Hawkmoon (The Hawkmoon Chronicles) (9 page)

                                                 Mistress of Spies.

He was solidly built, dressed in light armour .

“Have a seat, Bashir” .

Morah continued to read, squinting at the smaller script. Singing came from the open window. Every  tavern in the city was   straining at the seams. The officer sat waiting for the Director to finish. She was reading a report on him.

“So captain, you have applied to join our little band?” Morah looked up from her reading. She was handsome more than beautiful…... She had clear skin and blue eyes. She seemed to have the components of beauty without the use for them. Her hair was short, as was her temper

“Yes director. My father was a Ranger, it is a tradition in our family.”

“You have chosen an interesting time to join us. You should do well.”

“If I live long enough”...

“Explain.”

“These are dangerous times. The explosion in the Reiver population  means war. Strongbow is  preparing  to invade.  They can’t go North. They are not a seafaring race ... They can’t go East , the tribes  would slaughter them. The Wampyrhii are   colluding with  the Reivers. Yet here we are   in the south, running down our armies, retiring our ships, when we should be building our forces. The dogs on the street know it yet anyone who talks about war is arrested.

Some of my men have been beaten up by the Party for Peace.  They send peace missions to the Reivers. Our patrols have been curtailed as a “gesture of goodwill”. And it is not just us. Everyone is at it. The only exception is Silverlode... When the mines were  sacked not one raider came by way of the Pass. Not one. That was decades ago and still no one knows how they got a thousand raiders  into the mines.  If I had my way….”

Morah lifted her hand “Enough Captain… some time away from the city might  suit  you.”

“Director I want nothing more than to take my lancers out  and do what we were trained to do. Since they began to pull in the patrols the countryside  is infested . Towns and villages have disappeared. Thousands are flocking to the city only to be turned away at the city walls. We have the worst refugee problem….”

She passed a sealed letter across her desk. “Your orders. Take a patrol and go South .You are to look for a party led by Hawkmoon, and escort them to the city”.

The captain took the envelope. “I am amazed that you were able to get these orders issued.”

“We still have friends in high places… I will tell you two things, Captain. First your application to join the Rangers has been approved. Second, it is unlikely that, however long you serve; you will be asked to escort a more important group than this. I cannot stress this enough. Bring them back safely. Hawkmoon drives a monstrosity of a wagon.  He thinks of it as his home. You are to supply horses and have the wagon brought on later... Hawkmoon  tends to be free and easy with authority and irritating if he is of a mind. In any event I want him here with his party as soon as possible”.

“Thank you Director”The captain passed the secretary who closed the door.. “A good prospect”

“Wampyrhii  support for the Reivers is common talk. Did you know that?”

“Yes director”.

“When were you thinking of telling me… Never mind….We could do with more like him. When I asked for the Lancers I had to fight to prevent that courtier… what was the name? He wanted command given to his son in law. I can smell the Queen at the back of this. Have you finished transcribing the report?”

“Yes excellency. There is the matter of attaching your signature to each copy. I will arrange to have a copy sent to the Palace. One of the King’s staff will take it directly to His Majesty. There is a chance of it not being intercepted.”

Melanon regarded his boss. “If it falls into the wrong hands it will be catastrophic.”

She sat back in her seat. “Detailing the war readiness of our forces is a risk. But something has to be done. This malaise of complacency will be the end of us. There is a chance a copy might find its way to the enemy. What more can they learn? That our forces are in disarray? That our leaders have neither the will nor courage to face open war?  Where is Ranger Mahan?”

“He has gone to the library at the University. I will send him to you on his return. You have a last appointment.” “

I remember , the Dasarian, I  am going to lunch. Tell him he can dine with  me”.

“There is something else. There has been a murder. Two in fact…At the docks.”

“Murders are   a way of life down there, why has it come to your notice?”

“One of them was a silver merchant. It was made to look like robbery, his pouch and rings were taken. But they missed a money belt. Real thieves would not have made that mistake.

The other... That is the problem. He was a Ranger… Shardik.”

“I knew him. A good man.

“That makes how many dead?”

“Twenty  in the last two years. There is a natural attrition rate but this goes above and beyond. As I see it there are two options. One is that our offices are under surveillance.  They take note of  everyone that arrives and have them followed when they leave. The fault with that is it is difficult to follow a Ranger. With that in mind, I conducted an exercise to see if it could be done and  it can . We have become careless. We criticize others for complacency but we have been prone to it ourselves. A number of those who have been assassinated have never been to this city, let alone headquarters. They were assigned directly from Holgun.”

“The second option?”

“We have a traitor.”

“That was my thinking. We must carry out an investigation but the person chosen must be above suspicion. It must be someone who has the experience and who has been away for years.” Rising from the desk Morah closed the window. The students were becoming raucous.

“Send for Chandos. He has been sixteen years in the North.”

“Who will go?, Shardik would have been the obvious choice..”

She looked in her records. “Everyone is assigned… Send Mahan”

“He is young and without field experience. I

can think of at least two more qualified…”

“He won’t get experience sitting behind a desk. I want Mahan . I have  written instructions for Chandos.”

“May I see the letter? Perhaps I can pro…”

“No, you may not”

                                                                Revenants.

Norry got down from the pony and climbed up beside him Hawkmoon…

“Do you still have that blade?”

“It’s in my pack.”

“Get it.”Mira put  her head out .

“Good evening my lady, have you slept well?”

“What’s happening?”

“We are about to have company. Find that crossbow and give the girl a weapon.”

“She’s too young”

“She’s old enough to defend herself...  There is a place I passed … If we get there we can defend ourselves. If they wait until sundown the wolves will solve the problem.”

Halting sites were bypassed as they pressed forward. Trees were thinning out. Most of the mature growth had been clear cut.

Mira went inside. There was low talk. Reba came out and sat by him. Her face was pale but composed. She looked at Hawkmoon and smiled. Norry glanced  into the shadows. Something moved. The blade dropped from his hand to the forest floor. Hawkmoon  stopped the wagon, and waited while Norry retrieved the dagger.

They stopped at the entrance to a quarry. If they could get up on the side they might be able to hold them off. Hawkmoon assembled the group at the side of the wagon.

“Rangers tracked a nest to a village ten miles away. This part of the country has been infected for years. There have been a number of attacks in the last month. People have been taken from the highway. 

Our business tonight is survival.  I want all of you up in the rocks. Divide the bolts between you. You are dealing with Daywalkers. They can climb and they will get to you   but you have time to deal with them .If there are vampires out there they won’t come until it gets dark .Norry I need that blade.”

Where will you be? Mira asked.

“Back there… I will take the horses with me.”

Reba shared out the last of the food. Mira wished darkness would fall and bring the wolves They finished a hasty meal. While they ate Norry took the bolts of each crossbow and coated them with   ointment. Hawkmoon moved out as the others started climbing. The sun hung above the horizon, taunting them. As cloud moved away it grew brighter.

“He should be here with us” Mira complained. Norry shook his head.” No my lady, he is where he works best”

At first it was a smell of rotting meat. It grew stronger. Norry made to speak but his mouth was dry. He had an urge to urinate. A child shuffled into view. She stopped in the clearing, vacant eyes raised to  where they waited above. She wore a torn cotton shroud. She smiled at them through blackened teeth.  Black fluid dribbled from her mouth. Reba began to cry, more from pity than fear.

A man came with two others, both women. “Pick your targets and don’t miss.” Mira aimed her crossbow at the man and shot him through the head. Norry hit the woman.   They had forgotten the little girl who was trying to climb at the base. Norry shot her, the bolt disappearing into her frail body.   In minutes a mob had gathered at the foot of the wall with a larger group massing behind. Many bore the marks of fighting. Some had arms missing; empty holes where eyes had been.

Mira fired at a large male starting to climb.. The bolt struck  a rock , grazing the unfortunate. It shambled backwards and collapsed.

Mira turned to Norry. “I hardly grazed him. Is that what you put on the points?”

The halfpint nodded.

“Well done, young man”

A crowd  gathered at the base.  The more active began to climb.

Mira told them to save the remaining bolts and use  rocks. It seemed like  minutes since the Daywalkers first appeared but the sun was at the lip of the horizon..  Aiming became difficult as the light faded. Below them a mound of copses had grown, proving extra height to the others…

A long howl came from the forest.

“Where is Hawkmoon?” Asked Mira.

“Don’t worry, he’ll come”.  A crowd approached from the trees, twice the number of all they had killed. Stooping Norry fetched a glass bottle from his pack.  Standing forward to the edge   he lofted it high. A flash  and a wave of heat made them stumble on the rocks..  Losing his balance Norry  went sliding  His body cleared the rockface and fell. A thud came as his head struck. Reba screamed.  The howling came again and the last of the Daywalkers  retreated. Clambering to where Norry lay, they gathered round , Reba cradling his head.

A whisper of movement came behind, Mira turned expecting to see Hawkmoon.. A cloaked figure  reached for her.  She was lifted onto to her toes and pulled forward. A knife gleamed  in the dark.. The hand with the dagger came up. It was caught shuddering as  a bladepunched through its chest. It seemed to implode, collapsing to the rock. Smoke rose as it rotted before their eyes.

“Where were you?” Mira demanded.

“I was waiting for this” He flicked his toe at the cloak . “What happened to him? He asked looking at Norry.

“He fell”

“Of course he did” Mira glared at Hawkmoon..

“He fought well”.

“You all did”

Reba stood shaking. Reaching out, Hawkmoon put his arms around her and drew her close. “Darling, you gave them release. They would thank you if they could “Reba nodded.The wolves  came in.  The pack leader stopped between Mira and Hawkmoon.

“Better late than never, I suppose.”

“We have to get the boy to a doctor. There is one in the next settlement.” The horses were brought up. Norry was moved  inside.. Reba sat beside Hawkmoon and they moved out.

She watched the wolves as they threaded their way through the trees.

“Hawkmoon, may I ask you a question?”

“Darling ,you can ask me anything.”

“The wolves, their eyes are red”.

“They are.”

“Why?”

“They are mortal enemies of the Wampyrhii but their service comes at a price. When they kill they taste blood and they become infected.  They never change.. Unlike humans they resist. To become a true vampire they have to be given a parasite from one of the First Families”

“That is why they can only come at night?”

“They cannot walk in daylight. They start to burn. I have seen it once. I will never forget it” He paused .

He would never make it; not with an arrow in his shoulder and two  broken legs.. Once inside he could lose himself in the lower depths where they would not follow. He was searching for the canteen when shouts came from the end of the valley. They were coming They had seen him Snuffling came from behind. Turning a group of wolves waited in the dark of the cave. As he looked one of them darted forward. For a moment it seemed he had  another threat to face but it  stopped and lowering its massive jaws   sank its teeth into the collar of his jacket. As it started to pull black smoke rose. Closing its eyes to the glare, mewlings of torment came from its throat. It had dragged him five paces when it went on fire. Howling with agony it fell to one side. Another rushed to take its place. Six died  before he was safe . The hunters reined in, reluctant to chance a cave  full of wolves.  Before his time was done the debt he bore them would be repaid in full.

“Are all the wolves infected?”

“Only those who hunt. The females can have pups without passing on the infection.”Hawkmoon shook his head.

“What?”

“They are the finest servants of the Land and still they are hunted. The king at the Royal City has outlawed it in his kingdom. He is not much of a king but that is one point in his favour.  They  are a thousand miles from their home range and still they come to fight for us  …

There is a flagon of ale  in one of the water butts, be a good girl and get it for me”.Reba jumped down. Climbing back  on to the seat she handed the jar to Hawkmoon and sat beside him.

“That thing that you killed, what was it?”

“That was a Shadow?”

“They are assassins?”

“They serve anyone who can pay with human sacrifice. Even the Wampyrhii  are wary of them. They are impossible to kill.” 

“You killed one”.

“With that blade. I was lucky to have it.”

“Norry told me how he got it. There is a print of the handle on the palm of his hand.”

The wagon moved on through the night. Dawn crept among the trees. The pack leader turned to Hawkmoon, who bowed. The White Wolves  faded  into the forest...

She put her face against the leather of his coat. The buckskin smelt of leather and dust. From up ahead Mira turned in the growing light. . Seeing the girl  close to Hawkmoon she turned away..

“Go inside and see how Norry is”.

They came out  of the Old Forest in mid-morning to  a hamlet of rough cottages ; burnt and deserted. Crows danced on the bloated form of a bony cow... Hawkmoon moved through the smoking ruins.

“There is nothing here.” Hawkmoon drove the wagon out of the burning village.