to hasten the sinking. The leviathans were sliding across the creaking deck, and men were jumping overboard. A cheer went up from the islanders.
Caldason organised teams to search out suitable rocks and transport them to the firing point in quantity. At the gang master’s suggestion, they tried shots consisting of mixtures of smaller stones and debris. Falling like deadly hail, they were remarkably effective, not so much for harming the leviathans, but as a good way of keeping the enemy troops pinned down.
A couple of hours after arriving at the cove, and with his crew firing off a constant bombardment, Caldason decided he could leave. He handed over command of the trebuchet to the highest ranking rebel he could find, then took a fast horse. Looking back as he left, he knew there was no hope of doing more than slowing down the landings.
His route took him inland, so he saw nothing of fighting, but he passed plenty of islanders on their way to beef up the defences; and plenty more, the old, the sick and youngsters, heading for various refuges. All along the coastline, the sky was red.
Caldason arrived at the redoubt in the dead of night. No one hindered his approach, and he was let in as soon as he was recognised. Although he wasn’t the only islander seeking shelter there, he was told most had made for the seafront fortress. He was given directions to the rooms Kinsel and Tanalvah occupied, and in the corridor leading to them, he found Serrah.
When they finished embracing, he briefed her on what had been happening, then asked, ‘What’s going on here?’
‘There’s a lot of activity but little actually occurring, if you know what I mean. Tan and Kinsel didn’t want to go to the fortress, which might be just as well, because we’ve had reports of successful landings there. It’s all pretty confused, but the place could already be under siege.’
He thought of the people he’d seen heading for the supposed sanctuary, and of Disgleirio, who was trying to protect it. In all probability their fate was already sealed. ‘We always knew they’d get ashore. All our defences are predicated on guerrilla tactics, not the impossibility of keeping them off the island.’
‘If there’s enough of us left to fight. Have you seen those fires or whatever they are along the coast?’
‘A lot of that’s designed to fill us with fear and awe, remember.’
‘I think I’ve got quite enough of both already, thanks.’
‘Well, just bear in mind that if we’re going to get out of this, it’s by using our heads.’
‘Are we going to get out of it, Reeth? Any of us?’
‘Maybe with a miracle.’
‘Oh, great.’
‘Don’t knock it; they happen. I met you, didn’t I?’
She smiled and squeezed his hand. ‘You’re a base flatterer. You know that, don’t you?’
‘I only speak the truth.’ He returned the smile. ‘Tell me, how’s Tanalvah?’
Serrah’s expression saddened. ‘She might be in the first stages of labour, or will be soon enough. I’m worried about her. She doesn’t seem like the Tan we knew back in Bhealfa.’
‘She’s been through a lot.’
‘That’s what everybody says. It’s more than that, Reeth, though I don’t know what. It’s getting Kinsel down, too, although he’s too kind to admit it.’
‘What about the kids?’
‘Confused. Scared, of course. But holding up pretty well, all things considered. By the way, they’ve got Praltor here.’
‘Here?’
‘The Covenant people thought it was the safest place. After all, he’s precious, isn’t he? Might come up with that miracle we need.’
‘Don’t mock.’
‘I wasn’t. Not really. Kutch is here too, along with the girl.’
‘That’s a relief.’
‘And Phoenix, of course. Oh, and Goyter’s around. Directing things efficiently, as always.’
‘Karr?’
‘Overseeing defences at the main port, I heard. I don’t know where Quinn is.’
‘He was there too, last time I saw him.’
Neither of them wanted to say what they were thinking about the port area.
‘I’d like to see Kutch,’ he decided, ‘and find out how things are going with Mahaganis. Where are they?’
‘Not far. But wouldn’t you like to look in on Tan first?’ He hesitated, and she said, ‘I know you’ve had your differences in the past-’
‘Not on my side. She always seemed disapproving of me.’
‘Wasn’t there just a bit of ruffled feathers about your shared heritage?’
‘We’ve got different ideas about what it is to be of the Qaloch, it’s true.’
‘Don’t you think now might be a good time to bury the hatchet over all that?’
He nodded. ‘I’ve nothing against the woman. Even if she does worship Rintarah’s gods.’
‘Yes, well, you can keep that opinion to yourself. Come on.’
She led him to the door of the apartment and knocked quietly. They heard a muffled invitation to enter. Inside, Kinsel greeted them, and was particularly pleased to see Caldason safely back.
Tanalvah was in a bed on the far side of the room, well away from the shuttered window. She still looked very pale. The expression she wore when she saw her fellow Qalochian was unreadable.
‘How are you, Tan?’ Serrah asked.
‘I’m all right,’ she replied, unconvincingly. Her eyes were on Caldason.
‘It’s good to see you,’ he said.
‘Reeth,’ she whispered, lifting her hand to him.
It took Caldason a second to realise she wanted him to take it. When he did, lightly, her flesh was cold. She squeezed, her nails biting.
‘I’m sorry, Reeth,’ she breathed. ‘So sorry.’
‘There’s no need-’
‘Oh, but there is.’ Her gaze was intense. ‘Please forgive me.’
Caldason said nothing. After a moment she let go of his hand and slipped into an apparent drowse.
Kinsel came over and whispered a faltering apology.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Serrah told him. ‘We know she’s under a lot of strain. You all are. How are Lirrin and Teg?’
He nodded. ‘Fine. Or as fine as we could hope under the circumstances. How are things going on the outside?’
‘Mixed,’ Caldason replied. ‘The best you can do is stay put here with your family, and do as you’re told if we have to evacuate.’
‘Will it come to that? I mean, where could we move to?’
‘I’m sure it won’t,’ Serrah assured him. ‘Now you concentrate on looking after Tan and leave everything else to us.’ She planted a kiss on the singer’s cheek.
They made their goodnights in an undertone and slipped out.
Once they were sufficiently far from the door, Serrah said, ‘What did you think?’
‘She doesn’t look much like a bonny mother-to-be, does she?’
‘No. Something’s definitely wrong, but the healers can’t find anything specific. It seems obvious it’s in her mind.’
‘What does that mean?’
Serrah looked thoughtful. ‘I suppose I’m agreeing with what you said earlier; she’s been left low by her experiences. Melancholic. But she did try to make up with you.’
‘Did she?’
‘Yes. She was apologising for your past differences.’
‘You think that’s what she was doing?’
‘What else?’
