Nicholas was glad and relieved when they turned the corner. The tavern
disappeared behind the Grey rock, and the sound of the fiddle, was swallowed
by the night.
Nicholas had begun to feel the bruises colouring and the pain returning,
besides that he could see the creases across Harriet's brow and guessed
the onset of shock was filling her, after her experience. They both would
have welcomed the relief of deep sleep, but he consoled himself that it
probably would have been impossible in the tavern, filled as it had been
with the shouts of the drunken patrons. But such consolation was of little
comfort to their weariness.
They rode on in silence, the river now so far below that only the clip clop
of the horse's hooves seemed to be echoing up and down the canyon in the
chill night air.
The hot breath from the nostrils of their animals condensed around them,
as the horses continued to snort their protest at being dragged from a relatively
comfortable night's sleep.
They travelled a good way, though slowly up the side of the mountain. It
was very dark and they could barely see anything in front with the moon
hiding behind thick cloud, so they kept close to the rock face. Nicholas
had far too vivid memories of what lay unseen just the other side of that
low wall.
There was no mist as such, at this height above the plain and forest,
though it would have made no difference to visibility, but Nicholas was
still surprised how cold it had become for this time of the seasons. If
Harriet felt the same she did not say so, but had likely considered it before
they had set out, as they were well rugged against the increasing cold.
They lost count, but it was something like three hours after they had
left the tavern that it began to drizzle. This turned to light rain which
a few minutes later gave way to heavy rain.
If the wet wasn't enough the wind gathered speed and whipped icy droplets
into their faces.
They pulled their hoods down against the bitter onslaught, but whatever
they did, exposed pieces of face and fingers were soon numb or smarting
with the sharp cold.
It did not take long for them both to become soaked and thoroughly miserable
at their plight.
Even the horses felt the same as they tried to hide up even closer against
the cliff face and banging Nicholas's knees against the sharp rock; or how
they slowed as they turned a corner into the full force of the driving rain
once again.
Nicholas consoled himself that no other animal, including wild beasts would
be out by choice in this weather, so nothing would delay them more.
There had been no others travellers on the road for several hours, since
when
they had met some men hurrying the other way to the dubious shelter, or
pleasures of the tavern.
The road was still well made. A thin sheet of water ran across to run
alongside the crete wall before disappearing through occasional at the base.
Head down against the rain it was reflected in this that Nicholas thought
he saw a flickering light.
It must have caught Harriet's attention first, for she called out his
name drawing his notice up ahead.
Some distance of was a tiny spot of light.
It grew in intensity until a covered lantern could be made out, and that
held by a person wrapped as they were. Only the flickering light that reflected
from his half-hidden eyes betrayed that a man hid within.
A voice was straining against the wind and the noise of the rain. "
Do you need shelter? ".
" Yes.. Yes….. thank you, we do ", Nicholas found himself
saying without hesitation.
Whoever was holding the lantern turned, wordlessly. They followed close
by, afraid they may lose him.
It was not far, a short stretch of road then off amongst the trees up
a small track, then the rain stopped. Without realising it they had walked
into a cave.
Nicholas helped Harriet down from the saddle, her light body weight
increased several fold due to the saturated garments.
" Take the lantern and go forward. You will see the way ",
said their saviour.
" I will wipe down your animals and tend to their needs ".
They felt too fatigued to argue, and did as they were bid. Some distance
along the cave, an entrance to another chamber came into view, and from
this the warm glow of an open fire greeted them. They went in.
The first may have been no more than a cave but this was a room such
as they
could become used to. Of decent proportions, furnished with tables chairs
and all the other fittings as would befit a well to do household. If this
man was a hermit, he liked his comfort like none that Nicholas had met before.
They took off their outer clothing afraid that they would drop water
on the smooth timber that served as a floor, and left them in a pile back
in the cave.
Drawn like moths to flame, they crossed to the fire and stood in front of
it warming themselves. Immediately the heat made their fingers and toes
ache as had the cold when it had penetrated their joints in the first place.
They had begun to feel much better when their unknown host joined them.
" When you are warmed sufficient for your comfort, take off your
clothes. I have robes you may use ".
As if young children at their mothers request, they again did as he asked
too relieved to greatly care for modesty.
When sat by the fire, at last warm and dry, he gave them steaming mugs of
hot
goat's milk, and they began to talk, while they drank the nourishing liquid.
The stranger made no enquiry as to who they we're, of their destination,
or it's purpose. Instead they talked of daily things, as if it was a meeting
of old neighbours,.
Nicholas felt he should explain at least why they were on the road,
but the
stranger gave him no opportunity, in fact he seemed to not have the slightest
interest why they had continued to travel in such atrocious conditions.
He brushed off Nicholas's gratitude for their rescue from the elements,
saying only that no person should be out in such weather.
He said his name was Eridani, he had lived in this place 'since the creation
of time', he had said with a laugh. 'Yes he saw all who passed, but they
not him'. As to living alone, he was happy with the company of himself and
wished it to remain that way.
Harriet was starting to doze, her head slowly dropping low on her chest,
then suddenly sitting up straight again, only seconds later to drift
off once more.
" Pray follow me young mistress ", Eridani said noticing her
futile efforts to
remain awake. Nicholas took this chance to explain that she was his sister,
and that he was taking her to the aging Lakesend.
" She may sleep there in peace ", Eridani said returning from
a small room that Nicholas saw was furnished with a comfortable looking
bed. " I will bring a blanket for you. I am afraid you must make comfortable
as you can on the couch young sir ".
While he was out of the room Nicholas went over to the wall opposite
the fireplace. Along this wall were dozens of books and manuscripts,
of all shapes
and sizes. His eyes went to a small but interesting looking volume, bound
in soft red leather. The book felt comfortable in his hands as if it had
been held in a thousands others. He opened the first page.
It read 'The Legend of the Stone'.
" Ti's a peculiar taste in reading that you have young sir ".
Nicholas looked up at him embarrassedly.
" Of all the writings I have that is the only one that asks questions
of the reader, rather than giving him the answers he seeks ".
Nicholas put the book back without a clue what he meant.
He made up the coach into a passable bed and Eridani bid him goodnight
and withdrew from the room.
Nicholas lay down, cosy, warm and feeling; safe sleep would come soon.
But sleep did not. He tossed and turned, closed and opened his eyes.
Several
times he went and looked through at Harriet; she was deeply asleep. He lay
down again looking into the fire, he was tired, he wanted to sleep, but
try as he may, try what he could, he could not get the book from his mind.
At last he threw the covers off, rose, crossed the room, and took it from
the shelf.
Once again that feeling as if meeting an old friend. He sat side on
to the fires glow and read.
He turned past the page read before, the next bore two sentences.
'As they are lived so shall they be written', and under this, 'Chapter one;
the making of the stones'.
He read as if one hungry for words, a tale the like of he had never heard.
It told of a man born of mortal parents. But fathered by a god, many generations,
even before the ancients. He preached love, understanding and equality,
but for it was himself persecuted. In the end he had been given away to
the oppressors of his people by a friend, to die a cruel death.
As he was dying a soldier saw that he still wore his signet ring. He climbed
up the wooden structure the man had been nailed to and pulled it from his
finger.
Once removed and in his hands he saw that it was nothing but a simple ring
of bronze set with a plain oval stone. The soldier disappointed that it
was of no value threw it to the ground and hit it with the base of his spear
in annoyance.
The blow crushed metal out of all shape but the stone merely broke into
three pieces. Each identical to the other, and all three the same shape
as the original, but of a lesser thickness. The guard hit it again and again,
but could not cause even a scratch further upon any of their surfaces.
Thinking it may be some new ore the pieces were taken from the soldier by
his captain but no test or analysis could determine its composition.
Word spread to the governor of that province along with rumours that the
stones held some kind of magical power.
Fearing that the followers of the man who it had been taken from, would
gather round the fragments, he ordered them heated to a great temperature,
and then threw the pieces into icy water, in an effort to destroy them.
But they would not break.
Finally in desperation he gave one each to three couriers, to carry to the
three furthest corners of the empire. There where the land ended they were
to be tossed into the sea.
Of the three one was stolen by its carrier. The second was given to a governor
who had heard of its invincibility, and kept it for his own, instead throwing
a worthless pebble into the ocean.
The last was also kept by another governor who secretly sympathised with
the beliefs of the original owner, in the hope that one day its supposed
powers may bring good to mankind.
But rather than ending the story with it's irreplaceable casting into three
different oceans, even more rumours sprang up in each of the three districts
that had been chosen.
From each district came the same, but separate report that that stone had
become wet to the touch in empathy with its drowned kin.
Rumour made out that each broken piece was wet with tears, crying at it's
own loss, that as the stone wept for its kin.
The authorities ridiculed the idea, but could not halt it as it spread and
grew to claim that each piece knew of the location of the others, and as
time passed the pieces grew stronger so that they could rejoin.
But no mortal knew of the whereabouts of any of the fragments, other than
the three who knew of their own, and kept them in secret fearing the power
that may be unleashed if ever they were to be placed against each other
again.
Nicholas turned the page entranced at the story, but it was blank, there
was nothing written there. He turned the next that too was a clean sheet
of paper. He turned another, and another, and another. They were all the
same, right to the last page, where again was written
'As they are lived so shall they be written'.
Nicholas heard Harriet moving. She came through the doorway and smiled.
She looked refreshed and well as she made her way toward the alcove that
served for meal preparation.
Nicholas put the book back in its place as his thoughts turned to the young
woman. He realized that although he had only known her for such a short
while, he had feelings about her that none of the village girls had ever
stirred within him.
" Harriet can I ask a little of you ", He said. Gone had the
confidence of last
night as the old clumsy feeling returned.
Without turning from her work she replied. " You may, and if it
pleases me to tell you. I may answer ".
She was not going to make this easy.
" I was wondering.. if you were ... er. Betrothed.. "
" Betrothed ", she repeated the words slowly..
" ..or spoken for ... in any way ". He added quickly thinking
he heard her giggle. But still she did not turn.
There was a silence and then she turned looking at him coyly she replied.
" Why master Nicholas. What is the purpose of your question. Am I to
believe....".
She stopped as Eridani walked through the doorway from the outside. He had
kept rugged up the previous evening so Nicholas had not seen him clearly,
but this morning he was not as they had expected. His clothes were rags,
torn and badly fitting. Making him look shorter than be probably was. The
hair was unkempt.
They had gone to bed imagining him as an old friend not as the hermit now
in front of them. The dwelling and the man did not match.
Especially those bright blue eyes, immediately he was reminded of Alexi.
" Good morning. It is now a fine day to continue on your journey.
The sky is clear and the air is washed fresh ".
When he had seen them fed, he took them outside.
The saddles were on the horses, and they were ready to be away, pawing the
ground restlessly, and blowing the sharp air through their nostrils.
They followed Eridani through the trees to the edge of the road and he helped
them climb up. Nicholas looked down. " Thank you friend for I believe
this would have been a sadder morn if it had not been for the meeting of
you ".
" Till we meet again ". He said.
" Strange that a man so should keep a life such ", Harriet
said puzzled as they began to trot towards Lakesend.
Strange it was too thought Nick as he glanced back to see if Eridani
was still there and saw no trace of the path that had showed so clear in
the lantern light.
It was as Eridani had forecast; a beautiful morning. The orb was just
rising,
painting the tops of the mountains pink.
They were far higher than they had been when the light failed the previous
night, and although peaks still rose above, and about them, most of the
mountain range had been passed.
Alongside them in a narrow deep chasm ran, the now almost peacefully river.
It was hard to imagine that it would become the foaming white torrent they
had seen a few hours before.
After a while wagons began joining the main road from lesser ones that
now intersected it.
It was close to midmorning, in building traffic and while rounding a bend
that they came to see the wall.
It blocked off the entire chasm, and towering above them reached almost
as high as the summits of the surrounding peaks. It was curved away from
them, it's sides seeming to grasp around a deep pool at its foot.
It discharged two great plumes of water and spray, issuing from two massive
tubes that jutted out on one side.
Nicholas could not have conceived that from this the great river was born.
Harriet could see him stare in wonder.
" Impressed? ". she said
" I have never seen anything so huge. At least not made by the
hand of man ".
" Then take a deep breath Nicholas Day for we are entering a new
land and into the embrace of the city of Quone ".
He grew kind of accustomed to the sight as they continued up and reached
the
level of it's top. But here another incredible sight awaited him. Behind
the wall, and contained by the adjacent ranges, stretched as far as he could
see, a sea.
Sunlight glinted off the deep blue water. It's surface, especially close
up was
dotted with sails. Nicholas had never seen so much water.
Harriet said nothing but she smiled again at his stare.
A road ran over the top of the crete wall. Nicholas was not sure that
he was comfortable crossing the structure. It was plenty wide enough, but
the sight of so much clear fresh water, a man or two's height below on one
side, and a sheer drop into the chasm the other seemed for no apparent reason
to unsettle his stomach.
He at least was glad when they were over and standing on the other side.
From here they could see Lakesend set in an almost enclosed bay a little
way further down the road.
As they entered the narrow streets people and wagons were everywhere;
if it could be believed even more that there had been in Riverslee.
The house they arrived at was similar to the one in Riverslee. Set in a
group of ten, two lanes behind a particularly large and noisy tavern. They
were welcomed by a middle-aged couple. The man introducing himself as Bertram.
They were told that Colen had arrived the previous evening, and had been
out most of the day.
He advised that the horses were to be tended to for the night at a local
stable on the corner of the lane.
Nicholas said he would take them and on his return to the house was shown
to his room by Bertram.
His sister Alice provided dinner. Apparently neither had ever been married.
Nicholas wondered why in Alice's case for she was a wonderful cook.
After they all sat around the open fire talking. It was getting late,
and all were
thinking of retiring, when Colen returned. He seemed excited.
" I have good news. A cousin of mine has just this day returned
from Quone, He is a lower house servant in the Protectors household and
has overheard of some plans, you should come and meet with him ".
It struck Nick that Harriet seemed almost too sceptical at this fortunate
news.
" What are these plans Colen? ", she asked "
" It concerns the movement of the guard ".
" In what way? " she pressed.
" There was too much for me to remember, and I am not privy to
the rebellion; but you know what is planned and would understand how it
benefits or not our cause "
" Are the military on the move? " she said anxiously
" Yes and no, he mentions many names of villages, towns, and times.
I tried to remember what he said but my memory is not as it used to be ".
" But it seems your cousin's is ". she said dubiously
" I thought you would be pleased ". He said his feelings obviously
hurt. " The choice is yours, if I relate to you what I remember, then
I fear I may by accident change them about ".
" Alright ", said Harriet. " We will come Colen, if it
is absolutely necessary "
" It will affect the plans of the rebellion, of that I am sure
".
" Where does he stay? ". interrupted Nicholas
" He has taken a room at the tavern on the quay side for the night.
He must leave before daybreak, in the morn, to travel down to Riverslee
".
" Then we must go now ", said Nicholas. " Harriet. You
wait here and read......... ".
" No. No... It must be Harriet…. ", Colen said anxiously.
" Colen I have an excellent memory, and will make no mistake. There
is no reason for..... ".
" Nicholas I mean no disrespect, but you are only new with our
band, " She is our leader. He will talk with no other, as what is to
be said should be told to one of importance. She MUST Come ".
Nick looked at her. " Is that how you wish it Harriet? ".
She looked ill at ease with the decision, but nodded her acceptance.
" I will go. Take no offence Colen, but I have become a doubter of
opportune good news. In my experience one must work for success, not have
it given to them as a gift ".
" That is true, but luck strikes in unexpected places ".
" Let us go ", she said. " Do not wait up for us Bertram,
for this meeting may
take some time ".
" I will wait by the fire until your return ", he said. "
.. for times have gone, when a man could leave his door unattended at night
".
All was quiet except for the distant shouting from the tavern as they made
their way through the lanes. The closer the came, the noise from it grew.
Colen took them in the back way and up a flight of stairs. At the top, on
a small landing stood five doors, on one of these Colen knocked softly.
There was a muffled voice from inside.
" It's me Colen ", he said. There was an answer and he pushed
the door open.
Except for a fire on the opposite wall the interior was in total darkness.
As they entered they saw in front of the fire stood a man in a long cloak,
nothing could be seen of him just a black shadow against the glow.
" Shut the door ", he said. " There is a lantern by the
window ". Nicholas looked in the glow from the flames he saw a low
table in front of the heavy curtains.
From a flint by its side, he lit the lamp, and a yellow glow filled the
room
The shadow turned from the fire, to look at Nicholas, and ice ran through
his
veins.
The man was the same captain that had stood in his own house and accused
him of murder.
The captain saw the recognition, and spoke quickly. "Do not do
anything that would cause your pretty young companion to die here in this
room ".
Nicholas looked at her. Colen held her left arm; his right was behind
her. She
thrust her chest out, away from the blade he held between her shoulders.
" It would be no surprise to you ", continued the captain.
" That I really never thought we would meet again. But yet we do. You
are a man of supreme resilience, and have caused others considerable trouble,
and myself humiliation which I cannot excuse ".
Nicolas was furious at how he equated his discomfort with the grief
that Nicholas had endured. He glanced at the weapons the captain carried
and then at Colen ready to take his retribution.
The captain had anticipated how he would react and at his signal the
curtains drew aside. Three armed guards stepped from behind them.
One immediately jabbing his sword under Nicholas's armpit until he felt
it pushing into the soft underside of his shoulder. Another had done the
same with Harriet releasing Colen of his task. Both guards now stood between
him and the girl.
Nicholas threw a look of encouragement that he did not feel towards
her.
The Captain was replying to a question from Colen. " Yes, You will
get the usual, and a bonus, for you have given us a bonus ". He looked
Nicholas in the eyes. " Our friend here has done well, all I asked
for was a rebel leader to interrogate, and he brings you as well. I will
take news of the rebellion, and of your belated death to the Protector,
besides in the end having a plaything for my men. What a fruitful night
this has turned out to be. Believe me Nicholas of Borramulla. You have made
me a very happy man. But I must not gloat, I must make the situation quite
clear before you consider any sudden heroic action. As you will no doubt
be realising we know all about the ageing. In fact the Lord Protector has
a full understanding on just about all that you hope will unfold, but all
the same we will not be complacent and do not reject the opportunity to
squeeze a little more out of you ". He leered at Harriet. " You
can never have too much information is that not so?. But as I have said
I have enough to know what is planned from our friend here, so bear in mind
that I will not hesitate to kill the other, If either one of you attempt
escape ".
The Captain then spoke to one of his men.
" Return to the Drakken, and let the Lord Protector know we have what
we sought ".
He looked back to Harriet. " You will fly back with us and watch as
we surprise your rebellious rabble with such a power as they cannot begin
to imagine ".
Next he turned to Colen " Go now. Return to your errand. Speak to no
one of what has happened here. You yourself must think of some reason
for arriving back alone, tell them only that the others have gone on.
Make speed. Do not delay the rebellion ". Colen left the room.
Now he turned to Nicholas. " This is indeed beyond success. I came
to this
meeting for information, and am given the opportunity to complete a task
long
overdue. After all the trouble that you have caused me I have you Nicholas
of
Borramulla. At last the final link is broken and I shall still have the
honour of breaking it ".
" Aye it appears so ". said Nicholas defiantly. " But
for what reason you, who I do not know have sought so hard to kill me, and
destroy all that I have known and loved. I am at a loss for "
The Captain looked at him then turned and slowly walked across to the
fire. He put another log on to it. The timber steamed slightly, and those
already burning below collapsed sending out a shower of sparks quickly sucked
up the chimney from view .
" I suppose it is not too much to ask of your part in the scheme of
life, when you are about to see it end. I even imagine you feel you have
the right to know who I am. Well Nicholas of Borramulla, of that information
I am not ashamed to confess. My name is Mathew San Mons, but that knowledge
will be of little use to you ", he said, still staring into the embers.
There was short silence broken only by the crackling of the fire, before
he spoke again
" You really do not know of what has passed before, do you ".
He said in a puzzled, questioning voice, though he did not wait for an
answer. He just shook his head in a sad gesture as he walked over to the
low table in the middle of the room.
Sitting on it he stretched his right leg toward the open fireplace. The
firelight flickering in the shine of the high boots. Still he did not look
at his prisoners, as he continued.
" I suppose it will do no harm now that you are about to join your
family.
As a young soldier I was taught that for a man to die with pride he should
meet with his maker in battle with a weapon in his hand, fighting the enemies
of the state. You will not have that honour, but I will allow you to die
with some knowledge ".
His mood changed as if he had reminded himself of some distant memory, and
Mathew turned to face them.
" Now where shall we begin, a history lesson perhaps. Not too far back
in time, I would not wish to occupy your last moments of life with that
of no direct consequence ".
The cruel smile that Nicholas remembered from their last meeting had returned.
" When the first Protector first took power, he did so by being the
strongest and uniting other warlords round him. Though there were some minor
groups who felt that he had been less than honest in alliances that he had
forged.
But the population at large if they had any choice just accepted him as
leader, even if they saw it to be just another autocratic government. Little
opposition as there was came from those who had held high office in previous
times. Still he tried to be magnanimous and felt this was best controlled
by diplomatic means. Propaganda campaigns were organized to discredit some,
but eventually even the Kar-kankar and the remnants of the Royal house accepted
him, very reluctantly that is true, but they accepted him.
But by this time voices raised in protests were very few, and as a gesture
of reconciliation he allowed the royal house to continue its rule but strictly
under his direction of course.
This state of affairs continued for some time, until a movement against
him, and loyal to the old ruling royal house began to grow in strength.
Of course it was totally forbidden to become a member, but more and more
took the risk to join. With such support ultimately the Royal household
rebelled against him, and stated they would publicly denounce what they
termed as his corrupt practices.
It was then the decision was taken to remove all dissent by any means required.
Patrols were dispatched to take all of the royal families, and their supporters
into custody, they were to be disposed of in off-world labour camps or permanently
removed.
All went as planned until while mopping up one obscure branch, it became
known that a princess Tannalee. A descendant of an important Northern Royal
family had given birth to a child days before her own death.
This was long before the Protector himself had any direct interest in the
petty wars that raged now and again across the continent. And because of
that it had gone unnoticed. But I digress; back to the story. This child
had been given to Tannalees, most trusted and loyal captain's wife. She
took it out of the fortress and into obscurity.
I was given the task of finding and removing this last link. The last remaining
rallying post. The last legitimate claimant to the house of Loc-Sie ".
He fell silent.
" But when I arrived to serve that cause, he as now the child was a
young man had gone ".
Mathew was looking directly at Nicholas. " You have the ring?".
Nick gave no indication that he knew what Mathew was referring to.
" Don't let us waste time playing games. I know you carry it secretly
upon you for we could not find it at your dwelling when it was resumed.
Please show it to us ".
Nicholas took the bag from his waistband. Inside was the small box.
He took the ring from it.
" Go ahead put it on, the index finger of the left hand I believe
is the one it fits on ".
" What convinces you, that this is the ring you seek ". Nick
said as he slipped it onto the finger. It felt cold to the touch, but comfortable.
The opaque stone seemed to reflect the lamplight. He could have sworn that
for a moment it appeared wet. A brief flash of colour seemed to appear from
deep down inside, as if one could see through it. His eyes were playing
tricks on him.
Nicholas looked at Mathew.
" Bring him over to the light " he said to the guard. ' …It
is said that the ring of Quone-Loc-Sie will know they who have the right
to rule. If that is so we would all see the true heir to the Royal house,
if that person wore this ring ".
Nicholas looked again, but the ring was as it had been before, a beautiful
but simple trinket. He realized that Mathew was talking again.
" ………the ring placed on their finger all would
know the chosen one ".
Nick was not sure if Mathew had seen the brief flash of colour and depth,
or for that matter he was not sure he had either.
" Then you have the wrong person ". he said firmly
Mathew looked at him.
" See for yourself. The ring is naught but a ring. I am no other
than Nicholas Day. Who I claim to be ".
Nicholas's eyes caught those of Harriet's. There was something in them he
sought to understand. She was trying to tell him something. Her lips were
moving, but no sound came out. Her eyes turned to the guard behind him.
" Let me see ", snapped Mathew as he stood ".
As he did the silence was broken as Harriet screamed . " Nicholas.
Save the rebellion ". Uttering her cry, she lunged for the sword of
the guard holding her. Her bare hands closed about the blade, pulling it
down as the guard tried to withdraw it from her grasp. Blood poured out
between her fingers, as the blade sliced through her flesh to the bone she
tightly held on. Suddenly she let go and his reflex pushed the blade up
into her body. She took the sword deep into her, and sagged with a cry of
pain.
Nick suddenly realized the unspoken words. She had said, " Goodbye.
My love ".
The scream of Harriet's sacrifice had taken them all by surprise. The
suicidal
lunge had been totally unexpected. For an instant the guards forgot Nicholas.
In that same space of time, from below his shirt he took the throwing knife.
Spun and slit the throat of the guard behind him. The other guard was roughly
pushing Harriet's body off his sword, with his foot. He received the knife
in his chest. The weapon was not long, but enough to reach his heart.
Nicholas delayed nearly a moment too long seeing Mathew, his sword above
his head coming for him. Nicholas flicked his wrist: the short knife spun
into the air in a low arc. Its spinning shedding a splattering of blood
around the room.
Nick saw it gain a little height then fall slightly, towards Mathew.
The captain saw it too, eyes opening wide he uttered a terrified "
No ", a moment before the blade sank deep into his throat. Whatever
else he would have said was lost in a gargling sound made through the now
open windpipe in his neck, and that was soon drowned in blood.
It was finished, the man who now lay before him, had destroyed him twice.
How much grief was he to bear, for he was doubly cursed, if it was right
as said, to have had and lost two families and now the only one who he had
loved.
There was a whimper behind him. He spun around. Harriet was still alive,
He was quickly at her side cushioning her head. Her lips were moving, but
the words were too faint. Nicholas leaned close to her mouth.
" ...Be.. my... white night.... give me vict..ory to die for...
", she said her voice
failing.
" Quiet save your strength ".
" ... I wish...it could have.... been... different for us... ".
" I love you ", he said, tears streaming over his cheeks.
She said nothing more, as she began to loose consciousness.
The cuts almost made his heart stop. They were deep and wide. " Oh
where are you now Riegel with your knowledge ". he wept.
Through tear soaked eyes he packed the wound below her shoulder with a wad
torn from his own shirt, and bound it with strips torn off the table cover,
until the flow of blood was stemmed. Then he bound still more around her
body so that she could not move her arm.
Her hands were still clasped loosely around the blade. Her delicate fingers
hung loosely back from her hand. Three were almost totally severed. The
bleeding from these wounds was not as bad as had been the flow from under
her arm, but if these deep gashes had have been the only damage to her frail
body, it would have been a fearful injury.
She was unconscious now, her shallow laboured breathing causing Nicholas
to fear that every breath would be her last.
Alexi's words that he should accept others sacrifice's for him rang in his
brain. He didn't want death, he didn't want a kingdom, all he wanted was
slowly fading from his world.
Carefully lifting her he carried her out the back way.
The patrons of the tavern still shouting and singing were oblivious to the
dreadful scene, or to their escape.
He went back, running as best he could, through the dark alleys to the house
from where they had started. Leaning back against the door he kicked with
his heel against the stout timber.
" Wait. Patience. Patience. I'm coming ". The door, was opened
by Bertram, annoyed by the repeated kicking. He took one look.
" Mother of mercy what has happened ".
Nicholas did not reply as he entered. Bertram quickly led him up to
the small
kitchen.
" Lay her upon the table ".
Alice walked into the room disturbed by the commotion.
The move and run from the table had caused the blood to start flowing again,
staining Harriet's clothes deep red.
She pushed the men out of the way. " She bleeds too fast ", she
said trying with her bare hands to stop the flow.
" What of Malcome? ". Bertram said urgently to his sister.
She said nothing but the look she gave her brother took every hope from
Nicholas.
" We have a friend who has sympathy to our cause, he is well versed
in the
treatment of illness ". Said Bertram to Nicholas. He can get medicines
and has attended to wounds before ". his voice trailed away. "
.... though not as severe. He will help, if help any can ".
" Go Bertram, Get him for what it is worth ". said Alice
The man raced from the room.
Nick looked at Harriet. He had seen his parents, or the people he knew
and loved as his parents, and he had seen his brother, all three in pools
of their lifeblood. He had been devastated beyond words. But somehow
this was different. For some reason watching this young girl, who he
hardly new, die before his eyes actually tore the soul from his body.
He had never felt such loss as he felt at this moment, and he wished never
to feel it again.
He looked up at Alice. She was looking at him.
He did not speak, but she did. " Nicholas. The damage is grave.
She has lost more blood than she can afford. Malcome is a good man, but
he cannot work miracles, and that is what we need. You must be strong, and
prepare for the worst ".
Several minutes later Bertram returned and almost forced Nick away.
" Let Malcome do what he can ". He said pulling him into the adjoining
room." I need to know what happened ".
Nick slumped into the chair.
Bertram looked at him, a thousand questions in his eyes.
" It was Colen. He led us into a trap. A captain of the guard was
waiting ".
Bertram shook his head. " Then our plans are known ".
" You must warn what others you can ".
" I fear that is easier said than done. They will have scattered
like husks in the
wind. Some we may find in time, others will lay low until…… They
will have to fend for themselves when it all starts ".
" It can't still go ahead. The plans are known ". snapped
Nicholas unreasonably.
" Neither can it be stopped Nicholas. We have no communications.
That is, was our strength. Groups work and operate by themselves. To contact
each and everyone is next to impossible ".
" But you must try. There will be bloodshed beyond belief ".
" There will. But like Harriet they will offer that sacrifice freely
".
" This is madness ".
" Of course it is Nicholas. But it is a disorder that affects all
oppressed men and women. Harriet gave her own life to save the rebellion.
Not delay it, or stop it, but to save it Nicholas, and should I walk down
the path that she now walks, heaven pray that I do it with half the courage
that a child has shown to me ".
Nicholas had no words to reply.
" I will warn what others I can, and do my best to save what can
be saved from this, but run no. We will meet all again Nicholas at the gates
of Quone, or as spirits, for we have lived as slaves too long ".
He looked at Alice as she came into the room.
" Malcome has done what little he can. She grows weaker. Nicholas
the time has come for you to say your farewell ".
They left him alone with her. She looked pale, a deathly white, but
peaceful, and still beautiful.
Alice had moved her to the bed and had covered her with a warm blanket.
She
looked to Nicholas almost as if she was asleep. He remembered the night
in the cavern when he had sneaked in to look at her while she had really
slept.
He had begun to cry again, and reached into his pocket for a kerchief. He
felt the ring. He pulled it out and looked at it.
" Damn you and all you stand for, " he sobbed. " But if this
is truly the ring of a king… ", his voice began to fail him. "
……be I him or not, then I give it to my queen, for without you,
there is nothing in any kingdom that I desire ". He could hardly speak
now. " One day…….. ", he sobbed. " I would have
slipped a band of gold around your finger, but this will be my eternal bond
to you ".
It was far too large to fit but the only finger on her hand that remained
was her index finger, he placed it over the finger.
As he held it, and it touched both their flesh, the colour seemed to burst
out of the depth in such a kaleidoscope that for an instant it made him
turn his aching eyes away.
Harriet gasped, her body went into a spasm, became rigid, then relaxed and
went still.
Nicholas knelt besides her for some time before he could stand and gently
let down her hand. He didn't notice that the finger hung down so that the
ring should have fallen from it. But it did not slip off. It held comfortable
and tightly around the slender finger.
He waited for some time, but all signs of life seemed gone.
Time had run out for them all and with a heavy heart he quickly said
goodbye to Bertram and Alice. Thanking them for what they had done.
He asked that they care for Harriet's resting-place, and almost ran from
the
house, save they should see the welling up in his eyes that he could no
longer hold back.
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