Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls (27 page)

*

At that very moment, the King, Lord Petros Luminos, stood out on his high stone balcony and looked down upon his city. The white sea of mist from the river, under the midnight moon, looked as if it was trying to lay siege to his kingdom. This troubled him, and a mad thought entered his confused mind. 
I am the King, all things must obey me
. And so he stood with kingly authority, raised a hand, and ordered the mist be gone.

To his amazement, it receded. He swore that it went back a little, dropped lower until in the Port some ships could be better seen, their masts appearing magically from the carpet of white. Lighted torches became more visible, changing colours from distant blues to warmer yellows.

He had done this.
 He smiled and stood proudly surveying nature changed.

He did not know that behind him, the silent Zelfos had been standing watching him.  Zelfos heard his mad command, and by some muttered sorcery had fulfilled his wish. He waited for a time and then broke the spell.

‘My Lord,’ Zelfos spoke sharply, jolting the king from his arrogant self-congratulations. ‘We need to speak, for I bring news of great concern.’

‘Why must you insist on sneaking up on me like that?’ Lord Petros growled. ‘I do declare that you plan it so.’  Zelfos smiled obsequiously.

‘I did not wish to disturb you, Oh Mighty Lord. I believe you were directing nature’s forces. Most admirable.’ He bowed low whilst the king glared sullenly at his bald head.

*

  A sudden noise made Rema jump. He turned back to see a door open in a raised part at the stern of the ship. A tall man stepped forth accompanied by the wizened Wormwood, who carried a bright lantern, and was clearly limping. He heard Serenna take a deep breath as if to brace herself. 
What in all Revelyn is going on
here,
thought Rema? As Tyne approached, Rema was struck by his total air of command. He also realised that his eyes were for Serenna only. He did not so much as glance at him.

‘You wake me at this hour Lady Serenna, you have a nerve I’ll grant you that?’ His face was pointed, with high cheekbones. The eyes were too close together, giving him a startled look, and they were cruel eyes, eyes which sought to own and secure and lock away. Rema realised that he was missing his right ear. Just an ugly hole, badly healed, with raged ridges of skin remained. He was wearing a leather coat and leggings, and at his waist were strapped two swords, and a smaller curved dagger. His tone was disarmingly pleasant, but the words struck hollow and cold.

‘Captain Tyne, always so welcoming!’ Serenna was determined to stand her ground, and Rema knew that she was playing a dangerous game. ‘I want a cabin with two bunks, and a passage to a destination which will be mutually agreeable to us both.’ Tyne said nothing just opened his eyes a little wider, and raised his eyebrows, which were black and long, and very bristly.  Wormwood took two steps back out of reach. Before he could reply, Serenna continued.

‘Lethyne Tyne, please meet Rema Bowman, my cousin.’ The tall man spoke sharply but did not take his eyes off Serenna.

‘That will be
Captain
Lethyne Tyne to you boy. What right do you have to come here and make such a demand Lady Serenna? I seem to remember our last meeting went something like,
You will not be laying eyes upon me again, you
monster!
’ Wormwood took another step to the rear.

‘Did I say that?’ Serenna suddenly changed her tone. ‘I wonder what could have possibly prompted me to say such a thing? Could it have something to do with your propositioning my husband to purchase me like some bonded servant? Might your manners have been so poor that you thought not to tell me of your intention in this, assuming that I would quite naturally accept, even desire, such a pathetic deal, for that is what is was, a business deal, and me the object of the trade, and your passion?’ She stood with eyes blazing and hands on her hips glaring at the captain who stared back haughtily, clearly not appreciating her onslaught. His eyes narrowed; he thought and then he smiled, if it could be called a smile, for only one side of his mouth went up a little.

‘Hmm,’ he said stroking the untidy beard, which grew solely at the tip of his chin, ‘I suppose I deserved that. You’re right, I should have offered more. I did not judge your husband well. I thought he would have his price, and I set mine too low.’ Serenna made a fist with her right hand but just as she went to strike the Captain, Rema spoke.

‘Perhaps we could talk about a cabin for I cannot stand much longer.’ He went and rested against the barrel, which shortly before had been Wormwood’s resting place. For the first time Captain Tyne looked more closely at him.

‘You say he is your cousin, Lady Serenna?’ She went to Rema and placed a supportive hand upon his back.

‘He is, but we cannot talk now. I need the cabin and a passage as I mentioned. It is urgent. Please Lethyne.’ She softened and he enjoyed the moment. Rema had the distinct impression that whatever the relationship was between his red headed cousin and the strange captain, he was not used to hearing
please
very often.’

‘And what do you offer, Lady Serenna in return for such hospitality on my behalf?’

Serenna reached under her cloak and pulled out a small bag. She threw it to him. He caught it instinctively.

‘Gold, enough there to cover your next voyage. I know how much you like gold, Lethyne Tyne.’ The captain smiled again.

‘I like the idea that the Lady Serenna knows something of my desires.’ He weighed the bag in his palm thoughtfully for a moment. ‘Alright it is a deal, but we have much to talk about. Wormwood! Take these guests to Scion’s cabin. He can move out and join you in your little pigsty.’ Wormwood went to protest, but one look of thunder from his Captain silenced any thought of that.

‘And one more thing,’ Serenna spoke coldly. Captain Tyne looked at her closely for he sensed her mood. ‘We leave
now
.’ A look of shock crossed the captain’s face.

‘Now, in the middle of the night?’

‘Now in the middle of the night.’ Serenna echoed his words. ‘I told you this is urgent, a matter of life and death, a matter in which you are now heavily involved.’

Rema heard the Captain grind his teeth in anger.

‘And you will pay me for this, how?’ he almost roared.

‘I will dine with you tonight. Alone.’

Captain Lethyne Tyne said nothing, for he had no words, but his mind was working overtime.
Such possibilities.
Wormwood smiled knowingly, and Rema felt distinctly uncomfortable, at a loss to understand what Serenna was playing at. He had no time to think for suddenly his legs buckled and only the barrel and Serenna, saved him from falling to the deck.

‘Alright, I agree.’ The captain hissed in resignation.’ Wormwood, take them below, and get Scion up here; we have a ship to ready.’

‘Yes Captain.’ There was a slightly mocking tone in the old man’s voice, for he was carefully letting his master know who he thought had gotten the upper hand. He walked off hastily before he felt a booted foot for the second time that night. ‘Follow me Lady Serenna.’ He did not mention Rema who felt quite left out of the whole arrangement.

Rema stumbled blindly down a short companionway unto a lower deck and along a passage towards the ship’s stern. There were several small cabins on either side, and Wormwood ushered them hastily into one of them, calling out as he went.

‘Scion, on deck now. Captain wants to get moving. He needs you immediately. This cabin is offered to guests. You are to share with me. He kicked at a large man lying snoring in one of the simple bunks. Scion sat up and swung two very large thick legs over the side and into his sea boots in one easy motion. He said nothing but gathered a few belongings and pushed passed the small crowd, ignoring them, although he grunted at Wormwood as he went.

‘I will kill you quickly little old man if you snore like last time.’ And then he was gone.

‘Don’t mind him,’ said Wormwood, ‘he’s just a gentle giant really. Wouldn’t hurt a fly! Get some sleep. I’ll see what we can do about food after sunup. If you want to do your business, through that door but be careful, you might end up falling into the water.’ He chuckled malevolently, and leaving the lantern hanging on a hook, disappeared after Scion.

Rema let his small bundle of possessions fall to the floor, and then he collapsed onto the nearest bunk, and stretched out as best he could. Serenna knelt at his side.

‘How is your neck?’

‘I can’t hardly move,’ Rema whispered. ‘There is something out of place. In the morning, we can have a look at it, but now I need to lie still.’ He shut his eyes and fell quiet. Serenna lay on the other bunk, recently vacated by the giant Scion. It was still warm, but smelt strongly of tar and salt and sweat. She too lay back with a thousand thoughts screaming in her head. It was not long before she heard Rema’s breathing settle, and she knew he was asleep.

What becomes of us now Rema Bowman
? She thought, but there was no fear in her heart, for at last she was free.

Scion, the Mate, quickly roused and organised the crew of almost two score men, and within a span the ship was ready to leave. As it was pointing upstream, he held the stern rope fast and gave orders for the bow line to be cast off. As the steady current took the bow away from the jetty, it pivoted around the stern line, and as it did Captain Tyne ordered two sails hoisted, one on the foremast and one further forward over the bow, a jib of sorts. There was almost no wind, which made any manoeuvers very difficult, and he knew it would be the current which decided where his vessel would head, at least until they were clear of the Port. Fortunately, the
Scoria
was berthed furthest out at the end of the longest jetty in the Port of Ramos, so there was little danger of hitting any other craft.

In a rather ungainly fashion, the large ship disappeared into the night, sailing on a sea of white mist under a moderate moon. Once moving with the current, the breeze, which always travelled up river, caught the sails, and the helmsman was able to fill them with enough air to allow a course to be set at an angle out into the centre of the river, where the Scoria stayed, swinging drunkenly about, but safe enough until the City of Ramos disappeared behind them and the early light of dawn crept low into the eastern sky.

Down below in their bunks, Serenna finally fell asleep as the gentle motion of the ship lulled her into unconsciousness, whilst Rema remained as though one dead, unmoving, only the gentle rise and fall of his chest giving any indication that life was still present.

Rema slept through the night and well into the morning. He woke to a familiar feeling, which at first he could not identify. He lay staring at the low-decked ceiling of the dingy cabin trying hard to understand his body’s sensation. Then it hit him. He was on the river once more. The ship was travelling sluggishly but peacefully to the rhythm of the mighty waters which searched, as all rivers do, for the sea. He smiled at his memory of Gymble’s humble barge, his first real experience of being on the water. After a time he went to stand, and realised with a sudden surge of cold panic that he could not. He could not move at all. Overnight his body had frozen solid. He tried to lift his head, which was just possible, with sharp pains shooting down his back. His limbs were limp and unresponsive. He began to panic. Wild thoughts rushed through his mind.

What if I never walk again? What about Sylvion? What about the prophecy? What about …?

At the height of this panic Serenna suddenly entered the cabin, and Rema realised that she must have been up for some time. She looked down on him in alarm for she saw the fear in his eyes.

‘Are you alright Rema?’ She knelt and held his hand.

‘I cannot move,’ he whispered in reply, ‘I am frozen. Help me Serenna. Please.’ Even these few words were an effort. A shadow crossed his cousin’s face.

‘I feared this, some worsening in your condition. It was as much as you could do to stand after we escaped last night. I hoped that the night’s rest would refresh you, but it seems that has only caused your injury to make captive your whole body.’ She squeezed his hand and Rema took some small comfort knowing that he could feel her touch. ‘I don’t know what to do Rema but I will do all I can. It is possible they have someone on board who knows the skills of the healers.’ She gently kissed his forehead and was gone. Rema gave himself over to trying to calm himself and control his panic.

It will pass. All I need to do is rest. I am young and able. This cannot be the end…

As he lay there, full of inner turmoil, he realised that he was slipping further. His breathing was harder, and suddenly he missed a breath. Try as he might, Rema could not will himself to breathe. A great pain erupted in his chest as his body fought for air. He could feel his heart thumping ever harder, but nothing happened. His vision blurred and vanished altogether, replaced by an evil darkness. Just at the moment he knew he would lose touch with all reality, his chest heaved and took another breath, then another, until he counted five. Five great lungfuls of air which kept him alive. Then nothing once more, until the cycle repeated itself. He knew his life was hanging by the merest thread.  A jumble of images raced through his tortured brain.  Sylvion, alone and captive so far away. Mentor, so amazing and gently powerful. Dark creatures  of the night howling in his pursuit.  Serenna.

He heard her voice.  He realised she had returned.

‘Rema,’ she cried, ‘can you hear me?’ She was on her knees and shaking him gently. Suddenly a voice commanded.

‘Do not do that girl. You may kill him. Stand back and let me see him.’ It was a powerful voice, not one Rema recognised, but there was some comfort in hearing the authority that lay within it.

Rema felt a hand upon his neck; it was a mild pressure, but he could follow their gentle but powerful investigation of the bones just below his skull. He heard a grunt and the fingers stopped their walking.