by Sam Taw
My thoughts simmered in a mire of stinking hatred as I watched him poke and jab at my helpless nephew clinging on for his life. This was not a time for reflection and regrets. This was a time for vengeance. I took a long slow breath and unsheathed Nectan’s dagger from my belt. It felt at home in my palm as I tightened my grip, clenched my teeth and lunged.
The bronze tip fractured on its way into the muscle and sinew of his back, but that didn’t stop me. He squealed like a stuck pig when I rammed it in an upward thrust towards the most vital of all his organs. I knew where the heart would be, I’d cut out enough dead ones in my time. I only stopped pushing when my fist was flush with his back and covered in his squelching blood. Shock muted his voice. Kenver lived just long enough to twist his head to see who’d robbed him of life, before he fell.
The fresh corpse of the treacherous kyjyan, Kenver toppled over the edge and landed on the sharpened poles below. I heard his spine snap as it buckled and slumped to the base of the pit. Only one of the spikes managed to bore a hole through his body, but it was enough for me to be sure that he could no longer be a threat. A fitting end for someone who’d inflicted such torture rather than face up to his daughter’s lies and deceit.
I never expected to survive what I’d done. I turned around to face the enemy, my tunic and face dripping with blood. It took a few moments for the miners to realise that they no longer had a brutal leader commanding them. No one giving them orders to fight and kill their own tribe’s folk.
One of our men lowered his spear into the pit, allowing Tallack to crawl out. He stood by my side. “Red suits you, Aunt. You should wear it more often.”
Despite the seriousness of our situation, I couldn’t help but titter. He retrieved his sword from a short distance hence and returned to my side. With a peck on my cheek, he whispered, “Nothing you do or say will ever vex me again.”
Only then did the enormity of my actions dawn on me. I’d taken a life with my own bare hands, used a blade to kill and not cure. My gut twisted, sending bile into my throat until it burned me inside. Were it not for the confusion and noise all about me, the stink of spilled innards, the pools of muddied blood, the screams of the maimed and injured, I’d have lost control of myself. Shock froze me to the spot, unable to move.
By the time Tallack had skirted around the edge of the defences and mounted the boulders alongside Senara, most of the miners had dropped their weapons and were prepared to surrender to the mighty Massen. Those stubbornly refusing to admit defeat were encouraged to look up at our young Metern of the Dumnonii.
The moon bathed him in a victorious glow, as though the god, Lugh had picked him out in a beam of his own. My chest swelled with pride when he lifted the Sword of Cernonnus and shouted at the warriors to lay down their spears.
“Take a good long look at your opponents, men. They are not enemies, nor foreigners. We are all brothers on the battlefield, are we not?”
Senara coughed loudly, making my nephew grin.
“Brothers… and sisters. The point is, we are one tribe, one family, and none deserved to die this night, or any night. Kenver forced you all to carry his grievances, made you hide like cowards in the tunnels. His fight is not ours. Let us begin again with one aim together. We’ll make the Dumnonii the most feared, most envied and most respected tribe in the whole land.” He waited while his Head Hunters and Sea Warriors roared and whooped their approval, but few of the miners joined in with their revelry. Tallack did not seem to notice. I suspect the relief of ending the siege in our favour was all that mattered.
It was only then that I grabbed a torch and went in search of my giant friend on the slopes above the dry riverbed. Kewri was close to tears when I found him sitting on a rock grunting in pain. A dead man lay at his feet, caked in silt and mud from the flood.
“That’s not Nectan is it?” I said, barely concealing the anxiety in my voice.
The giant shook his head. “Just a young fool who thought he could take me on and win.” He tipped backwards and winced. “He very nearly did.”
I wondered if he’d ripped out his stitches again, but chose not to ask. Instead, I said, “So, where’s Nectan? I’ve not seen him since the fighting began?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Enquiries amongst the men yielded no information regarding Nectan’s whereabouts. Tallack sent one of his men to retrieve my pony from the ridge top but he came back a short time later empty handed. When I mentioned my concerns about Nectan, Tallack dismissed them immediately. I’d caught him at the wrong time to get any sense from him. He was too giddy about his victory and the continued rule of our family over the tribe.
Between him and our warriors, the relief was profound. They joked and teased one another, cleaned off their weapons and instructed the miners to take care of those dead Alchemists lost in the skirmish. Our clans had suffered fewer fatalities and the siege was finally at an end. There was cause for celebration, but I could not forget the pyres of the last quarter moon.
At dawn, Ren rode from further up the valley to join Kewri and me, before we began the slow walk down the gorge to the beach. Some of Tallack’s reliable men stayed behind to make sure that the remaining miners didn’t try to take Kenver’s place and cause us more distress. It didn’t seem likely, given that we knew the location of their womenfolk and children and could threaten all kinds of unpleasantness to assure their cooperation.
Our men also needed to remove the makeshift dam of tree trunks and rocks from the river. The tunnels had to drain fully before mining could begin again. All in all, there was much to be done, not least the binding of our Chief to two new brides who awaited him on the fire ravaged moors to the east.
Ren gave me his horse to ride. He walked alongside with Tallack, Kewri and Massen. Their jovial mood grated on me, but I couldn’t quite figure out why. There was something not right about the way Nectan had vanished from the fight. He’d made a seriously advantageous deal with Tallack for leadership of the Alchemy Clan, and yet he’d disappeared before claiming his prize. Why would he have done that, unless he was sure that we would fail?
We stopped briefly to fill our water bladders and let the pony drink from the spring before rounding the headland onto the beach. The ocean was unusually calm and blue; there was not a cloud in the sky. Heat from the sand played tricks with my eyes, as though Tallack’s grand ship was shimmering out in the bay.
As my pony waded through the tidal river emptying into the sea, we spotted Nectan next to our burned-out fires further along the beach. He saw us approaching and started walking to meet us halfway. His grin seemed forced; his greeting too effusive. He stuck out his arm for Tallack to grasp. “I am so pleased to see you all. What an incredible victory… I knew you would prevail. I take it that Kenver is no more?” He acknowledged our nods and blew out his cheeks in relief. It made me wonder how soon into the battle he had fled.
I glanced beyond him to the horse near the cold embers. It was loaded with the bedding furs we’d rescued from the hut fires, and bags of our meagre food stores and belongings. He saw my curious look descend into seething anger.
“I’ve packed your horse for you, Fur Benyn. I…um… didn’t think you’d want to linger, especially if the plan didn’t tilt your way. I was just devising an escape route for you, in case… well, you know.”
Tallack failed to notice the squirming weasel clutching at lame excuses. “That was smart thinking, Nectan, and good of you to want to protect my aunt. As it happens, we’ll need to journey up to the northern mines. Kenver’s brother has taken control there too.”
Sometimes, I despair at how blind my nephew can be. I sincerely hoped it was just his youth that made him so trusting of people.
Nectan leaned his head to one side and frowned. “There’s no need. I can get a message to my boys at the mine. Clemo is as hated as Kenver was here. They can rally the men to overthrow him, with your blessing, Chief. When that kyjyan’s out of the way, my lads can keep everything running for you in
the meantime.” He seemed to have everything trussed up neatly and all arranged in his favour.
While Ren and a few others prepared to paddle out to Tallack’s boat, I followed my nephew around trying to make him understand the folly in trusting someone such as Nectan so soon after we’d dispatched Kenver, but he would not listen. Tallack had spent little time with the man, and Nectan had a way of seeming useful and compliant whenever he was close to the Chief. As far as I could tell, we were simply swapping one rogue with grand ambitions for another. I said as much to Ren, when we were alone, but he quickly dismissed the issue.
“What do you want me to do, Mel? I don’t have as much influence over Tallack as you seem to think.” That was all he would say on the matter.
We rested for a while on the beach, exhausted but too agitated to sleep. I covered my eyes with my cloak to blot out the sunlight, but the trapped heat made it even more uncomfortable. Later in the day, Tallack gave Massen specific orders, before we rowed out to the Phoenician ship in the small boat.
My words of caution must have sunk into my nephew, since he insisted that Nectan sailed with us to the bay where land ends. Ren and I stayed close to the Alchemist, asking him more and more questions about the island where the miners’ women and children were hiding.
He explained that Kenver had discovered more tin deposits some time ago, but had managed to keep it a secret from all but a few close friends and relatives. Kenver’s youngest and only living son spent most of his time there, signalling foreign ships with lit beacons on the seaward side of the island. Those that dropped anchor carried exotic goods in exchange for our tin. That must have been how Kenver got hold of such fine weapons, many that were different in shape and metal to our usual ones.
During our voyage, tacking against the wind and currents, I tried hard to get Nectan to explain the process of turning rocks into pure tin, but he refused. I thought he might crumble and tell all when Ren stood over him with his hand on the hilt of his dagger, but he would not talk.
“It’s more than my life’s worth to tell you, Fur Benyn, much as I would like to. The magical ability is passed from father to son on the fourth moon after spring equinox. I was initiated when I’d seen twelve summers. Only the chosen families ever get to learn the ways of the rocks. If they speak of it to anyone outside that sacred bond, the gods would cut out our tongues and strike us dead with a lightning bolt so vicious, it would wipe out our entire family, women and children too.”
I glared at him, assessing the truth in his eyes. That sounded like a tall tale spread about to scare the young, but for someone as cowardly as Nectan to risk death rather than reveal the secret, it had to be true. Mind you, he can find his courage when he has no other choice. He managed to talk his way out of slaughter when Ren and I caught him leaving the tunnels. He’s a slippery one and someone I vowed never to trust.
By the time we were closing in on the bay where the land ends, I remembered the missing purple pennant from the ship. It had been present for every journey I’d taken with my nephew in seasons past, and it had barely faded from the sun at all. It was a colour that I’d only ever seen once before, worn by the Phoenician Prince who had caused me so much heartache and pain. I wondered how many foreign sea snails had to die in order to achieve such a rich hue.
We sailed all through the night and arrived at the bay as the sun was falling again in the sky. I knew that Kenver’s son would have spotted us. There was no way to sneak about with such a conspicuous vessel as ours. We should have ridden around the headland from the mining settlement with Massen and his crew, travelling in Kenver’s ship. That would have enabled us to use stealth in our approach. All we could do was hope that none of the woman were armed. They couldn’t defeat us, but no one wanted to use force against them.
Tallack, Senara, Nectan, Ren and I took the row boat ashore first. It was high tide and the gravel causeway linking the mainland to the island was deep under water. It gave us time to think of our options.
“I’ll row around to the rocky cliffs at the back and scout out the island, Chief.” Senara offered, keen to prove herself again.
“Nice offer, Senara, but that won’t work. Kenver’s lad will have the youngsters hidden and keeping watch. You can’t creep about on the ocean like you can on land.” Tallack tried to mask his amusement, turning away from her. The girl was from homesteader stock. She had no experience of the sea at all.
“We’ll wait until the tide changes at dusk and walk across. They can’t get off the island without us noticing.” Tallack said, settling down to rest.
“They’ll hide.” Nectan said, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder towards the tall craggy rocks jutting out from the sea. “They’ll be hoping that you’re just passing. There’s a slim chance that they’ve never seen your fine ship before, Chief. They could mistake you for a foreign trader. Better to wait until dark to see if they light the beacons.”
I couldn’t see that being the case at all. Tallack’s fine Phoenician ship was the pride of our tribe. Having spent the winter season in and out of the mining settlement at Bentewyn, there wasn’t an Alchemist this side of the River Sid who didn’t know the craft well. Was Nectan deliberately delaying us so that he could get a message out to the island? If that was his aim, what purpose did it serve? Kenver’s youngest and sole surviving child would likely prevent our passage across the causeway given the chance. How he planned to achieve that, would decide our own actions.
Ren caught a fat goose from further inland, a couple of the warriors set about making fish traps and I collected firewood with Nectan. None of us were idle, barring Tallack, who sat brooding on the beach. When the fire was lit, I sat opposite, waiting for him to reveal his thoughts. Before the light failed entirely, we saw Massen’s crew sailing Kenver’s ship into the bay.
“That should be enough proof to the whelp that his father no longer holds sway over these lands.” Tallack said, leaning on his sword as he hoisted himself onto his feet. The causeway should be dry enough by now. Let’s hack off his head and be done with it.”
Senara peered up at me to intervene. It was as though we both had the same notion, but she was reluctant to speak out.
“Chief, if I may suggest an alternative course?” I was trading on the good will I’d accrued from killing Kenver, not sure how long his favour would last. Tallack flicked his head around and stabbed the end of his sword back into the sand. I took this to mean that he was prepared to listen, but his expression was grim and unforgiving.
“I know the boy well from my time with his family. Would it not be prudent to at least speak with him first? I can walk the causeway alone and tell him the news of his kin. If he will not yield, you can always run him through later.” All those around the fire kept their heads low, their mouths closed. Kenver’s son had seen too few summers to be tested as a warrior. He was no more than a child. From the looks on the warriors’ faces; none relished the task of slaughtering him or his mother.
“Fine, do it your way, if it pleases you, Aunt, but take Senara with you. If he cuts up rough, take him down as swiftly as you can.” Tallack gestured for one of his men to hand Senara his shield, while another was sent to prepare a torch for us to light our way.
Ren grabbed my arm before we set off. “Let me come too.”
I smiled and tapped his hand until he let go. “If he sees it’s just two women, he won’t feel threatened. Frightened boys lash out. Calm ones talk.”
Senara walked a step ahead of me, close enough to slip the shield across my body if we were met by raining arrows. In her right hand, she held the straps of her leather sling. My arm ached from holding the torch aloft over the pitted gravel path towards the island.
The Alchemists had erected defences at the far end of the causeway too; a tall wooden palisade blocked our way with a gate as high as ours back at the compound on the Exe. Every so often, Senara glanced backwards, as though she could sense movement behind us. It was probably the motion of the sea lapping the edges of
the shingle.
There were no fires visible, nor torches to reveal their preparations. We had no idea whether their walls were lined with archers, or their children with slings. Nevertheless, we stepped closer until a squeaky voice called out.
“That’s close enough, state your business.” His voice cracked.
“Ho there!” I bellowed up to him. “Do you remember me?” I searched my memories for his name, but drew a blank. “I am Meliora, healer to the tribe. I stayed in your father’s hut over winter.”
“I remember you. Your kin poisoned our water, made everyone ill. Some of my friends died.”
It was not a good start. Tallack’s half-brother, Paega, was involved in that incident. No apology or explanation was likely to make any difference to this boy’s opinion of me. Taking care of foreign trades and the safety of the women and children was a huge responsibility for someone so young. I could hardly fault him for taking such a stance.
“That was unfortunate and out of our control.” I scuffed my feet in the shingle, ashamed at my family and all they had done. “Why don’t you open the gates so we can talk properly?”
“You must think me a fool, Fur Benyn. I’m fully aware of the warriors creeping about the rocks by the shore. You’d have me welcome and host those who murdered my brother and sister?”
I spun about, confused for a moment. Senara nodded to a rocky outcrop a short distance away. Ren and two of the Sea Warriors bobbed into view. They’d sneaked along the edges of the causeway behind us, keeping low and out of sight. Senara was aware of them the whole time. What keen eyes the boy had. I wasn’t about to tell him that I was the one who’d driven a blade into his father’s back.
“The conflict between our clans is over. We are united as one tribe once again. Open the gates and no one will be harmed. You have my word.” I glared at the men peering over the rocks. Tallack was among them.
“Tell those men that we have a great many archers trained on them right now and my father is on his way with more warriors.” Again, his voice broke half way through his threats.