Freamhaigh

by Donald D. Allan

  He was looking at the black figure when it disappeared from his view. One moment it was standing there and the next it was simply gone.

  “Ha ha!” laughed Kenneth. Once he started laughing, he found he could not stop.

  He was found some hours later still laughing.

  Erebus appeared near where Sergeant Ethan Hanson and Sergeant William Carrigan were hiding. The city was in full riot. Everyone was running from a threat no one knew or understood. All the citizens knew was there was some threat to the city, and they needed to hide or run.

  Erebus knew who it was: Katherine and her dog. He had to capture them now. The threat was too great. He strode forward and lifted the lid off the compost heap and stared in at the two sergeants. “Get out,” he ordered.

  The sergeants slowly climbed out of the bin and stood brushing debris off themselves. If they were embarrassed to be found hiding in a rubbish bin, they hid it well.

  “She is here in this city. But I suspect you know that already. Why have you not captured her?”

  Ethan’s eyes sparked with anger. “Capture her? Are ye daft? Have you not seen what she is capable of? She and that dog are levelling the city! No one can get near her! It's suicide to try.”

  “Were my orders not clear? You are to capture her and bring her to me in Munsten. Kill the dog.”

  William glared. “And how are we supposed to do that? Eh? Anyone who gets near her is killed. It’s an impossible task. We won’t throw our lives away."

  “Follow me,” said Erebus and turned and strode out into the street. The two sergeants looked at one another and hurried to catch up.

  Erebus turned down one street and then another. With each step, the sounds of screams and fear grew louder. Somewhere up ahead a building was burning, the smell thick and choking. Erebus quickened his pace and the sergeants found themselves jogging to keep up.

  They stopped and hid at the corner of a building before a cross street. Erebus peered around the building and then looked back at the two men.

  “She’s on the next street. Stay here.”

  Before the men could nod, Erebus disappeared.

  “Bloody hell,” said Ethan. “This is not good. What have we got ourselves into?”

  William growled. “A way out. Gillespie screwed us over hard. Erebus has promised us wealth and power. We just need to get through this. You see the power he has? Trust me, this will work. What other options do we have?”

  Erebus appeared on the rooftop overlooking the street where Katherine and Dog were strolling and talking. He was about to listen in when he saw Gaea appear ahead of them on the street. Katherine and Dog stopped when they spotted her.

  “What do you want?” screeched Katherine. Dog growled beside her.

  “You must stop this. Find your sanity. You and Dog. You are lost. Find your bond and strengthen yourselves.”

  “Lady, we’ve had enough of you! You are nothing to us! Nothing!”

  “Katherine. Dog. Please. Find your bond. Come back to this world. You are causing such harm! So much pain! Look around you. You must stop!”

  Erebus was surprised. He had never heard Gaea plead before and it amused him. She has fallen so far from her purpose. I no longer recognise her as an equal.

  “Shut up!” yelled Katherine and she raised her hand toward Gaea. Gaea staggered back by some unseen assault and nearly fell to her knees. Gaea cried out and then disappeared. In a blink, she appeared behind Katherine and Dog and laid a hand on each of their heads. There was a blinding flash of light and Katherine and Dog stood alone.

  “W-what happened, Dog?” asked Katherine. She spun to look around the street and then gasped at the bodies strewn about her. “Did we do this? Dog? Did we?”

  Erebus smiled and reappeared next to the sergeants. “Now, attack her now. Approach as garrison guards. Gently. Then when in reach knock her out and bind her. Dose her with Life Salt as I instructed and bring her to me. Kill the dog.”

  The sergeants looked at one another and then walked out around the building.

  “Miss?” called out Ethan, there was a quaver in his voice. “Can we have a word please?”

  Katherine spun toward the voice. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do this! You have to understand!”

  “We do, miss. We just need a word.”

  The sergeants walked calmly up to Katherine and then when only a few feet away dashed at her and William struck her with a small wood club, cored with lead. At the same time, Ethan struck at the dog, but he twisted, and the blow only struck a glancing one. The dog yelped and darted for an alley and disappeared.

  William held Katherine’s limp form in his arms. “Quick, dose her. Forget the dog.”

  Ethan reached into his bag and pulled out a small leather pouch. He opened it and carefully poured a measure of Life Salt into Katherine’s mouth. He closed her mouth and pinched her nose until she swallowed convulsively.

  “Okay, get her off the street. We need to get out of here while everyone is in a panic. Let’s go.”

  Ethan hesitated and looked down the alley the dog had run. He could see nothing. He shrugged and helped William carry the girl.

  “She’s heavy for a lass.”

  “Shut up, first the cart, then the road. Let’s go.”

  Five

  Portsmouth, November 901 A.C.

  MAJOR HUGH TIBERT scrutinised his team. Tibert was a large man, wide at the shoulders, and more barrel-shaped than anything else. His biceps flexed larger than most men’s thighs. He was an intimidating man made even more so by how he was dressed. Like the others surrounding him, he had his face blackened and his equipment quietened with thin strips of cloth wrapped around it. Each member of the team carried long knives and small pouches containing oils and a tinderbox with a small burning coal inside. Each group had a few small clay pots filled with black powder and closed with a tight lid sealed with wax. A long wick protruded from the top rubbed in the black powder. The small devices would do the job quickly if needed—whatever the need.

  Some carried small hand drills capable of boring through ship hulls, while others carried sledgehammers and other instruments to smash through doors, or whatever else they needed for quick access. They had trained together for the past two weeks and felt they were ready for the night’s mission. Grim, but determined faces peered back at Tibert.

  November was almost over and the weather in Portsmouth had turned cold enough that the overcast skies threatened snow. The winds were unfortunately light, but the moon was new. It was a perfect night for what they were about to do. Sentries would be cold and huddled next to warming fires. Night vision would be in their favour.

  The men and women were hand-selected by Tibert. They called themselves the Special Operations Squad after the Admiral explained their role and that they were specialised. Tibert hated the name but allowed his people their pleasure. Most would likely not return tonight. In truth, he was very impressed with them. They were killers and capable of anything. They were a mix of army, guard and navy and the best their elements had to offer.

  During the past few days, they had reconnoitered the harbour in secret. They measured the wharves and jetties. Timed the movement and duration of sentries and quartermasters. They poured over the maps of the fortress on Georges Island until they felt they could navigate it blind. Contingency plans were formed and each one of the team would lay their life down if need be. He was proud of them. If this is going to work, it’s this bunch that’ll get the job done, he thought.

  “Alright, people. The mission is a go. You each have your team and objectives. No noise. Strike hard and fast. There can be no mistakes. Team Alpha, hit the ships loyal to Healy. Sink them by whatever means. You know the drill. Team Bravo, get the ships loyal to the Admiral moving. I want those ships underway and clear in the hour. The light winds are going to be a problem. Work it out. Watch for moles in the crew. The Admiral has given you the names of those who remain loyal to him. Make contact, sort out the good from the bad, an
d deal with it. Then keep the garrison off them.

  “Team Charlie, you’re with me. We cross to Georges once Team Alpha boards the ships. That distraction should see us clear across the harbour and inside before they know what’s happening. Any last questions?”

  The people before him shook their heads. Some grinned bright white teeth against their blackened faces.

  “Good luck, people. Let’s be about this.”

  The teams formed and exited the warehouse by different exits. Tibert led his team out the back and around to a longboat hidden beside the dock. It was low tide, and they scurried over the jetty and down the ladder built into the side of the wharf. In moments they were seated and covered with a blackened tarp. Four men sat on two benches and placed oars into the oarlocks while two others wrapped where the oars touched the metal with a cloth to muffle the sound.

  They waited in silence.

  Thirty minutes went by and then a sharp cry, quickly silenced, was heard in the night. It came from where the ships still loyal to Healy were tied up. They continued to wait, ears perked for more noise. In a moment, a soft hiss was heard from above. Tibert looked up and saw one member of Team Bravo looking down at them. The figure said nothing and disappeared from view.

  Tibert, sitting at the aft end of the longboat, nodded to the rowers and as one the four men dipped their oars into the water and pulled; propelling the boat rapidly forward in solid jerks. The boat quickly gained speed and exited from the jetty into the harbour proper. With small hand signals, Tibert navigated the boat out into the open water and directed it toward Georges Island. He could barely make out the small island in the dark, but he knew where it lay. On the eastern side, there was a small opening into the fortress. It was nothing more than an air shaft, but it was supposed to be large enough for his team to infiltrate inside the underground structure.

  He looked out across the harbour and was pleased to see nothing happening on the ships. Surprise was still theirs and so far, the mission was proceeding as planned.

  Halfway across the harbour, a sudden explosion lit up the night sky. Tibert cursed, aware that his boat was lit up and exposed. The rowers only faltered for a moment but never ceased their motions and the little boat continued to speed across the water. One of Healy’s ships was ablaze, its sails tied tight to the masts aflame and the aft end of the ship obscured by thick flame and smoke. Sound carried easily across the calm harbour and Tibert could hear screaming and shouting. The cries were picked up across the harbour and as Tibert watched one poor flaming sailor leapt out into the water. Sailors poured out from below the decks of the remaining ships. He looked over to where the ships loyal to the Admiral were tied up and everything seemed quiet. A few sailors emerged to look out over the turmoil.

  “Faster,” hissed Tibert, and the rowers dug deep and grunted with the effort to obey the order. He kept an eye on the flaming ship and waited to hear someone call out and point toward them. He glanced toward the island, but it remained dark. He judged they were less than a mile away now and he mentally urged them to remain hidden and silent.

  A moment later one of Healy’s ships groaned loudly and leaned away hard on the hawsers tying her to the jetty. In a moment, the ship in front of her leaned hard to starboard, too. Tibert smiled. Team Alpha was getting the job done. In all, six ships remained loyal to Healy, all tied together with two outboard the jetty in a nest. Now one was fully engulfed in flame and two others were sinking fast.

  A loud snap echoed loud across the water and the first listing ship parted a hawser. In rapid succession, other hawsers snapped with the added weight and the ship rolled over on her side to starboard with a massive splash. The sound of massive rocks cascading inside the ship thundered out to them. Large surge waves rippled out from the jetty as the ship settled on her side. Tibert watched the waves approach, and the longboat rode them up and down. The rowers waited until they passed and then resumed their effort. In the light of the fire, beads of sweat glinted on their brows and faces. Tibert could see the strain they were under, but he knew the men were up to the task.

  “Thousand yards to go. Steady as she goes,” whispered Tibert, and the men nodded once.

  The fourth ship chose at that moment to violently explode. One moment the ship was there, the next it was obliterated. The sound of the explosion deafened Tibert, and he ducked reflexively with his rowers. Timber and ship parts flew high into the air, disappearing into the night sky.

  “By the Word!” exclaimed one the women under the tarp. Tibert could see her peeking out under the cover of the tarp toward the ships.

  “Quiet!” hissed Tibert, and the woman disappeared back under the tarp.

  Tibert could see that the fifth ship inboard of the fourth had also been destroyed. Hopefully, my people made it off before the explosion, he thought grimly. They had reports Healy had moved black powder to his ships. Seeing the explosion Tibert knew it had been accurate.

  The five ships loyal to the Admiral were letting go lines. Sails were unfurling, but in the light winds, it would take time to get underway. They had hoped for strong winds tonight, but instead, they had barely a breeze. Their orders were clear: should the ships fail to get clear nothing was to remain of the fleet if need be, Jergen had to keep her harbour open. Tibert watched a longboat, filled with sailors, position itself in front of the lead ship and take lines passed down from the ship’s bow. Towing might work, but it’s so slow. Come on Navy!

  Debris rained down from the skies landing on ships, sailors, and across the harbour. Many sailors ashore ran to take cover, but there were few places to hide. The rain of debris seemed to go on forever. One of Tibert’s rowers stole a glance and then focused back on his effort.

  “Steady people, we’re almost there,” spoke Tibert quietly.

  Just then Tibert spotted Team Bravo moving from cover to cover along the jetty. In a moment, one rose and Tibert recognised the action of someone throwing a knife. The figure hid and then leapt forward with the others, long knives drawn and glinting. They engaged a band of sailors rushing to stop the ships leaving. It was over in seconds and Team Bravo moved back to cover unhurt.

  The second listing ship shuddered, snapping lines, and rolled heavily on to its side to starboard and into the harbour. Tibert smiled for the first time. Only one ship loyal to Healy remained. It appeared to be getting underway. Her sails were unfurled, and her cut hawsers trailed in the water behind her. Her bow was pulling free of the jetty and a few sailors on board cheered with their arms raised. Tibert watched and saw small shapes hurtle through the air to strike the ship on her sails and upper deck. The oil! It was soon followed by a small orb with a burning wick. Tibert grinned harder. He counted to five and watched the black powder explode and ignite the oil spread all over the ship. In moments, the ship was aflame, and sailors leapt into the water to escape.

  “All six ships destroyed,” whispered Tibert. A few quiet cheers were heard under the tarp and Tibert grinned. “Our ships are trying to get underway. Not much wind.”

  The five ships were now clear of the jetty. The sails were unfurled, but little wind filled them. Longboats, filled with sailors, were towing the first three and pulling the bows clear of the jetty. The longboats bristled with oars all seeking to get their timing right. Team Bravo was moving back to where the ships had been berthed. The noise from the harbour was loud enough that lights were appearing in the windows of most of the buildings in the city of Portsmouth.

  “Two hundred yards,” muttered Tibert. “Ah, cac,” he added a moment later.

  On the jetty, Team Bravo intercepted a large garrison squad that appeared. The team parried and thrust with the soldiers. Here and there a soldier fell but the number of soldiers grew. Team Bravo was being overwhelmed, but they kept the soldiers away from the departing ships. In a moment, the soldiers were engaged by what remained of Team Alpha. Tibert counted them as best he could and knew that at least half were gone.

  Team Alpha surprised the soldiers, and many fell q
uickly. Tibert looked to the ships and saw that the first three were now well clear of the jetty. They were picking up speed and the towing boats pulled sharply away and let go the lines. They started to make for the remaining two ships.

  The last ship loyal to the Admiral suddenly grew bright with flame, and the second last followed a moment later. Tibert groaned. From behind the ships, soldiers ran toward Teams Alpha and Bravo. As he watched his teams made a decision, and they turned and ran into the city and were swallowed up by the buildings. The soldiers gave pursuit.

  The ships in the harbour were in ruin. Fire leapt high and bright into the night air. Three ships, filled with sailors loyal to the Admiral tacked out of the harbour and toward safety. Tibert looked away toward the shore of the island before him.

  “Fifty-feet, standby,” he intoned.

  Six

  Rigby Farm, November 901 A.C.

  THE RIGBY FARM was prepared for winter. We had more than enough hay for the livestock and water would not be a problem. Our storage bins were overflowing with feed for chickens, pigs and sheep. We had delivered and sold our excess crops to Jergen and to the towns and villages in Turgany. What remained was more than enough for us to make it through the days and months until new crops would overflow once again. The fields were turned with compost and ready for planting come spring. A few fields had cover crops, a concept one of Steve’s crew had suggested, that might make the soil better survive the cold. With the draoi around, we were not too concerned.

  The farm buildings had been scrubbed and cleaned for winter as well. We spent most of our time outdoors during the summer and fall. Now that the snows were arriving we would be stuck indoors. Nadine had ordered all the buildings scrubbed clean, with fresh paint where needed, windows caulked and sealed against cold winds, roofs repaired, and all the insides of the barns flushed out and ready for the animals. The past few weeks had been busy, but it was always busy at the farm.