Path of the Spirit Runner

Brothers

Brothers~

Nathalyan Callan

Dundarien, Aleron

Nate dangled his feet off the best perch in Dundarien. The tall, ivy-covered wall kept kitchen gardens and squawking guineas away from the manicured courtyard and stretched all the way to the gate towers. It made the perfect spot for watching the comings and goings.

Aleron’s conclave would begin tomorrow, and the Hawks were flocking together.

The conclave was a time to settle disputes, reaffirm loyalties, and go at each other in another round of fierce competition. The size of the gathering meant only the largest estates in Aleron could host its numbers. This year was Dundarien’s turn, the one place as familiar to Nate as his home at Glenayre.

Hawks had been converging for days. Dundarien’s extra rooms were overflowing with clan chiefs, elders, and close kin, and the colorful patchwork of tents crowding the courtyard held even more guests. Dundarien hummed with their music and laughter.

Nate could almost taste the undercurrent of pride and defiance. In a hard-fought concession won in the People’s House, the conclave was officially beyond the reach of Litchfield’s enforcers and the Prophet’s inspectors. Men wore the banned clan breclans without harassment from the Red Watch. Hawks sang the old ballads in Aurelic without the threat of fines. Every man, woman, and child here could name heroes lost at b****y Bend, and whispers of rebellion kept their memories alive.

His kin were everywhere, some who shared the Callan name and many more who didn’t. Nate could match the names with the heraldry on nearly all the red and black banners passing through the gates. He’d spotted Dunbar, Elliott, and Quinn already this morning. He stretched his neck for a better look at the latest arrivals.

“Gregor,” he said and jabbed his brother Cade with his elbow. “I called it first.”

Nate got up and trotted along the top of the wall. The capstones made it just wide enough to run without the indignity of wobbling his arms for balance.

“I wasn’t playing.” Cade followed. “It’s not fair if you use farsight.”

“Farsight doesn’t tell me what name goes with the banner. That’s the game, and I won.” He quickened his pace. “I’m faster, too.”

“I’m not racing. Your legs are longer.”

A pair of blue-eyed collies cavorted at the base of the wall, barking up at them. Ranger never strayed far from Nate’s side, and Rosco followed Cade like a shadow. Dogs had always been a part of his life, but herding was a dull competition. The sword tournament was the one that really mattered.

He wondered if this was Bishop Gregor’s big family from Jorendon. They always brought plenty of good competition. He got close enough to recognize faces.

“Yep, it’s the bishop’s bunch,” he said, counting heads. “Fourteen of them this year.”

As the Gregors filed into the courtyard, Nate kept pace with them atop the wall. A shrill whistle called his attention back to the gate. Cade was still there, watching the next group of riders approach.

“Gruder,” Cade shouted. “Called it first.”

“Piss,” he muttered. Gruder was the banner he’d been waiting all morning to see. He hurried back to his brother.

“Gruder of Medloch Manor,” said Nate. “You didn’t say the whole thing.”

“You didn’t say Gregor of Jorendon, either.”

“Jorendon isn’t an Aleron estate. Doesn’t count.”

“The game’s saying what name goes with the banner,” said Cade. “You’re changing the rules.”

“It’s my game.”

Nate scanned the Gruders, looking for Duncan. This was the first year they were both old enough to enter the tournament with real steel. Even blunted, the tourney swords could raise a fine purple welt. Much better than fighting with wood.

Lord Aengus barked out orders. Duncan slid off his horse and nodded, acknowledging whatever he was supposed to do. Edgar climbed down to help. Edgar was Cade’s age. Two younger children whose names Nate couldn’t remember shared a horse. The twins were closer to Rory’s age. This was the first conclave they’d been old enough to come to.

Lord Aengus helped his wife down. He smoothed her dark hair as if she were a child.

“Rosalee has a room ready for you. Go with Peg, now. She’ll take you inside.”

He handed Lady Seara off to Peg and turned to his children.

“Unload the honey. Take it to the kitchen,” he told Duncan and Edgar. “Then try to stay out of trouble. I want you both back at the tent before dinner. Braden, take your sister and find some hawklings to play with. Keep her close, now.”

The twins ran off together, and a young woman started after them. She didn’t look like a Gruder. Her hair was the color of apricots, and her gown wasn’t fancy enough to be a lady’s.

“Let them go, Dee. We’re among friends here. You can stop worrying about them for one afternoon.”

The woman blushed, and the freckles across her nose disappeared in the rosy pink.

“You can help me set up camp instead.” Aengus waved the rest of his party to follow.

Nate was tired of watching. He wanted to badger Duncan. He squeezed past Cade and climbed through a window in the gate tower, slid down the stair rail, and ran to the courtyard with Ranger at his heels.

“Go on with Father,” Duncan was telling Edgar. “I can carry the barrel.”

Edgar shrugged and left. Duncan moved down the line of packhorses until he found the right one. He led the animal aside and unfastened the straps on a fat barrel. Nate ambled up behind him.

“Looks heavy. Sure you can lift it?”

Duncan jerked his head around, then smirked.

“I can manage, Callan. Save your strength for swords.”

“There’s two of them,” he said.

“Two of what?” Duncan grunted as he rolled the heavy barrel to his shoulder.

“Two honey barrels.” Nate pointed. “One on each side.”

“Well, damn. That’s why Father left me Edgar. He never brings more than one barrel.”

Nate unfastened the second barrel and hoisted it on his shoulder.

“Ah, it’s not heavy. I’ll carry it for you.” He grinned. “Wouldn’t want you to strain your arm before you face me in the tourney.”

“Carry it if you want,” said Duncan. “Won’t win you any quarter from me.”

“Won’t need any,” he said. “You’ll be shouting my favorite word. Yield.”

They laughed and started up the steps outside the great hall, slinging more taunts as they climbed. When they reached the terrace, a commotion erupted in the courtyard below. Duncan’s sister was standing there, blocking a long column of riders bearing Buchanan banners. Her back was to them, and she was bending down to pick up an orange tabby cat.

“Move along, child,” Lord Fergus of Buchanell called out. “Don’t want you to get hurt.”

She ignored him and snuggled the cat in her arms.

“Sweet Mother,” Duncan muttered. “Braden!”

Duncan set down his barrel and ran for the steps. Nate abandoned his barrel and went after him. Duncan latched onto his sister’s arm and tugged her to the steps. She dropped the cat, and it streaked away, disappearing under the edge of a brightly striped pavilion.

“I’m sorry, Lord Fergus.” Duncan waved to the chief of Clan Buchanan. “I’ll keep her out of the way.”

“No harm done,” the big man called back. “Just a little girl looking out for her cat.”

Duncan watched the Buchanans pass, then pulled his sister aside. He grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a shake.

“Pay attention to what’s going on around you, Bethan. Do you want to get yourself trampled?”

Bethan’s lip trembled. Tears welled.

“Oh, piss,” said Duncan. “Don’t start crying. You’re all right.”

“Let her be. You’re scaring her.” Cade was frowning from atop the wall. “She was just—”

“Stay out of it,” Nate warned. Cade was quick to jump at a cause, whether he had any business in it or not.

“There she is!” Braden ran up, panting. Rory and Ava came chasing after him.

“You were supposed to watch her,” said Duncan. “We haven’t been here an hour, and you already let her wander off. I told Father she should stay home.”

Braden pulled his twin away. His lips moved like he was talking, but no sounds came out. Bethan’s hands flew between them, making motions only Braden understood.

Nate had forgotten. Duncan’s little sister was deaf.

Ava was stalking Duncan. Nate recognized the look on his cousin’s face. He’d been on the receiving end of it often enough.

“What did you do to her?” Ava demanded, primed for battle.

“He shook her silly,” said Cade. “Over a cat.”

“It’s the only thing she understands,” said Duncan. “She can’t hear!”

“She’s sorry, Duncan,” said Braden. “She promises she’ll stay with me.”

“She understands Braden,” said Ava.

“That’s why Braden is supposed to watch her.” Duncan scowled at his brother. “Lose her again, and I’ll take it out of your hide.”

“You’re a mean one, Duncan Gruder,” said Ava.

Duncan rolled his eyes and started back up the steps, putting the tempest behind him. Nate followed, not sure how to tell him he understood. Duncan didn’t want to make his sister cry, but he didn’t know how else to keep her safe. The others didn’t know how hard it was to be the big brother.

They shouldered the honey barrels again and headed for the kitchen.

“I’m sorry about your sister,” he said. “Being deaf, I mean.”

“She can’t help how she is.”

“I know. I didn’t mean…”

Duncan ignored him.

Chapter 10