The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  “How soon do you want Kieran to leave?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  Corin nodded. “I’ll let him know.”

  As Corin stepped outside the castle, Karif swooped in to land on his shoulder. The hawk butted him gently on the cheek.

  “Where’ve you been hiding recently?” Corin asked the bird. Karif cocked his head secretively. “Be that way then.”

  The hawk nipped at his ear.

  “I know. We’ll only be here for a few more days. And you might as well come back and get used to Gerralt because he’s not leaving anytime soon,” Corin admonished.

  Karif ruffled his feathers and settled more securely on Corin’s shoulder as he went to find Kieran.

  The Braeton was out in an open field by the training grounds working a young horse. Clan Gunlon was renowned for its horse masters and, even though he was still young, Kieran was no exception. He had taken a scruffy and bad-tempered horse that no one else had wanted and had begun to train it. His expectations were more than met by the talented horse, and Kieran was thoroughly enjoying the challenge it brought.

  Corin put his fingers to his mouth and gave a piercing whistle. Kieran turned the horse and nudged it to a gallop. They thundered to a stop in front of Corin. Kieran jumped from the saddle and threw a salute as he greeted his captain.

  “And how’s the unholy terror today?” Corin asked.

  “Och, as lively as ever, sir.” Kieran grinned. “I decided tae name him Taran, though Kara objected tae his having a hero’s name. He only let her stay on for about five minutes the other day.”

  “He looks like a good runner. But other than that, I don’t know what you see in him, Kieran.”

  “Aye, he’s not much tae look at, but he’s got a fire in him. He’ll carry you until you both die.” Kieran dug an apple slice out of his pocket and gave it to Taran. The horse nipped at Kieran’s hand as he finished chewing. Kieran slapped its nose. “What’d I tell you about that? I’ll give you another when I’m good and ready!”

  Taran glared balefully at Kieran but stood quietly by.

  “I need you to run a message to Clan Dyson for Darrin,” Corin said.

  “This about the Festival, sir?”

  “Aye, I said you’d get it there faster than anyone he’s got,” Corin said.

  “You can bet your life,” Kieran replied. “I could ride circles around those shabby excuses for riders.”

  “You leave tomorrow.”

  “Grand! I’ve been wanting tae try Taran out on a longer run. Do I come back here, sir, or continue on my route in the forest?” Kieran asked.

  “If you want to be stuck with Taran for two weeks then you can go ahead and start your run.”

  “I might do that. I’m sure Gwennyd won’t mind. That horse has gotten too fond of his oats.” Kieran rolled down his sleeves and picked up his sword that lay nearby. “Since I’m leaving a few days early, is there anything else I’ll be taking, sir?”

  “Not yet. I’ll send any other letters or dispatches with Llewellyn when they leave.”

  “Staying behind again, sir?”

  “For a few days.”

  “Och, I’m not sure how you do it, Captain.”

  Corin laughed. “Me either, Kieran. I heard you stood up for Andras the other day?”

  “Aye, just until he learns that Captain Pedr’s bark is worse than his bite.” Kieran rubbed Taran’s forehead. “I don’t think it’ll be too much longer before he figures everything out.”

  “Do you ever have anything bad to say about people?”

  “Och, I’ve got plenty tae say, but what’s the point?”

  “You’re a better man than any of us.” Corin shook his head.

  “I’m not sure about that. But if you want tae think that, then I won’t stop you,” Kieran said cheekily.

  Corin laughed. “Darrin will have the letter you’re to take. You can get it from him when you’re ready to leave.”

  “Yes, sir.” Kieran saluted before mounting Taran again and riding back to Kingscastle.

  Chapter 16

  Aiden paced restlessly. Skive had just left after re-bandaging his arm. The wound in his side was all but mended, but Aiden’s arm seemed to refuse to heal. Aiden tugged at the sling in frustration. Skive had prohibited most activities which left him little to do but prowl the fortress. He knew every inch of the wooden keep and the courtyards, and he was bored. Aiden looked out the window at the forest that had done nothing but call to him for the last few days. He held a short debate with himself. What could it hurt? He could use some trouble.

  Aiden took up his knives, wishing he could use his swords again. He left his cloak behind. It was the height of summer and the days were wonderfully warm. He left the room and went down to the stables. It had been almost a month since the battle, and Scodra had gradually changed. More and more of the Clan had returned, and the valley was bursting with life. The fields were now well tended, and the compound rang with activity. Everyone seemed to know Aiden by name and often stopped him to talk.

  Aiden didn’t usually mind. He’d done the same in Gelion and Calorin. He enjoyed getting to know every part of the place he lived. But today, he wanted to get away. Narak’s stall was empty, and a stable boy stopped beside him.

  “We turned him out early this morning, sir,” he said. “He’s in the lower paddock.”

  Aiden smiled. This couldn’t have worked out better.

  “Should I get him for you, sir?” the boy asked.

  “No, that’s fine.” Aiden took down Narak’s bridle.

  The boy’s eyes widened. “But—” he began to protest.

  Aiden held a finger to his lips and winked conspiratorially. The stable boy subsided with his own grin. He and all the young lads idolized Aiden. He wouldn’t say a word.

  Aiden left the stables and passed unhindered through the main gates. He quickened his pace, reaching the paddocks within a few minutes. Narak was happily frolicking with another horse, playing a confusing game of tag. He halted at Aiden’s whistle and neighed a loud greeting as he charged the fence.

  Aiden’s laugh and accompanying smack sent the stallion tearing around the paddock with head and tail held high. Aiden slipped into the paddock and waited. Narak came to a stop a few feet away from Aiden and snorted in excitement. Aiden took a step, and Narak danced away. Aiden dodged toward him, sending him on another exuberant gallop.

  Aiden waited, and the process began again. Narak seemed more than content to play and wear himself out, so Aiden happily obliged. Almost half an hour later, Aiden sat on the fence while Narak took an extended roll in the thick grass. The stallion finally stood and came up to Aiden, nuzzling him gently.

  “I know. I’ve missed you too,” Aiden said. He fed Narak some carrots taken from the stables. Narak munched contentedly.

  Aiden took the bridle from the fence post where he had left it and slid off the fence. Narak obligingly lowered his head, and Aiden put the bridle on and brushed off Narak’s back with his hand before leading him out of the paddock. Narak sniffed at Aiden’s sling.

  “You’re going to have to go easy on me today,” Aiden told him, using the bottom rung to help him mount. Narak sensed he was not the same as usual and stepped out slowly. Aiden urged him on and entered the forest.

  They spent the afternoon wandering up and down paths. Aiden had spent great amounts of time in the forest as a young boy with his brothers and Jamey. It was one of the things he missed most during his time away. He finally stopped and slid down from Narak. The stallion sneezed and rubbed his nose on Aiden.

  “Are you trying to give me away? These were clean clothes,” Aiden reprimanded.

  He took a seat on a fallen log as Narak nosed at the ground. Aiden brushed off his clothes as best as he could. New clothes had been made for him. He had grown used to the looser comfort of the Calorin style and had finally persuaded the seamstress to make his new wardrobe in a mix of Calorin and the northern design. He had noticed in Aredor th
at Corin had done the same. Aiden saw that his family didn’t exactly approve, but they had respected his decision. For that, Aiden was grateful.

  His musings were interrupted by the sound of another horse coming down the path. He hoped he would be able to talk his way out of it. He couldn’t exactly hide Narak anywhere.

  Rona appeared around the bend, leading her horse. She seemed surprised to see Aiden.

  “Should you be out here?” she asked.

  “I’d have tae say no,” Aiden replied.

  She smiled. “You know, the more I hear, the less you surprise me.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Aiden grinned. “What brings you out here?”

  “Skive mentioned he wanted some herbs yesterday, and I told him I knew where tae find them.” She held up a pouch.

  “Ah, since you might possibly be talking tae Skive in the near future, would you mind…?” Aiden gestured to Narak.

  Rona chuckled. “I won’t say anything. Been a bit restless, have you?”

  “You could tell?”

  “Oh, between the pacing, Skive’s complaining, and the knife throwing, it wasn’t hard.”

  Aiden finally noticed he had unconsciously taken out a knife and had been tossing it with his good hand. He smiled a bit sheepishly and put the dagger away. “Well, when you put it like that.” He stood and took hold of Narak’s reins to join Rona on her way back to the keep.

  “Have you enjoyed being back?” she asked.

  “Aye, but as you noticed, I am a bit bored. There’s only so much for a one-armed man tae do,” Aiden said.

  “I wish I had some suggestions,” Rona said. She waited while Aiden turned Narak back out into the paddock.

  “I’ll figure something out,” Aiden said as they continued back to the fortress.

  “I’m sure you will,” Rona agreed.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” He laughed.

  “I…oh no! Here comes Skive!” Rona was interrupted.

  Aiden cursed lightly. The bridle was all too evident in his hand, and the healer was fast approaching. Rona took off her cloak. She took the bridle from Aiden and hid it under the cloak as she draped it over her arm. Aiden was lost for words for a second.

  “Aiden, what are you doing out here?” Skive asked suspiciously.

  “Taking a walk,” Aiden said.

  “Where?” Skive asked pointedly. “And what’s this?” He brushed horsehair from Aiden’s sleeve.

  “I admit I went tae the forest,” Aiden said.

  “And he held my horse for me while I gathered some of the herbs you wanted,” Rona jumped in. She handed the pouch to Skive. “Did I get everything?”

  Skive still looked distrustful as he looked through the pouch. “Yes, it’s all here. Thank you, Rona,” he said. He left, throwing several glances back at them. Aiden waited until he was safely away.

  “Thank you.”

  “I couldn’t let our Champion get in trouble, could I?”

  “I do wish people would stop calling me that,” Aiden said.

  Rona, thankfully noted the sudden seriousness in his tone and didn’t press the subject.

  “I’ll take the bridle back tae the stables for you. And you should probably change before you get any more questions,” she suggested.

  “Aye, who knows if you’ll be there tae get me out of the next mess,” Aiden said.

  Rona smiled. “Glad tae help.”

  They parted ways at the stables, and Aiden hurried to change his clothes.

  He didn’t say much at dinner, and Tam noticed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “What? Nothing,” Aiden replied.

  “Danny, you’ve barely said two words together. Something’s wrong.”

  “Everyone is suddenly so perceptive around here,” Aiden muttered, missing the smile Gòrdan hid in his drink and the nod tipped to Artair.

  “Aiden, I hear something’s been bothering you.” The captain leaned forward.

  “Why does…? Nothing’s wrong with me!” Aiden protested.

  “As I was saying,” Artair continued. “If you don’t have anything else tae do, I’d welcome you down at the training courts. I hear nothing but how good your sword play is.”

  “You don’t have tae make me feel useful,” Aiden warned.

  Artair shrugged. “The warriors wouldn’t mind seeing you down there. A Champion’s input is always respected.”

  “Fine,” Aiden said shortly. He didn’t know why it irritated him so much that everyone referred to him as the champion.

  Gòrdan leaned closer to him.

  “You’ll just have tae get used tae it, Aiden,” he told him in a low voice. Aiden clenched his jaw in a stubborn frown. “Believe me, Braetons have long memories.”

  Aiden toyed with his beaker and said no more. He lay awake until late that night, wishing that Will was there. He had been closest to William. They had stood up for each other in every situation. He wondered what Will was doing and where he was. Tam had said that Will went looking him, and he wondered, not for the first time, if his brother would have come with him when he ran away. He probably would have, but Aiden knew he had been better off on his own. He tossed and turned until sleep eventually found him.

  He had little choice the next morning and found himself in the training courts. Artair had been right and the warriors, both young and old, eagerly welcomed him.

  “Blair and Cai here have done nothing but talk about your swords,” one warrior said.

  “Believe me, I wish you could see them, but…” Aiden pointed to the sling.

  “How much longer?” Douglas asked.

  “I don’t know,” Aiden said. “I’m about tae just cut my arm off and save it the trouble.”

  “I promised Skive you wouldn’t do anything rash, so wait until you leave here at least,” Captain Artair said dryly.

  “Yes, sir,” Aiden replied through the laughter.

  He spent the rest of the morning in the courts during the training session. The next two weeks followed the same pattern. He took Narak out a few more times and spent most of his time at the training courts offering his advice, especially to the young warriors.

  One afternoon, after most of the warriors had left, Aiden remained behind. He picked up a wooden training sword and began to go through the motions against his opponent—two thick striking posts. He quickened the pace of his blows until he heard a crack. He had broken the training sword. He threw it to the ground and hurled a knife into a nearby target with a yell of frustration.

  He had been injured in Calorin, of course, but there it was different. As long as he could walk and could wield a weapon, there was always something to do. Here, no one seemed to want to let Aiden do anything. The benefits of being a Laird’s son and a blasted Champion! Aiden thought bitterly as he yanked the dagger free. Suddenly, he could take it no more. He untied the sling and threw it to the side.

  He carefully moved his arm, clenching and unclenching his hand. It was still weak and hampered by the bandage, but he could use it. He found another practice sword and took it up in his left hand.

  “I’d ask, but maybe I don’t want tae know,” Artair said.

  Aiden turned to see him watching. “You going tae stop me?” he challenged.

  Artair shook his head. “I thought maybe I’d help.”

  He picked another training sword and joined Aiden in the arena. “Start with the basics,” he said, taking a stance.

  Aiden understood and moved his sword to parry as Artair gave him a series of easy attacks to block. After only a few minutes, Aiden’s arm began to ache, but he pushed on relentlessly. Artair went through the attacks one more time before halting.

  “Don’t overdo it,” he warned. “Now, let’s see how good you are right-handed.”

  Aiden switched hands, and Artair began again with faster and more complex moves. A small audience began to gather as Aiden brought a new attack to Artair. The captain matched his new tempo and held nothing ba
ck. The courtyard echoed with blows as they fought. It ended abruptly when Artair’s sword shattered under a blow.

  Aiden wiped sweat from his forehead. “Thank you.”

  The captain threw the ruined sword away. “What for? You broke two of my training swords.”

  “Sorry about that,” Aiden said.

  Artair laughed. “Feel better, do you?”

  Aiden felt as if a load had been taken off.

  “Better than I have in weeks,” he admitted. “I just don’t know how I’m going tae explain this one tae Skive.”

  “You’d better think of something fast,” Artair warned.

  The healer was pushing his way through the men. There was no expression on his face, but Aiden knew him well enough. Aiden waited as Skive stopped directly in front of him.

  “I guess I should be impressed you lasted this long,” Skive said. “But if that wound worsens, it will be your own fault.”

  “I understand,” Aiden said levelly.

  “You might as well leave the sling off now. I will be around tonight to look at your arm,” Skive said.

  Aiden nodded, and Skive left.

  “I never know what tae expect with that man,” Artair said when he was gone.

  “I’m still alive, right?” Aiden asked.

  Artair clapped him on the shoulder with a laugh. “Looks like it. And it sounds like I’ll see you here tomorrow for another session. You’re a little slow.”

  * * *

  Aiden rose early a few days later. Soreness plagued his left arm, but he would not complain. Finally free of the sling, he had been using his arm as much as possible. Skive hadn’t admitted it yet, but ever since the day in the training courts, his arm had shown drastic improvement. The bandage wouldn’t remain for much longer.

  Aiden went down to the stables. This was one of the last things that Skive had forbidden, but Aiden couldn’t resist any longer. He bridled Narak and led him from the stable. Narak snorted in the early dawn as Aiden leaped onto his bare back. The valley stretch out in front of him and he gave in to the temptation. He held Narak to an easy canter for a few minutes before letting him lengthen into a gallop. The rising sun sparkled on the dew as they tore around the fields.