Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3)

by Dan O'Sullivan

  ‘Well, that would be fairly horrible,’ Eibhear admitted. ‘But I would have killed the shark.’

  ‘You would have had to let go of me, and I would have drowned.’

  ‘I meant that I would have killed him if he ate you, though he might have died anyway if he bit you.’

  ‘Nice to see you’re getting your strength back. I feel terrible. I think I’m going to vomit. Where in all hell do we go from here?’

  ‘We have to get our ship back.’

  ‘Easier said than done. What do you suppose they’re going to do with everyone who was still aboard the ship?’

  ‘I have no idea, but I’d love to be watching when Rez wakes up.’

  ‘If they let him live that long.’

  ‘There is that.’ Eibhear sounded depressed. ‘So you heard the cracks of lightening around the ship?’

  ‘So incredibly loud. I wonder what the damage is.’ Dale felt panic wash over him for a few seconds and he determinedly pushed it aside. He wondered what would happen if those on the ship were killed, and the ship was taken.

  ‘Don’t even think about it,’ said Eibhear grimly. ‘Unless you think we should stay here, steal a couple of girls, settle down, have a family...’

  ‘Couldn’t you just kill me?’ Nausea overcame Dale and he managed to roll over before vomiting violently.

  ‘I don’t think I’ll have to,’ said Eibhear drily. ‘From what I’ve seen you’ll probably smash your head on something or fall out of a tree and die.’

  ‘We’ll have to come up with some sort of plan.’

  ‘I guess we just have to get back out to the ship and...I have no idea. Maybe we can somehow... Maybe we can just get out there and see what’s happening and hope we get an idea. How’s that for a plan?’ Eibhear asked wryly. ‘Not bad for one of the fallen, I suppose,’ he continued without waiting for Dale to answer. ‘Are you feeling any better now you have all that seawater out of your stomach?’

  ‘A little. But we’re not just going to show up on the ship and get ourselves killed. What about Rudi? Can you sense your brother’s thoughts? Do you know if he’s still alive?’

  ‘I can’t hear him. Maybe he’s still unconscious.’ Eibhear turned his face away.

  Dale frowned. ‘I think the first thing we need to do is find out. We can’t make a plan until we know exactly what has happened on the ship.’

  ‘How exactly do you plan to do that Dale?’ Eibhear’s voice took on an edge of hopelessness.

  ‘Don’t lose hope. The rain’s easing but it will be dark within an hour. Let’s find somewhere we can get a bit of rest.’

  They made their way up the steep slope through thick forest. When it was almost dark they came upon a tree whose trunk had fallen across a small, spring fed creek, dragging its huge roots up into the air. There was a small space where it was reasonably dry and flat between the rocky ground and the lower trunk. Dale gave a sigh of relief as he crawled into the gap. He laid his head on the rocks and starting snoring almost immediately. Eibhear sat for a while then squeezed under the roots next to Dale. He closed his eyes.

  Two hours later Eibhear awoke. Dale was sleeping though his face was troubled. Eibhear hesitated for a moment. ‘I’m just going to see if I can find food,’ he said. Dale didn’t move, but Eibhear had no doubt his words were heard. He made his way up the sloping banks and moved through the trees. The only weapon Eibhear had was a knife he wore on a belt sheath so rather than attempt to run down any of the wary wildlife, he decided to concentrate on what might be growing in the forest. The few hours of sleep had left him feeling revitalized, and he began to run. He moved inland, up through the mountains, keeping a very fast pace. Finally he reached the top of a high hill and was gave a nod of satisfaction. Familiar bon-yi pine cones lay under the trees. He picked up one of the cones, which was slightly larger than his head, and continued through the trees, collecting anything he knew was edible and holding the food awkwardly in a fold of his still damp shirt. After a time he began to run again, back towards the coast, and soon he pushed his way through thick undergrowth until he broke through to the beach. ‘Good,’ he muttered to himself, pleased to see there was fruit on the beach cherry bushes. He picked one of the orange-red berries and ate it slowly, spitting out the seed. The berry was quite sweet so he decided to bring Dale this way when he was awake, rather than attempt to carry a handful of berries through the forest. He stared out to sea to where he could see the Alkiran ship, but it was too far for Eibhear to see anything that might be happening on board. The sun was rising when he returned to where Dale lay asleep. With care, Eibhear laid the fruit and nuts on a clean, smooth rock. He stepped into the cool trickle of water and splashed his feet. He and Dale had both been barefoot when their ship had been taken, and he wondered how Dale would go moving through the forest for any distance without boots. He leaned forward and washed his face, then decided that the water felt so nice he would bathe. He quickly stripped off his clothing and splashed himself with water, over and over until he felt clean and invigorated. The early sun was already quite warm, so he lay on the rocks until he was dry then put his trousers back on, leaving his shirt hanging on one of the fallen tree’s roots. He sat down on rocks and closed his eyes, letting his mind relax. He gave a cry of surprise as his brother’s thoughts reached him.

  Dale opened his eyes and sat up, bumping his head hard on the tree roots. ‘What is it?’ he gasped, holding his head as the wound on his head broke open and blood ran down his forehead.

  ‘Rudi! He’s awake. And he’s not happy!’ Eibhear’s face was filled with hope as he dashed across the rocks, grabbing his shirt from where it hung drying. He passed the shirt to Dale.

  ‘No, it’s alright. I’ll ruin my own shirt. You keep yours,’ said Dale, trying to pull off his shirt without sitting up.

  ‘Just use the shirt, idiot,’ said Eibhear, pushing Dale’s hand aside and pressing his shirt against the wound. ‘I’m blaming myself for this. It never would have happened if I hadn’t shoved you over the side of the ship in the first place.’

  ‘But you did. And we weren’t caught and now there’s hope for everyone else.’

  ‘I just can’t see what we can do.’

  ‘Hopefully I can come with a less stupid idea than you suggested...which shouldn’t be difficult.’

  ‘Why don’t you have some breakfast before you strain your tiny little brain?’

  ‘You found food?’ Dale dragged himself eagerly from beneath the tree roots and eyed the food. ‘Thank you! You know, I just don’t agree with what everyone says about you Eibhear,’ he said mischievously.

  ‘Just eat something before I murder your ungrateful self.’

  ‘I am grateful Eibhear. Not just for the food.’ Dale’s voice was suddenly uncharacteristically serious.

  ‘I’ve got bon-yi nuts, tree fern, and noo-ni,’ said Eibhear, pointing to the sandpaper figs. ‘If you want Yawinhub you’ll have to walk back down to the beach. I couldn’t carry them through the forest.’

  ‘What did you learn from Rudi?’

  ‘They’re in some kind of building. They were taken from the ship to the little boats last night, sailed to shore, and now they’re being held in a stone building, from Rudi’s thoughts, not too far from here. And as far as he could tell, they have no idea two people went overboard. The sailors were left on board with Lerise and Jade. Captain Mervin and Colin were taking ashore.’

  ‘And what about Ben, Rez and Raline?

  ‘Ashore. The building is guarded and they’re threatening to kill Mervin, Colin and Raline. That’s how they’re keeping Rudi, Ben and Rez from trying to escape. They must have worked out that Rudi, Ben and Rez could escape if they chose to.’

  ‘How many windows and doors?’

  ‘One door, one high window, too small for a person to fit through.’

  ‘And the surrounds?’

  ‘Cleared within about a hundred paces of the building. Outside that, fairly thick forest.’

  ‘
Number of guards?’

  ‘A lot of people, some guarding, some doing other things. Rudi seems to think it might be some kind of gathering place.’

  ‘Good. We have information. Now we can come up with a plan,’ said Dale in satisfaction. ‘Can you still hear him?’

  ‘No he’s gone again,’ said Eibhear sadly. ‘They must have done something to him.’

  ‘One other thing, Eibhear. The woman on the boat had absolutely black eyes. I know you saw it and so did Rudi. And I know of only one race with eyes as dark as hers.’

  Eibhear stared back at Dale with a speculative look, but didn’t answer.

  Chapter 15

  Luhxdal and Penn

  Luhxdal eyed his brother suspiciously. ‘What aren’t you telling me?’

  ‘The less I tell you, the less you can accidently reveal if someone questions you,’ said Penn. ‘It’s easy to keep a secret that you don’t know.’ He walked agitatedly across the room and looked out the window, folding his arms. ‘And speaking of keeping secrets, how much does Graedy know?’

  ‘Graedy? Only what I tell him. He does what I tell him to do.’

  ‘And you trust him to not crack under pressure if he’s questioned?’ Penn turned and frowned at Luhxdal.

  ‘No. I don’t trust him. And I don’t trust his sneaky little assassin, Guli either. But not for the same reasons.’ Luhxdal leaned back in the chair and folded his arms behind his head.

  ‘Explain.’

  ‘Graedy has the backbone of a slug. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him because he’s useful, but I can’t help but think it might be time to allow him to move on.’

  ‘You want to send him down to Qinel?’ Penn stopped pacing and sat in the chair opposite his brother.

  ‘That wasn’t the kind of ‘move on’ I meant.’

  ‘Ah. I see, and what about Guli? What of him?’

  ‘I don’t trust Guli because he has a little too much backbone. He’s the best assassin I know of, but I wouldn’t put it past him to follow his own agenda if he didn’t agree with what Graedy asks him to do, or if someone paid him more than we’re paying him. Trouble is Graedy hasn’t been able to find him for far too long.’ Luhxdal frowned.

  ‘Wonderful,’ Penn said sarcastically. ‘We can’t trust either.’

  ‘So who can we trust?’

  Penn smiled pleasantly at his brother. ‘Me, brother, you can trust me.’

  Luhxdal smiled and clapped his brother on the back, wishing he really did trust his brother. ‘Always,’ he lied. ‘Now, tell me about this Marlea. Why would one of the fallen want to help you?’

  ‘Because he wants the Empress dead.’

  ‘Don’t we all? But why would he want her dead?’

  ‘Because apart from himself, she is the one remaining child of Alem.’

  Luhxdal’s mouth dropped open in surprise. ‘Well isn’t that interesting,’ he murmured. ‘Do you think he has any other motive to help you with your plans?’

  ‘No,’ Penn said confidently. ‘He’s fallen. Revenge is everything.’

  ‘Now what do you intend to do about Graedy and Guli?’

  ‘Me? Nothing of course!’ said Penn, looking horrified. ‘If something terrible were to happen to them, I just don’t know how I’d cope,’ he added innocently, whilst smiling wolfishly at his brother.

  Luhxdal watched apprehensively as his brother left the room. Even with his brother’s reassurances, Luhxdal couldn’t quite bring himself to trust him. He never really had. Not entirely.

  Chapter 16

  Guide

  Callian rolled silently from the bed and landed on the floor. He crouched in position without moving, straining his ears for the sound that had caught his attention. He could sense quite clearly that Milgorry was awake, as was Borgulnay, but everyone else was asleep, and he wondered for a moment if Timbul and Araas had returned. They had chosen to spend the night studying the area between the Silahfohr and the Sanctuary but were planning to return before daylight. Callian considered what had woken him and a discomfiting thought struck. It had been a sensation more than a sound, and the sensation reminded him of almost every encounter he had ever had with the fallen, yet something strange about the feeling nagged at his heart. He took a deep breath and stood up. Borgulnay was standing frozen near the door which led to the hallway. He had his head tilted to the side as if listening intently.

  ‘There’s someone here,’ Callian thought, moving like a stalking cat towards the doorway of Kelian’s and Elena’s room. Milgorry had been sitting in the doorway, but was crouched and leaning forward, staring into the room as though ready to spring forward.

  ‘Who?’ Borgulnay wondered.

  ‘Fallen? Or not?’ Callian wore an uncharacteristically confused expression.

  ‘Now!’ Milgorry shouted and he and Callian leapt into Kelian and Elena’s room.

  The thud of bodies crashing together seemed unnaturally loud in the dark room, and there was a grunt of pain from a voice Borgulnay didn’t recognize and a scream from Elena. Kelian leapt up and dragged Elena from the bed, propelling her towards Borgulnay. The Colonel flung her through the doorway. Evan and Gilgarry awoke and rushed towards the doorway and they quickly led the Queen to the far end of the room. Borgulnay reached for Kelian. Without permission he took hold of the King’s arm and sent him through the doorway after Elena. He stepped back into the room with his knife held ready. An unfamiliar dark-skinned figure lay on the floor, with Callian struggling to hold him down. With the help of Milgorry, Callian eventually managed to restrain the captive somewhat.

  ‘Turn him over,’ gasped Milgorry, clutching his ribs where he had taken a sharp blow. Borgulnay joined them and they turned the struggling figure onto his back. Callian gave a cry of shock and fell forward onto his knees, his hands reaching forward and grasping the man’s face. Tears rushed to his eyes and he leaned forward resting his own forehead on the forehead of the captive. Milgorry couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Callian sat up with his eyes fastened on the man as though he feared he would disappear.

  ‘Who is he? Kelian asked, re-entering the room. ‘And how did he get into our rooms?’

  ‘I came in the window. It was high, but not impossible.’ Kelian wondered why the voice had a strange familiarity.

  ‘Why?’ asked Borgulnay. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘I wanted to know whether you were who I hoped you were before I made myself known to you. I am to lead you to the Sanctuary. At least, I am to lead you to where you can enter the Sanctuary unseen. I am your guide.’

  ‘I guess we are who you hope we are.’ Kelian sat back on his bed and squinted at the man in the darkness.

  ‘Garran?’ Evan didn’t sound surprised to see the guide.

  ‘Evan. You were followed when you last left the Sanctuary.’

  ‘Do you know who it was?’

  ‘Guard Kaduk.’

  ‘Kaduk? I wonder why.’

  ‘He won’t be troubling you any longer.’

  ‘What did you do to him?’

  ‘He accidently found himself on the wrong side of the border. I imagine by now he’s working very hard down in Tarl.’

  ‘I really hope I never get on the wrong side of you. But now, I will introduce you to his Majesty, Kelian. Lamp!’ he ordered and Gilgarry appeared seconds later, holding a lamp.

  Garran carefully considered Kelian’s face. ‘Yes. You are who I hoped you are. And who I hoped would bring you here.’ The guide reached up and grasped Callian’s hand and allowed the guardian to drag him to his feet. The two embraced and as Evan raised the lamp Kelian gave a start as he was struck by the similarity between the two.

  Callian turned and smiled at Kelian. ‘Majesty,’ he said formally. ‘This is my brother, Garran.’

  Milgorry stared hard. His face turned white, then red, then white once again. Eventually he bowed slightly not taking his eyes from Garran. ‘Prince, what are you doing here?’

  ‘I am here to guide you.’

  �
�No. I mean what are you doing here in Tatharlia?’

  Garran turned and walked towards the high window through which he had entered. ‘I’m protecting the Empress. As I swore I would when her parents died.’

  ‘But you are our Prince!’ Milgorry said accusingly as he stood. ‘And with you gone, our people are running all over Alkira, whilst the Alkirans are trying to deal with invasion of Nailmarni and Nandul is sneaking around because he’s determined to either find or create a child of the guardians and the free!’ His voice rose in anger. ‘Nyinaku is disintegrating into civil war - does this mean anything to you anymore?’

  ‘It does,’ said Garran gravely, ignoring Milgorry’s rage. ‘Which is another reason I am here looking for you. No!’ he said firmly as Milgorry opened his mouth to speak. ‘I was given a task here in Tatharlia, and though it is no longer my duty, I chose to fulfil it. Of each problematic situation you have spoken I will hear more - but not now, when we are within the Sanctuary.’ He looked sadly at Milgorry. ‘You look like your father, but considering your present company I’m guessing your nature is more like your mother’s.’

  ‘You knew my mother?’ said Milgorry wonderingly.

  ‘You may not have been able to find me, Milgorry of Tarl, but I’m not always absent from Nyinaku. I suspected that a time would come when I’d be needed, so leaving my home land permanently would not have been prudent. In time, I will tell you more of your mother. She was.... some other time. There are people looking for you even as I speak. Word has spread of strange happenings in Qinel. Nothing remains secret for long in Tatharlia.’ He turned to Prince Kelian. ‘I will guide you to the Sanctuary.’

  Kelian nodded. ‘Evan, gather our gear. Don’t wake the child until it’s time to go.’

  ‘I’ll carry the child,’ said Gilgarry.

  ‘No you won’t. I can walk,’ Kalinya’s indignant voice sounded from beneath his coverlet.

  ‘How long have you been awake?’ Gilgarry raised an eyebrow as he walked to stand beside Kalinya’s bed. ‘I hope you got a reasonable amount of sleep.’