I forced myself to stop puzzling about Iswy and to think ahead about how I was to avoid pursuit. We should soon come to a stream. I could go either up or down it and come out on rocks farther up, so there would be less danger of being tracked.
Ravus was recovering from his fright by the time we reached the stream, and I could dismount, ignoring the chill of the water and the wetting of my good leather boots. I had to keep Ravus from drinking, hot as he was, and also stop him circling around me, so I could examine the bleeding wound.
It was shallow enough, for which I gave prayerful thanks. I led him upstream to where moss grew on the rocks by the water. There I bathed the wound, pressing
handmls of cold water against it to stem the bleeding, because galloping had made it flow. The wound was also in an impossible place to bandage, but I took moss and pressed it so firmly against the cut that some would stick to the blood and seal it. I waited, listening for any sounds of pursuit, until I was certain the moss would hold. Then I led Ravus upstream until I judged we could safely enter the forest.
I found shelter that night in a glade where Ravus could graze, but I lit no fire and slept very poorly. The moss bandage stayed in place overnight and we continued on our way back to Deva by roads I rarely traveled.
I was going to insist that I be taught how to defend myself, and my horse.
TELDYS HAD ALREADY BEGUN to Worry about me, knowing how swiftly I could make the journey. And when we arrived and I told the story of the ambush, everyone at the farm was concerned. When I asked Teldys if there was anyone on the farm with sword skills, he shook his head.
“None here, lad, nor even weapons to practice with. Come to think of it”-and he paused-‘Tayin could doubtless teach you a few tricks with sling and dagger.”
Fortunately, Ravus’s wound showed no signs of infection, and that pleased Canyd.
“I only did as you would have done, Canyd,” I said.
“And you see how right I am,” the old man said smugly.
Still, I made a report to Bericus, relating the ambush and my suspicions about the assailants. We now took turns at night as sentries and always had someone in the stableyard to guard the Libyans.
“Iswy was seen at Isca,” Bericus told me when he came on his next regular visit to the farm. His expression was grim. “There’ve been some raids on farmsteads near Ide. Would Iswy know that’s where your mother lives?”
“He might. I’ve stopped there for brief visits before, and”-I sighed-“it’s possible my family would have mentioned that I come there now and then on my way back from Prince Cador’s. Could you not teach me how to use a sword?”
“I could, if there were time for such training. You are more valuable as a sandalmaker than a soldier or messenger,” Bericus said. “You will travel no more alone.” When he saw how disappointed I was, he gave me a reassuring buffet on my arm. “Don’t be sad about losing mere messenger duties, Galwyn. You and Ravus will be traveling rather more than less, I think.”
“Oh?”
He hooked his arm over the railing, for we were outside, by the field where Ravus was grazing.
“We’ve got to concentrate on mobilizing our army now… Yes,” he said in answer to my gasp of surprise. “While I don’t believe that Aelle is the devil incarnate, as some might”-and he chuckled at such superstitious-ness-“there are definite indications that he’s beginning to call in thanes, and certainly his armorers are busy. Not”-and now he grinned-“as if ours have been lazy these past few years, or haven’t learned a few new skills, eh?”
“It’s the horses that are going to win for us,” I said staunchly.
“And every man who comes to Artos’s banner wants one as his battle steed.” Bericus turned and gazed out over the fields to where the latest crop of black and dark brown foals were cavorting.