Freamhaigh

by Donald D. Allan

  “Will Arbor. The Freamhaigh. Colonel Robert Sibbald at your service. I trust you remember me from the Crossroads? You grace us with your presence, sir. Please be seated. We have been anxiously waiting for you since we had word you came to Jergen.”

  I murmured some words of thanks and looked around for where to sit. I spied a lone chair beside the Colonel's. There were more around the large table but suspected the seat next to Sibbald was mine. I looked at Brent for support, but he pushed past me and went to his seat on the far side of the table next to a man with a lot of gold on his dark blue Navy uniform.

  Colonel Sibbald took me gently by the upper arm and led me to the seat next to his and I sat down. Emily hurried past and sat behind Brent.

  Colonel Sibbald sat down and the others sat as well. “Will, let me introduce you to the War Council. To your right is Mayor Robert Oldfield, mayor of Jergen. Next to him is Major William Crenshaw. On the other side of the table is General Brent Bairstow and Admiral Charles Kingsmill. At the back is Lieutenant Emily Barkhouse. Now, I must explain. I head the council here since I am the senior military member in Jergen. General Bairstow, who is the head of the military defers to my lead at the table, as does Admiral Kingsmill. Very strange military decorum, I’m afraid. My city, my leadership. Ordinarily Brent would lead, but he insists I maintain my leadership. It’s all quite civilised, ha! Drives Emily mad I think.”

  The others around the table nodded and said hello. I smiled at Major Crenshaw. “Good to see you again, Will.”

  “You, too, Will,” chuckled the major.

  Emily was staring at me openly now. I smiled at her before addressing the mayor. “Mayor Oldfield, good afternoon, sir.”

  The mayor was not certain who I was, I sensed. He knew a little, I knew, but not everything. He was cautious and nodded politely to me. I looked over to the Admiral.

  “Admiral Kingsmill, sir. My pleasure.”

  The eyes of the Admiral twinkled a little, and a smile tugged at the corners of his wide, bearded mouth. “Freamhaigh, it is my honour.”

  The mayor looked at the Admiral with the words and so did Emily.

  “I heard of your deeds at the Crossroads. You have my thanks for the lives you saved.”

  “It was our calling, Admiral. I’m sorry for your loss here in Jergen. My calling did not bring me. I could have saved many lives.”

  I could see the hurt in his eyes and it stabbed the remaining guilt I carried in not responding to Steve and his call for me to join the fight in Jergen last year. Emily shot a dark look at me and frowned. Brent looked at me with an expression of apology. The Admiral coughed. “It was meant to be, I suppose. We know better now. Your druids are all through the land now, I hear. We are getting many reports from Turgany and a little from the north. You are making a difference out there. And openly.”

  “Yes, we are. We are doing our best and responding to the needs of Gaea.”

  “Ah, yes, Gaea. Has she responded?”

  “No, we sense her still, but she won’t speak with Nadine.”

  “Ah, the Cill Darae. Did I say that right?”

  I nodded.

  “I had hoped to meet her. A fiery woman by all accounts.”

  “The Baron may have spoken of her?”

  “Ha, yes, he did. And Steve. I much prefer Steve’s version of her. You are married?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Children?”

  The question caught me unawares, and I froze a moment before shaking my head. “None. Our students are our children.”

  The Admiral looked down at his notes for a moment. I could sense his embarrassment.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, sir.”

  The Admiral shot his head up and frowned at me.

  “Sir, there isn’t much you can hide from me. I sense all your emotions. Everyone here at the table.”

  The Admiral looked at Brent who merely shrugged back. “It’s true. I warned you.”

  “Yes, you did Brent. Yes, you did. All right, Colonel Sibbald. Let's turn to business.”

  “One moment, Admiral,” interrupted Brent. He twisted in his seat and held an arm out toward Emily. “And this is Emily Barkhouse. My Nadine.”

  I sensed the confusion from Emily. She glared at me and blamed me somehow. I pulled my eyes away from her. Brent swung back around and nodded to Sibbald.

  “Alright, Will. Or Freamhaigh?” asked Sibbald. “Which do you prefer?”

  “Will, please.”

  “Will, good. First things first. We sent a team into Portsmouth last month. They were tasked with destroying a manufacturing facility on Georges Island. They were successful. A large series of explosions ripped the island apart. Healy’s fleet was sunk, and we escaped with three ships loyal to the south. We’ve heard no word on our team. They are presumed lost. You knew one of them, I think. Major Tibert?”

  I nodded. I remembered the larger-than-life man. I sent out a query to Portsmouth to our draoi there. They confirmed the explosion, but no word of survivors. I focused on Sibbald. “No word of survivors in Portsmouth.”

  Sibbald rocked back in his seat. “You faded out there a moment. Your eyes went glassy. Did you just communicate with Portsmouth?” I saw Emily slide forward to the edge of her seat.

  “Yes.”

  “Can you do that all over the Realm?”

  “Yes, but only from where my draoi are located. We are all connected.”

  Sibbald looked at Brent. “You weren’t lying. Not that I doubted you, but seeing is believing.”

  The Admiral spoke up. “Can we test it?”

  Brent shook his head as I answered. “No.” He smiled at me.

  “We must test it, to prove its accuracy.”

  “No,” I said.

  I saw Brent reach out and grasp the forearm of the Admiral. He leaned in and Brent whispered something to him. The Admiral sat back, clearly not happy. I turned back to Sibbald.

  “My draoi in Portsmouth reported no one needing healing in the city from the fight. There were many killed on the docks. Nothing remained of the island. It’s a massive crater that’s filled in with sea water. Many of the warehouses burned. Bodies everywhere. I’m sorry. They arrived after the fight. It's all just hearsay, but there were no survivors. They also said they haven’t heard of any prisoners. The city is locked down by the military.”

  Sibbald nodded sombrely at the news. “So be it. They knew the odds and they still volunteered. They were successful. We focus on that. They wiped black powder from Belkin. More importantly, we removed it from the hands of Healy. He won’t be able to take Jergen now. They bought us time. They are heroes to the Realm. They will not be forgotten."

  I sat quiet absorbing the news. I didn’t understand military tactics. I took everything at face value and trusted these experts to find the way. Word of the loss of their people in Portsmouth had saddened them greatly. I had heard of this black powder. I was glad it was gone.

  In time the conversation shifted, and they spoke at length about army logistics and training. I couldn't follow any of it. I gazed about the room and spoke with Nadine and drowned them out.

  Hi, hon.

  Hey, you, answered Nadine. I see you are in Jergen. How’s the house?

  I haven’t been yet. Brent brought me straight here. Oh, sorry, I have to go, they’re asking me something, I focused back on the room. Brent was chuckling. I blinked and looked at Sibbald. He looked annoyed. “Yes?”

  “You faded out there again.”

  “I was speaking with Nadine.”

  “At the farm?”

  “Y-yes?”

  Sibbald sighed. “This will take some getting used to. Can you stay focused on the here and now?”

  “Of course, sorry.”

  “What brings you to Jergen?”

  “Baron Windthrop tried to assassinate Edward.”

  The table erupted in cries. Everyone started talking at once and they got louder and louder. Many questions were thrown at me rapidly and I sat there waitin
g for them to calm down. After a time, I grew tired and reached out with my power and seized their vocal cords. I should have felt ashamed. But I didn't. They were annoying me. If Steve had been here, he would have been mad at me. I was the Freamhaigh. They questioned my abilities and demanded proof. I refused to start performing for these people. The actions of my draoi across the land spoke for who and what we were. I watched as they all reached up to their throats. When they did, I released them and they all started speaking again and pointing at me. Except Brent. He remained seated and calm and looked over at me and smiled. I seized their vocal cords again. “Silence, please. You must all calm down. I’ll answer your questions. Now, I’m going to release your voices again. Please remain silent.”

  I released their vocal chords. They reached up and massaged their throats and tried a few words and kept glancing at me. Once they were sure they could speak again they slowly sat down.

  “I warned you,” laughed Brent. “He’s much more than he seems. Be glad he’s on our side.”

  “The Baron sent men to assassinate Edward. I stopped them. Steve executed them. It appears the Baron can no longer wait to be made king. He fears the results of our effort to confirm Edward is indeed the heir to the throne and son of the late King.”

  Brent raised his hand a little, and I gave him a look and nodded. “Thank you, how do you know it was the Baron’s men?”

  “We asked them.”

  “You asked them?” This last came from the Admiral. “And they confessed?”

  “Pretty much, yes, I’ve already told you. There isn’t much you can hide from a draoi.”

  “And Edward?”

  “He’s fine. He’s in the Jergen library right now doing some research.”

  Brent sat up. “He’s what? You brought him to Jergen? On the road?”

  “Yes. Steve insisted on some of his crew coming with us. Plus, I brought some draoi to guard over him. He’s fine. Quite happy now actually. He loves research.”

  Brent slumped back in his seat. “Druids…” Then he chuckled.

  I frowned.

  “Oh don’t look like that, young man,” said Brent. “No one understands what you are capable of. I’m starting to get a better idea. How’s Steve?”

  “Just a second I’ll find out.” Heather? How are you all doing? I’m with Brent in Jergen. How’s Steve?

  He’s a complete ass, answered Heather.

  Oh, I see. But he’s good?

  Yes. Freamhaigh.

  Okay, thanks. Where are you now?

  Near the Crossroads. We’ll be there tomorrow.

  I turned my attention to Brent. “He’s fine. He’s giving my draoi Heather a hard time. They are almost at the Crossroads.”

  Brent blinked. “The Crossroads?”

  “Yes, I’ve sent James, Heather and Martin Jordan to Munsten to compare the remains of the late King to Edward. We’ll be able to tell if he’s the real thing or not.”

  “So you sent them directly into the enemy’s hands.”

  “Well no, I sent them to Munsten. They travel under the cover of the Church. Vicar Martin is with them. He needs to confirm the findings. He carries the blood of Edward.”

  “And why James?”

  “He knows where they buried the King.”

  Brent’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “Of course. Good. And why is all this necessary?”

  The Admiral leaned forward and spoke. “Because only the Church can confirm the heir. The King is the head of the Church. Edward will need to be confirmed. Smart move, Will.”

  “It truly was Martin’s idea. Honestly, it effects little for me. But if it provides better stability, then I approve.”

  “Then you approve,” repeated the Admiral. I sensed disapproval from him.

  Brent looked at me with an odd expression and I could sense his exasperation.

  “Will, sometimes I wonder what world you live in.”

  I was about to answer when a loud knock sounded at the double door. It opened a moment later, and a man stuck his head in. “Sirs, forgive my intrusion. Major Tibert has returned. He’s with the chirurgeons.”

  We rushed to the infirmary, Brent leading the way yelling for people to clear out of the way. Emily took the rear and guided me as men rushed out of the barracks responding to the commotion. I had thought we would head for horses, but we left the barracks and ran across a large open area to another building. It was painted red with a symbol of the Chirurgeon’s Guild painted above the main double door entrance. The man who had informed us about Major Tibert ran ahead of Brent and turned left and hurried down the corridor. Chirurgeons in red gowns were everywhere. They pushed themselves to the side of the corridor to stay out of our way.

  The man leading us stopped by a door and pushed it open. We poured in and found a large room with two beds in it. Surrounding the beds were chirurgeons. A figure lay in each of the beds. I could see the one nearest the door contained Major Tibert. The chirurgeon standing beside him had a small blade in his hand and was about to cut open a vein in the arm of Tibert.

  “No!” I yelled in horror and froze every chirurgeon in the room.

  I ran forward and took the knife from the frozen hand of the chirurgeon. I threw it aside in disgust. “You idiot. You would drain blood of a man who has none left?”

  I dove into the body of Tibert and scanned it quickly. He had massive lacerations, but none concerned me. His insides; however, looked like he had fallen off a cliff. He had haemorrhaged internally and had massive blood loss. I sealed where he was losing blood and stabilised him. I pulled out and dove into the woman in the other bed. She suffered the same injuries. I stabilised her and pulled out.

  I found my draoi in Jergen. Come, we have injured here who need our attention.

  At once, Freamhaigh.

  Leave the crew with Edward.

  I sensed a momentary pause from them but having no time to inquire I pulled back and looked at the chirurgeons. “When I release you I want all you idiots in red to clear out. Am I clear?” I waited for a response and then realised they were frozen. I released them. They all began shouting at me until Brent whistled with two fingers to his mouth. The noise echoed down the corridor.

  “Silence!” he yelled.

  The chirurgeons closed their mouths and stared in anger at Brent.

  “Clear out. Not another word!” he ordered.

  “He will die!” hissed the chirurgeon who had held the small knife.

  “Out!” ordered Brent. When the man remained standing in defiance, he grabbed his upper arms and lifted him and then pushed him out the doors. “Out! Don’t come back in.”

  The other chirurgeons quietly left. One of them I recognised from the Crossroads. She smiled a small smile at me and I managed to nod civilly back to her. As she started to leave, I motioned to her. She stopped uncertain and glanced at Brent before looking back at me.

  "You can stay. You're not like them."

  She looked surprised, but happy, and moved out of the way to the corner and turned to face the room watching everything. She clasped her hands in front of her.

  Brent turned to me and lifted a finger to silence the Admiral. “One second, Admiral. Will, how are they?”

  “Stable. They will require significant healing. It will take time.”

  “Are you up for it?”

  “Me? No, the others are coming.”

  “Others?”

  “Yes, my draoi. I’ve called them to assist. They should be here in a moment.” I felt them enter the infirmary at speed. I turned to the door just as they burst through. They didn’t spare a glance for any of us. They moved to Tibert and the woman and sat on the edge of their beds. They lowered their heads and grew silent.

  Brent glanced at them and relaxed. “Thank, God.”

  I chuckled just as the door opened again. Edward strode in and stood looking around. I frowned at him. He should be in the library. I glanced at my draoi, but they were deep inside the injured. The others in the room caught sig
ht of him and dropped to one knee. Edward frowned. “I’m not King yet! Get up! Get up!”

  They all got back to their feet and stood looking at one another.

  “Relax everyone,” I said. “Major Tibert and the woman will be fine. My draoi are healing them now. It will be an hour I think. Can we perhaps find a cup of tea somewhere? I really need a cup of tea.”

  * * *

  After tea and explanations, we came back to the room. Tibert was awake and speaking with Edward who had remained with my draoi. Brent had guards posted at the door with orders to follow Edward wherever he went. As we came in, Tibert struggled to sit up. The draoi sitting next to him gestured and Tibert froze.

  “I would remain still, if I were you, Hugh,” I said. “My draoi are still healing you.”

  The draoi made another gesture and Tibert sank back into his pillow. “Hi, Will. General Bairstow, sir.” He looked at the draoi sitting next to him. “You especially, thank you.”

  Brent strode over to the bed and grasped Tibert’s hand. “Hugh, so glad to see you! So glad to see you alive! Well done in Portsmouth. Your mission was a success. Three ships made it back to the Admiral here. The black powder is gone. What’s the word on the wordsmiths?”

  Tibert nodded to the Admiral. “Gone. No one left to make it again. Glad to hear the ships got out, sirs.”

  “What happened?”

  “The whole bloody island blew, that’s what! It was a terrible thing to see. Rocks the size of houses flying through the air as if they were nothing. I lost all my team. How many returned from Alpha and Bravo?”

  Brent exchanged a look with the Admiral. “Not many, I’m afraid. Less than a dozen total. When they saw the island blow, they thought you gone. They headed straight here. Most of them are waiting outside to see you two.”

  Tibert grunted. “Glad to hear they came straight back. Those were my orders.” He looked over at the woman lying in the bed next to him. “How’s Mary?”