Valknut

CHAPTER|4 Of New Friends

Soft footsteps alerted the men to the presence of another at their campsite.  Sir Connor quietly got up from his spot and walked around the tent. As he passed, he nodded discreetly to his men. They knew not to draw attention or their swords until Connor saw fit. Many a times before today, they had been passed by villagers or merchants and they brought no favors to themselves by frightening on-comers. 

As he strode to where the horses stood, Connor saw a familiar dirty hand patting his horse’s nose.  

“Hoots. Ye comin out then” he asked softly. Catriona stepped out from behind the huge horse, flashing her huge grin. “It's alright, I will nae harm ye.” 

Sir Connor laughed as the girl looked over their camp, her eyes settling on Kieran. Understanding she had nowhere else to go, he offered help. “Me wee lord could use a friend.” 

She smiled and grabbed his huge hand with her tiny one. They walked back to the camp quietly. Another mouth to feed and shelter was not exactly on his ‘to-do’ list, but he knew Kieran could use some company his age. He needed someone he could talk to and trust. Someone who reminded him that he was still a small child. Someone to snap him out of his trance and horrid memories. He wished he could help, but the boy refused to speak with anyone. 

As he brought her closer to where the men sat, he nodded towards Kieran and spoke softly. “She’ll be good for the lord.” One by one each looked at the young boy. Pain clear in their eyes. Death was not a new occurrence in their times. But the circumstances of his father’s death told them of the guilt he carried. Nothing they said or did could rid the boy of his remorse. Perhaps the girl would be better for him after all they thought wishfully. 

In one hand, she carried chunks of bread, in the other, she balanced some meat. As she approached the boy, his eyes seemed to look through her. He was lost in his thoughts and she was determined to introduce herself. She plonked down beside him with all the grace of a drunk and began chewing on the bread, little bits crumbling and falling in her lap. Dusting them off, she took another mouthful and watched Kieran thoughtfully.

She took a third, fourth and fifth mouthful, all the while keeping her eyes on Kieran. Not once did the boy acknowledge her. In the distance, the campers watched with growing interest. Just then, without warning, Catriona proceeded to jab Kieran in the ribs as hard as she could. 

OWW he screamed snapping out of his thoughts. As the pain coursed through him, Kieran looked at the offending hand that had dared to poke him. His eyes registering the meal.   

As he reached out for the bread, Catriona shot up to her feet. Chewing on her lip for a brief second, she then kicked his foot. Kieran looked at her with hurtful eyes. Slowly, he noticed the wild red hair and the deep green eyes tinted with mischief. Dropping the meal, she kicked him again before running off towards the horses. Enraged, Kieran gave chase. The campers laughed as she wove skillfully between the horses. She quickly ducked as a brown mare stomped her feet and swished her tail catching Kieran in the face. 

With renewed vigor the boy chased Catriona, eventually catching up to her and tackling her to the ground. Quickly, he sat atop her and smiled. Equally deftly she rolled him over landing on his chest with a loud thud. Trapping his flaying arms beneath her legs she introduced herself. “Catriona” she said. “Ye must be Kieran”. The campers roared with laughter for the first time in a long time. Lady MacShane watched quietly, pleased with Sir Connor’s deduction of the girl.