“Thought I might find you here,” he remarked, appearing somewhat hung-over. “There's a meeting happening in a few minutes you should come to, so finish up whatever you're doing and let's go.”
“Good morning to you too,” Aiden drawled. “What's this meeting about, and why do I have to be there?”
“It's about the akoran raiders,” Pacian answered grimly. “Things have gotten worse over the past week, and I'm told there's some new information about what's happening. Their local militia leader is giving us the details, a 'Corporal Redfurn'.
“Who told you all this?” Aiden inquired.
“Olaf, while I was getting our pay for clearing the highway. He seemed pretty upset, actually, although to be honest, I don't recall ever seeing him not upset. Maybe it was just gas. Oh, here’s your cut of the money, by the way,” he added, handing over a gold sovereign which Aiden absently put into his pouch.
“Okay, I'll be there as soon as I've finished up,” Aiden finished. “Where is the meeting being held?”
“The barracks, just behind the mayor’s office. I'll see you there,” Pacian answered, and then swaggered off along the street.
Dale had just finished the translation so, their business concluded, Aiden shook his hand and bid him good day, then headed straight for the barracks. Pacian's description had been correct, for it was indeed a converted barn. A local militia member stood guard outside the large doors and upon recognising him, allowed Aiden to pass with a quick gesture.
There were over a dozen people inside listening to a woman in chain mail. She hesitated mid-sentence as Aiden entered, casting an annoyed glance at him before she continued speaking. Pacian gestured Aiden over, where he had saved a seat for him.
Glancing around, he could see Nellise and Colt across the room, pointedly focused upon the armoured woman. Aiden sighed inwardly, sensing the awkward distance between them, both physically and metaphorically.
Sayana appeared next to Aiden, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. He smiled up at her, but noticed a certain tension in her features that hadn't been there before. Was it something he had done? Again, he found himself floundering in a sea of self-doubt.
“No you're right, Mister Clifton, in that they have avoided empty carts returning from Coldstream,” the armoured woman was saying, her voice sounding too small for her solid frame. The man she addressed was a local wheat farmer, and like many of the other locals present he wore a look of mild anxiety as they talked about the situation.
“Clearly, the raiders are looking for food, even above riches. They’ve avoided the few patrols I have sent out along the road, which gives me hope that a show of force could send them running back to the hills.”
“So the threat isn't as bad as we initially heard?” said an older man with weathered skin and grey hair, who Aiden recognised as David Patel, the man from whom Pacian had acquired his old ranger leathers.
“Apparently not. I'm inclined to issue a travel warning to anyone moving east from Bracksford, and send out a few more men to patrol the area. That should be sufficient.”
“So, as you can see we have the situation well in hand,” Olaf declared to the assembled audience. “Thank you for your time, I will make every effort to keep you apprised of the situation as it continues to develop.”
Sensing the end of the conversation, most of the assembled crowd began to leave, talking amongst themselves in hushed tones. David, however, wore a look of obvious scepticism as he passed the mayor. It suddenly occurred to Aiden what was really going on – he put his hand on Pacian's shoulder as he started to stand and indicated he should wait.
He noticed that Nellise and Colt weren't leaving either. When the last of the civilians left the room, the door was closed behind them, and then the real meeting began.
“I apologise for the deception,” Olaf began, stepping forward to address them, “but as you can imagine, the townsfolk are rather skittish after all the recent troubles -”
“So you lied to them to put them at ease, how unprecedented,” Aiden finished cynically.
“Regrettably, yes,” Olaf conceded. “When you hear what Corporal Redfurn has to say, I'm sure you'll understand my reasoning.”
“Alright then, where is this Corporal?”
“I'm right here, and my name is Tara,” the armoured woman replied wearily, clearly used to being overlooked.
“Ah,” said Aiden, trying to cover his embarrassment.
“You all have a lot to discuss, and I have to prepare for the arrival of a very important dignitary from Fort Highmarch, so I shall leave you to your affairs,” Olaf said. With that, the elderly statesman left.
“Shifty bastard,” Colt muttered. “So, what the hell is going on?”
“Last night, I received word from an associate of yours, who has been keeping an eye on the akorans,” Corporal Redfurn said, getting right to the point.
“A ranger? What's his name?”
“His name is Duncan, if that means anything to you. He was co-ordinating with a younger woman in the same leathers, though I didn’t meet her.”
“Yeah I know him, damn good ranger,” the big man nodded. “If anyone can find out what's going on, it's him. The young lady would be Sally. She’s probably been spying on them for weeks.”
“What have they discovered so far?” Nellise asked politely.
“Duncan relayed a message before heading back out to continue his surveillance,” Tara continued. “We've had good relations with the akoran tribal people for decades, up until about three months ago when they cut off trade and forbade anyone from entering their lands. We couldn't figure out what had happened, until recently. Apparently, they've had a change of leadership, and the new chief, Erag, is a brutal, vicious bastard.
“This new leader has a different perspective on the kingdom to his northern border - that would be us – and has whipped his people into a frenzy, preparing them for war. Several hundred of their warriors have set up a fortified camp not far south of Coldstream, and their numbers are growing day by day. Pretty soon, they'll have enough people to crush everything in their path, and plunder this entire region.”
“So, what would happen if this 'Erag' met with an unfortunate accident,” Pacian asked delicately. Aiden noticed a flicker of irritation cross Nellise's face – clearly he wasn't going to endear himself by proposing more bloodshed.
“Hard to say, really,” Tara answered hesitantly. “Either the rest of them would go on a killing spree to honour him, or give you a big sloppy kiss for freeing them from tyranny.”
“I don't like either of those options,” Pacian murmured.
“Hang on a moment,” Aiden interrupted seriously. “What exactly do you want from us?”
“I would have thought it obvious,” Tara replied curiously. “All of you have shown that you're capable of dealing with situations like this, so instead of sending in what few people I have at my disposal, you can do what needs to be done. The mayor has nothing but praise for your team.”
“I think the word 'team' is a little strong, to be honest,” Aiden said delicately, noticing the uncomfortable looks from the others. “And if you think we're going to fight hundreds of savage warriors for you, you're a loon.”
“Of course not,” the Corporal objected. “What I'm talking about here is a precision strike against their leader. Duncan and I agree that without Erag, their momentum will waver, and the war won't happen.”
“Ah, nothing like a good old assassination to solve all our problems,” Pacian drawled.
“Look, my family lives in Coldstream,” Aiden said, “and if they haven't been attacked already, then they soon will be. I want to make sure that doesn't happen, so even if no-one else wants in on this job, I'm going.”
“You believe this to be our only solution?” Nellise asked, looking mostly at Pacian but including Aiden in her stern gaze. “Kill whoever we don't like? Have you given any thought to the consequences of such an action? I would think the akoran people would be outrag
ed at our meddling and go to war anyway.”
“I would agree with that,” Tara interjected, “except for one thing. Their former chief Morik Far-Eagle disappeared, right before Erag seized power. Morik was always co-operative with Aielund and beloved by his people. Erag couldn’t have stood against him directly, and would have been a fool to kill him.
“So you're saying Morik is still alive?” Aiden asked.
“Most likely, yes,” Tara confirmed. “Given a chance, Morik could reclaim power and end the threat instantly. The only difficult part is getting past so many of their people, all fired up for war.”
“Sayana is from Akora,” Aiden volunteered. “Maybe you could guide us in?”
“I don't think it's a good idea,” Sayana hedged. “They will have patrols covering the entrances, and getting past them without being seen will be all but impossible.”
“The rangers managed to do it,” Tara disagreed. “And from what I hear, your wilderness skills should easily be a match for them.”
“Myself and the rangers, yes, we can do it,” Sayana continued, “but what of the others? Nellise, you are not the stealthiest person I have ever met, nor is Aiden.”
“All you have to do is scout ahead for us and let us know when it's safe to move,” Aiden suggested. “We can get some white cloaks to help us blend in with the snow. I think this could actually work.”
“If Morik is being held near their forward camp, it will be extremely difficult to get to him without running into the guards,” she retorted. “If you are planning to bypass the warriors, free Morik, and then have him lead an uprising, I think you had better come up with another plan.”
“All things being equal, I would prefer to do it the way you just described,” Tara remarked. “I can only assume you will have to dispatch a few guards here and there, as a matter of necessity. With your assistance, they will be able to minimise these casualties. Isn't that worth the risk, if it avoids a war?”
“I... can't,” Sayana protested with a quivering voice. “I haven't been back to akoran lands in a long time, I wouldn't have any chance of guiding you to the right place.”
“I recall you saying you haven't been there for six months, back when we first met,” Aiden noted. “That isn't such a long time. Is your memory that poor?” The wild girl looked like a trapped rabbit, eyes darting back and forth looking for a way out. Aiden knew that she hadn't been completely forthcoming with information about her past, or the real reasons for her exile to the mountains.
“You were on your own a lot longer than six months, weren't you,” he began, speaking gently so as not to seem accusing. “And you didn't leave Akora because they were low on food either.” Sayana shook her head meekly, before taking a deep breath and plunging in.
“As my abilities began to manifest, the people became nervous, thinking I was cursed,” she spoke quietly. “They do not like sorcery, or those who practice it. My father, a respected man in the tribe, was pushed into doing something about me, over my mother's objections. They didn't dare kill me, for it is said that killing a witch brings a curse upon the murderer, so I was abandoned in the mountains as a small child, eighteen years ago,” she stated without emotion.
“Eighteen?” Pacian said in disbelief. “But you can't be more than sixteen years old.”
“I'm not entirely human,” she replied softly, pushing aside her wild hair to show her slightly pointed ears, an act of courage on her part that Aiden had to respect her for. “My mother was elven, and they age far more slowly than humans. I am actually twenty eight years old. I was cast out and left to die in the wilderness by my own people, and if I return, they will surely do worse this time.” There was only silence in the room as everyone present digested this startling turn of events.
“I, for one, consider the character of an individual over any concerns about blood,” Nellise stated thoughtfully. “And I think I can safely speak for everyone here that your heritage is of little concern to us. I can only imagine the fear you must be feeling at the thought of walking back into your homeland to face your people. I do not think this is the wisest course of action, but if we can avoid further bloodshed by freeing Morik, then I believe it is worth the risk.”
“You needn't actually face them if you don't want to,” Tara added, compassion evident in her voice. “Just guide the others in, then hide and wait for them to leave.”
“I won't let anything happen to you,” Aiden added firmly.
“Very well, I will help however I can,” she finally relented. “Did Duncan say where their main camp was?”
“Yes, right over here,” Tara explained, pulling out a rolled up piece of parchment with a crude map sketched upon it. She laid it out on a small table in the middle of the room.
Sayana pointed out a series of caves in the area she remembered being used by the akorans years ago, telling them she thought there was a good chance they were still being used today. This accorded with Duncan's information that a palisade had been erected around the caves, with enough room inside for a thousand warriors to make camp.
It seemed like an impregnable defence, except for the hill to the west of the camp where the palisade ended. With some cautious manoeuvring, they might be able to creep around the hill and get to the cave entrance from behind, with only minimal encounters with the guards.
“The inside of the caves is something you will have to figure out yourselves,” Sayana finished.
“We'll manage,” Pacian said. “If you like, I could sneak in there by myself, free Morik, disable the guards, and cut the head off Erag while he's sleeping. The only trouble is, I don't know what I'd do with the rest of my day.”
“Cocky little bastard isn't he,” Tara remarked.
“Yes, you're taking this far too lightly, Pacian,” Nellise chastised him. “As I have been telling you for the past two weeks, there are better ways to deal with people like this. Given the chance, I'm going to try and talk sense to this man before you stick a knife into his back.”
“And as I've been telling you,” Pacian shot back, “there are some real monsters out there, and I'm not talking about giant serpents either – while you're trying to deal with this man, he'll be laughing at your naivety and getting ready to cut your head off with his axe, or something far worse! Some people need killing, Nellise, the sooner you learn that, the longer you'll live.”
“Enough,” Aiden barked. “We'll evaluate the situation when we get there, but from what I'm hearing, there isn't going to be much room for negotiation on this little trip, so don't get too attached to the idea Nel.” She didn't seem too impressed with Aiden's remarks, but crossed her arms and chose not to speak further.
“If we're gonna do this, then let's do it right,” Colt grunted. “No half-measures. I'm not sneaking past an army and breaking in to some bloke's cave of doom, just to have dinner with him.”
The brief exchange between Nellise and Pacian highlighted the strained relations within the group, and was a discouraging start to what, in all likelihood, promised to be a dangerous journey. Sayana held Aiden's hand under the table - her grip was tight, and a quick glance at her tense features showed that this was going to be particularly difficult for her, no matter how much planning went into it.
Chapter Sixteen
It was late afternoon by the time they'd finished gathering supplies and equipment, so at Colt's suggestion, they stayed in town that night and resolved to leave Bracksford before dawn the next day. Aiden had to get his leather breastplate mended, while Nellise acquired an entirely new steel one, plus a helmet from the smithy who’d been making good use of the iron they’d recovered from the mountains.
Sayana showed up at the crowded common room of the Bracksfordshire Arms wearing a snug-fitting suit of leathers that caused Aiden to forget his own name for a few moments. Pacian had been assisting her with purchases, which drew a raised eyebrow from his old friend.
“Look, she's always on the front line anyway,” Pacian explained, “so I figured she co
uld use some extra protection. It's no breastplate, but it's better than what she's been using.”
“I told him I can use sorcery to armour my skin,” Sayana explained, “but he refused to listen.”
“As I said, your strength is better used elsewhere,” Pacian counselled.
“It sounds like he was very helpful,” Aiden remarked, expecting some sort of trick to be involved.
“Yes, Pacian insisted I try on several outfits to make sure I picked the right one,” Sayana added obliviously. “He was very thorough.”
“I bet he was,” Aiden stated flatly, glaring at his friend's false expression of concern.
Tom Ballard served them with a platter of roast pork, potatoes, thick gravy, with hot-buttered bread on the side. It was a feast fit for a King, and Aiden could only hope he would remember the taste after days of trail rations soured his palette once more.
He decided to retire early that night, since the prospect of sitting around being ignored by people he'd come to know and respect was less than appealing. Pacian raised an eyebrow when Sayana left with Aiden, but he kept his mouth shut.
Their activities that evening were pleasant enough, but Aiden had the feeling that he was just there as a distraction for the red-headed sorceress, so she didn't have to think about the next day for a little while. It worked both ways, however, for Aiden didn't give it a lot of thought either.
By the time Pacian arrived in the room hours later to get some sleep, Sayana was already fast asleep in Aiden's arms.
* * *
As it turned out, they started out shortly after dawn, having slept in later than they'd planned. Aiden had no illusions about what they were undertaking here. He could only hope the rangers they were to meet up with were skilled enough to sneak them into the cave where the akoran leader, Erag Black-Tiger, was holed up.
From what Tara had described, the fortifications around the complex were formidable. An army with a catapult would make short work of their palisade. However, as he was constantly reminded, there was no army, no reinforcements, and not even stepped-up patrols for the highway. If they ran into trouble, nobody would be coming to get them.
Nature Abhors a Vacuum (The Aielund Saga Book 1) Page 25