by S C Gowland
His heart lurched.
He almost didn’t notice it, a glimmer of light reflecting.
Eyes wide and staring with revulsion at the black slimy coil around the neck of the body of Zahara. He recoiled, then with a sharp breathe in attempted to reach towards her.
‘Don't!’ barked Aralorne. ‘Don't touch them.’ he said moving forward pulling Kaoldan with his hand, eyes not moving from the creature.
‘Whatever you do, don’t touch them. They’re coil slugs.’
Kaoldan clicked his fingers and Dref stood still by the entrance to the door, eyes fixed on the bunk beds.
Aralorne reached forward, brushing hair behind his ears, his face tense.
With a flash of pink light his Walkerblade hook shrank in size, sprouting more barbs and spikes, until it was the length of his forearm.
Kaoldan watched - not daring to breathe - as Aralorne slowly moved one of the spikes underneath the edge of the creature wrapped around Zahara's neck. Twisting it carefully, but with little effort, barbs caught underneath it. He twirled the Walkerblade as if gathering spaghetti around a fork.
The wet sucking noise set Kaoldan’s teeth on edge.
‘Get me that leather bag,’ he hissed.
Kaoldan responded quickly grabbing the bag as ordered.
‘Don’t move.’ murmured Aralorne, eyes locked on the oily, curling creature on the end of his Walkerblade.
Kaoldan did as he was told.
Aralorne took three tentative steps forwards, holding the blade towards Kaoldan. With a shake and a flick of his wrist he deposited the squirming creature into the bag.
‘Close it up.’ he whispered, face glistening with sweat.
Kaoldan could feel the creature wriggling at the bottom of the bag, it made his skin prickle ice cold, he pulled the cords, closing the bag tightly.
Aralorne turned, stepping cautiously, he craned his neck searching, then using the bottom bunk as a step slowly pulled himself up.
He carefully pulled away the blanket covering the body on the upper bunk, leaning he poked the fork towards the neck of Romina.
Kaoldan held his breath.
Aralorne’s whole body tensed. Painfully slowly he twisted his wrist. With a sharp intake of breath he stepped down
The coil slug hung from the fork, caught on the barbs. Like a flat, black snake it flicked and curled, lamplight glistening on its rippling body.
‘Open it.’ he breathed.
Kaoldan did so.
Aralorne flicked his wrist the slug dropped into the back. Kaoldan closed it feeling the occupants inside wriggling and squirming. He struggled to keep it closed.
‘Quickly, do exactly as I say.’ said Aralorne. ‘Take the bag upstairs. Burn it, don't throw it into the sea. The content must be burnt. Fetch help, there may be more of them.’ He said looking around, gazing into dark corners.
Kaoldan moved towards the door, Dref backed away, he shouted at the top of his voice.
Heavy footsteps boomed down the corridor as Kryst emerged out of the darkness in front of him
‘Help him.’ Kaoldan ordered, pointing towards Aralorne carefully searching around the room.
‘Do whatever he says no questions.’ Kryst nodded and entered the room eyes darting.
Kaoldan, glanced at the still bodies on the bunk beds.
‘Go.’ said Aralorne. his voice urgent.
Kaoldan clenched his jaw, then still holding the wriggling bag sprinted down the corridor, taking the steps upwards two strides at a time. Emerging from the darkness below onto the gloom of the deck he darted left, his feet almost going from under him on the wet planks.
The main cabin was at the back of the ship.
There was a brazier there, this he knew having spent much of the last two days, standing near it attempting to get warm.
He sprinted forwards feet booming.
‘Move.’ he barked entering the room to startled faces of Tokel, Nova and Kubrean. ‘Move.’ he repeated barging past Zalen.
‘Lift the grill.’ he said to Kubrean pointing at the top of the brazier. The bag was getting heavy, the coil slugs juddering and twisting desperate to escape.
Using iron tongs Kubrean shifted the grill, smoking black and orange, heat pulsing out. Kaoldan threw the bag and its contents into the brazier. Kubrean let go of the heavy grill, there was a metallic clang as it dropped, followed by a sizzle, hissing and an ear-piercing screech.
Nova rose from his seat, face bewildered.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ he demanded.
‘Coil slugs.’ replied Kaoldan in between heavy breaths.
Nova’s face fell.
‘They got into the cabin where the girls were sleeping.’ said Kaoldan breathing hard.
‘Quickly,’ said Tokel calmly standing up. She clapped her hands together with a sharp smack. Every eye in the room fell on her.
‘We must prepare an antidote to the poison. If you would accompany me, my dear.’ she said, leading the way with her hand.
Nova regained his senses, smiled, and followed his wife out of the room.
Kubrean took a step forward his face pale.
‘The girls?’ he murmured.
Kaoldan shrugged his shoulders.
‘I don't know,’ he said. ‘I just don't know.’ he said over his shoulder as he ran retracing his steps, back to the room. His mind was numb, and his hands shook.
He slowed before reaching the entrance to the room, the sound of heavy feet rattling downstairs close behind him. He raised his hand, Kubrean and Zalen, slowed then stopped.
Moving forwards slowly, despite an urge to charge in, his heart still racing.
Kaoldan peered into the room. Aralorne stood fork in hand, back to back with Kryst who had morphed his Walkerblade into a similar instrument. Green and pink light mingling on the wooden walls.
‘There don't appear to be anymore.’ breathed Aralorne, eyes still searching. ‘But we can't be certain. You two get them.’ he pointed with his free hand towards the still bodies on the bed.
‘Each of you take one of them but do it slowly. We will remain to check that there are no more slugs hiding in here. Do it carefully.’ he emphasised. ’Anything done in haste and more of us will end up like them. Take them one at a time.’
Heart racing, breath short and stuttering, Kaoldan entered the room.
Dref backed away a step but did not leave.
Floorboards creaked as Aralorne and Kryst moved apart.
His eyes fell on the two still, waxy bodies.
‘No, no.’ he said under his breath.
Being slightly shorter Kubrean knelt to the lower bunk. He heaved, rolling Zahara towards him, wriggling an arm underneath he gritted his teeth and stood.
‘Go now.’ Aralorne said, eyes searching the shadows.
Kubrean strode towards the door, her body over his shoulder, arms swinging, lifeless.
Kaoldan took a shuddered breath, he flexed his fingers, put his foot on the lower bunk and hauled himself up.
She was still, really still, no movement at all.
His heart sank.
He paused thinking it too late, but as his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw her chest rose and lowered slightly, so shallow were the breaths he almost didn’t notice them. He reached forwards, arm snaking under her midriff, fingers clawing at her clothes and he heaved. She was a dead weight, floppy and lifeless.
‘No, no, no…’ he whispered as he heaved again.
His chest tightened and his arms felt like stone. He winced as her full weight flopped over onto his shoulder,
‘Not now, not like this.’ he muttered. His feet felt like ice. He took a shaky step forwards. Then another, then again. Warm blood washed through his body, driving the cold back. Holding his left arm out for balance he gritted his teeth and quickened his pace, stretching out his legs. He covered the distance in a haze; sound muffled; the edges of his vision blurred.
At the top of the stairs he half recognised Zalen, the blonde
Walker pointed to his right, he turned mind blank. Kaoldan kept going, feet echoing on the deck.
A face in the distance.
Dalon beckoning him forwards, words utterly lost as if said underwater.
He saw Kubrean kneeling on the deck over a heap of clothing.
Clenching his jaw Kaoldan dropped to one knee and carefully placed Romina out on the deck. He recoiled as he saw the white, waxy sheen on their skin. He leaned in towards Romina. She was still breathing, an explosion of air rasped out of his lungs.
‘This way, my dear, quickly.’ fussed Tokel moving forwards. ’Quickly, quickly.’ she beckoned to her husband; Nova followed behind his cane tapping rhythmically as he moved.
‘Gentleman.’ she indicated to Kaoldan and Kubrean. ‘Please, sit them up and pray we are not too late.’
Kaoldan did not need to be told twice. Waves crashed against the side of the ship knocking Romina’s lolling head to one side. He grabbed her head, it was cold, so very cold.
‘No, no, no..’ the words leaked out of his mouth.
Tokel moved toward Romina and Nova to Zahara. She twisted the cork stopper from the top of a small vial with a satisfying thwop. Opening Romina’s mouth, she forced the vial between her lips and emptied out half the contents, a thick red liquid which rolled down inside the glass. Tokel removed the vial and clamped Romina’s mouth closed. She emptied the remainder of the vial into Zahara mouth.
‘Hold them still,’ said Tokel calmly to both Walkers, ‘no matter what happens hold their heads still and remain calm.’ she looked directly at Kaoldan.
Nothing happened then there was a ripple, then a twitch followed by a full-blown jerk of Romina's neck.
He gripped her tight, arms like rock, fingers trembling with the effort. Caught in an embrace as if his life depended on it.
A memory stirred.
Distant.
Faint, but becoming clearer, faded colours becoming more vibrant, sounds from muffled to clear.
He remembered.
He remembered how it felt.
How he had felt.
All those years ago.
As if he had become complete, as if he was no longer completely alone.
The sensation had taken him completely by surprise. A sense of calm that descended over his body like the softest and most comforting of blankets.
Utter calm.
Utter confidence that he knew what to do.
Meeting Morveen and forming The Link with her had brought him such happiness, but their children. Their children were a gift. The gifts his wife had created where the most precious of all. It had lit a fire deep within him, that they should, would never know, pain, hunger, sorrow or sadness.
He felt that he had been put on this earth to do this task and no other.
That this was his role in life, first second and third.
He had first felt it with the birth of Jayk.
A boy, a strong boy, but one that he was responsible for.
But the births of his daughters had been different.
Daughters had given him a different perspective.
Romina’s birth had bought with it a sharper, more urgent need to protect and safeguard. Zahara had heightened and extended that feeling when she had arrived a few years later. He remembered how he had sworn to himself and them that he would always protect them, always be there. He clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, pain sharp at the bridge of his nose.
He had failed them.
But he would fail them no more.
No matter the cost.
Whatever it took.
He clenched his teeth harder.
Remembering. Remembering how he had been there for her. How he would have done anything for her. Remembering how things used to be. It was as if she was that young girl again, being cradled by her father after a bad dream. But they were still the same, were they not?
He would still do anything for her, for either of them.
If they needed him and they did.
He remembered washed out memories of cradling her and her sister; him at peace and them safe snuggling within the protection of his arms.
The greatest sense of peace he had ever known, then or since.
He bit his lip, gripping her tighter, eyes still clamped shut.
He felt that this calm was once his friend and now a stranger. The flicker of peace echoed inside of him. A peace that he thought lost and never to return.
The twitches grew into an intense spasm, moving downwards through her body towards her feet. She twisted and turned violently as Kaoldan held firm.
He risked a glance and saw Kubrean holding Zahara carefully but with complete strength and tenderness.
Kaoldan felt his eyes glaze over, he gritted his teeth and forced the tears back.
Gradually after what felt like forever. The spasms and the convulsion lessened. Their strength fading replaced by no movement at all.
Romina went limp, worryingly, gut achingly limp.
He opened his eyes, her face had lost that waxy sheen, and she was breathing more deeply now. He felt tension in her arms, strength returning
‘Help them to sit up.’ said Tokel, kneeling between them.
Kubrean and Kaoldan sat the girls up, still supporting them from behind, making sure they didn't fall over.
Kaoldan felt Romina gasp, her head searching left and right.
She heavily coughed then hawked and spat the contents disappearing into the murk. The coughing continued; raw, rasping coughs from deep within her lungs.
Her hands spread on the floor as she steadied herself.
‘What happened?’ she croaked, eyes darting. ‘I don't remember falling asleep here.’
‘Me either…’ came a strangled voice Zahara, who was leaning on one hand, nursing her head with the other.
‘Coil slugs.’ said Tokel with a reassuring smile.
‘Coil what?’ said Zahara voice cracking.
‘You were both attacked by coil slugs.’ Nova leaned over his cane, face reassuring.
‘What the hell is a coil slug?’ said Romina, half coughing, covering her mouth.
‘A particularly nasty type of creature.’ came a voice from behind Kaoldan. He turned to see Inga Stone, stood with our hands on her hips and a face like thunder.
‘Horrible slimy creatures. They attacked people. The slime on their skin is a form of venom.’ she knelt down to check the necks of the two girls. ‘One touch of it on your skin and it knocks you out cold. They then coil around your neck and slowly drain the body of blood like giant leeches. They simply slither away when they have had their fill.’
‘Slither...’ said Zahara shuddering, she touched her neck and winced.
‘We don't tend to see much of them nowadays, but they can grow up to a metre in length. They must have got on board back at Celst don't worry, we can deal with them. If I remember correctly,‘ she turned towards Tokel, ‘They are not very fond of cinnamon?’
Tokel nodded, a grin growing on her face. ‘Yes.’ she said. ‘they hate it.’
‘Cinnamon?’ scoffed Zahara. ‘It’s a spice for cakes.’
‘No, no.’ Inga shook her head. ‘Cinnamon is actually a tree, and it is the bark on the tree that is used as a spice. We know it has amazing healing benefits for numerous ailments, partially to infections and some diseases. Just like gin.’
Romina clamped a hand to her mouth.
Inga frowned.
‘Not a fan of gin I presume. Shame. Where was I? Oh yes, luckily for you I have a quantity of cinnamon on board down below. Available for the right price of course.’ she smiled sweetly.
Zahara’s eyes narrowed and grumbling Nova began to reach for his purse.
‘I don’t just transport Walkers and big cats.’ Inga shrugged ‘And everyone is allergic to something.’
Zahara scrunched up her mouth, clearly not convinced.
‘I believe we can cover your expenses.’ said Nova eyebrows knitted together.
‘Excellent.’
said Inga brightly. ‘If you could assist me in creating a batch, we can flood the lower decks with its essence. As I recall, it petrifies them, or it drives them away back into the sea. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.’ she turned and strode towards the back of the ship, whistling as she went, boots heels rapping on the wooden deck.
Romina’s face screwed up, and she coughed several times again, hand on her neck, then spit out the contents.
She held her hand out towards Tokel.
‘Thank you.’ she croaked ‘I owe you my life.’
‘Not really.’ said Tokel with a smile, shaking her head. ‘It wasn't all down to me. He found you.’ She nodded towards Kaoldan.
He stood and backed away, grimacing as he did so, suddenly aware of the eyes shifting towards him.
‘And if he hadn't found you both, I very much fear, you would have died without any of us knowing.’
Romina struggled to turn around, face creased with effort and pain as she did so.
Kaoldan felt his face flush with heat, hands clasped in front of him as he rocked on his feet.
She looked up at her father, her eyes widening in amazement.
***
‘How many were there?’ said Kubrean carefully placing his cup in the middle of the table. The contents swayed along with the room as the ship continued to make progress through the Iron Lake, half a dozen lamps creaked inside the dimly lit room.
‘Nine in total.’ replied Nova, hands clasped across his chest. ‘Horrible things really.’ said the old man pulling a face. ‘I had heard about them, but never actually seen one, I’m not entirely sure I want to get that close again. One thing is for certain though I'm not sure I want to smell cinnamon again for a while.’ he sniffed his waistcoat and wrinkled his nose. ‘It’s everywhere.’ he said flapping his arm.
It was true. The entire ship smelt of cinnamon, but Kaoldan found it sweet, warm and reassuring; compared to the salt of the sea.
Good as her word Inga had provided bags of Cinnamon, at a slightly inflated price, judging by Nova expression when they had discussed money.
She and Tokel had created a fog of sweet murky, brown gas that had been wafted into every compartment, every section, every cabin and storage space within the ship. They had made lanterns that billowed out the sweet nutty vapour which Kaoldan and others had carried around the ships which had taken most of the night.