‘Ah! King’s Captain! The good Governor simply thought my talents could be put to better use farther afield,’ William answered smoothly.
‘As far away as possible from the Lady Megan’s lovely sister, I heard,’ said Borgulnay bluntly, and Gilgarry laughed. He could remember now, William’s pursuit of Ailsa, Lady Megan’s younger sister. Ailsa showed no interest whatsoever in the little trader but nothing seemed to dissuade him until the Governor had ‘shown him the door’. In actual fact the Governor had shown William the road back towards the Wasteland and suggested he find himself a wife of his own people, the Tatharlians. After the Governor had used a sword to point him in the right direction, William had returned to Tatharlia briefly, and in the following years he established good trade between the clothing merchants of Tatharlia and the fashion hungry ladies of Alkira. He had never married.
‘Ahh… Ailsa,’ William said reverently, ‘a beautiful woman. Too beautiful for a simple trader,’ he added a little sadly, ‘even a trader in fine undergarments.’
‘So seven of the fallen?’ asked Borgulnay, showing he had heard the last part of the conversation.
‘They’re all quietly waiting not far from the well on the edge of the Wasteland. I suppose they are waiting for his Highness?’
‘That’s too many for us to fight, especially if you include the two who are tracking us,’ Borgulnay commented.
‘And the four who are waiting to ambush us about five miles ahead,’ said Araas as he and Alexander emerged from the forest and walked out onto the road.
Kelian let out an angry exclamation. ‘They must have somehow known we would travel this way otherwise how could they be guarding the road this quickly?’
‘Maybe they just decided to prepare for all possibilities,’ observed Araas. ‘Every move they’ve made has shown considerable planning and preparation.’
‘Twelve…’ said Kelian. ‘Trader, you may wish to rethink your decision to guide us.’
‘Sir, there are many ways to enter the Wasteland,’ said William. ‘They are all difficult and dangerous trails and we will need to travel on foot but it’s not entirely without hope.’ He leaned over the side of his cart and opened a large section of the floor.
‘Here, take these,’ he said generously, handing each person a supply of new undergarments. Kelian leaned thoughtfully against the brightly colored cart.
‘Araas, Tim, if we were attacked, how many of the fallen could you face...and kill?’
‘Actually, we don’t kill them. We return them to where they came from,’ said Araas.
‘Return them?’ Kelian found this intriguing. ‘You can explain that to me later please. But I imagine the question is the same.’
‘Maybe two each,’ Araas replied, glancing at Timbul.
‘Three!’ said Timbul returning his brother’s mischievously challenging glance.
‘Four!’ Araas corrected himself looking boldly at the Prince.
‘Five!’ Timbul made a show of puffing out his chest and flexing his muscles.
‘Enough!’ said Kelian shaking his head in disbelief. ‘Seriously, how many?’
Timbul’s face became serious. ‘I’m a reasonable warrior Kelian, but my brother has superior skills; between us, probably no more than four or five. A lot depends on the fallen’s skills. If they’re less practiced in battle, perhaps we could handle more than five. If they’re experienced warriors, four would certainly make us work very hard indeed.’
Kelian glanced at Araas who nodded his concurrence. ‘And the rest of us together may be able to deal with two,’ said Kelian, feeling disheartened.
‘With a little luck,’ added David.
‘And hoping they’re sick,’ said Alexander optimistically.
‘Inflicted with a terrible plague,’ agreed Gilgarry.
‘And it would help if one is missing an arm.’ David rolled his eyes at Gilgarry.
‘Better be his sword arm,’ said Gilgarry emphatically.
‘He could use his other arm just as efficiently,’ observed Timbul.
‘No his other arm is probably permanently crippled,’ said David decidedly.
‘How would that happen?’ asked Araas curiously.
‘Gil’s plague of course,’ snorted David as the others exploded into fits of laughter. ‘Or maybe he was born like that,’ he added.
‘A baby born with any defect is destroyed immediately by the fallen,’ said Timbul softly, his face suddenly a mixture of pain and anger.
The laughter died instantly and Kelian said, ‘So we should assume every warrior we encounter is flawless and experienced in battle. There’s no way we can even contemplate confronting all of them. We need to get sneaky.’
‘A distraction?’ ask Borgulnay curiously.
‘No! Definitely not!’ said Kelian, looking aghast. ‘We just need to get by somehow without being noticed.’
‘Or perhaps we need to even up the teams a little,’ said Borgulnay. ‘Tim, if you and Gil and myself were to circle round whilst everyone else continued very slowly on this road we could take down the two fallen who are tracking us. That would be a good start.’
‘I’m fairly sure the ones ahead of us are unaware that we know they are there,’ said Araas. ‘With a planned attack we have a reasonable chance of success.
‘I would like to think our chances are a little more than reasonable before our little group tries taking down four of the fallen,’ said Kelian.
‘Arras didn’t mean our entire group Highness,’ Timbul explained. ‘He meant just himself and me.’
‘It’s too risky,’ said Kelian shaking his head. ‘You agreed that it would be difficult to take on four if they were experienced warriors.’
‘That is true, Highness,’ said Timbul.
‘But you mean to try this anyway, don’t you?’ said Kelian with resignation.
‘Yes Highness, with your permission of course.’ Timbul stared into the Prince’s eyes for a moment and Kelian suddenly found himself deciding it was a good plan.
‘Tim!’ he said sharply. ‘I can make up my own mind without your emotional persuasion!’
Timbul withdrew his gaze, doing his best not to laugh. ‘Sorry,’ he said apologetically.
Kelian stared at him. ‘Alexander was right. You are not sorry. You’re a rogue. I thought the Daoine Maithe were supposed to be…well…I don’t know – not so devious, I guess.’
Araas laughed aloud. ‘Highness we may take a different path but we’re still brothers to the fallen. We have just chosen to put our devious minds to better use.’
Kelian shook his head. ‘I want more than just Tim, Gil and Borg going against the ones tracking us.’
In the end David went with Timbul, Gilgarry and Borgulnay as Kelian, Araas, Alexander and William continued ahead. To Kelian’s relief the four caught up with them before nightfall.
‘So?’ asked Kelian.
‘Done,’ said Borgulnay unemotionally. Then he added, ‘Though I have no idea why Gil, Dave and I even bothered to go. It wasn’t like Tim needed any help.’
Timbul turned and shrugged. ‘Perhaps they had less experience than expected.’ He glanced at the surrounding bush land. ‘I wonder where Jaralina is. I don’t like her being out there alone, particularly with so many fallen cluttering up the area.’
‘Jaralina?’ William had risen to his feet and was staring at the guardian in disbelief.
‘You know her?’ asked David in surprise.
‘If she’s the Jaralina I know, she stowed away in my cart when she was just a little lass,’ William explained.
‘She’s been following us since we left Castle and I think she’s now ahead of us. She’d be safer here with us but she’ll have her own reasons for remaining alone,’ said Timbul. ‘She worries me. There’s no way she could defend herself against one of the fallen, even one with limited experience. And I don’t like that she’s so far away I cannot sense her.’ He wandered over to Araas and the two fell into deep conversation.
&nbs
p; ‘They were experienced enough,’ Borgulnay said bluntly to Kelian. ‘Araas is right about Tim underestimating his own abilities. He struck like the fastest and most deadly snake I’ve ever seen. Oh, the fallen undeniably saw him coming and I have to admit they were also surprisingly fast but they never really had a chance. By the time the rest of us caught up, they were very dead. And he started to sense them from miles away. From the second he sensed them it was like something changed. He looked like he was reading them and judging them guilty. Then I reckon he was holding the pace back a little so we didn’t fall behind but once they were in view he moved so fast there was no possible way we could keep up. It was over in seconds.’ Borgulnay shook his head. ‘I’ve never seen anything quite like that.’
Kelian understood. He was quite certain Timbul underestimated himself.
Chapter 17
Josif’s Report
The King looked between the people he had called to the conference room, wondering how much he should tell them. Before he left the Dwellings, Tiernan and Karrijeuiga had commented that as King it was his decision how much of his visit he chose to share, and with whom. He glanced at the Lady Valeska.
‘Your Majesty,’ said Lady Valeska, sensing his hesitance, ‘would you like me to present a summary of the information discussed with the guardians?’
King Dannicus inclined his head gratefully. He motioned for everyone to be seated around the huge old octagonal table which had been built in this very room in the time of his grandfather’s reign. Each facet of the silky oak table was wide enough to seat at least two people, and the center of the table boasted a raised wooden disk which could be turned to move objects from one side of the table to the other.
The King had made it clear on many occasions that he wished to be seated with his Queen on one side of him and his King’s Marshall on the other, and unless it was a formal function everyone else may be seated as they so desired. Princess Elizabeth moved to sit beside Queen Aithne and the King’s Marshall took his place at the King’s side.
Lady Valeska motioned for Baroness Kielie of Storm Haven to join her. The Baroness was the saddest looking woman Squire Dale had ever seen, and he was fully aware of the circumstances which caused her to become a quiet and withdrawn woman. The woman he remembered from his childhood was vivacious and even a little wild. Her husband Baron Scott, rode with great speed from Storm Haven to East Inlet when the fallen attacked, leading to battle every available soldier of the Storm Haven garrison. None survived. The Baroness waited in ever dwindling hope for news of her husband. News finally came, and the Baroness sank into an apparently permanent depression. She looked up at Dale with her usually sad eyes showing sudden amusement. The Squire had bathed and changed into freshly washed but incredibly crumpled clothing. He was still unshaven and now had a mop of half damp hair which he had obviously toweled dry and forgotten to comb. The littering of cuts and bruises covering his body served to make his appearance even more comical.
Callian, General of the guardian forces, seated himself between Baroness Kielie and Governor Marnol, General of Highview and husband of Lady Sophie. The Governor was a frequent visitor to Castle using the excuse that his Lady needed new clothing or shoes but his visits seemed often to coincide with any unusual or unsettling military activity. He had proven to be a first-rate General and soldiers who trained at Highview were considered among the best in Alkira. The General had a habit of taking the wilder and more rebellious lads and transforming them into highly skilled and dangerous soldiers. His training was challenging and tough, and discipline was enforced with harsh penalties for disobedience or laziness. The rewards for a hardworking and well-disciplined soldier were equally high, as General Marnol’s opinion was that a soldier’s training should cover every military aspect, including strategic and leadership skills and this meant a large number of officers were trained at Highview. A young soldier appeared at the door of the conference room.
‘Be seated Private, there’s a space beside General Callian,’ the King directed the rather nervous looking soldier.
Dale had been told the soldier was Private Josif, who was sent back by Kelian to bring a report to the King. Josif had arrived less than half an hour before and had not had time to bathe or change from his torn, dirty, blood-stained uniform. Callian considered the Private then addressed the King.
‘The soldier is wounded sir.’
‘Majesty,’ said Private Josif, ‘my report is urgent, and I’m not going to die. I just have a bit of a shoulder wound and I lost some stitches getting back here when another small pack of ngurakin attacked,’ he explained. ‘It bleeds a bit, but I’m sure it looks worse than it is.’
‘Ngurakin,’ King Dannicus frowned. ‘They’re becoming more than a nuisance. Perhaps we should have your shoulder seen to before we continue Private?’
‘It’s nothing much, Majesty. I’m fine.’
‘If you’re absolutely sure you’re well enough, we’ll continue,’ the King decided.
Dale was seated between Lady Elizabeth and Administrator Tappy, who had before him a pile of blank parchment, two quills and a small pot of ink. He was wearing his usual dark frown. The moment Valeska began to speak Tappy went into action, his hand darting across the parchment. Dale watched. The Administrator’s hand flashed back and forth and his small concise handwriting quickly filled the parchment, accurately recording Valeska’s words. Dale was beginning to see why the Administrator’s presence was required at every official discussion. The filled parchment was moved to the side with a smooth flick, out of reach of any possibility of being smudged. Dale read it carefully. The Administrator had missed nothing of importance. Where sensible, several events had been precisely summarized; other information was recorded word for word. Dale was amazed that someone could record so much, so quickly and so neatly.
As Valeska momentarily paused, Tappy glanced up at the open-mouthed Squire and surprised him with a smile. ‘Each of us has our strengths, Squire,’ he commented.
Dale nodded and continued to read down the page whilst still listening to Valeska’s report. He came to attention as the King cleared his throat. Everyone at the table was staring at him, most with impatient expressions on their faces, with the exception of Princess Elizabeth who was trying not to laugh. He instantly understood their concern.
‘I am listening sir,’ he said, looking earnestly at the King. Dannicus raised one eyebrow. Dale sighed. Without taking his eyes from the King he quoted Valeska.
‘Your Majesty told Tiernan and Lady Karri that Borgulnay was sent to attempt to intercept the barge before it reached Three Ways. Kelian has gone with him and Timbul and Araas have been sent to protect Kelian. Lady Karri didn’t believe it was by chance the fallen were camped at Three Ways. Tiernan felt Cassic’s company would be insufficient protection for Elena and Immosey and he instructed Callian to report to the King as soon as he reached Castle.’
It was the King’s turn to stare open-mouthed at the untidy young Squire. ‘Yes. You were listening,’ he conceded. ‘You’re not as lackadaisical as one would assume by your appearance Squire,’ he added glancing at Lady Elizabeth. Squire Dale made a point of trying to look like he was listening as Valeska continued, but after several minutes he gave up and lowered his head, closing his eyes. He had never had any difficulty concentrating on another’s conversation even when he was undertaking other tasks or even reading. He correctly remembered most of what he heard and Duke Li often made sure Dale was on hand for this very purpose. What Duke Li missed, the sharp-witted Squire would most certainly be able to repeat. The group sat silently for a moment when Valeska finished speaking. Dale came out of his reverie.
‘So,’ he said to Valeska, ‘you are having a baby!’ He winked at the King’s Marshall. ‘Are you going to have a wedding ceremony here as well? I mean, it’s all very nice of the Daoine Maithe to marry you two, but we wouldn’t say no to a little party here.’
The King shook his head. ‘You know, Squire, I could have sworn you wer
e asleep. Let’s keep to the business at hand.’ He turned to Lady Elizabeth. ‘Is he always like this?’
Lady Elizabeth laughed. ‘Yes, and if Tappy’s report goes missing and there is anything, even the smallest piece of unnecessary information you cannot recall from Lady Valeska’s report, Dale will be most pleased to remind you, word for word if necessary.’
The King stared at Dale for a long moment. ‘I see. Private Josif, please?’ he said looking across the table.
Josif’s began to speak, a little hesitatingly at first, telling of the routine beginning of the journey and then the unexpected attack. He paused for a moment remembering the battle. ‘When they first attacked it was just like you’d imagine, completely chaotic. I was asleep. I’d finished my watch and then suddenly - well I’ve never seen anything like it. There were masses of fallen in the clearing - Supreme Majesty, they’re fast. Murray and Shadow and me - well we were all trying to fight one of them and he didn’t even look like he was breaking a sweat, but we were just getting in the way of each other.’ He touched his shoulder. ‘That was actually from Murray’s blade, last thing he ever cut,’ said Josif sadly. ‘Then the Captain was shouting for us to defend the barge and next minute there was the strangest of smells, and we all started dropping like flies. Then we were easy targets. They just slaughtered everyone where they fell.’ Josif’s voice became a little hoarse. ‘Somehow they missed me and I saw the girls dragged from the barge – it was on fire and I thought they were as good as dead – and I couldn’t even move.’ He sounded disgusted with himself. ‘Then more fallen were coming out of the forest and I heard the Captain telling someone not to move and then I got kicked in the head and well, next thing I knew it was morning and I could move again.’ He paused again. ‘There were a couple of guardians there and I think one of them fixed my legs,’ he said looking sideways at General Callian.
‘Most likely,’ Callian agreed.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 15
