Samuel had no idea as to Ash’s strengths or the number of men and magicians at his beckoning. In fact, he had no idea if the man was still in Gilgarry at all. If Ash had more men like Tabbet at his beckoning, then Samuel’s task would not be so easy. Then there were the soldiers to deal with. Samuel did not mind dying at all, but he could not bear the thought of Ash escaping once more. In order to even the odds, he would need some men of his own and Count Rudderford was the only one who could provide them.
He rode into Rudderford’s stable and left the sleepy, young stablehand to care for Jess and his satchel. He then crossed the frosted courtyard and opened the door to the Count’s manor. His soft-heeled boots tapped softly along the short hall that led to the banquet room.
The banquet table was being stripped by several servants, all carrying away the plates of half-picked bones and goblets of spilled wine from the night before. None questioned Samuel, nor made any attempt to stop him as he made across the hall and headed for the Count’s chamber. Having found it, he kicked the door open and crossed the rug-covered floor to beside Rudderford’s lavish bed. Rudderford was sprawled asleep, still snoring next to his wife who was now wide awake and watching Samuel with eyes aghast.
‘Get up,’ Samuel told her, ‘and get out.’ She nodded and crawled from beneath the covers, pulling on a robe and hurrying out, leaving the door open behind her. ‘Wake up,’ Samuel said, leaning over Rudderford and shaking his shoulders. Having his love murdered and no sleep along with it gave Samuel very short patience.
Rudderford groaned and finally opened his eyes. ‘You’re going to do exactly as I say,’ Samuel said, asserting his influence upon the man. ‘We’re old and fast friends and you will do everything you can to meet with my approval.’
‘Of…of course I will,’ Rudderford stammered. His mind was thick from the night’s wine and he was still half- asleep, so Samuel’s spell took its good time taking hold. ‘You don’t have to tell me twice, old friend.’
Samuel could feel that a few subtle braids of magic had already been placed in Rudderford’s mind, designed to make him more manageable. Samuel replaced the spells with his own, noting the handy work of Ash or one of his men, although he sensed the taint of Tabbet.
A number of men in various states of undress then stumbled in through the doorway, bearing swords. One man even held up a large wooden ladle defiantly.
‘What are you doing?’ Rudderford demanded of his men, sitting up in his bed. ‘What brings you charging into my chambers at this early hour?’
‘But the lady said that…’ the foremost guard began to reply, but Rudderford cut him short.
‘Oh, tell her to shut up and all of you go back to your beds,’ the Count said and returned his attention to Samuel. ‘What can I do for you, my good friend? How wonderful for you to call on me. It’s
‘Yes,’ Samuel said. ‘Let’s have some breakfast first. I’m starving.’
‘Of course. Please forgive me. I’m afraid I had too much to drink again last night. My head is ringing like the bells of Saint Veddum’s.’
The servants were obviously taken by surprise when the Count appeared so early for breakfast and they all hurried to prepare his meal. His wife poked her head nervously from around a corner before shaking it in confusion and disappearing again.
After Samuel had eaten what he could, he turned to business. ‘What has Mr Cervantes been doing all this time in Gilgarry?’ he asked.
‘He’s been digging all over the place, as usual, looking for old ruins, treasures and such.’
‘And that’s all?’
‘I do believe so,’ Rudderford stated thoughtfully.
‘Do you know his real name?’
‘Of course. He is Mr Cervantes, collector and merchant of fine and exquisite goods.’
‘That’s what he told you?’
‘Yes. He’s a fine man. But he goes through workers like you wouldn’t believe. They’re terrified of him.’
‘Does he have many men with him here? Any magicians?’
‘Oh, he has many men at his camp by the site. Most of them are local peasants, but he has his guards and a few men from Cintar, too, although I have never seen any magicians in Tindal in all my time here.’
Samuel thought a moment. ‘When does he plan to leave?’ he asked.
‘I’m not sure. He was adamant he was going to leave a few days ago, but he still seems to be having some problem.’
Samuel thought about it a moment. Perhaps the relic was still proving difficult to move.
‘What I would like for you to do, my good friend Rudderford, is to get all your best men in here with all their sharpened swords and cudgels and whatever else they like to hit things with. Then, I want you to send a message to Mr Cervantes that one of his men is waiting here for him, wounded, and when he comes in, we’ll all bash him to death. How does that sound?’
‘Are you sure you want to do that?’ Rudderford asked. ‘He has paid me very generously after all, and he has the Emperor’s blessing.’
‘I’m sure.’
‘Oh, I see. Very well.’
‘See to it at once,’ Samuel instructed and Rudderford immediately called for a servant to convey the orders.
‘Should we charge him with something?’ Rudderford asked sheepishly.
‘He is a traitor and a murderer,’ Samuel explained.
‘Ah,’ Rudderford said with a satisfied nod. ‘Then we certainly must have him punished.’
It took several hours for Samuel’s plan to be organised. Rudderford had about thirty men on his estate and Hillard had been sent to get more from Gilgarry. It was taking them much longer than expected to arrive and word soon came that Mr Cervantes and his escort were already approaching. Samuel could barely contain his joy when Ash bustled in to Rudderford’s hall with only six men at his side, none of them being magicians.
‘Where’s my…’ Ash began, but stopped short on spying Samuel leaning against the banquet table. ‘You fool, Rudderford! What do you think you are doing?’
Rudderford signalled and his guards rushed in and lined the room. A couple of servants had already drawn and barred the entry doors behind them from the outside, trapping Ash and his men inside.
Ash’s men drew their swords and stood ready around him.
‘Disarm your men, Mr Cervantes!’ Rudderford called. ‘My good friend, Samuel, has told me of your heinous crimes.’
Ash put his hands on his hips and laughed. ‘Your good friend?’ he repeated mockingly and laughed aloud. ‘You are a weak-minded fool, Rudderford. Very well. Put down your weapons,’ Ash told his men and they hesitantly placed their swords onto the floor. ‘You fool Magician!’ Ash then told Samuel. ‘You’re meddling with the Emperor’s business! What do you think you are doing?’
‘I’m killing you,’ Samuel replied.
‘Then I suppose you have me. Do as you will.’
Samuel opened his mouth to speak, but as quick as lightning, Ash thrust an unseen dagger into the ribs of one of his own men. The others stepped away, horrified as Ash continued to perforate the man as he fell, frantically stabbing the helpless soldier over and over so his blood was spurting all over.
Ash had a crimson-edged grin set on his manic face as he raised his palm towards the fallen man and shouted out in a strange and foreign tongue. Samuel braced himself, for he could feel
‘Kill him!’ Samuel cried out, too late, for his ears were ringing with magic and an enormous spell was coming after the first.
The vaporous cloud bellowed forth, seething with purple-hued magic, transforming into a screeching fire that instantly filled the room. Samuel barely had time to cast a shield around himself and Rudderford, pushing all his power into it to protect them against the magical firestorm. The room vanished as the enchanted flames licked all around them, making a thunderous noise, as if hell itself had engulfed them. Samuel continued to pour his power into his shielding spell, for the strange fires pulled his weaves to scraps on contact. As the spell dissipated, the
