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

or shelters. Wandering into the largest of them all, I recalled the tense moments from sharing Kenver’s home with Cryda and my old slave, Jago. It was where he helped to deliver the babe, Delen all those moons ago, before the fateful trip to the top of the world where those cruel men took his life. Bitter-sweet emotions distracted me from my task, until I realised that all the men had moved on and left me behind.

They hurried along the river bank, diving into the undergrowth and cutting straight lengths of wood for arrows. Ren was nowhere to be seen, which usually meant that he was hot on the trail of something worthy of roasting for supper. I filled my bag with moss and useful herbs, a little sorrel and burdock root, and then hurried after them along the bank.

Tallack cut through the trees and began scaling the steep incline towards the ridge. I slowed down, hoping that the youngest among them would complete their sweep of the area before I reached the top, thus saving my old knees the bother. He was about three-quarters of the way up the side of the valley when an arrow whistled past Tallack’s ear and thudded into a tree trunk. Massen yelled to take cover, as a second bolt scored a path through the skin of his shoulder, knocking him to the floor. I crouched low behind a large rock, peeping out from its edge.

A third bolt flew and stuck in the ground, but no more. With so few arrows in flight, it was probably just one scout on the trail. That seemed to be my nephew’s assessment too, as he called out from behind the tree.

“Tell Kenver that I’m prepared to talk. Let us speak together like men. This can all be resolved over ale around the fire. We will be waiting for him at the beach.” He yelled it loud enough to be heard in the next valley. We waited for more arrows, but none were fired. After a short time, the sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves told us that the scout was moving fast. With caution, we moved from our cover and hurried back down the slope to the water’s edge. The men caught up with me in no time at all.

“They must be encamped at the top of the ridge.” Massen exclaimed, picking at his shoulder wound. “Why else would they be defending that trail?”

Ren approached with a number of trout suspended from the end of a pole. “What did I miss?”

“A single archer trying to pick a few of us off.” Tallack said, scratching his chin. “What would they be defending up there? Are there any mine shafts in this valley?” He looked at Ren and Massen who both shrugged, and then at me. “Aunt Mel? You spent more time here last winter than any of us. What’s so special about this region?”

I thought about his question for a few moments. I couldn’t recall any signs of tunnels at all. This was the area of the forest where the best timber for props was felled. “Do you think the scout was sent to deliberately misdirect you? If you spend all your time searching here, you are ignoring whatever they are doing in the next valley.”

Ren sucked in his lips to stifle a smile. I probably should have worded it better than that, but I was a bit shaken and keen to be back on the beach.

Tallack nodded slowly. “Go on, Aunt Mel. Tell us where you think they’ll be.”

“Where the tin is, of course, at the top of the next valley where the smelters live. There are a number of shelters not far from the mine entrances. There’s a good water supply and access to the cliff tops.” If I had overstepped my boundaries again, I didn’t care. We were standing in a clearing between the trees. It was not particularly sensible to give the Alchemists another chance to fill us with arrows.

I’d said all I had planned to say. Without waiting for my nephew to make a decision, I turned on my heels and trudged back the way we came. Ren tramped after me, grinning with pride. I wasn’t sure whether it was because of my stand against Tallack, or from his skill at fishing.  At least we would eat well.

Sometime in the afternoon, Tallack announced that we would make use of the empty huts rather than camp out on the beach. I wasn’t sure how happy I was about this declaration. I felt safer on the beach surrounded by guards and fires, but I knew that it was a temporary arrangement. I also knew that there would be little room to spare at full tide when Kitto arrived with all the men and horses. We’d have no choice but to move further inland for water and grazing. How long would this standoff take to resolve?

If Tallack could get to speak directly with Kenver, and a deal struck to avoid conflict, then Kitto could turn about and ride home to the island compound on the River Exe. If not, then who knew how long we would have to stay?

On our way back through the huts, I found Kewri wandering out of the bushes, tying the fastenings of his leggings. How is it that he always needs to move his bowels at the worst possible time? I thrust my water bladder into his arms. “Make yourself useful. Fill up as many bladders as you can carry from the spring just beyond the bridge on the opposite side of the river. The track is well worn so you should find it without trouble.”

“But…” He curled his lip in confusion, pointing to the fresh water tributary flowing into the main river.

“No buts, my lad. We need water straight from the rocks. I’m not falling for the whole tainted water supply again.” As I said it, Tallack walked by, chucking his water bladder to Kewri.

“Fill mine too.” The Chief