Child of the Kindred, page 10
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Will he be able to find the Rabkins, so quickly? We rarely ever see them here ourselves,” Deaglan asked, as he looked over to where Caleb had just entered the forest.
Aiden, Cahir and Rian, all grinned at each other knowingly.
“Of course; a bit of information my friend. The Rabkins are always about, whether you see them or not. In old speak, they are called, na feighlithe na foraoise. It means, “the watchers of the forest”. Did you notice Caleb looking into the forest, every so often? They were more than likely walking about, observing us,” Aiden explained, having Deaglan’s full attention.
“He is able to tell if they are nearby?” Deaglan asked, fascinated with this concept.
“He has been able to sense them since he was a boy, after he shared with a dying young Rabkin,” Aiden explained, looking at Deaglan for a moment, then looking into the campfire thoughtfully.
“That is truly amazing. It must have made him quite renowned, as a youth,” Deaglan expressed, with growing enthusiasm.
Aiden and Cahir looked at each other with knowing smiles.
“You would think so, Deaglan,” Ione replied in a soft voice, leaning her head against Rian’s shoulder, t he tears in her beautiful eyes reflecting the fire’s glow.
Deaglan’s easy grin turned to a look of forlorn bemusement. “How do you mean?” Deaglan asked Ione, in a more subdued tone.
“I feel Aiden and Cahir are more qualified to answer that question,” Ione replied, smiling at him sadly, as Rian leant over and kissed her temple.
“After having gone through the torment of not being able to stop seeing the dead Rabkin’s memories, Caleb took it upon himself to find other members of the Cydros Kindred in Heathwin. When he did, and they relieved him from his torment, he found he was left with…unusual abilities. He was not only able to understand the Rabkins’ language, but his eyesight and hearing were greatly heightened, and he also found himself able to sense when the Rabkins were close by. This, however, made Caleb looked upon as freakish, and tainted by the Rabkins,” Aiden explained in an uncharacteristic serious demeanour.
“Some even began to say, the Rabkins allowed this to happen, to control him. Which of course was ridiculous to even suggest, as the dying Rabkin that Caleb encountered, was Elder Dyfri’s middle son. Caleb began to be shunned by the other students training to be Sentinels, and then ridiculed and tormented. He was always involved in some altercation or another, as well as myself and Aiden, in defending him. He ran away one day, to the ruins, he could not be found for almost two days. It was Elder Dyfri himself, that encouraged him to return home. He told Caleb that one day, all he had suffered would show itself as a gift, that the Kindred people considered him special, and a trusted friend. Caleb returned home late in the night. Father had just returned with a search party, he was greatly relieved and just a bit angry, but not harsh. Father basically told Caleb, he could not change who he was, and what was expected of him as heir to the throne, only how he looked upon the situation,” Cahir went on to relate with a low tone, staring into the fire with a faraway look. “So, Caleb decided to look at all he was dealing with, as a challenge. That winter, our group in the Sentinel classes, were able to go on a winter survival camp, back to the ruins. We were instructed to go foraging for food, and in our group, was Caleb’s worst antagonists. There was a sudden fierce storm, and we became disoriented and lost our way. Several in the group panicked. The storm passed, and Caleb ordered them to stay put, had me remain to be in charge, and he walks off. After some time, he returns with two Rabkin warriors, who then show us our way back to the main camp,” Cahir concluded, with a satisfied grin, as he looked up at Deaglan and Crayton.
“After that, no one ever spoke out loud of Caleb’s ‘freakish abilities’ again.
Whatever they felt, they kept it to themselves. Being younger, I, of course, was a bit jealous of Caleb, being able to speak to the Rabkins, to hear and see better than everyone else. So shortly after his encounter with the Rabkin, for several weeks I begged my parents to let me share with the Rabkins, which greatly disturbed our mother. My father’s patience was finally at an end, threatening me with not being able to sit comfortably for a day if brought up again. It was then I decided to let it go, I knew when he reached that point, it would no longer be just a threat,” Aiden said with a smirk, as the others laughed lightly.
“Admittedly, it did change Caleb, causing him to become more intense, solitary, and motivated in his training. He did, however, also become more sensitive and compassionate. When the need arose, he would be able to ride into a village that had either been pillaged by raiders or attacked by rouge Rabkins and just take control, to calm everyone down. I remember the first time I saw him do this. It was then that I knew, he was meant to be King one day,” Aiden related with undisguised pride.
The sun was just beginning to set, as Laurel sat down once again on the pile of straw, leaning her back against the wall. She had been unable to eat anything of substance that Logan offered to her, only managing the broth and bread. Laurel found her nausea was now overwhelming, her fatigue becoming a constant presence. She placed her hand on her stomach, closing her eyes, seeing once more Caleb’s pained expression as he looked up at her. She heard his words again, as he called out to her in old speak, telling her he loved her and would be coming for her soon. Wiping away the tears from her face, she lay down upon the heavy cloak that Logan had insisted she take, worried after she had become ill again. As she began to relax, desperately trying to ignore the sickening smell of the musty, filthy floor, her attention was drawn to the small window, recognising the chirping of a skylark.
Sitting up, she saw to her surprise and amusement, the skylark sitting on the window sill, whistling happily as it bobbed up and down. The lively bird then picked up something from the window’s edge, and placed it back down again, still whistling and moving about. Laurel stood up and began to walk over to the window slowly, when suddenly, the skylark flew away. Laurel continued to walk to the window, now completely intrigued as to why it had flown there. When at the window, Laurel’s eyes widened in surprise at seeing what the skylark had brought to the window sill. Laurel reached over to pick up a delicate fern frond of blue, just barely kissed by frost. Looking out the window for a moment to see if she could hear or catch a fleeting glimpse of the lovely bird. Smiling in wonder, still not quite believing what had happened, fondly remembering it was her mother’s favourite bird, as they were often seen in the fields and meadows. Laurel then brought the frond up to her face, inhaling deeply. The soothing aroma filled her senses, calming both her mind and overwhelming nausea. Laurel walked back over to the straw, lying down once again, her heart now filled with hope, fully realising the nightmare would soon be over. She surmised that Caleb must have spoken with the Rabkins, and this extraordinary token was their way of both caring for and reassuring her.
“Do you honestly expect me to believe that hideous wailing is banshees?” Warrick asked incredulously, as he glanced out the window of the study, pouring himself another glass of wine.
“The servant, Milo himself, said it was! What else could it be? The castle be cursed I tell ya! Can ya not hear, they be wailing our doom? A good lot of our fellows be missing and cannot be found! A group wanted to leave, but the bloody Sentinels are still at the back gate. They have lit campfires, speaking in that damned language of theirs, we do not understand. I tell ya, they be plotting to kill us all come morning, or in our sleep. Some are talking of surrendering to them,” Coire spoke in an anxious filled voice, as he nervously paced back and forth.
“Do not be ridiculous, you ignorant fool! I hold the Princess. They will not dare do anything, to risk her life. They are only trying to intimidate us. Once we kill one of the children in front of them, then they will know we will not give in to them. Now, stop your pacing about like an animal, and go and find the wretched urchins!” Warrick yelled out in a frantic voice, as the madness once again, began to take hold of him.
“I had three of me blokes go and look for them, and now, they too be missing. No, you want to wander around this accursed place, and look for them? Then you be doing it yourself. I be staying put in the lobby with the others. Do ya hear that? The banshees just be getting louder! Come morning, ya best be having a plan, and showing us all some coin, or I will throw ya over the gate to the savages myself,” Coire threatened, as he stormed out of the study, slamming the door behind him.
Warrick gulped down his glass of wine, then poured another, glancing out of the window, his eyes wide with frustration and fear as the wailing howls continued.
The ground began to shake with the approach by thousands of mounted warriors from the Five Clann Armies, each of them with their own colours, and pennants, and flags flying. It was an impressive and frightening sight to behold. The armies of the Kingdom of Heathwin had arrived. The riders slowed their pace as
they turned the wide bend of the main roadway and noticed campfires had been lit in the open glen that was just out of sight of the city gates of Gwenlais. Caleb and Aiden approached the riders, with Aiden carrying a torch as the sky was cloudy and barren of moons or starlight. The lead rider turned his head and raising his arm, letting out a sharp whistle sounding almost like the screech of a hawk, signalling all the others to halt or slow their pace as they approached the glen. The lead rider quickly halted in front of Caleb and Aiden, dismounting and laughing, as he walked towards them.
“Did I not tell you, they would be waiting for us?” King Fergus called to the group, as he threw back the hood of his cloak, smiling as he approached his sons and embracing them both. “It is very good to see you mo mhac. Your mother has been very distressed, not knowing of your condition. She will be greatly relieved. So, why set up camp here, and not just outside of the city?” King Fergus asked, as the rest of the vast company, began to enter the camp and dismount.
“I felt it best to hide our numbers at this time. Allow them to feel they still have us at a disadvantage. We are wearing away at their confidence slowly. Come dawn, they will realise too late their decision to try and challenge us,” Caleb replied grinning drolly.
“I cannot wait for the fools on the wall to see what awaits them. For the last few hours they have been beside themselves with fearing the banshees,” Aiden laughed as he hit Caleb’s arm, as Owain and Cian laughed with him, looking at each other with amused curiosity.
“Banshees? Now how would that be?” Gavin asked, with his booming voice, laughing as he spoke.
“A very interesting story. Come, and relax by the fire, and I shall relate it to you,” Caleb answered with a wry smile, as he directed the others to the camp.
The early pallid light of dawn arrived cold and grey, with a heavy mist surrounding the city. Moist warm air could be seen rising up from the horses’ nostrils. King Fergus walked up the hill to view the wall, with Chieftain McCullan and Gavin, all looking up at it thoughtfully.
“So, what do you think my friend?” King Fergus asked the burly Chieftain.
“No concerns at all Sire. The Scimitars will have no problem scaling the walls, once the archers have done their job. Then you can let lose Gavin’s crazy, kilted bastards,” McCullan laughed lightly, giving Gavin a good-natured slap on the back.
“Aye, Fergus. The lads just be itching to get to work. Tis light enough, what be the hold up?” Gavin asked as the three of them moved back toward the camp, watching the activity beginning to increase, knowing the armies waited anxiously just beyond the bend.
“Caleb is waiting for word as to when Warrick leaves the castle. I have no doubt it shall be at any time now,” King Fergus answered, as he looked over seeing Caleb talking with Aiden and Deaglan.
“What is it, you miserable fool?! What is so urgent you must wake me at the break of dawn?” Warrick growled out at Milo, after being shaken awake.
Warrick had fallen asleep in the study, in a drunken stupor, too unnerved to go to his room. Not only wishing to avoid the group of mercenaries, who had decided to shelter in the lobby, but also disconcerted with the constant talk of the castle being cursed. His nerves, now worn and tattered, his head throbbing from the pain of drinking all night, unable to sleep from the howling and wailing that went on intermittently throughout the night.
“I am here to inform you, sire, that Tulla and the children have been found. They have gone to the House of Healing. The Ollams have offered them sanctuary, and they will not leave. In fact, Tulla herself said unless you are man enough to come and bring her back yourself, she will stay there. The Ollams have no issue with allowing them to remain there, as they do not feel you have the courage to leave the castle. Talk of Prince Caleb’s return has greatly emboldened them. Chatter amongst the hired mercenaries is also in agreement with the Ollams thinking. They too feel you lack the courage to leave your “safe haven” as they call it,” Milo stated, with an exaggerated air.
Warrick looked up at Milo, his face twisted with the madness that now had completely consumed him. He was a being no longer able to be reasoned with, feeling only rage, cold, heartless, and cruel like a ravenous serpent. Warrick stood up and rushed upon Milo, grabbing him by his shirtfront, shoving him violently to the floor. Warrick stood over Milo menacingly, with Milo putting his arm up defensively as Warrick leant down slightly.
“So, the miserable wench and the pompous healers think me, cowardly, do they?! Well, they will think otherwise, when I am done with them. They will not feel so emboldened when I burn their precious House down around them and have Tulla ravished and killed in front of them. Then they will watch as I have the children killed on the wall, just as I said I would.” His voice getting louder as he continued, “They will all know I am one to reckoned with and feared more than the barbarians. I am now the ruler of Gwenlais, and the Princess herself will soon accept that! Now get up, you fool! Go and tell that idiot Coire to ready the horses,” Warrick raged, as he kicked Milo viciously in the side, then walked over to the desk, pouring himself another glass of wine.
Milo moaned as he got to his knees and stood up, slightly bent over, his arm around his waist and stomach, as he made his way out of the study. Walking slowly down the corridor towards the large and spacious lobby, he was met by Norval, the young harvest worker who had been injured nearly a season ago. His lower left arm had been amputated due to an accident during the Harvest Season. He later had become, a much-loved member of the kitchen staff, and had just recently become betrothed to one of the young scullery maids. He bravely defended the kitchen maids, threatening a drunken mercenary, using a meat cleaver, to dissuade the ruffian’s violent advances. After the hired thug, had left the kitchen, Norval was instrumental in helping to slip the female staff members out of the castle through the cellar. He refused to leave his post, worried for Milo whom he had become very fond of, looking upon the older man as a father figure.
“Milo! What has happened? Please, let me help you,” Norval said in alarm, placing his good arm around Milo’s shoulders in support.
“I shall be fine my dear boy. I must go and speak to the wretched dolt, Coire. Warrick will soon be leaving for the House of Healing. Go now, find Crayton and tell him the time has come to alert the Ollams and the Prince. Go quickly, Norval, time is of the essence, it will soon begin,” Milo spoke in an exhausted and urgent voice, patting Norval on the shoulder.
“I will my friend, but first I will help you down to the lobby. It is more than obvious, the mad swine caused you injury, and I will not leave you as yet,” Norval answered in a respectful but determined voice, smiling at Milo warmly.
“Very well my boy,” Milo replied, breathing heavily, leaning against Norval, as he continued to help him down the corridor.
By the time, they reached the mercenaries, the group had been arguing and disagreeing quite loudly, about how the plan to continue the siege on Gwenlais was unravelling.
“I say we cuts our losses, and give the bloodthirsty buggers the dandy! After they kill him, we open the gates, leave the city and be done with all of this,” one the mercenaries yelled at Coire, his fellows yelling back, agreeing with him.
“You daft idjit! Does ya think they will just let us walk away? They will kill us as well! No, we will bring their precious Princess to the wall, and threaten to slit her throat, unless they allow us to leave. We will bring her with us, then leave her on the side of the road, some ways away,” Coire explained, his face red with his temper and frustration.
“Ya both be idjits! Did ya not hear the banshees wailing all night? We all be dead men! Here comes the old man. Get him to show us another way out, then we leave the savages from the West. They can have their city back. I want no more to do with this plan. I say we go now, while we still have our heads on our shoulders!” a third mercenary argued, as he pointed at Milo and Norval approaching.
“Old man! Show us another way out of this accursed city!” Coire bellowed as he walked up menacingly to Milo and Norval.
“There is no other way out, my good fellow. The only way to keep the barbarians at bay is to show them you and Sir Warrick are not to be trifled with. He means to do just that. The maidservant and the children have been given sanctuary at the House of Healing. He wishes for you to ready the horses and meet him in the courtyard here. Then you will all ride to the House to deal with them and show the Westerners that they must now listen to Warrick and you. In all honesty, it would not hurt to make a few demands of your own. Warrick is more than aware he cannot achieve this without your help. His allies are not here yet,” Milo mentioned this last comment in a conspiring low tone, with a slight grin, Norval grinning with him.
“Aye, that be true. The snivelling piss ant, cannot do anything without our backing. Fine, we be going along with him, but he will need to make it worth the effort,” Coire replied as he looked down the corridor noticing Warrick’s approach.
