Karif flew down to land on Corin’s arm for a moment before Corin sent him flying off with a quick word. Gwilym would have run forward with Martin, but Liam caught him and swung him up onto his shoulders.
“You ready?” Martin asked the riders.
Receiving nods from them both, he drew his sword and brought it down in a flashing arc. The crowds cheered as the horses bolted to a quick gallop and took the first jump together.
Aiden saw Mera anxiously clasping her hands. He knew there was something different about Corin these days.
“He’ll be all right, you know. He’s one of the best riders I’ve seen, and Zephyr will take care of him,” he told her.
Mera smiled nervously at him. “Martin keeps telling me that.”
He smiled and noted with some interest that Tam stood with Kara and Kieran as they watched the race. The twins were following it intently.
“Captain is falling a bit behind,” Kara said anxiously.
“No, he’s just cautious of the next jump,” Kieran said as Zephyr cleared the obstacle with room to spare just behind Trey. “They’re coming tae the river now.”
“I hope they’re careful. It’s a steep bank.” Kara shielded her eyes to watch as the riders suddenly seemed to vanish into the ground. All eyes turned to the bend of the river where they would reappear. A minute passed and then another. Voices murmured uneasily.
“Do you think something’s happened?” Tam asked.
“I don’t know,” Kieran replied.
“Martin?” Amaura asked nervously. “Where are they?”
“Give them another minute,” Martin replied, hiding his own sudden anxiety.
“There they are!” a voice shouted. Cheers rang out as Corin and Trey emerged from the river, still racing side by side.
Martin hurried to the finish line as they began the last leg of the race. Trey took the last jump behind Zephyr but quickly drew even again over the open ground. Corin and Trey crossed the line together. More cheers erupted as they slowed their horses and came to a stop.
“What happened?” Martin demanded. Trey was soaking wet, and Corin’s clothes and face were streaked with mud.
“It was steeper than we first thought,” Trey said as he and Corin laughed. They saluted the king and queen who both looked very relieved that the race was over.
“Martin, declare a winner,” King Celyn said.
“A tie, your majesty,” Martin replied.
The men of the Hawk Flight and Castle Martel applauded boisterously.
“Are you hurt?” Mera asked Corin as he slid down from Zephyr.
“Just some scrapes and bruises. Nothing life threatening,” Corin replied. “I told you we’d be fine.”
Mera smiled as Karif flew in and gently butted Corin’s cheek. “I’m not the only one who didn’t quite believe you.”
“He can be quite a fussy ball of feathers sometimes,” Corin said, and Karif chirped.
“Did you win, Grampa?” Gwilym asked as Liam set him back down.
“Not this time. Uncle Cor and I tied,” Trey explained.
“Oh, but I thought someone was always supposed to win.” Gwilym was confused.
“I see you’ve been giving him another lesson,” Mera said to Martin who only grinned in response.
“You’re gonna have to take a bath, Uncle Cor!” Gwilym laughed gleefully.
“Oh, really?” Corin said, scooping him up and tickling him.
Gwilym giggled helplessly and begged to be put down. Corin instead swung him onto Zephyr’s back. The big stallion turned his head to look at the small burden he now carried.
“Hello, Zephyr,” Gwilym said. The stallion snorted gently, and Corin handed Gwilym the reins.
“Just like Grandpa Trey showed you,” he said.
Gwilym’s face scrunched in concentration as he wrapped his hands around the reins. Corin stood back, and Zephyr stepped slowly and carefully away. Gwilym turned Zephyr in a circle, stopping by the king and queen as they began to descend the platform.
“Hello, my majesties!” he said cheerfully.
“How are you today, Gwilym?” Queen Elain asked with a smile.
“I’m good. I’m riding Zephyr. See?”
“I do. You must be getting quite big,” King Celyn said.
“Oh, yes. Uncle Martin says I’m starting to grow like a weed,” Gwilym said solemnly.
“I tell him it’s ‘your majesty’ at least twice a day!” Martin shrugged hopelessly.
“Stop being such a mother,” Trey told him.
“Gwilym, you want to ride him back to the stables for me?” Corin asked.
The boy straightened importantly. Corin put a hand on the reins as he walked with Zephyr. Trey and Nerys followed alongside. Queen Elain watched them leave and saw Corin and Trey stopping to talk to their men, many of whom were also “uncles.”
“Sometimes I pity that boy for having lost his family like he did. But I also believe he is as good for this new family as they are for him,” she said to her husband.
“Aye, he reminds us all what we fight for,” King Celyn replied.
* * *
The dancing continued that night in the town. Aiden again accompanied Rona. They drew to the side, and a man addressed Aiden.
“Excuse me. Do you know where I might find Lord Trey? They said he’d be here,” the man said.
Aiden quickly took in the man’s stained uniform and hurried manner and pointed him to the other edge of the square where Trey was with Amaura. The warrior thanked him and moved off.
Aiden watched him go, a faint unease stirring. The feeling heightened as Trey and the man began to talk intently. Trey stopped and gave a quick whistle. Corin excused himself from Laird Dandin and joined them. Aiden knew the look that came over Corin’s face.
“I’ll be right back,” he told Rona and threaded his way toward them. Martin had also seen the messenger, and he joined Aiden as they caught up with Corin and Trey. They had drawn Darrin and King Celyn apart with Tristan.
“My men decided to keep on their regular patrol to the estuary where I was to rejoin them,” Trey said. “But they ran into a large force of Raiders.” He gestured to his lieutenant to continue.
“Three ships, sire. Maybe more on the way,” he said.
“My men are pinned down on the coast. But in their current position they are also holding the Raiders from striking further inland,” Trey said.
“That part of the coast is mostly unguarded by outposts. The few that are there are mostly manned by farmers,” Darrin said.
“Let me take my deugain,” Corin said.
“Why not the Hawk Flight?” King Celyn asked.
“I need them ready to defend the forest border,” Corin replied.
“Because last time there was a Raider strike this large was just before the Calorin invasion,” King Celyn remembered. “How soon can you leave, Corin?”
“I’ll find Bedwyr now. We’ll ride with first light,” Corin said.
“Thank you, sire,” Trey said to King Celyn.
“I’ll get back to Castle Martel as fast as I can and muster the warband if needed,” Tristan said.
“Don’t voice this about too much,” King Celyn cautioned. They were all reminded of the celebration around them. The men nodded in agreement and disbanded.
“Corin, I’ll go with you,” Aiden said.
“You’re not leaving me behind either,” Martin said.
“Martin, your leg needs to rest and, Aiden, you’re here in the place of a Clan Lord. I can’t ask either of you to come,” Corin said.
“Captain Artair and Tam can take care of things for a few days, and I never asked,” Aiden said. “I can add two more blades.”
“I can ride, and I don’t need my leg to draw a bow. I’d just follow you anyway,” Martin argued.
Corin hesitated for a long moment. “All right,” he decided. “Martin, find Liam for me? I need to talk to him after I see Bedwyr.”
Martin threw him a salut
e and hurried off.
“Thanks, Cor,” Aiden said.
“You might regret this later,” Corin warned. “But it will be good to have you there.”
Rona had followed Aiden and now stood with Mera and Amaura.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
“I don’t know. But it’s not good at all,” Amaura replied anxiously. She caught Darrin and pressed for an explanation.
“It’s just a quick trip to the coast to make sure all is in order,” Darrin said.
“You’re lying,” Amaura said. Darrin only looked at her. “It’s Raiders, isn’t it? How bad?”
“We’re not sure yet. Corin is taking his men. They’ll be gone a few days. Amaura, don’t say much to anyone,” he cautioned and she gave nod.
“It’s bad, isn’t it?” Rona asked when Darrin had left.
“Yes, it is,” Amaura replied.
Aiden found Will and Tam and explained everything.
“Are you mad, Danny?” Will exclaimed. “You’re just going tae leave?”
“Yes. Corin’s like a brother tae me, and while there’s a battle tae fight, I’m going tae be there at his side,” Aiden said.
“Fair enough. But do you expect me tae let our brother go off alone?” Will asked.
“I want tae go too,” Tam put in.
“Both of you?” Aiden exclaimed. “But I can’nae grant that! Father would have my head!”
“We can worry about Father later. Let’s go talk tae the man in charge. I am still part of the Hawk Flight,” Will said.
* * *
“This was their idea!” Aiden protested to Corin.
“So, you three think it’s a good idea for me to take the Chieftain’s sons to a battle they really have no part in?” Corin asked, slightly incredulous.
“Corin, I don’t feel like I’ve earned a place in the Hawk Flight. I’ve barely drawn steel since taking the oath,” Will said.
“I can vouch for Tam. He can handle himself in a fight,” Aiden said.
Corin hesitated, still shaking his head. He glanced to Aiden who gave a shrug of his shoulders. “If Captain Artair consents to this, then you two be ready to ride tomorrow,” Corin said to Will and Tam.
Aiden had less difficulty with Captain Artair than he imagined.
“We have our warriors that can be added tae the Aredorian force,” Artair said.
“No, they don’t want tae involve the Clans,” Aiden said. “But I don’t know how that will work if the three of us are going.”
“Just make sure all of you come back safely, or Laird Gòrdan will come for me after he finishes with you,” Artair said. “I wish you would allow the rest of us tae come.”
“Aye, I’m sorry tae leave you here.”
“I know well what it is tae want tae fight for friends and brothers. You will bring more honor tae Clan Canich,” Artair said.
“I hope I can,” Aiden replied, struck by his words. “We’ll be back in a few days.”
* * *
The courtyard was dark in the early morning. Corin’s personal command of forty men from the King’s warbands waited in the courtyard. Aiden wore his chainmail coat under a plain tunic. He left the plaid behind and instead wore his black cloak. He had found a javelin in the armory that suited him better than the heavy spears of the northmen. Tam was dressed similarly to him, and Will wore the uniform of the Hawk Flight. Like the others, they all carried extra provisions and quivers.
The Aredorian warriors sat quietly on their steeds; rounded shields hung over their backs and spears rested in their hands. Finally, Corin emerged, giving some last orders to Kara. Kieran was riding with the warband, and Kara would follow after.
“After three days, I want you to join us with any news,” Corin said.
“Aye, sir. And if all is quiet?”
“Come anyway. We may want another runner.”
“Good luck, sir,” Kara said. “I’ll see you in a few days,” she said to Kieran.
“Give Aunt Una my love,” he said.
“I will unless she starts giving me another lecture,” Kara said, and her twin laughed.
Amaura had also risen early. “Be safe.” She hugged Corin.
“We’ll be back soon,” he promised.
He mounted Zephyr and Karif found his perch. Corin took his javelin from Bedwyr, his captain, and another warrior unfurled their standard: a black banner on which a silver hawk flew. As part of the warband, Corin and his men wore the grey and blue uniforms, but their cloaks were clasped with rounded brooches in which a hawk stretched its wings.
Trey was last to mount. He suddenly kissed Amaura, leaving her momentarily speechless. He wheeled his horse and followed Corin from the castle. Aiden saw Rona at the top of the steps. He gave her a smile before riding out.
Amaura and Rona hurried up the wall steps to join Mera who already stood there.
“Are you all right, Mera?” Amaura asked at the sight of Mera’s pale and drawn face.
“No! He let Martin go! And they both claimed it would be better than if Martin stayed,” Mera said.
“He wouldn’t know what to do if he were left behind,” Amaura said. “Instead they must leave again, to fight and gain glory and not care if they are wounded. They cannot even stay to celebrate what peace we have.” She wrapped her cloak tighter around her.
Rona watched the warband disappear. The rising sun marked the tips of the spears, and a sudden ache prodded her heart.
“Do you always watch them ride away?” she asked.
“Yes, and it is too often,” Amaura replied.
“They will come back, won’t they?” Rona was seized by a momentary panic.
Mera took her arm and gave a comforting squeeze. “By Lleu’s help, they will.”
They all exchanged the same look of anguish at the uncertainty that the men might not ride back. Meanwhile, the men that they loved rode with bright eyes to find if their fate awaited them on the sands of Aredor’s coast.
Chapter 5
They rode all day and into the night, only stopping to rest and water the horses. The miles flew by and by mid-morning of the next day they had reached the coast. Corin called a halt and sent two scouts to find the Raiders. They returned an hour later with news.
“Nearly two hundred Raiders, sir. They’ve got our lads pinned down by some rocks and surrounded,” one reported to Corin.
“And we saw another ship out on the horizon, sir. It was too far to tell if it’s a Raider,” the other said.
“How far away are we?” Corin asked.
“About a mile, sir.”
The deugain covered the distance quickly. They saw the enemy force surrounding large outcroppings.
“Hadyn! Why didn’t you tell me it was Rufus?” Trey snapped to his lieutenant.
“Sorry, sir. Captain Alun said I shouldn’t,” Hadyn replied.
“Trey?” Corin questioned.
“Captain Rufus commands these ships. He has taunted us for two seasons now. His only purpose in life seems to be to make others suffer. His crew is all the same. I’ve seen the people they’ve killed. He knows these are my men and so he won’t leave until I and all of them are dead,” Trey said.
“Well then, let’s go meet him,” Corin said. “Split in half. Trey, take command, the rest go with me. Hit them hard, and if anything goes wrong, get to the rocks. Aiden, you and Martin are with me. Will and Tam, go with Trey. Move out!”
The deugain split and readied their spears. They charged at a shouted command. The Raiders, being a seafaring people and not fond of horses, were thrown into momentary fear and panic. The Aredorians passed through their ranks and turned again only to find the Raiders finally marshaled against them. The warriors set their shields in place and charged again, but the superior numbers of the Raiders began to tell and the deugain fell back to the rocks.
“Put the horses behind the rocks!” Trey’s captain shouted as he and his men poured arrows into an advancing Raider force.
Aiden pull
ed Narak through an opening between two rocks and found that what had looked like a solid outcropping was riddled with alcoves and passages that could easily shelter all their horses. He left Narak sanding obediently and ran back out. Corin and Trey were already talking with Captain Alun.
“They surprised us. We saw the ships, but they were already on land and waiting for us. We were driven here and, as you can see, there is no easy way out,” Captain Alun said.
His men had pushed the sand into higher dunes. Their rectangular shields had been driven into the sand and shorn up, forming a short barricade between them and the Raiders. The pirates had surrounded the rocks on all sides, making any escape attempt likely to end in death.
“How are you on supplies?” Trey asked.
“Low. We’ve been here for five days, and we’re almost out of water. The horses have hardly had any,” Alun said.
“We brought extra. Lieutenant Harri will distribute extra supplies as needed.” Corin began to place his men around the shield wall.
Aiden and Martin were posted next to each other.
“Where are the rest of your lads?” one of Trey’s men asked beside them.
“We can’t be getting you Sharks out of trouble all the time,” Martin joked, then turned serious. “The Captain thought they might be needed on the border.”
Aiden knew from his visit earlier that summer that the Hawk Flight frequently met Trey’s men and they were on familiar terms with each other. Trey’s deugain had come to be called the “sharks” in part because of their fighting ability and the crest of Castle Martel emblazoned on their red tunics.
“Aye, we’ve worried about that these few days. I was surprised to see you and the Captain here.” The warrior ducked as an arrow flew by and sent one off in return.
“I think he might have actually pulled rank,” Martin said and the man chuckled. “As for me, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity for a guaranteed fight.”
“Lieutenant Hadyn brought you just in time,” the warrior said.
Many of the Martel deugain were wounded and most, having been relieved by Corin’s men, had fallen into an exhausted slumber.
Aiden looked out at the enemy force. Their triremes were anchored just offshore, the black hulls gleaming dully in the sunlight. The Raiders seemed well supplied with arrows and provisions. Pushed back against the rocks and with the sea to their side, the Aredorians were well and truly trapped.
The Wildcat of Braeton Page 24
