‘It occurred to me to wonder if it was some kind of mistake, or if he was imagining it all.’
‘Reeth. I know it’s hard to take, but don’t go into denial over this. It wasn’t Praltor’s opinion, it was from the Source. He couldn’t fake that.’
‘I know. As you said, it’s not easy discovering certain things about yourself.’
‘Look on the bright side. It’s not every day you find out you’ve got such influential relatives.’
Caldason had to smile.
They kissed.
A chorus of shouts went up. The lookouts stationed on the battlements were sounding an alarm.
‘What is it?’ Serrah said.
‘Look.’ He pointed.
A wagon was heading for the redoubt, accompanied by a handful of riders. The group rode hell for leather.
Serrah had a spy tube. ‘Reeth! It’s Dulian and Quinn.’
They were being pursued. Several dozen mounted soldiers were after them, their horses huffing white clouds in the chill air.
One or two of the redoubt’s sentries began unleashing arrows. Serrah and Caldason ran for the stairs, and went down them in a breakneck clatter.
When they reached ground level they found the gates had already been opened. Defenders were roaring encouragement at the approaching wagon, and adding to the rain of arrows zeroing in on its pursuers. The latter had already slowed, cautious enough not to get too close to the fortress.
As the wagon and its smattering of outriders neared safety, there was another development. A body of soldiers emerged from the treeline, their uniforms grey against the night’s blackness.
‘How many, do you think?’ Caldason asked.
‘Forty or fifty, maybe more. Shit, Reeth, they’ve got to us already. The island must be overrun.’
‘Not necessarily. It’s a basic tactic to send in advance groups of shock troopers. These are probably pathfinders. Small in number but veterans.’
The wagon and riders thundered into the redoubt, to cheers. A mass of defenders put their shoulders to the gates and got them rapidly closed.
Karr and Disgleirio looked shaken but were unharmed. Several of the men with them had minor wounds.
‘We were lucky,’ Karr explained as they helped him down. ‘Which is more than can be said for some of our comrades, I’m afraid.’
‘What happened?’ Caldason asked.
‘We were simply overwhelmed,’ Disgleirio replied. ‘It was all we could do to get out.’
‘What about the fortress?’
‘Holding, and quite well, I’m pleased to say. But they only have to wait it out, of course.’
‘It’s a chaotic situation out there,’ Karr added. ‘Defenders are holding some parts of the island and invaders others. We’ve got pockets of our people cut off all over the place. It’s anarchy.’
‘Any idea where Darrok is?’
‘No.’
‘Is there any good news at all?’ Serrah wondered.
Before anyone could speak, the lookouts were in full voice again, bellowing warning.
‘And that’s unlikely to be any,’ Caldason reckoned, making for the wall.
Serrah and Disgleirio followed, along with scores of others. They crowded the grilles and arrow slits. What they saw was a lone rider heading their way, with a mob of invaders on its heels.
‘Looks like a straggler,’ Disgleirio said.
Serrah had her glamour tube. ‘Gods. It’s Pallidea.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘There’s no mistaking that red mane. Here, look for yourself.’ She handed him the tube.
The rider’s pure white horse swerved to avoid a line of invaders blocking the way, then took off in the direction of the half ruined fairground.
Serrah clutched Caldason’s arm. ‘We’ve got to help her, Reeth.’
‘Come on.’
They hurried back across the courtyard, to find that Phoenix and Goyter had joined Karr. Swiftly, they told him what they’d seen.
‘We can’t spare a sizeable number to go after her,’ Karr told them. ‘In fact, I can’t see that we’re in a position to send anybody, whoever needs rescuing.’ He looked genuinely pained. ‘I’m sorry, but defending this place has to come first.’
‘Of course,’ Serrah replied. ‘But you’ve no objection to us going?’
‘I have, actually. I don’t want to risk losing you both. But I know that what I say won’t make the slightest difference. Just promise me that if things look too hopeless you’ll abandon the idea and get back here.’
‘We will.’
Goyter waved in a groom leading a pair of horses. Across the saddle of each was a breastplate and helm.
‘I’m not wearing those,’ Caldason stated.
‘You need all the help you can get,’ Goyter insisted. ‘Both of you. And the armour’s surprisingly lightweight. Now hurry up and get into it.’
Caldason surrendered and hefted the breastplate. Serrah was already in hers. Several people clustered around to help tie their stays.
‘I’ve something else that might be useful,’ Phoenix said, showing them a small black cube on his palm.
‘What is it?’ Caldason asked.
‘A personal deflection shield. It’s got enough of a range to cover both of you, providing you stay together, and it’ll protect against most edged weapons or projectiles. Have either of you used one before?’
‘Never,’ Caldason said.
‘A few times,’ Serrah acknowledged. She was fastening the strap on her helmet.
‘Then it can be in your care,’ the magician decided, handing it to her. ‘But don’t forget that it’s short-lived.’
‘How short?’
‘About ten minutes.’
‘Can we get a move on?’ Caldason pleaded.
They mounted their horses and the gates were opened.
‘Gods speed!’ Karr shouted.
Caldason and Serrah galloped out. The gates closed behind them with a mellow thud.
The enemy foot soldiers kept their distance, contenting themselves with jeers and threatening gestures.
‘Looks like there isn’t too much in the way of cavalry about yet,’ Serrah said.
‘The few we saw seemed more interested in catching Pallidea. Come on, she went this way.’ He spurred his horse.
They rode further inland, towards a cluster of abandoned amusement houses and pleasure domes, remnants from the days when the Diamond Isle was at its height as a resort for the rich. At first, they saw nothing but semi-ruined buildings overgrown with weeds and creepers. Then there was movement in the clutter.
Serrah and Reeth spotted riders milling amongst the ruins, swords drawn, slashing at the undergrowth. As yet, they hadn’t been seen themselves.
‘What shall we do?’ Serrah mouthed.
Before he could answer, the decision was taken for them. There was a commotion ahead. A figure broke cover and dashed their way, her flowing red hair unmistakable.
‘Hang on, Reeth!’ Serrah yelled. She slapped the tiny black cube against her thigh, cracking it like a raw egg and casting the spell. As the near invisible glamour spread to cloak them, a tingle ran through their flesh. ‘Remember, stay close!’
They took off towards Pallidea, and found themselves riding into a barrage of arrows. The bolts ricocheted off the protective shield, some snapping in two with the force of impact, as Caldason and Serrah raced on.
Pallidea’s horse had been downed and she was limping from the fall, yet she moved like an athlete. A pack of riders were behind her, and gaining fast.
Serrah and Caldason pounded in. He leaned from his saddle, arm outstretched. Pallidea grasped it, and with a mighty effort, Caldason heaved her up and onto his mount. All the while, both horses were describing an arc, so that as Pallidea was anchoring down, the two beasts had already turned and were heading back in the direction they’d come.
The manoeuvre gave the enemy a chance to narrow the gap. Now it was a chase, pure and simple, with arrows continuing to glance off the protective cloak. Serrah and Reeth spurred on their mounts, and started to gain a lead.
Then the glamour shield ran out.
They only knew because an arrow plunged into the back leg of Serrah’s horse. The animal whinnied, stumbled and went down. Serrah was pitched headlong and bounced across the frozen ground.
Caldason pulled up and slid from his horse, signalling Pallidea to stay put. Taking in Serrah, the injured horse and the charging pursuers, he made an instant decision.