The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  * * *

  “I’ve never seen so many gloomy young women all at once,” Queen Elain declared.

  Rona, Amaura, and Mera sat despondently at the table, only picking at their food.

  “How long do you think they’re going to be gone this time?” Amaura asked her mother.

  “Not as long as you seem to think it will be,” Queen Elain said. “Trey never stays away long and my son and that young Aiden will be all right,” she said knowingly.

  Rona and Mera blushed and protested weakly.

  Queen Elain only smiled. “You girls seem to forget that I’ve been watching young people for a long time. I also know that sitting around won’t make time go any faster. Go! You’re young and free! Don’t waste it!”

  Kara came up to their table. “The Clans are holding a feast out on the field. Do you three want tae come? I can promise good food and endless dance partners,” she said, enacting a previously devised plan between her and the queen.

  “Yes! It would do you good,” Queen Elain said when they hesitated.

  “Don’t make me go alone!” Kara pleaded.

  “Well…” Mera began to relent.

  “Perfect!” Kara exclaimed. “It starts in an hour. And don’t worry about getting all dressed up, there won’t be many seats.” She danced away before any protests could be made.

  Rona saw that the queen had also retreated. “I guess we’re going?”

  “With not much of a choice,” Amaura said.

  “I’ll tell Gwilym that he can come. He’s been pestering me about it for the last two days. Both he and that nephew of yours, Rona,” said Mera.

  “He and Brannan together? That sounds like a dangerous mix,” Rona commented.

  “Aye, I get worried when I can’t see them. I forget how much energy he has until Martin leaves,” Mera said. The mention of the absent brother brought back thoughts of the others who were gone and melancholy sighs.

  An hour later, Kara met them in the main hall. She wore the purple plaid of Clan Gunlon over a plain dress. She escorted them down to the open fields where Clans Gunlon and Dyson had encamped. The smells of cooking food wafted through the air. Fires and torches were lit everywhere one looked. Next to the tables were freshly broached barrels of ale.

  Hundreds of voices chattering all at once were broken suddenly by a song or the quick skirl of bagpipes and drums. The Clans’ plaids were colorfully intermixed with the bright colors of the Aredorians.

  Gwilym quickly ran off into the crowd with Brannan. Rona and Mera waited in the lines to get plates laden with food while Kara and Amaura brought beakers of dark ale. All four sat down on a blanket close by Kara’s relatives and several members of Clan Canich. They ate with their hands and laughed with the wild energy that had infused the encampment.

  The bard of Clan Dyson jumped up and shouted over the noise, “Up on your feet now and we’ll show the stars how we dance!”

  Rona and Kara whooped and jumped to their feet before finding partners and starting the spinning, stomping dance. Mera and Amaura watched, laughing and clapping in time. After the dance finished, Kara found some of her cousins and brought them over. The men helped Mera and Amaura to their feet and taught them the steps to the next dance. They soon found that there were plenty of partners willing to teach them the dances loved by the Clans.

  Much later, they all sat down on the blanket with fresh mugs in their hands to listen to Strowen’s bard sing.

  “Is it always like this when the Clans meet?” Mera asked, watching the people.

  “Aye, even when the occasion is not so joyful,” Rona said.

  “I find it hard to believe that a Braeton could be sad,” Amaura said, and Rona laughed.

  “It’s long been said that when we’re angry we want a fight, when we’re happy we want a dance, and when we’re sad we want a ballad,” Rona said.

  Amaura lay back on her elbows and looked up at the stars with a sigh. “I wish it would never end.”

  “It is beautiful,” Kara agreed softly. “Kieran will be sorry he missed it.”

  “When do you leave for the coast?” Rona asked.

  “Tomorrow morning,” Kara replied.

  “Will it be over when you get there?” Rona asked.

  “Probably not,” Kara replied cheerfully. “It hardly ever is. I always manage tae catch the ending.”

  “When will you be back?” Mera asked.

  “I’m not sure.” Kara shrugged. “I could come back with them, or the Captain might send me on tae the forest. The patrols will be starting again since the Festival ends tomorrow.”

  “I guess I’m staying until they get back,” Rona said.

  “You must come and visit here again,” Amaura said.

  “I’d like that.” Rona smiled. “Maybe in the spring you can come tae our season’s feast.”

  “It wouldn’t be too hard for me tae take letters. I can give them tae one of Clan Dyson’s runners,” Kara offered.

  “You could do that?” Amaura asked.

  “Sure. Captain wouldn’t mind as long as I can make my run in the usual time. We have messages for the Clan sometimes.”

  “Since the trouble at Scodra is gone, there might be someone willing tae go tae Clan Dyson for letters,” Rona said.

  “It doesn’t sound like it will be too much trouble,” Mera said. “Thank you, Kara.”

  “You’re welcome,” Kara replied. “But I must say goodnight. It’s late, and if I drink any more, Delyth won’t be happy with me tomorrow.” She laughed.

  “Be careful, Kara,” Amaura said.

  “Do you have enough supplies?” Mera asked.

  “Aye, Lieutenant Liam made sure my bag was well stocked with everything before he left,” Kara replied.

  She had been learning the basics of caring for the wounded from both Liam and Mera. The warband would most likely need more healing supplies by the time she got there. She walked slowly back to the castle, sad to leave the festivities, but happy to depart the next morning to join the warband.

  Chapter 6

  Aiden took a sparing sip from his waterskin. The days had been mercifully cool due to the movement of autumn toward winter. He took a glance over the barricade to where the Raiders waited as they had the past four days. The enemy’s ranks had been thinned since the warband had arrived but they still outnumbered the northerners. Aside from the occasional sorties at one another, the two sides had remained apart and exchanged arrows.

  “It’s about time for them to start again, isn’t it?” the warrior beside him commented.

  “Aye, they should have finished lunch by now,” Aiden agreed.

  “Just about the time we should be getting ours.” The warrior watched the path of an arrow as it flew toward them. He moved aside and the arrow thudded into the ground.

  Aiden picked it up and fitted it to his bow. He sighted carefully, loosed, and watched a Raider fall as it found its mark.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked Tam who was positioned beside him.

  “I’m all right,” Tam replied steadily. “The only battles I’m in seem tae be sieges.”

  “Aye, but this time, we were the help,” Aiden said.

  “You need to get out more, lad,” the warrior addressed Tam. “These sieges are one thing but a cavalry charge or an ambush? Those are what really get the blood flowing.”

  Tam listened as his brother and the warrior traded stories, looking completely at ease as they loosed their arrows. He clenched his hand to steady it before drawing a shaft of his own.

  * * *

  All activity was halted that afternoon as a figure strode forward under a white flag.

  “Rufus,” Trey spat as he recognized the figure. Corin and Martin joined him at the barricade.

  “I want to speak with Lord Trey,” Rufus called mockingly.

  “What do you want?” Trey shouted back.

  “To tell you that you will finally pay for what you did to me!” Rufus touched the bandage he wore over his
left eye.

  Trey smiled for the first time. “How is your eye doing, by the way? I’ll meet you in single combat and finish the job!”

  “I don’t think so. I like you where you are,” Rufus said. “Is that the famed Hawk with you? I’ve long wanted to meet him. I know some people who do nothing but talk about you.”

  “Is that so?” Corin asked. “And who might these people be?” He exchanged a look with Martin and Trey. They didn’t like the way the conversation was going.

  “Friends you will have the honor of meeting very soon,” Rufus said. “Too bad I will have a chance to kill you before they do.”

  “Looks like you were right, Cor,” Martin said under his breath.

  “Come Spring there will be no one to stop me from sailing these waters.” Rufus laughed.

  “You seem very confident in that, Rufus,” Trey said.

  “I have every reason to be. I’ll kill you and your Sharks and then where will your precious castle and dimwitted brother be?” Rufus mocked.

  Martin grabbed Trey’s arm to hold him back.

  “You haven’t killed us yet,” Corin pointed out.

  “I want to take my time. I’m not getting paid for speed.” Rufus was obviously enjoying seeing how helpless Trey was. The Aredorian haunted his steps during the raiding season.

  “I’ll kill him slowly,” Trey swore. “You will curse the day you were born!” he shouted to Rufus.

  “Maybe one day, but it won’t be you that will make me,” Rufus jeered.

  Trey was halfway up the barricade before Martin caught him. “I will strangle you if I have to,” Martin threatened him. “He’s just a braggart, Trey. You’ll get your chance soon.”

  Rufus had retreated when he saw Trey move. Trey broke free from Martin’s hold.

  “One way or another I will meet him in combat before this is over,” he told Corin.

  “You’d better hurry,” Martin said to Corin as Trey stalked away.

  “I know. I don’t like what Rufus said at all. We need to get out of here.”

  * * *

  Martin joined Aiden as night fell.

  “We have a plan yet?” Aiden asked him.

  “Not that I know of. Corin’s trying, but we don’t have the best amount of maneuverability here,” Martin said.

  “Aye, we might be here a while longer,” Aiden said. He could see no clear way out of the situation.

  “It might not be as long as you think,” Martin said. “He’s got that look.”

  Aiden saw Corin coming toward them. He crouched beside them. “Listen for a minute and tell me if you hear anything,” he instructed in a low voice.

  Martin and Aiden sat up straighter and leaned toward the barricade. The sliver of the waning moon and stars shed little light on the beach. The Raider’s campfires and the few torches of the northerners flickered brightly in the darkness.

  For a moment all Aiden heard was the endless crash of the waves and the movement of a horse by the rocks. The short moan of one of the wounded men broke the stillness. Then another noise, barely audible, sounded in the darkness. Martin stiffened as he heard it too.

  “Bedwyr heard something on the north side too,” Corin said.

  “Someone just drew a blade,” Aiden whispered.

  “Trey has alerted the line. You think you could give us a light, Aiden?” Corin asked.

  Aiden cut two strips of cloth from his tunic and bound them around two arrowheads. Corin held a small branch of driftwood to a torch.

  “Everything quiet, Captain?” he called loudly.

  “Nothing out of place, sir,” Trey called back.

  Corin nodded to Aiden. He quickly laid one of his shafts on the bow and stuck the point into the small flame. It burst to life and he fired straight out into the night. He sent the other arrow further to the left. The quick light gave them what they needed to see. It glanced on dark figures and drawn blades. Corin gave a sharp call, and any spare torches were lit and thrust along the barrier.

  The Raiders, startled for a moment by the sudden lights, sprang up and rushed the barricade. Aiden dropped his bow and drew his swords, wishing desperately for more light as a Raider jumped over the dune at him.

  The defenders fought frantically as more than one torch was knocked over and sputtered weakly in the sand. Then the enemy faded back into the darkness, leaving them breathless and bewildered. For the remainder of the night the defenders looked longingly to the east, willing the dawn to come sooner.

  * * *

  The sun finally came and they were able to see the result of the attack.

  “Ten dead. Only two were ours,” Trey reported. “We used the last of the wood too.”

  Corin listened silently. He had hoped to avoid the situation they now found themselves in. He had racked his brain for any solution, but he had no plan. Kieran interrupted his thoughts.

  “Rider coming in, sir,” he called.

  The whole warband had seen a disturbance along the Raider line. A lone rider broke through.

  “It’s Kara,” Trey said.

  They watched with bated breath as the enemy began to give chase. Kara swung Delyth along the water line. As arrows began to fly, she kicked free of the stirrups and slid to the side, clinging to the saddle and keeping Delyth between her and the Raiders. Delyth heard Kieran’s guiding whistle and put on an extra burst of speed, plowing through the sand. He gathered himself and jumped over the shored defenses, knocking Kara loose as he landed and slid to a stop.

  Kieran grabbed the horse and hurried it to the rocks as Kara breathlessly scrambled to her feet and the defenders drove away the pursuing Raiders.

  “Any news?” Corin asked.

  “No, sir. The border is still clear,” Kara replied.

  “Good,” Corin said in relief. “Did you get hurt coming in?”

  “No, sir. The sand made for a softer landing than I’m used tae.”

  “See to the wounded. The Martel healer was killed several days ago,” Corin said.

  Kara saluted and made her way over to the shelter of the rocks where the more seriously wounded lay. Corin watched her go, feeling the hint of a plan tugging at his mind. He quickly found Lieutenant Hadyn.

  “How did you get out to give us the message?” he asked.

  “The Raiders have any exits on the other side of the rocks guarded so I swam out. I went down the coast about half a mile and found a horse,” the lieutenant said.

  Corin left him and crouched by a rock near the water’s edge.

  This is probably one of the worst ideas I’ve ever come up with, he reflected. Even during the War. He stared out over the water. This might take quite a bit of convincing on his part. He took a quick glance back. The Raiders were lighting new fires. No attack would come any time soon. The Aredorians settled down and were pairing off to watch and sleep. Those on watch cast discreet glances his way, hoping he had a way out.

  Corin returned his gaze to the sea, knowing all too well the trust riding on him. It had been hard transitioning from the South where he had taken orders for years and then coming home and having to learn how to give them. He had put forth highly doubtful plans with a forced show of confidence, and they were accepted without question. He felt like he had been lying to everyone for three and a half years.

  I can’t do this, he thought. Unconsciously, his hand went to his pouch, and he pulled out a small block of wood and began carving; something he’d begun in Calorin to pass the time. Darrin, his father, and the whole warband trusted him, but he knew there were several lords waiting for him to fail. They aren’t the only ones, he thought.

  Aiden settled in the sand beside him with a light grunt.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?” Corin didn’t look up from the wood curling beneath his knife.

  “I know that look on your face.” Aiden twitched sand from his boots. “You’re not regretting leaving, are you?”

  “Do you?” Corin asked.

  “Halfway through the siege of Sco
dra I was wondering why I left Calorin,” Aiden replied with a faint smile.

  A small seabird hopped boldly in and stole a wood shaving before being chased away by Karif.

  “So, is there a plan yet?” Aiden questioned.

  “Do you think I can come up with something that will get us all out of here?” Corin asked in return.

  “Yes,” Aiden replied simply.

  Corin laughed shortly. “You and sixty other men. What if I fail?”

  “You won’t. Doesn’t history prove otherwise?”

  “When did ever that mean anything? How do you know I’m any different from the broken, beaten slave you found seven years ago?”

  “You talk more.”

  “Because people believe I might have something worth saying. They believe that if Aredor is attacked, the Hawk will come in and save them. I don’t even deserve that name.” Corin watched Karif toss and peck at a piece of wood.

  “Remember at Janzori when you came up with that half- brained idea, and Azrahil agreed tae it?” Aiden asked and Corin nodded. “I was halfway up that wall when I realized why. It was because you had enough courage tae stand up and try even though it looked like we wouldn’t make it. I realized then that I would follow you through an ocean of fire and back even if you thought we couldn’t make it. You’re the strongest person I know. When I first saw you, I knew that if I was in your place, I would be dead. You don’t give up, Cor, and that’s why these men believe you can get them out of here.”

  “Thanks,” was all Corin could say as he half-turned to look at Aiden.

  He saw by the look in Aiden’s eyes that he meant every word and that was all he needed.

  Corin took a short breath. “But you might regret that when I tell you what I have in mind right now.”

  Aiden grinned. “Let’s hear it!”

  * * *

  A long moment of silence greeted Corin after he finished outlining the plan.

  “Sounds good to me,” Martin said.

  Aiden saw that Martin, like himself, was ready to trust Corin implicitly. Trey paused for a moment longer, thinking it over again.