by F M Andrews
The room was quiet. Each person sat, eyes still on the map, as if each and every one of them were plotting their next course of action, imagining what was ahead and trying to anticipate any danger that might lie there.
Turrin squirmed again. His bottom was becoming uncomfortable on the hard wooden bench. He stifled a yawn and rubbed his eyes. It was late and he was so tired, yet he was also aware that he could not leave until he had learned all there was to know. This was just too important.
Finally Salassan stood, placing his hands in his lower back and stretching backwards, a move that elicited a quiet groan. “It is late and I think we all need some time to digest this. I propose that we meet again after breakfast tomorrow to discuss the finer details.”
There was a general consensus with heads nodding and a few affirming grunts before people began to rise and make their way to the door.
It was time to go. Somehow Turrin had to beat Errin back to his room, jump into bed and look like he was asleep, before she came to give him his usual goodnight kiss. He frantically nudged Tilli in the ribs, trying to convey the urgency without making a sound. Fortunately Salassan and Errin were still deep in conversation by the door but if he left it any longer, he was not sure that he could get back before her.
Tilli must have been thinking along similar lines, because suddenly the eye holes of light closed and just as he was getting used to the dark again, the lamp burst into life, revealing Tilli’s face, which looked extremely pale and frightened. Turrin knew how she felt and was sure he looked exactly the same.
Quickly Tilli took the lead, and in no time, they emerged in a different hall from the one they had entered from. Turrin wondered how extensive the secret passage way was. The princess grasped his hand and began to run down the hall. Soon he began to recognise objects and tapestries and then suddenly he was standing outside the door to his room, face to face with Tillissan. What do you say to someone after witnessing what they had just seen? Both their lives were about to change forever and there was no guarantee that either of them would not be losing loved ones in the days ahead.
Turrin noticed for the first time that there were tears on her cheeks and he had an almost irresistible urge to wipe them away for her. She looked so lost and little, compared to the rambunctious girl of this afternoon who was so full of life, without a care in the world, and he wondered if her happiness would be the first casualty of this conflict.
“I know Errin, she will look after your brother. I’m sure she will.” It was the only thing he could think to say. She nodded silently then sniffed, wiping her eyes angrily and turned to go.
“See you on the morrow.” She flung back over her shoulder before disappearing round the corner.
Turrin opened his door, silently, hoping Errin would not be on the other side waiting for him, but all was as it should be, a single lamp burning on a stand next to his bed and the fire banked for the evening. Quickly he striped, pulled on a night shirt he found under his pillow and slipped between the crisp sheets.
His timing could not have been better, because no sooner had he blown out the lamp than the latch to his room jingled and the door opened. Errin’s face could be seen in the light from the hall as she peered in. Turrin tried desperately to slow his breathing and look asleep but he should have known better.
“Been back long then?” Errin inquired as she closed the door quietly behind her and walked across to sit on the bed next to him. She lit the lamp before she turned to gaze silently down at him, a slightly concerned expression on her face. He just stared at her but he could feel a large lump rising in his throat and his eyes filling with tears.
“Oh my little one.” Errin sighed as she gently smoothed his hair off his forehead. “I wish you had waited for me to tell you this news myself but you have your own destiny and I can’t change that.”
She had known he was hiding and watching all along! Did she know about Tillissan as well, he wondered?
“I know you think I have betrayed you, that I am not the Errin you thought you knew, but I have never lied to you and I have always loved you.”
Turrin felt his chin begin to wobble. ‘But ... but you will go away!” he blurted, voicing his worst fears.
“If I can gain my powers, I will stay to protect all in Feld, especially you.” She looked down into his eyes, her hand resting on his forehead. “You are so very important to me.”
“But why?” he whispered, hating himself for sounding so pathetic
“Do you remember what I said about my strength growing with love and joy?” He nodded, not taking his eyes of her face. “You give me so much of both that I now have enough strength to attempt retrieving my power. Without you I would have still been too weak. You are my strength, you are my secret weapon.” She bent down and softly kissed his forehead. “Now go to sleep; the morrow will be upon us soon enough.”
#
Turrin was sure he would never get to sleep with so much to think about, mull over and sort in his head but he must also have been exhausted, because the next thing he knew there was an annoying someone poking him in the shoulder.
“Go away! Leave me in peace!” Is what he meant to say, but all that came out was an incomprehensible mumble. He was slowly swimming towards the surface of consciousness when a distinctly evil, female giggle yanked him rudely all the way to startled, total awareness.
He was not sure what came first, his eyes snapping open or is body shooting into an upright position.
There was another giggle, louder than the first. “About time! You do know breakfast is now finished?”
He glared at Tillissan who was sitting on the chair next to his bed, grinning widely as if he were the best joke in the world. She looked as if she was well rested and fresh as a daisy, her hair in a neat plat and she was dressed in trousers again.
He groaned and flopped back into his pillow. He loved breakfast.
“Ta ... da!” she announced as she lifted her hands into view, holding a heaped plate of the most appetizing food. All his favourites.
“Lucky for you I was awake and able to steal you the best bits or you would have to had to beg the kitchen for some food and they would have given you the old stale stuff to make you pay for being late.” She spoke as if from experience.
Turrin grinned back at her. “Thanks,” he said, as he hopped out of bed, took the plate to the little table by the window and began to tuck in.
Tilli followed and plopped herself down in the chair opposite him, elbows on the table, her open hands supporting her chin with her fingers framing her face.
Turrin couldn’t help but notice that her face looked very small and delicate like this without the abundance of wild hair that usually surrounded it.
“What did you make of last night?” she asked, stealing a piece of bacon off his plate and nibbling one end.
“Not really sure,” he replied after finally swallowing his large mouthful. “Haven't had time to think about it yet.” He kept his eyes downcast into his food as he piled his fork high for another bite, not wanting to say what he really felt and afraid that if he looked at her he would lose his courage. “I think the main thing I feel is that I have been left out of a really exciting adventure that involves all the people I care about and all I can do is watch.” he finished, before looking up at her again. She was still nibbling on the bacon, staring at him intently.
“I mean, this is huge, important and amazing.” He waved his knife around for emphasis. “And I will be left on the farm as everyone else goes off and saves the world!”
He put his fork down, suddenly he wasn't hungry anymore. The thing that he didn’t say, couldn’t say, was that a very small part of him was relieved that he would not be called on to be the hero again. He was not sure he was up to it, but he would never say that out loud to anyone, especially not her.
“Ha!” Tillissan exploded. “At least you will be closer to the action than me! I will be stuck here learning how to be a princess, you know, learning exciti
ng things like which fork to use first and how to dance without stepping on your partner's toes whilst Dissan and Myssan are off having fun.” She snorted, disgusted in her prospects for the future.
Turrin knew that she really didn’t have much to complain about. From what he could tell, she was allowed to do anything she felt like doing. After all, here she was in his room, alone, dressed like a boy with a beautiful sword strapped at her belt. Besides, he was pretty sure that there would not be a lot of fun involved in this adventure if his last excursion was anything to go by, but sensibly, he kept his mouth shut, nodded sympathetically and looked out the window instead.
With a start he noticed that, judging by the sun, it was late morning, nearly noon. Shocked he turned back to Tillissan. “When did they say they would meet for the planning session?” he asked anxiously, hoping that he hadn't missed it. Tillissan gave him an infuriatingly knowing smile.
“You snooze you lose! That’s been over and done a long time ago.”
He slumped and dejectedly and pushed away his plate.
“Soooo,” Tilli said slowly. He could hear the mirth in her voice.
“Sooo what?” he asked grumpily.
“So it was just as well I was up and about, heard it all and then came here to tell you all about it,” she finished with a flourish and a grin that got bigger as he eagerly leaned forward to listen, a matching grin slowly spreading across his face.
As Tilli began, it soon became very clear that one of the things a princess is taught is how to spin a tale. She quickly painted a picture of the room, who was in it and how they acted towards each other. He almost felt as if he was there. He was so spellbound that he didn’t even think to ask any of his usual annoying questions. In brief, everything that had been discussed the night before was finalised, supply logistics sorted, timelines drawn and defences modified. Surrin was brought in for this to help everyone understand the trolls’ behaviour, their strengths and their weaknesses.
“There seems to be an awful lot of planning, preparation and organisation involved in this adventure thing,” Tilli commented thoughtfully, before continuing with her observations. The one new thing that was decided was that the King’s nephew, Anssan, Dissan’s second in command here at the palace, should be sent, with his troop of knights, to pick up Hezrill from Eastrim in Rill. It was thought that this would be considered enough of an honour that the parents might consider allowing her to accompany him to Upper Hull. Preparations would begin immediately and everyone should be leaving within two days.
This surprised Turrin at first as he felt as if he had only just arrived, and was still weary from the long journey; however, when he thought about it, they were in a race now, a race against Zail and a race against the winter snows.
“That means we will be leaving the day after tomorrow.” Turrin winced, thinking of getting back into that saddle. “But I haven't even seen Hope yet!” He exclaimed in a voice that sounded just a little bit whiney.
“Soon fix that,” Tillissan said as she stood up, absently adjusting her sword. “Come on, don’t sit there gawping. Get dressed and I will show you the sights of Hope.” She clapped her hands at him and shooed him towards the wardrobe, tossing his clothes at him as he went.
#
Turrin felt as if he were flying. The climb up the winding stair to the top of the tower had gone on forever, but now that he was standing here, high above the world, he knew that it had truly been worth every step. From here, he could see forever. The city spread along the lake edge and back a small way towards the mountains. The overall impression was of warm, red tiled roofs, interspersed with a rich, autumn-coloured canopy of large trees. Wide boulevards criss-crossed the view, partitioning the buildings into blocks, yet it was the gentle sweep of the harbour, with its colourful boats, that drew the eye. It was a beautiful city. The best of the old, the wizard’s world, and the new, the guardian's world. Turning to look towards the mountains Turrin noticed that there was a good dusting of snow on them now, another reminder of the need for haste.
Tillissan was gazing at the harbour, the gentle wind lifting a wisp of hair that had escaped her plait. “I love sailing,” she sighed, wistfully. “Next time you are here I will take you out on my boat.” She turned and looked at him. “You’d love it. Everyone does!” Then laughing she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the stair. “Come on, let’s go and find Myssan.” Turrin took one last look at the incredible view, trying to burn it into his memory before he turned and raced down the stairs after her.
They found Myssan down in the barracks. He was at the far end of one of the long, low buildings, in a room that had a long, floor to ceiling window along one side. The other three sides were plain, undressed brick with no decoration of any sort. It was a very functional room. There was fresh straw covering the floor and the only furniture were the two wooden chairs that Myssan and Surrin were sitting in and a table strewn with parchments that stood between them. Both chairs were turned to face the only other object in the room, a square, iron-barred cage that held the troll who was now rather subdued. The troll was standing at the bars, holding on with both hands, his hideous face pressed in between. He seemed to be concentrating on a piece of parchment Myssan was holding up.
Tillissan and Turrin had both snuck into the room quietly, not knowing what to expect, but as soon as Tillissan saw her brother she yelled his name and ran across to him.
“Hello, what’s all this then?” Myssan laughed, obviously taken back with the sudden appearance of his little sister and her display of affection.
“Say you won’t go!” Tillissan pleaded. “Losing Dissan when he goes trotting around the place is bad enough, but I don’t want you to leave me too.” She poked her bottom lip out and stared at him defiantly. Turrin was reminded that she was probably still quite young, possibly the same age as he was himself. Myssan put down the parchment he had been holding and opened his arms.
“Come here, Tilli.”
She moved in hesitantly as if fearing a trick, but there wasn’t one, instead Myssan gently enfolded her in his embrace not saying a word. From where Turrin was standing he could see Tilli’s stiff form relax and the tears well in her eyes. He looked away, suddenly embarrassed at witnessing such a private moment.
After a moment Myssan placed a hand on each of Tilli’s shoulders and carefully pushed her away to arm’s length. Despite the fact that Myssan was sitting and Tilli was standing he could look directly into her eyes. “I am not even going to ask how you know about this, but you know me Tilli, not one for adventure really, never quite got the hang of riding a horse and I am more likely to stick myself with a sword than do damage to anyone else but if I am needed, if there is something I can do to help, I can’t very well say no, now can I?” He gave her a gentle shake, ”You wouldn’t say no if you had been asked?” He raised both eyebrows as if to ask ‘would you?’ and held her gaze.
Turrin could see the whole thought process she went through, her face telling the story, but in the end there could only be one answer and of course Myssan was right. She would have jumped in with both feet and ignored the consequences.
Her shoulders slumped. “Okay, you win, but you had better come back in one piece,” she stated, glaring at him once more and this time poking him in the chest for added emphasis. Turrin thought that she seemed to do a lot of poking.
“OW! You bully!” Myssan exclaimed, rubbing the spot.
Surrin had watched the whole display, the corners of her mouth slightly twitching as if trying to suppress a smile. “It seems that brothers and sisters are the same the world over, no matter how illustrious their standing.”
Tilli’s attention was drawn to the parchments on the table and picking one up, she slowly turned it one way then the other before asking, “What are these for?”
“Just a little experiment,” Myssan answered. “I thought that if we had a little more information about these guys,” he lifted his hand to indicate the troll in the cage, “we would be able
to be better equipped to deal with them.”
Surrin moved forward in her chair, clearly excited. “Your brother has drawn some pictures on the parchment,” she pointed to the page that Tilli was still holding. “You see, a tree and here a horse, a bird, you know everyday things. We are trying to get the troll to give us their word for these things so that we can start to have a conversation.”
“We have got about ten words, and now that he has the idea, we are racing along.” Myssan explained excitedly. “I am writing what he says underneath the picture so we can say it back to him. Watch.”
Myssan picked up another parchment and holding it so that the troll could not see the pictures, he carefully pronounced the word written under the picture for water. It was a real guttural sound, almost an angry bark.
The troll’s face changed from a kind of board resignation to interested, the dark eyes under the low brow darted around the room. It snarled briefly when it caught sight of Turrin, noting him as one of his capturers and then, seeing the water jug on the floor, pointed and repeated the harsh sounding word.
Myssan poured some water into a cup and carefully handed it through the bars. The troll snatched it from his hands, downed the water in one gulp and threw the cup back at Myssan’s head with a snarl.
Turrin was horrified. This was almost beyond his understanding. These creatures were evil, treacherous and vile. Why would anyone want to communicate with them? His first reaction had been to congratulate Myssan on becoming the troll’s first servant but amazingly he didn’t venture his opinion, probably because his mouth was still gaping open at what he had just seen.
“If we can find out where they come from and why, maybe we can find a way to stop them.” It took a moment for Turrin to realise that Surrin was talking to him. Dragging his eyes away from the troll he turned to look at her and all the fight drained out of him as he saw the hope shining in her eyes. Maybe this was her way of dealing with her pain and loss. Who was to say it was wrong, yet deep down, he knew that stopping these beasts would take more than words, much more.