The gaoler left, closing the door behind him, and still Nikandr was silent. He dearly wanted to speak with Ashan, but he couldn’t risk it.
The sunlight dimmed until early dusk reigned. He began to despair. If Mother had heard him she most likely would have sent a ship to rescue him near dusk when it was still light enough to fly and when their arrival might be masked. If it became too dark, particularly with the overcast sky, it would be nearly impossible to mount a rescue. When full night finally arrived, he began to accept that he would not be saved.
He was startled some time later by the sound of the gaoler’s outer door opening. Two men talked, the door opened again, and then all was silence.
“Ashan,” Nikandr whispered, knowing they were finally alone.
Ashan was sitting in the corner of his cell furthest away from Nikandr.
His head was resting on his forearms, which were propped up against his bent knees. At Nikandr’s words he lifted his head and peered through the gloom. “Do not risk another beating, Nikandr.”
“I need to understand what happened on Ghayavand.” He held up his soulstone for Ashan to see. It glinted softly in the darkness.
“How did you?”
“Atiana. Now tell me, what does it mean? The stone was dead before I entered the tower, and now the life of it has returned, brighter than before. And I can feel Nasim… I can feel him just by touching the stone.”
“Sariya did nothing?”
“She was holding Muqallad back, preventing him from finding us.”
“Not us. Nasim.”
“Nasim, then.”
“And you said you had opened yourself to Nasim. Accepted him…”
“You know this. I’ve told you.”
Ashan frowned in concentration. “Pietr…”
Nikandr waited for him to go on, but he didn’t. He merely stared straight ahead, picking at his lips with thumb and forefinger.
“What about Pietr?”
Ashan shivered as he turned and looked at Nikandr. “In essence, Nasim sacrificed him.”
Nikandr coughed, trying and failing to understand the significance. “What of it?”
“He gave a life to draw you forth, creating a small rift in the aether which he used to draw you back. I wonder if the same could be done for Nasim.”
Nikandr coughed again, longer this time. The wasting seemed stronger here in Oshtoyets-either that or the disease was progressing faster. “I don’t understand.”
They were interrupted by the sound of the outer door opening once more. The gaoler was speaking with several men in his antechamber. Nikandr recognized one of them, and his blood went cold.
It was Borund.
They had come to take him away, and now it would be impossible to escape. Impossible.
Keys clanked in the door and Borund stepped in, followed by Grigory. Borund looked much thinner than he had weeks ago, though he had retained a certain heft. His dark beard was thicker as well, making him look more than a little like a wet bear.
“War doesn’t suit you, Bora.”
Borund laughed. The sound of it brought a host of fond memories from simpler times, but the look in his eye was the same as many-fear and distrust of those with the wasting. “I could say the same of you, Nischka.” Nikandr shrugged. “I do like flying more than fighting.”
Borund waved at Ashan’s cell door, and then Nikandr’s.
“I beg of you, Borund, listen to reason. Surely Grigory has told you that the Maharraht have stolen the boy. They’re planning something. They’re going to widen the rift that runs through Uyadensk. Let me go to my father and warn him. It’s not too late to bring this to a close before the very course of our lives changes forever.”
Grigory began to speak, but Borund raised his hand, giving Nikandr a clear indication that Zhabyn Vostroma was still very much in command. “Too late, Nischka. It was too late the moment you refused to hand over that boy, and to claim now that he is an enemy of Khalakovo reeks of desperation.”
Two streltsi picked Ashan up and led him out of the donjon as the gaoler unlocked Nikandr’s door.
Nikandr did not try to argue. Anything he said now would only cement Borund’s opinion. The only hope he had now was to speak with Zhabyn, to convince him that a trade with his father was in his best interests. Perhaps he would agree to give Nikandr over if Father agreed to give up Radiskoye. The decision could not be allowed to stand, but it would give Nikandr the time he needed to locate the Maharraht and stop them.
Waiting in the crisp evening air of the fort’s courtyard were a dozen mounts and a flatbed wagon. Borund and Grigory mounted ponies as the streltsi guided Ashan and Nikandr up to the rear of the wagon and chained them to heavy iron loops bolted through the bed.
They left, tack jingling, hooves clomping, with Borund and Grigory at the fore, followed by four mounted streltsi, the wagon, and four soldiers at the rear. Flying as a captive to Grigory on the Kavda had felt strange, but it had been a relatively private affair. Here, being dragged in the open on the bed of a wagon like a criminal being taken to the gallows was much more personal, much more public. Grigory turned in his seat several times to look at him though the sun had long since set and there was only a faint amount of light in the western sky.
The trail leading down toward the manor house was not in disrepair, but neither was it often used, and so the ride was rough.
They were only minutes away from the fort when, in the brush to the right of the trail, a light flashed, followed immediately by the crack of a musket.
A split-second later, the strelet riding furthest ahead dropped from his saddle and thumped to the ground.
CHAPTER 61
Shouts were raised as more flashes sparked in the darkness. Each shot illuminated, for one split second, the man who had fired the weapon-prone bodies facing the trail, eyes sighting along the length of a barrel. There were at least a dozen, and based on the rate of fire, Nikandr assumed they had each brought two loaded muskets with them.
Five streltsi, and one of the soldiers driving the wagon, dropped in the opening volley. Two of the remaining men returned fire. The other kicked his pony with a “Yah!” and was off after Grigory and Borund, who had also given their ponies free rein.
One more of the soldiers was shot before the remaining two dropped their weapons and raised their hands above their heads.
Nikandr heard a man’s voice call from the darkness. “Quickly,” he said. Soldiers were now approaching the wagon. “Prince Nikandr Iaroslov…” the voice called.
“I am here,” Nikandr said.
Up the hill, a large bell began clanging within the walls of Oshtoyets. It would be only moments before the soldiers in the fort were on them.
The soldier, bearing the stars of a desyatnik, hopped up to the wagon, stepping past Ashan to take a key from the driver. He used it to unlock the chains that secured Nikandr and Ashan to the iron rings. “Where is the other?” he said, referring to the key that would release their manacles.
“I don’t have it,” the driver said quickly. “Prince Grigory kept them for himself.”
Using his pistol, and that of his second-in-command, he shot first Nikandr’s and then Ashan’s manacles free.
“Quickly, My Lord,” the desyatnik said, motioning Nikandr to the steep downward slope to the northwest.
Nikandr needed no reminder of how little time they had before the pursuit was on them. He leapt down and then he and Ashan and the soldiers were off, running down the mountain at a speed that made Nikandr fear he would break an ankle at any moment. Ashan, despite his age, held up well, and all of them made it down to a plateau before the sound of galloping ponies could be heard from the trail behind them. The sound of barking dogs came as well.
“Halt,” the desyatnik called. “Reload, one musket only.”
They did, and they were as quick, even in the darkness, as Nikandr had ever seen. In less than twenty seconds, they were done, and as a group they descended along the next slope.
The barking dogs, perhaps eight or nine of them, were gaining on them quickly. When it was clear they would not be able to outrun them, the desyatnik called for another halt and for the men to line up their shots. In fits and starts, a dozen shots rang out, and a good many of the dogs were felled; but three made it through, leaping upon the men, who defended themselves with muskets at the ready.
Two soldiers cried out, but the others pulled long knives from the sheaths strapped to their thighs and stabbed the dogs until all of them lay dead or dying. They continued without pause, though it was with no small amount of regret since most of the dogs-perhaps all-had been Khalakovo’s. It was a terrible betrayal to kill beasts that had been raised to protect his father’s land.
The pursuit was gaining on them. Nikandr spared a quick glance, seeing only silhouettes-perhaps a dozen of them-with more following on foot.
The first shots rang out as they reached a gently sloping land that led down to the seashore. A waterborne ship waited in the distance. More shots were fired, and one of the men to Nikandr’s right was struck. He grunted-no more than this-and on they went. Another shot struck the ground near Nikandr’s feet. He cringed reflexively as a spray of loose gravel pelted his legs and chest and face.
The ponies had reached open land behind them, and they were now galloping wide, clearly hoping to cut them off before they could reach the ship.
They had not counted on the men from the ship.
A half-dozen shots rang out, accompanied by flashes of white. Three ponies fell. The enemy reined in and fired into Nikandr’s group-ignoring the ship-as their reinforcements on foot began to close in. One soldier screamed and fell. Immediately two others shouldered their weapons and lifted him up, supporting him while moving as quickly as they could manage.
“Reload,” the desyatnik called as more shots came in from the ship. They did so on the run, and as they finally neared the water’s edge, the desyatnik ordered them to fire. Most did so, the others continuing into the surf.
Two rowboats waited. The soldiers levered themselves in as return fire came from the shore. They rowed furiously as the men on the ship attempted to suppress the fire of the men in pursuit. Another soldier was shot through the chest, but finally they rowed beyond the far side of the ship so that it would shield them from any more incoming fire. Immediately, the firing from the deck ceased as well-the men taking cover as the ship, which had already put on a good amount of sail, headed westward toward open sea.
“All quiet,” came a voice that was soft but nonetheless carried over the entire ship.
By the time they reached the deck, the men on the shore had given up. Minutes later, nearly a league out to sea, Nikandr saw the barest form of a windship scouring the waves. Their ship had veered from their initial course, however, and was now heading in a northerly direction.
Minutes passed, and slowly it became clear that the pursuing ship would not find them. And finally, Nikandr breathed a sigh of relief he’d been holding since the first shot had been fired outside the keep.
Nikandr couldn’t sleep, partly because of his wounds, partly because of his inherent distaste for waterborne craft, and partly because he was so unsure about what the coming day would bring. Kapitan Lidan would tell him little except that he had been ordered to take the desyatnik and his men to the coast of Duzol and to bring him southeast when they returned.
“But there is nothing to the southeast,” Nikandr said.
“The Matra said you’d be transferred.”
“To what?”
“I’m sorry, My Lord Prince, she didn’t say.”
Most likely there hadn’t been time to arrange anything more complex. It was probably wise, as well, not to tell the man too much in case they were caught. There would probably be a windship sent to pick him up. He only hoped it came sooner rather than later, for his stomach’s sake if nothing else.
He abandoned his cabin well before dawn. The air was bitterly cold and blustery. As the sky brightened in the east, the black wings of a bird could be seen heading toward them from the south. It became clear that it was a rook, but it did not land. It only turned and flew southward again, a sign that they should follow. If Nikandr had judged their speed correctly, they were heading toward the Shallows, an area directly south of Uyadensk that had a mass of sandbars spread over an area nearly as large as Duzol.
As the sun rose, a high layer of clouds rushed in from the west. Not long after, snowflakes began to fall-an ill omen for the day to come.
Two airships were spotted off the portbow flying low over the sea. At first he thought they belonged to one of the traitor dukes, but then he recognized a ship he had sailed on three different occasions-a massive four-masted galleon known as the Hawk of Rhavanki. Then he saw where they were headed: a mass of seven windships anchored in the sandbars.
Clearly an important gathering had been called, and it made a certain sort of sense-the traitor dukes would be scouring the islands, all of them, in search of Nikandr and in hopes of suppressing any incoming resistance. Father’s only hope for surprise was to avoid such places and to have the allied Matri mask their presence from the others.
Ashan stood on deck, watching. He had a concerned look on his face, as if this was the last thing he had hoped for.
Nikandr stepped close to him and spoke softly, even though he was among allies. “In the cell last night, you said that Nasim would be healed if I drew him across.”
“That is what I believe.”
“Why? What does the rift have to do with it?”
“It is only at the rift, Nikandr, the deepest part, that we will have any hope of success.”Ashan glanced around the deck, then up to the rigging, making sure no one was close enough to hear.
“And my stone?”
“That is what will draw him. He will see it and you will draw him to our world.”
They fell silent as Kapitan Lidan joined them. He pointed up to the sky, to a skiff that was headed their way. “Best you get ready.”
Soon they were on the skiff and headed toward the Zhabek, a ship of Mirkotsk nearly as large as the Hawk. The snow had begun to fall more heavily, though it was still only a light snowfall. On deck, Nikandr was surprised to see several dukes: Andreyo Rhavanki, Heodor Lhudansk, and Aleg Khazabyirsk were speaking beneath the helm, and they were not dressed in their rich coats of office, but the long, dark cherkesskas cut in the style of the windsmen. Each had the designs of their Duchy and other badges of honor upon their left breast.
“What is happening?” Ashan asked. His face was tight, the wind whipping his curly hair about his forehead and cheeks.
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
“But Nasim…”
“I’ll do what I can, Ashan. For now you must trust me.”
Father stepped out from the kapitan’s cabin along with Yevgeny Mirkotsk. He came to a standstill, however, when he noticed the incoming skiff. Nikandr couldn’t help but notice his reaction. It was one of anger, of disappointment, as if it were Nikandr who was to blame for everything that had happened.
The skiff dropped its sails and was reeled in at the stern of the ship, and when Nikandr disembarked onto the aftcastle, Father was there waiting for him. He pulled him to the landward side. As Ashan stepped calmly onto deck, he was met by several streltsi, who led him amidships.
Father studied Nikandr with a cross look on his face, hands clasped behind his back as the chill wind tugged at his beard and hair.“Do you realize what might have happened, leaving as you did?”
“I know what it did cost, Father, and I still believe it was the right thing to do.”
“Because of the blight…”
Nikandr had been ready to argue against his father’s position. To hear him leap to the very reason for Nikandr’s flight from Radiskoye those weeks ago made him feel as if he’d slipped on a rain-slick deck.
“ Da, because of the blight.”
“And what have you found?”
“I believe i
t can be healed.”
“Through the boy?”
Nikandr cocked his head, confused. “How did you know?”
Father looked to the stairs leading down from the aftcastle and made a beckoning motion with one hand. The soldier standing there immediately bowed and left.
“What is it?”
Father did not reply, but a moment later the strelet returned with Rehada in tow. Snow fell across the ship. White snowflakes landed on her black hair before melting away. When the strelet had brought her to their side and left, Rehada met Nikandr’s eyes only for a moment, as if she were embarrassed to acknowledge his presence in front of his father.
“What has happened?” Nikandr asked, sure that Rehada’s presence meant something momentous was about to happen.
Father looked up to the sun, which lay behind a large gray cloud limned in white.“When the sun strikes noon, a battle will begin such as the islands haven’t seen since the War of Seven Seas.”
Nikandr still hoped, perhaps foolishly, that bloodshed could be avoided. “We could speak with them. They might-”
Father held up his hand, forestalling him. “They will not listen to reason. Not now. Not when their advantage has been pressed so far. We will attack, for truly there is no choice left to us.”
“The Matri…”
“Are as prepared as they will ever be. Everything has been arranged, Nischka. Now, there is something I would very much like for you to discuss with your dear friend, Rehada.”
“And what would that be?”
“She has confessed to me that she is Maharraht.”
Nikandr’s blood rushed to his face. He had known this since Ghayavand, but some small part of him had still held hope that it had been a lie. He looked to Rehada, but she refused to meet his eye.
“For years she has been plying from you secrets that should have remained safely within the walls of Radiskoye. Yet she came to me through no small amount of danger to tell me of Nasim and the plans the Maharraht have drawn.
“So, I put it to you, Nischka. Weigh the truth in her words. If you think she can be believed, then so be it. Take her to find the boy and bring him back if you can. But if you believe she is lying, that she works for our enemy still, then you will tell me so, and we will settle this before the hour is out.”
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