Page 17

The next morn was upon them. Gwyn made her way down to the kitchens as she always did after the men of the keep had exited after breaking their fast. When she passed through the quieted gathering hall, her heart nearly broke for what she saw on the far side of the chamber.

It was Durell who was standing before the window upon the landing and he was all alone with a stricken look upon his face.

"Durell?"

As Gwyn moved across the floor to gain his side, he never looked at her once even though the soles upon her boots made a soft clicking noise as she walked over the exposed stone.

When she drew near, he turned his head further away from her and appeared to be gazing intently out the window and into the valley beyond the outer walls surrounding the keep.

Before he had completely turned from her, she saw the disappointment clearly etched upon his face. It nearly killed her to see such defeat within the eyes of one so young. Sadly, this was not a new situation. It happened more often then she ever wished to admit.

"It was father. He said they would be training upon the field and I am too young to join them. He told me he did not want me near saying I would only get in the way. He forbade me from going with them."

' That bastard!'

The anger upon Gwyn's heart nearly made her speak out against the laird but she stilled her tongue from the icy retort she could only release within her mind.

It was her duty to everyone around to honor and obey her laird.

There was so much discontent, she dared not speak out and make matters worse.

So instead, she spoke of a different plan.

"Durell, you must understand there is so much upon your father's mind and the protection of his clan is overwhelming.

Please, let us leave here and we can go for a ride upon the hillside.

I will pack us some food to break our fast and we can spend this time out in the sunshine enjoying the day.

Besides, it is time for you to practice your sword.

As you know, every trained warrior must exercise his skills thoroughly and frequently.

If you remember my teachings, it could one day be the difference between life and death. "

When Durell did not move nor draw his attentions from the far hillside, Gwyn continued to speak.

"Now run along and get your blade while I pack us some food. Do not forget to include a comparable weapon for me. I failed to place one at my side on this morn."

Gwyn left him alone understanding her son would comply but needed a few moments to compose himself.

While he was saddened, she knew he was a good lad and would dutifully follow her lead.

She would not allow him to wallow in his self-pity although she understood he was completely within his rights to do so.

On the other hand, if he were to be a strong leader and compassionate to his people, he would need to learn to effectively handle the disappointments in life even if they occurred more frequently than she would have liked.

The lessen she hoped to teach him right now was he had complete control over his own emotions and actions.

Once his spoken word was given, he would need to understand the impact of it upon others.

Soon the mother and son found themselves upon a far hillside beyond the rear of the keep.

Gwyn was happy because this place afforded her a sanctuary where she could completely be alone with her son.

The people within the Chattan rarely came here since the grade was rather steep and the roughened forests very near.

This piece of land was not deemed good for much of anything.

It was also very near the family cemetery and most those who lived around the holdings tended to stay clear of its grounds.

"First, you must ride."

Gwyn had insisted that Durell train upon his pony. He warmed his horse and then worked him back and forth attempting to once again master the skill of control with his knees as they had practiced the previous day.

"Be gentle, Durell! Do not try to force your wishes. Your horse must learn from you and at its own pace."

Gwyn was firm in her convictions. While she understood he would have preferred to first take out his aggressions while working his sword, she knew he needed to learn to temper his anger. She realized that is what his disappointment had turned into. Not that she could blame him.

When the sun was nearing its highest point in the sky and the air became rather warm around them, it was obvious Durell was consumed by his frustrations.

It was then that Gwyn took the extreme measures and decided to remove the bridle which in turn left him without the reins within his hands.

While she knew she was taking a chance especially if the pony spooked, she knew it was the only way he would gain success in this task.

"Mother, whatever are you doing?"

"Attempting to teach you a lesson!"

As Gwyn reached forward and removed the iron bit from within the horse's mouth and pulled the reins from her son's grasp, he was confused. It almost appeared as if he were a bit apprehensive as he eyes widened with the reality of what she was proposing.

"I will stay near, but if you insist upon using the reins to turn your beast, I am removing them from your grasp. Perhaps now you can concentrate upon my teachings and trust in all that I have said!"

With an uneasy glare, Durell prodded his pony forward a few paces. When the beast began to veer towards a small copse of trees, her son nearly panicked as the pony continued to move forward not understanding his commands.

"Your knees, turn him with your knees!"

Gwyn held her breath and when at long last the boy did as he had been taught and he brought the horse back around and circled him about, his face nearly glowed with pride. The smile not only was curved upon his lips but reached up to completely touch his eyes.

"Very well done, my son! You see, both you and your steed have learned a valuable lesson and it is one of trust. You must become one with your beast and only then will you be deserving of him. Now off your horse and draw!"

In that instant, the young lad sprang from his seat upon the pony and drew his blade from his waist. With his knees slightly bent and his sword now positioned appropriately in front of him, he watched as his mother did the same.

Together, they swung their weapons wildly yet with precision hearing the ring of the blades echo across the otherwise silent hillside.

Gwyn swung her blade firmly and forced her son to retreat as he moved his weapon effectively to ward off her blows. She increased her intensity and pushed him back, all the while encouraging him with her words.

"Yes, son, keep your chin up and do not concentrate fully upon my blade but the whole of me as you attempt to gain control."

It was then that he had secured enough confidence and showed his skill while he suddenly shifted and became the aggressor. As Gwyn swung her blade in a gentle arch, she willingly allowed him to control the encounter.

Gwyn moved across the ground watching closely every swing of his blade and thought sadly how it should be her husband who provided instruction. However, he flatly refused and what was worse was she knew he would thoroughly disapprove of her teachings.

The Lady Gwyn of the Chattan refused to alter her ways knowing her son's success in his place in this world depended upon the teachings she could provide.

Durell must be trained and prepared for whenever he was summoned to his homelands.

Gwyn was determined and strong in her convictions this would be the way of it, at least for now.