‘It was a good hiding-place.’
‘But it wasn’t,’ insisted Gaelen. ‘It was out in the open, and had they looked down they would surely have seen me.’
‘That’s why it was good. When they attacked their blood was up. They were moving fast, thinking fast, seeing fast. You understand? They didn’t examine the clearing, they scanned it swiftly, making judgements at speed. The bush was small and, as you say, in plain sight. It offered little cover and was the last place, so they believed, that anyone would choose as a hiding place. Therefore they ignored it. Similarly that made it the best place to hide in.’
‘I see that,’ said Gaelen, ‘but what if they had stopped to examine the clearing?’
‘Then you would probably have been slain,’ said Caswallon. ‘It could have happened—but the odds were vastly against it. Most men react to situations of violence – or threatened violence – by animal instinct. Understanding that instinct allows an intelligent man to win nine times out of ten.’
Gaelen grinned. ‘I do understand,’ he said. ‘That’s why when you raided the Pallides you chose to hide in the village itself. You knew they would expect you to flee their lands at speed, and so they raced from their village to catch you.’
‘Ah, you’ve been listening to the tales of my wicked youth. I hope you learn from them.’
‘I am learning,’ agreed Gaelen. ‘But why did you choose the house of Intosh to hide in? He is the Sword Champion of the Pallides, and everyone says he is a fearsome opponent.”
‘He is also a widower with no children. No one would be in the house.’
‘So you had it planned even before you did it. You must have scouted the village first.’
‘Always have a plan, Gaelen, Always.
Later, as they sat on the hillside above Caswallon’s house, awaiting the call to the midday meal, Caswallon asked the boy how he was settling in with the other lads in the small village.
‘Very well,’ Gaelen told him guardedly.
‘No problems?”
‘None that I can’t handle.”
‘Of that I have no doubt. How do they compare with the boys of Ateris?’
Gaelen smiled. ‘In the city I used to watch them play games: Hunt-seek, Spider’s folly, Shadowman. Here they play nothing. They are so serious. I like that . .. but I always wanted to join in back in Ateris.’
Caswallon nodded. ‘You joined us a little late for children’s games, Gaelen. Here in the mountains a boy becomes a man at sixteen, free to wed and make his own life. It is not easy. Two in five babes die before their first birthday, and few are the men who reach fifty years of age. Childhood passes more swiftly here. Have you teamed yet for the Hunt next week?’
‘Yes, I travel with Gwalchmai, Lennox and Layne.’
‘Fine boys,’ said Caswallon, ‘although Gwalchmai is a little timid, I think. Are you content with the teaming?’
‘Yes. We are meeting today to plan the Run.”
‘What problems will you face?’
‘Lennox is strong, but no runner. We may not beat Agwaine’s team to the first tree.’
‘Speed is not everything,” said Caswallon.
‘I know.’
‘Which of you will lead?’
‘We’re deciding that this afternoon – but I think it will be Layne.’
‘Logical. Layne is a bright fellow.’
‘Not as bright as Agwaine,’ said Gaelen.
‘No, but you are. You should enjoy yourselves.’
‘Did you lead when you ran in the Hunt?’
‘No. Cambil led.’
‘Did you win?’
‘Yes.’
‘Was Cambil a good leader?’
‘In his way. He still is. And he has been a good Hunt Lord for the Farlain.’
‘But he doesn’t like you, Caswallon. Everyone knows that.’
‘You shouldn’t listen to idle chatter. But you are right. He doesn’t like me – but then he has good cause. Three years ago I robbed him of something. I didn’t mean to, but it worked out that way, and he has not forgotten.’
‘What did you steal?’ asked Gaelen.
‘I didn’t actually steal anything. I just refused to stand against him
for the position of Hunt Lord. I didn’t want the role. So he was voted to it by the elders.’