by Gav Thorpe
"No," said Meaghran. He stood up and offered a hand to Anglhan. "I'm sorry, but it'd be my skin on the line."
Anglhan took a small tin wafer from his belt and put it into the commander's hand.
"I really didn't want to do this," said the landship captain. "I'm happy to pay the price you name."
Meaghran looked at the token in his hand. It was no bigger than his thumb, stamped with three things: the seal of the king, a sum of money, and a name. On seeing the last, Meaghran's face flushed red.
"My son?" he snarled. "You've bought my son's debts?"
Meaghran lunged for Anglhan, grabbing the front of his jerkin. Barias hooked an arm around the commander's waist and hauled him away, the pair of them falling into the straw. Furlthia leapt up, putting himself in front of Anglhan.
"Calm down!" said Anglhan.
Meaghran tried to wrestle Barias aside but the chieftain shifted his weight, pinning down one of the commander's arms with a knee. Meaghran spat and threw the debt token at Anglhan.
"You filthy slavefucker! You dirty, lying bastard!"
Anglhan stood very still, his expression calm.
"I am doing you a favour, you stupid arse," he said slowly.
"Taking my son into slavery? What did the stupid prick do? I can't believe it!"
Anglhan stooped and picked the token out of the straw. He held it up between two fingers.
"It doesn't matter," Anglhan said. "Something to do with wool trade with the Fetea. Your son is in a cell in Labrias. I saw his token and bought it before anybody else could. I thought being a prisoner for the moment was better for him than the alternatives. If it wasn't for me, he'd be mining copper, panning salt or worse. You can have him back if you sell me what I want. Take this token to Labrias and the Fetea will hand your lad over without a problem."
The debt guardian picked up Meaghran's mug from the floor, dropped the tin token inside and filled it with beer. He proffered it towards the commander. Meaghran's shoulders sagged and he sank back into the straw with a groan.
"That stupid little shit. I knew it was a bad idea to send him away, but his mother insisted." He banged a fist against his forehead. "Shit."
Anglhan nodded Barias aside and helped Meaghran to his feet. The commander straightened his cloak and dusted down his trousers with sweeps of his hands. When he was done, he sat back on his stool, glaring at Anglhan.
"So what is it you want?"
"Why don't we have a look in your armoury and see what you have," replied Anglhan as he handed over the mug of beer.
IV
The crew heaved up bundles of spears, shields and swords to the landship, while Furlthia kept a tally of everything being loaded on a wax tablet. When the last box was being hoisted up, filled with bronze mail links, the first mate handed the tablet over to Meaghran.
"What's this?" the commander asked.
"We'll need your mark on this so that we can take the cargo into Magilnada," replied Furlthia. "Just to avoid too many questions. What happens after that won't be your problem."
Meaghran slipped a heavy ring from his left hand and pressed its embossed design into the wax. He handed the wax slate back to Furlthia. Anglhan joined them as the commander was putting the ring back on.
"This is yours," said the debt guardian, placing a sack of coins in Meaghran's hands. He glanced at the Carlanghian warriors who had gathered around the landship and raised his voice. "I've put in a little extra for your men; a thanks for their help in loading."
Meaghran growled in irritation.
"I could have my men take you prisoner right now," he said. "It'd be a justice if I did."
"Why don't you?" Anglhan asked innocently.
Furlthia edged a little closer to his captain, fingers on the handle of the knife at his waist. He looked over his shoulder and was pleased to see most of the landship crew were done with the loading. They lined the side of the deck, wiping their sweaty bodies, winking and waving at the local women. A few suggestive calls rang around the square. Several of the men lounged close to one of the spear throwers, the sharp point of its bolt aimed towards Meaghran. Barias was with them. The chieftain grinned at the group on the ground.
"We're not brigands," Meaghran said between clenched teeth. "Get out of here. May the spirits shit in your mouths while you sleep."
Furlthia followed his captain up the side of the landship and puffed with relief when the chocks were stowed and the beat of the drum sounded. The vessel turned laboriously around the square and headed back out of the gate, followed by several dozen warriors. The landship headed towards the river.
"I don't think you'll be coming back here in a hurry," said Barias.
"I don't think we'll be back here, ever," said Furlthia.
"Oh, I don't know," Anglhan said with a smile. "I'm sure Meaghran and me will be doing business again sometime."
"He'll cut open your guts for sure," said Furlthia. Anglhan plucked the ship manifest from his mate's fingers and planted a light kiss upon it.
"Not while I have proof that Meaghran sold weapons to escaped slaves," he said with a wink and a satisfied chuckle. "Never let a fish out of the net unless you have to, my friends."
V
The weather was worsening by the time the landship returned to Thunder Pass. Twice on the journey back flash floods had swept across the mountains, bringing deluges with them. Light rain pattered on the deck and splashed from the sail as the crew steered the landship along the rutted road leading up the valley.
A large congregation of rebels waited for them outside the caves, Aroisius and his lieutenants at the front. Anglhan was eager and scrambled down the side netting before the landship had rumbled to a halt. He crossed the rocky valley floor almost at a run, a broad smile on his face.
"Success!" he cried out. "The spirits have blessed our endeavours. I bring you a cargo more precious than gold or rubies or iron. I bring you freedom!"
There was a ragged cheer from some of the assembled rebels, but Aroisius's expression remained stern. He eyed Anglhan carefully.
"You have my gratitude," said Aroisius. "How much did you pay?"
Anglhan had expected suspicion, but he was prepared for it.
"It is of no matter. Consider this equipment my gift to your cause."
"That is not necessary," said Aroisius. "I will cover half of the payment, as we agreed."
"Certainly not," said Anglhan in his most insistent tone. "We have the weapons already. Those askharins of yours can be put to far better use than simply swapping between our pockets. Think of the welcome you will have in Magilnada when, as the new lord of the city, you are able to show your generosity with a few well-placed donations to the local shrines and elders. What I have brought you might be the means to take the city, but it is only you that will be able to keep it."
Anglhan saw Aroisius's stern demeanour flicker as he imagined the scene, a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. It passed in a moment.
"Start unloading," barked the rebel leader. He bent close to Anglhan as the rebels swarmed towards the landship. "I know that you are not doing this out of belief in my cause. What is it that you hope to gain? Where is your profit going to come from, slaver?"
Anglhan quickly considered his alternatives and decided that a protestation of innocence would fall on deaf ears. The truth would be better at this stage. Or a half-truth.
"You're right, Lord," he said conspiratorially. "My profit will come when you control Magilnada. You'll need someone to help run the city, taking care of the boring day-to-day affairs. A man in that position receives all sorts of attention; gifts from those who want his ear, business from those who want his favour. There's no reason for us to be at odds over this. I want you to rule the city; you want to rule the city. We both get what we want. I've already given you my ship, my debtors, and now a sizeable cargo of weapons. What more can I do to persuade you that I want you to succeed?"
"If you remain loyal, and useful, I could include you in my counc
il," replied Aroisius. "I know you think I am blinded by my lofty ambitions, but do not think that I see the world as a child. I know how power works. Just remember not to get greedy. That can get a man into trouble."
"It certainly can," said Anglhan.
VI
There was a mood of celebration around the rebel camp that night. The fires were banked high and the rain passed in the early evening so that everyone was outside the tents and caves. Jugs of ale were passed round and those that had served on the landship told their tales to the rebels that had stayed in camp. Anglhan found himself beside the main fire, sitting between Barias and Lubrianati. The two chieftains stank of untreated hide and stale sweat as they talked across Anglhan.
"The lord says that with these weapons, we're ready to go," said Lubrianati. "We'll be going at the half-moon."
"That's about six days, isn't it?" said Barias, rubbing his hands cheerfully. "Seven nights from now, we'll be in Magilnada, drinking their beer and fucking their women."
"You heard the boss," warned Lubrianati. "This isn't a raid. We'll be staying. That's hard to do when someone is after you for having your way with his sister."
Barias's unconvinced expression was all the answer he needed to give. Anglhan spied Aroisius approaching through the camp. The self-appointed future lord of Magilnada stopped to speak with some of his men. They were joking and laughing, excited by the prospect of the coming attack. That didn't suit Anglhan well at all. He turned to Lubrianati.
"So, it's your men that are going to be storming the gate, right?" Anglhan said. "I would bet they're pleased they've got some decent weapons and armour."
"Most of the new stuff is going to Griglhan's men," said Barias, which Anglhan already knew to be true. "They'll be climbing down the cliff."
"Oh," said Anglhan. He furrowed his brow. "Hmm."
"What?" asked Barias. "Why the frown?"
"Oh, it's nothing. Just ignore me."
"You think that my men should get more of the weapons?" asked Lubrianati, pulling Anglhan towards him.
"It doesn't matter what I think," replied the landship captain. "I'm just a trader. Aroisius is your leader. I'm sure he knows best."
"If you have something to say, slave-man, just say it," said Barias. "What's wrong with the boss's plan?"
Anglhan snatched his jerkin from Lubrianati's grasp and stood up haughtily. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aroisius getting closer, just at the edge of the light on the far side of the fire.
"Nothing," Anglhan snapped. "I would have thought the best gear would go to the men doing the most dangerous job, which as I see it is those making the assault on the gate."
Anglhan stalked away before they could ask any questions. He slipped past the closest tent and stopped in the shadows to watch what happened. Aroisius waved a greeting to the two chieftains and sat down close to them.
"I've been thinking about who gets the new weapons," Lubrianati said gruffly.
"We should have another think about the plan," added Barias.
With a smug grin, Anglhan turned away and headed across the camp.
VII
The next day, news circulated around the camp that Aroisius had decided to split the weapons between Barias and Griglhan. Anglhan wondered what hold the rebel leader had over his subordinates that he could get them to agree swiftly with his commands. Was the promise of Magilnada enough to get these rebels, brigands and hillmen to put aside their rivalries? He decided to find out how much control Aroisius really had over his army.
An idea came to him as he wandered into the main storage cave. Inside he saw Cannillan, second-in-command of Urias's gang. The shaven-headed lieutenant's back and upper arms were criss-crossed by whip scars, and his wrists and ankles bore the telltale marks of long-time bondage.
"I bet you don't have much time for the likes of me, do you?" Anglhan said solemnly as he joined Cannillan. "I know it's worthless, really, but I hope my gift goes just a little way to atoning for my past greed."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, my gift? The weapons and armour? I hear that Aroisius is sharing them out amongst the groups to make sure everything is fair. Now that he's decided not to give them all to one group, I'm sure he's stopped any hard feelings."
"He's splitting them between Griglhan's and Barias's mobs, that's all."
"Oh, I must have misheard. I thought he said he was going to give them to those that needed them most. You know, the most important leaders, the best warriors. I thought that sounded like a sensible plan. I mean, no point giving a nice sword to some pig-fucking hillman who doesn't know one end from the other. And after all, my gift really is for those who have shared the burden of debt that I have helped spread, not for a bunch of opportunists who've just come down from the mountains for a bit of fighting and looting."
Cannillan's eyes narrowed and his brow creased.
"Sorry, you look busy," said Anglhan as he backtracked towards the cave mouth. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
VIII
The wrangling over who got the new weapons took another three days for Aroisius to settle. The rebel leader was forced to split the cache amongst the chieftains, in proportion to the number of men each led. The chieftains were free to distribute the weapons amongst their own bands as they chose. With just two days before the rebels would break camp and move towards Magilnada, Anglhan knew he had to find some way to stall the attack quickly.
Sweating despite the chilling wind, Anglhan hauled himself up the cliff path to the tented camp. Most of the rebels had left on their daily forage and hunt, leaving Griglhan and his warriors to practise their climbing on the cliffs above the campsite. Anglhan found the bandit leader at the base of the rock face coiling rope while his men laboured up the cliff.
"I feel the spirits' blessings today," Anglhan said cheerfully. He picked up the end of a length of rope and began idly knotting it.
"What are you so happy about?" asked Griglhan, not looking up from his task.
"No reason," Anglhan replied airily. "Good to see that rope I got you is strong stuff. Wouldn't want any of you falling down that cliff. I'm just glad the rain's still holding off. Let us hope the spirits see fit to give us a dry sky when we attack. I'm sure you and Aroisius will make the proper sacrifices and such, just to be sure."
"I hadn't thought of that," said Griglhan. "We should get a boar or something."
"That would be wise. You and your lads have got the most dangerous job, it's only right that you have the spirits on your side."
"What's that?" Griglhan pointed at the double-loop of rope in Anglhan's hands.
"This?" Anglhan replied distractedly. He acted as if he wasn't even sure for a moment. "It's a sling knot. We use it for hauling cargo aboard."
Griglhan took the rope and inspected the knot, tugging at it roughly.
"A man could slip his arms through those loops," the bandit muttered. He looked at Anglhan. "Would that be safer than having it tied around your waist?"
Anglhan looked for a moment as if he didn't understand the question and peered up at the men clambering across the rocks.
"When it's windy, the men at the mast top use that knot for their safety lines. If you fall with that around you, you might dislocate a shoulder, but if you fall with it around your waist, you could snap your back. I think that's it, but I might be confused. I'm not a terribly practical man."
Griglhan leaned towards Anglhan, staring at the knot.
"Teach us how to tie these," he demanded.
"I'll have Furlthia and some of my old crew show you," Anglhan replied. "They'll do it better than me, be sure of it."
"Thank you."
"No problem. I figure you'll need every help you can get. You boys certainly don't lack courage, do you? Climbing down in the dark, on wet rocks? I've got men that don't think twice about hanging from a sail boom that wouldn't do that."
"It won't be that dark," Griglhan said with a shake of his head. "That's why we've picked the nig
ht of the half-moon."
"Ah, yes, very clever. Although…"
"Although, what?"
Anglhan had to hide his delight. Why, he wondered, did such a simple trick work so often?
"It seems to me that the lighter it is, the more chance you'll be seen from the wall and tower."
"We have to have some light so that we can see where we're climbing."
"Good job you've got the best armour, that's what I say. I mean, if your men don't get on to the wall, the whole attack is going to fail. It's good to know that Aroisius is putting you first in his priorities."
"Lord Aroisius made it clear that nobody is to argue about the new weapons," Griglhan said. "He said that we have to stop squabbling like children with a piece of sweetcake."
