Valour by John Gwynne

Author:John Gwynne
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Tor
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

CAMLIN

Camlin walked along the giants’ road, its stone slabs cutting a line through green fields. He was near the rear of their company, which had been swollen by the addition of Rath’s warriors.

Hard men they were, of that he had no doubt. There was something about them that reminded him of Braith and his old company of woodsmen living off the land and their wits. But, unlike his previous band of outlaws, there was an honour in what these men did, putting their lives on the line to keep the roads safe and free from the giant spawn. Almost a ten-night they’d spent in each other’s company, since the battle with the giants and wolven in the mountains. Their pace had been steady, but not fast, as most of Edana’s company were on foot. Still, they were safe now, had been for a ten-night, or a measure of safety at least, as much as could be expected anywhere in these Banished Lands.

He looked up; the sky was blue, the sun warm on his face, clinging to the end of summer. It was a good day, in more ways than one, so why did he have this sensation creeping over him, a hollow uneasiness taking shape in the depths of his gut?

Perhaps it’s vanity, he thought, knowing that he felt a growing sense of disappointment since they had crossed the border into Domhain, a sense of being no longer needed. He had guided this company, led them from danger to safety. And that had felt good, he could not deny it. You are of no use to them any more. They are no different from the rest you’ve dipped your head to – Braith, Casalu – all out for their own gain, using you until you’ve nothing left to give. Just watch, you’ll be forgotten about soon enough.

He felt himself frowning. Sometimes he really didn’t like the voice in his head.

Dath was walking beside him now, using his yew bow as a walking stick. Camlin noticed that the youth was watching him, following his gaze to the warriors on horseback in front of them.

‘That one there’s Baird, you know,’ Dath said to him, nodding at the back of the one-eyed warrior. After Rath he was the most famous, or infamous, of this bunch, and even Camlin had heard many tales told about the man whilst sitting around campfires in the Darkwood. The most common one told of how Baird’s hold had been raided by giants, back when he had been a lord of Domhain. His wife, bairns and shieldmen had been put to the sword, and he’d been left for dead, his hold burning around him. He had been found the next day, close to death, and taken in by a neighbour. Slowly Baird had been nursed back to health – the tales told – and as soon as he was able, he had borrowed a horse and ridden into the mist that hung over Benoth, land of the giants. No one had expected to see him again.

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