by Sam Taw
“While I was out with the Head Hunters, I made some troubling observations you should know about.” Ren went on to explain how Kitto had a strong and loyal force behind him and how if it came to a fight, they would overthrow the might of the Sea Warriors with ease. Ren had mastery of the conversation, dropping in hints and suppositions until Tallack was forced to come to the same conclusions as we already had.
“This sounds very much like Kitto is mobilising the men to take over the tribe.”
“It does, Chief, and if you take into account the Alchemists’ revolt, we are in a particularly weak position. If Kitto and Kenver join forces…”
From the look on my nephew’s face, I’d say he hadn’t considered half of the things Ren pointed out. I dare say he truly believed that leading a tribe would be nothing but ale and feasts. His father had done little to prepare any of his boys for rule. Faced with such a weighty task ahead, Tallack did the sensible thing and asked what his most trusted adviser would do under the circumstances.
Ren stifled a smile. He was getting through to him at last. “You need to secure your place among the men. Announce who you choose to replace you as clan leader for the Sea Warriors first.”
“Fine, that’s easy, I choose you, Ren.”
Renowden chuckled and then poured more ale into Tallack’s cup. “I’m honoured, Chief, really I am, but I’m too old to lead the men. I need a warm bunk at night these days and the comfort of undisturbed sleep. Whoever you choose, I will gladly assist for a while. Just until they find their sea legs and learn to navigate our waters.”
For a moment or two I panicked, thinking that Tallack would immediately choose the young upstart, Treeve to take charge of the sailors. That would alienate the rest of his men.
My nephew pouted, staring down at his feet. “Who would you pick?”
“Honestly, Chief, you’d go a long way to find a better man than Massen. He’s a favourite among the warriors and Head Hunter’s, he’s fair and even tempered and stronger than an auroch bull. He’s also loyal to you and your family, so you really can’t go wrong with him.”
“Good. I agree. What about the Head Hunters?”
Ren sucked in his lips and shook his head. “That is one tangled mess to sort. Kitto is the obvious leader, but he’d rise up and take over the tribe in less than a half moon. He’s a dangerous man to have about camp and has too much influence over the warriors when they’re away.”
“That’s not a solution, Ren. That’s just reaffirming what we already know.”
“If we are to retake control of the mines from the Alchemists, you’re going to need the support of every one of our men.” Ren looked up at me. He seemed to be stumped as to how to resolve the crisis. I had no answer for him.
Tallack scratched his forearm, bringing red welts to the surface. “Are you suggesting that I have him killed? Claim he is plotting against us?”
“No, I’m not saying that at all. That would set the men against you forever. They admire him. The trouble is, if you’ll pardon me for saying…?”
He waited until Tallack nodded, giving him permission to speak candidly.
“The men respect Kitto more than they do you. He’s had many summers to prove himself in battle compared to your few.” Ren twitched and fidgeted raising the subject, but Tallack needed to hear the truth.
I watched as my nephew processed the information laid at his feet. It was a hard lesson for him, especially so soon after his twin’s death. He and Blydh kept one another on an even keel. They confided in almost everything. Now poor Tallack was cast adrift with only a few trusted fellows to guide him.
He drained his cup and placed it on the table. Neither Ren nor I felt the need to speak, the decision was his alone to make. I thought he might conclude that Kitto should be sent on a mission far from our lands until his popularity waned. Perhaps a scouting trip to the top of the world to assess the situation with the Novantae after we had slain their Chieftain and all their heirs, but Tallack had another plan. One that was doomed to failure.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I shall tell the Head Hunters to hold leadership trials to root out the best of the best. Whoever they put forward must defeat me in single combat for the honour of becoming the next clan leader of the Head Hunters.” Tallack announced, taking to his feet and puffing out his chest with pride.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Whatever trial he could come up with would be won by Kitto, who would go on to slay Tallack at the first opportunity. Tallack was handing the tribe and my head over to Kitto without the need for battle. I couldn’t let him follow such a flawed plan without speaking up.
“Nephew, with respect…” I began, but he curled his lip as I started to speak. “Please, hear me out, I beg you.”
His posture returned to a defensive one. He sat back down on the bunk, folded his arms and glowered. “Get it off your chest, Aunt, but don’t expect me to follow your suggestions.” This was why Ren was better at this than me. He was a man with an esteemed position in the tribe. Even though he and I viewed most situations in the same way, I was nothing more than an interfering old crone. It crushed me to think that I’d lost his affection.
“From what Ren says, the men would rather let Kitto win in the trials to assure that he got to fight against you for the title.”
“So?”
Was he really ignorant of the warrior’s superior fighting skill, his massive body mass and experience? How could he believe that it would be an honourable duel between them?
Ren butted in to rescue me. “I think what your aunt is trying to say is that given the chance, Kitto would take advantage of the situation and fight dirty. It wouldn’t be fair to put you in that kind of position.”
“You don’t think I’m up to it, that’s what you’re saying.” Tallack looked affronted. “You forget that I have the mystical blade. I am favoured by all the gods. With that against his feeble bronze sword, I will carve him into pieces and then appoint someone trustworthy in his place.” The hubris of youth, will they ever learn?
“You plan on killing Kitto? Then what would be the point of holding warrior trials?” Ren said, utterly missing the part where Tallack believed himself invincible.
“I can then choose the second best to lead my Head Hunters. They will bow to me having beaten Kitto, and I will earn their respect.”
Every aspect of his plan was idiocy, but no amount of cajoling or persuasion would alter his mind. He was determined to go through with the whole thing. There was enough food in camp for maybe a quarter moon, if no one squirrelled away more than they needed. Most people supplemented their rations with what other items they could scavenge in the marshlands or along the coast.
That gave Tallack a little time to get himself organised before sailing along the south-eastern coast to Bentewyn to regain control of the mines. That assumed he would be victorious over Kitto and could bring the Hunters to heel. It was an ambitious assumption.
Tallack left Ren’s hut shortly after his announcement. He said he wished to spend time with his mother and little sister. I know my nephew well. Under times of extreme stress, he returns to the comforting arms of his mother. He knew full well that he was unlikely to beat Kitto in single combat, with or without a sword made from an unknown metal.
Ren dribbled out the last of the ale into my cup. “He can’t win.” He muttered.
I shook my head.
“Then you know what will happen?”
Sniffing, I nodded. He had no need to say it out loud. It would mark the end of many generations of our family rule over Dumnonii lands. Cryda, the babe and myself would be beheaded, if Kitto was feeling merciful. If not, ritual humiliation, torture and a slow death to discourage anyone from standing against his claim.
“I won’t let that happen to you, Mel. We need to make contingency plans.”
I understood his meaning. He wanted Cryda and I to escape from the compound with little Delen. He thought we should disappear into the wilderness to li
ve out our days eking out a living from the land like every other family. There was just one problem with that course of action. We were of Chieftain blood, so too was Endelyn’s unborn child and Tallack’s half-brother, Paega the Wily. Every one of us had the right to challenge Kitto’s claim to the Dumnonii. Our tribal alliances were deep rooted, forged over time from the binding ties of wedlock and kinship. Kitto would run us down, right to the ends of the world, to kill us all.
Cryda could legitimately seek refuge and protection from her birth family. Her brother was the Chieftain of the Cantii. In theory, she could also run to the mountain people to be with her daughter Derwa and her husband and heir to the Ordoviches, Glaw. I couldn’t see that being an option though, after they were banished from camp for helping Paega to escape his cage.
Despite all those options, I had an inkling that Cryda would refuse to leave. She was loyal to the tribe in the fiercest way. Could I really leave her and the babe to die alone? I’d had my long life and was grateful for every summer and spring but I was also tired. Perhaps this would be the season to end all seasons and I would seek my place next to my ancestors at last.
I lifted my hand and cupped Ren’s cheek. “You’re a good man, but it won’t do any good to flee.”
“Nonsense. We can pack and prepare everything in advance and, if the fight goes sour, we’ll walk out of the compound and ride across the border. I’ll come with you. I know loads of places where the Head Hunters have never been. They won’t find you. I’m pretty sure Kewri would come too, if that’s what’s bothering you.”
It wasn’t. I was also sure he’d be willing to accompany us. It was an attractive proposition but I knew that Cryda would not survive without her luxury and comforts. For her to make a new life for herself, she had to be with her kin. “If you want to help me, you dear man, please make sure that Cryda and Delen get to the Cantii. That is my fervent wish.”
His eyes narrowed. He understood what I meant to do. I would provide the distraction needed for him to get the young ones away. He nodded his head just once. We had an agreement. I turned to leave.
“Stay. We don’t have many nights left to us.” He looked so vulnerable, so pale. My resolve left me before I could get to the door. He skirted around me and lifted the wooden panel across the opening. What harm could it possibly do? We both deserved a little warmth and succour before the end.
The next day, I heard Kewri rushing about outside the hut. His footsteps were easy to distinguish from others. They pounded the dry earth like no other. When his great fists rattled the door panel, Ren jumped from a deep sleep and grabbed his sword.
“Ho there, Ren. Have you seen Fur Benyn? She didn’t come home last night.” Kewri gushed in a panic.
“I’m in here, Kewri. There’s nothing to worry about.” I yelled, throwing my tunic over my head and crouching in search of my pattens. When Ren moved the panel Kewri averted his gaze, although I was perfectly respectable by then. “Um, er, if it’s all the same to you, Fur Benyn, please don’t disappear like that. I’ve been searching the woods since dawn thinking you’d been half-eaten by a wolf pack.”
I had to stifle a cackle. The poor giant was more affected by the slow and painful death of our enemy Brea than I thought. I wondered how many other young ones were haunted by the sight of a woman being torn to pieces by those ravenous beasts. I recalled that he was quite looking forward to the spectacle at the time.
Ren grappled my hand as I slipped past him. “Will I see you later?” I gave him a mischievous wink and traipsed across the island back to my house. Despite my determination to remain in camp should the worst come to pass, I needed to know that Cryda and Delen would have all they needed to make it to the Cantii. While Ren went off to train with Tallack in the woods, I packed a few tonics and pastes that I thought might come in handy for her journey. I stacked all the little bundles by the door with the intention of giving them to Ren just before they left.
By midday, the smell of smoke was strong in my nostrils. The wind had changed again and was shifting the heath fires in a southerly direction. Treeve walked about camp banging a blade against a shield and shouting the latest orders from our Chief. The warriors, elders and family of the Chieftain were called to a meeting outside Endelyn’s hut. It made sense to use her place as the temporary central point while the Long Hut was crammed with homesteaders and their screaming children.
I cleared away the mess from an ointment I’d been preparing and rinsed my hands in the stream. When I got to the priestess’s hut, most of the warriors were already crowding around. Some of the elders parted ways to let me sneak to the front, mainly because they could still see over my head.
Tallack and Endelyn stood in front of the carved icons, with Senara leaning against the doorway behind them. It was an odd scene, seeing one of my kin joining forces with someone of the Priest Sect. When his father tried the same, it proved to be nothing but a constant thorn in his side. I hoped that it would be different for my nephew.
“Come closer, this is a joyous day and one we will all remember.” Tallack began. Everyone shuffled forwards around him. “It is with enormous pleasure that I introduce you to my bride. Endelyn has agreed to bind with me at midsummer.” His grin was so broad, dimples appeared in his cheeks. He was genuinely pleased with his choice. While the Sea Warriors cheered and stamped their feet in support of his selection, the Head Hunters glared and frowned at one another. I kept my eye on Treeve’s reaction. He was standing on the opposite side of the group to me. His face was utterly neutral, making it hard for me to gauge his thoughts. Tallack held Endelyn’s hand and pulled her towards the crowd. She fluttered her eye lashes and acted all coy, but the display failed to stir the warriors. The elders, mesmerised by her performance, kept the stomping and cheering going for much longer than was required.
“Thank you, thank you all.” She effused. “You have all welcomed me into your embrace and made me feel a part of the tribe as no other could. I promise to serve you well as your Ruvane.”
That was when the Sea Warriors stopped their cheers. They were puzzled. It was obvious that they thought she would become his second wife. Each of them was present at the crossing on the River Sid, when Chief Fane proposed that his daughter should bind with Tallack at the earliest opportunity. Having the priestess become their Ruvane was beyond imagining, despite the Sea Warriors being used to Tallack’s unconventional leadership style.
“I’m glad you all approve.” Tallack said. The rest of the noise from the elders died immediately, making it clear that they did not, in fact, approve. I caught Cryda smirking among the crowd. It was just as she had said. Endelyn was fine as their priestess, a second wife even, but not as their Ruvane. She simply didn’t have the right blood to make it a worthy match. She brought nothing to the tribe by way of increased alliances or trade partners, unlike the Duro girl.
The tense atmosphere continued as my nephew followed that shocking news with his choice of clan successor. “With my growing commitments in camp, I have appointed Massen as the new clan leader of the Sea Warriors.” The tribe were at least pleased with that, raising their voices and patting him on the back so heartily he almost lost his balance. It left Kitto scowling at the Chief. He anticipated the same reaction for his own elevation, expecting Tallack to name him as Blydh’s successor to the Head Hunters.
“I know my sailors well…” Tallack continued, ignoring several snorts of derision. “But only my brother knew the Hunters well enough to choose from among them. I have respect and admiration for you all, but to make it fair, I have devised a trial to select the worthiest.”
The Hunters had not predicted this turn of events. They shifted uneasily, moving apart from each other and the rest of the crowd as though a little competition would make them all sworn enemies.
“You will fight in friendly bouts until the victors are reduced to one. Poles and sticks only, no metal. When there is one clear winner, they must beat me in a single bout. If they can best me, they will becom
e the next leader of the clan.” Tallack glanced at Endelyn and grinned. Was she already directing him?
Over the course of one night, he’d gone from fighting and killing Kitto with his mystical sword, to a wrestling match. It was less risky, but there was still nothing to stop Kitto from throttling the life out of our Chief, sharpening a pole into a spear or hiding a dagger until the last moment and plunging it into Tallack’s throat. He was far larger and stronger than Tallack would ever be. He might survive the trial, but he was more likely than ever to lose face in front of the entire tribe.
Our family’s reign would end on a whimper instead of a roaring, bellowing battle between two warriors. Not one person asked what would happen should the winner of the trials be defeated by Tallack; they all knew that Kitto would be the outright victor. How was it that everyone could see the obvious except my nephew?
I’d heard enough. There was no sense in his actions at all. As I turned to walk away, I noticed that Treeve did too. He disappeared behind the Long Hut and out of view before I could catch up with him. It always worries me when he goes quiet. That’s when I distrust him the most. He may look small and weak, but beneath the feeble exterior lies a wilful and bitter man.
I waited outside the shelter to try and catch Cryda on her way home. There was still a high probability of her son being killed by one of the strongest men in our tribe. I had to try and convince her to leave camp while she could. When the crowds dispersed, I craned my neck to see which route she would take across the compound. Before I could catch her, Endelyn bounded up to me, oozing charm and insincerity.
“Meliora…” I don’t know why it grated so much. She was entitled to use my given name. “Do you have any valerian root spare? I’m finding it hard to drift off to sleep.”
I spotted Cryda ducking behind the Long Hut, just as Treeve had done. “Take what you need, Endelyn. My apprentice will show you where I keep it.” I hurried away before she could stop me. The more time Cryda had to prepare, the better. Scurrying as fast as my old legs could carry me, I cut across her path on the opposite side of the Long Hut.