Kelian felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up to find Arras standing before him. Araas inclined his head towards his brother and Kelian followed Araas to the top of the rocky mound where Timbul sat alone, staring blankly into the darkness. He didn’t move as Kelian and Araas sat either side of him. No-one spoke. Kelian let his thoughts wander, thinking of Jaralina and of Elena, Immosey and Louisa. He thought back to Timbul’s attack on the fallen at the well and he shuddered as he remembered Timbul’s rage and how the guardian had managed to destroy every one of them in seconds, and how he was unwilling to end their pain. His mind was filled with a feeling of failure that was not his own and he knew Timbul was opening his heart to him. He turned and looked at the guardian, but he hadn’t moved. He wondered if Timbul would have left the fallen to die slowly if Araas had not commanded him to return them. This time Timbul nodded slightly and Kelian knew Timbul felt shame. He let his mind drift over Jaralina’s death. He wondered how the fallen had captured her and why they had tortured her, but he was fairly sure they would never know. He also wondered why Timbul had not known she had been captured. He had loved her and Kelian was certain Timbul could sense her even over quite a long distance.
Araas’ thoughts came to him. ‘The fallen retain some of their gifts, though they’re prevented from using most to their full capacity. I have no doubt that once they found her they could mask her thoughts from others. It’s not difficult.’ For a moment Timbul seemed haunted then his face turned blank and he stared unseeingly ahead once again.
‘My brother, there is nothing more you could have done.’ Timbul didn’t respond. ‘You are not at fault. You did your duty and returned the fallen. Your lady will be content.’
‘The legends say we find bliss when we die. Is she happy now?’ asked Kelian.
Araas shook his head a little as though he couldn’t believe what he was being asked. ‘Yes Kelian, she will definitely be happy. Trust me, she’s happy!’ A flood of guilt, anguish and incredible loneliness burst from Timbul, flowing into Kelian’s heart and sending tears cascading down his face. His back arched and his mouth opened in a silent scream as he was overcome by the force of Timbul’s pain.
‘And now you know what Tim is feeling,’ said Araas, his own eyes glistening as he shared his brother’s grief. ‘Legends aren’t always good for everyone. Jaralina is in bliss and Tim is in hell.’
‘Do the guardians have legends?’ asked Kelian.
‘Many. There are legends from before the existence of the guardians and there are legends about our future. But perhaps they are just legends. Who knows?’
‘Your future?’
‘They say we won’t always live in this dry land, but that one day we’ll be forced to move on. As will the children...the humans, and the fallen too.’
‘Do they say where we go?’
‘No. Just that it’s a beautiful place where enough rain falls to keep the land green and lovely, and that when we go, we would hold four important treasures, which would be needed in our new home. They are supposedly a stone, to determine the true king, a deadly sword, a catapult which is unable to miss its target and a vessel bringing an endless supply of food. But I suspect this is just a representation of our gifts.
‘How so?’ Kelian was intrigued.
‘The Daoine Maithe know in their hearts if one is the true King, which is why we cannot disobey a command from you or your family. I suppose one would see a sword or catapult in our hands to be far more deadly and accurate than one held by a human and as for an endless supply of food, there are some among my people who have the gift of increasing natural substances, such as oil or flour.’
‘But what if these treasures really do exist somewhere,’ Kelian mused.
‘They might. Perhaps they do. We just don’t know yet.’
‘Does your legend give any indication when this might occur,’ Kelian asked curiously.
‘None,’ Araas said shortly, lying back on the rocks and closing his eyes.
Kelian woke not long after the sun rose. Dotted around the rocks were large goannas, stretched out catching the rays of the morning sun. The air was completely still and the sun was disturbingly hot, even at the early hour. He watched an ant struggling to drag the body of a dead beetle, and further across the rocks an entire parade of ants surrounding the remains of an unlucky goanna. He rolled over and saw that Timbul was asleep. His face was peaceful. Kelian sat up and looked towards the well. Alexander was drawing water and pouring it into each of the soldier’s water bags. Gilgarry raised his water bag to drink.
‘No! Gil! No!’ Kelian shouted, jumping to his feet and sending goannas scrambling in all directions. ‘Don’t drink it!’ He lost his footing and tumbled down the rocks to the ground. Gilgarry dropped his water bag and dashed over to where the Prince lay groaning.
‘Highness! Are you injured?’
‘I’m alright Gil, help me up.’ Kelian grabbed Gilgarry’s hand and was hauled to his feet. ‘I should have worked this out earlier,’ Kelian continued as the other soldiers gathered around. ‘There were dead rats behind the well…I didn’t think…’ He turned to Araas who dropped his arm load of wood and dashed over to the well. Everyone began emptying their water bags, with the exception of William who poured out only a little of the contents onto the rocks, trying to see if the water looked tainted. He raised the bag to his nose, took a careful sniff and keeled over backwards, his eyes rolling up in his head.
‘William!’ Borgulnay raced to the little trader. Araas was beside them in a second and he knelt down and studied the William’s face. He grabbed the front of the trader’s shirt and dragged him into a sitting position. Still holding the man by his shirt, he pushed his hand against William’s forehead and then he gave the trader a little shake.
William’s eyes flew open and he sucked in a deep breath. Araas sat back on his heels with relief. He let go of William’s shirt and the trader flopped back onto the ground.
‘Ah, Araas?’ he said unsteadily. ‘I don’t seem to be quite right.’
‘Give it time, William,’ said Araas, moving back to the well. ‘At least now we know,’ he observed. ‘I think they’ve put chiniocelle in the water. At least, it smells like chiniocelle.’
‘Chiniocel?’ David frowned. ‘Isn’t that a beetle?’
‘Chiniocelle is a poison made from crushing chiniocel beetles and mixing the paste with kalara oil. It’s especially efficacious in paralyzing a body. Most times everyone thinks the person is dead and they usually are within minutes anyway. Very few humans are willing to work with the horrible stuff, it’s too dangerous.’
‘Araas,’ said Kelian, looking back towards the rocks, ‘Tim is still asleep, even after all the noise and shouting and me falling down the rocks and William almost poisoning himself. Is that normal?’
‘He needed to sleep, so I helped him. I’ll wake him if you wish.’
‘No, leave him there for now.’ Kelian’s heart went out to the grieving guardian. ‘Give him a bit more time.’
‘As you wish; now, about this water.’
‘Are our water bags ruined?’ asked Alexander anxiously.
‘No, Alex.’ Araas took his water bag and held it upside down for a moment. ‘You just need to let it dry out. The chiniocelle only remains potent whilst it’s sealed away from the air, or added to water. Once the water is gone, the poison becomes ineffective. It’s incredible in water. It’s almost like it takes on an insidious life of its own. The tiniest bit can spread through an entire lake in minutes. I wouldn’t have thought it possible if I hadn’t seen it for myself.’
‘Is there anything that can be done?’ asked Kelian.
‘Yes. We can put a big warning here so people know the well is poisoned. It will be months before the water is drinkable again,’ said Araas.
‘It needs to be a message that anyone can understand,’ said Kelian, ‘and something that won’t be washed away in a storm, or covered by sand. Could we scratch a message into the well itself?’
/>
‘We will do that, but people may not see it. Humans are not observant,’ said Araas.
‘There’s a better way, guardian.’ William was now standing and moving unstably towards the well.
‘What do you suggest, William?’ Araas caught his arm and helped him along.
‘You may not be able to remove the poison, but I have no doubt at all that you can dry up the well. I’m sure it will replenish itself soon enough. You said it yourself, without water the stuff is useless.’ William looked expectantly at the guardian.
Araas stared at the trader in surprise. ‘You’re right, the answer was too obvious.’ He leaned over the well, thinking. ‘William, how far is it to the next water?’
‘If we leave now, we should find water by midafternoon, all going well.’
‘And how much clean water do we have left?’
‘Just whatever Prince Kelian, Timbul and yourself were carrying.’
Kelian groaned inwardly. He drank most of his water the previous night, confident they would draw from the well the next morning.
‘Tim and I don’t carry water, William,’ said Araas, looking over at Kelian.
‘I have enough for a few mouthfuls for each person,’ said Kelian. He climbed back up onto the rocks, brought down his water bag and handed it to Araas.
‘Barely enough,’ said Araas, feeling the weight of the bag. ‘William, is there any water in your cart?’
‘I’ve just come across the wasteland, Araas. Now the fallen let me pass the well, which was a surprise in itself, but I gave them wide berth. I had enough water to take me on a little further - it’s always prudent to carry far more than you think you will need, but I have finished my supply. There are some little streams and springs through the wasteland if you know where to go.’
‘We need to start out before the sun gets any higher,’ said Kelian. ‘Araas, if you would dry up this well I’ll go and wake Tim. Everyone else; let the horses go, we cannot take them with us, and I think the cart would just slow us down. Get yourselves ready to leave.’
Chapter 20
Misjudgment
Squire Dale glanced up crossly as a court page approached.
‘The King requires your presence immediately, Squire,’ said the Page coldly. He was tall for his age, about Dale’s height. If he didn’t carry such an annoyed look, he would have been considered a very good looking young man. His unblemished skin was quite dark from the sun which only served to accentuate his light green eyes and his fair hair.
Dale was crouched beside the belongings he had been lugging down to the dock after receiving orders to prepare to board the ship sailing for Warbilla. He had taken a shortcut down a sandy path to avoid getting tangled in the soldiers who were running to and from the castle. Unfortunately, in his haste he tripped and tumbled down the slope, landing awkwardly. His bag split open, spilling everything and several items made a rush down the steep incline. Luckily for Dale there was a low wall before the wooden docks, or the heavier items may have charged straight across the boardwalk and ended up at the bottom of the harbor. Dale stood and glared at the page.
‘The Kings exact words, Enrique?’ he demanded and he added, ‘I will check with him, you know.’
Enrique’s face flushed. ‘Please send Squire Dale to me when he returns from the docks.’ He gritted his teeth as he spoke, making it difficult for Dale to understand him.
‘Go back to the castle,’ said Dale, still glaring at Enrique, ‘and tell the King I have had a little difficulty getting my belongings to the ship but I will return to the castle and report to him as soon as I have removed my gear from the middle of the pathway. And be assured, I will ask His Majesty what your exact words were. If you get it wrong, I’ll make sure I take the time to teach you how to remember simple messages.’ Dale’s words were an obvious threat. Enrique turned and ran up the path leading to the castle.
Dale left his gear piled to the side of the pathway. He draped his split carry sack over the top and glanced up at the darkening sky, hoping the threatening rain would hold off just a little longer, at least until he was able to return and collect his belongings. He ran up the steep slope and through the streets to the castle. He was recognized and was not stopped at the gates and minutes later he paused before the door of the King’s conference room. The King gestured for Dale to enter. He raised an eyebrow and Dale could see he was trying his best not to laugh.
‘Enrique said you had a little trouble. Is everything all right, Dale?’
Dale looked down at himself. He was coated in sand and grime, the knees of his trousers were ripped and his skinned knee was bleeding onto the ripped fabric. His shirt was covered with dark splatters from an ink container which had uncorked as his bag hit the ground. Sand dropped from his hair as he looked down at his boots, which were the only part of his attire that was undamaged.
‘I had a little fall taking the fisherman’s path to the docks and my bag split open.’
Dannicus turned to Enrique, who was now waiting in the corner of the room, warily watching Dale.
‘Enrique, get a new sack from the warehouse for Dale. Take it down to the docks and collect the spilt items. Have the bag taken aboard the Kings Ship ‘Swift’.’ The page bowed and turned to leave. ‘And Enrique, I trust you will have no difficulty with this task.’ The King was now looking very seriously at the young man who was turning a deep shade of red.
‘No sir,’ said Enrique, and his voice was a little croaky.
‘Good,’ Dannicus continued. ‘Remember the bag must be aboard the ‘Swift’ with all of Dale’s belongings inside. Please make sure you have the correct ship.’ Dale raised an eyebrow. The ‘Swift’ was the only vessel of any size currently in the harbor. ‘Thank you, Enrique. Please return to you own preparations when the task is complete.’
Enrique left the room and Dale shook his head with annoyance. ‘Where are you going to send him, Majesty, now he’s fourteen?’
The King smiled at the Squire and whispered softly, ‘Morlee!’
Dale burst out laughing. Morlee was on the opposite corner of the continent, deep inside fallen territory. The King sighed.
‘I have no idea of what to do with the boy. He acts spoilt but I know he’s not. I’m absolutely certain his behavior doesn’t show his genuine self. I’m sure he has more potential than he wishes me to see. Like he’s trying to be something he’s not, or perhaps he’s trying to hide something from me.’ He turned and walked out onto the balcony. ‘I hope he manages to get your things aboard before that rain arrives,’ he commented. ‘Danil and I have agreed that Enrique should go with you.’
Dale was dismayed. ‘Are you sure you’re not just trying to get rid of him?’ He stopped speaking, dismayed by what he’d just said to the King.
Dannicus laughed at the distressed Squire. ‘Of course I’m trying to get rid of him! But if he’s ever to follow his father as Duke of Western Downs he must stop behaving so strangely.’ Then he added, ‘I think a little break on board ship will do the young man wonders. We may even find the true Enrique. He pretends to be concerned with his appearance and how others perceive him, but I’m not fooled. You’re the best person I can imagine to help him grow up a little, as you don’t actually seem aware of your appearance however disheveled and tattered you may be.’
‘Er, thank you sir – I think?’
‘I’d like you to take him as your Squire as he’s fourteen now and he’s actually our most capable Page. It’s unfortunate that he’s the biggest nuisance. We had a Sergeant within our garrison here quite a few years back who fit exactly into this category and he turned out to be a reasonable soldier.’
‘May I ask who sir?’
‘Danil. He was one big nuisance.’
‘What changed him?’
‘The passing years…he has seen battle. He has seen death. Now he’s possibly the most dangerous soldier Alkira has ever seen and one of the best men I’ve ever known. He’s a good friend.’
Dale was beginni
ng to understand what the King was asking him to do. ‘I’m happy to have Enrique as my Squire, Majesty. I’ll be pleased to take the boy with me and I’ll do my best to help him.’ He was quite aware that when the King made a request, it was an order and as a Squire, he was bound to follow his King’s orders without question, hesitation or complaint. He wondered how a Squire could have his own Squire.
‘There’s one other thing Squire, before you leave. It’s important. Follow me.’
To Dale’s surprise he was led to the throne room. He had been in the room several times at Duke Li’s request to observe proceedings so he went to the back of the already crowded room and stood unobtrusively in the very back corner where he had been placed on previous occasions. The King turned and looked around the room and then leaned across and spoke to Administrator Tappy whilst pointing to Dale. The Administrator motioned for Dale to come forward and he squeezed through the crowd feeling extremely self-conscious. The smaller throne beside the King’s throne was now occupied by Queen Aithne, though on both of Dale’s previous attendances, this throne had remained vacant. Standing in their designated places around and in front of the throne, stood Princess Elizabeth, Baroness Kielie, King’s Marshall Danil, General Marnol, guardian General Callian, Lady Valeska and Lady Sophie. Administrator Tappy stood behind a small table equipped with his usual pile of parchment and writing paraphernalia. Administrator Tappy gestured for him to stand beside the Baroness Kielie. He was beginning to feel nervous, and he suddenly wished he had bathed and changed clothing before he reported to the King. He noticed that a little smile appeared on Callian’s face the instant he had this thought, and he looked at the guardian suspiciously. He was aware that the Daoine Maithe could sense thoughts and he wondered if Callian would be willing to speak to him about this later. The guardian nodded slightly and Dale flinched.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 18
