Leaping Wolf, page 47
part #2 of Caledon Saga Series
He shrugged it off. Regardless of how she felt, more important by far had been Tegwen’s reaction. She had called him Father last night, and today she had been on the verge of tears when she had seen the sorry state of him, only to hear that he must still fight. Was she on the path to forgiving him, even loving him maybe? He couldn’t tell. All he knew was that he wanted to speak with her again and find out what all this meant. But he couldn’t. Duty had to come before all and he had a fight to win. He had to focus. He tore his mind away from the thoughts of his daughter and looked again at the open space in front of him.
Rhianwyn and the other chiefs were standing in the centre, but he didn’t linger long on them nor did he listen to what they were saying. He already knew the gist of it. Instead he looked around at the crowd of spectators. Nearby stood Taliesyn and Karadoc, both wearing their green cloaks and both looking at him gravely. On the far side of the square he saw Caserach and his crony, with two Caderyn warriors standing nearby, their hands ready on the axes in their belts. Gawan snorted. Unbending bastard though he was, Alraig was at least wise enough not to trust him.
Away to his right Gawan spotted General Galerian and his tribune-interpreter, with a handful of bodyguards not far behind them. The First Man thought back on how much trouble had been caused already by these damned Blackbirds but still couldn’t help but wonder what the Gaian would do if he lost this combat. Would he follow their plan of taking Rhianwyn away by force? Presumably he had more of his men nearby and Gawan knew well how efficient Gaian soldiers were; it would not take many of them to extricate a woman and child from a town of unprepared people. Gawan tried to take comfort in the thought that she would be safe even if he died, but it didn’t work. The wider damage that would occur was too much to think about. Though not enough for you to send word to Galerian forbidding him to take her. Not enough for you to warn Alraig and so prevent the Blackbird General from starting a war over her.
Gawan sighed and tried to shove away the conflict. At least Rhianwyn will live if I die. It was strange that, given how much death he’d seen, Gawan had never given his own that much thought up until now. For most of his life he had simply assumed that Mabonac would guide him across the bridge, he would meet Annwn, walk into the Otherworld, and that would be that. Then after Moon Ridge he had convinced himself that he did not merit such a thing, and that his soul deserved to fall and climb and fall again into the Pit beneath Annwn’s bridge. And now? Now he liked to think that in doing this he would redeem himself, at least a little, in the eyes of the gods, and that his bridge would be wide enough to cross in safety before he handed Heartreaver to the God of Death.
He found himself wondering idly who would be in the Otherworld with him. Would he be allowed to see Belenos and Taran in their true forms, or Karanon the Mountain Lord, or Father Camelas and Mother Marna? Would he be permitted entrance into the Golden Hall and see his brother Gadarim feasting there with the Dragon God? But even if he did, what would he say to him, or to Anryn or his father? Or to Emeryn?
He frowned and flexed his remaining fingers. Anryn and Tarwyn would understand, and after his time with the gods so would his father. Even Emeryn may have learned to forgive him. He would always feel shame when he thought of her but what he’d done at Moon Ridge had been a mercy; he knew that and she would know it too. As for his staring at Rhianwyn, he hoped she would know that it had not made him love her any less. With a stab of guilt he remembered the depth of Emeryn’s goodness and kindness. She would understand, even if hearing her forgiveness would break his heart.
The chiefs were still talking in the middle of the square as death continued to dominate Gawan’s thoughts. He wondered if Baercban would be there. He had been misguided and selfish but he had never been a wicked man, and had done what he thought best for his people. He had died defending his family after all. Gawan was fairly certain that Sedryn, and likely Rylion for that matter, would have to climb the Pit at least once or twice before Annwn took them in. He hoped Rylion’s hatred would die down there with all the lost souls, and that they could meet again in the Otherworld as brothers. He’d like that.
Gawan blinked his eyes a few times and forced his mind to stay focused. All these thoughts of death and gods were irrelevant today; they had to be. Better that Broad Kellas spend his time thinking of the Otherworld because Gawan son of Dearg was going to win this fight! He looked up at Belenos as he climbed across the sky and hoped that Mabonac was still on friendly terms with his former godly rival. He wanted the Dragon God to be watching them today, and see the warrior who fought for justice emerge victorious.
He felt the broad-brimmed hat being taken from his head and assumed that meant his hair was dry enough. In the corner of his eye he saw Pryder set the hat aside and he ran a quick hand over the quill-like spikes on his head. The rest of his long hair was tied back at the nape of his neck but he knew the hair on his crown would be shining in the sun, the better to attract the attention of the Gods of War. He sat up straight as Gwydion and Hewin stepped forwards with their bowl, and the two Gadarim began painting over the battle-marks on his bare chest and arms. Hewin was still moving awkwardly but had insisted on joining them, and neither Gawan nor Duran had wanted to tell him no. Just beyond them, on a stool much like his own, Duran was holding Heartreaver across his legs and running a whetstone carefully along the blade. Gawan shut his eyes and took some slow breaths, focusing on his centre each time he exhaled. He would do this. He would win.
He felt Gwydion begin working on the marks that went up his neck, the woad cold and wet on his skin. Without looking he felt the presence of someone else behind him as well, and knew that Hywel had come to join them. He somehow knew it was the Gorvic druid without having to see him, and he tried not to let resentment spoil his concentration. Hywel might refuse to act as directly as Bael did but he was a good man at heart and did what he felt was right. Besides, you are Caderyn now. Bael and Reaghan will be your druids from now on. It was a strange thought.
His brothers began applying woad to the marks on his face and he felt Hywel’s hand touch his shoulder. The warmth that came from it was subtle, barely more than a simple blessing, but still it made Gawan feel a little guilty for how he’d thought of him. Hywel wanted the best for him, and Gawan gave him a silent nod of acknowledgement. He took the blessing and added it the power he was kindling in his body. His breathing slowed even further as he nurtured the fire, becoming one with it. He prayed quietly in his own head, not bothering to search for poetic words to impress the Dragon God. He had little time for such things. Mabonac, Father of the Gadarim, be with me today. I fight to honour you and to defend one who is innocent. My cause is just. Bring me victory.
He felt the dragonfire tingle as if in response to the words and he opened his eyes with a calm breath. The pounding in his head was gone, as were the dozens of other aches and pains through his body. Even the throbbing in the stump of his arm had eased into something barely noticeable. Mabonac was with him. As Gwydion and Hewin stepped back from the stool Gawan saw Tegwen waiting nearby and he gave her a nod. She clearly knew now was not the time to try to speak to him, but he could see the question in her eyes; must you do this? He beckoned for her to approach and took her hand in his.
‘Do not fear for me. We will speak later.’
She kept her face controlled as she nodded to him, but only just. Gawan stood up slowly and looked down at his daughter. He hesitated for a heartbeat then dared to touch her on one cheek. She did not move away.
‘You are so like your mother. I am sorry it has taken so long for you to know your father.’
Tegwen opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead she threw her arms around him and held him close. Gawan couldn’t describe how it felt as he was filled with a warmth greater than all the magic that all the druids could ever have made. It was a blanket on a freezing night, the first bite of a meal after a month of starvation. It was the simplest and most important thing in all the world; the touch of a loved one. He hugged her back as best he could and didn’t want to let her go, but he forced himself to do so after a few blissful moments. Tegwen stepped away from him and looked into his face, dry-eyed.
‘Come back alive.’
Gawan nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and Tegwen bowed her head to him before ducking beneath the rope. Gawan wished that he could bask in the memory of her embrace but there was work to be done, and he cast his eyes across the field. Broad Kellas was still seated in his corner of the square, waiting patiently while fellow Gadarim attended to him. His hair was already whitened and shaped into horns and now Bran was painting over his battle-marks while Kyran sharpened his massive sword. Gawan knew full well that both men would sooner have been standing in his corner but whatever else Broad Kellas was he was still a son of Mabonac, and it was right that he be treated as such. Even if he’s a son of Mabonac that I’ll soon be sending to meet him. He thought of his brother’s broken body and felt his resolve hardening. Giant or not, Tarwyn’s killer dies today.
Gwydion, almost certainly thinking similar thoughts, appeared to his left and began strapping a hook onto his wrist. It was a crude and simple thing and Gawan doubted he would make much use of it, but it would give the arm the same reach it used to have and would be a damned sight better than nothing. Once his brother stepped clear Gawan gave it a few practice swings to test the weight. The iron hook felt solid but not so heavy as to drag his shoulder down, and he gave Gwydion a curt nod. It was clumsy, but it would do. He could not have felt more different when Duran handed him Heartreaver. The sword felt so natural in his hand it might as well have been a part of his right arm, the grip soft and the weight perfectly balanced. He twirled it around his wrist once or twice and the newly-polished weapon shone like silver in the sunlight.
He looked again across the fighting area and saw that the chiefs had now left it, and Broad Kellas was on his feet. Gawan’s heart began to quicken in eagerness but he kept his breathing slow. Kyran signalled to them with one arm and Duran signalled back to him. He and the other Gadarim bowed their heads to their champion.
‘Mabonac guide you.’
Gawan bowed back to them and then turned to face the open field. Broad Kellas was already striding towards the centre with Kyran close behind him. Gawan started walking to meet him, Duran following close on his heels. As they grew closer Gawan once again appreciated just how massive his opponent was, but he didn’t let it discourage him. He was the best of all the Caledon. His cause was just. He would win. And once it is done, you can be a father again.
The two pairs halted just outside the range of a long spear-thrust, and three druids approached to stand between them; Hywel, Bael, and the slender Caderyn man. Hywel raised his staff and all the chattering from the crowds died down. His voice carried easily across the field.
‘May Camelas, Taran, and Mabonac watch over us today by the light of Holy Belenos. May the gods protect the right.’
The other druids echoed him.
‘The gods protect the right.’
The white-robed men stepped back, as did Duran and Kyran, leaving Gawan and Broad Kellas alone. The giant’s flat face was completely blank and his dark eyes stared into Gawan’s without any hint of emotion. The new Caderyn squared up to the Breiryn and issued his challenge, shouting it out for the whole crowd to hear.
‘Face me in justice, I am the Leaping Wolf!’
His opponent answered him in a voice that boomed like thunder.
‘Face me in justice, I am Broad Kellas!’
They locked eyes with one another and spoke simultaneously, their sword-hands held over their chests.
‘Mabonac guide you safely. May you cross the bridge unharmed.’
*
The first blow came out of nowhere. Gawan knew from the fight with Tarwyn that Broad Kellas had some subtle tricks in his arsenal, but it seemed today the big man was planning on doing this the old-fashioned way; kill the other man before he gets a chance to kill you. His massive blade whipped up in an arc aimed to split the former Gorvic from groin to scalp, moving with ridiculous speed for so heavy a weapon. Gawan barely saw it coming in time. He threw back his right foot and twisted his torso with it, feeling air breathe past his chest as the blade passed a finger’s length from his body. He brought up his hook in the same motion and tried to catch an arm as the sword-cut rose, but Broad Kellas withdrew the moment he saw his strike had missed, and he stepped back into a high guard. Gawan saw a thin line of red appear on one of his thick forearms but the giant didn’t seem to notice. You won’t take this one apart a piece at a time anyway; take him down fast and hard or he will outlast you!
Gawan followed his own advice and pressed forwards. Mabonac might be with him but the Dragon God helped only those with the will to help themselves. He hacked Heartreaver quickly right and left, aiming at different heights, then paused half-a-heartbeat before doing the same again; right and left with differing heights. His opponent blocked each cut with ease but then Gawan struck right and then right again, breaking the rhythm and creating a tiny opening. The giant anticipated incorrectly and Heartreaver swung hard towards his bulging neck. But Broad Kellas was quick and he jerked his head back just in time, the blade’s tip barely nicking his flat cheek. He controlled his own sword beautifully and brought it back to a middle guard, forcing Gawan to pull up short from following him.
They hovered outside of easy cutting range for a few moments, eyes locked on one another. Broad Kellas’ nostrils were flaring and Gawan bared his teeth. Minor wounds or not he had drawn first blood on the big man, and he clearly resented that. Gawan doubted if he was accustomed to fighting men as good as he was, especially men who were also a head shorter and ten winters older. They matched stares for another heartbeat before the Breiryn roared and lunged at him. It was a clumsy-looking move and Gawan was expecting the change of angle even as he parried the thrust. He almost smirked as he was proven right. Broad Kellas twisted the heavy blade as if it weighed no more than a stick and brought it across in a quick horizontal cut. Gawan was already moving and hopped back out of range, but his smugness at seeing through the trick did not last for long. His injured leg buckled on landing and though he managed to stay on his feet, the stagger spoiled the distance of the dodge.
Hot pain flashed across his chest and he kept Heartreaver up as he backed off another pace. He knew by the fact that he could still breathe that it wasn’t a serious wound and true enough, when he risked a look down, he saw that the weapon’s tip had raked a shallow cut across the muscle, almost parallel to the old scar that Madoc had given him a lifetime ago. It burned but that was all, and he kept his eyes on Broad Kellas’ as he began to circle him. The giant simply shifted his feet, watching the smaller man with a look of quiet confidence. Gawan decided to wipe the look from his face.
He let the fire in his gut flow into his limbs and leaped towards the big man, cutting high and low before lunging for his throat. Broad Kellas blocked each strike and then began countering, his blade flashing in the sun in a dazzling series of attacks. Gawan tried to move and parry instead of stopping them cold but it was hard work; the bastard was just so fast! His feet danced across the grass as he refused to meet strength with strength, but Broad Kellas was just as graceful as he was and the big man cut off his angles, forcing him to fight him head-on. A heavy cut came down for his head and Gawan had no choice but to plant his feet and meet it square. His whole arm juddered and he leaned into it, bracing his hook-hand beneath Heartreaver to hold off the blow. Gawan grunted with the effort. Gods alive he’s strong!
Broad Kellas snarled at him as their faces grew closer and Gawan flexed his knees, ready to push him off with the power of his legs. Before he could, the giant’s massive left fist crashed into his chest, right in the middle of the oozing cut. Searing pain flashed across his torso and the breath was driven from his lungs. He barely managed to redirect the broad-bladed sword before he had to double over and cough. Broad Kellas’ knee met his face as he did and white light blinded him as more pain erupted in his head. He could feel himself falling but he kept hold of Heartreaver, swinging it clumsily in front of him as he toppled. He hit the ground hard and shuffled backwards, still coughing. He could taste blood in his mouth and was pretty sure that both his lip and his nose were bleeding freely. He blinked to see Broad Kellas standing in guard above him and the Breiryn First Man half-smiled in satisfaction.
‘Enough, Leaping Wolf?’
Gawan didn’t answer him. He thrust away his pain and launched himself at the big man, Heartreaver singing in his hand as he forced the Breiryn onto the defensive. Broad Kellas backed off, slapping the cuts aside but unable to counter quickly enough through the flurry of attacks. Gawan felt his blood roaring as he closed in and swung a vicious cut towards his head. But the giant stepped forwards just at the right moment, avoiding the strike and wrapping his massive arms around Gawan’s, pinning them to his sides. Gawan felt his feet leave the ground and his ribs compress painfully as Broad Kellas lifted and squeezed. He was too close to use the sword and he desperately tried to use his hook-hand to attack his captor’s back instead. The iron scraped along one shoulder-blade and Gawan head-butted him hard at the same moment. It wasn’t much but it was enough to loosen the giant’s grip and Gawan felt his feet touch grass again, but then Broad Kellas rammed his own head forward and pain exploded across Gawan’s nose. It felt like someone had swung an anvil into his face and he staggered backwards, head spinning.
Broad Kellas followed him, keeping close, but Gawan managed to hook his blade and send a right cross into his jaw. It was hard as rock and Gawan was glad he had shouted as he threw it; it covered what would have been a cry of pain as his knuckles cracked. The punch landed well but the giant recovered in an eyeblink and backhanded him across the face with a massive left fist. Gawan spun and fell, his head snapping around fast enough to make the world a blur. He lost his grip on his sword as the ground rose up to meet him.
