Gwair did as he was bid, turned,
strode steady towards stable yard;
surprised Eleri’s hound pack yapped
around their horse mounted mistress.
Eleri winked, mouth full hair pins,
sorting out her helm hair. Gwair
suss winced: ‘What in hells—Safir!’
‘Yeah, what, my bro – I’m in here.’
Portaloft poised, suppressed strop;
stablers worked, fast packed horses,
sound of Ieuan set to slurp
stopped: ‘Ah, yes, now, that’s surely
a beautiful pack set balance.’
Safir, mounted, smiled at Gwair’s glare:
‘Used the “solo heroics” line, did he?
One sure way to avoid that seems
to make sure you take a team;
sure that was his real meaning.’
‘Listen: I head south alone to get-’
‘Apart from when you wake up dead
as no watch was set. Use your head:
single rider’s fine for short distance.
Longer range; set full recon stance.
We could wait and take a look;
persuse the latest oppo rulebook.
You can still follow your orders clear,
with three tagging along your rear.
Anyway, we’re just waiting now on Aron.’
Hayloft stirred, ‘Let’s get it on;
or you could leave me sleeping.
Thought today was set for drinking…’
Scarred figure swung, loft to horse,
constant streamed vile language coarse.
‘Ah, lads, I’m proper ten hanging,
so I’ll do the squadron carrying.
Get wiggle on, Gwair, we’re waiting.’
Aron gestured, Gwair passed portaloft,
‘Morning, Mair, how’s squadron doing?’
‘Well. Now we know that you’re riding.’
Aron took proffered spear, picked bundle
from roof beam, headed out the stable.
Safir wink followed soldier, hyper able.
Ieuan nuzzled Gwair’s neck, ‘Now,
don’t be upset you didn’t think of it.’
Gwair sighed, released relief, ‘Yeah,
now feel that this’ll be easier…’
Moved into courtyard, found
rest of team lined up, fronted
by hands behind back Cunedda.
Safir, full of youthful spunk:
‘Can you do me a favour, Unc?
Tell Dad we’ve done a bunk?’
Gwair swung up on Ieuan,
Cunedda’s face went iron.
‘I’m refreshing your orders;
OK call received from Deva, [Chester]
first you should head to there.
Good to see you heard us clear
followed standard procedure.
‘Safir! Now, you come right here.’
Horse plodded near, Safir bent ear.
‘Play privileged spawn of officer…’
Cunedda’s look, placid icy clear;
voice reduced, velvet whisper:
‘I’ll knock you flat on your rear.’
Cunedda patted horse’s neck, beamed:
‘Don’t trust all is as it seems;
good luck, on your way Arcani.’
Ieuan stood, didn’t move a hoof,
‘Wait, now. Calculating route.’