I exhaled. “The road tae Muckhart is still ahead. We hae a few miles tae go.” I shoved my dirk back in its sheath, limped tae the woods, and relieved m’self. Then I limped back tae the horses. “Twas frightenin’ for ye, Lambo?” I ran my hand along his muzzle. “Steady, lad. Twas naught but a beast. I stabbed him well, he winna come around here again.”
Lambo leaned intae my touch. I took some long moments tae soothe with my words and smooth with my hands all three of the horses. I told myself twas for their peace, but I needed the time tae calm myself down, and grow ready tae continue on.
Finally I pulled myself into the saddle with a grunt. The cloth tied around my thigh had grown pink with the mixin’ of blood and rain. My strength was ebbing fast. I said tae Lambo, “I ken ye are skittish, but in an hour ye will hae a warm stable and all the hay in Muckhart. This is m’promise, ye just hae tae deliver me there.”
I began tae ride, with Dà and Trì, plodding along behind us.
32
TORIN
1558 - MEETING MAX AT MUCKHART MID-MAY
Irode up tae the tavern at Muckhart near collapsed on Lambo’s back. I slid tae the ground, almost fallin’ tae the mud, but steadied myself against Lambo’s side.
The tavern was a low, stout stone building with whitewashed walls and a thatched roof, and all I had tae do was somehow stagger inside, but I swayed on my feet when I felt a tap on my arm, one of the lads who worked the stable. “Sire, what dost ye need?”
My hoarse voice croaked out, “Max, m’laird…? Max…? Inside?”
He ran intae the tavern.
Smoke drifted from the chimney — the smell of peat, ale, and roasting barley beckoned, if I could only move. When suddenly Max came from the door. “Och nae, Torin, what hae ye been doing?”
I groaned. “Everythin’…” and fell tae m’knees in the mud. I said weakly, “Come down here, I am goin’ tae beat yer arse for what ye hae done.”
He stood over me, “Ye are goin’ tae beat me? After ye hae stolen my vessel? Ye ought tae beg for my forgiveness.”
“Ye need tae beg for mine, ye hae nearly killed me. Whilst ye are sittin’ warm and dry in a tavern, without a care in the world. I should stab ye through.”
“I’d like tae see ye try, ye are covered in mud like a mucag and ye look weak as a bairn. Ye canna pull yer sword, much less swing it! Look at ye, ye are pitiful.”
“Am not, I am goin’ tae beat ye, as soon as I gain m’strength. Can ye help me rise?”
He asked, “Why am I helpin’ ye when ye hae been denouncing me in front of all the citizens of Muckhart?”
I glanced around. There were two other people standing there, watching our exchange.
“Ye are helpin’ me, because ye owe me for how I hae come close tae death ridin’ yer vessel, solvin’ all yer problems.”
I felt m’self hefted tae my feet and my arm slung across Max’s shoulders. He asked, “Dost ye need a bed?”
“Nae, an ale.”
He laughed and all but dragged me intae the tavern, sayin’, “How did ye come tae hae three horses?”
“I killed at least that many men.” I glanced back at Lambo, “I promised them hay.”
“The lad will take them tae the stable. Yer horse, Kobold, is already there.”
I said, “I am a fortunate man tae hae four horses.”
He dropped me intae a chair near the fire. “Och ye daena look fortunate. Ye look wet through and injured horribly.” He nudged m’kilt tae see the bloody bandage on my thigh. “Will ye survive it?”
My head drooped. “Likely.”
“What scoundrel sliced ye?”
I pointed at my thigh. “A boar.” I put my hand on my shoulder. “The men chasin’ us for the vessel.”
