forgive and get back tae normal. He’s promised tae pass the torc tae Ranulf by the end of the year which helped smooth things over. He’s hardly left your side the past few days,” Tam replied seriously.

  Aiden was silent for a long moment before asking, “Is Jamey still here?”

  “No, he had a talk with Father, and he left,” Tam answered.

  Aiden’s face darkened with anger.

  “It’s not what you think, Danny!” Tam hastily reassured him. “Father pardoned him, but Jamey said he wanted tae go back tae his house for a few days.”

  “Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?” Aiden exclaimed in relief.

  “You weren’t exactly giving me a chance, were you?” Tam retorted with a grin as Skive entered the room.

  “I hope he was already awake, Tam,” Skive said, somewhat disapprovingly.

  “Yes, he was,” Tam said. “After the threats you were handing out, no one dared come within fifty feet of that door.”

  “Good.” Skive helped Aiden slowly sit up so that he could change the bandages. Aiden winced when he saw his arm. It was still swollen, bruised, and a mass of stitches.

  “You think that’s bad? You should see your chest where Adalwulf kicked you,” Tam remarked.

  “I think I can feel it.” Aiden put his hand to his aching chest, feeling another rough bandage under his shirt.

  The skittering of claws announced the arrival of Illyria. She crouched by Skive and watched the door as her tail wagged slowly.

  “The young ones chase her around all day, especially after Jamey left with his hound,” Skive said.

  Brannan burst in leading Jean and another boy.

  “You’re awake! Aunt Rona made us tiptoe around so you wouldn’t wake up, sleepy-head!” Brannan informed Aiden as he sat down on the bed.

  “Oh really? Considering the noise you savages just made, I’m very grateful,” Aiden replied.

  Jean giggled as she clambered onto the bed. “You’re funny. I like you.”

  “Well, I’m flattered,” Aiden said.

  The third youngster looked up from where he was busily stroking Illyria. “You gonna come wiv us, Tam? You promised you’d play wiv us!”

  “Of course! We’ll go now. Apparently there was a debate on how their reenactment of ‘Manachan’s Bard’ is supposed tae turn out, so my help was enlisted. Although I think they just want me tae play the part of the captured bard,” Tam explained to Aiden. The furtive smiles and giggles that were exchanged more than confirmed his guess.

  “You want tae come too, Danny?” Jean asked Aiden.

  Aiden was a little surprised at how fast his old nickname had caught on with everyone.

  “We need a horse for Manachan,” Donnan chimed in.

  Aiden laughed. “I would love tae, but,” he lowered his voice, “I don’t think Skive will let me.”

&
nbsp; “Once your arm is healed, you can go play all you want,” Skive said mock-seriously.

  “See? But until then, you’ll just have tae come and tell me about everything,” Aiden told the children. Their eyes brightened.

  “I’ll bring you a flower too,” Jean decided.

  Brannan rolled his eyes. “Come on, Tam! We already made your dungeon by the lake!” He grabbed Tam’s arm.

  “Bye, Aiden. We’ll be back if Manachan decides tae rescue me.” Tam looked at Brannan who smiled back disarmingly.

  “Bye, Danny!” Jean and Donnan shouted as they ran out of the room followed by Illyria.

  “It’s a little strange tae have people who barely know you care about you so much,” Aiden said, thinking about what Tam had said.

  “You are their champion. They won’t forget what you did for them,” Skive replied.

  “It sounds as if they have you tae thank as well for keeping me in one piece,” Aiden said. Skive simply inclined his head. “What are you going tae do now?”

  “I have been given permission to remain here for as long as I desire.”

  “Will you?”

  “Perhaps. This is a good place,” Skive said. “It would be hard to move on.”

  Aiden silently agreed. He had forgotten how much he had missed his home.

  * * *

  Business that could no longer be delayed prevented Gòrdan from visiting Aiden again. Ranulf joined him for the councils and began to help him sort through the business of the Clan that had long been hindered by Adalwulf. It was as if Gòrdan saw for the first time the steady head that Ranulf had. His son knew personally many of the problems that had plagued the Clan and now brought them gently to the surface for Gòrdan to address.

  Before dinner he saw Ranulf take a woman’s hand and pull her in for a kiss. Brighde, Gòrdan remembered. They looked happy together, and he was aware again of just how much he had missed. Tam entered carrying a young girl on his back along with a small boy latched onto his leg. The warrior, Douglas, laughed and detached the lad, and Blair clapped Tam on the shoulder as he swung the girl down.

  Gòrdan was content to sit back and watch his people through the meal. His sons laughed together over something, and Artair argued with another captain. Children stole sweets instead of eating the food in front of them. Husbands and wives, long separated, sat close to one another. Sounds of hundreds of conversations filled the room.

  In the midst of it all, Gòrdan glanced to his right and saw the two empty chairs. He sipped at his drink. Aiden would live, but who knew where William was? He would rebuild this family. He excused himself from the table and left the hall as someone called for a song, and Tam’s clear tenor voice responded. Ranulf’s deeper baritone joined, and more and more voices added to the music. The song followed him as he mounted the stairs and came to Aiden’s room. He knocked once and entered.

  The fire burned, and Aiden was awake. He lay propped up against the pillows, his arm in a sling. A plate of food sat mostly untouched on the chair beside the bed. He looked up as Gòrdan entered.

  “Sir.” He tried to push himself more upright, but Gòrdan stopped him.

  “May I sit?” he asked.

  Aiden nodded, and Gòrdan placed the plate on the chest by the bed. He saw the small figurine that guarded the plane.

  “You used tae play with that constantly,” Gòrdan said.

  Aiden’s smile was tired in his still too-pale face. “You gave it tae me. I couldn’t have been more than four.”

  “I’m surprised you remember that,” Gòrdan said. They paused. “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired. Skive says I’ll be all right,” Aiden replied. “I don’t really remember much.” He hesitated. “They said you stayed with me.”

  “Yes,” Gòrdan said. “I didn’t…I couldn’t let you go again.”

  “Father, I know in the past I’ve said some things—” Aiden began.

  “It is I who should be apologizing,” Gòrdan interrupted. “I’m the one who should be asking for forgiveness.”

  “Father—”

  “Let me finish, Aiden. I pushed you too hard and let my temper get the better of me too easily when it came tae you.”

  “I wasn’t exactly easy on you either.”

  “But you shouldn’t have had tae go so far before I realized—”

  “Running away was probably the best thing that I could have done. It gave me a chance tae learn what I needed. Nothing good would have come out of me staying,” Aiden said seriously.

  “I’m sorry that it was like that,” Gòrdan said. “I’m sorry for the grief and pain I have caused you. I blamed myself every day after you left. I thought for sure that I would never see you again.”

  Aiden rubbed at his eyes. “And here I thought you had danced for joy.” His mouth quirked, and a laugh escaped Gòrdan.

  “What can I do tae make amends?”

  Aiden shrugged and winced. “I’ll stay if you’ll have me, and we can try tae start again.”

  Gòrdan smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

  Aiden paused a moment before broaching a new topic. “Tam said you spoke with Jamey. Thank you.”

  “It was the very least I could do for the lad. Another of my many mistakes,” Gòrdan said.

  Aiden shifted and sank further back into the pillows. Gòrdan saw that he was tired. “You should rest. I’m sure Tam has told you of the plans for the feast.”

  Aiden smiled. “Of course he did. Tam never could keep a secret.”

  Gòrdan laughed lightly and moved to the door. They heard the sounds of another song as he opened it.

  “What is it?” Aiden nodded toward the sound.

  “It is a song of homecoming.” Gòrdan recognized the tune.

  “It’s been so long since I’ve heard any of them.”

  Despite his previous words, Gòrdan could see that his son was sad at all he had missed during the years he had been away.

  “I’ll leave the door open then,” Gòrdan said.

  Aiden lay back after his father left and adjusted the sling. He felt as if a burden had been lifted by their conversation. The cautious understanding laid between them now would do for a start. The song ended and Tam began a slow ballad. Aiden closed his eyes and slipped into an untroubled slumber.

  * * *

  Rona was busy in the kitchens. It was a maze of activity as cooks rushed around preparing food. With Aiden’s continued recovery, preparations had commenced for the feast. Her attention was distracted as she saw the head cook, a large matronly woman named Morna, greet Aiden at the doors of the kitchen.

  “Master Aiden! What can I do for you?” she asked.

  “Just a wee bit of food tae tide me over until dinner,” Aiden replied.

  “Of course!” Morna led him over to a table by the wall, near the open fire. “You’re in time. I just pulled your favorite out of the oven.” She left, and Rona watched as she brought back a plate loaded down with a steaming meat pastie and a slab of bread and cheese.

  “I suppose you’ll want some ale as well?”

  “No, ma’am, just the regular. It wouldn’t be the same without it,” Aiden replied.

  Morna smiled and left again. Rona’s heart irritatingly skipped a beat or two when Aiden caught sight of her and smiled. She returned the smile and moved to greet him. He still looked a little pale, and his arm was held in a sling.

  “Just a wee bit of food?” Rona chided him.

  “I’m absolutely starving,” Aiden replied. “Besides, good food helps you heal faster. It’s a well-known fact. Morna used tae feed me on the frequent occasion I missed a meal.”

  Morna came back with a tankard of milk.

  “Morna, I think you’ve only gotten better,” Aiden said as he began eating. “You don’t know how many times I thought about you and your creations over the years.”

  “It’s no wonder with that strange food they have in the South. And goodness knows what that Skive has been feeding you. He and the little on
es were in here the other day cooking up something horrible.” Morna clucked disapprovingly. “You remember you’re always welcome down here? You’re too thin,” she fretted.

  Aiden nodded, a pathetic look on his face.

  “Will you have room for dessert?” Morna asked.

  “This is more food than I’m used tae, but I’ll try.”

  “Oh, you poor darling!” Morna exclaimed and hurried off to get him more food.

  “You should be ashamed of yourself!” Rona exclaimed. “I’m fairly sure you just lied tae her!”

  “No, I just wasn’t entirely truthful. Rule number one, Rona: always make friends with the cook. I’ve never gone hungry,” Aiden said.

  “Why do I believe that? You are completely hopeless,” Rona said.

  “Thank you,” Aiden said with a smile.

  Morna set down another plate with an oversized slice of apple spice cake and took away Aiden’s already empty plate.

  “Morna, you remembered how much I love this!” Aiden said appreciatively.

  “I made one special for you,” Morna said.

  “For me?” Aiden’s voice caught theatrically. Rona rolled her eyes.

  “Any time, Aiden. And bring that younger brother of yours too. He doesn’t eat near enough either,” Morna said.

  “And just like that, I have free reign of the kitchens again,” Aiden said as Morna left.

  “And how many kitchens have you talked yourself intae?” Rona asked.

  “Quite a few. I’m usually hungry.”

  “Are you looking forward tae the feast, then?”

  “No, I’m rather dreading it.”

  “But it’s for you.”

  “Exactly,” Aiden said. He pushed his chair away from the table and rose. “Do I have you completely confused yet?”

  “A little. Maybe I’ll understand in time,” Rona replied. He flashed a quick smile before leaving the kitchens.

  * * *