by Sam Taw
Senara snickered with laughter, clamping her hand over her mouth. I could only imagine what opinions those two women had formed about the poor girl in the privacy of their hut.
Tallack looked over at Ren and me. “You don’t have to come. I’ll have it sorted within a few days. I thought Ren was still recovering from his time in captivity.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Tallack had relied on Ren and I since way before his father’s death. Had he declared us unfit or unworthy of his time? Was our counsel dismissed so easily?
Ren moved closer to the Chief, lowering his voice. “I’m fully recovered.” He lied. “And I think it best if we came along. You’ll need Mel to heal your men and I can help Massen learn the ropes.”
Tallack shrugged before turning his back to us. “Just as you like. It’s your choice, but I’m sure we can manage without you.”
What had triggered this inflated arrogance? Was he stupid enough to believe that a quick mingling of blood was all it took to secure Kitto’s allegiance? We watched him step down from the top table’s raised platform and disappear through the back door with Treeve darting behind him. We had but half a night to gather our things and pack all we needed. My medicine stocks were at an all-time low; my poppy resin dwindling, my cattle gut was down to a few dried lengths and still I was without a new set of knives. How could I treat the sick and injured without fresh supplies?
Endelyn continued to scowl at us until Senara held her shoulders in both hands.
“I think I should go with them.” The shield maiden said, keeping her eyes fixed on the priestess’s. “They’ll need a reliable scout, someone who can move about the area unheard and unseen. Plus, my aim is better than most of the men put together.”
“You can’t leave me alone.” Endelyn wailed.
“You won’t be. You have the pup, and um…” Senara nodded her head towards Cryda, nursing her babe at the end of the platform. “You’ll have her for company.” The wry smile prompted Endelyn to scoff, before the pair of them started to titter. I could tell who the Chief was in their relationship. “You’ll be busy with the preparations for your binding ceremony, not to mention all the new homesteaders who will need the benefit of your priestly advice.” Senara gave her a knowing smile. I knew it too. There were times when those of her sect do little more than exploit the ignorant. The homesteaders had already lost their homes, livestock and crops, now they were expected to appease Endelyn’s gods with tributes and sacrifices. Within a couple of moons, she’ll be the wealthiest person in the tribe.
When the Long Hut was almost cleared, Ren and I left to pack our gear. I told him about my lack of equipment and the dear man gave me one of his knives. The blade was the sharpest I’d ever known. He must have spent a great deal of time smoothing the edges with a whetstone. He’s such a thoughtful man.
Clutching the sheathed knife to my chest, I hurried back to my hut to rouse the others. Vina looked excited at the prospects of travelling to the mining settlement at Bentewyn, until I told her that she was to remain behind.
“But why? How am I supposed to learn anything if you keep leaving me alone all the time?”
“You’ll have to learn through trial and error. There’s nothing you can’t handle. Go further afield to gather alder for the lice infested homesteaders, blackthorn bark to stop the squits, the flowers to make them go, and if the loud red head from the weaver women goes into labour, fetch Cryda or the priestess. They’ll know what to do.” I bundled the last of my plantain paste and the poppy resin into my bag, along with my bone needles and Ren’s blade. When I looked up, Vina was pulling a face.
“There’ll be no arguments, my girl. You have to stay here, especially since your cousin will arrive soon and she’ll need a friend.” I thought that would appease her, but her frown deepened until her face was fully screwed up. “I don’t care if you like her or not, she’ll need your help to settle into our ways.”
“You mean the camp kids will spit at her too.” Vina sulked.
“I mean that you have a chance to win favour with someone who will have great power in the tribe. If I were you, I’d take all the opportunities I could.”
She was relentless. Her hands flew to her hips in a defiant posture. “What about him?” She nodded at Kewri lying on his bunk. “I suppose he gets to go?”
“You do realise that we are going into a blind battle here, don’t you? Either one of us, or all of us could end up dead. This is not some happy pilgrimage to a sacred spot, there’ll be no feasting nor carousing, just blood and death and maybe worse.” It wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but it did shut her up for the rest of the night. By dawn, Kewri, Ren and I stood at the southern gates, waiting for Massen to direct us into the row boats, and from there to the ships in the estuary.
Some of the Sea Warriors volunteered to ride with the Hunters, giving us more room for provisions and weapons in the two remaining ships. With all the tribal turmoil over the last few moons, there had been no time to build new vessels to replace those smaller crafts lost in our fight against the Novantae.
As soon as we were out in the bay, the cool sea air revived us. Ren urged me to cover my skin as the mid-morning sun burnt off the haze and beat down on us from high. Despite my reluctance, I did so, knowing that his experience of sailing spanned more summers than could be counted. For most of our journey along the coastline to the west, I stayed beneath the shade of a canopy at the stern. Kewri paid no heed to the warning, and my mid-afternoon, his nose and cheeks were crimson and sore.
Sometimes I forgot how fortunate we were that Tallack was in a position to trade tin for this fine Phoenician craft. It was far beyond anything that our tribe could create, indeed it was superior to any other vessel in the land. We sped through the choppy waves all afternoon, leaving the crew on the second boat trailing in our wake.
Ren was at his usual post, steering a true course while exploiting the prevailing winds to the fullest. “Not long now.” He said, when I woke from a much-needed snooze. It all seemed like a relaxing day out on the sea, rather than the solemn purpose that lay at our journey’s end. None of the warriors were fired up for battle. They sat smoking and chatting, sharpening blades or checking the birch tar and twine holding their arrow heads and feathers to the shafts had not melted in the heat.
The sun was low in the sky when we drew close to land. The youngest among us hung over the side, straining their eyes to see if we’d be met by angry miners. No scouts were spotted on the cliff path, nor fishermen on the beaches. All looked to be safe to land. With only one row boat towed behind us, most men proclaimed their intention to swim to shore.
“Do you think it safe?” Ren muttered to Tallack. “Perhaps we ought to wait on board until the other ship catches up with us. We’d be better able to defend ourselves if we landed together.” We waited for our Chief to give us some indication of his thoughts. After a protracted silence, he simply shrugged.
Ren tied off the tiller. “Meliora should stay here, at least until we can determine whether we face a few or many warriors.”
“I will not. None of us are safe while we are this close to land. One sharp shooter could fell each of us right here and now.” I struggled to my feet and gathered up my belongings. I’d be grateful of a seat in the row boat though, my swims are reserved for disasters and crises only.” Ren smirked at my attempt to lighten the moment. It failed to rouse Tallack from his sullenness.
The men dithered and delayed for some while before showing any signs of disembarking. It riled me more than I could say. If they intended to surprise the Alchemists, they were failing spectacularly. As the sky turned a deep pink, the sails of the second boat appeared on the horizon.
Tallack watched the men coiling rope and stowing the oiled cloths before addressing us all. “Their scouts will have warned Kenver that we’re here. Make ready men. We will land together. Kewri, row my aunt and Ren ashore with the heavier weaponry and stay on the beach until we can reach you.”
&n
bsp; It was only then that I noticed the small purple pennant missing from my nephew’s ship. It was usually flown in a prominent position at the top of the mast as a signal to all that we Dumnonii bore unusual and expensive colours. The ship needed no identifying banners. As far as I was aware, it was the only one of its type among any of the tribes. We’d always been wealthy people, having the only sources of tin in the land. Now, Kenver and the Alchemists threatened to ruin our standing and starve our people.
The low tide made the swim a short one. Some of the men, including Treeve, reached the beach as I lowered myself into the row boat. They crept up the shoreline with blades and daggers in hand, spreading out along its length in search of Alchemists. I almost wished that Kewri’s rowing arms would weaken. My stomach knotted inside. Every shadow at the high-water mark caught my eye, every sound made me jump the closer we got to landing.
Ren walked in front of me, Kewri to my side, protecting me from any potential archers hiding on the cliff top above us. The men ran silently in the failing light between the huts and shelters, ready to flush out the wives and families from the mining settlement. One by one our men reappeared, having checked the immediate vicinity. All shook their heads and shrugged.
Tallack strode right through the main cluster of houses. “Where the kyjya is everyone?”
The settlement was deserted.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I stayed next to the river mouth with Ren and Kewri, hardly registering what was happening. Our warriors had completed their sweep of the area and found not a single man, woman, child or beast in the place. The huts were stripped bare of personal items, bedding, cooking pots and implements, yet they were in perfect condition. The thatches were sound, the bunks intact and serviceable, there was even a few cut logs outside some of the huts. Where had the whole mining community gone?
It felt peculiar walking along the main track between the larger of the roundhouses. The drought had browned much of the low-level plants and grasses, but the wooded valley was still lush and green from the two adjoining rivers and their tributaries. I peered up towards the highest point of the gorge.
Out of us all, only I had entered the mine tunnels, treating those injured in rock falls or burned by their torches. Tallack and his brother had spent a night in an abandoned shaft on the seaward side of the cliffs, but not in the valley. I knew how deeply they’d gouged into the rocks, how disorientating the tunnels became the moment the light was extinguished.
When we reached the edge of the wooded area, Tallack stopped the men from proceeding. “It’s too dark to see clearly.” He said to Massen. “We’ll camp on the beach tonight with a heavy guard rotation. Send eight men in pairs up the cliff path to keep watch over us.”
It was the first sensible thing he’d said since we’d left the compound on the River Exe, although I was anxious to be so exposed. At least I was able to get some sleep during our journey on the boat. Poor Ren looked shattered.
“Chief?” Ren said, “Do I have your permission to take Meliora back to the ship for the night?”
He was always trying to keep me out of harm’s way. It was a lovely suggestion, but I was famished. There’d be no food on board. “It’s fine. I’m sure it’s safe enough among so many worthy warriors. I’ll make myself useful and collect some seaweed and shellfish for supper before the light fails entirely.” I started to walk away from them. Kewri lumbered after me, unsheathing his dagger and flicking his head in all directions looking for danger.
I knew all the best spots to forage. We’d spent much of the winter in the same area, but it felt like a totally different place now, so barren and hostile. I headed towards the rock pools at the end of the bay, but other than a little tough weed and a few limpets, there was nothing left to eat. If we had a little pork fat or leftover gristle, we may have had a chance to catch a crab or two from the shallow beds of the tidal streams. As it was, Kewri and I returned to the river mouth empty-handed.
Fires lit up the whole central part of the beach, our men patrolled the outskirts while others went in search of food. It’d be another couple of days before Kitto arrived with the rest of the warriors. Until then, we were vulnerable to surprise attacks. I sat next to my nephew and Treeve on the sand and peeled off a layer or two of clothes. It was a sultry evening before they lit the fires, but I was glad of their light. The watchmen could raise the alarm should people approach from the shadows.
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t get your replacement knives forged, Aunt Mel. I know I promised you but…”
“I understand. Weapons and food come first. There simply wasn’t enough tin or copper left. Besides, Ren has given me his knife for now. I’ll manage.” It was the first kind words he’d spoken to me in some time. Where once I was a favourite of his, now I was just a useful healer in the tribe. His fickle attentions were easily swayed. While he was away from Endelyn and Senara, perhaps there was a chance for me to regain his favour.
By the time the moon was high in the cloudless sky, some of the men returned from their first watch on the top of the cliffs with a few pigeons. Ren found some roots along the steep path up to the top of the cliffs and all went in the pot to stew. Meagre portions for such stout and hungry men, but there was nothing more that could be done until dawn.
We slept in rows on the beach with guards keeping watch over us for protection. There was no need for shelter. We were glad of the gentle cooling breeze across our skin as the waves lapped the shore in a rhythmic swish. I nestled in the sand next to Ren and Kewri and drifted off into a dreamless slumber.
At the sound of men shouting Tallack’s name, I awoke groggy and trembling. Spinning my head about, I remembered where I was and panicked. Why were the men rushing about, unsheathing short swords and gathering up their spears? “What is it? What’s happened?” It took me a little while to get to my feet and wander over to the group surrounding Tallack. As I pushed through them, I saw the dead man lying on the sand at their feet. Two of the guards sent to relieve him at his post on the cliff path, carried his body down. His throat was slashed with such ferocity, I could see his back bone through the dried clots of blood.
“Well, that proves that we’re not alone. They are hiding from us.” The Chief said, pursing his lips and holding in his anger.
None of the men spoke. They kept their heads bowed to the young corpse, probably thanking Cernonnus that it was not them.
The Chief scored his heel through the sand. His jaw clenched. “No one stands watch alone. Double the guards in rotation. It’ll be tough on us all until Kitto arrives with the rest of the men. With any luck, we can flush them out of their hiding place during daylight.” That was when the men glanced up and around at each other. I’m sure we were all thinking the same thing; that we should wait for reinforcements before attempting to find the Alchemists. This was their home land. No one knew its ways better. Ordering our Sea Warriors to go in search of them needlessly risked their lives.
Tallack did not notice the restlessness of his men. “We can send out scouts to the edges of the territory while the rest of us comb the forests in the two valleys here. Once we have their location, we’ll forge a plan for when the Hunters arrive.”
Ren looked up at me and almost imperceptibly shook his head. I took that to mean that he wanted me to keep quiet. Maybe I had been too vocal in the past few moons. Young men never like to hear common sense from their elders, especially from women.
“Just a suggestion, Chief.” Ren began. “We should go through the huts again now it’s light to see if they’ve left any clues to their location. Might even find some food.”
I tried not to scoff. Kenver and his clan were too shrewd for that. You could be certain that whatever the Alchemists were up to, it would be well thought out and prepared in advance. They knew we would come for them. Those tunnels and the mine on the northern coast were the source of all our prosperity, our trading power and dominance in all of the land. Our family would be nothing without them and Kenver knew that.
If only Tallack had not killed Kerensa in such an underhanded way. She should have been accused publicly and given the chance to defend herself to the elders. Maybe then Kenver and his wife could have accepted her disloyalty and any forthcoming punishment without resorting to an all-out revolt.
Tallack nodded his consent to Ren and Massen. They organised the search parties and sent them in different directions. Their main focus was the larger of the two wooded valleys. My understanding was that there were no mine shafts in that area. Ren was crafty sending the warriors along that route. It was an unlikely hiding place for Kenver and the miners, but there was a good chance of us finding food and materials for more weapons. He was stalling the Chief until the Hunters could get to our location.
I went into each of the huts closest to the beach. As I predicted, there was nothing to be gleaned nor salvaged from any of the existing huts or shelters. Wandering into the largest of them all, I recalled the tense moments from sharing Kenver’s home with Cryda and my old slave, Jago. It was where he helped to deliver the babe, Delen all those moons ago, before the fateful trip to the top of the world where those cruel men took his life. Bitter-sweet emotions distracted me from my task, until I realised that all the men had moved on and left me behind.
They hurried along the river bank, diving into the undergrowth and cutting straight lengths of wood for arrows. Ren was nowhere to be seen, which usually meant that he was hot on the trail of something worthy of roasting for supper. I filled my bag with moss and useful herbs, a little sorrel and burdock root, and then hurried after them along the bank.
Tallack cut through the trees and began scaling the steep incline towards the ridge. I slowed down, hoping that the youngest among them would complete their sweep of the area before I reached the top, thus saving my old knees the bother. He was about three-quarters of the way up the side of the valley when an arrow whistled past Tallack’s ear and thudded into a tree trunk. Massen yelled to take cover, as a second bolt scored a path through the skin of his shoulder, knocking him to the floor. I crouched low behind a large rock, peeping out from its edge.
