The returning trio reached the house. Kaelin waved at her and took Banny inside. Jaim strolled across to the well, and dipped a gourd into the bucket. ‘I have washed my hands in that,’ said Maev.
‘Then it will taste all the sweeter,’ answered Jaim, with a grin. He took a long drink. ‘He will be quite a swordsman,’ he said. ‘He moves well, and he is fearless.’
‘A useless talent for a clansman these days,’ she observed.
‘Times change,’ said Jaim. ‘There’s talk of unrest in the south. The king is not popular in all quarters. Only last month I heard merchants talking of the risk of civil war. A nice thought, eh, all those Varlish killing one another?’
‘It is never nice to think of killing. I only ever killed one man -and I can still see his face.’
‘He deserved killing,’ said Jaim, his face darkening. ‘He murdered Gian.’
‘Aye, he did. Let’s talk no more of killing. So, will you be coming with us to the feast?’
‘You want me to?’
‘I don’t care, Grymauch. But I’ll not have you shaming me again by getting drunk. If you come you must promise to avoid the brandy tents.’
‘I shall give you that promise, Maev. There’ll be little time for drinking. I plan to enter the bouts.’
Maev took a deep breath, seeking to calm the angry words she felt clawing their way towards her throat. ‘Do you never learn, Grymauch? There’ll be Varlish in the tourney this year. Champions, I’m told. Men who make their living by stalking the circle.’
‘I can handle them.’
Her left hand whipped into his cheek, the slap sounding like a distant gunshot. Jaim stepped back, his face angry. ‘By heaven, you go too far!’ he shouted.
‘Do you still not understand, Grymauch?’ she said softly. ‘You did not see the blow coming. You are blind in one eye. I can understand how a clumsy clansman might not take advantage of it in a friendly feast bout, but a Varlish fighting man? He’ll whip in hooks and crosses and turn your face to pulp.’
Jaim stood silently for a moment. ‘Aye, there’s truth in that. But the bastard will have to be on his feet to do it.’ He bunched his fist. ‘You know what this is? It’s the Rigante Hammer. I’d like to see the Varlish who can stand against it. It strikes like thunder and brings only darkness.’ Suddenly he winked at her. ‘And if you ever strike me again, woman, I swear I’ll put you over my knee and let the hammer fall on your buttocks.’
Her hand flashed out. Jaim caught her wrist. ‘Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.’
‘Let go of me, you lummox.’
‘Only if you promise not to hit me.’
Maev did not struggle, but she glared at him. Jaim grinned and released her arm. ‘Will you place a bet on me, Maev?’
‘I do not gamble, Grymauch. But I’ll place a cold compress on your bleeding face at the close. I promise you that.’
He held to her arm for a moment more, and she felt the power in his grip. His expression changed, and, just for a heartbeat, he seemed wistful. Then he let her go, and they stood together in awkward silence. It seemed to Maev that Grymauch was struggling for the right words.
Then Kaelin called out from the kitchen. ‘You greedy hog, Grymauch. You ate the whole pie!’
Jaim turned towards the lad and grinned. ‘And mighty fine it was too. Though I am a little peckish now.’ Grymauch strolled towards the house.
Maev rubbed at her wrist. She could still feel where his fingers had held her.
On the outskirts of Eldacre was the common land known as Five Fields. It was only nominally common land these days, for much of it was permanently fenced ready for the four major feast days of the Sacrifice calendar. The fencing had been installed more than thirty years ago, effectively segregating Varlish townsfolk from the clans. Stewards patrolled the entrances to each section, preventing any Pannone from entering the wrong enclosure.
Mulgrave had arrived early, to ensure that the Moidart would be as secure as possible against assassination. He interviewed the officers of the lord’s guard, making them aware of all necessary precautions. ‘Watch the crowd always,’ he told the assembled soldiers. ‘Ensure that no-one comes within twenty feet of the lord. Watch especially for those with very pale faces. When a man is about to commit an act of premeditated murder his blood runs cold, and his features whiten. Watch also the hands of those closest to the lord. If they slip inside their cloaks or coats, move to block their view of the lord.’