Ahead of the two old men walked the three foresters, Fell at the centre. Bakris Tooth-gone was to his left, Gwyn Dark-eye to the right. Gwyn’s thoughts were all of Fell. He loved him better than he loved his own brothers, and was racking his brains for a fresh argument to use to stop Fell from surrendering to the Outlanders. But nothing would come. Four lives were at stake, Tovi’s son, the Widow Maffrey, the cattle-herder Clemet, and Nami, the fat daughter of the shepherd Maccus. Fell was a man of honour, and once he had heard about the hostages there was only one course of action left to him. It broke Gwyn’s heart to make this journey.
Bakris was thinking about what would happen once the arrogant Fell had been hanged. Surely his own skills would be recognized and he would be elected Captain of Foresters?
Fell himself could think only of Sigarni, and all that might have been. Taliesen had ordered him to lead the hunters deep into the forest, and this he had done, wounding several of them. They had almost caught him twice, but his woodcraft saved him – that and his
in
fleetness of foot. What will happen now, Sigarni, he wondered? Will you remember me kindly?
In his mind’s eye he could see himself standing on the scaffold, the hemp rope at his throat. Will you die like a man, Fell, he asked himself, standing tall and proud? In that moment he knew that he would. No Outland audience would see a Highland man scream and beg for his life.
Fell glanced up at the branches above him, the sun dappling them with gold and sending shafts of brilliance to the undergrowth below. Through a break in the trees he saw High Drain, rising majestically above the other peaks. ‘Be with me, Father!’ he whispered to the mountain.
‘What’s that, Fell?’ asked Gwyn.
‘Talking to myself, man. Ah, but it’s a fine day for a walk, to be sure.’
‘That it is, my friend, but I’d be happier if we were heading north.’
‘I cannot do that. I’ll let no Highlander die for my crimes.’
‘Crimes? What crimes?’ snorted Grame, moving alongside them. ‘They raped her, for God’s sake, and they hunted her down like an animal. Who do they think they are, these Outlanders? First the Baron tries to steal her hawk, then they rob her of her virtue …”
‘What virtue?’ sneered Bakris. ‘Hell’s teeth, man, that was gone long ago. She’s had more pricks than an archery target.’
‘That’s enough,’ hissed Fell as he swung on Grame. ‘Who do they think they are? They are the conquerors, and they make the laws. You, me, the whole of the Highlands, are ruled at their whim.’
‘There’s supposed to be a leader coming,’ said Tovi. ‘I wish to God he would appear soon.’
‘She already has,’ said Fell. The other men looked at one another, then back at Fell. ‘Aye, you’ll think it nonsense,’ he said. ‘But an old sorcerer came to me, and told me to be at the Citadel town at dawn on a certain day. There I would see the Red worn again, and a sword held over the town. Well, my lads, I was there. And I saw Sigarni don the Red, and watched her kill an Outlander. She’s the leader prophesied. I won’t live to see it, but you will.’
‘Have you gone mad, lad?’ asked Grame.’What does she know of war and battles? She’s a child. Who’d follow her?’
‘I would,’ said Fell.
‘If he would, so would I,’ put in Gwyn.
Bakris gave a sneering laugh. ‘I’d follow her into the bedroom. Any time.’
‘You will all see it come true,’ said Fell. ‘Now let’s be moving on. I have a wish to be in Citadel town before dusk.’
Tovi put his broad hand on Fell’s shoulder. ‘I’m not stopping you boy,’ he said, his voice thick with emotion. ‘I’d do anything to bring my son home. Yet, even now, if you choose to take a different path I’ll think none the worse of you. You understand?’
Fell nodded. ‘I understand, Hunt Lord. But I killed an Outlander, and they want blood. If they don’t get mine they will seek it elsewhere. It is their way. I would ask you this, though – look to Sigarni, and help her all you can. Both you and Grame are battle-hardened warriors. You have lived what the rest of us only hear stories of. You know how the heart feels before a battle, and how a man’s courage can turn to water. You know what it takes to stand against a foe. That knowledge will be vital in the days ahead. My death may give you breathing space to plan. But it will be no more than that.’