“You must have been drugged too! I could hardly wake you!” The realisation made me suddenly cold.
“But you were not?”
“I didn’t feel hungry last night, so I didn’t eat as much as usual, but I slept very soundly indeed.” Our eyes met.
“Where is he?” McLir asked me urgently.
“I don’t know. I thought he’d gone for a walk, as he often does in the early morning.”
“Go look for him. I’ll rouse Shea, if I can.”
I ran out of the cave and up the hill, to the nearest vantage point. I peered all around me, but I there was no sign of him anywhere. I ran down to the stream and to the other places where we often went, but Edan had a good start and was long gone. My feet dragged a little, as I climbed back to the cave to report my failure, feeling utterly bereft.
McLir had been more successful than I had. Shea sat upright, although he kept shaking his head, as if the world whirled round him. Yet he looked alive again.
“Edan used the poppy juice.” McLir showed me the empty flask in his hand.
“I didn’t see any sign of him,” I reported.
“I never expected you to. He must’ve had some hours start.”
“Then we’ve lost him.” I sat down, trying to come to terms with the brute fact of Edan’s betrayal. An even worse possibility was that I might never be with him again. The thought gave me a strange ache inside.
“No, we haven’t, not for long anyway...”
“No?”
“Shea will be able to find him and lead us to him. If he left in such a fashion, without telling us, he must have a reason. We were no threat to him and he had no need to sneak off without telling us. Courtesy demanded he take a proper leave, after our care of him. His reason must be important and one which he doesn’t want us to know. So we’ll follow him and find out. I should’ve been more careful last night, but I didn’t think. I’d even begun to trust him a little. I’ve been stupid.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Máistir.”
“If not me then who? I was always certain Edan had a purpose and hadn’t told us the truth. He’s gone to accomplish his task now. Else, he wouldn’t have left us in this way, for he’s always been courteous, until this moment. I undertook the responsibility to watch him closely and I’ve failed in that objective. Now we must do what we can to mend my failure.”
He took off his long cloak and robe, until he stood only in his tunic and trews. He looped a small bundle onto his belt and picked up his sword and his staff.
“Leave behind as much as you can, for we must run hard if we’re to have any chance of catching him up.”
While I did so, McLir went to Shea, giving him water and ruffling his ears. Then he led him over to the place where Edan had been lying. Obediently the dog bent his head to the tumbled bracken and sniffed.
“Shea find Edan. Find!”
Shea whined, glanced up into his eyes and trotted out of the cave. We followed hard on his heels. He led us up the hill and down the other side. The journey was not easy for we had to hurry. Although Edan’s ankle had healed, he would be foolish not to move slowly and take the easiest path. We had a chance to catch him, but we had to take the shortest route, even if it was rough. We ran, whenever the path allowed us to, walked and climbed when we had no choice. Shea often raced far ahead of us, showing the way, so we were able to cut corners and make better time. Sometimes we pushed through gorse bushes, jumped over small streams or climbed on rocks. My smock tore and I almost ran the shoes off my feet. I lost my breath and, at the end, the world swam around me in circles, but we found him.
At first, he appeared only as a small dot on the horizon; a dot which grew bigger and bigger. McLir halted our headlong rush then, for he did not want us to be seen. We proceeded with more care and less noise. Edan was limping by this time and going slow. We shadowed him from a distance, making use of the bushes and trees to hide ourselves.
“Where do you think he’s going?” I whispered.
“To the shore.” McLir’s tone sounded grim. “This path leads right to the water’s edge. Come, we mustn’t lose him now and it’s growing dark. Let’s close the gap a little.”
The sky was indeed darkening and we would not even have much light later on, for the moon was on the wane. It would only be a faint sliver when it rose. Edan still moved forward. Shea would find him again, even if we lost sight of him but we wanted to be near enough to watch what he did. Not long afterwards, the faint movements we were following ceased. We had, indeed, reached the shore by this time, near the southern bank of the great river.
“He’s gone to earth in the bushes,” McLir said. “Perhaps he’s resting, or he’s come to the place he was heading for.”
We took turns keeping a lookout. Edan did not stir. For a long time, nothing moved at all, on the land or on the sea.
“Why is he still there?” I breathed in McLir’s ear. “Has he injured himself again, perhaps?”
“Perhaps, but I think he’s waiting for something. I don’t know what, but I can guess.”
“What?”
“Hush, look out there!”
I peered into the darkness, trying to make out the things he pointed to. There was movement on the sea, flickering shadows. They would have been almost invisible, if we had not been staring so hard into the darkness. Then something nearer drew my eyes. Edan emerged out of his hiding place at last and walked down to the water’s edge. Beside me, McLir swore so softly only I heard him.
Against the horizon, the boats flew like dark wraiths as they surged over the waters. They seemed to leap the wave crests and they headed straight towards us. I found myself gripping McLir’s arm tightly, with shaking hands.
“More than one ship, many more,” McLir said, pointing at the shapes and counting under his breath. “Edan has brought a fleet down upon us. He called for his own folk to come and they’re here. I was afraid of this.”
“What can we do? Everyone will be slaughtered!” My mind flew instantly to the people I loved. I had a sudden awful memory of my vision, the vision of my father’s death.
“We must warn the people so they can flee. Perhaps we’ll be in time to save some of them at least.”
25
“You must go now,” McLir said. “Warn your own people. I’ll alert Stoill and the others who live near here.”
“My father won’t listen to me...”
“This time he will. He can’t afford not to. Whatever he thinks, he must act. Oshin’s no fool and he’d be stupid to take the chance you’re right. Everyone would be killed. I’ll send Shea with you, for protection. Your father can’t harm you with him beside you, but he wouldn’t. Men act differently when danger threatens them. Time enough later to carry on squabbles. Now go as swiftly as you can and warn him.”
“Máistir..?”
“Go! Don’t be afraid. Didn’t the prophecy say we’d meet again?” He had a smile in his voice and felt my fear lessen a little. Then he turned away and we parted.
I crept through the bushes carefully, to make sure they did not rustle. I circled around from the place where we had been hiding and headed for the riverbank, which would lead me home. I tried to keep the line of trees and bushes between the beach, and myself for I did not want Edan to become aware of me. I think, at that moment, I would have killed him, if it had been possible. Hatred of his betrayal lay cold in my belly, but I also wept for the man I had come to know and like. I struggled to see through my tears, and I did not lift my eyes to watch the ships again. I worried about making some noise which would alert him. Even so, I passed very close to him and my heart was in my mouth. Shea trotted soundlessly at my side, finding no difficulty in seeing through the gloom. I strained my ears to find out what was happening until, faintly, the splash of oars sounded over the water. Then a whistle came from the shore, which was answered from the sea. Words spoken in a strange tongue carried to me and the sound was ominous, chilling my soul. I was in a fret, for I dared not move more quic
kly. Sound carries such a long way near the water and they might hear and come after me. Time stopped. I walked forward, but seemed to be standing still.
It took hours before I was far enough away to take to my heels and run, or so I thought. I’ve never sprinted so fast in all my life. Fear gave me wings and the strength to continue. I felt sick with exhaustion by the time I reached the houses. I ran through the village pounding on the walls and screaming my warning. I dropped to my knees, gasping, in the doorway of the last hut. People came running out of their houses, surrounding me as I knelt there, sobbing with relief. I was in time. Some of them grabbed torches to see who was making all the noise. In their flickering flames, I stared up into the livid face of my father.
“You little slut!” he snarled at me. “What are you doing here?”
I had almost no breath left, but I forced myself to gasp, “Raiders, from the sea. Run! Run! They’re almost here!”
He opened his mouth to speak again but no sound came. Then he raised his fist, as if he would dash it down upon my head. He got no further for, with one leap, Shea had him sprawled on the ground, his teeth almost touching Father’s throat.
“Shea, hold!” I whirled around to the people, who had started forward towards the dog.
“Didn’t you hear me?” I yelled up into their faces. “This is true what I am telling you! I’ve seen the ships in the bay! Viking longships! Go while you still can.”
My words released them with a suddenness that seemed shocking. They scattered, running wildly in all directions, until only my mother stood beside us. “Renny...”
“Mummig, go! Go with the others!”
“Your father!”
I looked at the prostrate man before me and hesitated. How easily I could take my revenge on him right now. A word to Shea and he would be dead, his throat ripped out. But I did not speak that word. Doing so would make me like him. I also read the appeal in my mother’s eyes.
“Please, Renny! Let him go. We need him.”
I nodded and got to my feet. I stood over him and said, “Father, we’ve no time to speak of what lies between you and me. I’ll tell the dog to release you but, if you try to harm me, he’ll attack you again. Next time I won’t stop him.” I stepped back. “Shea let him go!”
Shea lifted his head and backed away to stand in front of me, still growling deep in his throat. Father scrambled to his feet. He never even glanced at us but hurried into the house. The village street was full of confusion. No one had waited to find out whether Shea would make an end of my father or not. Someone had opened the pen, to release the animals and scatter them. Women ran past, their children clutched in their arms. The men carried spears and axes. They came towards me and my heart sank, for their numbers were so few.
“Renny, get your mother away with the others. Hurry!” Mian shouted. I hesitated for a second. I had so much to say to my friends and neighbours, but we had no time to say anything at all. I nodded to him, grabbed Mummig’s arm and pulled her after the rest of the women. Shea ran at our heels. A great cry rang out behind us and I whirled round. My father came running out of his hut, his huge axe clutched tightly in one hand. His shield was in the other and my grandfather’s old war helm was on his head.
“Inside,” he yelled to the men, “everyone get into the houses and hide. When they come we’ll surprise them.” These words were the last I ever heard him say.
26
Edan’s Story
I waited restlessly on the shore. My stomach churned inside me and I felt sick with excitement. This always happens to me before a battle. Fortunately, I can ignore the turmoil and still fight. I had no doubts about the outcome of this encounter, but other unexpected emotions raged within me this time. Never before, in all my journeys, had I allowed myself to become involved with anyone I met – until now. I had never been injured when I was alone and in need of help. Fighting against those you do not know is much easier than fighting people who are friends. I thanked Odin I had left Renny and McLir safely on the mountain. They, at least, would be far enough away and be given fair warning of the fleet’s arrival. They could escape easily enough. I did not want either of them mixed up in the fighting, I owed them too much. I had a pang when I remembered the message I sent to McLir’s enemy. I would never have done so, if I had known McLir as well as I did now. My father did not need either Sétanta’s help or his gold for this venture. I wished the message unsent, but perhaps Sétanta had not been found. I hoped so. After all, time had been short and Dag had no idea where he lived. The thought comforted me for a while.
I had less concern about Renny’s people. There are better things to do with women and children than to butcher them. Anyway, they would surely run away when they heard us coming, if they had any sense. If the ones she cared for were captured, I would claim them as my share of the captives. My kin would not deny me; they would be my reward for what I had done, if we were successful. I wanted Renny in my life; I knew that now. She attracted me as no other woman had ever done before. If I saved her friends and kin, perhaps she would forgive me for betraying her people. Judging from the little she told me, Renny would be pleased if Keir and her father died in the battle. For the first time in my life, though, I felt uncomfortable about what I had brought about.
These thoughts raced through my mind as I sat on the beach, waiting for the ship to appear. Fortunately, I did not have long to wait. Dag was as good as his word. The moon barely showed above the horizon, when I made out not just one, but several, longships turning into the bay. Dag had not come in alone to pick me up. Fadir had sent all the ships and crews who would follow him on this venture.
I waited a little distance from the mouth of the river, hidden by the darkness of the land. Leif did not spot me at first, although his eyesight is keen. I whistled and he turned the skiff towards me. I waded out into the surf to meet him. I climbed aboard, picked up a spare oar and we rowed swiftly back to the ship.
“I’ve got him,” Leif said, as he manoeuvred the boat under the counter and came to rest against the dragon ship. Dag lent down and gave me a hand to clamber up the side. As I put my leg over the gunwale, I couldn’t help gasping as my sore ankle knocked against the wood.
“What have you done to yourself?” Dag asked me.
“Turned my foot in a hole, but don’t worry, I’ll still be able to fight.”
“You’d better, if you want your fair share of the spoils!” I heard the grin in his voice, although his face remained hidden in the gloom.
“There’ll be plenty for all, don’t you fret, and no force of any size to oppose us either.”
“So we go?”
“We do. Signal to the others to follow and I’ll show you where to land.”
Lantern light flashed out to sea, carefully shielded from any eyes on the shore. Slowly the ships slipped through the breakers, hugging the shoreline, barely afloat, until the river mouth gaped before them. One by one, they turned into the stream. Only the splash of their oars made any noise at all. Their sails had been lashed tight to the masts. As usual, sword belts and shields were muffled, lest a jingle give us away. Dag’s ship, smallest and lightest of all the fleet, led the way up the river. Leif lay in the bows, testing the depth with an oar. As the water became shallower, he signalled and the rowers ceased to pull.
“Shoaling!”
The keel grated gently on the riverbed and the men shipped their oars. We picked up our weapons and jumped over the side into the stream. A couple of the men stayed on board to guard the boat. Behind us, more splashing occurred as the men from the other boats leaped down. Soon we were all ashore.
“Which way now?”
“Here. Follow the track by the river.”
I led the way along the path I had marked, when I first came to this place. We had only one mishap on our way. We startled a sheep, which tripped one of the men and bleated loudly. We froze at the sound, but no shepherd appeared to find out what had upset the animal, so we continued. We smelt the village l
ong before we came near. Smoke spiralled up into the air, as if fires had been left burning and not banked for the night. This seemed unusual and I wondered why. Had news of our presence been brought to them? Where were all the people? Asleep? Or was this another a trap? I shrugged. No ships had come up from the south to their rescue. I had watched the sea for hours with no sign of any craft at all. Again, I thanked Odin for his favour. These people were alone and too few to fight us off successfully. We were strong enough to take the place, even if they had been warned and were waiting for us.
Outside the village, we divided. Some of the men circled round to the landward side of the houses. The rest of us approached through the shallows. I took a firm grip on the sword I carried. The thing felt strange, unlike the one I had made for myself so long ago. I had been forced to leave my own weapons in the cave, in case I made a noise unearthing them. I’d borrowed this sword and shield from Dag and they would have to do, although I don’t like strange weapons. Their weight in my hands felt wrong.
My excitement rose. The feeling always starts just before a battle and grows more intense with every moment. It is anticipation, rather than fear, although anyone who tells you he is never afraid is a liar. After my first blow, battle-rage takes over and everything becomes shrouded in a red mist.
We had almost reached the houses, when Dag whistled shrilly on his fingers, giving us the signal to charge. We rushed forward, screaming our war cries. My ankle made me slow, so I lagged a little behind the rest. I am usually one of the first into the fight but, today, I had to strive to keep up. That fact probably saved my life.
No one answered our challenge. What had gone wrong? Then, as we passed the first doorway, men leaped out, attacking us in the flank. Immediately Leif threw his spear over their heads, claiming them for Odin. Other spears followed and our bowmen loosed their arrows. Renny’s friend, Mian, fell pierced through the thigh. His blood sprayed out onto the trampled grass. We ran forward but Oshin had managed his forces well. Even as we fought our way between the huts, other men, who had lain concealed, letting us pass, jumped up behind us. Then it was cut and thrust, shove and parry.
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