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758 lines
35 KiB
HTML
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<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<head>
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<title>Mythlands - Chapter 26</title>
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<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="imperaWeb.css"/>
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<h1>26</h1>
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<p>
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Brodick finally found the strongroom, deep beneath castle. He had wrapped an oilskin strip round a long legbone and it served as a flickering torch that
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sent shadows dancing on cobwebbed walls.
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</p>
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<p>
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Inside, the scattered treasure glinted; gold plates and brooches, stone-studded daggers and chain-weights of dusty gold.
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<p>
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This was how Mandrake got his wealth. When he came back for the rest of it, Mandrake would get a surprise. If he ever came back.
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick filled his saddle-sacks until they could take no more. He gathered enough wealth to make him rich far beyond any wild dreams he'd harboured.
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</p>
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<p>
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And he had Corriwen Redthorn. Together they could start a dynasty that would rule Temair forever. She would have no choice.
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</p>
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<p>
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He started back, following his own footprints, bent over with the weight of his treasures.
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</p>
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<p>
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Corriwen could smell the fatty oil from Brodick's torch and she followed the fumes when it got too dark to see. After a short while, she was feeling her
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way. Listening intently, she heard the clank of metal, drew out her knife, and edged on along the narrow passageway.
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack and Kerry came across the ruined city and hobbled their own horse beside the one Brodick had ridden. There was no sign of either Brodick or Corriwen.
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</p>
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<p>
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Inside the castle they moved tentatively, stepping carefully over the bones. Kerry used the guttering flame of his Bic lighter to lead them down the narrow
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corridor, following the footsteps as Corriwen had done until he came to a branch where two passages intersected.
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</p>
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<p>
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One set of prints went in one direction. But the others went the opposite way.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Which way now?" Jack asked.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I can't tell. The prints are all smudged."
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</p>
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<p>
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"I can smell burning."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Me too," Kerry said. "Left or right. You choose."
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack chose left. In five minutes the lighter ran out of fuel and they were groping in the oppressive dark. Finally Jack told Kerry they should turn back.
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</p>
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<p>
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"They could be anywhere," he said.
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</p>
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<p>
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Somewhere distant he heard the clank of metal, but there was no way to gauge how far or in which direction.
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</p>
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<p>
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"We could get lost down here," he said. "We'll have to wait outside."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Good idea," Kerry agreed. "Dead bodies give me the heeby-jeebies". Jack fumbled for his shoulder and they turned, feeling their way along the narrow
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tunnel towards the light.
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack stopped, causing Kerry to pull up sharply. The metallic sound came again, but closer.
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</p>
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<p>
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They moved forward, past one of the branching passageways and a big shape loomed in from the side and a hand gripped Jack by the throat.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Got you now," a man's voice snarled.
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack gasped, backed into Kerry, who slipped on the dust and went down. All he saw was a pale face in the wan light.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Brodick," he cried out. "It's us. Jack and Kerry!"
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</p>
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<p>
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The hand gripped tighter, for just a second, then loosened. Brodick's face bent towards them.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Startled me, you did," he finally said. Jack spluttered, hauling for breath.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Startled <em>you</em>?" Kerry demanded.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I thought it might be Scree," Brodick man said. "I've seen patrols and we had to avoid them."
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</p>
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<p>
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"So what's this place?" Jack asked. "And where's Corriwen. We saw your horse."
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick picked up the heavy saddle-sacks. They heard the tinny sound again, but it didn't really register.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Is she not with the horse?" Brodick sounded surprised. They couldn't see his expression. "I told her to stay with it."
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</p>
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<p>
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"We didn't see her," Kerry said. "We thought she'd be in here."
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick grunted, angry in the dark.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Then she could easily get lost."
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</p>
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<p>
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He turned and strode along the passageway towards the light, with Jack and Kerry on his heels.
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</p>
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<p>
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They blinked in the daylight as Brodick led them out to the portcullis that hung from the worn arch. Its chain wound round a windlass with a big handle
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that was almost rusted through.
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</p>
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<p>
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"This place isn't safe," Brodick said. He dumped his heavy sacks just outside the gate and came back to them. "You'd best wait here and I'll find
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Corriwen."
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</p>
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<p>
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"We could help," Jack said. Brodick shook his head.
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</p>
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<p>
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"No. The tunnels are confusing, and ready to fall at any time. That's why I asked her to stay away." He grinned. "But you try telling a Redthorn what to
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do!"
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</p>
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<p>
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"Sure, she's a feisty one," Kerry agreed.
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick turned back, stepping quickly over the dry bones into the great hall.
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</p>
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<p>
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"A really creepy place," Jack said.
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</p>
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<p>
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"They like killing each other."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Like the old Celts. All their fights were happy, and all their songs were sad."
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</p>
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<p>
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"At least we caught up with her," Kerry said.
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</p>
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<p>
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"But why did they stop here?" Jack asked. Kerry shrugged.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Maybe just to explore. People like old places. I saw Blarney Castle once."
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</p>
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<p>
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"She's in a hurry. I don't think she'd stop to explore."
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</p>
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<p>
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Before he could say anything else, Brodick and Corriwen came out together. Brodick had his hand protectively around her shoulder.
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</p>
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<p class='break'>* * *</p>
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<p>
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Kerry whooped when he saw her.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Told you we'd find her."
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</p>
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<p>
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"You sure did," Jack agreed. His face was split by a huge smile. "If it wasn't for you being a tracker, we never would have."
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</p>
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<p>
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Corriwen came out and down the steps with Brodick's arm around her. Her hair caught a stray shaft of sunlight through an arrow-slit and made it gleam
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copper. She walked slowly and didn't wave back.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Something's wrong," Jack said.
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</p>
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<p>
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"What could be wrong?"
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</p>
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<p>
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Corriwen looked straight ahead. She had seen both of them, but her expression hadn't changed, and Jack knew <em>that</em> was wrong. What was in Corriwen's
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heart was always clear on her face. Something was not right. Brodick and Corriwen approached, and while he was smiling easily, Corriwen's expression was
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blank.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Yeah," Kerry said. He slid his pack off his shoulder and turned away to surreptitiously ease his sword out. Jack felt for the knife that Alevin had given
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him.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I wouldn't do that, Stonethrower," Brodick said. He was only ten yards away. Corriwen made a small gesture with her head and Jack saw Brodick's other
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hand, and the knife that was in it, close against her neck.
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</p>
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<p>
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"What's going on?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"Betrayal," Corriwen said. Her voice was like ice. "He has been against us all along."
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</p>
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<p>
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"But, he's your cousin," Kerry blurted. "He can't…."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Can. Did. Will." Brodick showed the knife so they both could see it. "Now put the sword back, unless you want to see more bones here."
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</p>
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<p>
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Kerry slid the blade into the pack. He was grinding his teeth in frustration. They had come a long way. They were tired and sore and any joy at seeing
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Corriwen again had turned to ashes.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Good men died guarding this city," Brodick said. "Such a shame you will too."
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</p>
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<p>
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"What do you mean?"
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick dragged Corriwen past them, keeping his face to them all the time. He crossed under the portcullis that hung in the archway.
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</p>
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<p>
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"It means well met, and fare well," he said. "For a while."
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</p>
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<p>
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With a quick motion, he shoved Corriwen through the arch, swung his sword and slashed at the handle of the windlass. It took two hard blows and the
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lock-handle splintered. Brodick was already moving when the portcullis gave an almighty groan and the windlass turned under the weight.
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack started forward, but Brodick leapt nimbly through the archway, just as the gate-spikes came crashing down. Brodick grabbed Corriwen by her hair.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Let's not say farewell," he said, grinning. "Because you won't fare well." He stood by his two sacks of loot and waved at Jack and Kerry.
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</p>
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<p>
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"You'll be here when I get back," he said lightly. "But a little thinner, I warrant."
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</p>
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<p>
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With that he turned, yanked Corriwen's hair, and dragged her away.
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</p>
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<p class='break'>* * *</p>
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<p>
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There was no sign of the horse Jack and Kerry had ridden into the ruined city. Brodick cursed under his breath. He looped Corriwen's hands into the leather
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thong and drew it tight, pulling her wrists together, and when she was secure, he fixed the sacks of loot onto the saddle-hooks.
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</p>
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<p>
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"We could have used another horse," he said, to no-one in particular, "but this one will have to do."
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</p>
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<p>
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"The book was right," Corriwen hissed. "It knew you were a traitor."
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</p>
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<p>
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She turned her head, unwilling to look him in the face.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Do you intend to take me to Mandrake?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"Oh no!" Brodick laughed at the thought. "That would be lunacy. It had crossed my mind, because he set up a fine reward for you, and those two boys. But we
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don't need them now."
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</p>
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<p>
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"You'd leave them to die?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"We can't take them with us," Brodick said with a shrug. "Would you rather I killed them now? Break your heart, would it? Your precious outlander."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Both of them have honour, and you have sold yours."
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick laughed. "Don't lose your heart over two boys, and strangers at that. You're a Redthorn. You know what counts. Money and power."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Because I am a Redthorn, I know they mean nothing without honour."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Everybody has a price. What could those children offer you?"
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</p>
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<p>
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He tugged the chain over his head and dangled the heart stone close to her eyes.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Here, if you want to remember your beloved Jack, you can carry it. It's supposed to be the key to all things. But it locks you to me, I promise you."
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</p>
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<p>
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She saw gloating laughter in his eyes. But she took the heart and looped it around her neck.
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</p>
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<p>
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"So where are you going?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"We, cousin, are continuing your quest." He touched the heartstone at her breast. "Mandrake was going demented over this bauble. Well, more<em> </em>
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demented than ever. What he doesn't know is that I'm something of a scholar myself."
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</p>
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<p>
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"It hasn't done you any good."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Think what you like. He's not the only one who can read the old scripts. Mandrake doesn't know that <em>I</em> know his real purpose up on the salt
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barrens. He intends to break the curse and free the demon."
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</p>
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<p>
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"So you know he has to be stopped." Corriwen said.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Really? She gave Mandrake wealth and power and control over the Scree. She wants Mandrake to bring this trinket to her. He has failed, but <em>I</em> will
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succeed. And I'll take whatever reward she promised him."
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</p>
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<p>
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"So I'll have the Redthorn sword. I have you. And I'll have her blessing. All's well."
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</p>
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<p class='break'>* * *</p>
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<p>
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"Now what do we do?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"We get out of here," Jack said. "If we can. These places were built to keep people out. That gate is probably the only way."
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</p>
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<p>
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"We'll never lift it," Kerry said. "Not in a million years."
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</p>
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<p>
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"So we'll climb."
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</p>
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<p>
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"The rope's on the horse."
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack grimaced. "That's a great help. Let's think. We have to come up with an idea."
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</p>
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<p>
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He had barely spoken when something moved beyond the gate. They shrank back out of sight.
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</p>
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<p>
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"It's a horse," Kerry said. "Definitely."
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</p>
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<p>
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"You think he's come back?"
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</p>
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<p>
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Kerry nodded. He unhitched his sling and found a good stone to fill the cup. He eased back, keeping his arm ready.
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</p>
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<p>
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Beyond the closed portcullis, a horse snickered. A heavy hoof clipped a stone with a metallic ring.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I swear I'll drop him," Kerry said. He turned to Jack and saw he had his bow at the ready, a black arrow on the string.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Not if I get him first."
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</p>
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<p>
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They held their collective breath until the horse approached beyond the portcullis. Jack let his breath out.
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</p>
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<p>
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"It's <em>our</em> horse," he said.
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</p>
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<p>
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Kerry looked over Jack's shoulder, sling still ready to swing, and laughed.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Now would you believe that?"
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</p>
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<p class='break'>* * *</p>
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<p>
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Corriwen stayed silent, waiting for her chance. She eased the little penknife out and sawed at her bonds, keeping her hands on the other side of the horse
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as she worked. In seconds, one of the thongs was cut through and she worked her wrists back and forth to loosen the rest.
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</p>
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<p>
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They were moving through the ruined city. Brodick led the big beast along winding ways that were littered with fallen masonry.
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</p>
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<p>
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Further along, part of the hillside had fallen away, taking walls and foundations with it. Brodick pushed against the flank, feet skirting the edge of the
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drop to the rocks below. He had his eyes fixed to the left, manoeuvring carefully when Corriwen moved.
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</p>
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<p>
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She felt in her roll for the knife, drew it out and cut the strap holding the saddle-sacks.
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick looked up just then and she lashed a heel at his face, taking him on the chin. His foot slid over the edge of the drop and his arms pinwheeled.
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With another swipe, she slashed the reins as he tried to drag himself back to solid ground and then she cut the strap again. It parted with a twang and the
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whole sack, filled with the gold Brodick had collected in the castle rolled off and caught him square on the chest. Corriwen dug her heels in and the horse
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stepped forward.
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</p>
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<p>
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Brodick made a grab for the stirrups, missed. The crumbling edge under his foot began to shale off..
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</p>
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<p>
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"Damn you! <em>Damn you!</em>"
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</p>
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<p>
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She saw the blood drain from his face, and his mouth open wide, though no sound came out.
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</p>
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<p>
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"<em>Bitch</em>!"
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</p>
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<p>
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She bent over the flank, swinging the knife down, the one she had found in her brother's back.
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</p>
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<p>
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It caught Brodick in the eye and he screamed. The edge gave under his weight and he toppled over the drop.
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</p>
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<p>
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She heard the thud as he hit the rocks far below. She freed her bonds completely and edged the horse on, past the drop, then stopped, dismounted and ran to
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the edge.
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</p>
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<p>
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She saw Brodick's body splayed half covered with rocks and gold coins and jewellery that had burst from the sack. A pool of blood formed a dark halo under
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his head.
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</p>
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<p>
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She looked at the knife she had pulled from her dead brother's body and clamped her mouth shut. She had sworn to use this knife on his killer.
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</p>
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<p>
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Now it was done
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</p>
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<p class='break'>* * *</p>
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<p>
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"Trust us to end up with two stinkin' backstabbers."
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</p>
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<p>
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Kerry was seething. They had tried the windlass at the gate, but it needed much more than their strength to turn it.
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</p>
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<p>
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Outside, the little leprechaun jittered with anxiety.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I brought horse," it said in its woody voice. "Must go fast. Quick.. Bad things come."
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</p>
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<p>
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It squeezed quickly through the bars of the portcullis and looked up at them.
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</p>
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<p>
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<em>"Come quick</em>
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."
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</p>
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<p>
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"We can't get out," Jack said. "We'll have to find a way."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Climb," it suggested.
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</p>
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<p>
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"The stone's too dangerous. It's all crumbling."
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</p>
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<p>
|
|
"Must hurry." It was bobbing up and down, snatching at Jack's jacket. "Grey plague comes. Axecutters. I smell them."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack looked at Kerry. They knew what axecutters meant. "I think we should try the climb."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
It was easier said than done. Old ivy clung to the flaking walls but when they tried it, the creeper was dry as dust and broke free as soon as they put
|
|
weight on it. A stunted oak tree had rooted through cracks in the paving stones, but it hadn't grown tall enough for them to climb.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"We're stuck unless we can open the gate."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Maybe we can get the leprechaun to hitch the horse to the winder," Kerry said. He turned around. "Where did he go?"
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
A small noise came from close by. The little Leprechaun was up against the rough bark of the oak, face pressed tight against it, both spindly arms
|
|
embracing it like a friend.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
It whispered reedily. "Wake up old brother."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack looked at Kerry, then back to the little creature. Up above, the sparse branches shivered, though there was no wind here.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Then, very slowly, the little creature's mossy skin changed colour from green to grey and the texture seemed to roughen and harden. In a second, they could
|
|
hardly make out where tree ended and leprechaun began.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Forest magic again," Jack said. He watched fascinated as the creature disappeared completely from view.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
As soon as it did, the ground shivered under their feet. Kerry took a step back.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Did you feel that?"
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The earth trembled again,
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Then, under the portcullis, the ground heaved upwards, sending stones and mortar rolling away as earth and flagstones pushed into a hump. There was a
|
|
scrape of stone on metal as it ground against the teeth of the gate.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The tree shuddered, as if gathering strength. A crack zigzagged between their feet and the portcullis began to lift, an inch at a time. A big grey root
|
|
flexed and the gate lifted two feet into the air.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Now!" Jack hissed. He grabbed Kerry, shoved him forward and down, and the pair crawled under the metal teeth before they fell again and spiked them dead.
|
|
As soon as they were through, the big root buckled. Jack got to his feet. Kerry dusted himself down and the gate sank back into its housing with a jolt.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The Leprechaun oozed from the bark and its colour gradually came green again as it peeled itself away from the tree. As they watched, the few leaves on the
|
|
twisted branches began to wither. They crumpled and faded, turning from green to red, then yellow. One fell off and fluttered to the ground, and then the
|
|
rest floated down in a dead cascade.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"It's dying," Jack said.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"My brother was old and tired and alone," the little fellow said. "He wanted to go."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
He held up a small, thin hand. On the palm nested a single dry acorn.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"But the mothers will succour his sap again, in the heart of the heartwood."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Kerry blinked and wiped an eye with his knuckle. Jack bent to thank the leprechaun when a scream behind him caused him to wheel round in alarm.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Jack!" Corriwen Redthorn came bounding round the corner of the castle gate and straight into his arms. Jack almost fell on his backside.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"What…? Where..?"
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
She was hugging him so tightly he couldn't get a sentence out.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Hey!" Kerry cried. "What about me?"
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
She turned, grabbed him by the neck and kissed him all over his face until his ears went red.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The little leprechaun looked at all this in woody bewilderment. The horse Corriwen had led nuzzled the other roan.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Brodick," Jack said. "What happened to him."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"He's gone. His greed took its revenge." She smiled grimly.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"And so did I. For my brother…"
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
She pulled back her cape to show them Brodick's knife. As she moved, the horses whinnied, pawed the ground. They all turned round.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p class='break'>* * *</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Scree hunters came streaming down the hillside in a grey tide.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Oh that's just bloody brilliant!" Kerry spat. On the far side of the ruined city, the hounds were howling and before they could move, the big horses
|
|
simply bolted in fear, leaving them all standing there.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"<em>Jeez </em>Jack, what now?
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
He whirled, pointed at the labyrinth of old streets.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Run," he bawled. He snatched up the little Leprechaun and they ran after the horses into the maze of ruins.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Behind them the Scree came fast, hob-nails clattering on the flagstones. Jack and the others ran like rabbits, jinking down one alley and swerving into
|
|
another. Ahead of them the bolting horses sent up clouds of dust as they fled the tumult. The leprechaun held on to Jack's neck with tight little fingers.
|
|
Kerry was just behind him. Corriwen was ahead, knives out, hair catching the sun, running fast.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The rubble-strewn road dipped and they pelted downhill, between to collapsed buildings and along a dry canal. One of the horses slipped on dry sand and
|
|
almost went down. The other bolted to the right, along a passageway and the other staggered to its feet. Corriwen almost got a hand to its reins and
|
|
missed. She followed the horse as it swerved left. Jack and Kerry went after the second mount. Panting for breath as they followed the clatter of its
|
|
hooves in the narrow alley. Behind them the Scree bawled and the hounds snarled, getting closer all the time.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack and Kerry pulled out of the alley into a lower road near the edge of the city, skidded to a halt and froze.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Something came thundering behind them, sending stones scattering in its path.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"What the…?"
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
All Kerry saw was a huge grey shape, moving like a freight train. On either side of its head spiralled the biggest set of horns he had ever seen. Blinkers
|
|
flapped at its eyes, so it could only see ahead and on its nose, saliva dripped from a big brass ring.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The massive ram, bigger than a man, <em>much </em>bigger than any man, came charging down on them.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
And there was nowhere to hide. Walls blocked them in on either side. The beast lowered its head and cloven hooves hammering the ground.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The boys turned and ran for their lives, while the little leprechaun dug its fingers into Jack's skin and babbled in fright.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
They sprinted down the road, eyes swinging left and right for any way to escape the great ram and its huge set of horns. Jack had seen what one of these
|
|
things did to the sturdy gate at the redoubt, and he had no doubt what it could do to them.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Kerry was behind him. Urging him on.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Faster Jack," he gasped. "It's right on my backside."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack didn't have the breath to reply. He ran on, feeling his legs tire and his thighs begin to grow heavy and he knew the thing would be on them in
|
|
seconds. They'd be flattened like road kill.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Kerry made a slight noise, like a grunt of surprise and then he was flying past Jack, tumbling in the air. He landed with a thump and Jack was past him
|
|
again before he had time to register what had happened. He glanced back, still running, and saw the ram twist its head as it powered forward. Its horn
|
|
caught Kerry and lifted him straight into the air.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack bawled in anguish and panic, but the ram came thundering on, shaking its great head. Kerry screeched and it sounded like pure agony. He reached a
|
|
corner and zipped round it. Behind him the ram skidded to a halt and then came hammering after him. In the corner of his eye, Jack saw Kerry dangling from
|
|
the tip of the great curved horn that spiralled over the ram's left eye. His arms were flailing and he was bawling incoherently.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
But there was no blood.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack risked another look back and saw the tip of the horn has snagged the backpack and missed Kerry altogether. Now Kerry was bouncing along, arms flailing
|
|
with every move of the ram's massive head, cursing at the top of his voice.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack ran down the alley and the ram came after him, out on the edge of the town, rushing past a low, broken wall.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Something flickered in peripheral vision and was gone before it registered.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p class='break'>* * *</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Corriwen was completely unaware of Kerry's plight. She had followed the horse, trying to corral it in one of the passageways, but its fright kept it
|
|
clattering along old cobbled streets that twisted and turned as it ran southwards. She was running out of energy as it galloped along a sand-filled canal,
|
|
sending up a spray of grit when a low, broken bridge loomed ahead of it and brought it up short. She dashed forward with the last of her breath, reaching
|
|
for the reins.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Something lumbered from the shadow of the broken bridge and grabbed her.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Brodick's face was a mess of blood and sand. His mouth was twisted into a ferocious snarl.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Gotcha!" He yelled in savage glee. His pierced eye rolled in a pool of clotted blood.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Corriwen yelled in surprise. Brodick had her by the front of her cape, knuckles white as they gripped. Without thinking she sunk her teeth into the
|
|
fingers, hard enough to draw more blood.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Brodick roared and she pulled away, stumbled, got her balance and her knifes were out as she spun back. He swung at her with his sword, close enough to
|
|
shave the ends of her copper hair and she ducked under the blade, stabbing at his things, two fast jabs and she knew she'd got him both times.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
He screamed, went down on one knee.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Damn <em>bitch.</em> I'll kill you."
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
He lurched upwards and came at her, swinging wildly with his sword, his face a contorted mask of rage. She used her knifes to parry the strokes, but he had
|
|
the reach and unless she could tire him out with more blood loss, he had the advantage.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
She spun again and the blade chipped the wall a mere inch from her head.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p class='break'>* * *</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The world spun in Kerry's vision. He thought he'd breathed his last when the great ram had knocked him into the air and he'd landed with such a thud that
|
|
all the breath had left him. Then he was up in the air again, tumbled about like a leaf in the wind. His chin hit something hard and his vision wavered and
|
|
the walls scraped by only inches from his face. He was stuck on something, bounding up and down like a puppet. For a second he didn't know where he was and
|
|
then he saw the huge curved shape right beside him, thick as a man's thigh.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
It dawned on him that he was stuck on the ram's horn.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
But apart from the bump on his head and an ache where it had rammed his shoulders, there was no great pain. He sensed there was no blood. He grabbed at the
|
|
horn, managed to twist himself around and saw that <em>he </em>was not impaled. The horn had snagged the heavy canvas of his backpack.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
And <em>he</em> was still stuck to the backpack.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The ram snorted, shook its head hard enough to rattle his teeth and thundered on in hot pursuit of Jack, who was only twenty feet in front of it.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Run Jack. <em>Run!</em>" He tried to shout, but the jolting wouldn't let him call out. The ram shook its head again and slammed him against a wall. It
|
|
wheeled at a corner and Kerry saw another wall looming. The ram was heading so close to it that Kerry knew he'd be scraped along it like a smear. He closed
|
|
his eyes tight.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
And something landed on the ram's back. A massive hand grabbed him by the collar. Kerry's eyes opened just as the wall whizzed past, close enough to scrape
|
|
skin from his nose. He flipped into the air. The canvas strap ripped with a shriek and he dangled for a second, staring straight into the face of Declan.
|
|
Blue eyes glared at him.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Declan had him by one huge hand, his arm strong enough to lift him like a doll.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Without a word, he swung Kerry back, held him tight under his armpit, clambered up on the ram's back. Kerry got a glimpse of flashing metal. Declan grunted
|
|
like an angry beast and his great sword came swinging down.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
It made hardly a sound as it sliced clean through the ram's neck.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Instantly the beast flopped, its short legs spread out on either side, like a puppet with cut strings. The great head bounced, then rolled like a bogey on
|
|
the huge spiral horns, sending blood up in scarlet arcs.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack was still running; flagging fast but running.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The ram's head rolled towards him like a juggernaut as the headless body skidded along in the dust and Declan held tight with his thighs and clamped Kerry
|
|
against him.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Jack saw the thing come bouncing towards him and he ducked to the left. It rolled past him, huge and heavy, eyes spinning in their sockets. Jack flung
|
|
himself against a wall as the headless body came skidding along towards him, slowing down with every yard.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
He wiped the sweat from his brow, amazed that he was still alive, then turned to watch the rolling head. His mouth opened in amazement when he saw Corriwen
|
|
Redthorn wheel close to a wall not twenty yards away. She turned, raised her knives to parry a heavy sword-blow, then ducked in again, quick as a stoat,
|
|
flicked the blades forward and back again.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
She saw a movement in the corner of her eye and turned her head just a little.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The ram's head careered towards her, sending up a spume of stones and dust, still arcing blood from the severed neck.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
She dived to the side, rolled in the dust and the great horns spun past her in a blur, slammed Brodick into the wall with a pulpy thud and left him smeared
|
|
against the masonry.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Brodick was dead. Stone dead.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</body>
|
|
</html>
|