The Assassin's Edge toe-5

by Juliet E. McKenna

  Silence hung around us. I was pretty certain Sorgrad and ’Gren were asleep.

  “You sleep, if you can,” Ryshad invited. “I’ll look after the torch.”

  I settled myself against his broad and reassuring back. “I couldn’t sleep in here if I’d earn a lifetime’s gold by it.”

  “Me neither,” he admitted.

  “I daren’t even suggest a game of runes,” I said with a reasonable attempt at a laugh. “Not seeing the Forest Folk use them for fortune telling.”

  “Let’s not do anything that might stir up the aether.” I heard a faint grin in his voice.

  We sat silent for a while longer.

  “So what are we going to do when we get home?” Ryshad asked suddenly. “The garden will want clearing for a start.”

  “Good thing I never got round to planting anything.” I leaned my head back to rub it affectionately against his shoulder. “Did I tell you I was thinking of going into wine trading?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” Ryshad reached his hand round, and I laid mine on his upturned palm. He curled his fingers around mine and I did the same. “You’ll need some storage, proper cellarage ideally.”

  “I reckon Temar owes me the land to build a warehouse by now.” I feigned concern. “Have you any notion where I might get the bricks to build that?”

  “I think I might know someone who could help out.” I heard the laughter in Ryshad’s voice and smiled. “There are so many wines to choose from,” he continued thoughtfully. “You should visit the vineyards, see how they store their vintages.”

  “And sample them,” I pointed out.

  Ryshad squeezed my hand. “We’ll sail for Tormalin as soon as we’ve settled all this, shall we? Spend Aft-Summer and both halves of autumn putting together a cargo?”

  “That’s an excellent notion,” I approved. “Where shall we start?”

  Suthyfer, Inner Strait,

  10th of For-Summer

  Temar stood on the aftdeck and gazed at Allin as she concentrated on filling the sails of the ever-hastening Dulse. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the rail.

  Halice climbed up from the main deck. “She may not have Larissa’s affinity but she’s doing a good job.” She handed Temar his sword. “You could shave with that if you’ve a mind to go into battle with a clean chin.”

  “I’ll wait till we’re done and bathe then.” Temar continued to watch Allin whose concentration hadn’t wavered in the slightest. He could still feel her lips on his.

  Halice was looking at the billowing canvas. “ ’Sar said something about air and fire being paired in some way.” She turned to check on the Fire Minnow cutting a swathe of white foam through the water beside the Dulse. Her sails didn’t have the constant curve of the Dulse’s but she was parting the waves like a sword slicing through silk. Temar followed Halice’s gaze to Usara right in the prow of the ship, one hand on the bowsprit as he craned to see the sea beneath.

  The door from the aft cabin opened beneath them and Guinalle came out on to the plunging deck. Temar bent over the rail. “What of the watchpost?”

  The demoiselle’s eyes fixed on a scar cleared in the all-enveloping forest. “They’re scattered and confused. None will recall their purpose before nightfall.” Guinalle’s voice was resolute but her face betrayed distaste.

  She could have knocked them senseless at the very least. Temar bit his lip before he voiced such thoughts. No, Guinalle would never forswear her vows with such aggressive Artifice.

  “We want to hit them like a storm out of a clear sky,” murmured Halice over the soft sweeps of her whetstone on a dagger.

  Temar looked up and saw that the sky, while clear, was perceptibly darkening. “Is there enough time to win this battle before dusk?”

  “If we get a move on,” Halice grinned. “And I doubt they’ll expect an attack this late in the day, so that’ll work to our advantage.”

  As she spoke, the vessel wheeled and shot into the narrow opening of the inlet, pace barely slackening. Guinalle retreated to the sanctuary of the cabin again.

  “Dast’s teeth!” A sailor’s nervous exclamation made Temar look up. He realised the crew were as tense as cats in a water-mill. Every man moved vigilant among the spars and ropes, making the finest adjustments often before the boatswain’s whistled orders.

  Pride in Allin’s abilities swelled in Temar’s chest as the Dulse sped through the narrow channel. The little ship raced past looming green hills thick with tangled trees that gripped the very shoreline with belligerent roots. The fighting men ready in the waist of the ship swayed and cursed as the ship heeled and jinked like a bolting horse. More than a few turned pale and Glane dashed for the rail, clutching at his belly, other hand clapped to his mouth. A cry of consternation from the prow prompted anxious looks all round until the boatswain waved reassurance with a broad hand. A swell of nervous laughter ran the length of the boat.

  “What is it?” Temar asked Halice.

  “Something about the reefs.” She peered over the side rail and surprised Temar with a chuckle. “Look at this.”

  Temar grinned along with Halice when he saw the waters seething furiously as jagged rocks and water-smoothed boulders tumbled over each other to pile against the shore, clearing the channel for the speeding ships. Usara was leaning on the foremost rail of the Fire Minnow, head bowed, wizardry turned on the unseen hazards beneath the waters.

  “Careful.” The Dulse lurched and Halice grabbed Temar’s arm.

  “Thank you.” Temar took a deep breath as the unrelenting speed and motion made his own stomach protest.

  “When we get ashore, you play your part but you watch your back,” Halice warned him sternly. “You need to stay alive to reap the rewards for Kellarin—and to finish what you seem to have started with young Allin.”

  “You keep your hide whole,” Temar retorted. “I’m not done needing you.”

  Halice grinned. “I’m a mercenary. We’re expendable. That’s what we’re paid for.” Her words won a cheer from the fighting men closest to the aftdeck.

  “Just make sure we get paid, Commander!” called Minare.

  “First pick of the loot,” shouted Peyt with relish.

  “Secure it first and then we’ll argue shares.” Challenge rang in Halice’s voice.

  “We’re nearly there.” Allin’s strained words drove all other considerations from Temar’s mind. The ship lurched as the elemental wind fled. Crewmen scrambled up the ratlines to trim the sails.

  “Ready to land!” Halice shouted and her banner sergeants called their troops to order.

  “Ready?” The Fire Minnow was some way behind but Usara’s shout echoed over the waters.

  “Yes.” Allin’s voice broke on her tension.

  “Yes!” Temar drew his sword and waved it. He saw pirates running down to the water, hate-filled weapons catching the sunlight, their shouts soon drowned beneath the abuse the mercenaries on deck were hurling. The foremost brigands stood in the swirling surf, daring the invaders to risk a landing, their taunts raucous.

  A deafening roar smashed through the uproar. Flames exploded from the merchant ships broken and dishonoured on the beach. Magefire ripped the masts asunder, wood splitting and metal melting. Burning brands and red-hot splinters scattered the waiting pirates. The troops on the Dulse jeered as their ship drove at the shingle, straight as a die. Stones grated beneath the hull, keel biting deep. The sailors caught the last of the wind to force her on, adding their skills to this new magic.

  “ ’Sar’s pretty good with water,” Halice noted with approval. Temar looked back for Allin. Her feet were firmly planted on the deck, hands tight folded as she turned all her skill to destroying the stolen ships. She didn’t flinch, even when someone jumped screaming from the stern of the Tang, flames consuming the man even as he fell towards the futile hope of quenching in the sea.

  “Ware arrows!” Minare perched on the side rail, sword in one hand, the other holding a rope. The Fire Minnow
reared up beside the Dulse, Usara leaning perilously over the prow as he forced the shingle to bank and hold the hull secure.

  Temar put himself between Allin and any hostile arrow but the scattered shower had all but spent its force by the time it clattered among the masts and ropes. Then crossbow quarrels thudded into the wooden side of the Dulse, one sending a Kellarin man reeling back clutching his chest and screaming. A second flight of arrows hissed through the air like geese taking fright but this time Allin was ready. A shimmering curtain of magelight swept the shafts toppling and tumbling back to the shore and into the sea.

  “Any chance she could use those to pin down a few pirates for us.” Rosarn appeared at Temar’s side, her bow strung, reaching for her quiver.

  Temar was surprised. “I thought you’d spent all your arrows.”

  “Nearly.” Rosarn narrowed her eyes on a distant target. “But it’s not arrows that makes the archer.” She drew her bow up in one fluid movement and loosed the shaft. A distant scream told Temar it had found its quarry. “It’s the aim,” Rosarn concluded with satisfaction.

  Other archers picked to win full value for every precious arrow were on the aftdeck now. A second contingent on the sterncastle of the Fire Minnow was picking off enemy crossbow men.

  “Have at them!” Halice roared. Sailors flung ropes and nets over the side of each ship. Some of the mercenaries barely seemed to use them as they poured on to the beach, running to engage those pirates holding their ground despite the flaming embers or spent arrows cascading down on them.

  “Go on!” Rosarn shoved Temar towards the main deck. He didn’t need her urging, aware of every man’s eyes on him.

  It was he and no other should lead the men of Vithrancel and Edisgesset into this battle. The loyal tenants of D’Alsennin’s vast holdings had once trusted him to lead them within the cohorts of the Emperor fighting for Tormalin glory. Now his duty was to lead these men to victory such that as many as possible would live to enjoy it.

  By now he was over the side and knee deep in the water. Ahead, Halice led her troop up the sloping shingle. Swirling waves dragging at their boots, the snarling mercenaries fought as one, each man arm’s length from the next, ready to defend each other, all the while attacking with all the savagery they could muster. The pirates went down like wheat before a scythe, bodies falling to taint the foam with a rush of scarlet.

  Temar and his troop followed hard on their heels. “To me!” he yelled as they gained the solid ground. Halice and her mercenaries met the pirates’ main force in the centre of the landing. Immediately in front of Temar, Minare sent his men to either side, long practice spreading claws to crush the enemy. Some of the pirates broke, fleeing to the scatter of huts and tents on the rise beyond. Minare’s men fell on the rest like starving dogs on meat.

  Blood flung from a sweeping sword spattered Temar’s face but he paid it no heed. He saw his moment and ran, blade questing before him. “Now! For Kellarin!”

  Some men echoed his cry. Others settled for wordless screams of hatred as they pursued the fleeing enemy. Temar hacked at a leather-clad back scrambling up the slope. Honed by Halice, his blade slashed a deep gash through jerkin and shirt, skin and flesh. The pirate wheeled round, back arching with the pain and throwing his stroke off so Temar could parry with ease and an upward sweep of his blade. He rolled his wrist round to hack at the man’s neck, feeling bone splintering through sliced flesh. Temar pulled the blow short lest his sword bite into the clinging spine as the pirate fell. He ran on, eyes on the enemy, heedless of a body trampled beneath his boots. A man who’d overtaken him felled a pirate in one ferocious sweep of a broadsword. The corpse rolled away and Temar leapt it as he ran, drawing his poniard. His grandsire always said two blades were better than one.

  Now they were at the huts and tents, Kellarin’s men slashing and cutting with indiscriminate fury at pirates and screaming women.

  “Clear every rat hole,” yelled Temar.

  A man erupted from a crude shelter walled with the deck grates of a merchant ship. He swung a billhook once destined for peaceful duty in Vithrancel’s thickets. Temar swept his sword up to guard his head, thrown on to his back foot as the double-edged and lethally heavy head swung towards him. The man with the bill came on, jabbing forward. Temar feinted to the open side, careful to judge the polearm’s reach. The pirate thrust again and Temar darted forward to catch the shaft with his dagger, angling the blade to lock just below the vicious lower spike of the bill’s hacking side. In the same movement, he sliced down the shaft with his sword, all but severing the man’s foremost hand. The pirate screamed but even as blood gushed from his shattered wrist, he wrenched the gleaming metal head free of Temar’s dagger, stumbling backwards. He whirled the bill around his head one-handed, hazel shaft whistling through the air with murderous intent towards Temar’s head. Temar jumped back and the bill swept past his face with scant fingers to spare. The heavy head sank toward the ground, the man unable to recover it one-handed. Temar stamped down hard on the flat of the metal. The spike of the bill’s crescent face dug deep into the soiled earth pulling the pirate forward, fatally unbalanced. Temar thrust his sword full into the man’s belly, ripping it out in a sideways slash.

  As he recoiled from the stench of blood and entrails, Temar realised Glane was at his shoulder, an unknown miner from Edisgesset on his other side. “Bring these down!” he shouted, kicking at the flimsy wall of the billman’s shelter. Glane darted forward as a muffled scream came from beneath the tumbled wood. He pulled a young woman out of the wreckage, dark hair tangled over her face, an overlarge bodice laced crooked over a filthy shift. She cowered away from them all, grizzling like a child.

  “We’re not going to hurt you,” protested Glane, distressed.

  “Tie her up,” Temar ordered harshly. “Trust no one till we have cause.”

  Glane hesitated but the miner didn’t. He flung the girl face down on the ground, one knee dug into her back as he cut strips of canvas to bind her wrists and ankles, heedless of her sobs.

  Temar caught his breath and assessed their situation. Elated, he saw the ramshackle camp falling to Kellarin boots and blades, pirate men and women sprawled in the untidiness of death. Vengeful colonists, eager swords joining them with every passing moment, surrounded the few pirates still fighting.

  “Take her yonder, boy.” The miner rolled the tightly trussed girl over with a brutal boot. He jerked his head towards the gravel of the foreshore where Vaspret barked instructions to men standing guard over bound and gagged captives. Glane looked uneasy but hefted the girl on one shoulder, carrying her down the slope like a sack of grain. The miner hastened to join a gang of his fellows who were grappling with some fools who’d thought they could hide in a tent.

  Staying alert for any threat, Temar looked along the shore to see Halice’s forces fighting the most brutal pirates, men whose only hope was to kill or be killed. They grudged every step of ground, boots digging into bloodstained turf, spitting and cursing at the implacable mercenaries just as determined to force them back. Blades scraped and rasped, scant room to swing freely. Swordplay gave way to punches, fists wrapped around daggers that twisted to gouge at faces and scalps. He looked at the line and lessons from his days in the cohorts rang in his memory.

  “They’re wheeling, curse it! To me!” Temar bellowed, waving his sword to summon his troop. “Don’t let them reach the shore!” If the circling fight curled round much more, the pirates would have a chance to dash for some weed-covered boats lurking in the rocks beyond the stockade. Sailors from the Dulse and the Fire Minnow were wrecking everything that could float on the main strand but without the benefit of Temar’s higher ground, they hadn’t seen those few longboats. Wrathful, he ran, boots thudding on the turf. He’d be cursed if he’d let any of these murderous scum slip away.

  Then, as he ran, he saw movement at the stockade. The gates of the rough fortification flung open and Muredarch led a howling mob of his most loyal marauders down on
the mercenaries. Those pirates tired by fighting scattered, many paying a heavy price in blood, as the unwearied newcomers hit the mercenary line. The forces met with a crash like the roar of a breaking storm. Muredarch was at the centre of his men, unmistakable with his great height, his immense reach soon leaving dead and wounded littered around him as he swung a two-handed sword in a deathly arc.

  Temar wished fruitlessly for a bow, a crossbow and the skills to use either, even as he plunged on with his men. They had to cut the pirates off from the shore. They weren’t going to make it. Anguish wracked him. He wasn’t going to make it. Another failure would curse him.

  Then a shudder ran through the fighting men. The pirates’ malice yielded to astonishment that turned visibly to horror. Halice’s mercenaries seized the first hint of weakness and smashed into their foes with redoubled violence. Temar and his men forced their way past the end of the battle line, sliding on the shingle but determined to deny the pirates passage.

  Temar struggled to see what had rolled the runes of the battle anew. It was Darni and his fugitive troop, crashing out of the trees beyond the encampment. Some carried clubs of green wood instead of swords but the raking stubs of branches scored viciously into exposed arms and faces. There were as few of them as Temar had feared but determination to purge the shame of being put to flight made every man fight with the strength of two.

  “Hold fast!” Muredarch’s resonant voice pierced the uproar as the pirate line quaked once more. Then it held, pirates bracing themselves in an ominous parody of trained troops.

  “Back!” At Muredarch’s command, the line began a slow retreat.

  “Break ’em!” Halice’s roar rose above renewed abuse from the mercenaries.