walked out towards the main tunnel. “It is not so dangerous. During the celebration there will be far too many people making for the city, so the guard will take little notice of one more wagon on the road, and be less likely check it.”
“Wagon's maybe. But it will draw attention if this great force of men move against the city, and leave other ageing towns empty.”
“You underestimate our plan Nicholas; that is not how it will be. Most will stay in close to their own villages to tie down the local troops, and prevent their reinforcing the city. With surprise on our side we can storm the keep without a great army.”
“I take it Reigel is aware of all of this?”
Simeon hesitated. “I have been to him for advice many times.”
“Then I will not question your plan, for I know that you and Reigel would take care in every detail, but in my bones I feel a dread, its reason I do not know, but feel it I do.” Nicholas tried to force the doubt from his mind. “I will say no more for fear that you will chide me again for being your wet blanket.”
“In truth you cannot be Nicholas, for we are certain of success.”
“Then I shall be there in Quone to celebrate it with you.”
“Yes you will, and at that time my only regret will be that you are not by my side to take credit.”
“Maybe not, but I shall be leading those that pay homage to your victory.”
Nicholas was finishing breakfast when Simeon came to him with a purposeful look in his eyes. “Time has come friend for us to part once again. I want you to leave on your task in the morning.”
Nicholas nodded. “I am ready to do as is needed, but it rests heavy on my heart knowing that after being reunited… if things do not go well, we may not meet again.”
Simeon slapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “Must you always doubt Nick? Have faith, we cannot loose. The maker and right are on our side.”
“I cannot help how I feel, but I have trust in you.”
“Do not worry. We will strike before they suspect anything. Have no fear we will meet again in Quone. Now come, leave what you are doing and take note. At dawn tomorrow you will take one of the wagons and go to the township of Riverslee.”
From general conversation Nicholas had suspected he would be asked to go to the township, and he remembered again how little he actually knew of the place; other than it was sited bottom of the portage through the chasm. It was an important town because of the fact that most of the goods transported throughout the district were taken from place to place by sailing barge. But that was impossible from this point on as the river was barred to vessels by white water and falls. At Riverslee the cargoes were unloaded and transferred to wagons or packhorse, to be taken up through the chasm. At the top of the mountain, on the edge of the tableland was another town, where barges were once again loaded to cross the inland sea to Quone. At least that’s what he had been told.
“You will go with Colen,” continued Simeon, “…and deliver your wagonload to the address I shall give you. You will part company there and meet with Harry who will have horses; together you will make your way to up to Lakesend. Rooms have already been taken for you close to the quayside there. You will await the aging, and until our people have secured the town. Then you both will come to Quone for the celebrations.” He looked at Nicholas questioningly.
“I can do that.” Nicholas shrugged confidently.
“Of course you can. Harry has complete knowledge of our plans. Also at Riverslee there is a man called by the name Vicktor; he too is trustworthy, so I do not foresee any problems. Colen knows all that is needed, but before you leave I will give you addresses and directions. You must hold them to yourself.”
“Myself?”
“Nicholas these contacts are our most important resource and are vulnerable. They are members of their societies and cannot melt into the shadows at a moments notice. A passed message or careless word could reveal them, and our organization would unravel. Share this information with no one.”
“Simeon you give me too much credit. There are others you have known longer than I that you should give this information to.”
“Yes there are, and there are those who seek that information, but these last days you have sought none. I even began to believe that you have no care to our success or failure.”
Nicholas interrupted instantly. “Simeon those are hard words. Yes, maybe the situation you rebel against does not trouble me in the same way, but your well-being is at the pinnacle of my concerns. I would not see you in harm’s way and would plead with you to leave with me and return to what life we could, rather than mourn for you. I know this is a lost hope, but I do not hope, or even expect your failure.”
Simeon smiled. “I know you Nicholas day, even more than our friend Reigel who claims to have read your mind.”
The absurd claim amused Simeon, but made Nicholas wonder just how much Reigel did actually know.
“I have never doubted you Nicholas; even now you reject trust or information, when you could be wheedling out scraps of our plan. There are many here who I know and have fought alongside, but none have I known as long as you, and before you tell me again...” He added quickly.”…Much time has passed, but Nicholas of Boramulla, I will still trust you with my life.”
That evening Nicholas sought Colen out. He had seen him often, but they had never been in a situation where conversation had developed past general greetings. A small man in his late forty seasons, thin, slightly balding, quiet, but pleasant enough once stimulated into speech.
This time talk they did. It appeared that Colen knew Riverslee well, and had friends there. No he did not know Harry, as he himself had only joined the cause late on, but he knew that someone of that name played an important part in the organization, and that this person had been away on a mission of some secrecy. Although on Nicholas’s part he tried to make conversation, it seemed they had little in common, so after a short while Nicholas excused himself and went to bed.
The following morning Nicholas was up early and eager to be about. There were to be three wagons leave at the same time, one other the same way as Nicholas and Colen, and the third by a distant route through to the other side of the mountain.
Nicholas clasped hands with Antony, Simeon, and the others. “Fare well”, called Antony. “But beware, not all are in sympathy with our cause.”
Nicholas had not seen Reigel since that first evening, but now he appeared out of a side room. He came over and Nicholas grasped his hand tightly. “I have been looking for you Reigel,” he said.
“I have had cause to be elsewhere, but I wanted to wish you well on your journey.” Suddenly his voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Take courage, you are more than you know.” Reigel hesitated a moment, still gripping Nicholas’s hand. “I have looked where others do not, and have seen what they cannot: or refuse to. People will follow you Nicholas, and when it is needed they will offer their lives for you, you must accept their sacrifice.”
Nicholas was dumfounded at Reigel’s strange outburst.
The man seemed to want to say more but said only. “You will understand when the time comes.” He released his grip stepped back away from the wagon.
Nicholas was still running Reigel’s words through his mind as Colen took the reins. “Aboard,” he snapped sharply. “Or you’ll be running after us.” Nicholas jumped onto the running board as the wagon started down the tunnel.
More Quone-Loc-Sie, and other novels and stories by John Stevenson can be found by visiting
www.caelin-day.com
www.Australianstoryteller.com
www.Australianstorywriter.com
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