Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3) (30 page)

Chapter
33

Stolen Lady

Stealing a ship turned out to be far easier than anyone had dared imagine.
With the help of Callian, Timbul and Araas, they simply chose a ship and sat back and watched, as one by one those on board went ashore, each on some previously unnecessary errand to which attention suddenly became crucial as Callian planted such thoughts in their minds. Eventually Timbul and Araas went aboard the check the vessel was indeed entirely vacated, and then everyone else followed. Kelian deliberately chose the smallest ship, which was actually little more than a large boat, to make it easier for their small number to sail her back to Alkira. To everyone’s amusement the boat was called ‘Stolen Lady’. Once on board, it was easy to tell she had been used for smuggling. All over the vessel there were hidden compartments and disguised doors leading to unexpected hidey holes. In one compartment several sealed cases waited, and when Timbul snapped the lid from one case they found a neatly packed assortment of weapons, which everyone agreed had been made to look Alkiran. It was a single masted sailing boat, and Kelian hoped that the weather would improve somewhat as they set sail. It turned stormy the day Rezon and Raline had returned to Cathaoir and Jemicka’s home, or perhaps they had returned because of the rain. The upside was there was plenty of wind for sailing.

They took the boat to a small inlet
which was uninhabited other than by millions of mosquitoes. Kelian insisted Elena, Louisa, Immosey and Raline stay aboard the ship, but everyone else went ashore. Eibhear, Rudiger and Milgorry headed back to the village around the bay. By the next morning they returned hauling a huge cart of supplies behind them. Kelian was pleased to find there was already an ample supply of water aboard the tiny ship, but Milgorry had taken the precaution of bringing more. Kelian didn’t ask where they had gotten the supplies. He was fairly certain the warriors would have taken the goods without alerting anyone and he hoped no-one had been hurt or returned in the process. Milgorry had laid his concerns to rest with a single insulted look. It took hours to take the supplies from the cart onto the ship via the tiny cockleboat. Kalinya fell asleep during the activity, and Dale carried him to a little cabin and placed him on a low bunk, deciding not to wake him for dinner.

They set sail as soon as everything was aboard. Kelian
spent much time deliberating their course and finally decided to sail for the Dwellings and then head down to Castle once he had conferred with Tiernan and Karrijeuiga.

If it hadn
’t been for the continued discussion around Penn’s plans for the invasion of Nyinaku, one might have thought those aboard were taking a vacation. For the most time, relief to be heading home overshadowed their recent plight, and everyone was content to relax and enjoy the moment before they arrived in Alkira, at which time they would be forced to take action one way or another in light of what might soon be occurring in their less than friendly neighbor’s territory. Within days of sailing, Kalinya appointed himself as head chef, and whilst he had continual assistance in the galley, the young boy was insistent that he was in charge of preparation of evening meals. This quickly led to him supervising and giving orders to anyone who volunteered to help and to everyone’s surprise the boy had more than the usual talent for preparing simple but appetizing meals. When asked about his ability, he replied that with his mother working, it was his job to make the evening meals, so he’d had plenty of practice, and that it wasn’t much different from being back in Tathra, trying to make a nice dinner from very limited ingredients. No-one else aboard showed any better skills and Kalinya was delighted to be given such an important duty. He had been far more settled since Rezon and Raline’s wedding, and Elena was beginning to understand that every one of the little boy’s misplaced infatuations was a cry of grief as he missed his mother. She took much thought of how best to help the lad, but had not yet found a satisfactory solution, knowing it was impossible to replace a mother’s love. She sighed as the little boy walked past on his way across the deck to ask Kelian what the King would prefer for dinner, as he was wont to do at about this time each afternoon. She watched as he returned with a smile on his face and she waved at him to join her.

‘
I can’t stay long,’ he announced grandly. ‘Tonight I’m making salted pork and oat bread.’ He paused thoughtfully. ‘Do you want something special Elena...? Majesty?’

‘
Salted pork and oat bread sounds wonderful. Can I help you make it?’

‘
You’re not very good in the kitchen.’

‘
I haven’t been given much practice. I can improve.’

‘
You can help make the dough. I’ll show you how.’

‘
Kalinya, have you taken any thought as to what you wish to do once we reach Alkira?’

‘
Maybe I could work in your kitchen,’ the little boy said eagerly.

‘
Cooking is honorable work,’ said Elena, ‘but we already have adequate kitchen staff and I think you have the potential to do so many things.’

‘
What’s potential?’

‘
You have the ability to grow and improve. I don’t think you should limit yourself to kitchen duties, however honorable this might be.’

‘
What do
you
think I should do?’

‘
I don’t yet know Kalinya, let me think on it.’

‘
Alright,’ said Kalinya, with a shrug. ‘But I’d be happy enough to just do the cooking.’ He disappeared below deck.

Elena went to stand beside Kelian.
‘I don’t know what we should do with the lad. He’s intelligent and he’s a good child.’

‘
Hmm...’ Kelian put his arm around Elena and rubbed her shoulder and arm. ‘He needs a mother.’

‘
Yes. He has no-one and he misses his mother badly. We can’t bring her back.’

‘
Elena, I think he should stay in the Dwellings, at least for a while. There is no place better for peace and for healing a heart.’

‘
He loves us. I can tell. If we leave him at the Dwellings it might just break his heart. It might be too much for him to bear.’

‘
Let’s not make any decisions until we arrive there.’ Kelian gave Elena a reassuring hug. ‘And once we’re there perhaps the lad would like to be given the choice. If he comes with us...we’ll work something out. You know what I’m looking forward to most?’

‘
Seeing Eijelin,’ Elena stated, knowing how much Kelian missed his little sister. ‘I’m so thankful she’s at the Dwellings. I know she’ll be missing you too Kelian.’

‘
I owe the guardians more that I can ever repay.’

‘
They won’t see it that way.’

‘
I know. They’ll tell us it’s their duty to guard and protect us, but I’m not fooled. A dear friend once let slip that he feels more like our big brother, and I know I feel the same way.’

Elena
’s eyes moved understandingly to where Timbul and Arras stood talking together. Her own feelings towards these guardians were far stronger than she could have believed possible. They turned in unison and smiled at the Queen.

‘
So what do you think I should do with the child?’ she asked.

‘
What would your mother have done?’ Araas sauntered across the deck as he spoke.

Elena
considered Araas’ question. ‘He needs to stay with us in the castle. That’s what you mean, isn’t it?’

Araas
nodded. ‘It seems like mere chance that he ended up here with us, but I don’t believe for a second that’s the case. I don’t know why, but he’s meant to be here. The purpose is not yet known, but deep inside I know he’s meant to stay with you. You will need him.’

‘
I see.’ Kelian put his arm around Elena and gave her shoulders a squeeze. ‘That sounds fine.’

‘
Perhaps you could give him the kitchen duty he has requested,’ suggested Araas.

‘
No. I think not,’ said Kelian firmly. ‘After all he’s gone through, he’s proven himself incredibly brave for so young a child, and he shows no lack of intelligence. Please don’t misunderstand. We are proud of our kitchen servants, they are very skilled people, but if Timbul has been given some foreknowledge that he will be needed by my wife, I want to give him more opportunity to fulfill whatever it is he’s destined for. I’m going to make a Page of him - if he’s willing. Tappy can take his education in hand and we’ll see what happens.’

Elena
smiled. ‘Yes. That’s good. I feel...relieved. It’s nice that he’s become such a part of our family.’ She looked between Kelian’s, Araas’ and Timbul’s faces. All three smiled in agreement. Elena sighed. ‘I’m a bit tired. How far are we from the Dwellings?’

‘
All going well, we’ll arrive tomorrow,’ said Araas. ‘Would you like to rest now?’

‘
No thank you,’ Elena smiled. ‘I’m not
that
tired. Besides, I have kitchen duty.’ She accepted Araas’ arm as he assisted her to climb down the ladder which led below deck. Once she had disappeared, he walked back to Kelian.

‘
She is
that
tired, Kelian,’ said Araas firmly. ‘There’s something wrong.’

‘
What do you mean?’ Kelian was alarmed. ‘She’s been ill since we arrived in Hosatabaht. Is she getting worse?’

Araas hesitated.
‘I think she is,’ he admitted. ‘Something isn’t right. She shouldn’t be as tired as she is. And as she went down the ladder just know, if I didn’t have hold of her arm, I think she might have fallen. She was...dizzy.’

Kelian frowned with concern.
‘I think I’ll override Colonel Kalinya’s orders and take her off kitchen duty,’ he decided. ‘Would you ask her to come back up here please? Or perhaps she should go straight to our cabin?’

‘
No. I think she’d prefer to come up into the air,’ said Timbul. ‘She hates that cabin.’

‘
Fine,’ Kelian felt a little impatient, wishing he could see his wife’s thoughts as easily as the guardians.

Araas ignored that thought.
‘Kelian, if Elena is agreeable, would you allow one of us to go deep into her mind? Sometimes we can find out enough to know what’s wrong. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but then sometimes it does.’

‘
You will have to ask the Queen. She alone can give such permission.’

‘
Understood,’ Araas dashed to the hatch and helped Elena to climb out. As soon as her feet hit the deck he fixed his eyes on hers and they stood for a few minutes in silent conversation. Eventually Elena sat on the deck, cross legged, arranging her long skirt comfortably. She placed her elbows on her knees and balanced her chin on her clenched fists. She waited expectantly.

Araas
’ hand flashed in front of her face and her eyes rolled back. He caught her as she toppled over, and he rested her gently on the deck, taking the rolled up oilskin sheet offered by Timbul and placing it under her head for comfort. He sat beside her head, with his legs crossed and his hand on her forehead.

It was over half an hour before Araas moved and by this time Kelian was pacing the deck like a caged cat. When Araas opened his eyes Kelian shot to his side. He reached out for Araas
’ hand and pulled him to his feet.

‘
Well? Kelian prompted urgently. ‘Do you know what’s wrong?’ His heart accelerated and he felt dread as he saw Araas’ face.

The
guardian’s mouth was half open and his eyes were filled with pain. He didn’t answer.

‘
Araas!’ Kelian cried out, suddenly fearful of what Araas had seen.

‘
Kelian...’ Araas’ voice cracked.

‘
Tell me Araas!’ Kelian cried, his fear turning to panic.

Araas held up his hand pleadingly.
‘I will tell you,’ he said, his voice low and sad. ‘I’m sure you didn’t know this, but I think Elena was pregnant.’

‘
What?’ Kelian’s face wrinkled in confusion. ‘
Was
pregnant?’

‘
I’m sorry.’ Araas swallowed hard. ‘I’m so sorry Kelian. I’m not entirely sure. I thought she was pregnant, but now...I can sense nothing. I can’t seem to discern clearly what happened, but it doesn’t seem good.’

‘
Araas…please… At least take a guess at what you think happened.’

‘
I think Elena was pregnant, but she lost the child because of her illness. It was very early in the pregnancy.’

Kelian
’s teeth clamped together as he struggled to hold back tears. ‘Does Elena know?’ he managed to whisper.

‘
No,’ said Araas. ‘Kelian, there’s something else.’

‘What?’ Kelian’s heart began to race once again.

‘
She’s really ill Kelian. I think I know what’s wrong, but...’ Araas took several deep breaths, ‘I don’t know if there’s anything I can do. If she doesn’t improve soon...Kelian, people can die of this type of fever.’