Part 17 (2/2)

'Why didn't she wait for you to finish the broth? Then she would have had her pot.'

'She's uncomfortable around people. You made her nervous.'

'Me? How?'

'You asked her a question. I did warn you, laddie. She doesn't take well to questions.'

'I only asked to see her crossbow. I was being polite.'

'I know. She's a strange la.s.s. But she's got heart, and she uses that crossbow like a master.'

'What does her family think of her running around dressed like a man?' asked Rabalyn.

Druss laughed aloud. 'I'm forgetting you come from a small community, laddie. She doesn't have any family - not that I know of. She sometimes travels with a pair of twins.

Good lads. One's a simpleton. I have never heard her speak of family, though. My guess is they were probably killed. That, or some other shock unhinged her. She is not always as you saw her today. A little wine inside her and she'll sing sweeter than a songbird. Aye, and dance and laugh. It's only when the voices come that she . .. well, you saw,' he concluded lamely.

'How did you meet her?'

'Do you never run out of questions, laddie?' replied Druss, pus.h.i.+ng himself to his feet.

'Come on, it's time to be moving. I have a feeling we'll be meeting your friends before long.'

With the coming of the dawn Braygan was more exhausted than at any other time in his life. The bright suns.h.i.+ne hurt his eyes, and he felt as if he was walking through a dream. A small boy was sleeping beside him, his terrified mother stroking the child's hair. Other women and children were huddled together at the centre of the circle. A girl of around three began to cry. Braygan reached out to comfort her, but she backed away from him. A woman called to the child, who scrambled over to her, sobbing. Braygan pushed himself to his feet and eased his way to the outer circle where Skilgannon stood, with around a dozen surviving men, and the same number of strong women. Some of the women in the circle were armed with knives. The remainder held thick lumps of wood, which they had used as clubs when the beasts attacked.

'Have they gone for good this time?' asked Braygan, glancing down at the dried blood on Skilgannon's blades.

Skilgannon looked at the priest and shrugged. Just beyond the circle lay the giant body of a hideous creature. Braygan tried not to look at it, but his eyes were drawn to its ma.s.sive jaws. The little priest had seen those fangs crunch into the skull of a man, ripping the head from the shoulders, before Skilgannon had leapt in, cutting a gaping hole in the beast's throat. The headless body of the man was no longer in sight. Other creatures had dragged it away into the darkness, along with the corpses of other Joinings.

Braygan swung to look back at the crowd of people huddled together inside the circle.

There were some fifty or more, half of them children.

'How many of us did they get?' asked Braygan.

'Ten . . . fifteen,' answered Skilgannon wearily. 'I had no time to keep count.'

The two brothers, Jared and Nian, broke away from the outer circle and approached Skilgannon. Both carried longswords, with double-handed hilts. 'You think we should try to get away now it's light?' asked Jared.

'Wait a while,' said Skilgannon. 'They may have retreated back into the reeds, and be watching for just such a move.'

'I counted eighteen of them,' said the young man. 'I think we killed five at least, and wounded four others.'

'I cut the head from one,' said Nian. 'Did you see that, Jared? Did you see me cut its head?'

'I saw. You did well. Very brave, Nian.'

'Did you see?' the man asked Skilgannon. 'Did you see me cut its head off?'

'Your brother is right. You are very brave,' said Skilgannon. Braygan saw the simpleton give a crooked smile, then reach out and take hold of the long blue sash that hung from his brother's belt. He stood there, sword in one hand, sash in the other.

'We cannot just wait here all day,' said Skilgannon. 'Either they have gone, or they are waiting. We need to know which.'

'What are you thinking?' asked Jared.

'I'm going to take a stroll to the reeds.'

'We'll keep you company.'

Skilgannon glanced past Jared, at his brother. 'Might be best if Nian remains behind - to look after the women and children.'

Jared shook his head. 'He couldn't do that, my friend. He needs to be close to me.'

'Then you both remain here,' said Skilgannon. With that he sheathed his swords and strolled away towards the northwest.

Braygan watched him go, and felt his heart sink. A murmur began among other people in the circle, as they watched Skilgannon move away towards the reeds. 'Hold the circle!'

shouted Jared, moving away from Braygan. 'He's just scouting. He'll be back. Stay watchful!'

A flicker of resentment flared in Braygan, and he was immediately ashamed. How swiftly Skilgannon had become important in these people's lives. He was their saviour and their hope. What am I, wondered Braygan? I am nothing. If these people survive they will not remember the chubby little priest who cowered at the centre of the circle, begging the Source to keep him alive. They will recall the dark-haired warrior with the twin swords who took command, forming the circle that saved them. They will remember him to the ends of their lives.

'There's one!' The shout was full of terror, and a wail went up from the children.

Braygan swung round, eyes wide and fearful. A dark shape emerged from the tall gra.s.s. It was a golden-haired woman in a dark cloak. Braygan's relief was immense.

'It's Garianne! It's Garianne!' shouted the simpleton, Nian. Still holding to his brother's sash he walked towards the woman. Jared grabbed his arm.

'Don't pull me,' he said gently. 'She's coming here.'

Nian waved. 'Over here, Garianne. We're over here.'

The woman was beautiful, her eyes a soft flecked grey, her braided hair gleaming in the sunlight. She approached the two brothers. Nian moved towards her, and, dropping his sword, lifted her into a hug. She kissed his cheek lightly. 'Put me down,' she said, 'and be calm.' Then she swung towards Jared. 'We are glad to see you alive,' she said, her voice flat and emotionless. She did not smile.

'It is good to see you, Garianne,' Jared told her. 'Did . . . ?' He cleared his throat. 'We were wondering if the beasts were still close by.'

'Some moved northeast in the night. We killed one. Old Uncle and his friend killed three more.'

'I cut the head off one,' said Nian. 'Tell her, Jared.'

'He did. He was very brave, Garianne. It would be good if you could stay awhile and help us fight off the creatures. There are many children here.'

'We are going to Mellicane. Old Uncle is buying us a meal.' 'We are all heading to Mellicane, Garianne. Nian would be happy if you came with us.'

'Yes, yes, come with us, Garianne,' insisted Nian. Suddenly the woman smiled. Braygan found the moment breathtaking. In that instant she moved from attractive to stunningly beautiful. Stepping towards Nian, she reached up and curled her arm round his shoulder.

'I wish I had seen you cut its head off,' she said, kissing his cheek. 'Three whacks it took. Is Old Uncle coming too?'

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