Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3) (36 page)

‘
So?’

‘
I’ve lost a lot of people in my short life, Eibhear. Some I’d known for what felt like a very long time and many I loved so deeply it pains my heart to think of them. And I don’t want to lose the best friend I’ve ever had.’

‘
We’ll do everything in our power to bring him back.’

‘
Thank you. I appreciate that because Kelian
is
one of my best friends. But I wasn’t talking about
him
.’

Eibhear stopped walking and his face was more serious than Dale had ever seen.
‘Strange isn’t it? If someone had told me a year ago that a human would become like a brother to me I’d have laughed in their face. And yet here we are.’

‘
Just don’t get yourself returned. I’m completely fed up with losing people I love. When Charie went I didn’t want to...’ Dale blinked a couple of times and swallowed hard. ‘Anyway, don’t get yourself returned,’ he repeated. ‘It would be damned inconvenient for everyone!’ Dale spoke gruffly as he ran his hand across his eyes.

Eibhear slapped Dale on the shoulder.
‘I won’t get returned and I won’t let you get killed either Dale. I’d also find that very...inconvenient. Let’s catch up to the others.’

Dale found
a friend at the very first farm they visited. They crossed a huge field of neglected sunflowers, taking care to do as little damage as possible, then climbed over a fence and made their way past a herd of rather undernourished sheep. There was a gate at the far end of the field and a worn track leading to an old, partly dilapidated barn. The track forked part way along and lead away to a small home perched on a rise. It was built of stone and was very old, with weather stained window shutters and a rag covering a huge hole which had been smashed in the front door. The small yard around the house was entirely unkempt. Tall weeds were growing out of control, vegetable gardens were disappearing under aggressively invasive grass, flowering plants alongside the home were dry and thirsty and part of the yard fence had fallen or been pushed over. There was no smoke coming from the chimney. On a hard old chair right next to the broken front door sat a man not much older than Dale. As they approached, a wineskin fell from his hand and he looked up at them with bleary eyes.

‘
Ave y’ come back to kill me as well, y’ murderin’ bastards?’ he asked in a rasping whisper. ‘I thought y’ might.’

‘
Leslie?’ Dale couldn’t believe his eyes. This had been Leslie’s parents’ farm when Dale had first arrived in Emerald. Leslie was their youngest son. The other children had married or moved away but Leslie remained on the farm after his parents died. Not long before the attack on Emerald he’d married a girl called Salia, who lived on a neighboring property and Dale was sure she’d been carrying his child even before they wed. They were a hardworking and honest pair. Leslie ran the farm as well as his father had, and Salia kept a neat and happy home. Now Leslie looked as far from happy as Dale could imagine. He reached over and pushed his head back and Leslie blinked at him a few times before falling sideways from the chair.

‘
Let’s get him inside,’ said Dale, kicking at the partly broken door as he grabbed Leslie by the hands. The door rejected his effort so he kicked it a bit harder and the remaining portion disintegrated and fell into the house. Dale’s jaw dropped. There was so much mess inside the house there was no way he was going to step inside, let alone take Leslie in there, and even had he managed, the stench would have driven him outside very quickly. Instead, he dragged Leslie away from the door and left him lying on the edge of the little patio.

‘
Supreme Majesty,’ Dale whispered. ‘What in all hell happened here?’ Not one piece of furniture inside the home was intact. Even the big old wooden bed which stood in the corner of the one-roomed house was bent in the middle as though it’s back had been broken. The bedding was torn and dirty and straw was spilling from the mattress and pillows. A small stool which had stood beside the bed lay on the floor with all three legs broken and the items it had held were scattered across the floor. Parts of broken chairs and table were flung around the room, amongst piles of smashed crockery, broken wooden bowls, cooking utensils, old aprons, clothing that had once been washed and folded before being ground into the debris, old hats, worn out shoes, and more than a few wooden toys. Dale picked his way through the wreckage. He lifted a holey, woolen blanket and pain seized his heart and began to squeeze. Under the blanket was a tiny silver bell attached to a thin cord of leather, a gift for a newborn child. When Dale peered more closely he could see that the leather cord was three fine strips of slightly different colors which had been plaited together. It was beautifully made. He turned the bell around and read the name engraved on it. Elysia. His fist closed tightly around it. He looked at the debris desperately, terrified of what he might find considering the terrible smell, but his terror was unfounded. The smell was coming from some pieces of old mutton, left to rot amongst the rubble. He took the necklace outside and showed it to Callian, and then he knelt beside Leslie and gave him a sharp slap on the face. Leslie didn’t move.

‘
Callian, I don’t know if you can do this but can you sober him up enough to find out what happened here?’

‘
Probably not,’ said Callian. ‘But I can try
.’

‘
There’s water in that feeding trough,’ said Milgorry, pointing across the yard.

Leslie was a small, thin man and
Callian picked him up as easily as he would a child, carried him across the yard and dunked him headfirst in the trough of dirty, cold water. Leslie came up spluttering and groaning. Callian dropped him to the ground and placed his hand firmly on Leslie’s forehead. After a few seconds he seemed to gain control of himself. He slapped Callian’s hand away and rolled over, dragging his knees under himself. He stood up and as he did so, his eyes fell on his smashed front door and the piles of debris inside. An expression of pure anguish came over him and his shoulders sagged forward. He stared at Callian for a few seconds then his eyes moved to Milgorry. With a scream of fury he hurled himself at the warrior. Milgorry stepped aside expressionlessly and caught Leslie by the arm. He twisted it behind Leslie’s back and drove the man to his knees, ignoring his strangled screams and curses.

‘
I didn’t do this,’ Milgorry growled in his ear.

‘
We can’t help you unless you tell us what happened here,’ said Dale. ‘Where’s Salia and Elysia?’

‘
The bastards took ‘em away! Murderers!’

‘
The fallen? When?’

‘
Ahh Dale, I should’ve done as y’ said. I should’ve let ‘em go to the Dwellings, but I thought we’d be safe enough down ‘ere. An’ now they’re gone!’ Milgorry let go of his arm and he sagged forward miserably.

‘
So this happened when they attacked Emerald?’

‘
No. It was after that. I was down checkin’ the sunflowers and then Salia was screamin’ an-’ He gave a huge shudder. ‘There’s only one thing that can make a woman scream like that. By the time I got back to the house, Salia and Elysia were gone and the house was - well y’ saw it. I tried to find ‘em. I went everywhere tryin’ to find tracks or someone who might’ve seen ‘em, but it was like they just disappeared into the ground.’

‘
Leslie, they’ve taken Kelian, his Majesty the King,’ said Dale, and Leslie’s eyes opened in wonder. ‘We have to track them to Nyinaku and bring him home, but we haven’t got any gear or any food. And we need a cart. We were going to ask you for help but-’

Leslie stood up and took a couple of deep breaths.
‘Come ‘ere,’ he said, walking around the side of the house. At the back of the yard there was a large stone building. The building had a set of huge wooden doors at the front and a smaller one at the side, and two tiny windows. Leslie pushed his head through one of the windows then wriggled his shoulders through. He squirmed forward until his body disappeared. Seconds later the huge doors opened and Leslie gestured them inside. It was very dark after standing in the glaring sunshine. Dale waited for a moment as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. A neat cart stood in the center of the floor. Against the wall from floor to roof were wide shelves, bending under the weight of the goods they held. There was everything Dale could imagine on the shelves. Preserved and dried food, wooden boxes containing blankets, unused lamps, cloths sacks of clothing which had been washed in a solution of camphor oil to deter moths, a neat row of old boots, a basket of knitted gloves and scarves also smelling strongly of camphor, lengths of rope, old washing boards, sacks of grain, drums of flour and oats and clay jars of honey, new straw brooms and brushes, and to everyone’s amazement a small jewelry box holding a couple of strings of glass beads, two silver rings, one thin gold ring and one delicately fashioned brooch.

Callian
looked knowingly at Leslie. ‘It seems you weren’t as confident of your safety as you would have us believe.’

‘
I moved a lot of stuff in here after the attack on Emerald.’ Lesley bore an expression of desperation. ‘Part of me wondered if this might ‘appen, but I didn’t want to believe it could. I thought if they came, I could fight ’em off. Now Salia’s dead and little Elysia,’ his voice lowered to a whisper, ‘and it’s my fault.’

‘
It’s not your fault the fallen attacked your family,’ Callian contradicted. ‘It’s a pity you couldn’t have gotten your family into this building. I see the windows would be far too small for any of the fallen to climb through, and those doors would defeat anyone.’

‘
Solid tyalla!’ said Lesley. ‘And see how they’re hung? No-one could tear ‘em away once the lockin’ bars are in the back. Made ‘em myself...back when it mattered...’

‘
It wouldn’t have made any difference,’ said Milgorry. ‘They would have just burned this place if you’d hidden in here.’ He pointed up to the roof which was thatch over wooden beams.

Rezon took a step towards Lesley and the man
jumped back warily. ‘I’m not going to hurt you.’ Rezon inclined his head as he considered his thoughts. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t give you false hope, but if the fallen had wanted your lady and your child dead, their bodies would be in the rubble.’

Lesley
’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Rezon could feel the hope flowing from him.

‘
I’ll try to find them, if I can. And if they’re alive, I’ll bring them back to you.’

‘
Why?’ Lesley was suddenly suspicious. ‘What do y’ want in return?’

‘
I want nothing from you.’

‘
Then why?’ Lesley persisted. ‘Why would y’ help me? You’re fallen! How can I trust
you
?’

Rezon glared at him coldly and
Leslie took a hurried step backwards. ‘I gave you my word, and that’s all you’ll get, take it as you will.’ He turned abruptly and walked away.

Lesley turned to Dale and shrugged, lifting his hands in confusion.

‘Rezon’s wife is human,’ said Dale, staring after the warrior. ‘I think this mess might have cut Rez a little too close to the bone.’

‘
But do y’ think there’s a chance? That they’re alive?’

Eibhear answered.
‘If Rez thinks there’s a chance, then there may be. Human women are...useful and children trained from very young make better slaves since they’ve never known any other life. I can tell you this. If they’re alive, be assured he’ll find them and bring them back. He gave you his word.’

‘
Dale, I have to come with y’! I have a neighbor who’ll look after the farm.’

‘
No. It’s far too dangerous.’

‘
I think he should come,’ said Timbul unexpectedly.

‘
What?’ Dale raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s the last thing I expected from you.’

‘
He has nothing here to live for. What’s he going to do whilst he waits for us to return, drink himself into oblivion?’

‘
True,’ Araas stood beside his brother. ‘And he’s planning to follow us anyway if we don’t take him.’

‘
Which is fairly stupid,’ Rudiger observed, ‘since you could make him sleep until we were well out of sight.’

‘
I could track you!’ Leslie insisted, glaring at Rudiger.

‘
No,’ said Rudiger levelly. ‘You could not.’

‘
Fine then, bring him along,’ said Callian, feeling annoyed and impatient that they were wasting time. Lesley was suddenly possessed with enthusiasm borne of hope.

‘
We can take the cart,’ he said firmly. ‘I’ll get Winnie and Chomp and hitch ‘em up.’

Chapter
39

Eijelin
’s Achievements

Regardless of the rough seas and persistent wind, Elena was glad she took the ship from the Dwellings to Castle, rather than making the journey on foot. She found it very difficult to make the decision to leave the Dwellings after Kelian’s disappearance, but she knew they had been absent from Castle far too long, much longer than they had planned when they originally set out for Tatharlia. It concerned her greatly that little Eijelin should take on the burden of leadership in Kelian’s absence when she was so very young, and this reinforced her determination to return home. Lady Karrijeuiga worried that the Queen was terribly weak from her illness, and should not be expected to travel until she was well, particularly considering the strongly adverse effect Kelian’s disappearance had on the Queen’s recovery. Eventually Elena insisted and made ready to leave. They arrived in the middle of the night, and were greeted at the docks by Princess Eijelin, King’s Marshall Danil, Lord Tiernan, Administrator Tappy and a neat array of soldiers. Elena longed to see how the rebuilding of the city was progressing in their absence, but she knew it must wait for morning, as it was impossible to see anything in the darkness and she was very weak after the voyage. Kalinya had been better than his word. He’d helped nurse the Queen, giving instructions on when and how much of his remedy was required to aid recovery. Elena felt more than simple gratitude towards him. He spent hours beside her bed, talking to her, telling her stories of his life in Tatharlia, bringing her the fever remedy and food and water, and at times just sitting with her in companionable silence. He seemed to be able to sense when she wanted to talk and when she wanted to rest. When she began to recover, he walked with her every day, holding her hand and leading her around the Dwellings and along the beach. The guardians did not appear to find the little boy’s attitude at all funny but treated him with solemn respect. Elena was surprised how much he reminded her of Kelian, with his quiet determination, his genuinely caring nature and his depth of perception.

Eijelin was asleep when the ship drew into the harbor, but Danil gently woke her just in time to greet the returning travelers. The news of Kelian’s abduction had already reached her, but she was still relieved to see everyone else safely home. They had a quick meal in the dining room and then retired to bed.

It was
mid-morning before Elena awoke. The sun shining through the window and falling on her face was feeble through scattered clouds, but it was enough to disturb her. She lay still, torn between the desire to remain restfully in bed, and an urgent need to empty her bladder. Her bladder won, and she sat up and slid from the bed. The moment her feet touched the floor there was a tentative knock at the door.

‘
Yes?’

Danil
’s voice replied. ‘Your Majesty, Kalinya is here and wishes to see you.’ From the tone of Danil’s voice he was aware of Kalinya’s devoted care of the Queen.

‘
Please send him in,’ Elena replied. Her words were barely audible, and she cleared her throat thinking to repeat herself a little louder, but before she spoke the door opened part way and Kalinya peered through the gap.

‘
Good morning Majesty,’ he said. The routine he had followed at the Dwellings did not change simply because they were now in Castle. He held her hand and escorted her to her private dunnigin, then stood and waited patiently outside the bathing rooms. When she was clean and refreshed he took her hand once again and walked with her to the dining area. She ate little, preferring some lemon grass tea and tomato soup and she insisted that Kalinya dine with her.

‘
Where do you want to go from here El- Majesty?’

‘
I’ll go into the city and see what’s been happening while we’ve been away.’

‘
Should you rest first?’

‘
I’ll be fine. We won’t make it a long visit.’

‘
Does that mean I can come?’ Kalinya’s face lit up.

‘
Naturally. Princess Eijelin will be coming too.’ Elena turned away to hide her smile as Kalinya blushed.

‘
The Princess has already left,’ said Kalinya pointing through the window towards the city. ‘She said something about wanting to look at the markets, then a problem with a well and also some building she wasn’t happy with. She took Danil and Tappy with her and said if you left the castle I had to make sure Tiernan went with you. She doesn’t want me around. I don’t think she likes me.’

‘
Really?’ Elena found this hard to believe of Eijelin.

‘
I was in the kitchen - I was a bit hungry when I woke up - and when I came out I heard her tell the King’s Marshall that she didn’t want me hanging around the kitchen. I was carrying some trays of food out for the kitchen servants, just helping out, and she must have known I ate some little buns in the kitchen because when I came past she said, ‘That’s such a waste.’ Danil told her that he’d speak to you about it, so I thought I’d tell you first. I’m sorry I took the buns, I was just really hungry and the kitchen servants didn’t seem to mind.’ After this long explanation, he stared up at Elena pleadingly, obviously hoping to not be scolded.

‘
Kalinya,’ Elena patted his arm reassuringly, ‘I’m sure that’s not what Eijelin meant, but if it’s any help, you may go to the kitchen any time you want and have something to eat, providing you ask the kitchen servants first. After all, it’s their responsibility to make sure everyone in the castle is fed - including you.’

They left the
castle a few minutes later with Immosey, Louisa, Raline and Tiernan. Elena decided to go directly to the markets, thinking Eijelin would probably still be there. She was. When they arrived, the little girl was standing on a wooden box so that she could see over the crowd. Many people stopped and bowed to her as they passed and each time she smiled and nodded politely. Administrator Tappy and King’s Marshall Danil stood by her side. She turned and spoke to the Administrator.

‘
I still don’t think it’s exactly right. What do you think about having anyone who has animals over this side and anyone who is cooking can use the other side of the road? That way the animals would be in the shade for longer and they wouldn’t be so close to the food.’

Tappy considered her words before replying.
‘Yes. You’re right. That would also mean we wouldn’t have market stalls with cooking fires right next to the animal pens. I remember what happened last time the straw caught fire. Perhaps we could move the cloth merchants away a little too?’

‘
Mm. Yes. Thank you, Administrator. What did you say was the problem with the well?’

‘
Firstly I was told was that something was wrong with the well. Then only two hours later someone who hasn’t been near the well suggested perhaps the water’s bitter. Ridiculous how these rumors get out of control. One says there’s a problem, someone asks if the water’s bitter, the next says it
is
bitter, and then we have someone talking about the time the fallen put chiniocelle in the Eastern Well on Sheldon’s Quest, and people panic. I think we need to have a look for ourselves.’

‘
Who said the water was bitter?’ said Eijelin curiously. ‘I mean, if it was chiniocelle, the person who knew it was bitter would be very ill...wouldn’t they?’ She turned questioningly to Tappy.

‘
Yes, I believe that’s the case.’

‘
If the chiniocelle was strong enough they’d be dead,’ said Tiernan, leading Elena and her companions over to Eijelin. ‘Good morning Highness,’ he said to Eijelin, bowing his head respectfully.

‘
Hello Tiernan.’ Eijelin smiled at him and then at Elena. ‘What do you think?’ She waved her hand around.

‘
It’s incredible,’ Elena admitted. The rubble left by the massive wave was gone, but that ground had been left bare. Where they were standing behind the castle, along a rise of hills, the city was being rebuilt. Some homes were complete and the market area they were standing in was partly paved. New walls were being built around the city, complete with gate houses, stables and guard towers. In every direction Elena looked, people were busily going about their business.

‘
How is this possible?’ said Immosey. ‘We were gone for a while, but not for
that
long!’

‘
Lord Tiernan has the guardians helping,’ said Administrator Tappy. ‘I’d have never believed what they can do, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! But the people have been amazing too. It’s like every day they get out of bed just wanting to do more. And when Evan brought me back from Tatharlia I felt the same. Each day there’s so much do to, but I just want to see our city back the way it was.’ Tappy gazed around with a curious expression. ‘It’s a little strange actually. There has barely been a harsh word between anyone that I’m aware of. Everyone seems to agree with each other, and they’re all really...calm I suppose you’d say.’

Elena
’s eyes flicked suspiciously towards Tiernan. The guardian turned away, seemingly interested in a small stall which was being built only meters from where they stood. Immosey giggled and Eijelin raised her hands in question.

Never mind,
’ Immosey muttered. ‘I’ll explain later. Maybe?’ She looked uncertainly at Tiernan and the guardian gave her a reassuring smile.

Elena took Eijelin
’s hand. ‘I’m sorry we’ve been gone for so long. We’ll have to tell you everything that’s happened since we left. I never expected you to have to take on such a heavy burden. You’re still a child.’

Eijelin raised her head.
‘When you and Kelian didn’t come back,’ her voice trembled as she said Kelian’s name, ‘General Marnol and Lady Sophie took care of everything. Then one of our ships disappeared.’

‘
From where?’ asked Louisa.

‘
Highview. And some of the fallen were seen just south of the garrison, so I sent General Marnol and Lady Sophie to sort things out.’

Elena frowned.
‘They shouldn’t have left. Surely they didn’t expect you-’

‘
No of course they didn’t,’ Eijelin said quickly. ‘But I told them they must. In truth I didn’t give then a choice. They were supposed to come back right away, but something must have happened. I haven’t heard from them yet. Anyway, I’ve had Danil and Lady Valeska helping me, and then Administrator Tappy came back from Tatharlia. So I decided, whilst General Marnol and Lady Sophie were away, I would try to make sure everything was done.’

‘
And a fine job you are doing, Highness,’ said Tappy, smiling at Eijelin. ‘I know how much time over the last few years you’ve spent hiding behind the long lounging chair in the conference room. Now I know you were doing more than playing. You were listening!’

‘
Well done, Eijelin,’ Elena murmured, looking around at the new city. ‘This is incredible. You are incredible.’

Eijelin blushed.
‘In truth, I just find out what needs to be done, then I ask Tappy how we should do it and...I don’t know what I’d do without Administrator Tappy!’

Danil
laughed. ‘Your Highness, I’ve heard those exact words from both your father and your brother.’ His expression turned serious. ‘We should have had word from Callian by now. I was sure he’d have caught up with the fallen and Kelian would either be back at the Dwellings, or here in Castle.’

‘
What does that mean?’ Eijelin’s little face suddenly revealed an accumulation of stress and anxiety. ‘Tell me Danil! What does that mean?’

‘
It means that Callian hasn’t had the opportunity to rescue him yet, and that probably means they’re already in, or close to, Nyinaku. I have to go after him Princess.’

‘
Oh Danil! I don’t want you to have to go into that place! It’s...scary!’

‘
Your Highness, this is my duty. My King is in danger. I must go. I just need your permission.’

‘
Who would go with you?’

‘
I will,’ said Tiernan. ‘Alasdair will stay here as your personal guard, as well as the other guardians.’

‘
Please don’t be offended, but...’ Elena bit her lip.

Tiernan sighed.
‘You’re right. We should take some soldiers. That would give us a distinct advantage.’

Danil snorted.
‘I’m a reasonably good soldier Tiernan!’

Tiernan smiled at him.
‘None better. I was thinking of Colonel Borgulnay and perhaps Captain Gilgarry? They are also excellent soldiers and have a good knowledge of Nyinaku. They won’t fall into the trap of underestimating the fallen.’

‘
True.’ Danil turned to Eijelin. ‘Actually I was considering going past Highview and Western Downs, and then Warbilla and Sheldon’s Mark and maybe Khynol and picking up as many soldiers as possible along the way. Highness, do you give your consent?’

‘
Danil, you have to ask Elena. She’s the Queen you know.’

Danil leaned over and spoke in a loud whisper.
‘I just thought you were more likely to say yes. Her Majesty the Queen isn’t well you know and right now she’s wondering how she can avoid putting any more people in danger. It concerns her that so many of the guardians are already heading for Nyinaku. She’s forgetting that I’m King’s Marshall, not a guardian...well I am a guardian too but... Do you think you could
accidently
give me permission?’