Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) (24 page)

Previously in Reist, the winter had come to an end and Arnak and Athena had managed to amass an army large enough to take across the oceans to invade the country of Solencia. The days were warm and the work to build the ships began. A whole contingent was needed to travel with the army. There were smiths, cooks, and young boys to tend the horses and run errands. Clothes and bedding needed to be washed, tailors were needed to mend and sew garments for all and to make the banners the army would carry. There were numerous jobs for all and many women also came to join the contingent to earn coin and support the Lord when he travelled across the oceans.

Arnak’s six new ships were under construction and they were large enough to carry all the soldiers, equipment and supplies the army would need. But it would still take another year for the work to be completed. The army would train now the weather was warm and they’d train day and night. Under the spell that Athena had cast, the soldiers had no choice.

Bound to Arnak the army would do whatever was asked of them until the day they died, unless their Lord was to perish.

Athena and Arnak walked along the docks where the master craftsmen oversaw construction of the ships, and Arnak spoke with the masters to make sure all was on schedule. His plans were to leave before the spring arrived the following year. To undertake the journey at that time would ensure no one noticed their arrival in the small cove two days’ walk from the Keep.

All was well as the ships began to take shape. The lumber needed arrived daily to the building sites and satisfied, Arnak and Athena returned to their home to watch the soldiers train.

When you entered the Antrobus estate, a city of tents now dotted the landscape as the grounds had been converted to house the army now residing within its walls. Flimsy workshops had been erected out of canvas and wood. Smiths and carpenters worked endlessly creating weapons, armour and wagons for the expanding force. An enormous arena had been built at the far end of the grounds where the soldiers trained day and night. It was a rigorous schedule they would keep until the days again turned cold and the snow fell, but this time when winter arrived they’d continue to train through the freezing weather until the days again warmed and they left to sail on to Solencia.

No monetary taxes were collected before winter that year, but all grain and foods were to be brought forward to sustain the army until they set sail. Again, through the winter, the people lined up outside the gates and this time Arnak would only take the best on offer. He’d no time for the weak or the young boys and turned them away. His army was already established and only the strongest were now accepted to be trained, ready to head off with them when the weather again turned warm.

Kovak Turr had rewarded each of his officers with one of the swords he’d had made. These men were to travel with him to Canameer the next morning. The rest of the swords Captain Turr would take with him and present to Silas Remon, the man who governed the prisoner.

‘Enrich, make sure the swords are packed and take extra food and ale with us for the soldiers stationed in Canameer. There are two barrels of wine for the officers. Make sure it’s done tonight. We leave when the sun rises.’

‘It’ll be done, Captain Turr,’ Enrich said as his Captain walked off to change before his evening meal.

As Kovak sat down to eat, he thought about his trip to Canameer. He’d seen the young girl who worked in the kitchens mature over the years and although his advances towards her had been few and far between, after his first initial conversation with her Kovak Turr had become smitten. Elle hadn’t appreciated Kovak’s advances and had tried to avoid him in case she’d accidentally given him the wrong impression. Kovak hadn’t noticed her intentional absence as he was busy with the other officers. Still, their paths crossed quite frequently no matter how much Elle tried to avoid him.

Kovak was deep in thought. It was time he should take a wife and settle down. He wanted to have a family and sink some permanent roots in this land. He’d lived here for the last ten years and had become settled in The Dale. He’d bring Elle home with him and they’d be married as soon as Lord Arnak next visited The Dale.

Kovak planned their life together and didn’t give a thought as to how Elle would feel.

It was settled. He’d talk to her when he arrived in Canameer and she’d travel with him when he left to return home. Kovak was pleased and eagerly awaited the journey.

Henry and the three young men departed The Dale and travelled through areas of woodland and fields that’d been harvested. Christopher marvelled at these new places for he seldom ventured far from The Dale, unless he cut wood with the Gala’s or went to hunt or fish with his friends. The countryside was peaceful even though it still bore the scars of invasion, but Christopher was able to see beyond that to the beauty and tranquillity held within the land.

As Henry and his companions travelled along the main road they didn’t see the two soldiers who waited under the shade of a large Barrobourgh tree.

‘Look at that, Grislin, there’s my new horse,’ Coven said as the four travellers approached. Grislin was simple-minded and didn’t really care about replacing his mount. He wandered off to find some privacy to relieve himself and left Coven to take his new horse.

Coven stepped out from under the shade of the tree and walked onto the road to halt the riders. Seeing the soldier appear it was too late for the party of four to find another route so they continued along the road. As they rode up alongside the soldier he made motion for them to stop.

‘That’s a mighty fine horse you have there. Looks like the one that was stolen from me last week,’ Coven said to Henry.

‘Sir, I think you’re mistaken. I’ve ridden this beast for the last ten years and fail to see how she could’ve been stolen from you.’

His words ruffled Coven and as he became flustered he placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword, which made the travellers in this small party nervous and they wondered where this confrontation would lead them.

‘I says get off that horse old man,’ Coven said as he tried to invoke his authority over the traveller.

Christopher had shifted to dismount and confront the soldier when Coven realised Christopher was a lot larger than he’d first thought. Coven’s hand gripped the hilt of his sword in readiness, but Henry calmed Christopher and directed him to stay upon his mount.

‘Look at me, young man,’ Henry said. Coven’s eyes darted back to Henry. As they did Henry waved his hand in front of the man’s face and he spoke to the soldier in a clear and calm voice.

‘You were mistaken.’

Coven replied as if in a trance. ‘I was mistaken.’

‘This isn’t your horse,’ Henry said.

‘This isn’t my horse.’

‘We’ll be on our way now and when you turn around you’ll forget we ever passed.’

Coven stood there and nodded his head, mesmerized by the spell that Henry had cast upon him. When they left, Coven would never remember that they’d had this meeting.

Henry urged his horse forward and they continued down the road. Coven turned and walked back to the horses that waited in the shade. He looked around and scratched his head. Now where had Grislin gone? Coven was sure he was here just a minute ago. Coven mounted his horse ready to move on. They had to finish their patrol of the area before the next shift was due and Coven didn’t want to be late in to eat or the best food would be gone and Coven liked his food.

Grislin wandered back to his horse, still tying up the strings on his breeches.

‘Where’ve you been?’ Coven asked him.

‘I wanted some privacy while I peed,’ Grislin said as he untied his horse from the tree. Grislin noticed that Coven sat upon his own horse. ‘So where’s this new horse then?’

‘New horse? What are you talking about now, Grislin? Hurry up and get on your nag, we’re gonna be late again. You’re always making us late,’ Coven grumbled and shook his head at the other man who was becoming stranger by the day. He’d make sure he asked for a new partner before he ventured out on patrol again.

The four men continued on, but they no longer travelled via the main road. Instead they rode along the tracks that wound through the hills. These roads were seldom used since the invaders had taken over the land.

‘Grandfather, are you sure your friend Clarence won’t be at the caves?’

‘I’m sure. Clarence wouldn’t risk being seen there and have others know of their existence. There are many valuable relics held within the cave. We need to head to Canameer and locate his whereabouts.’

Christopher asked no more questions. If Henry were sure Clarence would be in the town, they’d just have to find him there.

As they approached the town the four travellers decided to make camp and survey the area ahead. Knowledge about how often and how far the soldiers’ patrols extended could prove valuable if any trouble were to arise. They’d already had one close call that day and didn’t want any more trouble when they ventured into the town.

Along the main road that led into Canameer was an old stone bridge which spanned the width of the River Meer. Once across the bridge the road forked; one road led into the town itself and the other, less used one headed around the town towards an old rickety bridge. The wooden bridge had been built when the town had first been scratched and forged from the barren earth.

From their vantage point upon the hillside, Henry, Christopher, Peter and James could see anyone who approached or departed the town via the main thoroughfare, which crossed the stone bridge.

Across the wooden bridge was the road that led to the Caves of Choice and this unused road enabled the group to have an alternative exit from the town to their destination if the need should ever arise. Otherwise they’d enter the town and head out the other side, cross the old wooden bridge and journey on towards the Caves of Choice.

Around the outskirts of the town dilapidated abodes dotted the landscape but as one looked closer in towards the centre of Canameer the buildings, although still in need of repair, were larger and built quite close together. From their vantage point on the hill they could see an enormous structure surrounded by a prominent stone wall looming up amidst the town. It was set back but it still seemed to overshadow the other buildings in the area.

In the middle of the town, a square had been cobbled where shopkeepers could erect stalls to sell their wares. A tall tower had been built in the middle of the square. Its grand structure was complimented by a shingled canopy, which provided shelter and protection to the large platform in the upper part of the tower. Upon the platform at least a dozen men could stand at any one time and above them, high in the beams of the roof, hung a large bell to complete the tower and grace the structure. The bell originally had been used to herald celebration to the town before the invaders had arrived. Now it rang to call the people of the town for announcements or to mark the time of the prisoner’s parade.

The small group that had ensconced themselves upon the hillside watched the town for the rest of the afternoon. As the sun began to set a patrol of soldiers headed out. They didn’t travel too far, only down to the old stone bridge. Then they rode along the river’s edge before they veered off again to complete their circuit. Once their patrol had been completed they returned along the road from whence they came. The town wasn’t heavily guarded, even though soldiers patrolled in and around its perimeter, they no longer carried the heavy armour as they had when they’d first invaded this once prosperous place. The four watched the activity all afternoon and decided to enter the town that evening, under the cover of darkness, to locate Clarence.

Many years ago, Henry had known a few people who lived in Canameer and decided he’d call upon them while the boys went to have a look around the town itself. The small taverns would be open late, to accept weary travellers in for a meal or a bed for the night. Some of the local folk would venture in for a drink in the evenings before they headed home and some nights there’d be music and dancing to encourage the people to relax and spend their coin while they remembered the days of old.

Dressed in their long thick cloaks to ward off the evening chill, Christopher and his friends watched as Henry walked the dusty road into Canameer. Once Henry had safely reached the town’s edge the boys waited a reasonable amount of time before they followed. They’d planned to meet up at the bell tower in the market square as the moon reached its apex in the night sky. This would give them all plenty of time to look around and gain some knowledge of the town’s layout and give Henry time to locate Clarence.

The three young men made as little noise as possible. The moon was full tonight and its light guided their way as they crossed the open grassland and headed for the road. As they neared the houses on the outskirts of the town, Christopher felt apprehensive as the roads were deserted. Light flickered in the windows and the sight helped to calm Christopher’s fears reminding him of home.

Further along the buildings were closer together. They rose upwards to form the main structure of the town and their dark windows seemed to watch the street as the three lads passed by. These buildings were quiet as the day’s work had come to an end, and the families who worked there during the daylight hours had gathered in their small houses that attached to the rear of their workshops.

As they reached the end of the road they turned left and continued along until the road ended. Before them in the darkness was the market square, its cobblestones gleamed in the moonlight. Their boots echoed in the silence as they walked across the stones towards the tavern on the far side. Light flickered in the tavern’s windows and beckoned them to the warmth and comfort of its interior. As they passed the bell tower they heard a voice call out.

‘And where be you three off to tonight?’

The soldier, who patrolled the town, had stood in the shadows and watched them as they walked across the square. He was an older man, no longer able to fight within the core of Arnak’s army, and had been reassigned to wander the town at night. His job was to report to Silas any unusual activity.

They stopped and faced the soldier.

‘Who are you to ask us where we’re going?’ were the first words out of Christopher’s mouth and his feeling of dread returned and he cursed himself for being so rash with his response.

‘Smart are ya!’ the soldier said and straightened himself to his full height as he walked towards the three young men. ‘I know most folk around here, and I can’t say I’ve ever seen you three before.’

Christopher changed his tactics and his tone. ‘We’re brothers who’ve travelled here to look for work and were headed to the tavern to stay for the night.’

‘What kind of work might you lads be looking for?’

‘Splitting or cutting trees,’ Peter said. ‘Do you know of anyone who might be in need of any help around here?’

The old soldier looked at Peter and James before his gazed returned to Christopher.

‘Try the Harkers down the end of this road,’ he said as he pointed to the road that led past the tavern. ‘His son is sick and he may have use for you. Now off with you three before I call the rest of the guards. Don’t let me find you out again tonight.’ The old soldier turned and went back to his rounds of the town.

They walked to the tavern and climbed up the wooden stairs onto the portico.

‘Right lads,’ Christopher said. ‘Listen for any information about the goings on in this town without drawing attention to yourselves. We’ll only stay for a short while and then we’ll scout the set up of the town before we meet up with Henry.’

Inside the tavern they opted for a table near the door. Christopher left Peter and James to order some ale while the brothers sat at the table. While Christopher waited for service he observed the occupants in the room. The tavern was much like any other tavern he’d been to. There was a fire in the hearth and sets of tables and chairs were neatly placed for patrons to sit at. Several soldiers crowded near the fire and two others stood not far from him waiting at the counter to be served. The soldiers near the fire cared not who heard them as they told tales and roared with laughter. One of them called out to the large fellow at the bar to hurry up with the drinks and the soldier at the bar slapped the counter and called for service.

Only a few people from the town were in the tavern that night and they sat at the tables away from the loud and obtrusive noise the soldiers made. Christopher noticed how they talked in low voices and kept to themselves. The scene before Christopher was no different than in the taverns back home and he understood why these men sat away from the ruckus.

The soldiers by the fire roared in triumph as the tavern owner walked up to the two at the counter.

‘Well, Gov, it’ll be another round for the boys,’ Emmet said as he slapped his hand on the counter again. He was a large man still dressed in his uniform, as were the others he’d come into the tavern with that night. They didn’t bathe often and the stale smell of sweat wafted over the counter to where Barret, the owner of the tavern, stood. Barret was annoyed with Emmet as he ran up his bill at the tavern and offered meagre payment when he received his allowance of coin.

‘You already owe more coin than last month,’ Barret said.

‘Ya know I always pay when me coin comes in. Now get me boys a drink,’ he said as he leant on the counter to intimidate the owner. Emmet could be quite nasty if things didn’t go his way.

‘Well you’ll have to pay more than last month,’ Barret said as he filled the mugs.

Emmet hadn’t liked the way Barret had spoken to him in front of his friends. ‘And you can keep that froth down to a minimum,’ he said. ‘I aint paying for no fluff on the top.’ After the first mug was filled, Emmet picked it up and drank from it as he continued his conversation with the others by the fire. Barret reluctantly refilled the mugs and marked the price on Emmet’s bill.