The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  “Please do.” Darrin grinned and left.

  * * *

  Aiden slowly walked the halls. Mera and Liam had practically shoved him out of the infirmary. He could feel his body healing, but he was frustrated with how slowly he had to move. For now, he had no particular goal in mind. They had wanted him to find a new place to sit for a few hours and get some fresh air, but he didn’t want to sit still any longer because his mind would wander—back to her.

  He had navigated a flight of stairs which he had been told would take him to the main floors when a noise stopped him. A rhythmic tapping came from a corridor off to his right. He heard a small sniffle and decided to investigate. The hall was dimly lit, but he soon made out a lonely figure sitting on a bench.

  “Can I sit down with you?” he asked the young boy and received a nod. “You’re Gwilym, right?” He received another nod. “Do you remember me?”

  Gwilym raised his head and nodded. “You’re Aiden.”

  “That’s right. Most people call me Danny. You can if you want,” Aiden said. Gwilym was silent, but Aiden kept talking. “That’s quite a knife you have there.”

  “It’s my Uncle Martin’s,” Gwilym spoke up. Then he looked back to the dagger in his lap. “He’s gone.”

  Despite his own grief, Aiden’s heart went out to the boy. “May I see it?” he asked.

  Gwilym passed it to him, and he unsheathed the blade, turning it over as he inspected it. “This is a good blade. I can see why he wanted you tae have it. A warrior always needs a good knife,” Aiden said.

  “I’m not a warrior. I’m only seven,” Gwilym said.

  “You will be one day. Come here, and I’ll show you how a warrior wears it.”

  Gwilym stood eagerly, and Aiden fastened the dagger to the boy’s belt.

  “It’s kind of heavy,” Gwilym said doubtfully.

  “You’ll get used tae it,” Aiden told him.

  “Are you a warrior?” Gwilym asked.

  “Aye, but I got hurt.”

  “Did Aunt Mera fix you up?”

  “She did. But she can’nae fix everything.”

  “What do you mean?” Gwilym was confused.

  “Well, someone I knew very well got hurt and they…had tae leave,” Aiden said.

  “Like Uncle Martin?” Gwilym asked and Aiden nodded.

  Gwilym sniffled again, and Aiden was suddenly eager to see the sun.

  “I bet you know your way around the castle,” he said.

  Gwilym nodded proudly. “My uncles showed me every secret way and shortcut.”

  “Perfect. How would you like tae help me get tae the stables?” Aiden asked.

  “I’m not supposed to go in without a grownup.” Gwilym hesitated.

  “Oh, I’m sure they’ll let two warriors like us in. Truth is, I might need a little help. Think you’re up for it?” Aiden asked seriously.

  Gwilym straightened importantly. “Yes, sir!” He gave Aiden his best salute. Then, taking his hand, Gwilym set off.

  The guards at the doors greeted them as they passed, and Gwilym barely stopped to wave. Aiden paused at the entrance to the stables to ask a groom about his horse when a familiar neigh sounded.

  “No need. I think I can find him. But one more thing.” He lowered his voice. “Is Lieutenant Martin’s horse here?”

  “Aye, sir. Third row over, five stalls down. His usual spot,” the groom replied.

  Aiden and Gwilym entered the stables and were guided by the noise to Narak’s stall. A groom stood outside the door attempting to replace the water bucket. But every time he approached, Narak pinned his ears back and neighed a warning.

  “I’ll take care of him while you do that,” Aiden told the stable hand.

  The man watched in disbelief as Aiden entered the stall and Narak nickered gently. Aiden moved the stallion back as the groom changed the water as fast as he could. Narak snuffled as Aiden talked to him in Calorin. The stallion searched him for treats but was disappointed.

  “You talk funny, just like Uncle Cor.” Gwilym peered over the stall door.

  “Our horses don’t know Rhyddan, so we have tae speak differently tae them.” Aiden left the stall and leaned on the door. Narak had calmed down and was investigating the new water bucket.

  “He looks funny.” Gwilym watched the spotted stallion.

  “Your Uncle Cor always told me that I looked a little like Narak,” Aiden said, and Gwilym giggled.

  “You want to see my horse?” he asked.

  “I would love tae,” Aiden replied.

  An old gelding was proudly displayed and promises to watch the next riding lesson were given. Aiden guided him toward the stall where Martin’s horse was kept.

  The brown stallion recognized Gwilym and put his head over the door to greet them. They spent some time at the stall while Gwilym expounded upon the horse’s many attributes. Martin’s name was brought up throughout, but Gwilym only became more cheerful. Of course, after the topic was exhausted, Zephyr had to be visited, and Gwilym began again.

  Aiden provided a rapt audience while also surprising Gwilym with his knowledge of Zephyr. They finally made their way back to the castle, Gwilym still importantly fulfilling his role to help Aiden. They entered behind the strangest person they had ever seen.

  * * *

  Corin descended the stairs with a few minutes to spare. He couldn’t believe it had been five days since the battle. A change had come over the castle since then. The feeling of exhaustion had left. The hall had been cleared of the wounded, the infirmaries now able to hold them. Rubble had been cleared from the courtyard and the town. Carts of stone had begun to arrive from the quarries near the mountains to repair the damaged walls and towers.

  The Clans camped on the training grounds, assisting with patrols that were still being sent out. The townspeople and refugees from the castle had not yet returned. There had been no sign of the remnants of the invading army, but the northmen did not dare hope that they were gone for good.

  When Corin arrived in the hall, several lords and a few of the Clan leaders were there. Corin stood by Darrin’s throne after greeting them.

  “It’s amazing what difference soap and water makes,” Darrin murmured to him.

  “I’m still a little tired,” Corin returned.

  “You’ll survive.”

  “You are so uncaring.”

  Darrin only smiled, turning his attention to the doors which were swinging open. Despite all of his training, Corin gaped at the figure that approached. The man was tall but walked with a slight bowlegged stride. His clothes were a wild array from every country of Cimbria. He wore orange pants and a red shirt cut after the style of Calorin. Tall black boots from Argus were decorated with gold tassels to match the gold fish-scale mail coat common to Gelion. A yellow cap adorned with an Argusian ostrich feather perched on his head, and a blue cape dyed in the vats of Cyndor billowed behind him. Four men followed, dressed after the same fashion but with subtler colors.

  Corin recovered in time as the outlandish stranger and his entourage halted before the throne. One of the men, the only other to wear the golden mail, stepped forward.

  “Your majesty, may I present Captain Pierre-Rodrigo, the dragon-slayer and captain of the vessel Sting-ray,” he said.

  Captain Pierre-Rodrigo removed his cap and gave a flourishing bow. “It is an honor to finally traverse this fabled country,” he said.

  He and his companion’s voices carried the accent of Gelion. At first no one knew how to react, but Darrin, seeing the serious faces of the visitors, continued in the same vein.

  “You are welcome here. I have heard of your exploits on the coast that aided us,” he said.

  Captain Pierre-Rodrigo returned the cap to his head. “It was indeed a disgraceful thing, those ships making war in my sea. They had to be stopped!”

  Darrin rose and descended the steps with Corin.

  “This is my brother, Prince Corin, called the Hawk,” Darrin introduced him.

&
nbsp; Pierre-Rodrigo stopped in the middle of another elaborate bow and looked up eagerly.

  “The Hawk!” he exclaimed, then paused. “Iago!” he said imperiously. “You have lied to me! He is but a man! You shall be keelhauled forthwith for this travesty!”

  “Aye, aye, sir,” Iago, the man who had introduced him, replied, apparently unconcerned.

  Now standing closer to the captain, Corin saw a strange light in the man’s eyes. Pierre-Rodrigo was completely mad!

  “I’m sorry for any deception practiced upon you,” Corin said.

  “I fully accept.” Pierre-Rodrigo bowed. “You should not tolerate such gross deceit wrought on your name. I will gladly keelhaul any offenders.”

  Corin desperately wanted to laugh. “Thank you for your generous offer, but I prefer to deal with this in my own way.”

  “I shall leave it in your capable hands,” the captain said, then stopped. “You, sah!” He pointed at Trey. “Are you not that great and noble Lord Tristan who gave us hospitality at the sea?”

  “No, Captain,” Iago put in. “Lord Tristan remained on the coast. This must be his brother.”

  Trey stepped forward and introduced himself.

  “Ah, I see you are a man of few words. You would be an invaluable addition to my crew where there is ceaseless conversation that grates heavily upon me,” Pierre-Rodrigo said.

  This time there was a change on his followers’ faces. The hints of smiles suggested that the captain provided much of the ceaseless conversation.

  “What say you? Will you join my crew?” Pierre-Rodrigo asked.

  “I might need some time to think it over,” Trey said.

  “Can you dance?” Pierre-Rodrigo asked.

  “Can I…what?” Trey frowned in confusion.

  In answer, the crazed captain began to twirl him around the floor. Corin never thought he could die from laughing, but he came close watching Trey’s helpless and confused face. Pierre-Rodrigo released him, and Trey edged quickly away.

  “You are lacking in some necessary skills but would still be welcome,” the captain informed him.

  “I still need some time,” Trey said.

  Darrin came forward and introduced the captain to the other lords in the hall.

  “What is happening, and why is Trey hiding behind you?” Liam asked in a low voice as he came to join Corin.

  “I’m not really sure,” Corin replied, still trying to regain any sort of composure while Trey glared at him.

  Liam was not the only one with questions. Aiden and Gwilym made their way up the hall to join them. Gwilym ran forward when he saw Corin. His uncle hugged him and gave him a look to ensure to best behavior. Aiden nodded a greeting to Corin, and Corin only shrugged when he saw the look Aiden shot at Pierre-Rodrigo.

  The lords were not sure how to respond to the captain, but he was again distracted when he saw the new arrivals.

  “You sah!” He pointed at Liam. “Iago! Is he not the one?”

  “If you say he is, Captain,” Iago replied.

  “He is indeed! The seer I have been seeking for years!” Pierre-Rodrigo exclaimed. He advanced toward Liam who looked nervous. “My dreams decreed I would find you. You must tell me what you know about my future!”

  “Well…you…should tell me who you are…so I know that…you are the one,” Liam began hesitantly.

  “Yes! I am Pierre-Rodrigo. I slew the dragon!”

  “The…the dragon…yes…then there is no doubt…is there?” Liam glanced to Corin and Trey for support but, as before, they were as helpless as he was. “What do you want?” Liam asked.

  “You can foresee my future. Tell me what I will do!” Pierre-Rodrigo said earnestly.

  “Foreseeing will take some time…obviously…so you might have to wait,” Liam said.

  “Of course! I would not dream of imposing upon you!” the captain said.

  Despite his plight, Liam exchanged the same look with Corin and Trey. Martin would have loved this.

  Apparently forgetting his intention not to impose, Pierre-Rodrigo took Liam’s arm.

  “Iago, arrange for lodging. I must consult with the seer,” he announced. Liam had no choice but to accompany him and one of the men from the hall.

  Once they were safely gone, Iago addressed Darrin. “Would we be able to take lodging here, Your Majesty?”

  “Yes, it would be no trouble to find a place for your party,” Darrin said. “How long will you be staying?”

  Iago shrugged. “As long as the captain wishes. But I will urge against a long stay. He needs to get back to the sea.”

  “Is he…?” Darrin hesitantly began.

  “He has not always been like that. And my name has not always been Iago. Years ago, we were apprenticed together on a merchant ship. A falling spar struck him on the head in a storm. When he finally woke, he declared himself to be Pierre-Rodrigo. When we made it back to Gelion, his father didn’t know what to do with him, so he gave Cleto his own ship. I guess he didn’t think Cleto would actually try to sail it. As for me, I couldn’t leave him as he was, so I went along and became Iago. We picked up a crew along the way. I don’t think any of them mind him,” Iago said.

  “You get used to it,” a crewman said. “Anyone who ever tries to take advantage of him sorely regrets it if they are still alive. We have a good life under him so I do not complain. And dancing is a new requirement,” he told Trey.

  “He doesn’t remember anything before the accident, but don’t treat him any differently than you already have. He can have many different moods,” Iago warned.

  Word spread of the strange visitors, and the hall was filled that night at the evening meal as everyone tried to get a glimpse.

  “How come you’re called the ‘dragon slayer’ when dragons don’t exist?” Gwilym boldly asked.

  “Horror! The country’s greatest warrior doubts their existence!” Pierre-Rodrigo exclaimed. “Come, I will prove it!”

  Gwilym came to stand by the chair, and the sea captain pulled off the chain around his neck. The whitened tooth of some great animal hung from the chain.

  “I took this after I killed him,” Pierre-Rodrigo said.

  Gwilym stared wide-eyed at the irrefutable proof in front of him. He touched it hesitantly, and it took little prodding from him for the captain to launch into the tale.

  Aiden sat further down with his brothers, barely touching his food.

  “It’s not just Canich that’s asking about you. The other Clans worry too,” Ranulf said. “The camp isn’t far from the castle. You should come.”

  Aiden hardly looked up. “Maybe.”

  “Danny, you can’nae stay here forever,” Will said.

  “What do you want? Me tae pretend nothing happened?” Aiden shot back.

  “No, but you can’nae shut us out,” Will said patiently.

  Aiden avoided looking at them. “Fine, I’ll try.”

  Will and Ranulf exchanged a relieved look and let the subject lie.

  After dinner, Corin and Trey cornered Liam. “So, you’re a seer now?” Trey asked.

  “Very funny. You have to help me!” Liam turned to Corin.

  “Why?” Corin asked.

  “I spent all afternoon reciting every scrap of verse or prophecy I could remember from songs and stories. I even had to pretend to have a vision! And now, I’m a full-fledged member of the crew!” Liam exclaimed.

  “Did he make you dance?” Trey asked.

  “What? No, you know I can’t,” Liam replied.

  “You don’t want to go with them?” Corin asked as seriously as he could.

  “I love it when you try to be funny. You have to help me! I will be crazier than him within a week!” Liam sounded desperate.

  “All right, I’ll try and talk to him,” Corin said.

  “You better, or I will kill you,” Liam said seriously.

  Chapter 15

  Aiden was woken the next morning by Gwilym.

  “Can you come with me to the stables again? E
veryone is busy,” he said.

  Aiden, surprisingly, was not irritated by this.

  “Just let me get dressed. You can hand me my boots,” he said.

  “Do you need your swords too?” Gwilym asked when Aiden was ready.

  “No,” Aiden said.

  “I thought warriors always carried their sword?”

  Aiden looked at his weapons. He had avoided them since the battle; a bitter taste remained in his mouth as he remembered how he had gone berserk. Gwilym was wearing Martin’s dagger like Aiden had showed him.

  “How about I take a knife, just like you?” Aiden asked.

  Gwilym nodded, and Aiden picked up a dagger and put it into his belt. Then, out of force of habit, he took the others.

  “Why do you have so many?” Gwilym asked.

  “Sometimes several daggers are better than a sword,” Aiden said. “When you’re older, I’ll show you.”

  “Promise?” Gwilym exclaimed, his eyes shining.

  Aiden saw the return of life to the boy and felt the same thing stir inside.

  They visited the horses again and then Aiden allowed Gwilym to convince him to go down to the river and see the frogs. They stayed on the banks until lunchtime. As they started to leave the river, Aiden saw the tents of the Clans.

  “Gwilym, can you get back tae the castle by yourself?” he asked.

  “Yes, but where are you going?” the boy asked.

  “Tae see the Clans,” Aiden said.

  “Can I come?”

  “Not this time,” Aiden said gently. Gwilym looked crestfallen so Aiden said, “When I get back, I’ll show you how tae clean the knife.”

  Successfully cheered, Gwilym ran off, and Aiden slowly walked to the camp. Will and Blair were the first to greet him.

  “We weren’t expecting you for a few more days,” Blair said.

  “You know healers, they’re always trying tae get rid of you,” Aiden said, and Blair chuckled. More warriors joined them.

  “I feel fine,” he told them.

  Neason came and clasped his hand. “I guess you can see that no one was worried.”

  Aiden smiled. “You of all people should know you can’nae get rid of me very easily.”

  Neason laughed heartily. “I’m glad you’re back.”