The Sentinel's Reign

by Suzanne Rogerson

  The old hermit didn’t flinch as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. ‘The island is there, but not as he would have you believe. In fact, I don’t trust this Rathnor character, or his intentions.’

  ‘Rathnor.’ Farrell played the name over in his head, though what did a name matter in the face of the doubts Buck had voiced? ‘I think it’s a little late to be suffering a revelation.’

  ‘I know, Commander, but I’m not going to lie.’

  Farrell looked down on his idle crew. There was an air of excitement about them as they prepared to embark on their new life, a life imbued with riches they had never known; fertile land, trees, game and fresh water not tainted by the sea. Simple riches that would transform the lives of a people still struggling to recover from the harsh hand fate had dealt their ancestors.

  ‘Buck, I need you to find Rathnor for me,’ Farrell said under his breath. ‘Find him, and tell me once and for all what is in his heart.’

  Nodding gravely, Buck walked away.

  Farrell watched the old man disappear below deck, and then signalled to Allisus. His first mate gave the command and the crew sprang into action, readying to take them back out to sea where the rest of the fleet were waiting.

  ***

  ‘This is no good,’ Brogan shouted at Tei’s back. ‘The horses won’t survive much longer at this pace.’ At first, he didn’t think she’d heard him, but finally she slowed and turned to face him, her eyes dark and angry.

  ‘We can’t fight the Masked Riders, and thanks to the Elders’ stupid ruling, we have no allies to help us.’

  ‘Blaming others won’t save us either.’

  In place of a reply, Tei spurred her horses forward, forcing Brogan to pick up his speed to draw level with her.

  ‘We need to ditch the spare horses. We haven’t the grain to feed them and we can use them to set a false trail,’ he said.

  ‘Not if they have any descent trackers. Besides, if one of our horses falls, we’re at the mercy of the enemy.’

  ‘But if it works we’ll force the enemy to split their group and even our odds a bit.’

  Tei pulled her horses to a stop. ‘You really think that’s the best option?’

  Brogan studied her face, feeling a sudden pang of helplessness and fear. He knew he couldn’t protect her, not against so many. ‘It’s our only option.’

  She nodded unhappily.

  They tied the loose reins to the saddle horns, and then smacked the rumps of the spare horses and sent them off in the direction of home.

  ‘Let’s head for higher ground,’ Tei said, leading the way.

  Brogan followed at her heels. ‘You know, this is becoming something of a habit, you rescuing me.’

  Tei glanced back at him, her eyes sparkling. ‘When I was a girl, I used to dream of a handsome hero riding into my life and rescuing me from my sheltered life in Seatown. Somehow this doesn’t hold the same romance.’

  ‘And it certainly does nothing for my reputation or my pride.’

  ‘I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.’

  Watching her, Brogan thought how good it was to see the seriousness lift from her face, even just for a few moments.

  They rode on, changing their course constantly, cutting through forest and stream to lose their pursuers. They rode for several miles before finally stopping to rest. Leaving the horses on the slope of a hill to graze, they made their way to the summit and lay flat on their bellies, scouting the landscape below. From the high vantage point, they could see for miles.

  ‘That view is breath-taking.’ Brogan stared down at Kalaya and felt the magic of the land soak into his pores.

  ‘The island is dying and no one else can see it,’ Tei muttered as she looked into the distance.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Nothing, it doesn’t matter.’

  ‘Come on, Tei. This isn’t like you.’ He reached out to touch her arm but she shrugged his hand away.

  ‘Enjoy the view while you can, is all I’m saying. When the war comes, all this will change.’

  Brogan ignored the return of her bad mood and turned to look towards the sea. It glinted in the distance, far off between land and sky, a shimmering body of water disappearing on the horizon. He turned back to Tei, determined to bring her out of her sulk. ‘I never tire of seeing the sea, imagining what lies beyond.’

  ‘I think it’s a lonely view, as though there is nothing else out there but emptiness,’ Tei said, morosely.

  ‘You grew up with it, but in Newington I never even had a glimpse of the Silent Sea or thought about the possibility of life beyond our town.’ Brogan sighed. The majestic scenery lulled him, but then something caught his eye, a shape bobbing way out to sea. He sat upright to get a better look.

  Tei pulled him back down. ‘Are you trying to give our location away?’

  Ignoring her tone, he pointed into the distance. ‘Look out there, see that ship?’

  She squinted to look. ‘Yes, so what?’

  He watched it, trying to guess its purpose. ‘What if it’s checking out Kalaya?’

  ‘That’s impossible. The barrier protects our coasts. Kalaya is practically invisible behind a continuous wall of uninviting, jagged rock.’

  ‘Then why does it linger so close to our shore?’

  Tei frowned at the ship before turning her attention back inland.

  Brogan followed the ship’s progress. ‘You should at least tell the Sentinel.’

  She rounded on him, anger flaring in her eyes. ‘Right now, I’m more concerned with the enemy at our heels.’

  Brogan held her gaze. ‘This isn’t the time to be childish. She needs to see if the threat goes beyond the island. What if Rathnor’s enlisted others in his war?’

  Tei looked away from him.

  ‘You can’t ignore this, Tei.’

  ‘It’ll have to wait.’ Tei began to descend the slope on her belly.

  Brogan glanced inland, his heart sinking. ‘Damn.’ He punched the ground with his fists as he watched tiny black dots moving in the distance. He hurried after Tei.

  ‘I guess their tracker is more skilled than we’d bargained for,’ she said, vaulting into the saddle and setting off down to the valley.

  Brogan kicked his horse into a gallop and chased after Tei. The mountains of Turrak were still a distant shape on the horizon and he prayed their tired mounts had the energy to outrun the enemy riders and get home.

  ***

  Callisa sipped on the reviving tisane and then added more honey to mask the bitterness of the herbs that kept her functioning on so little sleep. She settled down at her desk, preparing for another long session of incantation, when she felt the tentative touch of another mind.

  Tei.

  Sentinel.

  The coldness in the greeting hurt her more than she let show.

  Rathnor and his war are not far behind us, Tei reported. But, then Hafender will have already told you that.

  Yes, she said guardedly, not sure how to respond to Tei’s hostility.

  We saw a ship outside the harbour earlier today. Brogan thought it was important you knew about it.

  Was the ship trying to land?

  I don’t think so, but it may have been checking out Kalaya’s defences with a mind to land.

  Callisa shuddered. But the barrier should protect us.

  Brogan fears the people on the ship could be in league with Rathnor, then, barrier or not, they’d know we are here.

  Callisa’s connection with Tei began to fragment. Wait, she said quickly, not sure if Tei would listen. I’m sorry.

  I know, you said that before.

  And I’ll keep saying it until you believe me. I’m sorry I involved Brogan, but I didn’t think there was another choice.

  There is always a choice, Tei answered, her tone harsh. You chose to risk the man I love, and now I choose to hate you for it.

  Then Tei was gone.

  Callisa took a moment to smooth over the pain Tei’s words inspi
red, before she forced herself to focus on her task, the task of being Sentinel.

  She checked the barrier surrounding the island, tightening any breaking threads in the spell until satisfied it was secure, at least for now. When the war started, it would be a different story.

  Taking another sip of the now cold tisane, Callisa cleared her mind and prepared to leave her body.

  Her spirit soared over Kalaya’s landscape. She wished she could pause to enjoy the view but instead she travelled on to the shoreline. Empty sea greeted her. There was nothing except the calm waves lapping rhythmically at the cliffs. She felt the barrier magic at work, disguising the breaks in the rock-strewn sea that led to Kalaya’s main harbour.

  The Bay of Hope harbour had not seen much activity in hundreds of years, not since her ancestors had made the decision to lay the first spell and separate Kalaya from the rest of the world. It had been a decision to keep their magic whole and safe from the corruption of those without magic, only now Kalaya was tainted and rotting from within.

  Callisa sighed, wondering if there would be an island left when her reign as Sentinel was over.

  She turned her attention back to the glistening waters but still saw no sign of the ship Tei and Brogan had spotted. She tried to travel further out to sea, but the magic binding her to the island prevented her exploration and she had no way to trace the ship or find out its crews’ intentions.

  Swallowing her disappointment, Callisa returned to her body and contemplated her options. There was no time to waste sitting idle; Rathnor was on his way.

  ***

  ‘Don’t these bastards ever give up?’

  Tei glanced back, seeing a glimpse of the Masked Riders, and realised their chance of escape was pitiful.

  ‘Oh no.’ Brogan pulled on the reins and brought his horse to a sudden stop.

  Tei looked ahead and saw horsemen crest the rise in front of them. They were dark shapes against the sun, but she could see enough to count eight riders. They were cornered, their escape to the mountains blocked.

  Need some help? A voice spoke unexpectedly in her head.

  Tei turned back to the group of new riders and the lead man raised his arm in greeting.

  ‘It’s Hafender!’ Tei shouted, glancing back at Brogan.

  Brogan’s look of concern dissolved and he drew his sword and turned his mount to face the Masked Riders at their back. The enemy had already slowed, and after several moments of deliberation, turned tail and rode away.

  Tei remained at Brogan’s side and watched the enemy retreat. Then they led their tired horses to meet Hafender and his team.

  ‘Thank you,’ Tei said to the group. She looked at every face, recognising each as a friend. Tears blurred her vision, but she laughed them away.

  Hafender patted her shoulder with his heavy hand and then gripped arms with Brogan. ‘Glad to see you back safe, lad.’

  Brogan hung his head and she knew his thoughts were with the two mystics who’d died.

  No one spoke and the mood of their group turned sombre as they headed back to the mountains.

  Hafender rode between them at the helm of the group. The others dropped back a few paces at their captain’s signal.

  ‘The Sentinel has arranged a meeting for the whole of Turrak to start upon our return.’

  Tei pursed her lips but didn’t comment, aware Hafender was studying her reaction.

  ‘She asked me to pass on a request to the two of you.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Don’t mention the sighting of the ship, not until she’s determined whether it’s a threat or not. There’ll be panic enough when she explains that war is now inevitable.’

  Tei thought about the army at their heels; friends and fellow islanders forced to fight against them.

  ‘What do you think about the ship?’ Brogan asked the captain quietly.

  ‘I don’t know if it’s a threat, but it’s better to be cautious.’

  ‘Rathnor will do anything to win this war.’

  The two men talked tactics and Tei was glad to tune out of their conversation. She pulled her cloak across her shoulders, picturing her father. It was hard to believe he’d been gone almost eight months, and maybe it was better he wasn’t around to witness his beloved Turrak beset by war.

  When the mountain pass eventually came into sight, everyone gave a final push for home; even Starflower seemed to understand her ordeal was almost at an end. They raced across the plain, exhilaration in every step, until they reached the mouth of the path to see it blocked by rubble.

  Watchmen armed with bows popped into view, and after a brief inspection waved them through.

  ‘You’ve been busy,’ Tei said as they threaded single file through the boulders in the pass.

  ‘War may now be an inevitability, but we’re certainly not going to make it easy for Rathnor,’ Hafender said grimly.

  They walked the stony pathway in quiet contemplation. Tei could feel the presence of watchmen in the rocks, and spotted numerous stashes of weapons and supplies hidden in crevices along the pass.

  ‘These preparations are impressive,’ Brogan said.

  ‘And it’s all been done in the short time we’ve been away. Tell me, Captain; was there ever a hope of Brogan’s mission succeeding?’

  Hafender didn’t answer, but his back was stiff in the saddle ahead of her.

  Tei shook her head in disgust, and the sour mood didn’t leave her until they reached the settlement. She was surprised to see Turrak flooded with people, all gathering at the foot of a newly erected platform outside the meeting hall in the centre of the valley.

  Tei detected an air of fear and disquiet reaching out from amid the hubbub. She was grateful their arrival went unnoticed to all but Callisa. When she saw them, the Sentinel made her way to the platform. People jostled for a better view and then an expectant hush fell over the valley.

  Callisa’s gaze swept across the crowd and finally came to rest on Tei.

  Tei met her with a cold, hard stare and Callisa was the first to look away.

  Tei made to back her horse away, but a hand on her shoulder held her in place. She looked up into Hafender’s face, surprised by the seriousness of his expression.

  ‘Stay.’

  Tei tugged at Starflower’s reins, but Hafender’s fingers curled more tightly around her shoulder.

  You are still her Confidante. Think about the message you’ll be sending out if you leave now. The captain held her gaze with as much power in his eyes as the firm grip on her shoulder. These are delicate times, Tei. The divide between the two of you helps no one.

  She nodded and he smiled his thanks.

  Tei faced the platform and watched as the Elders filed into place behind the Sentinel. For once, every one of the thirty men and women looked united behind the Sentinel’s cause.

  Callisa held up her hands for silence and immediately the people obeyed.

  ‘War is coming!’

  There were gasps and whispered denials from the people, but Callisa ignored them and held up her hands again, demanding their attention.

  Tei watched the Sentinel, shocked she hadn’t attempted to soften the blow of her words.

  ‘But this is not the end…’ She paused and gazed out across the crowd, holding them in rapt silence. ‘We hold a strong, defensive position that’s hard to match. Turrak is almost impenetrable; the pass into the valley is easy to defend and will be impossible to take by force. We are self-sustaining; we can last for as long as we need to. Then when winter comes, we’ll be cut off from the rest of Kalaya, safe from further threat until the thaw…’ The Sentinel smiled as the exiles drowned out her speech with joyful cheers and wild clapping.

  Tei looked at the people, seeing relief on many faces though despair remained in many mystics’ eyes - they knew the true cost the war would reap on the island magic.

  The Sentinel called for silence once more. ‘However, Rathnor’s army is not the only threat we face. The real threat is to our island magic because war will b
ring about its destruction.’

  Callisa paraded herself before them as undeniable proof of the severity of her words. She’d arrived at Turrak a young woman, now she looked closer to middle-aged.

  ‘We’re doomed,’ a voice cried out and several women wailed.

  ‘No!’ Callisa shouted with heartfelt clarity. ‘We’re only doomed if we give in to this war, if we fight to win.’

  Confused shockwaves rippled through the crowd.

  ‘We mustn’t kill them,’ the Sentinel declared. ‘They’re not to blame and their deaths will destroy the magic all the sooner. We must protect the pass but we cannot kill our brothers and sisters. I say we save the people who make war upon us, and in the process we’ll save ourselves.’

  Tei gasped as she took in the meaning of Callisa’s words. The full calamity of what was happening finally hit home, but the Sentinel remained strong and resolute.

  ‘Without magic we’re nothing, the island is nothing, but we as a people still have the ability to save it.’ Callisa’s voice didn’t waver and her eyes remained bright. ‘And save it we will!’

  The air filled with cheers, and voices fuelled with emotion chanted the Sentinel’s name.

  Tei watched Callisa accept their reverence.

  The Sentinel waved graciously down at the exiles before stepping from the platform and swiftly disappearing amongst them. For a crazy moment, Tei had the urge to follow her, but then the memory of Callisa’s betrayal returned.

  Gripping the reins in her fists, Tei turned Starflower towards the stables. She felt Hafender watching her go, but this time he didn’t interfere.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Brogan sat upright in bed and wiped the sweat from his brow. His chest heaved with panic induced by the nightmare. He could still see Tei’s charred body lying alongside Beliss and her parents, and he shook his head to dislodge the disturbing images.

  He rose from his bunk and dressed swiftly, leaving the dormitory to its sleeping occupants.