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

by Dan O'Sullivan

  ‘Solid tyalla!’ said Lesley. ‘And see how they’re hung? No-one could tear ‘em away once the lockin’ bars are in the back. Made ‘em myself...back when it mattered...’

  ‘It wouldn’t have made any difference,’ said Milgorry. ‘They would have just burned this place if you’d hidden in here.’ He pointed up to the roof which was thatch over wooden beams.

  Rezon took a step towards Lesley and the man jumped back warily. ‘I’m not going to hurt you.’ Rezon inclined his head as he considered his thoughts. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t give you false hope, but if the fallen had wanted your lady and your child dead, their bodies would be in the rubble.’

  Lesley’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Rezon could feel the hope flowing from him.

  ‘I’ll try to find them, if I can. And if they’re alive, I’ll bring them back to you.’

  ‘Why?’ Lesley was suddenly suspicious. ‘What do y’ want in return?’

  ‘I want nothing from you.’

  ‘Then why?’ Lesley persisted. ‘Why would y’ help me? You’re fallen! How can I trust you?’

  Rezon glared at him coldly and Leslie took a hurried step backwards. ‘I gave you my word, and that’s all you’ll get, take it as you will.’ He turned abruptly and walked away.

  Lesley turned to Dale and shrugged, lifting his hands in confusion.

  ‘Rezon’s wife is human,’ said Dale, staring after the warrior. ‘I think this mess might have cut Rez a little too close to the bone.’

  ‘But do y’ think there’s a chance? That they’re alive?’

  Eibhear answered. ‘If Rez thinks there’s a chance, then there may be. Human women are...useful and children trained from very young make better slaves since they’ve never known any other life. I can tell you this. If they’re alive, be assured he’ll find them and bring them back. He gave you his word.’

  ‘Dale, I have to come with y’! I have a neighbor who’ll look after the farm.’

  ‘No. It’s far too dangerous.’

  ‘I think he should come,’ said Timbul unexpectedly.

  ‘What?’ Dale raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s the last thing I expected from you.’

  ‘He has nothing here to live for. What’s he going to do whilst he waits for us to return, drink himself into oblivion?’

  ‘True,’ Araas stood beside his brother. ‘And he’s planning to follow us anyway if we don’t take him.’

  ‘Which is fairly stupid,’ Rudiger observed, ‘since you could make him sleep until we were well out of sight.’

  ‘I could track you!’ Leslie insisted, glaring at Rudiger.

  ‘No,’ said Rudiger levelly. ‘You could not.’

  ‘Fine then, bring him along,’ said Callian, feeling annoyed and impatient that they were wasting time. Lesley was suddenly possessed with enthusiasm borne of hope.

  ‘We can take the cart,’ he said firmly. ‘I’ll get Winnie and Chomp and hitch ‘em up.’

  Chapter 39

  Eijelin’s Achievements

  Regardless of the rough seas and persistent wind, Elena was glad she took the ship from the Dwellings to Castle, rather than making the journey on foot. She found it very difficult to make the decision to leave the Dwellings after Kelian’s disappearance, but she knew they had been absent from Castle far too long, much longer than they had planned when they originally set out for Tatharlia. It concerned her greatly that little Eijelin should take on the burden of leadership in Kelian’s absence when she was so very young, and this reinforced her determination to return home. Lady Karrijeuiga worried that the Queen was terribly weak from her illness, and should not be expected to travel until she was well, particularly considering the strongly adverse effect Kelian’s disappearance had on the Queen’s recovery. Eventually Elena insisted and made ready to leave. They arrived in the middle of the night, and were greeted at the docks by Princess Eijelin, King’s Marshall Danil, Lord Tiernan, Administrator Tappy and a neat array of soldiers. Elena longed to see how the rebuilding of the city was progressing in their absence, but she knew it must wait for morning, as it was impossible to see anything in the darkness and she was very weak after the voyage. Kalinya had been better than his word. He’d helped nurse the Queen, giving instructions on when and how much of his remedy was required to aid recovery. Elena felt more than simple gratitude towards him. He spent hours beside her bed, talking to her, telling her stories of his life in Tatharlia, bringing her the fever remedy and food and water, and at times just sitting with her in companionable silence. He seemed to be able to sense when she wanted to talk and when she wanted to rest. When she began to recover, he walked with her every day, holding her hand and leading her around the Dwellings and along the beach. The guardians did not appear to find the little boy’s attitude at all funny but treated him with solemn respect. Elena was surprised how much he reminded her of Kelian, with his quiet determination, his genuinely caring nature and his depth of perception.

  Eijelin was asleep when the ship drew into the harbor, but Danil gently woke her just in time to greet the returning travelers. The news of Kelian’s abduction had already reached her, but she was still relieved to see everyone else safely home. They had a quick meal in the dining room and then retired to bed.

  It was mid-morning before Elena awoke. The sun shining through the window and falling on her face was feeble through scattered clouds, but it was enough to disturb her. She lay still, torn between the desire to remain restfully in bed, and an urgent need to empty her bladder. Her bladder won, and she sat up and slid from the bed. The moment her feet touched the floor there was a tentative knock at the door.

  ‘Yes?’

  Danil’s voice replied. ‘Your Majesty, Kalinya is here and wishes to see you.’ From the tone of Danil’s voice he was aware of Kalinya’s devoted care of the Queen.

  ‘Please send him in,’ Elena replied. Her words were barely audible, and she cleared her throat thinking to repeat herself a little louder, but before she spoke the door opened part way and Kalinya peered through the gap.

  ‘Good morning Majesty,’ he said. The routine he had followed at the Dwellings did not change simply because they were now in Castle. He held her hand and escorted her to her private dunnigin, then stood and waited patiently outside the bathing rooms. When she was clean and refreshed he took her hand once again and walked with her to the dining area. She ate little, preferring some lemon grass tea and tomato soup and she insisted that Kalinya dine with her.

  ‘Where do you want to go from here El- Majesty?’

  ‘I’ll go into the city and see what’s been happening while we’ve been away.’

  ‘Should you rest first?’

  ‘I’ll be fine. We won’t make it a long visit.’

  ‘Does that mean I can come?’ Kalinya’s face lit up.

  ‘Naturally. Princess Eijelin will be coming too.’ Elena turned away to hide her smile as Kalinya blushed.

  ‘The Princess has already left,’ said Kalinya pointing through the window towards the city. ‘She said something about wanting to look at the markets, then a problem with a well and also some building she wasn’t happy with. She took Danil and Tappy with her and said if you left the castle I had to make sure Tiernan went with you. She doesn’t want me around. I don’t think she likes me.’

  ‘Really?’ Elena found this hard to believe of Eijelin.

  ‘I was in the kitchen - I was a bit hungry when I woke up - and when I came out I heard her tell the King’s Marshall that she didn’t want me hanging around the kitchen. I was carrying some trays of food out for the kitchen servants, just helping out, and she must have known I ate some little buns in the kitchen because when I came past she said, ‘That’s such a waste.’ Danil told her that he’d speak to you about it, so I thought I’d tell you first. I’m sorry I took the buns, I was just really hungry and the kitchen servants didn’t seem to mind.’ After this long explanation, he stared up at Elena pleadingly, obviously hoping to not be scolded.

  ‘Ka
linya,’ Elena patted his arm reassuringly, ‘I’m sure that’s not what Eijelin meant, but if it’s any help, you may go to the kitchen any time you want and have something to eat, providing you ask the kitchen servants first. After all, it’s their responsibility to make sure everyone in the castle is fed - including you.’

  They left the castle a few minutes later with Immosey, Louisa, Raline and Tiernan. Elena decided to go directly to the markets, thinking Eijelin would probably still be there. She was. When they arrived, the little girl was standing on a wooden box so that she could see over the crowd. Many people stopped and bowed to her as they passed and each time she smiled and nodded politely. Administrator Tappy and King’s Marshall Danil stood by her side. She turned and spoke to the Administrator.

  ‘I still don’t think it’s exactly right. What do you think about having anyone who has animals over this side and anyone who is cooking can use the other side of the road? That way the animals would be in the shade for longer and they wouldn’t be so close to the food.’

  Tappy considered her words before replying. ‘Yes. You’re right. That would also mean we wouldn’t have market stalls with cooking fires right next to the animal pens. I remember what happened last time the straw caught fire. Perhaps we could move the cloth merchants away a little too?’

  ‘Mm. Yes. Thank you, Administrator. What did you say was the problem with the well?’

  ‘Firstly I was told was that something was wrong with the well. Then only two hours later someone who hasn’t been near the well suggested perhaps the water’s bitter. Ridiculous how these rumors get out of control. One says there’s a problem, someone asks if the water’s bitter, the next says it is bitter, and then we have someone talking about the time the fallen put chiniocelle in the Eastern Well on Sheldon’s Quest, and people panic. I think we need to have a look for ourselves.’

  ‘Who said the water was bitter?’ said Eijelin curiously. ‘I mean, if it was chiniocelle, the person who knew it was bitter would be very ill...wouldn’t they?’ She turned questioningly to Tappy.

  ‘Yes, I believe that’s the case.’

  ‘If the chiniocelle was strong enough they’d be dead,’ said Tiernan, leading Elena and her companions over to Eijelin. ‘Good morning Highness,’ he said to Eijelin, bowing his head respectfully.

  ‘Hello Tiernan.’ Eijelin smiled at him and then at Elena. ‘What do you think?’ She waved her hand around.

  ‘It’s incredible,’ Elena admitted. The rubble left by the massive wave was gone, but that ground had been left bare. Where they were standing behind the castle, along a rise of hills, the city was being rebuilt. Some homes were complete and the market area they were standing in was partly paved. New walls were being built around the city, complete with gate houses, stables and guard towers. In every direction Elena looked, people were busily going about their business.

  ‘How is this possible?’ said Immosey. ‘We were gone for a while, but not for that long!’

  ‘Lord Tiernan has the guardians helping,’ said Administrator Tappy. ‘I’d have never believed what they can do, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! But the people have been amazing too. It’s like every day they get out of bed just wanting to do more. And when Evan brought me back from Tatharlia I felt the same. Each day there’s so much do to, but I just want to see our city back the way it was.’ Tappy gazed around with a curious expression. ‘It’s a little strange actually. There has barely been a harsh word between anyone that I’m aware of. Everyone seems to agree with each other, and they’re all really...calm I suppose you’d say.’

  Elena’s eyes flicked suspiciously towards Tiernan. The guardian turned away, seemingly interested in a small stall which was being built only meters from where they stood. Immosey giggled and Eijelin raised her hands in question.

  Never mind,’ Immosey muttered. ‘I’ll explain later. Maybe?’ She looked uncertainly at Tiernan and the guardian gave her a reassuring smile.

  Elena took Eijelin’s hand. ‘I’m sorry we’ve been gone for so long. We’ll have to tell you everything that’s happened since we left. I never expected you to have to take on such a heavy burden. You’re still a child.’

  Eijelin raised her head. ‘When you and Kelian didn’t come back,’ her voice trembled as she said Kelian’s name, ‘General Marnol and Lady Sophie took care of everything. Then one of our ships disappeared.’

  ‘From where?’ asked Louisa.

  ‘Highview. And some of the fallen were seen just south of the garrison, so I sent General Marnol and Lady Sophie to sort things out.’

  Elena frowned. ‘They shouldn’t have left. Surely they didn’t expect you-’

  ‘No of course they didn’t,’ Eijelin said quickly. ‘But I told them they must. In truth I didn’t give then a choice. They were supposed to come back right away, but something must have happened. I haven’t heard from them yet. Anyway, I’ve had Danil and Lady Valeska helping me, and then Administrator Tappy came back from Tatharlia. So I decided, whilst General Marnol and Lady Sophie were away, I would try to make sure everything was done.’

  ‘And a fine job you are doing, Highness,’ said Tappy, smiling at Eijelin. ‘I know how much time over the last few years you’ve spent hiding behind the long lounging chair in the conference room. Now I know you were doing more than playing. You were listening!’

  ‘Well done, Eijelin,’ Elena murmured, looking around at the new city. ‘This is incredible. You are incredible.’

  Eijelin blushed. ‘In truth, I just find out what needs to be done, then I ask Tappy how we should do it and...I don’t know what I’d do without Administrator Tappy!’

  Danil laughed. ‘Your Highness, I’ve heard those exact words from both your father and your brother.’ His expression turned serious. ‘We should have had word from Callian by now. I was sure he’d have caught up with the fallen and Kelian would either be back at the Dwellings, or here in Castle.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ Eijelin’s little face suddenly revealed an accumulation of stress and anxiety. ‘Tell me Danil! What does that mean?’

  ‘It means that Callian hasn’t had the opportunity to rescue him yet, and that probably means they’re already in, or close to, Nyinaku. I have to go after him Princess.’

  ‘Oh Danil! I don’t want you to have to go into that place! It’s...scary!’

  ‘Your Highness, this is my duty. My King is in danger. I must go. I just need your permission.’

  ‘Who would go with you?’

  ‘I will,’ said Tiernan. ‘Alasdair will stay here as your personal guard, as well as the other guardians.’

  ‘Please don’t be offended, but...’ Elena bit her lip.

  Tiernan sighed. ‘You’re right. We should take some soldiers. That would give us a distinct advantage.’

  Danil snorted. ‘I’m a reasonably good soldier Tiernan!’

  Tiernan smiled at him. ‘None better. I was thinking of Colonel Borgulnay and perhaps Captain Gilgarry? They are also excellent soldiers and have a good knowledge of Nyinaku. They won’t fall into the trap of underestimating the fallen.’

  ‘True.’ Danil turned to Eijelin. ‘Actually I was considering going past Highview and Western Downs, and then Warbilla and Sheldon’s Mark and maybe Khynol and picking up as many soldiers as possible along the way. Highness, do you give your consent?’

  ‘Danil, you have to ask Elena. She’s the Queen you know.’

  Danil leaned over and spoke in a loud whisper. ‘I just thought you were more likely to say yes. Her Majesty the Queen isn’t well you know and right now she’s wondering how she can avoid putting any more people in danger. It concerns her that so many of the guardians are already heading for Nyinaku. She’s forgetting that I’m King’s Marshall, not a guardian...well I am a guardian too but... Do you think you could accidently give me permission?’

  ‘Stop being naughty Danil!’ said Eijelin indignantly, folding her arms. ‘Ask Elena.’

  ‘Sorry Highness,’ said Danil meekly, hangi
ng his head before the little girl. He smiled sideways at Elena. ‘Your Majesty, do I have your permission to go after Kelian? Please?’

  ‘Yes. Of course,’ said Elena. ‘Oh Danil, please bring him home safely.’ Sudden tears spilt down her face. ‘I’m so scared they might have killed him already,’ she admitted.

  ‘No. I don’t think that would be the case,’ said Tiernan quickly. ‘They’ve taken him for a reason and while they have a reason, they’ll keep him alive. Whatever that reason is, we just need to get him back before they have no reason to keep him alive. We need to be quick.’

  Eijelin took Elena’s hand. ‘I know Danil will bring him home. Of course he will. He’s our King’s Marshall.’

  Elena squeezed Eijelin’s hand. ‘King’s Marshall Danil, please make arrangements as necessary and leave as soon as you are able. And Lord Tiernan, we thank you and gratefully accept your offer to go with Danil. We will be anxiously awaiting your return.’

  ‘Thank you, Majesty. With your permission we’ll leave tonight.’

  ‘Will you all come with me to look at the well?’ Eijelin asked and everyone followed her across the market square and into a lovely paved area surrounding a newly completed well.

  As it turned out, the problem was not with the well itself but with the wooden structure built to provide shelter over and around the well. It was no surprise to Elena that as soon as they arrived, an element of calm flowed through the group gathered around the well, several people volunteered to rebuild the structure and everyone else drifted back to their own work. They made a quick visit to a communal building which Administrator Tappy said needed larger windows for air circulation, only to find that corrections had been made to the plans and work on the building had resumed. It was midafternoon when they arrived back at the castle. Elena went directly to her chamber and fell into bed, exhausted. Everyone else gathered on a patio overlooking the city.