by J W Murison
He held a meeting with his commanders, ‘today we wiped out half the enemy force, unfortunately by my reckoning they still outnumber us. They have no cavalry left, the grey beasts are all dead but we still have half a dozen Tyrannies to deal with. The night is warm so it won’t be tonight. They are still feasting on the grey beasts so for now they shouldn’t be a problem, but it still makes patrolling a dangerous occupation.
As far as I know the enemy is still running but by now most will be back within the web, so that should stiffen their backbone a little. I believe they will consolidate quickly. Tonight they will be licking their wounds as we are. Tomorrow we are going to move ten miles west and build another little fort exactly the same as this one. We will take all the wood with us so we are going to be busy for the next few days. The only ones excused that duty will be the Scouts. They will continue the task of digging up those gold rings. I don’t know how long you are going to get away with it Billy, it shouldn’t take them long to realise what we have been doing and protect those rings.’
Billy shrugged, ‘it will just help us pinpoint them even quicker.’
‘Don’t do anything stupid, your boys are too valuable. Call it in and I will send an appropriate force of Highlanders to deal with them and don’t fall into an ambush either. Our biggest problem will be an attempt by the enemy to extend that web of theirs again. I have little doubt he is going to try, I certainly would, it is now his main advantage.’
‘Pretty much his only advantage,’ Billy grunted.
‘You could just send in the Highlanders Gareth,’ Graun put his thoughts to the table.
Gareth nodded, ‘that would be the quickest solution to the problem, but not the fairest. They out number our Highland contingent by three to one easily. We could storm in there, kill everyone and leave, but this whole area would still be contaminated with bad magic. Any Eagle flying through this area in years to come would fall to their death. The local populace would still be caught in its thrall and remember it extends down the rivers and right out onto that lake. Apart from that I'm not going to let our people bear the burden of grief, it’s just not fair.’
‘They don’t see it that way Gareth.’
‘I know they don’t Graun, they just want the glory, but no, I'm not the War Chieftain of the Highlands anymore. We are going to take this place to pieces one piece at a time and its going to take time. I'm going to use it to exercise all our new forces. I want to get a feel for the men and their capabilities; I don’t know where the next war is coming from but I want to know what I'm fighting with before it comes to that.’
Graun nodded, ‘aye ok, I understand, I have to admit I never gave it that much thought Gareth, but your right. We might not get this opportunity to test our forces for a while.’
Gareth nodded and smiled, ‘tonight that cousin of Billy’s is going to begin raiding, what’s his name again.’
Billy grinned, ‘Bob Asgut, it translates as Osgood, don’t worry Gareth Bob knows his stuff.’
Gareth just grunted, his meeting with the man hadn’t gone to well, ‘I can’t say I like him much Billy. Our meeting went less than well.’
Billy’s smile slipped a little, ‘you killed his best friend and half his family on the shores of the North Sea Gareth, for him those wounds are still a little raw.’
‘That was years ago Billy.’
‘Remember, he is two thirds Highlander and doesn't forget easily,’ Billy sighed, ‘He is the only real sailor I know Gareth, the only Highlander I know of who has sailed on a real sea, I don’t think I was wrong to call on him.’
‘I trust your judgement Billy, just try and keep him the fuck away from me.’
‘I will.’ Outside a Tyrannie roared and all stopped to listen, more than one man felt a shiver run down his back.
They weren’t the only ones, a white faced Alan stood on the ramparts watching one of them march back and forth in front of him and the Beast. The Beast had him by the scruff, ‘ye have tae face them man or ye’ll have nightmares the rest of yer life.’
‘I dinna have nightmares,’ Alan protested.
‘Man ye wake up every other night gretin like a new born bairn or screaming yer tits aff, ye have tae face the fuckers and you'll never get an opportunity like this again.’
‘I dinna wake up screaming,’ he protested.
‘Lie tae yerself man but no tae me. Now stand.’
He let him go and Alan stood there with trembling legs. More Highlanders began to appear and Alan took a deep breath and steadied his legs. They drank in the sight of the lumbering reptile, but it seemed to be focused on The Beast and Alan. It paced back and forth and every few turns it stopped and screamed at them.
The Beast shook his head, ‘man its playing with you like a cat with a wee white mouse.’
‘You think it can smell my fear.’
He grunted, ‘I can smell it.’ He leaned forward and shook his fist at it, ‘they call me The Beast and I do not fear you for I have killed one of your kind in mortal combat.’
The Tyrannie stopped and screamed back at him, Alan felt his nerves begin to settle a little then a strange thought struck him. ‘Beast where’s that ring cutter?’
The Beast as distracted and poked with his thumb, ‘over there with my Targe.’
Alan slipped away as the Beast and the reptile screamed at one another. Then suddenly something attracted the animal’s attention, it took a moment for the Beast to realise what it was but when he did his heart almost stopped. Alan stood alone outside the compound in his hand raised high were the ring cutters. The reptile was swift.
‘No,’ The Beast screamed, and began to run, his eyes searched for a spear but found none. He took a deep breath and released his axe from the holder on his back. As his hands touched the palisade walls to leap over Alan’s words reached him, ‘no Beast, stay where you are, don’t fucking move a muscle.’ He froze in the act.
The reptile was face to face with Alan its foul breath choked his lungs but he held his fear at bay. He held up the cutters, ‘your rider is dead, I would free you from the bondage, let me cut the ring from your leg, let me end it.’
Everyman heard his words because everyman on the wall was standing holding his breath. The reptile screamed in his face and to everyone’s astonishment it turned sideways. Alan stepped in close and with the ring cutters began to attack the large gold ring on its leg. It took a bit of doing because the rings were so big but eventually he was able to cut it in half. The giant reptile took a few steps then puffed up its chest and gave the strangest roar any of them had ever heard coming from the muzzle of an animal. It seemed to boom and resonate, the call was answered and the ground began to tremble. From out of the darkness came the rest of the giant reptiles. To everyone’s surprise they lined up with their tails swinging. The one he had already released looked at Alan and hesitantly he walked forward and began to work on the rings of the others. The Beast made a move but the reptile saw him and cut him off. It screamed at him and he was forced to back off his axe held high.
‘Stay where you are for fucks sake,’ Alan’s voice came from the night. The Beast froze and backed up. Hands reached down and grabbed the shaft of his axe and heaved him back over the wall. He stood there helpless as the reptiles prowled round Alan sniffing at him. When the last one was cut they all exulted and took off into the night. A shaking Alan stood alone. It took him to realise there was another noise, a deep bass, it was singing. He turned to find the Highlanders standing on the wall of the fort, singing and he knew they were singing for him as a tribute to his courage. Still with trembling legs he made his way back inside, the nightmares he knew would leave him.
CHAPTER 26
Captain Bob Osgood stood on the deck of the small warship not quite sure how he got there. He had received an urgent message from Billy, a distant cousin and a man he admired greatly. Bob was a product of a union between two races, those from the mountains and the North Sea fishers. Bob had spent an equal time between the two unt
il he reached manhood and joined his grandfather at sea. He loved the sea and the danger it presented to him in his daily life.
He had wished to take no part in the war that developed between his people. His grandfather had taken sympathy and marooned him on a remote island with some other distant relations. When Bob rose in the morning he was gone. It wasn’t until the shores froze that Bob was finely able to return home. An arduous journey by foot which few attempted so early in the winter. When he got there it was all over, he found his best friend was dead along with his grandfather and half the family, including a young nephew which he adored. It was the saddest day of his life and despite the passing years it was still raw. His grandfathers fishing boat had been badly damaged in the war but he had rebuilt it, then for years he had helped to provide for those left behind.
The damage done by Gareth Ogilvie, their defeat so complete, the peace had lasted for years. Some said in retrospect it was the best thing that had ever happened to them, but Bob had never felt like that. He also carried a measure of guilt for not being there to stand by their side. He also felt the trust of those left behind lost because of his blood ties.
Over the years things seemed to become more complicated instead of less so when he received the message from Billy he packed a bedroll and walked into the Highlands. Some of the stories he had heard about Gareth Ogilvie and his adventures sounded so unbelievable Bob had paid them little mind. Keeping himself to himself and living alone with an old dog that had taken to him. He didn't realise that Billy was working for Gareth or he probably wouldn’t have left. Halfway into the mountains the dog had suddenly died. Bob buried it with a great sense of sadness but with its passing all ties to the fishing village far below seemed to be severed and he found he could look forward to seeing his cousin.
What happened next took him completely by surprise. When he arrived at his destination he found he was expected. A strange looking man asked him to stand in a stream and an instant later he was in a far away land and broiling in his thick furs. He felt he lost a little of his dignity with what happened next. He turned on the strange looking man and grabbed him. The man then turned into an Eagle, a great big fucking Eagle and flew rings round him. Bob lost his temper, drew a dirk from his side and threatened anyone that came near him. It wasn’t until Billy came running up that Bob began to believe he wasn’t dead.’
It took Billy a fair bit of time to calm him down and begin to explain what was happening. Billy hadn’t realised what had been happening in Bobs life and how isolated he had became. He apologised for not writing a letter of explanation. By the time they reached the palace they were beginning to laugh about it. Things went badly wrong when he introduced Bob to Gareth. It took a Bob a moment to realise who he was facing but when he did he punched Gareth clean on the chin. Gareth slid across the floor and Bob went after him drawing his dirk, but he barely got a foot before a heap of bodies crashed into him and brought him to the ground. Aswari dragged him away with great difficulty. It took the Beast to help secure the enraged man.
An hour later Gareth stood in the cell of a bloodied Bob. Despite the beating he had from the guards he still got to his feet. Gareth saw he was a broad shouldered man but narrow at the hips. Taller than most Highlanders but not so heavily built. His face was sharp and angular and his expression fearsome, but what was most unusual was that the man was completely bald. His eyes burned with hatred.
Gareth smiled, ‘if I threw down a sword you would take it up wouldn’t you.’
Bob tugged at the chains attached to his wrist, ‘aye and you know it.’
‘Billy’s been telling me about you, that war ended a long time ago.’
‘Not for me, I thought I was over it, seems I was wrong.’
‘You lost a lot I heard, but your grandfather wouldn’t let you fight, stuck you on an island or something.’
Bob nodded, ‘he didn't want me to fight my own people.’
‘Why would you want to?’
Bob shook his head, ‘you think I give a shit about what the war was all about, I didn't, right or wrong, I didn't give a fuck. I was going to protect the lives of those people I loved.’
Gareth nodded, ‘that I can understand. You know a few years ago I would have tossed down that sword, now I can’t.’
Bob surged against his chains and Gareth expected him to call him a coward but it never came, ‘it’s a pity Ogilvie, it’s a chance I would have relished before your little black friends stick my head on a spike.’
Gareth's estimation of the man went up a notch, ‘tell you that did they?’
‘Oh you’d be surprised by what they are going to do to me.’
Gareth grimaced, ‘it won’t happen, I’ll get Billy to escort you home, you won’t be harmed.’
It was Bobs turn to be impressed, ’no hard feelings.’
Gareth shook his head, ‘I’d just like to say I'm sorry about your loved ones.’
Bob felt his ire rise again, ‘you fucking slaughtered them man.’
Gareth felt his ire rise to, ‘I put them in an imposable position, your War Chieftain should have surrendered, he didn't, he chose to attack, he was a fool, I gave him that opportunity.’
Bob began to feel his fury abate, he wasn’t lying, the few survivors told him the same thing. It would seem much of what he had been told about this man had been correct, he had just been too angry to see it.
‘Just as a matter of interest, what the hell did you want me for?’
‘I didn't, it was Billy’s idea, we have no sea farers in the Highlands, it’s complicated.’
Bob shrugged and rattled his chains, ‘I have a little time.’
Gareth felt irate and just wanted to leave this man and this cell but something made him hesitate. ‘We are in the middle of a war to free my wife’s people from slavery. They are bound by magic in a land about a month’s sail from here. The problem is the people here are affected by that magic, ours aren’t. That magic also extends out to sea. Every time we board one of their ships my people freeze and are rendered helpless. The enemy raid our stores then cast them adrift or kill the crew and seize the ship. We are training Highlanders to work the ships but.’
Bob suddenly burst out laughing, he laughed so much his sides hurt, Gareth's face went a deep shade of red, ‘we are getting there,’ he growled.
‘Aye well even a dog will find his sea legs eventually, let me guess there's not a man amongst them that can read a chart or navigate.’
The man of course had put his finger right on the mark but for some reason it rankled Gareth, ‘Pretty much aye.’
‘I see why Billy sent for me, aye ok War Chieftain of my people, you call me to battle and I will obey.’
Gareth hesitated, ‘I am no longer the War Chieftain of the Highland Clans.’
Bob was silent for a long moment, ‘still I’ll see no one in slavery, besides I could do with a new challenge and new horizons.’
‘You would fight for me?’
‘No not really, but I will fight for your wife’s people to free them from slavery, and my cousin Billy, and I suppose just about everyone else on this planet,’ Bob sniffed loudly to emphasise his point.
Gareth turned and walked out, he found Billy and commanded him to get that fucker gone, but Billy persuaded him otherwise and eventually he collected him and took him to the docks. He was introduced to a very frustrated looking admiral who asked him some probing questions, it didn't take long for Bob to get fed up with them. He leant across the big shinny desk, ‘look just give me a ship a crew and what passes for a navigator in this part of the world, I’ll do the rest.’
The admiral soaked in the man’s bearing and decided he had nothing to lose. He gave him the worst ship in the fleet, a small two master full of Highlanders. He made Billy and Bob wait while he wrote orders for the present captain of the Hazard. Bob had never seen a man leave a ship so quickly or with such joy written all over his face.
He began to look over the two masts and the rigging
and was approached by a sullen faced Highlander, ‘who the fuck are you?’
Bob stuck the head on the man and knocked him cold then carried on with his inspection, he was soon surrounded by a ring of wary men with drawn dirks, it seemed to do little more than amuse him. Billy who had been below came on deck and drew his claymore and roared a challenge. The men spun but before any bloodshed could be caused Bob lifted his voice, ‘settle the fuck down, the lot o ye. I'm yer new captain.’
Bob pushed his way through the men until he reached Billy, ‘I’ll take it from here cousin, thanks.’
They shook hands, ‘good luck Bob, I think you will need it.’
Bob shook his head, ‘nah, don’t worry about it.’
The crew had settled back down and watched their new captain as he went over every aspect of the ship. He hunted through every corner of it before finding his cabin cut off from the rest of the ship in the stern. He was amazed he could stand upright. There was a knock and a man appeared at his hail.
‘You Captain Osgood?’
‘Aye, who are you?’
‘The navigator you requested.’
‘You any good.’
‘Aye I'm good but I'm not exactly the most civil bastard alive, so what the fuck did you do to deserve me.’
Bob smiled, ‘I asked for you.’
The man seemed genuinely surprised, ‘oh right.’
‘Just to put you in the picture, I'm a Highlander as well.’
‘Where’s your fancy dress,’ the man blurted out.
Bob burst out laughing, ‘I haven’t worn one for years, I'm only two parts Highlander, I have spent most of my adult life at sea and most of that in command of my own ship, fishing and trading in the North Sea,’ Bob pointed to a chair and the navigator sat down.
‘There are legends of a sea so far to the north it becomes ice bound each year.’