Stoc (A New Druids Series Book 3)

by Donald D. Allan

  A small group of minstrels played quietly behind them, and servants circled and manoeuvred through the gathering with silver trays laden with meats, drink, and sweets. Wine was flowing, and the alcohol was allowing cooler heads to become more vocal. The announcement that allies to the Realm were about to arrive at Munsten and Jergen had taken the representatives by some surprise and despite their better judgement to not contradict Healy openly they had talked amongst themselves. Healy scowled inwardly. The idiots knew the ships were coming but now that they are arriving suddenly they feel the need to squawk like the gulls turning about on the wind. Time to be done with the lot of them. Once Mushir enforces my rule, I will revert this republic back to a monarchy and take the throne.

  Kamal coughed politely into a hand and pointed toward the island chain sitting just off the harbour. "Which direction did you say?" he inquired politely.

  Healy chewed his inner cheek for a moment. Kamal knew exactly where the ships would appear. A few of the council members tried to hide it but they were waiting for his response and so he pointed with his goblet toward the larger island to their right. "They should appear just to the right of that large island there. Coats Island."

  "How soon?"

  Healy growled in annoyance and then stopped himself. Kamal could be touchy. He forced a fake smile to his lips and took a sip of wine. He swallowed and beckoned a servant forward with a tray full of little lemon tarts covered in toasted meringue. He grabbed one and stuffed it full into his mouth. "Yum," he exclaimed once he swallowed. "Delicious." He patted his lips with a silk napkin. "My dear Kamal, they will be here when they get here. Today is the day Mushir Adham said he would arrive when the sun is at its zenith. Soon, I would wager, soon he will be sighted."

  As soon as the words left his mouth, he spotted the first glimpse of a ship breaking free of the edge of Coats Island. He laughed at the timing and stood and pointed. "There!" he exclaimed. His audience followed his finger, and many spotted the ship right away and helped others find it. Soon other ships could be seen trailing behind the first.

  Healy turned to Kamal and found him smiling. "You knew, didn't you?"

  Kamal nodded and drank his wine. "Of course! Of course! Mushir will be here within an hour. The wind brings them quickly. Is all prepared?"

  Healy twisted in his seat and found General Gillespie standing behind him. He beckoned him over. Gillespie hurried over and leaned in. Healy spoke quietly. "All is in order I trust, General?"

  "Yes, sir. The Army is gathered down by the docks to receive our allies and escort them to the barracks. Translators are divided up amongst the platoons. We'll merge the Army with these others. It will be as you directed."

  "Excellent, and the Navy?"

  "The Fleet Admiral sailed with two frigates and a barque a week ago. Word is he received a message from Turgany. He took off at once. He left two ships guarding Portsmouth."

  "And the rest of the Navy?"

  "Tide up alongside in Portsmouth. Doing whatever the Navy does. They won't sail with the Admiral's ships blocking the harbour."

  "Too convenient. I'm afraid we might have lost the Navy support."

  "Humph, well, it's not that they added too much to our needs."

  Healy leaned back to get a good look at Gillespie. "Are you that stupid, or are you simply trying to be funny?"

  Gillespie had the common sense to look confused. "Sir?"

  "Without the Navy, we are land locked. The Realm is nothing more than a large island. The Navy ensures our shores are safe and trade continues. This is not good, Gillespie. For now, I can ignore our Admiral, but in time he must meet the same fate as Frederick."

  "T'would be my pleasure, sir."

  "No doubt. See to the arrival. Make it smooth and problem free. Mushir Adham will be a touchy guest here. I suggest you treat him with the most respect you can muster."

  "Aye, sir. Will do. Is there anything else?"

  "Yes, I want Brent Bairstow executed at dawn. I plan to invite our guests to witness. It should make for a grand start to our relationship."

  Gillespie grinned. "Aye, sir. At dawn."

  "Dismissed," ordered Healy and Gillespie saluted, turned about and marched quickly away. Healy watched the man leave and then rotated around to find Kamal smiling at him. "That man is an ass. Again, why did you want him?" he whispered to him.

  "He amuses me. Chaos is such a wonderful tool, and that man causes so much of it. He does nothing right. He tries so hard and continues to fail. It's quite funny," whispered back Kamal.

  Healy glared at Kamal. "Not really. Too much rides on so little. I want this army merged with mine. Together we'll control the land and wipe out all resistance. These demons for example. I thought them gone already."

  Kamal's face grew dark. "No, not gone. Like an infestation of lice, you miss one and they come back stronger than ever. They live. This army will wipe them out. And soon."

  As they were speaking a cry of alarm was heard on the far-left side of the pavilion area. Healy lifted his head to get a better look and saw that the councillors were eyeing a strange woman who walked slowly along the front of the seated members. Kamal snapped his head toward the woman and stood up.

  The woman ignored everyone and walked toward Kamal. Her eyes roamed and didn't seem to focus on Kamal. Healy looked her over and didn't like what he saw. He gestured to his guards nearby, and they strode forward drawing their swords. The woman ignored them and stopped in front of the dais looking up.

  "I cannot see you. Just an emptiness where life should be," she said toward Kamal. "Why do you come here? What need have you of this land? You have so much already. When will it be enough?"

  Kamal hissed. "When I say it is enough. You know my purpose. Why must you fight me?"

  "Your purpose is in error. You know this. It has been explained. Leave. This is all that is left. It must be protected."

  "My task is almost complete."

  "Your task is in error."

  "Enough, if you won't leave I will," Kamal whirled and left the dais and disappeared into the back hallways of the castle.

  Healy watched him go and turned back to the woman. He was amazed Kamal had fled like that. He studied the woman and couldn't quite determine what she wore. A robe, certainly. It was hard to describe, and he struggled to grasp what he was seeing.

  The woman was stared intently back at him and made no sounds. The council members had cleared an area around her and watched in confusion. Some laughed openly at her and others scowled. Healy felt something around this woman. A sense of disquiet. Guilt perhaps. The guards arrived and stood on either side of her and reached out to her. "Leave her a moment," he ordered, and the guards stepped back a pace. "Who are you?"

  "Gaea."

  "Who?"

  "Mother Earth is what the draoi call me."

  "Mother...? Are you serious?" Healy laughed. "You? A simple woman?"

  "There is nothing simple about me, John Healy. I have watched you for years now. Watched your thirst for power and avarice for gold consume you."

  Healy took a closer look at the woman. Her face looked almost familiar and while he watched it morphed and changed. Suddenly Belle Arbor was looking back at him. Healy cried out and lurched back out of his chair and away from her. The guards reacted quickly and reached forward and grabbed the woman. They held her firm by the arms and looked up to Healy for orders.

  "It can't be you," he said in a hiss.

  "Belle Arbor? My Cill Darae you chased out of Munsten so many years ago? I am her and she is me. But I am not her. I am Gaea. Did you know the Archbishop had tried to kill you that night? It was Belle who stopped him on my orders. She saved your life."

  "What are you talking about? She led the coup. She tried to take my life."

  "You need to listen better, John Healy. I tell you: she saved your life and protected you from an attack by the Church. You blamed her and allowed the Archbishop to take power and wipe out my draoi."

  "They were demons!"


  "Demons? No, never that. I would give that title to the members of the Sect of the Church. Do you believe in God, John Healy?"

  Healy looked around quickly at the council members listening in. To admit to believing in the Church was suicide. Word would get out and he would be hard pressed to keep control. He shook his head. "Never. I am merely their head for now. I follow the Word. Now leave. Guards, escort her out of the city."

  The guards pulled the woman away. Healy was relieved she went willingly. As the guards walked her to the exit from the pavilion, the woman turned her head back to Healy. "Pity you don't believe in something. Here's something you should believe: you are a puppet to him," she said.

  "Wait," he ordered, and the guards stopped and looked back to him. "What do you mean? A puppet to who?"

  "Erebus. The man you think is Kamal. He is not a man. He is Erebus. He uses you. He uses everyone. Whispers promises. Sees weakness and exploits it. It is what he is and what he does. You think to gain more power and more wealth. You believe him because you want to. But, in the end, you will be dead along with everyone else in Belkin."

  Healy felt his face grow hot, and he gripped the back of a chair to steady himself. "Why should I believe you?"

  "Time is short. Talk with Brent Bairstow. He will explain if you will listen."

  Healy stared at this woman who wore the face of Belle Arbor and repeated the conversation over again in his head. "What task did you speak to Kamal about? Explain."

  The woman looked sad. "An old task. Older than you can imagine. He will purge the world."

  "Purge the world? Purge it of what?"

  "Life."

  "Why should he want that? Men crave power and money. Not the death of all. Nothing is to be gained by that."

  "He is not a man, John Healy, you know that. Speak to Brent Bairstow. Perhaps his answers will resonate better from a man who believes in an almighty being rather than a simple being such as I."

  "Simple? You are nothing of the sort..." Healy cried out as the woman vanished in front of him. The guards yelled in fright and turned to search for the woman, but she was gone. The council members stood nearby with frightened faces and hands over their mouths. Healy composed himself and stepped back.

  He looked toward Coats Island and saw that the ships were halfway to the port. They were making excellent time. Soon the army from the Eastern land would merge with his own and sweep across the Realm and put order back. He noticed the council members had yet to return to their seats, and he allowed his anger to replace his troubled thoughts.

  "Music! Continue! My council, please return to your seats. Trickery seems to be that crazy woman's skill! Now sit, talk and enjoy the fine foods. Our allies soon arrive and a new greater age descends upon us! Today we witness history in the making and you are all a part of that! Eat, drink, laugh! Please!"

  There was a moment of stillness and then the musicians started up a clumsy tune and then grew stronger and more confident. As the music surged, the council members seemed to relax and smiled weakly to one another and reached for their wine goblets.

  Healy returned to his seat and sat heavily into it and then gulped down his wine. He saw that several council members notice and look worried. Let them. I care not. He shook his head to clear it. Erebus? Speak to Brent Bairstow? I've only a few hours left before that will be impossible. John Healy forced a chuckle and the members closest to him relaxed on hearing it. Who is this Erebus?

  As the ships docked in the harbour, Healy was already there waiting. As they came ashore, Healy welcomed Mushir Adham with a large crowd gathered to watch. It was a quick affair. They clasped hands and publicly agreed to the alliance between the lands in front of the Judicial, Military and Privy Council members. Smiles were passed all around. The crowd cheered.

  Healy made introductions. "Mushir Adham, I present the General of the Republic Sean Gillespie. He will see to your men and make sure you are accommodated. He will work with you to determine how to best work together. We can meet in the morrow to discuss further details. I imagine after the long sea voyage you will wish to refresh yourself."

  Adham looked to Kamal. Kamal spoke rapidly in a strange language and Adham nodded and replied. Kamal turned to Healy. "Mushir Adham thanks you for your generous hospitality. Despite feeling the cold of this land, he is eager to begin working with your army and fighting the demons. He agrees to meet on the morrow at your convenience."

  Healy smiled. "Please invite Adham to a public execution tomorrow morning at dawn. We are executing a leader of the rebellion. One of the men who worked closely with the demons."

  Kamal relayed the information. "Mushir Adham says it will be his pleasure and accepts."

  Healy beamed a smile and thanked Adham. He turned to Gillespie. "See to it, General. And on our best behaviour. I do not want reports of fighting. Keep our people polite. Bring him round tomorrow."

  "Aye, sir," replied Gillespie. He beckoned with his hand and led Adham away and over to where his officers were discussing logistics with his. Translators were talking quickly and Healy could see the frustration between the two groups already. In the background, wooden cranes were already raising large black horses from the cargo holds of the ships. The horses kicked their legs and cac rained down on the stevedores. It was a noisy place to be and Healy was eager to be gone.

  Healy turned to Kamal. "He called you saheeb. What is that word?"

  "It is nothing, a word of respect. Come, we should retire."

  Healy smiled and waved to the gathered crowd and excused himself. Kamal walked beside him and they made their way back up to Healy's private chambers with a guard escort.

  As soon as they entered, Healy went to the liquor cabinet and filled a tumbler with a large amount of his finest aged Cala whiskey. He gulped down half and then sat in his large leather couch. Kamal stood by the window and watched with amusement on his face.

  Healy scowled and pointed at the space on the couch. "Sit. I want to talk."

  "Of course," Kamal walked over and sat on the couch as directed. He watched Healy take another gulp and grimace as he swallowed. "What do you wish to talk about?"

  "What happened out there?"

  "Out where?"

  Healy slammed the empty glass down on the low table in front of the couch. "Don't play games! Answer me!"

  Kamal leaned back in the couch and crossed his legs. "Ah, you mean Gaea?"

  "Gaea? You know her? What is she? What was that?"

  "An unexpected visit. We rarely meet in public like that. Normally we dance from a distance. Never in person. That's the second time in over two thousand years. I admit she unnerved me."

  "Two thous—? What are you talking about?"

  "Dear John, you are involved in something so much larger than you can hope to imagine."

  "She called you Erebus. Who is Erebus?"

  "I am Erebus. Not a name I chose, but it was given to me a long time ago. I admit I like it now. It has grown on me."

  "Who are you? Kamal or Erebus?"

  "I am both. But mostly I am Erebus."

  "What?"

  "Haha! Yes, exactly. A what. I am Erebus. But it does not matter. What matters is what you and I are doing. We are unifying two lands. Together we will fight the demons. They are very real. You have seen their power. Gaea is their leader. She controls them. Gives them her power. It is she we must defeat. We start by wiping her demons from the world. She can only influence the world through her bond with her demons. It is a constraint she operates under. A constraint she willingly accepted. I am not so constrained."

  "Constrained? You speak in riddles. What am I involved in here? I don't understand. Speak clearly!"

  Kamal sighed and uncrossed his legs. He rose and brought the decanter of whiskey over to the table and refilled Healy's glass. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I have no intention of explaining myself. Be at peace. You will get what you desire. Power. Wealth. Is that not enough?"

  "She says you lie. Dangles gifts but y
ou don't deliver. How am I to believe you?"

  "How can you not? You are too far down this path with me and Adham. You've taken one small step for man."

  "Small step?"

  "Excuse me, an expression from a long time ago. Trust me, John Healy." Kamal picked up the glass and placed it in Healy's hand. "Drink."

  Healy glared defiantly at Kamal, fury on his face. Kamal reached out and placed a hand on Healy's forehead. "Sleep," he said and deftly took the glass from Healy's relaxed hand as he slumped back into the couch asleep.

  Thirteen

  Jergen - Parade Grounds - June 901 A.C.

  COLONEL MASTERS HEARD the drill orders being yelled outside on the parade grounds from within the vestibule. He always loved drill and the precision of it. Direct orders, never questioned, obeyed immediately and with exactly the intended outcome. Outside were the combined armies of the Realm and Cian-Oirthear. The Colonel was worried. y-Mushir Hassim was not a stable man. I can't read him and by the Word I can't understand him!

  He would have to deal with him. The plan had been in place for years and now that the other land was here he could scarcely believe it. His future in the Army was assured and promotion and a higher social standing was his for the taking. The army would march north and crush the enemy. The President had laid the plan out in excruciating detail to a select few. He had been fortunate to have been one of those few. He still recalled that long meeting with others in the military in Munsten. All hand selected by Healy. The man's knowledge of military matters had seemed unreal. His attention to supply details, marching times, medical care, horse care, attrition and all manner of military matters had been awe-inspiring. The President had detailed political changes that would occur over the years and that too had come unerringly correct. He had painted a picture of a bright future and they had all been enthralled and glad to be part of it. Now it was happening.