‘How long does it take for the remedy to work?’ Loreto asked, as she watched Lias pour the oil, lemon and honey over the crushed ingredients.
‘It starts to work almost immediately, but your patients won’t be back to normal for many months. They may not recover completely for more than a year. But they will recover.’
‘How do you know? Have you used this remedy?’ Loreto asked curiously.
‘No. I’ve used the poison,’ said Lias, looking at her with a strange dangerous glitter in his eyes. Loreto stepped back in fright and her heart accelerated wildly.
‘Why?’ she managed to ask in a whisper.
‘Because someone took my sister by force, and for that they earned death.’
‘Oh.’ Loreto blanched. ‘Where is your sister now?’
Lias’ face turned cold. ‘She was killed by Nandul because I helped some of your people escape from Nyinaku. When I avenge her, his death won’t be as pleasant as being slowly poisoned.’
Loreto gulped nervously. ‘Is it complete?’ She tore her eyes away from his face and stared at the mixture.
‘It is,’ Lias confirmed as he scooped some of the mixture into two smaller bowls. ‘Can the girls swallow?’
‘If I put food into their mouth they swallow. By instinct I think. I just make sure everything I feed them is well ground and can be swallowed without chewing. How much should I give them?’
Lias explained how often to use the remedy and how much to feed the patients and Loreto listened.
‘I’ll help you feed them,’ Lias finished. It was quite some time before Lias was satisfied that each Princess had taken enough of the remedy. Loreto took the empty bowl from him, trying to hide her fright, and then mentally chastising herself for feeling scared. She lifted her chin boldly and looked him in the eye.
He stared back at her curiously before walking to the doorway. Loreto picked up the knives and the mortar and pestle and carried them to a huge bowl of water which stood on a low pedestal in the adjoining room. She placed the items in the water and wondered if the remedy they had made would be enough, or whether she would need to make more, and if so, whether Lias would be willing to assist her. She decided to ask and hurried back towards him. He was standing in the doorway, with his bow and quiver over his shoulder and his sword and knives belted around his waist. His hand rested on the hilt of the longest knife. She stopped and stared when she saw him, and he folded his arms across his bare chest and looked at her questioningly. Her heart accelerated wildly and she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. She opened her mouth to ask about the remedy, but nothing came out and suddenly she was trembling again. She blushed and clasped her hands together to prevent them from shaking. Lias stepped forward swiftly and wrapped his hands around hers. She tried to pull away, but found that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t free her hands, and she gasped in fright as he pulled her towards himself. Her knees felt weak and tears sprang into her eyes as every terrifying story she had ever heard about the fallen rushed through her mind. He released her hands, and she backed away from him. His expression turned from curiosity to regret, and he left the room and slipped down the stairs and out into the courtyard.
Loreto stood staring towards the empty doorway, partly relieved that he had gone and partly wishing he had stayed.
‘Jade?’ a weak voice interrupted her thoughts and she swung around hurriedly towards the beds. Tears poured down Loreto’s cheeks as Lerise reached out and tried to touch her sister’s hand.
Chapter 36
Logistics
‘We can’t feed them all,’ Lady Karrijeuiga stated firmly. ‘We have to find more food.’
‘Or take them somewhere else that’s safe,’ Danil added.
‘There’s no-where safer than here,’ said Tiernan.
‘Then we have to work out some way of bringing in more food,’ Karrijeuiga repeated.
‘From where?’ said Tiernan wonderingly, taking Karrijeuiga’s hand.
‘How many more arrived today?’ asked Kelian. For the past two days, ships had been making their way to the Dwellings, all carrying hundreds of citizens and soldiers from their respective garrisons. The first two, the ‘Kingfisher’ from Storm Haven and the ‘Rosella’ from Sunrise, arrived bearing citizens and soldiers who declared that a soldier called Evan had given them orders from King’s Marshall Danil to come to the Dwellings. On arrival, Duke Samuel, Duchess Cassandra and Squire Luke made it known that they were unhappy about the arrangements, unhappy with the orders from a mere King’s Marshall, offended by the need to travel with peasants, and not satisfied with many other trivial inconveniences. The following day Admiral Stork sailed the Black Swan into the harbor. Apart from the citizens of Tarlique, he had on board Prince Irwin, Princess Amy and her husband Duke Laughlin, all of whom were most grateful to be offered assistance by the Daoine Maithe. They brought with them the terrible news that Tarlique and Chayse had been attacked by the fallen. Chayse was completely destroyed along with Colonel Mulgrew and the men who valiantly defended the town.
Before he was killed, Colonel Mulgrew sent runners to Tarlique describing the attacking force, and his opinion that the battle could not be won. Prince Irwin immediately gave orders for the evacuation of Tarlique and the people of Tarlique squashed on board the ‘Black Swan’ along with all remaining soldiers of the garrison. As they sailed for the Dwellings they saw their homes being burned, but as the Prince reassured them, they escaped with their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
‘The ‘White Ibis’ arrived from Highview this morning,’ said Danil, ‘with every single remaining soldier, and the few citizens who live down there, and then the ‘Kookaburra’ arrived from Western Downs at about midday with Duke Percy and Duchess Vera and as many citizens as they were able to convince to come.’
‘Which I’m hoping was everyone,’ said Duke Percy, appearing in the doorway. ‘We received a bird from Highview with a message telling of the attacks, so before we sailed we sent riders out to warn the town folk and the farmers. It took some time to be sure we’d found everyone, and even now I worry someone might have been missed. Some of the areas around the borders of Tabulum are difficult to traverse.’
‘Good,’ said Kelian. ‘Sit down Your Grace. The only trouble we have now is feeding everyone. Have you seen Enri yet?’
‘No. We’ve only now finished unloading the ship and finding places for everyone to sleep. I think that’s going to be your next problem, Highness. Unless you want everyone to sleep in shifts, I doubt there are enough beds here to accommodate everyone who arrived today.’ Duke Percy sat down tiredly. Kelian turned to a young man called Cam who stood waiting patiently in the corner.
‘Ask Duchess Vera to join us and then send for Enri. Don’t tell him his parents are here.’ Cam scurried from the room. Moments later Duchess Vera entered the room. She was as weary as her husband and was relieved when Kelian indicated that she should sit.
‘I sent Cam to find Enri,’ Kelian explained and tears sprang into Duchess Vera’s eyes as she smiled hugely.
‘I hope he’s done his duty well as Squire?’ asked Vera.
Kelian didn’t get a chance to answer, as at that moment Enri appeared in the doorway. He had spent a good part of the day moving stealthily around the area to the north of the Dwellings with Daibhi and Borgulnay, as they did their best to ascertain the movements of the Nailmarni, and had only just returned to the Dwellings. He was dressed in the correctly embroidered uniform of the King’s Knights and was armed with both bow and sword, having come immediately upon receiving Cam’s message. He stopped at the doorway as his eyes fell on the faces of his parents. Duke Percy and Duchess Vera rose to their feet. It seemed like far more time had passed than was the actual case when they saw their son. To their eyes the changes in his appearance were extraordinary. Gone was the insecure boy, and before them stood a serious young man, who carried himself with the confidence and purpose of a soldier. The gangly youth had vanished, and the uniform
Enri wore strained across his widened shoulders. Enri’s face broke into a grin as he saw his parents and for a few seconds he looked the boy he truly still was. Then he turned and stood before Prince Kelian.
‘You called for me sir?’
‘Report, King’s Knight,’ said Kelian formally and he smiled at the expressions on the faces of Duke Percy and Duchess Vera.
‘As far as we could see, the Nailmarni are fully adjusted. We noticed today there are significant numbers leaving the nests. We think they’re using the same pattern as they used before they attacked Castle, by forming a circle of Nailmarni around the Dwellings, but this time they are feeding the circle from two nests. If anyone has to leave in a hurry I don’t think they’ll be going that way,’ he added shaking his head.
‘Did you get a close look at the nests?’ asked Kelian.
Enri’s face turned bleak. ‘We had a look just before daybreak this morning. There are very few resting bodies and there are-’ He stopped speaking and glanced at his mother. ‘-signs of feeding,’ he finished grimly.
‘Thank you, King’s Knight,’ said Kelian. ‘Good work. Now why don’t you spend a little time with your parents?’ he suggested.
Enri bowed then rushed over to greet his parents and the three left the room together.
Kelian walked outside to the patio and looked down towards the Daoine Maithe lining the beach. ‘How much food do we have?’ he asked as Tiernan, Karrijeuiga and Danil followed him through the doorway. ‘For how long can we feed the people?’
‘Not for long enough,’ said Tiernan. ‘My lady is using her gift to increase our fresh water to provide for everyone, but food is not so easy.’
‘I managed to increase some of our supplies of flour from the farms, and some of the oil,’ Lady Karrijeuiga said proudly. ‘The flour was extremely difficult and I practically fainted from the effort, but the oil increased easily. I didn’t know I could do oil! I always thought my gift was far more limited!’ She flushed with pleasure at her achievement as she spoke.
Kelian sat on the edge of one of the chairs. ‘I don’t think we can wait any longer.’
‘You wish to attack?’ asked Danil, raising his eyebrows dubiously.
‘No. We don’t have enough soldiers.’
‘We don’t have enough guardians,’ Tiernan corrected him.
‘We don’t have enough of either,’ Kelian agreed. ‘So we need to come up with a better solution.’ He turned and spoke to Cam and the boy listened carefully before hurrying away once again. Kelian turned back to Tiernan. ‘I’ve sent for Danil, Borg, Timbul, Araas, Valeska, Gil, Marnol and Daibhi. But you probably already know that,’ he added, and Tiernan nodded politely. They sat in silence until the people Kelian had summoned began to arrive.
‘There’s movement along the cliffs,’ said General Marnol as he entered the room.
‘How many?’ Tiernan asked.
‘I couldn’t see how many. They were doing their best to stay out of sight. But considering we’ve seen so little of the Nailmarni, I think any action might mean they are about to attack.’
‘I wish we had a better strategy,’ said Danil. ‘Sitting back waiting for them to attack is not good. If they attack now, we’re in big trouble.’
‘I don’t like this at all,’ said Tiernan. ‘We’re out of time. If we are to come up with a strategy we need to do it right now, before they attack. Surely there’s some way we can hold them back.’
Lady Karrijeuiga stood up. ‘I’ll stay down on the beach and you can tell me later what our plan is.’
‘Can you sense our conversation from the beach?’ asked Kelian.
‘Normally. But right now every guardian in this room has their mind firmly closed. I doubt anyone can sense what’s being discussed. Except perhaps you darling,’ she added, stretching up to kiss Tiernan.
‘Mmm…’ Tiernan looked into her eyes for a long moment. He glanced sideways as Daibhi arrived. ‘That’s everyone then,’ he said, and he kissed Karrijeuiga once again. ‘I’ll come down to the beach as soon as we’re done.’
‘Tiernan?’ Daibhi was staring at him in disbelief.
‘What is it?’
‘From what I saw this morning, the Nailmarni could attack at any second. Surely you’re not letting her go down to the beach now?’
‘Why not?’ asked Karrijeuiga.
‘We need every available guardian standing guard, and as soon as we’re done here I expect the rest of us will join her.’ Tiernan looked confused by Daibhi’s attitude.
‘I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,’ Daibhi said stubbornly.
‘What isn’t right about defending the people we are placed here to defend?’ asked Karrijeuiga.
‘Karri is a remarkable commander. She’s an excellent fighter and I can think of no-one better to be leading us if the Nailmarni attack,’ said Tiernan. ‘And with Danil up here, we need to have someone like Karri with the soldiers. After Callian, she is one of our best. If Callian is returned, either Karri or Valeska will be our next guardian General.’
‘It just seems a little insensitive. You didn’t ask the others to fight. In fact, you forbade them to fight!’
‘Others,’ Tiernan was now looking completely bewildered. ‘What others?’
A look of comprehension dawned on Daibhi’s face. ‘You don’t know do you?’ he said, staring at Tiernan. He looked at Karri. ‘And neither do you!’ He laughed and Tiernan and Karrijeuiga stared at him in perplexity.
‘What?’ Tiernan asked in bewilderment.
‘I just thought it would be better if Lady Karri were to join the ladies in the western tower,’ he said, smiling at Tiernan. ‘I’m sure neither of you wish to risk any unborn child.’ There was a stunned silence.
‘Daibhi, are you sure?’ Karrijeuiga finally whispered, her face turning pink.
‘Absolutely,’ said Daibhi confidently.
‘I didn’t know you had the gift,’ said Karrijeuiga, staring at Daibhi in surprise.
Daibhi smiled. ‘When a child is formed, I can hear its soul whispering in my heart. That’s how I know whether it’s a boy or a girl; by the sound of its soul.’
‘Karri, I…’ Tiernan’s face was aglow with adoration. He gathered her into his arms and she snuggled against him, feeling overwhelmed by Daibhi’s revelation. ‘Karri, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to…’
‘I won’t go onto the beach,’ said Karrijeuiga, not wanting to let go of Tiernan. ‘Daibhi is right. There’s no way I’d risk a child.’
‘So are we expecting a little brother or a little sister?’ asked Timbul, looking quite startled.
‘They are girls,’ said Daibhi positively.
Chapter 37
Execution
Dale heard Colonel Jastin’s indignant cursing long before he saw him. Callian stood at his side with Eibhear, Lias and Rudiger. Assembled in the courtyard were the people Dale had sent for. Captain Levin stood watching the warriors warily and glancing at Dale curiously every few seconds. Administrator Kyoredes had the foresight to arrive with writing materials and he seated himself on the nearby bench, surmising that whatever he was called to record was going to happen in the courtyard. Judge Marsa stood with the seven citizens who were also eyeing the warriors nervously and talking quietly and curiously amongst themselves. There was a sound of angry footsteps as Colonel Jastin stalked into the courtyard.
‘Well Squire?’ he barked, glaring angrily at Dale.
‘Baron,’ Callian corrected him.
Jastin snorted derisively. ‘Baron then,’ he said contemptuously, raising his hands and shrugging.
Dale ignored the sarcasm and got right to the point. ‘Colonel Jastin, Princesses Lerise and Jade have just been administered a remedy to counteract the effects of a poisonous concoction they appear to have consumed.’ Colonel Jastin’s face whitened as Dale continued. ‘You are one of the few people who have unquestioned access to the keep. Have you seen anyone else in the Princesses’ room that shouldn’t ha
ve been there?’
‘I have no idea! It’s not my job to babysit the Princesses when Daddy and Mommy are away!’ Colonel Jastin snarled.
‘That’s not the wording I would have used, but that’s exactly what your duty is,’ said Dale drily, then he quickly continued as the Colonel’s face darkened. ‘Colonel, I expect your cooperation as we try to determine what has happened to the Princesses.’ Dale did his best to sound reasonable, and Jastin managed a curt nod of agreement. ‘Who decided to bring the girls to the new keep?’
‘The Physician. She insisted they were moved. She said something ridiculous about the old donjon being cold and dark,’ said Jastin scornfully and the hairs prickled on the back of Dale’s neck as the Colonel’s face became cold and calculating.
‘And has there been anyone else around the Princesses who could have done the poisoning?’
‘Only the Physician. She never leaves them!’
‘Who brings them their food and water?’
‘The Physician. She insists on doing everything for them.’
‘So if something was not fresh, if something had begun to turn poisonous-’
‘The Physician is the one responsible for their food.’
‘So she feeds them and helps them to drink their water?’
‘Her and no-one else.’
‘So they’ve been ill the entire time the Physician has been attending them?’
‘She’s probably been poisoning the water the entire time,’ said Jastin accusingly. A look of satisfaction swept over Dale’s face.
‘Colonel, I never said it was the water that was poisoned,’ he pointed out. Jastin’s face contorted with shock at Dale’s words. He let out a snarl of fury and fear.
The Guardians (Book 2) Page 28
