Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3) (16 page)

‘
But if they can manipulate people’s minds, why didn’t they incapacitate the soldiers who attacked?’ asked Dale.

‘
I think they tried to,’ said Raline. ‘I saw some of them fall at the edge of the forest, but I think there just might have been too many of them. They couldn’t deal with them all at once. And maybe the soldiers were prepared. Remember, when they attacked our ship, you and Eibhear managed to get away. Maybe we were too many all at once. And our sailors were not at all prepared for what they were doing to us.’

‘
We were closer to the beach than I thought,’ said Ben, as they walked out into the sunshine. ‘Am I going mad, or is that a boat?’

‘
It’s a boat,’ Dale confirmed. He stopped walking and raised his hand. Everyone stopped. ‘Does that strike anyone else as a little too convenient? We walk out of the forest and there’s a boat waiting for us?’

‘
Why would someone leave us a boat?’ said Ben cautiously, not moving.

‘
Can you sense anyone nearby?’ asked Dale.

‘
No, I sense no-one,’ replied Eibhear.

‘
Are you sure they can’t hide their thoughts,’ asked Raline suspiciously. There was a silence.

‘
I can’t say I’m entirely sure,’ Rudiger admitted. ‘Maybe they can. I was unconscious too much when we were captive.’

‘
We’d be far more vulnerable in a boat,’ said Rezon. ‘But I find it hard to believe someone knew which direction we went and managed to get a boat up here so quickly. Perhaps it’s a coincidence.’ He glanced uneasily at Dale.

‘
Let’s have a look at it.’ Dale walked towards the boat and Eibhear and Rezon moved to stand on either side of him. The boat was long and wooden, shaped like a slender leaf. Three thwarts which were fastened to the boat with hanging knees, were attached to the gunwales, a forward thwart, a center thwart and a stern thwart, each barely wide enough to seat two very thin people. Oars dangled from the center rowlocks as though the boat had been hastily abandoned, and a second set of oars lay on the burden boards. Dale reached into the boat and picked up a length of leather cord, the end of which was fastened to the bow.

‘
I really don’t like this,’ said Dale, staring back towards the forest. ‘It’s far, far too opportune. Something’s not right.’

‘
Maybe we could take the boat and drag it through the water,’ Ben suggested. ‘It beats having to find one later.’

‘
So we find a boat, exactly where it’s most useful to us, and even when we decide not to take it out to sea it has a convenient rope just waiting for us to drag it after us.’ Raline folded her arms.

‘
Most boats would have a rope attached to tie them up,’ said Eibhear reasonably.

‘
Most boats would have been tied up, not just pulled up onto the sand,’ countered Dale. ‘It looks to me like the tide is on the way in, so this boat would have been drifting away a few hours from now.’

‘Maybe someone’s gone ashore and plans to return shortly,’ said Ben.

‘
We could rest here for a while, hide in the forest I mean, and see if anyone comes back here,’ said Eibhear.

‘
There aren’t any footprints leading away from the boat,’ said Ben. ‘Maybe it washed up here.’

‘
You know, I really don’t like this,’ Dale objected. ‘It feels wrong, like we’re being led into a trap. I don’t think we should take it. It’s screaming with deceit.’

‘
We’re not staying here to find out if it belongs to anyone,’ said Rezon firmly. ‘Consider it stolen.’ He leaned on the boat and gave it a push. It was surprisingly light and slipped easily into the water. ‘Raline, you may as well ride,’ he instructed. ‘I will help you out if we have to leave in a hurry.’

‘
Rez, you need to listen to me,’ said Dale, feeling alarmed. ‘This is a really bad idea. I can’t believe this boat is here by accident. This just has to be a trap! If someone deliberately-’

‘
Surely someone couldn’t have known where we would run to, and then come here before us to leave us this boat, ‘Rezon stated confidently. ‘And if someone did get here ahead of us…well, I doubt there are too many of them for us to face.’

Raline climbed into the boat and sat on the
center thwart, looking uneasily at Dale as he grumbled something about the warriors’ dangerous overconfidence. After a few seconds she raised the oars until they were no longer dangling in the water. The strangely shaped rowlocks allowed them to be removed and she placed them with the second set in the bottom of the boat. Rezon took the leather rope over his shoulder and began to drag the boat.

Chapter
18

Cahndrech

‘
Wait here please,’ Garran instructed and he turned and left the room.

‘
Are we to meet the Empress already?’ Elena wondered aloud.

‘
Yes,’
Garran’s thoughts came to her.
‘She asked to be woken the minute you entered the Sanctuary. I’ll come back for you once the Empress is ready. She’s quite young, so please be patient.’

Garran returned minutes later and led them through the large rambling building.
‘Please don’t be offended,’ he said. ‘The Empress felt your visit important enough to greet you immediately. I explained that you were travel weary and dirty, and she said, that being the case, you would not be shocked to be greeted whilst she was still wearing her night gown.’

Kelian shook his head, not knowing quite how to reply.

Garran raised his hand and they stopped walking. He entered a large hall and gestured for Kelian and Elena to follow, then for everyone else to come after. Kelian and Elena stepped forward and they froze in astonishment. The girl who stood before them could not have been more than thirteen years of age. She was a thin waif of a child, wearing a simple, white, sleeveless night gown, and with cloth covers slipped over her feet. Her pale hair hung loosely down her back and she wore no adornment of jewelry. Eight very dangerous looking guards stood in a protective curve around her and Garran moved to her side.

Kelian and Elena bowed politely and the little girl returned the courtesy.
‘I hope you don’t mind that I’m in my night dress. Garran didn’t think you would mind,’ she stated in a serious but high and girly sounding voice.

‘
Empress Cahndrech, we are honored by your invitation. Please accept our thanks for your generous gift,’ said Kelian sincerely. He stepped forward and drew out a stone he had brought with him from Alkira. ‘A token of our friendship; may our nations dwell in peace.’ He placed the huge polished sapphire in the little girl’s hand and she smiled. She looked at Kelian and Elena then at the rough and dirty group who stood behind.

‘
Evan, Princess Pevita has been asking after you,’ she said smiling cheekily at Evan.

‘
Seriously?’ Evan blurted out then he blushed deeply. ‘I apologize, Empress.’

‘
That’s alright Evan. You’re even worse than me at trying to do all this formal stuff.’

Evan smiled wryly in agreement and waited for the Empress to continue.

‘Leana,’ Cahndrech called, and a large, strong looking woman appeared. The woman gave Evan a smile and then looked confused as he did not return it. ‘Our guests need to bathe, and then we’ll eat on the eastern balcony.’

Ca
llian caught Garran’s eye and let his memories of Khimerahd flow into his brother’s mind. Garran leaned over and whispered something in the Empress’ ear and her eyes widened. Tears sprang into her eyes. ‘Wait,’ she said, causing Leana to pause in the doorway. ‘Leana, Evan needs to talk to you. Nali will relieve you. Oh Leana, I’m so sorry!’ Leana followed Evan from the room, and all could see by her manner that she feared the worst.

The old servant
Nali led them to a large open courtyard in the center of the Sanctuary. Pools of various shapes filled the courtyard. Low hedges ran between most pools, allowing privacy for bathers. Each pool was bowl shaped and tiled in blue with patterned motifs around the edge. There were pools where the edge was shallow enough to sit but the center was deeper than the height of a man. Wooden bench seats stood against the hedges and these were painted blue to match the tiles of the pools. Nali placed blocks of soap, towels and a basket of assorted stringils on a small tiled pedestal. She handed each person a woven bag containing fresh clothing, then she turned and left the courtyard. Everyone bathed and dressed as quickly as possible. Kelian was surprised to see they had each been given beautifully decorated clothing of the highest quality, and each costume was individually designed and fitted the recipient well. When they were dry and dressed, and feeling significantly more comfortable, they were escorted to a high balcony where Empress Cahndrech waited. Whilst they were bathing, the Empress had dressed and was now wearing a long formal dress made of beautiful crisp silk, woven into stripes of pink, orange, green, purple, yellow and blue. The robe had no sleeves and it crossed at the front, with cords from the sides continuing around her waist and tying at the back. It fell to the floor. The little girl rose from her seat when Kelian and Elena entered the room and all servants in the room immediately bowed low before their Empress. Cahndrech waved towards a nearby servant and he moved to escort the King and Queen and their companions to the table.

‘
Bring us breakfast, but we want to eat alone. We will serve ourselves,’ Cahndrech instructed. The servants bowed once again and within seconds the table was laden with food and the servants had disappeared. ‘Guards, you may leave too, thank you. Garran will stay with me.’ Garran reached across the table and lifted a dish. He smelt it then returned it to the table. One by one he smelt each dish, and even tasted one before he was satisfied. Cahndrech gave him a grateful smile.

The conversation remained general until they finished breakfast. Kelian was surprised to learn that Cahndrech
’s training to replace her father had begun as early as five years old, and that she had a surprisingly good grasp of politics for someone her age. Though her voice was that of a child, her conversation was intelligent and interesting, and she showed a high desire to learn. Kelian wondered how much time in her life she had been allowed to simply play, as a child, or if her duties had precluded this possibility. He wondered again why she had asked him to visit.

‘
Empress, we are honored to have been offered the opportunity to visit you. Did you wish simply to reinforce our bonds of friendship, or is there any other way I can be of assistance to you?’ Kelian looked deeply into the girl’s serious, intelligent eyes and was discomfited by the underlying but discernible fear that seemed to come from her soul. Tears came and she stared down at the table. Kelian was suddenly touched by the thought that Cahndrech was only a few years older than his own sister. Yet this child was expected to rule her nation. His heart went to her. Elena reached across the table and took Cahndrech’s hand. ‘What’s wrong Cahndrech? What’s happened?’

‘
So many things, after mother and father died,’ Cahndrech replied in a tiny voice.

‘
Tell me please.’ Kelian was now using his big brotherly voice.

‘
I don’t know why they died. They weren’t sick! There was nothing wrong! Then I was woken up one night and they told me that mother and father had died of a coughing illness. But they hadn’t been coughing!’

Tappy leaned forward.
‘May I ask you a question?’

Cahndrech nodded, ignoring the tears running down her cheeks.

‘Who told you of your parent’s death?’

‘
Leana.’

‘
And you had been asleep at the time?’

‘
Yes.’

‘
So you never saw their bodies?’

‘
Yes. I saw their bodies. I was taken to their bedroom before they were taken away.’

‘
Who else was in the bedroom when you saw the bodies?’

‘
Some of the guards, my parents personal servants, I can’t remember everyone.’

‘
But your parents hadn’t actually been sick.’ Tappy sat back and rested his hands together thoughtfully. ‘That’s odd.’

Cahndrech
gazed at the Administrator appreciatively. ‘You actually believe me!’ she cried in surprise.

‘
Of course I believe you. Why wouldn’t I?’ Tappy raised an eyebrow in surprise.

‘
No-one believes me when I tell them mother and father hadn’t been sick. They wouldn’t say so to my face, but they keep making excuses. I know they don’t believe me. And no-one believes me when I said there were marks on their necks after they died, and they don’t believe me that my bedroom door was locked from the outside for most of the evening and I couldn’t get out. And they all treat me like a little child as though I am making it up.’

‘
Why would no-one believe you?’ Elena was shocked. ‘Surely as Empress the servants would have to investigate your concerns?’

‘
Normally. But I hardly even know any of the new servants and the ones I trusted are mostly gone. And anyone I speak to disappears, so I’m not willing to speak to anyone anymore, except Garran of course. And the new servants won’t believe me when I tell them that my food tastes funny and that the water in the jug in my room looks strange, and that I have killed strange spiders in my room, weird ones I’ve never seen before. Then there were the eggs!’

‘
Yes. But I think the eggs were put there to disguise that strange smell we can’t recognize,’ said Garran. ‘I can’t smell it in here, but it’s starting to permeate most of the Sanctuary.’

‘
Describe exactly what happened please,’ Administrator Tappy requested.

Cahndrech rubbed her eyes. ‘Firstly there was a horrible smell in my room that wouldn’t go away. Nali said it smelt like old eggs and for a while I thought I would have to move to another room because we couldn’t find where it was coming from. Guard Commander Tahrih wanted to search my rooms for what the smell was, but in the end he didn’t need to because Garran found them. He moved a huge old chest that no-one else could move and he found a whole bunch of old eggs between the chest and the wall. Everyone said some bird must have gotten in there and laid them, but I don’t see how that could have happened! I told Leana that I thought someone had put them there. I know she agreed with me, but she’s scared too! It wasn’t until after the eggs were gone that I noticed a really weird smell. I hadn’t noticed it before because of the eggs. Now the weird smell has been in many rooms of the Sanctuary for months and it’s getting worse!’

‘
Can you describe the smell please?’ asked Callian.

‘
Funnily enough it smelt like those rotten eggs. That’s why we think the eggs were put there in the first place, to hide the smell of whatever it is.’

‘
Garran, is there a chance it could be heat intensifying sap?’ Callian asked cautiously. ‘It smells like rotten eggs.’

Garran
’s eyes widened and he took a deep breath. ‘Supreme Majesty! If this place has heat sap spread around it would go up in smoke at the drop of spark!’

‘
And I’ll bet whoever’s spreading it isn’t hanging around to see how well it burns,’ Tappy observed.

Cahndrech nodded in
acknowledgement. ‘No-one seems to notice that most of the old guards have been replaced by new ones, and the servants are all new - I don’t know where the old ones went. No-one seems to be able to find them. Even Lorah who did my paintings disappeared. And right after I told her about mother and father! She never came back! The painting she was doing is still in my room, but it’s only half finished. Leana was supposed to be in charge of the artists, but she didn’t know why Lorah never came back. And now Khimerahd has gone too. Poor Leana! It’s terrible!’ Cahndrech’s voice rose in distress and Kelian placed a gentle finger to her lips. He saw fear and frustration, but also honesty in the little girl’s expression.

‘
Shh,’ he said quietly. ‘The food and the water, and the spiders; how often is this happening?’

‘
It hasn’t happened since I asked Garran to help me. He’s been checking my food and water for me and he even sits in my room at night whilst I sleep.’ She gave Garran another grateful smile. ‘I couldn’t endure this without Garran.’

‘
But the servants and the guards have changed. Been replaced? And a lady who was painting for you…someone you confided in.’ Kelian reached out and took Cahndrech’s hand. ‘And from what you are saying, Garran is the only person you’ve been able to trust.’

‘
No. That’s not right. There are some guards I know I can trust. And your Evan is sometimes here and Captain Mercah. I know I can trust him too, I just know. And Leana, she was the one who came and told me that it was strange that the servants were disappearing. And her daughter Khimerahd was nice, but now she’s...’ Cahndrech took a deep breath and let it out in a shudder.

‘
Who is in charge of the placement of guards and servants?’ asked Tappy.

‘
Vocopulis Uslantlo is in charge of those changes,’ said Cahndrech. ‘And Nali is in charge of the servants - other than Leana of course. But Nali has been here forever! She was servant to my Grandfather! And even though the Vocopulis is supposed to decide who is in the Sanctuary Guard, I think perhaps he’s not doing this anymore. Mother and father said he was a really good Vocopulis, but now I think something is wrong with him.’

‘
Who is in charge of your soldiers?’ asked Tappy.

‘
Here in Tathra its Sub-Commander Luhxdal, at least he’s in charge because the Superior Commander is sick.’

‘
I wonder what they’re up to.’ Tappy sat back once again and closed his eyes. ‘Garran, do you have any other information?’