Garrett had only taken one step when a blue-jacketed figure appeared at the foot of the stairs. He aimed his projectile weapon, and with a high-pitched, whirring sound the deadly disc spun towards us.
It hit the first of the Genthai warriors, embedding itself in his forehead. He made no noise; simply fell forward and rolled down the stairs. Before the guard could reload his weapon, Garrett was down the steps, hissword slicing into the man’s neck.
He screamed and fell to the floor, dead. Garrett picked up the projectile weapon and the belt of discs, and handed them to the second warrior. Then he leaped over the body and ran down the corridor. I followed at hisheels, unarmed, but determined to help.
We turned left, and halfway down the next corridor saw another guard with his back to a door. He drew his sword, but Garrett soon cut him down, then gestured that we should get down and cover our ears.
Why weren’t we continuing along the corridor? I wondered. Wasn’t our priority to get down into the yard and open the gate?
I watched Garrett twist two more pieces of coloured tube together; this time I knew what to expect. The explosion was smaller but it did the trick. Moments later we found ourselves inside the room, and my questionswere answered.
It was an armoury.
Of the eleven who’d left the cell, nine remained. One had been slain by the disc; maybe the other had been too weak to keep up.
We ran down the final flight of steps, and Garrett led us towards the door to the courtyard. He seemed to know the layout of the building. No doubt he’d had spies like Dentar giving him information.
Outside, I saw that the guards on the wall had gone, picked off by Genthai archers. But there were six or seven standing between us and the gate. They weren’t armed with projectile weapons, so we charged straight atthem, splashing through the puddles, swords raised.
From beyond the gate I heard shouts and screams and the din of battle, but the roaring challenge from Garrett’s throat was louder still. In seconds we were upon the enemy. They stood their ground, and one swung hissword towards my head.
I suddenly wished I’d spent my time in the forest training with a sword rather than chopping down trees. My weapon felt heavy and unwieldy, but I used its weight as Garrett had taught me, and somehow I managed toblock the blow without checking my pace. He was soon felled by someone at my side, and then we were at the gate.
There was no need for anyone to issue orders. We all knew what to do. Putting down our weapons, we spread out in a line and began to heave the heavy metal bar clear of its brackets. As we took its full weight, Istumbled, my knees almost giving way.
‘Ten paces backwards!’ shouted Garrett.
The bar was incredibly heavy, but we managed to stagger back the ten paces.
‘Now, on the count of three, drop it – but mind your toes! One, two – three!’
We let the bar fall. It made a tremendous clang as it hit the flags. The subsequent silence was soon filled with shouts. I glanced back and saw scores of guards coming through the door behind us. These must bereinforcements from the palace.
I itched to pick up my sword, but we knew what had to be done. We began to drag the gate open, the bottom scraping on the stones. At any second I expected to feel a blade slicing into my back.
But the gate was opening faster now, as those on the other side pushed. Suddenly, through the widening gap, I saw more Genthai, and in the lead a man on horseback. He wore heavy armour and whirled two hugeswords about his head, but I recognized the heavy, drooping moustache and facial tattoos. It was Konnit.
We stepped aside and he rode past us and galloped straight towards the advancing guard.
He smashed into them, laying about him with his swords, fighting like one possessed. And behind him were more Genthai warriors on foot, many with swords and shields. I picked up my own sword and made tofollow them. I wanted to play my part, but I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder, drawing me back.
‘No, Leif, you’ve already put your life on the line,’ Garrett told me. ‘We’ve both done enough for today. The battle is as good as won. But this is just the beginning. There will be more dangerous encounters in thefuture. Save yourself for that!’
More and more Genthai were pouring through the open gate. The guard had already been defeated; Konnit had dismounted and was leading his men into the building.
Garrett was right. The battle was almost over. I wondered if they’d take the Protector alive and what secrets he would divulge. Did he know what it was like beyond the Barrier?
Suddenly I remembered Ada. ‘There’s a woman called Ada in one of the cells – that’s if she’s still alive,’ I said. ‘She patterned the lac that helped me to defeat Hob last night. She’s an expert on the djinn too. I need tomake sure she’s safe!’
I made to walk towards the door, but Garrett tightened his grip on my shoulder.
‘We know all about Ada – don’t you worry, Leif. We know how important she is. If she’s still alive, she’ll be kept safe, as will all the other prisoners we find. They’ll have to be questioned and assessed. There areprobably a few robbers and murderers in the cells back there. There’s no point in setting them free to cause mischief, is there?’
I nodded. That was reasonable enough. Not all the prisoners would be enemies of the Protector. Gindeen had criminals too.
I just hoped that Ada was still alive.
EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE
When a man rules the Genthai,
A woman shall rule Gindeen.
Amabramdata: the Genthai Book of Prophecy
We waited by the inner gate. After a while the Genthai started bringing bedraggled lines of prisoners through. Some were wounded but had already been tended to. They were taken into the building, no doubt to be heldin the cells on the top floor.
I would have liked to return to Tyron’s house to let everybody know that I was free, but it didn’t seem right to leave while there was still fighting at the barracks.
After about an hour, a big cheer went up in the outer courtyard, and Garrett went to investigate. When he came back, he was grinning from ear to ear.
‘It’s over – we’ve won!’ he said, slapping me and Dentar on the back. ‘A message has just arrived from the barracks. What’s left of the Protector’s Guard have surrendered.’
‘What about the Protector?’ I asked. ‘Have they got him? And Ada – any news of her?’
Garrett shrugged. ‘Let’s go and find out. We’ll go round the outside. It’ll be easier than picking our way between the buildings.’
He led the way out across the soggy grass. Dentar and I followed him round the wall until the front of the Protector’s palace was directly ahead. Genthai warriors stood in groups on the front lawn or sat on the marblesteps that led up to the portico.
‘Wait here,’ Garrett said. ‘I’ll go and find out what’s happening.’
Dentar and I watched as Genthai arrived at the palace, many on horseback.
‘So you supplied Garrett with information on the guards’ movements?’ I asked Dentar.
‘I certainly did, Leif,’ he replied. ‘I hope my contribution helped.’
‘Wasn’t it risky being seen near the barracks and the palace?’
‘I didn’t actually need to go anywhere near them. My job meant that I had keys to almost every area in the Wheel. I used to go right to the top of the dome. It’s surprising what you can see from up there!’
I remembered the view well. Kwin had taken me up there when I’d first arrived in the city. You could see the whole of Gindeen spread out below, and beyond it the palace and the barracks.
I wondered what Kwin was doing now. Would she be worried about me?
‘Look! That’s a sight for sore eyes. Grub’s on its way!’ Dentar exclaimed.
There was the muffled thunder of hooves. Fresh groups of Genthai horsemen were galloping onto the lawn, churning up the grass, dragging carcasses behind them. I realized that they must have raided local farms.That would lead to trou
ble – but what chance did the farmers have against the Genthai army?
It was starting to get dark, but soon there were over a dozen fires burning on the lawn. How they’d managed to get them started in such wet conditions I didn’t know, but it wasn’t long before meat was cooking onhuge spits. The smell made my mouth water. It seemed like a long time since breakfast.
A couple of hours later, after joining the queue for food, I was sitting on the steps again, tucking into a plate of beef, waiting for Garrett to come back. I’d almost finished when he emerged between the pillars andcame to sit next to me.
‘Good news, Leif. Ada’s well. There’s not a scratch on her. She was talking to Konnit when I left. What she knows about the djinn will be invaluable. We’ve got the Protector too. Tomorrow we’ll start to interrogatehim . . . And talking of tomorrow, Konnit wants to see you at noon. There’s to be a meeting to decide a few preliminary things and he wants us both to be present.’
I was surprised by that. Obviously Garrett was important; by opening the gate he had played a vital role in the victory. But what did Konnit want with me? I wondered. I’d only been there by chance.
‘I’d like to go back to Tyron’s house tonight,’ I replied. ‘They’ll all be worried. I’ll return tomorrow in plenty of time for the meeting.’
Garrett shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, Leif, but it’s too risky at the moment. We’ve already had a couple of skirmishes with the city folk. Now they’ve barricaded each of the major roads into Gindeen with piles of logs.And don’t forget that the Protector’s Guard are recruited from city dwellers. Many have died and they have family still living in Gindeen. They won’t take too kindly to seeing you with those tattoos on your face. Somewill see us as the enemy. Better wait until things have calmed down a little and we’ve managed to negotiate with them.’
I tried in vain to sleep on the hard marble floor just inside the entrance to the palace. In the morning the sky was clear, and I went outside to let the sun warm me. Later I queued for breakfast – cold beef; I was hungryand went back for a second helping.
I spent the remainder of the morning chatting to Dentar. He told me about his early experiences in the city. He too had worked in the slaughterhouse, then on a farm, before finally getting his cleaning job in the Wheel.
Then I remembered how Garrett had destroyed the lock to get us out of the cell. ‘What were those coloured tubes Garrett used to blow the door off its hinges?’ I asked.
‘They’re called plastics.’
‘Plastics? What does that mean?’ I asked.
‘They’re explosives that can be squashed into different shapes – even squeezed into a lock. The two tubes are stable until mixed together. After that you have about thirty seconds to get clear.’
‘We’ve nothing like that in the city. Where did you get it from?’
‘The Trader. He visits us in the forest and supplies what we need.’
I remembered Konnit showing me the gramagandar weapons that he kept down in a cellar. They could destroy false flesh – they’d be devastating when employed against djinn. Had the Trader supplied those weaponstoo? I wondered.
‘He supplies the city with the lacs that fight in the Wheel,’ I told Dentar. ‘I wonder who he really is. How can he sail through the Barrier?’
Dentar shrugged. ‘Nobody knows, but some of our people believe that he is the wolf-god whom we call Thangandar. They say that’s why he wears a mask – to hide his face because he has the body of a man but thehead of a wolf. Whatever the truth of the matter, he’s certainly been a good friend to our people.’
At that moment Garrett came to collect me; we headed into the palace, but were stopped twice and made to state our business, even though everyone knew Garrett. Security was tight.
The meeting was held in the throne room. The throne stood empty, but seated at a round table were nine people, some of whom I recognized.
Konnit was there, and on his right was a woman with grey hair and a broad, kindly face with intelligent eyes; she was probably in her sixties. On his left sat Ada. As we approached, she gave me a friendly smile. Shelooked tired, but didn’t seem to have been harmed.
‘Garrett and Leif, sit there!’ Konnit commanded, gesturing to two seats across the table. Garrett bowed before sitting down, so I did the same.
‘Welcome, Leif,’ Konnit said. ‘The lady here on my right is the Obutayer of our people. When the war is over and victory is ours, I will relinquish power and she will rule once more. But for now she is only here towitness what is decided.’
I glanced at her, but she didn’t acknowledge me in any way.
‘I have an important role for you, Leif,’ Konnit continued. ‘You may refuse – I would not attempt to force it upon you because it is not without danger. But first listen to what I have to say.’
He stared at me hard and I nodded. ‘Yes, lord,’ I answered. What did he want me to do? I was puzzled.
‘You have Genthai blood, but are also of the city. Although some will view you as the enemy . . . after your victory over Hob, many will hold you in esteem. I’d like to appoint you as our envoy. This afternoon I wantyou to carry our preliminary proposals to those who now rule the city. Is that acceptable, Leif?’
‘Yes, lord, I’d be happy to do that.’
‘Secondly, if we can reach agreement on our proposals, I would like you to be the Mediator between the city and our people. Here – read this and tell me what you think,’ Konnit said, pushing a piece of paper acrossthe table towards me. ‘I would welcome your comments.’
I drew it close so that I could read it.
Proposals for the Future Governance of Midgard
1 Leif, son of Mathias, has been appointed as the Genthai Envoy. Subject to your agreement, we nominate him to become the future Mediator between Genthai and city dwellers.
2 The Genthai will withdraw to their forest domain but keep small forces close to the city of Gindeen and the township of Mypocine. They will also patrol the main thoroughfares to and from the city and keeporder.
3 Within the forest, the Genthai will rule themselves. The city will also be self-governing.
4 A joint Ruling Council should be formed, with equal numbers of Genthai and city dwellers.
5 That Council will be based in the palace and will be responsible for directing joint military operations.
6 The city will raise an armed force of three thousand men to join with the Genthai in defence of Midgard.
7 The city and the Genthai will cooperate in an operation to destroy the djinn known as Hob.
8 The arenas within the Wheel should continue to operate as normal, and a tax on the gambling houses should fund the upkeep of the palace, the city army and the operation to destroy Hob.
9 Females should be permitted to fight in Arena 13. Female artificers should be licensed to train stables of combatants.
I almost gasped aloud when I saw the ninth item. Surely the Wheel Directorate wouldn’t agree to that. When I looked up, Ada was staring at me, a faint smile on her face. That must have been her idea.
‘Well, Leif,’ Konnit said. ‘Let’s hear your thoughts.’
‘Lord, I can’t predict the reaction to all this, but I think numbers eight and nine might be considered interference in the affairs of the city,’ I said.
‘The eighth point is just sensible advice. The ninth point is there at Ada’s insistence,’ Konnit replied. ‘It is the price of her full cooperation. But everything is negotiable up to a point. All I want you to do is begin theprocess. Put the proposals to them and return to us with their reactions.’
‘Could I make a further suggestion, lord?’
Konnit nodded.
‘We raided farms yesterday and seized cattle. We dined well, but it will have caused resentment. It would be good if we could offer to pay for what we’ve taken. That would make the negotiations easier.’
Konnit paused before replying and gave a slight frown. Ada put her hand on his arm, and he leaned down while she wh
ispered into his ear. When he looked up, the frown had gone.
‘You are wise beyond your years, Leif. Yes, we will do that. It will become the second item on the list. Anything else?’
I was still eager for vengeance against Hob. I was impatient. I couldn’t bear to wait for the city and the Genthai to draw up a plan to destroy him.
‘I was there when you pounded on the gate of Hob’s citadel and dared him to come forth and fight,’ I said to Konnit. ‘Why do we need the cooperation of the city? Can’t we raid his citadel tonight and slay all Hob’sselves? I defeated him once in Arena 13. Now I would like to fight him in his lair. Let me be a part of his destruction.’
‘We must proceed with caution,’ Konnit replied. ‘There are ancient devices that can burn like a sun and reduce a whole city to ashes in seconds. He may have such weapons at his disposal. As far as we know, the djinnnever used their like against humans. But a dual authority ruled Midgard, so we are told. The Protector was its benign face; Hob is a rogue djinni, capable of anything. We must not act against him until we are certain ofa speedy and safe victory.’
Suddenly Ada spoke aloud for the first time. ‘Without doubt you will play a part in his destruction, Leif. Be patient. The day will surely come when he pays for his crimes.’
Just over an hour later I was walking down the hill towards the city with Garrett at my side. A tall Genthai warrior strode ahead of us carrying a white flag on a spear which he held high to show that we came in peace.Dressed in chainmail, he wore a hood and a bronze mask with eye slits.
For a moment I wondered if this was the Trader. After all he’d been a good friend to the Genthai and had supplied them with the weapon called the gramagandar. But because of the hood I couldn’t see if he had thatdistinctive red hair.
I knew that this flag of truce was unnecessary. Contact had already been made, and the Wheel Directorate were now convening in the admin building, ready to listen to the Genthai proposals. Tyron and his servantswere going to meet me at the barricade and escort me there.