The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  Lord Mabon inclined his head. “Yes, your majesty. It is always a pleasure to see Kingscastle again.”

  Corin was distracted by the girl tugging on his shoulder. “Corin, Corin!” She lisped her r’s to w’s. “Hefin hurted hisself. Can you come?”

  Corin wasn’t sure who she was or who Hefin was, but he would rather find out than deal with Lord Mabon. A groom caught Corin’s attention.

  “Prince Darrin said for you to join them as soon as you were able,” he said.

  Corin set the girl down with a sigh of relief. “All right, show me where.”

  She grasped two of his fingers and pulled him toward the rear of the stables. Corin heard the crying before they saw the boy. He sat at the base of one of the trees that sheltered the open pens, holding his arm at an awkward angle. Corin didn’t have to be a healer to know it was broken. He knelt by Hefin and reached out to him.

  Hefin sniffed and manfully tried to stifle his tears. “I fell,” he explained.

  Corin looked up at the tree and saw the branch that had caused the accident. “You climbed higher than I did at your age.”

  “Really?” Hefin sniffed again.

  “Aye, I used to sneak out here and climb this tree. As I recall, it was particularly good for seeing all across the castle.”

  “Still is.” Hefin wiped away a rogue tear.

  Corin smiled and helped the boy up. “Come on. Let’s get you to a healer. That arm looks like it hurts.” He sent the girl running off to the castle to alert a healer.

  Hefin leaned against Corin as they made their way toward the castle infirmary.

  Mera met them at the door with the girl.

  “I wasn’t sure what Bronwyn was trying to tell me,” she said. “Why don’t you lads come in and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Hefin dragged his feet a little, and Corin gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ve been in here plenty of times.”

  Hefin took his hand again, and they went over to a bed. Mera handed the boy a cup of medicine.

  “Drink this, Hefin. It’ll stop your arm from hurting so much.”

  She began to gather material to form a splint and sling after sending Bronwyn off to find their guardian. “I might need some help,” she told Corin as he sat next to the boy. “Do you mind staying? I know Lord Mabon just arrived.”

  “I’d rather be here, and I think you know it,” Corin said.

  Mera smiled and knelt in front of Hefin. “I’m going to set your arm back in place. Can you be brave for me?” she asked.

  Hefin bit his lip and nodded. Mera rolled up his sleeve on the injured arm.

  “Will it hurt a lot?” Hefin glanced up at Corin.

  “It will at first,” Corin told him.

  “I thought you were gonna say no,” Hefin said.

  Corin almost laughed. “I’m always honest with my warriors.”

  Hefin straightened. “Have you ever broked anything?”

  “I once broke two of my fingers.” Corin held out his hand for Hefin to see the fingers that had remained slightly crooked despite Nicar’s efforts.

  “Did Mera fix them?” Hefin asked.

  “No, that was before I knew Mera as a healer,” Corin replied.

  Hefin looked like that was hard to fathom. “I’ve always known you, haven’t I, Mera?” he said.

  “You have,” Mera agreed. “And if you can believe it, I knew Corin when he was just your age,” she told Hefin.

  The boy squinted up at Corin as if trying to imagine that. “That must have been a long time ago.”

  Corin and Mera laughed.

  “I’m not that old!” Corin protested.

  Mera was still laughing as she reached for Hefin’s arm. “All right, let’s get this over with, Hefin,” she said.

  Hefin allowed her to take hold of the broken arm and moved closer to Corin. Corin wrapped a steadying arm around the boy and nodded to Mera. Hefin buried his head against Corin and cried as the bones were pulled back into place.

  Bronwyn charged back into the room as Mera began to wrap a bandage around Hefin’s arm. She was followed by a rather breathless woman who ran to the bed as soon as she saw the boy. Corin recognized her as Lady Eira. She had lost her husband and a son in the war, and now she and her remaining daughter looked after many of the orphans in the castle.

  Bronwyn jumped up and down beside Lady Eira.

  “See! Hefin was climbing, then he falled, so I ran and ran and there was a horsie that went whoosh! And Corin came, and he’s a very nice person, and Mera said she could help.” Bronwyn was in her element trying to explain everything that had happened.

  “Hefin, are you all right?” Lady Eira asked in concern. Her ward nodded. The bitter medicine he had drunk earlier was dulling some of the pain. “What did I tell you about climbing that tree? You were supposed to take Bronwyn out for a walk, nothing more!”

  “I promised I wouldn’t tell,” Bronwyn piped up again.

  Corin hid a smile. It could have been him and Amaura at that age. Lady Eira saw him and dropped a quick curtsey.

  “Thank you, my lord. Bronwyn said you helped?” she said.

  “Barely,” Corin said. “I’m afraid I didn’t quite dis-courage him from trying again.”

  “Nothing I say will anyway. You should know that,” Lady Eira said. “My husband broke his arm in that tree and my son certainly tried.” She turned to Mera. “What needs to be done for Hefin?”

  “He can lie down here this afternoon if he wants,” Mera said. “I can look after him.”

  Bronwyn struggled to climb onto the bed, her intent gaze fixed on Karif who had taken up a perch on the bedpost. Karif regarded her with an aloof interest and then swiveled his head to look at the earthenware jar that Mera brought over.

  “I want to see the birdie!” Bronwyn said. Lady Eira caught her breath as she saw which “birdie” Bronwyn meant. Corin lifted the young girl onto the bed beside him.

  “Wait,” he told her as she would have grabbed at the hawk. He extended his wrist to Karif and the hawk latched comfortably onto the vambrace. Corin crouched with the hawk in front of both children carefully showing them how to stroke its feathers.

  Mera handed Hefin and Bronwyn both a sugar cube from her supply and they munched happily.

  “Can he have one?” Bronwyn pointed to the hawk.

  Corin took a cube from Mera and crumbled it in his hand. Karif swiftly cleaned the crumbs away and ruffled at his chest to get the bits that had fallen from his beak. The children giggled, and Corin took another cube. He put part in each child’s hand and helped them hold their hand out slowly. He clicked gently to the hawk, and Karif delicately picked up the crumbs offered.

  Mera and Lady Eira watched a bit breathlessly as the dangerous hooked beak came and swept above the small hands. Hefin and Bronwyn had no such worries, and they laughed merrily again.

  “No more or he’ll get too fat to fly,” Corin said.

  Bronwyn found this to be hilarious and rolled on the bed as she laughed.

  “No more for you either,” Mera reprimanded as Corin stole a sugar cube and popped it in his mouth.

  “Will you get too fat?” Bronwyn asked.

  “I certainly hope not,” Corin said.

  “Maybe we’d have to tickle him back down to size,” Lady Eira said as she performed that very action on the young girl.

  Bronwyn shrieked with laughter as Lady Eira swept her up into her arms. “Come along, little one. We’ll let Hefin rest for a while,” she said.

  Bronwyn called out merry goodbyes as she was carried from the room. Mera made sure Hefin was comfortable on the bed before she accompanied Corin to the door.

  “I had no idea you were so popular among the children,” she said.

  “I didn’t either,” Corin said. “At least I can count on someone to like me.”

  “Until you’re old and fat,” Mera said. “Or older,” she amended.

  “Then Lleu help me if you think I�
�m old now. By the time I’m finished with the meetings with Lord Mabon today, I’ll have aged again.” Corin couldn’t help a smile at the merry glint in her eye.

  Mera smiled again. “You’d better get down there while I’ll still cling to the memory of this poor young lad.”

  Corin only laughed and left the infirmary.

  The midday meal was being served, and Corin made it to the hall with seconds to spare. Lord Mabon nodded a distant greeting, not wishing to offend the son in front of the father.

  “I half expected you not to show back up,” Darrin said quietly to him.

  “I thought about it,” Corin replied. “Remind me again why I have to be there anyway?”

  “He’s one of our most important lords, Cor. We stroke his pride a little and keep him informed. He still has a large warband, so we need his men.”

  “He should give us his men anyway,” Corin growled. “I’ve never been very good at stroking massive egos.”

  Darrin hid a smile. “I know that a little too well.”

  Corin only glared at him.

  When the meal ended, the King and many of the lords gathered in a council chamber. Lord Mabon stopped Corin just outside the door.

  “Our hero returns,” he said. “Saving children now? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

  “Maybe if you weren’t so careless, I wouldn’t have to,” Corin replied.

  “So self-righteous! But I suppose that comes from your Calorin friends,” Lord Mabon sneered.

  “Lord Mabon!” Martin joined them at that moment. “I heard Corin cleaned up another one of your messes today?”

  The lord’s smile froze on his face.

  “I should have known your faithful hound would be skulking around,” he said to Corin. “Your father would be ashamed of how far you’ve fallen,” he baited Martin.

  “Don’t try to fool me, Mabon. I know very well you still want the General’s belt. And since I didn’t see you on any of those bloodstained battlefields, I don’t think it’s my father who would be ashamed. Tell us again what you did during the war?” Martin smiled carelessly, but he was taut with anger.

  Lord Mabon glared daggers at him before storming into the chamber.

  “You shouldn’t have gone so far, Martin,” Corin said, even though he agreed with every word.

  “He bloody well needed to hear it! My father didn’t die so that the lords like Mabon could keep their seats under the Calorins!” Martin ground out.

  “Are you coming in?” Corin asked.

  Martin took a deep breath. “Darrin asked me to be there. Though I think I’m supposed to be a calming influence on you. Sorry if it turns out to be the other way around.”

  “Oh, no, I’d like Mabon to have to stare at both our faces for the next few hours.”

  “Have I ever told you that I quite enjoy having you as a friend?” Martin said as they entered the chamber.

  Chapter 18

  Aiden snuck up behind Tam. He had been successfully stalking his brother for the past ten minutes. He quickened his pace and grabbed Tam by the shoulders. He had never heard Tam curse before, and his brother whirled around as Aiden nearly fell over with laughing.

  “You look like you had a heart attack!” Aiden wheezed as he doubled over. Tam kicked him in the shin, but he was starting to laugh too.

  “Between you and Will, it’s a wonder I haven’t yet,” Tam said.

  “I’m bored. You want tae go hunting?” Aided rubbed at his shin. “Oh, come on! What are you doing anyway?” he asked when Tam hesitated. “Nothing? That’s what I thought. Don’t be a boring bard.”

  “Very funny,” Tam said. “How long did it take you tae come up with that?”

  “Almost all morning if you can believe it. You want tae come?”

  “Fine, I’ll come!” Tam sounded wearied, but if the last ten minutes had been any indication, he hadn’t really been doing anything anyway. And Aiden had found his younger brother a ready accomplice in whatever he did to fill a dull hour or two.

  “Perfect. I had them saddle your horse already.”

  “You weren’t going tae take ‘no’ for an answer, were you?”

  “What does ‘no’ mean again?” Aiden inquired innocently.

  Tam rolled his eyes and they headed toward the stables. They weren’t the only ones with plans that afternoon. Rona was also making her way to the stable yards. She wore breeches and held a spear, ignoring the many stares thrown her way. Aiden and Tam saw her and stopped.

  “She looks determined,” Aiden commented.

  “It doesn’t surprise me. She and Will would ride out on occasion,” Tam said.

  “Will?” Aiden turned in surprise.

  “Aye, they were good friends before, you know, everything happened.”

  “I hadn’t heard anything about that.” Aiden was surprised, and a little annoyed, to find a hint of jealousy tugging at him.

  “I’m surprised you hadn’t. They were very good friends,” Tam said.

  Aiden looked at him. “I see what you’re trying tae do.”

  “Really? And what’s that?”

  “Clever. Very clever.”

  “Are we going hunting, because…?” Tam raised his shoulders.

  “All right, let’s ask her tae join us and see how you like being beaten…by a girl,” Aiden said.

  “By all means.” Tam gestured for Aiden to continue. They met with Rona at stable doors.

  “What are you doing today, Rona?” Aiden asked.

  “It is my birthday today, so I’m going hunting, and I’m going tae wear whatever I want.” She challenged either of them to say anything.

  “Perfect. We were planning tae hunt today as well. Nobody should hunt alone, should they, Tam?” Aiden asked pointedly.

  “No, especially not on their birthday,” Tam agreed.

  Rona watched them suspiciously.

  “Indeed! So you should join us, Rona,” Aiden said. “It would be our pleasure.”

  Rona agreed with a quickness that pleased him. He’d been hoping to run into her again. The past few weeks had kept her busy. He didn’t know if he was ready to admit how much he’d enjoyed talking with her during their occasional morning rides.

  She quickly saddled her horse and strapped a bow and quiver to the saddle. Tam did the same and they left the fortress to be joined by an approaching rider.

  “And Jamey just happens tae be visiting today with his spear?” Tam asked.

  “How convenient,” Aiden said. “Rona, you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.” She spurred her horse forward into the forest with the others.

  Jamey and Aiden knew the hunting runs well, and they were soon in quick pursuit of a stag. It fled in terror, and they lashed their steeds in quick pursuit. They lost the deer when it vanished into the shrubbery, but Maon quickly raised the trail again.

  Aiden pulled Narak off the path and spurred him on faster to cut off the deer. He leaned low in the saddle to avoid branches and trailing vines. The stag skidded away as Aiden turned Narak in front of it. Before it made good its escape, Rona threw her spear, and the stag fell onto the path. Her eyes shone triumphantly, and Aiden lowered his spear.

  “And what was that about me getting beaten by a girl?” Tam asked.

  Jamey laughed merrily, and Aiden smiled and saluted Rona with the spear.

  “Aye, but I know a good kill when I see one, Tam,” he replied.

  “We might have tae have another hunt tae assuage his wounded pride though,” Jamey said.

  “You know me too well, Jamey. You might not be invited just tae give the rest of us a chance,” Aiden teased Rona.

  She smiled as she dismounted and retrieved her spear. Jamey called off Maon who had begun to worry at the deer’s ear.

  “Are we taking this back tae Scodra?” he asked.

  Aiden sized up the carcass. “Sure, and I’ll cook it.” He noticed Tam and Rona looking at him skeptically. “I happen tae have many talents, thank you.”


  “I’ll believe that when I see it,” Rona said.

  Jamey laughed again. “We need tae keep her around, Danny. She certainly keeps you on your toes.”

  Rona blushed a little as the four of them laughed.

  When Morna saw the meat, she claimed it as hers and set about cooking lunch for the four of them.

  “You don’t really think I’d let you loose in my kitchens, do you, Master Aiden?” Morna had asked.

  Aiden had relented with a sigh and sat down with the others to eat at the kitchen table. They kept easy conversation and Aiden entertained them with some of the stories of his time in Calorin. At one point, they were practically wiping tears away.

  “You did what?” Tam gasped for breath.

  “Not one of my finer moments, I can assure you.” Aiden took another drink of ale.

  “Are you sure you had any of those?” Jamey asked.

  Aiden threw a crust of bread at him. “I’ll have you know that I became famous in that village. Never mind the fact that they lived on the far border and rarely saw outsiders.”

  Rona held her side as she tried to stop laughing. “I’m sure your friends were jealous.”

  “So jealous that they remind me of that incident every chance they get,” Aiden said cheerfully.

  “Do you miss it there?” Rona asked curiously.

  Aiden hesitated. “Occasionally,” he admitted. “But I was the best hunter in Calorin, and here I’ve fallen tae second best.” He gestured to Rona and shook his head as they laughed again.

  Morna came up and swept his boots off the table. “There’s a messenger here tae see you apparently,” she said.

  Aiden straightened in his chair as a rider wearing the green plaid of Clan Dyson came in and handed him a letter.

  “The Hawk’s runner gave it tae us at the border a few days ago, sir,” he said.

  Aiden quickly read it and smiled.

  “Morna, you’ll make sure he gets something tae eat?” he asked and the cook nodded. “If you two will excuse us. Tammy, we need tae go talk with Father.”

  They found Ranulf with their father in his study.

  “You were right, sir. Will is in Aredor,” Aiden told Gòrdan as he held up the letter.

  “How did you find out?” Ranulf asked.