Pagan Siege (Tribes of Britain Book 5), Sam Taw [beautiful books to read .TXT] 📗

ways at the Long Hut. Ren turned towards the warrior shelters at the eastern fringes of the island while I continued south to Ren’s house. Dipping beneath the thatch, I took in the neat surroundings, the tidy bedding and his few possessions lined up on a shelf next to his bunk, and smiled. Always the sailor, even on land. Everything was shipshape and in its place.

My clothes were still damp from the early evening romp in the stream. I didn’t want to soak his bedding furs so I sat on a small bench next to the unlit fire. It wasn’t long before I heard them approach. Tallack was expressing his concern about his old friend’s fitness, as well he should. He was leaner than ever and hadn’t yet regained his old strength. When my nephew ducked beneath the door skins, he saw me.

His face dropped from a smile into a deep frown. “What’s this, Ren? An ambush?” His snarl turned towards his trusted ship mate.

“It’s not like that at all. Your aunt and I are worried and we thought we would have a word with you in private to see if there was anything either of us could do to lend a hand. You have so much to deal with right now, we figured you could use our help.” His diplomacy never ceased to amaze me, but then Ren had endured more summers on our ships with tricky leaders than he could count. I dare say steering the clan leaders was as important a skill to learn as navigating the oceans.

“I can manage.” Tallack said, his snippy tone unrelenting.

Ren gestured to the bunk for him to sit down and poured the ale from his secret stash into three cups. He chose to sit next to Tallack, despite his leggings being as damp as my own. “Great blessings for your binding with Endelyn, Chief. She’s a fine woman.” He raised his cup to meet Tallack’s and then to mine.

“Blessings indeed.” I said as heartily as I could muster.

That seemed to break his glum mood. “Thank you. I do believe it will be well favoured. The priestess does seem to have the ear of the gods, and the tribe’s folk love her. It’s a good match.” We drank in celebration, sipping at the precious beer. He was starting to relax, lowering his defensive posture. “So, what’s on your mind?” He directed the question at Ren and I was happy for him to do so, for every time I made mention of tribal affairs, I was bluntly told not to interfere.

“While I was out with the Head Hunters, I made some troubling observations you should know about.” Ren went on to explain how Kitto had a strong and loyal force behind him and how if it came to a fight, they would overthrow the might of the Sea Warriors with ease. Ren had mastery of the conversation, dropping in hints and suppositions until Tallack was forced to come to the same conclusions as we already had.

“This sounds very much like Kitto is mobilising the men to take over the tribe.”

“It does, Chief, and if you take into account the Alchemists’ revolt, we are in a particularly weak position. If Kitto and Kenver join forces…”

From the look on my nephew’s face, I’d say he hadn’t considered half of the things Ren pointed out. I dare say he truly believed that leading a tribe would be nothing but ale and feasts. His father had done little to prepare any of his boys for rule. Faced with such a weighty task ahead, Tallack did the sensible thing and asked what his most trusted adviser would do under the circumstances.

Ren stifled a smile. He was getting through to him at last. “You need to secure your place among the men. Announce who you choose to replace you as clan leader for the Sea Warriors first.”

“Fine, that’s easy, I choose you, Ren.”

Renowden chuckled and then poured more ale into Tallack’s cup. “I’m honoured, Chief, really I am, but I’m too old to lead the men. I need a warm bunk at night these days and the comfort of undisturbed sleep. Whoever you choose, I will gladly assist for a while. Just until they find their sea legs and learn to navigate our waters.”

For a moment or two I panicked, thinking that Tallack would immediately choose the young upstart, Treeve to take charge of the sailors. That would alienate the rest of his men.

My nephew pouted, staring down at his feet. “Who would you pick?”

“Honestly, Chief, you’d go a long way to find a better man than Massen. He’s a favourite among the warriors and Head Hunter’s, he’s fair and even tempered and stronger than an auroch bull. He’s also loyal to you and your family, so you really can’t go wrong with him.”

“Good. I agree. What about the Head Hunters?”

Ren sucked in his lips and shook his head. “That is one tangled mess to sort. Kitto is the obvious leader, but he’d rise up and take over the tribe in less than a half moon. He’s a dangerous man to have about camp and has too much influence over the warriors when they’re away.”

“That’s not a solution, Ren. That’s just reaffirming what we already know.”

“If we are to retake control of the mines from the Alchemists, you’re going to need the support of every one of our men.” Ren looked up at me. He seemed to be stumped as to how to resolve the crisis. I had no answer for him.

Tallack scratched his forearm, bringing red welts to the surface. “Are you suggesting that I have him killed? Claim he is plotting against us?”

“No, I’m not saying that at all. That would set the men against you forever. They admire him. The trouble is, if you’ll pardon me for saying…?”

He waited until Tallack nodded, giving him permission to speak candidly.

“The men respect Kitto more than they do you. He’s had many summers to prove himself in battle compared