“Is this proof enough Sir?”
“Yes. Get out now. You still have to come with us to the prison until the Council of Mages has time to see you. Who are your parents?”
“I know not Sir but I hope to find out. It’s one of the reasons I came here.”
Kuiran dived again and locating the articles of his clothing by scent; tossed them up onto the dock one by one, apart from his mail hauberk which he took to the stone steps. The officer allowed Raleen to collect his clothes and mail before Kuiran Sealie pulled himself out of the water, up the stone steps and turned back into Kuiran. Once again he had to wear wet clothes but the Guard officer kept his mail hauberk allowing Kuiran only his padded gambeson. He wrung as much salt water out of it as he could before putting the garment back on, grateful the weather was not cold.
They were marched up through the docks to the lower streets of Sanctuary. Those parts of a city built around the docks are usually the oldest and it was true of Sanctuary also. Although everything was clean, the buildings were old and there was an air of surrender in everything they saw. The Island people were much larger than the average Man but those they passed seemed dejected and disinterested. Their clothing was dull and nowhere was there gaiety in evidence. Something was very amiss on the island of Wyalon.
It didn’t take long to reach the prison and Captain Belmar and his crew were unceremoniously locked up. The cells were well populated but as prisons went it was fairly comfortable, with clean straw underfoot and a bucket supplied for the necessaries. Kuiran was about to enter the cell but the officer stopped him.
“You and the lady come with me please. Your accommodation is separate.”
Kuiran bade farewell to the Captain and crew of Jalwynd and told them not to worry, something would happen soon.
“Aye,” Jeffen grunted, “Not afore pigs be flyin’.”
Kuiran and Raleen were led to a brighter cell of their own to await the Council of Mages.
The arrival of Jalwynd, unannounced, resulted in the Council of Mages convening that same afternoon. Kuiran, still damp, Raleen and Captain Belmar were led to the court room and directed to stand in a dock before the Council, which consisted of eight Mages all wearing exotic looking clothing and peculiar hats. Kuiran thought they were pompous and his suspicions were confirmed when the first of the Mages opened his mouth.
“We are the Council of Mages and between the eight of us, we govern Wyalon. You are here without permission and have entered our waters. Who is the Captain of the ship?”
Belmar put his hand up.
“Jalwynd be mine Sir.”
“Not any more. Your ship is confiscated.”
Belmar sagged at the knees. It couldn’t be. The love of his life to be taken from him by an unjust Mage? Captain Belmar was no coward and he knew injustice when he saw it. He considered his odds. Not good against eight Mages but he could wait. Even if it took ‘til Fate ran out of destinies he vowed he would reclaim his Jalwynd.
“You. Big man. The officer here says he saw you change into a Sealie when you leapt into the harbour. What other magical tricks can you perform?”
Kuiran was irritated by the attitude of the Mage questioning him. These Mages represented the insufferable officiousness which he’d been fighting against for most of last year. Dominion by another name.
“I am not ‘big man,’ my name is Kuiran’dal and I’m a Prince of the M’Herindar, one of the four races descended from the Hirondae as you are. I was found on the border of M’Herindar lands when I was a babe and adopted by their Queen. I was born on Wyalon and have come in search of my birth parents.”
Kuiran looked at each Mage in turn before addressing them again.
“This Lady is my Betrothed and has accompanied me here and this good Captain was hired by me to transport us to Wyalon.”
“Yes, yes. All very well but what other magic do you possess?”
“None Sir.”
“Good. We’ll hang you all in the morning then. Any last requests?”
Kuiran leapt from the dock and made it halfway to the surprised Mages before one idly raised a finger and Kuiran was bodily picked up and thrown back. The Mage who’d used his magic laughed.
“I could’ve just as easily killed you but that would spoil the fun of watching you swing tomorrow. Guards! Take them away.”
Back in the cell he shared with Raleen, Kuiran paced back and forth, in deep concentration. Eventually Raleen bade him stop.
“I’m feeling better Kuiran. This place has Earthmagic too and I am starting to feel I could perhaps do something simple like a glamour to hide us.”
“What about Belmar and his crew?”
Raleen didn’t need time to think before she answered.
“I won’t be strong enough for anything of that magnitude Kuiran, I will barely be able to hide us.”
Kuiran gave her a patient smile.
“It is time for Trust again. We’ll wait for the morning.”
Just as dawn was nudging the horizon, every soul who could hear in Sanctuary was woken by a low penetrating wail. Kuiran and Raleen were perplexed. This was their first morning in Sanctuary and it could very well be their last. Was this a daily reveille for the city? The question was soon answered as guards could be heard rushing to confirm cells were locked as orders were barked by agitated officers. The keening sound took form and with an intense shiver of recognition, Kuiran realised it was a single word being repeated over and over.
“Kuiran, Kuiran, Kuiran.”
On and on it went without surcease and Raleen looked shocked as she too heard Kuiran’s name being called out in a low mournful wail, the sound rising from many throats.
It wasn’t long before more guards appeared and formed up outside Kuiran’s cell, looking as though they’d dressed hastily.
“You are to come with us Big Man. Immediately.”
Kuiran sat impassively.
“Not without Raleen. She comes too or you’ll have to come in here and get me.”
A crossbow was produced and still Kuiran sat.
“Shoot me if you have to but I think whoever is asking for me will be very angry if I’m harmed.”
The Guard officer’s face reflected his quandary but he soon capitulated. Kuiran and Raleen were taken from their cell and marched at a brisk pace down to the harbour. The sight which greeted them would be etched into Kuiran’s memory for the rest of his life. The harbour was full of seal heads sleekly shining above the water calling his name. Immediately Kuiran saw they were all Sealie.
As he was led down to the dock near where Jalwynd was tied up, he saw Ssarista in the water below, waiting.
“Kuiran. We are here to help you in your quesst as I promisssed. Whatever you sssee and hear, do not be afraid. You and your friendss will not be harmed.”
Just then a large coach, drawn by four black horses pulled up and the entire Council of Mages alighted from it. All eight of them stood looking over the harbour at the countless Sealie still calling for Kuiran. The Head Mage looked flustered.
“What is the meaning of this Kuiran? Is this some sort of plot or just a big joke?”
Kuiran shrugged.
“I have been in Sanctuary less than twenty four hours. Your guess is as good as mine.”
The Mage looked down into the harbour and addressed Ssarista.
“What are you doing here?” He blustered.
“You mussst release Kuiran and hiss friendsss immediately.” She replied.
“NO!” shouted the Mage. “We are in charge here. You don’t tell us what to do.”
“You forget ressspect for your Elderss.” Ssarista replied.
“Respect. For a herd of seals. What are you going to do? Splash us to death. You can’t even leave the water.”
If a seal could look saddened, Ssarista was a picture of resigned disappointment at the foolhardiness of the Mage.
“It iss the lassst time I will assk you Mage. We know of the Council of Eight. Each one of you sservess no one
but themssselvess. Let Kuiran and hiss friendss go or the water will leave usss.”
The Mages gathered together on the dock, conferring among themselves then turned in unison and pointed toward the seals. All over the harbour there were blue flashes but no seal appeared worst for it. The Mages were stunned. They had thrown strong magic at the gathered Sealies but to no avail.
Suddenly the water in the harbour started to foment and miniature whirlpools formed in a number of places to reach into the sky and become thin waterspouts. The Mages gesticulated frantically at the columns of spinning water but their magic had no effect as the waterspouts tracked for the docks. Kuiran drew Raleen into his arms and stepped back as the first one hit, picking up a Mage and carrying him over the water of the harbour where the waterspout immediately vanished. The Mage tumbled into the water with a loud splash and disappeared. The other Seven Mages of the Council turned and fled, running away from the water but it did them no good. The waterspouts followed them on land and each Mage met with the same fate as the first, being dragged, limbs flailing, into the water of the harbour.
When all eight of the Mages had finally disappeared, Ssarista bobbed up once again as the water in the harbour settled and spoke to Kuiran.
“Wyalon will be a better place now Kuiran. We should have cleansssed it long ago. Your example of fighting evil at Belvedere wass jussst what we needed to goad uss into action. There are good people here on Wyalon and you will be fine now. I hope you find your parentsss.”
Before Kuiran could say anything or give thanks, Ssarista ducked back under the water. Kuiran was saddened by not being able to thank her but she surfaced a moment later with his staff in her mouth and he took it from her with a big smile on his face.
“How can I ever thank you for all you have done for me Ssarista?”
“Live long and do good Kuiran. We will meet again and ssswim together. Remember, if you ever need me, dip your sstaff in sseawater.”
With that she was gone, as were all the other Sealies and once again the harbour was back to normal but with a big empty coach standing on the dock.
As the sun rose in the heavens, the citizens of Sanctuary were made aware of the momentous happenings at the harbour just after dawn. The news spread quickly and soon there were spontaneous outbreaks of revelry. And looting, along with old scores being settled. The citizens, held under a mean, tight rule for so long by the Council of Mages were now free to do as they pleased.
The first thing Kuiran did was to make his way back to the prison and demand the release of Captain Belmar and the crew of Jalwynd.
At first, the Officer in charge of the prison didn’t want to comply but Kuiran drew himself up to his full height and tapping his staff on the ground, looked down on the man.
“Who’s name do you think those Sealies were calling out?”
The Prison Officer looked a bit dumfounded.
“I dunno. Who’s?”
“Mine. They came to help me. Now release the prisoners before I have to use this staff.”
Soon Belmar and his crew stood before Kuiran in the prison yard.
“What now Kuiran?” The good Captain asked.
“Board your ship and take her offshore for a while. Until I send a message to you. By the looks of things, it could get a little rough around here.”
The Captain caught on quickly and with a quick fare-thee-well he was trotting off toward the docks with his crew right behind him.
Kuiran turned to the Prison Officer.
“Who’s in charge of Sanctuary now?”
“No one. The Council of Mages ran everything.”
“I understand,” Kuiran replied, “But who was responsible for carrying out their orders?”
“Mostly the Guard or the Militia. The Government workers just pushed paper around.”
“Where would I find the Guard Commander?” Kuiran asked.
“Dunno. He might be at the Barracks or he might be at home. Depending on how he feels.”
Kuiran sighed, this was hard work.
“Right. Give me a man to guide me around please. We need to establish some sort of order right away.”
The Prison Officer was not going to help much until Raleen stepped in front of Kuiran.
“Let me handle this Kuiran, please.”
She looked at the recalcitrant officer and made a little gesture. He rose into the air, his feet kicking at nothing, petrified.
“Alright, alright. Put me down. You’ll have a man.”
Raleen released him and he fell to the ground with a solid thud before picking himself up and rushing off to look for someone to guide Kuiran and Raleen around Sanctuary. Raleen had a little smile on her face
“The Earthmagic is strong here Kuiran, I feel quite refreshed.”
He was amused and when the Prison Officer came back and Kuiran asked for his hauberk, it was returned without question.
Their Guide led them up through Sanctuary from the prison. Scenes of joy were everywhere but Kuiran knew he was sitting on a powder keg as a repressed population would shortly swing the other way. It was something he had learned in Belvedere when he saw how the city was managed at the end of the war.
In short order they were standing at the gates of the Guard Barracks and Kuiran asked the gateman for admission so he could talk with the Commander. The gateman told him no, bluntly and was openly uncivil, standing behind his large gates. Kuiran had no patience for petty time wasters now. Handing his staff to Raleen, Kuiran approached the large iron gates. He’d noticed they were on pin hinges, so grabbing hold of the crosspiece of one of the gates, he bent his mighty legs, locked his shoulders and heaved up. His trousers split as steel groaned and with a snap, the gate shot up of its hinges to fall to one side askew.
The gateman set of running as Kuiran retrieved his staff and entered the Guard’s compound with Raleen and their guide in tow. Within a few minutes, a large florid man appeared, dressed in a uniform covered in gold braid. Behind him were six or seven men with loaded crossbows.
“How dare you break in here. This is the Guard Headquarters. Crossbowmen, fire!”
Before any of them could level their weapons, the crossbows shot out of their hands to land with a clatter on the cobbles. The crossbowmen looked bewildered and the Commanders breath wheezed out of his body as his puffed up chest deflated. Kuiran stepped forward.
“My name is Kuiran and this is Raleen. We asked your gateman for admittance but he declined. It is a matter of urgency that I have your attention. I’m the person the Sealies came to rescue this morning. Your Mages tried to resist and are no more. All eight have been dealt with, permanently. In case it has escaped your notice Commander, Sanctuary is now without leadership. Law and order need to be established as soon as possible or this city will go off like a powder keg. I came to suggest you get as many of your Guard out on the streets as soon as possible to arrest law breakers and lock them up. I recommend the kid gloves approach. We also need to find someone who is known to the population to step up and take control. This city requires new laws under a firm and fair hand. It deserves a leader capable of governing justly until things settle down and a Council is elected.”
It was a long speech by Kuiran but fairly said and the Commander digested its contents before coming to a decision.
“Right. You,” he said pointing to one of the crossbowmen, “at the double, fetch Lieutenants Spring, Dewey, Storm and Brook. Tell them to get here immediately and while you’re at it, the bugler’s to sound general quarters. Kuiran has made a good point and we need to get on with our job.”
The Commander turned back to Kuiran.
“I’m Commander Rivers and I am tasked with keeping law and order in Sanctuary. In answer to your question regarding someone known to the populace. There were a few powerful families in charge here before the Mages got together and took over. The Council never had the guts to kill those people because they were powerful Mages in their own right but the Council did imprison them in a tower guarded by m
agical wards which are unbreakable. Only food and water can pass by the spells which bind them in.”
Kuiran was relieved to hear there was a possible answer to the problems which would soon be besetting Sanctuary. He would have to see the place of imprisonment to see if any form of rescue was possible. He asked the guide from the prison if he knew the way to the tower where the families were imprisoned but the man denied all knowledge of any such place. Kuiran turned back to the Commander who had started to brief his freshly arrived lieutenants. He waited until the Commander had finished and asked for directions to the tower of imprisonment.
“Its two days ride away and only a few folk know how to find it. I will loan you horses and Old Snowy to show you the way. He’s too old for much but he can ride. Now who is going to be in charge here until you return?”
Some of Arwhon’s ability at assessing people seemed to have rubbed off on Kuiran. He looked the Commander up and down, firmed his jaw and nodded once.
“Why you, Commander Rivers. You seem fitted for the job. Try not to kill anyone or there’ll be a riot. Now. How long before we can leave?”
The Commander was taken aback.
“You want to go right now? Very well but what about my gate?”
Kuiran sighed.
“You organise the horses, I’ll fix your gate.”
He handed Raleen his staff and strode over to the huge gate lying on the ground. It had taken four strong men to hang it but Kuiran stood it up and dragged it to the gap before flexing his muscles once again and lifting the gate to hang it back on its pins. He returned to the Commander dusting his hands before taking back his staff.
“I suggest you immediately get someone to hammer the pins flat on top in case you do have a riot. A crowd could do what I just did and then we’d be in trouble.”
Commander Rivers agreed unreservedly.
After the prison guard who had been their guide was dispatched back to the prison, Kuiran and Raleen were shown to the mess hall and given a late breakfast while they waited for Old Snowy to present himself. They were on their second cup of something resembling cafke when he did, puffing into the mess hall under a thatch of pure white hair.
The Q'Herindam Page 6