Shadowheart lotr-2

by James Barclay

  Nyam walked a little way up towards the beautifully arranged terraces which housed the long dead of the Al-Drechar. There was Diera with the laughing little boy, Jonas. She was tending the Nightchild, Lyanna's, grave while he sat, face upwards, pointing at Sha-Kaan's circling.

  Nyam smiled again and found a conflict of emotions running through him. He yearned for his wife and family; another part reached out and understood Diera's loneliness and yet he couldn't escape the fact that he was attracted to her. They all were. She'd been the subject of ribald conversation more than once but none of them would so much as touch her. You didn't try it on with the wife of The Unknown Warrior, no matter how far away he was.

  That part of him that sympathised so much with the helplessness of her exile was strongest. She cut a forlorn figure at times, standing on the rocks overlooking the channel into which a returning ship would sail, or spending hours wandering the little island with Jonas wrapped in her arms or experimenting with walking beside her.

  Yet she wouldn't reach out. She shunned the Xeteskians completely, never spoke a word to any Protector and didn't seem interested in the Al-Drechar, whom she spoke to like old aunts rather than powerful mages. She ate with the few Drech guild elves who tended the dying mages but only really spoke regularly to Sha-Kaan so far as Nyam could tell. Outwardly bizarre but actually eminendy reasonable. The dragon had a telepathic link with the barbarian, Hirad Coldheart. All to do with the Dragonene order. He'd have to read up on it.

  Nyam turned at the sound of his name. His turn to sit with the Al-Drechar again and see if he could get clarification on a couple of points, no doubt. Another smile. Perhaps today was the day something would give. He'd be waiting.

  They began to gather at dusk. Heryst and his closest adviser, Kayvel, watched them from a window high up in the Tower. He had always known Darrick was incredibly popular but this, following his desertion, was surely unprecedented. Posts were abandoned, meals went uneaten, families didn't see their menfolk at the time they expected. With much of the army committed to the north and east of Xetesk, it was never going to be a huge gathering, but its import was not lessened by that fact.

  'There will be no one patrolling the streets or our walls,' said Kayvel.

  Heryst nodded. 'But it's a respectful gathering. They all know the law.'

  'They all love Darrick,' observed Kayvel. 'Don't expect their respect to extend to you.'

  'We must have order,' said Heryst.

  He glanced behind him. His personal guard, four senior soldiers, stood waiting. Not every member of the military shared the prevailing mood.

  'So what action will you take against this?' Kayvel indicated the crowd which now numbered in excess of one hundred and was growing steadily.

  'None,' said Heryst. 'They must be allowed to express their feelings. So long as the protest remains peaceful.'

  'So you feel they are justified?'

  'Of course I bloody do.' Heryst's voice was quiet. He turned his attention back on the cavalry and soldiers outside the barracks. He felt a sickness in the pit of his stomach, ifhis was comfortably the worst day of his tenure. 'What choice do I have? He isn't the first to he executed for desertion in this conflict. You know the feeling in the council and out in the city. We're on the brink here. Our decision to ally again with Dordover is very unpopular.'

  'And you think executing our most famous son will help you?'

  'We must maintain the rule of law. None can be seen to be above it. That way lies anarchy.' Heryst sighed, searching for a way to change the subject. 'Where are The Raven?'

  'In their chambers,' said Kayvel. 'Eating.'

  'Good.' Heryst turned from the window. 'Keep them under close scrutiny. I won't have them whipping up the crowd. We can't afford that sort of disorder. And tell the watching mages they have to be vigilant.'

  'You don't trust them?' asked Kayvel, his tone edged with surprise.

  'The Raven?' Heryst smiled. 'Oh, I trust them all right. Enough to know they'll try something. Can you see them knocking meekly at the door to collect Darrick's body?'

  'Then why did you not have them escorted from the college?'

  Heryst breathed deep and sucked his lip, regarding Kayvel until understanding creased his features. He stepped in very close to Heryst and leaned so close their faces all but touched.

  'You are playing a very dangerous game, my Lord,' hissed the adlviser, voice barely audible.

  'On the contrary, there is very little risk,' whispered Heryst. 'The Raven are not murderers. They are, however, very resourceful.'

  Kayvel clicked his teeth. Heryst continued.

  'I assure you I will do everything in my power to stop them should they attempt a rescue. However, I don't believe I can spare the men for a pursuit.'

  'You must order the gates closed,' said Kayvel.

  'I cannot do that,' said Heryst. 'You know our constitution and there is no external threat to the college. We must and will remain open to all who need our help. That is Lystern's way.'

  Kayvel shook his head and turned away, moving a step towards the window. When he turned, his expression was deliberately neutral.

  'You are making a mistake,' he said.

  Heryst moved to stand beside him again and looked down on the crowd which stood in almost complete silence in the courtyard.

  'If it is a mistake to let The Raven pay their respects to one of their own with dignity, then it is one I am happy to make.'

  'You know what I mean,' snapped Kayvel.

  'Yes, I do,' whispered Heryst. 'Darrick is my friend. I owe him this chance.'

  Kayvel's face softened. ‘Ihope you know what you're doing.'

  'So do I, my friend,' said Heryst. 'So do I.'

  Chapter 5

  The Raven moved out of their chambers to join the silent crowd shortly after the last hour of the day was sounded. Some two hundred and more Lysteman soldiers, many of them Darrick's men, were gathered from posts in the college and across the city.

  The Raven split up, according to The Unknown's design, interspersing themselves with those in the front arc by the door to the windowless cell block, which adjoined the barracks, while Hirad disappeared round the side to the stables. Positioned so he could watch the door to the cells and the base of the Tower from which Heryst would soon emerge, The Unknown didn't see Hirad return but he heard his voice as he passed without stopping.

  'Stable's deserted. Everyone's out here. We're saddled and ready.'

  The Unknown said nothing. The time was approaching. Agita-tion was running through the crowd that had been building ever since Darrick had been moved to the barrack cell block as dusk fell. A murmur of voices stilled with the creaking of a door. Every head tinned towards the Tower. Six men emerged from the brazier-bright entrance and out into the lantern-lit, shadowy courtyard. The stride was measured and confident.

  The Unknown could see Heryst and his adviser, Kayvel, walking in the centre of the quartet of swordsmen. Their weapons were sheathed but their eyes roved the crowd. The Unknown knew they were being monitored. It shouldn't matter.

  Standing just behind the front rank of the loose crowd, The Haven waited. Heryst and his guard walked into the silence, the erowd closing around them as they came, no more than two paces away. Not close enough for The Unknown.

  Standing to the left of the guard-flanked barracks door and looking across at the approaching entourage, he signalled Thraun with a slight nod. The troubled shapechanger made no sign he'd seen The Unknown but his feral eyes glittered in the light of a nearby lantern and the half pace he took was more than enough.

  He nudged into the pair of soldiers in front of him, forcing both to take a balancing step forwards and bringing them very close to Heryst. Denser's similar nudge ensured the ripple continued and Erienhe's gave the move a momentum of its own.

  'Shame on you!'

  The Unknown heard Hirad's voice, turning the murmur of dis-quiet into more vocal opposition. Cries of 'Spare Darrick' and 'Crime' sounded and t
he crowd pressed in. Immediately, the guards upped their pace. Seeing the concern on Heryst's face, The Unknown moved.

  He pushed hard into the backs of the two men in front of him, sending them stumbling into Heryst's guards. The reaction was as automatic as it was predictable. The soldiers were fended off roughly, sent spinning left and right and into the gap came The Unknown. He allowed himself to be helped by the agitated group behind, his shoulder thumping into the first bodyguard who sprawled backwards, arms cartwheeling and striking another man who lashed out instinctively.

  The josding took on an edge, the atmosphere firing to tension in an instant.

  'Get back, clear the path!' ordered one of the bodyguards.

  The Unknown stepped round to face him, fist slamming into his gut. The guard's eyes widened. The Unknown's head connected sharply with the bridge of his nose. He fell.

  Turning, The Unknown saw Hirad and Thraun closing in at the back. Denser had confronted another guard. He couldn't see Erienne. He forced his way towards the barracks door, meeting Heryst's eyes on the way. The Lord Elder Mage opened his mouth to shout but a hand clamped around his neck and dragged him back. The Unknown ploughed on, shoving soldiers aside, hearing the anger reach boiling point. The guards at the door had only just seen the danger to their Lord through the confusion of bodies in front of them. One had his sword half out when The Unknown straight- punched him in the face. His head hit the wall behind him. He sagged.

  The other faced up, fists raised.

  'Sorry,' said The Unknown and laid him out with a strike to the point of his jaw.

  He headed for the door, sensing a change in the atmosphere. Behind him, Heryst called out for assistance and he heard Hirad's gruffvoice.

  'Bodyguard's changed, big man.'

  The Unknown opened the door quickly. It bounced against the wall. He ran in, knowing The Raven would be right behind him. The small hall was empty, so far. He swung round. Erienne had followed him in, Thraun and Hirad were forcing a protesting Heryst across the threshold. Denser came in last, already casting.

  The barracks door was slammed shut, the fizzing of a WardLock echoed in the enclosed space and the sounds of the angry crowd were muted. There were a few thumps on the door but to no effect.

  'Welcome to your new home,' said Heryst.

  Hirad put a dagger to his throat. 'Don't try casting. You aren't quick enough to beat me.'

  Heryst's face was flushed with anger and embarrassment. 'You won't get him out.'

  'lust watch us,' said Hirad.

  'How long will that lock hold?' asked The Unknown.

  'Hard to say. They'll need magic. Good magic. But this is a college.'

  'Point taken.'

  The Unknown faced forward. Ahead of them, the stone-flagged hall had two doors either side, one straight ahead.

  'Erienne?'

  She was leaning against a wall as if to stop herself falling. Her eyes were closed and a fist clutched at thin air.

  ' Difficult,' she murmured. 'Men below. Swords and magic. Can't feeI anything up here.'

  'There's too much focused mana,' said Denser. 'We need to get down to the cells.'

  'What-?' began Heryst.

  Time for quiet,' said Hirad. 'Let us show you what we can do. Stairs?'

  Heryst eyed him briefly before gesturing ahead. They moved off, hurried by a heavy impact on the door behind. The Unknown strode ahead, Thraun hard on his heels. He slapped the door back.

  It was a guard room. The Unknown made instant assessment. A desk stood against the far wall, weapon racks were right and two guards flanked a downward spiral stair left. Both men drew swords immediately. The Unknown raised a hand.

  'We have Heryst and we've come for Darrick. You can make this easy or difficult. Your choice.'

  The Raven and Heryst came in behind. Sword points dipped.

  'My Lord?'

  'Idiots,' muttered Heryst. 'Guard the prisoner!' He shouted. 'We're attacked. We-'

  Hirad's hand covered his mouth and jerked his head sharply back.

  'We'll carry you if we have to,' he said.

  The Unknown's eyes did not stray from the guards. 'Weapons down. Please.'

  They hesitated. Thraun growled. It was a sound from his wolven past, chilling as it echoed from the walls. The Unknown smiled thinly. The two guards dropped their swords, metal clattering against stone.

  'Good choice. We aren't going to hurt you, that isn't why we're here. Denser, Erienne.' The two mages stepped up. 'But you can't take any further part in this. Like I say, you can make it easy or difficult.'

  Two short incantations and the guards were cushioned to the floor.

  'Right,' said The Unknown. 'Hirad, you're first. Heryst goes in front of you. I'm behind with Erienne so let me do the talking, all right? Denser, Thraun, you get the rear. Let's go, Raven.'

  Hirad pushed a resigned and unresisting Heryst ahead of him, dagger ready, free hand on the Lord Elder Mage's shoulder. 'Not too fast. I'd hate you to fall.'

  The spiral stair was wide and lantern-lit. No sound came from below.

  'There is no one at the base of the stairs,' Erienne said. 'Further on, I don't know yet. The stair ends in two more full circles.'

  The Unknown nodded. 'Hirad, keep a tight grip on him. This is where it gets interesting.'

  The spiral stair unwound into a long corridor lined with blank walls and heavy wooden doors. A single iron-bound door stood at the end some sixty paces distant. The Unknown spoke for the benefit of the hidden guards.

  'Lord Heryst is in front of us. You don't want him hurt any more than we do so I suggest that you stay wherever you are hiding. No one needs to be a hero. We're all on the same side. But we've come for Darrick and no one leaves here until we get him.'

  Silence.

  The Unknown smiled. At least they had some discipline. The Raven, Heryst at their head, moved slowly along the corridor, footsteps echoing loud from the dark stone walls and low ceiling. The cell block smelled damp and vaguely rotten, as if the filth of ages had pervaded the stone where no amount of scouring could remove it.

  'Cheerful place.'

  'Shut up, Hirad,' hissed The Unknown.

  They passed the first doors, the cells they fronted dark and quiet. By the number and spacing of doors, the cells were very small.

  'Stop,' said Erienne suddenly. 'Left and right, second cells. Swordsmen. Two each side.'

  Heryst drew in a sharp breath.

  'Not a word,' whispered Hirad.

  The Unknown considered briefly. He indicated Thraun and Denser to the left door, moving to cover the right himself.

  'Let's move on,' he said loudly enough.

  Heryst opened his mouth but Hirad's dagger pushed into his neck, pricking the skin.

  ‘Iwill bleed you,' he said, voice low. ‘Idon't want to but I will.'

  He pushed Heryst on towards the end of the cell block, their footsteps slapping echoes off the walls.

  The Unknown waited, watching Erienne closely, uneasy at the split forced on them but needing to take the gamble. She walked slowly in Hirad's wake, body tensed, her mind straining to keep a rein on the power sluicing through her. The walkers passed another two sets of doors before Thraun indicated noise. Simultaneously, Erienne stopped and looked sharply left. Doors seemed to open everywhere.

  'Damn!' spat The Unknown, already moving down the corridor. 'Hirad, keep Heryst moving.'

  Behind him, he heard the sound of metal-shod feet on stone. Ahead, two figures emerged from a cell left and one from the right.

  'Erienne!'

  Lost in the One, Erienne was slow to react. A leather-clad warrior ran at her, lowering his sword and thumping into her with his shoulder and sending her sprawling against the opposite wall. She cried out in surprise and Hirad turned, began moving towards her but found his way blocked by the second soldier.

  'Hirad! Behind!' shouted The Unknown. But Heryst was already moving, running towards the end of the corridor. The Unknown could see his hands describ
ing arcs in the air as he went. 'Trouble.'

  He charged up the corridor, his pace fast despite the stiffness in the hip damaged on Arlen's docks. Fast enough to surprise the lone figure who stood in front of the open cell door right. Without pause, The Unknown whipped a fist into his cheek and chin, spinning him round and hard into the wall. He fell senseless. The Unknown hurdled both him and Erienne to chase the casting Heryst.

  As he passed, Hirad swore, moving to attack the threat to Erienne. He stepped smartly inside a round arm strike, blocked the sword arm away with his left hand and thudded the hilt of his dagger into the soldier's temple. The man sagged under the blow and Hirad helped him down with a double-handed strike to the back of his neck.

  The Unknown closed the gap fast, footsteps ringing in his ears, the shouts and sounds of hand-to-hand fighting behind him that he couldn't afford to let distract him. Heryst slowed and turned, eyes widening a little at the sight of The Unknown's huge frame coming at him. He held his hands wide, encompassing his targets. The Unknown dropped and slid in, feet first, boot buckles striking sparks from the stone. Heryst's mouth moved. The Raven warrior ploughed into him, sweeping his legs from under him.

  The spell was lost. Heryst crashed heavily down, half on, half off The Unknown who was already shovelling sideways and coming to his haunches. He rested one hand on the back of the struggling Heryst's neck.

  'Enough, Heryst.'

  Back down the corridor, Erienne was in trouble. Overpowered by her attacker, he had her in a neck lock, his short sword close to her midriff.

  'Back off!' shouted the soldier. 'I'll kill her.'

  Hirad advanced another pace. Out of the soldier's view, Denser and Thraun were closing in, leaving four still figures behind them. The Unknown could see blood on Dehser's face and Thraun's knuckles but the floor had none of the slick that told of mortal wounds.