A Stag in the Shadows

by S E Turner

  And then there was his own master, Lord Eryk of Condor Vale. Dom knew that the man who was going to fight the guard and blow up Hezekiah Hall, would have riches for the rest of his life. This man would have pride of place at all the summer fairs and would probably be knighted in front of a huge gathering of dignitaries. For this brave soul would have changed everyones lives and rid the kingdom of this parasite once and for all.

  One by one, Squire Dom had visited all the groups and explained what would happen the next day. Those with children, as expected, didn't question anything. There were a few raised eyebrows from a few. Only one person questioned their chances, but that was met with a curt response.

  'Surely doing something is better than doing nothing.'

  Another was concerned about the animals he had tended for years .

  'They will be set free,' came the voice of assurance. 'They can sense danger and will flee to safety.'

  Under the cover of darkness,Dom moved

  around carefully, always on the lookout for prying eyes and unwanted ears.

  'This is the potion to go in the guard's flagons.' He looked around again and passed the package over to the head cook. 'The powder must go in the guards flagons, and the guards only,' he cocked his head and pursed his lips. 'It must be done early, even before the guards awake.' He checked for understanding. 'Put more in if you need to—use it all up—we have to be sure they are asleep.'

  The cooks nodded in deadly silence, knowing that their small part in this intricate plan would give the biggest rewards if successful.

  'We start the day as we always do; the second band of workers will follow at the sound of the second horn and line up behind the guards. Once the guards have taken their food and drink, we take ours, but as soon as the guards are out for the count, you pick up your belongings and get yourself through the gate.'

  He checked for understanding again.

  'Pack everything you need right now. There will be no time tomorrow. Your masters will be freed and you will all be reunited.'

  He smiled at the delighted expressions nodding round the rooms, their grey stone faces were now warm and vibrant again with the blood of hope surging through their veins. The grey stone walls around them would soon be turned to ash. Some of the workers couldn't really believe what was happening and sobbed into aprons, into weathered hands, into each-other's embraces. The elected leaders were eager to plan their escape routes home, and disappeared quietly into their sheds. Others sat quietly thinking of home; of lost years, distant memories, and the trauma surrounding it.

  The captives had been taken from various locations from along the River Dru, so the huge group from Sturt Manor, plus the smaller groups from the cattle ranch and the timber plantation, would be travelling a long way north together. Will's employees and Nate's workers would be travelling a much shorter distance west with Marshall's group. And Tion's craftsmen would follow Squire Dom and the Aiden Hall staff in a more southerly direction.

  Early that morning the plan was put into action, and as the guards began to fall asleep the inhabitants silently crept through the gates and ventured to freedom. Hugs and farewells were bade by all—but the shadow of fear hung heavily close by.

  'We have very little time,' said Dom ushering them all through. 'We shall meet up again, and talk about our heroic tales of escape—but right now our homelands beckon and our families are waiting to be reunited.'

  Within minutes, and bound together in spirit and hope, they dispersed in three directions.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  They picked up the pace as they left the enclosure. Behind them, Dom could see the grey towers of the mine rising from its walled enclosure. Pulling his cloak tighter, he led the assembly down the road and their first steps towards freedom. A wind had picked up pace and huge white clouds were rearing in the north, scudding fast across the sky and casting shadows across the hillside. The group made haste and hurried. They knew the way home, and nothing much had changed in two years. The trees began to get thicker and denser, the fauna more vibrant, and from the lower slopes of the mountains, the views were spectacular. High peaks and steep glaciers were covered in a green velvet, and under the brilliance of the sun, they gleamed and shimmered like shards of light.

  Trundling along at a slower pace, the morning slowly became afternoon, and the party were well out of harms way when they heard it. The rumbles and tremors of the moving road had unnerved them at first. Then they saw the herds of animals flee to the hills in panic. Flocks of birds took flight, and the moving clouds seemed to bunch up together, one behind the other, fearful of what was about to erupt.

  The fact that they could feel the tremors and the rumble underfoot, was evidence of the destruction about to unfold, and it was while they were looking behind them from their elevated position, that they witnessed the fall of an empire.

  A few of the travellers went to run, but Dom stopped them.

  'We are safe here, I promise you. We are many hours away.

  The sound of thunder reached them first. The shock waves travelled for miles around. Then a huge crack was followed by a massive explosion and a pall of black smoke hung heavy over the quarry. Plumes of gas and layers of debris shot into the air. An avalanche of dust formed a mushroom shape over the ridge and cloaked the valleys like a hideous protective veil. Another explosion sent the infrastructure upwards, piercing through the veil and scattering the bunched up clouds in all directions. The last explosion collapsed the bulwark to the ground, and any remains of Hezekiah Hall were quickly turned to dust. The umbrella of debris continued to rise up and spread out wide until it reached the party of escapees.

  All mouths were wide open at this point, but then closed when the dust particles reached them. The air tasted of ashes, and they held up a hand, an apron, a rag, anything to thwart the toxins. Though they were the fortunate ones; anything closer would be choking by now .

  'That was some dynamite used in there,' gasped Dom.

  'No one would survive that,' said Euan, Tion's right hand man.

  'The underground fire must have stretched for miles,' said Moira.

  All eyes looked at her.

  'The fire that Coben was looking for, in the bowels of the mine. It's what kept the rocks warm, and he knew that if he found it, he could blow it up.'

  'I wonder if he knew just how massive it would be,' spluttered Dom.

  'I don't know,' she puffed out hard on her cheeks and shook her head from side to side.

  The others were looking on in disbelief.

  The northern sky was black with smoke now, even the clouds had turned to a dark shade of pewter. On the horizon, distant fires raged like mini tornadoes, engulfing everything in their path.

  'Thank the gods we got out of there alive,' said Winta.

  'I only hope that our masters got out as well,' said Euan.

  'And Coben,' said Winta looking knowingly at Moira.

  Moira grabbed her hand and breathed in deeply. 'Come, I'm sure that they are all safe and sound somewhere. Let's get you back home to Tiller. We will all be reunited soon.'

  'Are you all right?' said Dom taking hold of Asher's hand again.

  'Just a bit of a shock that's all.'

  'I know, but at least it's all over now.'

  'I hope everyone got out. '

  'They will have, I'm sure of it.'

  'And we can begin to make our dreams now.'

  'We certainly can Asher.' And he put a protective arm around her as they continued on their path.

  The landscape of Homestead Farm loomed up in blue and purple layers, its open land and rolling hills were quite beautiful to behold. They all stared up at it, looming ever larger, while high above the tree-line, crows and starlings spiralled, and a single buzzard mewed. The summer breeze was warm. Strong shards of wheat and corn waved in the wind like triumphant regiments of soldiers, and all around them buzzed the pulse of the earth; vibrant, colourful, and very much alive.

  Some of the farmhands were st
ill fearful, and couldn't believe they had truly escaped. They scanned the fields and hedgerows, looking for any signs of soldiers and guards. But of course there were none. Instead, it was strangely peaceful. The warmth of a south westerly summer breeze caressed the weathered faces and beaten souls. The front entrance was eerily quiet. Aiden Hall was little more than a husk now. A charcoal patch marked where the hayloft had burned to the ground, ditches and fences were rotting and overgrown, though evidence of repair was visible.

  A solitary blackbird was singing on a newly staked paler, and the charred waterwheel had also undergone repair; creaking a painful tune, as its aching limbs turned a whole rotation. The oak tree, still scarred and burned in places, held onto a precious rope swing; now green with age and matted from the fire, it rocked gently to and fro. Discarded wooden lances and makeshift knights' helms, remained where they had last been used; a reminder of a more joyful time.

  But despite the gloom, it was teeming with life. Above the stream, mosquitoes and dragon flies were numerous. The sound of flies and bees filled the evening air. A field mouse sat upright, its nose twitching, it could sense a buzzard ahead and disappeared into a hole. The buzzard missed its chance, but stamped the ground instead to bring fat worms to the surface. The butterflies were leaving their small white cocoons and spread their mottled wings in welcome flight. Fallow deer displayed their white tipped tails and stood erect; a top predator was close—too close. But it passed by quietly, and they returned to feeding on the succulent grass.

  For two years the giggling of young maidens had been missing. The boyish humour from the fields had gone. The love of a close knit family had been torn apart. Troubadour had forgotten what it was like to bark in fun. The chickens and geese pecked around him. He barely noticed them anymore.

  But today his ears pricked up. He heard the excited voices and began to bark. The geese and chickens were panicked into flight. Nolene, unused to such excitement, ran outside to investigate and held her hands up to her face in elation. She ran through the paddock and into the throng of the returning workers. Tiller had seen them from his high elevation in the cow's meadow, and chased his beating heart downhill to greet them. He spotted Winta first, and nearly tripped over his own feet that were going faster than he could keep up with. Clutching onto the cap on his head with one hand and waving with the other, he shouted at the top of his voice. Seeing him leap over styles and brooks, Winta's face turned into a wide smile and she ran up to meet him.

  'Winta, you made it, you are safe.'

  'And you too dear Tiller. How I have worried about you. Not knowing if you were alive or dead.'

  Tiller smiled and kissed her cheeks. 'I am very much alive my love. Thanks to Mistress Nolene, taking very good care of me when I got home – and someone else.'

  Winta looked puzzled.

  He was trying to catch his breath and had to rest with his hands on his knees for a few moments.

  'You see that horse over there?'

  He pointed out yonder to a paddock full of lush green grass and a bag of hay tied on to the fence.

  She followed his gaze and nodded.

  'That horse saved my life. Brought me all the way home without stopping in all that freezing weather. She is a true heroine, and I tend to her every day.'

  Winta smiled. 'I need to go and thank the mistress, and the horse as well. What is her name.?'

  He looked at her. A smile crept across his face. His eyes sparkled and shone. 'Why, Winta of course. She gave me hope and courage, and a will to survive.'

  Winta dipped her smile.

  'But how did you escape?' he asked, fully recovered now, though still a bit flushed.

  'Coben helped us. If it wasn't for him, we would still be prisoners there. '

  'He is a good and decent man. I would be dead by now if it wasn't for him.'

  Winta nodded her head solemnly, for she knew that he wasn't exaggerating when he said he would be dead by now. She hugged him, glad that Coben had intervened when he did, and said a silent prayer for Coben's safety.'

  Then she looked around. 'Where's Atilus?' Her furrowed brow indicated concern.

  'Atilus? Isn't he with you?'

  'No, he left about two months ago. We all thought he had escaped.'

  'He's not here.'

  'And he wasn't on the open road either. Where is he? I hope he is okay.'

  Moira was embraced in a warm hug with Nolene.

  'Ma'am, I am so pleased to be back home,' her voice was breathless.

  'It's good to have you back home Moira. I have missed you so much. What a long, lonely two years it has been.' She wiped away a tear.

  'Is the master here yet?' Moira looked to the door, expecting to see him.

  'No, he is not. Didn't he travel with you?'

  'No, he should be coming south of the river. Coben left a boat for him. I thought he would be here by now.'

  'Why is he coming by boat?'

  'It was the only way that Coben could get him out.'

  'Out of where?'

  'The mine, ma'am, the dreadful mine. '

  Nolene went pale. 'We must go and look for him. But what about Saskia, where is she?

  'She will be with Coben.'

  'Who is Coben?'

  But before Moira could explain, Troubadour started barking and wagging his tail. Moira looked towards the dog's gaze. Nolene followed. The freed captives stopped their celebrating; for there, in the distance, stumbling over the fields, trying to run in places, looking gaunt, frail, and exhausted—was the master.

  But he wasn't alone. Supported by two other men—they gradually came into view.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  'It's my master, it's Lord Eryk, he's alive, he's come home.' Dom raced over to his master, and putting all protocol aside, lifted him into the air in a warm embrace.

  'My lord, I have missed you, and worried about you for years.'

  Eryk looked at his Squire and tears were running down his face. 'I have missed you too Dom. I feared this day would never come.'

  'Did you hear the explosions?'

  'We did, and narrowly missed an avalanche, but we are all safe. Thank the gods.'

  Asher was observing them from a distance. Dom turned round and beckoned her over. 'My Lord, this is Asher, she has kept me quite sane for the past few years. I have a lot to thank her for.'

  Asher hid her blushes as she curtseyed at the introduction. Eryk took her hand and laid a kiss on the dorsal side. 'Thank you for looking after my man, Asher. I am indebted to you. '

  Nolene rushed over to Philipe. 'My love, my husband. Are you all right? Are you hurt?'

  They embraced for the longest time. Neither wanted to let the other one go. His tears fell like rain into her hair. Her tears dampened his shirt.

  'I am alive dear wife,' he managed to say at last. 'I have my life back now I am home with you.' He stood back to look at her. 'You look beautiful Nolene, so beautiful. And I am going to spend so much more time outside of the office. I promise you.' She smiled at him and stroked his cheek. They embraced again.

  He introduced his comrades. 'This is Eryk, from Condor Vale, and this is Tion, from Ataxata, they didn't want me to make the last bit of the journey on my own.'

  She nodded to them in gratitude and shook their hands warmly.

  'Thank you so much for staying with him.'

  'It's our pleasure ma'am,' said Eryk, tipping his head to her. 'It was his friendship with Coben that got us out of the mine in the first place, so we couldn't leave him on his own at the last stretch.'

  'I keep hearing about Coben.'

  'Yes,' said Tion. 'A true hero. I only hope he got out of that place in time.' His face was grim.

  Tion was surrounded by his comrades; Euan, Kete, Milos and Ustin, all reunited again at last.

  'I would never have recognised you gaffer,' said Milos shaking his head.

  'I think we have all changed quite a lot.' Tion replied quietly.

  'Yes,' said Euan. 'I would have suggest
ed getting drunk on copious amounts of brandy and rum. Now I just want to eat fruit and maybe play a little music.'

  Nolene overheard him and offered her hospitality.

  'Everyone come inside please,' she gestured. 'I will get some water on the boil for you to clean up, and some food on the stove for you to fill your empty bellies. You must be exhausted and famished.'

  'And all the foot travellers,' said Moira. 'They haven't stopped walking all day.'

  'Of course, everyone, come inside; rest, drink, lay where you feel most comfortable. Use the bedrooms, use the parlour. Our home is your home for as long as you want.'

  Everyone went inside. Except the three men who had been kept in the dark for all those years. The open plains were especially picturesque at this time of year and the sun winked on them as moving clouds puffed silently by.

  'This is a beautiful spot,' said Eryk commandingly.

  'I know—we like it here.' Philipe smiled as he looked around his small estate.

  'No place like home eh?' said Tion.

  'There certainly isn't dear friend,' said Philipe. 'And nothing better than friends.'

  Eryk drew a thin smile and patted Philipe's knee.

  Tion was nodding his head in agreement. 'For always.'

  Eryk stroked his chin and took in a deep breath and exhaled it just as quickly. 'You know, Segan Hezekiah said to me, when I was first imprisoned; that I should enjoy my isolation, embrace the silence, and find my true self in the dark— for that is what we are all searching for, in the end.'

  The two other men looked at him in surprise.

  'And did you find yourself?' said Philipe.

  'I most certainly did—and more.'

  'Well I hope that Hezekiah is enjoying his isolation and silence. For he is buried in the dark now.' Tion's retort was scathing.

  'I think I shall be sleeping under the moon and stars for a while yet,' said Eryk. 'It's far too beautiful out in the open. It will be some time before I sleep in a darkened room again.'

  'Me too, even if it's raining outside,' agreed Philipe. 'I shall make a canopy by the old oak over there so I can listen to the drops falling above me.'