The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  They circled the lake, and another rider appeared in the tree line ahead of them and he began to rein Narak in. The stallion fought it for a moment then began to slow. He would have pulled up beside the other rider, but Narak balked and reared as a fox darted in front of them. Aiden rode it and would have retained his seat if Narak had not added an exuberant buck. Aiden tumbled to the ground. He continued his fluent curse of his stallion until he saw who the rider was.

  Rona caught Narak’s reins, turning him back to where Aiden lay. “Are you all right?”

  Aiden stood and winced a little as his shoulder twinged. He had worn a short-sleeved shirt that morning and checked the bandage on his arm. He appeared to still be in one piece.

  “I think so. I didn’t expect tae see you out here this early.” He took Narak’s reins from her.

  “Early morning is the best time for doing something everyone would disapprove of, isn’t it?”

  He saw then that she was dressed in a tunic and breeches and was also riding bareback.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “Really?” Rona sounded surprised.

  “Sure,” Aiden said as he mounted again. “You’re pretty good with a sword, so who’s going tae argue with you?”

  She laughed. “If only it worked that way.”

  “I’ve been trying tae remember you from before I left,” Aiden said. “I haven’t had much luck.”

  “I wasn’t born here,” Rona said. “My parents died when I was about fifteen, and my uncle brought me and my brothers here. We arrived only a few weeks before you left. I remember it well.”

  “That worries me.” Aiden grinned.

  “It was quite bewildering. Scodra was in an uproar for weeks.”

  “So what do you do now when you’re not giving intae your rebellious side?” Aiden asked.

  Rona laughed. “Morna is actually my mother’s cousin. She agreed tae take care of us, so I help her in the kitchens most days. Or there’s always something that needs doing. Although, apparently you can’nae keep out of trouble.” She returned his quick smirk.

  “There’s nothing else for me tae do,” he said. “No one seems tae want tae let me get my hands dirty.”

  “Well, you are a Laird’s son.”

  “I don’t look very distinguished right now, do I?” he asked.

  She smiled and reached over to brush off bits of bracken that clung to his tunic. He ran a hand through his hair to do the same, leaving it even more tousled than usual.

  Rona checked the position of the sun. “I should get back.”

  “Me too,” Aiden said. “Do you mind if I ride back with you?”

  Rona shook her head, and they spurred their horses on. Narak pranced a little.

  “He seems very spirited,” Rona commented.

  “That’s one word for this idiot,” Aiden said. “He never knows when tae stand still. It’s gotten me intae trouble more than once.”

  “Are you ever not in trouble?” Rona asked.

  “Only when I’m asleep, and sometimes not even then.” Aiden laughed with her. He wasn’t sure where the next question came from, but he didn’t stop it. “Would you like tae do this again? Obviously minus the falling.”

  Rona paused for a moment. “I’d like tae. I can’nae tomorrow, but maybe the day after?” she replied.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Aiden agreed.

  They reentered the gates as the keep was beginning to stir. They hastily stabled their horses and hurried to change before being caught.

  * * *

  Their plans to ride were dashed by the heavy rain that began falling the next night and continued on into the early morning. Aiden still went to the stables to care for Narak. The stallion nibbled at his hay while Aiden brushed and untangled his mane. Footsteps sounded and Aiden looked up as Rona leaned on the stall door. She reached out to Narak, but the horse moved his head away.

  “He’s a little picky about the company he keeps,” Aiden said.

  “I’ve never seen anyone take care of his horse as much as you do,” Rona commented.

  “Habit. We rarely let the grooms take care of our horses in Calorin.”

  Rona picked a strand of hay and set it twirling between her fingers. “What’s it like in Calorin? I’ve always wondered what the countries are like outside of Braeton.”

  “It’s beautiful in its own way. You just have tae get used tae how flat and hot it is,” Aiden said. “There aren’t many trees, so I found myself missing the forest, especially when I first got there.”

  “Where else did you go?” Rona asked curiously.

  “I’ve been tae Gelion and Argus. I’ve never been east of here though.”

  “Argus,” Rona mused. “I think that’s where this came from.” She loosened the leather cord around her neck and handed the necklace to Aiden. A rounded black stone with a swallow in mid-dive carved in relief settled against his palm.

  “My great, great uncle was a trader, they say. He traveled throughout Cimbria and brought this back for his wife. It passed tae my mother, and she gave it tae me before she died. It helps me remember her,” Rona said.

  “It looks Argusian,” Aiden agreed. “I think this is a King’s swallow. The birds live only in the Valley of the Kings.”

  “What’s that?” Rona took the necklace back.

  “It’s where the Argusians bury their kings. I’ve never seen it. We never made it east of the river past the desert,” Aiden said. “But the swallows are supposed tae be the spirits of the fallen kings that remain behind tae watch over and protect the people. I wonder how he got it. A stone like that must be valuable.”

  “You really think so?” Rona touched it hesitantly.

  Aiden shrugged. “A merchant friend of mine showed me something similar once. He called it onyx. He said the Argusians would bless stones like that tae hold the memories of lost loved ones. I’m not sure I quite believe that.”

  “It’s a lovely idea though,” Rona said. “What were you doing in Argus?”

  “What else would I be doing?” Aiden shrugged a shoulder. “Fighting a war.”

  “Did you win?”

  “Both sides reached an agreement eventually,” Aiden said. “It was probably the most miserable campaign I’ve ever been on. I hate even the thought of sand.”

  “You must have plenty of stories tae tell.” Rona stole another bit of hay which was promptly snatched by Narak.

  “Tam is trying to convince me tae tell him. But I’m afraid there’s not much tae tell. It’s just one battle after another,” Aiden said. “That’s what makes it so hard tae settle down here. It’s too quiet.”

  “You’ll get used tae it.”

  “Maybe.” In his heart he knew he wouldn’t for a long time.

  * * *

  The next few days were busy as several of the chieftains of the villages came to see Laird Gòrdan. Aiden’s presence was required at most of the meetings, and he fidgeted restlessly. Skive had finally decided to remove the bandage on his arm and Aiden longed to ride again.

  At supper one evening, Rona caught Aiden’s glance. He made an annoyed face at her, and she only smiled and shook her head back. He grinned and tried to turn his attention back to the rambling chieftain seated next to him. Rona’s brother noticed the silent exchange.

  “Are you sure you do not aim too high?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?” she returned.

  “He is the Laird’s son. You help in the kitchens,” her brother reminded her.

  “Aiden doesn’t care about that. He’s just a friend,” Rona told him.

  “I respect him. He’s a fine warrior, but I don’t want tae see you hurt,” Eideard said.

  “He wouldn’t,” Rona protested.

  “I’m just warning you not tae be surprised if he forgets about you.”

  Rona glanced back to the head table. Aiden wasn’t as careless as Eideard might think, she was sure of it. But she wondered at her swift defense of Aiden. True, she didn’t know h
im well, but she had to admit she was quite taken by the young warrior. She knew she wasn’t the only one. Aiden was handsome, outgoing, and had an irresistible air of mystery surrounding him which led to a never-ending chatter among the young women of Scodra. Rona wondered what he might say if he knew.

  * * *

  Out of long habit, Aiden rose early. It had been over a month since Skive had declared his arm healed. Scodra was still asleep so he dressed and went down to the stables. Narak greeted him with a quiet nicker. Aiden saddled and bridled Narak quickly as the stallion stamped his foot in anticipation.

  They walked quietly out of the stables and Aiden mounted in the courtyard. The guards at the gate nodded a greeting as they swung the doors open. By now, they were used to his morning routine. Narak pulled eagerly at the bit as Aiden held him to a walk. They passed the lake and entered the forest. He urged Narak into a canter.

  They left the main paths and took a smaller game trail while jumping logs and splashing through a small stream. They pulled to a halt in a quiet, small valley. Aiden dismounted and found a seat on the ground while Narak began to graze.

  Aiden opened his pouch and took out the food that Morna had left out for him. There was even an extra apple for Narak. He ate and watched the early sunlight play in the valley. A faint rustle in the grass behind him disturbed the peace. The small sound would have gone unnoticed had attention to his environment not been drilled into him by Azrahil. Narak half raised his head and flicked his ears toward the sound. Aiden watched the stallion as he put his head back down and continued grazing. He began slicing an apple.

  “You going tae stand there all day or were you waiting for an invitation?” he finally asked.

  Jamey smiled and moved forward to join him. He laid his bow down at his feet, and Maon sat obediently beside him.

  “All right, if you’re so smart, how long was I standing there?” he asked.

  Aiden bit into an apple slice. “About five minutes. So, how’d you find me?”

  “We were out hunting and Maon picked up your trail. We figured we’d come visit a friend.”

  “I haven’t seen you much since the feast,” Aiden said.

  “Sorry about that. I’ve been on my own for so long that I’m not used tae all the people in Scodra,” Jamey said.

  “It takes a while tae adjust tae new things, doesn’t it?”

  “Is that why you’ve ridden out for the past few days? Wanting some time alone?” Jamey asked.

  Aiden glanced sideways at him. “Have you been following me?”

  Jamey chuckled. “I spend a lot of time out here. You don’t think I can’nae pick up some new tracks?”

  “Fair enough. You did learn from the best.” Aiden wiped his blade clean and re-sheathed it.

  “So did you,” Jamey replied.

  “Aye. I’m still surprised your father allowed me tae come visit,” Aiden said.

  “It’s not like anyone could have stopped you.”

  “Both sides certainly tried,” Aiden said. “But I think your father understood that I needed something tae do, tae get me away from home…and more trouble.”

  “After you ran away, your father came and visited. Och, he almost beat down the door and demanded tae know if we had done anything tae you,” Jamey said. “But Father stood in his face and gave Laird Gòrdan a piece of his mind. They argued as only two angry Braetons can. Father wasn’t worried about you. He knew you could take care of yourself.”

  “They came looking for me?” Aiden didn’t know why the surprise crept out.

  “Aye, but you’d done a pretty good job of scrambling your trail. Will even snuck out tae find me and ask if I knew where you’d gone.”

  “I didn’t even know where I wanted tae go. Besides away,” Aiden said. “I stopped in one of Clan Gunlon’s villages. An innkeeper had a map, so I looked at it and saw the Masian Sea. Then all of the sudden I knew that’s what I wanted tae see. After that, I went west and then south.”

  “Did you find what you were looking for out there?”

  “Aye. I felt free. No one knew who I was. I learned some hard lessons and finally grew up. A captain gave me the discipline I needed tae control myself. I made some good friends and left a few behind.” Aiden’s eyes clouded as he saw again a distant unmarked grave and a name he had taken as his own.

  A rabbit ventured out of the grass and Maon looked beseechingly at Jamey. At a quick nod from Jamey, the hound sprang away in quick pursuit, yipping excitedly. The two friends smiled at his exuberance.

  “What did you do after your father died?” Aiden asked.

  “I carried on as best I could. It got lonely out here sometimes. Will would occasionally come tae see how I was doing. The first year was hard, but then I found Maon, half-starved and lost. He had probably wandered off from one of the settlements. We keep each other company.”

  “But now you can come and go as you please,” Aiden said.

  “Aye. I might show up again soon. I finished all the food that Morna sent back with me nearly a week ago. I don’t know how I lived off my cooking before.” Jamey shook his head, and Aiden laughed.

  “I always told you she was amazing,” he said. “She’s currently trying tae make up for all the meals I’ve missed over the past ten years. It’s a wonder I can still move.”

  * * *

  “You weren’t joking, were you?” Jamey sat back from the table. Two days after meeting Aiden in the forest he had come to Scodra for a visit, and Aiden had taken him to the kitchens for lunch. Or, as it turned out, a minor feast provided by Morna. Aiden put his boot against the table and tilted his chair back.

  “I never joke about food.” He tossed a nut and caught it neatly in his mouth.

  “I think I’ve changed my mind. I might come tae live here after all,” Jamey said.

  “Don’t let Morna hear you. She was just saying the other day how awful it was for you tae live all alone out in the ‘gloomy forest,’ I think it was.”

  “I might agree.”

  Tam and Ranulf walked into the kitchens to join them. “I told you he’d be down here,” Tam said to Ranulf.

  “Well, it was either here or the training courts,” Ranulf said.

  “All right, you’ve found me. Now what?” Aiden tossed another nut.

  Tam caught it midair and ate it, ignoring Aiden’s offended glare.

  “Aredor’s Autumn Festival is a little over a month away and they’ve invited the Clans,” Ranulf said.

  “We going?” Aiden asked.

  “Father isn’t, but he wants some of us tae go,” Ranulf said.

  “Well, I will. I’ve got a good friend who lives over there,” Aiden said. “You going, Jamey?”

  “Aye, I suppose I will. It’ll give me a chance tae get out of ‘the gloomy forest,’” Jamey said, and they both chuckled.

  “Well, then, Father wants tae talk tae you when you have a chance, Aiden,” Tam said.

  Aiden nodded. “Where is he?”

  “In the main council room. With Neason,” Tam answered with a grin.

  “What’s Neason doing here?” Disgust edged into Aiden’s voice.

  “He brought the message on from Clan Dyson,” Ranulf replied.

  Aiden caught Jamey’s questioning look. “You remember my least favorite cousin.”

  “Ah!” Jamey tilted his head back in somewhat amused remembrance.

  “He said he wanted tae see you,” Ranulf said.

  “Oh, I just bet he did,” Aiden said. “I’ll wipe that ridiculously white smile off his face too.”

  Tam unsuccessfully tried to stifle a burst of laughter.

  “Can I come? I’ve been wanting tae see this for years!” Ranulf smirked.

  “No, you may not!” Aiden replied. “Now, shut up, both of you!” He glared at them as he left the kitchens, followed by another burst of laughter. “I’ve seen wild dogs with better manners!” he muttered to himself.

  Aiden met Gòrdan and Neason coming toward him in the hallway.
>
  “Well, if it isn’t little Aiden!” Neason exclaimed.

  Aiden gritted his teeth. He had always stood shorter than his brothers but had made up for it with strength and agility. Neason, in contrast, was taller than most Braetons. He was a few years older than Aiden and had never missed a chance to push him around as children.

  Aiden smiled tightly. “Neason! As condescending as ever, I see,” he said. Neason ignored the remark, and Gòrdan hid a smile.

  “I heard you were back and a Champion! I wanted tae see for myself,” Neason said.

  “Yes, I became a soldier. What is this world coming tae?” Aiden replied.

  Ranulf interceded as he came up with Jamey. “Neason, I don’t think you’ve ever met Jamey,” he said, introducing them.

  “I’ve heard so much about you,” Jamey said. He winked at Aiden and, with a bow to Gòrdan, he and Ranulf turned Neason away and walked off down the hall.

  “They came just in time,” Gòrdan remarked.

  “Please tell me he’s not staying for dinner,” Aiden said.

  “You know he is. And aren’t you two a little old tae continue childhood squabbles?” Gòrdan reprimanded.

  “I vividly remember him trying tae drown me.”

  “I never heard about that!”

  “That was the summer he visited while you and Uncle went tae the Gathering,” Aiden said. “Anyway, he never got in trouble.”

  “Both of you should try tae put that behind you,” his father said.

  “I’m more inclined tae throw a rock at his face.”

  Gòrdan chuckled. “I trust you heard the reason for his visit?”

  “Yes, sir. Tam and Ranulf just told me,” Aiden said.

  They began walking toward Gòrdan’s study.

  “Are you going?” Gòrdan asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Aiden replied.

  “Good. I want Ranulf tae stay here. I have much tae speak with him about. I plan tae pass the torc tae him at the New Year,” Gòrdan said. “I wanted you tae go. This Festival will build the friendship between the Clans and Aredor.”

  “I’ll be on my best behavior then,” Aiden said with a grin that was returned by his father.