Tallas (The Tallas Series Book 1)

by Cathrina Constantine

  The fire had been reduced to smoking embers, and she hurled timber into the pit to revive the flames. Then she hopped into the wagon to rummage for a weapon, Fulvio had packed an extra rifle and pistol. As she raided a storage container, a wink of silver caught her eye. She seized the pistol then turned around to find Smelt and Tanya watching her.

  “Fetch the rifle, too,” Smelt said in a self-pitying tone. “Fulvio would never forgive me if I let you go it alone.”

  Tanya wilted near the fire and stared at the flames. It was her duty to wait for those buried in the chamber.

  They headed out with Tibbles in the forefront, Keeyla astride Gingersnap, and Smelt riding Zennith. They’d just attained leverage on the plain when the signature whirring of a heliocraft resonated around them.

  “Git back by those trees,” order an anxious Smelt.

  They galloped under a canopy of trees, except Tibbles, who’d refused to hide. Rising to his tremendous stature, the bear roared, beating his paws against his broad chest. In a fluid motion the bear loped over the steep ridge, heading in the direction of Tallas.

  “Tibbles—!” Smelt thundered. “That stupid, ignoramus bear.”

  Smelt and Keeyla trotted to the ridge’s precipice. Zennith and Gingersnap pawed the ground as they watched Tibbles. Encapsulated in a vortex of uprooting undergrowth, he surfed down the mountainside.

  “C’mon, let’s go,” Keeyla said. She kicked her heels into Gingersnap’s sides.

  “Are you out of your mind?” Smelt said in a squeaky voice. He lunged for Gingersnap’s harness. “You’ll flop head over heels going that way. You can go, but leave my pony here.”

  “You’re not stopping me.” She glared at him. “Everyone I love is down there.” She yanked on the reins. “I’m going. Or at least as close as I can get to see what’s going on.”

  Smelt held tight to the harness. “If you’re caught, do you think they’d be any less harsh on a woman? You know they won’t. I don’t care if your man is a physician. They’re gonna butcher Fulvio, with you right next to him.”

  “We’re so close,” she cried. “There must be something we can do—and what about Tibbles?”

  “I like Tibbles, always have, but that dang bear’s as good as dead,” he remarked. “As soon as they see that beast rampaging into the village, they’ll shoot him dead. More than likely they’ll feast on his meat, and his pelt will keep some Elite toasty during the winter months.”

  Smelt had a way of turning her stomach. “I’m going down. I don’t care what you say.” She slapped at his hands to release the harness.

  “Fine,” he said, throwing his hands in the air. “We can’t take the same route as Tibbles. We gotta take a different path, one that won’t git us mangled.”

  He clicked his tongue and Zennith’s considerable head swerved to the right. Keeyla stared, confused, as he rode the horse away from the ledge.

  “Well. Ya comin’?” Smelt said, looking over his shoulder at her.

  Once she was trotting next to him, she said, “I don’t think you’re as bad as you want people to think.”

  His laughter rang wild in the silent, early morning air. “I’m a son-of-a-bitch through and through. Never forget that.”

  Chapter 32

  “Hey, Ennis,” Doogan said, attempting to sound unruffled. “Kind of early for a walk?”

  “What are you doing?” Ennis acted standoffish, as he peered at the boys cowering behind him. “When did Fabal get back? And this kid was in the dungeon. How’d you get him out?”

  “Ennis,” Doogan entreated. “You heard what Basta said. You know what they’re going to do to this boy. Help me get him out of here.”

  Ennis was silent for a second before saying, “Do you have any idea what’s happening?”

  “I’ve kind of been under wraps lately. How would I know anything that’s been going on at Headquarters?”

  “Basta caught Fulvio.” Ennis’s gaze adhered to his face waiting for a reaction. “They should be here any minute.”

  “No—” the boy’s cried in unison.

  “We can’t let them hurt Fulvio,” Fabal said.

  Announcing the break of day, golden light was sneaking over the mountaintops. If they didn’t move now, the area would be swarming with people. Doogan placed a hand on each boy’s shoulder. “My first priority is to get these boy’s out of here.” His eyes stabbed into the Mediator. “Ennis, if you plan on stopping me, you’ll have to shoot me in the back.” Steering the boys to the secret tunnel, he felt the barrel of the rifle touching his spine.

  A light rustling came from the rear. They turned to see Paniess.

  “I couldn’t get away from that goon,” she said, out of breath. “He felt I needed protection. Somebody was going berserk, but I think Rooney had everything under control.”

  Paniess then spied Ennis with the gun. “What are you doing here?”

  “Don’t ask. Don’t know.” Ennis had withdrawn his rifle, now perched against his shoulder.

  At this juncture, Doogan didn’t care what Ennis’s intentions were, so long as he didn’t hamper him from getting the boys to safety. As they jogged to the hidden tunnel, the noisy heliocraft rebounded around the basin, magnifying as it soared toward Headquarters.

  After hurling off the concealing bushes, Doogan said, “You first, Knox. Hurry. Fabal will follow.” He bent and picked up the sickle and flashlight that Fabal had dropped earlier, handing them to Knox.

  “You’re going to save Fulvio?” Knox peered into his face.

  At the mention of his father, cold fingers of trepidation scuttled across chest. “Don’t worry about him. Just get your butt home—now.”

  “Thanks, Doogan.” Knox offered his hand, and Doogan’s large hand swallowed his and squeezed. “See ya on the other side.” He dove into the hole, squiggled out of sight.

  “You’re next, Fabal.”

  “No, Dad, I’m not leaving. I’m going with you.”

  “Get in the tunnel,” he said, gritting his teeth. “You’re not coming with me. I’ll meet up with you.”

  “Yeah, that’s what you said once before, and then Mom and I…” He gagged on a whimper.

  Doogan could only imagine what his son went through losing Keelya, then having to find his way to Fulvio alone. The grief-stricken look on Fabal’s face was enough to make him either scream or cry.

  “It’s no deal, kid. I don’t want you with me,” he said rather heartless. Fabal would need a kick in the pants to get his ass in gear. “Everyone knows you were with Fulvio. You’ll draw too much attention.” Endeavoring to act insensitive even while Fabal’s eyes filled with water, he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around his son and hold him forever.

  Through the trees, they perceived the heliocraft touching down. He shoved Fabal to the ground, and Paniess and Ennis crouched. Remaining as still as possible, they watched as a hulking man was propelled from the craft, landing in the dirt, face down. One by one, Mediator’s jumped from the craft and dropped their firearms. Eying the man lying in the dirt, they smacked fists into their hands as a preface to the beating that was yet to come.

  “Fulvio,” Fabal breathed. He leapt, only to have Doogan’s vise-like grip hold him in place.

  Basta debarked from the craft, his characteristic cigar drooping from his mouth. He flipped off his beret and mopped his forehead on his sleeve, then re-fixed the beret on his head. Discharging a belching puff of smoke, he squinted while observing his men berating their newest quarry.

  Fulvio spun to his side, only to be booted in the ribs.

  “Get the fuck up,” Dunket cursed, “and show us what you’re made of.” Not lingering for the man to comply, he kicked Fulvio in the spine for good measure.

  Before another striking boot, Fulvio bounded to his feet. The corralling Mediators heckled, “Traitor. Thief. Do-gooder for the mutants.” A fist was thrown, clocking Fulvio in the cheek. Reeling sideways, he stood his ground, taking on two men at once. He knocked one to his
knees and the other to the ground.

  “Men, are you frigging weaklings?” Basta complained, ripping the cigar from his mouth. “Get a hold of this guy. Get him down!” At his command, five Mediators ambushed Fulvio.

  Pomfrey wouldn’t approve of them murdering him, yet, maiming was tolerated. Fulvio’s words strummed through his brain. ‘If I’m ever caught, no matter what the circumstances, you are never—ever to get involved. This was my choice, my decision.’

  For years, Doogan had lied, even to Keeyla. He’d vowed not to divulge their scheme, and it was safer for his family if nobody knew. But it had been Doogan who’d pilfered medicine and hoarded various provisions for Fulvio’s new community.

  It commenced with their compliant neighbor, Goshen. It was the perfect ploy, to visit the sick old man and hook up with Fulvio without Management being the wiser. Over the years, the clandestine reunions were getting tougher, both for Fulvio to sneak into Tallas, and for Doogan to wander into the woods beyond the perimeters. They had set dates and times, usually once every six months.

  The violent treatment persisted, and to be a passive onlooker felt heinous. Grinding his teeth, Doogan yanked his son’s arm. “Get into that tunnel.”

  “It’s too late,” Fabal said in a weepy tone, his gaze adhered to Fulvio. “Knox is too far ahead. I don’t have a flashlight or a knife for the roots.”

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” Doogan cussed, and shoveled his hands into his hair. He knelt on one knee, while leaning his arms on his other leg. Clenching and unclenching his fists, he stared at the one sided skirmish.

  “Don’t do it, Doogan,” Paniess breathed. “I know what you’re thinking, and my father won’t spare you a second time.” He turned to look at her. “And now you have Fabal to think about.” Her comment hit a home.

  His son.

  He had to take care of Fabal. Except, he couldn’t live with himself after witnessing Fulvio getting butchered. Even if he survived the Mediators abuse, he’d be strung up on the gallows within the week.

  “Fulvio would never let this happen to you, Dad,” Fabal said, embittered. “I know I’m thinking like a kid, but I’d do anything, anything to help.”

  Doogan’s body tensed, hard and motionless as stone, but pulsing with furious energy ready to explode into action. He gripped his son by the shoulders, locking his gaze on his face, then planted a solid kiss to Fabal’s brow. “Paniess, take care of my son.” Paniess gasped as he ran toward Fulvio.

  Surreptitiously, Doogan dodged from tree to tree, and Fulvio’s grunting groans grew in decibel. I should’ve wrestled the rifle from Ennis. Too late now. Even though he felt confident that Fulvio had strength to exchange blows, five against one were shitty odds. He’d have to finagle a firearm.

  Ready to bolt into the open, Doogan felt a gun barrel prodding his shoulder blade.

  “I have a better plan,” Ennis said. “Follow my lead. Step out with your hands up, and when the time is right, see if you can get Fulvio onto the craft.”

  Is he playing me for an idiot? Doubtful the Mediator had a change of heart, Doogan spat, “A little untoward, don’t you think, Ennis? You’re dead meat if you try and help us.”

  “Can you fly the craft?” Ennis asked, unfazed.

  “Not really.”

  “I can,” Ennis said. “Let’s go.” He poked the rifle into him, urging him onward.

  Doogan didn’t know what to make of him. If Ennis was honestly going to become an accomplice, he was signing his own death warrant. Though, it was more likely the whole scenario would backfire in all their faces.

  Cocking his elbows and raising his arms, Doogan parted the bushes.

  “Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Basta said, the points of his scarred face widening in a malignant grin.

  “On patrol this morning, and caught him sneaking around the Infirmary,” Ennis said proudly walking toward the brawling men. “Thought you might want to take care of him.”

  “Ennis, you’ve just taken yourself off my shit-list. Never did think you’d make a good Mediator, and you just proved me wrong. I salute you.” In a show of respect, Basta removed his beret and slapped the hat against his thigh. “Looky, here. We got us two McTullans.”

  ***

  A depleted grouse escaped Fulvio upon seeing Doogan being held at gunpoint. And an atrocious image of father and son hanging side by side on the gallows triggered an additional griping groan. Each inhalation hurt to the depth of his bowels. Then Doogan winked. Was he telling him something?

  Suddenly, a hair-raising roar vibrated around them.

  Befuddled Mediators stared in the direction of the sinister cadence. While the men were distracted, Doogan jumped into action, clubbing the nearest Mediator on the jaw.

  Mediators regrouped, attempting to shackle Fulvio and Doogan while nervously keeping an eye on the mysterious predator.

  Panic mingled like a tangible fog as a behemoth bear tackled the newly constructed barrier. The beast careened like a missile, again and again, tearing at the twenty-foot fence until it wobbled and bent. The beast pounced, his taloned claws gripping the barbed wire and vaulted up and over, to land with an unyielding thump. Neglecting Doogan and Fulvio, the Mediators rushed for their guns.

  Doogan ensnared a retreating Dunket, crashing him to the ground.

  ***

  Paniess and Fabal inched to the edge of the thicket to view the appalling scene unfold. Her plans foiled, and now incapable to help Doogan, Paniess had to think of an excuse to prevent the lash from ripping his son’s backside. Or worse. “We have to leave. You’ve got to come with me.”

  Fabal, hunkered on his hands and knees, and looked at the lady. “What do you mean?”

  “Doogan said to take care of you,” she said. “And that means we have to get away from here before we’re caught. My car’s parked around the corner. We’d better get going before the entire village wakes.” She’d figure out what to do with the boy.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you, lady.” The obstinate boy scowled.

  As they were talking, quick movement snared the edge of their vision. Running from Headquarters were more Mediators, along with Pomfrey Addler. Taking cover behind crates and metal containers, rifles poised toward the conflict.

  Recoiling at a blast of gunfire, Fabal watched in horror as Basta outstretched his arm, aiming his gun at Tibbles.

  ***

  Disregarding bullets winging past him, Tibbles lunged toward the Mediators. He rose up on his hind legs and swiped at two men with his meaty paws. They flew, bashing against the heliocraft and melted to the ground.

  Meanwhile, Ennis snatched Doogan off of Dunket. And finished the job by whacking the butt of his rifle on the Mediator’s skull, rendering him unconscious. “Get Fulvio in the craft.” A bullet whisked by, and they turned to see men from Headquarters descending on them.

  Fulvio was in the process of ramming Grunt in the groin, deterring the Mediator to the dirt.

  “Fulvio―” Doogan yelled, dashing to him.

  “Tibbles, watch out!” Tibbles—!” Fabal screamed wildly, and raced from the harboring trees.

  Doogan spun at the sound of Fabal’s shrieking voice. “NO—!”

  All heads turned to the running boy, except for one. Basta’s eyes narrowed, perfecting his aim—right for the beast’s heart—and pressed the trigger.

  Tibbles ominous roar altered to a howling squeal as the projectile penetrated his body. Dazed, his eyes blinked. The wooly beast staggered, then collapsed in a mammoth heap.

  Chapter 33

  Keeyla and Smelt heard the furor and urged their mounts to a breakneck gallop.

  “Stay behind that contour of trees,” Smelt said. “And follow the fence line to Headquarters. That’s where it would’ve landed.”

  “Oh, my God, listen. There’s gunfire.” Keeyla reined Gingersnap to evade a bed of thistles. “We’ve got to hurry.” Don’t fly off the deep end. She needed her wits about her. Whoever Fulvio’s contact was inside Tallas
was still a mystery, but she prayed they’d been successful.

  Concealed in the forest, she perceived the mangled fencing and Tibbles clashing with the Mediators.

  She spotted Fulvio’s head of silver hair as he brawled with two men. Then―Doogan, her Doogan. His muscles rippled in a sleeveless shirt as he walloped a Mediator. Another man blindsided him, but Doogan grasped the man’s head and yanked forward, spinning him over his shoulder. He then clubbed Dunket in the jawline and they scuffled to the ground. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath, and gasped as men barged from Headquarters with Pomfrey in their wake. Repositioning themselves with rifles pointing to the melee.

  A small figure came running from the opposite direction toward the fracas. Keeyla instantly recognized her son’s screaming voice as he headed into the line of fire. “No, Fabal—” Sounding breathy, her heart skipped a beat and her blood ran cold, helplessly watching.

  Smelt raised his rifle, putting his victim in the crosshairs.

  ***

  Fulvio performed a limping run to the bear. “Tibbles. It’s just a flesh wound.” Draping his body over the beast, he cried, “Please get up, my friend.” He could’ve sworn Tibbles replied with a grunt before Ennis lugged him off. “Tibbles, get up!”

  Ennis dragged a contesting Fulvio to the heliocraft.

  Hearing shots being fired from beyond the blockade, their heads whipped to the woods. Not seeing the source, they veered to the craft to witness Basta’s stunned expression. The Chief Mediator clutched his chest, blood lacing his fingers. He fell dead.

  Simultaneously, Doogan sprinted to defend his son. A stray bullet grazed Fabal’s head, his little body jolted. Doogan screamed and felt a hellish pain in his shoulder, flinging him forward.

  Paniess blew her cover and ran after the boy and Doogan.

  Pulsing with adrenaline and ignoring the wound to his shoulder, Doogan scooped Fabal into his arms. He pivoted toward the protection of the craft where Ennis was busy firing round after round, drawing a diversion.