No one else was around, so with one last longing look at Ssarista, Kuiran heaved himself up onto the quayside. He felt his body change back to Man form, it was more agonising than turning into a seal but in a few moments he lay naked before Raleen.
“My, you look even better out of clothes than you do dressed,” she teased in relief. “And all of your cuts and bruises have healed without leaving a mark to show where they’ve been.”
Kuiran’s face glowed red with embarrassment as he took his still wet clothes and donned them quickly before sliding into his chainmail. Finally, accepting his staff back from Raleen, he took her in his arms and hugged her close as she sobbed her relief.
A seal’s head broke the surface of the water, just visible in the near dark.
“If you ever need uss, just dip your sstaff in the ssea and we will come. Farewell.”
With that, Ssarista rolled over and was gone. A dark shape spearing through the water was the last they saw of her.
Raleen laid a hand on his arm and he dragged his attention from the swirl of water left by Ssarista’s departure.
“Do you think they will be able to protect the harbour from the Reavers?”
Kuiran shrugged.
“I’m not sure but at least we have another ally. We’d better go and report this to Cristal. It may make a difference for Belvedere.”
As they walked back up from the harbour in the dim light of evening, evidence of the siege showed everywhere around them. Garbage was piling up in the streets above the harbour. Previously it was collected to make compost but that process occurred outside the walls. Occasionally someone would dump their garbage over the east wall where it was washed out to sea by the river but most often it was left to rot. Luckily, being early winter, the flies were few but the piles of rubbish tainted the air. The residents they saw on their walk up from the harbour looked tired and listless as they went about whatever jobs they could find. Food had been rationed and although things weren’t desperate yet there was no more food available in the foreseeable future and eventually the population would have to go hungry.
Higher up the slope, the richer quarters did not appear so desperate. Refuse was kept behind the walls of courtyards, some doing their own composting rather than dumping rubbish on the street. The city square had its usual crowd, some watching entertainers who performed for food morsels while others listened to minstrels singing brave songs to raise spirits. The farmers were still camped in the square but the cattle they had arrived with were now almost all gone. A bullock wagon was left with no bullocks to pull it and horses were rumoured to be next on the menu.
Burning down one of the siege towers had raised spirits in Belvedere and injected some hope into the masses but not enough. The siege was wearing on all of them.
At Cristal’s mansion the guard on gate duty recognised Kuiran and Raleen and let them pass. That was one thing Kuiran kept a close eye on, the proficiency of the mansion guards. They were the first line of defence for Cristal’s protection.
Raleen left him in the courtyard to go and check on her horse, Trollop and see the man who gave it to her, Redbeard. Some of his band had lived above the stables since the siege began and were becoming restless with the inactivity. They trained regularly with all sorts of weapons and sometimes Kuiran trained with them but mostly they sat around and talked or diced. A few played a strategy board game with black and white pebbles. As mercenaries, they had spent long periods on both sides of a siege so this was nothing new to them. Those with wives or girlfriends had been allowed to go home, on call if need be. Raleen had thought of a job for them and wanted to gain Redbeard’s acceptance. He greeted her warmly.
“Come to see me or the horse?”
“Both of you. I just thought I’d look in on Trollop then put a proposition to you.”
“Don’t tell me. You’re leaving the big man and want me.”
Redbeard waited for the reaction and Raleen didn’t disappoint him.
“You! You’re the ugliest most horrible man I’ve ever met and I wouldn’t have you if you were the last man left alive between here and Trugor.”
She said it all with a smile. Just so he knew.
He laughed.
“Shows you don’t know what you’re missing.”
Redbeard leaned on Trollop’s stall door while Raleen gave her horse a good brushing down and explained the job she had for him and his band. It was a straightforward task, albeit rather smelly; exploring even further downstream from the place she and Kuiran had reached when investigating the tunnel under the mansion all that time ago.
“You need to be careful. I’ll give you the maps but I think someone else uses part of the tunnel. Cristal thinks maybe the Thieves Guild.”
“Good friends of mine.” Redbeard told her. “I’ll go myself. There shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good, I’ll bring the maps to you later.”
She finished brushing Trollop and checked her water bucket before replacing the brushes in the tack room. Making her goodbyes, Raleen hurried out of the stables, nodding to the stable boys as she passed and found Kuiran sitting on the steps of the mansion, still in his wet clothes, waiting for her.
They went in together to find Cristal, who told Kuiran his tale would wait until after dinner and to go get some dry clothes on before they ate.
After the meagre evening meal Cristal, Lareeta, Raleen and Kuiran withdrew to the study, where Lareeta sat in her usual chair, left arm in a sling, while Kuiran carefully related his afternoon’s experience to Cristal. The old lady sat mesmerised by the tale, looking from Kuiran to Raleen as the latter added a few pointers to the story. It was almost unbelievable to think that Kuiran, who sat on his bench large and solid before her, could turn into a seal when immersed in salt water.
“I must admit I’ve never heard of Wyalonians before, except for the one mention by Escarion but this all ties in with what you told me of your arrival in the Darkwood. How could those folk of Wyalon know what would happen so far into the future? The spells on the casket you travelled in must have been extremely potent to keep you safe and alive and delivered to exactly the right spot. It means you have another mother and father on Wyalon. What a sacrifice your mother made, giving you up so young.”
Kuiran ran his hand through his still damp hair.
“I can’t get it out of my mind. After the troubles end and Martine is defeated, Raleen and I are going to journey to Wyalon to see if I can locate my real parents.”
Cristal shot a glance at Raleen.
“Is that what you want my girl?”
“Yes Grandmother, Kuiran and I feel the same way about each other and want to remain together for all time.”
Cristal’s face fell.
“Ah well, and I hoped I could enjoy your company for longer. You realise you’ll all turn me into a lonely old woman.”
A laugh from the side of the room where Lareeta sat cut the rest of her complaining off.
“Don’t forget we’ll have a city to rebuild and a Council to reactivate as well as Trade to get going again. You’ll not miss Raleen for long and anyway, you have your Grandson to keep you busy.”
A long speech for Lareeta but it broke the potential seriousness of the atmosphere and the conversation returned to Kuiran’s underwater adventure with Ssarista.
“She knew who I was Cristal and did not seem at all surprised to meet me. Almost as if she’d been keeping an eye out for me but how is that possible?”
Cristal’s silent shrug eloquently said it all.
The manhole entrance in the yard behind Cristal’s mansion had been opened and barricades placed around it. During the last few days there had been much coming and going by Redbeard and some of his men down into the open hole. The families who were staying at the back of the mansion expressed concern at having a gaping hole in the middle of the yard but Redbeard gave them no option and told them to keep an eye on their children over the next few days or risk loosing them down the opening.
> Exploring the tunnels was an unpleasant task, smelly and uncomfortable and Cristal made sure those who went down the hole had access to a hot bath and also had their laundry done for them. Soon, most of Redbeard’s band was volunteering for the odious task but only the original few kept at it. By the third day Redbeard came to Raleen with his report.
“I found a way from here to the poor quarter but after that the pipe becomes impassable. You were right, the Thieves Guild use part of it but they will not mind its use by others in an emergency. It’s not too difficult to pass but garbage is starting to mount up in the pipes and they’ll need clearing. I’ll put some men onto it. I’ve marked the way on this map and carved arrows pointing the true direction of travel each time the tunnel branches. Could be a useful escape route someday. Although I hope that day doesn’t ever arrive.”
Raleen thanked Redbeard profusely for his assistance and arranged with Cristal for the three tunnel explorers to eat in the mansion that evening. Redbeard, Caron and Sniffer turned out to be excellent company, although still a little odorous, and everyone enjoyed their evening immensely as tall tales were told of the adventures of Redbeard’s band.
Meanwhile, the remaining siege tower was nearing completion.
7. The Rabble Rules.
Hundreds of leagues from Belvedere, on the high plateau of Tarkent, the small band comprising Arwhon, Shiri, Chalc, his ancient Teacher, Yongsan and the three Barsoomi Riders were approaching their destination. Pindayo, the designated meeting place for all those willing rebels in Tarkent who were prepared to join the revolt against the Dominion. On their ride down from Chalc’s home village there had been no signs of people travelling to the meeting place and at one stage, one of the Barsoomi Riders had expressed his concern at the fact the revolt may yet comprise only their own small group. Uncharacteristically, Yongsan had smiled at the Rider’s concern and merely stated enigmatically that if their group could see the movement of those intent on rebelling, so could the Dominion soldiers scattered thinly around the country.
“Don’t worry, my people will be there. We dislike this Dominion with a passion and have been shown the way out of our subjugation. Trust, Rider, you will see.”
Sure enough, as they approached the wooded hills to the west of Pindayo the next day, bird calls could be heard throughout the woods as they passed and before long a figure dressed in decorated leather armour stepped from behind a tree to block their path. In the tongue of Tarkent, the stranger demanded to know where they were going. Chalc replied in the same language and the figure bowed deeply and waved them on. Chalc explained what had just occurred for the benefit of the rest of the group.
“The main force has been split into smaller groups to await our arrival. Word will be sent out and tonight we will hold a Council of War.”
After a short ride they descended into a small, hidden valley surrounded by trees where many armed men had made camp. Unlike those who lived in the west, this camp was neat, orderly and quiet. Men sat around sharpening weapons in complete calm, their fate would be what it would be, a result of the decision they had made to commit to this endeavour.
The group came to a halt at the centre of the camp and were warmly greeted by a bowing Faral, the headman of the first village they had come to when they travelled into Tarkent from the Broken Lands. Faral looked puzzled though. Chalc asked what was troubling him.
“I have never seen a dog grow so fast or so big,” he said, pointing at Krissi who Shiri had covered with a glamour to make her appear dog like. Arwhon sent a silent plea to Krissi to be ‘good’ with these Men and conveyed a mental picture of Tarkent people. His answer was a request for more food.
Chalc assured Faral the ‘dog’ was a special breed and would probably grow even bigger. The answer seemed to satisfy him although he scratched his head every time he looked over at Krissi.
Yongsan said nothing.
Once evening fell, all the leaders of the various groups scattered throughout the countryside rode into camp. There were no fires lit and discussions took place in the soft glow Shiri provided, pervading the campsite like moonlight under the trees. Plans were laid and propitious times were sought for the culmination of the rebellion. It was thus decided that three nights hence was when the most auspicious omens and signs were aligned. It would take two nights at least for the rebel army to move within striking range of Kyto, the capital. As any largish group of people travelling together would be immediately suspect, it was decided to travel at night in small bands, trusting to their countryfolk not to report them to the Dominion authorities.
Once in sight of Kyto the rebels would have to carefully secrete themselves throughout the orchards which partially surrounded the capital and wait for a sign to band together as a united force. It was Chalc who thought of the sign to use; a lantern swinging on the topmost level of the Royal Keep would signal the waiting rebels it was time to quickly leave the orchards and enter the city to fight the Dominion soldiers camped outside the Royal Palace. The sign would mean at least one of their number had made it to the top of the Royal Keep.
The coming battle outside the gates would be closely fought.
Only five to six hundred able bodied Tarkent men had been able to respond to the call to rebel and Arwhon was worried, as a fair percentage of them were armed only with farm implements. The intelligence they had been able to garner so far indicated there were three hundred or so hardened Dominion troops outside the Palace and a further two hundred elite guards inside the Palace grounds between the walls and the Royal Keep itself. He mentioned his concerns to Chalc who merely laughed merrily.
“Remember young Arwhon, all is not necessarily as it seems. Have faith in my countrymen.”
Chalc rode ahead chuckling, to share the morsel with Yongsan, who evinced merriment at this offering.
Whether luck was on their side or Fate, none of them knew but after two night’s travel, on the morning of the planned engagement, the rebels arrived in time to conceal themselves throughout the orchards within sight of the capital, Kyto. Riding from Pindayo had not been easy, as the country they had to ride over was a plateau and fairly flat. Most of the land had been cleared for food production so there wasn’t much cover. They had travelled at night, riding along the raised banks between the rice fields two-abreast while the Tarkent rebels walked quietly along behind. The crops had all been harvested and word of their coming had preceded them. At odd intervals, a small shape would pop up and guide them across the checkerboard countryside by the easiest routes, keeping well away from the main roadways.
The Royal Keep reared over the town before it. The Keep was built on a rocky outcrop with a curtain wall three quarters of the way around it. The rear of the keep and the end of the walls of the enclosure perched on the edge of a sheer cliff which fell away into a deep ravine in the plateau. There was no need for a wall to the rear as no army could attack from that side.
Under cover of the orchard trees, the well travelled group dismounted and made a cold, quiet camp. By now Arwhon, Shiri and the company were used to eating bread and cheese and the odd strip of dried meat with some ripe fruit. Krissi was a little unhappy at the fare but Arwhon took time to explain this was a time for stalking prey and he sent a mental picture of many Dominion soldiers. Krissi remembered Dominion soldiers, having eaten one and curled up beneath a tree to patiently wait. There were a few wizened apples on the ground under the trees which the horses took to with relish. Duran’s happy thoughts reassured Arwhon with a sense of wellbeing.
Chalc and Yongsan sat off to one side, engrossed in a deep conversation.
“How do you plan to enter the Keep, Teacher?” Chalc asked respectfully. Fully aware there were three hundred soldiers camped outside the walls.
“Do you remember your training? All of it?” Yongsan replied enigmatically.
“Yes Master. It’s engraved on my soul.”
“Good. What say we enter the keep by the rear door?”
Chalc’s jaw dropped.
Yongsan shook his head slowly.
“You have been away from your home for far too long Chalc. You’re starting to think like those of the west. Nothing is impossible if the spirit wills it enough. My body may be old but my spirit is strong. I shall will it to climb. After resting during this day, we’ll start our ascent this evening, just after sunset. We’ll reach the top of the Keep by midnight. Can you do it?”
Chalc was overcome by embarrassment and respectfully bowed his head to Yongsan.
“Yes Teacher. I shall will it also.”
Chalc gestured Arwhon and Shiri over to him and explained what he and Yongsan were going to do once it grew dark. After climbing the Keep and hiding the Royal family in the castle, Chalc, wearing his amulet of invisibility, intended to open the doors of the Royal Keep and the front gates of the compound. He would then raise a hue and cry. The guards inside would most likely join the guards outside, presuming the Royal Family to have escaped. It would mean approximately five hundred Dominion troops to fight at one time for the possession of Kyto and all of Tarkent.
It would be the biggest battle Arwhon had ever fought but already part of his brain was devising tactics. How he knew what to do, he had no idea but the planning went on inside his head accompanied by a mild headache. Today, soon, was the time to discuss those tactics with all the rebel leaders, using Chalc as his interpreter.
After breakfast, about thirty group leaders, sitting in a large circle, waited for the foreign stranger to address them. Most were headmen from various small towns and villages centred in areas which supplied many of the rebels. Each of them was responsible for around twenty men and they were well aware they needed to act in concert. Although the foreigner was well respected by Chalc, a countryman and also by Yongsan, a Master, there was still an inherent distrust of anyone from the west and the group leaders were wary.
The Fall of Belvedere Page 21