Asena Blessed, page 28
part #2 of Altaica Series
Primara, the Lady, appeared before Umniga. She gasped, nearly losing her connection with Devi. Devi barked harshly and Umniga felt a foreign, gentle tug strengthening their connection. Umniga’s eyes widened in surprise and awe; she concentrated on her form, strengthening her image and bowed deeply.
‘My Lady Rana, I’m deeply honoured.’
‘Greetings, Umniga. Oldest and foremost of my Kenati; teacher of my lore.’ Umniga remained bowing. ‘Rise, old one.’
‘Most holy Rana, it’s been generations since any of us have seen you or heard you.’
‘And yet I have watched my people and in particular my Kenati and guided you in subtle ways. You are never far from my gaze.’ Primara smiled gently. ‘You and Asha have both felt my hand more than most.’
‘It was you who aided Asha to return to her body after spirit walking.’
‘Indeed. She needed but a small amount of guidance.’
‘You pulled Devi to the boats.’
‘Yes. I have watched you for a long time, Umniga. I knew you—oldest, wisest and most loyal—would understand that I had guided Devi there. I knew, too, that you above all the others would realise the importance of the girl when you saw her.’
‘Yes, my Lady Rana, but …’
‘She disappoints you, Umniga?’
Umniga hesitated, then in a rush she said, ‘She is such a heathen. I fear she does not take my teachings seriously. She has no respect for any gods.’
‘She is young,’ Primara soothed. ‘Like all young things she seeks to go her own way and needs persistent, patient guiding to the true path. You have had many such young minds come to you for teaching over the years. Remember, even our Asha—the youngest ever to be gifted with a guardian—was little different as a child. Look what you made of her. I can see Isaura’s heart and I do not doubt you will succeed with her.
‘I have seen into your heart too, old one. You would have her and Karan together?’ Umniga nodded. ‘Do not push them, Umniga—you will drive them apart. Neither of us wants that.’
‘They have no idea how important this is!’ Umniga stormed.
Primara’s brow rose; her mouth twisted in small smile.
‘My lady, forgive me! It is not for me to rail at you.’
Primara laughed. ‘These are momentous times, Umniga. Do not despair. Isaura has a destiny far greater than you realise and to ensure it I need you to do something very important for me, but you must tell no one.’
* * *
Asha pulled on her boots.
‘Have you got fur liners for them?’ Baldev asked her.
‘Across the river. So, no, not really. Pio and Kiriz have been trapping rabbits. They’ve got the skins drying, although I’d rather the children used them for themselves.’ Asha shrugged. ‘There’ll be more game to kill and skin for a while anyway. So I’m sure to be able to make some liners,’ she said as she strapped on the last of her weapons. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Sadly, yes,’ Baldev grumbled. ‘I’ll miss you.’
‘Isaura and I can always come,’ Asha said cheekily. ‘We’d be handy at the front.’
‘There isn’t a front, yet. Trust me, when there is, you’ll be there,’ Baldev said.
‘Just not near you.’
‘No.’
‘Because you worry so much? Not because you think I can’t look after myself?’
Baldev hesitated. ‘Yes.’ He shook his head with a rueful smile. ‘I think I just walked into a trap.’
Asha laughed at him. ‘If I was with you, I’d not be able to resist saving you when you needed it.’ Frowning, he opened his mouth to speak. ‘See? How did that make you feel?’ she interrupted.
‘Loved … and belittled.’
Asha’s brow rose imperiously as she folded her arms. ‘And?’
‘And I understand, but it doesn’t change how I feel. But I won’t stop you being at the front. I do think Karan is right though. You and Isa need to be together while she learns. You and Pravin are effectively her mentors. When she’s ready you’ll both begin full patrols.’
‘Isa’s more ready than the others now, and they’re going out.’
‘She needs more control.’
‘Isa will only get that if she’s tested properly,’ Asha said. ‘Or is Karan being overly protective, like you?’
‘Karan is, as always, being careful and calculating.’
‘With Isa?’ Asha said, putting her hands on her hips. ‘He’d better not hurt her.’
‘I don’t think Karan’s done anything with her. That’s probably what’s wrong with him. Enough about Karan. I’ve only got a few minutes left with you on my own and I’m not talking about bloody Karan,’ Baldev groused.
Asha laughed, launching herself into his embrace. ‘Be careful or you’ll wind up back in bed.’
* * *
Ratilal looked up briefly as Niaz entered the council room. ‘Lady Malak has left the city,’ he said tersely.
‘She’s no longer a threat to you, High Lord,’ Niaz said.
‘No, of course, you’re right. I’m just still irritated that she was clever enough to think of it and able to arrange the Conclave so quickly. Probably more annoyed that they backed her. If she was a man … gods help me … she’d be worth watching.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘I know and it’s not your fault. We don’t choose our parents. Are you ready? Vikram will be going with you.’
‘Vikram?’
‘He’ll do. He’s done well thus far. Treat it as Vikram’s final test. I want him gone for a few days and it will be good to be seen running things myself. Come, he’s waiting at the northern gate.’
They walked silently through the empty streets of upper Faros. Their semi-shuttered lamp emitted a thin streak of light into the chill night air. Ratilal nodded in silent greeting at Vikram, who waited with two horses at the city gate.
‘The gods smile upon us. It’s so damn cold any sane person is inside and warm. None will see you. In few hours I’ll be up on the battlements watching. Give Faros a sight to remember,’ Ratilal said as Vikram and Niaz mounted their horses.
Vikram rode beside Niaz through the countryside north of Faros. A fine low layer of fog had crept up from the ocean and was smothering the land. They halted on the shore of a bay where the Mitta River emptied into the ocean. Waiting before them was a fisherman and his small boat along with two warriors.
‘My Lord, what is our mission?’ Vikram asked.
‘You’ll find out soon. None of the others know, Captain.’ Niaz paused, staring at him. ‘Karan’s spies may be everywhere.’
‘Hence why the high lord has remained highly visible in Faros,’ Vikram said.
‘That is but one reason.’
The only sound for the next few hours was the steady swing of the oars through the water.
‘The fog will help, yes?’ Niaz asked the boatman.
‘Aye. They won’t notice the boat. We’ve got barely a sliver of moon to see by. Our only worry is hitting the rocks. Oh, and gettin’ back.’
‘I think I see the rocks guarding the gap,’ Niaz said quietly from the prow.
Vikram peered forward. A dark, jagged mass rose from out of the water on their right. Gods, there’s only one place we can be. Vikram’s heart sank.
‘Here!’ the boatman whispered harshly. He pulled a pole from under the seats and thrust it at Vikram. ‘Pull on those oars, boy.’ He ordered the rower. ‘There’s more you can’t see just under the water. Wider, Wider,’ he muttered to himself as he pulled on the tiller. The boat hit the hidden rocks. Its timbers shuddered. ‘Hold up with the rowing. You there,’ he addressed Vikram. ‘Use that pole, lad. See if you can push us off.’
Vikram probed the water with the pole and pushed with all his might.
‘You lot move to the side a bit,’ the boatman said. With a shudder the boat moved freely. ‘By the gods we’ve been lucky. On a breezy day we’d be right buggered to have managed that. Either the gods love us or our high lord’s got a knack for plan.’
Niaz passed each of them a backpack. ‘Careful with those. Don’t break any.’
Vikram loosened the top of the backpack. Round pottery containers were stuffed into it amongst fleece to stop them from breaking or making noise as they were carried. Carefully, he pulled one out. There was a fuse in it.
‘Quickfire. This was banned by the high lord’s grandfather,’ Vikram said softly.
‘Not anymore. Our main targets are the granary, the armoury, the barracks, and the citadel if we can get to it. Anything else is just a bonus. Quiet now,’ Niaz said.
The boat glided into the shore, scraping against the pebbled beach. They disembarked and stared into the north.
The comforting smell of smoke from household fires hung low in the air. Families all tucked safe and sound in their beds, Vikram thought. Bile rose in his throat.
Niaz smiled grimly. ‘Gopindar will never know what hit it.’
* * *
No smoke rose from the farmhouse chimney, and chickens roamed freely throughout the house garden and ravaged the well-tended vegetable patch. A raven flew out of the barn. The faint waft of putrescence increased with every step Baldev took toward the barn door. Curro and Nicanor emerged from the dark interior, pale and shaken. They leaned against the outside of the barn wall, breathing deeply before vomiting.
Two warriors hastily opened the other double doors in the opposite wall of the barn, allowing a breeze to draw through the building, dragging the stench of death with it.
Baldev slammed to a halt in the doorway. He stood, hands on hips, lip curled as he tried not to inhale. Light from both sets of doors breached the darkness of the barn, revealing the bodies of Karan’s warriors.
They lay where they’d fallen. Weapons gone, bodies scavenged. A black-brown skin had formed over the pools of blood on the hardened earthen floor. Slashes of thick red showed through it where the raven’s claws had broken through the congealed crust of blood. Red narrow tracks led the way along a body and stopped where the fallen warrior’s eyes had been.
‘Get them out of here. Take them to the field north of the house.’
Baldev spun on his heel and headed to the farmhouse. Līna’s words hounded him: You will make us a target. He paused, hand on the aged wooden gate that led into to the house yard. Anil, his Kenati, stood in the doorway of the house, head bowed. Baldev growled, thrust the gate open and stalked toward the door. Anil looked over his shoulder at him, hastily averted his eyes and moved out of Baldev’s way. Baldev stared at the interior of the simple kitchen. He braced himself against the doorframe. You knew what you’d find. Get a hold of yourself. Before him still tied to the kitchen chairs sat Līna and Satish. He kicked the doorframe. Gods damn it. Kiriz, little general, I’m sorry.
Baldev walked through the house, checking the other rooms. ‘It looks like they’ve left everything untouched,’ he said.
Anil looked up from severing the ties that bound Līna’s hands.
‘I’ll take her,’ Baldev said quietly. Clinically he examined her. ‘Blindfolded. No torture and a clean kill.’
Anil shook his head in disgust. ‘I suppose at least it was quick.’
‘The question is why?’
‘What are you going to tell the little general?’
Baldev stiffened, before scooping Līna’s body up. ‘Bring Satish.’ He walked out of the house.
An agonised wail stopped Baldev in his tracks. ‘No, no, no! Jaime!’ Curro’s cry rent the air.
Nicanor stood before the woodshed, pale, shaking, his face twisted in grief. He turned tear-filled eyes on Baldev only to look away in haste when he saw the body in his arms.
Several of Baldev’s warriors wandered over. He handed Līna to two of the women saying softly, ‘Take her with the others.’ Baldev quietly beckoned more of his troops to attend him.
Curro’s voice rose and cracked. ‘This is madness!’ he yelled.
Arms outstretched, Nicanor moved into the woodshed to pacify his brother. ‘No, Curro!’ Nicanor staggered back out of the shed.
Curro faced two of Baldev’s warriors who were at the open rear of the shed. His sword was not drawn, but he wielded a log like a club. ‘You people! You’re as bad as the Zaragarians! You thrive on war!’ Spittle flew from his mouth. Curro swung the log at the warriors. ‘Violence flows through your very veins … your hearts …’ He swung again futilely. Curro began to shake; the log fell to the ground. A female Bear warrior advanced toward him, hands outstretched. Red faced, sobbing uncontrollably, he grasped clumsily for his sword.
‘Curro!’ Baldev barked. He strode to him and grabbed his hand in a vice-like grip. ‘Do NOT!’
Curro glared defiantly at him, his eyes deranged. Nicanor appeared at Baldev’s shoulder. ‘Curro, he’s right. These people are not to blame. We swore an oath. This is not the way.’
‘Get out of here Nic,’ Curro ground out. ‘I know what I’m doing.’ His hand fought against Baldev’s grip to no avail.
‘You want to end it,’ Baldev whispered. ‘I know.’
A look of guilt flashed across Curro’s visage. Nicanor gasped at the truth.
‘End it on the battlefield, against the people who did this—not against people who would die to defend you. There is no honour in this, and certainly no justice.’
Curro sagged, letting go of his sword.
Baldev kept hold of him. ‘Take his weapons,’ he said to the nearest warrior.
Curro sat beside Jaime’s body. His hand rested upon Jaime’s brow as he rocked himself back and forth. Finally he clutched Jaime’s body to himself and sobbed uncontrollably.
‘Leave him,’ Baldev said. ‘We’ll take Jaime later, when everything is in readiness.’ He looked at Nicanor and the two warriors. ‘You three stay with him. Ensure he comes to no harm.’
Baldev put his hand on Nicanor’s shoulder, murmuring, ‘There are many perils in a war—this is but one of them. Watch him well.’
* * *
Not a sound disturbed the night as Vikram’s party moved through the countryside. The grass was dewy underfoot and every star in the sky winked back at them. There was little cover. Once the forests of the north grew right to the shoreline, but the Bear Clan had cleared much of the land up to the Northern Flow for crops.
There’ll be a frost tonight, Vikram thought. How many more before winter is over? How many cold and hungry if this works? How do I stop this and avoid suspicion? I still need to stick to Karan’s original plan until Ratilal’s fall.
They continued on, bypassing farmsteads. Post and rail fences disappeared and soon they found a narrow bridle track to follow. The path joined another wider road, bordered by spiky tea-tree bushes, and an inn stood at a larger intersection on their left. Grouped around it lay a smithy, a barn and many smaller animal pens. Sheep stood quietly in one pen, cows in another, mules and donkeys were in the last pen. The mules turned and looked in their direction with interest.
‘Gopindar’s market. Not far now. We need to avoid those pens. All we need is for one of those mules to let loose and everyone in that inn will be awake,’ Vikram said.
‘We need to go around anyway to enter the city,’ Niaz said.
Twenty minutes later the walls of Gopindar were before them. The lower town was built around the base of a broad natural hill. The upper town and citadel sat upon this hill. A vast swathe of land around Gopindar had been cleared of all vegetation, save grass. A wide deep ditch had been dug in front of a long steeply sloping earthen wall that culminated in a stone wall the height of four men. Built upon this was a timber wall. Hexagonal timber towers bulged out at regular intervals. Atop each tower sat giant crossbows on rotating platforms. These anti-siege crossbows were armed by two men turning a winch. A drawbridge and massive double gates sturdily braced with thick steel blocked their way. The torch light from the lookouts reflected dully off the pale timber gates.
‘Moonwood. Where did they get enough?’ one of Niaz’s men asked in hushed awe.
‘Probably Karan. We’ve no idea what the Horse have been hiding up there all these years. They’ve been busy,’ Niaz muttered. ‘This is what happens when you ignore the enemy for generations.’
‘It’s why they’ve protected their borders so well.’
‘There’s a small pedestrian gate built into the northern gate. It should be unlocked. Come on.’
‘You’ve someone in the city?’ Vikram asked.
‘The high lord is no fool. He’s had someone ready to go to Gopindar since Shahjahan agreed to meet with Karan and Baldev. The operative is in place. We’ve had word.’
‘Word?’ Vikram asked.
‘Courier pigeon—simple and reliable.’
‘Weren’t you worried they’d be caught?’
Niaz shrugged. ‘They’re expendable.’
‘What about the gate to the upper city?’ Vikram asked.
‘It won’t be shut. You’ll see.’
‘How do we get out?’
‘There’s a gate to the harbour. And before you ask, it was too obvious to come that way. Now shut up, Vikram.’
Two towers abutted the smaller northern gate. Torchlight revealed one guard at each tower post. Laughter carried to Niaz and his squad in the chill night air. A woman emerged at the top of the right hand tower. The guard turned to greet her as she handed him a tankard.
From the other tower the guard called, ‘Where’s mine, Sora?’
‘Sora!’ Vikram whispered. ‘The other girl Ratilal beat, the one who fled …’
Niaz smiled. ‘All part of his plan—no one would suspect her. Come on, who knows how long they’ll be distracted?’ They scurried across the open distance to the castle ditch, sliding into it near the narrow bridge to the gate. Sheltering under the bridge they picked their way across barricades and sharpened stakes.
