‘Had too many Simon?’ a voice called out cheekily and the crowd laughed merrily.
‘Quiet!’ Simon shouted, banging his hand on the table. The crowd turned to stare at him and all fell silent. ‘Tell them,’ he said to Ethan, gesturing to the crowd.
Ethan gazed around the silent crowd. ‘Colonel Mulgrew just sent me a message.’
‘What message?’ someone in the crowd called.
Ethan turned to Louisa. ‘Go on then guardian. Tell them the message.’
‘How did you know I’m a guardian,’ Louisa whispered curiously.
‘You crushed your mug almost in half when Simon dropped his,’ Ethan explained. ‘Now tell them please.’
Louisa glanced down at her crumpled mug in surprise and then blushed as she looked up at the crowd who were waiting expectantly for her to speak. ‘Colonel Mulgrew said to send reinforcements,’ she said, looking intently around at the faces in the room.
There was complete silence for a few seconds then everyone began to speak at once.
‘Stop! Quiet! Please!’ Neither Ethan’s nor Simon’s shouts made any difference in lowering the volume of the voices. There was a piercing whistle from the tavern master and hands flew over ears. Everyone became quiet and waited for Ethan to speak.
‘If you are willing to come with me,’ he said quickly, ‘arm yourselves and we’ll meet back here in ten minutes. If you can’t come, I will remind you that Colonel Mulgrew would not have sent this message without necessity. Make sure your families are safe.’
‘And just how do we keep our families safe if we aren’t here, Ethan?’ complained a tall thin man with a dark angry looking face.
‘Bert, we’ve discussed this so many times I weary of your stupidity. You are supposed to have a plan in place for your family if ever we are threatened by the fallen. You are supposed to have chosen someone to defend them, someone who can handle weapons.’ He turned his back on Bert, ignoring his indignant look. The people rushed from the tavern and disappeared into the street, leaving Louisa standing in the corner with Ethan.
‘I’ll be back in a few minutes, guardian,’ he said and he ran through the door and turned towards his home. Louisa found she was the only person who remained. Even the tavern master had disappeared. She sat down on one of the stools and waited patiently.
Chapter 8
The Nest
Dale moved stealthily through the tunnel under the street until he came to the door leading into the warehouse. He reached up and took the handle and turned it gently, moving it slowly and just enough to open the door. He mentally cursed when the door creaked as it opened. He crouched and pushed against the huge sack of flour at the bottom of the neatly stacked goods. It refused to move so Dale braced himself against the wall and pushed against the sack with his feet. Still nothing happened and he knew that he was going to have to climb the pile of supplies. Using the stack of goods and the wall for support, he gradually pushed himself upwards until he could see into the warehouse. There was no-one in sight so he dragged himself over the bags and crates and began to climb towards the floor. There was an incredible crash as the pile gave way. Dale stifled a shout as he landed awkwardly on the floor, bursting a bag of flour and smashing several clay jars of oil which splashed over his entire body. He grimaced as he saw that the black clothing and the dark cloak and hood he had chosen for his venture were now covered in white flour. He began to beat his clothing with his hands to remove the flour that was gripping the oil. He stopped for a second and frowned. For a moment he was sure he had heard someone laugh. He waited, straining his ears. There was a movement in a corner of the warehouse and a rat scuttled across the floor and disappeared between broken boards. Dale relaxed. He moved noiselessly from the warehouse and circled around the castle, following the outer curtain wall.
‘Enri?’ he called, looking up to the top of the wall, and Enri’s head appeared between the merlons.
‘Head’s up!’ Enri’s voice said cheerfully. A pack suspended on a length of rope appeared over the edge of the wall and descended towards Dale. Dale quickly untied it and gave the rope a sharp tug. The rope disappeared and then reappeared a moment later tied to blanket containing a bow with a full quiver and several hunting knives in sheaths attached to a leather belt.
‘Thank you,’ Dale called up quietly and Enri’s head appeared again.
‘No trouble, Dale,’ said Enri. ‘I suppose it wouldn’t have done for anyone to see you sneaking out armed and with a pack on your back. Aren’t you riding? Where’s Crocodile?’ he asked, referring to Dale’s impossibly protective horse.
‘He’s down in the stables next to the city gates.’
‘Dale, I should come with you,’ said Enri uneasily, glancing around the bushes. He stood still for a moment, staring into the trees and then a look of recognition came over his face. ‘Never mind,’ he said abruptly. ‘I’ll see you when you get back.’
Dale gave a wave and disappeared into the early morning gloom. The sky was beginning to lighten as he slipped between the abandoned buildings, making his way towards the city gates. He stopped not far from the stables and listened intently. He could hear and see nothing unusual, but he walked around to the side of the stable, where he was hidden from sight and climbed in the window. His horse was standing quietly in the corner as Dale dropped to the floor.
‘How are you doing Leon?’ Dale asked quietly, as he rubbed the horse’s neck. Leon gave a little snicker as Dale patted him, and then waited patiently. Dale used his finger to open the horse’s mouth, slipping the bit into position, and then he eased the bridle over each ear. He hesitated for a few seconds as nervousness made him feel like he was being watched. He pushed the uncomfortable feeling aside and turned back to Leon. He checked the cheek straps were sitting comfortably and moved to Leon’s left to buckle the throat lash. He listened again for a moment but could hear nothing unusual. His saddle cloth and saddle were placed exactly where he had left them, so he unhurriedly saddled Leon, then he led him to the back door of the stable, across the road and through the city gates.
As soon as he was through the city gates he mounted and left the road, disappearing into the southern bush land. The sun rose as he made his way through the trees. He continued steadily south for several miles before stopping. He had come to the place where, months before, he had found a path leading into a very well hidden valley, when King Dannicus had asked him to investigate the possibility of traitors within the Castle garrison. He dismounted and led Leon up the path.
The path ended unexpectedly and he felt distinctly uneasy as he gazed around at the unfamiliar landscape. To his shock, he heard movement. As quietly as possible he led Leon from the path into the bushes, moving up the side of the valley and taking shelter behind a mound of exposed granite. He settled himself uncomfortably in a crevice and waited. Within minutes a group of people passed. Their white skin was sunburned and their pale eyes squinted as they peered around. They were not moving particularly quickly, but by their smooth strides Dale felt sure they could move a lot faster if they wished to. Each one of them wore the brown leather skirt which had been described by Evan. They wore no clothing on their upper bodies and no shoes on their feet. They passed by without noticing him and he wondered how long he should wait until he followed them, or if he should go further into the valley and investigate where they came from. He sat contemplating this decision for a moment then decided to move further into the valley. He knew Danil was trying to be prepared for an attack at any time, but Dale wanted very much to find out how many of these invaders there were and exactly where they had their base, or as Callian had put it, their nest.
He led Leon from the rocky hillside and moved further into the valley. It was only an hour off sunset when he found the nest. He had almost given up hope and was beginning to look around for a suitable place where he could hide and make cold camp, when he stumbled on a clear set of bare footprints. He left his intended path, tied Leon’s reins to the low branch of a hoop pine
and made his way back to where he had seen the footprints. He looked in the direction he had left his horse, to ensure he couldn’t see the animal through the trees and then he crept forward, looking apprehensively into the bushes and stopping every few paces to listen. Eventually he came to a place where the ground fell away sharply with thick bushes at the base of the depression, so he sat down on the ground and slid down, barely making a sound. He peered through the bushes and it was all he could do not to shout. He pushed himself violently backwards. His heart started to pound, and sweat and tears burst from his face as he scrambled up the slope. At the bottom of the depression and stretching out across a field were white bodies which appeared to be sleeping. They lay on the bare ground, uncovered and unmoving. Scattered amongst the sleeping bodies were numerous sentries, standing motionlessly watching the bodies and watching the surrounding bush land. He was trembling with shock and horror and it was all he could do to control his breathing as he slipped into the nearest thick bushes. He could barely believe they hadn’t noticed his hasty exit. In the very center of the field was a pile of human bodies, some with missing limbs. Even in such a brief instant, Dale recognized the clothing of King Dannicus and Duke Li. He had no doubt that if he was able to look further he would also find Princess Elizabeth. He felt shocked and sickened and his stomach churned. Tears of grief and anger poured down his face. The man and woman who had raised him after his own parents had been killed lay dead in a jumbled mess of human bodies, next to the King who had placed such faith in him. He wondered who all the other people were and why they had been killed and he leaned forward and vomited. He took out his water bag and washed his mouth, and then he vomited again. He dropped to his knees and cried silently. The sun slipped over the horizon and the sky darkened as he knelt inside the prickly bush. Depression threatened to overcome him and he leaned back against a branch, acknowledging that it was almost dark, which meant it would be far easier for these invaders to see him, than it would be for him to see them. He felt like screaming. He felt like taking his bow and striding into their nest and seeing how many he could take down before they killed him and added his body to the pile. He wondered for a moment what death would feel like and before he could stop himself he let out a half strangled cry.
‘Dale?’ Dale fell sideways as a hand rested on his shoulder. Callian stood right behind him and the guardian’s face was a portrait of his own feelings. ‘You need to come with me,’ said Callian softly and Dale followed him miserably through the trees. They reached the place where Leon was patiently waiting and the tall guardian untied the animal and handed the reins to Dale, then he pointed west. Dale mounted and once again followed Callian, moving slowly in the darkness. Callian kept walking for hours before he stopped and gestured to a flattish area between some high boulders. ‘We’ll stay here tonight,’ he said.
Dale unshouldered his bow and quiver and slid his pack from his back. His thoughts raced between the nauseas sight, the grief of losing loved ones, and the threat these people – these horrible, poisonous, enemies the Daoine Maithe called Stonefish - imposed on everything and everyone he knew and loved. His knees trembled and he dropped to the ground with his pack clutched to his chest and tears running down his face. He said nothing as Callian took his pack, removed several blankets and stretched one out on the ground for him. Without objection, he crawled onto the blanket and pulled the other over his body. He lay staring up at the stars. His heart ached and his body trembled uncontrollably. The last thing he saw was a flash of movement as Callian’s hand brushed over his face.
Dale woke as the sun was rising. For a moment he thought he was back in Nyinaku, then the memory of the horror he had witnessed the previous day returned, and his stomach churned. He closed his eyes, wishing he hadn’t woken, and then he pushed himself to his feet, rolled his blankets and squashed them into his pack. Callian was standing on top of one of the huge boulders which were strewn across the entire mountainside, looking warily into the trees. Dale ducked behind the rocks to relieve himself then joined Callian on top of the boulder.
‘You slept,’ Callian commented.
‘Yes. Thank you, Callian,’ Dale said gratefully. Grief weighed heavily on his soul, but he felt better able to bear it, having slept.
‘Do you wish to return to Castle?’
‘No. I want to go back to where we found the Nailmarni nest and have a better look. I want to be able to show Danil exactly what we are facing.’
Callian said nothing.
‘I think I need to take this opportunity. I’m already here and I may as well gather as much information as I possibly can,’ Dale stated.
Still Callian said nothing.
‘Callian, I’m not going into their nest, I just want to look. From a distance will be fine.’
‘And if something goes wrong? What if we are seen?’
‘We won’t be. But if we are, would you mind grabbing me and getting us out of there fast?’
Callian sighed resignedly.
‘You don’t seem very keen on this plan.’
‘I’ve battled these people before. Their skills are not to be taken lightly.’
‘I saw the bodies, Callian!’ said Dale angrily. ‘I’m not quite as stupid as I look, but Danil is going to need more information, and we are here! I have to do this!’
Callian sighed. ‘Dale I certainly didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just such a dangerous plan.’
Dale stared at Callian in dismay as he remembered the result of his last dangerous plan. Callian, Danil and the free warrior called Lias who had helped them to escape from Nyinaku, had almost been returned whilst defending their group against pursuing fallen warriors. If the people of Tabul had not come to their aid, all three would most certainly have been lost. Dale took a step backwards and sat on a rock.
‘I’m sorry Callian. What do you think we should do?’
‘I think you should stay here, whilst I go back to the nest for a look. I can show you what I see when we get back to Castle.’
‘Absolutely not! We go together or I won’t allow you to go at all. I want to take a sketch of the area, so I can show Danil, without relying on you being there. After all, you’ll be off to the Dwellings soon, and that might happen before you have any chance to share what we’ve seen.’
‘Dale it makes no difference!’ Callian raised his hands impatiently. ‘I can give you my thoughts as soon as-’
‘No! What if you were to be returned?’ Dale closed his eyes briefly as Callian looked at him in disbelief, then he sighed deeply. ‘This is probably stupid, but I just don’t want you going back there alone, even you guardian General.’
Callian looked at Dale with the strangest expression of perplexity. Then he nodded slowly and smiled. ‘Alright, we go together. And you are correct, if I am returned, my memories are lost. But if I even imagine they see us, we leave. Agreed?’
‘Agreed. Why were you out here in the first place?’
‘Danil knew what you were up to. And following you just happened to coincide with my search for the King and the Duke and Princess.’
‘Enri knew you were following me didn’t he?’
‘He did. I told him when I watched you sneaking out. I could see him on the wall. I wanted to stop him leaving the keep to come after you.’
‘Leon!’ Dale called, looking up to where the horse was grazing on the slope above their camp. Leon gave a quiet whinny and ambled down the hill towards Dale.
‘Do you want some food before we go?’ asked Callian.
‘I’ll probably just vomit it all over you if you have to carry me away,’ Dale said wryly, throwing his saddle over Leon’s back.
‘Perhaps not,’ said Callian decisively. He waited for Dale to swing into the saddle then he walked ahead of Leon as they moved down the mountain.
They left Leon tied where he had waited the previous day. When they came close to the nest they lay on the ground and dragged themselves forward until they could peer through the long rough grass int
o the depression where the bodies lay sleeping.
Dale reached into his pack and took out a charcoal stick and a piece of parchment. With utmost care, he sketched the area, doing his best to keep the scene in perspective and making notes of how many enemies he could see and where the sentries were placed. He paused when he drew a circle to indicate the mound of bodies. He had avoided looking directly at the pile until this point but now as he looked, a wave of horror, coupled with grief and nausea overcame him once again. Callian reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder and a feeling of calm pushed the panic and horror aside. The grief remained, but once again he felt able to cope. He took a deep breath and quickly outlined the horrible sight trying not to notice the fabric of the clothing he knew belonged to people he loved. He was relieved he couldn’t see their faces.
Callian squeezed his shoulder gently to get his attention then pointed to a nearby sentry who was looking into the trees not far to their left. They ducked their heads and lay as flat against the ground as they could. Eventually Dale raised his head to look and the sentry had turned and was facing away. He sighed with relief and indicated to Callian that he was ready to go. Remaining flat against the ground, they pushed themselves backwards until they were far enough away to crawl through the bushes. Ten minutes later, they untied Leon and made their way back through the hidden valley.
Chapter 9
Reinforcements
Elena, Immosey and Peta stared anxiously from the window. Gilgarry, Borgulnay, Kelian and Colonel Mulgrew were standing outside the house, watching intently for any signs of trouble, and all were sure they had seen flashes of movement amongst the trees. Colonel Mulgrew glanced uneasily at Prince Kelian. ‘Highness, you need to go inside,’ he said firmly. ‘I’m guessing the only reason they haven’t attacked is they’re wondering where the guardians are.’
The Guardians (Book 2) Page 6
