Cry of the Newborn

by James Barclay

  The fishing fleet was out in the bay when they arrived at the beach. Only a handful of boats were pulled up on the shore. Kovan's single-masted boat had been prepared by members of the household staff and, as always these days, some of the Marshal's soldiers were present. Still, Kovan was in a fine mood. His father had unexpectedly arrived the evening before from some business over at Lake Phristos and Glenhale. Actually, it gave the whole town a lift. There had been an air of worry over the place ever since the investigation and having him here made people feel safer.

  Gorian knelt at the water's edge and placed his hand in the water. Ripples fled away against the inward tide and wavelets. Arducius went to stand beside him.

  'Is he out there?'

  Gorian turned to look at him, a smile on his face and his eyes a steady deep blue. 'Yes,' he said. 'He's coming in.'

  The dolphin broke the surface thirty or so yards out and swam into the shallows, occasionally lifting his head from the water to chatter at them.

  'He's happy,' said Gorian. ‘I can feel a surge through him, like new life. Perhaps there's a big shoal out there.'

  'Well, no doubt Jen has found it if there is,' said Arducius.

  'No doubt,' replied Gorian. 'One day they won't need a fishing fleet. We'll be able to bring the fish straight into the shore.'

  Arducius laughed. ‘I don't think so, Gorian.'

  'Believe it,' said Gorian and his face was serious once more.

  Just down the beach, the staff had launched the boat and held it in a couple of feet of water. Kovan was already at the tiller.

  'Come on,' he said. 'In you get. The contest won't wait.'

  The sound of bells shattered the peace of the afternoon. In the water, the dolphin dived and disappeared. On the beach, the Marshal's guards shot to their feet and looked away to the rise on which the watchtower stood, looking down on the road to Cirandon. Kovan scrambled from the boat and the Ascendants gathered together.

  'What's going on?' asked Ossacer, clutching at Arducius's arm.

  'It's the alarm,' said Kovan. 'Nephis, take the detachment from our villa. Get my father, he's up at the lake. I'll get the Ascendants to the Echelon villa.'

  'Yes, sir,' said Nephis. He and two of his comrades ran away from the beach. The other two came to flank Kovan.

  'Come on,' said Kovan. 'You need to get under cover.'

  'Well, why don't we just swim out to sea?' said Gorian.

  'No,' said Kovan. 'You know the arrangements. You can't stay out there forever. Come with me.'

  'I don't take orders from you,' said Gorian.

  Arducius felt Ossacer's hand tighten on his arm. He looked round and caught the look on Mirron's face too. She was staring up at the rise where the bells still rang and soldiers were running. He swung round to Gorian.

  'This isn't the time. They're frightened. We will do what Father Kessian wants or the Echelon won't know where to find us.'

  Gorian glared at him for moment but nodded. Kovan relaxed.

  'Let's go,' he said.

  'They're coming,' said Mirron, pointing up to the rise. Arducius looked up. Riders were pouring over the rise. So many of them.

  'Who are they?' he asked.

  'It doesn't matter,' said Kovan, his voice assuming the tone of command. 'Let's go. Hurry.'

  He began to run up the road that led up to the left of the forum. It was the quickest way to the villa and what they hoped was safety. In front of them, confusion was taking hold. People crossed their path, running, walking, shouting. Most were heading home but many were just moving away from the riders, heading down into Westfallen and towards the beach.

  Arducius made sure the others were with him. Mirron's face reflected the fear he felt. Ossacer was using the trails in the air to guide him now and had left the security of Arducius's arm. Gorian's face was dark and angry, his eyes flicking to the invaders, whoever they were. Arducius prayed they were Advocacy forces. If it was the Order, they were in serious trouble.

  Heat and the run was making him sweat. He felt it down the back of his tunic, under his arms and on his face. He ran just ahead of the other three, with Vasselis's soldiers bringing up the rear. People got out of their way, shouted for them to hide, to run and to disappear.

  They turned left away from the forum and ran up a steep cobbled street with houses tight on either side. Kovan kept the pace up and the Ascendants followed him. Arducius could hear the sound of the soldiers' boots ringing on the stone. His fear grew. They left the street to head through fields to the villa. A dark line appeared on the horizon, spreading quickly to their right.

  'Oh no,' said Kovan. 'Faster. Faster.'

  It was more riders. They had ridden off the road and through the farmland, cutting off escape towards the lake and the river to Glenhale. Arducius's heart was thundering in his chest. He could sense the waves of uncertainty that had gripped the town. Through the ground, the rumble of hoofs could be clearly felt. The clash of sensations was uncomfortable within him, like a churning unhappiness of life lines. His chest tightened.

  They had climbed above the level of the town now and were close to the villa. Riders had already made it into the heart of Westfallen and a quick glance showed them on the way to the House of Masks, around to the Vasselis villa and moving to completely encircle the town from the land. There was panic in the air and Arducius felt Mirron beginning to breathe too fast.

  'Steady, Mirron,' he said. 'It'll be all right.'

  'They've come for us,' she said. 'They've come to take us.'

  'They will not get you,' said Kovan over his shoulder. 'Keep going. I'll keep you safe.'

  They were in the open now, sprinting hard. The villa was only a couple of hundred yards away and Vasselis's soldiers could be seen in the grounds and around the walls. As he watched, three ran out of the front gates and turned right. Up the track towards them came five riders. There were barked shouts to stop that went unheeded.

  Swords were drawn and steel glinted in the sunlight. Arducius caught his breath. The horsemen rode on. The soldiers came to ready. There was a blur as the two sides passed each other. He saw a blade sweep down into the face of one of the soldiers. He was plucked from his feet and tumbled into the ground, rolling to lie still in the wake of the horses. Blood. There was blood all over the sandy ground.

  Mirron screamed and came to a stumbling stop, her hands over her mouth. Arducius felt sick. Around the other side of the villa came more riders. They seemed to be everywhere and on each horse was the same branded mark of a circle of arms with hands clasped.

  Kovan stopped running and held his arms out left and right to stop the Ascendants running past him. The two soldiers came to his side and drew their swords. Ahead, the survivors of the rider attack ran to their comrade. Horses wheeled and came back towards them. Arrows were in tensed bows and they backed away, arms raised.

  Arducius saw other riders coming down the road towards them. Yet others dismounted and ran in through the gates of the villa. Down in the town, the shouts were loud and scared. Horses whinnied and snorted. Hoofs stamped on cobbles.

  'Stand with me,' said Arducius, bringing the Ascendants to him. 'Keep your heads down. Don't let them see who we are.'

  'It's the Order,' hissed Gorian. 'They have come to kill us.'

  'You don't know that,' said Arducius.

  'We can stop them,' said Gorian.

  Arducius glared at him. 'We will not use our power for violence. Our only chance is to prove we are a force for good. It is what Father Kessian demands.'

  The clop of hoofs was so close and loud now. Arducius looked out from under his brow. Four riders came towards them. Two had bows, the others swords. Beside him, Mirron was shaking. This was beyond any of them. The violence they had seen, the blood on the ground, the weapons pointed at them.

  Ossacer gripped his arm again. 'I can't concentrate,' he said, his voice small and terrified. He coughed. 'I can't focus.'

  'It's all right,' said Arducius. 'Lean on me. Gorian, see to
Mirron.'

  Gorian enveloped her in one strong arm and she clung to him.

  Arducius wasn't sure which one of them was the most scared. And then one of the riders spoke and confirmed all their worst fears.

  'Citizens of Westfallen, you will gather in your forum. There is evil here. Heresy against God. Your Ascendants will be unmasked and will be tried. All those complicit in this crime will be tried. Put up your swords. Move.’

  Chapter 37

  848th cycle of God, 25th day of Solasrise 15th year of the true Ascendancy

  At least the Order didn't know which of them were the Ascendants but it wouldn't take them too long to narrow it down. Right now, they seemed content just to herd everyone they found into the forum. The heat was oppressive, the anxiety more so. Bewildered citizens stood still and silent, or turned round and round, looking at the riders that had secured the forum's every side.

  Standing on the oratory stage, under cover from the sun, were six people. Four were soldiers. Warriors of the Armour of God. The other two were Horst Vennegoor, the commander of the riders, and Felice Koroyan, the Chancellor. She was a proud figure, tall and slender, staring down at the people with a sneer on her face. She already hated them and she knew nothing about them.

  The Ascendants were standing with Kovan in the middle of the crowd. The soldiers had been taken away somewhere else. Kovan had managed to conceal his gladius under the folds of his light cloak. It gave him some comfort at least. Gorian and Arducius had been arguing, hissing at each other. Gorian wanted to act. To bring on a storm or a gale. Rush the stage and get the Chancellor. Arducius had told him to keep calm but it was getting increasingly obvious that Gorian would not be tamed forever.

  'You don't even know if you can do these things you suggest,' said Arducius.

  'Don't be stupid, Ardu,' snapped Gorian back at him. 'You can feel it the same way I can. We all can. The energy of the wind thrills your body like it does mine. More so for you as Wind Harker. You know the power that lies under the stone of this forum. We can harness it.'

  'And what good would it really do? You cannot scare them all off. There are too many. And when you are done you will be wrinkled and exhausted, unable to run. You will have identified yourself to them and left yourself helpless. Wait.'

  'For what? For them to find us anyway just by looking in our eyes?' Gorian's were a livid swirling brown as he felt the power beneath his feet and let it feed him. 'We can't stay here and do nothing. We may as well cut our own throats. Don't you see that they know all about us already? They knew where the villa was, they knew where the Marshal's villa was and they knew where the House of Masks was. Someone has told them everything.'

  Kovan turned on him. 'Listen to Ardu,' he said. 'Be calm and wait. We are not helpless. My Father and the Echelon are not yet here. That means they haven't been found.'

  'And then what? You think Father Kessian and Willem are going to scare them? They are old men. And your father doesn't have enough with him. It's down to us.'

  'But not yet,' said Arducius. 'Please Gorian, don't give us all away.'

  Gorian looked at Mirron and she nodded her agreement.

  'Please,' she said, reaching out a hand to him. 'Listen to them.'

  But Gorian was right in his assessment of the Order's knowledge. Dread clutched at Mirron's heart. Order warriors moved through the crowd. Consternation spread. They were moving in from all sides. Just a handful of them but they missed no one, looked at everyone. And try as they might to look away, Mirron could feel the eyes of the townspeople on them. Not in blame or accusation, but in sympathy. She wished they wouldn't, it would draw attention.

  'Eyes down,' whispered Arducius. 'Just look at the ground. Whatever happens don't look up.'

  Whenever she glanced around, Mirron could see warriors grabbing people and pushing them towards the oratory and the Chancellor. There were angry words, even the odd scuffle and one screech of pain. People jostled and she caught metal in the sunlight again. She shuddered. It reminded her of the man she saw killed outside the villa. Such violence in her home. Something she never dreamed to see.

  The soldiers were coming closer to them.

  'Don't struggle,' said Arducius. 'Do what they say. Gorian, that means you.'

  'All right,' hissed Gorian, voice still full of anger.

  She felt a hand on her shoulder.

  'Get to the front,' ordered the warrior. 'Now. Stand with the others.'

  She nodded, fixed her gaze on his boots. He put a hand on her back and shoved her. She cried out.

  'Get your hands off her,' said Gorian.

  'Don't talk back to me, boy,' barked the soldier. 'Go with her. And you. All five of you. Run or you'll feel my boot in your backsides.'

  The Ascendants and Kovan breasted through the crowd which parted to let them through. A dog ran in front of them and Arducius stumbled over it. Other hands touched them. But these were friendly and encouraging, as were the words that accompanied them. Mirron muttered her thanks. In front of the crowd, a line of warriors stood across the face of the oratory.

  To the left, more Order soldiers separated a small but growing group from the rest. They were beckoned over to join them. Mirron dared a quick glance. Kovan would be about the oldest there at seventeen. Some were as young as ten. Too many of them stared at the Ascendants with the accusing expressions not shown by their elders and parents. Kovan saw it and moved through the group, some thirty or forty strong so far, whispering what he wanted them to do. One loose word and the Ascendants would be unmasked.

  'I'm sorry,' whispered Mirron to a girl near to her, feeling a cat brush against her legs. 'You'll be all right. Don't worry.'

  Up on the oratory, the Chancellor stepped forwards. Around the forum, her soldiers bellowed for silence.

  'Some of you might wonder why I am here and why you are gathered before me,' she said, staring all the time at the youngsters to her right. Mirron could sense her revulsion. 'But I doubt that number is very high. I expect some innocent visitors have been caught up in this and let me assure you that you have nothing to fear. God is with you although He has surely forsaken the place in which you now stand.

  'To all those who choose to dwell here, I say this. You have a beautiful haven here. A paradise, some might say, that God has blessed with strong earth and bountiful seas. A gift. And yet you have let evil rot it. And that evil has pervaded to every corner of every villa. You have allowed to be created children who you would seat above God. People who you think will be able to manipulate the elements and the earth, the skies and the seas, animals and trees . . . other people, whether they will it or not.

  'Nature in all its glory and terror is for us to enjoy, respect and maintain. It is not in our gift to dictate, alter or control it. That is heresy.'

  She paused and let her eyes pass over the crowd. The silence was total among the people. No one even dared to shift their feet. Only the cicadas in the fields and the birds in the sky continued to call and sing.

  'And I will uncover all of those who are guilty and bring them to justice under God. And what will that mean, I wonder? Perhaps those who revealed their fears of the crimes being committed here are exaggerating. Perhaps I am only seeking a handful of criminals and four tortured individuals whose bodies contain power they cannot hope to understand or control.'

  Mirron shrank back against the comforting frame of Gorian. His hands slid around her waist, holding her close. She tried not to cry but it was so hard to contain her fear. Surely the Chancellor was staring straight at her, speaking into her heart to make her confess. She clamped her lips together to stop them trembling.

  Around the group of young citizens, dogs and cats were beginning to gather. They were focusing on Gorian. How long before one of the Order remarked on it. She tried to focus her mind to send them away. Gorian should be doing the same but his barely suppressed rage was aimed squarely at the Chancellor.

  'Make no mistake, I will discover the perpetrators of these crimes. Who
it is that sanctioned the creation of these Ascendants and who it is that protects them now. And let me remind you that should you shield them, or even should you refuse to identify them when so demanded, you will be as guilty as they are.

  'I will leave you to think on that. God looks down with benevolence and mercy on those who repent and return to the true faith; those who renounce the corruption they have experienced. Some of you will resist in a misplaced desire to protect these heretics. I will demonstrate why that would be a very grave mistake.'

  She indicated to Vennegoor.

  'Bring them up!' he barked.

  A ripple ran through the crowd. There was movement left and right of the oratory. From the right the Echelon were moved onto the platform. All of them except dear Jen Shalke who would still be out with the fleet. Father Kessian led them, looking terribly old and fragile.

  'Oh no,' said Mirron, feeling the tears running down her cheeks. 'How can they do this to him?'

  He tried to look proud but he tottered on his two sticks and had to be helped to where they wanted him. Next to him was Genna, then Willem, Andreas, Hesther, Meera and Gwythen. They didn't look as if they'd been hurt but in their faces was all the stress of their capture. They were all made to stand.

  'I won't let them hurt him,' muttered Gorian.

  'Nor me,' said Kovan from next to them. 'Not him. They daren't touch him.'

  'They would not want us to give ourselves away,' said Arducius. 'Remember that. We must not sacrifice ourselves.'

  'I will not stand by,' said Gorian. 'And if I give myself away, so be it.'

  Mirron heard a gasp from in front of her and followed the fingers that were pointing to the left of the oratory. Someone was being dragged on to the platform between two Order warriors. A name was shouted out and picked up by the crowd which bunched in singular outrage. Mirron looked hard and knew it to be true.