Gwair grinned as Safir squirmed.
‘River rather than road, then, Ieu?’
Ieuan solemn nodded, ‘Agreed,
drive on down from Deva-side; [R. Dee]
utilise river valley travel.’
Cunedda winked, ‘Sure, if you
follow that line, Brychan’s scouts’ll
probably pick you up. Brief:
but no hospitality distraction.’
Safir, abashed, checked kit, hushed:
‘I’m sorry, there, now, uncle.’
Cunedda bent stroke Eleri’s pack,
‘So you should be, Safir bach.
Eleri, Aron; serve as trainers;
slap cocky little sod to soldier.’
Yapping tail wag troop wave
broke around Cunedda’s base,
smiled, straightened, surveyed:
‘Eleri, Aron, how you doing?’
Curt nod, deep groan affirmed good.
‘Mair; please, keep comms as crystal.’
Quick coo chorus concurrence.
‘Alright, troops you’re looking good;
you just all be bloody careful.’
Gwair’s flipped cheery salute snapped:
‘Well, general, we’re away, we’ll
all being seeing you sooner or later.’
A line of regret; when they next met,
encamped at Dinas Emrys.
Gwair’s face grim shadowed:
‘I’m sorry we didn’t all make it.’
Cunedda nodded, mouth downturned,
‘Something always to bear in mind
whenever you start an action.’
Cai, eager, interrupted;
‘Dispatches for you General!’
Cunedda’s voice aged, ‘Calm, now,
Cai, courier’s run quick; stand easy, son –
because I hadn’t finished speaking.’
Bedwyr suppressed smile at rebuke –
refocussed on competent posture.
Cunedda sighed, gripped Gwair’s arm,
‘Don’t ever get used to it, soldier.
After we’re done with payback
show; drinks and mourning later.
Best serve the dead by seeing through
the endgame that they died for.’
Bwrs steady pace arrived, tact paused,
while Gwair moment digested,
raised head, faint smiled, nodded:
‘Then best we do that, general.’
Cunedda squeezed arm, turned,
Bumped, clasped hand with Bwrs
‘Good to see you, Big Man.’
‘Same to you there, Big Dog;
we’re prepped; all props’re ready.’
‘Alright, people, time to stand to!’
Hollered figure from ledge above;
Marcus Aurealanus loomed,
craggy, loricated, cloak clad.
Sea scarred eyes sought target;
eye locked Bwrs, Cunedda; glances
exchanged, subtle nods; raised voice:
‘Come on people we’ve got this thing!
Heledd wants to get this started!
Shift your backsides up there! Shimmy!
We haven’t got all evening!’