Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3) (38 page)

Connal
drew his knife and crept towards the tyalla and it was obvious to Larund that the warrior was not aware that his peril was coming from above. As Connal rounded the tree, Larund dropped from the branch, nimbly avoiding Connal’s knife, and crushed the broken plants into the warrior’s face, forcing the milky sap into his eyes. Connal gave a screech of fury and pain and lashed out with his knife, catching Larund across his stomach. Larund fell backwards, holding his own knife in one hand and clutching his wound with the other. He stepped forward as Connal staggered away, scraping hopelessly at his eyes and face. Larund watched with relief and satisfaction as Connal stumbled forwards, cursing as he felt his way blindly. There was a swish and a thud and Larund’s jaw dropped as an arrow buried itself into Connal’s back. Connal fell to his knees and groped sightlessly. He coughed and spat blood onto the ground. Then, as if after a moment’s hesitation, he fell sideways into the pale, prickly grass.

Callian
ignored him as he ran past to Larund. He took one look at the wound in the warrior’s stomach and leaned down and picked him up into his arms. Five minutes later he placed him on the ground in front of Rudiger. Everyone gathered around as Callian studied Larund’s injury.

‘
I guess we’d better fix you up before we do anything else,’ said Callian.

Larund slapped
Callian’s hand away. ‘You can listen to what I have to say before you do anything, Guardian General,’ he ordered.

‘
You’ll probably have returned before you’re finished,’ said Callian with a shrug.

‘
You need to hear this. Kelian-’ Larund closed his eyes, remembering what he saw in Kelian’s mind of his torture. Callian’s eyes narrowed and his teeth ground together as he watched the warrior’s memories. Larund gave a gasp of surprise as Callian delved into his mind. ‘Kelian-’ he croaked, but his eyes closed and his thoughts faded, and Callian knew he was close to losing consciousness.

‘
Kelian…?’ Callian placed his hand on Larund’s forehead but the warrior’s eyes remained shut.

‘
I’d better keep you alive, Larund,’ Callian murmured, looking at the wound on the warrior’s stomach. ‘Then I’ll take every thought you’ve ever had out of your brain whether you try to stop me or not.’

Chapter
41

Bay of Tabul

‘
King’s Marshall Danil,’ Principal Smith greeted him warmly, as they disembarked at Warbilla. ‘I thought you’d show up fairly soon, but that was even quicker than I expected.’

‘
I beg your pardon,’ Danil looked confusedly from Smith to Tiernan.

‘
With all the ships...’ Smith frowned. ‘Why are you here King’s Marshall?’

‘
It’s almost dark. Can we have this conversation somewhere a little more private?’ Danil suggested. Principal Smith led the way to his home.

‘
Caity!’ he called as he opened his front door, which led directly into the kitchen of the tiny home. ‘We have visitors!’ Caity pushed her chair away from the table and stood up.

‘
King’s Marshall,’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s good to see you. Is your Lady Valeska well?’

‘
Very well, thank you. No sign of pregnancy sickness, though it’s uncommon for guardians. And how are your little ones?’

‘
They’re well, and as mischievous and wonderful as ever Danil. They’ve just gone to bed. They’ll be asleep by now, they were very tired.’

‘
That’s good to hear Caity. Just so you know; they’re not asleep. They’re hiding behind the bedroom door listening to our every word.’ There was a giggle and sounds of scuffling from within the bedroom. Danil introduced his companions.

‘
Caity, this is Lord Tiernan, of the Dwellings, King’s Colonel Borgulnay of Castle and King’s Captain Gilgarry, also of Castle. Sorry to drop on you like this with no notice, but I want to discuss a few things with your husband and yourself before we head south.’

‘
I suppose you mean about all the ships. Come and sit down and I’ll bring something for dinner. You must be hungry?’

‘
What ships?’ asked Danil. He glanced around the room as they were seated in the low lounging chairs, and noted a few changes since his previous visit. The little table was now missing two legs and an additional stack of horse shoes had been added, giving the table a lopsided, but interesting appearance. More shelves had been fastened to the walls holding an increased number of books and the faded curtains had been replaced with newly made curtains in bright blue and white stripes.

‘
I’ll bring some food,’ said Caity, patting her husband on the shoulder, ‘after I put the children back into bed
again
.’ Principal Smith’s eyes lovingly followed his wife as she left the room.

‘
There are over a hundred ships in Tabul Bay,’ he stated. ‘More arrive every day. I stopped sending men down there to find out what was happening, since they started disappearing.’

‘
But you’ve been down there yourself several times,’ Tiernan observed, looking intently at Smith.

‘
Yes. My life is my own to risk as I will.’

‘
Perhaps you could share what you’ve seen?’

‘
Is it necessary? Aren’t you already wandering around in my head?’

Tiernan
’s face went slightly pink. ‘Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I’d be grateful if you’d share your thoughts, I know you’d find that less intrusive.’

‘
Well, there were more ships there yesterday than I’ve ever seen in one place in my entire life, and all different types. I guess you didn’t see them as you came here. Tabul point blocks the view from the sea. What I found strangest of all, was those on board. If they aren’t fallen then I’m an idiot.’

‘
Have they left the ships?’ asked Borgulnay.

‘
No. I thought I’d head back down there tomorrow and have another look.’

‘
No,’ said Borgulnay firmly. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. Gil and I will go down and have a look tonight.’

‘
But why would the fallen be gathering in Tabul Bay,’ Gilgarry wondered, ‘unless they were planning to invade us; or Tabulum perhaps?’

‘
Colonel Ronden has his men marching down from Sheldon’s Mark even as we speak, and my brother, Captain Andreas has almost our entire garrison camped east of town. And Sergeant Lior has taken his men south of Khynol. They spend so much time up there keeping an eye on our borders that it’s just a routine for them.’

‘
It’s routine until the fallen start to throw their weight around a little,’ said Danil grimacing. ‘Then I wonder what Lior would do.’

Smith shrugged.
‘He’s an intelligent man. When I spoke to him, he suggested that the fallen slip over our border and back to their own land with disturbing frequency, and they follow them and watch them as best they can, but do nothing unless any sort of disturbance or problem is caused. Now I’m not so stupid that I think they don’t know we watch and follow, but they rarely bother to stop us. They know they can outrun us, outfight us or simply lose us in the forest any time they choose. So we don’t act aggressive and they keep their distance, for the most part. It’s normally surprisingly peaceful.’

‘
Hmm.’ Tiernan didn’t seem entirely convinced. Everyone stood as Caity reentered the room carrying a tray of food and drinks. She hesitated in surprise, blushed and then placed the tray on the little table. Everyone sat and the conversation resumed as they availed themselves of Caity’s hospitality.

‘
I think I’ll come with you tonight Borg,’ said Danil, taking a roll with a slice of ham and biting into it. His eyebrows went up and he smiled at Caity. ‘This is really good,’ he commented, taking another enthusiastic bite. Caity smiled and passed a roll to her husband.

‘
I’ll go too,’ said Tiernan. ‘This is more than worrisome. Even with the entire garrisons from Sheldon’s Mark and Warbilla, if those ships are full of the fallen they’ll swat every single soldier down like mosquitoes.’

Principal Smith nodded in agreement.
‘If you’re going down there, you’d better have a look at what we’re coming up against. You may take my thoughts Guardian General.’

Tiernan stared into his eyes.
‘Supreme Majesty!’ he murmured. ‘There could be any number of people on those ships. So now we’re caught between a rock and hard ground.’

‘
What do you mean,’ asked Caity, looking from Tiernan to Danil.

Tiernan answered.
‘We came up here because a group of fallen went into East Inlet and took Kelian. Tim and Araas have gone after them, but they’ll be hard pressed to stop them before they get through to Nyinaku I’m thinking, with Dale in tow and I doubt the guardians will want to lose the strategic advantage of having Dale at their side. We have a couple of hundred soldiers on that ship we arrived on, and I know that’s a joke as far as the fallen are concerned, but with a little cunning, I’m thinking we can get Kelian out of Nyinaku.’

‘
You can’t be serious!’ Principal Smith fell back against the cushions and stared at Tiernan.

‘
Yes, it was a bold and dangerous move. They should have known we’d come after them, even if they take him as far as Morlee. They should be wetting their pants right now wondering how many guardians I intend to send.’

‘
And how many do you intend to send?’ asked Caity curiously.

‘
I think we’ve proven nothing good comes of staring a war between the guardians and the fallen. I intend to bring him out myself. The soldiers on our ship can wait just inside the Khynol Gap and if the fallen throw my dead body back over the border then I guess it’s up to Danil how he proceeds from there.’

‘
I won’t be there,’ said Danil, folding his arms. ‘Borg and Gil can bring in the troops if they get both of us.’

‘
Danil, you can’t go in there without us!’ Borgulnay’s voice rose in alarm.

‘
I can and I will Colonel.’

‘
But-’

‘
No.’

Borgulnay glared at Danil but closed his mouth firmly.

Tiernan sighed. ‘Borg, it’s more than likely you’ll have to go in once they’ve returned Danil and me. I just want to try to get him out without starting a war. The chance is remote, but I have to try.’

‘You mean to use this opportunity don’t you Lord Tiernan?’ Caity asked shrewdly.

Tiernan
’s eyes widened. ‘Yes I do,’ he admitted. ‘Please don’t be offended my Lady, but I’d rather not discuss this.’

Caity patted his arm.
‘That’s alright Lord Tiernan. I imagine you already have enough on your mind, what with the ships lined up in Tabul Bay and our King being taken. How I wish there was something I could do! My heart goes out to the Queen. She must be absolutely beside herself!’

Borgulnay stretched his arms and yawned.
‘If we’re heading down to Tabul Bay, we need to leave soon. I want to be back here before first light.’

Gilgarry stood up and drained his cup.
‘What a nuisance! Perhaps someone would like to send a pigeon up to Weema and tell the fallen we’ve been delayed by a stupid bunch of ships-’

‘
What did you say?’ Caity’s already pale face whitened further making her freckles stand out sharply.

‘
Um?’ Gilgarry was confused. ‘I was joking, Caity.’

‘
No,’ Caity’s voice trembled. ‘You said you should tell the fallen you’re delayed and earlier Tiernan said that they should have known he’d go after Kelian.’ She bit her lip and stared down at the little table then she raised her eyes gravely. ‘Are you sure this wasn’t their intention all along? Are you sure they aren’t expecting you?’

Danil and Tiernan exchanged glances.
‘No, I’m not sure,’ said Tiernan. ‘Or at least, the thought didn’t cross my mind. Danil?’

‘
It crossed my mind a number of times, but it changes nothing.’ Danil raised his palms. ‘Whether they’re expecting us or not, I will go after Kelian. My thought is that they’ll be expecting me to take in every soldier I can muster. But I’m not going to do that. And I’m not going to take the most obvious path, or do what they expect me to do. And hopefully, by the time I find Kelian, I will have a foolproof plan to get him out of Nyinaku. But before we can do anything we need to find out what all those ships are doing in the bay. I don’t believe for a moment it’s a coincidence that Kelian was abducted and then all these ships turn up in Alkira.’

‘
The Tabuls claim equal ownership of Tabul Bay,’ said Caity. ‘Maybe the fallen are going after the Tabuls.’

‘
I doubt it,’ said Danil. ‘And it’s a pretty grey area, as far as true ownership goes. The Tabuls claim equal ownership because of something funny that happened when Kelian made the original agreement to keep our people out of Tabulum.’

‘
What happened?’ asked Gilgarry.

‘
They discussed and agreed on exactly where the borders were going to be, but when they came to the Bay of Tabul on the west neither the Tabul leader nor Kelian wanted to let go of that piece of land. By this stage Kelian was tired and a bit grumpy and he just wanted to go home. He saw a couple of kookaburras fighting vigorously over a worm and he started laughing and he said to the Tabul leader, ‘We’re just like those birds aren’t we? Squabbling over a worm,’ and the Tabul Leader thought it was funny, and asked if it was possible to share a worm. And Kelian suggested they at least give it a try. So the border between Tabulum and Alkira on this side of the Great Wasteland is not just blurred, for about thirty miles, it’s non-existent and everyone seems quite happy to keep it that way.’

Principal Smith slapped his hands together and laughed.
‘And to this day, the area is called ‘the worm line’.’

‘
I’ll prepare the horses,’ said Caity, standing up and walking to the door. ‘You’ll need them.’

‘
Thank you,’ Danil said gratefully. ‘That would be most appreciated.’

Caity turned
as she reached the doorway. ‘It’s not my place to say this Danil, but you
need
to take your Colonel and your Captain with you when you go into Nyinaku.’

Danil remained expressionless.
‘Have you foreseen something Lady?’

Caity hesitated.
‘Not exactly,’ she said hesitantly. ‘It’s more of a feeling than anything. Maybe I’m just overly worried with all those ships hanging around and now Kelian being taken by the fallen.’

Tiernan looked at her
hopefully and she nodded. ‘Yes, perhaps if you take my thoughts you will be able to better understand what I’m feeling.’

Tiernan placed
his hand gently on her shoulder and stared into her eyes. ‘Incredible!’ he murmured. ‘Your mind is incredible.’

Principal Smith laughed.
‘
I
could have told you her mind was incredible.’

Tierna
n lifted his hand and smiled at Caity in open admiration. ‘Your mind is like clear, fresh water. So beautiful...’

Caity wondered if
Tiernan had sensed the foreboding she felt as she took a moment to consider exactly what the strange feelings meant. ‘It’s clearer since you touched me,’ she said, and a flash of fear raced through her as understanding came.