Coinin heard a cracking sound to his left and looked to see Axl tearing a branch from a tree, and then a second. He handed one to Coinin and smiled.
‘What’s this for?’ Coinin asked perplexed.
‘It’s the cart,’ Axl replied. ‘We will drag these along in place of the wheels. Everyone keep between the ruts, that should disguise the lack of ox hoofs.’
Hur’al grabbed him and kissed the young man on the forehead. ‘You are a genius, Axl.’
‘Come on let’s move. We’ll have plenty of time for love later,’ Coinin said impatiently.
Hur’al and Aniol joined Axl and Coinin as they jogged ahead, tree limbs scraping through the snow to form fake cart tracks as they went. Hur’al shook his head and marvelled at how well the idea was working. Soon they would find rockier ground and be able to dispense with the deception.
❖
Many hours later, the exhausted wanderers returned to the barn empty handed. They were immediately barraged with questions, which they refused to answer until they had eaten and quenched their thirsts.
A minute later, food and wine were deposited before them, and they ate and drank hungrily.
‘What happened?’ Jericho demanded for the eighth time.
‘Leave them be, General,’ Menin scolded.
Coinin held up his arm in submission. ‘No, it's fine. The device is safe; we had to leave it behind.’
Coinin and Hur’al recounted their tale of escape and Axl received high praise for his quick thinking. He relished the moment and then true to form sank into the background to spend time with Aniol.
Jericho sat next to Hur’al on a bale of hay. ‘So what’s the plan?’ he asked.
‘I will send a couple of my men to retrieve the cart. They will meet us at the cove. The rest of us will travel from here in three covered waggons. Each will take a separate route to minimise drawing attention to ourselves.’
Jericho stood up. ‘We will be leaving in fifteen minutes. Everyone, please make sure they are packed and ready to go. Hur’al will issue the final orders from here on in.’
A hustle and bustle ensued, and Coinin felt his stomach tighten. The time had come for Archmage Menin to return to the temple and that, he knew, left them vulnerable. He saw her looking lost in thought as she leant against the barn door watching the sun slowly sinking into a red sky.
Coinin approached her and quietly touched her arm. ‘I know what you’re thinking,’ he said.
She didn’t look at him directly but replied softly. ‘What is it I am thinking?’
‘That hard times are ahead of us, and who knows if we will survive to see this quest complete.’
‘Very astute, Curator. It is true I fear this the most; that all this will come to nothing. We have so many enemies who seem intent to divert us from our course, and we are few amongst them.’
‘Does not history teach us that The Order defeated the hordes of Meria in battle with only a handful of men?’ Coinin replied.
‘Indeed it does, and I’m glad to see all of that information you have accumulated recently is finally ordering itself in your mind.’ Menin tapped her temple.
‘Oh, is that where that came from? I did wonder.’
‘I worry for you, Coinin. I have had such a limited time to teach you and prepare you for what lies ahead, and there is only so much the experience of countless Curator’s before you can impart. Your magic is limited, a novice at best. When you leave here today, you will be on your own and—’ Menin broke off, seemingly unable to continue.
Coinin once again touched her arm lightly. ‘I’m not scared; my path is foretold so that at least gives me hope that I will succeed.’
‘You are a wonder to behold sometimes, Coinin. I will miss you while you are gone.’
‘And I, you.’ Coinin sniffed slightly and gave a little cough of embarrassment.
‘There is one thing before you go.’
‘Yes?’
‘Please take care of Axl. His father will never forgive me should something happen to him,’ Menin said, looking Coinin deep in the eyes.
‘I will. Although I’m sure, I will share that crown of responsibility with Aniol.’
They chuckled loudly and briefly embraced before parting. Menin walked to the centre of the barn and addressed the people. ‘I have been away from the temple for far too long now. My only wish is that I was coming with you, but it is forbidden. Therefore you must make this arduous journey without me. Know this, that I will pray each moment that you are gone, and I await your safe return. Please join with me in a prayer to Rindor.’ Menin knelt with a little grunt of pain. She closed her eyes and raised her arms, palm uppermost. The occupants in the barn did likewise. ‘Mighty Rindor, all-powerful creator. I, your most humble servant, beseech you. Protect and guide your most faithful servants as they perform your will. Please strengthen them when the need is most, and be a beacon in times of darkness. We thank you for your daily gifts of life and freedom, and may our worship of your very name remain steadfast. So be it.’
Menin finished the prayer and took one last look around before standing next to Zaruun. She kicked off her boots and held them tight. ‘My friends, it has been an honour. I bid you farewell.’ She gripped Zaruun by the hand and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply, and a slight breeze caught the room, and a split second later, in a flash of bright yellow light, they were gone.
Coinin suddenly felt cold and alone. His heart raced. It was up to him now to make the decisions that would determine the next course their lives would take. So many people were counting on him to make the right choices, and he just hoped he was capable of doing so.
Jericho gave him no more time to think. ‘Time to move; over to you Hur’al.’
Hur’al nodded and clapped his hands together. ‘Everyone, divide into three equal groups. Each team will ride in one of the covered waggons. They are waiting outside,’ he finished and gestured it was time to leave.
Aniol caught up with Coinin, as was her duty, and smiled. ‘It’ll be all right you know,’ she said.
‘What will?’ Coinin asked.
‘Well, everything. It should all be plain sailing from here.’
Coinin gave her a withering look and ignored the pun. ‘I don’t share your confidence, Aniol. We shall see what tomorrow brings, and we will know if you are correct. Oh, by the way, did you pay the farmer as I asked?’
‘I did.’ Aniol nodded.
‘Good, thank you.’
Outside of the barn, three dark waggons had already started to be filled with soldiers and supplies, and Coinin took the middle one along with Aniol. Axl, Draken and Jericho travelled in the right-hand vehicle. Hur’al took the leftmost and complained bitterly about being shut up inside.
‘This was your idea, so be quiet,’ Coinin heard someone say to Hur’al.
‘Doesn’t mean it was good one,’ Hur’al replied.
With a crack of a whip, the waggons lurched forwards, and they were off.
Several sleepless hours later they cantered to a stop, and the doors to the carriages opened. Stiff and sore, the fugitives exited the transport and stretched their limbs. It was dark, and judging by the moon in a cloudless sky, it was nearing midnight.
Out of the darkness, several shady figures sprinted towards them from the cover of a line of trees to their left. To their right, a sharp cliff dropped away to a cove. The moon cast its light across a vast area of ice, and marooned within, Hur’al’s trading vessel waited.
‘Captain, the ice breaker is almost at the bottom of the cliff. How do you wish to proceed?’ said a tall woman with a toothy grin and an elaborate tattoo across her face.
Hur’al shook her hand and turned to Coinin and Jericho. ‘This, gentlemen, is my first mate; Lacretia. There is no one finer to ensure our safety tonight. I would ask that you place your absolute trust in her as the way down this cliff is by rope.’
‘Are you certain? It appears to be a very long way down,’ said Coinin, peering over the edge o
f the cliff. He immediately felt queasy and wished he had not.
‘I assure you, young master, that if there were any other way I would know of it,’ Lacretia told him. ‘Now, if you would allow me to wrap this strong rope around you, my men here will lower you down.’
Coinin was not given a choice or a chance to react, as strong hands raised his arms and a loop of thick rope passed over his head. A sturdy knot joined the two ends and met in the middle of his chest as the rope tightened. It was uncomfortable and chafed, but he bore it. He was more concerned with the massive drop before him.
Lacretia faced him and gave a set of final instructions. ‘I want you to back up slowly to the edge of the cliff, and then I want you to bend your knees and walk down the cliff until you are at the bottom.’
Coinin’s eyes widened. ‘You want me to do what?’ he stammered.
‘Don’t worry so. I’ve made this trip hundreds of times. There’s really nothing to it. Here, let me show you.’ Lacretia stepped away and moments later returned, strapped into a rope harness. Without further delay, she backed up to the cliff and disappeared over the edge.
Coinin peered after her and saw in what light there was the shape of the woman quickly walking down the cliff. He took a deep breath and without too much difficulty followed her down. A handful of men took the strain, and a sharp pain from an over-tight rope hurt his ribs. His boots scraped against the rock, and he half expected the rope to snap and to find himself plummeting to the sharp rocks below.
Several minutes later he found himself at the bottom, although with his eyes closed, he hadn’t realised it until Lacretia shook him. He jumped in panic and opened his eyes. Upon seeing he was on solid ground, his legs gave way, and he fell to the floor laughing hysterically.
One by one people arrived from above, unfastened their harnesses and stepped away from the cliff. The soldiers took it in their stride, and the civilians were a little shocked at having walked down a rock face in the middle of the night.
Draken held his head high, though Coinin could see he was flustered. ‘Unseemly for a man to be seen like that,’ Coinin heard his uncle mutter.
‘Uncle? How was that?’
Draken looked at him sternly. ‘It is not an activity I wish to repeat anytime soon if that is what you mean.’
‘I don’t blame you; my ribs hurt terribly.’
Aniol joined them and held out a flaming torch for Coinin to carry. ‘Here, use this to light your way,’ she said. ‘It should help as we cross the ice.’
Hur’al was the last to descend the cliff and landed with a thump. ‘Right, are we ready? Lacretia, please lead the way.’
Lacretia beckoned for everyone to follow her. ‘Please walk in single file, and be sure to step where I step. I desire no casualties to the deep.’
Coinin glanced at Axl who looked terrified. He tried a smile, and merely grimaced; to fall into the icy waters would mean certain death.
One by one the band of fugitives and traders set off. They walked slowly and carefully across the thick ice. Where it was thinner, it cracked and swayed with stomach-churning results. On more than one occasion someone’s foot fell through an ice crack, and their boot received a thorough wetting.
‘Careful now,’ said Hur’al, and assisted Aniol to her feet. She had slipped on the ice as many of them had.
‘Thank you,’ she said.
‘Think nothing of it.’ He was in a fine mood. He was about to be reunited with his ship and crew for the first time in three months.
The great hulk of wood and tar loomed out of the darkness. She was heavy in the water; her hold is full of goods and provisions. A dim lantern swung from the aft of the ship and cast its light over the name: ‘The Peregrine’.
‘Welcome home, Captain,’ a voice called down from on deck, although it was too dark to see the individual.
A rope ladder was flung from the side of the ship and impacted the ice with a crunch. Lacretia led the way and climbed swiftly into the gloom.
Coinin and Aniol followed and were soon aboard the vessel. Coinin wondered if all ships smelled the same. He had now been on two, and they both smelled of fish, tar and sweat.
‘Welcome aboard. Now step aside,’ said Lacretia. She reached forward and grasped the arm of Hur’al, assisting him. ‘Captain on deck,’ she hollered.
‘Thank you, Lacretia. Damn its good to be home,’ Hur’al beamed.
Lacretia patted the bulwark. ‘She has missed you, Sir.’
Hur’al crossed the deck and reached for the ship’s mast where he planted a kiss on the timber. ‘And I missed her,’ he smiled happily.
‘What are your orders, Captain?’
Hur’al surveyed the dark deck. ‘Let’s get some light out here and get our guests aboard. We will rest up and begin work at first light.’
They spent time assisting soldiers aboard, and they were then shown below decks, where it felt considerably warmer.
In the underbelly of the ship, it stank worse than on deck. How a man could want this life, Coinin could not fathom. Each of the newcomers had to duck their heads so as not to impact low beams, and they had to pay attention to their footing too, since rope, oars, barrels, and boxes were strewn everywhere, making any headway a slow process.
The sides of the ship angled down to the keel and a set of strong rooms with heavy locks ran the length of this deck. Further aft, a new set of steps led down into the bunkrooms.
Coinin chose a comfortable looking hammock and clambered into it. It was a relief to lie down for a while, and he was soon asleep, his snores mixing with that of the others.
Draken did not sleep, he slipped back on deck and crept astern. Kneeling behind a set of barrels, he dug into his pack, withdrew an orb roughly the size of a small melon and held it between cold hands. Almost immediately the orb began to glow a dark shade of red, infused with billowing multicoloured gaseous clouds.
He checked about him nervously. ‘Are you there?’ Draken whispered to the orb.
Seconds later a high voice emitted from the orb. ‘Of course, I’m here; what news?’
‘The boy is coming for you Lordich. He’s bringing soldiers.’
‘I am well aware he is coming. Why would he not? I hold his brother captive. Let him come.’
‘What do you plan to do?’
‘Let’s just say that when he arrives there will be a nasty surprise waiting for him.’
‘Lordich, promise me you will not hurt him,’ Draken pleaded.
‘Do I detect a heart in you Draken?’
‘No, you do not. I have other uses for him,’ Draken replied flustered.
‘Intriguing; you will have to tell me more.’
‘When the time comes, yes. Right now, I’ve done as you have asked and warned you. Should things change, I will contact you again.’
Draken hid the orb in his pack once more and breathed hard. He knew he had defied Lordich and that was never a good thing. His true intent must remain secret until the time was right.
Lordich believed that the power of the Rose of Cerathil, a necklace imbued with the power of the gods, would see him victorious over The Brotherhood. Draken knew better, though. It provided only a magical protection to the wearer.
He had stolen the necklace and was using Coinin’s quest to deliver it to Lordich. Draken collected his pack and crept back to his hammock. He curled up in the swinging fish net, keeping a tight grip on it.
❖
The morning came too quickly for Coinin. It hardly felt as if he had slept, although a crust around his eyes belied his belief. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of his hammock and stretched. His knuckles clipped the low beams above him, and he remembered he was aboard Hur’al’s trading ship. He looked about him and saw that only Aniol had risen before him and stood leaning against a support beam.
‘Good morning, Curator,’ she said, standing to attention.
Coinin shook his head. ‘How many times, Aniol? Will you relax?’ Aniol crossed to him. ‘It’s m
y duty. Would you have me remove a limb so easily? It’s ingrained from day one of training.’
‘I can see I’m never going to get you to comply, so we’ll forget it. Shall we find something to eat?’
‘I thought you’d never ask. I could eat the scabby hind leg of a dead donkey,’ Aniol chuckled.
‘Aniol, you are so pleasant sometimes,’ he said sardonically.
They walked together, bypassing numerous nautical obstacles, and found themselves on the main deck. They squinted at the bright winter sun and wrapped their cloaks tightly around them.
‘Bracing,’ said Aniol, and gave a shiver.
‘Winter draws on,’ Coinin nodded in agreement.
Coinin checked about him for signs of life. There was one deckhand stood several metres away looking out to sea longingly.
‘Before we eat, may I ask you a question of a personal nature?’ Coinin asked.
Aniol cocked her head and shrugged. ‘Certainly.’
‘What are your plans when you marry Axl?’
‘Well, I’m not going to leave your service if that’s what you mean.’
Coinin smiled. ‘Have you discussed this with Axl?’
Aniol frowned. ‘Actually, no I haven’t.’
Coinin nodded thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps you should. He may have very different ideas concerning your future.’
‘Why? Has he said something?’
‘It is not my place to say. Though, I do I urge you to talk with him and ensure you are in agreement about your direction as a couple.’
‘If you think I must.’
‘Trust me; I have your best interests at heart.’ Coinin turned away, the thought that he might lose her someday soon cutting him deeply. She was his rock, his stabilising force, and he secretly wished she would not leave. He felt guilty about that, selfish even.
‘When I have a moment, I will. Thank you,’ said Aniol, not fully understanding why she had just agreed to do so. From her perspective, the direction her life was to take was set. She had not considered that Axl might want to follow a different path.
The Aduramis Chronicles: Volumes 1-3: The Definitive Collection Page 53