‘Not swim Alex,’ said Dale with his eyes closed. ‘I never said I wanted you to swim.’
‘You can’t possibly be suggesting…’ Alexander’s voice trailed away in dismay. ‘You are suggesting that! You want us to steal a boat and cross the lake. You must be mad!’ He was sitting up now and glaring towards Danil. ‘King’s Marshall, the Baron’s actually gone mad!’
‘Relax Alex,’ said Danil firmly. ‘The Baron was already mad. It will certainly be the last thing they’re expecting.’
Alexander lay back down and stared up at the sky. ‘Of course it’s the last thing they would be expecting,’ he muttered. ‘No-one in their right mind…’ He gazed over towards Dale in disbelief as the Baron started snoring.
‘Get some sleep Alex. I have the watch,’ said Danil. He walked over to Valeska who was keeping an eye on Aithne as she slept. Valeska stood as Danil approached and he hugged her for a long time.
‘What is it Danil?’ she eventually asked, looking into his eyes.
‘Lately I have spent every minute of every day wishing you were anywhere else but here in Nyinaku,’ said Danil, running his hand gently down her back. ‘I’m still worried for your safety and for our child, but I’m glad you’re here with me.’
‘I couldn’t be anywhere else.’
‘If we do cross the lake by boat and go straight into the wasteland, can you find the path Kelian spoke of?’
‘Of course, and even if I couldn’t, I could soon make a path for us, though I would prefer to use Kelian’s path as it crosses the water several times.’
‘Vali, I want to ask you to do something.’ Danil looked seriously at his wife who inclined her head at the gravity in his voice. ‘Once we get past the lake, if the fallen pursue us into the wasteland I want you to run. I want you to get back to the Dwellings and stay there.’
Valeska hesitated before answering. ‘If we all make it through to the wasteland, surely we can carry the humans and we can all run.’
Danil frowned. ‘That is true. But I want to know that you will run even if the rest of us need to stop and fight.’
‘I think to run is the only option we have. I don’t believe for a minute that Dale thinks they won’t notice us sailing across the lake!’
‘Dale is more cunning then any of us realize. He’s holding back something about his plan.’
‘Are you going to ask him?’
‘No. He’ll tell us when he’s ready. Until then we shall do as he wishes.’
‘You know he’s probably listening.’
‘He’s asleep.’
‘Right, like that’s going to fool me.’ Valeska stared towards Dale suspiciously. ‘Shall I test him?’ Without waiting for Danil to answer, she turned to where Dale lay sleeping on the ground and questioned him. ‘What have you not told us about your frighteningly dangerous plan Dale?’
Dale stirred and propped himself up on his elbow, blinking as if to clear his eyes. ‘Rain’s coming,’ he said bluntly. ‘A lot,’ he added. ‘No-one will be able to see far in any direction when it hits.’ He lay back down and the snores resumed. Valeska gave Danil her best ‘told you so’ expression as the King’s Marshall stared open mouthed at Dale.
‘I wonder when it’s coming,’ Danil mused.
The snores stopped. ‘About this time tomorrow Danil,’ said Dale without moving.
Danil laughed. ‘Er, Dale?’ he said mischievously, waiting for Dale to open his eyes again. ‘Did you want to get some sleep now?’
Dale closed his eyes. ‘I am asleep,’ he said with a smile. He was snoring again seconds later.
Chapter 40
Halling
Halling turned out to be smaller than Kelian expected. They had moved as quickly as possible since leaving the burning huts and were pleased with how much ground they covered, but when they reached Halling all were in need of rest. Little houses formed a village on a steep hill overlooking a pleasant green valley. As was typical of the fallen, the houses were spread out, surrounded by trees and they blended well into the environment. A stream flowed through the bottom of the valley. It wasn’t far off dawn when they skirted around the village and climbed far up the southern side of the valley, where they found an old stone hut which didn’t appear to have been used for many years.
Milgorry threw his pack into a corner. ‘I’ll go down to the village before it’s completely light,’ he said.
‘Surely you don’t think you’re going alone?’ said Louisa, looking horrified. ‘Nandul could have any number of warriors waiting to catch you the minute you appear. I’ll come with you.’
‘Oh no, you won’t,’ said Milgorry, frowning. ‘Louisa, I don’t think Nandul will have someone waiting in Halling just on the off chance we might stop here along the way to pick up some food and clothing. Besides, if Araas is as good as I think he is, Nandul will still be asleep.’
‘Surely if they know we came south they would know Halling is logical place we would stop before we cross the ice. We should go together. It would be far safer than going alone.’ Louisa was looking determined.
‘You must be joking. If they’re waiting for us you’d be walking right into their trap. I’d be a fool to let you anywhere near the place. It’s far too dangerous for you. You will stay here!’ Milgorry’s face darkened.
‘Dangerous for me? What about you? You know if they catch you they’ll return you. They won’t hesitate this time. Besides, you can’t tell me-’
Kelian decided to put a stop to this little argument. ‘You’re right Louisa. Milgorry can’t tell you to stay here. But I can. As your Prince, I forbid you to go down to Halling.’
‘Good,’ said Milgorry with relief, slinging his bow over his shoulder.
‘Unfortunately I can’t tell you what to do, Mil,’ Kelian continued. ‘However, I’m asking you to stay here. And if you put one foot outside this hut I will ask Araas and Timbul to stop you. Louisa is also right. You’re not going anywhere near Halling either.’ Milgorry glared at Kelian with rebellious disbelief. ‘So, we can do this the difficult way or the easy way,’ Kelian continued, folding his arms across his chest. ‘The easy way is where you stay here to guard the girls, whilst I go down to the village with Araas and Timbul.’
‘What’s the difficult way?’ Timbul grinned enthusiastically.
Kelian grimaced. ‘The difficult way is where we try to restrain him long enough for Araas to put him to sleep.’
‘Restrain Mil?’ said Timbul skeptically.
‘We’ll do it the easy way,’ said Milgorry abruptly. ‘With one small change to your plan…’
When Kelian awoke, the afternoon sun was filtering through the tyallas making speckled shadows across the leafy ground. He sat up. Timbul was standing in front of a small fire which he had kindled on the raised stone platform in the corner of the hut. Araas was watching with his back against the wall, apparently in silent conversation with Timbul. The three girls lay sleeping, wrapped in colorful blankets that Kelian had not seen before. He slid his body backwards until he was sitting up against the wall. He couldn’t remember going to sleep or even lying down. He could remember trying to stop Milgorry going into the village, and he could remember Milgorry had agreed to stay, except he had wanted to change something. Comprehension dawned. He stared at Timbul who turned to look at him and shook his head. Kelian frowned accusingly at Araas. Araas said nothing but pointed to Milgorry who sat quietly in a corner sharpening his knife. Kelian glared at Milgorry crossly. Milgorry looked as if he was trying not to laugh. Kelian turned to Araas.
‘I’m sorry Kelian,’ said Araas, ‘but he made you sleep before I could stop him…and you seemed so comfortable I just didn’t have the heart to wake you.’
‘Besides,’ said Timbul, looking both angry and frustrated, ‘it was the only way we could think of to stop you going down to the village. I would have been an idiot to let you go on that little venture.’
‘What happened, Tim?’ asked Kelian. Timbul stood like a statue, gazing into the f
ire.
Araas eventually answered. ‘We were about to make our way back up here when two people came into the house where we were getting some warm clothing. We hid in a little room at the back of the house, but we could hear them talking.’
‘And?’
‘And they were talking about us. Not about where we are now, they were talking about what happened at the Eastern Well. One of them had been with the group Timbul returned, but he had left them only hours before we arrived. From what we overheard, he was the leader of the ones who tortured Jaralina until she died.’
Kelian’s fists tightened around the blanket he had drawn over his knees. ‘I trust you returned him?’ His voice was a low growl.
Timbul nodded and moved to the door. ‘I’ll check on Gil and Borg,’ he said, closing the door a little too hard as he left. Araas sighed as the door slammed.
‘What about the other man?’ Kelian asked Araas.
‘He wasn’t impressed with what his friend had done. He seemed disgusted by the story.’
‘Where’s your bow?’
‘Er, that might take a bit of explanation,’ Araas mumbled, his face reddening slightly.
‘Explain then.’
‘We sort of forgot them.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘We left them behind.’
‘I can’t believe it! Why?’
‘Well, we put our bows and quivers on the floor to make it easier to load the blankets into our packs. That was when the two men came into the house and we were a bit distracted. After what Tim did, we left as fast as we possibly could. Strangely, we only missed our weapons when we were back here.’ Kelian wondered what could have happened that both Tim and Araas would be distracted enough to make such an unusual mistake.
‘Kelian, I’m really sorry. It was stupid and careless of me. I feel terrible. I know I should go back for them, we’re sure to need them.’
‘Probably,’ said Kelian. ‘Maybe we’ll pass through a settlement where we can find you another.’
Araas sighed. ‘It was a stupid, stupid mistake. I can’t let it rest. I’m going to have to go back down there. As soon as Tim gets back with Borg and Gil, I’ll sneak into the village, and you can keep moving south with Mil. I’ll catch up.’
‘How long do you think, until someone comes after us?’ Kelian asked.
‘I have no idea,’ said Araas.
‘Where are Borg and Gil?’
‘They found some fishing nets. They were so excited, that Mil took them to a place on the river where they’re unlikely to be seen and left them there. When he left, they were already laying bets on who would be quickest to catch the biggest…well you know what they’re like.’
Kelian smiled. It was nice to think about something as normal as fishing.
‘Tim will bring them back. We have to move on before they discover what we stole, and the mess Tim left behind, and that we kindly left a couple of really nice bows for them to come after us with.’
‘Mess?’ Kelian wondered if he wanted Araas to answer.
‘When he knew that it was the man who was responsible for what happened to Jaralina he reacted badly, as we tend to do.’
‘What did he do?’ asked Kelian apprehensively. ‘No, don’t tell me.’
‘I can tell you that Tim put him out of his misery a lot faster than they killed Jaralina.’
‘What about the other man?’
‘He was so shocked by what Tim had done, he just fell down in front of him and begged him to make it quick,’ said Araas sadly. ‘Tim must have sensed his innocence, because he walked away without laying a finger on him.’
‘Where’s the man now?’
‘Sleeping. I thought it might buy us a little time if he wasn’t awake to go rushing around squawking about what happened.’ The door opened and Borgulnay and Gilgarry followed Timbul into the hut.
‘Where’s all the fish?’ said Milgorry, grinning sarcastically.
Borgulnay raised one eyebrow and stared disdainfully at Milgorry. ‘We were fishing for fun, Milgorry, not for food,’ he said pompously.
‘I see,’ said Milgorry with a smirk. ‘Not a lot of fun, as far as I can see.’
Borgulnay’s retort was cut off as Milgorry leapt up at the same moment Araas dived for the door. ‘Wake them!’ Milgorry exclaimed, and Kelian jumped to his feet and woke the sleeping girls.
‘Tim!’ Araas shouted. ‘Take Kelian! Mil you need to carry Gil, Louisa will take Elena. And I will carry Immosey!’ He dashed from the hut. Even carrying Immosey on his back the guardian’s speed was impressive. The others dashed after him just as eight warriors burst from the forest on the slope below the hut.
‘Mil!’ one of the fallen shouted as they sprinted up the hill. Milgorry didn’t answer but overtook Araas with a sudden burst of speed. Immosey closed her eyes as Araas plunged through the undergrowth and thorny branches raked across her arms and face. She turned her face down against Araas’ back but a long spiky vine dragged across her neck, leaving a row of bleeding cuts. They could see little of what was ahead through the thick bushes. Milgorry turned east. They crossed a stream and reached sheer cliffs. The gap between the cliffs and the stream gradually decreased until they were forced to run along pebbly sand beside the water. They were putting a little distance between themselves and their pursuers, but just when Kelian was regaining hope Milgorry stopped with an angry exclamation.
‘Mil?’ shouted Kelian, as he jumped from Timbul’s back.
‘Waterfall!’ said Milgorry abruptly, gesturing to where the stream dropped over a rocky ledge and fell noisily into a pool far below. The water was too swift and deep at this point to easily cross without being swept over the waterfall and the cliffs prevented their escape to the south.
‘They’ve blocked the path,’ he explained angrily, gesturing to a massive pile of boulders which formed a blockade where the path they had been following swung away from the river through a break in the cliffs. Huge boulders had been jammed into the gap.
Milgorry unshouldered his bow. He dashed towards the pursuers and even before they appeared he nocked an arrow and drew his bow.
‘No! Mil, no!’ one of the fallen shouted as the group came into view.
‘If you come one step closer Rudiger, I’ll put this arrow through your eye,’ Milgorry growled.
‘You need to listen to me Mil!’ said Rudiger, raising his hands. ‘We didn’t come here to return you.’ Kelian’s jaw dropped in surprise as he noticed that not one of the warriors had drawn weapons.
‘You could have fooled me,’ said Milgorry, standing as motionlessly as a statue. ‘Did you block this path?’
‘Yes I did, a long time back, but we didn’t exactly have you in mind at the time.’
‘Get out of our way, and I won’t leave your half dead body for the crows to eat,’ Milgorry snarled.
‘Just listen to me!’ Rudiger was getting angrier. ‘If I wanted to return you, I would have brought at least three times this number of warriors with me.’
‘I’m listening,’ said Milgorry coldly, not lowering his bow. ‘What do you want from me?’
‘Actually I have a complaint.’ Rudiger folded his arms irritably across his chest.
Milgorry’s eyes widened with surprise. ‘You can’t be serious!’
‘I am serious. And I’ll be just as serious when I finally put an arrow through your father’s cold heart, though this task would be a whole lot easier if your little band of pyromaniacs hadn’t burned most of our bows.’
There was a silence.
Rudiger glanced at Araas and Timbul. ‘And whilst I have no problem with the guardians putting the bastard to sleep for what I hope is a long time, by now his nasty little army will have taken his body to who knows where, so I need to find out where he is before he wakes up and uses his assumed authority to return a whole lot of innocent people out of anger and spite because of what the guardians did to him.’
Milgorry stared at Rudiger, completely dumbfounded.
‘Anything else?’ he said eventually, looking down the arrow which remained leveled at Rudiger’s head.
‘As a matter of fact, yes. Now we have guardians and humans running around all over Nyinaku with people searching for them under every hollow tree and every abandoned hut, so it’s highly unlikely any of our other stashes of weapons will remain hidden for long, not to mention the safety of those we have guarding them. And just to top of my day, Eibhear tells me that before you escaped Nandul accused Lias’ sister Keely of helping the prisoners. He said she’d been giving them clothing and other things.’
‘What did he do to her?’ asked Milgorry angrily, his heart turning ice cold.
‘The swine put a stake in the ground and impaled her on it,’ said Rudiger angrily. ‘She had no chance, Mil. She didn’t have a tenth of his strength, there was nothing she could do. He refused to listen to anyone. He said she was a traitor and he started cutting her up, but he made sure she was still conscious when he picked her up and stuck her on the stake. I swear I’ll return him Mil, if it’s the last thing I ever do. He has to be the sickest bastard ever created.’
There was a long silence and Milgorry gradually lowered his bow. ‘What do you want from me Rudi?’ he asked, looking at him uneasily.
‘I want you to get all these people out of Nyinaku, I want you to stop burning my weapons and I want to return your father.’ Rudiger’s face was angry and frustrated, but Milgorry could hear the anxiety in his voice.
‘What do you want from me?’
Rudiger shifted his weight uncomfortably before answering. ‘I have no idea what to do now. I need you to help me, Mil,’ he said, and his voice was barely more than a whisper.
Milgorry’s eyes opened wide and he stared at Rudiger for a long moment before speaking. ‘Let us out of this little trap you pushed us into, and find us somewhere safe we can talk. And someone will need to get our packs and blankets and everything out of that old hut.’
Rudiger turned without a word and motioned to two men who immediately set off towards the hut. Everyone else followed him as he led them back up the stream. They turned south when the cliffs ended, and then walked for over half an hour before Rudiger stopped on the flattened top of a hill. There was plenty of foliage to hide them from unfriendly eyes, but Rudiger waved his hand towards four of his companions and they melted into the trees and boulders, taking up positions on each side of the hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. The remaining man watched Elena and Immosey for a moment and then turned to Rudiger questioningly. Rudiger pointed south, and the man disappeared into the trees.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 39