“And this is shortly after she somehow fought her way past a group of Guardians. Is that right?”
“She’s a mage, but it didn’t matter. We overwhelmed her with our numbers!” Yedda had an answer for everything. It was time to teach him some humility.
“This farce has gone on long enough. Munroe, you’re free to go.”
“Who put you in charge?” asked Yedda. “I’ve been a Guardian longer than you. I have seniority.”
“That would be true if you’d learned something in those additional years,” said Tammy. “The only reason she’s in that cell is because she wants to be.”
There was a loud clinking sound as all the manacles popped open simultaneously and the chains dropped to the floor. At the same time the cell door opened by itself and Munroe stepped out into the corridor. The four members of the Watch still had their crossbows aimed at her but all of them suddenly found themselves disarmed as their weapons flew out of their hands and dropped to the floor. Yedda gaped in surprise and then yelped as he was lifted off the ground and hung upside down in mid-air.
“You’re dismissed,” Tammy said to the Watch who all saluted her and quickly scurried away. She turned to Munroe. “Thank you for not doing something drastic. I realise you didn’t have to let yourself be taken into custody.”
“It was a lot easier at the time. They didn’t want to listen and I was covered in blood,” admitted Munroe. “Who is Guardian Brook?”
“That’s a good question. I’ll have someone look into her background, her friends and family. There might be a connection to Grell.” Above their heads Yedda started mewling.
“She said something peculiar just before she died,” said Munroe, biting her lip.
Tammy put a hand on her arm. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“I’ve been going over it for hours and I think it’s important. She said ‘Forgive me, Mother’ then slit her own throat.”
“Do you think she meant the Blessed Mother?”
“Maybe,” said Munroe, although she didn’t sound convinced. Tammy would make sure whoever enquired into Brook’s background looked for religious icons or texts at her home. It might give them a few more clues about her final words.
It was only when they reached the end of the corridor that Tammy remembered Yedda. “Will he be up there for long?”
“As long as you want, really.”
“Leave him there for a while. He deserves it.”
“So what do you want me to do next?” asked Munroe.
“You don’t want to rest?”
“No. The sooner we’re done, the sooner I can go home. I’ve been away too long from my husband and son.”
Tammy’s conversation with Kovac came to the fore again and it took her a while to clear the lump in her throat. She’d been carrying around this pain for too long and without knowing it had been weighing her down. Ever since that night she’d kept people at a distance. It was the only way she knew how to protect herself. Now she finally had the truth.
As a Guardian it would be impossible to convict Don Lowell. She also knew that if she somehow managed to get him into an interrogation room he wouldn’t suddenly have a change of heart and confess. Within the confines of the law he would never be brought to justice and punished for his crime. She was powerless to do anything, but she was also much more than a Guardian, or at least she used to be.
Tammy wondered how much of her old self still remained and how far she was willing to go to see that justice was done.
CHAPTER 32
Somewhere in the darkness there was a loud rushing sound and an explosion that shook the world. Brunwal had come for her. He’d been reduced to little more than a blackened skeleton, wrapped in decaying flesh, and yet he was alive, reaching out towards her with clawed hands. He was going to pull her down with him into the earth until she suffocated. She could feel the soil going up her nose, in her ears, filling her mouth and throat. Every breath filled her lungs with more dirt and she was choking for air.
Wren came awake, clawing at her sheets, fighting off the monster lurking in the recesses of her mind. At first she thought it had just been part of her dream, but all around her the other students were waking up. They too were throwing off their sheets and a few even fell out of the top bunks. Something had startled them all awake at exactly the same time.
All of the lights in the dormitory flared to life at once and her thoughts turned to Danoph, afraid that he was having another severe episode. Other than being as sleepy as everyone else he seemed fine but had already started getting dressed, as if he knew something she didn’t. Not far away Tianne was sitting on her bed, rubbing her eyes and looking around in confusion.
The noise in the dormitory began to rise as everyone wanted to know what had woken them up and why, but no one had any answers. A few pupils glanced out of the window and reported that it wasn’t yet dawn.
The door flew open and Balfruss strode into the long room, a cold wind blowing at his back. Silence fell instantly and all eyes turned towards him. Wren noticed he was dressed for a journey and laden with a heavy pack and a water skin. Most peculiar of all was the wicked-looking axe hanging from his belt, which drew a few stares. Perhaps some of the wild tales about him were true after all.
After hearing so much about him over the years Wren had always been a little intimidated by Balfruss. Over the last few months she had begun to see beyond the myth to the man, but once more here was the figure from legend. Power and confidence radiated from him in such strong waves, she believed they would be safe as long as he was with them. He had changed the course of the war by himself and with it the fate of the world. None of the students would be here now if not for his courage and bravery. Wren felt herself standing taller and saw that he was having the same effect on those around her.
“We have to leave the Red Tower. Tonight.” He spoke calmly and firmly, his voice amplified with magic so that it reached every corner of the long room. “Take only what you can carry and nothing else. We will be travelling fast and on foot. Pack comfortable and warm clothing. We have little time to spare.”
“Why?” someone asked. “Why do we have to leave?”
Balfruss’s gaze drifted across the faces of the students until he found the speaker. “Because this place is no longer safe. We’re leaving in an hour and may never return.”
“But we didn’t do anything,” complained one of the younger children.
“I know,” said Balfruss, his expression softening. In that moment Wren saw not the figure from legend, only a bluff-faced man being forced to deal with a difficult situation beyond his control. Balfruss seemed more human than Wren ever remembered. She had never questioned that he cared about them, but she’d often wondered what he’d given up to become a teacher and member of the Grey Council. No one really knew where he’d gone after the war or why he suddenly came back a few years later.
“People are afraid of what they don’t understand. It has always been this way with mages. Now they think Seekers are responsible for so much death and destruction. Their children are dying and their homes are being destroyed. They believe we did this to them. They’re angry and scared and have attacked our people. And now people claiming to be Seekers are taking revenge, some of them doing it in my name.” At this Wren saw his hands tighten into fists and some of the steel crept back into his voice. “The danger was always at a distance, but now it’s happening here in Shael. So, they are coming, but we will leave and break the cycle of violence. We could fight back and stop them, but that would only cause more harm than good. No more time for questions. We’ll speak about this later. For now, pack up your belongings and do it quickly.”
He waited long enough to make sure that everyone started to do as he asked before he went back out of the door, leaving it open. Despite the hour no one would be falling asleep again. Fear and adrenaline were flooding Wren’s body and she could see others were equally alert and focused on the task at hand.
In the squar
e beyond she could see some of the older students from one of the other dormitories stumbling out, half dressed, shouldering large packs with their belongings. A line of staff were handing out water skins and cloth bags of food for the journey ahead.
Turning back to her own belongings Wren considered what she had acquired since arriving at the school. Apart from borrowing several books from the library and a few curios she’d found on a supervised visit to the town, there was little that was new. Moving quickly she stuffed everything into the bag she’d arrived with and was ready in a few minutes. Others were forced to make difficult choices as they had an abundance of personal belongings.
Danoph had also finished packing and was sitting watching the flurry of activity around him with a modest bag perched on his lap. When their eyes met he simply raised his eyebrows, bemused but seemingly calm about what was happening. Some of the younger students were more emotional, crying and visibly scared about leaving what had been their only home for years.
With a few exceptions, no students had returned to their former homes since coming to the Red Tower. Their relatives didn’t want them and their communities wouldn’t welcome them back. Each had been exiled and forgotten, as if they had never been born. The school had become their home and the people around them their new family. Now it was all at risk. The ground wasn’t shaking but inside Wren felt as if the world could crumble from under her feet at any time.
She was uneasy about this sudden departure, but in some ways it would be a relief. The Red Tower held a lot of bad memories. Since the first day she’d been forced to fight for her place, against Brunwal and then a tide of fear and indifference from the other students. She wondered again what might have happened if Tianne and Danoph had not befriended her.
Tianne seemed to be struggling the most, discarding clothing only to change her mind and stuff it into her growing backpack. Outside in the courtyard Wren could hear teachers urging students to hurry. When the majority of the students had filed out Tianne was still debating over two final items. Rather than be left behind she dropped both pieces of clothing on her bed and shouldered her bag. Wren and Danoph stood waiting for her and Tianne gave them both a grateful smile as they fell in line behind the others.
Wren’s breath frosted in the air and she stamped her feet. She was tempted to put on another layer of clothing but knew that once they started walking she would soon warm up. The school grounds were a hive of activity with teachers hurrying to and fro. Members of staff were handing out food and water and a growing crowd of dazed students was milling about in the centre of the courtyard. Despite the early hour it was soon incredibly noisy with people all around her speculating about where they were going and if they would ever return. Wren had never seen all of the students together in one place but she guessed there were about two thousand in total.
She felt a loud and heavy pulse echoing in her mind and conversations around the training grounds began to dry up. A hush fell over the crowd until it enveloped the whole school. Even the youngest pupil, teary-eyed and tired, felt compelled to silence. All eyes turned towards a wagon upon which stood all three members of the Grey Council. Eloise, wrapped up in warm clothing, stood at the front, the other two flanking her on either side. For some reason the sight of them together sent a shiver of fear down Wren’s spine.
“There is no time for a debate,” said Eloise, her voice carrying to those at the back. She seemed incredibly calm but Wren suspected it was an act. The air was throbbing with tension. No one here was to blame for what was happening, but with no way to vent their frustration Wren could feel the growing anger of those around her. “Time is against us. We will be splitting into three groups and will set off in different directions. In a few hours’ time, we’ll regroup.” Eloise paused and her eyes passed over the crowd. “Think of how far you’ve come since arriving here. Think of all the obstacles you’ve faced and overcome. I know some of you are scared, but today is nothing. Just a moment in time that will be forgotten in the years to come. It’s not the end. We are leaving the Red Tower behind, but your futures are out there.” It wasn’t magic, but Wren knew those around her felt reassured, because she felt it too. Grimaces eased and steely determination glinted in the eyes of many. They were all outsiders of a kind who had faced prejudice and fear in the past.
“We will keep you safe,” said Eloise, gesturing at herself and the others in the Grey Council. “No harm will come to any of you while you’re in our care. It’s time.”
Teachers moved among the crowd, calling out class names and directing pupils to follow one of them waiting outside the main gates. Other teachers joined each of the three groups, but Wren noticed some were watching from a distance. A few teachers were staying behind with other members of staff. Those without magic were dressed in a mix of armour and each one carried either a sword or a bow over their shoulder. They were trying their best to appear nonchalant about the weapons but she and a few other students noticed. Choss moved among them, dressed in leather armour, steel braces and carrying two short swords on his belt.
“We’re in Garvey’s group,” said Tianne with a grimace. “What are you looking at?”
“They’re not coming with us,” said Wren, gesturing at the blacksmith Leonie, who stood talking with Choss. The former Seeker had wasted no time settling in since arriving and had made a name for herself as someone equally adept with magic or a hammer.
“Why not?” asked Tianne.
Wren glanced up at the Red Tower itself. Whenever she looked at it something about the building niggled at the fringes of her mind. Only now it felt different. At first glance she didn’t notice what had changed. It was almost as if she wasn’t supposed to, but the longer and harder she stared the easier it became. Focusing on it still made her uncomfortable, as if it didn’t belong to this world, but now there was a peculiar compulsion to look elsewhere and ignore it.
“They’re staying behind to protect the tower,” said Wren. She waved a hand at where the door should have been but instead there was only a smooth wall. “There are centuries of discoveries inside. Imagine what would happen if all that knowledge was lost.”
“It’s not safe,” said Danoph, watching those who were staying at the school. Wren didn’t know how the teachers and staff had decided who should remain, but she couldn’t believe anyone would have volunteered. Choss said something and Leonie laughed, clapping him on the shoulder before wandering off. Wren didn’t know if it was customary in Shael to use humour in the face of danger, but even to her ears the laughter had sounded alien and strained.
“There’s no time to waste,” said Master Jorey, tapping Wren on the shoulder. “You should join the others outside the gates.”
“Aren’t you coming with us, Master?” asked Tianne.
Master Jorey’s smile didn’t reach her eyes which made Wren’s heart sink. “I’m too old and slow to go running around in the woods. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things.”
Wren wanted to say something to Master Jorey. To apologise for some of the thoughts she’d had and her first impression of the teacher. To impart a small portion of how she respected her and relished attending each of her classes. Custom dictated one thing and her heart another, but even so she couldn’t find the words. She didn’t know if a hug would be seen as offensive and overly familiar, so she did nothing.
Somehow Master Jorey seemed to know as she touched two fingers to her lips. The others didn’t understand but Wren repeated the gesture, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
“I visited Drassia a few times in my youth,” said Master Jorey. “Next time we meet, I’ll tell you all about it.”
“I would be honoured to hear those stories, Master Jorey,” said Wren. Without saying another word she turned away, wiped at her face and joined the others outside the school gates.
The students gathered in their three large groups as the sun started to rise. Once they were all assembled the Grey Council came out of the school last. Each carried a mode
st pack, plus their own provisions but only Balfruss wore a weapon. It was peculiar to see him carrying the axe and yet she could tell he was familiar with it. Drassi boys practised carrying a sword from an early age, learning how to move and hold it without it being a burden. As Balfruss said his farewells to the others at the gate she saw him carefully hold the axe in place with one hand.
Each of the Grey Council shook hands with Choss who seemed central to the Red Tower’s defence. Choss said one last thing to Balfruss who placed a hand over his heart and bowed slightly, making a promise and agreeing to his final request.
After that there were no more words. Each member of the Grey Council moved to the front of their group. Wren tensed as Garvey strode past but he didn’t stop or even acknowledge her, for which she was grateful. He seemed intent on where they were going and all of his focus was on the road ahead.
“Stay close and move quietly,” shouted Garvey back down the line. “If you must talk, do it in a whisper. Tell one of the teachers if someone falls behind. We’ll rest in a few hours.”
If anyone had been hoping for words of encouragement they were sorely disappointed. He had no time for hand-holding or weakness. Cruel and sharp as a blade, Garvey seemed to have no tolerance for children, once again making Wren wonder why he had agreed to join the Grey Council and become a teacher.
They set off in a slow shuffle, but soon began to find their own pace and spread out into a long line. The sun came up behind them, slowly warming the land and drying out the muddy track they seemed to be following. So many people created a path that could easily be followed and no amount of magic would be able to hide it. If they put enough distance between them and the Red Tower then perhaps whoever was coming for them wouldn’t bother.
After an hour of walking across grassy fields and through small copses, the sun had risen above the horizon. The land was sloping upwards as they moved steadily west, cutting across scrubland and broken rocky ground.
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