Free Elves: Beyond the Mists of Katura by James Barclay Page B

warrior?
    ‘The very best,’ muttered Takaar, though the jibe had struck home.
    Drech seemed not to have heard him. ‘Are they on board? The Wytch Lords?’
    Takaar smiled indulgently. ‘No, Drech. Can you not feel how the energies are spread across the vessels? It is just as Stein said. Their shamen are conduits. There is no focus for the
power, is there?’
    ‘So they’re weak,’ said Drech, and the shiver that had been running through his hands calmed.
    Takaar sighed
    How is he in charge of training?
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Takaar.
    ‘What?’ asked Drech.
    You put him there.
    ‘He was the best we had. Still is, probably.’
    ‘You’re not . . .’ began Drech. ‘Yniss preserve me, are you talking to me, Takaar?’
    Takaar waved his hand in front of his face as if trying to deter a persistent fly.
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘So, are they weak?’ asked Drech.
    ‘Of course they aren’t weak!’ shouted Takaar. ‘And if you do not marshal your adepts correctly the shamen will tear this ship to splinters!’
    Drech looked over Takaar’s shoulder. A few adepts were gathered there to watch the enemy approach. Drech lowered his voice.
    ‘Most on board this ship have no experience of combat. They are already scared and they do not need to hear from you that any mistake will lead to certain death.’
    Takaar shrugged. ‘It is the truth.’
    ‘Maybe it is. But as their spiritual leader you need to tell them they are strong enough to get through and that you will stand by them every moment.’
    ‘They are strong enough.’
    Drech jabbed a finger at the adepts, none of whom knew quite what to do.
    ‘So tell them!’ he snapped. ‘Please.’
    Takaar felt stung. ‘Why are you shouting at me?’
    Oh, shame, poor little Takaar being told off.
    ‘The fight is close,’ said Drech, his voice low once again. ‘We have to stand together confident of victory. So tell them what they need to hear.’
    Takaar wasn’t sure what he meant. He’d laid it all out already. There was nothing more to say; they needed to prepare, rest if they could and focus their minds on how to build
impenetrable shields against darker earth energies.
    ‘You all know what to do,’ said Takaar.
    He waved them aside to make a path for him back to the base of the mainmast where Aviana was in communication with her sisters, one on each ship. He ignored the mutterings of the adepts as he
passed, leaving Drech to attempt to pacify the fearful. It hardly mattered. In a short time they would either learn or they would die.
    Takaar knelt by Aviana. She looked calm, her breathing was measured and her eyes were open.
    ‘What news?’ asked Takaar.
    ‘Manoeuvres will begin in an hour. We’re going to lead the second pair. Auum’s ship is the lead of the first pair. The skippers need shielding from mast tip to keel on the open
sides. We are to keep out of the way of the sailors, and sit beneath the rails if we cannot sit below decks. We are being advised to move now. Some of the crews need to do final drills.’
    Takaar nodded. ‘Then let’s move you first. Captain’s quarters, I think, beneath the wheel deck. Whatever happens, don’t lose contact. We’ll prevail, I promise
you.’
    Aviana nodded. ‘What can I report back?’
    ‘Acknowledge all your latest messages. We’ll do all that is asked. Say that the TaiGethen are praying and applying camouflage. Tell Auum we’re ready.’

 
     
     
     
Chapter 7
     
     
     
     
    The earth’s energy runs through us all. The Il-Aryn use it to fashion castings. The TaiGethen use it to fashion great speed of mind and body.
    Takaar, Father of the Il-Aryn
    The small elven fleet had split into two pairs. Esteren had taken his vessel,
Soul of Yniss
, and the
Spirit of Tual
on a long port tack. The second pair,
Gyaam’s Blessing
and
Capricious
continued on the starboard tack and would pass well in front of the oncoming fleet. The timing of their return tacks, to bring them into the
enemy flanks, was