We left our vantage point, went downstairs into the street, and headed for the edge of the market area, taking care to keep to the shadows. With the Spook and Shey in the lead, we began a slow, stealthy approach, knowing that our armed forces were moving in from behind, cutting off any chance of escape.
Suddenly, the tethered horses reared up and whinnied nervously. They must have caught our scent, and instantly alerted, the two mages drew their scimitars and took up a defensive position, back-to-back. Shey and my master left the shadows and began to charge toward our enemies, with Alice and me close behind them. I could hear shouts of command and other footsteps running through the darkness as our force converged on its target.
The nearest mage raised his weapon, but the Spook cast his silver chain as he ran. With a mighty crack, it soared aloft to form a perfect spiral. It was a good, accurate throw, and it dropped over the head and shoulders of the mage, pinning his arms to his sides so that his sword fell to the cobbles with a clatter. So excellent a shot was it that part of the chain tightened about his eyes and mouth so that he could neither see nor speak. Binding the mouth was very important when dealing with a witch capable of uttering dark magical spells. Mages used spells, too, so my master had taken no chances.
The other mage whirled around to meet Shey, and there was a metallic rasp as their two blades came together hard. Then the mage cried out, dropped his scimitar, and fell hard onto his face; he lay there twitching as the blood started to pool beneath him. The four workmen dropped to their knees with their hands raised above their heads, begging for their lives. Shey’s men were encircling us now, and it was the work of but minutes to bind the carpenters with ropes and lead them and the two horses away.
So while our men prepared to travel southeast toward Killarney, the Spook, Shey, Alice, and I took our prisoner toward Ballycarbery Castle near the small town of Cahersiveen.
Once on the road and clear of Killorglin, I glanced back and saw dark smoke and a red glow over the rooftops. They were burning the wooden platform; the efforts of the workmen had been in vain. It had gone well, but I couldn’t help but worry that the fire would act like a beacon, drawing our enemies toward the town in force.
CHAPTER VI
AN INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE
BALLYCARBERY appeared to be a strong fortress, with thick stone walls and only one gate, which faced west. However, the castle didn’t have a moat with a drawbridge, and from my own experience of such fortifications, it seemed to me that this was a major weakness. It meant that an enemy could approach right up to the ramparts. As a fortress, it had seen better days. Its walls were also overgrown with ivy. Determined attackers could use that to scale the walls.
Still bound with the Spook’s silver chain, the mage was taken down to the dungeons to await interrogation in the morning. We were given comfortable beds in the castle and wasted no time in settling down to catch up on our sleep. Checking the blood jar before I dozed off, I couldn’t help reflecting that in the past our situation had often been very different. In such fortifications as this we had languished in dark, damp dungeons, awaiting death while our enemies had been in a position of power.
I dreamed again—the same nightmare in which I was being pursued by the Morrigan in the shape of a crow. But it seemed to me that this dream was slightly less scary than the previous one. The goddess was still gradually drawing nearer, but I was running faster, getting closer and closer to the unseen refuge.
I suddenly awoke in a cold sweat, my heart hammering, but I felt somewhat encouraged. Was I learning, getting slightly stronger each time I experienced the nightmare?
At that moment, something happened that was more frightening than any night terror.
I suddenly heard the dull thud, thud, thud of footsteps approaching my bed, accompanied by the sizzle of burning wood. I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids were too heavy; my breath came in ragged gasps, my heart beating painfully in my chest. I sensed something huge close to the bed; something reaching toward me. Then I felt hot breath on my face, smelled the fetid stink. And a voice I knew only too well spoke right beside my left ear. It was the Fiend.
“You’re almost mine now, Tom. I can nearly reach you. Just a little while longer and the jar will fail! Then you’ll be mine!”
I opened my eyes, expecting to see his huge head with its curved horns and mouth full of sharp teeth. But to my relief there was nothing. I scrambled out of bed and soon realized that it had been more than a dream: Here, too, a set of hoofprints had been burned into the floorboards. They were scorched deeper than on the last occasion, in my room at the inn. Time was running out. The power of the blood jar was almost at an end.
I didn’t tell either Alice or the Spook what had happened. Why add to their fears? It was something that we could do nothing about. I just had to hope that Grimalkin would arrive soon.
After breakfast, we walked down to the dungeons with Shey and three armed guards to begin questioning the prisoner.
“He’s had neither food nor water,” Shey remarked as we approached the cell door. “That should loosen his tongue a little.”
Two of the guards joined us inside the cold, damp cell, while the other locked us in with the mage and stood guard outside. No chances were being taken, and the powers of our enemy were certainly not being underestimated.
The cell was spacious and clearly designed for the interrogation of prisoners. Although there was no place to sleep, other than a pallet of straw in a corner, it contained a table and three chairs, one with leather straps to confine a captive. Deftly the Spook uncoiled his silver chain from the mage, who was quickly gagged and then had his arms tied behind his back. Finally he was strapped into the chair, and the Spook and Shey seated themselves, facing him across the table.
There was a candle on the table and a torch in a wall bracket beside the door, providing ample light for what we needed. There was also a large jug of water and two small cups. Alice and I stood behind the Spook and Shey, while the two guards positioned themselves close to the prisoner’s chair.
“We are going to ask you a few questions,” Shey said, his breath steaming in the candlelight. “You would be wise to answer truthfully. Failure to do so will lead to dire consequences. Do you understand?”
The mage nodded. At a sign from Shey, a guard pulled the gag from his mouth. Immediately the prisoner began to choke and cough; he seemed to be struggling for words.
“Water—give me water, please!” he begged at last, his voice hoarse.
“You’ll get water in a while,” Shey told him. “But first you must answer our questions!” Then he turned to the Spook and nodded.
“Why does the goat ceremony sometimes fail?” my master asked without delay.
“I will tell you nothing!” the mage replied with a scowl. “Nothing at all!”
“We’ll get it out of you one way or the other,” said Shey. “There’s a hard way or an easy way. You choose….”
“Whether I live or die here is of no concern to me.”
“Then you’re either a brave man or a fool!” snapped Shey. “No doubt the latter,” he added, reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small metal implement, and placing it on the table before the mage. It looked like a pair of tongs. “There will be pain before you die. Terrible pain! Is that what you want?”
The Spook scowled and his eyes flashed. “Just what do you mean by that?” he demanded of Shey, pointing down at the implement.
Farrell Shey picked up the tool, which I now saw was more like blacksmith’s pliers. “This is a versatile instrument,” he said quietly, “that can be used in various ways to persuade a reluctant prisoner to talk. It can crush fingers or extract teeth.”
“I don’t hold with torture!” The Spook’s voice was angry. “And only a fool uses it. Subject someone to pain, and they will say anything just to bring it to an end. Many who are falsely accused of witchcraft confess under torture. The temporary relief from the pain is soon followed by the greater pain of execu
tion and death. So put away that implement, or I’ll continue with this no longer!”
I felt proud to be a spook. We were honorable in the way we went about our work.
Shey scowled and pursed his lips in anger, but nevertheless he returned the instrument of torture to his pocket. No doubt the long years of strife between the mages and the landowners had caused great bitterness, with atrocities committed by both sides. The dark was growing in power, and it corrupted even those who opposed it. I had compromised myself, using the dark in order to survive, so I was in no position to judge anyone.
My master repeated his question: “The goat ceremony—why does it sometimes fail?”
The mage hesitated, but then fixed his eyes on the Spook and muttered, “It is because what we do is not pleasing to our god.”
“But don’t you know what pleases him?” asked the Spook. “You’ve been carrying out your dark rituals for centuries. Surely you must know by now?”
“It depends on many things. These are variables that cannot be predicted.”
“What variables?”
“I thirst. My throat is dry. Give me a little water, and I will tell you….”
On impulse, and not waiting for Shey’s response, I stepped forward, picked up the jug, and poured a little water into the nearer of the two cups, then held it to the mage’s lips and tilted it slightly. The man’s Adam’s apple wobbled as he gulped the water eagerly. Once he’d finished, I spoke for the first time since entering the room.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Cormac,” the mage replied.
Shey scowled at me, but the Spook smiled and nodded as if he approved of my initiative.
“Now, Cormac,” he said. “What are the variables?”
“The choice of goat is important. It becomes the sacred host that our god, Pan, must enter. He will not assume the body of one that is not pleasing to him. Seven goats are selected initially. Together we must choose the best. The process is not easy. Our seers debate our choice for days.”
My master nodded. “What are the other variables?” he demanded.
“We must make human sacrifices—three in all. These also have to be perfect. One must be female, and she must choose to die, giving her life gladly. The other two must be mages who also freely offer their lives to the god. I am to be one of the sacrifices. The other died at your hands beside the wooden tower!” he said, glaring angrily at Shey.
The Spook nodded thoughtfully. “So the two mages who volunteer to die are responsible for overseeing the construction of the platform?”
“Yes, it’s an ancient custom.”
“So what will happen now that one of the volunteers is dead?”
“His name was Mendace. He was a brave man whose death at the hands of our enemies is as acceptable to Pan as if it had been part of the ceremony. That did not harm our cause.”
“And what of you, Cormac?” asked my master. “If you were to die here, then your death would be equally acceptable?”
“Yes—if you kill me, you will contribute directly to the ritual,” the mage said, smiling for the first time. “That is why I am not afraid. I welcome death!”
“And if we choose not to kill you?”
Cormac didn’t answer, and it was the Spook’s turn to smile. “Then once the process has begun, a substitute is not allowed? To ensure success, it must be you and no other! So if we keep you safe on this occasion, the raising of Pan will probably fail….”
The mage lowered his gaze and stared at the table for a long time without speaking.
“I think Cormac’s silence tells it all,” the Spook said at last, turning toward Shey. “We’ve already achieved our purpose. All we have to do now is keep him imprisoned here. Can this castle be defended against an attack by the mages?”
“No castle is completely impregnable,” answered Shey. “And our enemies will be desperate—they might well move against us here.”
“Then you need to bring in as many men as possible to defend it, and also to stock it well against siege,” my master advised. “Things couldn’t be better. Hold out here, and then, in midsummer, before they can try again and while they are weaker than ever, move against Staigue directly and finish them once and for all—that’s my advice.”
Shey smiled. “It’s good advice, John Gregory. We’ll do just that. Centuries of strife could be over at last, ending with their defeat. I thank you.”
Alice had been a silent witness to the interrogation, but now she gave the prisoner a steely stare. “Who’s the woman—the one who volunteered herself for sacrifice?” she asked.
For a moment I thought he wasn’t going to answer, but then he stared straight at her. “It’s a witch—one of those who ally themselves with us.”
Alice nodded and then exchanged a quick, nervous glance with me. So one of the Celtic witches was in the area and would have gone to Killorglin to sacrifice herself. Now she would no doubt come here, joining the siege of Ballycarbery Castle.
CHAPTER VII
THE SIEGE OF BALLYCARBERY CASTLE
SHEY sent messengers with word of the situation, and immediately preparations to defend the castle got under way. I was relieved to see a score of men begin to hack the ivy from the walls to prevent the enemy from climbing it.
The following day the landowners’ men started to arrive. There were far fewer than I’d expected—no more than fifty in all—but each small group brought with them weapons, and food and supplies in excess of their own needs so that the castle was now adequately stocked for the anticipated siege—although we probably had fewer than eighty men to call upon.
“I’d have thought you’d have been able to find more to rally to your cause,” said the Spook as we gazed down from the western battlements on what the leader of the Land Alliance had told us would be the final contingent to arrive. It consisted of five armed men and two small wagons, each pulled by a donkey that seemed overburdened by the load and near to collapse.
“It’s neither better nor worse than I’d hoped,” said Shey. “Each landowner must also look to his own defenses and ensure he has enough servants with him.”
The Spook nodded, pondering the answer while he gazed at the sun, which was sinking low toward the sea. “When will they attack?” he asked.
“Tonight or tomorrow,” Shey replied. “They will come east through the mountains.”
“How many?”
“Probably about a hundred and fifty, by our most recent estimate.”
“As many as that?” The Spook raised his eyebrows in surprise. “How many of those will be mages?”
“In total, there are probably about fifteen or so, along with half a dozen who are being trained. Probably about two thirds of that number will come here. The rest will stay behind in their fort at Staigue.”
“And the others? Who are their servants and supporters?”
“They keep about thirty armed men, and perhaps another ten who work as cooks and craftsmen, such as butchers, tanners, and masons. But they can draw on many more to swell their ranks when it comes to a battle. These conscripts are taken from among the poor—those with only a tiny cottage and very little land, who live on the edge of starvation. They fight alongside the mages in return for food for their families, but also out of fear. Who can refuse the call to arms when an emissary of the mages visits your lonely cottage and summons you? The people they recruit now will be poorly armed and often weakened by hunger.”
“And no doubt you and your servants will have eaten well through the winter; you’ll be strong and better able to fight….” said the Spook.
I could hear the disapproval in my master’s voice, but Shey didn’t seem to notice. I agreed with the Spook. We had to make a stand against the dark and the threat posed by the mages, but as was often the case in this world, the powerful fought for land or pride while poor folk suffered.
“That is certainly true,” Shey replied. “We will have food and supplies inside the castle, while the recruits outsid
e will receive only meager rations. I estimate that in less than a week, if they have not breached our walls, the mages will be forced to retire, defeated. We will harry them all the way back to their fort. And perhaps Staigue will finally fall, giving us victory at last.”
I slept well that night but was brought out of a deep sleep by Alice shaking my arm. It was still dark outside, and she was holding a candle.
“They’re here, Tom!” she cried, her voice full of concern. “The mages! And there are so many of them!”
I followed her to the window, which faced east, and gazed out. There were lights snaking toward us as far as the eye could see. Our enemies had certainly arrived in force. It was impossible to count them, but judging by the lights, more were here than Shey had predicted.
“Don’t worry, Alice,” I said, trying to reassure her. “We have enough food here to last for weeks, and anyway, once the time for the ceremony has passed, the siege will be in vain—they’ll go away.”
We sat together by the window, holding hands but not speaking. Enemy campfires began to spark into life, encircling the castle completely. No doubt Alice was thinking the same thing as me: The Celtic witch would be down there, sitting by one of those fires. Was it the one seeking revenge? Would she know that I was here? I reassured myself with the thought that she couldn’t reach me—the thick castle walls would keep her away. But the dawn brought news to shatter some of my hopes. A team of oxen was slowly dragging something toward the castle, a big metal cylinder on wheels. They had a siege gun—an eighteen-pounder!
Alice and I had both seen such a powerful gun in action. One had been used by soldiers to breach the walls of Malkin Tower. It had been fired with great accuracy, the huge cannonballs striking almost exactly the same spot in the wall, until at last it had given way and was open to the attackers. But a lot would depend on the skill of the gunners here. Would they be experienced enough to breach the defenses of Ballycarbery Castle?
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