Knox of the Bloom

Chapter 12: The Journey Begins

The chieftain of the Red-Pine clan arrived in the morning followed by two hundred strong warriors, the same number he left to protect his own camp, in case the Tuccock clan should get any ideas. Warren Oaktree was an elderly man but showed the trait of warcraft, as his face was covered in wrinkled scars entirely. Oaktree sat beside Hornbeard, and the hall was packed to the brim with men bustling and shouting, all reveling in the promise of the fight to come. Forgotten were their woes and their losses, for even four of Hornbeard's own daughters lay dead on a pyre outside, burning.But Knox didn't want any of it. He had enough of fighting, and had the scars to prove it. His back was still recovering from the hunt of the Fugrah, and the side of his head still felt like someone had taken a cleaver to it and learned how to butcher.Knox offered Eriu the skin of firewater and she took it. They were sat at the furthest hearth, Tapa was lay between their feet, Col on Knox's other side, and they had been listening to the talk of war quietly."War makes fools of men," said Col."I agree," said Eriu. "But I fear events may involve me somewhat in things to come.""What do you mean?" asked Knox frowning at her."I mean while I don't want to go with them, I fear my path lies with Hornbeard, as does yours, Knox.""The shite it does," he said taking back the skin of spirits and smiling at her. "My place is as far from a sharp blade as I can get. I'll guide them though, I can't go back on my word."Knox pulled out the leather map from his small pack he had with him and unrolled it. He hadn't looked at it since being in Old Sister's camp. Eriu stood up and kissed him on the cheek, catching him unawares."You're such a bloody fool, Knox of the Bloom." She went to refill the skin of firewater.Knox smiled as he looked at the map, at the rough circle of ancient defenses spoke of the lands old troubled times. They would have to head west through the dark forest, then southwest, along the Jagged Coast, gaining the help of Blue-Moon's clan as they went. Blue-Moon had taken the long route to their camp, along the old Bronze Men's road, which skirted the forest, but it would take twice as long to take and Hornbeard was set on getting revenge as soon as possible."Drink and make merry," shouted Hornbeard, standing before his throne of stone. "For tomorrow we march.""She is right, you know." Col looked at him."About?""About how you're such a bloody fool. The woman likes you, Knox.""She does?""Are you blind as well as thick, lad?""Perhaps I am. I think the firewater is getting to my head. I think I need some quiet," said Knox, feeling close-pressed among the warriors."I'll go with you," said Eriu catching him by the arm on the way out.Together they left the hall and Col to their drinks and walked along the little used trail, to the waterfall where Knox slept while in camp. He took his thick stag hide out from the recession in the rockface and unrolled it."You can have this, I'll sleep without, as I'm not cold.""Thank you, Knox.""It's nothing.""No, I mean for everything. For saving me that day in the forest, and for taking me into your clan like one of your own.""Oh.""Come sit beside me and we'll share the warmth.""So be it." I won't shed the warmth of a beautiful woman, after all.Eriu smiled at him as he got in beside her, and Tapa lay at their feet, content."You can put your arms around me, if you wish," said Eriu, and Knox only hesitated for a moment."You're sure?""I wouldn't tell you to if I wasn't sure. Unless you have feelings for Col.""No, I don't." Knox slipped his arms around Eriu and breathed in her scent. She smelled of the trees and the Warm Days."I don't know if a man has ever had his arms around me before," said Eriu. "How sad a fact is that?""No sadder than I, for I've never had the embrace of a woman whose face was so sweet to look upon."Eriu giggled, and it made Knox smile. "I bet you say that to all the women, Knox.""No, it's true. I've never brought anyone down here. It's my special place, but with you, it just feels right. Strange, for were hardly well-known to one another.""I feel it too, a bond, like it was made on our meeting, and I count on your as a friend, Knox of the Bloom.""And I you, Eriu of the Druids.""Shut your mouth with your civilities and kiss me, you bloody fool."Knox leaned in and placed his lips on hers, and they gently kissed. But Eriu pulled him in for a longer kiss, groaning as she slipped an arm around his waist.Knox had to shift his weight as something was happening below."Is that a dagger in your pocket, mountain man? Or are you just glad to see me?"Knox smiled roguishly. "With a fair lass like you, mo cailin, why couldn't it be both?""Oh you devilish beast. Hah! It's no dagger!""No, but twice as piercing."Eriu sat up then and stared into his eyes, looking so beautiful, and vulnerable. She pushed back her robes and the light brushed against the bare skin of her breasts."I'm scared Knox.""We don't have to, mo cailin.""No," she said smiling as she took his hand and placed it on her hip. "Not of laying with you, I'm scared of what's to come. Let us lie together for a night and forget the hardships of the living.""Aye, lass, that sounds like a plan to me.""Smoothly said, you fool.""I'm a mountain man, Eriu, rough and to the point is how I am."She leaned in and kissed him, rolling her toungue against his. "For tonight you are a chieftain's son, Knox, and smooth is all you know.""Aye, sounds good." He pulled off his leather jerkin, then his tunic, fumbling the arm and making Eriu giggle once again as he cursed the thing, but got it off and got back beneath the pelt naked. Eriu lay beside him and the warmth emitting from her was better than all five hearths in Hornbeard's hall combined.She kissed his neck, and shivers ran down his spine. He reached around and tilted back her head, nibbling on her earlobe, making her moan in delight."Mo cailin." My love.Tapa stood and padded off into the trees, more at ease on the hunt than the ways of mere humans, Knox supposed, but that was something else, and he had more pressing matters to worry about.She moved lower, biting his nipple, and it was Knox's turn to moan, as she moved further along, taking him in her mouth, the world grew hazy around him as she worked her toungue, in and out. He was almost there when she sat back up and kissed him, putting a finger against his lips."Not yet, mountain man."She straddled him then, and he was shivering with anticipation. Then he was inside of her her, and he gasped at the feel of it, as she began working her hips, slowly."Mo cailin.""Sh-hhh!" She bit down on his lip again, and he tasted blood, but her didn't care. He'd take more than a few cuts for her. They worked in unison, hips motioning together, and they both groaned as they sagged together, spent.And their beneath the sight of the Gods Eriu and Knox were first bound together in soul and flesh.*Knox woke Eriu with a kiss on the cheek and the woman smiled, groaning as she turned over. The morning light spilling over the trees only enhanced her beauty, if that was thought possible."You have the eyes the colour of the Warm Days, mo cailin," he said, kissing her onto the nose."And you have the eyes of chestnuts, with a smile that would warm the coldest of Cold Days.""Hey you two!" Knox turned to see Col standing down the path, waving."Everyone's looking for you. There marching soon, get dressed."Knox reluctantly got dressed, trying no to blush under the gaze of Col, and the three of them made their way back to camp.Hornbeard took one look between he and Eriu and smiled that smile of his. "Well it's about bloody time someone made a man out of young Knox. I'd only been trying to get him bonded with one of my daughters since he was of age."Eriu smiled and nodded.They prepared to march, Hornbeard would be coming with them, much to Bronze-Shield's dismay."I was fighting in pitched battles before you were able to wipe your arse with your own hands, Shield, and I'm still your chieftain, so you'll listen to me now. My men and my women have died through betrayal of my kin, and I'll not see anyone else march now in my stead."Hornbeard led the way, Bronze-Shield behind him, with Flint-Blade and Knox falling in behind them. Oaktree followed behind with his son, and together they left the camp with fifty warriors to protect those left behind. They made their way westwards, towards the mountain passes.A light snow covered the ground the higher they climbed, with wolf tracks showing in places, and Hornbeard took this as a good omen. The wolves were scouting their path before them, and would howl the reckoning that would stir Sol Hornbeard in his boots.They set up camp as the night began to draw closer, and they shared a rabbit stew and skin of firewater beside their fire with Col and Clay-Jug before going to sleep. There was little chance for exchanging more than a kiss with so many around, but Knox was just grateful for the extra warmth of the woman beside him.They broke camp before dawn and by midday thy reached the Arrow Cliff waterfall, which led into a pass. A day and a half's march found them at the end of the pass, nearing the dark forest, it visible on the mountain slopes.Here Knox was put in the front of the long line of warriors, and with Eriu beside him, he climbed the slope, entering into the ancient line of pine trees, being swallowed by the deep shadows beneath, and striding towards his destiny.