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

had been selling our tin and setting up his own trade partners all along. Before we could express our disgust at this latest betrayal, Nectan veered off the beach and began yomping up and over the dunes.

“This way. It’s not as steep as climbing the cliff face.” He yelled back over his shoulder. Our warriors ran after him, worried that it was a trick to escape. I wasn’t so sure. After all that he’d told us, I was starting to trust the man. Ren lingered behind, helping me over the slippery sections of loose sand until we could scramble onto a well-worn track up to the cliff path.

After a short but steep walk, Nectan pointed out the spot where the trickle of water ran over the rocks. The exertion of climbing made us all sweat, but the faint breeze and clean air restored us in no time. Ren filled our bladders while I splashed myself with the chilled water. It was good to wash the filth of burnt huts and sick men from my skin. More than anything I wanted to strip off and roll about in the cool stream, but there was no time to waste. I had to stew the mullein to give to those in pain.

Ren pushed the stoppers into the necks of the bladders and cupped his hands in the spring. As he brought the sparkly water to his mouth, he stopped and looked up at Nectan. “You say that there are three water sources in the tunnels?”

“Yeah, but one has practically dried up. I’ve never seen such a dry summer as this season in my life. Old shafts that were abandoned from previous flooding are now bone dry.” Nectan said. “Makes it much easier to travel between the valley and the gorge, I can tell you.”

The jolly fellow had no idea why we were smiling and Ren and I were not about to tell him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

There was much to prepare and all had to be done with the utmost care and timing. Our men, and indeed our headstrong Chief, needed a lesson in stealth and there was only one person among us who excelled in that department. The problem we faced was that she was both female and a youngster herself. The men may have treated Senara as one of their own on the Long Hut benches, drinking ale and singing bawdy songs, it was quite another matter taking advice about strategy from her.

Ren and I discussed as much as we could on our way back from the cliff side spring, quizzing Nectan over the position of the tunnels with the steepest inclines and those which housed the greatest numbers of Alchemists. By the time we were back with Tallack on the beach, Ren was able to explain his idea to the warriors in some detail by adding to the map in the sand.

I hovered at the side of my nephew, wondering how well he would receive the plan, it having come from Ren instead of being a product of his own mind. He certainly looked pensive and fraught. Ever since his lover was skinned and left hanging in the woods to taunt him, Tallack had become broody and unapproachable. I guess that was to be expected, but I did miss the light-hearted boy he used to be. Responsibility and grief make martyrs of us all.

The Chief listened and watched as Ren scored the sand with the stick, naming who among the men he thought suitable for each of the tasks ahead. When it came to Senara’s part in the scheme, the men blew out air over their teeth. No doubt they all thought themselves to be her equal or better, but Ren and I knew that only she had the requisite skills and without her, the entire enterprise would fail. There was a long moment of tense, nervous silence as we all eyed one another in the circle. Senara kept her sight on the Chief, despite the seething stares all around her.

At length, Tallack looked down at the map, rubbing his forehead absently as he thought. “This will take a number of days to arrange.” He said without averting his gaze. No one spoke while we awaited his decision. Eventually, he turned to face Senara. “You really think you can do what Ren is suggesting?”

There was not a moment of hesitation. She nodded her head with vigour. “I can, Chief.”

“It’ll take courage and accuracy…”

“I understand and I’m ready. I won’t let you down.” She adjusted the strap of her quiver across her chest and held her head high. There was something about this young warrior girl that defied explanation. Was it her dogged determination or her unfailing loyalty that inspired confidence? I wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, Tallack saw it too.

The Chief smiled. “I believe you. Everyone, get to work.”

It was like a pall of gloom had lifted from the beach. Occupation lightened the moods of all the men, even the discontented and envious ones. They glared and scowled whenever they caught sight of Senara, but the hope of victory spurred them on to work late into the night. Ren insisted that the majority of the tasks were carried out at the farthest reaches of the valley, so as not to alert any of the Alchemists hiding in the gorge about our plan.

The horses took the brunt of the heavy lifting, dragging lumber into position. Without Kewri and our fallen men, everything took twice as long to accomplish. Senara chose to make her own preparations away from camp alone. I can’t say that I blame her given the importance of her part and the animosity that it stirred up with the men. I suspected that she also needed time to practice her skills. So much relied on her success.

My duty lay with the injured. The mullein brew was not as powerful as willow bark in relieving pain and the sea weed wrapping on Kewri’s back failed to reduce the blisters on