‘I have to go. But Enri-’ Timbul began. Enri cut him off abruptly.
‘Don’t!’ he said crossly, raising his hand. He pointed accusingly at Timbul. ‘You stay out of this! If Kelian makes me stay here, I have to stay, but I’m sure His Majesty didn’t bring me along just in case I had some brilliant idea! Did you know that I’m the only King’s Knight still alive? Well now…I wonder where the King’s Knight should be,’ Enri continued sarcastically. ‘Why…surely not guarding the King?’ He folded his arms defiantly across his chest.
Milgorry grinned appreciatively as Timbul glared down at Enri. ‘I was answering your question, Squire idiot!’ said Timbul, as his clenched fists went to his hips. ‘I was going to suggest that you go ahead with Araas and Milgorry, and Kelian and I will follow your tracks.’
‘Oh,’ said Enri, quickly stepping back from Timbul. ‘Sorry. I guess that’s a good plan. I’ll go and get my gear and then I guess I should find some rope.’ He took another hasty step backwards before darting through the hatch and making his way to his cabin.
‘You weren’t really going to hit him were you Tim?’ asked Kelian, his face fluctuating between amusement and concern.
‘Of course not,’ said Timbul, looking horrified at this suggestion.
‘Did anyone else think of taking rope with us?’ asked Kelian, feeling a little stupid that he hadn’t thought of this. There was a momentary silence.
‘Well, that’s a little embarrassing,’ said Timbul. ‘We’re going to rescue three people from a well and we didn’t think to take some rope. Wonderful! How incredible daft we are. Fortunately we have a fourteen year old boy with us.’
‘The lad has a bit of a temper,’ Captain Gillam observed.
‘He’s like his parents, intelligent and practical. I can live with the quick temper – he’ll probably grow out of it,’ said Kelian. ‘I guess we’d all best prepare ourselves if we’re going ashore.’ He headed to his cabin and sat alone. The danger of what they were about to attempt struck him and he wondered what his people would think if he was killed. He thought of Eijelin and wondered if she would think him reckless and rash, then he smiled as he recalled the day he had reached the Dwellings, only to find his sister rushing into danger trying to find him. The smile slid from his face as he remembered how Daibhi had defended the children and would have died to save them, had they not arrived just in time to help him. When he found Daibhi’s body after the battle with the Nailmarni, Eijelin was heartbroken. ‘I just need to stay alive,’ he thought determinedly to himself. ‘I cannot bring any more pain upon Eijelin.’ He flinched as Timbul’s thoughts came to him.
‘Don’t be angry that I say this, but you could remain here on the ship.’
‘So could you, Tim,’ Kelian thought.
‘No. I have to go. I would go with you regardless but…I have to go.’
Kelian leaned back against the bulkhead and wondered what his father would have done in this situation. His heart felt heavy as he thought of the questions he would never be able to ask his parents. He rose to his feet and picked up his bow. He slung his quiver of arrows over his shoulder and belted his sword to his waist. There was a knock at the door.
‘Enter,’ he called, and Araas stepped into the room.
‘Are you ready?’ Araas asked and Kelian nodded. ‘I will help you if I can, Kelian.’
‘To get into East Inlet?’
‘To answer some of your questions. I knew your father and mother well, as well as your grandparents and your great-grandparents.’
Kelian stared at him in astonishment. ‘How old are you Araas?’
‘We don’t count years. We just are.’
‘But you were born here in Alkira, weren’t you?’
‘I was born here. It was a long time ago. My father was not born here, and neither was my mother.’
‘You told me that you’re placed here to protect humans. Do you ever wish for your freedom? Do you ever get tired of the obligation?’
Araas smiled contentedly. ‘Never. This is what I do, what I need to do.’
‘It seems strange.’
‘Do you get tired of looking after your little sister?’ asked Araas, his eyes glinting knowingly in the half dark cabin. ‘Would you ever get tired of that responsibility?’
‘No, of course not. Are Enri and Tim ready?’
‘Yes. They’re up on deck,’ Araas confirmed and he followed Kelian back into the rain. They made their way across the deck to where Enri, Timbul and Milgorry were standing with Captain Gillam.
‘I have a good place for you to disembark, Highness,’ said Gillam immediately.
‘If there’s anyone watching I don’t want them to know we’ve left the ship,’ said Kelian. ‘Can you let us off where no-one will see us?’
‘The Bilby Cliffs,’ said Captain Gillam, glancing at Oliver. ‘There’s a place you can go ashore where no-one in East Inlet is likely to notice, but I can’t say the same for anyone who might be hiding in the Dark Forest. For the most, the water breaks against the cliffs, with the exception of one little cove which has a sandy beach and a fairly easy climb to the top of the cliffs. It would be no trouble at all to put you ashore there,’ he added frowning at Oliver who was now looking decidedly dismayed.
‘Captain, you’re going to make me take the ‘Swift’ in there, aren’t you sir?’ said Oliver, trying to hide the indignation in his voice.
‘That I am,’ said Gillam heartily, slapping Oliver’s shoulder. ‘Take the wheel!’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Oliver despondently. He shook his head sadly. Executive Officer Dommy laughed when he saw him approaching.
‘Your Father wants you to take us in?’ he asked knowingly.
‘Did the Captain tell you where we’re going, sir?’ asked Oliver, sounding grumpy.
‘Naturally,’ said Dommy grinning. ‘Well, don’t just stand there looking like a nasty thunderstorm! Get to work!’
‘Yes sir,’ said Oliver, frowning darkly as he took the wheel.
‘Ah, Oliver?’
‘Yes sir?’
‘If you sink us and we drown, I’m going to kill you.’
‘You won’t need to. Father will kill me,’ said Oliver glumly.
‘Have you sailed through to the Bilby Cliffs before?’
‘I have. I sailed with Admiral Stork before I joined the Swift. The Admiral believed that a helmsman ought to be able to navigate such a passage at night on rough seas.’
‘You sailed The Black Swan through there at night?’
‘I did, in a horrible storm. It was terrifying. She’s not a small ship.’
‘No. She’s not,’ Dommy agreed, staring at Oliver with respect. ‘Did you damage her at all?’
‘Not a scratch!’ A momentary grin of pride flitted across Oliver’s face.
‘They say it’s not just the maze of enormous, jagged rocks barely hidden beneath the surface, but the strange unpredictable currents that draw the ships to their death,’ said Dommy. ‘It’s said that so many ships have sunk here, the resentful souls of the lost sailors reach up from the deep and push other ships onto the rocks. Then they drag the drowning men to the bottom of the sea to where even their souls cannot escape, and their bodies are eaten by the creatures of the deep. So they are doomed to forever dwell hidden in the inescapable darkness, far beneath the waves, lonely souls whose only solace is to bring others to share their ill fortune. They say, if the lost sailors reach up to take your ship, there is naught you can do, you are helpless against them and no matter how hard you battle to pass them, they will take you. They will take your ship. Then they will drag you down, down, deep under the cold sea, never again to see the light of day-’
‘Thank you sir!’ Oliver interrupted, glaring open-mouthed at Executive Officer Dommy. ‘I feel so much better now!’ Dommy gave an evil chuckle and walked away. Oliver frowned after him, contemplating the number of ships that had sunk in this very inlet and wondering if there was any truth in the legend. He wondered what would ha
ppen to his soul if he was dragged to the bottom of the ocean and eaten by deep sea creatures, and he gripped the wheel of the ship a little more firmly and tried not to imagine how horrible that experience might be. He pondered for a moment if a soul could truly be trapped at the bottom of the ocean and he couldn’t help but glance towards Araas who was looking at him with a mixture of amusement and concern. Araas shook his head slightly, and then walked over to stand beside him.
‘So the dead sailors at the bottom of the ocean can’t pull us down and trap our souls?’ Oliver asked quietly, trying to sound casual.
‘There are no dead sailors at the bottom of the ocean, Oliver,’ said Araas. ‘The instant you die, your soul returns to His Supreme Majesty. There is no one else who has the power over your soul. Bodies go down into the deep, but they’re only bodies. There are hundreds of abyssopelagic tales among sailors and that’s what it is. It’s just another tale.’
‘Good,’ said Oliver, sounding relieved. ‘So the strange currents…?’
‘Are just that; strange currents,’ Araas confirmed.
‘Good,’ said Oliver once again. He grinned sheepishly. ‘I didn’t really believe that story, you know,’ he said, trying to sound bold.
‘Of course not,’ said Araas, his eyes twinkling as he tried not to smile.
Oliver sighed. ‘Maybe I was a bit-’ He broke off as a very young sailor approached.
‘Message from the Captain, sir,’ said the sailor.
‘Yes Cian?’ Oliver prompted.
‘He wants a word with you please before we head for the Bilby Cliffs.’
‘Probably worrying about the ship being dragged to the bottom of the sea,’ said Oliver mischievously, quickly recovering from his previous apprehension.
‘Sir?’ Cian looked nervously at Oliver.
‘It’s the strange currents we have to pass through,’ Oliver explained. ‘They’re not really just currents you see. For hundreds of years, ships have been strangely and horribly lost in this haunted place. If they made even the tiniest error, finding their way through the rocks, angry souls of evil pirates rose from the depths…’
Araas snorted and shook his head as he walked away, leaving Oliver to disturb the young sailor with his own enhancements and additions to the ridiculous legend. He wondered how long it would take for the tale to spread through the entire superstitious crew. As it turned out, the myth was somewhat dispelled by a surprisingly easy passage through the dangerous waters. By mid-afternoon, Kelian, Enri, Araas, Timbul and Milgorry were moving stealthily through the Dark Forest towards East Inlet.
Chapter 45
Cliff Steps
‘How many?’ Dale asked.
‘I couldn’t see exactly how many, but enough to obliterate your soldiers, if they should so choose,’ said Eibhear.
‘And you’re sure they’re fallen?’ asked Dale, wishing he’d seen for himself what was happening within the keep at East Inlet. Eibhear had gone ahead to see if the area was unoccupied and whether it was safe to bring the citizens of Emerald through the ruined city. He spent quite some time hidden, watching the numerous warriors within the keep, and he was relieved to have left the area undetected.
‘I’m absolutely certain. There are quite a few people I recognize.’
‘And they’re in the city – inside the keep?’
‘They look fairly settled in. They might have been there for several days, perhaps a week. They’re in the courtyard and the lowest level of the keep. I couldn’t see if anyone was in the upper levels.’
‘What does that mean?’ asked Dale contemplatively. ‘Who did you recognize?’
‘Kolass, Larund, Jerah, Joel, Macardu. Nandul barely lets them out of his sight, so we can take a guess that he’s not far away. It would have been good if I could have moved a bit closer to Larund – if anyone is going to let their thoughts stray it would be Larund. On the other hand, most times I get the feeling he doesn’t want to be anywhere near anyone. Strange that Marlea isn’t with that lot. I wonder if Nandul returned him,’ he mused. ‘Here, let me show you what I saw.’ He placed his hand on Dale’s shoulder and Dale flinched as the warrior’s thoughts flowed into his own. Dale looked at him in surprise when he lifted his hand.
‘I didn’t think your people could do that.’
‘We can’t. That gift was reserved for the guardians. But somehow...anyway, now you know what I saw.’
‘And do you think they know we’re here?’
‘Are you joking?’ Eibhear raised an eyebrow. ‘They’ve probably had people watching us for days.’
‘But they haven’t attacked us…’
‘You haven’t given them cause.’
‘The fallen don’t usually wait for ‘cause’ before they attack,’ said Dale sarcastically.
‘Only a few warriors would have followed us, not the entire group who are waiting at East Inlet. The fallen don’t usually attack hundreds of people with a couple of warriors. Even Nandul isn’t that stupid. When he attacks, he’ll have a big enough force to kill everyone with ease. He’d want at least thirty warriors to attack this large a group.’
‘Thirty?’ said Dale, glancing around at the soldiers. ‘Are you saying the fallen could destroy us with only thirty warriors?’
‘Not whilst Callian, Rudi, Ben, Lias, Rezon and I stay with you,’ said Eibhear confidently. ‘If you were alone, thirty would be more than enough to deal with these soldiers and citizens.’
‘And if you were to leave us? They would attack?’
‘We can’t leave. We need you as much as you need us. We can’t return to Nyinaku. By now Nandul is sure to know we’re not loyal to him, so he’ll be determined to return us. I’m sure he’d have already tried, were we not surrounded by your soldiers. You need us, we need you.’
‘But you’re saying they have more than enough warriors at East Inlet to destroy us. Why don’t they come after us?’ Dale persisted.
‘They must have some other purpose. If they wanted to destroy you they would be here by now. My guess is they have some other reason for gathering at East Inlet, which is good and bad.’
‘Explain.’
‘Good, because if they have other plans; they may not come after us at all, if we avoid them. Bad, because we are within a stone’s throw of the Dwellings. Doesn’t that strike you as ominous? Last time he came to East Inlet, Nandul’s intention was to destroy Tebur. I wonder what he’s up to this time.’
‘I guess that means we won’t be spending the night inside the old keep,’ said Dale. ‘It’s probably best if the people head south of the city. There are some old tracks leading into the hills and a few places to shelter for the night. We can decide tomorrow how we approach the Dwellings. Callian will know the best path for us.’
‘Do you want me to go back down to East Inlet and try to find out what they’re up to?’
‘It’s too dangerous. You were lucky they didn’t see you the first time,’ said Dale, shaking his head. ‘I can show you a far better way to sneak into the keep.’
‘Dale, there was something else…’ said Eibhear cautiously, ‘two other things actually, or three. No, four.’
‘What?’ Dale asked, turning to look at Eibhear’s face as he noticed the wariness in the warrior’s voice.
‘When I was hiding in city I could feel the strangest thing. It was like they were all celebrating some great triumph. They were almost giddy with arrogance. I have no idea why. They hid their thoughts well enough; I just couldn’t help noticing they were all gloating with excitement.’
Dale stared down towards the city which had once been his home. ‘I wonder if they’re planning to use East Inlet as a base to attack the Dwellings,’ he mused.
‘They’d be fools to attack the Dwellings. Tiernan would wipe them out.’
‘Do you think he’ll try?’
‘I think he’d wait until he had cause. The guardians never attack without good reason.’
‘They’re camped in our city!’
‘That’s not a good enough reason. We were camped in Alkira too,’ he pointed out.
‘True,’ Dale conceded. ‘But I doubt the bunch at East Inlet would care if I fell out of a tree and broke every bone in my body.’
‘Actually, I didn’t care either,’ Eibhear lied smoothly, ‘I was just afraid Danil might return the lot of us if we left you down on the ground for the Nailmarni to eat.’
‘You didn’t even know Danil was-’ Dale broke off indignantly as he caught Eibhear’s grin. ‘I’ll go down to the city and take a look,’ said Dale. ‘I can get in without anyone seeing me.’
‘Are you mad? Of course you are,’ said Eibhear not waiting for Dale to respond. ‘Are you planning to be killed?’ He studied Dale’s face for a moment. ‘Do you want to go now or after we take all these people up into the hills?’
Dale turned away and signaled to Captain Levin who hurried towards him. ‘I want you to take the people further away from the city.’ He pointed south. ‘Head that way and follow the tracks for a couple of hours, then make camp. I’m going down to East Inlet with Eibhear and Rudiger to have a look around.’
‘Yes sir,’ Captain Levin acknowledged. ‘Be careful sir,’ he added looking worried.
‘If we’re not back by sunrise of the day after tomorrow go north and get everyone into the Province of the guardians. Then make for the Dwellings as quickly as you can. Callian is staying with you, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the best path. Lias, Ben and Rezon might not want to go to the Dwellings, and they are free to leave whenever they choose. I’ve asked them to personally guard Lerise and Jade, at least until they reach the guardian’s territory and they’ve agreed to do so. Please don’t take that as an insult to our soldiers-’
‘I understand,’ said Captain Levin. ‘Trust me, I appreciate their help.’
‘Remember, when you get near to the Province, they are free to come or go as they please. Raline will probably wish to stay with Rezon, and she must be allowed to do so, regardless of where he chooses to go.’
The Guardians (Book 2) Page 34