ISOF (28 page)

‘Cedric!' cried Noj.

Cedric's reply was inaudible as Alisha's hands grasped his throat. The nearest Jaresh guard swiftly grabbed Alisha around the waist and tore her away from Cedric's neck. The resultant scream of pain from Cedric and cry of anguish from Alisha resonated around the market place. Leaning heavily against one of the other guards, Cedric tentatively touched the rapidly forming red weal circling his neck.

‘You brat,' he croaked. ‘It's a pity you didn't enjoy the hospitality of the Sirens to the full.'

‘I outstayed my welcome,' snarled Alisha, who was held firmly in the grasp of the guard.

‘Pity,' gasped Cedric.

At a nod from Thrumble, the guard threw Alisha to the ground. Ben ran over to her and knelt down.

‘Are you OK?' he asked touching her shoulder. Alisha shrugged his hand away and staggered to her feet. With a look of sheer hatred she pointed a finger at Cedric.

‘My father will hear of your treachery,' she said coldly.

Cedric tried to laugh but only managed a feeble gargle. He shook his head at Alisha.

‘Don't make me laugh,' he said huskily. ‘Not only does it hurt from your unwarranted attack it is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time.

‘I don't understand,' said Ben weakly.

‘I wouldn't expect you to,' retorted Cedric. He stroked his throat. ‘How could you understand? How could any of you understand? This,' he swept his arm around to indicate Thrumble, the Jaresh guards and the buildings. ‘This is far more than any of you could ever imagine. Do you really believe that a bunch of third-rate, no-hopers would be allowed to endanger everything that I've worked so hard for?'

Noj stepped forward.

‘What have you worked so hard for?' he asked.

‘The future,' replied Cedric. He pointed at Noj and the crowd surrounding the group. ‘You all live in the past with your pathetic reliance on tradition and superstition.'

‘You cannot ignore history,' snapped Noj. ‘It isn't possible to dismiss what went before.'

‘History?' sneered Cedric. He pointed at Thrumble and himself. ‘We are making history. Together we are building a future, a new hope that is based upon power and strong leadership.'

‘What about my father?' cried Alisha. ‘He has worked tirelessly to bring the Dilpends together as a people with a past and a future.'

‘Lord Tolc?' replied Cedric. ‘He's an imbecile.'

Noj, Trep and Mak looked searchingly at Ben. ‘You knew who her father was all this time and never said a word,' accused Trep.

Ben nodded his head and then turned to face Cedric. A look of disgust contorted his features. ‘And what right have you to dictate the future?' he asked vehemently.

‘Who are you to question my motives?' Cedric smoothed his cloak. ‘You're nothing but an interloper, a fly in the ointment.'

Ben felt stunned by the accusation. Even though he knew he didn't belong, and all he really wanted to do was go home, being coldly labelled by someone else hurt. He looked directly at Cedric.

‘I don't know how I got here or why,' he said emphatically. ‘But what I do know is that I haven't betrayed anyone or sabotaged their mission.'

‘Mission?' grinned Cedric. ‘You call listening to doddery old fools reminiscing about mystical beings and ancient wisdom who then send you on a wild goose chase supposedly looking for things that will change, a mission?' Cedric wagged a finger at Ben. ‘Then more fool you.'

‘At least we have a purpose,' Ben yelled as anger flecked his cheeks.

Cedric shook his head. ‘Mere playthings.' He grinned. ‘You don't think for a moment that we didn't know where you were or that you did anything without our knowing about it?'

‘But…' mumbled Ben.

Cedric waved a hand at Thrumble. ‘You're an absolute fool. The Jaresh are our future, I am your future and without…'

Cedric suddenly snatched at his throat. His hands clawed at his mouth as a cloud of yellow smoke began to envelop his head. While all eyes were on Cedric, Ben swiftly glanced around the assembled crowd. There, just at the edge of the crowd stood Telu, her eyes fixed firmly on Cedric. Wiping what appeared to be traces of powder from her fingers, she hurriedly pushed a small leather pouch back under her cloak. Looking up, she saw Ben and promptly placed a finger to her mouth. Ben quickly turned his head to look at Cedric, who was sitting on the ground, his shoulders heaving as his deprived lungs fought for air. Thrumble knelt beside the gasping figure and roughly jerked Cedric's head to face his own.

‘What's going on?' he demanded. ‘Say something you gangly dim-wit.'

Cedric simply stared in front of him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, no sound escaped from between his lips. Thrumble angrily pushed Cedric's head away.

‘Get him out of my sight,' he ordered.

As Thrumble stood up, the chain-link fence surrounding the oak tree abruptly exploded with a deafening roar. The crowd, momentarily stunned, responded by running in every direction, yelling and crying as smoke formed a dense cloud around them.

Ben turned quickly to see Telu throw a small dark ball high into the sky. Miniscule explosions ripped through the air, followed by an acrid, burning smell. As the air fizzed a pattern of glowing letters began to form. Gradually the letters became more defined so that within seconds the words
Fish-heads
radiated across the sky. For a few seconds the air-borne graffiti shone and then, with a series of crackles the words disappeared in a shower of sparks.

Thrumble yelled at the Jaresh guards, his face thunderous.

‘What's going on?' Ben yelled nervously as the guards raced in every direction.

‘I don't know' cried Alisha, ‘look!' she suddenly pointed at Mak who had begun to run towards the oak tree. ‘What's he doing? He'll get himself killed.' A restraining hand stopped her from chasing after Mak.

‘It's no good,' shouted Trep above the uproar. ‘He's known for a while what
his
mission was.'

Mak, who was still a few paces from the tree, appeared to be fumbling with something inside his cloak. With a cry of triumph he withdrew his hand and held it high in the air as he continued his run.

Ben was speechless. He felt totally bewildered and could not see what Mak was holding in his hand or why he was running towards the tree. Suddenly, the Jaresh guard next to Ben drew his bow and released a barbed arrow directly at Mak.

‘No!' cried Ben as he turned and pushed the guard to the ground. At the same time the Trilligs emitted an ear-piercing howl and began racing towards the tree. Ben cupped his hands to his mouth.

‘Mak, the Trilligs.' He turned to Noj. ‘Do something,' he cried.

Whatever Noj might have considered doing was now pointless. The Jaresh arrow had found its target with deadly accuracy. Mak stood a couple of paces from the tree. His hand was still held aloft as the arrow made its statement to the watching crowd.

For a few seconds everyone appeared transfixed at the unfolding scene. It was as if time was standing still waiting for some defining event to occur before it moved forward once more.

Mak began to take a step forward but immediately fell to his knees. Sensing an easy meal, the Trilligs bound forward. With a groan of agony that could be heard by everyone, Mak struggled upright and took another step towards the tree. He was almost within touching distance when the first Trillig lurched at Mak intent on sinking its teeth deep into his leg. At the same moment, another Jaresh guard released an arrow that hit Mak with such force that it deprived the Trillig of a meal and hurled Mak at the trunk of the tree.

The gnarled bark of the oak imprinted itself on Mak's face as tears ran down his face. Slowly wrapping his arms as far around the tree as he could the red fruit slipped from his hand and dropped to the ground. Instantly a tree root wrapped itself around the fruit, held it for a moment and then disappeared beneath the ground. Mak knew he had accomplished what had been asked of him. As more tears caressed his face a loud peel of thunder ripped through the sky.

Wakened from his temporary stupor, Thrumble, his face apoplectic with rage, roared at the guards.

‘Get that being away from the tree,' he cried pointing at Mak.

The guards raced over to the tree but there was nothing they could do. The outline of Mak's face against the tree began to blur. Within moments, his arms and legs became indistinct as the colour of his skin darkened. The once dead oak tree suddenly shuddered and a screeching sound pierced the air.

As they watched, the branches began to twitch as Mak's body became one with the tree. A cacophony of creaks and groans erupted as new leaves sprouted, forming a delicate green hue against the grey background of the sky.

A low murmur spread amongst the crowd as the tree appeared to grow before their eyes, its branches no longer searching for life on the ground but spreading upwards to welcome the sun.

Thrumble roared again.

‘Stop watching what's going on,' he yelled at the guards. ‘Detain them,' he directed pointing at Ben and the others.

The guards moved menacingly forward, their spears levelled at Ben and the others.

‘Now would have been a good time to use the Book,' muttered Trep.

‘But…' stuttered Ben as he felt his back come into contact with the hard surface of the building.

‘But, nothing,' growled Trep as he shuffled backwards. ‘You and your misplaced altruism doesn't look like it's going to do us any good is it?'

‘A little late for regrets now,' said Noj as he too found himself forced towards the building.

The Jaresh guards moved closer, the points of their spears threateningly close to making a terminal contact. Alisha gripped Ben's hand.

‘Sorry I can't think of a way to get you out of this,' she said with a sad smile.

Ben squeezed her hand. ‘Not to worry,' he replied quietly. ‘It's not your fault.'

The group stood rigid against the wall. Surrounded by the guards and with spears at each of their throats, the group could barely make eye contact as they tried to bid each other farewell. Thrumble stepped forward.

‘Enough of these foolish antics,' he growled. He gave the group a mocking smile. ‘So unpleasant to have met you,' he sneered. ‘I bid you goodbye.' He held his hand up as a signal to the guards. ‘On my command,' he ordered.

‘Desist!' roared a voice.

All eyes turned to see Briel, or at least it looked like Briel but now resplendent in a shimmering indigo robe. His face shone as he held his arms aloft.

‘You will not harm these beings,' he said, his voice full of authority. ‘They are under my protection.'

Thrumble stood tall and looked down at Briel.

‘And who are you to dare challenge me?' he asked coolly. ‘You look nothing more than a circus performer. Do you have any tricks up your sleeve?'

Briel smiled. Reaching inside his robe he pulled out a small box. He nodded at Thrumble. ‘As it so happens.'

Without further comment, Briel removed the lid from the box. Instantly a loud
buzzing
began to fill the air followed by a myriad of tiny glowing spheres that immediately began to swarm around the heads of the Jaresh.

Dropping their spears and waving their arms about, the guards staggered around trying desperately to rid themselves of the irritating spheres.

‘What trickery is this?' growled Thrumble.

Briel didn't answer as the spheres suddenly exploded in a shower of intense iridescent light. Within seconds, the graffiti that the Jaresh hated seared the sky. As the words
Fish Heads
bristled once more in the air, the Jaresh guards began yelling in a mixture of anger and terror as the blinding light began to burn their eyes.

‘You'll pay for this,' roared Thrumble as he strode towards Briel. ‘Your childish magic will be the death of you.'

‘I hardly think so,' replied Briel.

With a wave of his arms, Briel's indigo robe began to move as if caught in the grip of a hurricane. Briel clapped his hands together releasing a shockwave that knocked Thrumble completely off his feet.

With the guards stumbling around with their hands clasped to their unseeing eyes, and with Thrumble lying semi-conscious on the floor, Briel waved his arms once more creating a small whirlwind that twisted his cloak until it spiralled skywards. As quickly as it appeared the whirlwind disappeared leaving no trace of Briel or his robe.

Ben looked around in astonishment. He was just as he was about to look for the rest of the group and recommend a quick escape when a hand clasped his shoulder.

‘Gotcha!'

The sky swirled in his vision while buildings jostled for attention as Ben felt himself dragged backwards. It had all happened so quickly. His senses were still reeling from the explosion of light and seemingly being abducted was far too much for this mind to accept, so any resistance was nothing more than fleeting wish. Ben's only hope was that whatever happened it wouldn't hurt!

Without warning Ben felt himself propped against a wall where shadows hung thickly.

‘There now,' said a husky voice. ‘All safe and sound, that's what I like to see.'

As his eyes became accustomed to the limited light, Ben could just about make out the outline of an archway. He seemed to be in some sort of courtyard once again. Fearing a repeat of his earlier encounter with the Cutters, Ben peered into the gloom. To his surprise he saw Noj, Trep and Alisha grinning back at him.

‘What?' he gasped.

‘That was some show back there,' said Noj with a huge grin. ‘We didn't need the Book after all.'

Trep blew out his cheeks. ‘That was too close for comfort.' He patted his chest. ‘I don't think I can stand many more scares like that.'

‘Getting too old for all this excitement?' grinned Noj ruffling Trep's hair.

‘Gerrof,' he laughed. ‘I think there should be a sort of commemoration every year to celebrate our endeavours.'

‘And burn an effigy of Thrumble,' laughed Alisha.

‘It's like Guy Fawkes night back home,' replied Ben. ‘It happens in November.'

Even in the dim light, Ben could see the puzzled expressions on their faces.

‘What?' he said for a second time.

‘You,' said Trep with a shake of his head. ‘You're off on one again.'

‘I'm not off on anything,' replied Ben angrily. ‘It's true. They have fireworks, bonfires and…'

‘Whatever,' Alisha interrupted. ‘It's good to be together again.'

‘Not quite all of us together,' added Trep sadly.

The quietness adequately expressed their sense of loss at Mak's sacrifice.

‘Gone but not forgotten eh?' said the husky voice. ‘Bit of a cliché I know.'

Ben turned around to see the female Cutter.

You're…'

‘That's right, me duck,' she grinned. ‘Petal by name but not by nature, that's me.'

Instantly Ben scanned the courtyard for the other Cutters. Petal patted his arm.

‘Don't you be worrying your socks off,' she chuckled. ‘'There's just little old me, which is more than enough for most people eh?' she added nudging Ben's arm.

Ben nodded towards the market place. ‘Are we expecting company shortly?'

‘Hey!' said Petal with mock severity. ‘Don't get calling me
Shortly
!'

‘I didn't mean…' burbled Ben. ‘I…'

‘Don't fret,' laughed Petal. ‘I'm only joshing like.' She patted his arm again. ‘Not all of us Cutters are mercenary, you know. Well,' she added thoughtfully. ‘Most of us are but some of us are well meaning too.'

‘So,' mused Noj. ‘What happens now?'

‘What happens now,' grinned Petal. ‘Is that I help you get out of town and safely away from the chaos you've created.' She sighed deeply. ‘One thing's for sure and that is the Jaresh are going to be absolutely livid with today's events. They'll be reprisals that's for certain.' Petal shuddered. ‘Can't say as I want to be around when that starts.'

‘Come with us then,' suggested Ben.

Petal sidled up to Ben. ‘A woman could get very attached to a kind hearted soul such as yours,' she said smiling up at his face.

‘Er, well, it was just…' stuttered Ben creating space between his body and Petal.

Petal laughed loudly. ‘Is he always this shy?' she asked the others.

‘
Shy
is not the word I would use,' remarked Trep coolly.

‘Whatever,' she replied. ‘Nice offer though it is, I must join up with me mates as soon as I've got you lot to safety.' She started walking towards the archway. ‘Are you coming or what?' she called over her shoulder.

Taking care to keep within the shadows formed by the encroaching night, Petal led the group along narrow streets lined with tall houses lined with rows of characterless windows. From one street to another the group trudged on hopeful that their passing was as anonymous as the buildings. Just as the group turned into one of the narrowest streets they had seen on their brief journey, a large figure suddenly swooped out of the shadows and towered in front of them. Even Petal recoiled in fright as the figure raised a robed arm.

‘In there,' commanded the figure in an ethereal voice.