The Panids' Children_The Panids of Koa

by Lee M Eason

  Gwen jumped herself to the wheel deck, directed the field and sent the captain and two others crashing onto the deck below. Turning quickly, she locked minds with the UruIldran Conveyer. He was strong but no match for an Adept as powerful as Gwen. He pitched forward clutching at his head. Gwen grabbed a telescope and struck him across the back of the skull sending him sprawling. Another two men started climbing the steps but she turned on them and shattered the wood beneath their feet. Both screamed, falling back onto the deck bellow. She grabbed the wheel and began turning it quickly, in order to bring the Ildran ship closer to one of The Mountain Forts. The fighting was close and bloody. The fifteen men she had transported were hard pressed. Gwen was all too aware they needed to reach the fort. The wind was in her favour but they weren’t gaining enough speed. She focused her will again and began pushing the ship forward. Its weight was huge and she strained to draw on enough of the field. The ship lurched, its bow lifting as it picked up momentum. She’d spent a week refreshing her piloting skills but in this situation and at this speed she felt out of her depth.

  Hoping the field engine and lift mechanisms were located aft, as in all Hallorn ships, she continued to push. The men on the fort’s jetties scattered as the large vessel bore down on them and smashed into the metal structures. Wood shattered and the ships timbers groaned in protest. She was flung against the wheel and many of the men on deck lost their footing. But now the Amarian soldiers could board and came flooding on. From then on the battle was a fore gone conclusion and those Ildrans with enough presence of mind surrendered and were taken captive.

  The fighting ended, Gwen stood behind the wheel watching the last of the enemy soldiers being escorted off the ship. Two Talents came on board, along with an Amarian crew to try and dislodge the ship and make it stable. On what was left of the jetty she could see the fort’s commander dishing out orders. He gave her a disapproving look when he finally got on board and was able to locate her. Along with two other men he climbed what was left of the wooden steps. Gwen stood aside from the wheel and the two men quickly got on with their task.

  “When I said capture the powder weapons at all costs I didn’t actually mean you should take out the fort as well,” he said somewhat exasperated. “That said,” he continued before she could object. “You saved a lot of my men’s lives and for that, I’ll overlook the damage to the main jetty. Well done ma’am,” he congratulated with a wry smile.

  “Thank you commander. Perhaps you’d like me to pilot the ship that takes you home after all of this.”

  The commander raised an eyebrow giving her a meaningful smile that spoke volumes.

  “Careful commander. I can read strong emotions.”

  “Yes,” he said dryly, “I should imagine abject terror is easy to sense.”

  With that they headed for the two powder weapons on the lower deck.

  “Getting our hands on these will help us no end,” the commander said with great satisfaction as he and Gwen examined them. “We’ll have them on their way within the hour. They are considerably bigger and more efficient than anything we have been able to come up with so far.”

  “Anything that doesn’t blow itself up would be an improvement on the current state of progress in both Hallorn and Amaria,” Gwen noted.

  “I’m afraid you’re right. That’s why this day will be remembered when the history books are written. Your work here is done. Where will you go next?” the commander asked straightening to look at her directly.

  “I’ll join The Eland when it sets course for the second rendezvous with Mia Sara and Kara. The Ildrans have a greater presence in the skies at the border and I might be able to lend a hand if the two women show with Halleck of Nebessa.”

  “Of course, the Panid. I would be very interested to meet him.”

  “You, me and most of the Naddier and Amar Orders.” Gwen quipped.

  Four days later The Eland left from the repaired main jetty and headed west to wait for Mia Sara and Kara’s return. Gwen had been fine while she was busy but now, despite the threat of discovery, things were quiet enough for her to feel anxious. They’d missed the first two rendezvous and now she was concerned that they wouldn’t show again. Gwen couldn’t help but wish the ship faster or the distance shorter.

  They arrived above the rendezvous point within a day and now that they were stationary the Master Speaker began weaving the complex form fields of concealment around the ship. Gwen transported herself and a small contingent of soldiers to the clearing below where they set up camp. Organising a pattern of patrols, with Gwen often joining them, they searched the surrounding jungle.

  The days passed and they saw several Ildran ships monitoring the area but thankfully on set patrol patterns that kept them a safe distance from The Eland.

  ***

  Kara had run for days. The form she had assumed did not tire easily but at this pace even she was beginning to struggle. Halleck had not complained but was suffering greatly from the endless motion and the effort of hanging on as Kara crashed her way through the jungle. She stopped often to allow Halleck to rest but she could see he was gradually becoming weaker. She came to a halt by a small jungle stream and eased Halleck off her back. He sunk to the ground with a faint grunt of relief.

  “Just rest,” she urged lighting a fire with a trick Carrick had taught her. “I’m going to find us food.”

  When she returned Halleck was still and for a brief second she couldn’t see his chest moving. But he stirred and after checking on him she expertly skinned and gutted her catch and set it cooking over the fire. Checking the stream, she collected water in the case of a hollowed out fruit she’d foraged.

  Halleck awoke after several hours. The light was fading quickly and the sounds of the night jungle emerged from hiding, calls and strange noises completely different to the constant chorus of the day.

  “Here, drink this and try some of this fruit. It’ll make you feel better.” He drank slowly and ate with little appetite. But eventually the rest and the fruit did make a difference.

  “How much further do you think we have to go?” Halleck asked.

  “I think another day. The ship should be there now, waiting. I just hope they are able to hang on. I noticed an Ildran sky ship in the air above us earlier today.”

  “Do you think they saw us?”

  “No, I took cover as soon as I saw them and they carried on without hesitation. So I think we’re ok. How’s your memory doing?”

  “More is coming back. The leriun’s out of my system and I think I’m passed the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. In a way I think the drug has helped clear my mind, if that makes sense? Whole chunks of memory keep coming back, faces and names and events… some of which I would rather not remember,” he added wretchedly.

  “Do you mean Hass? Do you need… do you want to talk about that?” Kara asked awkwardly.

  “No,” he replied bluntly, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, can we change the subject?”

  Kara nodded. “How about food? I think this is ready,” she shuffled closer to the fire to remove the meat from the flames.

  Halleck sat up wincing at aching muscles as Kara split the meat between the two of them. They both ate, the fruit having settled Halleck’s stomach.

  “You spoke of your friends Gwen and Carrick, Bryn and Jac?” Halleck said as they ate.

  She smiled at the mention of their names. “It seems ages since I’ve seen Gwen and Carrick. I’m really looking forward to that. You’ll meet them when we get back,” she said brightly, for the first time able to feel excited at the thought. “They were the first people I got to know when I joined the Order. They’re brother and sister and probably the people I’m closest to outside of my own family. As for Bryn and Jac I really miss those two. You’d get on with them really well. They’re good fun to be around.” Kara laughed. “I can’t imagine trusting anyone more than I do those four.”

  “They sound like good friends.” Halleck smiled gently, seeing the joy t
he memories brought her. He finished eating, feeling better for the rest and food. “You know Kellim, right?”

  “Yes, absolutely. Not as well as Gwen and the others but yes.”

  “We were good friends. I’ve a lot of memories of him. Good memories. What’s he like now? I mean how has he changed over the years? He was always a bit of a joker and constantly getting into scrapes.”

  Kara hesitated and Halleck picked up on this. “Oh bollocks,” she dismissed caution. “You know you still look like you’re about thirty, right?” Kara decided to tackle the issue head on.

  “Well I’ve not had time to look in a mirror lately but the last time I did…”

  “Kellim’s an old man. He hasn’t stopped ageing like you. He’s done it slower but he looks seventy even though he must be at least a hundred and thirty by now.” Kara waited for a reaction and studied Halleck’s troubled face as this news sunk in.

  “I don’t understand. We don’t age,” he said incredulously. “I mean how old are you? You look like you’re in your mid-twenties?”

  “Halleck I look like I’m in my twenties because I am in my twenties.”

  “What has happened? Kellim was a little older than me but...”

  “You have been out of it!” Kara was surprised by just how much Halleck didn’t know. “Haven’t you been around any Talents in the past hundred years?”

  “Well no, at least I don’t think so.” Halleck’s brow knotted as he tried to piece together fragmented memories. “I don’t remember anything after the war and the decades that followed are patchy at best. I had no real sense of who I was or where I was. I was drugged for most of the time I was in Ildra and so those memories are confusing. They only brought me round when they wanted to…” he broke off. Pushing those memories away he looked at Kara. “I need something else to think about. Tell me all you can about the last hundred years Kara.”

  “I’m sorry Halleck. I knew your memory was patchy but I had no idea.”

  “It’s ok. I’m glad you’ve told me. Now I need you to reacquaint me with the world again.”

  They talked for some time until Halleck couldn’t keep his eyes open so Kara promised to continue at the next opportunity they had.

  She knew they didn’t have far to go but every hour was becoming a strain. Kara didn’t dare let up her pace in case they missed the ship. They’d set off long before first light and she’d ran, none stop since then. The jungle had flashed by in a blur of whipping ferns and vines as Kara wove her way on, leaping tree trunks, ravines and crashing through undergrowth. Just as she was thinking she would have to stop and rest her keen senses caught the smell of men and the unmistakable scent of Gwen. She slowed, panting heavily and let Halleck climb down.

  He sat willing his stomach to settle, glad of the break. “Not that I am complaining but why have we stopped?”

  Kara transformed. “I can smell Gwen,” she said excitedly. “They’re close. Can you walk?”

  Halleck heaved himself to his feet and they began to make their way through the jungle. After a short distance Kara halted, looking about her. The clearing was silent but then Gwen stepped out of cover.

  “It’s them,” Gwen called back into the undergrowth. “Hold your fire.”

  Gwen ran over and embraced Kara tightly. It was some time before they broke to look at each other. “You look exhausted,” they chorused and then laughed with relief.

  “This is Halleck,” Kara introduced.

  Gwen managed to cover her surprise and greeted the young man, shaking his hand. She looked questioningly over his shoulder and then urgently at Kara.

  Kara slowly shook her head. Tears welled in her eyes and although she fought it her face crumpled as she began to sob, the relief and the strain finally catching up with her. Gwen took her in her arms, rocking her gently, as the soldiers emerged from cover and came to escort them to the safety of The Eland.

  Chapter 18

  The Panids’ Children entered the city through its large sewers, like them, old, abandoned and long since forgotten. The Rogue Children, released by Naicarn, now listened to the same will as The Wanderers, all now seeking The Prize. Ten now worked together with one aim - the promise of their continued existence. None doubted their success. The ship waited for them and many dared to anticipate the journey to their final destination. The Whispers now knew the location of The Field’s Cap.

  The Fire of The Ground entered the shallower water of the port. She too was eager to be on her way north once this part of her task had been completed. She was to create a diversion at the port and draw attention away from the city. She swam with ease, keen to fulfil her task, a role she had been created to execute during the war: Seek out enemy ships and burn them. After decades in the deep oceans the whispers had reawakened a need to revert to her original purpose.

  There was a commotion in the corridor as Bryn headed to join the others for their evening meal. It was odd to hear any noise. The place was almost deserted, as most of the Adepts and Talents had left to support the fighting in Sancir and Cian.

  “What’s going on?” he asked the nervous apprentice who came running in his direction.

  “The port,” he didn’t stop. “It’s under attack!”

  “Does Durnin know?” Bryn shouted after him.

  “I’m going there now,” came the reply from around the corner.

  Bryn quickened his pace wanting to get to the others. He found them all standing at the communal area’s large window, which offered a view down over the rest of the city. They were all talking and pointing, as Bryn joined them he saw why. The low cloud over the harbour flickered as it reflected the orange glow of many raging fires.

  “What caused this?” he asked standing beside Aaron.

  “Someone said Segat’s started his invasion but we’ve also heard it’s an accident and another rumour is one of The Children caused it,” Aaron said uneasily.

  “There’s nothing confirmed yet,” Jac added. “Lewen’s gone to find out what he can.”

  They were startled as an explosion lit up the area. Even in the dark, debris could clearly be seen arching across the sky into the other harbour buildings.

  “What was that?” Jenna asked unable to look away. She seemed uncharacteristically anxious and Bryn was concerned that the strain of the past year was beginning to surface.

  “Oil store,” Bryn replied trying to see if the fragments had started any secondary fires. “We’re safe here though. The fire won’t be allowed to spread far.”

  They heard Lewen’s approach and turned to see him round the corner now wearing his sword, a worried look on his face. Instinctively his eyes searched out Jenna. Bryn saw this and guessed at his news.

  “It’s one of The Children,” he said slightly out of breath, taking hold of Jenna’s hand as she moved towards him.

  “So it’s causing the fires?” Aaron asked.

  “Yes but I couldn’t get any answers why. Apparently it’s now heading back out to sea.”

  Jac flashed a quick look at Bryn and then headed off to get their weapons. “I won’t be long.”

  “Bryn, what do you think it wanted?” Jenna asked nervously.

  “It could be any number of things. Try not to worry. Come and sit down.”

  Bryn kept them chatting, asking each what they’d been doing during the day as they waited for further news. Jac returned handing over Bryn’s sword and a pack. Durnin followed closely behind.

  “Here you are,” he said with some relief. “Has someone told you what’s happened?”

  “We know about the attack,” Jac replied.

  “Right, then you know as mu…”

  Durnin was interrupted by a loud reverberating crash and startled calls. They quickly got to their feet hearing more crashes and screams coming down the corridor from the main entrance. Sounds of a distant struggle echoed, a frightening mixture of shouting, roars and screams. Jac, Bryn and Lewen had their weapons in hand, instinctively stepping in front of Aaron and Jenna.
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  Durnin had started to move forward motioning for the others to stay where they were. There was a sudden rending sound and the wooden floor bulged and then imploded. He didn’t have time to react and fell into the cellars below. The others were frozen in shock. A sudden flare of light erupted from out of the gaping hole and an impact reverberated in its depths. There were several more explosions followed by shrill screams. A thick cloud of dust billowed up into the room marking an abrupt silence.

  Bryn edged his way across what was left of the floor to the jagged lip of the hole, attempting to look down. In the dusty flickering lights of the cellar he could see a scale and fur covered body half buried in rubble.

  “Durnin!” Bryn shouted looking for any sign of him, “Durnin!”

  “Anything?” Jac said coming forward.

  “Careful, the floor’s unstable.”

  There was movement below and the sound of disturbed bricks. A cough gave away the cause of the noise. Durnin stepped out into view brushing himself down. He looked up, shielding his eyes from the dust that still fell from the edge of the hole.

  “Can you pull me up?” he said making out Bryn and Jac.

  Without hesitation Bryn lay down and stretched over the edge of the hole. “A little further,” Bryn strained trying to reach Durnin.

  “Give me a hand,” Jac ordered grabbing hold of Bryn, all the time aware of the distant sounds coming from the entrance hall.

  “I’ll do it,” Aaron stepped forward to help.

  Aaron crouched beside Jac and held onto Bryn’s other ankle leaning back as much as he could for balance.

  With a stretch Bryn and Durnin were able to grab wrists and Bryn strained to lift him so that he could reach a nearby beam.

  Together they managed to get Durnin out of the hole. They were about to speak when a series of crashes echoed out of the corridor. There were men’s shouts and sword fighting. Two soldiers backed into the room trying to hold off one of The Children. Heavily built it fought with two swords held in armoured hands. It was distracted momentarily as it spotted Jenna. One of the soldiers slashed at its unprotected side. The Child answered with a swing of its spiked tail. The soldier was knocked off his feet and then stamped on. At the same time, it struck out at the other soldier. The man couldn’t hope to deflect the blow and was knocked into the cellar. His startled scream ended abruptly.