Chapter 14 - Siege
The castle shook with the crash and Peter sat bolt upright. A storm was raging outside and the room was suddenly illuminated by another flash of lightning. Getting out of bed, he walked over to the window, pulled back the curtains and looked out on the grounds below. The flashes of lightning provided enough light for him to clearly see the deserted grounds, lashed by rain and winds. The trees danced in a frenetic rhythm that reflected the growing anxiety he felt. Something wasn't right. For some reason he felt attuned to nature and he experienced unnatural forces in action. The storm railed against what was occurring. It was wrong!
A dim light seemed to throb through the room and he turned to locate it. There, in his discarded clothing, a pale light pulsed. It was the Moonstone! Quickly he crossed the room and drew out the stone. The light that emanated from it was brighter, but there was something wrong. There appeared to be a red patch that he had never seen before. He didn't need to be told, he just knew there was danger tonight. Out there in the storm evil was at play.
He got dressed, strapped his sword around his waist and went to wake Ravenscort. As he gently knocked on the door, it was thrown open and Ravenscort was there, fully dressed and armed.
"Get Nightjar," he said.
If a flash, Peter was knocking on her door and this too revealed Nightjar, dressed and ready for action. The pair returned to the boys' rooms and found Roger also dressed and waiting with Ravenscort. Roger too had a sword strapped to his side.
"I have spoken with Roger."
"Call me Hardgrist," said Roger. "It sounds so much better."
"I have spoken with Hardgrist and given him a warning of what might happen. I think everyone in this castle is in danger. Nightjar, go and speak with Debbie. Hardgrist, get your friends up and make sure they are armed. Peter and I will secure the gates."
The two of them rushed out of the room, down the stairs, and made their way through the courtyard. Rain pelted down and the night roared with savagery. Struggling against the elements, they crossed the courtyard and entered the gatehouse. The gates were wide open and anyone or thing could have easy access. With great physical effort they pushed the wooden doors shut. The narrow corridor through the thick walls was still open on the outside. A channel was cut through the ceiling of the corridor and this allowed a portcullis to drop. The two climbed the stairs into a room above the tunnel and saw the mechanism holding the portcullis in place. The machinery was in disrepair and it took both their strengths to get it to move. Straining, the lever shifted, only an inch at first and then suddenly it was free. There was a loud shriek as it was released and a screech of rattling chain was followed by a thunderous clank as the portcullis dropped, blocking entry to the castle.
For a moment, this gave them a sense of relief. Behind them in the castle, lights were on and the sound of voices could be heard. The pair rushed back and found everyone gathering in the Lower Hall. Debbie Mather was addressing everyone and when she saw Ravenscort and Peter she turned to them,
"Can you two explain what is going on? Nothing I've heard so far makes any sense."
"Listen everybody. Now I realise that this will sound crazy, but the castle is about to be attacked. There are forces that you won't believe gathering and they will come tonight. If I am right, then none of you are safe."
"Why don't we call the police?" cried one voice.
"What is out there is beyond even their powers." he went on. "I wish it were not so."
At that moment, a high pitched scream rang through the night. It drowned out the roll of thunder and left no one in any doubt that something horrible had just happened. Fear filled the faces of those gathered. Their numbers were not large. Peter estimated maybe forty to fifty. He turned to Ravenscort, who had seen him tallying up.
"It will have to do, Peter. There will be no others coming to our aid."
Turning to Hardgrist, he said, "Hardgrist, take ten and check for other ways in or out and get back to me as soon as possible. Leave two at each point. One can guard and the other must report to us if they see anything out there. can you do it?"
"Of course."
Without discussion, he quickly gathered his group and left. Peter had organised two to go to the top of each of the four towers to keep look out and to warn of any approaching forces. Luckily the castle was filled with enough weaponry to equip a great army, so everyone made sure they were well armed in the shortest of times.
There was a sudden rumble and the ground shook. Everyone glanced at each other, seeking reassurance, but finding none.
"What was that?"
"I don't know, Peter, but whatever it is, is not good."
A runner from the tower above raced into the hall. By the look on his face he had never been so scared.
"Wolves. I can't believe I'm saying this. Wolves. Great wolves are here and there are hundreds."
"At least they can't get in!" someone offered.
"I wouldn't be too sure," Ravenscort retorted. "These are just one of the forces against us and they are more than they seem. Quick, we must hold the gate. If the gate fails then we will need to retreat back into this tower. We will have to leave the others. This tower is self-contained and is the easiest to defend. Nightjar, quickly let the others know. Peter, get six others and we'll get to the gates. Debbie, organise the others to defend this tower. Collect all the useful weapons you can find. We need bows, as many arrows as possible and anything else that we can use. Can you do that?"
"Of course!" and, so saying, she started to organise the remaining people.
The small group sped their way to the gate tower. From inside they could look down on anyone, or thing approaching. Murder holes were cut through the floor to allow defenders to drop anything lethal on those advancing past the portcullis towards the gates. Pairs were sent to collect what they could utilise and Peter and Ravenscort gazed out onto the grounds below. The storm still raged and along the tree line they could see the wolves gathering. There were more now than they had seen before. They were great lumbering beasts, but they were organised in an unnatural way. These were not dumb animals. They worked as a unit and a sentient creature was controlling them.
Peter felt himself drawn to a figure, partially hidden in the gloom of the trees. A sudden flash of lightning revealed a cloaked and hooded man. It was Gorn. He was here and Peter knew what he wanted.
The figure advanced towards the gates. He moved slowly, with confidence. His power and presence grew as he approached. His face was hidden, but there was a red glow beneath the hood. When he was only a short distance from the gate tower, he stopped.
"I will speak with the carrier of the Moonstone. I know he is there. I can feel his presence. This need not end badly, Peter Calender. You know what I want. At the Gill, you were right, I could not take it, but here it is a different matter. Give it to me and we will go. As I have said, it needn't end badly. The stone, Peter. Give me the stone!"
Before Peter could reply, Ravenscort shouted back, "Begone foul creature, breaker of the laws! Your words are lies. I know you and your kind. You will leave no one alive, whether we give the stone to you or not. Those beasts behind you will not let any live. What you want you will have to take. You will not find it as easy as you think."
Ravenscort said these words to let those listening know that they would not escape by handing over the stone.
Peter added, "I know you too, Gorn. I know that with the stone you will wreak such horrors on the worlds. It is said that the stone is mine and that I am the last hope. We will see if that is true or not. Either way, you will not get possession of the stone so easily. Come take it, if you dare! I am ready for you!"
Gorn drew his hand from the depths of his garments and opened his palm to show a black shining stone. The stone pulsed with power and he drew out his other hand and in his palm was a still throbbing heart.
"Oh I will take it, Moonchild, and when I do I will tear out your heart and your flesh will feed my beasts."
&nbs
p; He threw the heart, blood still dripping, high into the night sky. Out of nowhere, a white flash swooped and tore the heart with its talons and the great white owl flew off to feed.
This appeared to be a signal. The line of wolves charged in great leaping bounds towards the castle and the gate tower. Between flashes of lightning the wolves slowed, as if in strobe light, as they approached and through the light Peter saw their transformation to something half-man, half-wolf. Naked heads and arms sprouted from bodies of coarse hair and they ran now on hind legs as they leapt at the walls of the towers. They struggled for leverage and holds as they attempted to scale the walls. The coarse stone did offer some traction and a few managed to get a grip and began to climb. Faces turned upwards showed wolf fangs amongst human features. These half-beasts were more ferocious than anything he had seen before.
Ravenscort drew his bow, nocked an arrow and let fly at a beast he saw from his vantage point above the gates. The arrow flew straight and true and the creature was pierced through the right eye, toppled backwards and fell to earth. Scores of beasts were now scaling walls, and arrows and other missiles rained down on them from the vantage points the defenders had taken. The beasts suffered significant casualties, but this did not delay the assault. A small group had reached the portcullis and Peter looked down on them. He drew his bow and let fly. At the range he was at, he couldn't miss and he inflicted serious damage on those attempting to find a way to breach the gates.
This mayhem continued and it appeared that the defenders had the upper hand. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in defensive positions. The initial surge seemed to lose its impetus and there was a moment that defenders felt the assault would fail. It was at this point that Ravenscort turned to Peter.
"There is something wrong, Peter. This does not make sense. Gorn would not waste his efforts on a frontal assault such as this. He is losing too many of his forces. I suspect..."
He never got to finish this as Gorn raised his hand with the stone held tight. Arm aloft, he began to chant. The air went suddenly silent as the storm seemed to stop and listen. A blinding flash of lightning speared through the dark and struck the stone. There was a great groaning sound as if the earth fought against the forces at play.
Peter and Ravenscort felt a sudden chill and behind them they could hear sounds from the cobbled courtyard. They turned to look and saw the courtyard shift. At first it was like a shimmer, as if looking through old glass, but the the cobbles began to lift. Skeletal hands appeared from below and these were followed by partially fleshed arm bones. At first there were few, but the numbers grew and struggling cadavers began to pull themselves free.
"He has brought the dead to take the castle from the inside. Quick, back to the tower! We must rally the defence and get the forces back in the tower before they are cut off."
Peter didn't need any encouraging. Ravenscort's words urged him into action and he quickly descended from the tower. The dead were rising , but Ravenscort yelled.
"Back to the tower. Get back now! Your lives depend upon it!"
There were replying cries from the other towers and figures darted across the yard, zigzagging between the dead that were still climbing free. Ravenscort drew his sword and struck the head from the shoulders of one of the living dead. The head skittled across the cobbles, striking another emerging creature. The headless body continued to climb free, the lack of head did not seem to limit its movement or intent.
Peter felt the stone begin to pulse and he drew it from his pocket. Still running, he seemed to focus on an emerging figure and a beam of blinding white light drove like a sledgehammer into the creature and it flew apart in a myriad of pieces. Somehow, this seemed to tire Peter and his run slowed. Again he focused on another. The light beam darted towards the creature and there was another explosion and the creature was no more. The effect on Peter was more intense this time and his run slowed to a walk. A third time he targeted his thoughts, the beam shot out and there was one less creature. Peter began to stumble. Exhaustion hit him like a wave and he began to stagger. He was only a few paces away from the relative safety of the tower, but the dead had now risen and there was one between him and the tower. The creature advanced towards him in an ungainly, but effective gait. Its arms reached out to grab the weakened and stumbling Peter, when the creature's head parted from its shoulders and struck Peter in the chest. Peter looked up and realised that the beast was staring at him through unblinking eyes. It opened its mouth, showing clear intent to rip into Peter's face, when it suddenly vanished.
Ravenscort stood grinning.
"Ow!" he cried, but still smiling. "That really hurt my foot."
Glancing around, Peter saw the head still rolling towards other creatures like a bowling ball. Ravenscort pulled Peter back to his feet and dragged him towards the entrance. There were still other defenders trying to reach the sanctuary of the tower and they were running from the advancing dead army. Peter was thrown through and the doors were slammed shut.
"Did we all get back?" he cried.
Screams could be heard that indicated that they hadn't. At least two voices could be heard. The dead were silent, but those cut off from safety were not. Their cries lasted long into the night and the storm could not drown out their screams.
This had a dire effect on the defenders in the tower. Downcast faces stared at each other in silence. Hands were clasped over many of the ears, to try and muffle the screams that resounded around the courtyard and pierced the hearts of the defenders in the tower.
After a short time they could hear the portcullis being raised and the gates opened. The sounds of the once-wolves entering the courtyard were followed by footsteps near to the tower door.
"It is not too late, Peter Calender! Give me the stone. Do you want others to suffer so?"
Shuddering screams rose to a crescendo and then were silent.
"Do not think that is the end of their torment. They will shortly join my army and you will see them again, but not as they were. Give me the stone! I have one or two things to do, so I will be back for your answer shortly."
"The answer will be the same, Gorn. I will not willingly give you the stone." Peter shouted through the door with a confidence and courage he did not possess.
All went silent from outside the tower, but not inside. There was some sobbing, some discussion about giving them what they wanted. This was quickly stifled when Nightjar made it clear that giving up the stone would not save them. Gorn had no intention of allowing any of them to escape. Some of the actors, extras and crew could not believe what they had witnessed. There was discussion on whether it was a dream that they would wake up from, but in reality they all knew it was not. What they had seen was unbelievable, but all their senses told them it was real.
All that they knew had been turned on its head. Their confidence in the world, in logic, in order, was shattered.
"This is part of the breaking of the laws, Peter."
"I know, but that doesn't make it any easier to make sense of. These people will never be the same. I will never be the same. What now?"
"We must organise our defences. We must try and keep them out for as long as possible. The walls here will not be easily breached, but the door is the weak link. We need to strengthen it as best we can. If it fails, we will have to retreat up the tower. If we can keep them out until morning then maybe we have hope."
On that point, Ravenscort busied himself organising people to barricade the door with heavy furniture. He also sent others to collect any weapons that might be of use. Peter watched as Debbie Mather made her way to Ravenscort and spoke quietly with him. Peter was amazed how quickly the crew and actors had accepted this reality and how they recognised Ravenscort as the leader of the defence.
Hardgrist returned from the higher part of the tower and relayed what was occurring in the courtyard.
"The dead things are still there. They are just standing like statues, but Gorn is nowhere to be seen. The wolves have moved
back to the forest line and they are wolves again. Apart from that there is nothing else to see."
They could all hear that the storm was still raging and most tried to keep busy to stop themselves thinking about what had already happened and what was likely to happen. The faces showed a resident fear that they were avoiding. No one had ever experienced such things, apart from Peter, Nightjar and Ravenscort. Peter's heart was heavy with the responsibility of what had happened and what was going to happen.
He walked across the hall to ask Ravenscort what he could do next, when Nightjar approached and, taking his arm, led him away and up the staircase to the higher parts of the tower. She found a quiet room on the upper level and turned to face him.
"It is not your fault, Peter! You haven't caused this."
"I am not sure I believe that. Without me being here, those three caught by Gorn and his servants, would have been safe. What worries me even more is what might still be done to them. But I can't see how we could have avoided this."
"As I have said, this is not your doing. Gorn is solely responsible for the acts of terror this night. Nothing you could have done would have prevented him coming to your world. What we have to do is try and stop him. We may fail, but we must try!"
She stepped forward and held him by his shoulders, looked into his eyes and kissed him hard. At first he was too shocked to respond, but only for a moment. This lovely creature was kissing him and there was nothing more he wanted in the world. He responded instinctively, passionately and with a depth of feeling he had never felt before. If nothing else good was to come out of this night, and he was certain it wouldn't, then for him this moment was one he would cherish. It may be the last good thing in his life. He wasn't sure how long they held each other, but it wasn't long enough.
Since his grandmother had died he had been alone but now he had three friends and one of them was much more than a friend. He held Nightjar, felt her warmth and her trembling. She seemed soft and vulnerable in his arms, but he knew this was not true. He knew she was a brave, strong and fearless warrior. He was the one that was weak. He was the one that was needy, but at that moment, he felt like a man and he would not let her down. He had to find a way to overcome Gorn, save the others and then he could think of what to do to save the worlds from Fell Craven.
The Moonchild (The Moondial Book 1) Page 14