The Fallen (Book 1)

by Dan O'Sullivan

  ‘Still with us then, little Queen?’ asked Milgorry, smiling down at her.

  ‘Can you hear Louisa?’ asked Elena, trying to sit up.

  ‘Stay where you are,’ said Milgorry firmly. ‘I cannot hear her. She’s still alive, I can sense that much. You remember the drink I gave her when we first met?’ he asked. ‘I think she has been given a good dose to prevent her escape. It won’t hurt her, but it makes it almost impossible for me to reach her.’

  ‘Now what do we do?’ said Immosey under her breath.

  ‘Well, we don’t shout for water,’ said Milgorry decisively and Immosey couldn’t help but smile. ‘Yet they might listen now.’ He looked at the sisters sadly. ‘I’m so sorry. Anterry would have killed Elena, have no doubt.’ He grimaced. ‘He was never able to shield his thoughts very well. I think if my father hadn’t arrived, he may have killed you both just because he hates me so much. He was so very pleased to see me-’ He broke off and shook his head in disgust. ‘Anterry is an idiot. I’m having no trouble getting into his thoughts. I’ll make him terrified of the day I escape from here.’

  Immosey raised her eyebrows. ‘How exactly do we do that?’ she asked.

  He looked at the doorway. ‘That door is strong enough to defeat any human, and supposedly strong enough to stop any one of the free. I think it’s time to put it to the test. But we need a plan. If I can get out of here at the right time, there’s a good chance I’m fast enough escape, but I’m not so foolish to think you would survive if I went.’

  ‘I think you should go anyway, Mil.’ Elena sat up. ‘If we stay here we’re all dead. At least one of us can escape.’

  ‘I’m not going anywhere without you, little Queen. We all go, with Louisa, or I don’t go at all.’

  Immosey crawled to her feet. She followed Elena’s example and tore a wide strip of cloth from the bottom edge of her dress. Milgorry sat quite still as she cleaned the wounds on his back and then she helped him clean the blood from the gashes on his face.

  ‘Strange,’ he said, ‘that I found the gift to heal my collar bone when Nandul broke it, but I cannot heal a simple cut.’

  ‘Nandul broke your collar bone?’ said Elena. She had seen so much pain that her face didn’t even register the shock she felt.

  Milgorry prodded his collarbone with his fingers. He was confident the bone was mended, but the area was still very sore. ‘You know, he’s a little scared of me now. My own father wants to return me, and not just because I disobeyed him.’

  ‘Why then?’ Immosey looked at him curiously.

  ‘He thinks if I get the chance I’ll return him first,’ Milgorry said coldly, ‘and he knows I have the capability.’

  ‘Would you?’ asked Elena, looking at him sadly. ‘Could you return your father?’

  Milgorry stared ahead without answering. Eventually he said, ‘I don’t know.’ He looked over their bruised and bleeding faces. ‘If it comes to a choice between your lives and his, I’ll definitely try. So yes, I will probably end up returning him.’ He turned away, resting in the corner with his head against the wall. His eyes closed. He concentrated his thoughts on Louisa, but there was no response. She was still alive. Of this he was quite certain. He tried again.

  Louisa tried desperately to wake up. She thought she could hear someone calling her name, but like a nightmare she couldn’t reply, drifting between sleep and semi consciousness. She heard her name again, like a soft brush against her heart. Even half-conscious she felt a stab of panic and urgency, and for a split second she was able comprehend that something was stifling her senses. She tried to fight her drowsiness. She wished she could open her eyes but as hard as she tried she couldn’t move. She drifted back in sub-consciousness.

  Milgorry’s eyes flashed open. For a moment he had almost reached her. He stood up and moved to the door.

  ‘Lias,’ he called through one of the gaps in the door. A few seconds later a set of dark eyes looked back at Milgorry. ‘The girls need food.’ The eyes disappeared and then reappeared several minutes later.

  ‘Stand in the far corner,’ Lias ordered. He paused, eyeing Milgorry uncertainly. Milgorry sighed and moved backwards.

  ‘If it still means anything Lias, I give you my word that I won’t try to return you the second you open the door. I’ll stay here until you leave.’ Lias opened the door, placing a bag on the floor. He was as tall and broad shouldered as Milgorry, but his hair was surprisingly blond and tied with a cord behind his neck. His eyes were the typical almost black shade of most of the fallen, and showed a noticeable depth of calm intelligence. He stepped back and closed the door, sliding the locking bar into place.

  ‘Lias,’ Milgorry called. Lias’ face re-appeared at the gap in the door. ‘Where’s Nandul?’

  Lias’ eyes narrowed. ‘Nandul went looking for Prince Kelian of Alkira.’ He glanced towards Elena and Immosey who sat forward with hope dawning on their faces. ‘What are their names?’ he asked very quietly.

  Milgorry looked surprised by the question but waved towards Elena. ‘This is Elena, daughter of Governor Ringo and Lady Megan of Ringo’s Crossing, betrothed to Prince Kelian of Castle. She is the future Queen of Alkira.’ He waved towards Immosey and smiled at her. ‘And this is her younger sister Immosey. She’s probably one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.’

  Lias’ expression was both sad and curious. ‘Mil,’ he whispered, ‘look at me!’

  Milgorry gazed through the gap in the door, a look of wonder on his face. Suddenly he was shaking his head emphatically.

  Lias’ eyes narrowed. ‘I’m free to do as I wish.’

  ‘Until you disobey Nandul and he cuts your heart into little pieces and feeds it to the birds!’ Milgorry answered angrily.

  ‘Well...I think it’s more likely he’ll just put an arrow or two through me, but in essence you are correct. Does that sound like freedom to you?’ Lias’ voice was sarcastic.

  Milgorry hesitated. ‘No,’ he admitted. ‘Lias, I have very little chance of escape. Louisa has been taken and I won’t leave Elena and Immosey to be killed by my father. Even if I find Louisa and we somehow get away, we cannot move fast enough. They need food and water, and even sleep. I should have kept them away from here! I failed them Lias!’ He leaned his head against the door.

  ‘Perhaps it would be easier for two of us?’ Lias suggested.

  Milgorry raised his head. ‘You are begging to be returned!’

  ‘It’s my decision. I no longer believe that what Nandul is doing is right. I’ll take the chance, and should I be returned, perhaps I’ll have made the right decision.’

  ‘Lias, please think about this. You know if I escape from here there’s very little chance I can safely come back into Nyinaku. And you can bet if you get involved he’ll go after your family! I don’t want that to happen to you and it will happen if you come with us. But I won’t force you to do anything. You must choose for yourself.’

  Lias smiled. ‘And there is the difference. We follow your father because we’re forced to. I won’t do this any longer. I’ll help you Mil, because I respect you and I trust you.’ With this statement, he turned and darted up the stairs.

  Milgorry stood staring ahead. He turned to look at Elena and Immosey whose identical expressions were a mixture of surprise and hope.

  Chapter 28

  Fortress

  At first glance the place seemed deserted, but Borgulnay felt sure this wouldn’t be the case. He crouched in the high undergrowth and stared at what turned out to be a small fortress with a very high wall and a small centralized stone keep. It looked old. There were several other wooden buildings within the wall but few signs of inhabitance. The wall itself angled out slightly towards the top and set into the top of the wall were sharply pointed spikes, also slanted outwards to discourage anyone who may be tempted to climb over. The area within several hundred paces of the wall had been cleared, forming an effective killing field. The gates faced the mountains.

  ‘I wonder who built
this place,’ said Borgulnay. ‘It looks like a piece of Alkira just sitting here in Nyinaku.’

  ‘It certainly looks like it was built by humans,’ Timbul agreed. ‘But if it was, it must have been a very, very long time ago.’

  ‘There’s no barbican,’ said Borgulnay.

  Timbul shook his head. ‘There’s also no way we’re going through that gate.’

  ‘Surely it would be the weakest point?’

  ‘Borg, there are only eight of us.’

  ‘Seven. William is looking after Aithne.’

  ‘I’m sure you can see the weight of that portcullis. Unless you have a battering ram or a catapult in your pack, we have to find a better way.’

  ‘You don’t think we should go inside, do you Tim?’

  ‘I just wish we could find out exactly what we face if we do get inside, before we even think of attempting this. I can sense three humans...girls...but I have no idea how many of the fallen might be inside.’ They sat in silence watching the little fortress, but there were no signs of life.

  ‘Tim, what else do you notice about that portcullis?’ said Borgulnay, leaning forward a little and squinting.

  Timbul was silent, then his eyes widened. ‘It’s not in use! There’s a vine growing through part of it!’

  ‘So how are they getting in and out?’ Borgulnay wondered aloud, staring through the portcullis to the building inside.

  ‘Perhaps a tunnel?’ said Timbul uncertainly. They dived to the ground as a heavy door on the side of the keep swung open and a person appeared. He wore leather trousers, a hunter’s vest and sturdy leather boots. He carried a bow and had a wooden quiver slung across his back, and several knives at his hip.

  ‘Fallen,’ Timbul stated calmly. ‘That’s unusual. He has bow.’

  The man turned back towards the door as three similarly dressed people emerged. They dragged two bodies from the building and dumped them beside the wall of the keep. Three terrified girls carrying shovels came out of the doorway. One of the men gestured and the girls scuttled closer to the wall and started digging. The ground was very hard and they made little progress, but the four men ignored them and walked towards the wall. They were momentarily out of sight. When they reappeared their heads were above the level of the top of the wall and Timbul and Borgulnay took note that there was either stairs or a mound raised behind the wall at this point. Each one climbed onto the top of the wall, caught hold of one of the spikes and swung down, letting go of the spike and dropping onto the grass, landing in a deep crouch before moving across the killing field in the direction of the mountains. Within seconds they were gone.

  Borgulnay gave a soft low whistle.

  Timbul watched through narrowed eyes. ‘That’s a hunting party if I ever saw one!’ he whispered. ‘Only I don’t think they’re looking for dinner. They must know we’re here - or at least they must suspect someone’s in their territory.’

  ‘We need to get back to the others, right now!’ said Borgulnay urgently, standing up.

  ‘Agreed,’ Timbul paused, ‘either I leave you here for the sake of speed, or I carry you. Either way I’ll be faster.’

  ‘How much slower if you carry me?’ Borgulnay asked, his face showing his reluctance to this idea.

  ‘How much does little Aithne slow you down?’ asked Timbul impatiently. ‘We’re just made differently from you Borg. You’re not a burden to me.’

  As soon as they were back with the others, Borgulnay dropped from Timbul’s back to the ground. ‘There’s a nasty looking hunting party coming,’ he said. ‘Right now they’re slightly north of here, but it won’t take them long to find us if we don’t move. Let’s go, if you agree Highness?’ Kelian nodded and Borgulnay continued. ‘I’m going to get into that little fortress and get the slaves out of there. Why is Aithne still here?’

  ‘She wouldn’t leave until she knew you were safe,’ William explained.

  ‘She may as well come with us. Not into that fortress, you can keep her safe in the woods until we have a look around inside.’ Borgulnay picked Aithne up and flipped her onto his back. ‘Aithne, we know how the fallen get out of the castle, but not how they get in. Do you know how they do this? We can see they don’t use their front gate.’

  Aithne wrapped her arms tightly around Borgulnay’s shoulders. ‘There’s a little hut hidden in the forest on the other side of the walls. They go in there.’

  ‘Tunnel?’ asked Borgulnay, swiveling his head around.

  ‘Yes. A long, dark, horrible, dark, smelly, dark-’

  ‘I see,’ Borgulnay interrupted. ‘You won’t be going in there, Aithne. I just need to get the slaves out. I’ll be going in with Dave, Gil and Alex, and-’ He looked around and swore. ‘Where is Timbul?’

  ‘He left a few seconds ago,’ stated Araas calmly. ‘He wants to make sure the hut is empty before you go smashing the door down, Borg.’ Borgulnay grinned sheepishly. His planned entrance was not a quiet one.

  A surprisingly short time later they stood inside the hut which had been built only to house the steep flight of stairs leading to the tunnel. The hut was stone with a heavy wooden door, but the door now lay torn from its massive hinges and broken on the ground.

  Araas eyed the broken door. ‘You know, my little brother is frightening sometimes,’ he observed, and Borgulnay laughed.

  ‘You’ve only just noticed that now?’ he said in disbelief.

  ‘He was dangerous even before Nandul returned him,’ Araas admitted. ‘Since he was sent back to us…well, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Let’s go,’ he added, stepping down the stairs and leaving Borgulnay confused by his words. The tunnel came out inside the walls and moments later they all stood in the courtyard of the little fortress.

  ‘Where did the slaves go?’ Borgulnay wondered aloud looking towards the small, shallow hole near the wall and the shovels, which appeared to have been hastily thrown aside.

  Araas pointed to a stable. They were about to move in that direction when Araas raised his hand. He stood for a moment, his head inclined and his eyes fixed on the little stable, then he turned to Kelian. ‘I suggest you approach first Highness. It’s safe.’

  Kelian walked calmly to the stable. He stopped at the door and knocked. There was no response. ‘I’m Prince Kelian of Alkira. I won’t harm you. May I enter please?’ There was a scuffling sound and the door flew open. The three girls stood staring at Kelian then as one they rushed forward and threw themselves upon him, crying out in relief. He staggered backwards as they embraced him simultaneously.

  ‘I’m Kelian,’ he repeated.

  ‘I’m Laura, and this Keliree and Sarah,’ said Laura pointing to the other girls.

  ‘We need to get you out of here before the fallen return,’ Kelian explained. ‘How many are inside?’

  ‘There’s no-one else here,’ said Keliree. ‘But I don’t know when they’ll be back.’

  ‘These with me are soldiers and guardians. None of them will hurt you.’ Kelian looked towards the two bodies. They were badly burned and it was obvious they had been set alight whilst still alive.

  ‘I wonder if they’re the men who hurt Aithne?’ he said coldly, feeling a little sick at the horrible sight.

  ‘Who’s Aithne?’ asked Sarah curiously.

  ‘A little girl we found, she didn’t remember her name but she said everyone just called her ‘Girlie’,’ Kelian explained.

  ‘Girlie!’ the three girls exclaimed, looking at each other.

  ‘Do you know where she is?’ asked Keliree.

  ‘She’s waiting not far from the other end of the tunnel with a friend,’ Kelian answered, and the girls exclaimed in excitement and relief.

  ‘She would bring us fruit when she could,’ Sarah explained, ‘but when she was caught, well…I couldn’t blame her that she never came back.’

  ‘Are these the men?’ asked Kelian, walking over to the bodies.

  ‘No,’ said Keliree. ‘We don’t even know where these two came from but they were dr
essed like him.’ She pointed to Gilgarry. ‘They somehow got into this place, and they killed the other two men. We already had to bury their bodies. It’s strange,’ she said sadly. ‘I don’t think these two planned to escape. It’s as if once they had killed the other two men, they were content to die. They didn’t even run. They tried to fight.’

  ‘I know why,’ said Gilgarry, his voice catching a little. ‘I served with these men. They are Mathis and Kyle. I have no idea how they ended up here, but they were good men and they would have known they could never outrun the fallen.’

  Kelian turned back to the girls. ‘Where did you bury the ones who attacked Aithne?’

  Sarah led them a little further along the wall and pointed. It took Kelian less than a minute to brush the dirt from the top of the exceptionally shallow graves. Then he stood looking with anger down at the bodies.

  ‘I know why Mathis and Kyle killed them. These were also once soldiers of Castle. They were discharged for dishonesty and behavior ill befitting a soldier, but there were other appalling things that were never proven. There were inexplicable deaths; they were both suspected of rape and murder. But we could never actually establish whether or not they were guilty.’ He kicked a rock away angrily. ‘You know, I came so close to hanging these two…now I wish I had.’ He turned and walked back to where Gilgarry and Alexander were enlarging the holes the girls had begun. Once the holes were deep enough David carried the body of Mathis and gently lowered it into the grave. Kelian knelt beside him and they began to replace the soil. Araas carried Kyle’s body over and soon he was laid to rest. Kelian stood up and looked around. ‘I need something to write with,’ he said. Sarah disappeared for a minute and returned carrying some pieces of charcoal which she handed to Kelian. He turned to the wall above Mathis and Kyle’s grave and wrote ‘Loyal Soldiers of Castle, May you find peace’ then he walked to where traitor’s bodies were exposed and wrote ‘Traitors’.