The Enforcer gasped in shock. The look on the Lord’s face was one of stunned surprise. “She never told me…” He appeared to be talking to himself, so Conlan ignored the comment, speaking again in his cold, commanding voice.
“I make you this offer once, out of respect for the love you profess to have for my mother. Tell me what you know, and I will decide if it is of enough value to trade for your life. If you refuse to speak, your death is assured.”
The Lord stared passively at his son, all evidence of his previous shock gone. Conlan waited, giving the man time to consider his very limited options. When Daratus finally spoke, his voice was stiff and formal.
“Very well, Conlan Baydon, traitor to the people of Mydren, defiler of the North Tower, murderer of the defenceless and creator of abominations, in fear of my life I will tell you what I know, in the hope that there is enough integrity in you to keep your word.” Conlan gave no reaction to his father’s words, merely watching and waiting for the man to give up his secrets, but Will was certain Eleanor’s face would have been wincing in sympathy at Conlan’s hurt had she been there. “We knew you were coming,” Daratus started, then took a breath and stopped, looking at the ground, giving the impression he was trying to decide how little he could get away with telling.
“You held Gregor. My impending arrival should have been no mystery to anyone,” Conlan retorted. “You will need to do better than that!”
“No, you fool!” Daratus snapped back, raising his head, his eyes boring into Conlan. “We knew when and where you were at all times as you crossed the mountains. You met Cai and Erit and that idiot Daman; you knew they were part of your ambush, and yet you see them here too. There is only one passable track through the mountains; did it not occur to you yet to question how they made it here before you, but did not bother to attack you on the way past?”
Conlan frowned. “We waited several days before heading to the North Tower. I had assumed they simply set off before us and were travelling faster.”
“Actually, the injured men from that skirmish are still on their way back here, along the Drent road, but Cai, Erit, Daman and a few others followed you into the mountains for over three weeks, under orders to slit your throats in your sleep.” Will gave himself a mental kick; he should have been asking these questions from the moment he saw Cai. What else have you missed? Lepdrac addict! snapped his father’s voice, adding a few punches of his own. Next to him, Amelia shuddered, and her string collided with him.
We’ve been oblivious. Look how easily they played us, she said. Will could only send her his feeling of agreement.
“Yet we are still alive,” Conlan said. “What changed?” Daratus shifted, and Will got the impression that they were now getting to some actual reasons.
“We were ordered not to attack you. I sent the messenger to find Cai’s group myself. We were ordered to give you time to get here and deal with you once you arrived.”
“How is that working out for you?” Conlan asked.
“We were told to expect you at the full moon,” Daratus replied, not rising to the jibe. “Our information has never been wrong before—but you were early.”
“Who told you we were coming at the full moon?” Conlan asked.
“Lord Avery at the Central Tower sent us a pigeon,” Daratus replied.
“And how did Lord Avery know?” Conlan’s tone was beginning to reveal his irritation at having to drag the information out of his father.
“They have someone called ‘The Source’,” the Lord said. “The Source has been watching you, spying on you from afar, for months. They are not always able to give huge amounts of detail, but they are always right…”
“… Until now,” Conlan finished for him. Daratus nodded, a thoughtful look spreading across his face as he considered Conlan’s emotionless expression.
“Conl—Sire, the balloons are ready to fly,” Freddie called. Conlan turned his head and gave a nod.
What’s this ‘Sire’ business? Amelia asked. Freddie’s so upset… What you said to him was mean. He’s not the only one among us who has killed inappropriately, and really, Will, you didn’t hear what Hernas said. He was talking about the revolting things he was going to do to Eleanor if he got the chance. Sexual things… if he had kept going much longer I would have killed him.
For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I had to hurt Freddie, Will said, fighting the fatigue as the hammering in his head intensified. But I had already suggested to Elroy that he gag the man; there was an alternative. We’re about to have potentially hundreds of Protectors join us, Amelia; it will descend into chaos if Conlan isn’t seen to have total control, and that has to start with us. In the presence of others, at least, we need to show our belief in Conlan’s royalty.
“You knew you were being watched,” Daratus deduced eventually, his comment pulling Will’s attention back to their conversation. Conlan did not bother responding to the assertion: the truth of it was obvious. Instead he took a different line of questioning.
“Why did Lord Avery want to wait until we had crossed the mountains before you ‘dealt’ with us?”
Daratus nodded towards the balloons, which bobbed, fully inflated, before him.
“He wanted those. And some other weapon you were working on.”
Conlan turned to look at Will, an eyebrow raised. The gunpowder, Will thought with shock as Amelia’s horror-filled whisper rippled the same thought through his head.
Turning from Daratus, Conlan walked away, back towards Freddie, who stood in stiff, uncomfortable apprehension, watching him approach. The Lord seemed to want to call after his son, then thought better of it. Conlan had all the information he wanted; he was done with Daratus.
“Freddie, Amelia, you’re going to take Will and me up,” Conlan said in English. “Will, we’ll hide behind Amelia’s shield and watch the Protectors emerge from the tower. Anyone we see trying to force a choice or direction on another gets an arrow. Shoot to kill. Understood?”
“Yes, Sire,” all three of them responded at once, and Will saw the sorrow that slid across Conlan’s eyes.
They helped each other into the balloon’s harnesses, aware that Daratus was watching them. Conlan pulled all of their energy strings into his head and, once they were ready, gave the order to raise the balloons.
How high, Sire? In their heads Freddie’s English sounded even emptier than when he spoke.
High enough that we can drop a bag of gunpowder and you can explode it over the tower without risking too much damage, Conlan answered. I want it as a signal to Erit that he can start releasing the Protectors. And Freddie… here, please, no ‘Sire’. It’s still just me, okay?
Okay… Freddie answered, and the balloons began their rapid rise.
Thank you Freddie, Conlan said with soft gratitude.
For what? Freddie asked. His confusion washed over them.
I lied to Daratus, Conlan told him. I’ve not worn those shackles for months by choice. I’ve worn them because it never occurred to me I’d be able to get them off. They were just another pain I learnt to tolerate. But watching you melt the hinges of the tower doors gave me the idea. So thank you. I may not be able to show my appreciation for you, for all of you, as much as I’d like in the future, but don’t think for one moment that I’m not grateful for your efforts and support.
There was a silence, amplified by the wind whipping around their heads as they got higher. When Freddie replied, his tone carried all his remorse and shame.
I’m sorry about Hernas. I promise it won’t happen again.
It can’t happen again, Freddie, Conlan said. I’m about to announce us to the world, and from that moment forward, everything we do will be watched. However ineptly he chose to point it out, Will’s right. Will flinched at the reprimand. He knew they had all felt his response, but Conlan continued as if nothing had happened. I need to be in control. If any of you openly disobey me again, I’ll have no choice but to make your punishment both unpleasant and pu
blic. When the North Tower falls, things are going to change, but rest assured: my love for the four of you never will. Conlan’s voice dropped to a whisper. Please, please don’t put me in the position of having to hurt you. The desperate plea, accompanied by a strong burst of Conlan’s fear, silenced them all.
Conlan… Amelia ventured, breaking the silence. Sometimes taking a certain action is worth the pain of the punishment. We will, I have no doubt, try our best to follow your orders… but we also understand the consequences of choosing not to follow them. We won’t hold it against you if you’re forced to make an example of us.
You already need to make an example of me, don’t you? Freddie said, not able to keep the fear out of his voice. I disobeyed an order and killed Hernas. Elroy watched me do it; he’ll have told the others by now.
If you punish Freddie, you have to punish me too, Amelia said, her voice far stronger than Freddie’s had been. I could have prevented it; I knew you wouldn’t approve. I’m just as guilty.
Stop… please, Conlan begged. Just stop. There was silence again for a moment before he continued. I have spoken to Elroy. He’s a sharp one, and he picked up straight away why keeping the manner of Lord Hernas’s death to himself was a good idea. I do not need to make an example of you. So long as my point is clear, there is no need to speak of this further. When I am able, I will explain this to Eleanor… Conlan came to a stop, and another burst of his fear rattled through them.
You’re afraid… Amelia said with a voice overflowing with pity. Afraid that Eleanor’s going to ignore your warnings.
Am I afraid that I might end up having to punish the woman I love for something she’ll have ultimately done to help me? Yes, Amelia, I’m terrified, Conlan whispered.
Stunned at hearing him openly admitting his feelings, his fear, Will felt a heavy ache expand through his chest at this pain laid naked before them. There was another pause. Conlan’s voice was harder when he continued.
We’re high enough; stop the balloons. Freddie, release a bag of gunpowder. When it gets to just above the tower, explode it. Amelia, you can release Daratus, Teris and that Enforcer from your shield after the explosion. Then hide us from view and move the balloons so that we’re facing the tower gate, a little way back. I want a good view from north to south. Will, be ready with your bow—everyone understand?
Yes Sire, the three of them sang out in perky, insolent unison.
That’s already getting annoying, Conlan grumbled, but Will could hear the smile in the comment.
The wave from Freddie’s explosion below them made Will rock and twist sickeningly in his harness, and the noise boxed his ears, leaving them ringing. He checked his bow, then notched an arrow as they watched the open tower gate from behind Amelia’s shield. Daratus and the Enforcer moved to stand outside the gate, and a short while later they were joined by Teris, who carried two large stuffed bags that implied he had put his time in the tower to good use. Giving no care to the cold or the eyes watching him, Daratus quickly stripped off his Lord’s robes down to his breeches and replaced them with ordinary travelling clothes. Reaching back into the bag, he slung a leather satchel over his shoulder and strapped a sword at his waist. After a conversation Will could not hear, Teris picked up the remaining full bag, then he and the Enforcer following Daratus headed south.
After a few steps, Teris paused. He turned and looked wistfully north into the trees, his expression one of anguished loss. Daratus noticed, and with no hesitation came up behind him, slicing a small sharp knife across his throat. Teris staggered; blood sheeted down the front of his tunic. He dropped to his knees and toppled forward, his blood darkening the snow around him.
Do we kill Daratus for that? Freddie asked.
No, Conlan said with sorrow. Teris had already picked his side… he made the wrong choice.
Daratus picked up the bag Teris had been carrying and shoved it at the Enforcer, who flashed Teris’s body one last frightened look before turning to follow the Lord as he turned south once more.
Poor Teris, Amelia said, a catch in her voice that usually meant tears were imminent. He was just afraid.
We’re all afraid, Amelia, Freddie pointed out softly. But we aren’t all betraying our friends.
The arrival of Protectors through the gate stopped any further conversation. It was a large group of men, twenty or thirty—Will did not have time to count. They stood in their travel cloaks, milling around outside the gate for a moment, then almost as one, they turned and started moving south. Behind them, looking blinded by the bright winter sunshine, the shackled prisoners followed in a slow, trudging march.
As they disappeared out of sight, another large group of Protectors appeared from the tower. More than half of them immediately started walking south without looking back. The remaining men watched them go before looking at each other, then turning to head north among the trees.
Knowing Conlan would have set up a welcoming committee for them, Will turned his attention back to the gate as yet more Protectors came into view. In this group only five men wanted to go north. Many of those who wanted to go south set off, but ten remained, looking around. They could see Teris’s body, but there seemed to be no obvious enemy. Conferring quietly amongst themselves, they broke off and marched towards those heading north. The earlier defectors turned, and a tall man with short, brown hair—the only one who was armed—drew his sword and moved to the front of the group, standing in defence of the others.
Are you ready, Will? Conlan said. Amelia, drop the shield on my order. As he spoke, Conlan notched, drew, and aimed his own bow.
Ready, Will replied, notching his own arrow and pulling back the bow, holding the tension as he aimed at the back of the head of the lead aggressor. There was some argument back and forth, but they were too far away to hear it. An angry Protector waved his hand around the empty landscape, his meaning clear: ‘Where is your rescue?’
Will, take the one in the middle; I’ve got the two on either side, Conlan ordered. Amelia, now!
Will focused. The world fell away; only the tension, the arrow and the target existed. He adjusted up a little for the angry step forward the man took, then let the tension slide from his fingers. The arrow hit the man in the back of the neck, severing his spinal column, killing him instantly. Will saw the two men closest to the front, on either side of the man he had hit, fall in rapid succession, arrows ripping through their hearts from behind. Frightened and confused, the other Protectors turned to find the black balloons in the sky, Will and Conlan with arrows notched and drawn. Breaking into a run, several of them headed south in an undignified retreat.
Let them go, Conlan ordered unnecessarily; Will was not about to kill a man running away from the confrontation if he could help it. Only four of the Protectors who had challenged the defectors now remained. With anger on their faces, they began to walk away to the south. As they came nearer the balloons, one of them turned back to the defectors—the five new King’s Men—and raised an angry fist, screaming ‘Harishopitic!’ at the top of his lungs.
Conlan loosed his arrow; it struck the man through his clenched fist. The man screamed, collapsing to his knees. His colleagues dragged him upright, pulling him away and out of sight. The brown-haired man at the front of the group of new King’s Men raised his hand in thanks, and the five men turned and walked into the trees.
Shield back up, Amelia, Conlan ordered.
Already is, Amelia replied. What does that word mean, ‘Harishopitic’? There was an uncomfortable silence.
Loosely translated, it means ‘Abomination-fucker’, Freddie said with flat distaste.
Freddie! Conlan snapped.
Oh, come on, Conlan, Freddie protested. Amelia and Eleanor are about to become the only two women in a large camp full of men. Don’t you think they should at least know what gets whispered about them?
If I catch anyone whispering anything of the sort about Eleanor or Amelia, I will personally ensure they regret it, Conlan promised with a dark
menace. I hope you will make that very clear to everyone when we get back to camp, Freddie.
If you want, Freddie agreed with the tired patience of someone who knows their task is pointless and most likely not going to make them popular.
As the day wore on, the effects of Will’s lack of lepdrac became more pronounced. His ever-present headache thumped itself up a level with every passing hour, as more groups of Protectors emerged from the tower and stood before the gate, making what was possibly one of the most important decisions of their lives. Most chose to go south, but a surprising number, with purpose in their step and hope on their faces, turned north. There were a few more incidents requiring Conlan and Will’s intervention, but before too long the dead bodies, arrows sticking out of them, were obvious proof that the Protectors were indeed being watched, and that there would be dire consequences if they tried to remove a fellow Protector’s personal choice.
As this fact became clearer, there were even occasions where those going south embraced those going north, and the men appeared to wish each other luck. Will found this profoundly odd, and wondered how they would feel should they meet these same men on a battlefield in the future. But regardless, he was grateful that his archery skills were no longer needed: he doubted he would be able to pull back the bowstring much longer, or aim with any accuracy in his current state. Exhausted, he hung below the balloon, cocooned in his harness, in cold, trembling misery.
Eventually the last group of men disappeared south, leaving another six new King’s Men to walk into the tree line. Erit and Daman emerged through the tower gate and also turned north.
Not long until sunset, Conlan, Freddie said. How exactly do you intend to bring the North Tower down?
I think he would like me to do it, Eleanor said clearly through the connection, sounding almost normal, and Will realised the vibration he had just felt was Conlan pulling her in.
Will (Book 2) Page 48