by G L Roberts
“You have her ever in your thoughts,” Meydra said as she stepped down onto the grass.
“Not only her. All of my company. I want them safe.”
“Where they will come to no harm.”
“Yes.”
“And watch from a distance.”
“Yes,” Bryn said.
“While you walk into the den of beasts.”
“I will lose them soon enough, Meydra. I do not want to lose them too soon.”
“And what of them if they should lose you, My Lady?”
“I cannot lead from afar.”
“Then do not. But do not expect your family to wait for you on some lone hill.”
Bryn looked out across the mound. Meydra was right. Her company would not remain here while she was below with the armies. She patted Meydra’s cheek.
“What do you think of my armor?”
“The elves are skilled craftsmen. Do you intend to cover the crown?”
“It will remain hidden until I am face-to-face with Heardred, as will the dragons. Remind them of our plan. None are to be seen until I summon them. At that time we unveil our true strength. Will all of them remain hidden as I ask?”
“For now, yes,” Meydra replied. “But the younger dragons grow restless. Those that do not have companions do not feel the need for stealth as keenly as the others.”
“Perhaps I can find a way for them to participate and still not engage the enemy face-to-face.”
“Allowing their participation could serve to dissipate some of their anger.”
“Come, let us go down to the company. I have an idea.”
“You will not be asking the company to remain here on the hill?”
Bryn climbed onto Meydra’s neck. “No. I cannot hold them as prisoners and expect their allegiance. If they must be at my side, at my side they shall be.”
Meydra lifted up, flew once around the armies below and landed in the heather at the base of Bynack More.
Arryn stood with Malcolm and Lenyck at a flat stone being used as a table. A map of the coastline lay over the stone. Inbhir Nis, the river that led inland to several villages, was where they expected the Norsemen to put ashore. Betony ruled those villages and had seen many years of Norse invasion. Her people fought only to keep from being taken slaves by the Norsemen. They learned to hide deep in the forests and leave grain stores and livestock behind for the raiders to take at will. This kept Betony’s people alive, but they suffered year after year with the loss of their goods.
Arryn pointed at a small village located where the Inbhir Nis met the mouth of Loch Nis. “Here is where the brochs are being constructed. Lady Athebryn has asked for three new brochs to lure the raiders.”
“We have gathered the grain for the first broch,” Lenyck said. “How sure are we that this will lure the raiders?”
Malcolm stepped forward. “We are only sure that they are coming. Lady Athebryn believes their aim is to avenge the death of the Jarl. It is only their practice to plunder after routing or killing the villagers. It may very well be that they do not touch the brochs this time. That is why there is going to be a slight difference to these brochs. At the top of the broch will be a small window, and from inside a light will shine out of the window. This should lead the raiders to believe there are people inside the brochs. We will also lure them with horses.”
“And Betony’s people? Where will they be?” Lenyck asked.
“Here,” Bryn said as she joined the men. She pointed to a ring around the village. “In underground cairns at the outer edges of the village. These cairns will be under the protection of the dragons. If we cannot hold or deter the Norsemen away from the village, the dragons will make sure they do not find the villagers.”
Pendelin moved to meet Bryn’s eyes. “I thought the dragons could not engage in battle.”
“And they will not, but they can act as very large and very fierce guards. They can also lead the Norsemen away. I have been working with the dragons, and we have agreed on ways they can participate without causing harm.”
Arryn touched Bryn’s arm. “That should calm the hearts of the younger dragons.”
“That is our hope.”
“Is there a concern about the dragons not following your direction?” Pendelin asked.
Bryn shook her head. “No. High Dragon will not allow the other dragons to break their vow. The concern, Elder Pendelin, is that the dragons will feel the need to protect their companions. They have not been put in this situation before now. This is as new to them as it is to us.”
A young man approached the group and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Prince Arryn.”
Bryn smiled at Arryn. The title was not one he was used to, but at the insistence of the Epidii High Elder and the Lady Anethar, Arryn was pronounced prince once the company arrived at Bynack More.
Arryn shook his head slightly at Bryn and grinned. He walked over to the young man and after a moment returned to the map table. “Captain Baendar has arrived with the Bridei.”
“Good. Convene the council at my tent. Prince Malcolm, please ask your captains to join us after their evening meal. Prince Arryn, locate Captain Baendar and ask him to join us. Is there still no word on King Thamen’s army?”
“None, My Lady,” Prince Lenyck replied before Arryn could speak. “Perhaps he has changed his mind.”
Arryn touched the hilt of his sword and stood in front of Lenyck. “Do not trouble yourself about King Thamen. He will not change his mind.”
“I forget that you were once captain of King Thamen’s guard. I suppose you would know his nature.”
“As do I,” Bryn said, laying her hand on Lenyck’s arm. “King Thamen will be here.” She left the men and walked down toward her tent. Heads bowed as she passed.
“The armor suits you.” Thalynder ran her hands over the rings. She picked up a gauntlet and turned it over in her hands. “Mine is a bit less romantic.”
Bryn kissed Thalynder’s earlobe. “It will serve you. I will do whatever I can do to keep you safe, my Lynder. This armor, the dragons, and your promise to remain with the archers, and I will be satisfied that I have done all I can to keep you out of harm’s way.”
“And you? What will you do to keep out of harm’s way?” Thalynder asked and kissed Bryn’s lips.
“I will dazzle the enemy with my wit, and if need be, the jewel at my brow. I hear tell that it stops all in their tracks.”
“You can jest at a time like this. I am serious, my Bryn. You have tasked the dragons with staying out of the fray. I only hope Meydra does not intend to hold to that promise if you are at risk.”
“If I cannot ask and expect the High Dragon to respect my wishes, then dragon companions everywhere are in serious trouble. No, Thalynder. Do not hope for Meydra’s betrayal of this trust. Instead, hope for our belief that we, the clanns and the kingdoms, are strong enough to win the day. For we need to believe this with all our hearts or we have already lost.”
Thalynder looked into Bryn’s eyes. The blue eyes that once calmed Thalynder were dotted now with flecks of twilight. They sparkled and flashed with a life of their own. Behind the sparkles, Thalynder’s Bryn remained and that is who she looked for. “I believe we will save Alban. Dazzle the enemy, my Bryn.” Several others approached. Thalynder heard Malcolm and Arryn’s voices nearing the tent. “The council is here, My Lady.”
“How many Epidii?”
“Eighty-seven as of this afternoon, My Lady,” Arryn replied. “Forty are nearing the Loch and wait as instructed.”
“Bridei?”
“Sixty here, twenty remained at the Loch per your command,” Kenna replied.
“Northumbria?”
“My people are preparing the brochs. There are thirty more on horseback and wait at the entrance to the Nis,” Lothan said.
“What of King Thamen?”
Thalynder glanced at Malcolm. “My father arrived at the Loch this morning. There will be two hundred here by nightfall, and they
will line both banks between the mouth of the loch and the boats.”
“Rythale?”
“My Lady, the archers will be here before midnight. Gement will have them wait at the forest edge as instructed. There are fifty-two.”
“Good. Teela?”
“The clanns have sent thirty archers. I have instructed them to join the Picts at the forest edge. There are thirty more swordsmen on horseback here at Bynack More, and they will go with me to WestHill.”
“Malcolm?”
“King Heli and King Edmund have joined with King Thamen. The two hundred of King Thamen’s realm are joined by another one hundred sixty with horse, sword, and lance. As instructed they move to Kirkhill and WestHill.”
“Leus?”
“There are seventy archers. They await your command.”
“Where do they wait?” Malcolm asked.
“They are hidden,” Bryn replied. “We will not reveal their presence until Heardred meets me face-to-face.”
“You believe Heardred will not lead the raiders?” Thalynder asked.
“He will send his stepsons first. If our sources are correct, Heardred has no love for those two impostor sons, Hygid and Heoroth. If they are killed, he will find another heir, and he will be rid of the boils on his back. Heardred will wait to face the one that killed his true son, Helstun. It is only then that he will be shown what power we truly wield. The elves and the dragons remain hidden until we have Heardred before us.”
Malcolm gave Bryn a wry smile. “So, we are less than one thousand. Still, that is a good showing for a first battle.”
Bryn chuckled. “You are ever the captain, Prince Malcolm. Yes, indeed it is a very good showing for a first battle. Win this one, and we will draw others to our cause. Lose it, and Alban will die a slow and painful death.”
Kenna stepped toward Bryn. “Do you believe we can win this one?”
“We do not know how many Heardred will bring to avenge his son, but it is not his full complement. I am hoping we have enough to buy us time.”
Arryn’s brow creased. “We keep the archers at the ready, but behind our back. We lead with the horses because the Norsemen will have none. The bait is the false village and the new brochs. We draw Heardred to us, but you do not say you intend to kill him.”
Bryn met Arryn’s eyes. “That is true, Arryn. I want him to think about what he is doing. When he believes he knows our strength, and he will think he knows it, we will reveal the elves and the dragons.”
“He will return home to mount an invasion of great numbers,” Lothan said.
“And we will have an army to meet his, but we need the time to gather and plan. This is what I hope to accomplish with this first battle.”
“Will you paint your face, My Lady?” Rythale asked. “I can lend my hand to make you fierce.”
“I will wear my clann symbol. But, yes. I think a little paint for effect would be a good thing. What do you think, Princess?”
Thalynder chuckled. “As if they will not be frightened enough by a crown fused to the forehead of a woman.”
The company laughed, but the laugh was short-lived when Meydra called out to Bryn.
“The ships have reached the horizon.”
It is there, Heardred thought, as he looked toward the land. There on that cursed island that my son met his doom. I do not believe the seers and their fears that a magic beast killed my son and his men. They even put ideas in my head and I, a King, fall prey to their whining and dream of such a beast. Utter nonsense. That whimpering excuse for a man claimed he hid behind the rocks. Hid! No man of my tribe hides from anything. No, this man must have had a hand in my son’s death, and I will have his heart before this voyage is over. Flying beasts that breathe fire? Ha! There is a ram among these Druid sheep, and I will find him and put an end to the ramblings of old men and simpering idiots.
Heardred glanced at the helmsman. He spoke above the wind. “Move these men as if Odin himself was racing us to shore! Destiny awaits us! Valhalla calls! There will be a red death for these Druids, and we will leave none alive!”
The helmsman called out to the men, and the oars dipped faster into the water. The boat lurched and settled into a steady rhythm of speed effortlessly cutting through the water. Heardred now stood at the prow of the boat, his eyes ever fixed on the land in front of them.
On another boat, Hygid watched his stepfather. Heardred’s grief over the loss of Helstun had turned to anger. Heardred did not believe the only survivor’s story about the winged beast, and he was bent on destroying every living thing on the island. Hygid did not think that a smart thing to do considering the Druids were good farmers. Taking from them was easy, and it meant that he and his own sons did not have to do the work themselves. Hygid liked taking from the Druids. He had two pretty little slaves back at home that kept his bed warm and one strong boy to tend to his stock. No, he thought, I will not kill them all. Perhaps I can find a way to let some live, if only to tend to the fields and the fish. Hygid stared long at Heardred. As a second boat approached the far side of the King’s boat, Hygid saw his brother Heoroth. Heoroth nodded at Hygid.
“Yes,” Hygid whispered. “There is always the possibility that the king will be killed by the beast.” He nodded back at Heoroth and shouted at the helmsman, “Move these men! The king’s boat is pulling ahead.”
“With a strong wind and good weather, the boats will reach Inbhir Nis in three days,” Bryn said. She stood at the map table surrounded by her company and their captains. “Here they will travel overland on foot until they reach our new village, Lochend. That will take another full day.”
“Is there nothing between Lochend and the beachhead?” Pendelin asked.
“Not between. But if the Norsemen take their standard route to Queen Betony or head south to the pasturelands, we will have an extra day to prepare. Our hope is that they go to Lochend where we have set our strongest traps.”
“You place your hope on something untested?” Lenyck asked.
“We have provided the Norsemen with an incentive to go that way first,” Arryn replied. “One they cannot possibly pass up. Horses.”
“We have thirty horses waiting here at Creag Dunain.” Bryn pointed to the map. “Thirty of our best riders are ready to ride for Lochend the moment the Norsemen spot them.”
“It is a risky venture, but our riders have the advantage. The Norsemen will have only just arrived from a long voyage. Their legs will be weak. They will want those horses above anything else.”
“Our riders will reach the brochs ahead of the Norsemen,” Malcolm continued for the company. “Ten will dismount and move to the brochs to join the other swordsmen, leaving their horses in the paddock. The rest will ride into the forest to join the archers. My army will wait here,” he pointed to a spot on the map just west of Lochend, “until the Norsemen have passed. We will close off their escape to the east.”
“How many Norsemen are we expecting? Do we have numbers yet?” Baendar asked.
“Caraid and Mediter have counted seven boats,” Kenna replied.
“With thirty or forty per boat, that makes them two hundred ten to possibly three hundred strong,” Rythale said. She stepped up to the map beside Bryn. “I have seen their boats. They can carry as many as sixty. But using more space for oars to travel more quickly, I would put the numbers at less than the full complement. Say, forty per boat.”
Bryn patted Rythale’s arm. “Two hundred and fifty men and women with one single intention—to wipe us off the face of the earth. They will be determined enough for one thousand. Still, we do outnumber them. But we are raw, and this is our first attempt at a unified resistance.”
A young man approached the table and cleared his throat. Bryn turned to see Rylan standing just outside the circle of captains. Arryn moved over to Rylan and put his hand on Rylan’s shoulder. “You have news?”
“Yes, Prince,” Rylan started.
“Just Arryn will suffice. Out with the news.”
“Good news indeed.” Arryn patted Rylan’s back. “Stay close. Lady Athebryn will have a return message for your queen.”
Arryn returned to the map table. “We should prepare to leave.”
“Yes,” Bryn agreed. “Queen Betony has secured the two villages that usually see the brunt of the Norsemen’s anger. If they decide not to follow the bait and go directly to one of the usual villages, at least they will be met by something more substantial. Pendelin, it is time for your Epidii to move to Aldourie and wait. My guess is the Norsemen will go after the bait. When they pass you, approach them from behind and join Malcolm. It worked for my company with the Jarl. It will work with his father. Captains, ready your mounts, we ride for Lochend.”
Bryn fitted the mail over Thalynder’s head. Thalynder lifted her arms and moved them up and down. “This is lighter than I expected.”
“Thank the elves for the work.” Bryn pulled the mail down over Thalynder’s back, and it stopped at her hips. She held Lynder’s hips with her hands. “Now the woolen stockings.”
“I don’t see why I need to look like a man. My tunic would be just fine under this mail. Why do I have such heavy undergarments?”
“Because, my love, you will be standing and sitting and standing and leaning, on trees, under bushes, and even lying on your stomach in the dirt. Do you want all that to find its way under your tunic?”
“But…”
“No buts. They will help protect you, and I understand from the men that they even keep you cool.”
“They are not flattering.”
Bryn chuckled. “Flattering? No, they are not. Makes your legs look like small tree trunks.”
“That is it. You are doing this on purpose, Athebryn. I am being trussed up for your amusement.” Thalynder tossed the boots she was holding onto the floor and turned to face Bryn. “I suppose you will be dressed more or less like a queen.”