‘Not bad,’ remarked Mata. ‘At least you were on the right line. You just need more elevation.’
This time, the catapult was loaded in half the time, although still long enough to let a quarter of a fleet sail by. The stones landed between the two nearest rafts.
‘Good line again,’ said Mata, clapping in encouragement as Kylen strove to master her impatience. Further down the headland, the neighbouring catapult sent a shower of rocks directly up in the air. The crew scattered in panic as the rocks fell back towards them. Mata hurried off to try and sort them out. Hanra began barking orders at the crew. To Kylen’s surprise they obeyed and the catapult was soon made ready. Hanra tested the air again, set the bar and nodded at Dalbric. The stones landed close enough to rock the nearest raft. Hanra looked at Kylen triumphantly.
‘Happy now?’
‘I shall be when you hit each raft three times in a row,’ Kylen said, as a sail rounded the northern headland. Relief flooded over her. Kastara and Findar had returned. Then she realised they were not expected for another day, and the hull of this boat was a different colour to the one Nerika had taken.
‘Stop!’ Mata cried, waving her arms frantically as she ran towards them. Hanra’s crew, enthused by their near success, had reloaded their catapult and were preparing to launch. They hadn’t noticed the boat.
‘Stop, Hanra!’ Kylen barked. ‘Look before you fire. At this rate you’ll be more danger to our own ships.’
She headed back towards the jetty. Something told her that the boat brought important news. It had used as little sea-room as possible as it skirted round the headland, indicating it was in a hurry. Yet she forced herself to walk. No sense in raising a panic. The little yacht almost crashed into the jetty in its haste. A man and woman jumped out. They were the guards from the Spur.
‘He’s coming,’ the man cried.
‘Who’s coming?’
‘Thorlberd. He’s bringing an armada. We lost count of all the ships, there were so many. They’ve got a dozen migaradons, maybe more. They must be through the Spur by now.’
‘Where are Nerika and the others? They were sent with your supplies.’
‘We saw no one,’ said the woman with a worried frown.
‘We could have passed them in the night,’ her companion suggested. ‘We carried no lights.’
Even though this was what they had been planning for, Kylen had hoped it would never happen. Suddenly, their preparations seemed flimsy and incomplete. If only they had a few more catapults, or another warship. If wishes were tocrins, we’d all be rich, her father used to say. She must make the most of what she had. They still had a day, maybe two, yet her heart sank. It wouldn’t be enough. She shrugged off her momentary despair. Her first priority was to make sure Zastra’s brother and sister were safe. Right now, they were somewhere in the Serene Sea with only Thorlberd’s fleet for company.
Chapter Thirty-six
Nerika ordered them back to the yacht.
‘Quick as you can,’ she said, ‘and quietly. While the migaradons are chained down you still have a chance.’
‘What about you?’ Kastara asked, but Nerika didn’t answer. Instead, she disappeared into the cave that had served as shelter for the lookouts, returning with a crossbow and a full quiver.
‘Why are you still here? Get back to Uden’s Teeth and warn the others.’ Nobody moved.
‘What about you?’ Kastara repeated slowly. Nerika’s eyes glowed like embers, but Kastara was used to being glared at and she did not flinch. Nerika reached into the quiver and took out a handful of bolts.
‘I am going to buy you time. I’ve taken the Obala through that channel many times and the smallest error can leave you scraping the hull against the rock. Make a real mistake and a ship could run aground.’
Beneath their position, the leading warship entered the channel, carrying only a flap of sail as it inched into the treacherous waters. A leadsman stood at the front with the line, calling back instructions to the helmswoman, who stood rigidly by the wheel, a bright red cap on her head. From this distance, they couldn’t make out the words.
‘You plan to shoot the helmswoman,’ Findar stated.
‘Never mind what I intend. Once I fire, they’ll know someone is here. You must get out of migaradon range. Once you’re over the horizon it will not come after you. They fear to fly beyond sight of land.’
‘But they’ll kill you,’ Kastara said. ‘They’ll have mindweavers. You’ll not be able to protect yourself.’
‘And neither will you – three barely trained youngsters.’
‘We may be youngsters, but I’m screening you all right now,’ said Myka. Kastara noticed, for the first time, a deep crease between his eyebrows. ‘If we all leave now, we have a chance.’
Nerika shook her head.
‘The lead ship will be through before we can get beyond the horizon. They’ll see us and send a migaradon after us.’
Kastara shivered. She had seen a migaradon up close and knew what damage they could do.
‘I believe I can distract the helmswoman from the yacht,’ said Findar. ‘If Myka can keep screening, they won’t even know it was us.’
The lead ship inched towards the halfway point, the narrowest part of the channel. Findar was watching the helmswoman with an intense concentration, as if fixing her image in his mind.
‘Kylen told me to get you back safe. I won’t give her the satisfaction of failing,’ Nerika insisted.
‘If you’re dead, what does it matter what Kylen thinks?’ Kastara pointed out.
‘Trust me,’ Findar insisted. His quiet confidence was enough for the others to follow him back to the yacht, even Nerika. Kastara sent out a tentative probe towards Myka and Findar, but she couldn’t find their minds. It was as if they weren’t there.
‘Kas, that’s not helping,’ Myka said in a strangled voice.
‘I just wanted to know how you were doing it.’
‘Oh, so now you want to learn? When I’m using all my strength to keep us hidden, you decide to distract me?’
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled, withdrawing her probe.
They reached the yacht and cast off. With quick, efficient movements, Nerika unfurled the mainsail. Myka was too busy concentrating to help, so Kastara hurried forward to set the jib. The southeasterly wind was still blowing strongly and with it at their backs, the Spur would soon be behind them. She looked back anxiously. No sign of the leading warship. Or any migaradons. Not yet, at least.
Findar stood in the cockpit, facing the spur. The nesting cormorants were cawing. A large flock circled close to the cliff, dipping and rising as waves slapped against the rocks below. He reached out to them, projecting the image of the warship and the helmswoman in her bright red cap.
Invader! She steals your fish. She will murder your hatchlings.
The cormorants began to squawk in response to his sending, wheeling inland. Findar felt their fear and fuelled it with his own. Through the eyes of the leading bird, he saw a flash of red as the flock attacked. The woman jerked, lifting her arm to cover her face. He saw the ship veer sharply and its hull ground against the edge of the channel. The harsh sound of rock tearing through timber carried to the yacht, as did the huge popping sound that followed.
‘Sounds like a mast snapping,’ said Nerika, looking at Findar with respect.
‘It is done,’ Findar whispered, suddenly exhausted.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Kylen launched into action, ordering Drazan to take the Daydream out to search for Nerika and the others.
‘We must hope they are on their way back. Take a couple of mindweavers with you, but if you see anything that looks like a warship, turn back at once. Don’t waste lives trying to take on a whole fleet by yourself.’
Yelina arrived with Pitwyn close on her heels. The shocking news from the Spur had travelled fast.
‘I need those luggers. Now.’
‘Absolutely. I’ll see to it at once,’ said Yelina.
>
‘How many other boats do you have?’
‘Taking away the three you need for the pontoon, we have fifteen more.’
‘Have them work with Pitwyn to ferry oil and stones to both batteries.’
‘We don’t have enough ammunition for more than a few broadsides,’ said Pitwyn, for once getting straight to the point. ‘Most of the stones have been used to build the fortress.’
‘Then go to Mendoraz and tear down the new jetty. Tear down the great hall if you must, for we are at war.’
The rest of the day was spent in a whirlwind of preparations. Kylen ordered the batteries to continue to practise, despite their dwindling supply of ammunition. A single well-aimed flurry of rocks would be more use than ten landing harmlessly in empty water. Work on the fortress continued at double pace. The imminence of the threat was a sufficient spur to activity. Pickaxes clanged throughout the day and into the night. The forges too, worked double time, making spearheads, swords, and tips for crossbow bolts, while their carpenters turned their hands to assembling ballista frames. Even children were commandeered, given simpler tasks such as fletching and running messages. At last, everyone on Uden’s Teeth was working together. Another time, such a sight would have brought joy and amazement to Kylen, but she was filled with rising despair. Even working through the night, they wouldn’t be able to buttress the wall or get enough ammunition to the catapults before Thorlberd arrived. If only they had a few more days. Soon, she would need to give the order to man stations but until then every stone they could find, every weapon they could produce, was precious. The light was fading as she strode round the main bay, eager for a progress report on the catapult crews. She took the shortest route, along the waterline, jogging wherever the sand was packed down enough to allow it. She was so busy thinking of all the things she had to do, she didn’t notice the hunched figure paddling happily in the shallow water until she was on top of him.
‘Dobery? What in the stars are you playing at?’
The mindweaver’s trousers were rolled above his knees. He shuffled his bare feet through the gentle surf and sighed with pleasure. ‘I recommend it. Very relaxing.’ Foaming water swept up the shallow beach and wrapped itself around Kylen’s boots. She stepped back towards the dry sand.
‘I don’t have time for idling,’ she said impatiently. ‘Neither should you.’
‘I’ve been teaching all day. The eagerness of our pupils has markedly increased since the news from the Spur, but they need to rest if they are to be ready for battle. Let me take pleasure while I still can. War is never kind to the very young, or the very old.’
‘The children!’ Kylen exclaimed, slapping her palm against her forehead. ‘I meant to send them away, but with everything else…’
‘I’ve already arranged it. Yelina has three luggers waiting at the jetty, and Migala’s nanna is rounding up the children as we speak. She’s agreed to go with them, her and some of the other old folk. They will be in good hands.’
Kylen blew out her cheeks in relief. ‘I see why Zastra values you so highly.’
‘As she does you, Lady Kylen. She would be impressed by what you have achieved here.’
But Kylen could think only of the hundreds of things still left undone. The unfinished fortress, the catapults without ammunition.
‘I wish she was here, Dobery. Even though that would place her in the same terrible danger as the rest of us. Is that selfish?’
‘It is natural to wish those we love close by at such times.’
‘What would you say to her, if you could talk to her?’ Kylen asked softly.
‘I would tell her not to be alone. Leading is a lonely business. I would tell you the same thing Lady Kylen, if I thought you would take advice from a Golmeiran mindfogger.’
A short figure strode towards them, skirting the water’s edge. It was Beregan.
‘My lady, we must discuss the disposition of our forces. Where to place the pure-blooded, so they can be most effective. Thorlberd will no doubt bring his mindfoggers.’
She glared at Dobery, who nodded affably in return.
‘What instructions have you given our mindweavers?’ Kylen asked. Dobery stretched and yawned.
‘We focus on blocking. Try to protect those who have no resistance to the power. We’ll see what we can do to make it a fair fight.’
She said nothing. They all knew there was nothing fair about this fight.
Chapter Thirty-eight
The first thing Kylen did next morning was see off the evacuees, directing them to make for the river delta. With any luck, Zastra would find them when she returned from Aliterra. They, at least, might survive.
‘What if we lose?’ the mother of one of the children asked.
‘This is purely a precaution,’ Kylen said briskly. ‘Just in case the fighting reaches the beach.’
The luggers were setting off when a sail appeared to the northeast.
‘Thorlberd!’ exclaimed Beregan. ‘He is here already.’
‘Then he comes but poorly backed,’ said Mata, who had been helping with the evacuation. She examined the new arrival with her telescope. ‘That’s no warship.’
It was the resupply yacht. Kylen went down the jetty to greet Nerika and the others as they docked.
‘Where is the Daydream?’ she asked.
‘When we told Drazan our news, he took up station just over the horizon. He will signal when Thorlberd arrives.’
‘When? You mean he’s not yet here?’ Kylen felt a spark of hope.
‘No, and not likely to be here for a few more days yet.’ Nerika reported what they had done, concisely and accurately. Kylen’s spark burst into flame. Her wish had been granted. A few more days gave them time to quarry enough rocks for a full arsenal and gave them a chance to complete the fortifications. She grasped Nerika’s hand.
‘This is well done indeed.’
‘I deserve no credit,’ said Nerika, withdrawing her hand stiffly. ‘It was Findar’s idea to run the ship aground, and if Myka hadn’t screened us—’
‘Nonsense. It was your idea to try and delay the fleet and if Findar hadn’t come up with his plan, I can guess how it would have ended. You have my sincerest gratitude.’
New energy surged through Kylen’s body. Over the next three days, she was everywhere, but spent most time at the headlands, encouraging the catapult crews as they sharpened their aim, or at the quarry, taking up a pickaxe herself for a spell and at the fortress as the last stone was bedded in place and Vingrod declared it complete. Dobery and Gildarn took advantage of the extra time to give more lessons. All agreed that they must deploy the trainees as well as the trained mindweavers. They were too thinly stretched to hold anyone back. Kylen and Dobery were discussing who should go where when Pitwyn arrived to report the completion of the southern pontoon. Not only that, it was fully stocked with large rocks from the quarry and the half-built jetty on Mendoraz. They had not had to tear down the great hall, and so Kylen asked Pitwyn to arrange a hot supper for everyone.
‘Nothing too extravagant,’ she said. ‘I know how hard you have been working. Whatever is the simplest way to make sure everyone has plenty of hot food in their bellies. Make sure you get some yourself. No strong drink though. Heads must be clear. Save the wine and spirits for when we celebrate our victory.’
Those last words sounded hollow to her, but she caught Dobery’s eye and he gave her an almost imperceptible nod. She knew he understood. Their people would see nothing but iron confidence from her until the end.
Later that day, she went to the great hall to find it full of people taking advantage of the hot food. As she walked through the door, there was a hush. With a shock, she realised they expected her to speak. More than ever, she wished Zastra were here. She always knew the right things to say to inspire those around her. If wishes were tocrins… Beside her, Pitwyn coughed politely and offered her a tall stool. She forced herself to spring lightly onto it. Here goes nothing. She cleared her throat.
> ‘When the time comes, I pledge to defend each one of you as if you were my own blood, and I know you will do the same. Thank you.’
She jumped down. There were a few cheers, some clapping and even some laughter at the shortness of her speech. She longed to disappear to her cabin and lie down on her bunk. After the exertions of the past few days, she was bone tired. A bowl of delicious smelling hot stew was thrust into her hand, but she was interrupted before she could take a bite.
‘Have you heard from Lady Zastra? Will she come? Will she save us?’
Kylen looked at the questioner. A Golmeiran woman with apple red cheeks had voiced her own deepest wish.
‘What is your name?’
‘Sonya.’
‘Well Sonya, I can tell you this. If there is any way in this world that Zastra can help us, she will find it. Of that I am certain. But she will expect us to defend ourselves, not sit around waiting for her.’
The woman bobbed her head.
‘Aye, she would. I’m glad you’re here to show us how to fight, Lady Kylen.’
Others sought to grab her hand, as if touching her would give them strength. Kylen smiled, nodding and offering reassurances as her untouched food grew cold. They looked to her for hope, and she knew she must try and give it. She was eventually rescued by Beregan.
‘Lord Zadorax requests to speak with you. He awaits you in your residence.’
Her brother was waiting in their cabin with two bowls of steaming stew, each with a square of sweetbread on the side.
Tales of Golmeira- The Complete Box Set Page 88