‘What would you do if you were in Nyinaku? If this was a village you’d never been to, what would you be doing right now?’
‘There would be people everywhere.’
‘I wish you’d agreed to take a sword. I know you want to look harmless, but being practically unarmed might get you returned. Let’s say you go into a village and there are not people everywhere. What would you assume?’
‘Either there are highly dangerous animals around and everyone’s taken cover, which would mean a bunch of warriors would appear shortly, fully armed, or I might assume something had happened to draw everyone away - an accidental returning maybe. There would be a gathering at dawn outside the village. It’s called a loeirhy. It’s a bit like a human wake, but not as cheerful.’
‘I want you to act as if that’s what you expect has happened. What would you do if that’s what did happen?’
‘I would be able to hear someone’s instructions on where to join everyone. Someone is nominated to keep their thoughts open at a time like that. And I’d remove my shirt and these boots in respect, and then I’d put loeirhy marks across my shoulders-’
‘Explain.’
‘Soil rubbed on the shoulders to indicate the burden we all bear, that one day we may all be returned.’
‘Good. Do it. Take off your shirt and shoes, do the dirt thing, and then attempt to look like you’re trying to find out where the loeirhy is happening.’
Eibhear complied. He gazed around as if he was trying to ascertain what had happened, and then he peeled off his shirt and dropped it on the sitting bench. He unlaced his boots and placed them neatly beside his shirt. He stood still with head slightly angled as though he was concentrating hard. A voice behind him spoke.
‘No one was returned. Who are you?’ The man who spoke was of the fallen. His eyes were black and his thoughts silent.
Eibhear hesitated, startled that the question had come in the common speech.
‘Saldriquel addi neevwanch?’ the man tried once again.
‘I understand the common speech. My name is Eibhear.’
‘Where are you from? What are you doing here?’
‘I was passing and I saw the ships and I wondered where they go.’
‘You’re not like us. You’re free.’
‘I don’t understand.’ Eibhear tried to act casual.
‘You’re free, aren’t you?’ The accusation was delivered angrily.
‘Aren’t you also?’ asked Eibhear, looking confused.
‘Not according to most. Apparently I’m more human than free.’
Eibhear raised one eyebrow. ‘I don’t know what the humans would say about that.’
‘Why would I care what a human might say? It’s your people that have driven us from our own land, warrior.’
‘You came from Nyinaku?’
‘We came here a long time ago. We had no choice. It was leave or die. Die because we were born less than free; more human than free.’
‘So you came here? Who brought you here?’
‘We brought ourselves. And ever since, so many others have followed. Two more ships are coming and then we will have enough. We’re going home. And if Penn has done his work, we’ll have Tatharlia for our own as well. Things are changing.’
‘What makes you think you’d be safe to go back?’
‘We don’t intend to be safe. We intend to destroy every one of your people. When we’ve finished with Nyinaku the land will be rid of the free, and we will reclaim our homeland. When we’re done not one single free warrior will remain alive.’ The man’s eyes glittered coldly. He took a step towards Eibhear and his hand went to the sword at his side. ‘Not a single warrior. Everyone will be returned; the women, the children, the warriors, including you.’ With lightning fast movements he drew his sword and brought it across, making Eibhear leap backwards, but not before the blade raked across his ribs leaving a long, deep cut across his chest. He landed on his back and rolled quickly into a crouch, drawing his knife. The man stepped in and swung again. Eibhear gave a grunt of dismay as the knife was smashed from his hand and he wished he’d heeded Dale’s warning and brought a sword. He moved backwards raising his hands but knowing if the man’s speed with the sword was any indication, his pace on foot might also be a problem. A smile came to the man’s face and he raised his sword for a final blow. There was a soft thud. The man staggered backwards, his hands dropping his sword and automatically moving to the arrow which was deeply lodged in his chest. A second thud and his mouth opened in a groan of shock and pain as another arrow took him within inches of the first. He fell onto his knees. A third arrow whizzed through the air. It hit the man squarely in his left eye, driving deeply into his brain. Dale ran into the clearing and stooped over the body.
‘Let’s get out of here,’ Eibhear cried, trying to make his legs move, but falling to his knees as the blood drained from the cut across his chest.
‘They’re not my arrows,’ said Dale. ‘I should return them to Catho.’ He tried to wrench the first two arrows from the man’s chest but in his haste he both broke, leaving the heads in his chest. He cursed himself for dragging at them rather than pushing them through the body. With a grimace, he grasped the one still protruding from the man’s eye and tugged hard. It came free, dragging out the remains of the man’s eye along with a tiny portion of his mashed brains. Dale dropped the arrow. He coughed several times and then vomited onto the ground beside the body.
‘Dale,’ said Eibhear weakly, trying desperately to stand and looking anxiously toward the huts. ‘We have to go. I don’t imagine anyone’s going to come running out of these huts whilst you’re still carrying that bow, but if they’ve got bows of their own... We really need to go!’
Dale wiped his mouth and stood up. He picked up the one intact arrow. He gagged as he wiped it on his shirt, then he placed it in the quiver. He looked at Eibhear and his mouth fell open as he comprehended the seriousness of the warrior’s wound.
‘Go Dale!’ Eibhear urged. ‘You need to get back to Cathaoir’s house.’ His kneeling body fell and he thrust forward his hands to catch himself before he hit the ground, but his weakened arms gave way and he tumbled onto the dusty ground. He gave a groan of pain as Dale took his arms and hauled him up until he was once again on his knees. Then Dale took his wrists and dragged them over his shoulder until the warrior was lying over his back, with his wounded chest squashed painfully against Dale’s bow and quiver. Without looking back, Dale dragged Eibhear’s body away, forcing his legs to pump as fast as he possibly could. To his relief they weren’t followed as he rushed through the little village and into the trees. It took every bit of Dale’s strength to stay upright and keep moving. His heart pounded from exertion and his arms began to throb as he moved towards the cliffs south of the village. He determinedly ignored the pain in his legs as he stumbled across the rocks leading towards the cliffs. Eibhear made no sound other than an occasional groan of pain. Dale could feel the blood from the warrior’s wound soaking through the back of his shirt and running down his back. He wondered if Eibhear remained conscious because his bare feet were scraping and bashing on every rock as Dale tried to carry him to safety, or that the pain of his chest wound was just too great to allow him the relief of oblivion. He reached the place where the rocks began to rise to form high cliffs and he moved forward once again, feeling his knees tremble from exertion. Spasms of pain shot through his wrists and he gritted his teeth. ‘One more step,’ he murmured to himself. ‘Just one more step. Just one more step.’ It became a soft chant and he stepped across the rocks determinedly keeping his steps in time with his chant. His heart lifted as he saw a break in the rocks directly ahead of him, and a place where he could safely lay Eibhear’s body. He took a deep breath, grasped Eibhear’s wrists even tighter and forced his legs to carry him across the rocks. He lowered Eibhear carefully to the ground. He removed his own shirt, rolled it carefully and tucked it under Eibhear’s head.
‘Why are we here?’ E
ibhear managed to mumble, knowing they had moved towards the southern curve of the bay, not towards Cathaoir’s home. He opened his eyes fully and looked at the surrounding rocks.
‘Because we can’t go back to Catho’s place yet. Imagine what these people would do to them if they followed us back there. I can come back here another day to try to get a better look at the ships. I need to find out what weapons they have, how many people they hold and every single detail I can find out.’
Eibhear slowed. ‘You want to go back,’ he asked incredulously.
‘If they’re going to attack Nyinaku-’
‘Maybe we should let them,’ Eibhear growled.
‘I don’t imagine everyone in Nyinaku is like Nandul,’ Dale reasoned.
Eibhear gave a derisive snort.
‘What about those who are more like-’ Dale cut off his own words and shook his head.
‘Like Keely?’ Eibhear’s voice softened. ‘I couldn’t help being in love with her Dale, she was one of the best women I’ve ever known. She was gentle and funny and loving.’ He sighed sadly.
Dale thought of Charie and gritted his teeth. ‘And now we’re stuck in this ridiculous land with no means of getting home whilst some crazy people who are half free and half human are planning an attack that we can do nothing about. Wonderful!’ he finished sarcastically. ‘I need to wash and dress that cut across your chest.’ He reached out in alarm as Eibhear gave a low groan. Dale knew he was not in a good state, but he was horrified how much blood Eibhear had lost and he felt panic as the warrior began to drift in and out of consciousness. Dale decided to try to get him down to the sea, wash his wound properly and then bring him back up to the cave. He knew he would have to tear up his bloodied shirt to bandage Eibhear’s wound.
‘Dale?’ Eibhear’s eyes opened slightly.
‘Mm?’
‘Normally, I’d just sit inside your head until you thought about what I wanted to know, but you’re deliberately avoiding the topic.’
‘Mm.’
‘I was thinking on what you said about having no way to get home.’
‘Mm.’
‘I don’t believe you. You’re always scheming. You’re planning something. What are you planning Baron?’
Dale’s eyes narrowed determinedly. ‘I’m planning to steal a ship.’
Eibhear’s eyes opened a little wider before they rolled back in his head.
Chapter 31
Reunion
Elena, Immosey and Louisa sat on the edge of the bunk, staring at the door with nervous expectation. Milgorry, Borgulnay and Gilgarry stood between the bunk and the door. They tensed as the door opened. Penn paused as he took in the feeling of tension inside the cabin.
‘You look like you’re expecting something awful to happen,’ he said. ‘Good. You won’t be disappointed. Follow me. And just so you know,’ he said pointedly to Milgorry, ‘if you try to escape you will be returned immediately. If you attack me or my men, you will be returned. You will be heavily guarded until you reach the secure unit in which you will stay until my business is finished.’
‘What is your business?’ Immosey asked boldly, standing up and folding her arms.
‘I suppose it can’t hurt for you to know now,’ Penn mused. ‘My people are going to sail back to Nyinaku and take back our homeland. That means returning the current inhabitants of course.’
‘Does that mean you’re planning to return yourself too?’ asked Milgorry, his voice laden with sarcasm.
‘According to most, I’m more human than free,’ Penn replied angrily. ‘But it won’t matter for much longer.’
‘So, what’s that to do with us,’ asked Louisa, glancing at Milgorry.
‘Does ‘us’ mean the humans like you, or the free like Milgorry?’
‘The humans like...er...me.’ Louisa blushed.
‘The Queen is our guarantee. I want to be certain that her young but overly enthusiastic husband doesn’t see fit to interfere, and that the guardians don’t decide to come to the party. I doubt anyone will want to interfere if the Queen’s life is on the line. I think we managed to cripple Tatharlia. If all goes according to plan, Marlea has killed Empress Cahndrech, and Pevita will become Empress. Even if the stupid bitch refuses to marry me, I will have control of the Sanctuary - or whatever’s left of it, so I can be fairly sure the rest of the Tatharlian army will keep their big noses out of my business.’
Elena bit her lip, knowing it was probably for the best that Penn didn’t know exactly what had happened at the Sanctuary or that Callian had returned Marlea and the Empress had been taken to safety. ‘And then what happens to us?’ she asked.
‘Then you can go home, of course,’ said Penn, doing his best to sound reasonable.
Milgorry silently confirmed Elena’s suspicions. ‘What he was thinking was, ‘then you can die’ but he won’t kill you until he knows he has control of Nyinaku.’
‘Follow me and don’t do anything stupid,’ Penn warned once again. ‘If you jump into the water you will be ripped to pieces within seconds by sharks. Your guards will go ahead of you. I don’t need any of you forcing them backwards into the sea.’
‘Callian?’ Borgulnay thought urgently.
‘We’re ashore. Kelian has taken Kalinya into hiding. Tim and Araas are ready.’
‘Do we have any sort of plan?’ Gilgarry wondered anxiously.
‘Not really.’ Callian admitted. ‘There wasn’t time. We only had the plan for taking the ship, but we’re going to have to do this on land. We’re just going to wait until we’re on solid ground and then remove anyone standing in our way.’
‘No plan! Supreme Majesty! Are you joking?’ Gilgarry gave a small snort of disbelief and Penn turned and gave him a suspicious glance. ‘Callian, I’m going to think my way through a fairly standard but reliable strategy for getting a small bunch of desperate people out of a dangerous situation. It’s actually one of Borg’s plans. If you think it can work, make sure everyone knows what we’re doing! And tell me if Borg thinks it could work here.’ He concentrated for a few minutes as they we taken up onto deck.
‘Good!’ Callian’s thoughts were approving. ‘Borg thinks it has a reasonable chance of working, but we have to make it happen while we’re still on the jetty. Give everyone some sort of signal when you’re about to move.’ The guards moved past and then gestured for everyone else to follow.
Gilgarry gave an almost imperceptible nod as they walked across the gangway and he, Milgorry and Borgulnay positioned themselves in front of the women as they walked up the jetty towards land. A group of guards stood at the end of the jetty facing them. The very second they reached the point of the jetty that was above sand instead of water Gilgarry shouted.
‘Now!’
Milgorry grabbed Elena and Immosey and pushed them towards Louisa. Louisa gave a nod of understanding and grabbed her sisters’ hands.
‘Don’t move until I say,’ she cried. Their guards turned and the nearest gave a derisive snort at the sight of the three men, weaponless but standing as though tensed for battle. He made the mistake of moving first. Milgorry took his sword so quickly an onlooker might have thought the guard had offered it to him, excepting a split second later the man’s head was smashed from his shoulders and his body fell uncaringly onto the sand. The remaining guards paused in shock as Milgorry tossed the sword sideways. Borgulnay caught it without even seeming to look at it. He stepped forward and the guards took an apprehensive step backwards. It was more than enough time for Milgorry to claim another sword. The man who owned the weapon, found himself flat on his back on the jetty, screaming with the agony of a broken and twisted arm. Milgorry passed this sword to Gilgarry. The guards began to shout in terror and anger as they backed up the jetty, having seen their two most skilled swordsmen felled in less than ten seconds. Borgulnay and Gilgarry raised their newly acquired swords and moved forwards as one. The jetty wasn’t wide and Gilgarry could not have been more thankful for the many hours he and Borgulnay had spe
nt practicing swordsmanship side by side. They moved in perfect unison.
‘Louisa. Get them out of here!’ Milgorry’s thoughts were urgent. Louisa pulled her sisters to the edge of the jetty and jumped.
Guards waiting at the end of the jetty now rushed forward to join their comrades. As if this was a signal Timbul, Araas and Callian came out of nowhere and in the panic and pandemonium that followed, the three women had ample time to cross the beach. Louisa glanced back as they scrambled over the rocks. Milgorry now had a sword. She felt a second of intense relief. Milgorry with a sword in hand was not an easy target. Many of the guards took one look at the three guardians and leapt from the jetty to the sand below. Timbul and Araas followed and Borgulnay frowned as he saw that only Callian was left to prevent the guards turning and running back up the jetty. Milgorry also noticed, and smashed his way through the few remaining guards. To Milgorry’s surprise the Guardian General appeared to have singled out two men, who he defended against, but he didn’t return, and Milgorry wondered if for some strange reason Callian expected him to return them. Several more guards jumped from the jetty only to meet Timbul, who moved so fast no-one on the sand had a remote chance of escape. Someone threw a knife at Milgorry’s head then struck out with the sword. He seemed to lose all hope as Milgorry blocked the blow and ducked simultaneously. The knife passed by harmlessly. It was only then the man saw that he’d stepped too close to Milgorry. The warrior caught him by the wrist and snapped his arm. He fell screaming onto the dock and Milgorry’s sword came down, silencing him. Only two guards remained. Both were defeated and terrified.
Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3) Page 26
