Agwaine was content. For him the mission provided an outlet for his grief over the death of his father and a chance to achieve victory for the Farlain. He didn’t know if a Haesten force survived. But if it did, he would find it.
The group moved through Atta forest, past the swelling Aenir corpses and on into the first valley. They moved warily, knowing the Aenir could be close. Only in the high passes, where the woods were thick and welcoming and they trusted their skills above those of the enemy, did they relax.
Towards dusk Lennox scouted out a hollow where they made camp. It was set within a pine wood and circled by boulders and thick bushes. There was a stream nearby and Gaelen lit a small fire. It was a good camp-site and the fire could not be seen outside the ring of trees. Lennox, as always, was hungry, having devoured his three-day rations by noon. The others mocked him as he sat brooding by the fire watching them eat.
Lennox had grown even larger in the last year, his shoulders and arms heavy with muscle, and he now sported a dark beard close-cropped to his chin. Coupled with the brown goatskin jerkin, it created the appearance of a large, amiable bear.
‘We are comrades,’ he pleaded. ‘We should share a little.’
‘I saw some berries on a bush back there,’ said Gwalchmai. ‘I am sure they will prove very tasty.’ He bit into a chunk of oatcake, and swung to Agwaine. ‘I think the honey in these cakes is better this year, don’t you, Agwaine? Thicker. It makes the cakes so succulent.’
‘Decidedly so. It gives them extra flavour.”
‘You’re a bunch of swine,’ said Lennox, pushing himself to his feet.
Laughter followed him as he walked into the darkness in search of berries. The woods were quiet, moon shadows dappling the silver grass. Lennox found the bush and plucked a handful of berries. They served only to heighten his hunger, and he toyed once more with the idea of appealing to his comrades. His stomach rumbled and he cursed softly.
A movement to his right made him turn, dropping into a half crouch with arms spread. He saw a flash of white cloth disappear beneath a bush, and a tiny leg hastily withdrawn.
Lennox ate some more berries and then ambled towards the bush, as if to walk past. As he came abreast of it he lunged down, pulling the child clear. Her mouth opened and her face showed her terror, but no sound came out. Lennox took her in his arms, whispering gentle words and stroking her hair. She clung to the goatskin tunic with her tiny hands clenched tight, the knuckles white as polished ivory.
There, there, little dove. You’re safe. I didn’t mean to frighten you. There, there. Don’t worry about Lennox. He’s big, but he’s not bad. He won’t hurt you, little dove. You’re safe.’ All the while he stroked her head. She burrowed her face into his jerkin, saying nothing.
Lennox made his way back to the camp. Instantly his companions gathered around, plying him with questions. He shushed them to silence. ‘She’s terrified,’ he said, keeping his voice low and gentle. ‘She must have lost her parents in the woods.’ Looking at his comrades, he silently mouthed the words. ‘Probably killed by the Aenir.’
Gwalchmai, always a favourite with children, tried to get the girl to speak, but she pushed her face deeper into Lennox’s jerkin.
‘I have never seen a child so frightened,’ said Agwaine.
“Where are you from?’ whispered Lennox, kissing her head. ‘Tell your uncle Lennox.’ But the child remained silent.
‘I don’t recognise the girl,” he said. ‘Do you, Gwal?”
‘No. She could be Pallides, or Haesten, or even Farlain. Or even a crofter’s daughter from the Outlands.’
‘Well, we can’t take her with us,’ said Ridan. ‘One of us must take her back to Vallon.’
‘I’ll do it in the morning,’ Lennox agreed.
The fire burned low and the companions took to their blankets, ready for an early rise. Lennox sat with his back to a boulder, cuddling the child who had fallen into a deep sleep. He felt good sitting there. Children had never been easy around him – Layne said his great size frightened them – but whatever the reason, it had always hurt Lennox, who loved the young.