He stared back towards the Rigante mountains. He had covered no more than four miles last night. Had he not found Grymauch he might have died in the woods. Berating himself for such foolishness, he returned to the camp. Grymauch was still sitting on a rock, looking off into the distance.
‘Good morning, Uncle,’ said Kaelin.
‘Aye, it is a good one,’ agreed Grymauch. ‘Tell me, did you part friends with Call?’
‘I don’t know. He wasn’t there when I left. He’d gone to the West Hills.’
‘His mother lives there. The man dotes on her. So, what happened?’
Kaelin told him of the fight at the farm, the invitation, and the duel. Grymauch listened quietly. When Kaelin finished he asked: ‘And what are you leaving out?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Finbarr told me the trouble at the farm was caused by you ogling Call’s daughter. Yet not once have you mentioned her. Was she not at the great house?’
‘Aye, she was there.’
‘Was it she who stitched your wounds?’
‘Yes.’
‘I see.’
‘What do you see?’ asked Kaelin, reddening.
‘Not as much as I used to,’ said Grymauch, falling silent. Pulling off the black headscarf he rubbed at the ruined socket.
‘I thought she loved me,’ said Kaelin suddenly. ‘I told her father I wanted to marry her.’ The dam burst then, and the story poured out. He told Grymauch of the bear, and the walk with Chara, the kiss on the mountain top, the swim in the lake. He spoke of his anguish and hurt when she walked away from him, and then left for West Hills without a word of goodbye. ‘I feel like a fool,’ he concluded.
‘Aye, well, it’s fitting then that you should have behaved like one.’
‘You think it was foolish to leave?’
Grymauch laughed. ‘You need no answer to that, Kaelin. Wounded and tired you walk off into a ferocious storm with no real knowledge of the countryside. I’d say that was foolish. You should have told her you loved her, that she was the most precious creature in all the world, and that you could not imagine life without her.’
‘I wish I had.’
‘It’s not too late. We’re only a few miles from the gates.’
Kaelin shook his head. ‘No. I am going back to the farm. If she wants me she can find me there.’
‘What if she doesn’t come, boy?’
‘Then she doesn’t love me, Grymauch.’
Grymauch replaced his headscarf. ‘Perhaps that’s what she’ll think when she finds you left without – as you say – a word of goodbye. If you want to win the girl you’ll need to swallow your pride and say what needs to be said.’
Kaelin thought about it, then he shook his head and smiled. ‘Why is it, Grymauch, that you have never swallowed your pride and told Aunt Maev you love her?’
‘I’m not good enough for her,’ said Jaim simply. ‘Maev is a woman of fire and iron. I’m just a whoring drunkard – and an ugly one to boot. No, ’tis enough for me to be close to her, and help her where I can.’
‘She’s not too good for you, Grymauch. Maybe you should just ask her to wed you.’
‘Now it’s you giving advice, is it? Maybe one day I will, boy. When the time is right.’ He gave a great sigh. ‘I have to say I’d be the proudest man who ever lived if she were to Walk the Tree with me. I love her so much I feel that my heart will burst from it.’
‘That is how I feel about Chara. I feel we are meant to be together.’
‘My, but it is a good feeling, isn’t it?’ said Jaim. ‘Now, which direction should we head?’
‘Back to the farm,’ said Kaelin. ‘I made the decision to leave, and I’ll not make a fool of myself by creeping weakly back to the great house.’
‘Well, I’ve said my piece, so I’ll just walk with you.’
Jaim climbed down from the rock and gathered his cloak. From behind a rock he lifted his massive broadsword, and hung it between his shoulders. He saw Kaelin looking at him.