by Hall, Ian
“I can hear you.” Came her relaxed response.
Good, she’s calm.
“It’s Winnie. Tell me what the voices said child.”
“The voices?” Kat’lana’s brows furrowed at the question. “What voices?”
“The strange voices in the dream. You can remember exactly what they said to you. You can remember every word and inflection. Remember?”
Kat’lana took a deep breath.
“Vanna, choist remma prove an’.” Kat’lana began. “Vanna, choist me anton ‘Da’lain’. Vetche rin Boudicca.”
At the last word Winnie paled.
“Boudicca?”
“Vanna, choist me anton ‘Da’lain’. Vetche rin Boudicca.”
Oh heaven of heaven.
Winnie began to shake, tears falling down her cheeks. Even through her tears she noticed Kat’lana stirring.
She gently placed both thumbs on Kat’lana’s eyes. She could not allow the girl to see her in such a state.
“Go back to sleep Kat’lana,” Winnie said softly, mouthing the sleep words silently.
As the girl relaxed and began to drift into a slight slumber, Winnie recalled the part of the dream which had been Kat’lana’s birth. The difficult delivery, and the beautiful girl-child. But there was no tender love for the girl-child, no growing quietly into childhood. The babe’s only memories were fire and blood. Blood on her mother’s hands, then the burning smell, the smoke filling her lungs; the torching, the stench of burning flesh. The flight from danger. The desertion.
Winnie mouthed the words the girl had used. Words in a language which Winnie had never heard before.
Kat’lana stirred again.
“They said my name wasn’t Kat’lana!” Her frightened hands sought for Winnie’s.
“The voices said my name was ‘Da’lain’.”
Winnie forced her thumbs on the Kat’lana’s temples again. “I know Kat’lana, but we will try and forget. We will mention this name no more!” Gradually she pushed harder. “No good will come of it!” She pressed on the sides of Kat’lana’s forehead, murmuring soothing tones until Kat’lana lost consciousness.
Winnie looked with fear and a growing realization at the girl, now breathing regularly.
With growing calm she massaged the areas she had pressed on.
“Sleep pretty baby. Remember nothing.” She said repeatedly. She looked up at the star-filled sky and asked her god for strength to continue.
~ ~ ~
“There must be a new arch-dhruid!” Sewell snapped. “Your pardon brothers, but I must leave tomorrow and I need agreement on this.”
The three dhruids
“But we have been through this before!” Chadea shook his head and clasped his wizened fingers together. “Sewell, you must remain calm. We need a ‘Dhruids Torch’ to elect a new arch-dhruid, and it is not safe to travel south.”
Erfich spoke for the first time. “We do not even know if the dhruids still exist in the south! No one has had contact for at least two, three summers.”
“Yes, we know that.” Chadea grimaced. “But that does not change the way we must conduct ourselves. We must have contact with the dhruids in the south to elect a new arch-dhruid. It is the old way!”
Sewell stood up and walked to the door. “If that is the old way, then the old ways must change to fit the new times. If we cannot contact the brothers in the south, we must make haste to Mona.”
“Sewell....”
“Enough Chadea!” He snapped, “I respect your age in most matters, but if we do not elect a new arch-dhruid soon, there will be moves within to do so without any of us knowing. Do you want civil war?”
The older man was shaken by the outburst. “No Sewell, I do not.”
“Then if we do not act soon we will surely have it.” Sewell calmed himself in deference to Chadea’s age. “If we do not elect a new arch-dhruid ourselves, there will be an arch-dhruid of the lowlands, one for the highlands, one for the Isles in the West, one maybe for Votadin themselves.”
His voice became a whisper.
“The dhruid movement will splinter and break.”
“We would lose all power and influence.” said Erfich, “We would become annulled.”
Erfich moved round the room and slid an arm round Chadea’s shoulders. “Brother, you are correct in what you state.” he said softly, “To go south for a ‘Dhruid’s Torch’ is the old way, but what Sewell says is true. Every dhruid knows by now that Kheltine is dead; his death keening was enough to let the world know, never mind the Norlands.”
“But the old ways....?” The old man’s shoulders slumped in resignation.
“Within days there will be interested parties, divided factions, scheming dhruids will cover the Norlands.”
“I could name three or four without a second thought, who as we speak, will be setting their stall for the office!” Sewell stood at the doorway. “I leave on a lightning mission. Do I leave with your blessing Chadea?”
There was a long silence. Erfich tensed his arm around Chadea. “You are the oldest dhruid. You must give the blessing.”
Chadea looked even older after their argument.
He took a deep breath and sighed, long and hard. “Yes, by the old ways I must give the blessing.”
Sewell watched as the older dhruid took comfort from Erfich’s physical support. Chadea closed his eyes and sighed.
“Go Sewell.” the old dhruid said, sounding older than ever. “Go and tell the dhruids there will be a ‘Dhruids Torch’ in the Norlands.”
“And we will pick the new Arch-dhruid?”
“Yes. Tell them that we will elect a new leader.”
“When?” Erfich asked, looking first at Sewell then Chadea.
“The shortest day, then count twenty days.” said Chadea, after a short pause. “That puts it midway between the shortest day and Lammas. No one will miss the absence of dhruids then.”
“Where will it be held?” said Erfich, keeping the momentum going.
Sewell ventured. “Circal Rosich is an obvious choice, but if we meet on Mona, we are assured of complete secrecy. We do not need power to make a decision, just a quorum.”
“True.” said Erfich. “Does that suit, Chadea?”
“It suits me not to have one at all, but.... maybe I must change.”
“Right!” said Sewell. “Twenty days after the shortest day, on Mona.”
“Brothers....” said Sewell, bowing and leaving the room.
“The first ‘Dhruids Torch’ ever held in the Norlands!” he whispered to himself as he walked briskly to his hut.
~ ~ ~
Winnie sat crosslegged, mouthing a silent mantra, high on the clifftop, looking over the estuary to the land beyond.
Towards Calach’s land.
She felt good with the young Caledon here, but she knew that he had to return soon. She could postpone the inevitable for a few days, maybe more, but even she could not hold him here forever.
I do not have much time to accomplish this...
From such a height, the seaboard was revealed in its entirety; the snow-white rock which lay, stark and unnatural, just offshore; the “silver boar”. It reared from the dark blue waters like a sleeping sentry, the waves breaking thunderously at its base. The natural dark stone covered in the white and grey of the nesting birds and their waste; the birds and their eggs, a constant source of food for her clan.
The beach below was far away, but Winnie could still discern the lone figure, wandering almost aimlessly towards the sea. She mouthed the mantra over and over, concentrating on his movements, guiding him.
~ ~ ~
Kat’lana stretched herself out on the soft, warm sand. The gentle slope of the dune was a natural pillow for her body and head. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she listened to the soft music of water dancing in the nearby stream, tumbling over the rocks on its way to the sea. The steady rhythmic rush of the surf mingled with stream’s constant burbling; the two coalescing into an almost hy
pnotic song. The warm summer sunlight seemed to burn deep into her body, her exposed skin tingled, relaxing her further. Only the discordant cries of the seabirds broke the perfect afternoon. She squinted her eyes, blocking out the red, lidded sunlight temporarily.
Slowly she became aware of footsteps behind and she felt for her dirk, taking comfort from the touch of its handle.
She listened hard, hearing the clumsy steps come closer. She heard him curse, then mutter something intelligible. She heard him stumble time and again, his steps uneven, his gait dictated by unfamiliar topography. She heard him trip over tussocks of grass, over rocky outcrops; but always in her direction, getting closer then, at last passing her, unknowing as he walked onto the beach.
Kat’lana sat up slowly as she finally heard the footsteps recede. She smiled as she recognized the figure; smiled deep and long.
~ ~ ~
Calach entered the clearing with a puzzled look on his face, the sand was shifting under his feet, the dunes held no pattern; the effort required to crest the next rise sapped his meager strength, the randomness adding to his disorientation. He had abandoned his horse at the start of the dunes, wanting to feel the sand beneath his feet.
Not my best decision.
Ultimately all he knew was he was heading to the sea. The primeval instinct took over as he crested the last dune and stumbled onto the beach proper. Limply, with the sigh of a man who has walked his last step, he fell to his knees in the wet warm sand. The view over the estuary was superb; the Silver Boar’s rock dominating the seascape.
“Oh Lugh, thank you for seeing me through.” His thoughts dwindling as his senses took in the panorama, trying to keep his recent memories of his sea journey to the back of his mind. It was strange, being near to the water again. Even though he was on his knees, he felt slightly unsteady, a wave of nausea fleetingly passing.
He tried to find ‘the hunter’s eye’, to see the fish which undoubtedly must be under the water, but he could not. Whether it was his lack of strength, or the inability for the art to work under water, he did not know, but felt nothing. He was disappointed slightly, it was unusual not to able to sense anything at all.
He thought of Kheltine’s death, but found it difficult to feel anger towards him for any concerted period of time.
If it had not been for Kheltine calling for me, I would never have travelled out of Caledon lands. Never have sailed the sea; never have met Kat’lana.
With an uninterrupted view of the sea, he sat back on his heels, breathing in the salt air, thoughts of the dhruid far from his mind.
“Greetings, Calach of the clan Caledon.” A voice said sharply.
Calach screamed, rolling sideways on the sand, feeling for his dirks. He squinted towards the land shading his eyes from the mid-day sun.
“Kat’lana!” He laughed. “How did you get there?”
She’s done it again. All I ever do when I see her is go for my dirks!
“You’re the one asking how it is that I’m here, but I was here first!” She leant back, taking the weight on her elbows. Her long brown hair trailed to the dry sand behind her. “So what’s your excuse Calach?”
The peculiar way she said his name made the whole situation seem more surreal. He found that he liked the way she said his name.
“What brings you to this deserted beach?” She smiled. “Come on. Has your tongue been tired out, as well as the rest o’ you?”
“Sorry, I just fancied a stroll on my own.” Calach started hesitantly at first, but as he warmed to Kat’lana’s smile, the words seemed to come easier. “Not that I mind you being here. But just a stroll with no dhruids looking at me, sizing me up for the journey home.”
“You must feel terrible though. Sewell’s constantly asking Winnie how you are.”
“I rode for two days without stopping to get here. Now that I’m here, Sewell wants to pack me away before I’ve gotten to know anyone.” He raised his eyes to meet hers.
Calach watched her expression.
I want to know you!
He hoped that she felt the same way about him, and her returned glance was an encouragement. “I’m also sick o’ being treated like some invalid. After two days travel, with nothing in my stomach, I fainted. That’s it! An’ they grey robes treat me like an invalid.”
“Aye, but what would you want, Calach?” She said, “To be treated as an invalid an’ get a few more days here, or act as if nothing was wrong an’ get dragged home.”
He smiled, liking her logic. “Aye there’s something in that.” He got to his feet awkwardly, looking out at the sea again.
“Anyway, at least you do remember me.” Kat’lana cut in. “And you must have remembered my name too, that’s a good start.”
Calach took a deep breath, feeling clumsy again. He was in awe of the power she seemed to have over him.
My tongue feels as clumsy as my feet! Why can’t I talk to her?
Kat’lana smiled deeper, and this made Calach frown.
She’s caught me off guard again, and she’s pleased about it!
“I asked Winnie about you.” He said at last.
“I know. She told me.”
She held her hand out inviting him to draw nearer. He walked over to her, not taking his eyes from hers, lost in their hypnotic quality. As her took her hand he was startled by a piercing twinge of static between them. Then he quickly averted her gaze, looking back out to sea, shivering.
By Lugh! She’s just held my hand and I’m already as hard as a rock!
Calach knelt down awkwardly on the sand beside her with an unnatural urge to consummate his passion immediately, but something held him back.
He was not unused to the attentions of the female sex. As the chief’s eldest son, he was the target for many a young clanswoman’s passions, most of which he had ignored. Some, however, had proved too much of a temptation, making Calach for his age, more sexually proficient than most. This Votadin girl was different though, the majority of the signals she was giving Calach urged him on, but once he approached, she seemed to be frightened somehow.
He lay at her side, leaning on one arm. He was again captivated by her eyes. He blushed slightly as he remembered her kiss at sword point. He was no nearer now, but her eyes were a sparkle of colour, no particular shade at all.
They both held their breath for as long as they could, even Kat’lana’s quiet confidence seemed to have been pierced by the intensity that had flashed between them.
A mysterious smile played about her lips and she softly whispered, “I’m glad you found me.”
~ ~ ~
Calach woke with a start, a sharp, cold pain spreading up his body from his feet. He sat up, dizzy with the sun, trying vainly to orientate himself. Where was Kat’lana? Again the cold pain flooded his lower limbs, the sea water chilling him to the bone.
She had left him as the tide had came in! He quickly stood up and retreated out of the bubbling foamy surf. He couldn’t understand her! He thought they were getting on really well, he had lain in her arms, where obviously he had fallen asleep. He wondered if the look in her eyes could have been mistaken, but decided against it, he had always considered himself a good judge of character.
He heard a giggle behind him and turned to look round. There she sat, knees drawn by her hands into her chest. At first he thought she was shivering, maybe having had the same shock as he had just had. Then he realized she was laughing. Not giggling, but full uncontrolled mirth.
He quickly raced and closed the distance between them, but she was quicker, darting away through the high dunes, Calach lost sight of her many times, only tracking her by the fresh disturbance of the sand.
Rounding such a dune, he was immediately brought to a skidding halt, the dry sand he had disturbed, sticking to his newly-wet trews. Against the wall of the dune opposite lay Kat’lana, panting with the exertion of the race, a huge smile filling her beautiful face. Her trews were discarded to one side, her tunic open, exposing most of her breasts, one
nipple just revealing itself out from the brown fabric. Her hands, crossed in front of her, hid most of her pubic hair.
“You’ve just came second in the race Calach,” Her voice was low, still breathing hard, “But in this race even the second gets a prize.”
Calach walked slowly over to the recumbent figure, taking in every detail of her exquisite skin. “And what do you get for being first Kat’lana?” He said, not taking his eyes from hers as he spoke. “What do you get?”
As he dropped abruptly to his knees, one either side of hers, she winced with the surprise and pain of the brushed contact. He knelt above her, putting her face in the shade.
She placed a hand on either side of his tunic, just above his chest, and gripped the material tightly. She pulled him downwards. “You, Calach. You are my prize, you always have been. As long as I can remember. The man from my dreams, made real for me.”
She said no more, but soon both were lost in a world of wet, warm tongues. The sun had began it’s journey from the sky as the two stripped, wrapped up in a world of their own. The sunburn which they both got from the exposure was slight, it would never be noticed.
Neither saw the smiling figure of Winnie, standing on the cliff, head thrust backwards, her arms cast wide. Neither of them heard the litany she chanted. The incantation only stopped when their passion abated, the sun now setting, their day over.
~ ~ ~
He ran his fingers inside her tunic, across her inner thigh, touching the tracks of dried blood.
By Lugh! She was a maiden!
“I didn’t know Kat’lana.” Calach whispered, but her mind seemed far away. “I assumed that you’d done it before....”
And I took her like an animal, and she met me at every thrust!
“It doesn’t matter.” She said after a while. “It was how I wanted it to happen. If you remember, it was my idea.”
