Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls (58 page)

Captain Lethyne Tyne planned to return to Revelyn and make landfall at
Waterman,
one of the largest towns on the east coast. He had tersely informed Serenna and Rema that they were to leave his ship there, for he told them that
there had been nothing but trouble for him since they came aboard.
They sensed that he now blamed them for the storm and the near loss of his ship. There was nothing to say, for they too wished to part company with the
Scoria
as soon as possible, and
Waterman
was well placed to see them further on their journey. On the first night at sea Scion came and told them that he too was leaving the ship, for his relationship with Tyne had become impossible. He offered his services to Rema and Serenna for he had no desire to find another vessel.

‘I’ve been at sea for twenty summers and just as many cold winters,’ he said, ‘and I want to do other things. If you would agree I would like to come with you, for I am persuaded that your cause is good and perhaps I can be of service.’

Rema was overjoyed at the offer, for Scion was a massive man with good sense who would be of great value when things became difficult. And Rema knew that they surely would.

‘Scion you are most welcome to travel with us,’ he had replied, gripping the man’s great hand. ‘I can promise you only hard times I am afraid, but I can think of none better than you to get us through.’

And so it was settled. The band became four, the future uncertain, but the resolve undiminished.

The voyage back to the mainland of Revelyn was so different to that which they had experienced in the terrible storm. It was as though the elements had used up all their great might in that one attempt to destroy the ship, and now needed time to rest and build for some other action, for the sea was calm and the wind gently from the east, so that the
Scoria
ran easily before it under clear skies, and at night, a moon just past full, lit the water and sky with a beautiful and magically light.

Early on the third day land was seen off the starboard bow. A huge and mighty mountain range with its top shrouded in clouds seemed to rise from the sea. Scion informed them that this was the Eastern Upthrust, many leagues inland, but so high that it could be seen from far out to sea long before the mainland coast was sighted.

‘Home of the
Edenwhood
, Serenna,’ Rema whispered as they stood together that last night on the foredeck, amazed at the height of the mountains before them. ‘Our path leads us there. I wonder what we will find for we travel into legend, and I fear we shall not be disappointed, for all the stories I have heard tell of that place are fearful and full of danger.’

Serenna said nothing but inwardly she welcomed whatever was to come, for she felt a renewed closeness between them since the Faero Isles had been left behind. But she too was lost in wonder at the majesty of what was rising before them.

They arrived at
Waterman
after an easy but slow three days, by which time Rema began to feel that his visit to the Faero Isles had become a dream, although the small sword which now hung from his neck was ever a reminder that it was not, and that a part of him was bound to that place for all time.

They left the
Scoria
with few words. Serenna tried to speak with Captain Lethyne Tyne, but his dark mood had become worse and he waved her away with a hiss.

‘I am done with you Lady Serenna. Leave now, for you have all but done for me; you and your companion.’ He remained in his cabin as the party of four, Rema, Serenna, Ofeigr and Scion took all they had and rowed ashore, and bid the
Scoria
farewell. They found lodgings in a small inn some distance from the harbour and were quickly reminded of the mood of the land, for there were soldiers about and the townsfolk seemed wary and quick to look away, and walk on.

‘So different from the Faero Islands, Serenna,’ Rema whispered before they had travelled half a league from the quay. ‘Once more we must be careful, for word will have been sent to many places commanding those who must, to look for us.’ They walked on in silence and a sombre mood wondering what next would befall them.

Chapter 17

Rema was tired and thirsty, and more than a little frustrated. He and Serenna had walked all over the town of
Watermen,
hoping that they might find someone who knew anything about the
Edenwhood,
and how best they might find some path which would take them to a place where a meeting was possible. They had had no success at all. Despite all of their many polite enquiries, not a single person had been able to give any clue as to how they might best proceed. In fact even the few suggestions they had been offered were wildly conflicting, to the point which they both realised none could be relied upon, and they did not have time for following some flight of fancy.

The previous night Rema had examined his simple map which Lethyne Tyne had provided, and whilst lacking detail on matters of Revelyn inland beyond the more obvious ports and coastal towns, it clearly showed the Eastern Upthrust, and it had dawned on them both that it would take many days exploring to find a path which could allow them to climb that mighty escarpment, if indeed such a thing existed.

‘This is a fool’s errand Serenna,’ Rema growled as they sat in the shade of a large oak which grew somewhat tenaciously outside a roadside drinking stall, next to a smithy’s forge, which rang with the sound of hammer on iron. Two unshod work horses stood impassively nearby in the sun, waiting for the attention of the smithy. The small boy who attended them looked underfed, and his clothes hung loosely from him. He stared at them rudely, but in such a manner that it suddenly made Rema realise that Serenna’s mass of flaming red hair was not only unusual, it was like a beacon for any who might be looking for them.

‘Your hair Serenna, we must cover it. Those that look for us would surely have cause to note such a thing.’

‘My hair is not for covering Rema Bowman.’ Serenna retorted angrily and with little thought, for she too was tired and frustrated by their lack of success that day.  ‘All my life I have been ....’ and then she stopped for Rema was looking intently at her with such an expression of surprise that she realised he had spoken only in their best interests. She nodded. ‘You are right Rema, I am sorry, for I know you mean no hurt.’

‘On the contrary,’ Rema said quietly, nodding in the direction of the two horses, ‘if you see that young lad there, he is quite taken by your finery, and he will remember it above all else.

They sat in silence whilst the tension between them bled quickly away. The warm ale they sipped was only slightly refreshing, for it could not take away the sense of failure they both felt for their day’s work.

‘You would think someone in this sad place would know something of the
Edenwhood;
some story or remembered truth which would assist us.’ Rema returned to his thoughts. ‘We have talked to so many people and no one knows anything.’ He shook his head.

‘Or else they are not saying,’ said Serenna.

‘But why keep quiet about such a subject. There is no evil in it, no secret. All folk know of them, know where they live. I cannot understand that none have heard, in living memory, something of how to meet them. They used to live with men in these parts...’

Rema sipped his ale and shook his head in disappointment.  Serenna did the same.

‘I hope Ofeigr and Scion have had more success than us,’ she said finally, draining the last of her drink.

‘Four good horses and some supplies for gold should not be beyond the resources of this place to provide; but I am beginning to wonder,’ said Rema sarcastically in reply.

He bent down and picked up his amazing bow and quiver which held but three selected arrows. He had debated with himself whether or not to bring them on their search, but in the end he had decided that he would rather risk this than remain without a weapon in a town which seemed more friendless than not, for he had listened hard in the early morning when all was quiet, and sensed the fear and distrust in the place. The remains of sad and unfinished conversations had come to him; words which although faint and dying had carried little hope but great foreboding.  In the morning Scion had questioned the wisdom of his moving about whilst armed. He had replied as best he could.

‘I have struggled with this question in the early hours Scion, and you are right to raise it for it has vexed me greatly.’ He spoke with a gentle firmness for he had made up his mind come what may. ‘As we travelled here from the harbour yesterday,’ he continued, ‘I observed that some were carrying bows and arrows, although swords seem prohibited. Perhaps as many rely on hunting for food that tradition has been allowed to remain. We have come so far I do not wish to be without recourse to some defence if the day goes badly for us. I will be careful, but this is my decision.’ Scion had accepted this with a nod.

They had split up after a simple breakfast which the sullen innkeeper had provided; Ofeigr and Scion to purchase horses and supplies, whilst Rema and Serenna searched for any knowledge of the
Edenwhood.

Rema finished his ale and rose slowly to his feet.

‘Come Serenna we will return to the inn and see how the others have fared.’

The young farm boy still stared intently at them and so Serenna was glad to leave him to his rudeness. Neither saw him leave the horses unattended and disappear into the forge the very moment they disappeared around the nearest bend in the road.

The two friends walked slowly back through the centre of the town and found their progress impeded by a market square full of stalls and jostling people. They browsed amongst the wares and raucous crowd for a time before a huge cry suddenly went up around them, and it took Rema some time to understand the cause. Finally they discovered that in the main roadway to the square a huge and angry looking soldier had caught a youth, wearing a simple sword at his belt in the way which sits well with some belligerence. He had knocked the boy to the ground, and now seemed to be taunting him with the aim that he would use his sword to strike. All in the crowd knew what would happen then, and they were angry but feared to intervene.

Rema and Serenna stood helplessly as the grown man with obvious long years in the king’s service, with who knew how many violent deaths at his hand, goaded the poor boy who was clearly terrified.

‘Come on then, you want to be a soldier. You wear a sword. You know that this is prohibited, yet you disobey the king. I will let you strike first. Get up boy and be the man you pretend to be!’The soldier had one hand on his sword but it remained sheathed, for he had no fear of the boy he was tormenting. With fear in his wild eyes the youth slowly stood, but unsteadily, and wiped a hand across the bloody welt which the soldier’s gloved hand had dealt him across one cheek.

‘I do not wish to fight you sira!’ He spoke truly, but the soldier was having none of it.

‘But you will lad, you will most certainly will, and any who tries to stop us be warned!’ He turned a full circle and scowled at the crowed which stepped back as one for he was a dangerous brute and not to be crossed.

‘The desperate boy was not without courage and saw his chance; with a flash of his small sword as the soldier turned away, he struck a blow which did no more than glance harmlessly off a the big man’s shoulder, for he had been ready for it, and his turn just part of an enticement for the boy to step into the battle. He let out an angry but triumphant cry.

‘Ah you strike at the king. You carry a sword. You will die you insolent pup!’

And in a flash he held his own huge sword which was presented in all its terrifying might to the boy who stepped back in wide-eyed horror. The crowd let out another cry and froze in anticipation... all expect for Rema who reacted without a further thought, for he had seen this evil intent once before upon Gymble’s barge, and he was not about to let any child be cut down despite his great desire to not be noticed.

‘Flee Serenna!’ he hissed. ‘To the inn, I will join you there. You must not been seen...remember your hair.’ The look he gave her could not be denied, and with a quick reply she obeyed.

‘Take care Rema,’ she whispered and was gone with a pounding heart and a growing fear deep within.

Rema had an arrow to his string in an instant, and with a single quick action drew and sighted without falter. It was an easy shot for the distance was no more than twenty paces. The crowd around him stepped back with a gasp for they suddenly saw what was about to happen. In an instant every eye in the square was upon him, and the huge soldier froze with a snarl upon his lips which immediately turned to a cold fear as a puzzled looked flashed across his face and he seemed to be trying to understand how he came to be in such a fatal position.

 
Who dared to draw a bow against him, a king’s man?

He had no opportunity for further thought.  Rema released his arrow; it hit him in the upper leg, half way between the hip and the knee. The sharp crack of shattering bone could be heard all over the square, and he fell with a howl of agony. Immediately his blood stained the ground around him, for it was a deadly wound. For a moment no one moved, and then Rema was shocked for the crowd suddenly descended upon the injured man and quickly beat him senseless and then to death. The boy disappeared in a flash and Rema knew instinctively that other soldiers would be close by if not already in the square. As some of the stunned crowd began to flee, he pulled his cloak around him and hurried down the nearest street which led away towards the inn and safety.

The action in the square had not gone unobserved however, for by chance a very tall man with a soldierly bearing happened to be there and witnessed it all from the shadows of a large doorway. He did not take part in the vengeful acts of the crowd, but stood impassively like a statue, watching. His large frame was shrouded by an unimpressive cloak and hood, but his intelligent close-set eyes saw all that happened, and as soon as Rema disappeared, he moved with a speed and grace which spoke of a great and powerful body.