As he headed towards the Assembly Hall, he realised he would miss the interfering farmer; now there was no one left in Newington to challenge his ascent to power and make life more interesting.
***
Farrell paced the apartment, nursing his sore head with a cool cloth pressed against his forehead. His mouth felt sour from the excess wine and his stomach complained at all the rich food he had consumed, having spent the previous evening in the governor’s company, being entertained like royalty.
They’d been in Wennock City two days, but last night Farrell’s relationship with the governor had finally repaired enough for them to resume their former mutually beneficial relationship.
He studied Allisus as the old man sprawled in a large chair, his eyes half-closed. ‘Don’t get too comfortable. I’m hoping the new trade negotiations will be finalised today and we can go home.’
Allisus yawned. ‘What did the governor say about the new stock you hope to acquire?’ He tried unsuccessfully not to smile as he asked the question.
Farrell rolled his eyes at the old man. ‘We discussed Stone Haven’s requirements over dinner. The governor was bemused by my wish to purchase soil, young saplings and shrubs, but I suppose that will be a typical reaction from my contacts across the Silent Sea. They all take nature for granted...’ Farrell waved his hand to encompass the lavish, well-established gardens surrounding the palace. ‘He was very accommodating, though I think he was humouring me.’
Farrell sighed and dumped the damp cloth into the washbasin. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, shocked by the tired-looking face that returned his stare. He smoothed his hair back into a ponytail and straightened his shirt. ‘He agreed I could talk with his head gardener today who can recommend the hardiest varieties and give me a quick lesson on their care. Hopefully, we can take some specimens back with us straight away. I know the ships hold isn’t the best place for living plants, but we’ll have to work out the best way to keep them healthy through the journey.’
‘What makes you so certain the island can support life when all our attempts have failed in the past?’
‘Things will be different this time. Don’t ask me to explain it, Allisus, because I can’t.’
‘Well, I hope it works; if not the council will use it as another opportunity to question your position.’
Farrell slumped down into the seat opposite his first mate. ‘I know the timing isn’t ideal, what with assassins running around the island and the council eager to start a war on foreign soil. But I want to give a sense of normality to our people, to give them hope that it’s worth staying on Stone Haven.’
‘Fynnock would have said the same.’
‘That’s why I want to fulfil my father’s dream, now more than ever.’
In the contemplative silence, two servants arrived with their breakfast on trays. Without instruction, they carried everything through to the balcony overlooking the gardens and set the food out on the table. Then they bowed to Farrell and left without a word.
‘It’s a good job the men can’t see this,’ Allisus said, following Farrell out onto the balcony.
He nodded absently, thinking of Buck and the crew stuck on The Saviour with limited shore leave.
Outside, the clear blue sky bestowed an optimistic feel to the day and the warmth from the sun finally cheered Farrell’s mood. He sat down at the table and tucked into plump bread rolls with creamy butter, spiced fish, fresh berries and a jar of the sweetest honey. Farrell soon found his hangover fading as he gorged on the feast. ‘Maybe one day we’ll have our own bees and honey on Stone Haven.’
‘That is a delicious thought,’ Allisus said and licked the golden nectar from his spoon.
Farrell patted his full belly. As he looked back into the apartment full of exotic art and sculpture, where the ornate furniture was crafted with minute details and even the curtains were woven with intricate patterns that must have taken weeks to sew, his mood soured again.
‘Are we doing the right thing for these people, Allisus?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We’re allowing other races to be too complacent with their own safety. They spend all their time creating beautiful things and partying, while we patrol their shores. What if more invading ships land? These fat, lazy curs wouldn’t have a clue how to defend themselves.’
‘Commander, you care too much, though I’m not sure your charges would like being referred to as fat and lazy curs.’
Farrell grinned. ‘You’re right; I’m taking everything too seriously today.’
He left the table and paced to the balcony rail. They were four-storeys high and, from here, he could look down at the gardens filled with green trees and flowers of every colour. People in the gardens were entertained by music and dancing displays, and at every corner there were people milling around with nothing better to do than enjoy themselves. ‘I always feel guilty staying in places like this when our people back home work so hard for so little gain.’
An urgent knock at the door disturbed them. Farrell waved Allisus back into his seat and walked over to answer it. As he swung open the door, he found the governor’s messenger waiting outside, hopping from foot to foot.
‘Yes?’
‘There’s been word from the docks, Commander. A ship is requesting permission to land, with two of Stone Haven’s galley ships as escorts. They think it may be the same ship that attacked Wennock City; the governor requests your immediate attendance at the quayside.’
‘Of course.’
Farrell grabbed his coat and slung it across his shoulders; it looked tatty and out of place in the plush surroundings, but he felt more like himself wearing it.
Allisus joined him at the door. ‘Looks like Captain Gesle has done it again.’
‘I hope he showed more caution this time,’ Farrell said, remembering the captain’s last reckless pursuit of the invaders. ‘Gesle’s timing couldn’t have been better though. Now we’ll have a real chance to fully make amends with the people of Wennock.’
Together they rushed down the palace steps and climbed into the carriage waiting to take them to the docks.
***
They had travelled through the night, putting distance between themselves and Newington, without sign of pursuit from the town guard or Masked Riders. Tei rode alongside Brogan, the whole time sending him sideways glances, trying to judge his mood. His jaw was set hard, his eyes dark and angry, but he gave no sign he planned to make a suicidal bid to confront the Assembly.
When the path narrowed, she took the lead, attuning her ears to the steady rise and fall of Biscuit’s hoof beats. The mare kept a rhythmic pace behind her.
Eventually, Tei found the opportunity to twist around in the saddle, and tried to see Brogan’s face in the dim light of morning. ‘We’ll stop soon.’
He barely registered her presence; he hadn’t said a word since their flight from his farm.
As she turned back to the trail, Tei picked her way along the thick screen of bushes. She followed the length of it, unable to find the concealed opening Rike had used. Growling to herself, Tei yanked on the reins, pulling Starflower to a halt. Then she thrust out with her magic and immediately felt the opening behind them.
‘Sorry, girl.’ She patted the horse’s neck before leading her back down the trail to the magically concealed opening they’d passed the first time.
Tei spoke the words Rike had recited to her on their last visit, trying not to choke on her memories of their final days together. She forced Starflower through the gap in the bushes as the branches unravelled. Then she turned back to ensure Brogan followed and checked the leaves fell back in place behind him. Satisfied, she led them through the quiet forest. It was still dark within the enclosed canopy; both light and sound seemed muted, though the dank smell of wet leaf-litter was more pungent.
Emotion burned in her throat at the sight of the cabin hidden deep in the woods.
She heard Brogan’s intake of breath.
‘What is this place?’ he asked, his voice gruff.
Without waiting for her answer, Brogan dismounted and then held out his hand to help her down from the saddle. Tei lingered over the contact and risked a look into his face, but quickly turned back to the cabin to avoid his haggard stare.
‘This is one of the hiding places the exiles have scattered throughout Kalaya. They have illusion spells on them, so we should be safe to stay here until nightfall.’ She offered him a tentative smile.
‘Impressive,’ Brogan said, without any feeling in his voice.
‘I never thought I’d need to stay here again...’ She drifted off, remembering her friends.
Brogan’s interest had already waned and he’d sunk back into despair.
She took Starflower’s reins and tied her to the rail outside the wooden cabin, copying the actions for Biscuit. Then she removed the saddlebags and loosened the straps to make the horses more comfortable. They were hot and sweaty, but responded happily to a brief rub on the nose and the food Tei offered.
Leaving them to feed, Tei walked to the door of the cabin, hearing Brogan following quietly behind her.
The door creaked open and the familiar musty smell wafted out. She stopped in the doorway and looked around, realising no one had been here since her last visit. Memories of Garrick and Rike assailed her. She looked at the bed where Rike had slept for hours and the corner where Garrick had sat and crunched his way through their supplies. If only she’d known then the heartache to come.
Tei crossed the room to open the shutters, allowing fresh air to breeze through and clear the smell of disuse. There was wood and tinder laid out in the fireplace. ‘I don’t suppose we should risk a fire,’ she said, her voice high-pitched.
They stood together in awkward silence, staring at the room, which had little to offer in the way of comfort or conversation points.
‘I’ll see to the horses, make yourself at home.’ She flinched even as the insensitive words left her mouth.
Brogan didn’t react; she doubted he even heard her as his dull eyes stared into space. Tei was grateful to escape outside, as though somehow Brogan would see the torturous images playing through her head. She pictured the farmhouse with the flames licking through it; now it would be nothing more than a burnt-out shell, taking the bodies of Brogan’s murdered friends with it.
Starflower nudged her hand. Tei brushed aside angry tears and patted the horse, glad for the reminder of normality. She immersed herself in the task of caring for her mount, removing the saddle and tack before taking time to groom the sweat from her dirty coat. When she was done, she placed a blanket over Starflower’s back and then checked her legs and shoes for signs of damage. She repeated the steps with Biscuit; the horse reminded her of Beliss and forced unwanted images of the little girl through her mind.
What bastard would kill a child?
She took some deep breaths. Then, satisfied both horses were cared for, Tei faced the cabin, knowing she couldn’t avoid Brogan any longer.
Brogan had drawn a chair up to the unlit fire. He was staring into the hearth and didn’t look up when she pulled a chair over and sat beside him.
The silence felt awkward. Tei remembered with regret the easy way they’d shared dinner on their one night together, but now Brogan’s grief stretched like a barrier between them. She knew from experience there was nothing she could say to ease his pain.
Focusing on the practical, Tei searched through her pack for food. ‘Take this.’ She held out a portion of bread and a strip of salted meat. ‘It’s all we have until I can find somewhere to buy fresher supplies.’
Brogan took the offered food and chewed it.
She watched him, knowing how hard it was to deal with the overwhelming grief of sudden loss. When he’d finished the food, she reached across and placed her hand over his. ‘None of this is your fault.’
He looked at her, devastation shining in his eyes. ‘It wouldn’t matter, even if that were true.’
‘The grief will destroy you if you let it.’
‘They were innocent, good people. Beliss was just a child… they didn’t deserve this. Rathnor already had me, why did he have to kill them?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘I should have killed him when I had the chance.’ Brogan held his head in his hands, his body consumed by wracking sobs.
Tei suppressed her own emotions and hugged him fiercely. They stayed locked together for several minutes, before Brogan sat back in the chair and resumed staring into the empty fire.
‘I’ll give you some space.’ She slipped out of the room and prowled around the cabin before finally sitting down amongst the trees. She took some deep breaths, forcing herself to find calm, and eventually reached for the Sentinel.
I’m with Brogan. His friends were murdered last night. He wanted to go back and kill the man responsible; maybe I should have let him. Now he’s a broken man, Callisa. He blames himself for it all.
Stay focused, Callisa said. We can’t risk contact for long. Just give me a name.
Rathnor. As the name spilled from her tongue, hatred bubbled inside her. What will you do?
Whatever I have to, Callisa answered and then the connection between them was gone.
Tei hugged her knees against her chest. The weight of the cloak against her skin was comforting, but Callisa’s strange mood made her apprehensive.
When she’d gained control of her own sorrows, Tei returned to the cabin.
Brogan was on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Tei reached out to his mind and helped him drift off to sleep. Then she placed a blanket over him, before crawling into the second bed. For a long time she lay listening to the steady rhythm of Brogan’s breathing, wishing there was some way to ease his suffering.
***
‘Rathnor,’ Callisa whispered to herself, feeling the room darken at the mention of his name.
She turned her back on the valley below and sat at her desk, facing into the wall of the mountain. The sobering view left her mind clear to consider her enemy. Now she had a name, something to use.
Without forethought, Callisa reached out to Rathnor. She felt him instantly, and realised he felt her too. Against her will, he drew her closer. They stood face to face in the Astral Plane amid the mist and fog of the island magic, her golden light dulled by his darkness.
‘So now you know.’ He paced before her and stopped to bow. ‘Finally, someone can admire the years I’ve spent planning all this. Now you of all people finally see the truth.’
‘I see a sick and twisted man.’
‘Don’t lie to yourself, you see a man of power, someone willing to take risks for what he wants. I’ll bring the dawn of a new era to Kalaya.’
‘You’re corrupted by the magic and the thought of its power. You’re so twisted by it you can’t see beyond it to realise the harm you’ll cause.’
‘How disappointing, Sentinel, to see you are the same as the rest, fearing what you don’t understand.’ He leant in closer, his spirit almost touching hers. ‘I’m coming for you. You and your people will die.’
Callisa broke the connection, fear pulsing through her. She pushed away from her desk and paced the room, unable to shake his words from her head.
Dread rose inside her. She knew the enemy, and she knew he was more powerful than she was. How could the exiles win against him? She had a terrible feeling they couldn’t.
Chapter Ten
Farrell hauled himself up the rope ladder onto The Red Slayer and shook hands with the waiting captain. ‘Captain Gesle, this is becoming a habit of yours.’
‘Couldn’t have out-manoeuvred them without this one’s help.’ Gesle slung his arm around Roenda’s shoulders. ‘That’s my girl.’
She slapped his arm away. ‘Leave it out, Dad.’
Farrell looked between them, hard-pushed to see a family resemblance. ‘I never realised.’
Gesle grinned. ‘She’s my step-daughter. I didn’t want to hide it from you, C
ommander, but I didn’t want the council to know. She earnt her place on merit and skill, not family ties.’
‘Well, she’s certainly got your tenacity. You’ve made a fine team. Your first mate was filling us in on the details of the battle as he rowed us over here.’
Gesle pushed out his chest. ‘I was the champion with five kills to my name.’ He patted his sheathed sword. ‘The rest soon surrendered.’
Roenda laughed and slapped her father’s back. ‘You’re always so full of yourself, old man.’
At that moment, Allisus climbed over the side of the ship and Gesle helped him onto the deck.
They shook hands, both old seamen with nearly a century of sailing experience between them.
Gesle turned serious. ‘Of course, there were casualties, Commander. We lost four men, and many have taken minor injuries.’
Farrell walked among the injured, offering them his thanks. Then he left Allisus with the two captains and hopped up to the quarterdeck where the dead crewmen had been laid to rest. He knew every man; three had widows waiting for them on Stone Haven, while the last man was one of the slaves he’d saved from the Elkenan invaders the previous year.
The shipwright who’d travelled over with Farrell from Wennock signalled his wish to approach, and Farrell beckoned him forward. The shipwright fumbled with his hat, nodding respect to Farrell and the dead in one awkward motion.
Farrell drew him away from the bodies, knowing he was better off with wooden ships than men; be they dead or alive. ‘Give me your report,’ Farrell said.
‘The new ship looks to have taken some damage to the hull, Commander, but I can repair it. Once she’s docked, I’ll check her over and give you a full report.’
‘Take the crew you need to repair the ship and sail it back to Stone Haven, but first ensure the rest of the fleet is seaworthy; I plan to sail home in the next few days.’
‘Yes, Commander.’
Farrell watched the young shipwright scurry away, as always amazed that someone raised on an island without trees could have such a mastery over wood.
The Sentinel's Reign Page 10