Gareth Ogilvie The Great Sea King

by J W Murison

  ‘I wish to know the locations of the owner and of the gold rings.’ Bahar put a mental picture into Gareth's mind. ‘Thank you Bahar, go back to sleep, tell no one of my arrival. At dawn my men will attack, be ready.’

  Gareth slipped back the locking bar on the cage and moved off. Bahar moved back to his spot in the cage and pretended to go back to sleep. Gareth had a good distance to go and ran to the first building he had been shown. It was locked up tight with a couple of guards on the door. Gareth managed to scramble on to the roof round the back as silently as possible and to a small pole tied the pendant.

  He then ran to the one that was farthest away and on a similar building repeated the process. ‘Now for the last one,’ he spoke to himself. He ran to the heart of the complex and found what was near a palace and it was heavily guarded. He slipped in through the servant’s quarters and made his way to the inner chambers. The owner had guards on his bedroom door the same as Gareth had and they would notice the door opening invisible cloak or not. Gareth backed off.

  He went down all the corridors until he found one that wasn’t guarded and slipped inside. A half-naked woman lay on crumpled silk sheets. He slipped past to a connecting door. It was locked; frustrated he had a look around and in a vase by a fireplace found a key. It clinked as he took it from the jar and the woman stirred. He froze until her breathing told him she was fast asleep again. Silently he slipped to the door, opened it and slipped inside.

  He went through a half dozen apartments all with sleeping forms, some male some female. Each apartment was locked and each had a key in exactly the same place and exactly the same vase. Eventually he came to a bedchamber where a large man snored loudly, he was alone. The mental picture in Gareth's mind told him he was the man he was looking for. He stank of drink and before he could awaken Gareth dragged the man from the bed and put him in a sleep hold. In a matter of seconds he went from sleeping to unconscious, Gareth then placed him back in the bed and smothered the life out of the man. When he was dead Gareth turned the man on his side and covered him again. That should keep them guessing for a while if he was discovered early. Through a side door he came into the man’s apartment where the final gold ring was meant to be kept.

  It was a throne, not a seat and Gareth realised how the man had regarded himself. It took all of Gareth's strength to tip back the massive oak throne and reveal the gold ring beneath. It was twice the size of anything he had seen before and it radiated power, neither could he move it by himself. All he could do was remove the staging from around it. He looked around the throne room and took stock of what he had at hand. Dawn wasn’t very far away and he wanted this cut by then, but for once he hadn’t thought that far ahead. This throne room was in the centre of the building with no windows and only two doors. What it did have was a large fireplace and the fire was still hot from the night before. Gareth found as much combustibles as he could and soon had the fire raging again.

  He stuck his dirk in it and fanned it until his dirk was red hot. Rushing over to the ring he applied the red-hot dirk to the ring and it sliced into the soft metal with ease. He cut a wedge out of the ring but when he stood back he groaned, it had barely marked the bloody thing. He rushed back to the fire and placed his dirk back in the flames. He daren’t use his sword, he would need that later. He searched the apartment again then the sleeping quarters; he took every piece of iron and stuck it in the flames then went and locked the sleeping quarter’s doors.

  For the next hour he cut away at the massive gold ring and was about half way through it when the attack began. Still there was no alarm here. With a red-hot poker he sliced a grove right across the ring. Almost twenty minutes later he heard footsteps in the corridor outside. They stopped and then within a matter of seconds a cry went up from the chamber next door. Someone did try the door handle but it was locked. The footsteps ran turned to running as officers rapped out orders.

  Gareth carried on working as silently as he could. Suddenly every Eagle in the place began to make a commotion. Gareth smiled and drew his sword and took a mighty swing. The ringing of metal was loud in his ears but he knew it would not be heard over the noise and confusion outside. He was over half way through the ring and hacked at it mindlessly. Every blow blunted his sword but he was past caring, he knew men’s lives were at stake and until this ring was broken the defenders would fight like demons. He was almost through when the door swung open and a bearded man stepped through, he let out a startled yelp and disappeared. Seconds later the room filled with soldiers. Gareth knew he didn't have time and charged into the fray. His ferocity took them by surprise and two men died before the others could react.

  He fought desperately as men poured in the door and he was pushed back into the room. He cursed his blunt sword as he hacked at the men around him.

  The bearded man reappeared, ‘kill him,’ he shrieked, ‘he’s trying to cut the ring. Push him away from it I will repair it.’

  The men began to force him away from the ring and the bearded man began to throw spells at Gareth; they had no effect so he turned his attention towards the ring. Gareth knew he had to stop him. He battered two men down and the others backed off but they were between him and the ring. He remembered the dagger and taking his life in his hands took it by the blade and threw it across the room. The ring was beginning to glow and the mage completely absorbed in his task. The dagger pierced his arm and he cried out in alarm. Blood flowed freely as the stricken man cursed Gareth roundly. For a moment Gareth thought he had been mistaken but then the man began to shake. In moments he was screaming in agony and clawing at the air. The shaking became more violent and it distracted the soldiers, or some of them.

  The death screams became louder and Gareth could see it penetrate the spell cast round the men. He charged and pressed home his advantage killing those in his way and sparing those who ran. He spotted a discarded axe and swooped to pick it up. Decapitating another man with it the rest retreated, taking his chance he swung at the ring. With a roar the men attacked; he managed one more gigantic swing and they were on him; he had one last ace and snapped the cloak of invisibility over himself as he jumped aside. The men stumbled over the ring and each other. Gareth moved slowly round them as the men stood confused. They began poking out around them shouting encouragement to each other. One seemed to take charge and ordered a tight circle round the ring the others spread out.

  One of them pulled the axe free from the ring and in the process snapped the final thread that held it together. Gareth recognised the moment instantly and taking no chances thrust aside the cloak and drew his claymore. He slaughtered the helpless men, only the leader and one other recovered their senses quickly enough to run.

  Left alone again Gareth picked up the axe. By the time Graun had found him he had hacked it clean in half. Graun regarded the slaughter in the room, ‘you've been busy.’

  ‘Jist a wee bit. Look at the size if this bloody ring.’

  Graun shook his head, ‘it’s a fair size. Better chop it into a few smaller pieces or were not going to be able to move it.’

  ‘There's another axe lying over there.’

  Graun grinned, ‘wanna bet and see who can get through their half first.’

  ‘No chance,’ Gareth grunted, ‘my axe is already blunt.’

  ‘Fucking Ogilvie's and their excuses,’ Gareth snarled and swung the axe, it bit deeply into the soft metal. ‘Cheating bastard,’ Graun threw himself at the ring.

  The room slowly filled with sweating Highlanders who began to chant as the two men went at it. In the doorway a giant Eagle stuck its head in the door and watched as the two friends went at it, he was more than a little confused but one day it would make a fine story.

  CHAPTER 29

  The fun part over they tried to make sense of the evacuation. Highland men ran everywhere releasing Eagles. The Eagles hopped aimlessly about.

  ‘Brother can I help,’ the words were whispered into Gareth's mind. Gareth closed his eyes and concentrated
. Within a moment the Eagles all began to move towards the river. It wasn’t the orderly exodus that Gareth had planned and they were squawking and carrying on. Wings flapped as Eagles tried to launch themselves into the air. None managed more than a meter before falling back to the ground.

  Gareth felt lost without the girls there to relay his orders and gain information. ‘Any idea how close Billy got,’ he asked Graun.

  Graun shook his head, ‘haven’t got a clue,’ he pointed to the mass jam of Eagle bodies, ‘and I doubt if we will find out soon.’

  Gareth looked round, ‘there really isn’t a highpoint around here either is there.’

  ‘Not really,’ Graun agreed. ‘The top of our adversary’s palace is about the highest.’

  ‘Lest see if we can find a way up, this is a fucking mess.’

  It took them longer than they thought to find the one route to the top of the structure. The roof was flat but it still didn't afford much of a view, it was so deep into the complex and it was so big. At least they could see there was no sign of the enemy in the immediate vicinity. They decided they would be as well go back down. They were found as they passed through the palace and told that both of the gold rings had been cut, but it was obvious that the rings outside the place still had enough power to keep them on the ground.

  They fought their way towards the edge of the complex but didn't get very far. A Gordon approached them, he nodded a greeting, ‘we have a problem.’

  ‘What,’ Gareth sighed.

  ‘Hundreds of eggs and hundreds of Eagles sitting on them all refusing to move.’

  ‘Shit.’

  ‘That's not all; there are literally thousands of young chicks all running around screaming for their parents. We got Eagles coming in from all over its fucking chaos, were getting nowhere fast. As far as I can tell very few have even left this place.’

  Graun shook his head, ‘this is getting fucking ridicules Gareth.’

  ‘Aye and dangerous,’ the Gordon added.

  ‘I never anticipated this, we are going to need carts and straw for the eggs, shit this is going to take days to sort out.’ Gareth concentrated hard but got nothing. He shook his head, ‘if we get counter attacked now we’re going to be slaughtered.’

  Graun shook his head, ‘I don’t think so, I doubt if they will be in any condition to fight today.’

  ‘Normal men wouldn’t Graun but you’re forgetting the spells these bastards are all under. There is layer upon layer upon layer of it at work here.’

  ‘Sorry your right.’

  Just there was a great roar and Gareth stiffened, for a moment he imagined his worst fears had came true. Then he saw something in the sky and smiled. It was an Eagle and then more flew into sight; they came right into the camp. Almost as one every Eagle with enough room took to the wing and the sky darkened. The men ducked.

  ‘Hope these bastards are all potty trained,’ the Gordon grunted. Gareth and Graun burst out laughing. It seemed to take an age form the sky above them to clear and Gareth immediately saw some form of order being exerted on the Eagles. They were flying clear of the camp. High above there was a familiar cry, Gareth lifted his chin and gave a cry of his own. The Eagle tucked in its wings and dropped like a stone. At the last moment its wings flared and the Eagle king materialised out of thin air. He tossed on a shift, there was also tears in his eyes, ‘you have done it again son.’

  Gareth smiled grimly, ‘I don’t know what the hell’s happening, any sign of the enemy?’

  ‘No we are in no immediate danger, there's no sign of movement for at least thirty miles.’

  ‘That's something at least but in not happy father, there are still thousands of men out there wandering about and if they get organised and come looking for a pay day we’re all in trouble.’

  ‘I realise your concern, the good news is with the aid of your maps almost all of the rings have been lifted.’

  Aye on the riverside, but what of the other side. I have wounded men back there.’

  ‘Why don’t you gather your men and return that way, I will see to the evacuation here.’

  ‘I take it you know about the eggs and the chicks.’

  ‘Yes and will take care of the situation don’t worry.’

  ‘I want my scouts back could you call them for me please.’

  ‘Consider it done.’

  He turned to Graun, ‘gather the men and let’s run.’

  Graun laughed, ‘I hear you.’

  The war horns began to call out and the Highlanders began to assemble once more. It wasn’t long before Billy arrived with his men and not far behind Scout arrived with his.

  Gareth briefed them, he noticed they all looked much thinner than they had the last time he saw them. They were tired to and looked like they had been enjoying a nap when he had called on them.

  ‘How did it go last night?’ he asked Billy.

  ‘We were struggling until we received the details of the map.’

  Well we have wounded men out there and the quickest way to get to them is to clear all the rings between us and them, then get the Eagles in to transport them out. What about the gold rings what have you done with them?’

  ‘As ordered, cut then returned to the ships or transported back home, there isn’t a single ring left in the ground between here and the sea.’

  ‘That's good, we haven’t the time to do that here, not at the moment anyway I want you to cut us a ring free zone in a narrow corridor right back along our route of advance. Graun tells me he managed to bring his wounded with him but we didn't so it’s along the route we took last night we have to travel.’ He showed them on the map. Billy quickly briefed his men and they set off ahead of the main body, a well-rehearsed team.

  Graun watched them set off, ‘that's quite a body of men we have there.’

  Gareth agreed, ‘aye and they look worn to the bone, I'm going to have to think of something nice to do for them.’

  They split into two groups. A short time later the main body followed. The girls could now keep up on the ground and Gareth was impressed and glad but ten miles was their limit. Gareth stopped the march to let them rest, ‘we only have about a mile to go to the main battle sight,’ he told Wynona, ‘can you walk.’

  The exhausted woman nodded and they proceeded, it was just as well. When they reached the brow of the next hill they found what Gareth had been dreading; thousands of enemy soldiers getting ready to attack about a hundred men, all of them wounded. Gareth felt his ire rise; he only had one command, ‘Charge.’

  The Highland host came roaring off the brow of the hill and smacked into the flank of the enemy. They never stood a chance and the Highlanders ploughed through them. They didn't stand and scattered to the four winds. Gareth shouted for Wynona, ‘can you get in touch with the scouts?’

  ‘Yes Sire when they aren’t near a gold ring.’

  ‘Let them know we have scattered a large number of the enemy and they are heading out in all directions. They will most likely come across some of them. I want them to reverse direction and head back to the camp; we will carry the wounded back as far as we need to.’

  ‘Yes Sire.’ She relayed the message. ‘They are going to finish digging up the ones they are at now Sire and return. They have stated that they wish to carry on with their mission.’

  ‘Tell them there are groups of men up to a thousand strong.’

  She relayed the message, ‘they will return immediately Sire.’

  He made his way back to the commanders tent and there found the countess still looking after the most seriously wounded. Gareth had stretchers made for them. He stripped his adversary of his armour and weapons and loaded it up onto a cart with the desk and a large trunk full of maps and charts. Within an hour of the battle the Highlanders had stripped every corpse of their rings and were heading back with the wounded men. They only had to go back about five miles before they were in a magic free zone and the Eagles could transport them back to the city.

  Garet
h and Graun immediately returned to the Eagle centre where they stayed with the Eagle king to make sure everyone was evacuated safely. Special bags were produced and the eggs slipped inside and flown away to the nearest stream. The young chicks were simply picked up by the parents and those that could fly followed.

  The Eagle king glowed with happiness as his people flew off into the sunset. The last thing he did before leaving was light a torch and toss it onto a nearby canvas roof. By the time they reached the nearest street the breeding camp was ablaze.

  A month later Gareth returned with the scouts and the lifted the remaining rings buried in the ground. The breeding centre was little more than a shell and the palace in the centre had been extensively looted. His Eagles flew in circles for hundreds of miles but there was no sign of the men who had been left behind. Those ships that had been left were gone as well.

  Gareth and Graun searched through the palace like structure. Most of it had been gutted by fire but they discovered a cellar in the far corner. It had been built to withstand fire and it had been built well. It was full of bottles, most of it exotic alcohol, Graun decided to take it with them. Gareth returned to the throne room while Graun was below. He paced the place out and realised there was something strange about it. All the walls were of a uniform thickness apart from the one in this room. He called for the Beast and they took an axe to the walls. It didn't take them long to find the hidden door and the passage leading down to a hidden cellar that ran at a tangent to the first. Gareth thought the Eagle breeder must have used up all his gold but he was badly mistaken. This cellar was longer than the one Graun was in and full of riches. It wasn’t just solid gold and silver but objects made from the metals some encrusted with gem stones. There were buckets of strangely coloured stones that Gareth didn't know the name for.

  The Beast whistled, ‘holy fuck Gareth, this guy has more gee gaw’s than you.’