Leaping Wolf, page 12
part #2 of Caledon Saga Series
‘You yourself wanted to make punishments for lawbreakers that applied across Caledon lands. What would the Caledon then think if their chieftains broke those laws?’
His posture was very upright and he gestured easily with one hand, not aggressive but not deferential either. Gawan added his voice to theirs.
‘It would be a sign to all those who doubt the Caledon that their leader is far friendlier with the Gaians than we would like. They might even think that you would have them come back now that Lepidus has been dealt with.’
Gawan didn’t really think that was true, not after losing her husbands, brothers and sister to them, but the point had to be made. Rhianwyn raised her voice for the first time, her reply snapping out waspishly.
‘Have you a better idea? Can you bring Duran back here tomorrow, or gather more fighters from the north in time? Can you find me more Caderyn when my tribe has already been bled dry? Or would you sooner fight Caserach and Asrec alone, have what is left of our warriors die for no good reason, and then lie happy in your grave knowing that at least you went to it without asking for help?’ Her glare intensified. ‘Best you start practicing your excuses to give to Ierryn when you see him, and tell him that he could have been avenged but that you were too much of a stubborn goat to do it!’
Gawan felt his gorge rise, in no small part because he didn’t really have an answer, but Rhianwyn carried on, now addressing the room.
‘It is not without risk, I know that, and I would not turn to this if I thought we had another choice. But only with Galerian’s help can we hope to prevail against Caserach and once we have, the people will forgive us for having called on him. Given time.’
Kyran and Owain seemed fairly convinced and even Merwyn was looking uncertain. The druids remained silent with their faces impassive, having given their views to the assembly already. The role of the druid, besides communing with the gods, was ever to advise, not to command. Having shared their wisdom with the headmen they now stepped back and listened, ready to give their counsel again only as needed. It had always struck Gawan as strange that the druids held such vast power, in every sense, and yet restrained themselves from ever truly using it. It seemed like such a waste. But he had no time for thinking deep thoughts. Alraig was speaking again, still firmly opposed to his chieftain.
‘And does a victory justify a crime? If a man stole another’s horse and then proved to be a better rider, does that mean that he was right to steal the horse?’
He was putting his objections far more eloquently than Gawan could, and he found himself feeling grateful that the headman was here. Rhia turned to him and spoke rationally.
‘It is not the same thing, Alraig. We are borrowing a horse and then giving it back after riding it, and we borrow it to fetch grain for the very man we took it from. It is for the good of all and no true crime is committed.’
Alraig scowled and flicked his eyes to Gawan. It being a time of war he would know that the support of the Gadarim would be immensely important, and it seemed Kyran and Owain had already conceded. The First Man of the Gorvicae spoke up.
‘I am no expert in law, let the chiefs worry about that. What I do know is that we cannot trust the Gaians. Galerian may not be Lepidus but their swords come from one forge. If we let the Blackbirds see we are so weak as to need their help, I believe the Gaians will attack us in our weakness.’
Alraig seemed pleased by that but the others remained uncertain, and Rhianwyn turned to look at Gawan, her blue eyes bright and blazing.
‘Galerian gave his word when he made his mark on the treaty at Nantwyn.’
Gawan wanted to spit on the value of that but instead he decided to be clever.
‘Is this the same treaty that you are now breaking because it suits your own purpose to do so? Why should he not do the same?’
Rhianwyn’s voice hardened further.
‘I act for our protection, not for conquest or for greed. Yes, it may go against the exact words of the treaty but it is for good reasons, Gawan.’
The Gorvic had to fight to hold back a sneer.
‘Yet still you break it which means that he might do the same. And who can guess at what a Gaian thinks would count as a good reason?’
Rhianwyn answered confidently.
‘I can.’
Gawan knew his next words would sting her but he didn’t care.
‘Are they all like Marius? Tell me now that every one of them is a man like Roaring Lion and I will ride off today and fetch them myself!’
There was an awkward silence for a few beats before Rhianwyn sighed.
‘I cannot say that. But...’
But Gawan interrupted, smelling victory.
‘There you have it! We all know the measure of the average Gaian and we have all of us bled to fight them off. If your Caledon is to survive it must be proof against them should they ever think to turn on us.’ He pointed a finger at the chieftain. ‘And if you are not seen to obey your rules of peace, then nor will they.’
Alraig nodded in agreement but Rhianwyn wasn’t finished yet.
‘The Gaians may be our only hope in this, and Galerian...’
Gawan snapped out his answer before she finished. She was clearly in the wrong, why couldn’t she see that?
‘Your bloody Gaian friends can all tumble into the Pit where they belong!’
Rhianwyn’s eyes flashed and her hand twitched as if yearning for Silverbite. Despite himself a part of Gawan wanted to draw Heartreaver free as well, and show this Caderyn fool what happened when a wildcat faced a wolf. But before they could even say anything the door creaked open and a handsome woman entered from the side door. After a moment Gawan recognised her as Rhianwyn’s mother. She paused in the doorway and cast her eyes around in surprise, clearly not expecting to see them all there. She recovered herself a moment later, ignored the obvious tension in the room, and nodded politely to the druids before addressing to her daughter.
‘Forgive my interrupting, but I wanted to know if Lucan was with you?’
Rhianwyn’s face was flushed but she answered calmly.
‘He should be with Olwyn, she was going to take him in today.’
The older woman shook her head.
‘No he isn’t. She thought he was with you. She and Siriol came to the longhall to get him but he was gone. Then she came to find me, thinking I had him, but of course I don’t. I sent her off to see if Meghan took him away somewhere while I came to ask you about it.’
Gawan saw Owain frown.
‘I left Meghan asleep in her house before I came here, likely she still is.’
Any comments that might have been made about the two of them sleeping together unwed were kept for later. Gawan saw Rhianwyn trying hard to keep from fretting.
‘No-one else would have taken him anywhere without telling one of us first.’
No friend would have anyway. Gawan’s mind was moving fast. He was still angry with Rhianwyn but first things must come first, and an unpleasant thought had come into his head. He spoke to the group even as he crossed the room, heading towards the door to the main hall.
‘That rider from last night, what became of him?’
Owain stepped to join Gawan as he opened the door. The room was filled with sleeping men but the Caderyn soon found the one he was after. He pointed to a bench on the near wall.
‘That’s him. We barely got a sip of wine in him before he collapsed into sleep.’
The figure did indeed look a haggard sight but Gawan was casting his eyes around the rest of the room, scanning across the scores of tribesmen as they slowly came awake. It didn’t take him long to spot the pot-bellied Gorin, snoring quietly on a mattress not far from the door. Gawan quickly looked over the other Mobryn men before turning to face Bradan. He held the gaze of the blond-haired man and tried not to sound too accusatory.
‘That youngster of yours with the thin moustache, just how well do you know him?’
Chapter 9. Missing
Rhia tried hard not to panic as Bradan answered the question.
‘Sawel? Not so well as I know most of my folk. His family live in a little settlement further up the coast, near the beach where poor Fearghal was found. Apparently it was Sawel who first came to Mobryn with the news.’
Rhia’s mind was racing but Merwyn, his voice calm, spoke her thoughts before she could.
‘Has his family done much trading with the people of Niswyn?’
For all the raiding and squabbling that went on between them, the Lurian tribes were more often at peace than at war, and for generations the people of Mobryn had traded wool for whale with the islanders. It was a strange relationship to say the least, and it was said a Mobryn man never went to meet a merchant without a blade at his belt, but nonetheless trade was common enough, and if this Sawel was on friendly terms with some of the Dariniae…
Bradan was frowning, lines of worry appearing on his honest face. He reminded her so much of Bevan sometimes that it hurt to look at him, but she had no time to dwell on that right now.
‘I know that they have done in the past, but then they are hardly alone in that.’
It wasn’t much of a comfort and Rhia fought to keep her breathing even. What if Caserach had known about Fearghal’s escape and had sent Sawel to infiltrate Bryngarth for him? What if he’d sent him to steal her son, to be used as a hostage against her? Or what if… what if… Rhia found herself gulping in a breath despite herself. What if he means to simply kill him, to show his tribes that the Caledon’s leader cannot even protect her own child? Few decent Lurians would be impressed by such a murder, but the Breiryn especially could be a backward and savage lot, and any sign of Caserach weakening her rule would be sure to make an impression on them.
Blood began rushing wildly through her limbs and her heart was hammering fit to burst her chest. She felt first cold and then flushed, and she didn’t know if she was about to scream or faint or tear apart the next man she saw. She felt bile in her throat and had to hold back the urge to retch in sheer panic. Somehow her hand found the hilt of Silverbite and she gripped it hard, her knuckles turning white as she tried to draw comfort from the weapon.
Owain saved her from having to speak.
‘If he has taken the boy then he must be found. When was Lucan last seen?’
He cast his eyes to Myrna but Rhia answered him, her voice tight.
‘He was asleep when the rider came and I sent for you. Beyond that…’
Her fingers were aching on Silverbite’s grip but she daren’t let go. It was the only thing keeping her standing in place and not dashing for the door or collapsing into a quivering mess. My boy… what has happened to my boy? Merwyn’s voice was still kindly but had a definite urgency to it.
‘He cannot have travelled far in such a time, if we begin a search now we will track him down.’
Bradan nodded.
‘If he is in league with Caserach he will either have gone south to Breiryn lands or back westward towards the coast.’
Rhia saw Alraig step forward and nod, his hands folded before him and his voice perfectly calm.
‘South is where I would guess; Caserach is there at present and would doubtless want the boy with him and his followers rather than risk any loyal Dariniae sending him back to us. Besides, there is less open ground that way than on the road to the coast, and if Sawel makes it to the hills he will have good cover from pursuit.’
Rhia nodded back, trying to keep her face composed. Alraig was a difficult man sometimes but he was clever, and she did not regret naming him as one of her chief advisors. She held onto Silverbite but tried to keep her free arm relaxed as she spoke.
‘Bran, set up a watch around the hill right now, see what you can see, and have a troop of men search any empty houses. It is unlikely but he may be lying low and waiting for us all to head out before making his escape.’
It took a lot of effort to say so much with an even voice and Rhia was fairly sure her anger and fear weren’t particularly well-hidden. But you must keep yourself in control. You are no use to Lucan running off without a plan, even if that’s exactly what you want to do. The blood was pounding in her ears and it was all she could do not to draw Silverbite free and charge straight through the door, ready to run this traitor down and hack the bastard apart. All she had left of Marius and Carradan was in that one precious boy. She had to find him.
Bran bowed his head once and left by the closer door. Rhia started making towards the one that led straight outside, turning to address Elfed as she did.
‘We’ll need a troop sent along the west road too.’ She switched her gaze to Alraig. ‘Unlikely though it is, I would send riders that way to be certain.’
The headman nodded approvingly.
‘Agreed. Once the hill has been searched I will send riders along the east road as well, just in case he thinks to circle around to throw us from the scent. There are few enough empty houses what with all of our guests here; it should not take long before they can be sent.’
Rhia’s face was still grim but she dipped her head in thanks. All the terrible things that might happen to Lucan were still crashing through her mind, and it was taking all her willpower to walk calmly to the door.
‘Owain, get our horses and a dozen good trackers. We will head south and try to catch him before he makes it too far.’
The stocky man nodded and started away as well, but before they reached the door the voice of Gawan came from behind them.
‘What can I do?’
He sounded genuine enough but Rhia had no time for him now. All he’d done since he arrived was to delay what must be done, and now the stubborn bastard was delaying her search for her only child. A part of her wanted to take out her anger by slapping him right there and then, and had he been two paces closer she might have done it. As it was she simply stormed out after her tribe’s First Man and spat out a reply over her shoulder.
‘My son is a Gaian, remember? He could tumble into the Pit for all you care!’
Chapter 10. The Woodland
Gawan stalked out into the early dawn, furiously ignoring the bustling Caderyn ahead of him. Damn Rhianwyn and her spite! All he’d done was to tell her what was best for their tribes and she had flung his words back at him with naked contempt. Well, she could tumble into the bloody Pit as well then! He had offered his aid to find her boy and the ungrateful bitch had ignored it. Let her find him herself then if she doesn’t want my help! For a second he thought of Tegwen but he shoved the thought aside. Rhianwyn had made her choice, and her own people could do the work of finding their precious lost child.
He was so busy fuming quietly to himself that he was barely five paces from them when he noticed Tarwyn and Emeryn. His lover’s hair was golden in the early morning light, and her face was fresh and smiling.
‘We’ve been looking for you. Itching to be away?’
Gawan frowned.
‘Something like that.’
Tarwyn looked around at the commotion among the Caderyn and the tall Gadarim raised an eyebrow at the First Man.
‘Trouble?’
Gawan nodded. He pushed down his anger at Rhianwyn for a moment and explained the situation to the two of them. Likely neither of them knew any more about the Breiryn than he did but the mention of their numbers caused their expressions to darken, and Gawan found himself growing concerned again. The fact was that Rhianwyn had a point about needing help to fight them off, but he couldn’t face the idea of fighting beside a Gaian legion again. The shame would be too much for him to bear. He’d given good reasons of his own about the Caledon appearing weak and the treacherous nature of the Gaians, but when it all came down to it, it was shame that motivated his arguments. He remembered the terrible carnage at Nantwyn, the first time, when he’d seen legionaries cut down Lurians like wheat before a scythe. There was no honour in how they fought; no glory. They fought with brutal efficiency and did it purely to subdue others, and Gawan hated himself bitterly for having once been called their ally. He skipped over most of that part of their conversation when he relayed it to his fellows. He just hoped quietly that men like Alraig would talk some sense into Rhianwyn on her return.
Emeryn looked concerned as she heard the news but it was Tarwyn who spoke, his voice casual. Gawan suspected that he knew that more had gone on than his First Man was telling, but the slender warrior didn’t press it and instead asked some practical questions.
‘I will inform the others. Do we know what road we will be taking? Or for how far?’
Gawan shook his head. He had no real idea of where Three Willows was but he took his best guess for the time being.
‘Not yet. Likely we will be heading south but I know little else for now. I shall find out soon and pass the word on to you.’
Tarwyn nodded.
‘Alright. I’d best go and kick Gwydion awake.’
He turned on his heel and started heading back to the longhouses but Emeryn stayed behind. She put her hand on Gawan’s arm before looking up into his face.
‘There is more to this. What’s happening?’
For a heartbeat Gawan considered telling some half-truth or another but dismissed the idea almost immediately. There was no reason not to be honest with Emeryn and besides, her presence had done a little to calm his anger at Rhianwyn. She can make you smile and calm you down. You really should kiss palms with this one before she gets away. But this wasn’t the time to indulge such thoughts. He took a breath and spoke quietly.
‘Lucan is missing. Taken, from the looks of things; one of the Mobryn men is missing too.’
Lines of worry appeared on Emeryn’s brow but her mind worked quickly.
‘Mobryn is on the coast. They think he is in league with Caserach?’
Gawan nodded.
‘Bradan does not know him well and there is plenty of trade between them and the islanders. The other Mobryn men are still in the hall, only this fellow Sawel is missing.’
Emeryn twitched her lip in thought.
‘Could be he just went out for a walk or something?’
