by Mark G Heath
“ Good morning gentleman, a little early for a drink isn’t it?” asked Benjamin.
“ Are you Benjamin Dromgoole?” queried Novac.
“ I am. Who are you?”
“ This is pilgrim Novac who stands in stead of Father Thomas,” explained Sir Joshua formally.
“ How may I be of assistance to you?”
“ Does Samael Thaindire have lodgings here?” asked Novac.
“ He does. That is no secret.”
“ Rouse him and bring him to us.”
“ What shall I tell him?”
“ Just tell him that he is commanded to attend on this threshold. Unless you want us to come and get him,” commented Sir Joshua.
“ No, no, I shall go and fetch him for you.”
Benjamin walked away from the entrance and headed up the stairs. As he reached the landing, he found his children stood talking with Thaindire.
“ Kathryn, they have come for him.”
“ I know, we saw from the window,” answered Kathryn as she placed the strap of a bag over her shoulder.
“ Are you going to hand him over?” asked Thomas.
“ Of course not, idiot, do you know how much effort it took to make him mine?”
“ You’re always making men fall for you, why is he any different?”
“ He is most different, believe me.”
“ Yes, he is so different he should be handed over to the Brother Knights. You must or you will put us all in danger.”
“ No, he is mine.”
“ They will seize us for harbouring him. I’m not going to the keep because of some traveller.” Thomas placed himself between his sister and the stairs.
“ Get out of the way Tom.”
“ Give him up.”
Thaindire moved forward and Tom drew a dagger from his belt. He pointed it at Thaindire.
“ Get away from me, outsider.”
Thaindire hesitated, his hand resting on his hilt.
“ Move aside boy or I shall run you through,” warned the witch hunter.
Benjamin loomed up behind his son and wrapped two large arms around him, pinning Thomas’ arms to his sides.
“ Take the rear staircase and head out of the back, go to the Twins, they will help you,” urged Benjamin.
“ Father, let go, what are you going?” Thomas struggled, trying to break free of his father’s grip but the landlord held him fast.
“ Go, go now.”
“ Let go of me. Just hand him over to the knights, he’s no friend of ours,” said Thomas.
“ Come Samael, this way,” said Kathryn as she made across the landing to a door to the right of Lancaster’s room. Thaindire followed Kathryn obediently. She produced a small key and unlocked the door. She opened it revealing a narrow staircase leading downwards.
“ We will head for the Twins father, do what you can to delay them searching for us,” she said as she took a lantern from its place on the wall and illuminated the narrow staircase. Benjamin nodded.
“ Go, hurry,” he urged.
Taking Thaindire by the hand Kathryn began to descend the back staircase, the glow receding. The landlord waited until the darkness of the staircase had returned and released his son.
“ Father, they will arrest us all, what are you doing?” Benjamin closed the door after them and locked it.
“ I don’t know why she just doesn’t give him up,” muttered Thomas,” they want him, not Kathryn. He’s an outsider anyway.”
“ I know but he is with Kathryn now and she is family, so we must help him too.”
Benjamin began to walk downstairs, his son traipsing behind him.
“ He’s still not one of us though. I don’t like him. He knocked me out, remember?”
“ I do and he stole one of my horses but we don’t have a choice lad. He’s worth a lot to us with your sister, we have the prize.”
“ You could have sent him out the back and kept Kathryn here.”
“ She wouldn’t agree to that, look, they are away now. Come on, we have to deal with the Brother Knights and that priest.”
The two descended the main staircase, Thomas continuing to mumble about Thaindire under his breath. As Benjamin set foot in the bar, he could see that more villagers had gathered outside, no doubt curious as to the appearance of the brother knights at the tavern. Sir Joshua entered the tavern an enquiring look on his face.
“ Where is he?”
“ He won’t leave his room.”
“ Which one is it?” demanded Sir Joshua as he unsheathed his sword.
“ Top floor, facing over the square,” said Benjamin.
“ Right. Brother, I shall go and seize him. Pilgrim Novac, if you will accompany me please?”
“ He’s not upstairs, they have fled out of the back, they are fleeing to the Twins,” shouted Thomas.
“ Fool boy!” thundered Benjamin.
“ Brother, cut him off, I will go after him,” said Sir Joshua, “ Novac, help my brother.”
Benjamin stepped in front of Sir Joshua.
“ Stand aside Ben, this is not your fight.”
The sturdy landlord remained blocking the way forward and Sir Joshua waved his blade motioning him to move. Dromgoole looked at the sword and moved out of the way. Sir Joshua trotted forward through the bar, towards the kitchen in the rear of the tavern, his armour clanking as he moved.
“ Gregory, Arnald, Linet, help my brother, head down between the houses. Archpriest, with me, we will head them off at the bridge,” ordered Sir Simon. He dug his heels into his horse’s flanks and wheeled around, causing several villagers to scurry out of the way. Novac made for his carriage as Sir Simon set off for Tallow Bridge, his horse kicking up the snow as he galloped away.
Kathryn and Thaindire emerged into the yard behind the tavern. She cast a swift look around and saw nobody. Her hand dipped into her bag and she pulled out a bottle, which contained a bright orange concoction. She removed the stopper and pushed it towards Thaindire.
“ Hurry, drink this.”
Thaindire did not hesitate, his enchantment such that he would do anything Kathryn commanded of him. He tipped the bottle and consumed the contents.
“ This will aid you in what we face, you will feel little pain and be able to fight for longer and harder, my champion,” she raised a hand delicately to his face as a shout erupted from within the tavern.
“ Quick, Samael, up this way, towards the bridge.”
“ Let me lead,” declared Thaindire as the shouts from the other side of the tavern could be heard.
The escaping duo did not notice a figure crouched behind the lower portion of the stable door, its hooded head just raised sufficiently to allow it to observe Thaindire and Kathryn whilst remaining in the shadows of the stables. The figure watched as Kathryn passed the bottle to Thaindire and reached to its side, slowly pulling a long, sharp dagger from its sheath. It saw the white blood consume the drink as it stood up and brought the dagger up. There came a bellowing shout from within the tavern and this jolted the duo into action, causing them to burst into a run. The figure released the dagger aiming for the landlord’s daughter first. The expertly crafted blade whistled through the air but missed its target, her sudden movement taking her out of danger. The blade sunk into the timber of the tavern as the twosome ran across the yard. The figure muttered a curse to itself as it saw the armoured figure of Sir Joshua Pennant appear in the rear doorway of the tavern. He looked across the yard towards where the escaping witch hunter and his enchantress had run, before noticing the dagger nestling in the wall of the tavern. The knight frowned and looked about the yard, causing the figure to shrink back into the darkness of the stables.
“ Thaindire!” yelled Sir Joshua from behind them as the witch hunter and his enchantress ran to the left across the yard, making for a pathway between the stables and the neighbouring house. They ran behind the house, the thick and impenetrable forest to their right forcing them to take the path. Snow fell fr
om the branches as Thaindire brushed past them, his azure cloak trailing after him, Kathryn close behind him. A figure ran into the pathway ahead of them and pointed.
“ They are here,” he shouted as he began to walk towards the still running Thaindire.
“ Arnald, let us pass,” cried Kathryn at her fellow villager. Arnald Rudhale advanced as black talons erupted from his fingers and his eyes narrowed, glittering black pupils staring at Thaindire. Rudhale issued a low hiss, a forked tongue darting from his mouth as he seemed to grow taller, the closer he got to Thaindire and Kathryn.
“ I have him,” shouted Rudhale as he raked the frozen air with his talons, his dark tail whipping into the air behind him, a vicious barb set at its end.
“ Out of the way,” demanded Thaindire, but Rudhale quickened his pace and with a guttural snarl, leapt at the witch hunter. Thaindire sidestepped the attack, his back pressing against the branches of the forest as he swung his long sword. The blade cut into the side of Rudhale, penetrating cloth and scales, causing Rudhale to cry out and crash to the ground. He scrambled at the snow, seeking to stand again but Thaindire wasted no time and drove his sword into the back of his opponent, grunting as he twisted it. Wrenching the blade free, black blood sprayed across the snow as Kathryn stepped over the body and pushed Thaindire onwards. The pair picked up their pace as the shouts of a pursuing Sir Joshua could be heard behind. They ran past a second house and then the third when Talvace appeared from an alleyway ahead of them.
“ Samael, get down!” shouted Kathryn as she saw the gravedigger inhale. Thaindire threw himself to the ground, his face hitting the snow as flame billowed from the mouth of Talvace and scorched the air above him. The orange and yellow flames persisted for a moment as Thaindire rolled to his side. Talvace tilted his head and moved forward, trying to direct the fiery jet onto Thaindire. Kathryn scrabbled in her bag and produced two vials holding a yellow liquid. She hurled them against the side of the house besides Talvace. The vials shattered and the yellow liquid splashed against the gravedigger. He made no sound but his legs buckled and he spun, the jet of flame playing against the forest, melting the snow and igniting the branches. Talvace raised his hands to his face and the fiery breath vanished to be replaced by his shouts of pain. The gravedigger fell and clutched at the snow frantically pressing it to his wounded face. Thaindire got to his feet and looked back to check on Kathryn, she waved him onwards and the witch hunter obliged. They ran along the back of a fourth house and the path split going either side of a house, which blocked the way ahead.
“ Go right,” yelled Kathryn. Thaindire darted to the right and past another house before again the way was blocked by another property. The forest grew tight against this house and he had no option other than to take a left turn. As he did so he heard a scream from Kathryn, which caused him to halt and dart backwards. She lay on the ground a villager stood over her.
“ Leave her!” yelled Thaindire. The villager turned in the direction of Thaindire’s shout, two red slits for eyes, now replacing the human ones normally seen. The villager made to grab for Kathryn, but she kicked out landing a boot on the shin of the villager, causing him to stumble backwards. She scrambled away from her assailant as he lashed out with a clawed hand, trying to strike her face. The charging Thaindire arrived and thrust his long sword through the villager, the blade erupting from the other side. The violence of the blow caused blood to spurt from the villager’s mouth and spatter onto the snow. Thaindire raised a boot and with a kick and a wrench of his sword, sent the wounded villager to the floor. Thaindire looked up and could see Sir Joshua gaining on them, the knight shouting at them as he continued his advance, somewhat slowed by the weight of his armour. Thaindire reached out a hand to Kathryn and pulled her upwards. Wasting no time, they continued their flight, the sounds of shouts and orders drifting through the cold air.
“ Turn right,” shouted Kathryn as they made their way through the tightly knit houses near River’s Descent. Kathryn continued to issue directions to Thaindire as they then turned left and then right again, the wooden houses flashing past as they ran.
“ Go across the lane.” Thanidire emerged onto the lane, which led down to the river. He looked to his left and saw three villagers running towards him.
“ Keep going,” shouted Kathryn. The pair darted across the road and into another alleyway. This only ran for a short distance before reaching the wall that was the forest. At Kathryn’s instruction, Thaindire made a left turn and they passed one and then two houses. The forest gave way to another home and Thaindire and Kathryn ran between the two rows of houses, the pathway bending to the right until another alleyway appeared ahead.
“ Nearly there, “ cried Kathryn breathlessly. Thaindire and Kathryn pelted down the alleyway and then burst onto the road right next to the right-hand statue that marked the beginning of Tallow Bridge. Across the road, slightly to the left lay the apothecary and the road back into the village. Thaindire could see a group of maybe a dozen villagers running up the road towards him. Kathryn skidded into his back as Thaindire looked to his right. There, stood besides his steaming mount was Sir Simon. Novac’s carriage was placed on the hump of the bridge, some distance away in an attempt to block it, but it was not wide enough. The Archpriest was stood ahead of Thaindire, some fifteen yards away, and his driver beside him, bearing his sword. Sir Simon already had his weapon drawn and he strode forward towards the panting Thaindire, the knight resplendent in his expensive armour. The angered shouts of the still pursuing Sir Joshua followed behind. Thaindire placed an arm out, ushering Kathryn to stay behind him as he raised his long sword whilst Sir Simon continued his advance.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“ Samael Thaindire, you must surrender to my authority as Overseer of Aftlain,” declared Sir Simon as he neared Thaindire.
“ On what basis?” asked Thaindire. Kathryn lurked behind him, reaching into her leather bag once more, her hand rummaging around inside until her fingers touched the pouch. She opened it up and gathered some of its contents in her hand, holding the powder tight.
“ Pilgrim Novac, read the charges to this man,” commanded Sir Simon.
“ There are no charges to brought against me. I am the protector of Miss Dromgoole.”
“ Samael Thaindire, you are charged by the authority of the House of Pennant, Overseers of Aftlain and loyal knights to the most noble duke of,” began Novac reading from the scroll he held.
“ I said, there are no charges against me.”
“ Will you submit to me and hear the charges laid against you?”
“ I will not.”
“Then, by the authority vested in me, I must subdue you. If you raise arms against me, I am entitled to use deadly arms against you,” warned Sir Simon.
Thaindire glanced to his left and a line of villagers had now arrived. He recognised some faces as they stood, keeping a wary distance from the knight and the witch hunter.
“ So be it,” said Thaindire.
“ Novac, seize the girl!” shouted Sir Simon as he lowered his visor.
“ Stay back Kathryn,” said Thaindire.
“Lackland, take her,” said Novac and he waved at his driver to advance on Kathryn as Sir Simon moved towards Thaindire. With a cry, Thaindire darted forward and thrust at the knight. Sir Simon easily swept the driving long sword to one side and brought his own sword round at Thaindire. The witch hunter neatly moved to his right and went on the attack, hacking high and low at Sir Simon. The long sword swung at the knight, looking for a way through his defence. He matched each strike with a parry but was being forced along the bridge.
Lackland held out his sword towards Kathryn.
“ Give yourself up,” he demanded.
Kathryn paused and looked towards Thaindire who continued his chopping advance against the knight who was slowly backing away under the onslaught. The villagers shuffled forward, some carrying weapons.
“ Very well, I mean no harm,” she said. Lackland lo
wered his weapon and reached out to take Kathryn by the arm. She brought her hand from her bag and blew a red powder into the face of Lackland. He screamed, dropping his sword and clutching at his eyes as he staggered away from her. Kathryn stooped and swept up the sword. She pointed it at the assembled villagers as she reached into her bag once again and extracted a vial containing a blue sparkling liquid.
“ Keep back,” she warned the villagers holding the vial high up so they could see it.
Lackland dropped to the road, tears streaming from his eyes, his cheeks red and swollen. Lyndsey Remgaal broke from the crowd of villagers and bent down to assist the injured man.
Thaindire raised his sword above his head and brought it crashing down at Sir Simon. He raised his own sword and managed to deflect the blow. Again Thaindire chopped at him and again Sir Simon was equal to the assault although he was now a quarter of the way across the bridge, having given ground to each attack from Thaindire. He lifted his sword for the third time but on this occasion, Sir Simon rolled along the wall of the bridge and out of the way of the sword. Thaindire struck the stone of the bridge. Seeing the witch hunter off balance, Sir Simon thrust at Thaindire. It was not a strong attack, but it caught his non-sword arm, tearing the tunic and causing a line of white blood to appear on the blue material. Thaindire did not seem to feel the wound however and regained his balance. The two combatants eyed one another, looking for an opening, knight against witch hunter, poised on the bridge, the turbulent River Centopani rushing below them.
Kathryn waited by the statue at the edge of the bridge. Lackland’s howls of pain had subsided and he knelt in the snow as Lyndsey Remgaal pressed the snow against his stinging eyes and cheeks. She was occupied by watching the fight on the bridge, ensuring the villagers did not encroach. She also maintained an eye on Novac who remained on the opposite side of the road from her. Kathryn heard a slicing noise and her bag slithered to the floor, the strap cut.
