Still, one thing he had learned early was that you never allow the enemy to dictate the pace of the game. ‘Well, don’t just stand there,’ he told Agwaine, forcing a grin, ‘Teach this wolf pup the lesson you have planned.’
‘What?’ said Agwaine, momentarily taken aback.
‘It’s obvious that you and your mongrel playmates have already decided how this game is going to be played, so let’s be at it. Here, I’ll make it easy for you.’ Casually he stepped forward and then, with a lack of speed that dulled Agwaine’s reflexes, punched the other boy full in the face, toppling him backwards to the grass.
Gaelen drew his knife and leaped back as the other youths surged to their feet. Agwaine shook his head and slowly rose, eyes glittering. He too drew a knife.
‘I’ll kill you for that, outlander,’ he said. His face was set and he moved forward, perfectly in balance. The other youths drew their blades, spreading out in a half-circle.
That’s enough!’ said the tall young man Gaelen had seen sitting apart from the others. Walking forward, he stood by Gaelen. ‘In fact it is more than enough. The joke has soured, Agwaine.’ Another figure moved to the other side of Gaelen; he was enormous, towering above all the other youths.
‘Do not interfere,’ Agwaine warned them. ‘I mean to cut his heart out.’
‘Move behind me,’ Layne told Gaelen.
‘I’m not afraid of him.’
‘Move behind me!’ The voice was not raised, and yet had great authority. Even so, Gaelen’s anger was so great now that he was ready to refuse. Then the giant laid a massive hand on his shoulder and Gaelen felt the power in the grip.
‘Best do as he says,’ said the huge youth softly. ‘Layne’s usually right.’
Gaelen obeyed and Layne stepped forward until his stomach pressed against Agwaine’s dagger.
‘Do you really want to kill me, cousin?’ he asked.
‘You know I will not.’
Then think on it. The boy did well. He knew you planned to thrash him and he took you all on; he has courage. It would not be fitting to punish him now – would it?’
Agwaine sheathed his blade. ‘He is a lowlander, and I will never accept him. Neither will my friends. He will be shunned by all who follow me.’
‘I’ll not shun him, Agwaine. Neither will Lennox.’
Then you are my friend no longer. Let’s go!’ he told the others. As they trooped away Gwalchmai hung back, but Draig spotted him and called out.
‘I’ll see you later,’ Gwalchmai replied.
Draig trotted back to his side. ‘You can’t stay here,’ he said. ‘You heard what Agwaine said.’
‘I stay with my friends,’ said Gwalchmai.
‘You’re a fool, Gwal. No good will come of it.’ Draig strode off.
Gaelen slid the knife back in its sheath. The tall youth with the dark hair and grey eyes turned to him, holding out his hand.
‘I am Layne, son of Leofas,’ he said. This is my brother Lennox and my cousin Gwalchmai.’
Gaelen shook hands with them all. ‘Why did you do this for me?” he asked.
‘It wasn’t for you, it was for Agwaine,’ Layne told him.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Agwaine is a fine friend and a brave one,’ said Layne. ‘He acted in anger and would have regretted slaying you. He is not evil, not malicious. But he has the conceit of his father and he loves to lead.’
‘I have caused you trouble. For that I am sorry.’
Layne shook his head. ‘You caused nothing. It was not you they were seeking to humble, but your father. Caswallon is not liked.’
‘Why?’
‘It is not for me to prattle on with gossip. I like Caswallon but others do not, and among the clans such matters usually end in bloodshed and family feuds. We are a violent race, Gaelen, as you have discovered.”
‘Caswallon is not violent.’
‘Indeed he is not. But he has the capacity for it, as you saw in the mountains with the Aenir.’
‘You heard of that?’
‘Who has not? My father led the hunters that escorted them from the Farlain.’
The lads settled themselves on the grass, enjoying the sunshine. Lennox and the ginger-haired Gwalchmai said little.