Leading the horses, they resumed their trek, picking their way along the stream. It was slow going because rocks, brush, and nettles filled the defile, making each step a small ordeal. The bowlegged priest struggled to keep up with his long-legged companions, scrambling over the rocks and dodging thorny branches, all the while ruing the turn of events that had made this journey necessary.
They had left the forest before dawn, crossing the open ground to the south of the caer while it was still dark, quickly losing themselves in the seamed valleys of Elfael, keeping out of sight of the fortress and town until both were well behind them-and even then Bran continued with all caution. A chance encounter with a wayward Ffreinc party was to be avoided at all costs.
'We acted in good faith,' Bran had declared in the council following the abbot's misguided ambush. 'But Hugo sought to betray us-once again. It is only by God's favour that Odo and I escaped unharmed and none of our men were killed or wounded.'
Bran and his archers had just returned from their encounter with the Ffreinc, and one glance at their scowling faces gave everyone to know that all was not well.
Tuck, with Merian a close step behind, was there to meet the returning peace party. 'God love you, Iwan, what happened?' Tuck asked, snagging hold of the big man's arm as he came through the blasted oak. 'Did they fail to ring the bell?'
'Nay, Friar,' answered the champion, shaking his head slowly.'They rang the bell for all to hear-but then attacked us anyway.'
'They were lying in wait for us,' said Siarles, joining them. 'Hiding in the forest.'
'Gysburne and his men showed themselves for the black devils they are,' said Scarlet.
'Aye, and the sheriff too,' added Siarles. 'Dressed up as monks, some of 'em.'
'Even so, we honoured our part,' said Iwan. 'We did not draw on them until they attacked Bran.'
'Was anyone hurt?' Tuck glanced quickly at the other archers trooping into the settlement. There was no blood showing; all seemed to be in ruddy good health.
'No hurt to anyone but themselves,' Scarlet pointed out. 'A fella'd a thought they'd have learnt a little respect for a Welsh bowman by now. Seems they are a thick lot, these Ffreinc, say what you will.'
The friar heard these words, and his heart fell like a stone dropped into a bottomless well. The slender hope that the abbot would accept the offered peace sank instantly, swallowed in the knowledge that Abbot Hugo would never be appeased. In light of this new outrage, he felt the fool for even imagining such a thing possible.
'You did what Christian duty required, and it will be accounted to your credit,' Tuck assured them lamely. 'God will yet reward you for remaining true to your part.'
'No doubt, Friar,' replied Siarles. 'The same way he helps them who help themselves, methinks.'
'I do not blame you for being disappointed,' Tuck said, 'but you should not place the failure at the Almighty's feet, when it-'
'Spare us, Tuck,' snapped Bran. He and Odo, the last to arrive, passed the others as they stood talking. 'I am not of a mind to hear it.' Addressing the men, he said, 'Get something to eat, all of you. Then I want my advisors to come to me and we will hold council again-this time it is a council of war.'
The six archers moved off to find some food, leaving Tuck, Merian, and the others looking on in dismay.
'I feared this might happen,' said Merian. 'Still, we had to try.' She looked to the friar for assurance. 'We did have to try.'
'We did,' confirmed the priest. 'And we were right.' He glanced at the young woman beside him. How lovely she was; how noble of face and form. And how determined. A pang of regret pierced him to see her once-fine clothes now stained and growing threadbare from their hard use in the greenwood. She was made for finer things, to be sure, but had cast her lot with the outlaw band; and her fate, like all who called the forest home, was that of a fugitive.
'Ah, my soul,' he sighed, feeling the weight of their failure settle upon him. 'So much hardship and sadness could have been avoided if only that blasted abbot had agreed.'
'I had my hopes, too, Friar,' offered Merian. 'My father has ruled under Baron Neufmarche these many years- to the benefit of both, I think. It can be done-I know it can. But Hugo de Rainault is a wicked man, and there is no reasoning with him. He will never leave, never surrender an inch of ground until he is dead.'
'Alas, I fear you've struck to the heart of it,' confessed Tuck, shaking his head sadly. 'No doubt that is where the trouble lies.'
'Where, Friar?'
'In the hearts of ever-sinful men, my lady,' he told her. 'In the all-too-wicked human heart.'
After the men had eaten, those who were counted among King Raven's advisors joined their lord in his hut. As they took their places around the fire ring, Bran said, 'We need more men, and I am going to-'
More men, thought Tuck, and remembered what it was that he had learned from the abbot. 'Good Lord!' he cried, starting up at the memory. 'Forgive me,' he said quickly as all eyes turned towards him, 'but I have just remembered something that might be useful.'
Bran regarded him, waiting for him to continue.
'It is just that-' Glancing around, he said to Iwan, 'How many soldiers did you say the abbot and sheriff had with them?'
'No more'n twenty,' replied the champion.
'At most,' confirmed Siarles.
'Then that is all they have,' said Tuck. 'Twenty men-that is all that are left to them following the two attacks.' He went on to explain about meeting with the abbot, and how Hugo had let slip that he no longer had enough men to defend the town. 'So, unless I am much mistaken, those who attacked you are all that remain of the troops Baron de Braose left here.'
'And there are fewer now,' Siarles pointed out. 'Maybe by four or five. He can have no more than fifteen or sixteen under his command.' He turned wondering eyes towards Bran. 'My lord, we can defeat them. We can drive them out.'
'We can take back control of the cantref,' echoed Iwan. 'One more battle and it would be ours.'
They fell to arguing how this might be accomplished, then, but arrived always at the same place where the discussion had begun.
'Gysburne may have only sixteen left,' Bran pointed out. 'But you can believe he won't be drawn into open battle with us. Nor can we take the town or the fortress, for all we are only six able-bodied bowmen. So, it comes to this: we need more men, and I am going to raise them.' He paused. 'First things first. Iwan, I want you and Owain and Rhoddi to watch the road-day and night. Nothing is to pass through the forest without our leave. All travellers are to be stopped. Any goods or weapons they carry will be taken from them.'
'And if they refuse?' asked the champion.
'Use whatever force you deem necessary,' Bran replied. 'But only that and no more. All who comply willingly are to be sent on their way in peace.'
'Nothing will get past us, my lord. I know what to do.'
'Siarles,' said Bran, 'you and Tomas are to begin making arrows. We'll need as many as we can get-and we'll need bows too.'
'And where will we be getting the wood for all these bows and arrows?' asked Siarles.
'Wood for bows, I know, and where to find it,' Angharad said, speaking up from her place behind Bran's chair. 'We will bring all you need, Gwion Bach and I.'
Bran nodded. 'The rest of the Grellon are to be trained to the longbow.'
'Women too?' asked Merian.
'Yes,' confirmed Bran. 'Women too.' He turned to Will Scarlet.
'Until your hand is healed, you will teach others what you know about the bow.'
'That much is easily done,' said Scarlet. 'It's the trainin' that takes the time.'
'Then start at once. Today.'
Owain, one of the newer members of the council, asked, 'You said you meant to raise more men. What is in your mind, my lord, if you don't mind my asking?'
'I have kinsmen among my mother's people in Gwynedd,' replied Bran. 'I mean to start there. Once the word spreads that we are gathering a force to overthrow the Ffreinc, I have no doubt we'll soon get all the warriors we need.'
