“You know for sure she’s alive?”
“Yes, she wrote maybe a year ago so she got off Maramir.”
“If she got off what about Darr?”
Miri shook her head. “I’m sorry she never mentioned him. Mother had a letter once in a while from her then they stopped after Maramir fell and she had nothing for a long time. Then four years ago they started up again.”
“Did she say where she was?”
“In the Eastern Empire mostly judging by the places she mentions. She’s travelling with Baba Doa.”
Joakim and Baba had stuck together for half a year after they got back to the mainland. Jon Vann had returned to Eastcallas, the death of his brother had broken him and Joakim had not heard from him since. There was talk of reforming the Regulators and the Highlords putting together another force to retake Maramir, but Joakim had seen enough of the island and had no wish to return so he and Baba had parted ways. Baba as far as he knew had signed on, he was Hoshun. They lived for war.
All these years he had travelled alone never setting down too long in one place, it was a listless existence and a life he knew a lot of old soldiers fell into. Perhaps if he’d stayed around a little longer, perhaps if he’d kept banging on doors asking questions then he would have found his friends were still alive.
“We need to move.”
“What?” Joakim realised he’d been daydreaming when there was work to be done. “Yeah sorry just triggered a few memories.”
A few was an understatement but Joakim knew now was not the time of place, they were in the pit of enemies and even though he had no loyalty to this particular Highlord he still felt as he’d come here to take his coin he had some obligation to see this situation through to the end. With Miri’s ten men close behind they spread out into the lowest level of the tower making their way towards the centre and the elevating cabinet. Joakim stopped before it looking uncertainly at the door, he hadn’t relished his last trip in one but this time the thought of being effectively trapped in a metal box made his skin crawl.
“Is it wise to use this thing, what if the A’yai takes control of it and sends us all screaming to out deaths from the highest level?”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Miri stepped up to the doors and pressed on a panel to the side opening it. “The cabinets cannot be controlled from outside, I was told its some safety feature so what you’re suggesting cannot be done.” She turned and looked at him smiling. “Sometimes the Highlords paranoia is a good thing.”
Miri looked inside the panel, Joakim could see rows of glass beads some of which glowed with a strange internal light. There were some strange characters alongside one row similar to ones he’d seen on some of the artefacts left behind by the Frail Men. Miri was frowning and mumbling to herself.
“Something wrong?” Joakim leaned in staring at the confusing interior behind the panel.
“It’s dead, this row should all be lit.” She jabbed her finger at small black squares next to a few of the glass beads before standing back looking up above the door to the cabinet. Joakim looked up, there were a row of larger glass beads above the door he’d never noticed them before. “The whole thing should be lit up but there’s nothing its dead.”
“So what now?”
Miri looked round at Joakim. “Now we walk.”
“Walk.” Joachim looked around at the rest of their little troupe. If the prospect of being trapped in the elevating cabinet wasn’t one he relished the idea of them all huddled in a stairwell equally sent a cold hand creeping round his heart. Being in a tight situation standing shoulder to shoulder with others was something every soldier experienced, anyone who’d stood in a shield wall knew the intimacy associated with a pitched battle. But at least in a battle there was a chance of getting clear, finding your own space, enclosed in an uphill tunnel there were only four impenetrable walls and a long way down.
“Might it not be advisable to consider other options?”
“We don’t have the time.” Miri was checking her gear as were her men. “The Highlord is my priority, we don’t know what the situation is outside for all we know no-one knows what’s going on so we cannot expect or plan for any help.” She looked up at Joachim. “We are it.”
Joachim shrugged and turned heading towards the door that led to the stairs he’d used. “That’s OK but just so long as you know this could be a very short trip.” He heard the men start to follow him and then Miri drew up alongside of him.
“From the letters my sister wrote I’d never thought of you as a cautious man, she always said you were the reckless one.”
“I was,” Joachim smiled and turned for the stairwell, now was not the time for reflection on the past.
##
Tenemi stood looking around uncertain what to do, the forest of motionless A’yai had come to an end and what appeared to be a vast empty space stretched out in front. There was no way to tell accurately how much time had elapsed since the outer wall, but Tenemi had circled this empty space twice now, each time counting off two thousand steps until returning to the fallen A’yai used as a marker. All sense of proportion was lost, the space was bigger than the interior structure of the tower and yet Tenemi felt this was still somehow part of the tower. Again and again Tenemi thought of Cathedral and that perhaps this was something like that, but if it was then why did the A’yai have no knowledge of it?
Tenemi knew where ever here was there was a limit to it. The wall was solid, the empty space was circular. This was not an endless wilderness. Tenemi was beginning to worry at the need to constantly state that thought like there may be some lingering doubt. The space was finite, so without thinking too much on the decision Tenemi stepped forward out across the empty floor, maybe where ever this place was it was within this vast empty space that the answers required would be found.
Tenemi instantly fell but there was no impact with the floor. It was as if the floor dissolved pitching Tenemi forwards. A human would have cried out, the terror of uncontrollable descent would have been too much for their minds to cope with. Tenemi assessed the situation without emotion, yes there was downward motion but there was no feeling of air passing by so Tenemi was not falling in the sense of dropping a heavy object from height. The obvious deduction was this was some sort of transit device, possibly similar to the elevating cabinets but without the need for the cabinet. The only thing Tenemi had to be concerned about was where it went and the ticking clock these delays raced against.
All sense of motion stopped but there was nothing solid for Tenemi to be standing on although there was no movement that would be associated to being suspended in the air. Tenemi tried to get a feel for the surroundings but was having trouble focusing as if something external was attempting to exert a controlling influence.
Tenemi
Cathedral
Tenemi explain you were hidden from view as if you had ceased to be
Cannot explain as do not understand fully what is happening
Tenemi you appear altered
Explain
There is something with you
………
Tenemi you are infected
You have brought an infection into Cathedral
………
Explain
Tenemi…..
“Uplink is registering a secure connection…”
“We have greens across the board and are good to go….”
“The gate is hot we are in a go, no go situation…”
Tenemi explain
Cannot explain there is something wrong I have no control
“Uplink is degrading down 15%....”
“Boosting signal….”
“Non-responsive initiate manual override….”
Tenemi….
We are invaded
“Secure uplink initiated prepare transfer pod….”
“On my mark….3, 2, 1….pod released….”
Tenemiiiiiiiiiiiiii……..
Reality shuddered.
Fourteen
“What the fuck was that?” Kark had flattened himself against the wall as the tower shook, all around the rest of the men had done the same, all of them looking fearfully at the ceiling and each other no doubt all thinking how far off the ground they were.
“I have no idea.” Boskags had sat down on the steps leading to the Highlords chair, he too looked around uncertain but not only because of the shaking tower but also to see which of his men might be about to bolt leaving them even more shorthanded than they already were.
“Perhaps we’re under attack?”
Boskags looked over at Kark and shook his head.
“This is a Highlords tower, built by the Frail Men, it’s impregnable, no-one is mad enough to attack because everyone knows no-one gets in unless the Highlord wants them to.”
Kark looked at Boskags and then up at the chair. “But we attacked it does that make us mad? And this particular Highlord is dead.”
Boskags looked back at the empty chair then around at his men again. Their concern now seemed to be shared between whether the ceiling was staying up and the fact the only person keeping this structure secure was now dead.
“His son takes his place, the Highlord is dead long live the Highlord and all that.”
“Except his son isn’t here so doesn’t know his dad is dead, isn’t there some ceremony they have….”
“Look,” Boskags tried not to sound angry but all he wanted to do right now was walk over and silence Kark before he started stampede for the door. “I don’t know how this works but I’m guessing no matter what the power of the Highlord or how it is passed on it is with the son even if he knows his father is no longer with the living, so we’re OK.”
Kark was still looking at the empty chair. “Unless the son is dead as well…”
Boskags took a deep breath and tried to think, he’d have to do something else he’d be here on his own when whoever was coming from the lower level got here. He pushed himself to his feet and marched towards the door that lead to where Tenemi was, Kark watched him uncertainly.
“We need to see what’s going on outside.” Boskags said through gritted teeth.
##
Three of the men had taken a tumble when the tower shook, they were a dozen steps down nursing bruises and scrapes and one had a nasty gash on his forehead that was being tended to. Joakim had flattened himself to the wall looking up for any falling debris, Miri stood next to him.
“Tell me that’s something that happens often?”
“That’s never happened before, at least not in the years I’ve been here.”
“That’s not what I wanted to hear.”
Miri shrugged and stepped over to the railing looking up and down. “Seems to be over now whatever it was.”
“So do we carry on?” Joakim stayed by the wall, he had no wish to get back to the ground the short way should everything start shaking again. He’d been on enough ships in rough seas to know how easy it was to lose your balance and footing.
“We’re about halfway so whichever direction it’s the same distance.” She looked back at Joakim. “I say we keep going, back down doesn’t give any answers and I still have my duty to the Highlord.” She looked around her men. “Everyone else?”
There was a chorus of ayes and she looked at Joakim as if his opinion held any sway, he just shrugged and pushed off from the wall and started to climb.
##
Boskags headed into the corridor towards where he’d left Tenemi with Kark close behind, if anyone would have an idea what just happened it would be the A’yai. As he neared the chamber he noticed the lighting had visibly dimmed making the walls full of long shadows and strangely amplifying sound.
“I don’t like this…” Kark sounded uncertain and slowed to a stop his hand resting on his sword hilt.
“Don’t be a fool,” Boskags looked back at him. “Are you afraid of the dark?”
“It’s what’s in the dark that fears me, these A’yai…..what the fu…”
Boskags froze his hackles up and hand on the hilt of his blade. The door that had been broken was whole again but open, the chamber beyond was in near darkness but Tenemi stood at the far wall facing an alcove that hadn’t been there the last time Boskags was here. The A’yai seemed to glow and strange pulsating lights flowed around him, they reminded Boskags of the luminescent creatures sometimes seen in the deep ocean following ships. Tenemi was frozen in mid stride like he was walking into the alcove his hand reaching forwards as if about to grab hold of something.
“Ardens balls what devilry is this?” Kark was level with Boskags and had his sword drawn already in a fighting stance.
“Put that damned thing away.” Boskags stepped towards Tenemi and stood close to the wall looking at the A’yai. His face was as immobile as the rest of him, the eyes were glassy and unfocused though Boskags had never thought they looked that focused anyway. The mouth was partly open as if Tenemi was about to say something. Boskags looked into the alcove, the door like shape and windows were there but sunk back into the wall. He reached up and touched Tenemi on the arm, he was solid but then having never touched an A’yai before Boskags had no way of knowing if that was normal or not.
“Is he dead?”
“How would you tell?” Boskags prodded the A’yai again and was about to turn away when he spotted movement. Tenemi started to turn, his face changed from a blank expression to one of fury in an instant and it took all Boskags survival instincts to duck out of the way as the A’yai swung a fist around.
“Arrgh…” Kark cried out and jumped forwards his blade descending on the outstretched arm of the A’yai, there was a clang that sounded like metal on metal and Kark staggered back like he’d been struck. Tenemi spun around faster than Boskags thought was possible and grabbed the blade end of Kark’s sword and pulled hard, Kark overbalanced and fell forward towards Tenemi straight into the path of another fist that connected with Kark’s face with a sickening crunch. Kark fell like a puppet with its strings cut and Boskags didn’t need to check to know he was dead before he hit the floor. Tenemi turned to face Boskags.
“Now hold on here Tenemi, I don’t know…”
“Jakamo Boskags,” There was a strange echo to Tenemi’s voice like he was talking down a long tunnel. The eyes were now dark pools, blood red. “The way is prepared, they are coming.”
“Wha…” Boskags never had time to ask as Tenemi lunged towards him his hands grasping for his throat. Backtracking Boskags laid about him with his sword, but the A’yai fended off each blow with bare hands like swatting at flies. Back down the corridor they went, the light now strobing through the colour spectrum. Tenemi strode on intent on getting past or through Boskags with some haste. With a cry of desperation Boskags swung a vicious cut at Tenemi’s head which to his surprise struck home embedding the blade in his skull, the A’yai never faltered and carried on advancing, the blade was stuck so Boskags let go and did the only thing he could do. He turned and ran.
##
Joakim reckoned they were near the uppermost level, his legs burned and he felt ashamed to say he was out of breath. Miri and her men set a relentless pace and none of them seemed in the slightest bit tired. Not for the first time Joakim thought on why he carried on doing what he did, soldiering was a young man’s game and he was a long way past being young. Miri stopped and laid an ear to the door on the landing a few steps above where Joakim stood. He watched as her face creased with confusion.
“What is it?”
“Not sure, sounds like fighting.”
“Do you think others have gotten free?” Joakim went up the steps to stand beside Miri and listened himself.
“Possible, there is the Highlords own guard but then if your information is only half right there is every chance they’d have been overrun.” She listened again and Joakim saw the confusion on her face grow. “This doesn’t sound right.”
Joakim was about to put his ear to the door when it shuddered as somethi
ng heavy hit it from the other side. There was a muffled cry of pain and then some words that although he couldn’t hear them Joakim knew was the sound of someone pleading.
“Well there are two possibilities, either the Highlords men are putting up hell of a fight and winning or the infiltrators are beating them down. We only have the one option and that’s helping whoever is in there and take back control.”
Joakim nodded his head, he couldn’t fault her logic especially when it’s what he would have suggested. Miri nodded back and looked down at her men.
“Weapons.” They each drew a collection of long and short swords, each were well maintained, always the sign of a professional soldier who, no matter what, made sure their blade was always honed and oiled even if they themselves went without.
Miri looked back at Joakim a faint smile on her lips. She reminded him so much of Pirce at that moment, she too always came alive right before a fight. Without another word Miri grabbed the door handle and pulled it towards her.
The scene that greeted them on the other side was not one Joakim had considered. The hallway was littered with half dozen bodies, none were in matching uniforms so he could only assume they were the infiltrators, but it wasn’t the bodies that drew his attention it was the three A’yai advancing towards them.
“How many A’yai are there usually here?” He looked across at Miri and her face told him his answer before she spoke.
“There’s only one, but I couldn’t tell you if he’s one of them they all look alike.”
Behind them the rest of Miri’s men formed up in the hallway, Joakim could hear murmurs of concern but shut them out, he needed to focus on what was in front of him.
“You ever fought an A’yai before?” He asked to no one in particular.
“No,” There was a shake in Miri’s voice. “Have you?”
“No but I’ve seen one take on a dozen men and kill the lot, it took Malash to finally take the thing down.”
You Can't Avoid A Little Blood Page 9