Sanctuary

by Nally, Fergal F

  Rumi had fallen in with the child thieves who used to roam the city roofs at night. She was small and able to climb down chimneys and vines to hearths and balconies. The pickings were sometimes good but more often poor. Hunger was common among the child thieves.

  An alert Mariskian slave caught Rumi one night. He pounced on her from behind and grabbed her by the legs. He handed her over to his master. Three years of indenture had followed. A failed escape attempt led to her being beaten and sold on to the mine. Luana often spoke to Rumi and Moose late into the night planning their escape.

  Then one evening Luana saw the way.

  CHAPTER 2

  Escape

  Escape from the mines by day was impossible as there were too many guards and their dogs roamed freely beyond the wire. Escape by night was even more hazardous due to the blood drinkers in the sky. Even the guards locked themselves in at night. With the falling of fresh snow on the high peaks, an idea formed in Luana's head.

  If they timed it right and avoided the full moon, they would be able to cut through the wire at dusk. If they were quick, they could escape to the high slopes to the north. There they could dig snow holes to hide from the blood drinkers. The risk was great. The thought of growing weak and dying in the mines however, was strong incentive.

  Luana's mind flew back to the night they broke out. Everything went as planned. Moose cut the wire with cutters he had concealed from the day's work. Their timing was good; the guards and their dogs had taken shelter for the night. The cold and mist encouraged the guards to retire earlier than usual.

  Luana, Moose, Rumi and four others from the same work detail made a break for it. They dashed through the cut wire and headed upslope until they gained the higher reaches. Then they crossed the ridge down onto the far side and as darkness descended, they used their mining spades and dug for their lives. Fresh snow was falling, covering their footprints. The mountainside was bathed in an eerie silence.

  The heavy snow shrouded them from prying eyes and may even have shielded them from the vampire threat. Soon they were huddled in their snow hole and clinging to each other for warmth. The night passed in fitful sleep. Luana woke in the dark, disorientated. Once her mind cleared, she tugged at Moose and they woke the others. They crawled out of the snow cave and into the fragile morning light.

  The group looked around and saw nothing but white snowfields. They had to move and drop height to the valley below. Once at the tree line, they would have a better chance of evading capture. They spread themselves out along the slope and started to traverse down.

  Then the avalanche had struck, killing the others. The shelter of the boulders had protected Luana. She trembled at the memory. Should she have gone back for her friends? Should she have tried to dig them out?

  She knew the answer; they were lost to the avalanche but the guilt still gnawed at her. Tears welled up in her eyes. She would miss Moose and Rumi. They had been her link to sanity these last few years.

  A noise behind banished her daydream. A branch snapped, followed by a curse.

  "Bastard trees; get out of my way!"

  Moose? Luana turned, heart in mouth. There was nowhere to hide so she simply stood up.

  A big bear of a man lumbered out of the tree line in front of her. He was covered in sweat and bits of undergrowth. His long hair awry, a wild look in his eyes. He saw her, their eyes locked.

  "Moose!"

  "Luana?"

  "I thought you were dead. What happened?" Luana ran to Moose and hugged him. He staggered as she caught him off balance.

  "Have you seen Rumi or any of the others?"

  Moose shook his head and grunted, his eyes full of sorrow. His huge hand patted Luana on her back and head.

  Luana felt his sadness and looked down quickly. She took his arm and led him away. "Come with me I've found a place for us to stay…it has food."

  Moose's step quickened on hearing her words, he let her guide him through the forest. They arrived at the shack. Luana climbed in the back window followed by Moose. She took him down the ladder into the cellar where they ate their fill. Outside the daylight faded.

  "It would've been quick for Rumi," Moose said suddenly. "She's with her loved ones now, on the other side, you can be sure of that."

  Luana nodded. "No more pain, no more worries. No more of this struggle. Who would've thought Rumi would die before you, before me? Each day we're here is a mystery. What it brings are endless whispers, secrets. It's all a game Moose; tell me... it's all a game. Someone up there's laughing at us," she gestured with her arms, "…at all of this." Silent tears grew in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

  Moose stopped chewing, sidled over to Luana and put his arm around her. Holding her grief, holding her pain as he had done before. Luana grew quiet, her body stiffened.

  "Did you hear something?"

  "No."

  "The back window, we should've closed it."

  "It's still light…just. Quick, follow me up. We need to secure this place."

  They went up the ladder and entered the main room. Luana went to the open window and bolted the shutters. The room was thrown into near darkness. A few weak rays of light came through cracks in the shutters. It was late in the day; soon the blood drinkers would be out.

  A scratch.

  A light flared from near the front door. They swung around. A man sat in the chair, holding a match. He wore a wide brimmed hat and a long dark coat. A scarf obscured his mouth and a mask covered his eyes and nose. The mask was jewelled and carried an angry expression. His hand held a crossbow, which was levelled at them.

  Luana spoke. "What's this? Who are you?"

  Moose stiffened, ready to act.

  "No Moose, wait." Luana ordered.

  "He can only get one of us," Moose countered.

  "Hold Moose."

  They stood their ground and waited for the seated figure to speak. The mask shimmered eerily in the flickering light of the matchstick. A gravely voice broke the silence. "My name is Elias, this is my place. What are you two doing here?" Just as he finished his sentence, the match went out and the room was plunged into darkness.

  Luana could hear Moose make his move. "No Moose, don't!"

  She dropped to the floor and crawled to the wall breathing heavily. She heard a sharp crack, then a heavy weight crumpled to the floor.

  "Moose, are you alright? Moose?"

  "Your friend is currently indisposed. You still haven't answered my question."

  Luana sighed and sat up resigned to her fate. "If you've hurt him I'll…"

  "You'll what?" Elias countered. "Don't worry your friend will wake up in a while with a headache, that's all."

  Luana considered his words then replied. "Elias, you say? Well let's have some light and I'll tell my story."

  "No, I think not. I prefer darkness. Truth will light up the dark. You may continue."

  A warning flashed across Luana's mind.

  I prefer the darkness.

  A vampire? If so, he would surely have struck before now. Luana hugged her knees and started talking. She could hear Moose's unconscious breathing in the corner; at least her big friend was still alive. She spoke to Elias telling him everything. She found speaking into the darkness strangely liberating. It was as if she was in a cocoon, safe.

  When she had finished, the room fell silent. She heard the wind sighing through the trees outside. Rain started to hammer on the roof.

  Then from out of the darkness Elias spoke. "You speak the truth and vouch for your friend. You are welcome in my shelter."

  Another match flared and this time Elias lit a candle on the mantelpiece. "We should have a fire; it sounds as if it's going to be a rough night."

  Elias knelt down and started preparing the hearth. Luana rushed to Moose's side. He lay unconscious on the floor. There was not a mark on him. His breathing was steady.

  "Don’t worry about him. He'll come around in a few hours." Elias had finished building the fire and now lit it. F
lames soon took and the room took on a cosy glow. Luana put a folded blanket under Moose's head and made sure he was positioned comfortably. She then turned her attention to Elias.

  Elias had removed his hat and coat but not the mask. Luana spoke. "Why do you not show your face Elias?"

  He regarded her through the mask's eye slits. He brought out a pipe and tobacco. He filled the pipe and spoke. "Two reasons; firstly, in my line of work it would be unprofessional to show my face to complete strangers, for then I'd have to kill you. Secondly, well let's just say I was severely burned as a child; my face took the brunt of it. My scars have made me an outcast. People, even friends when I had friends, shunned me because of how I looked. So I will spare you too."

  The flames bit hungrily at the seasoned wood in the grate and the room filled with warmth and light. "We all have our stories to tell Elias," Luana offered. "Even Moose here. He was only trying to protect me you know. He's a good man with a sad heart."

  "There are many good men with sad stories. Justice is thin on the ground in this land of ours."

  "Seeing as you mention it, what line of work are you in Elias?" Luana asked.

  "Well there you have it," Elias retorted. "If I reveal my profession to you, that's a door you must be willing to pass through. Knowledge is power but also knowledge can lead to trouble. Are you prepared to walk through that door?"

  "Yes," Luana replied without hesitation.

  Elias puffed on his pipe and let out a stream of smoke. The room filled with the earthy tones of cedar wood. "Very well then, I'll tell you. I'm a highwayman. Beholden to no one. Master to myself. Your money or your life, stand and deliver… that sort of thing." Elias let out a low laugh.

  Luana nodded. "An outlaw. Well at least we've that in common."

  "Outlaws we are indeed. Except you have an advantage over me. They think you are dead."

  "So you've a price on your head?" Luana asked.

  "I am at that disadvantage, yes," Elias replied. His mask caught the light from the fire and glittered coldly. The effect was disconcerting.

  "So I'm a ghost and you are…"

  "Wanted."

  The fire crackled and sizzled as drops of rain found their way down the chimney. Luana stared at the flames losing herself in their golden dance. Her body ached, she realised how tired she was. She was bruised and battered. The stress of the last twenty-four hours had taken its toll. She let out a long sigh and her head sank down.

  "What're your plans?" Elias's voice surfaced again.

  "I can’t speak for Moose, but I'm headed for Echo Island in the Storm Sea. They say sanctuary can be found there. A new life perhaps."

  "Ah, the sea beckons you with its promise of freedom. How will you find this island? Part of the reason it's a sanctuary is that there are no maps to pin it down. It's…untraceable. And then there are the pirates."

  "I've got nothing to lose, nowhere to go. I'm a ghost as you say. I'll find a way. Never look back, only forwards. If there are pirates then perhaps they know a way to the island?"

  "These pirates are no ordinary men, some folk say they are infected. Had you not heard? You cross their path and they take your spirit and devour your body. A big disadvantage you could say."

  "Nonsense! Fishwives tales. Fear is the only barrier, resistance is folly. There is always a way. The trick is to find the right key to unlock the possibilities."

  Elias grunted and spat into the fire. "I like your spirit girl. I'm headed back to the valley tomorrow. I can take you and your friend down by a safe route if you wish."

  Luana looked up. She pondered the implacable angry mask. She had nothing to lose. "That would be appreciated, thank you Elias."

  Moose groaned and started moving on the floor. Luana rushed to his side and helped him sit up. She offered him water, which he sipped.

  "What happened?" Moose asked.

  "Thank the gods, you're back Moose. It was too quiet without you my friend."

  Moose rubbed his head and gave Elias a dirty look.

  Luana held on to her friend and explained her plan. "You're welcome to come with me Moose, or go your own way of course. I know you have family in Riba."

  Moose held her gaze, then looked down. "If I go back to Riba they'll kill my family. I must never allow that to happen. I must not be weak. My family are lost to me, as long as the Magisters rule. I have no family now. I'll follow you Luana and see what unfolds."

  Part of Luana was relieved to hear Moose's declaration. She was sad that her friend was trapped into his decision. But then, maybe the fates had conspired it thus. Who could say?

  They ate and bedded down as best they could in the confined space. The night passed just like any other. The elements battered the small shack. At times, it seemed as if the roof would lift with the severe winds outside. Blood drinkers would not be abroad in the storm, thought Luana. They would be twice as ravenous the following night.

  Luana awoke to hear Moose snoring on the floor. Some things were reassuring; this was one, she thought. She smiled to herself. Moose carried sadness in him; they all carried sorrow in one form or another. She liked to think that someday she would have a child of her own to light up her life and banish her sadness. She rubbed her eyes and told herself to forget such foolish notions. These were the thoughts that made you weak and vulnerable.

  Who can you trust? You don't get something for nothing. She recited her mantra, hardened herself for what the new day would bring. The bed creaked beneath her lithe form; she eased herself out trying not to wake Moose. Elias was nowhere to be seen, the front door was open, the fire dead in the grate. Her breath misted the early morning air.

  She tip toed outside and took the world in. The sky was blood red, birdsong filled the air. Elias sat on the porch, pipe in hand. Smoke swirled around him. His mask was still in place, except the expression was now blank.

  "Good morning Elias."

  Elias grunted and spat. "Nothing good about it. Red sky means trouble. We'd best be moving soon. How's your friend doing?"

  "He'll be right. Just give him a few minutes more. Slow fuse."

  "We'll take the direct route down. Slippy as hell but quick as silver. We'll be down in the valley before you can recite the seven sins."

  "A cheery thought. What are your plans once we get off the mountain?" Luana asked.

  "I've a rat to capture." Elias replied.

  "Oh?"

  "Unfinished business. This rat owes me. I shall enjoy relieving him of some gold. Sometimes I relish my job."

  "That's good to hear. We'll part company whenever's convenient to you. I wouldn't want to hinder your work."

  "You wouldn't want to get caught with me you mean…"

  "Well there is that. Anyway, Moose and I, we're ghosts remember?"

  Elias spat again. "Rub it in won't you?"

  They set off a short time later. The descent was gruelling; slippy and full of boulders that were meant to snap bones. After an age, they finally emerged from the rock cleft and stood in the valley. They were covered in grime and sweat. The sun was almost directly overhead. A warm breeze blew from the southwest.

  "A cool dip in a river would be most welcome," Luana said.

  "No time for that. We're in their world now. The odds are stacked against us. The only thing that'll keep you alive down here is stealth and cunning." Elias's demeanour had changed dramatically. His body was tense, his eyes restless.

  "Let's keep moving then." Moose declared.

  Elias nodded and they slunk through the trees. The forest spoke to them in autumnal colours and tones. The earth was soft and covered in leaves. They passed soundlessly.

  Luana rubbed her neck and felt the tattooed scar there. It reminded her of the streets of Numibar and of her partner in crime, Saphine. She wondered if she would ever see Saph again and if Saph would even remember her. She recalled the day she had found Saph injured on the street outside the church of the White Lady; so much for their caring propaganda. All those bitches were interested i
n was their pious religion and the gold it brought them. It would be good to see Saph again, she mused.

  They came across a stream and drank its clear water. They filled their water skins and rested a few minutes in silence. Moose's eyes were closed. Luana looked up at the trees and lost herself in the tangle of branches and sky. Something pricked at her consciousness. Something was out of place. She could not place it. Odd.

  An uneasy feeling crept into the pit of her stomach. The sky looked down impassively. Luana froze. She saw a shape move in the trees a short distance off. A mountain cat with perfect camouflage crouched on a branch, its attention taken up with something below. They were down wind of the cat; it was unaware of their presence.

  Luana reached out and tapped first Elias and then Moose. She held a finger to her lips and pointed to the great cat. The two men immediately tensed. They should avoid disturbing the predator at all costs. Elias motioned for Luana and Moose to follow him away from the hunter. Before they had gone a few paces, they heard a growl and the sound of a struggle. A man's scream tore through the forest. Birds burst from the canopy above. Nature's alarm was raised.

  Where men walked there would always be trouble, Luana thought. Elias threw himself into thick undergrowth to hide, Luana and Moose followed. They listened and heard the sound of more than one mountain cat in the distance. Whoever the cats were attacking did not stand a chance unless they were heavily armed and in a group.

  They remained in their hiding place for twenty minutes before venturing out. The sounds had died down; the forest was quiet once more. Elias signalled them to move again. Something told Luana not to leave. She wanted to see what the cats had found. She pulled at Elias's arm; he stopped.

  Luana cupped her hand to his ear and whispered. "I want to see what's over there. There might be something useful. I won't be long, you stay here, I'll be back in a minute."

  Elias shook his head but without effect as Luana had turned and moved away. She wove through the trees and approached the area where she had seen the mountain cat. A foul stench filled the air. She stopped and waited, nothing happened. She took a few more steps and saw a form lying on the ground. It took her a few moments to recognise it; a headless body. The man was eviscerated and lay in a pool of congealed blood.