‘No,’ said Kelian. ‘This mustn’t be allowed to happen. We will command every force at our disposal to prevent this atrocity. If the fallen regain the power of the Daoine Maithe they would destroy us as easily as swatting flies. We must prevent this.’
‘You’ll need every soldier you have if Nandul decides to bring an army against you, and even then…’ Milgorry left the thought unfinished.
‘We’ll need help. I must speak to my Father and the King’s Marshall. We’ll need more soldiers, more scouts. The border patrols must be increased along the edge of the Wasteland and north of the Ice Coast,’ Kelian stared unseeingly ahead, his mind racing through the huge task ahead of him.
‘You may have little time.’
‘I need to convince a lot of people very quickly of the situation. There are some who will refuse to believe the magnitude of the problem, and some who will believe it, but will be reluctant to take action. Then we’ll have to deal with those who think themselves to be above the command of any but myself or even the King, and will use this as an excuse to delay providing their full strength when needed. Even should the King issue a direct order to each and every noble and military officer in Alkira, there will be horrendous political squabbling about who’s technically in charge. Can you imagine when one of our Generals comes head to head with some noble or other who thinks they’re in charge but has no idea how to run a war?’
‘So who would be in charge?’ asked Milgorry curiously.
‘Whoever I say is in charge will be in charge. There are a lot of spoilt nobles out there who are going to get the biggest shock of their lives.’
‘How are you going to make them believe you? Can you make them understand the threat?’
Kelian’s eyes narrowed once again. ‘I don’t care if they believe me or not. As long as they do exactly what I say.’ He grinned wickedly at Milgorry. ‘I doubt I will have much difficulty making them understand the threat if you play your part well enough.’
Milgorry’s eyes widened. ‘You want me to stay with you? Do you have any idea how many people are going to try to return me on sight?’
Kelian raised an eyebrow. ‘Do you want to tell me how much success they would have?’
‘None,’ Timbul’s voice came from behind Kelian as he walked back into the camp. ‘I’d hate to be given the job of returning him.’
‘So how do you propose to keep me with you, Highness?’ Milgorry said with a smirk.
‘I’m going to tell the Daoine Maithe that Louisa carries your child. I doubt they will let her leave the Dwellings in her condition. Oh no, you won’t be going anywhere,’ Kelian said smugly.
‘You sneaky, conniving, devious….’ Milgorry’s voice trailed away as he stared at the Prince.
‘I will do whatever it takes to protect my people.’
And so,’ Milgorry folded his arms firmly, ‘that makes it crucial that I return you safely to Castle.’
Kelian sighed. ‘Yes, you’re right. We need to go home. And you need to take Louisa to the Dwellings.’
‘At which point Tiernan will return me,’ said Milgorry grumpily.
‘Only after I’ve finished with you,’ added Kelian as Milgorry watched him appraisingly.
‘Shouldn’t the others be back yet?’ asked Elena, gazing out into the darkening forest.
‘They’re only minutes away,’ said Milgorry confidently. Two minutes later Araas and Louisa appeared.
‘I’ve never been so glad to see someone,’ Milgorry admitted as Araas dropped to his knees and woke Gilgarry.
‘Why?’ Timbul asked curiously.
‘These humans are impossible to keep under control,’ said Milgorry, spreading his hands and feigning despair. ‘If I turn my back even for a second I find them all wandering around the local villages shopping for new dresses and looking for fishing boats.’
Timbul laughed as Elena and Immosey blushed, but Araas’ jaw dropped in shock as he read Milgorry’s thoughts.
‘You can’t be serious! Alone? Along the river? Supreme Majesty! No wonder you look worried!’
‘No, he’s worried about what Tiernan is going to do when he finds out about the child Louisa is carrying,’ said Immosey trying to keep a straight face, and then frowning uncertainly at Timbul’s and Araas’ guarded expressions.
Milgorry turned to Immosey. ‘You won’t go anywhere alone? You will tell us what you are doing?’ he asked seriously.
‘I will tell you next time I’m going somewhere alone,’ Immosey agreed, grinning mischievously as Borgulnay and Milgorry glared at her once again.
‘You’re doing too good a job of shielding thoughts, even from a distance,’ Milgorry said to Louisa. ‘I went up the hill to get some firewood before that storm hits,’ he glanced towards the darkening sky, ‘and I wasn’t aware that they all decided to run off down to the river.’
‘What did you find? Immosey asked.
‘Nothing worth taking,’ said Louisa. ‘Did you find boats?’
‘Yes several,’ Immosey answered.
‘Good,’ said Timbul. ‘The river is wide and deep at this point and there’s a lake not far to the east.
‘Lake Meselwe,’ said Milgorry. ‘Did they look like fishing boats?’
‘Do I look like I would know?’ Immosey’s temper was beginning to assert itself once again. ‘They were just boats. No sails, only oars and they smelt bad, if that helps.’ She sighed. ‘I’m sorry Mil. I’m hungry and cold and tired…no excuse to be rude.’
‘We’ll wait for an hour,’ said Araas. ‘It will be dark by then.’
‘Then what?’ asked Elena looking worried.
‘Then we steal a boat,’ said Kelian. ‘Mil, does anyone live around here? Surely someone must own the boats.’
‘There are settlements around here, but we can avoid them easily enough. There are a few homes scattered around the forest, but hopefully no one will notice a boat is missing…for a while anyway. We still need to be wary. Distance isn’t such an obstacle for my people,’ Milgorry explained. ‘We can move a little faster than most humans if we need to.’ Kelian shook his head at this understatement.
They had no difficulty in taking the largest of the boats and soon they drifted silently down the River Weema towards Lake Meselwe.
‘Everyone must lie down as we enter the lake,’ Milgorry commanded in a whisper, taking the oars from Araas. ‘It would be better if we were not seen at all, but if someone does see us they might think I’m alone and not bother us.’
‘Let’s hope there’s no-one actually out on the Lake. They would be bound to see the pile of bodies in the boat,’ said Timbul.
‘And they may just notice how low we’re riding in the water,’ said Gilgarry drily from where he lay. To everyone’s relief he was steadily improving and growing stronger. ‘If anyone sees us we’ll all play dead, and Milgorry can boast about his skills as a warrior.’
Milgorry snorted. ‘How about we tie you to a rope, toss you overboard and tell everyone we’re trolling for cod,’ he suggested grinning.
‘Well that’s not very nice!’ Gilgarry replied indignantly. ‘I deserve to be bait for a much grander fish than some old cod!’
Milgorry laughed. ‘I’m glad you’re feeling better, Gil.’
‘Tim, is that a house over there?’ said Louisa, pointing south.
‘Aren’t you supposed to be lying in the bottom of the boat?’ said Timbul, raising himself on one elbow and peering out into the darkness. ‘Yes. There are three houses and a larger shelter with no walls.’
‘Warm clothing?’ said Elena also sitting up and looking towards the settlement.
‘Lie down!’ said Milgorry in exasperation. ‘Now keep quiet.’ He guided the boat across the river and as they bumped against the southern bank he caught hold of a low overhanging branch and tied up the boat. Everyone crawled up the steep grassy bank. At the top of the incline there was little to hide them other than the long thick grass, so they lay down and peered through the grass towards t
he settlement. It was in darkness and completely quiet. The three wooden huts were very old and the thatching on each roof was badly in need of repair.
‘Should we have a look around the buildings?’ asked Elena.
Kelian shook his head at Elena and Immosey. ‘You’re not going with us,’ he said firmly.
‘Neither are you,’ Milgorry added.
Kelian opened his mouth as if he was about to argue, but closed it again as he caught the look on Milgorry’s face. He flushed a little but said nothing more. No one spoke for over five minutes as they watched the quiet settlement.
‘Are we going to burgle this place or sit here looking at it?’ Gilgarry’s voice came from the darkness.
‘You are going to stay here with Kelian to help guard your sisters,’ answered Timbul. ‘Araas, Mil, Borg and I will be doing the burgling, if Borg ever gets back from his little scouting expedition.’
‘You let him go alone?’ Immosey hissed angrily.
‘None of us wanted to slow him down,’ answered Araas, his face mockingly serious.
‘Or give him away with loud clomping feet,’ added Gilgarry grinning.
‘Or breathe too loudly at the wrong moment – did you know he accused me of that once?’ said Kelian indignantly.
‘He accused me of coughing when we were hiding from the Sagrians,’ said Gilgarry, remembering a time when he helped defend Sheldon’s Mark against raiders who came from Sagria disputing the Alkiran claim on the land between Sheldon’s Mark and Khynol. ‘We crept into their command tent, but unfortunately a couple of their soldiers returned to the tent and we were stuck in there hiding under a mound of supplies.’
‘Did you really cough?’ asked Milgorry curiously.
‘It was more like a sneeze actually,’ Gilgarry admitted and Milgorry laughed.
‘What happened then?’ asked Immosey.
‘Borg happened,’ said Gilgarry. ‘I doubt the soldiers even saw him coming. By the time I got out of our little hiding place they were both very dead.’
‘You were a little slow.’ Borg’s voice came from behind them.
‘Borg!’ Immosey’s voice was high pitched with anxiety.
‘Hello love,’ he said, crouching and hugging her. ‘Six,’ he said to Milgorry. ‘The furthest building looks empty, but the nearer two are guarded. Three guards on each building.’
‘Did you get close enough to see in?’ asked Araas.
‘Are you joking? There are three of the fallen guarding each building! Do I look mad? At the back of the second building the bushes have grown right up to the back wall. Now all I need is a-’
‘-distraction!’ everyone chorused in a whisper and Borgulnay glared indignantly between each face.
‘So what are they guarding?’ asked Elena, gazing at the buildings. ‘People?’
Milgorry shook his head. ‘I doubt it. Maybe they suspected we might come down the river…no, that doesn’t make sense. They would have had someone watching the river.’
‘Maybe they did,’ said Gilgarry.
‘You think they know we’re here? Why don’t they attack?’ asked Kelian.
‘I don’t think they know,’ said Borgulnay confidently. ‘They were far too relaxed. They didn’t look like men waiting on the edge of battle.’
‘Even if we get past the guards, it wouldn’t be nice to discover there was an army of fallen hiding inside,’ said Timbul.
‘Can you sense anyone?’ asked Elena.
‘No-one. Not even the guards,’ said Timbul. ‘They might have looked relaxed but they’re obviously still wary if they’re guarding their thoughts. What about you, Araas?’ Araas shook his head. ‘Mil? Louisa?’
Louisa also shook her head. Milgorry didn’t answer but stared curiously at the buildings for a long moment then finally turned to Araas. ‘I can sense them all,’ he said. ‘I can sense each of you, and I can sense my child within Louisa. I couldn’t until Timbul asked…I had to search…I don’t really understand...’
Timbul glanced at Araas then back at Milgorry. ‘So are there others?’
‘I don’t think so,’ said Milgorry warily. ‘It’s a little confusing…’
‘Kelian?’ Araas turned to the Prince who in turn looked at Elena and then Immosey.
‘Elena and Immosey must have food and blankets,’ said Kelian. ‘But we’re not going to try this unless you can look me in the eye and tell me honestly that we can do this without anyone getting returned or killed.’
‘We can do this without any of us getting returned or killed,’ said Araas.
Chapter 37
Torture
Callian opened his eyes. Anger and frustration coursed through him. Exactly as he’d feared, the fallen had lain in wait, forming a trap even he couldn’t escape. They had been swiftly and efficiently captured as they entered the Lost Forest. Strangely they had been taken by only four of the fallen, and had circumstances been other than they were, this would have been ludicrous. Dale, Enri and Alexander were walking slowly, but the instant they realized what was happening they leapt onto the backs of the guardians, and Callian had no doubt they could easily outpace the fallen. They flashed past the first three warriors only to find themselves in a massive, sandy, bowl-shaped area which was devoid of trees. In the middle of the sand, about three hundred paces from the edge of the bowl, knelt a small girl, her hands tied behind her back. Beside her crouched one of the fallen, his knife held firmly to her throat.
‘Stop,’ the warrior commanded. He moved his knife slightly and the girl screamed as blood oozed from the cut. Callian, Danil, Lias and Valeska stopped dead still, staring in horror at the little girl, but Dale and Enri leapt to the ground and dashed off in opposite directions into the forest. The three warriors turned to go after them, but stopped as the warrior holding the little girl shouted once again.
‘No! You can kill them later! Tie the guardians.’ He glared at them. ‘If you move, or if you mess with my mind, I assure you, she is dead.’
It had been that simple. For a moment Callian had considered how fast he could get to the little girl, but he knew the man would harm her in the instant he moved. He wondered if this was the little girl Borgulnay had spoken of. He felt sure it was and he wondered if she had been taken by the fallen when William was killed or if she had escaped and then been recaptured.
He found it terrifyingly difficult to shield Dale’s and Enri’s thoughts from a distance, when the fallen had tortured him. The warriors kindled a small fire right in front of them. One of the fallen threw a handful of what appeared to be fine black seeds onto the fire and a huge cloud of dark smoke billowed around the captives. Callian reacted too late and gasped a lung full of smoke, cursing himself for not holding his breath. Over the next few moments his muscles relaxed and he found it increasingly difficult to keep command of his thoughts. His reactions became almost instinctive and when the beating and the questions intensified it took all of the guardian’s strength to remain silent. Through the haziness of pain Callian knew the other guardians were finding it just as difficult. The beating ended and through the blood running down his face he saw the man in front of him draw a knife. In desperation he tried to raise his legs, but his legs refused to obey and the knife sliced across his chest. He considered his situation and instead of trying to resist, he hung as limply as he could from his restraints, forcing his body to relax.
He was surprised he was still alive when those attacking him finally moved away. The pain in his heart far outweighed the pain of the injuries inflicted upon him, though these were not insignificant. His wrists were bound to two branches, and the plaited leather ropes bit into his wrists. He raised his head slightly and tried to blink the blood from his eyes as he looked to where Lias, Valeska and Danil were similarly bound. The ties were wound many times around the wrists of each guardian. The fallen were taking no chances. Danil’s wounds looked worse than Callian’s. Even so, Danil was desperately trying to move. Callian could sense Danil’s growing panic as he watched his wi
fe. So far Valeska remained untouched, but Callian knew if they couldn’t escape it was only a matter of time. He prayed none of the fallen knew she was carrying a child. Lias had been beaten badly. Callian knew he was alive, but only because he could hear his faint shallow breathing. Once the four warriors found that the beating wasn’t yielding the required results, in particular information relating to Louisa’s whereabouts, they had moved on to knife work. Callian knew what the next step in coercion would be and his heart followed Danil in rising dread. His eyes fell to the sand below his feet where the little girl lay and his heart contracted in panic and anger. He wondered where Alexander had been taken and he closed his eyes. He was certain that the fallen would have killed him. A feeling of failure swept over him.
He opened his eyes slightly and saw that Lias was hanging from his restraints as though unconscious and Danil was moving very feebly as if trying to command his unresponsive muscles into action. He looked up at the trees around them. The forest was so thick that he could see very little sky through the branches which were covered heavily with matted vines and creepers.
Gradually the haziness began to subside. He reached out with his thoughts and found to his alarm that he couldn’t sense either Dale or Enri. That was either very good or very bad. Either they were far enough away that he couldn’t sense them, or they were dead. His heart pounded in panic for a moment and Danil and Valeska raised their heads slightly to look at him.
‘I cannot sense them at all,’ he said.
‘I’m shielding them Callian, when I can sense them.’ Valeska’s thoughts sounded confused.
‘As am I,’ Danil thought.
Callian let out a sigh of relief. ‘That explains why I’m having such difficulty finding them. I wonder where the fallen went.’
‘They went to find Dale and Enri,’ said Valeska, her voice breaking as she thought of them being hunted through the forest.
‘What a debacle! I’m stupid even to hope they might get away,’ said Danil.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 36
