Wall of Spears (15 page)

‘Die, gaijin!’ one screamed.

Caelin pointed and crossbows twanged, halting the elderly pair in an instant. Behind them, a handful of others were trying to run away but the crossbows picked them off, one by one. Forlish laughed as the screaming elves were flung backwards by the crossbow bolts.

‘This is going to be easy!’ Harald chuckled, his crossbow unfired.

Caelin ignored them and looked again at the Council, the ones they were trying to take alive.

And realised it was about to get much harder.

Asami wasted precious moments staring at Jimai’s body. Victory had been within their grasp and Sumiko was about to be defeated — then it was all gone. She wasted more time staring at the Forlish in horror. How had they got past the guards in the park? She had been so sure the trap was perfect. How many had Oroku brought through to get them here? Then her tired mind woke up and she realised she had to start fighting.

‘Back! Stay together!’ Retsu drew his sword, followed a heartbeat later by the rest of the Council.

The two Council Guards who had been standing beside Jimai stopped their advance and fell back to where the clan leaders waited behind the giant Council table. Noriko, who was seated just a few feet away from them, rushed to Retsu’s side, her movement hindered by her stiff, formal kimono.

‘But our people in the seats —’ Ichiro began, seeing the Forlish loosing crossbow bolts at the closest elves.

‘Too late for them. We need to think about saving ourselves,’ Retsu said grimly.

‘People will hear and rush to help us, every one of them a match for five gaijin!’ another clan leader declared.

‘I don’t think so,’ Retsu said calmly. ‘Asami — what can you do?’

In reply she reached into the magic and sent a heavy bench skidding across the floor, where it knocked three Forlish crossbowmen off their feet, just as they had been about to trigger their weapons into elves running to join the clan leaders. She took a shuddering breath and fought the need to sit down. She had not felt this weak since the end of the battle for Dokuzen, which was hardly a good omen.

Before she could gather her thoughts and come up with a way to really hurt the Forlish, they had advanced.

‘Back to the pits you crawled out of!’ Ichiro kicked his heavy chair at the first soldier and then swung his sword at the man’s neck as he stumbled. The steel bit home and blood sprayed across the embroidered seat. But the second Forlishman smashed a long club across Ichiro’s head, sending him slumping to the ground.

‘We don’t want to hurt you! Surrender and you will be well treated, back in Forland, until we ransom you back to your families!’ one Forlishman, obviously the leader, shouted.

‘We will never suffer that dishonour,’ Retsu spat.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Forlish rushed in again.

Asami watched as one lowered his crossbow, pointing it at her legs, and she reached into the magic, making the weapon fly apart, the heavy stock smashing back into the soldier’s face.

A club swung for her head but she ducked under it and ripped her sword up, feeling it bite deep and grate on bone. She was rewarded with a bubbling scream as she tore the steel free and reached into the magic again to flip a chair up and into a Forlishman. He went down hard and did not get up.

But Asami had to lean back on the Council table, get her breath back as her vision tilted, and she wished there had been some food she could have grabbed at that moment. To her left she watched dispassionately as a knot of Forlish attacked the two Council Guards. They fought back to back for a moment and even sent one Forlishman reeling out of the fight with a severed hand but there were too many attackers and they were slaughtered. To her right a handful were clustered around Retsu and Noriko. Retsu’s sword wove a deadly pattern of steel, taking a Forlish head. But he could not move on his injured leg and was struck by several clubs, falling to the floor.

Noriko screamed in anger. She ducked under a blow and stepped forwards, slamming her fist into the Forlishman’s throat. As he reeled back, choking, she snatched his club out of his hand and laid about her, blocking and swinging as fast as the blows came back at her. She bloodied a nose, smashed teeth and lips, then swept the club down in a low arc to take out a Forlishman’s legs, tip him up and onto his back. For a moment Asami thought she would drive them all back — then a Forlishman stepped on her flowing kimono and she lost her balance. That was all the Forlish needed and she went down under two blows.

A pair of Forlish came at Asami and she pushed herself off the table. Magic seemed too hard to use right now, so she brought her sword up into the guard position. A club reached for her head but she blocked it easily — then cried out as her wounded arm protested at what she had asked it to do. Gritting her teeth, she swivelled and lunged, ramming the tip of her sword into the soldier’s eye. The second one swung at her and she was forced to jump back and up onto the Council table, trying to roll away from the attack.

All around her, the last clan leaders were going down to blows of clubs, swamped by numbers, while the last living elves, who had been watching from the seats, were taken down by Forlish crossbows. Asami rolled off the other side of the table and realised she was the only elf still on her feet. From somewhere she found the energy to run for the door. If she could get to the park and get the Council Guards, they would have their revenge.

She sensed, rather than saw, crossbow bolts reaching for her legs, but used the magic to send them skidding on the floor instead. Alarmed Forlish shouts told her they thought she was going to escape as well and she used that to spur her along.

Then the door at the far end of the chamber opened and Oroku stood there.

Asami skidded to a stop, staring at the look of triumph on Oroku’s face, disfigured by the insect bites she had inflicted on him yesterday.

‘Farewell,’ he told her.

She drew back her arm, ready to throw her sword at him — then a club struck the back of her head and everything went black.

‘We need to split the Velsh apart, have them fight among themselves,’ Sumiko said gently, running her fingers down Jaken’s cheek.

Sometimes she had to hold back a shudder of revulsion when she did this with him. At those times she pictured her final victory and Jaken’s complete humiliation and then she was able to summon the passion he expected.

Now Jaken lay on his back, eyes half closed and ready to be manipulated once more.

‘Of course. An enemy divided is one that cannot come at you with their full force. What do you have in mind?’

‘A plan within a plan. One they will never suspect.’

Jaken chuckled. ‘That sounds familiar! We used something similar on Daichi.’

‘That we did. You need to send someone you trust — perhaps Asami’s father, Lord Nagata — on a mission to the Velsh.’

‘Why Lord Nagata? I value his advice.’

‘But we need someone we can trust to do this. And you have me to give you advice.’

‘I do.’

‘So send Nagata with a peace treaty, everything they ever wanted. Have Nagata tell them we want an alliance with them against the Forlish once again and invite them to bring their army south, to where King Ward is bringing his army north. If they fall for the trap, they will march into their own destruction. If they reject it outright, they will give us reason to destroy them. If they argue about it, they will be divided and easy to defeat when Ward sends his men north.’

‘Whatever their response, it will be a victory for us,’ Jaken mused. ‘I like it. I’ll speak to Nagata within a turn of the hourglass and get him moving.’

‘I’ll organise a suitable escort for him. A dozen Council Guards should be enough,’ Sumiko purred.

Jaken smiled and nodded, stretching out on the canvas bed.

Sumiko lay back. There was a further aspect to the plan Jaken did not need to know: Nagata was a voice Jaken trusted and he was about to find out his beloved daughter Asami had been killed; he had to be removed. She would make sure his escort was in her pay. With Nagata gone, his escort’s mission would be to kill Rhiannon and Huw. Sendatsu too, if Gaibun had somehow failed to do the job. If they succeeded, then the Velsh would be left leaderless and helpless. Even if they failed, Nagata would be killed by his escort before they began their attempt on Huw and Rhiannon. That would leave Jaken completely at her mercy — and also furious at the Velsh. Whatever happened, she would win.

Sendatsu was torn between relief at the thought Asami had only rejected him to protect him and despair at the thought she was carrying Gaibun’s child and was lost to him. There was no possibility of them travelling across the human lands together; Gaibun would never allow that. He was sleeping in Sendatsu’s bed, recovering from the effects of the magic, and they had not had a chance to talk. Even when they did, Sendatsu could not see a way forwards. His mood was so dark not even Mai and Cheijun’s flow of chatter and nonsense was able to bring a smile to his face.

Huw arrived with Glyn’s widow, Wendi, and her children, who took Mai and Cheijun off to collect eggs from the chickens, a task they both found hilarious.

‘What do you want?’ Sendatsu asked grumpily.

‘Who says I want anything?’ Huw replied.

‘You didn’t go to all this effort to clear away my children so we can sit around and talk about old times.’

‘Last night. What happened? Rhiannon’s sleeping like the dead, so she’s not saying anything.’

Sendatsu explained, tiredly, how they had saved Asami and then nearly been killed by Gaibun.

‘Surely Sumiko will try to kill Rhiannon next,’ he said.

‘But how can she? We are many miles away from her.’

‘True. But I am sure she has a plan.’

Huw sighed. ‘Well, sitting here won’t unlock that. Come with me. We have had a strange message from the south and I want your thoughts before I give it to the meeting.’

With only his dark thoughts for company, Sendatsu reluctantly agreed. The meeting hall was empty and they sat at the far corner of the table, where Huw produced a message, which had been sealed with a generous amount of wax.

‘Who is it from?’ Sendatsu could see the quality in the parchment, something he rarely saw in Vales.

‘I had to look at it twice to be sure but I remember it from my time in Cridianton, performing for King Ward. It is the seal of his wife.’

‘Why would Ward’s wife be writing to you?’

Huw rolled his eyes. ‘If I knew the reason, would I be talking to you? I said possibly three words to her the entire time I was there. And she hated Rhiannon — you could see it in her eyes. Every time Ward drooled over Rhiannon, her hatred went up another notch.’

‘Well, what does it say?’

Huw cleared his throat. ‘She wants an alliance.’

‘What?’

‘She tells me not to trust her husband — that he has made some sort of deal with the elves. She does not trust the elves and thinks they will ultimately betray the Forlish. She begs us not to form an alliance with either of them. She asks for nothing in return but hopes, when her words are proved correct, we will trust her more readily next time.’

Sendatsu snatched it from Huw’s hand. ‘Let me read that!’

He glanced down over the words and weighed the heavy parchment in his hand.

‘Do we trust her?’ he asked.

Huw rubbed his chin. ‘She is no friend of Ward. Their animosity was well known around the court and a popular source of gossip. And it confirms much of what we already know.’

‘But why would she write to us? What has she got to gain from it?’

‘Well, if we defeat Ward, perhaps she has some plan of her own to take power.’

‘How did this message reach us?’

‘A rider brought it up to a village in Rheged and handed it over to the headman, then rode away. It had my name on it and a couple of dragons brought it straight to me.’

Sendatsu began to roll the parchment back up again. ‘We would never have trusted Ward anyway.’

‘What should we do?’

Sendatsu was saved from replying by Kelyn, who raced in to the hall, his eyes wide.

‘There’s elves approaching!’ he cried. ‘A dozen of them, flying a white flag of truce!’

‘What new trick is this?’ Huw asked.

‘Let’s go and find out. But we’ll keep a score of dragons around, just in case,’ Sendatsu replied.

They met the elves at the village gates, making sure there were dragons armed with bows and crossbows watching, as well as Cadel and a squad of his best swordsmen standing beside them. Although Rhiannon was still resting, Bevan, Cedrik and the rest of her Magic-weavers were disguised among the interested crowd. Sendatsu shaded his eyes and picked out the leader — and cursed.

‘What is it?’ Huw asked.

‘They are led by Asami’s father, Nagata. Anything he says comes straight from Jaken’s mouth,’ Sendatsu muttered.

The party of elves, all mounted on fine horses, stopped a few paces from the Velsh. Sendatsu recognised only Nagata. The faces of the others were unfamiliar to him but he recognised what they were: Council Guards. They all had that look about them, the arrogance of always being obeyed.

‘Tadayoshi Onamai Nagata. What brings you to Vales?’ Sendatsu called.

Nagata looked at him disdainfully. ‘I am not here to bandy words with you,’ he said. ‘I am here to make a peace treaty with Huw ap Earwen, the High Councillor of Vales.’

Sendatsu’s eyes flickered to Huw, who glanced back, showing his surprise.

Huw recovered swiftly. ‘I thought Lord Jaken had said such a thing was impossible and we were to be treated like any other gaijin?’

Nagata reached into a saddlebag and produced a scroll. ‘The Lord Jaken has changed his mind. Here it is. Everything you asked for. Will you allow us to discuss it?’

‘Don’t trust him,’ Sendatsu warned out of the corner of his mouth.

‘I won’t. I’m not an idiot,’ Huw murmured back, then smiled broadly at Nagata. ‘Please, come inside and we shall talk. Your escort can wait outside.’

‘Outside? But surely you don’t expect me to ride in there alone?’

‘This is a peace mission. If you do not trust us, then how can we sign a treaty?’ Huw countered.

Nagata glared angrily at him. ‘If we are to be friends, then we should not begin by insulting each other.’

‘Shall we say two companions?’ Huw offered. ‘And we shall leave all our guards outside the meeting hall.’

Nagata inclined his head. ‘Agreed.’

The elves climbed down from their horses, the bulk of them removing their saddles and getting out food for themselves, while the two biggest accompanied Nagata through the gates.

‘Is this your main city?’ Nagata asked as he was escorted across to the meeting hall.

‘No, we don’t have any cities. This is my village and serves as a meeting place for now. But we shall have a capital, built of stone, one day. Once we had the knowledge and we shall do so again,’ Huw said conversationally.

Sendatsu walked a few paces behind, keeping an eye on the two guards Nagata had brought with him. They were both massive warriors, dressed in full armour. Good as the dragons were, it would take many of them to bring these two down, Sendatsu judged. The guards were also looking all around them, as if expecting a surprise attack at any time. Their heads were never still. He watched them for a few moments more then increased the length of his stride and caught up with Nagata.

‘How is Lady Sumiko? Still giving my father orders?’ he asked.

Nagata glared at him. ‘You are nothing,’ he told Sendatsu. ‘Less than nothing. I do not acknowledge you.’

Sendatsu met his gaze evenly. ‘I’ll take that as a yes,’ he said.

The elves were shown to one side of the table, Huw, Sendatsu and Kelyn to the other. Only Nagata sat down, the two warriors standing guard on either side of him. Food and drink was offered but Nagata refused all but a cup of water. The warriors took nothing.

‘What does Lord Jaken propose?’ Huw asked.

Nagata produced the scroll once more and slid it across the table. ‘Everything you asked for before. Only the Velsh will have the right to travel to Dokuzen. We shall provide expert advice with building, food and anything else you require. Elven priests will journey around your land, bringing your people back to the worship of Aroaril with all the benefits that brings.’

‘And magic?’

‘The girl, Rhiannon, will stay here. Where is she, by the way?’

‘Out working with our people,’ Huw said quickly.

Nagata took a sip of water. ‘We recognise the service you did to Dokuzen in helping defeat the Forlish invasion. We want to fight with you once more. The Forlish are moving north with a huge force and threaten us both. Lord Jaken wants you to bring every trained man you have south and meet him near the border. Then we shall unite our forces once more and destroy the Forlish menace forever. As soon as the Forlish are dead, all the benefits will flow to you.’

Huw read the scroll carefully, while Sendatsu tried to look over his shoulder.

‘But why do you need us? There should be more than enough elven warriors to defeat the Forlish this time.’

‘True. But having a bigger, stronger force will reduce our losses. We do not want to see elves die needlessly. And your men will not die needlessly either — any losses you take will be more than made up in our gratitude.’

‘It is a generous offer. I must put it to my fellow headmen and we shall give you your answer tomorrow. Food will be brought to your warriors.’

‘There is no need. We have plenty.’ Nagata pushed back his chair and stood. ‘I shall await your answer with the rest of my escort.’

Sendatsu once more joined Nagata on his walk back as Cadel and a squad of dragons trailed them and the elven guards looked around, seemingly obsessed with the Velsh homes.

‘You should know your daughter was attacked last night. Sumiko tried to take her life for the second time. She was only saved because Lord Retsu was dining there and because I arrived to save her.’

‘Impossible! How can you know that?’ Nagata snorted.

‘Not impossible by magic. And the Velsh have magic. We learned of the attack and saved her from Sumiko. This is the second time Sumiko has tried to kill Asami.’

‘There was no proof the first time,’ Nagata objected weakly.

‘But you know, in your heart, Sumiko seeks Asami’s death.’

Nagata nodded once.

‘Whatever you may think of my choices, whatever my father has said about me, you know that I have always loved Asami and would always seek to protect her. I don’t know what hold Sumiko has over my father but that was the reason I left Dokuzen. And if we are to break that hold and protect your daughter, we have to open my father’s eyes to Sumiko.’

‘I do not trust her,’ Nagata confessed, his words slow and halting.

‘Then help me get rid of her! My father does not need her. If he needs a leader of the Magic-weavers, then Asami is the perfect choice.’

Nagata frowned at that. ‘How do we remove her? She is like some cancerous growth. Already she is entwined around him.’

‘Lord Retsu was going to present evidence against her at the Council meeting this morning. He plans to send that, along with a demand for Sumiko’s arrest, to Jaken. If you can add your voice when the message arrives, then my father will surely see the truth.’

Nagata nodded. ‘I would certainly do that, if there is evidence of Sumiko’s treachery.’

Sendatsu smiled. ‘Thank you.’

‘I don’t do it for you. I do it for the Elder Elf, and also for my daughter.’

Sendatsu bowed his head. ‘Tell me, who gave you this treaty?’

‘Your father, of course.’

‘But was Sumiko there?’

Nagata hesitated. ‘Yes, but that does not alter the treaty. It is signed and sealed by the Elder Elf.’

‘And you believe it to be real?’

‘What question is that? I would never say a word if I did not believe your father.’

‘Of course. My apologies.’ Sendatsu bowed again and stopped, letting Cadel escort Nagata back out of the village. Nagata’s guards were staring back over their shoulders at him as they walked out.

He watched them go, then raced back to Huw.

Caelin looked around the chamber anxiously but there was no new threat.

The remaining elves were either unconscious or lying on the floor, hands over their heads, guarded by grinning Forlish soldiers. The female elf who had caused them so much trouble was out cold but a pair of men still stood over her, just in case.

‘Kill her,’ Oroku ordered.

The pair of Forlish just stared at him, then looked at Caelin. Edmund was over the other side of the chamber and Caelin, as a sergeant, was the closest thing to an officer they could see.

‘She is our prisoner. We want her alive,’ Caelin said immediately.

‘I will do it myself.’ Oroku drew a knife and walked forwards, only for Caelin to intercept him.

‘We do not kill the prisoners unless we have to,’ he said flatly.

‘We have to kill this one!’ Oroku growled. ‘Now, get out of my way.’

Caelin stayed where he was and, out of the corner of his eye, saw Harald and Ruttyn step closer, raising their crossbows.

‘Don’t you realise who I am? I am your only way home. Kill me, even hurt me, and you will never leave here,’ Oroku hissed. ‘And you don’t know who you are dealing with there. She will never stop trying to escape and do us harm. She must die.’

‘No.’ Caelin stared him down.

‘You do not want to hurt me,’ Oroku warned.

‘No. But I will, if you try to kill the prisoners. And then I shall find another elf to take us back.’

Oroku’s face twisted in anger and Caelin tensed, ready for an attack — then Edmund stepped in between them.

‘What is going on?’ he asked sharply.

‘The traitor wants to slit the throat of this woman — elf,’ Caelin said stolidly.

‘Captain, she must die. The success of this mission depends on it!’ Oroku said forcefully.

Edmund shook his head. ‘She stays alive. That is my last word.’

‘But —’

Edmund clapped Caelin on the shoulder. ‘You and your two scouts watch the traitor. If he tries to harm a prisoner, then put a bolt through his arm.’

‘Yes, sir!’

Caelin stared at Oroku, who glared back, hate shining out of his eyes. ‘You will regret this,’ the elf promised.