The Guardians (Book 2) (38 page)

‘
What will you do if someone’s blocked the way and we can’t get through?’

‘
We’ll have to try to get up on the wall. There are places where it’s low enough for you to throw me up.’

‘
And how exactly are you planning to get back down if you’re seen? Eibhear asked drily.

‘
I have a huge piece of rope tied around my waist. Surely even you couldn’t be stupid enough to think I was suddenly this fat around the middle?’ said Dale.

‘
Oh. Are you wearing rope? I couldn’t see any difference,’ said Eibhear innocently.

‘
Very funny. Can you hear my thoughts?’

‘
Rudi is hiding your thoughts, shielding them.’

‘
Rudi, can you let Eibhear hear my thoughts too, but no-one else?’

‘
I can do that,’ said Rudi confidently. ‘I guess that means you want us to shut our mouths?’

‘
I do,’
Dale thought.

‘
Should I go ahead of you?’
Eibhear’s thoughts came to Dale.
‘If there’s any danger waiting at the top it’s probably better if you don’t arrive first.’

‘
You can’t pass me on this ladder, though I’d like to see you try,’
Dale thought challengingly.
‘It’s too steep for someone to pass and too difficult to hold on to the rocks.’
There was swift movement below him and Dale peered down to see Eibhear reaching towards his foot. He stifled a shout as Eibhear grabbed his ankle and pulled him downwards. He lost his grip on the steps and desperately flailed his arms as he fell away. Eibhear reached out and grabbed his arm as he fell, and holding him firmly by his wrist, he proceeded up the steep steps.

‘
Eibhear!’ Dale managed to gasp, though almost mute with shock. ‘You’re breaking my wrist!’

Eibhear
swung Dale back towards the steps and waited until he gained his footing before he let go of him.

‘
You ought to know by now that you shouldn’t tell one of the fallen they
can’t
do something.’

‘
Can we just get to the top of these damned steps,’ Dale grumbled, his heart still racing from his fright. ‘My arms are going to fall off at any second.’

‘
Just don’t land on Rudi if you fall,’ said Eibhear. ‘He’s carrying my favorite knife, and I wouldn’t want to lose it, if he fell into the sea.’ Rudiger immediately drew the knife, flicked it past Dale, narrowly missing his ear, and Eibhear caught it deftly and slid it into his own belt sheath.

‘
Stop fooling around!’ growled Dale. He hadn’t recovered from the shock Eibhear had given him. He was relieved when they reached the top of the ladder and stepped into small stone recess. Above their heads was a massive wooden trapdoor, overlaid with iron bands. From above Dale knew it was almost impossible to find, unless you knew exactly where it was, as it fitted snugly into the pattern of the wooden floor in the room above. He reached his arm deep into a crack in the rocks until he found a steel lever. With all his strength, he pressed hard on the lever until it gave way. ‘We should be able to get inside now,’ he said, stretching upwards and pushing the trapdoor. It gave a slight squeak and Dale paused, using both hands to hold the weight of the door to prevent it from slamming closed. He struggled against the awkward weight. Rudiger reached up with one hand taking the weight of the heavy trapdoor and Eibhear grabbed Dale and lifted him so he could peer through the crack. There was no-one in sight.

‘
Push me up,’ whispered Dale, and Rudiger opened the trapdoor fully. Eibhear shoved Dale upwards. Dale stifled a shout as he was thrown into the room. He reached down to help Eibhear and Rudiger, but Eibhear grabbed the edge of the floor and dragged himself into the room. Seconds later Rudiger followed.

‘
This way,’
Dale thought, and he walked across the room towards a door in the southern wall. He opened the door and passed inside with Eibhear and Rudiger close behind. There were two massive boards lying on the floor just inside the room, and Dale picked them up and slid them into metal brackets, preventing the door from being opened unexpectedly.

‘
That should at least slow anyone down whilst we decide where to go from here,’
thought Dale.

‘
Does that mean you don’t have a plan?’
Eibhear thought indignantly.

‘
Of course I have a plan,’
Dale’s thoughts sounded mocking.
‘Get inside, find out what they are up to, and get out alive.’

‘
Wonderful,’
Rudiger seemed as pleased as Eibhear had.
‘You’re starting to sound as useless as the rest of us! Aren’t humans supposed to be strategically minded?’

‘
Trust me,’ Dale whispered aloud.

‘
We’re here aren’t we?’ said Eibhear, shrugging. ‘Where do we go now?’

Dale knelt in front of the
huge empty fireplace and leaned across the hearth. ‘This castle was built by my great, great, great grandfather. Apparently he was completely mad, extremely paranoid, and had more enemies than a guardian in Morlee.’ Eibhear and Rudiger laughed. ‘There are hidden passages and strange little hidey holes all over the place. Mother and Father were never convinced we found them all, but I’m sure I found most of them.’ He leaned forward until he was lying on his stomach and reached forward. There was a small clunking sound then Dale slid backwards awkwardly holding a very heavy, rusted iron plate. He placed it aside and crawled forward into the fireplace, which now had a yawning black hole at the rear. He slid through the hole and stood up. Rudiger and Eibhear followed him one by one and Eibhear reached back to replace the iron plate.

‘
Don’t,’ Dale advised. ‘It’s impossible to open from this side. I’d rather be sure we can get out the other end before we block what might turn out to be our only escape.’

Eibhear hastily placed the iron plate
back at the side of the fireplace. He looked questioningly at Dale who pointed upwards. He placed his shoulders against one wall and his feet against the other and began to push himself up the fuliginous wall. The stonework was rough and he had no difficulty finding footholds. The only hindrance was the layer of soot which fell away from the stones, coating their bodies with thick, black, powdery particles. They climbed about thirty foot up the shaft and reached an opening in the chimney. Dale twisted around and dragged himself through the hole and rolled out onto the floor of another larger room. Relief flooded through him as he saw the room was empty. He stood waiting as Eibhear and Rudiger slid through what turned out to be another fireplace.

‘
Why isn’t this end blocked?’ asked Eibhear.

‘
After my parents were killed, this is where I hid. I left this end open, in case the other end was blocked, then I tried to go further up the chimney but I lost my grip. I hit my head as I fell and when I woke up I couldn’t hear a single sound. The whack on the head must have been a beauty, because I remember nothing of when I was unconscious.’

‘
Ha! Like a normal human,’ Eibhear muttered drily.

‘
I suppose so,’ Dale shrugged. ‘When I finally worked up the courage to leave the chimney, I found that everyone I knew was dead. I was too scared to leave the keep and go out into the town, so I went down the trapdoor and across the cliffs.’ Dale could feel a profound sense of guilt coming from each warrior and he knew from the expressions on their faces that they had both been involved in the attack on East Inlet. ‘It’s a strange thing that I should be standing here now with the two of you,’ said Dale. He stood silently staring at the empty fireplace, remembering the life he had lived here, and he felt removed, as though he was looking back on a story rather than reality. Eventually he sighed and shook his head. ‘Once, all I wanted was to return here and rebuild. Now I’m here, I just want to get away as quickly as I possibly can. Let’s do what we came to do, so we can leave. I don’t want to be here a minute more than I have to. Let’s try to get across to the kitchen near the courtyard without being seen.’

‘
Why the kitchen? Eibhear asked.

‘
I’m hungry,’ said Dale as if this was obvious, and Eibhear raised an eyebrow. ‘And the kitchen is a good vantage point to watch the courtyard. There’s a way we can get from here to the kitchen without being seen. Follow me.’

Chapter 46

The Old Well

Araas, Timbul, Kelian, Enri and Milgorry crouched on the top of the wall. Araas lifted his head and peered into the courtyard. He froze. A feeling of celebration and satisfaction was thick in the air. Timbul sat concentrating on their minds.

‘
They think to hide their thoughts,’ he said, speaking to himself, ‘but I can still…’ He stopped speaking. An expression of acknowledgement spread over his face and he nodded to himself as though he had come to a decision.

‘
Fifty…seventy…maybe a hundred fallen,’ Araas whispered. ‘And I’ll bet there’s more out of sight. It might not be as easy as I’d hoped to get to the well.’

‘
Where is it? How do we get there?’ asked Enri.

‘
It’s at the lower edge of the courtyard,’ said Araas. ‘This fortification has the largest courtyard I’ve ever seen. The well is built at the lower edge, quite a distance from the keep.’ He peered cautiously between two merlons. ‘You can see from here how sharply the ground slopes away, and how far it is to the curtain wall. The well is built very close to the wall.’ He pointed across the courtyard. ‘It’s not a good design,’ he added. He pulled his head back sharply as several of the fallen walked across the courtyard.

‘
I wonder if they’re still in the well’ Enri mused. ‘Can you hear Danil, sir?’

‘
Not at all,’ replied Kelian. ‘We can only hope they’re still alive. We have no choice but to try the well first. If they’re not there…let’s hope they are there.’

‘
Sir, wouldn’t they be sitting in water, if they’re at the bottom of a well? Wouldn’t they drown?’ For a moment Enri’s face betrayed his fear.

‘
The old well has been useless for more years than I can remember. The new well is against the northern wall, but father said Baron Daarin said it wasn’t much better than the old well, and water was often carted from the well in the city.’

‘
So do we have a plan?’

‘
I did, until I saw the number of fallen littering the courtyard,’ said Araas.

‘
We need to walk around the walls and then try to get inside when we’re closer to the well,’ said Enri practically. ‘If we could somehow distract the fallen, we might at least have time to find out if they’re still in the well.’

There was a silence as everyone considered Enri
’s suggestion. ‘It could work,’ said Araas. ‘But we will need more time if we actually find them in the well. How can we make a distraction that would take their attention away for long enough to carry out a rescue?’

‘
I can,’ said Timbul, shrugging as if this was obvious. ‘What do you think will happen if they see me standing on the top of this wall spying on them?’

‘
Every fallen warrior from here to Larnuk will come tearing after you,’ said Araas indignantly. ‘It’s too dangerous Tim.’

‘
I don’t think it is. If I head straight across the Province, I can draw them after me. I have a plan.’

‘
I don’t like it,’ said Kelian. ‘I agree with Araas. It’s too dangerous.’

‘
You don’t even know what my plan is. And they can only catch me if I let them.’

‘
Not necessarily,’ Milgorry disagreed. ‘You can’t be certain all will go as planned. Even the smallest mishap might give them the chance to return you.’

‘I think it’s worth a try,’ said Timbul stubbornly, ‘unless someone can come up with a better plan?’ He crossed his arms challengingly across his chest.

‘
I can’t,’ Kelian admitted. He stared at Timbul suspiciously as he unexpectedly found himself wanting to go along with the guardian’s suggestion.

‘
I’ll stay here until I see you on the wall near the well,’ said Timbul, ignoring Kelian’s troubled expression. ‘Then I’ll make sure I can be seen and when they come after me I’ll drop from the wall and start running. I’ve no doubt they’ll follow me.’

‘
Why?’ asked Enri. ‘Why would they all follow you? What if some of them stay behind? Won’t they leave guards?’

‘
No. They’ll all follow him,’ said Araas. ‘I’ll bet if they see Tim, they’ll think he’s leading an attack force. They’re not so stupid as to come after him with only half their warriors. I doubt they’ll even leave anyone guarding the well, and even if they do they’ll probably be few enough for us to remove. They are arrogant and overconfident.’ He gazed sadly at Timbul. ‘You’re up to something, aren’t you?’ he said resignedly.

‘
Listen, if you want a distraction, I can give you a distraction. It just happens to fit in with my plans. I don’t see a problem.’

‘
Araas?’ said Kelian, feeling confused by Timbul’s words.

Araas
frowned when his brother turned away warily as if studying his escape route. ‘Let’s do it,’ he eventually said. ‘I’ll see you back at the Dwellings, Tim?’

‘
Goodbye Araas,’ said Timbul. He smiled at his brother and gave a cheerful wave, then settled his back against the stones to wait.

Araas, Milgorry, Kelian and
Enri turned reluctantly away and made their way around the long curtain wall. They were half way along the western part of the wall when Araas motioned for them to stop. They peered cautiously across to where they could now see Timbul standing boldly between two merlons. Within seconds there was a shout from the courtyard.

Kelian
waited patiently as the courtyard began to empty. A small group of warriors broke away from the main group and turned and ran west, quickly disappearing into the forest. He glanced at Milgorry in alarm.

‘
They’re probably off to find Nandul and let him know that the others have gone after Timbul,’ said Milgorry. He frowned as three warriors who remained in the courtyard moved towards the well. They spread out and faced their backs towards the old structure, staring around and looking distinctly uneasy.

‘
Doesn’t this bring back some interesting memories,’ the tallest of the three warriors commented.

‘
Are you thinking of last time we were here? This is not quite as much fun is it, Jerah?’ another of the warriors commented sarcastically.

‘
I don’t know, Joel,’ Jerah replied arrogantly, ‘the women are just as much fun. Kolass seemed to be having a good time.’

‘
So Kolass,’ Joel called to the third warrior. ‘You like it here so much,’ he stated mockingly. ‘What was more fun? Pushing everyone down the well last time we were here, or dragging all these women in for playtime?’ Jerah laughed as Kolass pretended to consider the question.

‘
I-’ Kolass stopped speaking and raised his hand. ‘Did you hear something?’

‘
Hear what?’ Jerah looked around the courtyard uncertainly.

The twanging sound of
Araas’ bow seemed to fill the courtyard as he released the arrow. It flew straight and true and buried itself into Kolass’ back. The warrior fell forward as a second arrow flew into his spine. Jerah and Joel stood frozen in shock for a second as what had happened registered, and then they drew their swords and ducked into the partial shelter of the structure surrounding the well.

Milgorry leapt from the wall, landing heavily on the ground and Joel cursed
when he saw him. Araas dropped to the ground beside Milgorry and the two moved in unison towards the well. Jerah turned and ran towards the keep and Milgorry sprang after him. He gave a shout as Milgorry caught up with him and he turned to face the warrior, with clear resignation on his face.

‘
Have you joined the guardians, Mil?’ he asked derisively.

‘
Your choices determine who you become, Jerah,’ said Milgorry bitterly. ‘I just chose a better path.’

‘
Come on Mil. Surely you can’t be such a spineless coward? You could take Araas down any time you want to!’

‘
I don’t want to,’ said Milgorry certainly. ‘He’s a good friend.’

‘
Traitor!’ Jerah was shouting now. ‘Nandul knows you’re a traitor and nothing would make me happier than to see him stake you up! I’d do it myself, right here and now if he didn’t want to return you himself!’

‘
Why don’t you try, cockalorum,’ said Milgorry. He drew his knife with his left hand and Jerah backed away. Milgorry started in surprise as an arrow narrowly missed his elbow and sank into Jerah’s stomach. Jerah clutched it in alarm as he fell to his knees. A second arrow pierced him and then a third smashed into his chest. He fell onto the hard stones of the courtyard.

Milgorry
gave a nod of thanks to Enri, who remained with bow in hand on the top of the wall with Kelian, and then he turned to watch Araas. He felt his own spine prickle uncomfortably as he watched Araas drive Joel to his knees. The guardian had sheathed his sword and was standing glaring down at the warrior furiously. Joel’s mouth opened wide and he cried out in pain as his back arched intolerably. There was a sickening sound as his back broke. Even as his body fell to the ground, his head seemed to give a strange twitch and there was another gruesome crack as his neck snapped. Araas didn’t move.

‘
I think he’s returned, Araas,’ Milgorry observed drily, as the guardian continued to glare at Joel’s body. ‘I take it you read his thoughts?’ Araas nodded mutely. He felt appalled and nauseated by what he had seen in Joel’s mind.

‘
What did you see?’ said Milgorry, coming to stand beside Araas. ‘What made you return him that way?’

‘
I tried to find out where Nandul was, but he didn’t know. What I did find out was that Joel was responsible for murdering most of these women. He was quite proud of this obscenity.’

Kelian and Enri climb
ed down the stone steps inside the curtain wall and ran towards the well. A square stone structure was built around the well. It had four walls, facing north, south, east and west, and each wall had a huge arch opening. Vines and creepers had gown all over the structure and over the disused well, but the opening at the top had been cleared. Araas reached the well first and leaned over. ‘Father?’ he called.

‘
Araas!’ Tiernan’s voice came weakly from the depths of the well.

‘
If I drop a rope down, can you climb?’

‘
Ta me i gcruachais
. We have injuries.’

‘
I’ll go down. Father needs help,’ said Araas, taking the rope from Enri. He tied the end to the square stone structure and climbed into the well and Milgorry followed him down the dark shaft. Kelian and Enri waited nervously, peering into the darkness of the well. Kelian leaned over the well, trying to see into the darkness. He straightened up and turned around, with a tingling feeling that someone was watching them. He could see no-one but the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck prickled unpleasantly.

‘
Can you see someone?’ asked Enri warily, drawing his sword and squinting through the vines towards the keep.

‘
No, but for a moment I felt like we were being watched,’ Kelian replied. They turned back towards the well and leaned over to peer into the darkness.

‘
Are you planning on climbing into the well?’ said a voice behind them and Kelian froze. Enri threw himself in front of Kelian, pushing the Prince backwards as he raised his sword.

‘
If you come one step closer I’ll skewer you like a mutton roast,’ said Enri threateningly, wishing he could see his opponent more clearly in the darkness.

‘
You’re as bad as Dale, always talking about food,’ the voice said drily and Enri lowered his sword in surprise.

‘
I beg your pardon,’ he said incredulously, as the warrior stepped towards him.

‘
What are you doing here?’ asked Rudiger, as Eibhear and Dale ran up beside him.

‘
What are
you
doing here?’ Kelian echoed, sounding a little hoarse from fright.

‘
Enri!’ Dale shouted grabbing the young man and slapping his back.

‘
You’re the last person I expected to see here,’ Enri exclaimed, as he slapped Dale on the shoulder, recovering from almost as much fright as Kelian had experienced.

‘
Tiernan, Danil and Borg are down the well,’ Kelian explained. ‘Araas and Mil have gone in after them.’

‘
What!’ Rudiger exclaimed, leaning over to look down the well shaft.

‘
Pull up the rope!’ Araas’ voice came from the darkness.

Rudiger and Eibhear began to pull on the rope and moments later
Araas’ head appeared at the rim of the well. He was clinging to the rope and he had Danil’s unconscious body draped over his shoulder. Eibhear reached out and dragged Danil over the rim of the well. They let the rope out and Araas descended once again.

‘
Kelian, what in the name of His Supreme Majesty are you doing in East Inlet,’ Dale’s voice was almost a growl as he spoke through gritted teeth.