Moving very slowly, Timbul walked past the kitchen toward the dining area. Everything on this level of the castle was ruined. Every piece of furniture had either been swept away entirely, or had been smashed and stained. Utensils, pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, baskets, boxes, crates, barrels and cloths were piled in grimy heaps on the floor of every room. There were cushions, rugs, mats, lamps, wall hangings and paintings, all damaged and most beyond salvage. Timbul flinched when he saw the body of yet another Nailmarni near the spiraling stone staircase. At the foot of the staircase, embedded into the stonework were two ancient spears, set in place by Kelian’s great, great grandfather, when the castle had been built. They were no longer sharp, yet this Nailmarni had been lifted and thrust down upon one of the spears. The weapon had penetrated the side of its lower back and was protruding from its stomach just below its ribcage. Timbul slipped past the body and made his way up the stairs. At the top of the stairs there was yet another body, so obviously dead that Timbul didn’t even pause to look. He moved into the conference room. The massive table, which had been built in this very room, had been flung across the floor and lay up against the stone wall but it appeared mostly undamaged. There was no-one in the room so Timbul moved back into the hallway and headed towards the rear quarters, where the pages and squires were housed. He stopped when he heard movement in the bathing room. He sheathed his knife and drew his sword. Very stealthily, he moved up to the doorway holding his sword ready, and then with lightning speed, he wrenched back the door and flung himself into the room.
There were two Nailmarni in the room, and this was the closest to any of their race showing emotion that Timbul had ever seen. Their eyes widened slightly and they tried to dodge backwards, but Timbul brought his sword across without hesitation taking the heads from one and then the other in quick succession. The bodies fell to the floor and Timbul stepped backwards, turned and left the room. At the end of the hallway he found another body, pinned to the wall by a knife. Timbul had seen this happen once before though this time he could see that Borgulnay had taken the Nailmarni’s knife and used it to kill him. There were no other signs of movement on this level, so he went up the stairs to the third above level. He went straight to the King and Queen’s suite and placed his hand on the door handle. He began to turn the handle.
‘There’s no-one in there,’ said a voice behind him and Timbul swung around in shock, halting his sword inches from Borgulnay’s neck. Borgulnay didn’t move.
‘Borg!’ Timbul gasped. ‘You nearly died then!’
‘I didn’t mean to startle you. I asked Immy to try to hide my thoughts. We only just discovered she could do this, so I asked her to try whilst I was gone. She seems to be doing a good job,’ Borgulnay observed, glancing at Timbul’s sword. ‘Immy didn’t think she’d be successful, so I didn’t mention it. Did you have any difficulty finding me?’
Timbul sheathed his sword. ‘It would have been hard to miss your trail of dead Nailmarni. Is there anyone else on this level?’
‘Not any more. There were two in the Squires quarters, but they won’t be coming after us. And I see you removed the two who were hiding in the bathing room.’
‘I thought you might need a little help getting out of here.’
‘No. I’m doing alright. But I’ll accept your offer of help. Some things on this level are un-spoilt, so I intend to take the girls some clothing and some dry blankets and anything else they might find useful.’
‘Oh no, I can’t do that!’ said Timbul, smirking. ‘His Highness said the only thing I needed to do was help you get out of here.’
‘You’ve already been disobedient. You took the heads from two Nailmarni,’ Borgulnay reminded him. ‘Now hold some of this,’ he added dumping a handful of blankets and clothing into Timbul’s arms.
‘Is there anyone left alive in the castle?’ Timbul crouched and rolled everything up inside one of the blankets.
‘Probably, but I don’t imagine there’s too many for us to handle. How did you get inside?’
‘I followed you through the new escape tunnel. Why didn’t you use the baker’s door?’
‘That tunnel is flooded. But I did have a look in the kitchens. I was hoping there might have been some food in there that we could take, but they’ve been using the storage room as a sepulcher. So even if there is some food in there, I don’t want it when it’s surrounded by dead Nailmarni.’
‘Definitely not.’
‘There were two more Nailmarni down there, dragging the bodies into the storeroom.’
‘Where are they now?’
‘I left them in the storeroom with the other bodies,’ Borgulnay replied indifferently.
‘Can we go?’
‘I’ll just find some sacks to carry all of this gear and then we can go.’ Borgulnay went into one of the rooms and came out carrying several large cloth bags. They squashed everything into the bags and slung them over their shoulders.
‘There’s only one tiny problem, Tim,’ said Borgulnay, following him towards the stairs.
‘Only one? What would that be?’
‘I’m absolutely covered in Nailmarni blood and I have a bit of a cut on my back.’
Chapter 31
Desperation
‘I just want to go home,’ Eijelin cried. The news of her parents’ death had devastated the little girl and she had wanted to be alone since she was told. Aithne and Elliot wanted to help her, but she refused to be comforted and had not eaten in days. Princess Elizabeth was also struggling to come to terms with the terrible loss, and although she was trying to help Eijelin as much as possible, she felt that the little girl should be given time and space to grieve.
Princess Elizabeth sighed sadly. ‘We can’t go home, Linnie. Castle has been attacked by the Nailmarni and until they are removed, it’s far safer here.’
‘Where’s Kelian?’ asked Eijelin miserably. ‘Why didn’t he come on the ship?’
‘Apparently he was still in the castle when the ship left,’ said Elizabeth, her heart aching.
‘He’s dead too, isn’t he?’ said Eijelin, starting to cry once again.
‘Eijelin, I won’t give you false hope. I have no idea if he escaped some other way. There is a small possibility he may have.’
‘What do you think?’ Eijelin croaked.
‘I want to believe he escaped. That might be foolish, but he had Danil with him, and Callian and Borgulnay were still inside too, and Captain Gillam said Timbul and Araas went back towards the castle as the ship was leaving. I know they will have done everything in their power to save him.’
‘I want to believe he escaped too, Auntie Lizzie. I wish he would come here.’
‘I know if he escaped he will come. Let’s hope together.’ She gathered Eijelin into her arms and pulled her up onto her lap. They sat together until midday and then Princess Elizabeth walked with Eijelin to the dining area.
Elliot and Aithne watched Eijelin hopefully, wondering if she would join them, but Eijelin clung to Princess Elizabeth’s hand. She tried to smile bravely, but instead huge tears broke from her eyes and splashed down her cheeks. She dropped her head as she sat down. She ate only a meagre portion of her meal and drank some water, but Elizabeth was pleased to see she was no longer refusing food. After the meal she pushed her chair away and glanced towards Elliot and Aithne. They were watching her sadly, and she managed a small smile before she clutched Princess Elizabeth’s hand once again. She paused in alarm when her aunt didn’t turn towards her bedroom. She tried to pull back as Elizabeth drew her through a sandstone arch towards a pathway that led down to the beach.
‘Auntie Lizzie, I want to go back to my room,’ she said miserably.
‘Eijelin, I know you don’t feel like doing anything much, and I understand that entirely, but both you and I need to have a little fresh air. We’ve been inside for days and I just want to get outside for a little while,’ said Elizabeth.
‘I can find my way back to my room by myself.’
‘Oh!’ said Eijelin in surprise, as it suddenly occurred to her that her aunt was also grieving for her family. ‘Of course I’ll come with you.’ They walked across the sand and the rows of guardians parted to allow them to pass. Eijelin’s mind was racing as she grasped how many people would be affected by her parents’ deaths, but she had only taken thought for her own pain. Now she wondered what she could do to help her aunt. She raised her head bravely as she passed one of the Daoine Maithe, who was looking at her as though he understood her thoughts and approved of her change of attitude. She pulled Princess Elizabeth towards the water.
‘Let’s paddle,’ she said. They slipped off their shoes, and waded into the water up to their knees, holding their dresses. There were little pink and orange shells dotted along the beach and on the sand in the water. Each of the shells had a tiny hole at one end, and Eijelin started collecting them, wondering if she could somehow string them together to make a necklace. She immediately decided she wanted to make one for Aithne as well, and for Princess Elizabeth, so she began to run back and forth in the water snatching shells from the sand every few paces. Princess Elizabeth watched, relieved that the little girl was showing some interest in life once again. There was a splash as Eijelin tripped in a hole and fell forward into the water. Elizabeth was beside her in seconds and as she leaned forward to help Eijelin, she stepped into the same hollow in the sand and went tumbling down beside Eijelin. They sat side by side in the water, laughing and trying to collect all the shells Eijelin had dropped.
It was mid-afternoon when they eventually made their way back towards the Dwellings. Elliot and Aithne stared at the dripping pair, but Eijelin ignored their astonished looks and showed them the shells they had collected. The three children wandered out into a grassy courtyard together, where they sat against a warm wall in the sun.
‘What did Princess Elizabeth want?’ Elliot asked curiously.
Eijelin held her head up bravely. ‘She’s very sad because daddy was her brother and mommy was her best friend.’
Elliot leaned back against the wall and shut his eyes. ‘Your mom was really nice, Linnie. I wish I still had my mom.’ He opened his eyes and looked curiously at Aithne. ‘Where’s your mom, Aithne?’
‘I don’t know,’ Aithne mumbled, blushing as she turned away. ‘Something happened to her...’
‘What happened to her?’ Elliot persisted. Aithne didn’t answer. She gritted her teeth and stared ahead. ‘It can’t be that bad, can it?’ said Elliot, shrugging. Aithne looked at him for a long moment.
‘It can be that bad, Elliot.’
‘You can tell us. We’re your friends!’
‘Alright,’ said Aithne, her face turning scarlet. ‘My father murdered her when I was little. Then he made me a slave and sent me away.’
Eijelin and Elliot stared at her in shock.
‘Supreme Majesty!’ Elliot whispered. ‘I’m sorry Aithne.’
‘Me too,’ said Eijelin as her mind wrapped itself around the fact that so many people she knew were beset by a multitude of difficulties, some far greater than any she’d had to bear.
‘But now I have a brother!’ said Aithne proudly. ‘Mil is my big brother, and Borg is like my brother too.’
Eijelin closed her eyes and wondered if she still had a big brother. Tears came to her eyes once again, and she blinked them back, swallowing hard to maintain her composure.
‘It’s alright to cry,’ said Elliot. ‘That was something your mom told me. She said sometimes it helps and she was right.’
‘I just want to know what happened to Kelian,’ Eijelin admitted. ‘If he left Castle when the Nailmarni attacked he should be here by now, shouldn’t he?’
‘Maybe, maybe not,’ said Aithne shrugging. ‘When I was a slave, we walked from Morlee to Lake Khynol and it took a long time. A lot longer than I thought it would take. Maybe it just takes longer than you think, to walk somewhere.’
‘I hope so. But what if he got caught by the Nailmarni? I wish I would find out. Maybe he needs help. What if he’s injured or what if he’s lost?’ Eijelin’s voice was tainted with panic as she imagined Kelian running from the Nailmarni.
‘You can’t help him if you start panicking,’ said Aithne firmly. ‘Are you planning to go and find him?’
‘Of course not!’ said Eijelin, blushing once again. She stared at Aithne, feeling self-conscious that her friend could sense her thoughts. ‘Well maybe,’ she said defiantly, looking away.
‘I’ll come with you, if you go looking for him,’ said Aithne. ‘I never knew I had a brother, and if I lost him…’ She shrugged. ‘I’ll come with you, Linnie.’
‘Me too!’ said Elliot emphatically. ‘If Callum was out there somewhere and needed help, I’d go after him. I’ll come with you too, if you go to find him.’
Eijelin stared skeptically at Aithne. ‘If you can sense my thoughts, surely the Daoine Maithe can. Why aren’t they rushing over here to stop us?’
‘I’m blocking your thoughts. Hiding them,’ Aithne whispered, and she giggled as Elliot’s eyes went round in surprise. ‘When do you want to leave?’
‘As soon as I can!’ said Eijelin, her heart rising at the thought of finding Kelian.
‘Well, we’ll need a map, but I know where I can get one. I think we can follow it. And we need to get some food, and we’ll need some blankets and a water bag, and maybe some bandages in case Kelian’s hurt,’ said Aithne, trying to remember everything that she had seen in the soldier’s packs. ‘It might take a day or two to get everything we need, without being noticed.’
‘How are we going to get out of here?’ asked Elliot.
‘I know a way out,’ said Aithne.
The three children sat in close discussion until they decided to bathe and go to bed. They walked inside and passed Tiernan who was heading back to the lake. The children greeted him as they walked up the stone staircase leading to their bedrooms.
‘Oíche mhaith, codladh samh,’ said Tiernan, as they passed.
‘Goodnight Lord Tiernan, sleep well,’ the three children echoed his blessing. He wondered why Aithne was shielding Eijelin’s and Elliot’s thoughts. As the children reached the top of the staircase, Aithne turned and glanced nervously back towards Tiernan. He kept his expression neutral as he deliberately took the little girl’s thoughts, then he turned away and continued towards the lake, now intent on finding Daibhi.
Chapter 32
Misapprehension
Borgulnay and Timbul appeared quite suddenly out of the darkness.
‘Borg!’ Immosey cried in delight, throwing herself into Borgulnay’s arms. ‘I knew you were getting closer!’ she added proudly. The big soldier lifted her to his height and kissed her gently then he stood holding her tightly, gazing at her adoringly.
‘Report!’ said Kelian, standing and helping Elena up. He rewrapped her in his arms and rubbed her shoulders briskly to warm her. Borgulnay kissed Immosey again, slowly and passionately.
‘Don’t let me go,’ she thought hopefully and Borgulnay shook his head.
‘Never!’ he said adamantly.
‘Captain?’ said Kelian pointedly, ‘when you’re quite ready.’
‘Sorry Highness.’ Borgulnay grinned. ‘I got inside without too much trouble,’ he began but Timbul interrupted.
‘He’s covered in Nailmarni blood, Kelian. If we don’t treat him now, he’ll die.’
‘What!’ Kelian exclaimed. ‘What happened? No!’ he said, not waiting for an answer. ‘You can tell me after we fill you up with Pelgavik.’
‘Where are we going to get Pelgavik around here?’ asked Elena, waving to the surrounding mud and debris.
‘I’ll go up into the mountains,’ said Timbul.
‘I’ll go,’ Araas offered. ‘I’m faster than you.’
‘And I’m faster than both of you,’ said Milgorry adamant
ly as he appeared beside them, closely followed by Danil and Gilgarry. He didn’t even wait for Timbul or Araas to reply, but darted away towards the hills.
‘He’s not faster than me.’ Araas frowned stubbornly.
‘Yes he is,’ said Timbul confidently. ‘He’s probably stronger too. And he’s more skilled with the sword…and possibly with the bow, which is a little disturbing considering he’s one of the fallen. And he-’
‘Thank you!’ Araas interrupted, looking offended.
Timbul smirked. ‘I’m actually the fastest! I just let him go because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.’
‘Because he’d take you down with a sword so easily you weren’t game?’ said Araas sarcastically. It was Timbul’s turn to look offended. ‘And I’m faster than you Tim,’ he added smugly.
‘Tell me exactly what’s happening inside the castle,’ said Kelian, shaking his head at the brother’s rivalry. He was distracted once again as Borgulnay sat down suddenly and heavily, and the sack he was carrying dropped to the ground, revealing the fact that the back of his shirt was drenched with his own blood.
‘Uh oh!’ said Kelian, dropping to his knees beside the soldier, but not touching him. ‘You’re injured! As well as being covered with Nailmarni blood! Did he get any of the blood on you, Immy?’
‘Heaps, but it won’t affect me,’ said Immosey. ‘Oh Borg, I don’t want you to get sick!’ She knelt beside him and hugged him.
‘I don’t think it’s the Nailmarni blood that’s affecting me,’ said Borgulnay, sounding weaker by the second. ‘I think it’s the cut on my back. It might be a bit deeper than I thought.’
The Guardians (Book 2) Page 24
