Castings 03 - Full Circle by Pamela Freeman

Author:Pamela Freeman
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: FIC009020
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2010-04-14T17:06:09+00:00

LEOF

LEOF, ON duty at the gate, saw the messenger come up from the town just after dawn, sweating and gasping, “They’re coming!” A mixed band of townsfolk followed him, the ones who had no homes, or who didn’t trust the stoutness of their doors.

“In quick as you can!” Leof told them. They needed no urging, moving as though Lady Death herself was after them — and maybe she was.

He despatched a runner to ring the alarm bell and he made sure the gate was secured behind them.

As the bell tolled out, all of Thegan’s people, men and women alike, well-drilled over the last week, went into action. The muster yard boiled briefly as soldiers, sergeants and civilians ran desperately to get to their posts. Sorn crossed the yard at a quick walk, even in this emergency a centre of calm. Leof smiled involuntarily at the sight of her.

Only the Travellers stood still, until they were chivvied into the barn by a picked handful of soldiers, led by Horst. Leof, watching to make sure they weren’t treated roughly, saw him talk briefly to a couple standing next to the boy who had flirted with him on the road. Flax, Oak had called him. The couple nodded at Horst and moved to the back of the barn, but the youngling shook his head and stayed put.

Leof continued watching as Horst corralled the Travellers behind the line of the open doors, and set his men on guard outside, back and front. The Travellers, impassive, watched the activity in the yard; and Vi, Reed and the other councillors from Baluchston took positions at the front, near the boy.

The yard was now clear again, and Leof knew that Sorn and her women would be in the big hall, ready with bandages and strong drink and, gods help them, saws and hot pitch in case they needed to cauterise a stump. He prayed for her safety, and touched the amulet in his pocket, then turned his attention back to the road.

They approached, rounding the bend below. Thegan had had all trees and bushes cut back from the roadside, so they had a clear view. The enchanter was leading his army, flanked on one side by the same ghost who had almost killed Leof at Bonhill, a short man with beaded plaits, and another stronger looking man.

And there was no sign of wind wraiths.

Leof prayed that they would stay away, but he didn’t hold out much hope. A shudder went through him at the thought, but he kept his face calm, as an officer must.

“My lord!” Leof called, as Thegan appeared at his shoulder. Wil and Gard and some of the sergeants followed, Hodge and Alston among them. They crowded into the observation platform above the gate and stared down the road.

Thegan’s mouth tightened as he saw the ghosts. “Get her,” he said over his shoulder to Hodge.

Hodge started towards the barn and Leof didn’t want to know who Thegan meant by “her,” but he could guess.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.