“Now, lad, that’ll do for her,” Canyd said, startling me because I had been concentrating on my task and also preventing myself from rolling onto the ground. “There’s a fine cold stream at the end of the pasture, an’ later you can stand her in that. The steeping will take down the filling in short order.”
I saw that the others had finished and were assembled by the brazier in front of the shelter. Bericus joined us there.
“I’ve lodgings for you and Bwlch in the village,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder again in a most friendly fashion. “And a hot meal, which you certainly deserve. Soon enough you’ll take your turn as sentry here, but now get your pony. I doubt you’d make the trip on your own legs. Bwlch’s swaying like he’s in a high wind, and you’re not much better.”
I flushed, deploring my weakness, but his hand tightened briefly on my shoulder and I could see the concern in his eyes.
That was when I noticed the narrowed gaze of a slightly built lad not much taller or older than myself. He was staring across the brazier fire. A Cornovian: His glance was surly, his narrow head cocked to one side as
he appraised me, and his thin mouth turned down in a supercilious sneer. I was to learn shortly that his name was Iswy. My first impression of him was of a sly and devious fellow, envious of any attentions that he did not get to share. I never had occasion to change my opinion when our tasks put us in closer association. Then Beri-cus gestured for me to follow him, Bwlch only too grateful to come with us.
Perhaps it was Iswy’s hostile attitude, or maybe the return into the concealing fog that had not yet been burned off by the morning sun, but I felt apprehensive as we walked down the shrouded way. The fog closed in behind us and I shivered.
As we neared the wharf again, the mist on the water was thinning, but my apprehension increased-as if Iswy’s glance still followed me. Several times I looked around furtively at the people passing us on their daily tasks: a baker with his tray of bread, some fishermen with heavy creels, a tanner trotting along, the hides of his burden strapped to his back.
“What do you expect to see over your shoulder, Gal-wyn?” Bericus asked good-humoredly. “That uncle of yours?” When he saw my startled reaction he added immediately, “Ah, lad, I’m to see that he doesn’t trouble you for any reason. You’re one of us now, you know.”
“I’m at your side as well,” Bwlch said so staunchly that I relaxed.
“Fog makes me nervous, too,” Bericus added, and then guided us into the next thatched building.
From the smell of old beer and wine, I knew the ground floor acted as taberna though it was empty at this time of the day, save for a slave sweeping the floor. Bericus led us to the stairs on one long end, and we could hear a confusion of voices and much clanging of pots coming from the kitchen annex. The loft was divided into rough sleeping quarters, and it was into one of the two front ones that Bericus led us. Eight pallets of straw laid on rough bedsteads limited our walking space, but Bericus made an expansive gesture.
“Take your pick and I shall keep anyone from disturbing you until you’ve slept yourselves out.” With that he disappeared.
Bwlch dropped to the nearest bed, stuffing the bag of his belongings under it before he lay flat on the mattress. He gave a huge sigh and, I think, was asleep in the next instant. I was equally glad to lay myself down, although I could not compose myself quite as readily for sleep as Bwlch had. The bed, too, rocked under me, and probably rocked me to sleep as well-for I heard nothing until Bericus roused us to eat our evening meal.
“But I should have stooped the mare’s legs!” I cried, sitting bolt upright on the straw.
Bericus and Bwlch both laughed, and I saw two others beyond them smiling at my confusion.