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

by Dan O'Sullivan

  Kelian’s teeth clamped together as he struggled to hold back tears. ‘Does Elena know?’ he managed to whisper.

  ‘No,’ said Araas. ‘Kelian, there’s something else.’

  ‘What?’ Kelian’s heart began to race once again.

  ‘She’s really ill Kelian. I think I know what’s wrong, but...’ Araas took several deep breaths, ‘I don’t know if there’s anything I can do. If she doesn’t improve soon...Kelian, people can die of this type of fever.’

  ‘No,’ Kelian shook his head and his voice was a whisper of pain. ‘You can’t know that! You can’t know that Araas!’

  Araas closed his eyes briefly. ‘I know what I’ve seen inside her. I can’t lie to you. You know I’ll do everything I can, but I think she’s going to get worse.’

  ‘What caused it?’ Kelian touched Elena’s forehead and pain seared his heart.

  ‘Do you remember when we came on board, she was covered in bites? I think it was the mosquitoes. Basil, lemon, lime, orange, alum, cinnamon, pepper...there are so many different remedies, and once we reach the Dwellings I’ll try everything that has possibilities.’

  ‘Is there no proper remedy?’ Kelian wondered.

  ‘Perhaps there is a remedy in Tatharlia. But we’ve not been welcome there for so long. There’s something about the mosquitoes in the west. Their bites seem to be more dangerous. We just don’t have that problem in the east so we’ve not needed a remedy. Kelian I feel like I’m really out of my depth. Perhaps I’m overreacting, but I do know how ill she is.’

  Kelian gathered his unconscious wife into his arms and turned away to hide the sudden glistening of his eyes. ‘You are not to tell her Araas. No-one is to tell her. Let her think she has a touch of cold for now. I’ll never be convinced that knowing you are horribly ill helps you get better. Right or wrong, that’s my order.’

  Chapter 34

  Eijelin’s Command

  A huge sense of relief filled Kelian as they came within sight of the Dwellings. If anyone could help Elena, he knew Tiernan could. He waited impatiently as Araas rowed them to shore. To Kelian’s surprise Eijelin was not waiting on the sand and neither was Tiernan, and it was Lady Karrijeuiga who greeted him.

  ‘Where is Eijelin, and where is Lord Tiernan?’ Elena glanced up towards the Dwellings wondering if they were waiting inside or if Eijelin was ill.

  ‘No,’ Lady Karrijeuiga responded to Elena’s unspoken question. ‘I will explain once you are inside. But I see you are not well! I have a place you can rest and we will attend to you.’ She gave Araas a quick glance of acknowledgement and then led the group up to the Dwellings. Elena was taken to a large sunny room, the very one in fact where Kelian had married her. Everyone else waited in an outside courtyard whilst Kelian and Lady Karrijeuiga looked after the Queen. Kelian helped Elena change into a night gown provided by Lady Karrijeuiga and Elena climbed into the large, soft bed which was beside a sunny window facing the ocean. Kelian gently pulled a coverlet over her body. Elena gazed through the window listlessly. The room was light and airy and a cool breeze wafted around the room. The walls were eggshell blue and the furniture was simple and wooden, but well-crafted and perfectly suited to the room.

  ‘Sleep if you want to, darling,’ said Kelian gently, running his hand over her hair and then kissing her.

  ‘No.’ Elena shook her head. ‘You have to stop trying to not upset me Kelian! I know this is not a simple cold.’ Kelian’s teeth clamped together and then he gave a deep sigh. ‘Do you remember all those mosquito bites we had when we were first taken aboard the ship?’ Elena continued without waiting for an answer. ‘Well, I think it was the bites. I’ve heard that it’s quite common in Tatharlia - see how I look sort of...yellow?’

  ‘Ahh... Of course!’ Karrijeuiga exclaimed. ‘Now I understand.’

  ‘Can you help her?’ Kelian asked eagerly.

  ‘I don’t know. I can certainly help her to handle the nausea, and the chills and fever, but a cure...’ Lady Karrijeuiga shrugged sadly. ‘We’ve not had to deal with such fever but that doesn’t mean we can’t find out-’

  ‘Lady Karri,’ Kelian interrupted. ‘There’s a woman in Castle who came from Tatharlia. Perhaps she might know what to do?’

  ‘I’ll send a runner immediately.’ Lady Karrijeuiga turned away and stared out the window for several minutes. ‘Now, Majesty, you should sleep and we will ensure you are fully informed of any discussions that take place in your absence. May I?’

  Elena snuggled into the soft bed and a second later Lady Karrijeuiga brushed her hand over the girl’s face. She was instantly completely asleep.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Kelian, looking sadly at his wife. ‘Who are you sending to Castle?’

  ‘Kellan is already on his way,’ said Lady Karri. ‘We have much to discuss, if you are ready?’

  They gathered on the lovely patio overlooking the beach. Kalinya went at once to the sandpit and began to play by himself. Once everyone was seated comfortably Lady Karrijeuiga spoke.

  ‘Tiernan is with Eijelin, ensuring she is protected,’ she began. ‘Eijelin asked to be returned to Castle, and when we suggested that it might not be the best idea, she ordered us to let her go. Tiernan could see her forming her own plans in her mind, along with Milgorry’s sister Aithne, conspiring together to sneak away from the Dwellings and walk to Castle. And remembering that they’ve tried this before, we decided to intervene.’

  ‘So where is she?’ Kelian felt confused.

  ‘In Castle,’ Karrijeuiga raised her hand as Kelian leapt to his feet. ‘I will explain-’

  Kelian folded his arms worriedly. He had expected to find his sister safely within the Dwellings and he felt betrayed to know she had been allowed to leave.

  A wry smile crossed Lady Karri’s face. ‘She ordered us to take her to castle, along with Aithne.’

  ‘She’s a little girl!’ Kelian raised his hands in objection. ‘Couldn’t you have just-?’

  ‘Apparently not. To no-one’s surprise, we were unable to refuse the command of the Princess. So we had to find a way to comply with her commands whilst maintaining her protection.

  ‘And?’ Kelian prompted.

  ‘Tiernan and Alasdair took her to Castle under an escort of fifty-nine guardians. Most of them remained in Castle, though several returned with Alasdair who carried word of what was happening there. Tiernan decided to stay with her and he and Danil are of an understanding that the Princess must be close to either one or the other of them at any time. Word is that she has also had Aithne move into her room. She isn’t aware of this, but there are over fifty guardians listening to her every thought, surrounding her every move, patrolling the area around Castle and doing everything possible to ensure she is as safe as we can possibly keep her.’

  Kelian let out his breath and sat back in his seat. ‘Thank you. Did she say why she wanted to go back to Castle?’

  ‘She did. She was concerned that she’d had no word from you since you left for Tatharlia, and she said that her place was in Castle, because in your absence she might be needed. She said the rebuilding of the city must continue, and that it was her duty to ensure the citizens were safe and - in her own words - being looked after.’

  ‘Whew! My little sister is growing up!’ Kelian could hardly believe what Lady Karrijeuiga was telling him. ‘Before we describe some very worrying circumstances, I must ask, did Captain Mervin’s ship come back to Alkira?’

  ‘Yes. The Princesses Lerise and Jade are safe. They came past here and then went on to East Inlet.’

  ‘East Inlet?’ Dale raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that where Enri went?’

  Lady Karrijeuiga smiled. ‘He had no difficulty taking command of the situation. He came up with a very clever strategy to gain control of the ship and after he tricked the attackers into leaving the ship, he ordered the sailors to take himself and the Princesses to East Inlet, and from there he sent the ship to Castle with orders to find King’s Marshall Danil and have him send people acro
ss to track you down and bring you home. Enri wanted to come after you himself, but he was torn between doing so, and going south to look after the situation at East Inlet.’

  ‘What situation?’ Dale wondered. ‘Why didn’t Enri take Lerise and Jade back to Emerald? Didn’t the people of Emerald make it home?’

  ‘Not exactly,’ said Lady Karri. ‘Many made the journey, but very few remained, just a few brave farmers actually. The rest are up in East Inlet, and doing very well for themselves so it seems. They just needed to have someone with a little authority to sort out a few of the squabbles over land, housing, water and the usual concerns. Administrator Kyoredes is apparently doing a fine job, but it’s too big a task for one man. Almost everyone now living in East Inlet came from Emerald, so they were pleased to find the Princesses alive and they are ever grateful to Enri for bringing them safely home. Under the circumstances they accepted his authority without question, which is a good thing as Lerise and Jade are still very weak.’

  ‘Good. I thought he’d make the right decision,’ said Dale. ‘But what happened? Why didn’t Danil send someone over the sea to find us?’

  ‘He did. You were impossible to find and they wondered if you were dead. They did find the remains of Captain Mervin and his First Officer Colin, and that wasn’t encouraging. So tell me Majesty, how did you end up in Hosatabaht?’

  Kelian spoke long about the difficulties in Tatharlia and then their journey across the sea, doing his best to remember as many details of the journey as he possibly could. Immosey and Louisa then spoke of their time at the home of Cathaoir and Jemicka and their voyage home. Kelian wondered how much Lady Karrijeuiga knew of the land.

  ‘Lady Karri, I want to ask you about Hosatabaht. But first, does it strike anyone else as odd that after Nandul’s last venture we’ve heard nothing of his movements? I find it impossible to believe he doesn’t intend to take advantage of the situation in Castle. I doubt he’s dropped his grudge against me.’

  Timbul shrugged. ‘A lot of his strongest warriors were returned by the Nailmarni. Strange as it seems, if it hadn’t been for the fallen, I think we might be still trying to remove the Nailmarni from Alkira, and if it wasn’t for the Nailmarni, I think you’d have Nandul breathing down your throat.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ said Lady Karri. ‘After the final battle there were very few Nailmarni left scattered around Alkira. There were tracked and destroyed.’

  ‘Another thing that’s odd,’ said Milgorry uneasily, ‘is your confidence that you found them all. You say you tracked them and destroyed them? Were they all here in Alkira then? Easily removed? From what I recall that’s just not their style.’

  Araas and Timbul leaned forward simultaneously. ‘And?’ they said together.

  ‘And now I wonder if any of them went west. Or if a bunch of them were already in Nyinaku. If that’s where they are now, they’d certainly be keeping Nandul occupied.’

  ‘We need to find out,’ said Immosey firmly. ‘I don’t care for a second if the Nailmarni rip Nandul’s head apart and eat his brains whilst he still breathing, but there are other people in Nyinaku - good people.’

  ‘Thank you so much for that revolting picture,’ said Louisa, frowning at her sister and folding her arms. Her eyes opened wide as she caught the amused grin on Timbul’s face.

  Kelian pushed his hair back off his face. ‘We need to find out exactly what’s happening in Castle and all over Alkira, and also in Nyinaku. And I want an update on what’s happening in Tatharlia.’ He patted Borgulnay on the shoulder. ‘Give me some suggestions Colonel.’

  Borgulnay leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, rubbing his hands together as he thought quickly. ‘Dale can go through East Inlet, then past Stormhaven and Sunrise to Tarlique, and anywhere that he feels needs checking, then back through Emerald, Cullen Ringo, Ringo’s crossing and home. Gil and I will go west. We’ll take a ship to Warbilla and then we’ll head south and try to find out what the fallen are up to and where Nandul’s hiding, and then we’ll go west to Tatharlia. If we haven’t found Nandul, we’ll head towards Tarl, Larundel, and Larnuk and on to Morlee.’

  ‘Goodbye then Borg.’ Milgorry crossed his arms across his chest and gave a derisive snort. ‘It was nice knowing you.’

  ‘There’s only one thing wrong with his plans,’ Gilgarry pointed out. ‘There’s not going to be any ‘Gil and I’, just ‘I’ will have to go by himself I’m thinking.’

  ‘You want to go by yourself?’ Borgulnay grinned mockingly. ‘Hey, that’s fine with me!’

  ‘Not in all hell!’ said Gilgarry crossly. ‘Borg you can’t truly be serious!’

  ‘You can’t be serious if you think Milgorry, Tim or Araas is going to let us get within twenty miles of the Nyinakun border without them,’ Borgulnay pointed out.

  ‘That’s forcing them to go! That’s not fair.’ Gilgarry raised his finger angrily as he spoke.

  ‘No.’ Milgorry gave a dismissive wave. ‘He’s not forcing us, Gil. He knows we’re already planning to go home, whether he goes or not, and this is his way of making sure he’s included on the guest list.’

  ‘Smart bastard,’ Borgulnay mumbled and Immosey and Louisa giggled.

  ‘The only reason I’m going to agree with this, is that separated you’re a nightmare, together I have hope of your return,’ said Kelian. ‘Borg, you and Gil have the common sense and strategic ability to keep these hot headed guardians out of trouble,’ Timbul and Araas looked offended but said nothing, ‘but you have far too high an opinion of your speed and strength, so I’m counting on Mil, Tim and Araas to get you out of there alive once you’ve found out what we need to know.’ Borgulnay and Gilgarry now looked offended.

  Milgorry laughed at their expressions. ‘That’s astounding! I’m the only one he didn’t insult in that one sentence!’

  Kelian raised his hands and shrugged, ‘I was including you in the bit about hotheaded guardians.’

  ‘Oh.’ Milgorry pushed his chair back and stood up, gave Lady Karrijeuiga an uneasy glance and walked to the edge of the patio. He stood staring towards the sea.

  ‘Well, the longer I hang about here, the less I’ll want to leave,’ said Dale, deliberately drawing the attention away from Milgorry. ‘I can see Lerise and Jade and Enri on my way south.’

  ‘This time, I’m not going to make you wait,’ said Kelian, rising and putting his hand on Dale’s shoulder. ‘But I imagine you have some very good friends who might consent to going with you if you ask them. I’m sure they’d be happy to stop at East Inlet on their road to home. In fact, I think I’ll come to East Inlet and have a few words to Enri before you head further south.’

  ‘Home...’ Eibhear mused, inclining his head. ‘Are you ordering us back to Nyinaku?’

  ‘No. Of course not!’ said Kelian adamantly.

  ‘And you Lady?’ Eibhear turned to Lady Karri.

  ‘Never,’ Lady Karrijeuiga replied. ‘I’ve seen your heart warrior, and if you choose to remain here in the Dwellings forever you would be most welcome as would any one of these warriors. But there is much to be done in your own land. Your people will need you.’ She turned to Kelian. ‘Enri will be pleased if you pay him a visit before you return to Castle, as will Lerise and Jade.’

  ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t go right away.’ Kelian gave a deep sigh. ‘I don’t want to leave Elena. Not while she’s so ill. Not until we know what to do.’

  Kalinya glanced up from the sandpit. ‘But it’s just bug fever Kelian. You can see how yellow she is. Haven’t you given her a remedy yet?’ Kalinya sounded indignant.

  Kelian turned towards the sandpit. ‘Bug fever? We wondered if it was the mosquitoes.’

  ‘Surely you could see how much she was bitten? There were bites all over her! Mother-’ Kalinya stopped speaking and bit his lip sadly.

  Lady Karrijeuiga moved to his side and gave him a hug. ‘It’s alright for you to be sad when you remember your mother. There is no shame in grief. And if something
you remember can help Elena, do you think your mother would have been pleased?’ Kalinya nodded. ‘What were you going to say?’ Karrijeuiga urged gently.

  ‘I was always getting bitten. But mother knew what to do.’

  ‘I see,’ said Lady Karri. ‘And do you remember what she did?’

  ‘Of course,’ Kalian shrugged. ‘Mother even got bug fever once and I made up the remedy myself. It isn’t very difficult,’ he added looking surprised to see everyone staring at him in wonder. ‘Um, do you want me to make it for Elena?’ he asked eventually, when nobody spoke.

  ‘Oh, you are a wonderful child!’ Lady Karrijeuiga exclaimed, picking him up and swinging him around. ‘You must tell us what ingredients we need for the remedy!’

  ‘Alright,’ Kalinya agreed. He smiled shyly at her. ‘You remind me of my mother.’

  Lady Karrijeuiga smiled. ‘Thank you,’ she said sincerely, ‘such a compliment.’

  ‘I wish she didn’t die.’

  ‘So do I Kalinya.’

  ‘I miss her.’

  Lady Karrijeuiga didn’t move as she listened to his memories of his mother. Finally, she sat beside him at the edge of the sandpit. He rested against her and she put her arm around his shoulders. Within minutes he had fallen asleep.

  Kelian picked him up and carried him up the stairs and tucked him into a little bed in the corner of their room. He wished he could wake the child and make up the remedy immediately but he could see it would be impossible as the boy was sleeping so soundly.

  ‘We can make up the remedy,’ Lady Karrijeuiga’s voice sounded in Kelian’s head. ‘Kalinya allowed me to take his thoughts. I know exactly what to do now.’

  Chapter 35

  Disaster

  ‘Typical,’ Dale muttered as the ship drew into East Inlet, ‘and annoying.’

  Kelian squinted towards the cliffs. ‘What’s annoying? I can’t see anything through this rain - annoying or otherwise.’

  ‘The rain.’