Everything seemed to be going well now. His mother had slept for three solid days, but had awoken feeling stronger. She had eaten a good breakfast and it seemed to Banny that there was colour in her cheeks.
‘Don’t think, boy!’ roared Jaim Grymauch. ‘Just do!’
Kaelin leapt at him, cutting and thrusting. Jaim swayed aside. He moved very fast for a big man, parrying Kaelin’s blade and whacking his own against Kaelin’s shoulder. ‘I’d have had your arm off!’ he shouted gleefully. ‘Concentrate now.’
‘How can I concentrate while I’m not supposed to be thinking?’
‘Concentrate on not thinking.’
‘That doesn’t make any sense.’
‘I know, but that’s what old Lanash taught me.’
‘Was he drunk at the time?’
‘He was always drunk.’
‘Is that someone coming up the hill?’ asked Kaelin suddenly.
Jaim turned. Kaelin leapt in and struck him a blow on the buttocks. ‘You cheeky rascal!’ yelled Jaim, and the two began to hack at one another yet again. Banny rolled onto his back and stared up at the sky, wondering what it would be like to have wings like an eagle and soar through the clouds, to look down on the green earth far below, safe from any danger. Would it be cold up there, or warm because you were closer to the sun?
Banny yawned. He had spent the last few days resting, eating and sleeping. It was a strange feeling to be without the call of hunger, or the pressure of the cold, to sleep under warm and heavy blankets, his head resting on a soft pillow. Banny pressed his tongue against his teeth. They were firm now.
Life was good.
The Spring Feast was tomorrow. Banny, who rarely had an opportunity for fine foods – honey-roasted pig, wine-marinated steak, stuffed goose – was looking forward to it. Unfortunately there was a touch of dread within the anticipation. In a crowd someone was bound to pick on him; Luss Campion or Kammel Bard – any one of a dozen Varlish youngsters. He had hoped to spend most of his time with Kaelin, but now his friend was going to the feast with Char a Ward.
Banny sat up and watched Kaelin fight. He moved swiftly and with confidence, unafraid of the pain that would come if Jaim’s wooden sword pierced his defences. Banny wished he too could learn to be unafraid. The two fighters closed in on one another. Jaim tossed his sword away and grabbed Kaelin in a bear hug, and the pair fell to the ground, struggling and laughing.
‘Enough! Enough!’ shouted Jaim, releasing the youngster. The one-eyed warrior sat up and glanced across at Banny. ‘Would you like a try with the swords, lad?’
‘No, thank you, sir,’ answered Banny.
Jaim rose to his feet and wandered across to sit beside him. For a moment Banny remembered the first time he had seen Jaim Grymauch, and the terrible fear that had swept through him. Banny had been very young then – five or six? – he couldn’t remember.
What he did recall was seeing this gigantic creature striding towards their little hut. Grymauch was so ugly that the child thought he must be a demon. His one eye seemed to glare balefully. He had a bulging sack on his shoulder, and Banny had been convinced that the bodies of other little boys were held within it. As Grymauch had approached, Banny had screamed in fear and run for his mother. Hearing his cries, Shula had come from the hut. Seeing Grymauch she had curtseyed. Grymauch had smiled, and, in that moment, Banny’s fear had drained away. The smile was broad and infectious. Even so Banny hid behind his mother’s skirt, peeking out at the giant.
‘I know your man is away seeking work,’ said Grymauch, ‘so I thought you might like a little extra meat.’
‘Thank you, Master Grymauch, but we are doing well.’
‘I didn’t doubt that,’ he said swiftly, ‘but I owe your husband for a small debt, and, having no coin, this was the only way I could think of repaying him.’ Dropping the sack he opened it and drew out a large hank of ham, and several small sacks. ‘There is sugar here, and salt, and a pot of that mustard the Varlish are so fond of. No offence,’ he added.