Malice

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

CORBAN

Corban reached for his weapons, standing in the feast-hall beside his da, a scene of utter madness overtaking the room before him. Brenin was standing with a sword-point to his chest.

A terrible silence filled the room. Then Halion drew his sword, the familiar scraping rasp drawing all eyes to him as he began to walk towards Brenin, slowly, deliberately, his eyes fixed on the eagle-guard with a blade at Brenin’s chest. Sumur padded forwards a few paces, and stood between Halion and Ardan’s King. His hand was on his sword hilt, but he did not draw the blade on his back. Instead he raised a warning finger, as if scolding a wayward child.

‘Hold, Halion,’ Brenin snapped. ‘Edana is your charge now. Look to her.’

Halion paused, conflicted, as he looked between King and daughter, then nodded.

Pendathran shuffled closer to Brenin, and received a warning glance from Sumur.

‘What is it that you think you are doing, here?’ Brenin levelled at Nathair, seeming suddenly more the man, the leader. He stood straighter, resolute.

‘You have left me little choice,’ Nathair said. ‘Firstly, you lied to me.’ The King of Tenebral stepped closer to Brenin, his stance threatening. ‘I gave you every chance, every opportunity, but it seems that you have chosen your friends poorly. I know that you spoke to Meical. Where is he, now, eh? He ran when my father died, and is absent now. .’ He raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘Secondly, you are going to lose. Owain has beaten you, though you refuse to see it yet. If I seek strong men for my alliance, then I would not look to you. Outwitted by Rhin and Owain. Why would I choose to ally myself to the losing side?’

‘Right and wrong stay the same,’ Brenin maintained, unmoved.

‘And thirdly,’ Nathair continued, ‘you question me about Mandros — dare to call me to account, demand an inquiry. I am King of Tenebral, High King of the Banished Lands. And more. I am Elyon’s chosen, the Bright Star. You do not question me.’

‘It appears I chose wisely,’ Brenin said. ‘Betrayal would seem to be in your nature.’

Sumur lunged forwards, and slapped Brenin across the face. ‘You will not speak so to the Seren Disglair.’

Angry murmurs rippled through the hall, but no one moved, the eagle-guard’s sword-point still pressed tight to Brenin’s chest.

‘What do you mean, betrayal?’ Nathair hissed. ‘What did Meical say to you?’ With a struggle he mastered himself. ‘As I told you before, my friends shall be rewarded, my enemies, punished. By hindering me, refusing me your aid, you chose to become my enemy. This,’ he said, gesturing at the sword-point at Brenin’s chest, ‘is the consequence of your choice.’

‘A fine logic,’ Brenin snorted.

In the distance Corban could hear the sounds of battle, coming closer.

‘Of course,’ Nathair continued, ‘I could not have achieved this without some assistance. Evnis, at least, is one that has exercised wisdom in his choice of friends.’

‘Evnis,’ said Brenin, the sting of this betrayal clear to all. ‘Why?’

‘Fain,’ Evnis said, his voice shaking. ‘You sealed her death sentence when you forbade my leaving the fortress. Because of your politicking.’ He spat in Brenin’s face.

The hall was silent, stunned as Brenin wiped the insult from his cheek. ‘Fain. . You hide your greed behind a cloak of revenge, Evnis. Power is what you seek, and will grasp it where you can. Elyon curse you both.’

Nathair intervened, bringing the focus back to him. ‘I mean you no harm, Brenin, but you have stood in my way.’ He shrugged. ‘If your people remain calm, sensible, then there need be no bloodshed. More specifically, they need not witness your blood being shed. We shall just wait for Owain to arrive. .’ He listened to the growing sound of combat beyond the hall’s open doors, ‘. . which does not seem too far away. Then I shall hand you over to him and we can all be on our way.’

‘You use words to cast a shroud over the truth,’ Brenin said. ‘Owain means for me and my line to be extinguished. You know that. Whether by your hand or by Owain’s I shall die. But if my people fight, here, now, then at least my daughter, my line, has a chance of survival.’

Nathair held a hand up, but Brenin suddenly lunged forwards, swiping at the sword held at his chest and slicing his arm.

At the same moment there was a whirring sound, a wet thunk and the eagle-guard holding Brenin hostage collapsed, a black-fletched arrow sprouting from his throat.

A stunned pause settled on all in the room, then mayhem erupted.

Evnis leaped upon Brenin, reaching inside his cloak for something, the two of them staggering back into the table and crashing to the ground. Pendathran lunged towards Brenin, sword half-drawn, and collided with Nathair, then Sumur’s sword was whipped from its scabbard. Pendathran fell with a crash onto the table, his throat jetting dark blood. Nathair’s eagle-guards cut down Brenin’s honour guard and formed a tighter protective half-circle about Nathair and Brenin. With a shout from Rauca the eagle-warriors raised their shields and linked them into a kind of wall as fighters rushed to Brenin’s aid. Elsewhere, warriors from Evnis’ hold set upon their neighbours in the hall.

There was another whirr, and a thud as an arrow found a gap between shields and another eagle-guard sank to the floor.

Corban scanned the room, and saw Camlin drawing another black-fletched arrow from his quiver. Men from Evnis’ hold also spotted the woodsman and howled as they charged. But Corban was unsure where to join the melee. Brenin was fighting for his life, but Edana was also under attack, Halion was outnumbered, and his friends, Dath and Farrell, were also in danger. The hall was chaos, Evnis’ warriors seemingly everywhere.

And then Thannon was howling, charging towards Brenin, who could be glimpsed still wrestling with Evnis at Nathair’s feet. The blacksmith whirled his great hammer about his head, and began literally smashing a pathway to his King. Men from Evnis’ hold were smashed to the ground, bones crushed by the hammer-wielder, with Buddai snapping and snarling by his side.

Without thinking, Corban followed him, his passage made easy as Thannon battered a path through, leaving a wake of the dead behind him. Corban held his shield high and jabbed with his spear at any that tried to come at his da from his unprotected side. Buddai guarded the other side and slowly, like the wedge shape of a spear-tip, they neared Brenin.

Suddenly a scream pierced the din of battle, high and shrill. Edana was screaming and staring through a gap in the crowd at her father, lying still on the ground. Evnis was astride him, his knife blooded.

Thannon bellowed and redoubled his efforts, sending his hammer crashing into the chest of a man trying to bar his way. Buddai leaped and clamped his jaws about another man’s thigh, and the dog shook his head as Thannon swung his hammer. Corban shoved his shield forward and turned a blade aimed for Thannon’s neck, then jabbed his spear out and felt it sink deep. He tried to pull back but the spear-point was stuck. Corban cursed, knew he should finish the wounded man but could not bring himself to, instead drawing his sword and ploughing on.

The three of them, father, son and hound, suddenly stepped into an open space, beyond it the half-circle of Nathair’s eagle-guard with Nathair and Sumur standing calmly within. A dozen or so Dun Carreg corpses lay strewn before them — those that had tried to reach Brenin.

Everyone else was caught up in the conflict with Evnis’ men. All Corban could make out in the chaos was that Halion still stood, with a handful of men rallied behind him now. Of Dath and Farrell he could see nothing.

Thannon strode towards the eagle-guards, one of their number stepping forward. It was Rauca, Corban realized, leader of Nathair’s honour guard.

‘Come no further, big man,’ he said. ‘No need to die fighting for a king already slain.’

‘Alive or dead, you have my King in there,’ Thannon challenged. ‘I mean to take him from you.’

Rauca assessed Thannon, noting the great bloodstained war-hammer in the blacksmith’s hands. He shrugged. ‘We are no strangers to giants,’ he said, then stepped back into line with his men. ‘Wall,’ he shouted, and the warriors’ shields came together with a loud crack.

Thannon swung his hammer at a shield, but it held, the force of the blow dissipated by the supporting shields either side. Scowling, Thannon swung again, and Buddai leaped forwards, sinking teeth into a warrior’s calf. There was a scream, the shield dropping slightly, and then Thannon’s hammer crashed into the warrior’s helm. He collapsed instantly and Thannon thrust into the gap in the line, but the ranks closed up too quickly, and a sword-point found Buddai. The brindle hound yelped and fell, and Thannon lunged forwards, battering at the shields to reach his hound. Corban gasped as a host of short swords suddenly jabbed forwards, seemingly from out of the shields themselves. His da grunted in shock as blades pierced him.

Corban opened his mouth, drew breath to scream, and reached out to pull his da clear. But something slammed into his side, sending him sprawling to the floor. He managed to keep his grip on sword and shield, and looked up to see Helfach and Rafe coming at him with blades drawn.

‘No one to help you now, boy,’ the huntsman snarled. Corban stood, looking desperately for his da, saw the big man stagger back from the row of shields and drop to one knee. Corban took a pace towards him, then Rafe was there, blocking his view. Panic-driven anger drove him to swing wildly at the huntsman’s son, but his blade was parried easily. In his haze he almost forgot Helfach, remembering him as the huntsman slashed for his ribs. Corban caught the blow on his shield, blocked another from Rafe with his sword, and tried to draw both men in front of him. If he didn’t focus he would be too dead to help his da.

Helfach and Rafe struck at him almost at the same time, one left, one right. Corban blocked Helfach’s blow with his shield, parried Rafe’s blade, and took a step back. They pressed forwards. Instead of stepping back, Corban smashed his shield into Helfach’s face, punching at Rafe with his sword hilt. Helfach took an unsteady step backwards, but Rafe sidestepped Corban’s blow, and hacked at Corban’s side. Hoping Helfach was incapacitated, if only for a few moments, Corban spun around and blocked the sword swipe to his ribs. He stepped forwards with his shield lifted high, swept his sword underneath and felt it chop into flesh. Rafe screamed.

Corban saw terror in his enemy’s eyes, then there was a white pain in Corban’s shoulder and he was suddenly spinning and falling.

He looked up to see Helfach grinning wildly, blood dripping from a ruined nose, and from his sword-tip.

‘This ends now, boy,’ Helfach yelled and raised his sword, then Corban heard a deep-throated snarling growl and the huntsman was gone, tumbling away in a mass of fur and snapping teeth. Wolven and man rolled to a halt, Storm on top, jaws clamped around the huntsman’s throat, his arms and legs battering futilely at her body. With a savage wrench of her neck, blood sprayed high. Helfach’s feet twitched and then were still.

Corban staggered to his feet, pain radiating from his left shoulder where Helfach had stabbed him, and Rafe stumbled away back into the battle. But Corban only cared for his da, somehow back on his feet, though blood-drenched from many wounds.

Nathair stepped through the ranks of his guard, Rauca beside him, a deadly short stabbing sword in his hand.

As Corban watched, Thannon swung his hammer but the blow was slow and weak. Rauca ducked beneath it, and gave Buddai a sharp kick to the ribs. Then Nathair stepped in close and rammed his sword into Thannon’s chest. They stood there a moment, then Thannon toppled backwards.

Corban screamed, a high wordless thing. He staggered forwards. Then a form swept past him — Gar, a curved sword strapped to his back. He was charging straight for Nathair and Rauca. The eagle-guard saw him and thrust Nathair back into the safety of the shield wall, then raised his sword to meet Gar. The stablemaster dropped beneath Rauca’s weapon, rolled, came up behind him with his sword hissing fluidly into his hands, held high in his two-handed grip. Rauca turned as Gar was bringing his blade down, slashing the guardsman from shoulder to hip, shearing through leather, chain-mail, flesh and bone.

For a long, timeless moment the remaining eagle-guards just stared at Gar, as did Sumur and Nathair.

Sumur took a step forward. ‘It cannot be,’ he whispered.

A hand touched Corban’s uninjured shoulder, his mam standing beside him with the spear he’d left in someone’s ribs in her hand. He felt panic for a moment — she shouldn’t be here — then together they ran to Thannon’s side. Buddai had draped his body alongside his master’s, and was pushing at Thannon’s cheek with his muzzle. He whined as Corban and Gwenith crouched down.

Thannon’s face was ashen, in stark contrast to his livid wounds. Corban squeezed his da’s hand, and looked on helplessly. His mam lifted Thannon’s head onto her lap.

‘Hold on,’ Corban whispered, grimacing at the uselessness of his words. Thannon tried to speak, but only a gargled whisper came out.

‘Please,’ Corban said, stroking his da’s hand. The gap between each breath grew longer, more laboured. Thannon stared back, then he was gone.

Gwenith let out a great racking sob, and clutched her husband’s hand. Corban felt lost and suddenly found it hard to breathe. He looked up to see Nathair watching, and felt a new depth of emotion, a rage, that he’d not experienced before. Nathair returned his gaze.

‘I will kill you,’ Corban said.

‘Bring him to me,’ Nathair demanded, pointing at Corban. His eagle-guards moved, the shield wall splitting.

‘Get the boy out of here,’ Gar snapped, stepping to face the remaining eagle-guards as they moved on him, circling him slowly, hesitantly.

‘But where?’ Gwenith said, still in shock.

‘That way,’ Gar nodded towards the back of the hall, where the feast-hall’s survivors had gathered about Halion and Edana, fighting the last of Evnis’ men.

Gwenith looked but couldn’t move, couldn’t stop the tears.

‘Corban is all that matters,’ Gar hissed. ‘Move. Now.’ He shuffled his feet to close off any approach to Corban and Gwenith.

Gwenith touched Thannon’s face a moment, a goodbye, then she was standing and pulling Corban. He plucked his da’s war-hammer from the smith’s big hands. But Buddai refused to move.

Corban looked to Gar, not wanting to leave his father’s body or the stablemaster.

‘Go, Ban,’ said Gar. ‘I’ll join you soon. Trust me.’

Corban grimaced, but ran with his mam and Storm, the hall strewn with the dead. It was empty now save for Nathair and his eagle-guards circling Gar, and the continuing combat at the far end.

The clash of iron on iron erupted behind them and Corban stopped short, realizing he’d fallen for the stablemaster’s ploy to make him leave. Of course he lied, he’s facing ten men. But he looked back to see Gar fighting more like a shadow than a man — swirling and slipping amongst Nathair’s eagle-guards. Blood sprayed as Gar’s sword swung and slashed in an elaborate, deadly dance. Within moments men were staggering away from the conflict, or fallen, Gar in constant, fluid motion.

Then Gwenith demanded that he follow and they finally reached Halion. No more than a dozen fought with him, out of of the hundred or so that had filled the hall. Evnis’ warriors had fared little better, though: less than a score of them now fighting to reach Edana and finish the conflict. Corban hefted his da’s hammer and charged, Storm leaping ahead of him, hamstringing a warrior with one snap of her jaws.

Two fell before he reached them, knives jutting from backs, and he remembered who had taught Cywen to throw a knife. He grunted as he swung the hammer — which was in truth too heavy for him — and connected with a man’s lower back instead of his head. That was enough, though. Corban felt bones shatter. He swung again, then his mam was beside him, stabbing a spear into someone’s shoulder and Storm was snarling, ripping, tearing.

Evnis’ warriors tried to turn and face this new threat, but in moments Halion and his fighters had dispatched the distracted, flanked warriors. Corban checked to find Camlin, Marrock and Tarben. He felt a surge of relief when he saw a pale-faced Dath and Farrell. Others were there too, amongst them Brina and Heb at the back, beside a weeping Edana.

Flames still flickered in the firepit, and death and destruction surrounded them on every side. In a shadowed corner beside a shattered table, the sounds of grief were clear in the lull. Corban squinted through the firepit’s flames to see two men kneeling on the ground. One was Mordwyr, Dath’s da. His face was distraught, but the sobbing came from the man next to him — Vonn, cradling Bethan’s limp head in his lap.

The only other movement was at the high table, where Gar still fought, though of the ten eagle-guards only two still stood. Corban took a few paces towards Gar, a handful following, and spreading out about him. As he watched, Gar blocked an overhead strike, and sent his own blade slashing across his opponent’s throat. Then, before that man had fallen, he was sidestepping, turning, and somehow reversing his sword grip to punch it into the stomach of the last guard rushing in behind him.

Gar stood still a moment, then slid his sword free, spun it and changed the grip yet again as his opponent’s body sank to the ground. He finally turned to face Nathair and Sumur.

Sumur stepped forward, slow and graceful, still leaving his sword sheathed on his back. ‘How is it that you are here, sword-brother?’ he said.

Gar made no reply, except to shift his feet.

‘You should answer, when I ask something of you,’ Sumur continued. ‘I am Lord of Telassar, Lord of the Jehar; lord of you, am I not?’

‘Tukul is my lord,’ said Gar.

Sumur shook his head. ‘He was always misguided. Not equipped for this calling. Tell me, where is he? Here, in Dun Carreg? Ardan? Has he just abandoned you?’

‘He would not do that,’ Gar spat.

Sumur shrugged. ‘Whatever you think, your task has failed. Come, sheathe your sword, join me. Look, the Seren Disglair stands before you.’ Sumur gestured to Nathair, who stood tall, regal, and smiled warmly at Gar.

Gar assessed Nathair, contemptuously. ‘That just cannot be,’ he said and his eyes flickered, briefly, to Corban.

Sumur followed his gaze, and stared at Corban, his eyes taking in the wolven beside him. ‘We have much to speak of, you and I,’ he said. ‘Come, sheathe your sword. Join me.’

‘You were ever the honeyed talker,’ Gar said. ‘You may have fooled my father with your false tongue, become lord in his absence, but you never fooled me. Time enough for words when my spirit has crossed the bridge of swords. Until then I shall let my blade speak for me.’ He flexed his wrist, his sword-tip spinning, tracing a circle in the air.

‘So be it,’ Sumur shrugged. ‘When I am done with you I shall carve some answers from your boy and his wolven-cub.’

Faster than Corban could follow, Sumur suddenly had his blade in his hand. He heard rather than saw their first clash, iron ringing out as their swords sparked in a blurred flurry, their bodies spinning. The two men separated, neither breathing hard, and began circling, eyes measuring, assessing, probing. Sumur stopped suddenly, shifted his weight, then rushed in with his sword aloft. Gar spun from the curved blade as it slashed, was already striking at Sumur’s waist, but the warrior was gliding out of range. Again they clashed, swords connecting this time, more strikes than Corban could count, then Gar was crouching low, slashing at Sumur’s ankles, the warrior leaping and striking at Gar’s head. The stablemaster swayed to one side, Sumur’s blade missing him by a hairsbreadth. He twisted towards Sumur, chopped once, twice, then stepped gracefully away.

Sumur paused, glanced down. Two thin red lines had appeared upon him, one along his forearm, the other his chest. They were shallow cuts, of no consequence, but they showed who was the fastest, by the merest fraction.

Corban realized he was holding his breath, mesmerized by the intensity and skill of the contest he was watching. Nothing he had ever seen compared: the Court of Swords between Tull and Morcant appearing as clumsy children to this deadly, vicious offering. He glanced about, and saw all those with him equally absorbed in the life-and-death dance before them. For a moment, all thoughts of the battle still raging beyond the hall’s doors was forgotten.

Clashing iron grabbed his attention again, the two men spinning and swirling like flames. For a moment Corban was unable to tell which was which.

Then one was retreating, backing towards a shape on the floor: his da’s corpse, Corban realized. He uttered an involuntary groan as he recognized it, Buddai still maintaining his solitary guard. The warrior’s foot grazed Thannon’s arm and Buddai’s jaws snapped out and bit into his boot. For a moment, less than a heartbeat, the flutter of an eyelid, that man was off-balance. His opponent’s sword snaked out, and struck a deep gash on his shoulder, then the man was spinning away, out of range. He paused, to feel his injured shoulder and Corban gasped. It was Gar.

Suddenly Corban was terrified for Gar’s life. His confidence, his certainty in Gar’s ability drained away. Gar used a two-handed blade, used both hands, needed both arms, to wield it properly. This was a contest where the minutest change in balance would tip the scales, and both men knew it.

Gar scowled and rolled his shoulders, glancing fleetingly towards Corban. ‘Go,’ he mouthed silently, and Sumur smiled in anticipation.

Slowly Gar stepped away, in the direction of the hall’s main doors, away from Corban, but before he had moved a handful of paces Sumur was lunging forwards.

There was another burst of sword strikes and parries, this time Gar steadily retreating, blocking, not even trying to strike back. Sweat glistened on his brow, as Sumur’s attack became a blur, the warrior sensing the closeness of his victory.

Then men were pouring through the open doors, a fighting mob of both red and grey. They crashed into Gar and Sumur, sweeping them apart.

‘Gar!’ Gwenith screamed. ‘Now. Come now.’

Corban added his voice to hers, though both Gar and Sumur had disappeared from view. Maybe Gar heard them, maybe he had made the decision regardless, but, as those about Corban were preparing to fight again, Gar appeared before them.

‘We need to leave. Now,’ he said. The stablemaster was exhausted and bleeding from his shoulder still, but there was something in his expression that brooked no argument.

Corban nodded. ‘All of us,’ he added, glancing at Halion and the others. Gar just shrugged.

Battle had consumed the hall again. Sumur, Nathair and Evnis were obscured from view by a tide of red-cloaks locked in combat with grey.

They were standing close to the rear of the hall, Halion and his small band of survivors curled protectively around Edana. So far, the renewed battle had not touched them.

‘We must get Edana out of here,’ Halion said, overhearing their words, looking at Gar curiously, as if seeing him for the first time.

‘Aye,’ Corban said. ‘But how?’

‘There is no path through that,’ Halion pointed out, nodding at the battle in the hall, and looked back at the doorway leading into the keep.

‘And no path beyond,’ Marrock said. ‘Most of the fortress between here and Stonegate is the same. And Owain holds the gate and bridge.’

All realized what that meant. There was only one known route in or out of Dun Carreg.

‘I know a way,’ Corban blurted, suddenly remembering the tunnels beneath the fortress.

‘You are sure?’ Halion asked.

‘Aye. A secret way.’

‘I say let us go and see,’ said Marrock, ‘not stand here debating its likelihood.’

Halion nodded and galvanized them into action. He gave orders to his remaining fighters, hurried over to the door at the back of the hall, and led the small party through.

Gwenith hesitated at the doorway, looking back at Thannon. Then her expression changed. ‘Cywen.’

Corban tried to think of the last time he had seen his sister. Where was she?

‘We must find Cywen,’ his mam said.

Gar put a hand on her arm. ‘We must get Ban to safety, and hope that we find Cywen along the way. If we don’t, I will come back and find her, once Ban is safe. I promise you.’

‘But. .’

‘She is brave, resourceful. If any can survive through this, it is her.’ Gar held her gaze. ‘We cannot risk Ban — the sacrifice has already been so great. .’

Gwenith stared at him. ‘You will come back for her?’

‘On my oath, as soon as Ban is away from here.’

She nodded curtly.

Dath suddenly broke away, running back into the hall where his da knelt in mourning. Corban paused a moment, then followed, with Gar and Farrell close behind.

They caught up with Dath as he reached his da, still bent over the lifeless form of Bethan, cradled in Vonn’s arms.

‘Come, Da, quick,’ Dath gasped. ‘We must leave.’

Mordwyr looked up at him. Gently Dath slipped his arms around his da and tried to lift him. Corban went to help, passing his hammer to Farrell.

‘Leave me here,’ Mordwyr muttered as they hoisted him up, ‘I have nothing left to live for.’

‘Live for me, Da,’ Dath pleaded, ‘or if not, live to avenge Bethan.’

Vonn looked up at that and grimaced.

Mordwyr allowed Dath and Corban to steer him back to the doorway, Vonn following wordlessly. Halion and the others were waiting for them in the dark corridor beyond. Corban and Gar were last to step through the door, Storm squeezing past him. He looked back, into the hall.

‘Da,’ he whispered. Gar bowed his head.

Corban was about to turn away when a movement caught his eye. Nathair and Sumur were dragging Brenin’s corpse to the side. The two men were staring straight at Corban. Corban was caught for a moment, staring back at Nathair. Gar jerked him back and slammed the door shut, dragging a long bench over to wedge against it. ‘Time to mourn when we’re off this rock,’ he said.

Corban nodded, and together they ran down the hallway, Storm loping along behind.