Nicholas made his way back to the tavern, for a plan had now formed which
could work if luck was on his side, though as to his own future he no longer
cared.
Entering the back of the tavern, without being seen again, he went to the
room and opened the door.
The scene was as he had left it, and as the awful reality of what had happened
overwhelmed him, almost breaking his resolve.
He tried to focus his thought on the knife he had forgotten in his haste.
It still was embedded in the lifeless body.
Forcing himself he gripped the handle and pulled. Revulsion surged in him
as it refused to give. He tugged harder, and at last it came out, removing
with it a soggy clump of flesh and congealed blood.
Fighting back the nausea he emptied water into the washbowl and cleaned
the blade, then he placed it into his waistband,
Looking back at the corpse he saw that though Mathew's blood was still moist
on the front of the uniform it had not spread as far as he feared it would
have.
The yellow sash had a large stain on the front but it was lower down where
it could be hidden with the cloak, to all but a close inspection.
Satisfied that his plan could work he began to strip the uniform from the
body. Once again he would become one of the guard, but this time a promotion
in rank.
Outside stood Mathew's horse. It looked at him in confused recognition,
only snorting as he untied the harness. It eyed him cautiously but let him
mount.
Nick patted its neck and whispered in its ear.
" Can you run? Can you run like the wind? For if you can now is the
time ".
As if in reply the great horse reared up on it's hind legs, for a moment
taking him by surprise and nearly throwing him to the ground, and then with
almost a spring they were away, and heading and out of the town at full
gallop.
He had gone less than a thousand paces past the last inhabited building,
when across the road he saw a barricade made from two, high-sided wagons
backed up end on to each other.
Although he wore the uniform of a captain he was in no mood for pretence
at this time, but neither there was way around.
Nicholas cast his eye for whoever was manning the roadblock waiting for
their challenge
With no other command there was no hesitation from the horse, and Nicholas
felt the muscles in its flanks bunch up, and tighten as the animal prepared
for what it believed was to be asked of it.
The horse unleashed a burst of speed that swept Nicholas past what he felt
was their point of no return, and gripping tightly to the saddle he readied
himself.
They bore down on the barrier, now close enough to be able to see the realization
on the guards faces that they were not going to stop. There were three men,
all dived for cover as Nicholas felt the power transfer from the muscles
throughout the animals body into its hindquarters. With a tremendous push
the hind legs left the ground and horse and man soared into the air.
Nicholas's doubt left him as the animal's front hoofs came up and tucked
tightly under its chest. Never had Nicholas ridden a beast such as this.
Yes he had pushed it, but half expecting the animal to baulk and falter,
but the horse did not deviate or hesitate.
The guards were disappearing beneath the wagon wheels, as the horse
cleared one then the other of the timber wagon side's by centimeters.
They hit the ground at the other side with the beast faltering slightly
as its legs absorbed the impact. It sank low, struggling to lift and regain
its momentum, not helped by Nicholas's crashing back down heavily onto the
hard saddle.
Winded by the impact Nicholas was still being tossed from one side to the
other as it broke back into a gallop.
As if this was an act he had often done Nicholas shouted out loud, leaning
forward slapping the side of the horses neck in encouragement. " To
Quone Black Prince. To Quone and my destiny…. Whatever that may be
".
As they rode on the Nicholas mulled over the events just passed, partly
to understand, but mainly to keep his thoughts from Harriet.
Some things Mathew had spoken puzzled him, Where was off world? And he had
spoken of flying. The words confused Nick. Fly, birds flew, man could not.
Could flight mean quick, rapidly, probably, but what was the point in saying
such. The alternative was to take their time. It seemed a pointless waste
of words. He had said unleash a terrible power. Nicholas had seen terrible
power that night in the woods when Mark had died so needlessly. That man
he saw briefly in the sky had flown that night.
There seemed no other logical explanation.
But if that were the intention, to place such a strange object close by
Lakesend would attract too much attention. If it were, it would be well
outside of town, but where. Maybe he didn't need to ask. Prince didn't seem
to have ridden far and he certainly needed no encouragement to take the
road they now traveled. The horse would take him if he trusted it, at least
he hoped it would.
It was vital that Simeon was warned; their plans were known.
Already the city would be well into the celebrations. Many of the rebels
would be at their assigned locations, passing the time until their signal
was given.
He feared that by the time he could contact them, the rebellion would be
underway, with no chance to alter the plan without abandoning units to their
own devices, and he knew neither Simeon, Antour nor any of the others would
do that.
As Nicholas though on he knew that whatever the result, the rebellion would
run its course, the only option once started would be to slow the guards
response. How that could be done seemed beyond comprehension.
A few minutes later prince began to slow and as he turned a bend a rider
came out from the shadow of a tree, and called.
" Good captain. Wait. Wait ".
Nick reigned in the animal at the voice.
The man was at a canter as he caught up. " I am not confident your
sentries will understand my special position, so I have waited that we may
ride in together ".
It was Colen. Nicholas slowed his horse and trotted allowing the man
to come alongside. He reached over to the other horse when it came close
and took the bridle from Colen's hand, quickly tying it to his saddle.
Colen still had still not realized his mistake, and continued with a
list of his useful attributes.
It was only after some time when he received no answers that he became suspicious
and Nicholas threw back the hood.
" It's me Colen ". he said with less hate than he had expected.
Colen's first reaction was to jump from the horse, but Nicholas reached
out and stopped him by grabbing his sleeve.
" Stay where you are, unless you want to die here and now ".
Colen slumped back into the saddle.
" As you suggested from here on we ride together ".
" Forgive me Nicholas " he pleaded. " Please I... ".
In the moonlight Nicholas saw his face bore the look of a trapped animal
as he sought an excuse, or way of escape.
" Do not waste you breath with apologies or excuses Colen, for
time has past for those. I left Harriet dead because of your mischief, and
for that I will not forgive. Nor will I attempt to understand what reason
you had to do as you have done ".
Colen sounded shocked " Nicholas I am sorry, I did not mean for
her to be hurt ".
" Then tell me what did you expect to happen once you gave her
to them ".
Colen did not reply, but held his head down.
" They offered me more money than I had drea..... ".
" I have no interest in your dreams when mine are shattered ".
" But Nicholas we cannot win. They have a machine that is invincible.
The rebellion was finished before it had chance to begin ". He looked
up.
" Nicholas if you could see the things that it can do, then you would
see why I did what I have done ".
" This machine. It can fly? ".
" Yes, you know of it? ". Colen was surprised at the casual
way in which Nick referred to what he considered to be a wonder.
" It is near by? ".
" Not far at all from here. A little way more, then across the
fields ".
" Then lead the way and if you do I shall not revenge myself with
your
pitiless life ".
" You will let me go? ".
" Take me to this thing and I'll let you leave, but never to cross
my path
again. Try to trick me, and I'll end your life in a second ".
" Come then Nicholas. We go to the Drakken ".
" Remember I am Mathew Sans Sons, captain of the guard, the second
you forget that, it will be the last in your life ".
" Of course captain ". Colen said smarmily
They were in fact quite close to where the Drakken had landed and within
minutes they were coming out of the cover of the trees into a clearing.
Nicholas wasn't sure what he had expected. But firstly he was taken back
by the sheer size of the machine. It was hard to know exactly how big it
was in the darkness, but it appeared to be oval in shape, some twenty metres
high, and at least twice that across its width. It hovered silently just
clear of the ground, with no visible means of support, other than a pale
blue glow emitted from the base.
It was smooth and except for a single row of windows, high up and lit from
the inside with a dull red light, there was little to spoil the symmetrical
shape.
In the direction that he and Colen rode towards it was a ramp.
They passed under the greatest diameter and Nicholas had to force himself
not to stop and stare up in amazement.
Ignoring the unbelievable he had to act as the captain would have done and
stride purposefully towards whatever the opening contained.
Colen led the way, walking his horse up the ramp, its iron shoes making
a loud ringing noise as they came into contact with the shiny metal.
As they entered it became obvious that at some time this been some form
of cargo hold, although its purpose now was to act as a stable, for temporary
timber stalls had been constructed for ten horses. Of these four had animals
already in them and another contained a pile of yellow ingots.
It was a poor way to estimate the odds, but nick assumed that the number
of stalls indicated that there were only four guards on board. Plus an unknown
crew and whatever security that it did, or did not have. For estimation,
he used the sailing boats as an indication, skipper, mate and two crew.
That gave eight at a minimum, but he had no 'real' idea ".
" How many will there be in this thing ".
" Guard? ".
" And crew ".
Colen looked at the horses. " Eight maybe nine ".
It was close enough to Nicholas's own estimation but he was still wary
of the mans recent treachery.
The man had become more confident now they had entered the craft, by
how he seemed less awed than he had been Nicholas was sure he had been here
before. His suspicion was borne out by the way that Colen went about placing
his horse in its stall. Instructing Nicholas with a way about him of a big
brother showing his worldly knowledge to a sibling.
Nicholas had not remembered hearing it outside, but inside he could hear
the same noise as that night at the waterfall. A great deal quieter, but
the same. All he saw about him may seem like magic, but he was practical
enough to realize it would come from some machinery deep inside the craft.
Colen had walked to a portion of the wall painted with diagonal yellow
stripes and spoke towards it.
" Open ", he said and the section of wall disappeared and a doorway
was there. Even after it had shut behind them Nicholas was still not sure
whether the door had gone up, down, sideways or, just plain melted away.
They were in a circular room about three metres high, a number of other
yellow striped markings were around the walls here, similar to one they
had just walked through. Each bore a label. He guessed with it's probable
use or contents marked.
Nicholas understood some and felt he could make a good assumption at the
others. Auxiliary power and weapons amongst others.
Colen was walking to a disc in the center of the chamber, which glowed
blue from beneath.
" Where are the guards Colen? ".
" They are above us, they rest in the knowledge that no one would
have the courage to enter here without invitation ".
Nicholas grabbed his arm, unconsciously pulling him away from the disc
he seemed anxious to get to.
" Wait, I must have a plan ".
" We cannot wait for long. They will know the captain and another
have come aboard. If we take too long, they will grow suspicious ".
" A few moments more, while I see what advantage I can take ".
Nick looked at the door.
" The weapons room show it to me ".
Colen shrugged and strode over to the marked wall, spoke the same command,
and again it opened.
For a moment Nicholas was disappointed. The room contained no recognizable
weapons of any type.
On what he assumed to be the outside wall were the now familiar yellow stripes.
As for furniture, there were only three seats, and about twenty pictures
and tables of script, such as he had seen in his delirium after the mob
had him.
" What are they? ".
" They call them V.S.S ".
" What does that mean? ".
" Vid….o... status.. Something like that ".
" What function do they serve? ".
" Terrible things ".He had sat in one of the chairs. "
Men watch and control by picture and word the weapons I warned you of.
This is the nemesis of the rebellion ".
" Outside ". He said and immediately one of the screens changed
to
show an area of trees shrouded in the darkness. A female voice from below
the view uttered. ' Direction? '.
" Ramp ". he replied.
The screen changed again, showing the area they had walked across when approaching.
He turned to the wall and spoke again " Window ". Now the entire
wall was replaced by an image of the dark forest ".
Nicholas had been stood had leaning against the same wall and instantaneously
sensed he was about to fall out. He thrust himself forward into the room.
Colen laughed " Fear not the wall remains, but unseen, though I
do admit it can be extremely unnerving when the craft is in flight ".
A smirk spread over his face " I can even make a door if you wish
". he said, emphasizing the 'I'
" Who were you talking to? "
.
" The machine itself. Speak and it will do, if I ask a task or question
of it, it will do, but a machine it remains ".
He grinned.
" You have seen nothing Nicholas. This is but a toy, even I am allowed
to observe its operation, at least in part ".
'A toy?'. Brooded Nicholas silently as a fleeting image of a figure
suspended in the darkness came to his mind. 'Such a toy no person should
have'
Colen would have been happy to continue with more, but another, different
voice interrupted them.
" Is everything in order captain? ".
Nicholas had no idea where it came from
" Yes ", he answered not knowing what was expected by way of a
reply, but realizing one was required.
Is voice lowered and he whispered to Colen, " Can they hear us ".
" If they want to " he replied quietly " But it is unlikely
they would eavesdrop on the captain. Though you hear now that already they
grow curious ".
He walked to the door and commanded it to open.
Nicholas stood hesitant of what do as he watched Colen step onto the
blue disc.
" Well Nicholas I have enjoyed our little meeting again, but it
is over now. Wait a while longer while I report that an intruder is on the
lower deck ".
.
Nicholas went to lunge for him, but his hands swept towards empty space
as Colen smiled and said." Control deck ",
His body glowed with the same colour of the disk and he disappeared
Nicholas stared at where he had been. He didn't know what had happened,
but it was beyond doubt that wherever he had gone it was to betray him for
the second time. Still it was not unexpected, but there was no time left,
he must act now .
He had not said anything to Colen, but a plan had been forming in his mind.
Is mind had recalled the solar panels, and how the alderman had allowed
on the occasion of his sons wedding, all the village folk to come into the
grounds of his mansion
They had been kept in a separate roped off area of the garden to the main
guests but saw, and in a way participated in all that went on. Toward evening,
when the lanterns would normally be lit for the festivities to continue
a machine like the solar panels had been brought into the center of the
celebrations.
Nicholas had seen it earlier when preparing the grounds, basking in full
orb light, it was almost avoided until there was a sudden storm of rain.
The shower came from nowhere, and fell heavily. Everybody rushed for cover,
except for the estate workers, who ran desperately to cover the machine,
as apparently water caused it to fail.
Nicholas knew he was clutching at air but if the workings of this machine
were the same?.
Under the screens was a small bench. On the wall immediately above was
a row of narrow panels that looked as if they allowed access into the insides
of the VSS
Nicholas pulled at one it slipped out into his hand easily; quickly he pulled
off two others further long.
Then he ran back to the stable and commanded it open. There in front
of him were even stranger vehicles, this time with large rubber wheels,
other
than that there were boxes and containers. This was not the room
he sought
He tried the next door. This time he saw the horses and the water trough
he had also seen close by containers for the animals feed. He picked one
up and tore at the top, it refused to come off and it took precious seconds
before he realized it had to be turned.
The cap came off and he tipped the grain over the floor, then plunged the
empty vessel into the water.
It forced itself back up with the trapped air and continued to do so while
he forced the open end below the surface.
The lights suddenly turned red, then back to white, alternating every
second while an urgent voice called out. " Intruder... Lower level...
Weapons room... Locate. Subdue..." A high-pitched note accompanied
red light.
Nicholas dragged the heavy container from the trough. Water slopped out
everywhere including down his clothes as he raced back into the weapons
room.
Without hesitation he hurriedly tossed and poured the water into the open
inspection grills, making his way along the bench, then back again until
no more was left.
The warning call screaming in his ears seemed to increase, but nothing happened
to the machinery.
Devastated at loosing his only chance to do anything to help the rebellion
Nicholas turned to flee. As he commanded the door to open there was a fuzzy
noise from behind him, then a low crackling, which grew louder and louder.
As he fled he looked briefly over his shoulder. It was long enough to see
sparks coming from the entire length of the grills.
There were several loud bangs and the room began to fill with smoke,
rising up to meet a gas pouring out from vents in the roof.
He saw no more as he was entering the stable again.
Here too were the red light and siren, but they remained on now, only interrupted
by an unperturbed female voice.
" Main power weapons..... malfunction.... vacate the area... area
to be voided. Warning room about to be voided ".
Whatever voided was, it did not sound like something he wanted to stop
and watch.
He was mounting Prince now, pulling the horses head round in the confined
stable.
The door had remained open, looking back he saw a figure starting to materialize
on the blue disc as the voice called out again.
" Warning power fluctuations ".
There was a distant cry, and the vague form writhered in agony. The warning
was too late for whoever had been on the disk
Under his feet there was a heavy bump, and he felt a slight tipping
of the floor.
The voice called out again. " Auxiliary power bypa....... ".
He heard no more as Prince raced down the ramp with enough noise from
hoof on metal to raise the sleepers from their beds in Lakesend.
Then the thud of the soil coated in soft fern replaced it as again Prince
carried him into the trees and he hoped, from danger.
He made for the road leaving the craft disabled, how badly and for how
long he had no idea. He could only hope and pray that it would be long enough.
The sounds of flute, fiddle and accordion filled the air, as did the
aroma of cooked onions, meats and fish. The wide paved streets between the
fine houses and shops were packed with people; laughter and joy on every
face. Each step they took they were jostled by dancers adorned with strips
of brightly colored materials and trinkets.
They had only been in Quone since mid morning but already Antour was
feeling claustrophobic.
He leaned close to Simeon ear and still almost had to shout to be heard.
" We should try to find another way through? ".
Simeon realized the futility of an answer and just nodded his head in
agreement.
The took the next side street, and after several dead ends and failed choices
they found a back way running parallel, that looked promising.
Several streets back from the main thoroughfare the lanes and alleys were
less crowded, but narrower, some barely wide enough for a wagon to pass
along. Not that any would where they walked to the side of the keeps approach
ramp. Though even walking had become difficult, and it seemed the slope
got steeper with each step they took.
Antours feeling of being hemmed in had not eased, there were less people
but now the houses crowded him. They packed close together, channeling the
noise to and past them as if in a chasm, each time they passed a road than
ran back to the main one.
Reluctantly he accepted that soon they would have to go back into the throng
Antour noted that here in the poorer part of town that many houses doubled
as shops, opening their front room up for whatever trade or service the
occupant may have been able to scrape a meager income from.
Not only did it feel claustrophobic, it felt depressing. A feeling that
was not relieved even by looking up at the narrow strip of blue sky, for
intruding on that vision now was the grim wall of the fortress.
Its growing and ominous bulk overwhelmed him.
The inhabitants seemed less troubled, or were used to the sight, for
everywhere there were signs celebration and symbols associated with the
ageing ceremony that would commence within hours,
Antour pondered on the thought that none realized that this ageing would
be a day they would not forget for another reason.
A short while later, turning a corner took them into a wider street
than before. On the one side were the usual houses, on the other, directly
in front of them, the great wall of the keep soared into the sky.
Antour and Simeon stood and stared up in something between dread and awe.
" Come Antour do not draw attention to ourselves ", said Simeon,
at last as he took the others arm pulling him forward, but that only drew
their eyes back down to gentle curve of the massive stone blocks that ran
in a smooth line towards the gateway.
They said nothing more, instead saving their breath for the steep climb
back to the ramp, and trying to make their minds fight the oppressive feeling
that had come over them. Though neither showed it to the other, the bravado
of planning seemed less achievable in the raw light of reality.
The side way they had taken had brought them close to the southern end
of the wall, which in a way was not a bad thing for it had been in their
minds to walk the entire length as a final check.
What couldn't be seen from so close up was that the keep had been placed
on the back wall of a blind, river gully.
Originally, many generations ago it had overlooked and served as refuge
for a small village. Now that village had grown into a city and the keep
in proportion was a massive structure.
With each dynasty that ruled, the fortress had grown up and out. The keep
climbing higher and higher up the rock walls to achieve its present seventeen
levels, the site of the old village now enclosed within a curtain wall and
lake.
Above and around the keep a sheer cliff face rose, towering hundreds
of metres higher up the side of the mountain. Above was the only way in
bar the gate, and to achieve entrance that way one would have needed to
be a cross between a mountain goat and a bird.
Not as well know was that inside the wall, behind the moat was an open parade
ground; to one side were the were the barracks, stores and stables, and
to the other the civil service apartments, kitchens and offices.
To a casual viewer on their side, none of these things could be seen behind
the imposing wall.
They had come to the bridge that crossed over the outer moats overflow.
Gushing noisy water raced down the drain and they were both tempted to go
down to the shingle beaches that lined each side, and splash the beckoning
sparking waters over their hot faces and necks, as scores of children were
doing. But they were not here for pleasure, they were here to see the single
entrance and its watching phalanx of guards.
It was much as they expected; the area to the front and sides of the
gate was covered with a wide deep pond. Access was over two drawbridges,
the first to get to a fortified tower in the center of the water, and a
second to reach the gateway. Wicked looking spikes jutted from the roof
of the portal showing a portcullis could be quickly dropped in place.
Towards the left of the gate the water surface bubbled. Beneath was a barred
tunnel that filled the pond from the river within the fortress. Rumor had
it that oil could be poured into the steam and it would be carried out to
cover the pond, where it could be set alight enveloping the entrance in
flame.
Antour didn't need telling that an army could not take this gate by force.
But now it appeared peaceful. Less guard than they had expected, but
that could be because they were on the city outskirts, checking the inflow.
Though only the second bridge was down, flow in and out of the gate was
unimpeded, if it only would stay that way.
The walking became easier as they descended to the other end of the
wall where it slotted into the raw rock of the mountain.
Talk had it that only once had an attempt been made at scaling the wall.
Though that had been a failure, here at the end they could see where as
a result every crack and toe hold in the rock face had been chipped away
or cret'ed in for hundred metres further along and up.
Once more walking back up the incline reminded them that not even the
most powerful siege machines had room to get close enough to hurl a missile
over it.
The fortress truly was impenetrable, except for the front gate.
In another ten minutes or so, after stopping to gather breath or inspect
some trader's wares they came back upon the gate.
Here was the single place where the smooth wall was broken by any feature,
the square opening. Immediately to the front and sides of this was the pond,
by careful walking they estimated at a good eighty metres across.
Looking again to where that water swelled up disturbing the otherwise
smooth surface they could only assume the hidden create pipe was obstructed
by several barriers of iron mesh spaced along their length as they had
been informed.
Directly in front of the gateway, and in the center of the small lake
stood the tower, rising sheer from the depths. Had it stood any place other
than here, it would have been the tallest structure in the district, but
it now was dwarfed by the structure behind.
There were no windows in the tower until after the level of the highest
of the
surrounding houses.
Connecting the wall to the tower, and the tower to the town were the substantial
timber drawbridges. Only rarely was more than one set down to allow access
straight through, and the hour of the aging was one of those times.
Then common folk would be allowed to cross and enter the courtyard, where
packed like fish in a barrel, they would witness the ceremony.
But this year the fish would contain a few sharks. Once inside they
would storm the armory, then the garrison, and finally the apartments.
Pretending to look at a store holders ware they could see the tiniest glimpse
of the keep through the gateway; far in the distance, or so it seemed.
At its center some eight levels above the ground, poured a waterfall, and
below a smaller lake where the water as it gushed from inside the mountain
was caught, contained. From the pool it ran through ornamental moats either
side of the courtyard before it fell into the crete pipe under the wall.
On this side they could clearly see that it ran from the lake it in channel
and drain through the town to the outer wall. From there by stream and river
through field and forest until it finally merged with the lake
Whoever held the source of that water, held the city and the lands of Loc-Sie.
Satisfied that everything looked as expected, in fact better for the
few guards seen were only lightly armed with weapons more of a ceremonial
nature than for battle, they slowly made their way back down the main thoroughfare
and through the city, confident that things boded well.
By the time they left the throng they carried a number of cheap, almost
useless ageing day trinkets, forced upon them by eager shopkeepers they
had reluctantly accepted to keep up the pretence of being travelers, but
as they got further away they gave them to children they passed.
" I should have the money that you give away Antour ", joked Simeon.
" Tomorrow I shall be more than happy to be a poor, but free man
". He said solemnly.
The two men had made their way back almost to the cities outer wall
and now stood in front of a house of the same timber design as a hundred
others they had passed.
The stout door was opened by a youth.
" Gooday young sir ", Simeon said in a voice loud enough to be
envied by one of the actors in the plays that would attract the crowds that
night. " I am told the kind owner of this dwelling would not turn a
homeless traveler away from
his door, especially if that traveler has money ".
He laughed out loud, and shook a bag rattling with the sound of coin.
" What is this commotion ".
A man, whose similarity, betrayed him as the boy's father, pushed the youth
to one side.
" Sir " began Simeon again " I am told that we may buy
lodgings here for the celebration. Please do not turn us away, for the taverns
are full and we do not
fancy the thought of sleeping in the streets; that is unless we are drunk
out of our good senses " His face broke into a wide grin.
" Master our home is small, but I am not a man of means so you
are welcome to board for these days, not least of all for the money you
offer ".
He bid them enter, and closed the door after them.
As soon as it was shut all three men burst out laughing and threw their
arms about one.
" Jacob " said the man to the youth " Run, tell Maryanne
that Simeon and Antour are here at last, if she has not already heard? ".
As the boy left them Simeon looked disapprovingly at the man "
Not already heard?. Nathan do you accuse me of being loud and unruly? ".
" Aye, and with more than good reason ".
They tossed good-natured banter between them until a Maryanne came into
the room. Jacob helped the crippled woman to a chair close to the fireplace.
Simeon and Antour knew her legs had been broken by the guards in the
keep the season before, and for several seconds there was an unpleasant
silence as they tried to find the right words to say
" Gooday marm ", they both echoed, almost together and almost
embarrassed to be standing without aid.
" Do not stop your conversation for me " she said pleasantly.
" for I am as pleased as Nathan that you are here ".
But the high spirited feeling had passed, and instead the settled to a quiet
exchange as they brought each other up date with news of the cities preparations,
and or of the rebellion.
" The arms have been distributed around the city, and all know
their duty ", confirmed Nathan. " Either I have spoken with, or
by child to child have passed messages to all the groups within the city
walls. Everyone lies low, but next time we gather it will be inside the
fortress ".
" The group that are to take the tower and the gateway; it is essential
they are clear on their plans " said Antour .
" Aye, they are. During the protectors address, when the marshal
utters the words 'let the celebrations begin', and the crowd cheers as is
its practice, they will rush the guards at those points ".
" They must keep the gates open until the crowd can escape, for
the battle will be on then, and I fear many souls may perish if they are
trapped between "
" It is possible Simeon, nay it is probable that some who should
not, may fall. Much depends on how quick the relief guard can return from
the outer wall. If they are too soon there may not be time to clear the
courtyard before a battle commences ".
" It is a grim prospect Nathan " said Antour " But the
gates must be closed to stop other guards assisting those inside.. ".
Simeon interrupted, " I do not wish to dwell on it, but the importance
of the gates is above all. They must know what is expected of them Nathan
".
" Have no fear they know the risk. They know that the gates must
be ours
and all are prepared to die on those steps to give them to you ".
" And we will not fail them Nathan. As for our part the men we
have brought to the city this last week are ready. Their weapons will be
concealed about their persons, and each knows his target. We expect and
it seems to be so from our reconnoiter, that there will be few guards about
".
" Most will be in their ale houses from early morn " interrupted
Jacob to all their amusement .
" I hope that be so " said Simeon " …as I will lead
the attack on the garrison, and Antour on the armory. If luck is with us
we then move on to the apartments to claim the city ".
They spoke for a while longer after the evening meal, then retired to
bed early. It would be a big day tomorrow.
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