Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The flickering light guided the punt toward the island. It had taken the men longer to reach Athelney than Brecc had hoped, but he was deeply grateful that their journey was finally nearing an end. A few hours later than he'd anticipated was far better than a full day or two.

Standing on the small platform at the back of the punt, Lufian gave the pole in his hands a sharp twist and then pulled. With a reluctant squelch, the mud beneath the water relinquished the long shaft. Lufian raised it clear of the water, waiting until their forward momentum slowed before dropping the pole into the water again. He pushed against the pole, and the boat glided on.

"You have become an expert punter, Lufian," Rheged said. "We are fortunate that Brecc did not insist on taking charge of the pole this evening. We may have all taken a dip before reaching the island."

It was a poor attempt at levity. Brecc's skill with the punt was not so lacking as all that. But given how tired the men were, Brecc could not fault Rheged for trying. And truth be told, he would rather listen to them tease him about his inexpert performance with the punt pole than to lie in the bottom of the boat dwelling on the seriousness of his leg injury.

"If we each arrive on the island with dry feet, I shall consider my captaining the punt a success," Lufian said.

"Do not blame yourself if I enter the cottage trailing water behind me," Brecc said. "I am not sure this leg of mine will sustain an elegant exit when we dock."

"He has been riding so long, he wishes to remain at one with his mount," Rheged said, turning to watch the four horses swimming after the punt.

At the front of the craft, Bertwin chuckled. It was no secret that they'd each been more than happy to dismount when they'd reached the marsh. Two full days in the saddle was too long for any man.

"Looks like it's Radolf who's come to meet us," he said.

"Once again, fortune has smiled upon us," Rheged said dryly.

The darkness hid the humor in Brecc's eyes. "I am glad you think so."

"But of course. Who amongst us would not wish to be welcomed home by an ill-tempered guard?"

"Who goes there?" Radolf's voice filled the short distance.

"Rheged, Brecc, Bertwin, and Lufian," Rheged called back.

The flaming torch moved in a slow arc. Keeping his eyes on the light, Lufian steered the punt left. An instant later, it thudded against the bank.

"Nicely done, Lufian," Brecc said.

Bracing himself against the pole, Lufian gave him an acknowledging nod. "I'll keep it as steady as I can whilst you alight."

"Truly, Lufian's concern for our feet is remarkable." With one foot on the end of the punt and the other on the shore, Rheged straddled the water below.

Placing his weight on his uninjured leg, Brecc pushed himself upright. The punt rocked, and he took a moment to steady himself. Behind him, Bertwin had taken charge of the ropes attached to the horses. The animals were splashing impatiently, but Brecc knew Bertwin was waiting on him. Pushing past the discomfort, Brecc limped to the front of the punt, and Rheged grasped his arm.

"One firm step is all it will take," Rheged said.

"One, I can do. Firm, I cannot promise."

"Then simply do one," Rheged said. "I shall be behind you."

With no desire to delay the challenge, Brecc leaped onto the bank. He landed on his strong leg. It held his weight, but his balance was off, and without thought, he lowered his wounded leg to make up the difference. Pain shot from his knee to his hip. His leg buckled, and he lunged for a nearby shrub. The branches dug into his fingers, but they held him. He took two deep breaths.

"You are on dry ground." Rheged appeared at his side and took his arm again, this time to pull him upright. "The rest will be easy."

The horses were scrambling up the bank around him, and water was spraying from their glistening bodies.

"Could you not have released the animals one at a time," Radolf grumbled. He was holding the torch aloft to protect it from the unanticipated shower.

"We are happy to see you again too, Radolf," Rheged said.

Before the older ealdorman could respond, Lufian and Bertwin appeared in the circle of torchlight.

"I have tied up the punt," Lufian said. "It's the second one."

Over the last few weeks, the king's men had acquired three punts. They endeavored to have at least one available on each shore.

"Has the king returned?" Brecc asked.

"Not yet," Radolf said. "Odda and his men arrived this morning. They brought the other punt in."

"Were they successful?"

"Two Viking parties ambushed, stolen coins and merchandise returned to their original owners, and Guthrum's campsite ransacked." Radolf offered a rare, craggy smile. "To hear Odda tell it, word of the raids is spreading rapidly throughout Wessex."

"As it should be," Rheged said.

Radolf eyed Brecc's leg. His bloodied hose and obvious limp were impossible to miss. "What of you?"

"We accomplished what we set out to do," Brecc said. Details could come later. For now, his priority was to finally attend to his wound.

As though he'd followed Brecc's train of thought, Rheged gathered the reins to his horse and Brecc's. "Lufian, Bertwin, and I will take care of the mounts," he said. "Go to the cottage and see to your leg."

Brecc took a few limping steps. "At the rate I am moving, you might reach it before me regardless."

"If I do, I shall make sure there is water ready."

Brecc grimaced. He'd likely have to soak his hose just to pull it away from his damaged skin. And if his current discomfort was any indication, he was not in for a pleasant sight when the wound was exposed.

Holding the flaming torch aloft, Radolf led the way across the grass toward the horse enclosure. The other men guided the horses after him. Brecc followed more slowly. He was passing by the enclosure when Rheged's raised voice caused him to stop.

"Radolf! What is my mare doing in here?"

The older man scratched his head. "Why, you just put her in yourself."

"Not that one." There was something in Rheged's tone that caused Brecc to deviate toward the horse enclosure. "This one!"

Rheged was standing inside the gate. The horses the men had just released had wandered farther into the paddock and were already grazing. Another horse had approached Rheged and was nudging his arm with her nose. Brecc grasped the closest fence post and leaned on it to watch. Rheged had only ever owned one horse that singled him out in such a way. And he'd not seen it since he and the queen had fled the royal estate in Chippenham.

"Is it truly Bracken?" Brecc asked.

"Of course it is." Rheged ran his hand down the mare's neck before swinging back to face Radolf. "But how?"

"He came with the young lad who arrived an hour or two before you."

"What young lad?" Brecc asked.

"Avi, he said his name was. Edris brought him over on his boat. The lad insisted that he had a message for Brecc that was of utmost importance."

"And you're only now telling me of this?"

Radolf glared at him. "It seemed like you had more pressing matters—like a wounded leg—to see to first."

"I appreciate your concern," Brecc said, "but in the future, I wish to be told such things immediately so that I might decide for myself which should take priority." He shifted the weight onto his uninjured limb. "Tell me more about the fellow. Did he indicate where he came from?"

"Trowbridge."

Trowbridge! Brecc pushed himself off the fence. "Where is he now?"

"Resting in the tent under the pine tree. After he got here, bedding down for the night was about all he was good for."

Brecc was already hobbling across the short distance that separated them from the tent. Behind him, Rheged shut the gate, and by the time Brecc reached the small shelter, his friend was at his side.

Brecc banged his hand on the side of the wool cloth. "Show yourself," he called.

There was a soft moan and then a rustle. The flaps to the tent twitched, and a young man crawled out, his head covered by the hood of his cloak and his body wrapped in a blanket.

"Forgive me." The voice was bleary. "I was asleep."

"Who are you, and how did you come to have my horse?" Rheged asked.

Stumbling to his feet, the lad turned to face him. "Rheged!" he gasped.

"Remember your place, boy," Radolf growled. "It's Ealdorman Rheged to you."

The stranger pulled back his hood, and by the light of Radolf's torch, Brecc caught the shimmer of copper-colored hair. His heart thudded in his chest. It could not be. But the newcomer was the same build as the woman who so often filled his dreams, and who else would know exactly where to find him?

"Aisley." Her name escaped his lips before he'd formulated another thought.

She swung around. "Brecc!" Tears filled her green eyes. "You are here."

He took an unsteady step toward her, and her gaze flew to his leg.

"You are hurt!"

"It is nothing."

"Do not believe him," Rheged said. "He was injured two days ago, and I pray that despite your curious garb, you brought your remedies with you."

"I do have them." Aisley disappeared into the small tent, and Brecc barely had time to scowl at Rheged before she reappeared carrying a leather satchel. "I have much to tell you, but it can wait until I have treated your wound."

Brecc shook his head and reached for her hand. "I do not wish to wait. You can tell me whilst you tend my leg."

"I do not understand." Radolf looked from one to the other. "Who is this person?"

"Radolf, may I introduce Aisley, daughter of Ealdorman Kendryek of Wiltshire," Rheged said.

Still holding Brecc's hand, she inclined her head toward Radolf. "Forgive my deception, sire. My errand is of so sensitive a nature, I could trust my true identity to no one but Brecc or Rheged."

"A young lady." Radolf almost choked on the words.

"A rather remarkable young lady," Brecc said, tightening his grip on her hand.

Radolf bowed. "I beg your pardon, mistress. I would not have treated you so harshly had I known."

"You treated her harshly?" Brecc tensed. "What in the name of all that is good did you do to her, Radolf?"

"I ..." The older man appeared distinctly uncomfortable.

"He took his duties as guard seriously," Aisley said, coming to his rescue. "He also offered me a place to rest and brought me some pottage."

"Just so." Radolf and the light he bore inched away. "And I'd best go back to watching the water."

Aisley was obviously glossing over some significant and damaging details. A quick look at Rheged's frowning face told Brecc that his friend's opinion mirrored his own. But if Aisley was willing to overlook Radolf's inhospitable behavior, Brecc would let it go. For now.

"Very well." Brecc turned the other way. "We shall go to the cottage. My slow pace will likely give you time to tell us how you arrived here before we enter."

"And how you came to have my mare," Rheged added.

"Is she truly yours?" The warmth of her response was discernible. "In the madness of the Viking attack on the royal estate, she was given to me as a means of escape. I always wondered who her rightful owner was. She has been well cared for at Trowbridge, but I am sure she has missed you."

"I have missed her," Rheged said with feeling.

"Then I am especially glad you have been reunited."

"As am I," Brecc said, "but I should like to hear the story behind your arrival here. From the beginning, if you please."

"The beginning." All trace of pleasure disappeared. "Remarkably, that was not so very long ago. Two days, to be precise. But so much has happened since then ..." Her voice faded to nothing.

This was going to be difficult for her. He felt it. "Take as much time as you need. If you would rather wait until we are situated indoors, we can do that."

"Aye," Rheged said. "And if you need a distraction in the cottage, Brecc's fine-looking leg will surely provide you with one."

Brecc was not sure who was most fortunate: Rheged because he was not close enough for Brecc to punch him or Brecc himself because the darkness covered his flaming face. "Ignore him, Aisley."

"Or mayhap it would be better to use him," she said. "Once mixed, some of my salves are excessively pungent in the worst possible ways. We could place him in charge of holding the bowl whilst we talk."

"I politely but firmly decline the assignment," Rheged said.

"Understandable, although most ungallant," Aisley said.

Brecc could not help but chuckle. Aisley's ease with his friend's ridiculous banter was refreshing. Whether or not he benefited from her gift of healing, this evening was improved simply because she was there.