The Final Battle

by Stuart Daly

  Again silence. Oswald sighed and looked across at Master Morgan, who stood, stoic as a statue, over near the table.

  ‘I don’t think we’ll get anything out of her,’ the Master muttered, turning to Caspan and Sara. ‘You might as well put her back where you found her. The Roon seemed keen to get their hands on this girl.’

  The highlander’s eyes flashed. ‘Ye wouldnae dare!’

  Morgan stared flatly at her. ‘Why not? You’ve made it perfectly clear you don’t want to tell us anything. There’s no point wasting our time here when there’s a dozen other important things we need to do.’ He beckoned for the others to join him as he crossed the room.

  ‘Wait!’ the girl called out.

  The treasure hunters stopped in the doorway. Oswald winked at Caspan, then glanced back at the highlander. ‘You’ve changed your mind?’

  The defiance slowly faded from the highlander’s gaze, revealing to Caspan what he believed to be a very frightened girl.

  ‘Mah name’s Skye,’ she said.

  ‘There, that wasn’t too hard, was it?’ Oswald smiled as he returned to her bedside. ‘Now that you’ve told me your name, it’s only befitting I tell you mine. I’m Oswald.’ He introduced the other members of the Brotherhood and Captain Jace.

  Skye looked around the chamber. ‘Where am ah?’

  Oswald regarded her for a moment. ‘How about we make a trade? Every time I answer one of your questions, you’ll answer one of mine. Agreed?’ Skye nodded slowly, and he replied, ‘We’re in Rivergate, a fortress located on a small island in the middle of the Mooryn.’

  ‘What’s yer strength?’

  There was an urgency in her tone that Caspan found surprising.

  Oswald raised a finger. ‘I believe it’s my turn to ask a question. Now, let me think. Ah, yes: are you part of a band of Caledonish scouts sent to assist the Roon?’

  Skye nodded, then asked, ‘How many men defend Rivergate?’

  ‘That’s hardly fair,’ Roland interjected. He stood beside Caspan over near the window, his features bathed in the blue light from the fire blazing across the river. ‘She can’t just nod. Anyone can nod. We need details.’

  Morgan silenced him with a stern look.

  ‘We are the survivors from the battle in the Pass,’ Oswald said. ‘We number little more than two hundred strong.’

  ‘That’s why ye created the fire front,’ Skye said. ‘Even wi’ yer magical beasts, ye’ll never last long against the Roon. Yer hopin’ the fire will drive them back.’

  ‘That’s the general plan.’ Oswald took Skye’s empty tankard, crossed to the table and refilled it. ‘So you’ve seen the size of the Roon army?’ he asked, handing back her drink.

  The highlander nodded and lowered her gaze. ‘An’ how they treat prisoners.’

  Captain Jace stood beside the guards at the door. His eyes narrowed as he walked towards the girl. ‘What do you mean? What’s happened to them?’

  Skye opened her mouth to reply, when she caught herself, her expression reticent. She looked in turn at each of the people gathered in the chamber, then glanced back at Oswald. ‘If ah tell ye what happened – what ah saw – do ye promise tae help me?’

  Oswald turned questioningly to Morgan, who studied the girl intently before giving a slight nod.

  ‘We’ll put it to consideration,’ Oswald replied.

  Skye took a long draught of her drink. She drew a deep breath, as if mustering her courage, and said, ‘Ah was part o’ a small band o’ scouts sent by Roy Stewart tae assist the Roon. We’d been wi’ them for the past three days, movin’ ahead o’ the main army, chartin’ a safe route south. We suspected ye’d be waitin’ in ambush in the Pass, an’ advised the Roon tae proceed wi’ caution. But they wouldnae listen tae us an’ marched into the ravine regardless. We decided tae wait back, believin’ Andalonian archers would be positioned up on the cliff tops. Ye know just as well as ah do what took place in the Pass.’ Her eyes narrowed furtively. ‘But it’s what happened after the battle that will be o’ particular interest tae ye.’

  Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Caspan was sure the shadows in the room seemed to lengthen and darken, as if some sinister force had crept inside the chamber.

  ‘Right from the beginnin’, many o’ the Caledonish lairds were critical o’ Roy Stewart’s decision tae join forces wi’ the Roon,’ Skye continued. ‘Roy is normally a wise man, nae prone tae makin’ rash decisions, but his judgement was clouded by his desire tae conquer Lochinbar. He should hae never formed an alliance wi’ the giants. Yes, they fight bravely in battle, but they’re also notorious for their cruelty tae prisoners. They give no quarter, both during an’ after combat.’ She regarded each one of them in the chamber. ‘Think yourselves lucky ye werenae taken prisoner.’

  Jace grit his teeth, as if steeling himself for what he was about to hear. ‘What happened?’

  Skye lowered her gaze again. ‘Ah’m sorry, but the prisoners were put tae the sword.’

  Caspan’s heart was like a lead weight in his chest. Hadn’t Jace said that over three hundred Andalonians surrendered to the Roon?

  ‘None escaped?’ Jace pressed.

  Skye shook her head grimly. ‘All were slaughtered.’

  Stunned, the Captain stared off into nowhere, then set his piercing gaze back on Skye. ‘I hope Roy Stewart’s very proud of his alliance.’

  ‘We tried everythin’ possible tae stop the Roon,’ Skye protested.

  Caspan was moved by the sincerity in her voice. But not so Jace, whose features were as hard as stone. ‘I bet you did,’ he snarled.

  Skye looked at the Captain beseechingly. ‘Ah know we’re enemies, but killin’ unarmed an’ wounded prisoners is nae the highland way.’

  ‘But forming alliances with those who do is? You need to think more carefully about whom you share a battlefield with.’ Jace stormed off towards the door.

  ‘We didnae know,’ Skye called after him. ‘Ye hae tae believe me. Does it mean nothin’ tae ye that mah friends were killed when we tried tae stop the Roon?’

  The Captain stopped in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder. ‘What?’

  Skye’s eyes welled with tears and her hands trembled so much she could barely hold her tankard. Oswald took the drink from her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  ‘You don’t need to tell us, my dear child,’ he said.

  Skye shook her head. ‘No, ye need tae know the truth.’ She took a moment to compose herself, then explained, ‘We were in our tents when the executions started. By the time we made it tae where the prisoners were kept, nearly a quarter o’ ’em had already been killed. My commander confronted the Roon leader responsible for carryin’ out the slaughter an’ tried tae stop him, but he was cut down. The next thing ah knew, the giants turned on us. Ah ran for mah life. Ah was the only member o’ mah company tae escape. Some Roon gave chase. Ah managed tae pick two off with mah bow, but the rest trapped me down by the river.’

  It was only now Caspan noticed that the highlander’s hands were scratched and her cloak torn in several places, evidently delivered by branches as she ran through the forest.

  ‘You’re lucky to have made it this far,’ Oswald remarked. ‘It’s several miles back to the Pass.’

  Skye nodded. ‘Ah know. Ah was down tae mah final arrow an’ exhausted by the time ah reached the river.’ She glanced across at Caspan and Sara. ‘Ah’m very lucky ye came by when ye did.’

  Caspan smiled softly at her. Skye drew a deep, calming breath as she lay back in her bed, letting the tension and weariness drain from her body. She closed her eyes and nestled against the pillow, then looked around the room again, her gaze pausing on Roland. She sat up straight, her eyes narrowing.

  ‘Yer one o’ the boys who snuck into Tor O’Shawn,’ she said matter-of-factly.

  Roland cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. ‘Tor-o-what?’ he muttered, trying his best to sound as ignorant as possible.

  ‘So
me Andalonian boys disguised themselves as Strathboogie clansmen an’ snuck inside Roy Stewart’s fort. They rescued the Iron Duke before escapin’ on magical, flyin’ beasts.’ Skye jerked her chin at Roland’s bonnet. ‘That’s an interestin’ hat yer wearing. Care tae tell me where ye found it?’

  Roland snatched the bonnet from his head and hid it behind his back. ‘I don’t have the foggiest idea what you’re talking about.’

  His curiosity getting the better of him, Caspan asked Skye, ‘How do you know about what happened at Tor O’Shawn?’

  ‘There’s barely a highlander who hasnae heard o’ yer exploits,’ Skye replied. ‘From what ah heard, the boys who snuck into Tor O’Shawn encountered General Brett in the corridors before escapin’. They knew one another, an’ there was no loss o’ love between them.’ Skye’s eyes narrowed conspiratorially. ‘What would ye say if ah could persuade Roy Stewart tae reconsider his alliance wi’ the giants?’

  ‘Why would you do that?’ Morgan said warily. ‘You’d stand nothing to gain from betraying your allies.’

  Skye snorted. ‘Allies? They slew mah companions – mah friends!’

  ‘But how could you possibly organise such a thing?’ Roland asked.

  Skye’s lips formed a hard, tight line. ‘What? Because ah’m merely a girl? Let me assure ye, yer nae the only one who can go in disguise. It was this same girl who dressed as a man an’ joined the band o’ Caledonish scouts sent tae join the Roon. Ah was also the only one tae escape from the giants.’ She looked at Roland challengingly. ‘Donnae make the mistake o’ underestimatin’ mah capabilities.’ She held Roland’s stare for a moment before turning to Morgan. ‘Ye said ye’d consider helpin’ me if ah told ye what happened back in the Pass. Well, ah’ve stuck tae mah side o’ the bargain. Now ah’d like ye tae help me get back tae Roy Stewart. He needs tae hear o’ what happened tae his scouts.’

  Oswald eyed Skye suspiciously. ‘How can you guarantee us that we won’t be taken prisoner once we return you to your people?’

  ‘Yer nae mah enemy,’ Skye replied. ‘If anythin’, the way ye’ve treated me has only made me realise just how wrong this war is.’ She clenched her fists determinedly. ‘We need tae unite against the Roon. When Roy Stewart hears o’ what happened tae yer prisoners an’ his scouts, ah’m sure he’ll reassess his alliance.’

  ‘And why would he listen to you?’ Roland asked.

  ‘Oh, he’ll listen all right,’ Skye replied assuredly. ‘Ah’m his daughter.’

  CHAPTER 17

  CASPAN VOLUNTEERS

  The members of the Brotherhood and Captain Jace gathered in the war room to discuss what should be done. They decided that, if Skye was indeed who she claimed to be, and she could persuade her father to reconsider his alliance with the Roon, then it would be in their best interest that she be escorted safely to the highland army camped at Sharn O’Kare Glen. They had little reason not to believe her, given that when Caspan and Sara found her she was being hunted by giants. Skye also knew military details that only someone with close connections to Roy Stewart would be privy to.

  Once it was decided that they would return Skye to her father, Captain Jace suggested that a group of soldiers should escort her back. Morgan argued otherwise, stating that time was of the essence and it could take a group of men travelling by horse over a day to reach Roy Stewart’s camp. By then the highland army might have already engaged Duke Bran’s army.

  ‘I’ll do it,’ Caspan offered. ‘Frostbite can fly at ten times the speed of a galloping horse. If I head off now, Skye and I can be at Sharn O’Kare Glen before midnight.’

  Morgan rubbed his chin. ‘It will be risky, Caspan. Are you sure you want to do this?’

  ‘We don’t have many other options. As you said, time is of the essence, and none of the other Wardens can travel as fast as Frostbite. We’ve been given a chance to drive a wedge between Caledon and the Roon. We mightn’t get another opportunity like this. This could be our only hope to save Andalon.’

  ‘I’d feel a lot more comfortable if one of us accompanied you,’ Raven commented. ‘It’s not that I doubt your ability, but it will be incredibly dangerous.’

  Caspan shook his head. ‘It’d only slow Frostbite down. Besides, his saddle’s only designed for two riders.’

  ‘What if Sara and I were to saddle up Cloud Dancer and come with you?’ Morgan suggested.

  ‘Cloud Dancer’s a lot slower than Frostbite. I doubt she’d make it to the highland camp before sunrise. By then it might be too late, and Roy Stewart’s army might have moved.’

  ‘And what if the highlanders take you captive?’ Captain Jace warned. ‘They mightn’t be as accommodating as we’ve been to Skye. Have you stopped to consider that?’

  ‘I’ll have Frostbite with me,’ Caspan replied confidently. ‘I can’t think of a better guardian. Besides, I don’t think Skye would let anything bad happen to me – she’s given her word. And I know that Roy Stewart doesn’t approve of torture. I remember he was critical of how General Brett treated Duke Bran.’ He regarded the Master. ‘You’ve got to let me do this.’

  ‘I’d hate to see Caspan come to any harm,’ Shanty said, smiling softly at the former street thief, ‘but he’s right. This might be our only chance to destroy the union between the Roon and the highlanders. It will be dangerous, but we don’t have any other choice.’

  ‘It will be no more dangerous than waiting here, hoping the fire stops the Roon,’ Caspan added. ‘All we need is for the wind to drop or change direction and the giants could be at Rivergate within a couple of hours.’

  ‘That’s really reassuring, thanks for that,’ Roland said sarcastically. He crossed to the window and peered outside to make sure the wind was still blowing from the south. Nodding in satisfaction, he turned questioningly to Caspan. ‘What are you going to do if Roy Stewart wants to negotiate a possible truce?’

  ‘Then the highland laird can send an envoy or a raven to the King,’ Shanty said flatly. ‘That’s not for Caspan, or any of us for that matter, to discuss. Besides, I think the possibility of peace talks is getting a little ahead of ourselves.’

  ‘I have no intention of going anywhere near the highland camp,’ Caspan added. ‘I’ll drop Skye off a mile or so from Sharn O’Kare Glen. She can then make her own way into the valley. If all goes to plan, I won’t see the highlanders.’

  Morgan exhaled wearily and paced the room. Caspan watched him anxiously, his heart racing, hoping the Master would agree to his suggestion. With his head held low, the Master stopped before the hearth and stared into the flickering flames. A faint smile formed at the edge of his lips as he turned to Caspan.

  ‘It seems like it was only yesterday when you had your first sword-training session back at the House of Whispers. You barely even knew how to hold a sword. And now you’re volunteering to undertake a mission that most soldiers would run a mile away from.’

  Caspan held his gaze and licked his lips eagerly. ‘So you’re going to let me do this?’

  Morgan sighed. ‘It goes against my finer judgement, but yes, I’ll allow you.’ He raised a finger in warning. ‘But you’ll need to keep an eye in the back of your head. Skye may have given you her word that no harm will come to you, but you’ll be going near an enemy war camp. There’s no telling what type of reception you’ll receive when you drop Skye off.’

  Caspan nodded determinedly. ‘I promise I’ll be careful.’

  Morgan turned to Jace. ‘We need to send a messenger raven to the King, informing him of what’s happened.’

  ‘I’ll see to that now,’ the Captain replied, walking towards the door.

  Morgan regarded Caspan. ‘Now, I suppose we should start getting you ready for your mission.’

  As they exited the chamber, Roland tapped Caspan on the shoulder. ‘Hey, Cas, there’s no chance of smuggling me inside one of your saddle bags, is there?’ he whispered.

  CHAPTER 18

  ROY STEWART

  Fifteen minutes later, Caspan
and Skye climbed atop Frostbite down in the courtyard. Sara and Roland checked that the few provision bags, blankets and two full quivers were securely fastened to the rear of the saddle cloth, then stepped back to join the other treasure hunters in a doorway alcove. They huddled in their cloaks and crowded around the warmth offered from an iron brazier. The wind was now a howling gale, which threatened to rip the banners from the battlements.

  Caspan was wary of slowing Frostbite down with extra weight, but he didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. If all went to plan, he’d drop Skye off around midnight then return to Rivergate. It would be a journey of around eight hours, and he hoped to be toasting his success with his friends back in the fortress several hours before dawn. Yet there was no guarantee all would go to plan.

  Caspan would be flying into enemy territory, and there was no way of knowing what he might encounter. It would be an uncomfortable and cold trip at best in the strong wind, but that wouldn’t impact too much on Frostbite. The drake would use the heavy gusts to his advantage, gliding on the currents like a ship sliding down a towering wave. Though it would be a different story altogether if heavy snow were to set in, causing them to seek shelter until it passed. There was also the chance they might run into a band of highland scouts patrolling the hinterland of Sharn O’Kare Glen. The supplies and arrows were therefore a necessary precaution.

  Keen to get underway, Caspan bid farewell to his friends and commanded Frostbite to rise out of the courtyard. Buffeted in the strong wind, they turned east and headed off into the night.

  Caspan was surprised at how far the fire front had moved. Driven by the gale, it had spread deep into Huntingdon Hedge, and he felt assured that the garrison at Rivergate would be safe for now. The fire also proved a valuable landmark, helping him keep his bearing as they soared through the sky.

  Skye was as rigid as a statue, clinging fearfully to the saddle horn and wrapping her feet tightly around Frostbite’s flanks. Caspan had forgotten how frightening it was to fly for the first time, particularly at night, and he tried to keep Frostbite at a low altitude. But it was dangerous in the driving wind, which at times threatened to push them into tree tops and hillsides. It wasn’t long, though, before Skye relaxed and sat more easily in the saddle. Caspan eased Frostbite higher. From here they could ride the wind currents, and Skye even held her arms out to the side and hooted joyously as they swooped through the darkness.