Pagan Siege (Tribes of Britain Book 5) by Sam Taw (10 best novels of all time TXT) 📕

“We are.”

“Then we should bind our families by blood.” He flicked his fingers, beckoning the two young women to the far end of the bridge. One was fair and pretty, one was dark, with a pinched face and a glower that could sour milk. Both had a sullen demeanour.

Tallack looked back over his shoulder at me as though searching for guidance. Hadn’t the poor dolt understood what was being asked of him? I shrugged my response. Only he could decide on taking a wife, even if the notion was thrust upon him unexpectedly.

“Show me my men first. When I can see that they are as you say, we can talk about further deals another time.”

Fane sucked his teeth. He barked out orders to a younger version of himself; a broad lad with the swagger of a clan leader. I took him to be one of their Chieftain’s sons, although neither of the leaders were at the stage in the alliance where cordial introductions were possible. With the presentation of the two young women, I sensed that might follow in haste.

The warrior stuck two fingers into his mouth and whistled to his men. Within moments, Ren and Massen were brought in front of the line of Duros. Their wrists were tied, their ankles bound with just enough slack to allow a painful shuffle towards the bridge. Both were gaunt and weak, but Ren looked to have suffered the most. He was a lean and sinewy man before his captivity. Massen could afford to lose a little bulk. His fondness for fatty meats served him well.

I scanned my friend from top to toe. There were no evidence of bruises nor cuts. Apart from their extreme loss of fitness, they were indeed unharmed.

Tallack nodded at our warriors who both attempted a smile at their Chief.  “Good.” He kicked the flanks of his horse, urging it forward until he was within reaching distance of Fane. “The tin, as promised.” My nephew held out the bag of ingots to the Duro Chief. One of our warriors hopped down from his horse to cut Ren and Massen’s bindings as they hobbled over the central line of the bridge.

My relief was profound. I hurried to my friend and offered him my arm for support before remembering that everyone was watching. He had his dignity and reputation to uphold and I had revealed my feelings.

My face flushed hot as I resisted the urge to fuss over him. “Are you in any pain? I have resin or willow, whichever you prefer.”

Renowden stopped at my side, looked down at me and smiled. “It’s good to see you too, Mel.”

My chest swelled and tightened. What was wrong with me? I was giddy with emotion.

Before we could all turnabout and leave, Fane put his ambition forward more forcefully. “Chief Tallack. In the spirit of friendship, I must insist that you take my daughter as your wife. It will cement our alliance for generations to come.”

He was right, although having been in a similar situation myself in my youth, I pitied the man’s offspring. Those bindings made through fondness and affection were more successful and long lasting than those forced upon them, as recent history would attest. We all froze on the bridge awaiting Tallack’s answer.

He pulled on the reins of his horse until he was facing upstream across the bridge. “I understand your urgency, Chief and I will give it serious thought. You will have my answer by midsummer.” From his tone of voice, it was clear that Tallack meant to conclude matters once and for all.

Fane let out a noisy breath. He was not appeased. “Then I have another request to make of you.”

This was rapidly turning into an untenable situation. The man had kept his word but the alliance was far from an easy one.

Tallack held Fane’s gaze. “Name it, by all means, Chief. If I can accommodate your wishes, it shall be done.”

“We are in need of a healer.”

Tallack glanced back at me and my stomach lurched. “We have only one who is skilled in the arts of medicine and I cannot spare…”

“I understand, Chief. You made that apparent during our last meeting. My request is that you take my niece. Step forward girl.” He barked at the dour girl with the puckered face. “If your healer can take her as an apprentice, I’d be most grateful.”

Tallack’s tense shoulders lowered, slackening the rigid frown lines in his face. “Of course. My aunt would be delighted to be of service, wouldn’t you Aunt Mel?”

I closed my eyes and sighed. Would my trials ever end? “If it pleases you, Chief, certainly.” There was nothing else I could say. The surly girl huffed and puffed her discontent as she made her way across the bridge. I narrowed my eyes at the wretched creature as she passed me. There was not a hint of compliance in her manner whatsoever. No doubt this was foisted upon the girl against her wishes. At least she was not to be wed to a stranger, unlike her poor cousin on the opposite bank. The fair-haired young woman seemed mightily relieved by Tallack’s reluctance to bind with her. I could tell from Fane’s expression that this would not mark an end to his requests and demands.

In that moment, I chose to focus on my friend Ren and his poor state of health. She would require firmer handling than a skittish horse and I was ill prepared for the task. Ren and Massen had just enough strength to mount the ponies unaided. I stayed close by their sides, passing water bladders and bread, cheese and whatever else I’d had the presence of mind to pack.

Both were ravenous, but their stomachs had shrunk from lack of food. I wrapped what they couldn’t force down and kept it handy for the ride back to camp. Ren perked up a little when he’d had time to digest. I told him