The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 (38 page)

“
Nicely worded,” I said.

“
We’re going to need more than that to take back the capital,”
he replied.

“
Just tell me what you need me to do,” I said. “We’ll get
Harik onto that throne if it kills both of us.”

Nerrilok
chuckled. “I’d rather live to see that day.”

“
Are you going to be able to fly back to the camp?” I
asked.

“
I’ll get Bak to carry me,” he said. “Are you ready to be
behind enemy lines again?”

“
I take it you have a plan?” I smiled.

“
Just a little something I’ve been playing with,” he
smirked.

Chapter 32

Garok dropped
me on the bridge to Harik’s house in the rebel camp. The Evenawk
miners and farmers were getting fitted for better weapons as
everyone prepared for the next battle. Many Evenawks questioned the
quick succession of battles but were easily won over when told of
the alternative: giving the Mages time to call for reinforcements.
A quick strike was needed and the Evenawks were going to have to
push on.

Nerrilok and
Bak escorted me into Harik’s house so we could talk with the Last
Chieftain and plan the next move. Nerrilok had been closed lipped
about my portion of the plan but I was sure it would be messy.

That is a safe bet,
Cathy
said.
You are like his new toy. He will
keep using you until you break or he becomes bored.

Whoa, whoa,
ease back on the positivity there.

It’s true
, Cathy
chuckled.

Harik greeted
us with a smile. “This day continues to be surprising. We have
victory on two fronts and there is talk of a third battle.”

“
That is correct, Chieftain,” Nerrilok said, trying to hide
his soreness. “Speed is our ally. If the Mages regroup they will
reinforce Scert’chak and bring even more suffering to its
citizens.”

“
And the citizens have suffered enough,” Harik said. “I assume
a plan is in the works.”

“
Yes, Chieftain,” Nerrilok said.

“
Then walk me through it,” Harik responded walking over to the
table with the large map stretched across it.”

Nerrilok, Bak
and I joined around the table and Nerrilok pointed down to the
capital. “The plan is as simple as the last but something I’ve been
hoping to do for cycles,” he started. “Infiltration and
assassination during a major battle. I’ve worked tirelessly for a
long time trying to get an inside man to take down Desroche and I
think I’ve found it in Diason here.”

“
Diason?” Harik asked looking my direction.

“
If it means the Evenawks won’t see me as just another Mage
and attack me, I’ll accept it,” I said.

“
This is good,” Harik mused. “Something that can be turned
into a folklore and inspire the troops. Just like Blackbeak during
the Mage Invasion.”

“
You’ve been reading the books,” Nerrilok smiled.

“
I figured it was long overdue,” Harik smiled back.

“
So I walk in and work my way into their main government
building and take down Desroche while you guys attack?” I
asked.

“
That will be the easiest part of your job,” Nerrilok said.
“The Mages have installed two defensive towers overlooking the
forest approach. With the rest of Scert’chak protected by the
mountain peaks, that forest is the only way in and you will be
needed to help take down those towers.”

Oh, is that it?
Cathy asked
sarcastically.

“
Tell me more of these towers,” I said.

“
They are the stuff of nightmares,” Bak said.

“
Last time we tried to take back the capital, the towers
rained fire down on the forest and torched the very earth,”
Nerrilok explained. “Nothing will ever grow there again. They
sacrificed the land itself to try and destroy this
rebellion.”

“
Lovely,” I said rubbing my chin. “What creates the
fire?”

“
We don’t know,” Nerrilok answered. “We figured Mages but it
is too powerful to be a simple spell. There has to be something
more sinister.”

Perhaps something is powering the Mages,
Cathy suggested
. Or the Mages are
powering something
.

“
Will I be sending a signal for your attack?” I
asked.

“
Too risky,” Nerrilok said shaking his head. “This is a timed
attack. We attack tomorrow morning as the sun rises. You will need
to be quick.”

I nodded and
stared at the map. This was way beyond anything I had ever
done.

Everything has been beyond anything you’ve done,
Cathy said
. We’ll do
this together, like everything else.

Thanks.

“
When did you want me to head out?” I asked.

“
As soon as you gather your things,” Nerrilok answered. “Look
for me in tomorrow’s charge. I’ll be leading the
troops.”

“
Actually, Nerrilok,” Harik started. “I think I should be
leading the troops.”

“
No offense, Chieftain, but we can’t risk losing you in an
attempt at bravado,” Nerrilok said.

“
This isn’t bravado, this is sending a message,” Harik
replied. “The Mages and Evenawks need to see the Karoik Bloodline
isn’t dead. I’m not asking to give orders and plan strategies. That
is your job. But you will need a figure for the Evenawks to rally
around. With a folk hero like Diason in the city and the Last
Chieftain leading the charge, every Evenawk would join
us.”

“
It is a good point,” I said to Nerrilok. “This is like with
the Mages' bodies. Every action and every symbol reflects what you
are trying to accomplish.”

Nerrilok
sighed. “I’m starting to regret trusting you.”

“
But you don’t regret it fully,” I smiled.

“
Bak, take the Chieftain out to test his skills and get him
armed,” Nerrilok said.

Bak nodded and
Harik smiled. “I want armour like my father’s,” Harik said. “A
symbol needs to stand out and what’s this about the bodies?”

The voices
faded as they left the house. Nerrilok crossed his arms slowly as
he gritted his teeth in pain.

“
Are you going to be okay for tomorrow?” I asked.

“
Evenawks heal pretty quickly,” he said. “All of our hope
rests in the Last Chieftain. I hope you know what you’re doing
supporting him.”

“
With both of us on the battlefield, he’ll live through it,” I
said confidently.

“
It’s good to see that he’s finally accepting his role,”
Nerrilok said. “He needs to be a great leader.”

“
With you guiding him, he will be,” I said.

Nerrilok
looked at me for a few seconds before nodding. “You nervous?”

“
Yeah,” I answered.

“
Good, it will keep you alert. You don’t want to do anything
stupid while you’re in there,” he said.

Sounds like
advice YOU would give.

What, you mean
GOOD advice? She said playfully.

***

I was dropped
off far away from Scert’chak. I didn’t mind the walk because it
would mean my cover would be intact. With my hat on my head and my
pack on my back, it was like old times.

Boy, how sad does THAT sound?
Cathy
asked.

The forest
gave way to a blackened a wasteland as the city gates came into
view. This was the dead forest that Nerrilok had mentioned. Dead
trees scorched and drooping over, the very ground covered in a fine
soot from the smaller plants and any animal life unlucky enough to
get in the way. The air still smelt of burnt timber despite the
battle being many cycles in the past.

A rustle in
the forest behind me drew my attention and I stretched out with my
mind to see what was around. I couldn’t feel any energy and
concluded that it must have been an animal. I turned my attention
back to the city of Scert’chak and its two large defence
towers.

The towers
were identical in shape with covers on top that blocked the view of
what was inside. The stone architecture would make it impossible
for the rebels to attack effectively with their simple weapons. I
could see now why they lost the battle the first time around. I
would need to move quickly to ensure the towers' destruction.

I continued to
the front gate which opened slowly at my arrival. Inside, a
pleasant looking old Mage was the first to greet me. “It’s
interesting to see another Mage this late,” she said. “Are you
stopping for the night before heading to another town?”

“
Y-yes I am,” I answered taking the easy out.

“
Then I recommend The Dinged Cauldron in Sector B,” she said
pointing to a cluster of trees to her right.

“
Thank you very much,” I smiled.

“
Enjoy your stay in Willow’s Trap, Keeper,” she
smiled.

I nodded and
headed for the cluster of trees she had pointed too.

“
Lower the bridge to Sector B!’ she called out.

A bridge
dropped down from the trees so I could access the upper level. The
entire town was structured like the rebel’s camp. If it wasn’t for
the burnt section and the wall this all would have been one forest.
Everything in the capital was grander though. Houses weren’t
hastily built, bridges more stable looking and grand shops that
occupied an entire branch. There were even multiple levels.

I can see why the rebels want this place back,
Cathy said
. It’s
beautiful.

Let’s do our
best not to destroy it while we are here.

For once, I agree with you on that,
Cathy chuckled.

With the sun
dropping from the sky, the rush of citizens was minimal. The few
Evenawks I passed refused to make eye contact as they hurried about
their business. I noticed a few Mages standing watch like city
guards and I headed in their direction.

“
Excuse me,” I said as I approached a Mage only a few cycles
older then me. “I’m looking for the Dinged Cauldron.”

“
Next level up, far side,” he answered pointing.

“
Thanks,” I said leaving him for one of the bridges to the
next level.

The Dinged
Cauldron was a small house with multiple levels, occupying its own
branch. I entered the bottom level and was welcomed by the smell of
good food and quiet chatter. Small groups of Mages sat at tables
drinking and only a few groups actually took the time to check to
see who had entered the building.

I walked up to
the bar area which had a Mage serving drinks to a few patrons. My
first thought was how weird it was to see a Mage serving, but would
you really want the people your oppressing serving your food?

Nothing wrong with a little poison with your brew,
Cathy said
. Builds
character.

I signalled
for the bartender and he walked over.

“
What can I get for you?” he asked after checking out my
hat.

“
A room, please,” I answered. “If you have one
available.”

“
I’ll check,” he said as he walked away looking at me
weird.

Was I too
polite?

Probably
, Cathy said.
Next time spit in his face.

That might be
over doing it.

That’s what I
would do, she said.

And you wonder
why you were killed.

“
Excuse me, Keeper,” a voice said behind me.

“
Yes?” I asked turning around.

The Mage
standing there was a short, red head with a smile plastered on his
face. “Can I have a moment of your time?”

“
Of course, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“
Nothing,” he said as he grabbed my shoulder.

Electricity
burst through my body as I dropped to the ground twitching.

“
The Great Desroche just wants to have a quick chat with you,”
he smirked as everything turned black.

***

“
Wake up, Keeper,” a voice called from the other side of
darkness.

I opened my
eyes and reached for my head. The feeling of my hands tied together
helped wake me up faster. The dark gloves that covered my hands are
the one pair of gloves that I wished to never wear.

The Binds of
Silence.

I didn’t need
Cathy’s help with memory to remember these distinctive gloves. This
was serious trouble.

“
Ah, you’ve noticed the gloves,” the voice said drawing my
attention.

A tall,
slender looking Mage stood on the other side of bars smiling at me.
I looked around at the stone room around me. This was obviously a
prison cell.

I was
definitely in some serious trouble.

“
Now that you seem more awake, allow me to introduce myself.
I’m The Great Desroche,” the Mage said smugly.

I just stared
at him in shock.

“
You know, the Mage you were sent here to kill by those dirty
buzzards,” Desroche continued.

Andy, snap out of it,
Cathy
said.

“
Come on, boy, speak. I haven’t even activated the Binds yet,
so there’s no need to be...Silent,” he chuckled at his own
joke.

“
How...?” I wheezed.