‘It’s strange how much our priorities have changed. Do you remember when we were taking the barge down the River Ringo, before we were attacked, and we were discussing the things we wanted?’
Elena sat beside her sisters. ‘Immy wanted cider from the orchards of Rammon.’
Immosey laughed. ‘As I recall you wanted oysters from the Reefs of Peril and a poet to entertain us. It all seems so frivolous now.’
‘How would you answer now?’ asked Louisa curiously. ‘What would you say now if I asked you what you wanted?’
Elena smiled contentedly. ‘I’m with my sisters, I’m safely in my homeland, I’ve been well fed, and I have been generously given use of this comfortable bed. If I could change something...well, I miss mother and father terribly.’
The girls sat in poignant but companionable silence for some time before snuggling down into their beds.
‘Comfortable?’ asked Elena as she watched her sisters relax.
‘Never been more comfortable,’ said Louisa sleepily, closing her eyes.
‘What about you Immy?’
Immosey climbed from her bed and walked over to the little window which overlooked the inn’s courtyard. She could see Borgulnay sitting talking quietly with Gilgarry and she smiled as she watched the big soldier.
‘There is one place more comfortable…’
Chapter 48
Castle
Gillam was very subdued as he welcomed Dale back on board. Dale couldn’t help feel guilty as he glanced around the faces of the crew. It was clear that Prince Galbraith had been far more than just their Captain.
‘Gillam, this is Aithne,’ said Dale. ‘She has decided to join us in Castle for a while. I suggest she stays under Lady Valeska’s care whilst she’s on board.’ He turned questioningly to Valeska who smiled as she came forward and took Aithne’s hand.
Gillam dipped his head to Valeska. ‘You and the King’s Marshall can use the Captain’s cabin. There is room for Aithne, though there is little for the child to do aboard a ship such as this. What do you do child?’
Aithne eyed Gillam nervously before replying. ‘I’ve never been on a big ship sir. I’ve only been on the fishing boats. I can fish and carry things, and I can mend and wash clothing and cook food. But in the mountains I can find fruit and grow vegetables and I can dig the ground if it’s not too hard…’
Gillam turned to look at Dale. ‘Aithne was a slave?’ Dale nodded. Gillam closed his eyes for a moment and then looked gently back down at Aithne. ‘I meant for play time. What do you do for play time?’ Aithne stood looking blankly at Gillam but didn’t answer. He tried again. ‘If you finish your work and no-one remembers to give you another job, what do you like to do?’
Aithne bit her lip. ‘One of the carers gave me a doll once and I used to make little gardens in the earth but my little dolly is gone now.’ She gazed sadly up at Gillam.
‘What happened to the doll?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. I used to hide it but one day it was just gone.’
‘Alright, go with Squire Enri and have something to eat child, then he can show you around the ship.’ Gillam smiled as the little girl’s face lit up. She dragged Valeska behind her as she skipped over to Enri.
‘When do we get underway Gillam?’ asked Dale, anxious to depart.
‘As soon as you give the word, we’re ready to leave.’
‘Oh.’ Dale sighed heavily. ‘Gillam, you need to Captain this vessel at least until we get back to Castle.’ He glanced towards Danil who responded with a quick nod of agreement. ‘Take us home then.’ He turned and was about to step down from the raised forecastle deck when his eyes fell on the strange cloud formations along the horizon. ‘Captain, do you think that looks like one hell of a storm coming?’
‘It does,’ said Gillam casually. ‘I’ll bet you won’t want to take the helm when that one hits.’
‘Should we wait until it’s over?’
‘It’s your decision Baron. It will be a bit of a rough ride, but if you’re keen to get home... If you want my opinion Baron, right now you look like you’ve been through worse. I think you can handle a little stormy weather.’
‘Let’s go home,’ said Dale once again.
‘Er…Baron Dale?’ Gillam glanced uneasily in Lias’ direction. ‘The man standing beside the soldier and the Guardian General…’
Dale smiled. ‘Lias of Tarl, without whom we would probably be still wandering around Nyinaku wondering how we were going to get past an army of fallen warriors. The soldier is Alexander of Castle.’
Gillam stepped down from the forecastle deck and strode over to where Callian stood beside Alexander and Lias. ‘Good to see you, Guardian General,’ he said smiling at Callian.
‘Thank you Captain Gillam. Dale means to get underway immediately?’
‘He does. I only hope the young Baron has a better voyage this time. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have him spend a bit more time at the helm – perhaps after the storm.’
Callian glanced towards the clouded horizon. ‘Prince Galbraith suggested you thought Dale had potential as a sailor.’
‘Definitely,’ Gillam agreed. ‘Our Captain was a good man. Best sailor I’ve ever known. He knew every inch of this ship from the crow’s nest down to the rats in the hold. Ah, I miss him already Callian.’ He stood staring sadly out to sea for quite some time before he turned to Alexander and Lias.
‘Welcome aboard. Callian will show you below when you wish. We’re in for a bit of rough weather, as the Baron pointed out, but…’ He turned and noticed Dale was no longer on the forecastle deck. ‘Now where did he go?’ Gillam muttered looking about.
Callian pointed up wards to where Dale was perched in the crow’s nest at the top of the main mast. Gillam’s jaw dropped as he stared up at Dale. ‘You’ll end up seasick again if you stay up there when we’re sailing,’ he shouted. Seconds later Dale was scrambling down the main shroud, his feet dropping onto the ratlines like he had been born a sailor. He leapt from the bottom of the lower shroud onto the deck and scurried over to Gillam, ignoring the boots he had discarded.
‘Storm’s not too far away. Is there anything I can do?’ Dale gazed longingly at the helm.
‘Not this time Baron.’ Gillam shook his head. ‘Unfortunately I think you’re going to get sick. It might be better if Callian puts you out of your misery before it even starts.’
Dale stepped forward with a frown and opened his mouth to object but managed only a shout of shock as he stubbed his bare toe on the edge of the ship’s scuttlebutt. He grabbed his injured foot in his hands with a second cry of dismay, then lost his footing altogether and slammed forward heavily onto the deck. He blacked out as his head smacked into the large water cask.
‘You have got to be joking,’ Gillam mused. He turned to Callian who was also looking down at Dale in shock whilst Lias and Alexander tried not to laugh. Gillam and Callian knelt beside Dale.
‘He’ll be alright Captain,’ said Callian. ‘He just knocked himself out. Do you want me to wake him?’
‘Maybe if you just keep him unconscious,’ Gillam suggested drily, ‘at least until the storm has passed. Perhaps someone could take him to his cabin? And we’d better tell his Squire I suppose.’ He was still shaking his head in disbelief as Lias hoisted Dale over his shoulder and took him below.
Callian made certain Dale slept until the storm was well past and then took him up on deck before waking him. Dale acted a little grumpy about having missed what he knew must have been a magnificent storm, but in actual fact the Baron was relieved to have been asleep through the rough sailing. He spoke to Enri in depth about whether he wished to be left at Western Downs as Kelian had made it clear he would not send him back to Castle unless the young man wished to return. Enri had refused the offer.
‘I’m your Squire! You’ll need me in Castle.’ Enri glanced at the massive bruise on Dale’s forehead. ‘Imagine if someone asks you to walk somewhere without crashing into something! I’m su
re you’ll need help.’ He ducked as Dale’s hand cuffed past the top of his head. ‘Seriously Dale, I’ll be more use in Castle than I could be at Western Downs.’
‘But you hate the place Enri!’ Dale spread his hands skeptically. ‘What made you change your mind?’ He sat down and Enri sat beside him.
Enri shrugged. ‘I saw a lot. I guess I grew up a little.’
Dale rested his elbows on his knees. ‘Some things I wish I’d never seen.’ He sat looking thoughtfully at Enri. ‘I doubt the other Squires will have improved.’
Enri laughed. He leaned back until he was lying flat on the deck and laughed until tears ran. Eventually he sat up and brushed his hair away from his eyes, still grinning.
‘I guess that means you don’t really care?’ said Dale.
‘I couldn’t possible care any less. Besides, the first one that insults me is going to find out how much I learned from Lias.’
Dale snorted. ‘Don’t be too rough on them Enri. Some of them will turn out alright.’ He sighed. ‘Actually I’ll be happy just to get back to a bed that doesn’t move with the ship.’
‘And where I’m not sleeping on a rock,’ Enri agreed.
‘Or being rained on,’ Dale added.
‘Mmm…Castle isn’t looking too bad after all,’ Enri mused and they sat together in companionable silence as the ship swept towards home.
Epilogue
They were nearing Castle when Dale saw the smoke. He had spent most of the daylight hours either hanging around the helm or aloft in the crow’s nest. He felt nauseated for a short while, but the feeling had disappeared fairly quickly and he enjoyed the high perch. More than one confused sailor approached Captain Gillam when he found his post occupied, but Gillam had preferred to allow Dale to move about the ship as he was happy to keep a close eye on the Baron, particularly when he was climbing the rigging. He frowned now as he noticed Dale’s posture change. He was leaning forward looking towards the horizon and though Gillam couldn’t see Dale’s face he could see worry in the Baron’s stance.
‘Dale!’ he called, and motioned for him to climb down. Dale scuttled down the rigging and dropped beside Gillam.
‘Captain, it’s hazy ahead, kind of smoky,’ he said uneasily.
Gillam looked decidedly unhappy. ‘Seems very close to Castle…’
‘Bushfire you think?’
‘If it’s a bushfire it hasn’t spread much. There’s a lot of smoke, but coming from a small area. I don’t like it at all. Dale…’
‘What is it Captain?’ Dale felt a stab of panic.
‘I’m sure it’s coming from Castle.’
‘No!’ Dale whispered in horror. ‘Please…no!’ He turned back to Gillam and he could see the Captain was certain he was correct.
‘Dale you need to sleep before we arrive. As Captain I order you to rest now – see Callian if you have to, but you must sleep. If that fire is as big as I think it is, you will need to be fully awake and rested when we arrive.’ Dale nodded mutely, feeling sick in his stomach. Thoughts raced through his head as he wondered what had happened. He went below and lay restlessly in his bunk until Gillam sent Callian to his cabin to ensure the Baron slept.
Enri shook Dale awake as they drew into Castle Bay. Dale leapt from the bunk, narrowly missing hitting his head. He dashed from the cabin and up the ladder onto the ship’s deck with Enri right behind him and he froze in shock as he took in the scene around them. There wasn’t a boat or ship afloat. The bay was littered with debris and Dale could see more than a few bodies floating in the water amongst partly burnt articles he recognized as belonging on ships. He stared across the water to where smoke rose lazily from the town. He could see little past the city walls and the thick haze of smoke which seemed to be coming from everywhere. He dragged his gaze away and turned to Captain Gillam. ‘I need to go ashore please,’ he said hoarsely as Callian, Danil, Valeska, Alexander and Lias came to stand beside him.
‘Baron, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Whoever did this could still be within the city.’ Gillam grimaced as a small capsized fishing boat thudded against the side of the ship.
‘You’re right. But I have to go. Where’s Aithne?’
Gillam pointed to where the little girl was playing.
‘What’s she playing with?’ Enri asked curiously.
‘I carved a few little toys for her. A bit rough, but she seems happy enough.’
‘I want her to stay here with Valeska and Enri until I’ve had a look around.’ Dale turned to Danil. ‘King’s Marshall, I’ll go ashore with you and Alexander. Callian and Lias will do as they please.’
‘Dale, you should stay here too.’ Danil looked resigned as if he knew what Dale’s response would be.
‘Let’s go,’ said Dale, ignoring Danil’s comment as he strode across the deck. Half an hour later, they passed through the city gates to a sight far worse than any had imagined.
The entire city was a burnt ruin.
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Books in the Series
THE FALLEN
THE GUARDIANS
CHILD of a GUARDIAN and of the FREE
Daoine Maithe Book 2
THE GUARDIANS
Chapter 1
At the Inn
The moon shining through the window of the inn lit the room well enough for Louisa to see that her sisters had not been disturbed by the sound that woke her. She stood uncertainly for a moment, and then padded softly towards to the window, her bare feet making very little noise on the wooden floor. She stared uneasily into the empty courtyard, wondering if she had dreamed that she heard someone grunt in pain. Her eyes opened wide as a possum leapt from the base of a tyalla, ran across the ground and shot up another tree and she shook her head at her own nervousness. She turned her back to the window and rested against the sill, pushing her long dark hair away from her face.
There was an ear-splitting crash and the window erupted into shards around her. A gloved hand wrapped around her face covering her mouth and dragged her backwards. Elena and Immosey both woke and screamed in fright, leaping from their beds. Elena threw herself towards the window and skidded through broken glass, crashing into the wall and striking her head against the protruding edge of the windowsill. Blood oozed through her long hair. Immosey flew to the doorway.
‘Borg!’ she screamed as she threw open the door. She jumped backwards into the room, slamming the door at the unexpected sight of a warrior of the fallen standing in the hallway. There was a loud thud behind the closed door as she raced to her bed, grabbed a blanket and threw it over the glass. She cut both knees and the palm of her hand as she flung herself through the broken window into the courtyard. She ran towards the forest.
‘Araas! Timbul! Mil!’ she screamed. It was very dark as she entered the trees and she stopped and gazed around in terror, wondering where Louisa had been taken. There was a movement to her right and she dashed in that direction, her eyes wide with fright and her heart trying to burst through her chest as she ran.
‘Louisa!’ her voice trembled. She ran forward with hands outstretched, trying not to crash into anything in the ever darkening forest. The ground was rough underfoot and she struggled to keep her feet from tangling in the long grass and creepers. A huge log lay across her path and she scrambled over it. She saw movement again and rushed forward, only to find it was spindly bushes being blown in the wind. She slowed down and glanced around, and thinking she heard a sound once again, she changed direction. For a long time she dashed through the forest, thinking always that she could hear noises and see movement ahead. After a while she slowed, her heart pounding from exertion. Yet again she heard sounds and she turned and headed down a slope. At the bottom of the hill the ground turned soft and fell away steeply towards a very cold pebbly stream. She darted up the opposite incline, convinced
she could see movement ahead of her.
‘Louisa!’ she shouted again, but there was no response, so she rushed further into the dark forest, pushing her way through bushes and vines, climbing over fallen branches and weaving her way between the trees. Her head was wrenched backwards as she entangled herself in a wonga wonga vine. She stared around. The forest was silent. She could see no movement in any direction. Clouds were beginning to cover the moon and what little light had managed to filter through the thick canopy of the forest was disappearing. She took a few cautious steps then stopped and looked around once again. Unsure of exactly which way she had come, she thought perhaps if she went downhill she might find the little stream she had crossed. She had gone only about three hundred paces when it became obvious that this could not have been the way she had come. The trees were thick and it was almost impossible to force her way through the undergrowth. She decided to go back to where she ran into the wonga wonga vine and try to find her way from there, so she headed up the hill but even this was now unfamiliar.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 48