"What's 'appened to 'im, is 'e dead?"
"No, he's close to it but he's not dead."
"Well he's no use to anybody now, silly old duffer, he needs to sort 'imself out sharpish if he's goin' to help the girl. Tell yer what lad there's so much 'appening how's about takin' the 'elmet off and having a natter so we can sort out the best plan of attack. I mean there's no clock runnin' on us. Yer can just stick it on again an' we'll carry on from where we left off."
Davey took off the helmet. "You're right Uncle Paddy. Write it all down then we can see what we're doing. The girl told me that I'd have to find out what was going on before I could help her, I'm beginning to see what she meant."
"Talking of clocks running on us lad, did I ever tell yer the one about Steinitz and Morphy?"
"No,@ said Davey turning away and groaning at the thought of hearing the same story all over again.
"Sat there the two of them were, world chess championship 1913. Sat there without movin' for 11 hours then Steinitz gives the nod to Morphy as though to say, 'make yer move' and this Morphy boyo just says, 'I thought it were your turn!"
Paddy laughed as he always did whenever he told the tale. Davey joined in as he always did whenever Paddy told it to him.
"See lad, that's one reason why they introduced clocks to the game. But we're alright, there's none in this. Mind you people don't get killed playin' chess...though I've had the odd game when I could 'appily throttle somebody."
"Do you mean we could be in danger Uncle Paddy?" asked Davey fearfully.
Paddy laughed, "Sorry lad, didn't mean to yet yer goin'. Naw, just a figure of speech, nothing can touch us 'ere."
Davey seemed reassured, he picked up the notepaper from where it had fallen and passed it to Paddy.
"Right lad, tell me where all the pieces are, then we'll try and see what their next moves are likely to be. This Shaman he's the danger man, he's the one we're goin' to have to pay particlar 'tention to."
As Davey spoke Paddy made notes, reading out what he was writing as he scrawled:
1 Shaman and the old man have got their heads together (but the old man wants to help the girl).
2 Lord Axa and his kid (Shark-cutey) are in a cell in the temple.( Things aren't looking good for them).
3 Uncle Poppy and Axa's missus are in the palace. (They seem safe enough for now).
"What about Topac and Manco, Uncle Paddy, do we need to bother with them?"
"Yeah, maybe, they're still spyin' aren't they."
4 Toe-peg and Manko - spying.
"'owt else?
"The Spaniards are on their way to Sit-Nalta.
Oh yeah, that's right, number five...
5 Spanish are back on the road again heading for Sit 'n' Alter.
"'owt else. No yer right, that's the lot - for now. It's a pity we couldn't put the chess pieces on the board and name 'em after them, but it's clearer now what's 'appening. First thing strikes me lad is that everyone's headin' for the city. That's where the games goin' to be played for keeps, I'm gettin' a strong feelin' on this one, me old lady'd be proud of me," he grinned.
Davey also grinned, not many people could smile while they held a pencil lengthways between their nose and upper lip but Paddy had the advantage of the Murtagh nose.
"You're right Uncle Paddy, the runner Hotchas was heading there as well. Everyone's been playing for position, now they're going to start taking each other off the board. I've just thought of something, you know how you taught me to make a sacrifice of one of my men so that I could launch an attack?"
"Yeah."
"Maybe because the Shaman keeps taking the sacrifices he'll end up getting beat. Maybe that man who was stuck in the stone will really kill the
[email protected] AYeah, I was forgetting about that feller, them tatt's were sommat that's for sure. I'd better stick him down on the
[email protected] 6 Man in stone, covered in tattoo's - has had a go at the Shaman
ARight, let's get down to it, we'll go through the positions one by one then decide 'ow we're goin' to play it."
"Hang on a minute, we've left out talking to the old man."
"Possibly the most important one of the lot that one lad,
7 We've spoken with the old man.
but until he wakes up there ain't much point worrying about him. I reckon he'll be out the game for a good while yet. Tell yer what shift things along a bit and see what happens when he comes round. Wait a minute! Why stop it there lad. I mean if yer was 'aving a game of chess and yer'd already seen the position in the end-game it would give yer a certain advantage wouldn't it, if yer foller me drift."
"You're right Uncle Paddy. We wouldn't need to worry what was going to happen if we already knew. Should I try it?"
"Let's keep it tidy lad, sort out Toe-peg an' his mate first."
"'Ship-shape and Bristol fashion' Uncle Paddy?"
Paddy laughed, "I'll tell Hughie yer said that."
Davey started to replace his helmet but Paddy said, " hang on these are moves we're plannin', let's write them on this piece under MOVES."
Check out Toe-peg and Manko.
Try to go to the end-game.
"'owt else?"
Davey shook his head.
"Go for it lad!"
"Soon they shall cross," said Topac sadly, "Sit-Nalta must be know of this. Lord Axa must be informed."
"What did I say lad. See, they're headin' for Sit 'n' Alter as well as the rest of 'em."
"Let us first strike a blow," said Manco, "they shall never catch us!"
"We have seen them, we have learnt much," said Topac, "perhaps something in what we have seen will allow Lord Axa to lead us to victory, it is better that the invaders do not know we understand their ways."
The warriors loped into the trot that fighting men could maintain all day without effort, they retreated back from the canyon, leaving the high river cliffs behind them until soon they were far into the mountains. They travelled by day and by night following ancient trails which hugged the huge bulks of the towering peaks gaining height gradually but surely. When they reached the top of the mountain range they were within two days travel of their destination. There was little in the way of vegetation from which they could seek nourishment, the two men chewed leaves which they took from the pouches at their sides, the leaves gave them energy and made them forget their hunger. Ahead of them heavy black clouds announced the first of the winter storms, to one side the huge black mass of an extinct volcano pierced into the sky like a pyramid, water rushed down the steep sides as a deep lake unseen within its depths overflowed.
"Topac, ahead, over there!" said Manco pointing along the trail that they must follow.
In the distance moved a body of men, they showed as black dots against the dark background. "It cannot be the invaders, they must be from the city," said Manco.
They trotted on until the dots grew larger, "It is a party of elders and noblemen," said Topac whose younger eyes had more sharpness, "there are about fifteen in the lead group, behind them is the same number."
"Perhaps Lord Axa is one of them?"
"Find out who they are lad."
They raced across the valley floor then focused in upon the party. Davey looked towards the man who was leading them.
"It's that rat Aquila!"
"What's 'e up to now then?"
"May Inti shine upon you," Aquila greeted the warriors.
"And upon your spirits," replied Topac.
"To where do you travel?" asked Aquila.
"Sit-Nalta," replied Manco. The expression on his face showed his open distrust of Aquila.
"You are Lord Axa's men, are you not?" said Aquila.
Topac and Manco knew that something was wrong. Noblemen and elders never travelled this distance unless something warranted it, they were dressed in their finest clothes, slaves carried gifts.
"Do you go to meet the gods?" asked Topac, deciding that boldness was the best policy.
"Why, what do you know of such matters?" repl
ied Aquila in such a tone that his guards half-raised their clubs.
Topac's answer was to burst into a run, Manco followed closely behind.
"Hunt them down!" yelled Aquila.
"This Quilla feller's a nasty piece of work," said Paddy, "I'd have liked to met up with 'im down a dark alley on a dark night!"
Five guards gave chase. They hurtled in pursuit down a steep slope upon which boulders and large rocks were scattered. The rocks were covered in thin patches of ice, between them the ground was soft and muddy with water from the volcano. The men leapt from rock to rock to make quicker time but the effort quickly sapped the strength of all but the strongest legs and it was treacherous, one slip could be fatal. Manco's older legs slowly caused him to fall behind. He knew that if he ran any further he would be unable to fight when caught.
"Run on Topac," he urged, "I will stay and deal with these dogs!"
Topac turned to stay with his comrade but Manco swung his club at him, "RUN ON, I said."
"Yer man's a brave '
[email protected] One of the pursuers sodden feet skidded over a boulder, he smashed his head against the side of a rock, the four remaining guards took more care and slowed their pace as they realised one of the warriors was no longer running.
"Oh, so you've given up, have you?" laughed a guard as they moved into position to surround their quarry.
"I'm getting a little old for chasing games," replied Manco, "I thought I would stay and greet you!"
He launched himself at the guard who was moving around, trying to get behind him. He swung a swiping blow against an undefended forearm, the razor sharp obsidian stones of his club made contact.
"The odds are improving," he joked with his attackers as the guard left the fray clutching his wound.
He had learnt a lot of fighting tricks in his time; he fought well but his age was telling against him; the chase, and the youth of the guards must combine to wear him down.
Two guards moved in upon him at the same time, Manco spun wildly round, warding off their blows, trying to deliver his own but the third man saw his opening, he ran in and with a mighty swing ended Manco's life.
Topac stood waving his club towards the guards, he yelled, "Manco shall be revenged! I, Topac, swear it!"
The guards answer was to group together and run towards him, Topac ran quickly away until he had placed enough distance between himself and his pursuers to be able to settle into a trot.