‘It won’t last long,’ said Kelian, looking sadly towards the graves of Mathis and Kyle. ‘I wonder why the fallen burned them.’
‘They burned them because the fallen are evil,’ Keliree declared.
‘Yes. They are,’ Laura agreed adamantly. ‘They enjoy hurting people.’ Her face darkened angrily and her hands instinctively covered her breasts. ‘They are horrible and cruel.’ She dropped her head and stared downwards as tears came to her eyes.
‘And completely callous,’ said Keliree, reaching out and taking Laura’s hand. Ignoring the startled looks of those around her, she lifted her tunic to reveal the mutilation of her breasts. Kelian’s mouth opened in shock then he turned away, horrified by the mass of scars and cuts covering the girl’s chest. He glanced at Sarah.
‘They hurt us all,’ she answered his unspoken question. ‘It wasn’t enough for them to take us whenever they pleased. They had to hurt us.’
Kelian shook his head, hardly believing someone would be so cruel.
‘Let’s get what food we can find and you’ll need to bring some blankets for yourselves.’ They moved into the fortress and the girls darted here and there stuffing food into carry sacks and pulling blankets from beds. In a very short time they were moving through the tunnel towards the forest. Borgulnay smiled as he watched the emotional reunion between the three older girls and Aithne, then he turned to Kelian. ‘Which way do we go now?’
‘We’ll go west, straight across to the Khynol Gap.’
‘You want me to take them down to Khynol?’ asked William.
‘Yes. What do you think are your chances?’
‘Can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t get through,’ said William confidently.
‘Just get them to safety,’ said Kelian. ‘Let’s go. We can be sure the fallen won’t be far behind us.’
Two days later they were camped within sight of the Khynol Gap. The Gap was, at its narrowest point, less than a mile across, and it was here they chose to make camp. From the side of the mountain Kelian could see a good distance to the north, south and west. They knew they were being tracked, but at no point did the fallen attack, which surprised Kelian, though he suspected they knew they would not easily defeat Araas and Timbul. He crouched near their little fire wondering why Timbul and David were taking so long. They had offered to scout the area and to bring back some food but they had been gone far too long. He glanced uneasily at Araas, who was standing on a boulder above their camp site looking over the grassland which ran from the bottom of the Khynol Mountains across to the nearest point of the Lost Forest. Araas jumped from the boulder and landed lightly beside Kelian.
‘I have no idea why they haven’t attacked us,’ Araas stated.
‘They’re still close?’
‘No. They’ve moved away. I can sense nothing, but they may be shielding their thoughts.’ Araas sounded discouraged. ‘For all I can tell, they may be gone or they could be close enough to know that some of us are missing.’
‘And that one of the missing is a guardian. Do you think William got through to Khynol?’
‘I have no idea. I lost track of him way too early. It doesn’t look good Kelian.’ Kelian didn’t answer, but he agreed with Araas.
Araas stood on the boulder above the camp all night, but showed no sign of fatigue when he leapt down beside Kelian about an hour before sunrise. Kelian came to with a start as Araas dropped beside him. They woke Alexander, Gilgarry and Borgulnay and ten minutes later Timbul and David clambered up the rocky mountainside.
Timbul communicated silently with Araas for a few seconds then turned away. To Kelian’s alarm, Timbul was anguished to a point of being unable to speak. Araas spun around with an infuriated growl and slammed his boot against a stone, sending it tumbling down the side of the mountain. Timbul dropped to his knees in front of the fire and sat back on his heels, his back bent and his head falling forward. Kelian turned back to Araas, his heart accelerating with fear. Araas stood staring into the distance, his face a picture of grief. Kelian walked very slowly to his side.
‘Araas, what happened?’
Araas opened and closed his mouth several times before he found words.
‘They went after William and the girls,’ he said, his eyes glittering. ‘Now we know why they didn’t attack our camp.’
‘And?’ Kelian’s voice rose in distress.
‘And they killed them.’ Araas’ voice was a whisper. ‘Tim and David caught up with them, but it was too late. Tim returned the four trackers, but…it was too late.’ Araas’ voice broke and he turned and sat heavily down beside his brother. Borgulnay stood like a statue, his eyes fixed on Timbul.
‘Tim?’ Araas put his hand on Timbul’s shoulder. Timbul raised his head and looked into his brother’s eyes. ‘You cannot take the evil done by the fallen and carry the blame on your own back.’
‘I should have known. All along David said it was odd they didn’t attack. I should have known!’ He looked guiltily towards the stricken face of Borgulnay, who was frozen in place, consumed by grief and shock. Timbul’s head dropped forward once again, a sense of failure emanating from his presence.
‘This isn’t your fault Tim. None of us knew. We can’t change what happened.’ Araas’ voice was barely a whisper. Borgulnay continued to stare at Timbul, his thoughts fixed on brave little Aithne. His heart felt frozen.
‘I don’t know what happened to Aithne,’ said Timbul uncertainly. ‘Her body wasn’t with the others, and I couldn’t sense her anywhere, but then I couldn’t sense her the very first night we found her in the mountains either.’
Hope dawned on Borgulnay’s face. ‘Maybe she got away before the fallen caught them. If she was far enough away...’
‘Where would she go, Borg?’ Timbul looked at him sadly. Borgulnay didn’t answer.
Gilgarry picked up William’s pack which Timbul and David had retrieved along with the gear the girls had carried. He rummaged around and then upended each pack, sorting the contents. He turned to Borgulnay, the hopeful beginnings of a smile on his face. ‘Captain, if you knew you were going to be taken by the fallen at any moment, and you wanted to make sure at least one person survived, but you were in the middle of nowhere, what would you give them?’
‘Water, food, blankets.’ Borgulnay paused. ‘The map is missing, isn’t it?’
Gilgarry carefully reassessed the gear. ‘We’re missing a water bag, a blanket, some food, though they may have eaten that, and the map.’ Borgulnay looked at Timbul, hope sending the blood pounding through his veins.
Timbul gazed unseeingly ahead. ‘It’s possible,’ he said. ‘But not likely.’
‘Kelian, I think we need to move south under a veil of darkness,’ Araas suggested. ‘We can find places to hide and sleep during the day.’
Kelian looked from Araas to Timbul, and a great weight pressed on his heart. ‘We’ll rest here until nightfall,’ he agreed.
Chapter 29
United
There was very little conversation as the group prepared to move south. They spent the day resting and keeping watch, and watching Kelian’s impatience growing. Araas assured him they could cover a lot more distance in a lot less time at night, but Kelian couldn’t help feeling that with every lost hour hope dwindled. He doused the fire impatiently sending clouds of ash and steam high into the air and placing a momentary frown on Borgulnay’s face.
‘Sorry,’ said Kelian guiltily.
Borgulnay’s face reddened. ‘Highness, I should have done that already. The fault is mine.’
‘Borg, you don’t need to take the blame for my stupidity!’
‘You’re just really impatient. Who could blame you for that?’ asked Borgulnay and he turned to look where Araas and Timbul were crouched atop the boulder above the camp. ‘Shall we go?’
Araas didn’t answer. He and Timbul were staring north, their expressions an identical mixture of astonishment and hope.
‘It’s Callian!’ Araas whispered, and then hi
s face became puzzled. ‘Can you also hear the King’s Marshall?’ he asked, his eyes widening. He glanced at Timbul who was nodding as a smile dawned on his face. They crouched side by side without moving, staring to the north of the Khynol Gap. Then suddenly they sprang from the boulder, landed lightly on the ground and in a flash they were gone down the side of the mountain.
‘Hey! Where are you going?’ Borgulnay shouted after them, lifting his hands impatiently. There was no reply. He watched their figures dart across the gap into the southern edge of the forest. Borgulnay turned to Kelian indignantly, but Kelian was standing beside David and Alexander and all three were watching the forest intently. Gilgarry looked uneasily at Borgulnay and lowered his pack to the ground.
Five minutes later Timbul and Arras stepped from the forest. Kelian recognized some of the figures following the two guardians.
‘The man right next to King’s Marshall Danil - the one who looks like he’s been in a fight - is Dale,’ he stated. ‘He’s Squire to Duke Li of Emerald and his father is the late Baron Daarin of East Inlet. I have no idea who that is on Danil’s left.’
‘It’s a woman,’ said Gilgarry curiously, staring down at the group. ‘Or am I going crazy?’
Kelian squinted. ‘She’s dressed like a guardian, Gil.’ He stared in amazement as several more people stepped out of the forest. ‘Surely that can’t be Galbraith…’
‘I’d bet the one at the very back is a guardian,’ David observed. ‘Moves like a big cat. So who’s the kid?’ he asked as the group came closer.
‘Enrique,’ said Kelian, sounding confused. ‘He’s one of our Pages. He’s a bit…well, let’s just say I’m wondering if Father sent him up here to get rid of him. He used to always joke about sending the kid to Morlee – at least I thought it was a joke.’
Borgulnay laughed. ‘That would be one short posting!’
Kelian sighed. ‘In actual fact, father seemed to think he had potential. He wouldn’t send him home because he said the strange behavior was an act.’
‘So why are they here?’ asked Alexander.
‘Same reason we are, I guess,’ said Kelian uncertainly.
‘You think your father sent them?’
‘Yes to the guardians, and I’m sure he sent the King’s Marshall, but one Squire and one annoying Page? I have no idea. Danil looks so strange without a hundred soldiers at his tail.’
‘I wonder why he didn’t bring us a hundred soldiers,’ said David wishfully.
‘Every soldier from every garrison in Alkira won’t defeat the fallen if they get serious,’ said Kelian. ‘They’re probably thinking as we are; get in, get the girls, get out, try not to start a war.’
Araas led the little group up the mountain to Kelian who greeted his cousin, Prince Galbraith and then turned curiously to Danil.
‘Highness,’ said Danil, ‘May I present Guardian General Callian of the Dwellings and Lady Valeska also of the guardians.’ He glanced towards Alexander and David. ‘For those who have not met, this is Baron Dale of East Inlet and his Squire Enri formerly of Western Downs and currently serving in Castle, to his displeasure,’ Danil finished with a twinkle in his eye.
Kelian smiled. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Guardian General, Lady Valeska.’ He noted Danil was holding hands with Lady Valeska. ‘A lot seems to have been happening in my absence,’ he observed.
Callian returned his smile. ‘More than you can imagine. King’s Marshall Danil has wed our Lady Valeska and she carries his child.’
‘Congratulations King’s Marshall, Lady Valeska,’ said Kelian, feeling a little stunned by this news.
‘Danil,’ said Timbul, ‘if there was ever a time we need both a King’s Marshall and another guardian…you are most welcome.’
Alexander looked at Danil in awe. ‘You’re a guardian now sir? Well,’ he said, not waiting for an answer, ‘I suppose that’s not much of a job change really.’
Kelian turned to Dale, ‘So, father got around to declaring you Baron. Good. And Enri has been made your Squire.’
Enri was terribly uncomfortable in the Prince’s presence. Dale grinned. ‘Yes Highness. In honesty I thought the notion of my having a Squire was ridiculous. Now I know how fortunate I am to have Enri with me, not just as a Squire, although he has proven to be very capable. Enri is as loyal and intelligent as his mother and father, and I’m very pleased we have become friends.’
Kelian eyed Enri curiously. Enri sighed. He knelt before the Prince. ‘Highness, for my previous behavior I sincerely apologize and beg your forgiveness.’ He looked across at Dale and then turned back to Kelian. ‘I appreciate the chance I’ve been given and…I won’t let you down, sir!’
‘Enri, I doubt you would be here in this company if there was even the remotest chance of you letting us down. But when you were in Castle you were…different,’ Kelian finished diplomatically.
Enri blushed deep red. ‘I was homesick, Highness,’ he explained.
‘Homesick?’
‘I hoped you would send me back to Western Downs. Though how I would have explained that to Father…’
‘Why didn’t you ask?’
‘Sir, you might have said no.’ Enri stared down as his feet. Kelian looked at the Squire for a long moment and then he nodded.
‘Highness,’ said Dale, feeling the need to explain further. ‘I think it was more than just homesickness. Enri was a lonely, uncomfortable misfit. He was different, so he was ridiculed by the other Pages and bullied by the Squires. Trapped in Castle like-’ He stopped, his face reddening. ‘Like me. Some of us were not meant for the city life. Enri is from Western Downs. Sending him to Castle is like caging an eagle. The boy is only fourteen. He rides far better than I do!’ Dale seemed a little bothered by this admission. ‘He handles the sword better than any of the Squires, he’s intelligent, he can track like a hunter and he puts his heart into any job to which he’s assigned. Some of this I know from experience and from watching him. Some things his father told me. Duke Percy isn’t one to exaggerate.’
‘No, he most certainly is not,’ agreed Kelian. He took Enri’s hand and raised him to his feet. ‘Glad to finally meet you, Enri,’ he said with a smile. Enri bowed his head and then smiled at Kelian, still feeling embarrassed by his behavior at Castle.
Kelian turned back to Callian. ‘We’re about to move south. Travel under darkness, hide at first light.’
They crossed the Gap and moved south through the edge of the Lost Forest. Timbul ran to scout ahead and Kelian took the opportunity to bring everyone up to date on what had happened since they left Three Ways.
‘So they went south, that means they crossed the Ice Coast,’ said Callian. ‘I think you are correct in assuming the fallen will take them to Weema. They will certainly be there by now. If Araas and Timbul had come south alone they might have intercepted them earlier, but I doubt they could have freed them and returned them to Alkira without help.’
‘It’s been difficult for Timbul since Jaralina was murdered,’ said Kelian sadly.
‘Yes, he wishes to return,’ said Callian. ‘More than this; he wishes to die. He cannot. He’s needed here. It’s unfortunate he also blames himself for what happened to William and the girls.’
‘We were tracked for several days without being attacked,’ Kelian explained. ‘I was sure they would attack when we stopped at the Gap but they went after William. They might have been trying to stop information leaving Nyinaku or maybe they thought William would come back with an army. Or maybe they just wanted revenge because we took their slaves.’
‘That’s often their way. It’s not so difficult to get into Nyinaku, but its problematical getting out. If they’re going to attack us now they’ll need to come in reasonable force.’
‘That could be good or bad.’
‘True. Hopefully our numbers will hold them off for a while.’
‘Callian, it’s going to be difficult enough to get within sight of Weema, and I don’t see how we can sneak in there with
such a large group.’
‘When we get close to Weema we need to split up,’ said Borgulnay. ‘Some of us can cause a distraction whilst the rest try to find the girls. If we do this right we could have half the population chasing a diversion. That should make getting into Weema easier.’
‘When the distraction is caught they’re dead,’ said Danil bluntly.
Borgulnay shrugged. ‘Unless they’re a guardian of course, but then I don’t suppose they would be caught.’
‘Or a Prince,’ said Kelian. ‘I should be the distraction. There’s a good chance they wouldn’t kill me outright. They would take me to Nandul, and he would definitely want to use me as a political bargaining coin.’
‘Or he’d want to see you die slowly under torture,’ said David indignantly.
‘Maybe both,’ Kelian agreed. ‘Either way, it would give you more time to get the girls to safety.’
‘No way!’ said Dale shortly. ‘How anyone even let you within sight of Nyinaku is beyond me!’ he said heatedly.
‘He refused to stay away,’ Alexander explained. ‘For some reason he thinks he’s in charge.’
‘I could be the Prince,’ Enri offered. ‘I’ve already been temporarily promoted to Baron, so why not Prince. I wonder how many of the fallen would know what the Prince looks like-’ He stopped and grimaced. ‘No, that’s no good. At least one of them saw us at Marcom’s. They probably all know what Kelian looks like in any case, the wily bastards.’
‘This bears a lot more thought and planning before we make any ridiculous decisions,’ said Callian. ‘Every person here is useful. We have two Princes. That will cause Nandul to take a step back. He will find it difficult to believe there are two Princes of Alkira rushing towards Weema unless there’s a massive army not far behind. We have highly dangerous soldiers all of whom are well trained in military strategy.’
‘And we have five guardians. That’s speed and strength,’ added Dale, ‘and one of them is King’s Marshall of Castle. That alone will make them sure there’s an army coming.’ He sighed, feeling he was a useless addition to the group.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 29