Captives of the Curse, page 26
part #3 of The Kyona Chronicles Series
As he neared the barricade, a group swelling around him, he heard whispers that seemed to reverberate out to join with shouts coming from further away.
“Over there!”
“Get over there! The liberator is here!”
“Get to the liberator!”
He had just reached the barricade when a voice close by spoke directly to him.
“We’re as ready as we’ll ever be. They’ll follow you.”
Looking up, Jonan saw the youngest Kyonan from the gate, and suddenly he understood. The boy had run back into the danger of the camp to spread the word and further Jonan’s efforts. And the news had traveled as fast through the chaos as the flames that were leaping from building to building.
He didn’t respond to the boy, looking instead at the now substantial group behind the barricade. Every eye was fixed on him. For a moment he hesitated, thrown by the weight of so much expectation, but a shout behind him drew his attention. Looking back, he saw a slaver racing toward him, weapon raised. With horror, Jo saw another Kyonan leap into the slaver’s path while still some distance away, grappling with the man. Despite his shock, Jonan realized that he mustn’t waste the precious moments that the slave’s inevitable death would buy him.
“Come with me!” he shouted over the din, addressing himself to the group at large. “There’s a way out!”
He doubted many could hear his words, but the basic message was clear. He set off at a run back toward the entrance through which he had come, conscious of the thunder of many feet behind him.
Balenans ran toward them from all sides, but they were unprepared for the force of the Kyonans’ numbers once they were all moving together. The group burst through the disorganized resistance, speeding along in Jonan’s wake.
When he neared the gate, he felt a huge surge of relief at the sight before him. Not all of the slaves he had spoken to were still there, but the gate was still held by Evan and one of the others. Half a dozen Balenan bodies on the ground told Jonan that they had been forced to fight for its possession.
Jonan put on a burst of speed, beating his companions to the gate.
“The river?” he panted, and Evan gave a curt nod.
“The others have made a path.” He jerked his head toward the space beyond the gate, but Jonan didn’t pause to investigate. Already the others were reaching them, and he didn’t want to cause more of a bottleneck than was inevitable.
“Cross the river and STAY TOGETHER,” he shouted at the first few as they ran through. “There’s help on the other side!”
He repeated the message over and over as different forms raced past him. Increased shouting from the back of the group alerted him to trouble for those bringing up the rear. He looked over at Evan, and the older man didn’t need to be told. He and a few others grabbed swords from the fallen Balenans and ran toward the commotion.
Jonan didn’t stay to see the outcome. He raced straight past them back into the camp. He had expected to find a large number of Kyonans still milling throughout the space, but his unnamed ally had done his job better than Jo had anticipated. Still, some had missed the exodus, of course. Jonan barely paused as he passed each one, sending them toward the gate with a shout, and not waiting to see if they obeyed. There was only so much he could do. He had made it around most of the space when he was grabbed from behind by strong arms.
His dagger was still in his hand, and he slashed backward at his captor, hearing a quick grunt as the metal found a mark. The man released him for a moment and Jonan shot forward, but he was almost instantly seized again. One slaver held him fast while another wrested his blade from his grip.
“This one!” a rough voice shouted. “He was drumming them up, he’s the one who started it!”
“Hang onto him,” said another voice, “the Overseer will want to make an example of him.”
Jonan struggled wildly, but he was much too outnumbered. He couldn’t see who held him, not that their faces would mean anything to him. A new voice joined the group, panting as though from running.
“They’ve broken down the side gate! They’re running out toward the river!”
“Well round them up!”
“There are too many!”
Jonan heard someone spit, then the voice that had ordered him to be held made itself heard again.
“Then eliminate any still inside.”
“Are you sure?” asked someone uncertainly. “The reinforcements will surely be here any minute.”
“Of course I’m sure! You know the Overseer’s orders. Better to kill them than let them escape. The river will get any who’ve already made it out, or if not, the jungle.”
Jonan’s mind whirred frantically, trying to think of a solution. He doubted everyone was out by now, the gate was too small.
“Wait!” he cried, trying to stall for time, but no one paid him any heed. What could he do? What would Scarlett do? She would think of some clever way to outwit them. Or Raldo—he would be able to fight his way out.
Two of the slavers had begun to drag Jonan toward the center of the camp, the others taking off in the direction of the gate. He continued to struggle wildly, no new ideas presenting themselves to him. His wrestling appeared to make no difference whatsoever, so he was surprised when one of his captors suddenly let go of his arm with a shout. Jonan didn’t hesitate to make the most of the opportunity, bringing his free arm around to make contact with the man holding him on the other side.
The Balenan fell away quickly, and swinging around, Jonan saw why. As if summoned by his thoughts, Scarlett had appeared, Raldo close behind her.
“What are you doing?!” he gasped. “You can’t be here!”
She ignored his words. “Are you all right?” she asked, her eyes scanning the space swiftly in search of further threats. Jo realized that their surrounds were suddenly quiet, and he saw that the two slavers were on the ground nearby. As he looked, one of them stirred, his expression disoriented as if from a hit to the head. His eyes passed between the three of them in confusion, widening as they settled on Scarlett.
“But you’re—”
He never finished his sentence. Raldo had been hovering protectively near Scarlett, but at the recognition in the man’s eyes, he didn’t hesitate. He had a sword in his hand, and in a moment it had ensured that the man would never pass on his realization to anyone.
“Scarlett,” Jo said, grasping her arm. “You promised you wouldn’t come into the camp!”
She didn’t quite meet his eyes, her face showing less than its usual poise as she took in the grim scene around them. “They said that you ran back in,” she said, her voice sounding dazed.
“They?” repeated Jonan eagerly. “Did they make it out, then? All of them?”
Scarlett shook her head, pulling herself together. “Not all of them. Some were still trying to get out when we came through the gate. But Stan already took the first group back toward the base.”
“Good,” said Jo firmly. “Let’s get the rest of them out. The slavers are going to kill anyone left inside.”
That information got both Scarlett and Raldo moving, and within moments the three of them were racing back toward the action.
“You shouldn’t have come in here,” panted Jonan to Raldo as they ran. He could hardly believe Raldo had allowed Scarlett to take such a risk. “Why did you do it?”
“No offense,” said Raldo shortly, “but I wouldn’t have.” He glanced over at Scarlett, running alongside Jo. “She wouldn’t be deterred, so I followed her in.”
“It seems you needed our help,” Scarlett pointed out.
“It’s not that I’m not grateful,” said Jo, “but I knew the risk I was taking. I—”
“What’s happening?” Raldo’s sharp voice cut him off. Looking ahead, Jo saw what he meant. He had expected to come up against a mass of Balenan slavers at the gate, and had no plan as to how they were to get through.
But the scene before them was all but deserted. It seemed the last of the Kyonans had made it through, to Jonan’s relief. But the few Balenans in sight, instead of chasing them, were running in the other direction, back toward the compound’s huge main gate.
“Where are they going?” he asked uneasily.
“Let’s not stay to find out.” Scarlett spoke firmly, once again mistress of the situation. “They might need assistance on the other side of the river.” She glanced at her companions as they approached the gate. “Raldo, you join the group going toward the sinking mud. Carla could do with the assistance. Jo, you should be making for the base tree. Unless—” she looked at him sharply. “Were you compromised? Did anyone see your face who might recognize you in Nohl?”
They were passing through the gate as she spoke. Before Jonan had a chance to answer, they heard a commotion coming from the main gate. Jo had already left the compound, Scarlett close behind him, but looking back he saw Raldo glance sharply around before following.
“The reinforcements,” he said, his voice grim. “That’s where the slavers were going. We need to get everyone moving, now.”
Jonan had no fault to find with that plan. Breaking free from the overwhelmed slavers was one thing. Facing off a squadron of trained and armed soldiers would be much more disastrous for the escaping Kyonans. Squinting ahead, he saw that they had almost caught up with the last stragglers. He could just make out the figures sprinting toward the river. They weren’t heading for the rocky crossing, and in the darkness, it almost looked as though they ran straight into the water.
But when they got close, he saw that he had not misplaced his faith in the Kyonans he had met near the gate. They had indeed found a clever solution. Several enormous lengths of cut timber had been laid across the river, forming a makeshift bridge. It must have taken quite a number of people to achieve the effect, but Jo supposed that they were well used to lugging the logs around.
The last of the escaping slaves ahead of them had just set foot on the wooden beams when a thundering sound reached Jo’s ears. Turning, he saw that mounted soldiers were rounding the outside of the compound, heading straight for them. At sight of the forms fleeing across the wood, the reinforcements let out a collective shout. Jo glanced from the approaching Balenans to the slaves gathering on the far side of the river.
“They need more time!” he shouted. “We have to take down the bridge.”
Raldo nodded. “Once we get across, we’ll push the beams out.”
Jo hesitated, his eyes still on the mounted soldiers. “It might be too late by then.”
“We don’t have a choice,” said Raldo sharply. “The three of us won’t be strong enough to move them. We need help from the others.” Jonan wasn’t convinced, and he opened his mouth to argue, but looking at the older man, Jo couldn’t help but notice that his eyes lingered on Scarlett. He had a feeling Raldo’s insistence that they cross the bridge first had more to do with getting her to safety than with the practicalities of getting the planks loose.
They were almost to the river by now, and Scarlett’s shrewd glance moved from the water to the approaching men, clearly calculating how long they had.
“I think Jo might be right, Raldo,” she said. “We might have to—” Jo was watching her as she spoke, and he saw the moment her eyes slid past him to the oncoming threat. She stumbled, and both her companions slowed, throwing out their arms to steady her. They were at the water’s edge, but Scarlett made no move either to cross or to attempt to dislodge the timber. She stood frozen, her eyes on the soldiers, and her hand shooting out to grip Jonan’s arm in a hold that was somehow both vise-like and trembling.
“He’s here,” she whispered, horror in her voice.
“Who?” asked Jonan, looking around wildly, alarmed at the look on her face.
“My father.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jo saw with a thrill of horror that Scarlett was right. Lord Wrendal’s figure could be seen, leading the soldiers on a charger.
“It’s all right, Scar,” said Jo quickly, trying to speak reassuringly as he moved to place himself between her and the approaching riders. “Get across, I’ll cover for you.”
But she didn’t move, immobilized by her terror. Her wide eyes were on her father’s approaching form, and her hand still gripped Jo’s arm.
“He’s going to see me,” she said, her voice shaking and her expression panicked. “He’s going to see me!”
Jo exchanged a look with Raldo, and saw his own fear reflected in the other man’s eyes. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who had never seen Scarlett lose her head like this.
“Scarlett,” he repeated, prying her hand off his arm and squeezing it encouragingly. “Get across the bridge.”
She tore her eyes away from her father, clearly struggling to master herself. Her eyes met Jonan’s, then her gaze passed to Raldo and on to the slaves on the other side of the river.
“There’s no time,” she said, her words faint. “We have to get the bridge down.”
“Once you’re across,” cut in Raldo, but she shook her head.
“It’s too late,” she said, her voice rising hysterically. She dropped to her knees, trying to push the planks.
“Scar!” insisted Raldo, but Jo cut him off.
“There’s no time!” If Jo could see that Scarlett wasn’t going to listen, surely Raldo could too.
Raldo cursed softly, but dropped to his knees to help without another word. Jonan did the same, and one of the planks began to slide across the muddy bank. Someone on the other side seemed to realize what they were doing, and several people rushed to help at the far end.
Seeing this, Raldo pulled Scarlett to her feet roughly. “I’ve got this,” he said, pushing her toward the rocky crossing further up. “Get across, now!”
Looking around, Jo realized why Raldo sounded frantic. The riders were all but on them. Scarlett started to protest, but meeting Raldo’s eyes, Jonan seized her hand and began to run without another word. He could see the rocks up ahead, but it was too late. The riders had caught up to them, and some pushed ahead, forming a semi-circle that enclosed the three fugitives, out of reach of the crossing.
There was no time to think—still holding Scarlett’s hand, Jo turned sharply, running back to Raldo. They arrived in time to see the last of the timber slide into the raging torrent, drawn instantly into the flood. If not for Scarlett’s presence, Jo would have been glad in spite of his own peril. The time it would take the soldiers to get across the river would give the escapees a real chance at survival. And the squadron wouldn’t realize the need for haste—they would never imagine the slaves had an organized exit strategy.
Jonan drew Scarlett behind him as he placed himself alongside Raldo, right at the water’s edge. He had expected her to protest at being shielded, but she didn’t make a sound, and he thought he could guess why. The soldiers had not pressed too close, enclosing the renegades in a loose ring, but Jo could still clearly see the identity of the well-dressed middle-aged man who was swinging down from his saddle, drawing a sword as he did so.
The look on Lord Wrendal’s face spelled death as he approached with measured steps. The moon was hidden now behind clouds, and the night had become very dark indeed. The soldiers’ faces were illuminated by the torches carried by some of their number, but the three individuals by the river were not in the circle of light. Jo could see no sign of recognition in the Overseer’s eyes, either for his daughter or for Jonan. But within moments he would be close enough to get a good look, and Jo couldn’t see how he could prevent Scarlett from being discovered any more than he could hide his own identity.
“Don’t try to swim against the current.” Raldo’s curt whisper made Jonan jump in surprise. He had not realized the rebel had approached so close. “Swim with it, but angle yourself toward the far bank. Get her out before the rapids.”
“What?” asked Jonan, confused. But before he could so much as look around, Raldo’s arm shot out in a sweeping motion, and Jo found himself toppling backward into the dark churning water, Scarlett’s hand still clutched in his.
The current instantly pulled at him as he fell into the cold torrent, and Scarlett’s fingers began to slide away. But he grasped at them firmly, holding on as if his life depended on it until his head broke the surface. He drew a deep breath and saw with relief that Scarlett’s head was bobbing nearby.
“Raldo!” she gasped, but Jo just shook his head. There was no time for discussion. Already they were being swept along at a terrifying speed, and it wouldn’t be long before they were drawn into the rapids, with no hope of survival. He opened his mouth to tell her to swim for the far bank, but his head was pulled under again before he could speak. He kicked upward with an effort, coughing and spluttering as he once again encountered air.
The current was much too strong. He was terrified to let go of Scarlett, lest they both be swept away completely, but he knew they couldn’t swim while still connected. He hesitated for a moment, but the decision was made for him as a strong surge in the current pulled them apart. For a moment Jo was once again submerged, but he fought his way quickly to the surface.
“Scarlett!” he called, but he couldn’t see her. He struck out toward the far bank in blind terror, only just remembering Raldo’s warning, and making sure to move with the current. He had taken only a few strokes when he heard a faint cry. Looking back, his heart somehow leaped and plummeted simultaneously at the sight of Scarlett, further upstream but closer to the wrong side of the bank.
Jo looked around frantically. The moon had temporarily emerged from the clouds, and in the sudden illumination, he saw that he was on a collision course with one of the lengths of timber that had formed the makeshift bridge. Thrown by the powerful torrent, one end of it had become firmly wedged in a rocky section of riverbank, on the far side from the camp. The plank extended diagonally out from this base point, buffeted by the river. Surely it wouldn’t be long before it wriggled free and followed its fellows further down, toward the rapids Jonan could hear churning up ahead.
