‘Had enough, little fish?’ he asked.
‘Just a little more,’ said Riamfada.
‘Your lips are turning blue. I think it’s time you got dry.’ Treading water, Govannan glanced at the bank where Connavar and Braefar had lit a small fire. Three other youngsters were sitting huddled around the flames. Riamfada had been disappointed to find Galanis and his brothers at the falls. They always stared at him, and, invariably, the conversation would turn to his crippled legs. They were recent arrivals at the settlement, their father having come up from the south to work for Ruathain.
Reluctantly Riamfada struck for the shore, Govannan swimming alongside him. When they reached the bank the smith’s son lifted Riamfada clear and carried him to the fire. Conn dried his legs then wrapped a warm cloak around him. ‘Going to be a cold winter,’ he said.
‘It will be a long one,’ said Riamfada, sadly.
Govannan towelled himself down then dressed and walked to the shoreline, where he began skimming stones across the water. Connavar wandered down and also hefted a handful of stones. Immediately a contest began to see who could skim the furthest. Braefar sat alongside Riamfada. They are at it again,’ he said. ‘Everything is a competition with those two.’ Riamfada shivered. Braefar helped him into his clothes and added more fuel to the fire.
‘Perhaps a spell was cast on you,’ said Galanis. He was a tall, rangy, red-haired youth, with a pock-marked sallow face.
‘A spell? What do you mean?’ replied Riamfada, his heart sinking.
‘My brothers and I were wondering if the Seidh put a curse on your legs.’
The other two young men, Baris and Gethenan, were also staring at him now. ‘I don’t think anyone cursed me,’ he said. The year I was born there were many children afflicted. They all died. Vorna says it was a sickness that attacked the mothers.’
‘I’d sooner be dead than a cripple,’ said Baris.
‘Oh shut up, Baris,’ snapped Braefar. ‘What a stupid thing to say.’
‘Well, it’s true,’ said Baris, reddening.
‘It is probably true for you,’ said Riamfada. ‘But then you have enjoyed a life of walking and running. For you the loss of you legs would be terrible. But I have never had the use of my legs, so I have grown accustomed to my condition.’
‘What is the surprise you promised us?’ asked Braefar, anxious to change the subject. Riamfada smiled, and called out to Conn and Govannan. The two young men wandered back from their skimming contest.
‘I had a seven,’ said Van. ‘Beat him by two.’
‘You found the best stone,’ grumbled Connavar.
Once they were seated Riamfada untied his belt pouch and laid it in his lap. ‘I have some presents for the three of you,’ he said. ‘You have been very kind to me and I wanted to repay you. I hope you won’t be offended.’ Unfastening the string loop he pulled open the pouch. From it he drew a cloak brooch of gleaming bronze which he passed to Govannan. It was in the shape of a leaping deer and engraved with swirls of silver. ‘It is a wondrous piece,’ said Van. ‘I have never seen anything so beautiful.’ From the pouch Riamfada took a second brooch. It was a copy of a wicker shield, cunningly crafted from intertwined wires of silver. Braefar turned it over in his hands. Lastly Riamfada handed Conn a brooch. A bronze fawn trapped in silver brambles, encased in a band of bright gold.
‘I do not know what to say,’ said Conn.
Then let me speak for you, brother,’ said Braefar. ‘We thank you, little fish. These are very fine gifts.’
‘Nothing for us, then?’ put in Galanis. ‘I didn’t realize carrying cripples reaped such fine rewards.’
‘Watch your mouth!’ stormed Govannan, ‘or you’ll be wearing your teeth as a necklace.’
‘Where we come from blunt speech is considered a virtue,’ replied Galanis.
There is a difference between blunt speech and rudeness,’ said Braefar. ‘You had best learn that if you wish to be accepted among us. For example, I do not recall any of us pointing out that you are the ugliest trio we have ever seen. Your face, Galanis, looks like a woodpecker tried to nest in it. Still, I expect that back where you came from that would be considered blunt speaking.’