If they are here, Ewan reckoned, they’d be in the trees across the river at the foot of the cliff face, or in the caves that dotted it. The men started down into the valley, Ewan twenty paces ahead. He had not gone far when he saw the lone man sitting in the mid-morning sun, sipping from his water bag.
And so now he crouched behind a bush and waited and watched. He’d signalled Rayker and his men to stop and hoped they’d stay quiet. Ewan knew there’d be a moment when the man relaxed. When that moment came, Ewan would rush him. In the meantime, he could be patient. If he was one of Jack’s men, they couldn’t afford to have him alert the others. Once warned, the band of outlaws could well escape; or worse, Rayker and his men would find themselves in a pitched battle.
The man continued to stand in the middle of the small path. What’s he waiting for? Ewan asked himself. Then he had his answer. From the brush another man stepped on to the path, adjusting his breeches. He, too, carried a fighting bow, with a knife in his belt.
‘Finished?’ asked the first man. ‘Too much ale, that’s your problem.’
‘Chance would be a fine thing,’ said the second man. ‘When did we last ’ave ale? All we’ve ’ad is that bleedin’ wine we took from that merchant. I’d kill for an ale.’
‘I know. I saw you, remember?’ said the first, with grim humour.
‘C’mon, let’s get back. They’ll give us right grief, comin’ back without ’ny meat. I thought you were supposed ter be good with that bow. You missed that stag by a good hand.’
‘I do all right with it,’ grumbled the first man.
‘We ain’t had fresh meat since Horn went off,’ said the other. ‘He coulda shot that stag in the eye at twice the distance you shot.’
‘Well, Horn ain’t here. He’s gone off with Jack.’
‘I reckon mebbe Jack kilt ‘im. You heard ’em argue.’
‘Killed ’im? Don’t be daft.’
The second man snorted derisively. ‘Jack’d kill yer soon as look at yer. He’s a murderin’ so-and-so.’ He chuckled wryly. ‘Course, we all is, comes to that!’
Behind Ewan, the rustle of leaves was followed by a soft thud and a hiss of breath. The two men turned, bringing their bows from their shoulders.
Ewan didn’t hesitate. In the thick brush, he didn’t have enough room to throw the staff. His only chance was to rush them before they could draw their bows. Even before their fingers closed on a shaft, Ewan was covering the ground between them. Rayker was less than a heartbeat behind, but he had five metres of extra ground to cover.
The second man was the faster of the two. Ewan tackled him, hoping that Rayker was quick enough to stop the other one from putting an arrow or a blade between his shoulders. He hit the man hard with his shoulder as he brought an arrow from his quiver. The force of the blow knocked the man off his feet, sending him tumbling into the bushes. Ewan brought his staff round and placed the end against the man’s throat. The man glared up at him, then gave a short nod of surrender as more of Rayker’s men appeared behind Ewan.
His friend had not fared so well. For a split second he had hesitated, unsure whether Ewan or Rayker posed the greater threat. He saw Rayker coming fast and decided self-preservation was by far the best part of valour. Leaving his friend to take care of himself, he nocked his arrow and drew his bow. The arrowhead was almost in line with Rayker’s chest when he felt a sharp tug on his bow arm. His arm was knocked sideways as he loosed the arrow. He cried out as pain went through his forearm and cursed when he saw the arrow sticking through it.
Rayker took the man’s weapons. ‘Stop the noise, save it for when we get that out of your arm.’ He turned and glanced at his men, searching. Then he smiled at one who strolled towards him, bow in hand.
‘Thanks, Declan. Well shot,’ said Rayker.
Declan shrugged nonchalantly. ‘It was nothing. Just closed my eyes and hoped for the best.’ He gave Rayker a cheeky grin. ‘Now, I’ll go and ask the man for my arrow back.’
Ewan’s man was dragged to join his companion. His eyes, under heavy, thick brows and showing the pain of the arrow in his forearm, fixed on Rayker.
‘I know you. You’re Rayker, ain’t ya?’ he said belligerently. ‘You took a good friend o’ mine a couple o’ years back. Surprised you is still alive. Won’t be, though, when Jack ’ears o’ this. ’E doan like it when people takes ’is men.’ He looked at his companion. ‘Ain’t that right, Cross?’
Though he looked alarmed at Rayker’s name, Cross took up the threats. ‘Let us go now and we’ll not tell Jack.’ He did a quick count of the men with Rayker. ‘You’ll need more’n this lot to take Jack. From that cave of his, he could hold off a hundred men. And, anyway he’s not –’
‘Shut yer gob, Cross,’ snapped the other man. ‘Doan tell ’em nuthin’.’
Rayker knelt beside the man. ‘That’s right. I’m Rayker. And I did take your friend. Three years ago, on the north road. And I know you, Frick. Do you want me to tell Cross here what sort of man you are? Then I’ll let you both go and you can run back to Jack and Cross can tell him what sort of man he has on his side. From what I hear, Jack doesn’t treat cowards all that hospitably.’
Frick licked his lips nervously. ‘Doan know what yer mean. You ambushed us. There weren’t nuthin’ I could do.’
‘Except run,’ said Rayker. ‘You’re pretty fast, Frick. I’m sure three years haven’t slowed you down at all.’
Frick’s eyes went furtively to his companion. Cross was looking at him through narrowed eyes, an unpleasant expression on his face.
‘Right,’ said Rayker. ‘Let them go. They’re not going to tell us anything we need. We can’t guard them, so it’s either kill them or let them go. There’s no point killing them. Jack’ll do that for us. He’ll never believe they didn’t give him up when we turn up at the cave.’
Everyone took a step back from the two captives. Ben smiled cheerily and waved at them. ‘Good speed, gentlemen. We’ll see you soon,’ he said.
Frick and Cross were confused and worried. But Cross was more of a gambler than his companion and he decided to call Rayker’s bluff. He rose from the grass.
‘Give me ma bow ’n knife and I’ll go back ta Jack and let ’im know youse is comin’. I’ve bin with Jack a long time. ’E knows I’d not open me mouth ta likes o’ you.’
Rayker nodded and one of his men handed Cross his bow. He flipped the man’s knife in the air, caught it by the point and threw it in the ground at the outlaw’s feet.
Cross hadn’t expected they’d give him his weapons. He didn’t know what to make of it.
‘You’ll put an arrer in me back soon as I take a step,’ he snarled, plucking his knife from the ground. He felt its weight for a second, then tucked it in his belt.
‘Go!’ Rayker barked. ‘And tell Jack we’ll stop by and visit soon.’
Cross turned and bolted. Unseen by anyone, Ewan slipped into the trees and went after him.
Frick watched. No one made a move to go after Cross. Mebbe they will let me go. Jack’ll niver believe I gave ’em up. Even if ’e does, I’ll say it was Cross that done it.
‘Well, I’ll be going, too,’ he said aloud. ‘Gimme ma bow, ’n knives.’
‘In good time,’ said Rayker. ‘We’ll give Cross long enough to get there and tell your friends we’re coming. And that you kindly stayed behind to tell us a few things. I’m sure they’ll have a suitable welcome ready when you get there. Or maybe Cross won’t wait that long. He has a bit more courage than you do, Frick. And maybe a strong sense of justice. I think he’s the sort of man who might just wait down the way a bit and put an arrow through your heart.’
That was just the bad-tempered, unreasonable sort of man Frick thought Cross could be. A thought came to him ...
‘And in case you’re thinking of going the other way,’ said Rayker as if reading Frick’s thoughts, ‘I’ll tell my men that if you head in any direction but there –’ He pointed to the river below. ‘– they are to put anoth
er arrow into you. Into any part of you they like.’
Frick was crestfallen. ‘Look, I’m wounded. I’ve got an arrer through ma arm. Fix me up and I’ll tell yer what yer want ta know! Then yer can let me go,’ he pleaded. ‘Besides, Jack ain’t even there! If it’s ’im you want, yer gonna have ta wait.’
Rayker frowned. ‘Not there? Where is he, then?’
‘My arm!’ cried Frick. ‘Do somethin’. It hurts like the devil.’
‘When you’ve answered my questions,’ insisted Rayker.
‘I doan know where ’e is,’ said Frick miserably. ‘But ’e’s up ta sumthin’. A few weeks back he jist came in an’ threw down a bag of gold marks an’ said we’d soon have ten times that much. Since then, ’e’s been keepin’ things to himself even more’n usual. ’E just said that all we had ta do was wait and lie low. ’Bout a week ago Jack took six others and left. Said ’e’d be back in a few days and we was to stay put.’ Frick managed to look even more glum. ‘Told us not ta go near the ’ighway; we was ta do no robbin’, no nuthin’.’ He sighed. ‘Ain’t niver seen that much money afore. Not at one time.’
‘So, he’s hired out to someone?’ Rayker asked.
Frick shrugged, then grimaced as the arm moved. ‘That’s ma guess.’
‘What about Horn?’
‘What about ’im?’ asked Frick, suspiciously. He saw Rayker’s glowering look and hastily continued. ‘Horn was always an odd one. ’Ee kept to himself. Niver caused trouble, but everyone steered clear of ’im. ’Bout a week ago, the day before Jack and the others left, I think, Jack took Horn aside. They talked for a while an’ then, before we knew what was what, they was yellin’ and arguin’. We all got a bit nervous. Yer didn’t argue with Jack. But Horn did. They were standin’ nose to nose and we all thought that was it for Horn. ’E was a good man with most weapons, but ’e’d have been no match for Jack. Then Horn just grabs his bow and storms off without a word to anyone. Jack was in a foul mood the whole day. Next day, Horn is back but without his bow, and a cracking great mark on the side of his head. ’E was one of those who left with Jack the next day.’
‘Who were the others?’ Rayker asked casually. ‘Apart from Nate and Kurt?’
Frick was startled. ‘How’d you know ’bout Nate ’n’ Kurt?’
Rayker didn’t answer and Frick went on. ‘Let’s see; there were Jack, Horn, Nate, Kurt, Seth, Walt ’n’ Milly.’
Rayker showed no surprise at the woman’s name. He’d bet it was Milly Beaufort. She was a handful, as good with a sword as any man he’d ever met and more ruthless than most. She was almost as notorious as Jack. If it was her, he was surprised that she would have joined a band as big as Jack’s. She was not known for her sharing nature.
‘Look,’ Frick blurted, ‘get this thing outta ma arm and I’ll tell yer where the cave is. They’ll be easier to take with Jack gone. It’s jist over the river. I’ll lead you there, or tell that man of yours ...’ he looked around for Ewan. ‘Where’s ’e gone? That woodsman that brought down Cross?’ He paused, then glared triumphantly at Rayker. ‘He’s gone after Cross, ’asn’t he? You niver intended ta let Cross git back to the cave! I doan ’ave ta tell ya nuthin’!’ he crowed.
Cross stumbled into their midst. Ewan walked behind him, prodding him with his staff.
‘Watch that stick o’ yourn! You already give me a knock!’ He rubbed the side of his head, then spat at Rayker. ‘You niver intended to let me go, did ya? Ya damn sod!’ The look he gave Rayker showed malice. The one he gave Frick promised revenge.
Rayker ignored him. ‘Declan, you can get your arrow now. Ben, give him a hand.’ He looked at Ewan. ‘Well?’
Ewan turned his back on the others so he could see the valley and the cliffs beyond. ‘He headed straight to the river,’ he said, pointing down into the valley. ‘I didn’t want him to get too far away in case I had to carry him back. We can make the river without being seen. They’ve made a bridge, just a few logs, where it narrows. It’s well hidden on both sides but once across it’ll be hard getting close enough to have a good look. But I’d say that’s where they are. One thing surprises me, though. There’s a trail on this side, but it’s not much more than a one-man track, not used a lot. They must have another way in and out.’
‘I’d be surprised if Jack didn’t,’ said Rayker.
‘My guess is that he’s found a pass north, through the mountain behind the cliff, to the east of the river,’ said Ewan. ‘That would take him to the Old Road. Vale’s only two hours west from there.’
Rayker didn’t answer. He stared out across the valley and sheer cliff on the other side.
‘You’re thinking about the men who’ll die if we try to storm the cave,’ said Ewan.
Rayker nodded. ‘If they have Antrobus in there, they could kill him long before we’d ever get in,’ he mused. ‘Or they’d get him out the back way. And if we’re wrong, a lot of men will die for nothing.’ He dropped to his haunches and Ewan squatted next to him. ‘We need a better plan, Swift. We have to get them out of that cave without losing half our men and we have to make sure they can’t get out another way.’
‘Most of these caves have air crevices, holes that lead from outside down into the caves. If we can find one big enough, and get one or two men inside, there’s a chance they can at least find Antrobus and keep him alive while we deal with the others,’ said Ewan.
‘That’s a long shot,’ Rayker said, ‘and dangerous for the men who go in. And it won’t stop them getting away if there is a pass through that mountain. We have to find that pass.’
‘I’ll find it,’ said Ewan.
The men straightened up. ‘Don’t get caught, Swift. I wouldn’t want that daughter of yours mad at me.’
At the mention of his daughter, Ewan smiled. The way Rayker spoke it made it clear that he at least respected her. He was already proud of his daughter, but Rayker’s approval of Jenny added polish to his pride.
‘There’s little we can do here,’ Rayker said. ‘I’ll take the men back to Vale the way we came. It’ll take us a full day so it’ll be night by the time we get there. Come to my house at daybreak tomorrow. We’ll think of a way of getting these brigands out of their cave. Then, in two days, we can be back to finish this job.’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘They’ve had Antrobus for five days now. I hope he can last another two.’
Ewan set off into the valley and Rayker led his band of volunteers, and their prisoners, through Queerwood, back to Vale. He couldn’t possibly know that within a few hours Jack would give Jenny just one day to live.
Chapter 14
Earth, Air, Fire and Water
Ewan arrived in Vale about an hour before sunset. He headed straight for Rumpkin’s to see Jenny. As he walked across the square to the house, a pretty young woman – not too much older than Jenny, he guessed – came from the house. She smiled politely at him as he passed. He smiled in return, then his attention was caught by a young woman’s face looking at him through an upper window. They locked eyes for an instant, then the face disappeared. Odd, he thought, then raised his hand to knock.
‘Excuse me, are you perhaps Ewan Swift?’ a voice behind him asked.
Ewan turned round, his eyes curious. It was the young lady who had just smiled at him. ‘I am,’ he replied.
‘I thought you might be,’ the young lady said brightly. ‘Jenny said you were a wood-ward and you, well, look like a wood-ward.’
‘Do you share lodgings with Jenny?’ Ewan asked.
‘She’s my room-mate,’ said the young lady. ‘Forgive me – I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Emily. Emily Trickett.’
‘Magistrate Trickett’s daughter! You were still in the crib last time I saw you.’ Ewan shook his head. ‘No one could have imagined that that crying, wrinkled, red-faced imp would have turned into quite such a beautiful swan.’
Emily felt herself blushing. ‘It’s kind of you to say so – I think. Do you know my father, then?’
Ewan nodded. ‘I was
n’t always a wood-ward. I once lived in the palace and back then your father wasn’t chief magistrate.’
‘I knew there was more to Jenny than just the daughter of a rustic forester!’ Her face had a look of smug vindication. ‘You haven’t forgotten your palace charms, I see.’
Ewan laughed. ‘And you are learning yours quite quickly, I see! Now, Mistress Trickett, I really would like to see my daughter. Forgive me if I am abrupt but –’
‘If you want to see your daughter, first, I’d start by calling me Emily. I think the fact that your daughter is my best friend, and that you’ve known me from the crib, makes that perfectly proper. Second, I wouldn’t knock on that door. All you’d get is the joy of talking to Rumpkin, and there is no happiness in that joy, believe me. And last, if you’ve no objection to walking with a wrinkled and red-faced ball of tears, you can come with me, for I was just on my way to bring her some supper. You’ll join us, of course. I’ll stop to get another pie.’
Ewan offered Emily his best and lowest bow (which, to be honest, was not particularly good, as he was quite out of practice) and the two set off to Antrobus’s workshop.
Given the events of the past week, it is not surprising that for a while the conversation soon turned serious. He had been told of the two attacks on Jenny and the incident at Antrobus’s house when Horn had been killed, but hearing of them from the lips of a girl not much older than Jenny made them seem more vivid and immediate.
Emily also told him how hard Jenny had been working the past few days.
Brimstone Page 18