David Gemmell – Rigante 3 – Ravenheart

‘Good to meet you,’ he managed to say.

‘And you, Kaelin Ring.’ Kaelin looked into the man’s bright blue eyes, and saw the glint of amusement there. Rayster held out his hand and Kaelin shook it. The grip was firm. ‘You’ve the look of the Rigante about you,’ he said. ‘Rare for southerners, I find.’

‘Then you do not know my uncle Jaim Grymauch.’

Rayster chuckled. ‘Oh, I know Grymauch,’ he said. ‘He’s a bull-stealing drunkard, and I love him dearly. But then he’s no southerner. He was born not three miles from here. I have not seen him in many months. I heard though how he thrashed the Varlish fighter. Man, but I would love to have seen that. There’s no better knuckle and skull fighter than Grymauch.’

Kaelin found himself relaxing in the man’s company, though he wished Chara would let go of Rayster’s arm. The other guard was a smaller wiry man. He had a thin, straggly red beard that barely disguised his receding chin. Chara introduced him as Wullis Swainham. Kaelin thrust out his hand. Wullis took it, the handshake soft and swift, then swung away to climb back to the stockade wall.

Both guards were wearing pale blue and green cloaks, chequered with red vertical and horizontal lines, and Rayster also sported a kilt crafted from the same cloth. ‘I thought Rigante colours were outlawed,’ said Kaelin.

‘Aye, they are, but this is not Eldacre, man. This is Black Rigante country. Beetlebacks do not trouble us much now. However, we remain vigilant. There’s always talk of some force or other on its way to wipe us out. They are not foolish, though, these Varlish. Take a look around you. This pass is one of only three routes into our stronghold. It is guarded – as are the others – and great would be the loss of men among the attacking company. The pass narrows and climbs, and we have traps all the way along it. Aye, and two cannon, both equipped for canister shot.’

‘What is that?’

‘The Varlish developed it. Hundreds of tiny lead balls fired with a single charge. One blast could wipe out scores of attackers. My guess is they’ll leave us alone for a little while yet.’ He swung to Chara, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Kaelin quelled his anger and looked away. ‘Time for you to take our guest up to the great house,’ said Rayster. ‘I’ll see you at the feast.’

Chara led Kaelin further up the trail. As Rayster had said the pass narrowed, the walls on either side sheer. It was a hard climb in places. At the top was a second set of gates, and behind them two large cannon with fluted barrels. The sentries here merely waved from the wall as the two walked on.

From here the pass opened out, and Kaelin saw a beautiful valley spreading out below them. There were small lakes, and a wide ribbon of a river. A water mill had been constructed on its banks, the settlement close by. The houses were well built, of stone and timber, and herds of cattle grazed on the flanks of the foothills. Kaelin drank in the scene.

‘This is my home,’ said Chara.

‘It is near as lovely as you,’ he heard himself say. ‘And not a Varlish in sight.’

‘This is only part of our lands. Across the mountains all the way to the coast there are settlements.’ She moved closer and touched his arm. ‘See there,’ she said, pointing, ‘that is my father’s house.’ He glanced down and saw a large circular structure built of grey stone. It had crenellated ramparts and looked more like a fort than a house.

‘It was once a keep,’ said Chara. ‘Built by the Varlish three hundred years ago. It even has dungeons, but my father uses them to store uisge casks.’

‘Is Rayster your intended?’ he asked her suddenly.

‘Why do you ask?’

‘Is he or not?’ he snapped.

‘He is not,’ she retorted sharply. ‘Though it is none of your concern.’

Kaelin struggled for calm. ‘You are right. I am sorry. I don’t know what’s the matter with me. Must be the mountain air,’ he added, lamely.

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