by Sam Taw
Sadly, her willowy frame was no match for the leader of the Head Hunters. With a single back handed swipe, Blydh stunned her, before dragging her by the ankle into the roundhouse.
“Do something, Tallack!” I called out, but he was already ahead of me. He pushed his way through the door skins of his brother’s hut, only to be confronted by Blydh’s fist. With one single knockout blow, Tallack was thrown backwards onto the ground. A quick peek told me that he’d lost consciousness.
As I reached the entrance, Blydh thrust the door panel in place and wedged it from the inside with a stake. No amount of me hammering with my fists would convince him to let her go. I slid down to the floor next to Tallack, with tears streaming down my face. Endelyn’s screams echoed throughout the whole camp, and there was nothing I could do to help her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Kewri caught up with me at Blydh’s door and without asking, lifted Tallack up from the ground and carried him to his hut. I stayed for a short time longer, pleading through the wooden panel on Endelyn’s behalf, but to no avail. None of the elders or warriors in camp were prepared to gainsay a Chieftain as volatile as Blydh, especially one who swore revenge unto death. When her tortured moans became too hard to bear, I paced the boardwalk back to my hut and waited. Kewri stayed with me. Whether it was my nervous state or that he sensed a need to be watchful for my protection, I wasn’t sure, but I was glad of his company.
Endelyn had become a camp favourite among our people. Her treatment sent shock waves through the community. Initially, the buzz was in transmitting the news from weaver women to elders’ wives and finally to the new recruits. Within moments, everyone knew what our Chief had done. Endelyn’s cries prevented any fitful rest for most of the night. No one stirred until it was over.
Before dawn, there was complete stillness in the compound. Even the livestock and wild birds were silent. I was beyond tired, but too fretful to sleep. At first light when the cock finally crowed, I heard a little voice at my door.
“Fur Benyn. May I come in?”
I was sure that Blydh would kill her after he’d done all he could to make her suffer. Rushing to greet the pitiful creature, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Endelyn was alive, but only just.
“I have nowhere else to go for help.” She shuffled in, wincing with every step. It’d taken every morsel of strength to get to my door. As soon as she was across the threshold, she collapsed in my arms. Her eyes were swollen and purple, great welts garnished her once pretty freckled face, and her clothes were shredded and barely covering her beaten body. Kewri offered to lift her, but she flinched every time he drew close.
“He won’t hurt you, child. Isn’t that so, Kewri?”
He shook his head with some violence. “Never.” He looked as though he was about to sob.
“Go and fetch me some fresh water from the stream and then stand guard, if you will, please.” I thought it best to get him away for both their sakes. She needed herbs and healing without fearing the men about camp. I struggled to get her to my bunk, lifting her legs up gently and covering her over. Dabbing at her face with a cloth soaked in cold water, I stroked her hair back out of her eyes.
She reached up and took hold of my hand. “Please don’t say I told you so.” Tears streaked down her temples and wet the bedding furs.
“Shush, now. Try to stay calm.”
She didn’t let go of my hand. I dragged a stool closer and sat by her side, assessing her injuries as best as I could without being too invasive. How could I make her feel safe with that demon loose about camp? I had no way of knowing what Blydh would do if Kewri refused him entry. Having seen his behaviour at first hand, he wouldn’t think twice about running him through with a sword or spear.
As the day wore on and my exhaustion took hold, I drifted off to sleep leaning on the edge of my bunk holding her hand. It wasn’t for long, and certainly not enough to fully restore my faculties, but my anger returned with a vengeance. Kewri was such a good lad. For one so big, he came and went with the stealth of a fox, balancing split logs on the fire, fetching more water and standing watch at the door. It was only when I heard Tallack’s voice that I roused myself and poked my head through the door flaps, ready to start my day proper.
“Aunt Mel. Is she… did he…?” he fidgeted and stared down at his feet. He felt the shame on behalf of his twin.
“She lives and yes, he did, the vicious brute.”
“Can I…?”
“No, you most certainly cannot. No men are to enter this house until further notice, is that clear?”
Tallack nodded apologetically. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Get me some poppy resin. I don’t care if you have to swim to Iwerdon to get it, just get some, and don’t let it anywhere near your kyjyan brother.”
He nodded again and hurried away.
Kewri kicked the tufts of grass near to my goat pen. Why is it men would rather scale mountains or fight bears than be near to those who are ailing? He opened his mouth to speak and changed his mind.
“What? Spit it out, man. I haven’t got all day.”
“I thought that I could give an offering to Airmed outside the priestess’s hut.”
It was a lovely thought and I could see why he would want to make a sacrifice to the goddess of healing, but I needed his protection. “Later. I need you here with me, right now. Can you do that? Make sure no man enters, no matter who it is.” He gave me a half smile and a nod. We both knew what was required of him. He was prepared to lay down his life to keep Blydh at bay.
One or two of the elders’ wives stopped by to offer their support and a few provisions they had spare. Both had needed my services in the past and knew that a meal would be welcome at times like these. I took the salted pork and bread to Endelyn but could not persuade her to eat. All I could get down her was a small cup of willow bark tea for the pain. While she lay still, I stitched a cut above her eye and warmed water for washing. I laid out one of my clean tunics and turned to leave.
“No, don’t go. Please.” She whimpered, the panic returning.
“I was just going to stand at the door…” She grabbed my wrist until I agreed to stay. I babbled about her well-wishers and how concerned Chief Tallack was when he called earlier, mainly to distract myself from the wretched state of her broken body. She wasn’t listening to a word I said, but my voice seemed to soothe her. It took all my concentration to stop myself from breaking down. She needed me to be strong. When she’d cleaned herself and dressed, I convinced her to get back under the furs. Sleep would do more to heal her than I could.
Kewri coughed loudly outside. “Fur Benyn. There’s someone here to…”
“No visitors, Kewri.”
“It’s Senara.”
I looked at Endelyn to see how she felt about the possibility of a shield maiden entering. She nodded and closed her eyes.
“Fine, tell her to come in.”
Senara pushed through the drapes and stacked her bow and quiver against the wall by the door. “Kewri told me what happened. Do you want me to slice him from balls to gizzard? Just say the word, Fur Benyn. I’m your warrior, not that kyjyan monster’s.”
Her vitriol almost had me undone. I sucked in my lips to suppress a smile. I believe she’d do it too, despite Blydh being my nephew. I have to say, it was a tempting offer, but he was family after all. We were in no position to hold a Chieftain to account. Only the gods had that power.
“It’s good to see you. Senara. What news have you?”
She was still seething about Endelyn’s unjust treatment and only half listening. I had to tip my head into her line of sight before she snapped to attention. “Sorry, yes. Perren met with me when the moon was high last night. Tensions are boiling over in Brea’s camp. She’s doubled her guard and tripled their pay to ensure protection.”
“So, the elders won’t turn against her?” I was crestfallen. It was the only hope I had left after a full cycle of troubles.
“On the contrary. All the elders and their families want rid of her, and they think that can be achieved with as little bloodshed as possible.”
“I’m guessing that means they have no need of our peace agreement.”
“Well, Perren said that the families who are set to succeed Brea’s rule are sick and tired of this ongoing feud between the Dumnos and Duros. He explained that they were amenable to a truce, but only if we agree to their terms.”
It sounded like they were on the brink of a leadership revolution whether we were involved or not. She gave me a list of demands and then fell silent as I assimilated what it would mean if we agreed. I blew out my cheeks, wide eyed. It was quite a list. One of their terms would not be accepted by my tribe under any circumstances. Senara stood watching my reactions, awaiting a response. I had no answers to give.
“Where is Perren now?”
“He’s at the meeting place until I return with your response.”
I nodded. That made sense. At least while the lines of communication lay wide open; there was a chance to bring about peace, but at what cost? “Can you stay with Endelyn while she sleeps?” I thought that if anyone could provide the priestess with a sense of security it would be her.
Senara unsheathed her dagger and adopted a fearsome stance next to the bunk. “No one will get past me, Fur Benyn. You can count on that.”
Bless that girl. I believed her too. She was tougher than any of the men about camp and possessed a sharpness of wit unlike any other. The morning was chilly and damp. I wrapped my cloak about me and headed towards the back door of the Long Hut. Kewri hopped from one foot to the other, unsure of what he should do.
“You’re off the hook, lad.” I yelled to him. “For now, at least. Senara’s keeping guard.” I thought he would hang around to attempt a reconciliation. If not that, then I expected him to use the time to find something to eat. He did neither. Lumbering after me like the old times, he seemed content to be my protector.
Sneaking in the rear entrance, I crept towards the platform supporting the top table and peered about the room. The fire was low and smoke had pooled in the roof space. It stank of piss and stale ale. Blydh’s men were sleeping on the rushes, but there was no sign of either Chieftain.
I backed out and walked across the wet grass to Tallack’s hut but only Treeve lay within. My nephew was elsewhere looking for the resin I’d demanded. In desperation, I trudged across the compound towards Renowden’s shelter with Kewri following close behind. When I got to Ren’s door, I held up my hand to my trusted guard. “I think I’m pretty safe in here.”
Ren heard my voice before I stepped inside. He was standing with a bowl of steaming milk and grains. “Meliora. Would you like me to spoon out a bowl for you?”
“Kind of you but no, thank you. I need your counsel.”
We sat around his fire while I explained all that had happened. When he heard the demands from the Duro elders, his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. “They can’t ask that, it’s impossible.”
I nodded. “You’re right, but according to their scout, they won’t budge.”
“How long does Tallack have to decide?”
I peered at the floor. “I haven’t even told him yet. He’s off to find poppy resin for Endelyn.”
Ren picked at his nails. He couldn’t look me in the eye. “That was a bad business all round.” He swallowed hard, as if by being a man, he was partly responsible for the actions of Blydh. I patted his arm. It was not my nephew’s actions after all but that of an evil spirit from the Underworld. Perhaps the creature was seeking revenge for our attempts to send him back into the arms of Cernonnus at the sacred springs.
We sat in silence for a time, each of us pondering the dark turn in tribal affairs. I drank a little of his ale and yawned.
“You look exhausted.” He said rising to his bunk and shaking out the bedding. “Why don’t you take a nap. From what you’ve told me, Kewri and Senara can handle things while you get some rest.”
I didn’t take much persuading. My back felt like every bone was lined with brambles, my neck crunched each time I moved my head, and I could barely think straight. Ren ushered me to his bed and pulled the furs up to my chin. It was blissful to have someone care about my health and wellbeing for a change. Ren stacked logs on the fire and filled his pipe with dried weed. I’d not felt this safe for a long time. Within moments of closing my eyes, I was asleep.
When I awoke, much of the day had passed me by. Ren was standing by his door, holding the skins to one side and peering out. I used the piss pot, stretched my back, and made my way over to see what had grabbed his attention. Posies of meadow flowers were stacked up against the carved icons outside Endelyn’s hut. There were pots of grain, a couple of hares, a fine new tunic, and a few other bits and pieces lined up near the doorway.
I looked at Ren. “Strange offerings to the gods.”
He shook his head. “Not offerings, gifts for the priestess. Virtually every family in the compound, and a few from beyond our walls, have been paying tribute to her all day.”
“Do they not know she’s in my hut?” I walked outside to get a clearer view.
Ren followed. “She’s not anymore. Senara helped her to move back into her own place while you were asleep. Thought she’d feel better with her own stuff around her.”
“Blydh?” I asked tentatively.
“No sign of him. Kewri’s lurking about and Senara is still with the priestess, but all is eerily quiet about camp.”
This was a shame that would linger in the memories of all our people. I thanked Ren for his kindness and made my way over to the carved icons. Their magnificence was already beginning to fade. The damp and cold conditions had stained the wood and the northern faces were tinged green. They lacked the vibrancy and vigour they once had, when our men first erected them at her door.
I called out and rapped my knuckle against the wooden panel. “Ho there. May I enter, priestess?”
Senara removed the creaking panel and welcomed me inside. There were more gifts within, some of food, others of carved trinkets, but the most stunning of them was a bouncing pup of just a couple of moons in age. It tumbled and rolled about until it landed at my feet, then proceeded to chew my toes through the gap in my pattens. I bent low and picked it up. It was a young bitch, filled with love and high spirits. “Where did this little terror come from?” She even managed to bring a smile to Endelyn’s face, particularly as the pup bit down on everything and anything in its path, including my fingers.
“Ren brought her over earlier.” Senara said, grinning at the playful antics as I returned it to the rushes.
I had no idea that he’d left the hut while I slept, let alone traded for a dog. “That was thoughtful of him. She’ll guard you well when she’s grown.” I muttered to the priestess with a weak smile.
Senara puffed out her chest. “Until then, I shall make sure Endelyn’s safe. You can rely on me, Fur Benyn.”
I touched her shoulder on my way past. “I know I can, my dear.” Sitting on the edge of the bed next to the priestess, she tried to shuffle over to give me more room. Even that seemed to cause her pain. She was far from over the worst. “I’ve sent Tallack out to get poppy resin. I’m sure he won’t be long. Until then, have you enough willow bark to keep you going?”
Endelyn nodded.
“And, um… would you like me to make you a tonic to hasten the bleed? Just in case…”
Endelyn shook her head. I have to admit, that really surprised me.
She looked at me with those huge doleful eyes, the water pooling in her lower lids. “If this is what the gods have chosen for me, I shall bear my fate.”
How could she entertain the notion of keeping the result of such an ordeal, if indeed she was with child? “Are you sure about this, Priestess?”
Endelyn nodded again. “I have been tested by the gods. My faith is strong, Fur Benyn. I will endure.”
“Well, if you change your mind, you know where to
find me.” I stood up to leave, sensing that my skills were no longer required.
Endelyn reached out and squeezed my hand. “Thank you, for…” She glanced over to Senara and then back at me. “For everything.”
As I approached the doorway, I glanced back over my shoulder. “I’ll send Kewri over with the resin as soon as it arrives.” The puppy pounced on the bunk and licked Endelyn’s face. Senara chuckled and joined them. If it weren’t for the harrowing circumstances that brought these two together, I’d say they looked to be blissfully happy. For a brief moment, I saw something between them, something greater than friendship, something more than a sisterly connection. Maybe I was mistaken.
With my duty of care concluded, my focus shifted to the impossible terms set out by the Duro elders to secure a lasting peace between our people. I had to find my nephew, Tallack and give him the uncomfortable news.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Tallack was not in the Long Hut, but Blydh was. I could hear him boasting to his men about his conquests from outside. He’d already taken more ale than was appropriate under the circumstances and his men did little to discourage his excesses.
From their muted responses to my nephew’s bragging, I guessed that they feared him. It wasn’t a case of them being unable to fight against him in single combat, but more like the laws of our tribe forbade such disobedience. None dared to test his right to have them flayed or burnt alive for making a stand. Only Tallack could safely gainsay Blydh, and as the events from the night before illustrated, even he had little sway over his actions.
I returned to my hut to clear up the mess and prepare my supper, keeping a weather eye on the main paths through the compound in case Tallack had returned. Tribe’s folk kept delivering gifts and tributes to Endelyn right up until darkness fell, each of them showing their support for the priestess in her troubles.