The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  “So, you’re saying we swim the horses down the coast in order to outflank them?” he asked.

  “Aye, the Raiders have us surrounded on all sides except the water. They fear the horses, so we should use it to our advantage. It will be dark tonight with the moon all but gone, so we should be able to get past the ships unseen,” Corin said.

  Trey looked to his captain.

  “It’s risky, but I like it,” Alun said. “How far down the coast are we going, sir?” he asked Corin.

  “You know these waters better than I do.”

  Alun nodded thoughtfully. “About a quarter mile east there are some more rocks like these. We can come in behind those. It should be far enough to stay hidden from the Raiders. It won’t take more than a quarter hour to swim it. But we’ll be more than ready to get out of the water by then.”

  “Bedwyr?” Corin looked to his captain.

  The quiet captain nodded. “Aye, I think it will work. We have sixty men able to fight.”

  “Trey, I want you and Captain Alun to lead the men down the coast. Bedwyr, help Alun divide the men, then gather everyone together so we can tell them,” Corin ordered.

  The two captains saluted and left together.

  “You sure about this one, Cor?” Trey asked quietly.

  “Didn’t I tell you never to ask me that?” Corin returned.

  “Aye, but I am just the same,” Trey said.

  “There’s a great amount of risk, but I don’t see any other way.”

  “Then let’s make sure it works. I’m ready to go home.”

  “Aye, all I have to do now is make sure everyone else agrees,” Corin said.

  Aiden slipped away to find Captain Alun.

  “If there’s still room, I’d like tae volunteer, sir,” he said.

  The tall, somber captain looked him up and down. “You know what’s involved, or you wouldn’t be volunteering,” he stated.

  “Yes, sir,” Aiden replied.

  “Permission granted. Lord Trey and I will be talking it over with everyone after Prince Corin announces it.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Aiden said and rejoined Will.

  “You’ve looked busy,” his brother commented. “What’s going on?”

  “You’ll find out in a minute,” Aiden promised.

  A short whistle gained everyone’s attention. They gathered in the center of the circle with the exception of a few guards. Corin took a deep breath and began.

  “As you all know, we have no visible way out of here. But…” he had every man’s full attention. “We’re dividing in half. Lord Trey will lead half of you down the coast tonight by swimming your horses past the ships and about a quarter mile east. At dawn, the rest of you will ride with me. The plan is to be able to outflank the enemy. They’ll have nowhere to run but the water. Captain Alun and Captain Bedwyr have divided you out. If any man feels like he cannot discharge his part, I’ll not think less of him.”

  “And miss the chance to tell the story of how we sent the Raiders packing? No, sir!” one of the Sharks called. “I’m going, right, Captain?”

  “Aye, you are, Cefin,” Captain Alun replied.

  Aiden saw that the rest of the warbands seemed to be in agreement with Cefin.

  “Then read out the rest of the names, Captain, and let’s get ready,” Corin said.

  “Odd how your name got called for this,” Will remarked casually to Aiden.

  “It is, isn’t it?” Aiden replied.

  “Still need tae be in the middle of everything, eh?” Will asked.

  Aiden grinned. “I can’nae help it. Besides, I like tae swim.”

  “Och, get out of here before I throw you in myself,” Will said, smiling.

  Aiden left him and went to join the other men gathering with Trey and Alun. They were a mixture of both the Kingscastle and Martel warbands.

  “We’ll leave the saddles behind. We can’t afford to weigh the horses down any more than necessary. Leave your chain mail and any extra weapons behind, take only what you need,” Trey said. “We’ll be using the sealskin bags to carry weapons. Those of you who came with the Captain, my men staying behind have contributed their bags. They can hold your swords and keep some clothes dry to change as soon as you make it out of the water. Any questions?”

  There was a chorus of “No, sirs!” and then at a nod from Trey, they disbanded. Aiden found his packs and pulled out some fresh clothes and stowed two of his knives and the mail coat away. Placing his bow and quiver with the bags, he unsaddled Narak and set the saddle on the blanket over the sand. Darkness was falling fast as he carefully put his weapons in the sealskin bag and fastened it securely shut before slinging it across his chest.

  “Be careful,” Tam said.

  “I will,” Aiden said. He was also leaving his leather tunic behind, so he would have almost no protection in the morning. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said before leading Narak away.

  The other men had begun to gather along the water line with their horses.

  “You ever done anything like this before?” Aiden asked one of the Sharks.

  “Not besides to train, and never in the dark,” the warrior replied.

  “That’s reassuring,” Aiden said wryly, bringing a chuckle from the warrior. Corin joined them in the fading light.

  “You look more nervous than we do,” Aiden told him in Calorin, seeing through his forced air of calm. Corin simply shot him a glare.

  “I figured we’d wait for an hour or so until they’ve settled down for the night,” Trey said.

  “Did you find their sentries on the other side of the rocks?” Corin asked.

  “Aye, Captain Alun has appointed a few of the lads to go take care of them shortly,” Trey replied. Corin nodded. “Get out of here, Cor, before you start pacing!”

  “You stay behind next time!” Corin retorted as those within earshot stifled smiles.

  “Good luck tomorrow, sir,” the warrior beside Aiden said to Corin.

  “And to you. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Corin replied before leaving.

  Aiden settled in to wait, striving to calm his racing pulse. Finally the whispered alert came and the force began to move.

  “I’m going first,” Captain Alun said. “Since Aiden volunteered, he goes next. Five minutes between each man. Remember, only a quarter mile down. I’ll try and have some sort of light set out to guide you in.”

  Muffled “Yes, sirs,” were the only response.

  The Captain mounted his horse and urged it forward into the surf. Within a few moments he was lost in the darkness. Five minutes seemed like an eternity to Aiden before Trey nodded to him.

  He mounted Narak. The stallion walked into the water, throwing his head as the cold water swirled around his legs. He tried to step over the incoming surf until a reassuring pat came from his master. Aiden felt Narak strain against the waves as they moved into deeper water.

  When he judged they were far enough out, he slid from Narak’s back, increasing the stallion’s buoyancy. He kept a hand on the reins as he tugged Narak around to swim parallel to the coast. They swam gamely, fighting against the bitterly cold waves that pushed and pulled at them.

  No alert was given from the triremes as they passed. The minutes passed agonizingly slowly as they moved down the coast. Finally Aiden saw a brief pinprick of light to his left. He pulled on the reins to turn Narak toward the shore. The surf pushed them in and, when Aiden felt Narak’s hooves touch the ground, he pulled himself back onto the stallion.

  Captain Alun held the torch aloft as they splashed onto the shore. He grabbed Narak’s reins as Aiden dismounted, numb from cold.

  “Change your clothes, lad, or you’ll freeze. Then help me build a fire. There’s just enough driftwood lying around,” the captain ordered.

  Aiden complied as fast as he could, stumbling about in the darkness until the pile of driftwood flared weakly to life. He waited by Captain Alun as the men came singly to shore. Last of all came Trey.

&
nbsp; “Everyone make it?” he asked, wiping water from his face.

  “Aye, sir. We’re all accounted for,” Alun replied. “You’d best get changed. It’s not long until dawn.”

  * * *

  Corin waited patiently. The night had passed quietly. It wouldn’t be long now before it was time to move. He felt the nervous tug at his gut that always came before a battle. A seagull squawked from the rocks as the eastern sky began to lighten imperceptibly. The sleeping warriors began to stir.

  Martin slid in beside him. “You ready?”

  “Aye, I didn’t sleep at all last night,” Corin replied.

  “I would attempt to lecture you, but I didn’t either,” Martin said.

  Faint sounds of horses shifting, girths being tightened, and weapons being checked began to echo. Martin and Corin rose and found their horses. Shields were moved, and the sand smoothed out, and the warriors rode single file out of their defenses. The Raiders fell back in surprise as they saw the approaching line of horses, and the circle around the Aredorians was broken.

  The Raider camp erupted into a puzzled activity as they saw more riders come from the east. Captain Rufus laid about with his sword, driving his men to prepare a defense. The Raider force was driven together as the Aredorians joined ranks.

  Martin stood in his stirrups and sounded the eerie wolf howl. It echoed across the lonely coast and was answered as Karif dove from the sky to land on Corin’s arm. Steel was drawn on both battles lines. Corin brought his scimitar down in a great, flashing arc, and they charged.

  * * *

  Kara made her way through the aftermath, tending to the wounded as best she could.

  “Rufus got away!” Trey shouted angrily as the longboats filled with escaped Raiders fled to the triremes after the northerners’ horses carried them to victory. The sails spread and oars began to move, taking the pirates out of reach. Martin attempted to calm Trey as the ships made off with his enemy.

  Aiden found Tam looking a little dazedly around him. “You all right?” Aiden asked.

  “I think so.” Tam took a bloody hand away from his arm.

  Will ran over as Aiden helped Tam sit down. He ripped open the sleeve to look at the wound.

  “It doesn’t look bad, Tam.” Aiden took a bandage from Will and wrapped it firmly around Tam’s arm. “That will stop the bleeding for now. We’ll get Kara tae look at it as soon as possible.”

  Tam nodded as they helped him to his feet. It took most of the day to finish with the battleground. There were a few Raider prisoners taken who were allowed to care for their dead. Riders were sent to Castle Martel and to Kingscastle with news of the victory.

  Kara watched Kieran ride off before turning to Corin.

  “Are you hurt, sir?” she asked.

  “I see Liam passed on his nagging habits to you,” Corin commented.

  “And he wasn’t lying about your evasiveness either,” Kara said. “I mean that respectfully, of course.”

  Corin couldn’t hide his smile. “Of course you do. I’m fine for now. Go see to Tam. I want him and his brothers back in one piece. The last thing I need right now is an angry Clan coming after me.”

  The Raiders had used several of the remaining longboats to build a pyre by the water’s edge on which they placed their dead companions. The sun was low in the sky when they lit it.

  The Aredorians gathered together and watched, having already lain their fallen to rest in a single grave not far from the beach. Only Tam stood at the water’s edge just beyond the reach of the incoming waves that were tinted red by the setting sun. Then softly, he began to sing. The unfamiliar words echoed over the silent coast.

  “What’s he doing?” Corin asked Aiden.

  “He’s singing the dead tae Heaven’s Halls,” Aiden replied quietly, struck by the haunting melody.

  “It’s not Rhyddan,” Martin said.

  “No, it’s the old language of the Clans. None but the bards know it now,” Will replied.

  “Do you think it works, sir?” one of the young warriors asked. He had lost a close friend in the fighting. Will looked over at his drawn face.

  “Aye, lad. I think it does,” he said, and the young man wiped a tear from his face.

  * * *

  The next morning the prisoners boarded the last longboat, loaded with some supplies, and pushed out to sea.

  “That’s more of a chance than they ever gave their victims,” Trey ground out angrily as he watched them go.

  “Aye, but would you have given the order to kill them?” Corin asked.

  Trey simply shook his head. “We’ve been here too long. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 7

  “You’re back!” Amaura was among the first to greet the returning warband. Aiden was glad to see Rona not far behind her. They were joined by other families anxiously scanning the ranks of warriors who rode in through the gates.

  “Where’s Corin? And Trey?” Amaura asked Martin in something like panic.

  “Trey went with his men back to Castle Martel to report to Tristan,” Martin explained.

  “And Corin?” she demanded.

  “We lost a few men. He and Captain Bedwyr are telling their families,” Martin told her.

  “I’m glad you’re safe,” Rona said to Aiden as he dismounted.

  “I told you we’d be fine,” he replied. “And I usually try not tae lie too badly.”

  Rona laughed, and he was surprised by how glad he was to see her again. They were interrupted by Laird Dandin.

  “I hope you don’t mind the intrusion, ma’am, but might I speak with Aiden?” he asked. Rona dropped a curtsey to the Laird and left.

  “I know you just got back, lad, but I’m thinking this might be the only chance before my Clan leaves today,” Dandin said.

  “I’m at your disposal, my laird,” Aiden said, his interest thoroughly piqued.

  “Corin had mentioned tae me that you might be looking for something tae keep busy. We keep a regular patrol on our borders along Aredor and Durna, especially now that there might be another war. I’m offering you a place in one of the patrols,” Dandin said.

  “Under what conditions, sir?”

  “A patrol goes out for two weeks. Right now we have three patrols, so you would have time tae go home in between.”

  Aiden liked the sound of the offer, but, “What if trouble should come back tae Scodra?” he asked.

  “You’d be free tae go, unbound by any oath as a Laird’s son and member of another Clan.”

  Aiden looked over to his brothers who waited for him. “I don’t know yet, sir.”

  “I understand, Aiden. I will be visiting Scodra by the first month of winter. There were once strong ties between our Clans that I would see reestablished. You can give me an answer then.”

  “You’ve made me a generous offer.” Aiden bowed respectfully.

  “I’ll see you in a month then,” Dandin said.

  “Yes, sir,” Aiden replied.

  “What were you two talking about?” Will asked, his curiosity mirrored in Tam’s face.

  “I’ll tell you on the way home,” Aiden said.

  “Then I think I need tae talk tae you both,” Will said.

  “About what?” Aiden asked.

  “I don’t think I’m going with you. At least not yet.”

  “What do you mean?” Tam asked.

  “I read Father’s letter, and I know he wants me home, but I feel like I owe it tae Corin tae stay for at least a year. I already spoke with him about it,” Will said.

  “And?” Aiden asked.

  “He wanted me tae go home, but I told him I’d stay through the spring at least. They might be needing some extra help by then,” Will said. “He’s giving me a few weeks leave, so I’ll be there at the New Year when Ranulf takes the torc.”

  “That’s not too far away,” Aiden said.

  “Laird Dandin offered you a place in the Clan’s patrol, didn’t he?” Will asked.

  “Aye, he did,” A
iden affirmed.

  “Are you taking it?” Tam asked, slightly shocked at the news.

  “I don’t know yet, Tam. I need tae think it over,” Aiden replied.

  * * *

  Clan Canich spent one more day at Kingscastle before preparing to return home.

  “Did Lord Dandin talk to you?” Corin asked Aiden.

  “Aye, I don’t what I’ll do yet. Will said he’s staying,” Aiden said.

  “I told him he was free to go if he wanted. You and I both know how hard that separation can be.”

  “Aye, we’ll see what the winter brings. It was good tae see you again, Cor.”

  “You too, Aiden.”

  Farewells were said, and between Tam and Kara there was a shy promise to write. Before Clan Dyson had left, a system had been worked out to transmit letters from Clan Canich to Dyson and on to the Hawk Flight.

  With the departure of the Clans, life in Aredor slowly settled back to its normal routine. A few days later, the Hawk Flight gathered together at the caves where the newest recruits took the final oath. Corin divided them among the patrols, sending Ian to Martin’s patrol with Evan and keeping Andras in his patrol. As he stepped out from the caves and into the open air, Corin felt a sudden chill. Somewhere on the plains of Braeton, Aiden felt it too.

  * * *

  “Anything to report?” the man asked.

  “No, sir. We’ve seen no fresh tracks or movement in over a month,” the forester replied. “It’s like the Aredorians have disappeared.”

  “I trust your men haven’t revealed themselves?”

  “No, sir. We Durnians have the greatest skill in the forest. There’s no chance the Aredorians have seen us.”

  “You had better be right. We can’t afford any mistakes. The Hawk Flight and their captain must be taken by surprise and wiped out.”

  “They say he’s like a ghost.”

  “No, he’s human enough. My predecessor was too careless and now I will have the honor of killing the Hawk myself!” The man’s eyes gleamed in anticipation.

  “When will your troops arrive from Calorin?” the forester asked.

  “Soon. By the first thaw we will begin to move. With you and your men to guide us through the forest, we will be unstoppable!”