[Arry]

Wulfham


Brand could see that Vaenosa would soon be in position to help Incana from her dangerous predicament. The younger cat had slowed his approach, but had not given it up altogether. His eyes were still on the wounded woman and his tail twitched in anticipation of taking her as his prey.

Backing away slowly from Incana, Brand motioned for Dorran to follow. ‘Can you call back your horse?’ he asked the young man. ‘I don’t think we can get to Lady on foot.’ Brand’s expression was grim, and a certain level of panic had crept into his voice as he spoke of his horse.

Under Dorran’s soft encouragement and gentling hands, his horse returned and allowed the two men to mount. Brand could feel the nervous excitement running beneath the animal’s skin, and he was glad of Dorran’s skill in handling the frightened horse. They urged Dorran's mount to a fast pace, the horse growing increasingly nervous as they came near the cat.

Dismounting, the two pressed forward on foot. In his hand, Brand still bore the flaming brand; at his belt hung his sword. He’d managed, too, to secure his stout oaken club from his shoulder by the thick leather strap loop at its handle end.

‘Let’s follow the trampled bushes and dried grass,’ Brand said, holding the brand to throw a flickering area of light upon the dark ground. ‘She’ll run and fight as long as she can hold out . . . she’s done it once before with a wolf.’ He looked hard into the enveloping night. ‘We must hurry, Dorran . . . please. I can’t bear to think of losing her.’