Besides, I’m about to go down in Cal’s estimation within a few days.”
“Oh.” Collett looked bemused for a moment before understanding dawned. “Riversmeet?”
“We’d never get close to Mythra on our own. There used to be a detachment of Rangers at the garrison and even if there isn’t any more, I’m sure that with the seniority of the members of this small group we should be able to rustle up some of your more rugged Guardsmen.”
Collett smiled. “That we most definitely will.”
The following morning Cal woke with a start. When he had finally dozed off he didn’t know, but the fact that it was light meant that he was certain that he had overslept.
When he raised his head he saw Tamala was still asleep on the ground a few feet away from him, though Dorrin and Collett were awake and quietly talking to each other. Collett saw him move and nodded a greeting.
Silently, so as not to disturb Tamala, Cal raised himself to his feet and moved across to the pair. A quick glance at the position of the sun told him that it was roughly two hours after dawn and he was unsure as to why he had not been raised earlier. A question that he put to the others as soon as he joined them. Dorrin answered.
“Farsighter wanted to scout the route ahead first. Apart from which, her Ladyship there needs the extra rest. She was quite busy last night.”
“The clouding spell?”
“That and the wards that she and I both placed around the camp. Did you not wonder how she could be stood waiting at the exact point that you re-entered the camp after you had checked the area.
Wards don’t require that much energy as they were purely to alert us if anyone approached, not to turn them away, but combined with the clouding, it took quite a bit out of Tamala.”
Cal nodded his understanding, though in truth he was still confused by the use of magic that he had seen the previous night. “Where’s Luda?”
“Searching for some breakfast.” Collett smiled. “You should have seen our great warrior’s face when Farsighter told him to collect berries and the such for us to eat. I think the term ‘beneath his station’ applied perfectly.”
Dorrin was also smiling but decided that they should calm themselves down a bit lest they wake Tamala. He had just voiced his opinion when Tamala’s own voice interrupted the humorous trio.
“It’s a bit late for compassion, you’ve already wakened me.”
Dorrin stood and bowed with a courtly flourish. “A thousand pardons my Lady, but we felt it necessary to apprise another member of our party as to exactly what the current situation was.”
“Rubbish, you were just enjoying Luda’s predicament.”
“That as well.”
“You’re a rogue Dorrin. I don’t know how anyone puts up with your foolish behaviour?”
“That’s easily answered my Lady,” he replied with a grin, “everyone likes a lovable rogue.”
“If I weren’t so tired, I’d dispute you on that fact. As it is, I can’t be bothered. How long ago did Luda leave? I’m famished.”
Luda returned less than fifteen minutes later with a decent selection of local flora and berries that he pronounced edible, although Tamala looked dubious at the declaration.
Another hour saw the return of Farsighter. They had put some of the food aside for him when he returned but as it turned out he had eaten on the trail. Whilst he related what he had found the others finished it off.
“I got to within sight of the farmstead. Everything appears normal, but I didn’t get close enough to check all of the details.
Cal was right last night about the signs of recent movement in the area, but nothing within the last couple of days so it looks as if the Shalers must have come straight south from Needle Lake. Whether they’re likely to head straight north again I can’t say, but I think that we’ll have a few days head start anyway.”
No one voiced an opinion at the unspoken fact that the reason for any delay in pursuit would be the ransacking of Holdur.
“I’m sorry Luda, but I don’t know how long it will be before we can see you take your rightful place in the Keep.”
Luda stayed silent for a moment before replying. “Whilst my Queen is in the hands of the Mythraan my rightful place is here, seeking to return her to her throne in Bor’a.”
Everyone voiced agreement with that before Farsighter stood. “If that’s the case, then we need to be on our way.” He grabbed his pack that had been left at the camp whilst he scouted ahead and made ready to move out.
Even being slowed by Tamala, it only took just over two hours for them to reach the farmstead. From a low hill looking down toward the small collection of thatched buildings that made up the farm they could see several figures attending animals around the immediate area, and in the distance Cal could hear the tell-tale peal of a cowbell.
“Looks normal.” Collett looked toward Tamala and Dorrin. “Any way you could check for sure?”
Tamala shook her head. “For far seeing I’d need some instruments to assist the spell. Unfortunately they’re all back at Holdur, if they’re still in one piece that is.”
“There’s some cover short of the house.” Farsighter ran his sight over the ground ahead of them. “Cal and myself can stay there to give cover of you need it. Signal when you know that it’s clear.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Luda stood and moved ahead.
“Guess we’re in agreement then.” Dorrin and the others also moved, although Cal and Farsighter both moved at a crouch and quicker than the others, the idea being that if anyone from the farmstead saw the party approaching, their eyes would be drawn to the upright figures of the other four, rather than the two archers.
Cal found the cover of a small piece of brush and quickly settled as the others caught up with his progress and bypassed him heading for the main building. From his position he could see that the farm did indeed appear to be progressing with an entirely normal day, but after the last few days he was going to take nothing for granted.
It seemed to take an age for the others to reach the building.
Luda took in the sights and sounds of the farm as he moved almost to the small fence that surrounded the main building. The purpose of the fence had confused him for a moment before he realised that it was a small plot of land set aside for growing vegetables. Obviously the fence was to protect the plants from the attention of the farmyard animals that appeared quite plentiful.
The whitewashed walls of the building had been freshly painted by the clean look of them, and the door stood open. The smell of cooking wafted past his nose and decided the issue as far as he was concerned.
“Ho the house!”
A pot lid could be heard clanging down before a few seconds later a middle aged woman appeared at the door. She eyed them warily for a moment before taking in the fine clothes that Tamala was wearing and the armoured uniform that Collett wore.
“Who passes?” The question was warily asked.
“Travellers who have suffered a slight mishap.” Luda grinned. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen half a dozen horses running around anywhere?”
The woman laughed at the obvious attempt to put her at ease. It didn’t work entirely, but it worked well enough for her to invite them in. “Judging by your looks I’d say that you were involved in more than a little mishap.”
“Unfortunately true madam, but if you’ll allow, we’ll explain everything over a warm mug of honeymead.”
The woman laughed. “Either you’re very lucky, or you’ve got a good sense of smell sir. Come in.” She waved toward the interior of the house and moved back through the door herself.
Collett turned to the area where Farsighter and Cal had concealed themselves and waved the all clear before following the others inside. A few minutes later the pair joined them whilst they were quickly explaining the events of the previous day to the farmer’s wife, who by now was close to tears as she heard of the death of the King and the loss of Holdur to the Shalers.
As the two archers joined them in the kitchen of the house, where they had been shown to a large table with enough chairs for nearly a dozen farmhands to eat evening meals with the farmer and his wife, a young boy came in from the interior entrance.
“Effan, fetch your father from the top field. Quickly boy!” The youngster was upset more by the tone of his mother’s voice than the fact that she had shouted at him, but he left the room immediately nonetheless.
“Griffith will be here shortly, you’ll have to ask him for the supplies and horses that you need, but if there’s a problem I’ll sort him out.” The teasing smile that traced across her face left the party in no doubt as to who was really in charge of the farm, no matter what the farmer might believe.
Leaving them with some cheese and bread left over from breakfast, she quickly made her way upstairs to the two rooms that the family used for themselves and began to gather what belongings she judged absolutely necessary for them to take with them. She had absolutely no doubt that they would be leaving the farmstead shortly after their new guests left themselves.
Griffith Tallson had farmed the land to the northeast of Holdur for most of his life, and had seen his fair share of scrapes over those years, but the tale he heard when he arrived in the kitchen himself some half hour later was enough to cause him to sit up and take the stranger’s warnings seriously. Adding the facts that his wife was already making preparations to leave, and she was not one to scare easily, he readily agreed to the party taking six of the dozen horses he owned
He had plenty of bullocks that could do the job of hauling their cart with what possessions they could move quickly, and most of the farmhands came from cottages scattered within a three mile radius with their own horses anyway. Whilst he had initially held some doubt as to the story that was spun to him, he could not doubt that at least Collett and Luda were indeed the warriors they claimed, and Collett’s uniform looked tailored, not stolen from the unfortunate body of some soldier killed in a skirmish somewhere.
It didn’t take long for the farmer’s wife to organise provisions for them and the farmer himself led them to the stable across the yard from the main house.
As Cal and Dorrin checked the horses and their tackle, the farmer spoke. “If you don’t mind my asking Lords, which direction would you recommend as being best?”
Cal had never been addressed as a Lord before and was quick to respond. “It’s Cal to my friends, and for today’s help you’ve certainly earned that right. As to which direction, straight east for Bor’a would be the best option, but I don’t know what the roads are like this side of Holdur.”
“The Northing Road is still in reasonable condition this time of year.”
“Then I would suggest that you use it for as long as possible. If you think that you might be being tracked, dump the wagon. Belongings can be replaced, your family can’t.”
Griffith nodded his thanks and hurried back to the farmhouse where his wife was checking that they had not forgotten anything important. Dorrin regarded him for a moment before speaking.
“Sound advice Master Ironsson, I couldn’t have put it better myself.”
Cal was instantly conscious of the fact that he should have left the answer to Dorrin. “If I’ve got it wrong tell me and I’ll go tell them.” His heartfelt sense of embarrassment at having superseded Dorrin’s authority almost caused the man to collapse into fits of laughter.
“Don’t panic Cal, if you’d said anything stupid I’d have immediately put things right. I was serious when I said that I couldn’t have put it better myself, though surprised that you answered so quickly.”
“After seeing the map in Lord Marig’s study I knew roughly where we were, and that the safest fortified place in this direction was Bor’a.
There’s a couple of other towns to the east, but none of them easily defensible. I thought I should send them to the safest place in the event that the Shalers move east.”
Dorrin grinned at the youngster. “We need to get you sat down with Collett when we get the chance. It would appear that you have a natural flair for tactics, which alas, I must confess is not my strongest suit.”
Cal groaned. “That means more lessons doesn’t it?”
“I’m afraid so. One of the drawbacks of travelling in such esteemed company is that there will be few subjects that at least one of us doesn’t know enough about to start your tuition. Cheer up, things could be worse, Luda might get stuck with teaching you plants and vegetables. Think of how much that’ll hurt his pride.”
Cal joined the older man’s laughter as Dorrin slapped his back before hauling himself up onto his horse.
Needle Spire
Myriana was tired and saddle sore. The Mythraan that had dragged her from the campsite that night had only carried her a short distance before she had been securely strapped to a large, black stallion. Then she had been led northward, even while the rest of the Shalers were still howling in celebration at their victory, their shouts punctuated by the occasional screams of those that had been captured being slowly tortured to death.
Shouted curses appeared to have no effect on the creature that had her captive, as it silently continued to lead her horse. It did not even turn to face her as she hurled every insult she had ever heard from the palace guard, and then a few that even they would have blanched at.
Come morning they had briefly stopped. The Mythraan had dropped her unceremoniously onto the ground, still tightly bound, then taken something from his pack and forced the young princess to eat the apparent herb. From that point on her progress had been shrouded in a fog of confusion, with only rare moments of lucidity.
For three days her perceptions had remained clouded, but on the morning of the fourth day she had been spared the daily administering of the drug and had her wits fully about her when they finally came within sight of a great lake, easily over a mile across at its widest point. This was not what took the young princess’s breath though. On the northern bank stood Needle Tower.
Standing over five hundred feet high, the tower looked as if it was constructed of smoky ivory. The base of the tower spread over an expanse some two hundred feet square and fifty feet high, with the main tower itself starting from the centre of the base as it towered toward the heavens. Atop the tower appeared to be a single teardrop sat on its pedestal.
Myriana had heard tales of the tower, of how it had stood uninhabited for nearly five centuries before the migration of the Shalers from the mountains almost a hundred years before. Who had built it had never been recorded, though many believed that it was the Lighter people, but Myriana herself found it hard to believe that the Lighters would build something so beautiful, and then abandon it to their less civilised cousins.
It was reputed to be the site of some great magic that the Lighter people undertook at some stage of their history, but the possibility seemed remote to her as she stared, awestruck at the majestic vision on the far side of the lake.
As her eyes traced down to the bottom of the spire, she saw the Shaler village that had built up around its base. Surprisingly, she was not ready for the air of normality that now presented itself. At this distance she could not see the differences between Shaler and human so the activity looked for all the world as it would in any other village in the kingdom.
She could see several smaller figures running between the crude huts that the Shalers lived in who were obviously children. Nearer the shore of the lake she could see what appeared to be women doing the daily chores, such as washing clothing or pots. Even a small group of men returning from what looked like a hunt. All in all it was not quite what she had expected.
Her amazement was cut short by a sharp tug on the rope that joined the bridle of her horse to the saddle of the Mythraan. They made their way around the shore of the lake until they entered the village from the north side and headed directly for the base of the Spire. Some of the children that she had seen ‘playing’ between the huts could now be seen up close as they thronge
d to taunt the captive. At the waist of every one of them hung hunting knives, and several of the older children carried short spears.
Women joined in the cackle of noise that surrounded the princess as she was displayed throughout the village like a trophy, before she was brought to the solid doors set into the base of the tower. Ponderously they swung aside to reveal the darkened interior of the building. Torches lit the cavernous room that they entered, though they did not provide enough light for Myriana to see much detail.
It appeared to be a stabling area and marshalling yard, though Myriana was no expert in these matters, and she noticed that there were very few people about.
Of the few that were around, four of them left off what they were doing when they saw the large figure of the Mythraan dismount his horse. They hurried to just in front of his and prostrated themselves on the floor.
The coarse, guttural tones that the creature used were beyond the princess’s comprehension, but the reaction of the Shalers made it clear what had been said. Two of them dragged her from her horse and placed her on the muddy ground where they proceeded to free her legs. The instant thought of flight was cut short as the heavy doors clanged shut behind them.
Whilst the first two took up position either side of her, obviously as guards, the other two led the horses across to the stables. The Mythraan curtly gestured with his hand and the guards pushed her forward to follow their master.
The cell that Myriana had been placed in was on the second of two floors that appeared to have been constructed beneath the tower’s base. She had been taken aback by the fact that in the lower levels the Shalers used glow-orbs to light the corridors and rooms, although the cell she had been placed in relied on the light from the corridor outside, as it had no orb of its own.
Left for her own devices for the next few days, she had little way to tell the passage of time apart from the meals that she was brought. She assumed that they were bringing her three meals a day, but there was no way that she could be positive about that fact.
Fall of a Kingdom Page 11
