The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M Banschbach

  Others expressed the same sentiment, and Aiden wondered, not for the first time, at the amount of people among the Clans who cared about him. It was still new to him, and he felt an amount of happiness return as his people joined him. He should not have neglected it this long.

  He ate with the Clan, greeting the Lairds as they passed by. No one mentioned Rona, and he was grateful there would be no barrier to their easy conversation. But that relief was destroyed as the meal finished and a warrior from Clan Canich approached. Aiden knew him: Eideard, Rona’s brother.

  “Now you come!” he spat.

  Aiden was silent.

  “Eideard! What are you saying?” Blair was shocked.

  “It’s your fault!” Eideard shouted. “She’s dead because of you!”

  There was stricken silence among the warriors.

  “Danny?” Blair turned to him in bewilderment.

  Aiden finally stood, hands clenched until he turned away.

  “What? Nothing tae say?” Eideard sneered.

  “I didn’t want her tae come! I tried tae make her stay.” Aiden whirled back toward him.

  “Not too hard apparently. You didn’t protect her!” Eideard accused.

  “I tried!” Aiden shouted, and Will placed a hand on his arm.

  “If you want someone tae blame, then blame me.” Mairi was on the verge of tears. “She came tae me, and I told her the reason I follow Logan. I never discouraged her from going tae battle. She would have listened tae me!”

  “You don’t know that,” Aiden said.

  “Coward! You would hide behind women instead of admitting your fault!” Eideard snarled.

  “If you want tae blame me then go ahead!” Aiden shouted. “Just remember it was her choice come! I would exchange places with her if I could, but she’s gone!”

  Will again held him back. Eideard spat at his feet before another warrior shoved him away and took him from the scene.

  “He’ll regret that,” Blair vowed.

  “No. He has every right,” Aiden said before he, too, walked away.

  Gwilym found him immediately as he returned to the castle.

  Aiden took him to the armory where they sat on a bench, and he began to show the boy the basics of caring for a weapon.

  “I didn’t expect to see either of you here,” Corin said. They had not heard as he entered the room.

  “Look, Uncle Cor!” Gwilym held the knife up proudly.

  Corin took the dagger and inspected it carefully. “Good work, Gwily.”

  “Danny showed me how,” Gwilym told him.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Aiden said.

  “No, he was going to have to learn soon, and I haven’t had much time,” Corin said. “Gwilym, maybe you and Aiden can help me pick out a new javelin.”

  “Did yours broke?” Gwilym asked.

  “Break,” Corin corrected. “And, yes, it did. It was my favorite one too.”

  “You always say that.” Gwilym ran over to the rack of short spears.

  “Observant, isn’t he?” Aiden said.

  Corin smiled. “Thanks for looking after him.”

  “I think we’re both helping each other out,” Aiden said.

  Corin agreed, watching Gwilym “help” as he and Aiden pointed out the finer points of the javelin to the boy. They left some time later, Corin with a new spear in hand.

  “You going somewhere?” Aiden asked him.

  “Samir is still alive, and tomorrow we’re providing him and the other prisoners with an escort to the coast. Our new friends agreed to make sure they get back to Calorin,” Corin said.

  “You’re leaving?” Gwilym asked.

  “Only for a few days. Grandpa Trey is going too, but do you want to go visit him in a few months?” Corin asked and received an eager reply. Gwilym had long been promised a trip to the sea. He ran off again, and Corin was called away.

  Aiden was not alone long when Ranulf came to find him.

  “I heard what happened earlier,” Ranulf said. “I will speak tae Eideard.”

  “Don’t punish him, Davy. He’s grieving,” Aiden said. “I would have done the same in his place.”

  “Perhaps, but you will have tae face him again. Grieving or not, he insulted the Champion. It can’nae be ignored.”

  “Why does everything have tae be so blasted important?” Aiden growled.

  “Danny,” Ranulf said patiently. “We leave within the week. This will be settled before then.”

  Aiden only nodded, feeling an old restlessness come upon him. “Where’s Tam? I haven’t seen him much.” He tried to ignore it.

  “He’s been spending time with Kara. I barely see him myself,” Ranulf said.

  “Should I be expecting a new sister sometime soon?” Aiden smiled.

  “I think you might,” Ranulf said, also smiling.

  “I’ll have tae find him tomorrow. I’m sure Will and I have enough stories tae embarrass both of them. I’ve let myself get terribly behind on this,” Aiden said, and, as he and Ranulf laughed, another spark of life returned.

  * * *

  The next morning, Aiden rose early. Horses stood ready in the courtyard. Corin and the Hawk Flight waited for the rest of the escort. Captain Pierre-Rodrigo made a dashing entrance followed by his men. Despite Corin finally convincing the captain to let Liam stay, he wanted one last conference with his “seer.”

  “I wish you could come,” Corin said to Aiden.

  “Aye, but I wouldn’t be of much use with this.” Aiden lifted his broken hand.

  “We should be back before the Clans leave,” Corin said.

  “Take as long as you need tae make sure he never makes it back.” Aiden watched Samir and the other prisoners being brought down the steps.

  “I doubt he will. You know how much the Sultaan likes failure,” Corin said.

  There were not many prisoners as most of the Calorins had not allowed themselves to be taken alive. They were mounted under the heavy guard of Corin’s and Trey’s men. Samir was one of the last and, knowing well what awaited him in Calorin, he broke his bonds and snatched the scimitar from Corin’s belt.

  “You will die with me!” he snarled, advancing toward Corin.

  Corin avoided the blade, but Samir moved too close for him to use the javelin. There was another rasp of steel, and a voice shouted at Corin. He obeyed and ducked to the side. Captain Pierre-Rodrigo parried with his long blade, and seconds later, Samir’s headless body crumpled to the ground. The courtyard was silent. The incident had happened too quickly.

  Aiden helped Corin to his feet. “You’re getting slow in your old age,” he told Corin.

  Others stared at Samir’s body.

  Trey shrugged. “That’s fine by me.”

  “Iago, find a sack. My lord, I am sorry for spilling blood here,” Pierre Rodrigo said to Darrin.

  “I should thank you instead for saving my brother’s life,” Darrin said.

  Captain Pierre-Rodrigo handed the scimitar to Corin.

  “You owe me nothing. Give me one of the grey hawk feathers I believe you would leave for the Calorins,” he said.

  For a moment, he appeared perfectly sane. Corin sheathed his scimitar and handed him the feather. Iago returned with a burlap bag and placed the head in it.

  “I will deliver these to the Sultaan myself. It will be a message he cannot ignore,” Pierre-Rodrigo said. Then he sheathed his sword, and the dragon-slayer returned. “Why do we delay? Our voyage is long and tides do not wait.”

  The rest of the Northmen mounted and rode from the castle. The body was buried, and the castle returned to life. Aiden went to the Braeton camp to face a stiff Eideard. Eventually a sort of understanding was reached between them, but Aiden found no peace. He spent more time with his brothers and they had hope for the future as he appeared to be returning to his old self.

  But somehow, rejoining the Braetons refreshened his loss. He saw his brothers’ worry and hid his sorrow. The thought of going back to Scodra filled
him with dread. There, everything would remind him of her. He couldn’t go back. Not yet. And he couldn’t stay here either. He saw the burial mounds every day and knew her grave was also there. That knowledge haunted him every night.

  Will found him one afternoon sitting by the river. “I can’nae go back,” Aiden said.

  “What do you mean, Danny?”

  “I thought it would be different this time.”

  “What?” Will pressed.

  “Everywhere I go, I leave a grave. They all died because of me,” Aiden said. “I can’nae stay.”

  “You can’nae run again,” Will said.

  “That’s what I do, Will! I run every time!”

  “Danny.”

  “No, you don’t know anything about me!” Aiden exclaimed. “You want tae know what I did? I fought for the Calorins. I was here when they invaded the first time. I did nothing tae help Corin. He was going tae die, and a Calorin helped save him while I did almost nothing! I didn’t even fight for him! I forgot my Clan for years, and I betrayed my people in that war. I don’t belong here, and I’m no Champion!” he shouted.

  “Danny.”

  “Don’t call me that!”

  “Fine. I’ve heard enough about the first war tae piece it together. You were no coward. Kara owes her life tae you,” Will said.

  “That can’nae erase anything,” Aiden said.

  “I’m not saying it will,” his brother said. “And despite what you want, you are the Champion, and you can’nae leave the Clan.”

  Aiden stared stonily at the ground.

  Will sighed. “At least talk tae Ranulf.”

  Aiden nodded, but his mind was made up. He avoided Corin that night and packed his bags. He sharpened his blades and folded away the plaid. He left the room well before dawn, filling his bag with food from the kitchens, and then went to the stables. Narak greeted him eagerly as he began to saddle him. Aiden suddenly froze.

  “You must think I’m stupid,” Corin said.

  “You here to stop me?” Aiden abandoned his brogue.

  “I thought I might talk first,” Corin said. “I take it Ranulf doesn’t know.”

  “No.” Aiden tightened the girth.

  “Well?” Corin prodded.

  “I can’t,” Aiden said. “I see her everywhere.”

  “And you think leaving will help?” Corin asked.

  “It might!” Aiden snapped, then relented. “Maybe I need to think it will.”

  “Azrahil stopped you last time,” Corin said.

  “You ever try telling him ‘no’?”

  “Aiden.”

  Aiden tightened the last buckle on the bridle. “I know.”

  “Where are you planning on going?”

  “I’ve never been east.” Aiden turned to face him. “So, are you going to stop me?”

  “I feel like you won’t listen, so I came to say good-bye and to give you this.” Corin handed him a pouch. “I ‘borrowed’ all this from Liam and Mera.”

  “Thanks.” Aiden fastened it to the saddle. He was strong enough to ride, but his wounds were not fully healed. “Can you…?”

  “Yes, I’ll try and calm Ranulf after he finds out,” Corin said.

  “Thanks, Cor. You’ve always understood me better than anyone.”

  “Aye, but I think you’re a bit of an idiot right now.”

  “I know. I’ll be back in a year, at the most.”

  “You’d better get going if you want any kind of head start.” Corin opened the door.

  Aiden led Narak from the stall. “Good-bye, Corin.”

  “Be careful, Aiden,” Corin replied.

  He walked with Aiden to the main gates where he mounted.

  “I’ll be back,” Aiden promised.

  Corin watched him ride away, a dark figure against the lightening sky, and wished he could go with him.

  * * *

  Ranulf, naturally, was furious when he found out. But in the end, he was forced to listen to Corin. The Clans left soon after with new oaths of friendship between them and Aredor. A treaty was signed between the two countries, promising to aid one another in times of future strife. The refugees were slowly returning to Kingscastle under the leadership of Queen Rhian and Lady Elain, and life began to return to normal.

  Only faint rumors returned to Durna of the war and in Calorin, the Sultaan paled with fear when he saw what Captain Pierre-Rodrigo brought. In the court, a lord and his guards almost smiled when they saw the grey hawk feather.

  * * *

  Corin walked the walls, watching the sun set. He heard footsteps behind him and Mera stepped up beside him. Karif fluttered to the battlements to join them.

  “So, what now, Hawk?” she asked with a smile.

  “Hope this peace can last,” he said.

  “Do you think it will?”

  “Maybe. Gerralt’s been rather merciless in the push to get me to catch up on paperwork.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Mera poked his side with a laugh.

  Corin smiled. “I know.” He kissed her. “But as long as you’re here, I’ll do whatever I can to keep that hope.”

  Chapter 16

  One year later, a rider crossed the Cymro Mountains into Aredor. It took several days before the familiar towers of Kingscastle came into sight. It had been a hard year for Aredor. The war had caused the neglect of many fields, and the Calorins had destroyed more. The winter was a lean one but already the green fields promised an abundant harvest.

  Aiden rode through the gates and marked the changes. The walls and towers had been completely repaired. New storehouses and barracks had been built, and over everything was the feeling of peace.

  Mera was the one who greeted him.

  “I don’t think Corin was expecting you for a few more days,” she said.

  “Where is he?” he asked.

  “Lynwood Keep for an inspection and then he’ll be making a visit in the forest.” She smiled.

  It reminded Aiden of the duty he had yet to perform. At his request, Mera took him to the training grounds. The mounds were covered with grass, and only stones engraved with Clan symbols marked their purpose. One grave was set apart and Aiden stopped by it.

  “Tam said one of your Clan drew the design and requested it be carved on her stone. His name was Kenneth,” Mera said.

  “Tam was here?” Aiden asked.

  “To visit Kara and to ask after you,” Mera replied.

  Aiden made no reply, and she left him to himself.

  He crouched by the stone. It bore a lily whose stem wrapped around a four-pointed star, and underneath was her name with the same swallow as on the necklace he wore under his shirt.

  “Hello again,” he said. “It’s been a year, and I don’t miss you as much. I guess you would say that’s good. You’d also tell me tae quit moping around a grave and get back tae Scodra.” He smiled. “I guess I’ll finally listen.” He stood. “Good-bye, Rona.”

  Corin returned the next day and joyfully greeted Aiden. He was glad to see that Aiden was calmer and returned to his old mood. But there was still an air of sadness he carried with him. Aiden recounted his adventures over dinner.

  “I assisted with a bit of an uprising against a lord in Cyndor for a few months and then headed tae sea again. I met up with none other than Captain Pierre-Rodrigo who recruited me for his next quest. We sailed past Terminus, and…we fought a dragon,” Aiden said.

  “What? I thought they didn’t exist!” Corin exclaimed.

  “Neither did I. But if you sail far enough east, you’ll find them,” Aiden said. “Then I went tae Calorin, visited some old friends, and I’m back.”

  “How are things in Calorin?” Corin asked.

  “No one’s really changed. I said I would pass on greetings,” Aiden said. “The Sultaan is dead. Apparently your present really affected him.”

  Corin smiled grimly. “And now?”

  “The son took over. He didn’t sound nearly as ambitious as his illustrious father
, so I don’t think you’ll have anything tae worry about. How are things here?”

  “Quiet. Even the Raiders are staying away. We’re trying to rebuild the warbands, but it will be years before they’re back to the old strength,” Corin said.

  “Well, I wouldn’t worry. I hear your name everywhere I go in Cimbria. It’ll be years before anyone dreams of attacking Aredor,” Aiden said.

  * * *

  He left the next morning, turning north once again and crossing the border. He traveled quickly, pushing toward the forest. Two days later, he emerged at the top of the valley. Tendrils of smoke rose from the houses inside the walls. Sun glinted off the lake, and he could hear children as they played. He spurred Narak forward. Men and women looked up in the fields as he passed, shouting as they recognized him. Some ran ahead to the fortress. The gates were open in welcome, and his family awaited him. He let the peace of the valley fill him. He was finally home.

  Epilogue

  Corin and Mera were married a few months later. They had six children who would leave a legacy as great as their father. Karif and his descendants served Corin and the heirs of the Hawk Flight for generations after. Aiden never married, staying true to the memory of Rona. He never left the Clan again and became one of the greatest Champions Clan Canich or Braeton had ever known. He was a frequent visitor to Aredor to see his friends and stop at Rona’s grave.

  Tam and Kara also married after she left the warband the next year. Tam became accounted as one of the great Bards and sang songs of Aredor and Braeton. William married a daughter of Clan Canich, and they lived their days in the peace of the Scodra valley. When he died, his name was accorded a place on the scrolls of the Hawk Flight.

  Trey and Amaura married and lived by the sea where Trey built a small fleet of warships with the help of Pierre-Rodrigo—a frequent visitor after the war. Tristan wed the dark-haired daughter of a coastal lord, adding new strength to the line of Martel. Andras eventually left the warband, taking his father’s chair in the fief and ruling well into old age. Evan followed him and became the leader of the deugain, serving Andras faithfully until he met his death on a Raider’s sword.

  Gwilym grew under the care of his uncles and with their training became a Blademaster, perhaps even greater than Martin himself.