CRY HAVOC (Jack Frey Book 1)

by Mike Morris

  "Lin." Old Jahn waved her over.

  She jumped up, refilled the jug and ran over to him. She'd never keep Old Jahn waiting if she could help it. He kept an eye out for her and the others, making sure all the kids got their food at the end of the shift.

  "You keepin' out of trouble?" he asked.

  "Always," replied Lin.

  Old Jahn took a big glug of water. "Best keep it that way." He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and gave her a smile.

  "I promise."

  "Good girl." Jahn ruffled her hair. "Now you..."

  A whistle cut through the courtyard. Everyone stopped and looked towards the entrance. More guards flooded in.

  Jahn pushed Lin behind him. "Don't say a word, girl. Remember what you did at the Sorting?"

  A chill spread inside Lin despite the evening. "Y...y...yes."

  "Get ready to do it again."

  Three more men and a woman walked in. They weren't grunts though. Instead of brown leather armor, they wore fine clothes like a Master; long-tailed jackets and leather boots. And there was something strange about their eyes. It might have been a trick of the light but they seemed to be crimson in color. They spread out, driving the sweats to the courtyard's fringes.

  "Get on your knees, girl," whispered Jahn. They both slowly sank to the ground. The action created a ripple effect as the rest of the crew followed.

  The Master entered the courtyard, striding to the center. Lin pressed her head against the dusty floor. Her heart raced as the fear crept its way back inside her. Her mouth went dry. A small stone dug into her forehead as she waited. What was he doing here? Images of Droonan flashed through her mind. Lin nearly reached for her knife but the fear stopped her. What good would a small knife be against a Master? He'd probably laugh in her face before ripping her throat out.

  Lin had no idea how long she knelt there, listening to the silence, waiting for something to happen.

  "It must be finished within the week," said the Master.

  "Yes Sire," someone replied. Lin listened to the Master's departing footsteps.

  "Get on your feet."

  Lin shuffled to her feet with the others to find the four strange humans still in the courtyard.

  "Who's your leader?" asked the woman. Her scarlet hair was cropped short, accentuating the sweep of her cheeks. Her white teeth — her fangs — glistened in the torchlight.

  "Er... That be me," said Jahn stepping forwarded. He kept his eyes down and his shoulders drooped.

  Lin didn't see the woman move. One moment she was standing with the others, the next she was in front of Jahn. "Our Master requires the work to be finished in his courtyard by the end of the week. It will be done."

  "That's impossible... we're pushing it as it is," stuttered Jahn.

  The woman grabbed Jahn's throat and squeezed. Old Jahn stumbled and fell to his knees. She pulled him off balance so her grip was the only thing keeping him upright. "The Master doesn't ask."

  "I...need... more... men," said Jahn. The color fled his face.

  "There are no more men. I can find a new leader though." The woman dug her fingers into Jahn's neck and a trickle of blood appeared.

  "Ahk...I..." Jahn's eyes rolled back into his head. His lips stopped moving.

  The woman smiled and released her grip. Jahn fell to the floor. He gasped for air. The woman stepped on his neck, flattening him against the stone. "Do we understand each other?"

  "Yes... it will be done," said Jahn.

  "Good." She stepped back. "You have five nights. Use them well."

  The four walked off, leaving Jahn to struggle to his feet. He pressed a cloth to the puncture wound on his neck. Color crept back into his face as his breathing returned to normal.

  "Give me some of that water," said Jahn. He took a jug and emptied it. Lin had never seen him look so grim. It scared her to see all the warmth gone. "All right! Everyone gather round," he shouted. The crew downed tools and ran over.

  Jahn looked around them. He removed the cloth from his neck and the wound began to bleed once more. "This is the only drop of blood I want those bastards to spill. Now you all 'eard 'em. We've got five nights to get this shit finished. No excuses. It won't kill us to work harder for awhile but those freaks will gut us if we don't get it done."

  There were nods of agreements from the crew. No one looked happy but that wasn't much of a change from normal.

  "Just remember, if you don't pull your weight, I'll make sure your name is at the top of the bloody list to get eaten," warned Jahn. "Now get back to it."

  Once everyone returned to their stations, Lin tugged on Jahn's sleeve. "Who were those people?" she asked.

  Jahn sniffed. "Those weren't no people. Least, not anymore. They're the Masters' Children. Used to be human, but for some reason or other a Master liked 'em enough to let them drink his blood. Gives 'em those crazy eyes, it does. But it also makes them almost as powerful as a Master. They're bloody strong and fast and they live forever like a Master too." He returned his cloth to the neck wound again. "Of course, they love to eat human flesh as well. Best keep out their way if you can or do what they say if you can't."

  The rest of the night passed in a blur. Lin didn't stop to even catch her breath. The heat was unforgiving and everyone needed water to keep going. The sweat was running off her in rivers by the time the bell rang to signal the end of shift. Streaks of light sneaked into the sky as they made their way back inside. The Grunts counted them in one by one. They wouldn't risk leaving anyone outside during the day. The Masters slept with only a few trusted guards to protect them so everyone was locked up good and tight during the day. Counted in and counted out, at the beginning and end of every night. Slowly and surely. No guard could afford a mistake. It would be their last.

  Inside, if anything, the heat was worse. They headed down narrow corridors and winding stairs. The air was stale and humid. Lin grew more exhausted with each step as they travelled into Grosnar's depths.

  Another guard counted them into their rooms, making sure everyone was locked up for the night. A small flight of stairs brought them to the mess. Sometimes walking in there would make her gag. It all depended on what was being cooked up to eat. She learned quickly the Sweats got everyone else's scraps. Meats got best choice of everything, fattened up to ensure they tasted exactly how the Masters liked them for when they became food. Skins came next. The Masters' toys got looked after too as no one wanted to frolic with an unfed, weak human. Finally, the dregs made their way to the kitchens to feed the Sweats. Portions were small and the ingredients were already half rotten before the cooks started with them but at least it was food.

  It was always hot inside the mess. The cooks' fires, the torches and fifty worn out bodies generated enough heat at the best of times but the summer made it hell on earth. The air disappeared in steam and sweat. It was like trying to breathe under water. At least the stink almost made the food smell good.

  Grabbing a bowl of stew, she found Pet'r and Jaar hiding in a corner. Meal times could be dangerous if you weren't careful. A seven year old was an easy target if someone was hungry enough. They hadn't been members of the crew long enough for most people to care if they lost a meal or two.

  "What's in this?" she said as she sat down.

  "Nothing good," said Pet'r.

  "I think mine's just dirty water," added Jaar. He shoveled the food in all the same. Something else they learned — the quicker you ate, the more chance you had to finish it. Lin and Pet'r did likewise and the three ate in silence.

  Lin flicked her eyes around the room. She always liked to know where everyone was and what they were up to. After that first night, she wasn't going to get caught unawares by anyone again if she could help it.

  The Scrounger was watching her as always and winked as their eyes met. He had his usual crowd sitting with him. Maks and Jorge never left his side. They were two big thugs who were more than happy to knock someone about so the Scrounger could get what he wanted. Castina was opp
osite the Scrounger, haggling over something or over that she needed. She looked unhappy with the deal but most people did with the Scrounger. The real surprise was seeing Krin with them. The boy had a sour look on his face in a poor imitation of Maks' more intimidating glare.

  "You see who's sitting over there?" asked Lin, pointing with her spoon.

  "Didn't take him long, did it?" said Jaar. "Why is he such a bully?"

  "It's just because Krin's bigger than the rest of us," said Pet'r.

  The Scrounger stood up from his table and walked over. "Did you three want to sit with us?"

  "No," replied Lin.

  "You keep looking over like you want to. Don't want to join your friend there?"

  They stared back at him. Lin chewed her lip, fighting the mix of anger and fear inside her.

  The Scrounger raised his eyebrows. "No? All right then but remember you're always welcome. You need anything, you come see me. New shoes. A blanket. Something nice to eat. Whatever you want."

  "What's in it for you?" asked Pet'r.

  The Scrounger shrugged. "Just a favor here or there. Maybe you've got something I want. Whatever you can trade."

  "We don't need anything," said Lin.

  "You know where to find me when you do." The Scrounger tried to hide his limp as he returned to his table but Lin saw it and smiled.

  "I wish you'd hurt him more," said Pet'r, reading her thoughts.

  "He's a bad man," replied Lin. She shuddered at the thought of being in his debt.

  With the meal finished, people drifted through to the dormitory. After a long night's work, everyone was exhausted. Lin and the boys weaved their way through the crew and made their way to their bunks.

  As Lin climbed into her rack, she found her blanket gone.

  The Scrounger wasn't a very subtle man.

  She curled up into the corner and clutched the knife in her hand. It was too hot for blankets anyway. Thank goodness winter was months away. There was plenty of time to work out how to find a replacement. Anything but ask that horrible man. As long as she had her knife, she knew she was safe.

  As the candles were snuffed out around her, Lin cried herself to sleep.

  12

  702 PN

  "You can have my blanket if you want," offered Pet'r, taking it off his shoulders. Last meal had finished and Pet'r sat with Lin and Jaar in their corner of the mess.

  Lin shook her head. "I'm okay. You'll need it." Flecks of rain flew from her hair as she did so. Even an hour after the shift had finished, she still hadn't dried off from the deluge outside. The mess was as warm as ever but, after eight hours working in the rain, it didn't seem to be helping. Her hands were mottled and white and she had difficulty uncurling them. Shivers ran through her every few seconds.

  "Come on, take it. I'm dry enough now. You'll get sick if you don't," replied Pet'r, offering the blanket once more.

  "Thank you," said Lin. She wrapped the blanket around her and immediately felt better.

  "Take your shirt off so it'll dry quicker," said Jaar.

  "Someone will steal it," said Lin. "I can't afford to lose it."

  "We won't leave it anywhere. It'll be safe with us," replied Jaar.

  Lin knew her friend was right but still she hesitated. But as another wave of shivers attacked her, she also knew she had no choice. Wriggling under the blanket, she peeled off the wet shirt and hung it over the back of an empty chair. Without even thinking about it, she slipped the knife into her hand, ready to strike at anyone who dared come close. The room was nearly empty though and Lin relaxed as much as she ever did under the warm blanket.

  "You need to do something about getting a blanket," said Pet'r. "It's not going to get any warmer out there. What are you going to do once winter comes?"

  "I'm not asking the Scrounger," said Lin.

  "What about stealing someone else's?" asked Jaar.

  "I'd just be as bad as the rest of them if I did that," replied Lin.

  "So what then?" said Pet'r.

  "I don't know." Lin almost shouted the words. She wasn't mad at Pet'r, just mad at the situation. She didn't like seeing the Scrounger's sly smirks and his lackeys laughing at her when ever she passed. It didn't help that she was starting to think seriously about stealing someone else's blanket and she hated herself even more for thinking that. But it had been two weeks since her blanket had been stolen and she hadn't come up with any other way around the situation.

  They waited another half an hour before heading into the dormitory. Lin's shirt was almost dry but she was till sad to give Pet'r his blanket back.

  "Oi Lin," called out the Scrounger.

  "What?" she replied.

  "Hear you need a blanket. Got a spare one here for you if you want it." He replied, holding up one for Lin to see. It wasn't like the threadbare one she'd lost. Instead it looked brand new, heavy and warm.

  "What do you want for it?" asked Lin.

  The Scrounger smiled, gestured with his hand as if he were only thinking of it at that precise moment and was trying to pluck the answer from the air. "How about that knife of yours? I could do with something handy like that." He shrugged as if he was asking for nothing in particular and not for the only thing Lin owned.

  "Very funny," said Lin and stormed off to her bunk, trying her best to ignore the laughter she left behind. As she curled up in the corner of her bed, she racked her brain to come up with a solution. There was no way she could give up her knife nor trade anything else with the Scrounger. Stealing a blanket was the only option but not from someone who didn't deserve it. Which brought her back to the Scrounger again.

  Lin smiled to herself in the darkness. He was someone she didn't mind stealing from.

  For the next few nights, Lin watched the Scrounger and his gang every chance she got. Where they went, what they did and — more importantly — where they kept the various things they got for people. It was a simple operation they had going. You wanted extra food, you saw the Scrounger. If you needed clothes or blankets, you saw the Scrounger. If you wanted an easy shift, you saw the Scrounger. There wasn't anyone he didn't deal with. Even Old Jahn took stuff from him in exchange for help.

  Maks and Jorge looked after the Scrounger. They made sure no one took out their anger on him at whatever deal they had to accept and everyone paid up, unless they wanted Maks and Jorge to smack them around. Krin had slipped into the role of runner for the gang, fetching and carrying whatever was needed.

  It wasn't hard to work out where the stash was. The Scrounger's crew had one stack of bunks. Krin had moved into the bottom rack. Each bed had a false bottom built into its base and everything was stored within them. They didn't bother trying to keep it much of a secret because they didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to go against them. Whoever moved against them would be in a world of trouble but Lin had crossed that line on her first night. Of course, if she could get away without them knowing, things would be even better. And, just like that, a plan formed in her mind.

  The next night, Lin was everywhere with her jugs of water. She didn't wait to be called but, instead, ran from one group of Sweats to another. Half way through the shift, the barrel was empty.

  "I need to fill it up," she said to one of the Grunts on duty.

  "Take it to the taps around the corner then instead of wasting time talking about it," he replied, clipping her around the ear. "Get one of the men to help you."

  Grais was happy to help. The taps were connected to one of the castle's main buildings a few minutes walk away from the courtyard where they were working. Grais maneuvered the barrel under one of them and turned it on. They both watched the water dribble out of the tap.

  "That's going to take an age to fill, isn't it?" said Grais.

  "About ten minutes I think," replied Lin.

  Grais rubbed his face. "As much as I'd love to stand here doing nothing with you, we've got to get everything finished tonight. I'd best get back."

  "How am I going to get the barrel ba
ck?" asked Lin.

  "When it's nearly done, run and get me. Just don't let it get too full or even I won't be able to lift it," he said. Grais ruffled Lin's hair and returned to the others. With each step he took, Lin's heart beat faster. She couldn't believe she was about to do it. If she got caught, it wouldn't only be the Scrounger she'd have to worry about. She'd be in front of the Masters or straight to the hole. She rubbed her face and took a deep breath. The alley way was empty. No one would miss her if she were quick. She knew that she'd lose her nerve, if she thought about it anymore.

  Five yards from the water tap was the waste chute. Everything from the toilets flowed down it into the drains below. It wasn't big enough for an elder to clamber inside so it wasn't covered with bars like every other access point to the castle. But Lin wasn't an elder and she could fit snuggly into the gap.

  Lin wrinkled her nose as she pulled herself up. The wet stone surface was difficult to climb but she pushed herself against the top of the chute. Wedging herself tightly into the cramped space, she inched her way up. The smell made her gag and she had to concentrate on not being sick. She tried holding her breath as she clambered up the chute but only managed a few yards before it became too much. Black liquid dribbled past, covering her hands and knees. Every part of her screamed to go back but, despite everything, she pushed on.

  Time ticked by. It was taking far too long by her count as she crawled deeper into the chute. A jutting rock gouged her back and Lin bit her lip to stop herself screaming. She wriggled in the darkness, hoping that an opening would appear soon. Her hands, coated in grime, ached and her arms shook with the strain. The fear of being trapped in the chute built inside her. She'd made a terrible mistake climbing up it. They'd find her dead body one day, covered in crap, rotting and alone.

  Lin closed her eyes and wished she could take a deep breath to steady herself but the stench didn't make that a good idea. She’d no choice but to continue. Either she found a way out or she didn't but there was no going back.

  She scrunched along another few yards, resigned to her fate, when she saw a trickle of light ahead. She blinked her eyes, convinced they were playing tricks on her. But it was still there when she opened them.