The Final Battle Page 8

  ‘No messenger ravens have been received from them as of yet,’ Shanty replied. ‘But there’s no reason for alarm. Remember that Roy Stewart had planned on moving only after the Roon launched their attacks.’

  Roland frowned. ‘But why do that? It’d be in his best interest to attack at the same time as the giants. We wouldn’t have stood a chance against all of them at once.’

  Sara shrugged. ‘Maybe Roy’s suspicious of Brett and the Roon.’

  Caspan nodded in agreement, thinking back to when he had spied upon Brett and Roy in Tor O’Shawn. The traitorous Lady Brook – the dark-eyed, black-haired lady Caspan had first laid eyes on back in Darrowmere – had also been present, and didn’t hold back in trying to cut down the highland laird with curt comments. At one point she even remarked that he had done such wonders in bringing the disparate highland clans under his control that he should give her kennel master some advice. Likewise, General Brett’s and Roy’s discussion on military tactics had been riddled with snide remarks, revealing a deep distrust between the men.

  ‘I’d say you’re right,’ Caspan commented. ‘Perhaps Roy Stewart’s holding back until he’s sure that Brett and the Roon have stuck to their side of the agreement.’ He looked worriedly at Shanty. ‘But now that they have, it will only be a matter of days before Caledon marches.’

  ‘And that’s when the real fun and games begin,’ Roland muttered. He sheathed his dagger and looked at the dwarf. ‘So General Liam and the First Legion have been ordered to march west, but what of Baron Saxon?’

  ‘He’ll stay here and guard the High Coast,’ Shanty replied, much to Kilt’s relief, who smiled thankfully. ‘We’ve repelled the main invasion fleet, but for all we know some Roon may have stayed behind in reserve at the Black Isles and are planning on raiding the coast. That’s why Saxon’s left sentries up at Haven’s Watch, ready to raise the alarm at the first sign of trouble. He’s also going to send Fin and over a hundred of his soldiers north today to man the keeps up near Howling Head.’ He exhaled wearily. ‘If any good has come out of this rotten situation, it’s that Captain Grinn and his pirates have promised to maintain their alliance with Saxon. They’re going to patrol the area and keep an eye out for any Roon raiding parties.’

  Kilt gave Roland an encouraging look. ‘So all our hard work here wasn’t for nothing, after all. We hold the High Coast. That has to count for something.’

  Roland nodded reluctantly. ‘Yeah, I suppose so.’

  A crow perched high up on the battlements squawked, drawing the friends’ attention. They stared at the bird for some time, lost in their own thoughts, before Sara added a stick to the fire and rubbed her hands before it.

  ‘I hope our friends are okay,’ she said, voicing the concern that had weighted heavily on Caspan’s thoughts all night. She glanced at Shanty. ‘You haven’t heard anything?’

  As one, Caspan, Roland and Kilt turned to regard the dwarf, their anxious expressions revealing that perhaps they didn’t want to know the answer to Sara’s question. Master Morgan, Raven, Oswald and Thom, the mute swordsman Caspan had met on the rooftops of Floran, had been sent to the Pass of Westernese to aid the legions.

  Shanty shook his head. ‘King Rhys’s message didn’t go into such particulars. We can only hope that they and their Wardens managed to get out safely out of the Pass.’

  Roland shifted uneasily. ‘Master Morgan and Raven are skilled fighters. I don’t know much about Thom, but he looks as if can take care of himself. But Oswald …’

  ‘I know,’ Caspan said tensely, believing the elderly treasure hunter was more suited to researching in archives and libraries than wielding a sword against Roon. ‘I’ve worried about him ever since he was sent to the Pass.’

  ‘There was no stopping him, though,’ Kilt remarked. ‘Remember that Morgan gave him the option of remaining in Briston with Lachlan, but he wouldn’t hear of it.’

  Caspan smiled sadly, thinking back to the meeting in Duke Connal’s quarters, when the Brotherhood had been assigned to defend different parts of the kingdom. Oswald, who was normally so calm and even-tempered, had turned livid at Morgan’s suggestion that he stay in the capital with Lachlan.

  ‘But Morgan’s no fool,’ Kilt continued. ‘I’m sure he would have kept Oswald back in their base camp, well away from the fighting.’

  Caspan nodded, knowing that the Master would have done everything possible to protect his companions. He glanced expectantly at Shanty. ‘And what are we going to do?’

  ‘I thought I’d put that question to you. Duke Connal’s provided no further instructions, so we’re free to do as we like. We can stay here and ensure there are no further attacks along the High Coast, or –’ Shanty regarded each of the treasure hunters in turn ‘– we can head east with General Liam and face the Roon at Chester Hill.’

  ‘What do you think we should do?’ Caspan asked. ‘You’ve had far more experience than us at this sort of thing.’

  Shanty pursed his lips in thought, then announced, ‘I think we should head east. The final battle of this war will be fought at Chester Hill. I don’t know what role we’ll play in it, or if we’ll have any impact on its outcome, but I’d hate not to try. Not all of us will go, though.’ He paused, leaving the friends hanging off his next few words. ‘I’d like at least one of you to remain here to help Baron Saxon.’

  The friends exchanged shocked looks.

  ‘Is that wise?’ Sara asked. ‘We were trained to work together as a team.’

  Caspan was quick to support her. ‘We’ve done practically everything together since joining the Brotherhood. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and work well together. Making one of us stay here might cause that to fall apart.’

  ‘You seem to have coped well without Lachlan,’ Shanty countered. ‘Look, I knew you weren’t going to be happy about this, but I thought about it a lot last night and believe it’s the right thing to do.’ Roland drew breath to comment, but the dwarf silenced him with a raised hand. ‘And before you start arguing the matter with me, just give me a moment to explain my reasoning. If there are more Roon hiding out in the Black Isles, Saxon’s going to need all the help he can get. And we all know the impact one of our Wardens can have on a fight. They also travel much faster than horses and are invaluable for reconnaissance. That’s why I’m asking one of you to stay behind. Yes, I know you work well as a team, and nobody likes my suggestion one bit. But Saxon needs at least one member of the Brotherhood to remain.’

  Roland stared coldly at Shanty and folded his arms across his chest. ‘Don’t even think about asking me. Bandit’s injured, so that rules me out.’

  ‘I suppose it does.’ Shanty regarded Caspan, Sara and Kilt. ‘It wouldn’t be for that long; perhaps a week or two. Just to ensure there are no further threats to the High Coast.’ He sighed deeply. ‘I like this no better than you do, but I’ve made up my mind and we’re going to stick to it.’ When no further opposition to his plan was voiced, he asked, ‘Would somebody like to volunteer?’

  Caspan, Kilt and Sara quickly avoided the dwarf’s eyes and looked down, afraid that they’d be singled out.

  Roland stared challengingly at Shanty. ‘What are you going to do now – make them draw straws?’ Shanty glared his disapproval at him, and Roland lowered his eyes shamefully. He drew a shaky breath, then said, ‘I’m sorry. I’m not myself. I haven’t been since I lost Bandit. I’ve never felt so alone before.’

  Shanty’s features softened and he reached over to tousle the boy’s hair. ‘The last few days have been tough on everybody. Let’s just not forget who our friends are. Bickering amongst ourselves will get us nowhere. And I’m sure Bandit’s going to be just fine.’ Roland nodded and smiled softly. Shanty looked back at Caspan, Kilt and Sara. ‘I won’t make anybody stay against their will. If you want –’

  ‘I’ll do it,’ Kilt said.

  Caspan was stunned. ‘Kilt, are you sure?’

  The green-eyed girl nodded determinedly. ‘Shant
y’s right: there might be more Roon in the area. One of us needs to stay behind with our Warden.’

  Roland cocked a curious eyebrow at her. Caspan was relieved to see a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

  ‘And this decision has absolutely nothing to do with a certain young baron, does it?’ Roland asked.

  ‘Oh, shush up, you goose,’ Sara chastised, hurling a snowball at him. ‘I think it’s very noble of Kilt volunteering to do this.’

  ‘Can you lot stop throwing snowballs at me!’ Roland barked, dusting the white powder from his cloak and tunic. ‘Seriously! It’s cold enough without you giving winter a helping hand.’

  A smile played at the edges of Shanty’s mouth, as if this is what he’d hoped for all along. ‘I agree with Sara: I think it’s very noble of you, Kilt.’ He cupped his hands and blew warmth into them, then motioned for the treasure hunters to follow him across to the central keep. ‘Come on. We’ll tell Saxon and Roy what we intend to do.’

  ‘Not that anybody is interested in anything I have to say these days, but I think this idea stinks.’ Roland pushed himself off the barrel and went after his friends. ‘Friends should stick together, through thick and thin. That’s all there is to it.’

  Kilt pouted her bottom lip and placed her arm around his shoulder. ‘Aw, you’re nothing but a big softy, aren’t you? Behind those spindly legs and snide comments beats the heart of a lamb. You really do care about me.’

  Roland looked down at his legs and frowned. ‘Spindly? What are you talking about?’

  ‘I think he really does care about you, behind all of his teasing,’ Sara said, nudging Kilt. ‘Maybe it’s been nothing but a great facade to hide his true feelings.’

  Roland pointed a finger at her in warning. ‘Don’t push your luck, bookworm.’

  Laughing, the girls ran ahead to join Shanty.

  CHAPTER 11

  LACHLAN

  A messenger raven arrived later that afternoon, revealing that the survivors of the Battle of the Pass of Westernese had withdrawn to Rivergate. It was a strong defensive position, which was based at a small castle on a causeway that spanned the Mooryn. The small force was to hold there until General Liam and the reserves from the south got into position at Chester Hill, several miles to the south.

  Caspan and his friends had hoped that the message, which bore the royal seal of King Rhys MacDain, would reveal if Morgan and the other members of the Brotherhood were safe, but it said nothing as to their fate. Resigned that they most probably wouldn’t find out until they arrived at Rivergate, Caspan, Roland, Sara and Shanty said farewell to Kilt and Baron Saxon, then climbed atop Frostbite and Cloud Dancer and flew east.

  General Liam had already started the long march to Chester Hill, and the treasure hunters passed the First Legion as it trudged along the principal road, which led from the High Coast. The line of soldiers stretched across the countryside for over a mile. Several hundred yards ahead of the army rode a company of scouts, hooded and clad in forest greens, longbows strapped to their saddles in calfskin covers. At the head of the main column was a vanguard of heavily armoured cavalry, pendants flapping on the ends of their raised lances. General Liam followed behind, his wolf-skin cloak splayed across the back of his black stallion. Maul walked by his side, the bear’s girth taking up so much of the road that the General was almost forced to ride off the trail. Then came the legion’s officers, followed by a company of mounted lancers and a stalwart unit of veteran infantry, clad in mail hauberks and with shields slung over their backs. Columns of archers and light infantry came next, and finally wagons transporting the injured and the baggage train.

  It looked a formidable force, winding its way across the countryside like an enormous iron snake. But Caspan knew that even once they joined the reserves from the south and the survivors from the Pass, they would face an army twice their size. The odds would be stacked heavily against them – they had no choice but to face the Roon. It would be the greatest battle of the war and determine the fate of Andalon.

  As eager as the friends were to arrive at Rivergate to find out what had become of their fellow Brotherhood members, they decided to make a detour to the capital to visit Lachlan. The sturdy boy had wanted nothing more than to join them in their mission to the High Coast, but he had been forbidden to leave Briston by the physician, Arthur, who had insisted he needed at least another two weeks’ rest before he’d be fit enough to fight.

  Caspan could still picture the look on Lachlan’s face on the day they parted. He’d seemed so disappointed, almost betrayed, to have been left behind. Paying Lachlan a visit would be the least the friends could do. It would certainly lift his spirits. With any luck, Lachlan might also be strong enough to join them. He was the best fighter out of the recruits. Even in a weakened state, he and his magical guardian, Talon, would be a welcome addition to their team.

  It was almost midnight when the treasure hunters arrived in the city and were escorted by guards into the royal precinct. Believing Lachlan would be asleep, they decided to wait until morning to surprise him. A servant showed them to their rooms and, tired from the day’s flight, they dismissed their Wardens and went straight to bed.

  Caspan slept like a log and woke refreshed the next morning. To his surprise, golden sunlight streamed through his drawn window. He lay there for a while basking in its warmth, before he finally dressed and went down for breakfast. He hadn’t realised how late he’d slept in until he reached the deserted hall and found out from a kitchen hand that Sara, tired of waiting for him to wake, had decided to visit her father in the library. Both Shanty and Roland had accompanied her.

  Eager to meet Lachlan, Caspan gulped down two bowls of porridge then hurried through the castle corridors to his friend’s room, only to discover from a passing servant that Lachlan had gone outside to train.

  Caspan found Lachlan whacking a blunt practice sword on one of the padded pells in the courtyard between the armoury and the stable. Caspan decided to surprise him. He snuck around to the weapons racks, selected a sword and tip-toed up behind Lachlan. He waited for him to complete a six-swing technique that had been taught by the Masters back at the House of Whispers, then, trying hard not to laugh, poked him in the back with the point of his blade.

  ‘Get yer hands in the air and give me all yer gold, ye knock-kneed vagabond!’ Caspan demanded in a gruff voice.

  Lachlan froze, then spun on his heel, bringing his sword around to swat aside Caspan’s. He brought his sword up above his head, ready to deliver a crunching blow, but froze when he realised who it was.

  ‘Caspan! What on earth do you think you’re doing? I could have killed you!’

  Caspan was laughing so hard he dropped his weapon. ‘I’m sorry. But I couldn’t resist.’ He wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. ‘You should’ve seen the look on your face.’

  Lachlan grinned and patted him on the shoulder. ‘Yeah, you’re a barrel full of laughs. Just don’t come whingeing to me next time I run you through.’

  Caspan darted playfully around his friend and tousled his short-cropped hair. ‘You’ll never be fast enough to catch me, Timmity Tom.’

  ‘Oh, yeah!’ Lachlan dived and tackled Caspan to the ground. He wrestled on top of him and pinned his arms down with his knees. ‘Say “surrender” when you’ve had enough.’

  Caspan tried to push him off him, but Lachlan felt as heavy as a mountain. ‘I’ll never yield,’ he said defiantly.

  ‘Really?’ Lachlan gripped Caspan’s right hand and used it to punch him playfully in the face.

  ‘Oh, come on!’ Caspan complained, moaning and laughing at the same time. ‘You can’t do that.’

  ‘Show me where it says that in the rules. Now, do you surrender?’

  ‘Never, you great big puddenhead!’

  ‘Calling me names as well? You’re a right sucker for punishment.’

  It was when Lachlan started using both of Caspan’s hands as weapons that the former street thief finally yielded. Lachlan gave h
im a hand up. They laughed as they dusted themselves off and crossed over to a nearby bench.

  ‘Ah, it’s good to see you again, Cas.’ Lachlan removed the waterskin from his belt, took a quick drink, and proffered it to Caspan. ‘When did you get back?’

  Caspan took a long draught and wiped his sleeve across his mouth. ‘Last night. We wanted to surprise you, but it was too late.’

  ‘We?’ Lachlan looked quizzically around the courtyard.

  ‘I slept in, so rather than hang around and wait for me Sara popped over to the library to see her father. Roland and Shanty went with her.’

  Lachlan’s eyes narrowed. ‘And Kilt?’

  ‘Don’t worry. She’s fine. She stayed behind at Castle Crag.’

  Lachlan exhaled a breath of relief. ‘For a moment there I thought something terrible had happened to her. But why did she stay behind?’

  ‘Quite a lot has happened since we left. If you’ve got a spare hour, I can fill you in.’

  ‘I’m all ears.’

  Caspan grinned. ‘Yeah, I know. But I didn’t want to say anything about that and hurt your feelings.’

  Lachlan shoved him playfully. ‘Knock it off, you clown.’ He stood up, pulled on his black Brotherhood cloak and produced his red night-cap from his tunic pocket. ‘Arthur says I need to get my strength back, but he also insists I go for walks every morning and evening. Care for a stroll along the battlements? The view over the city’s fantastic. You can tell me everything that’s happened.’ He reattached the waterskin to his belt and plonked his cap atop his head. Its pompom dangled comically down the side of his face.

  Caspan rose and smirked. ‘You’re seriously going to wear that in public?’

  ‘Why not? It’s cold and it keeps my head warm.’

  ‘Whatever keeps you happy, Timmity Tom.’ Caspan chortled as they made their way up a flight of stairs leading to the castle fortifications. ‘Mind you, you’re starting to remind me a lot of Roland and his silly blue Strathboogie bonnet.’