The Fallen (Book 1)

by Dan O'Sullivan

  ‘We can’t take Aithne with us,’ said Gilgarry. ‘We’ll need to hide her somewhere.’

  Borgulnay turned to William. ‘If we’re not back here by dark, you take her and get out of Nyinaku. I can see by your map that you’ve been here often enough and I think you’re likely enough to find your way out quickly if needed.’

  William struck Borgulnay’s shoulder good naturedly. ‘I will protect her with my life. Don’t worry Borg. I can get her out of here.’

  ‘I know. But it won’t be necessary. We’ll be back here before sundown. Show me the map.’

  They stood looking at the map but it showed no marking of any settlements nearby. Eventually William showed Aithne the map.

  ‘Here,’ she said confidently, pointing to a position on the map not far from where they stood.

  ‘Are you sure?’ asked Kelian, wondering if such a young child truly understood the map.

  ‘Yes. And here’s where I serve my master,’ she pointed to the edge of the lake, ‘and this is where Nandul was going.’ She ran her finger up to point to Weema. ‘And this is where Timbul caught the turkeys.’ She touched the map and Kelian glanced at Timbul.

  Timbul smiled. ‘That’s exactly right. I had no idea you were following me.’

  ‘I stayed a long way back. I only followed you because you took all the fruit,’ said Aithne sheepishly.

  Kelian folded the map and handed it to William. ‘You’re very good with a map Aithne. Now, stay here with William and we’ll be back as quickly as we can.’

  Chapter 26

  Warbilla

  The journey from Western Downs to Warbilla was uneventful. The town was governed by a man called Smith, whom the people referred to as ‘the Principal’. He was also the town’s blacksmith, as had been his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He had the look of a man who would stand no nonsense and the people of the town viewed him with respect and loyalty. He was waiting at the dock to greet the party when they disembarked, having been notified of the approach of a ship bearing the Prince’s banner. Dale spent most of the journey either behind the ship’s wheel or assisting the sailors with various tasks, which he learned quickly and eagerly. Captain Galbraith watched him with satisfaction as he worked to his best capability and took no offence when corrected or criticized, but endeavored to improve as he repeated tasks.

  To everyone’s relief there were no nasty surprises waiting in Warbilla. Principal Smith led them down the cobbled lanes until they came to a little wooden door that faced directly onto the street. He opened the door and stood back, bowing his head politely as the Prince passed. They found themselves in a tiny dwelling which they were immediately aware was the Principal’s home. The room where they stood contained a small table surrounded by four chairs, three of which were occupied by a woman and two small children. The room was hot from the fire burning in the stove and steam rose from a battered kettle. Against the wall there was a high bench and two small cupboards, and the group could see that the children had just finished eating. The woman was plump and had a pretty freckled face and sparkling green eyes. Her curly red hair was loose around her shoulders. She stood respectfully as the group entered the room. The children followed their mother’s lead and stood, looking curiously at the guests. The little boy was the image of his mother, stocky and red haired, but the little girl was more like her father, with black hair and serious eyes. What immediately struck Dale was the beautiful quality of the clothing the woman and children wore. They looked out of place in the plain kitchen, where every item was old or very well used.

  ‘Prince Galbraith, this is my wife, Caity,’ said Smith, looking at his wife proudly, ‘and my children, Connell and Beth.’ He smiled at Prince Galbraith’s look of surprise. ‘Yes Highness, she was named for your mother, the Grand Duchess.’ The little girl raised her chin proudly.

  ‘I’m very pleased to meet you all,’ said Prince Galbraith, nodding politely to Caity who was now staring at the Prince and looking rather nervous. He introduced everyone else using only names and ignoring titles, hoping to make the woman feel more at ease.

  ‘It’s an honor to meet you,’ said Caity. ‘Please come this way.’ She led them through a door into an even smaller room. The room contained two long chairs and a low table. The chairs were threadbare and the table was missing a leg but was held up at the corner by a neat stack of well-made horse shoes. There were several shelves proudly displaying an array of books next to a window covered with faded blue curtains. Caity gestured politely towards the chairs and then backed out of the room and returned carrying two of the kitchen chairs for herself and her husband. She turned to the children. ‘Rinse your teeth, relieve yourselves, and then off to bed!’ The children’s faces dropped, but they kissed their father and obediently followed their mother from the room.

  Principal Smith smiled as his wife returned. ‘What more could a man wish for?’ he said sincerely.

  ‘Indeed, you are a lucky man,’ Prince Galbraith agreed. ‘You have a fine family.’

  ‘True,’ said Danil. ‘You might have gifts of men or of guardians, but without a family...’ He took Valeska’s hand and clasped it to his chest.

  Principal Smith closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. ‘My wife is a gifted woman. At times she sees things before they happen, not literally, just like...like foresight I suppose you’d say.’

  ‘It’s an uncommon gift for a human,’ said Valeska, ‘and even less common among the guardians. But I must say, if you have such a gift it’s unwise to ignore it.’

  Principal Smith turned to Galbraith. ‘Highness, the reason for your visit is unknown to me, but if you need assistance I would be happy to help in any way I can. Now, we have one inn in this town and it pains me that I cannot offer you better lodging, but there is only one other room in this house, in which my family baths and sleeps, and some of you are obviously very tired,’ he said, looking wryly at Dale who was slumped in the corner of the lounge with his head back and his eyes closed.

  Galbraith shook his head. ‘We will disrupt your family as little as possible Principal. We’re content to lodge at the inn. Before we go there, I will tell you a little of our mission, and any help you can provide would be most welcome.’ Smith inclined his head curiously but didn’t interrupt.

  ‘We need to get into Nyinaku, find some captives, rescue them and get out alive,’ the Prince said bluntly.

  Smith and Caity sat staring at the Prince in stunned silence, as if not quite believing what they were hearing.

  Caity recovered first. ‘Sir, is it permissible to ask who the captives are?’

  ‘The fallen have taken Governor Ringo’s daughters Elena, Louisa and Immosey. It just happens that Louisa is a guardian, though at the time she was taken, she was unaware of this. We think Louisa was the object of the abduction and her sisters were taken to ensure she doesn’t decide she’s strong enough to escape.’ He glanced at Callian who shook his head slightly. ‘We may not tell you why Louisa was taken, but I assure you, it is imperative we find her, not just for the sake of all three girls. If we fail…well, we mustn’t fail.’

  ‘Nyinaku is a big place,’ said Smith. ‘Where will you start?’

  ‘We will travel across to the Khynol Gap. Someone may have seen them if they passed that way,’ said Prince Galbraith. ‘If we can confirm they went south, we head for Weema, if west, then Mirri.’

  Caity glanced questioningly at Smith, who pressed his lips together anxiously. ‘My wife can take you to Khynol, if you wish. Caity had planned on taking a cart of dresses and shirts to Khynol anyway. She’s a very good seamstress you see, and we have horses stabled just across the street. If you go south, Caity can guide you to the pass between the Khynol Mountains and the Lost Forest. I would take you myself, but as I see it, you need a swift and proficient guide. Caity is excellent and I fear I would only be a hindrance. My riding skills are as poor as my wife’s are excellent.’

  ‘We would be most appreciative,’ said Galbraith, noddin
g thanks to Caity.

  Smith turned to Callian. ‘I know who you are, Guardian General, and I place her life in your hands. Keep her safe!’

  It was obvious the Principal did make this statement lightly, and Callian responded very seriously. ‘As is my duty,’ he said formally.

  ‘Now,’ said Smith, ‘there was a reason I didn’t take you directly to the inn. The owner is a rude and surly ignoramus called Marcom. You will find that it’s a fairly modest establishment, except in the eyes of its owner who sees it in the same light as the Grand Inn of Castle.’ Enri smiled. The Grand Inn of Castle was well known as the most luxurious and probably the most expensive inn in Alkira. ‘I see you know the inn of which I speak,’ Smith added acknowledging Enri’s smile. ‘You will find Marcom’s clean and mostly comfortable, but I warn you, there is no subject discussed by travelers that is not discussed by the staff with other travelers for months to come. Expect to be overheard, expect to be watched.’

  He considered Danil and Valeska who sat holding hands, then turned back to the Prince. ‘I’m glad you have guardians with you. I have no doubt they can hear everything we’re thinking. You need to use this. It will also be far safer than talking, even when you think you are away from listening ears. I cannot stress this enough. Marcom’s is a busy enough inn for such a small town. I don’t always know the people he has working for him, and he always seems to know everyone’s business. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he has connections with the fallen.’

  Dale eyes flicked open and he sat forward to look at the Principal. ‘You think Marcom may have information. Are you suggesting the guardians seek out his thoughts? Or did you mean he might know information which could be bought for a price or even forced from the man? Though I doubt if he’s dealing with the fallen he’d sell information. He would have to be wishing for death.’

  Smith stared at Dale contemplatively. ‘I suggest you seek out Marcom’s thoughts and keep your own to yourselves. If he’s dealing with the fallen he may even have someone close who’s guarding his own thoughts, and I bet he will the second he finds he has three guardians at his inn. Marcom is the man who will know whether there are any of the fallen around and which way they might be headed.’ He pointed to Enri. ‘He has a daughter about your age. She’s as spiteful and deceitful as she is beautiful. She’s also conceited and arrogant, much like her father and is ever concerned with appearing knowledgeable and worldly.’

  ‘You want me to talk to her,’ said Enri.

  ‘She’s far more likely to slip information than her father, and if she knows anything at all about the movements of the fallen, she’ll be bursting to tell someone. I’m sure you can be clever enough to do this without drawing undue attention or divulging your purpose. That you travel with this group of people probably means you are intelligent.’

  Enri raised his eyebrows in disbelief. ‘I will do my best,’ he said cautiously, his face a picture of incredulity.

  Dale opened his eyes again and laughed. ‘Don’t be fooled, Principal Smith. He’s far more intelligent than he wishes anyone to know.’ He closed his eyes again.

  Smith shook his head as Dale appeared to fall asleep yet again. ‘I’ll escort you to the inn. I’m sure Marcom will be absolutely hopping with eagerness as he waits to worm his way into your business.’

  ‘Thank you Principal,’ Prince Galbraith replied. ‘We’ll get some rest and prepare to leave with Caity in the morning. And of course we will make a little time for Enri to get friendly with this girl who you say may be useful because she’s-’ He spread his hands, trying to remember the Principal’s description of the girl.

  This time Dale didn’t even bother to open his eyes. ‘Spiteful, deceitful, beautiful, conceited, arrogant. Much like her father; ever concerned with appearing knowledgeable and worldly.’

  This time Smith laughed out loud. ‘If you ever need a job, young man, let me know.’

  Prince Galbraith shook his head. ‘I think Baron Dale will have enough to do rebuilding East Inlet.’

  Smith’s jaw dropped and then he laughed again. ‘Looks are indeed deceiving, Baron!’ He turned to Enri. ‘Remember that when you talk to Angelle.’

  Angelle turned out to be exactly as Smith had described. It took Enri only five minutes to add condescending and cunning to the Principal’s list. When the group arrived she took no notice of the Squire, instead giving her attention to Prince Galbraith whilst watching Callian warily. They were led upstairs to three small rooms, each containing two beds. Marcom opened the door of the first room which had a nice view of the garden behind the inn and the forest beyond. He immediately declared, ‘Better lodgings you will not find, Highness.’ Prince Galbraith followed Callian into the room. Dale and Enri were shown to the adjacent room, with a view over the ocean, and to Callian’s surprise and concern, Danil and Valeska were taken all the way down the long hallway to a room at the very end of the passage. He looked at Prince Galbraith with raised eyebrows but said nothing. Marcom spent quite some time extolling the inn’s marvelous features and offering the Prince all kinds of extra luxuries, before leaving the group to settle in to their rooms.

  Prince Galbraith glanced down the hallway towards the room allotted to Danil and Valeska.

  ‘I don’t like this either, Highness,’ said Callian very quietly. ‘Too far,’ he added.

  ‘We should swap rooms. Danil and Valeska should swap with me and Enri,’ Dale thought whilst looking at Callian, ‘without making it too obvious. We can leave our gear in the rooms we have been allocated but we don’t have to sleep there.’

  Callian conveyed Dale’s request to Prince Galbraith who glanced at Dale in confirmation.

  They left their belongings and made their way downstairs to the bathing rooms. Enri had been considering how he would go about getting Angelle’s attention and he dwelt on this as he sat enjoying the warm water. He blushed as Valeska silently asked him if he had a plan of how to handle this. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t with them, as she was using the ladies bathing room; Enri couldn’t help but be embarrassed to hear her thoughts whilst he was sitting naked in a bathtub. He could now sense her laughing at his discomfort and he blushed even more deeply. He glanced up to see both Danil and Callian trying desperately not to laugh and he shook his head at them in disgust.

  Her question came again. ‘Have you a plan to talk to the girl?’

  ‘I haven’t got a plan yet,’ he said aloud, but very quietly. He felt uncomfortable hiding any conversation from Dale and the Prince. ‘She’s not going to be interested in talking to me when there’s a Prince around, not to mention a whole bunch of the Daoine Maithe.’

  Dale turned to Callian wondering if anyone had actually given Marcom their names and titles.

  Callian shook his head and then smiled. ‘You want to swap?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Dale whispered, looking at Enri. ‘Enri is very tall and looks older than his years. I doubt they would know who the Baron is, and who is the Squire. What do you think, Enri?’

  Enri’s eyes widened with alarm. ‘Let’s hope I don’t get asked too many questions I can’t answer.’

  ‘We will help, if needed,’ said Danil, and then turned away as a servant entered bearing fresh towels.

  ‘If there is nothing else Highness?’ Callian said to the Prince, who shook his head. ‘Baron?’ He turned to Enri, who flinched then shook his head.

  ‘Then with your permission sir, I will see Marcom about dinner,’ Callian replied as he climbed from the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist.

  By the time the others had dressed and made their way to the dining room, the evening meal was underway. Angelle and an older woman, who Dale assumed was her mother, were eating at a small table close to a door which led to the kitchen. There were several other guests already in the dining area and they stood as the Prince entered the room. He nodded in their direction before taking his seat. A team of serving staff hovered around the table seating the guests, but Dale scuttled quickly to dra
w back a chair for Prince Galbraith and then he stood behind Enri and drew back his chair politely. Enri ignored him completely as he sat. He gestured to the nearest of the servants and tapped his goblet expectantly. It was all Dale could do not to laugh aloud as he noticed the look on the Prince’s face as Enri began to question the flustered servant about the local wine varieties with the air of a connoisseur. He noticed Angelle was now regarding Enri with interest. Enri chose the finest and most expensive wine available. When the servant hurried back carrying the wine, he held up his palm commandingly and gestured to the table where Angelle and her mother were seated. Angelle gazed at him as the servant filled her goblet, and Enri graced her with a dignified smile and bobbed his head towards her. She smiled back at him and he cringed slightly noticing her smile was now filled with calculated purpose. Without turning towards Dale, Enri gestured him to a chair at the far end of the table. Dale bowed slightly and took the seat.

  They talked amongst themselves, keeping the conversation general. Dale didn’t speak at all, and after the meal the group remained, taking their ease in the low lounging chairs set in one corner of the room. Dale eventually rose, bowed to the Prince and then to Enri and left the room. He made his way up to their bedrooms and quickly inspected their belongings. The shirt he had placed just so on his bag had been moved and then draped back over his pack, though not quite where he had left it. On his initial inspection the Prince’s pack appeared untouched but instinct drew him to examine it more thoroughly. The pack was slightly shifted from where it had been left by the Prince. He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment lost in thought then walked back to the room at the end of the hallway. He peered through the window. The building was built against the hill and though this was the second floor, the distance from the window to the ground wasn’t significant as the lower floor was built below ground level. There was no-one within sight, so he eased himself through the window and dropped to the ground. He waited for a moment, crouched against the wall, and when no-one appeared he stood and moved up the hill until he was hidden by the trees on the outskirts of the forest. Very quietly and unhurriedly he moved to the rear of the building. He could now see into the brightly lit kitchen where Marcom was seated on a high stool at one of the benches whilst conferring with a tall, black haired man. The man moved across the room to look through the slightly ajar door leading to the dining area and Dale saw he moved with the typical alacrity and grace of the fallen. He felt his hair stand on end. He watched as the man turned abruptly and left by a door which led into the courtyard. He crossed the courtyard and Dale drew breath sharply as he strode up the hill towards him. Dale was sure he would pass by close enough to easily sense his fear. He crouched lower in the bush where he was hiding, sweat suddenly appearing on his forehead. His mouth felt dry. Just as panic threatened to overcome him, a feeling of calmness washed over him. He felt his body relax with strange separation, like he was watching what was happening but wasn’t part of it. He held his breath as the man passed within ten paces of him and then disappeared silently into the forest.