by Martin Ash
Shenwolf glanced back over his shoulder. The Karai were gaining on him, the camp now obscured by trees and undergrowth. He pressed on, gripping his right thigh and twisting between the trees to avoid arrows. He came to a narrow, steep-sided gully, slid carefully down its rocky slope and made his way falteringly along its bed. The Karai appeared behind him at the gully's crest. Their captain issued quick orders, splitting the squad. Two men knelt and drew arrows and bows. Two more descended in Shenwolf's wake. The captain and the remaining three raced along the rim of the gully, around boulders, bushes and tree-trunks, hoping to cut off his escape at the other end.
Shenwolf pushed on, glanced back as an arrow zinged off a rock close by. But no more arrows flew. Behind the two archers the figure of Phisusandra appeared wielding a club of solid oak. The first Karai never knew what hit him; the second had time to glimpse and register shock before Phisusandra's second blow smashed him senseless.
The remaining Karai raced on, unaware of this development. Shenwolf scrambled free of the gully, eschewing all pretence of injury now. He reached the path just yards ahead of the four Karai trying to outflank him. He broke into a run, following a narrow animal track through the bushes. The Karai captain quickened his pace, then halted with his men. Smiling, he watched in anticipation. Shenwolf, just twenty yards ahead, suddenly cried out as the ground gave way beneath him.
"Ya-ha!" The Karai's victory shout rang out through the trees. He showed no other emotion but strode to the death-pit into which his quarry had fallen. The other two Karai clambered out of the gully a few paces behind and followed.
The Karai captain peered over the rim of the pit, and his gorgeous eyes widened in surprise. Instead of the bloodied body he had expected to see impaled upon vicious stakes, he found himself staring down the barrel of Shenwolf's crossbow. The bolt passed clean through his wrinkled cheek, ruining his Karai good looks, and burst out of the back of his skull. At virtually the same moment a cord snapped and a heavy branch set with spiked poles swept free across the path, striking another Karai instantly dead and knocking the other two from their feet.
The two Karai coming from behind halted short and drew their swords, suddenly uncertain. They saw a young woman leap from the undergrowth, a dagger in her hand, and strike one of their fallen companions. They rushed towards her as Shenwolf sprang grinning from the death-pit, using a rough stairway of boulders he and the others had placed their earlier in the day when they had removed the sharpened stakes that had lined the pit. The two Karai saw his sword flash as he advanced towards them. They did not see Herbin, who came from behind bearing a wooden club similar to that employed so effectively by Phisusandra. And they died without seeing Issul deliver the final knifeblow to their last companion.
"Excellent work!" breathed Issul, sheathing her knife. "Though the odds are piled immeasurably against us we’ve proven that spirit, careful planning, resourcefulness and good teamwork can yet win the day."
Phisusandra arrived, carrying the equipment he had stripped from the two Karai he’d killed. Shenwolf made a quick stock-check of Karai possessions. "Three composite bows of good quality, twenty-seven arrows, eight swords, eight daggers, eight suits of good padded armour, four shields, eight helmets, eight pairs of boots and eight sets of decent clothing."
"Don't be too sure of the clothing," warned Issul. "I happen to know that the seamstress in the camp was half-hearted in her repair work. Indeed, I suspect that some stitching may even have been undone so that trousers may fall down at any time. Undergarments also may be lined with tiny, irritating splinters."
"Ah well, we will check very carefully when distributing the clothing then. That seamstress did no work on armour or weapons, did she?"
"She did not."
"I’m glad to hear it."
"We should move quickly now. Those two poor wretches on the frames will be murdered if the Karai suspect anything amiss. And maybe others too."
They distributed arms and armour then made their way back through the woods. At least twenty-two Karai still manned the camp, but a dozen of those were supervising the two work gangs. Ten, then, maybe more. . .
From the cover of the forest three guards could be seen in the gate-tower at the main gate. Issul, Shenwolf, Herbin and Phisusandra went swiftly around the camp perimeter to the east side where the stream flowed. There they concealed themselves again and Shenwolf released a single bolt at the guard manning the tower there. His shot hummed past the Karai's head and buried itself in a wooden upright behind him. The guard gave a yell. Figures moved behind the palisade.
Shenwolf's second bolt took the guard in the neck.
The four waited. Soon the secondary gate opened and five Karai emerged. They were armoured and shielded and moved cautiously towards the stream, eyes upon the forest. But still they believed they were opposed by only one man.
Fifty yards away, high in an oak tree off to their right side, Phisusandra took careful aim with his Karai bow and released an arrow. A Karai fell, pierced through the cheek. The others wheeled reflexively to face the direction of attack. Two more arrows and Shenwolf's last bolt sped from the woods into their now unprotected flank. A Karai died, another took a shaft in the thigh. Quickly they retreated behind their shields back into the camp, dragging the dead and wounded. A few arrows flew from the palisade and tower, but they were aimed wildly into the forest and struck only wood and earth.
"Good, we have them thoroughly at odds," whispered Issul. "Now let’s exploit that to the full."
The four melted back into the woods and skirted around to the northwest.
A short time passed and the guards at the main watchtower were alerted by shouts from the forest. Moments later they saw the limping figure of Shenwolf emerging from the forest fringe, pushed roughly and hurriedly forward by three Karai. Two had arrows drawn and were facing guardedly back towards the trees as though fearing attack from that direction. The third, who gripped Shenwolf's arm, had his free hand to his forehead, apparently staunching a bloody wound.
"Quick! Open the gate! We are pursued!"
The gate was drawn open, the prisoner and his three guards passed quickly through. Suddenly one of the two Karai on the gate gave a shout, only now perceiving that the faces beneath the helmets were not Karai.
Issul wheeled on him and ran him through with her sword before he could draw his own. Shenwolf grabbed a sword from Phisusandra and tackled the second Karai. One of the three in the tower had begun to descend, the better to take a look at the
captive bowman of the woods who had caused so much trouble. He turned now and tried to scramble back up, and was taken in the back by Herbin's arrow.
Phisusandra loosed a shaft at the two remaining guards in the tower. They ducked back. One reappeared, bowstring taut, and caught Herbin's second arrow in the shoulder. He fell back, crying out, and his shaft went wild.
Shenwolf, disposing of his man, bounded up the steps into the tower. The Karai with the arrow in his shoulder writhed on the floor. The other was scrambling over the parapet. As Shenwolf stepped forward he pushed himself over, grasping at one of the tower's supporting legs and attempting to slide to the ground. He saw Herbin's bow levelled beneath him and dropped, snapping an ankle as he landed. Issul darted in and finished him.
Shenwolf stood over the wounded Karai, hesitant. Phisusandra's heavy footfall sounded behind him.
"You do not know what we have suffered," said the Murinean, and plunged his sword into the wounded Karai's chest.
Shenwolf scanned the compound. Five Karai were running towards him across the compound, drawn from the tower on the eastern side.
"Come," he said to Phisusandra. "Target practice."
With two arrows they downed two Karai. The others scattered for cover behind the huts and tents.
"Cover us," said Shenwolf, and descended.
Issul had run to the frames where the two prisoners hung, and cut their bonds. The men dropped to the earth, too weak to support themselves. She could d
o no more for the present, and ran on for the cover of the nearest hut, Herbin in close pursuit. She heard a groan behind her, turned and saw that one of the fallen men had been pierced by a Karai arrow.
"No!" She searched the compound furiously, saw a Karai with bow drawn beside the dormitory hut where she had spent so many recent nights. "No!"
The Karai staggered back, clutching at his face, dead before he fell as Shenwolf's shaft struck home. Shenwolf ran on, arriving at Issul's side. An arrow slammed into the wall of the hut behind them.
"Quick, inside!"
They dived in together. A surprised Karai rose from a field-desk. Issul pounced, sword flashing, and he fell back dead before he knew it. Shenwolf leapt to the window. "There is at least one in each of the remaining guard towers. I know of two more hiding behind the tents."
Issul was at the door. "The guard in the southwest tower has us pinned."
"Can you send a couple of arrows his way?"
She nodded. As she loosed her first shaft Shenwolf scrambled through the window. He crept along the wall of the building, located Herbin twenty yards away, knelt beside a tent. Shenwolf pointed towards the tower, indicating that Herbin should do as Issul was doing. The Karai guard there had ducked behind the parapet. Shenwolf sprinted towards the steps. The guard leaned out to fire and was struck by Herbin's arrow.
Issul came from the hut, glanced to Phisusandra in the gate-tower. He pointed to the rear of her hut. Sword drawn she crept around the other way, surprised a Karai, his back turned, facing Phisusandra's tower, and dispatched him quickly. Now Phisusandra descended and ran to join her.
"One in the eastern tower, one behind the second hut," he said. "Perhaps others. Certainly there have been more than w’d anticipated."
As he spoke Issul saw a figure creeping along the eastern palisade towards the tower. It was Herbin. She marvelled at his courage. Only days ago he had been, by his account, a simple charcoal-burner. Now he was a warrior, without fear, spurred by his hatred of the people who had destroyed his family. Issul notched an arrow to her bow and aimed at the tower, watching for a movement from the hidden guard. Phisusandra did likewise. A moment passed, the guard raised himself from behind the parapet, bow curved to fire at Herbin.
Issul loosed her arrow, as did Phisusandra. At this distance, almost seventy yards, both missed, but were sufficient to distract the guard. He spun around, seeking. Herbin took the opportunity and sprinted for the steps to the tower. The guard took aim at Issul but, alarmed by the shudder of Herbin's footsteps on the steps, panicked and loosed his shaft too quickly. The arrow buried itself in the earth twenty paces from Issul. She leapt to her feet and ran for the tower to give support to Herbin.
Phisusandra meanwhile had his eyes on the second prison hut. He saw the movement as a Karai tried to slip along the wall. He drew back his notched arrow. The Karai broke free of cover and ran across the compound towards the eastern tower, presumably to aid his comrade there. Phisusandra's bowstring snapped, but his arrow went wide. He drew his sword and set off to intercept the Karai.
Herbin clashed swords with the Karai in the tower. There was little space for swordplay and they found themselves circling one another at arm's length. But as Issul came up the steps the Karai turned, seeking a better defense. Herbin lunged and took him in the arm.
"Surrender!" cried Issul.
"They can’t," Herbin panted, grimly. He lunged again. The Karai fended his blow, stabbed, missed, and died on Issul's sword.
Issul glanced down into the compound where Phisusandra was being forced back by the Karai he had pursued. The guard was a swordsman of some skill, and Phisusandra was hard put to defend himself. Issul leapt down the steps and charged at the Karai, who instantly modified his tactics to take on the new threat.
Between them Issul and Phisusandra gained the upper hand. Issul stared into the Karai's face. There was no emotion there. Grim purpose, yes. Sweat and quiet determination, yes. But anger, fear, joy, despair. . . nothing at all. It was as though she fought a creature who had no knowledge of such things.
Now Herbin was with them, and within moments the Karai was a corpse upon the dirt of the compound.
"Just the southeastern tower," said Phisusandra, breathing hard. The tower stood one hundred yards away beside the palisade. A still figure could be seen within. Cautiously they made their way across the compound, keeping to the shelter of the huts and tents, their eyes on the tower. The guard was watching them, but strangely was taking no action.
"Perhaps at last we have one who is prepared to yield to save his life," Issul said. But she was wrong. As they drew closer the figure in the tower moved to the steps and began to descend, smiling. It was Shenwolf.
He pointed to the empty west tower. "One of us should be there. It looks out upon the work area."
"I’ll go," said Phisusandra.
"First let’s take a moment to congratulate ourselves," said Issul. "What we have achieved here is remarkable, extraordinary. I believe now, as I think you all do, that we can achieve the impossible. It’s almost time for the next phase."
With Phisusandra in the tower, the three took time to clear the compound of Karai bodies. They took the two prisoners who had been on the frames to one of the huts and gave them water and a small amount of food. Both were in a severe state. Their hands were black, the flesh already putrifying in one case; it was questionable whether either would ever use them again. The one who had taken the Karai arrow was in the worse condition. Shenwolf removed the arrow from his thigh but expressed concern that he might not survive the shock. Eventually they were obliged to leave the two, for it was midday. Phisusandra signalled from the watch-tower. It was time to free the work-gangs.
"They’re coming for their lunch," said Shenwolf. "We should take up positions."
Moments later the gate which led through to the work-compound opened. Two prisoners trotted through, accompanied by a pair of guards. They made for the centre of the camp, where a fire should have burned and soup should have bubbled in its great pot.
"I’m so sorry," said Shenwolf, stepping from behind a hut. "We’ve had no time to prepare your lunch. Perhaps this will do instead."
He tossed swords to the two prisoners. The Karai guards, taken by surprise, drew their blades, but Shenwolf was running at them and Issul and Herbin came from behind and they were slain with little contest. Issul glanced up at the tower where Phisusandra signalled that all was fine.
"Good. Now we are six," grinned Shenwolf. He spoke to the two former prisoners. "We will release your shackles then go to free the others. Perhaps then we can all dine together. There are weapons and armour aplenty, though for now I would advise that you keep your own trousers. Do you join us?"
The two needed no second bidding. They quickly donned armour and chose swords and bows. Phisusandra descended to join them and the six stepped through the gate that led to the work area.
A dirt path, palisaded on both sides, led for fifty paces to a picket gate. Some of the prisoners could be seen labouring beyond, watched by their guards. The closest were within twenty paces of the gate, others were as much as one hundred paces away, for the compound was large. Not all were visible, even when the six had passed through the gate and marched on into the compound. She counted eleven, and almost as many guards. Some, it appeared, were at work underground.
Issul and her companions advanced on towards the workers and their guards, splitting into pairs as they had earlier agreed. Issul was nervous, but the guards so far were paying them no attention. She looked around for faces she recognized, saw Kol hacking at the ground with a pick. A little further off big Ombo levered at a great boulder which was half-buried in the earth. Her heart thumped hard. A guard glanced her way - she could delay no longer. She ran forward, tearing off her helmet and shaking free her long fair hair so that all might see her clearly.
"Friends! We have returned! Free yourselves, now! Now!"
She leapt at the nearest of the Karai, sword whirling, Her
bin with her. At the same time she saw from the corner of her eye that Shenwolf and the others were similarly running at the closest guards. They had agreed that, where possible, they would initially take the guards two-to-one. That way they could be sure of killing the first few quickly, leaving them better able to deal with the rest. Her sword plunged into the nearest guard's gut before he had time to react.
The closest of the prisoners, Kol among them, took a moment to understand. Then with a great shout of joy Kol took up his pick and stepped towards the guard closest to him. But he stumbled on his shackles and fell to the dirt. Issul leapt to help him as the guard drew free his sword and moved towards him.
But something terrible was happening in the work-compound. The Karai, the moment they understood what was happening did not move to defend themselves against their armed attackers. Instead, virtually as one, they threw themselves wordlessly upon the unarmed prisoners. The carnage was terrible. Several prisoners died in the first moments, the guards moving among them quickly and methodically, slashing, stabbing, killing without mercy. The men fought back as best they could, but some were borne down with heavy loads of wood, earth or stone, and stood no chance. Those that did fight with shovels and picks were hampered by their shackles.
Issul blocked the Karai's blow as he swung his blade at Kol on the ground, but the force of the Karai's strike knocked her own sword from her hand. He spun and advanced upon her, lunging. She dodged, reaching for her dagger, and stumbled. The Karai was upon her, blade raised. She heard a great roar, saw something arc through the air and slam into the Karai's head, shattering his skull and knocking him off his feet. Ombo came into view, shuffling awkwardly, but massive and deadly with the bar he wielded.
Two more guards rushed at Ombo. Issul scrambled to her feet, grabbed her sword and went to his aid. Behind one of the guards Kol's pick flew high and buried itself between his shoulder-blades. Herbin came at the other and split his skull with his sword.
