The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) Page 17

  ‘Then what can we do?’ Riggadardian asked with worry.

  ‘Continue my initial plan. Poltamir has the Demon King in his possession. If we find them, we may be able to stop this nonsense and close the door to the demons’ realm forever.’

  ‘Can we truly slay the lord of such devils?’ Riggadardian asked.

  ‘We will do what is necessary,’ Samuel said darkly, eyeing the man with distaste. ‘That is why I want to borrow the Farstride—along with you and all of your crew. We will go to find the last of the Ancient Ones—we will kill him. Then we will seek out his master. To stay here is to wait for the inevitable.’

  The commander looked flustered as he realised what the magician was asking. ‘Where will we go?’

  ‘To Koia. Poltamir is lurking in the southern lands. I feel his presence growing steadily each day. The closer we get, the easier it will be to find him.’

  ‘Koia is far, Lord Magician.’ It was Lady Wind who spoke from the balcony above them, holding her cloak about her to keep her warm on the bleak and gusty day. She had appeared moments before, with Daneel accompanying her. ‘Are you sure you want to travel such distance? You may not return.’

  Samuel did not bother turning to address her. He looked out towards the coast; the smoke and the ruin had captivated his gaze. ‘Thanks to you we have this ship. We can make it. Returning is not so important as stopping the threat. If we do not make the attempt, all this,’ he gestured out over the bay and towards Cintar, ‘and everyone still living is doomed.’

  Riggadardian looked to Lady Wind grimly. ‘Ah, a sorry state of affairs. I had hoped that this battle would be our last; alas, I knew it was not to be. We will come, if Emperor Leopold desires it. I cannot speak for the men, and would not command them away from their homeland now that Cintar has been won. Many desired settling back into their city. I would hate to burden them with the news that greater work lies in store ... not yet. But I am sure as loyal Turians they will come. ’

  The magician looked to Leopold. ‘What do you say, Emperor Leopold? This is your first command given to your Empire. What will it be? What would you have them do?’

  ‘Well ... I don’t know,’ the young man said hesitantly. ‘Do we need to go? I was hoping to return to my mother … to give her the news.’

  ‘It’s too early for that,’ the magician told him squarely. ‘We have much yet to achieve.’

  ‘Is it the best option?’

  ‘It is the only option.’ There was no room for argument. The magician gazed at Leopold fiercely. ‘Tell him to give me his ship.’

  ‘Oh,’ Leopold said uncomfortably, looking to the commander. ‘Did you hear that? I suppose I agree.’

  Riggadardian shifted uncomfortably. ‘If you please, Your Majesty, you must state the command directly.’

  ‘Do you comprehend now, Leopold, what I have been telling you?’ Samuel said. ‘This is what you will have to deal with. Confounded Turian stubbornness and bureaucracy. Tell him!’

  Leopold felt squeezed between two unyielding stones. ‘Of course. Commander, I agree with Sa—with Lord Samuel. Provide him with the ship and whatever he needs for such a voyage. We will go on this journey. Do as he says.’

  ‘As you say, my Lord. We would need a full complement of crew and supplies and as many soldiers as we can muster,’ the commander said, squeezing one eye shut as he mentally studied the logistics. ‘We can probably gather enough men from across the fleet. Some may be reluctant.’

  ‘I will come,’ Captain Orrell declared. ‘As you say, Samuel, there is no point sitting still while there are more demons to be dispatched. Captain Valiant is more than capable of managing affairs here. But we are sorely lacking able-bodied men. Hopefully as news spreads more will arrive to boost our numbers. Whatever we do, it is vital that sufficient defence is left behind to guard the civilians. We must remember, it is their future that we are intending to save. If we succeed, and there are no people left to return to, what would be the point? Without the families and children of Turia, we have nothing to protect.’

  ‘Hmm, well said, Captain,’ Riggadardian said.

  ‘And we will not be fighting for Turia alone,’ Orrell went on. ‘From what Samuel says, we will be setting sail to save everyone in Amandia.’

  ‘Very true,’ the magician confirmed, ‘and also the world. Evil knows no borders. I’m glad you see the logic, Captain.’

  Riggadardian’s hesitation became a broad smile as he surveyed the city. ‘Then so be it! We will venture upon our quest, and the gallant people of Turia will gather to Cintar to restore her beauty. Repairs on the city shall begin at once. At the same time we shall ready the ship. Send word afar of what we have done. Let the survivors of our dark years seek haven here. The pastures are flooded and ruined by the salt of the sea, and we shall flush them clean and re-sow them. Livestock will graze the paddocks once again. Cintar will be a sanctuary, a beacon amidst the darkness that has sprawled across Amandia. Our glorious Empire will flourish again!’

  Samuel did not share the man’s optimism. ‘It will be a beacon only to demons. The beasts will return and the more people you gather, the more it will attract them. I hope you ready your defences in time, or your fields will be irrigated with blood.’

  ‘The fleet will remain on guard until more soldiers arrive,’ Riggadardian confirmed. ‘The call has gone out to the furthest remnants of the Empire.’

  Captain Orrell had grown hesitant. ‘No amount of soldiers will deter these unnatural creatures. They fly and burrow, they beat down walls with their fists. Swords and arrows do not harm them. Without magicians to aid us, we have little defence against such unnatural fiends. It has been that way since the Truthseekers decimated their numbers.’

  ‘Magic is not your friend any more, Captain,’ Samuel replied. ‘Such summoned beasts are drawn to magic even more than flesh and blood. Whoever comes to Cintar will need to defend themselves with steel and fire. Every beast has some weakness. Train your men to take this advantage. With sufficient preparation, they will hold on—and that is all they need do, survive long enough for us to complete our task, and our worries will evaporate. The creatures will disappear as we destroy the one who summoned them, as they did in Cintar.’

  ‘That did not go as you planned, remember?’ Orrell reminded him. ‘The Witch Queen died, but her minions remained with her general. Do you recall?’

  ‘I do, Captain,’ Samuel replied. ‘That will fade with time. Any generals left by Rei are losing their vigour. In a few days, their armies will disperse. The same will happen with any others we encounter. Do not worry.’

  ‘What about you?’ Leopold asked. ‘You are a magician. Will you not draw danger to those beside you wherever you go?’

  The Magician Lord smiled. ‘I am the exception to the rule, Your Majesty. Most demons know better than to come looking for me. Everyone flees from my name, or have you not noticed?’

  ‘If demons are drawn to magic, the Truthseekers may have done us an unwitting favour by routing them out,’ Commander Riggadardian pondered aloud.

  ‘As you say,’ Samuel responded. ‘Replenish your stock of black powder and store it at key points around the city. That would help with some of the smaller beasts. Ensure you have a good supply of arrows for the flying ones. If a big one comes ...’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Hide and hope it goes away. Even after so many years, none ever breeched the walls of Cintar. It took a mighty pile of explosives to shatter a single gate—which reminds me, you might want to plug up that hole you made first.’

  ‘We are onto it,’ Captain Orrell assured him.

  ‘You Turians are onto everything,’ Daneel said and he slipped down from the upper deck and landed beside them. ‘Your efficiency astounds me. I love your people without reserve.’

  Orrell raised a questioning brow, unsure if the man was being sarcastic.

  ‘Then it is settled,’ Samuel declared. ‘Prepare to leave as soon as possible.’

  ‘Just one minor matter. We can
not bring the Emperor,’ Riggadardian retorted. ‘Turia—indeed all Amandia—needs him here. He is their hope!’

  His objection attracted the magician’s attention. ‘I have a problem with that, for I promised his father he would come with me.’

  ‘Madness!’ the commander declared with alarm.

  ‘Don’t worry, Commander,’ Samuel stated. ‘He will be as difficult to kill as was his father. This will be his defining moment. When he returns, he will be an emperor worth heaping glory upon—not the young whelp you see now. And if we are not successful, there will be no Turia to return to anyway. The people have done without him for this long; they will survive a few months longer.’

  ‘Very well,’ Riggadardian agreed with thinly veiled reluctance. ‘Turia will persevere without him, as they have all this time, and hope that he will return victorious. It shall be Emperor Leopold’s Crusade, and our homecoming shall be wreathed in triumph. The citizens of Cintar will cry out with joy as their Emperor returns!’

  Daneel sighed aloud at the commander’s tendency for the dramatic. ‘Samuel, what about the other two?’ he asked. ‘And your cousin? What shall be done with her?’

  ‘They will all come. The old fool, the simple-minded boy and Jessicah—they will accompany us. I pray that the old man finds his senses on the way.’

  ‘We will need substantial provisions,’ Riggadardian noted, ‘and the Farstride needs to be checked over and prepared for such a substantial journey. She has done well thus far, yet she is not ready for such a journey. Lady Wind, we will need your valuable aid once again.’

  ‘Of course, my husband,’ the Koian woman said humbly.

  ‘And Emperor Leopold. We will outfit a proper cabin for you, suitable for such a living treasure of your status. We will summon carpenters at once and convert the entire upper deck—’

  ‘No, Commander,’ Lord Samuel told him resolutely. ‘Make no changes. There is no time. The Emperor is happy where he is.’

  ‘But—but, that room was not intended for him. It was only for the trip to Cintar. We put him there at your instruction. It is not fitting for an emperor.’

  ‘It is fitting, Commander.’ The finality in the magician’s words made the matter clear.

  ‘Oh ... very well, Lord Samuel. You know best.’ Disappointment pervaded the aging commander’s words.

  ‘Then I suggest you tend to the preparations,’ said Samuel leaving. ‘Hasten.’

  ‘One thing, Samuel,’ Orrell asked and the magician stopped and waited mid-stride, aimed away from those that conversed with him. ‘How did your cousin become a captive of the witch? How did she survive when everyone else went mad?’

  The others in the group stood quietly, expectant of the answer.

  Samuel slowly turned to reply, facing them without emotion. ‘Jessicah has many redeeming qualities, Captain,’ he said. ‘I can only guess why the witch kept her captive for so long. Perhaps for some reason I cannot fathom she could not kill her. Perhaps as a hostage to lure me in? Whatever the reason, she is free now. I hope you do not object to her presence. I would keep her near to me, dear to me as she is.’ He then swivelled his head to glare at Riggadardian. ‘I trust you can find her suitable quarters, Commander.’

  ‘Oh, of course,’ the man responded quickly, struggling to think where she could possibly be housed.

  ‘She can have my cabin,’ Captain Merryweather offered. ‘I will move my things in with Lieutenant Fillius. That way she will be next door to you, Lord Samuel. I hope that is sufficient.’

  Samuel assented. ‘Where is she now?’ he asked, having seen no sign of his cousin on the deck.

  ‘Resting in my cabin,’ Lady Wind called down. ‘She is tired from her ordeal and slept long through the night. If she is to come with us I will arrange some suitable clothes. She has what she was wearing, and I cannot say it was adequate.’

  ‘I will leave the details to you.’ With that, the magician continued on his way, climbing past Lady Wind and entering the huge mass of the aftcastle.

  Leopold noticed how everyone waited, watching the magician’s black cloth vanish from view before speaking; a menacing feeling departed with him.

  ‘Leopold.’ Captain Orrell was the first to break that silence. ‘What happened last night? Where did the magician take you?’

  ‘Back to Seakeep. They were under attack.’

  ‘Seakeep?’ Riggadardian noted with alarm.

  ‘Attacked?’ Orrell asked. ‘What were the casualties?’

  ‘The casualties were high, Captain, but most of the women and children survived.’

  ‘This is worrying,’ Riggadardian said. ‘Why did the blasted magician not tell us this at once? We should send ships back immediately.’

  ‘That is a good idea,’ Leopold said. ‘Samuel drove off the attackers, but it’s feasible they could return. Mostly, they need help with their wounded.’

  ‘Then we must send our fastest ships at once,’ Riggadardian said with urgency. He then stepped aside, giving the orders to Captain Merryweather.

  Only Captain Orrell and Daneel were left with Leopold, and the captain led them along the main deck, away from the entranceways to the aftcastle. He eyed the way leading to Samuel’s quarters to be sure the man was not lingering there. The three stood by the railing of the ship, great lengths of coarse rope rising up from beside them to steady the nearest mast.

  ‘Tell me, Leopold,’ Orrell said. ‘What really happened yesterday? Samuel has left something unsaid as always—I can feel it. He will never tell us, and I warrant you are not stubborn as he—and thank goodness for it.’

  Leopold gulped and also glanced over his shoulder to be sure Samuel had not returned. ‘It is as he said, Captain. Rei had captured Samuel’s cousin for some point of revenge that I do not understand. I have the feeling the witch had a score to settle with him, but in the end Samuel was the victor. He left nothing out.’

  Orrell let his gaze linger on Leopold. ‘Well,’ he finally said, ‘at least she is safe. Well done, Leopold. You have been with us a short time and already are a veteran of a battle that will make its mark in history. Now, I have much to prepare.’ He gave Leopold a feisty slap on the back and strode away to begin his work.

  Daneel remained, smiling smugly at the youthful Emperor. He scratched at the side of his eye patch, threatening to dig his finger inside. Thankfully, he did not. ‘I’m glad I’m not you,’ he mentioned with mirth.

  ‘Why is that?’ Leopold responded, suspicious of the one-eyed man’s tone.

  Daneel gave a chuckle. ‘Well ... you are between a stone and a hard place. On one side you have Samuel—all powerful, all knowing, infuriating—and on the other side you have the Turians and the trappings of their Empire. You might as well jump overboard now.’

  Leopold had guessed the man was not a Turian, judging from his unusual clothes, casual manner and rolling accent. ‘What should I do?’ Leopold asked.

  ‘How should I know? Let’s see how you fare after a few months of it. Then again, with your blood, you may be up for it. Your father never fled from a fight, or so I heard. But I wouldn’t trade places with you for all the gold in the world.’

  ‘So why are you here then?’ Leopold asked, annoyed at the man’s remarks.

  ‘I have a job to do. I owe Samuel my life several times over; I’m repaying the debt.’

  ‘I notice you did not go ashore with the rest when there was fighting to be done. You carry a sword, but seem hesitant to use it. What is it you do here precisely?’

  ‘I have many trusted uses,’ the man replied, not fazed by Leopold’s insinuations. ‘Currently I am the ship’s chief pest catcher.’

  ‘Oh?’ Leopold said with interest.

  ‘Indeed. I catch all the rats and vermin that may be attracted here. Terrible things they are! They creep around in the dark and poke their whiskers where they shouldn’t be.’

  ‘So ... why are you always up here on deck and not below in the hold?’

  ‘Because the rats
I catch don’t go down there. They’re attracted to the bigger cheeses up here.’

  ‘Oh. You mean us,’ Leopold stated.

  ‘That’s right. And the tastiest cheese of all is Emperor Cheese. Emperor Cheese appeals to the biggest rats.’

  ‘Emperor Cheese?’ Leopold repeated sourly.

  Daneel chuckled. ‘I beg your pardon, My Gracious Lord.’ Again, he made his customary flourishing bow and used one hand to shake his cape for effect. ‘I shouldn’t talk in such riddles, but in truth it amuses me. Of course, you are the cheese, and I’ve already noticed a vermin or two sniffing around at your door.’

  ‘Who do you speak of?’ Leopold asked with worry, wondering what he was suggesting.

  ‘Don’t worry. Between me and Samuel, you’re as safe as can be. As long as you don’t go getting yourself into any mischief, that is ... as long as you use your best judgement when determining the company you keep.’

  ‘Of course,’ Leopold assured him, wondering if Daneel knew more than he was telling. ‘Then I assume you will be accompanying us on our voyage, to continue this work?’

  ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way,’ Daneel replied happily. ‘I do enjoy the sea air. It stirs my blood in uncanny ways.’ Leopold felt the man was not being entirely sincere and Daneel laughed in response to his troubled face. ‘One more matter, my fine lad,’ Daneel told him. ‘Captain Orrell is a kind-hearted man, who’s not to be taken for a fool. You will have to lie much better if you intend to deceive him. A good emperor requires a gilded tongue. Come see me if you need advice. I’m something of an expert.’ With that, he also departed, laughing to himself; but not before giving Leopold another sturdy slap on the back, poor Leopold grunting with the blow.

  ****

  A month passed preparing for departure. Supplies were difficult to accrue and the ship needed to be filled to capacity to survive such an extended ocean crossing. Besides food they needed cloth, coal, soap, salt, string, rope, vinegar, tar and untold sundries. Boxes and barrels of all shapes and sizes were sought to store them. Materials of every kind and many of inconceivable purpose were required, and Lady Wind paid fastidious attention to detail, allowing nothing to chance.