The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

“Aiden, perhaps you can tell me something about my son. Has he always treated that animal like a human?” she asked.

  Aiden glanced to see Karif perched on the back of Corin’s chair.

  “Honestly, ma’am, I think it’s the other way around,” he replied with a smile, and Queen Elain laughed.

  “You do, eh?” Corin asked.

  “You know it’s true,” Aiden said.

  “It probably is, isn’t it?” Corin admitted, offering Karif a piece of meat which was eagerly accepted.

  “Trey, Martin keeps telling me I should challenge you to a race,” Corin said.

  Trey leaned forward from the other side of Aiden. “Sure, but you know I can beat you any day,” he said lightly.

  “To give myself a sporting chance, I was thinking the Chenedl,” Corin replied.

  “Corin! That’s the most dangerous race. No one’s done it in almost one hundred years!” Queen Elain exclaimed.

  “Then maybe it’s time someone tried it again,” Corin said. “What do you say, Trey?”

  Aiden caught the look of resignation in Queen Elain’s face at the light in Trey’s eyes that was mirrored in Corin’s. It was the look of a warrior that would let nothing deter them. Aiden knew it all too well. Men leaned forward all along the table to hear Trey’s answer.

  “If no one’s done it in that long, then I’m in,” Trey said. “Give me a day to rest Nerys?”

  “Aye, Zephyr could use a day as well,” Corin agreed.

  With the day settled, talk soon turned to other matters. The evening moved slowly on. Corin refilled his beaker and nodded to Aiden. When Queen Elain turned again, they were both gone.

  Corin opened the door to his room, and Aiden entered.

  “Well, I like what you’ve done with the place,” Aiden commented.

  A bed sat against the far wall and two arm chairs were placed by the fireplace. A table and chairs sat by the window, and a wardrobe stood in the corner. The other prominent feature of the room was weapons. Two javelins leaned against the wall by the door. A sheathed broadsword hung horizontally on the wall above the hearth. Corin’s bow and scimitar lay on the table, and the hilt of a knife peeked out from under a pillow on the bed.

  Aiden took off his cloak and bracers and loosened the top of his tunic as Corin moved his packs from the armchairs.

  “This yours?” he asked, looking at the broadsword.

  “It was supposed to be given to me when I got old enough to start training.” Corin took it down and handed it to him.

  “It doesn’t look like you ever tried tae use it.” Aiden unsheathed it and inspected the edge.

  “Martin has tried to teach me, but the scimitar is my weapon. I can’t give it up. I still use the javelins instead of the heavier spears, to the disappointment of some of the lords. They still think I’m part Calorin in spite of everything,” Corin said.

  Aiden shook his head in disgust and replaced the sword.

  “So what’s bothering you?” Corin asked.

  “Is it that obvious?”

  Corin shrugged. “You looked like you were favoring your left arm earlier, and I keep hearing bits and pieces of you saving Braeton from a massive invasion. And you look restless. So…?”

  “I wish you weren’t so observant sometimes,” Aiden said.

  Corin smiled as he unbuckled his vambraces and also loosened the top of his tunic.

  They settled into the armchairs with beakers of ale, and Aiden related the plain story of the fight for Scodra and the few events after. He pushed up his sleeve so Corin could see the new scars on his arm that crippled the lower legs of the wildcat tattoo.

  “It seems like it has taken longer to heal than normal. I haven’t seemed to get full strength back, and I can’t really train with anyone like I’m used to.”

  “And…” Corin prompted, sensing that was not all.

  “I don’t know,” Aiden said. “How do you do it? It’s so quiet there now. I feel on edge.”

  “Going out on patrol helps me. I’ve gotten so used to war that now I almost can’t handle this peace.”

  “Aye, and they don’t really understand. Tam tries but…it’s like…since the trouble is over, they expect me to just put aside everything I’ve learned and settle down. To be…someone. I just haven’t figured out who yet. I’m not proud of everything I did in Calorin, but it was my life for eight years, and I can’t just put it away.” Aiden twisted his empty beaker in his hands.

  “I know,” Corin said softly. “I’m supposed to be healed and able to move on and be some sort of hero. But I can’t forget everything that ever happened to me. I still have the nightmares, Aiden, and how many times did you have to wake me from those?”

  They fell into silence for a few moments.

  “So, what now?” Aiden asked. “I feel like I’ll burst if I don’t find something to keep me busy.”

  “There might be something I can do,” Corin said. “I’ll have it worked out before you leave.”

  “Even though you won’t tell me, thanks, mate.” Aiden smiled. He knew Corin wouldn’t let him down.

  “I still wake early, and there’s a small training courtyard that’s rarely used,” Corin said.

  “I’ll meet you there,” Aiden said. “The usual?”

  “The usual,” Corin confirmed with a smile.

  Chapter 2

  Tam woke shortly after dawn. Aiden’s bunk across the room was empty and neatly made. Overcome by curiosity, he rose and dressed and left in search of his brother. A sentry silently pointed him to a more secluded part of the castle grounds. The sounds of hollow blows guided him through a stone passageway that led into a courtyard. He halted inside the entrance and watched the two occupants.

  Aiden and Corin wore short-sleeved shirts with arms bare of bracers. They sparred with wooden training swords in a fighting style different from anything Tam had ever seen. Aiden held two but every so often one sword would change possession, and he fought with one.

  Then at a sharp word from Aiden, the swords were dropped, and they moved to hand-to-hand combat. Tam saw that even though the style was fast and aggressive, very few blows were actually landed with force. Corin tumbled sideways after a light strike to his ribs and came up on his feet. Aiden signaled a halt and leaned over, his hands on his knees.

  Tam took an impulsive step forward, thinking Aiden was hurt. Corin’s head flew up as he caught the movement and gave Tam a nod as he recognized him.

  “You all right?” Corin asked Aiden in Calorin.

  “I’m fine,” Aiden replied as they both regained their breath. “I didn’t hit you too hard, did I?”

  “I hardly felt it.”

  “Who’s watching?” Aiden caught a movement at the entrance.

  “It’s Tam. He’s worried about you, Aiden,” Corin said.

  Aiden straightened and rubbed his arm. He wished everyone would quit worrying about him.

  “You want to move on?” Corin asked. “Don’t overdo it. It took over three months for my arm to fully recover after the lion attack.”

  “I’ll be fine. We can go slower,” Aiden replied. “You can come and sit down, Tam,” he called in Rhyddan.

  Tam came forward and sat on one of the benches under the overhanging roof and leaned against a pillar. Aiden and Corin went over to another bench and pulled on their short-sleeved mail coats and leather tunics. The heavy vambraces and belts were buckled on next.

  Aiden withdrew his swords from their sheaths and twirled them experimentally as Corin unsheathed his scimitar. They moved to the center of the court and began again. Slowly at first and then gaining speed, it was a rhythmic pattern of blocks, thrusts, and lunges done hundreds of times before. Aiden almost missed the gruff shouts of Azrahil at any mistakes in the routine. As before, blows were halted just before they hit the body or were struck with the flat of the blade.

  Their faces were grim in concentration as steel hit steel in the dangerous dance. Then Aiden’s left sword slipped and slashed Corin’s
sword arm. They halted and Aiden loosed a frustrated yell in Calorin when he saw the blood.

  “You all right, Hamíd?”

  “Aye, it’s not deep. I’ll take care of it when we finish,” Corin replied.

  “No, we’ll stop now,” Aiden said.

  “Do the last part again, Emeth,” Corin said, a note of command in his voice Aiden was unfamiliar with. “My arm will be fine.”

  Aiden unwillingly began the attack again. They moved more slowly through the remainder of the exercise. Corin sheathed his sword and directed Tam to a pouch lying on the bench that held a few rolled bandages. Corin held his arm as Aiden took a waterskin and washed blood away from the cut. Aiden took the bandage from Tam and wrapped it securely around Corin’s arm.

  “I’m sorry, Cor.” Aiden reverted to the northern tongue.

  “I might lose my arm, and it’s your fault.” A smile tugged at Corin’s mouth.

  “You’re funny,” Aiden said.

  They sat down and began cleaning and sharpening their weapons while including Tam in their conversation.

  Tam watched them as they worked and joked good-naturedly. Aiden seemed more at home with Corin. But they were so alike anyway, Tam reflected: strong and dangerous. Scars from countless fights laced their bare arms. They were familiar with war and carried its burden along with their own secrets.

  “We’ve probably missed breakfast by now,” Aiden said as he finished with his swords.

  “Well, I could look regally down my nose and get us something, or the cooks probably remember you,” Corin said.

  “That’s because I’m so memorable,” Aiden grinned. Corin shoved him. “I’m willing tae bet you go down there pretty frequently. You’re almost as good at the pathetic face as I am.”

  “What? A respectable person like me?” Corin said. They both laughed.

  “I’ll meet you down there in a bit then?” Aiden said.

  “Aye. Tam, you want to join us?” Corin asked.

  Tam nodded his agreement. Aiden left the courtyard, but Tam lingered behind as Corin prepared to leave. He draped his cloak carefully over his arm to hide the bandage and blood that still remained.

  “Can I ask you something, sir?” Tam asked.

  “Sure.” Corin nodded.

  “Can you tell me what my brother was like in the South? It’s just that I can’nae quite figure him,” Tam said.

  “I was in the Phoenix Guard with him.” Corin held out his vambrace so Tam could see the insignia. “We met when we were about twenty years old. We were part of the best fighters under Lord Rishdah. Aiden was young, but I think he was the best warrior among all of us. He took care of me and looked out for me when I was training. He’s the best friend I could ask for.”

  “Why does he not want any praise for saving Scodra? And if you don’t mind me saying, you don’t seem tae take praise either.”

  “It’s different for both of us. In the Guard we did so many things, some of which were considered to be impossible. But our whole purpose was to protect our lord. We lived for that and never received much recognition for it. He’s just not used to it, Tam.”

  “I’m just trying tae understand him better.”

  “Give him some more time, Tam. It wasn’t easy for me to explain myself after I returned and the war ended. It still isn’t. We have to get used to being home again.”

  * * *

  “Why was Corin in Calorin with you?” Tam asked Aiden after breakfast. Corin had left to meet some more guests that had arrived and Will and Jamey had joined them.

  “I can’nae tell you that,” Aiden said. “A man’s past is his own tae keep.”

  “I don’t even know,” Will said as Tam looked to him. “Even most of the veterans of the Hawk Flight don’t seem to know much about him. Lieutenant Martin knows him the best, but good luck trying tae get anything out of him.”

  “Resign yourself, laddie,” Aiden told him. “The only way you’ll ever find out is if he tells you, and that will never happen.”

  They walked through the bustling courtyard and out to the open training fields. The fields around the castle were a buzz of color and activity. The Clans mixed easily with their Aredorian neighbors, and shouts and laughter filled the air. There was a swirl of green and black, and a merry young man greeted Aiden.

  “I heard you came but I didn’t get a chance to see you yesterday,” Martin said. He and Aiden clasped hands and then Tam and Jamey were also introduced.

  “Is there anyone here that you don’t know?” Will asked Aiden.

  “I just have one of those faces,” Martin said.

  A tall somber man appeared behind Martin. “The kind that leaves children screaming?”

  Aiden greeted Trey who gave a rare smile. Aiden was glad to see both of them again. He’d enjoyed getting to know them a little better during his last stay at Kingscastle. He hid a grin at the barely disguised looks of wonder on Tam and Jamey’s faces as Trey greeted them. They had heard enough from him and from stories freely told in Aredor and carried to Braeton by traders to know that they were meeting some of the heroes of the Calorin War as it had begun to be called.

  “Corin and I are walking the course,” Trey said to Martin. “You should be there since you are officiating.”

  “Fine! Care to tag along?” Martin asked the Braetons. They all agreed. Will would have accompanied them also, but he was hailed by two members of the Hawk Flight.

  “So what’s so special about this race?” Aiden asked. They walked with Martin behind Corin and Trey who were discussing the course with an older warrior.

  “The Chenedl is the most difficult race of the Festival. The competitors race bareback around the training grounds, and they must jump the obstacles specified,” Martin said.

  They came to a fallen tree that had been dragged to the grounds for the race.

  “Bareback, you say?” Jamey looked over at the massive trunk.

  “Aye, I don’t envy them one bit!” Martin laughed. Further along, a ditch yawned across the trail.

  “They said no one’s done it in a hundred years?” Tam asked.

  “It used to be run almost every Festival. But one year two warriors decided to ride it. One was killed after his horse threw him at a jump. The next year his friend ran it to honor him and no one’s done it since. They still lay out the course every year though. It’s a sore temptation for the younger warriors. Corin and I might have run it a few years ago if things had been different,” Martin said.

  “Why don’t you do it now?” Aiden asked. Corin had told him once that he and Martin had done almost everything together as children.

  “I’m not nearly skilled enough to get through it. Corin and Trey are two of the best riders in Aredor. I’m more than content to watch.”

  “Don’t let him be so modest!” Trey called back.

  “You’re supposed to be paying attention up there, not eavesdropping on my conversation!” Martin yelled.

  “We let you officiate the race, and this is what happens?” Corin called.

  “Yes! I’m in charge this time, so no talking up there or you both lose!” Martin said.

  “That’s not even possible,” Trey retorted.

  “There’s a first time for everything,” Martin warned.

  They caught up to Corin and Trey at the edge of the river. The banks were steep where the river curved.

  “You’ll have to be careful where you jump in at this curve,” the warrior was saying. “The river is shallow here. You’ll go down river and come out where the bank levels down there.” He pointed. “After that, there’s two more jumps and a straight shot to the finish. And of course there should be no one playing in the water tomorrow.”

  Martin glanced where the warrior was looking. “How’d he get all the way out here?” He sighed. “Hey, Gwilym! What are you doing?”

  A young boy of seven looked up from where he was crouched by the water.

  “Well, first I was chasing a rabbit, then there was a frog, then I wa
nted to catch a fish, then…” Gwilym continued until Martin held up his hand.

  “Enough! You’ve been busy. You catch anything?” he asked. Gwilym shook his head. “We’ll come back in a few days and do it properly,” Martin said.

  Gwilym brightened. “Really?”

  “Really. Now come up before you get even dirtier,” Martin said.

  Gwilym stared at the steep embankment. “Can you help me?”

  “No,” Martin replied. “Find a way up.”

  Gwilym stared intently at the earthen wall confronting him and then used a tree root to scramble to the top where Martin relented and helped him the last few feet. Gwilym shrank against Martin’s leg when he saw the strangers.

  “This is Gwilym. He’s my…” Martin seemed unsure of what to say.

  “Martin’s my uncle,” the boy piped up. “And he’s a friend.” He pointed to the warrior. “And he’s an uncle.” He pointed to Corin. “And he’s a grampa.” Trey was last to be singled out.

  “That’s quite a mix of relatives you have,” Aiden commented.

  “Oh, I have lots more,” Gwilym said.

  “Really? How many?” Tam asked.

  Gwilym looked up at Martin.

  “About twenty uncles and two aunts,” Martin supplied.

  “How did he manage that?” Aiden asked.

  “Uncle Cor, would you mind?” Martin nodded at Gwilym.

  “You’ve already seen the rest of the course, so if you’ll excuse me, sir,” the warrior said to Trey.

  “Thanks, Ivor.” Trey nodded.

  “Come here, Gwilym. The best place to catch frogs is just down the river here,” Corin said. Gwilym grabbed his hand and they hurried down to the river.

  When Corin and Gwilym were gone, Martin began to relate the story.

  “During the War, the Calorins started attacking the villages. We had the whole warband out to stop them, but they finished with one small village before we got there. It was burning, and he was the only one of his family alive. I pulled him out of the house, and he wouldn’t let go of me. He was about five years old.

  “We took him to the settlement in the forest, but it still took several days before he would let me leave him alone. He asked me if I was going to be his new father. I didn’t know what to say so I became his uncle instead. After that he kind of adopted the rest of the warband and my sister,” Martin said.