‘Hope is not stupid, darling,’ said Valeska. ‘There! For a moment, I thought I heard Alexander’s mind! And so close!’
‘They could be close, but with all of us trying to shield them I doubt any of us will accurately sense where they are. If there were not three of us getting in each other’s way, one of us might be able to work out their whereabouts,’ suggested Danil.
‘Four,’ a quiet whisper corrected him and they all turned, relieved to hear Lias’ voice.
‘For a while there I wondered if you were returning,’ said Callian.
‘As did I,’ Lias admitted.
‘Alright Vali, you are the least injured. If we all stop trying to shield them, do you think you can find them?’ asked Danil.
‘I will try,’ Valeska answered and then she gasped as there was flash in front of her and a knife dropped from the trees above, embedding itself into the sand. A second later Enri dropped from the trees like a cat, landing neatly on hands and feet. He stood up grinning as the guardians stared at him dumbfounded.
‘Enri!’ Callian gasped, looking absolutely staggered. ‘Where’s Dale?’ There was another thud as Dale dropped from the tree landing in the same fashion as Enri, but looking a lot less comfortable than the Squire about the long drop. He grabbed the knife and quickly freed everyone.
‘You look awful,’ Dale observed. ‘Enri, help me get Alex down.’
‘He’s here!’ cried Valeska. ‘I knew it!’
‘Good,’ said Lias in relief.
‘I can’t believe they didn’t just kill him when they had the chance. Is he alright?’ asked Callian.
‘He’s getting better. Well, he’s a bit slow but he’s improving,’ said Enri. ‘They took one look at his injuries and threw his body into the trees as if he was already dead. We came back for him.’
‘So where is he?’ asked Danil curiously.
Enri pointed upwards.
‘You have him up in a tree?’ said Callian in disbelief.
‘It certainly took some doing,’ Dale admitted. ‘We just wanted to get him somewhere safer than on the ground in case any more of the fallen appeared. Actually, once we had him up off the ground, it wasn’t as difficult as you might think to move from tree to tree. We’ll get him down.’ He leapt up and caught the branch and disappeared into the thick canopy. A few minutes later he was lowering Alexander’s body towards Enri’s waiting arms. The young Squire had proven to be considerably strong for a boy of his age, and he had no trouble at all helping Alexander down from the tree.
‘Alex!’ said Danil in delight.
Alex winced as his feet touched the ground. ‘I’m still alive, thanks to the mad Baron and his crazy Squire.’ He knelt beside the little girl and touched her forehead. ‘Poor little Aithne. We have to get her out of here.’
‘Right, change of plans,’ said Dale decisively. ‘We’re going straight past Lake Khynol. We’re going to try to find the pathway through the Wasteland that Prince Kelian spoke of.’ No one objected so Dale continued. ‘Enri, pick up Aithne,’ he said, stooping to allow Alexander to climb onto his back. The girl began to stir as Enri picked her up and Callian quickly reached over and brushed a hand over her face, sending her back to sleep. ‘Lias, can you lead us to Lake Khynol?’ asked Dale and Lias nodded. ‘Right,’ said Dale, ‘there’s a bunch of caves in the cliffs just east of here, the ones we passed just before we were trapped. We’ll go back there.’
‘Dale, surely they would look for us there?’ asked Valeska apprehensively.
Dale’s face turned hard. ‘I doubt they’re looking for us. In fact, I’m fairly certain they are not. We almost didn’t bother getting up into the trees…but with the fallen around it’s always prudent to stay out of sight as much as possible. I know where the caves are, so follow me. And get the packs,’ he ordered, pointing to where their gear had been dumped in a pile.
Half an hour later they came to the cliffs Dale had spoken of, which were absolutely riddled with caves. He turned to Valeska. ‘Enri and I ran into these caves and managed to lose the fallen in here when they were chasing us. They go a long way back into the hill and it’s really hard to find the way out once you get lost. Your name means ‘splendid leader’, and you are a trail maker for the guardians. If I get us lost in these caves, can you get us out?’
‘Without a doubt,’ said Valeska confidently.
‘Good, then stay with me,’ Dale instructed and moved into the caves. ‘There’s a good place in here for us to hide for a little while. We need to give you time to recover a little. Actually, where I’m taking you is very simple, it just might be a little unpleasant if I go the wrong way the first time.’
‘Dale?’ Callian’s voice was uneasy.
‘Callian, I just want to get a bit further back into these caves before we stop.’ He paused where the cave divided into two rough passages. ‘Watch your step,’ he ordered.
Callian moved up beside Dale and they went deeper into the darkness. Then to Callian’s surprise the cave widened and lightened. The ground in the cave was a jumble of jagged rocks but here it flattened out into a rocky ledge leading up to a massive opening in the ground.
Danil walked to the edge and peered down into the darkness. He couldn’t see the bottom of the chasm. On the far side of the abyss was a sheer wall of rock. Above their heads the ground had split beneath a great tree, and its roots now dangled over their heads. They could see daylight coming through the cracks above.
‘Dale? What happened here?’ asked Callian.
Alexander slid from Dale’s back as he answered. ‘The four warriors chased us in here.’
‘And?’
‘And they fell into the hole,’ said Enri bluntly, placing Aithne on the ground. He took the offered pack from Valeska and removed a blanket, wrapped Aithne and placed the pack under her head for a pillow. She didn’t wake.
‘How did four of the fallen manage to fall into that hole?’ asked Valeska.
‘It was completely dark in here and we were trying to run but actually ended up crawling over the rocks most of the time. Enri and I almost fell over the edge first,’ Dale admitted, ‘but we managed to catch hold of the tree roots and started to climb. We got up onto that ledge there,’ he pointed up to a small rocky ledge, ‘but we must have dislodged a lot of rocks and soil from around that old tree because when the fallen tried to come after us, a cartload came down on them.’
‘And they all were knocked over the edge?’ asked Danil.
‘There was one left alive.’ Enri turned his face away, sounding uncomfortable.
‘And?’ Callian prompted.
‘Enri kind of dropped on him and broke his neck,’ said Dale.
‘I fell off the ledge,’ Enri muttered. Callian glanced at Dale who shook his head slightly.
‘We have enough dried meat and bread for each of us to have a little,’ said Dale, deliberately changing the subject. ‘It will be dark in an hour, so I’ll go back outside now with Valeska’s help and we’ll get some firewood whilst it’s still light. Enri if you would get back up onto that ledge you could get some water and start cleaning wounds.’
‘Water?’ asked Danil.
‘There’s water seeping through the rocks above the ledge. It’s pooling a little but there must be cracks below because it drains away fairly quickly.’
Valeska and Dale returned within half an hour carrying armloads of dead wood. They hadn’t gone too far from the caves in the hope they wouldn’t leave tracks which might be noticed by anyone passing that way. Enri had done a very good job of assisting the guardians to clean their wounds.
Dale kindled a fire and began taking blankets from their packs and spreading them on the ground. ‘You shall sleep here,’ he said firmly, motioning to Danil and Valeska, ‘and here is another blanket to put over yourselves for warmth.’ He pointed to two other blankets. ‘Callian and Lias, take a blanket each. Keep your arms out for now so you can eat.’
‘Dale, we don’t need to eat and we can do withou
t sleep,’ Callian began but Dale cut him off.
‘You will eat and you will sleep, Callian.’ Dale’s tone left no doubt as to who was in charge. ‘And Danil, Valeska and Lias will also eat and sleep. I’m completely aware that guardians heal very quickly, but I’m also quite certain your body needs some rest to be able to do this. And that probably applies to the free also.’ He glared at Lias who seemed ready to argue. Lias raised an eyebrow but rolled himself in his blanket, looking thoughtfully at Dale.
Dale turned away. ‘Alex, you need to sleep too. Enri, split up the food among everyone, and then you and I will keep watch. Callian, could you wake Aithne?’ Callian waved a hand over her face. Dale knelt beside her as she woke up.
‘Aithne? Are you alright?’ The little girl looked up at him in terror, but managed to nod. Dale smiled. ‘Do you remember Borg? He’s a friend of mine.’ Aithne’s eyes overflowed with tears and she threw herself at Dale. She clung to him and cried and he dragged her onto his lap and cradled her. She gradually stopped crying and took the bread and meat offered to her by Valeska. ‘Do you know Borg too?’ Aithne asked Valeska timidly.
‘Everyone here is a friend of Borg’s,’ Valeska reassured the little girl. ‘I think you know Alex…ah, he’s sleeping already!’
‘I do know Alex!’ said Aithne eagerly. ‘Where is everyone else?’
‘They’re taking a different path back to Alkira,’ Dale explained. ‘Now eat and then you can go back to sleep.’
‘I’m not tired,’ Aithne answered firmly, struggling to keep her eyes open.
‘You can keep watch with us then,’ said Dale decisively. Fifteen minutes later the little girl was asleep.
‘And now everyone else will sleep.’ Dale’s tone left no room for argument and this time he received none. To his surprise the guardians did as requested and within minutes all were asleep.
The night passed peacefully.
Chapter 38
Fallen
Immosey watched the burning boat from her perch in the tree. Even at a distance it was a magnificent sight. It was a pity to use the wood Milgorry had collected earlier, but it certainly had everyone’s attention. Even as she watched, three warriors sprinted to the water’s edge, leapt into a small boat and started rowing. The remaining three stood on the riverbank watching intently. She was amazed to see how well the distraction had worked, and she suddenly felt that something was wrong.
‘Six guards,’ she said to herself. ‘There are three on the water and three watching them.’ She turned to see Gilgarry was watching her intently.
‘Something’s not right about this,’ he agreed warily.
‘They left too easily,’ said Immosey, the hair on her arms prickling. ‘Why would they all rush away and leave the buildings unguarded.’
‘Maybe whatever they’re guarding isn’t so important,’ said Elena. ‘Or perhaps they’re trying not to bring attention to the fact that they’re guarding it.’
‘Maybe they aren’t trying to keep people out. What if they’re trying to keep someone in?’ Immosey suggested.
‘Do you think Mil missed something?’ asked Gilgarry. ‘Or someone?’
‘He didn’t seem sure of himself, if that’s what you mean,’ said Elena.
‘But if they do have someone inside surely they wouldn’t run down to the river and leave them unguarded. That doesn’t sound like the fallen,’ said Immosey.
‘The door is probably barred,’ said Gilgarry.
‘They still might try to escape,’ said Immosey, ‘unless they’re hurt or sick.’
‘Or dead.’
‘Oh Gil, I don’t think they’re going to be guarding someone who’s dead,’ said Elena drily.
‘Almost dead then.’
They sat in silence for a few minutes as they watched the fallen approaching the burning boat. Immosey looked back towards the little huts. She could see no one and wondered if the guardians were inside yet. She turned to her brother. ‘How is your wound?’
‘Good. It feels a lot better.’
‘I’m surprised you didn’t argue when Tim said you should stay here with us. Kelian managed to talk his way into the adventure.’
‘Hmmm… Let’s see. Break into a group of unknown huts, which may or may not contain a bunch of very nasty people, in the dark, with a severe storm approaching…or stay here and guard the little sisters I couldn’t live without?’ Gilgarry rolled his eyes. ‘It wasn’t going to take a lot to persuade me to stay.’
‘Thank you Gil.’
‘Now, if I can just see my other sister back here safely,’ he said, trying to peer through the trees towards the huts, ‘and her ridiculous boyfriend I suppose, and our brave, but reckless Prince, not to mention our two crazy but incredibly tolerant bodyguards.’
Elena leaned over and whispered something in Gilgarry’s ear.
He feigned annoyance. ‘No Elena, I didn’t forget to mention Borg. Immosey is practically a baby!’
‘He’s your best friend, Gil!’
‘That wouldn’t stop me from breaking his nose just for looking at her, but…well, I’m wounded you see,’ he said clutching his chest and looking injured.
‘I thought you were getting better,’ said a deep voice from the darkness.
‘Borg!’ Immosey squeaked and slid from the tree. With a quick grin at Gilgarry, Borgulnay drew Immosey’s face up towards his own and kissed her long and passionately.
‘Arrrr,’ Gilgarry growled as he climbed from the tree.
‘Are you coming down to break my nose now?’ asked Borgulnay politely.
‘I would, but that would be assault on a superior officer,’ said Gilgarry indignantly, looking across at Kelian as he appeared with Milgorry at his side.
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ said Kelian. ‘Go ahead. You have my permission.’
Gilgarry snorted at the huge soldier whose arms were wrapped firmly around Immosey. ‘I’ll let you off this once.’ Then his expression turned deadly serious and he pointed a finger in front of Borgulnay’s nose. ‘But if you ever hurt her Borg, I swear I’ll kill you, even if you are my best friend.’
Borgulnay look protectively at Immosey. ‘If I ever hurt her Gil, you won’t need to kill me.’
‘No, I’ll do it for you,’ said Louisa adamantly as she walked over to the group, flanked by Timbul and Araas.
‘Not if I get to him first,’ Milgorry added and Gilgarry laughed.
‘Didn’t you get anything?’ said Gilgarry. ‘Some burglars you are! You return with no loot!’
‘They had nothing we went looking for,’ said Timbul. ‘We need to head south right now, before they lose interest in our little fire. We’ll carry the humans. Let’s go!’
‘What about me?’ Borgulnay asked, looking unenthusiastic.
‘You’re not human Borg,’ said Gilgarry, shrugging apologetically. ‘You’ll have to walk.’
‘You’ll have to run,’ Timbul corrected. ‘Another five minutes and we might have six warriors on our tail. I’ll explain later,’ he added. Five minutes later, there was no need for an explanation. The burning huts could be seen for miles. They ran for over half an hour before Araas stopped as they reached the crest of a small hill where they could look back towards the huts.
‘Are they following?’ he asked Milgorry.
‘I don’t think so.’ Milgorry frowned as he concentrated. ‘They’re probably trying to put out the fires.’
‘The huts certainly burn well,’ Araas observed.
‘It’s the thatch. It didn’t look like it had been repaired for long time,’ said Timbul.
‘But there was nothing inside?’ asked Gilgarry wonderingly.
‘Actually there were a lot of things inside, just not what we were hoping for,’ replied Araas. ‘No food, no clothing, no blankets. But I got a new knife, a whole bunch of arrows, and a good dagger.’ He pointed out each item.
Gilgarry now saw that each of them bore far more weapons than they had previously carried. ‘Weapons? In every hut?’
‘One hut was empty,’ said Milgorry. ‘But one was absolutely crammed with mainly bows and arrows, not particularly good bows but the arrows were fine, and there were also swords and knives, and even a small pile of throwing sticks.’
Gilgarry rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘Now, why would the fallen stockpile weapons near lake Meselwe? Does that strike you as being a fairly short jump to Alkira?’
‘It certainly struck me that way,’ said Kelian. ‘Though there were hardly enough weapons to start an argument, let alone a war.’
‘Well…wouldn’t it be interesting to know if they have any other little stockpiles within a stick’s throw of home?’ said Gilgarry looking at Milgorry. ‘If you were preparing for war, where would you keep your weapons store?’
‘Halling, Weema, Lake Khynol, maybe Old Sagria,’ said Milgorry. ‘We should have a look around Halling as we go past. We need to stop there to get blankets and clothing anyway.’
‘You wanted a bow, didn’t you Kelian? Did you get one?’ asked Gilgarry.
Kelian shook his head. ‘No. I should have, I suppose. They just seemed a little short for my liking.’
‘The way I’ve seen you shoot, I doubt the size of the bow would have made a lot of difference,’ Gilgarry observed.
Borgulnay drew one of the knives from his belt. ‘Your people are very skilled weapon smiths,’ he said to Milgorry as he studied the blade.
‘We rarely use bows, and I expect you could find far superior bows in Alkira to those we just set on fire, but you won’t find better swords and knives.’
‘So where’s mine?’ said Gilgarry expectantly, holding his hand out. Milgorry placed a throwing stick in his hand. ‘Oh thank you so much Mil,’ said Gilgarry sarcastically. ‘Seriously, what did you get me?’ He was starting to sound like a child who had missed out on a sweet from the fair. Borgulnay handed him a knife.
‘Borg, this is your old knife!’ said Gilgarry indignantly.
‘Of course, my new one is far better.’
Gilgarry shook his head in disgust and handed the knife back to Borgulnay. ‘Some friend!’ he mumbled just loud enough for Borgulnay to hear.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 37