The Scarlet King Page 16

Chapter 15

  Daniel had no sooner stepped aboard the deck of their ship when he was almost dragged below by Jason to see Captain Cook. Jason kept on about how it was all his fault and something about sailing closer to the rocks. For the most part Daniel ignored him, trying to concentrate his energy and thoughts on the injury. He noticed the small figure who stayed behind Jason but he never got a good look at her.

  The Captain's quarters were small, with a single bed raised up and storage below. A quick look confirmed that indeed the Captain had lost a great deal of blood, for he was as pale as new fallen snow. He responded when Daniel pinched his arm but his speech was incoherent. Daniel looked at the tourniquet, which had indeed stopped the bleeding but had obviously dug into the flesh of the lower leg. He tried to remove the Captain's boot, but with Jason hovering over him there simply wasn't room in the small quarters.

  He told Jason, "Cover the table in the galley with some cloths and have two crew come and help me move the Captain.”

  When Jason left, Daniel could concentrate and did a more careful examination of the Captain. His pulse was weak and rapid but his breathing seemed strong. He could find no evidence of other injuries. The tourniquet had been on for almost twelve hours and he doubted the leg would be salvageable. As he was palpating above the tourniquet, the Captain awoke enough to recognize Daniel. Daniel tried to explain what he needed to do, but the Captain just mumbled, "Do as you must."

  When the Captain had been transferred to the main table in the galley, Daniel used one of the sailor’s sharp knives to cut away the boot. The stone from the catapult had struck the Captain’s left foot and ankle, all but tearing it free from the rest of the leg and leaving the bone sticking out. Even with the tourniquet so tight there was some bleeding from the large arteries. Thankfully the Captain had passed out again from the pain of removing the boot.

  Daniel’s plan formed quickly and he spoke up, saying, "We need to give the Captain some blood and I need a volunteer." He continued, "I fear that removing the leg without the blood will be too much for him."

  Jason had gone somewhat pale as Daniel described his plan, but spoke up, asking, "Is this like what you did for Heather?"

  Daniel but nodded and Jason continued, "I would that you use my blood, for it is my fault that he has been injured such."

  Daniel objected, saying, "You and the Captain are the only ones who can navigate the ship and we cannot risk losing you both."

  Jason responded not for some time. Daniel was about to seek another volunteer when Jason said, "Your Heather is capable and the crew is good. I would use my blood."

  Daniel finally accepted his arguments and instructed him to lie down next to the Captain, but facing the opposite direction so that his head was at the Captain's feet. He placed a tourniquet around Jason's arm and searched for a suitable vein. When he was satisfied that the vein was available, he took the hollow reed that Jeremy had brought and trimmed it before soaking it in a pan of the concentrated Sacred Water. Two of the crew stood by ready to help.

  Daniel picked up his obsidian scalpel and moved towards Jason. Jason very much liked not pain, but barely flinched when the sharp scalpel cut into the skin just below his elbow. A small cry emitted from his lips when Daniel began teasing the tissue apart to expose the vein. The mysterious young woman reached out and placed her hand on Jason's shoulder but said not. Before opening the vein, Daniel very carefully placed two small threads, one above and one below, so that he could secure the bleeding if needed.

  Without yet opening the vein in Jason's arm, he now turned to the Captain. Because he had lost so much blood, his veins could not be felt, for there was no blood to fill them. Daniel again used the scalpel to cut through the skin below the knee just above the tourniquet, but made a longer incision. The Captain groaned in pain but had not the energy to move. Daniel used the scalpel and his fingers to again tease the tissues apart looking for a suitable vein.

  The Captain was a strong man who normally had obvious veins, but now they were all collapsed and it took some time to find a suitable vein. The two crew members became somewhat pale, but could not take their eyes off the work Daniel was doing. When he had finally isolated the vein, he again placed a fine thread above and below his intended puncture site. He then took the reed, and using just the very tip of his obsidian scalpel, he made a small incision in the vein and inserted the hollow reed which he had rinsed thoroughly with the concentrated Sacred Water. He gently tied one of the small threads to secure the reed within the vein.

  Daniel stood and stretched before repeating the opening of the vein on Jason. As soon as he had opened the vessel, it began to bleed profusely. He held pressure, then had one of the crew place his finger to continue holding pressure while Daniel inserted the free end of the reed into Jason's vein. He lightly tied the light string to secure the tube.

  Now all Daniel could do was to wait as Jason's heart began pumping some of his life-giving blood into the Captain. He repeatedly took the pulse of both the giver and the receiver, trying to estimate how much blood was transferred. Captain Cook continued to drift in and out of consciousness but Daniel noted that his breathing was much easier. He asked Jason if he was having any dizziness and Jason denied any symptoms, but Daniel remembered when he tried to raise up when he gave his blood to Heather. Stabilizing Jason's arm, he had Jason sit up or at least try to sit up. The dizziness was obvious as Jason's eyes could not focus and Daniel had him immediately lie back. He pinched off the reed, saying, "You have given enough blood."

  He then ever so slowly withdrew the reed from the Captain's leg and secured the vein by tying the threads around the vein tightly. He removed the reed from Jason's arm and again tied off the vein. Daniel pulled down the Captain's lower eyelid; indeed, the color was much improved. This stimulus was enough to awaken the Captain. After he finally got his eyes focused, he recognized Daniel. He mumbled, "My leg hurts bad."

  Daniel replied, "Your ankle and foot have been crushed and I need to amputate them. There will be much pain."

  The Captain was again drifting into unconsciousness and spoke not. Jason, however, was quite concerned about all the pain and wished Daniel to use the ether. Daniel shrugged his shoulders, saying, "He is not strong enough for the ether. Better to suffer the pain then risk his ability to breathe."

  He then began giving orders to prepare for the amputation. He had the crew members securely tie their Captain down to the table. He placed another tourniquet just below the knee after having cut away the Captain's trousers. Using some of his concentrated Sacred Water, he cleansed the area and took a deep breath before picking up his obsidian scalpel. He turned to Jason and said, "It may be best if you watched not."

  Jason, who was definitely pale, replied, "I will stay and help for it is my fault."

  Daniel used his obsidian scalpel much like a pen to draw a line around the Captain's leg just below the knee, scratching the skin just enough to create a line. This was just above the first tourniquet; Daniel thought the tissue would be viable at that level. He checked again the upper tourniquet and then took the scalpel, cutting deeply along the line he had created. This caused the Captain to scream out in pain, but Daniel either heard not the scream or somehow simply ignored it. He continued his work, cutting down through the tissues and tying off the bleeding vessels as he encountered them. The Captain had thankfully slipped back into unconsciousness from the pain.

  Daniel stretched and looked around to make sure those helping were okay before he started peeling the muscle from the bone. When he had the bone uncovered for a few inches, he reached for his small saw and began sawing through. Again the captain screamed despite his semi consciousness, but the tie-downs held. As he cut through the bone, the foot and lower leg simply dangled from the tendons. Daniel cut through these with the scalpel and the leg rolled off the table, landing on the floor with a definite thump.

  This was more than Jason could take,
and he stumbled off to empty his stomach with his dark shadow following. Daniel could not look after him for he needed to finish his work. He secured any remaining bleeding vessels and then had the fire pot brought forth. He used the metal probe which had been heated red-hot to sear the ends of the muscle that were continuing to ooze ever so slightly when the tourniquet was released. The stench of the burning was overwhelming, but the crew who were helping stayed the course with Daniel.

  The Captain was alternating between screaming and cursing, but Daniel just continued his work. He carefully folded the muscle ends over the amputated bone that he had smoothed to the best of his ability. The skin was then brought together with strong sutures, each of which brought out another curse from the Captain. When Daniel finished, the two crew members untied him from the table and carried him back to his quarters. Jason returned looking very pale and asked, "How is the Captain?"

  Daniel finished cleaning his instruments before replying, "He is strong and should heal. Heather had a fever for a few days after receiving the blood, so I would expect the same with the Captain." He then asked Jason, "How are you doing?"

  Jason responded, "I feel as if I have had several glasses of wine too many."

  Daniel responded, "I would expect this feeling to pass quickly, but drinking extra water should help."

  Daniel was packing up his equipment, preparing to return to the camp of the injured, when those of the Forest began arriving bringing with them the injured. One of the last to arrive was Heather on her great white horse. She was obviously limping as she climbed down from the horse and moved to the waiting boat. She was no sooner aboard their ship when she began giving orders for their departure. It had been a long night for all, but she insisted they depart with the first rays of daybreak. She left the arranging of persons and equipment to Elrod. She conferred first with Daniel and then Jason. She disturbed not Captain Cook.

  Jason was not yet recovered enough, so Heather took the helm. As the first rays of light were breaking over the eastern horizon, she had the sails raised and the anchor pulled. Only after they were out of sight of land did she relax enough to tell Daniel her story and her plans. Daniel listened but his fatigue was such that his eyes kept closing. He had rested not. Heather suggested that he should get some sleep, but Daniel wished instead to return to the wounded. Heather gently suggested, in the command tone of voice, "Would not your work as a healer be more effective with a little rest?"

  Daniel gave out a big yawn before admitting, "Maybe a little sleep would help."

  Heather set the sails and continued due south for several hours, hiding in the vastness of the ocean. Her own fatigue was becoming overwhelming. When Jason returned topside she was more than happy to hand the helm over to him, saying, "I would you continue bearing into the wind for a while longer before turning to the west. I wish to make landfall to the west of the city just before darkness sets in." She had wanted to ask of his companion, the mystery woman, but had not the energy.

  Jason asked not her reason why but simply unrolled his chart and started writing numbers down on his pad. Heather watched him but for a few minutes before going below to their cabin. Daniel was sleeping soundly and awoke not as she joined him in the small berth. Despite her fatigue sleep would not come to her, for her mind raced with many thoughts and worries. Daniel's gentle snoring finally overcame her anxiety and she fell asleep.

  Later when Daniel awoke he noted his bride next to him, but carefully climbed out of the berth. She responded by rolling over but never awoke. He went to the galley and had food of the sea to eat before checking on the wounded. Captain Cook had awakened and had a moderate fever but otherwise seemed to be recovering well. He demanded to be released to the bridge and Daniel could see no reason why not. He had two crew assist the Captain to the bridge.

  At first the Captain said not as he got his bearings and looked at the trimming of the sails. He asked Jason, "Your destination?"

  Jason replied, "Heather would have us land her and those of the Forest as near the west end of the city as we can." He handed Captain Cook the chart, saying, "I would expect we would arrive at this cove shortly before nightfall."

  Captain Cook studied the chart for some time before saying, "If you would proceed a little more to the west the landing would be much less visible, but those of the Forest would have a slightly longer distance to travel."

  Jason accepted the chart back from the Captain, and after study had to agree that the Captain was right. He again started jotting down numbers and made a slight heading change. Larby and Jeremy had been working on a set of crutches for Captain Cook, and when they presented them he said not. Standing, he moved about a bit, but he tired easily and returned to his seat. He nodded in appreciation and said, "I guess if Larby can adapt I should be able to also.”

  When Heather arrived topside the sun had begun its descent to the horizon. She checked their position but said little. She was happy to hear Captain Cook barking out his orders in the colorful language used by those of the sea. She asked, "How much of Daniel's powder do you have left?"

  Captain Cook replied, "We had not much at the start of this journey, and have used most of that in our attack on the harbor ships. I will check but probably only two or three small kegs remain."

  Heather asked, "How much powder do you need to defend the ship if attacked?"

  Before answering, Captain Cook called the first mate and had him inspect the stores for an accurate count. He then replied, "We can fire the cannons about eight times with the powder in one of the kegs. That should be enough to allow us to escape but not enough for an attack."

  The first mate returned and reported that they had three full kegs and one partial keg. Heather accepted this information and went to find Daniel. He was tending the injured, and Heather but watched for some time before touching him on the shoulder and saying, "I would speak with you topside."

  Daniel replied, "Let me finish changing this bandage and I will meet you."

  Daniel found Heather in the bow of the ship just staring off into the distance. He stood next to her with his arm around her shoulder, and she softened her stance, enjoying the support of Daniel. They said not for some time before Heather spoke up, saying, "We must attack the mounted troops and I need your help."

  Daniel was puzzled by her trepidation, but knew enough to remain silent and let her work through her thoughts and emotions. When she spoke again there was less of an edge to her voice. She said, "We have two kegs of your powder, and I would you plan a method of using them to attack the mounted troops of those of the East."

  Daniel replied, "I am sure Jeremy and I can come up with something."

  Heather was quiet for a moment before saying, "I have another task for Jeremy. I would have those of the Forest create a series of trip lines or snares to entangle the horses the mounted troops ride." She then added, "The horses are magnificent creatures and I hate to injure them, but I see no choice."

  Daniel asked, "Where will you do battle?"

  Heather chewed on her lower lip before replying, "I wish I knew the landscape better, but it would seem that the east side of the ford where the roadway descends the bank to cross the river. It is a rocky area which should provide reasonable cover for those of the Forest."

  Daniel asked, "How do you intend to get the mounted troops into the trap?"

  Heather looked down before replying. "I am using the Army of the Red we have joined with as the bait." She was quiet for some time before adding, "If we fail, they will pay a heavy price."

  Jeremy showed up and asked, "Is this a private party or can I join?"

  Heather gave him a gentle smile before replying, "I would very much appreciate some quiet, peaceful time, but actually I was about to go search you out." She then explained, "I would you and the others of the Forest create a net of snares and trip lines to entrap the legs of the horses the mounted troops of the East ride." She explained, "I hope to set a trap
and have the horses descending the east hill to the ford. Hopefully they will be in full battle charge. Daniel will then use what little powder remains to set off the explosion just uphill from your portion of the trap."

  Jeremy thought for some time before replying, "We have a fair amount of rope and there is enough dust to hide it from view." He then asked, "Where would you have this trap set?"

  When Heather had told him of her site, he nodded, saying, "The boulders will give us a point to anchor the ropes to. I can rig up a simple spring system using the green branches from along the river, which will allow us to release the ropes all at once."

  Heather then said, "I would expect we will need at least four hours for travel, which leaves you only four or five hours to prepare the trap before we lose the cover of darkness. Those of the Red will begin their attack at dawn, and I would expect the mounted troops to counterattack within a few hours. Those of the Red will retreat rapidly to the edge of the river, and it is my hope that the mounted troops of the East will be unable to resist attacking an apparent easy prey."

  While Jeremy and Daniel continued their planning, Heather moved aft to confer with Jason and Captain Cook. For the first time she got a good look at the companion who followed Jason so closely. The blackness of the skin and the whiteness the eyes were startling, but as she looked she also noticed the intense intelligence evident. She was dressed in rags and yet her beauty was evident. She asked Jason, "I would hear the story of your companion?"

  Jason replied, "It is a story best told around one of your campfires." He then summarized quickly their initial encounter with the black ships of the East. When Heather asked of her place of origin, Jason could only reply, "We know not." He then went on to explain how Rheon seemed to be able to read their charts but they had great difficulty trying to communicate.

  Heather asked, "Would she be willing to work with the young priest so we could learn her language?"

  Jason responded, "She has been much abused, but if I sat with them I think she would be willing."

  Heather responded, "I will have Betty work with her to get adequate clothing, and have the young priest who accompanies us work with you two."

  The discussion turned towards her plan, and after listening Jason complained that she again was taking too great a risk. Heather but shrugged her shoulders, saying, "We have all taken great risk." She then added, "I need you and Captain Cook to stand by close enough for a light signal—either the mirror or fire. “For things may not go as I have planned, and we will need rescue."

  When the discussion was finished Heather went below to find Betty and the young priest. Betty was busy working on cloth and Heather knew without asking that she had already started on the clothing for the stranger. The young priest was suffering slightly from the sickness of the sea despite the relative calmness of the sea. He had questions about the nature of the stranger’s language, but Heather said, "I know not but wish you to learn and to teach Jason."

  The sun had almost completed its journey across the sky before Captain Cook sailed into the small cove and dropped anchor. They began to immediately offload those of the Forest. They were traveling light with only a few days’ supplies, for the battle would be quickly decided. Either they would need to flee to the sea or there would be time to resupply. About two-thirds of those of the Forest moved out quickly, with Daniel and Jeremy to set up the trap Heather had planned. Those remaining traveled slowly, for Heather yet had difficulty in walking and frequently was carried. They had traveled about half the distance to their point of attack when one of the scouts returned, leading Heather's great white horse.

  They paused for a rest while Heather and her horse became reacquainted. They traveled much quicker now but needed more work to cover their trail. When they finally arrived at the river, they crossed the ford and then moved upstream to high ground from which to further plan the attack. The trail was steep and rocky and the horse had difficulty with the stones and the narrowness of the path.

  They set up a small camp and scouts began patrolling the area. Heather ordered a rest period for those not scouting. It was a moonless night with only the light of the stars, but from her vantage point Heather could make out the greater blackness of the land around her. She tried to rest but her mind was too active. When the sky to the east announced the arrival of the morning with a graying of the eastern sky, her anxiety settled itself somewhat, for the decisions had been made. Now it was up to the God of the Sacred Water. It was a glorious sunrise, with the progression from a few bands of pink to a glorious banquet of colors as the sun began to creep over the horizon.

  Heather could make out a few of the Forest moving in and out of the boulders. The sun was not yet free of the horizon, and the sound of trumpets was easily heard as those of the Red began their attack on the western front. She sent some of those of the Forest to act as guides to those of the Red as they began their retreat. Those who had arrived in the black ships from the East had broken camp, and began moving to the eastern front as reinforcements against the army of Don the Great. The surprise attack from the rear caused major confusion as the remaining troops were quickly overrun. The inertia of the main column of enemy troops took some time to reform and create a defensive position. Those of the East suffered great losses initially, but as they reorganized, their greater numbers stopped the advance of the Red Army.

  From her perch on the high ground Heather watched for any signs of the mounted troops approaching. It was midmorning before the dust cloud of fast-moving horses could be seen. She had a light signal sent to those of the Forest who were with the Army of the Red. As was planned, the commander of the Red ordered an emergency retreat and followed those of the Forest who guided them to the ford. By the time they were descending the hill towards the river, the thunder of horses could be felt shaking the ground. Heather had wanted them to appear somewhat disorganized, which the commander of the Red found easy to do, for the fear that the mounted troops instilled was most real. He did his best to organize the defense line but found himself pinned between the river and the approaching enemy.

  From her perch Heather could see the dust cloud approaching from the fast-moving mounted troops. When they arrived at the down slope leading to the ford, they stopped—and Heather feared that her planning had failed. The troops disappeared back behind the edge of the downslope just out of sight. For a moment there was silence. With a sudden fury they reappeared and began a gallop down the slope in attack formation. Her instructions to Jeremy had been simple: "Let the lead horses pass and then spring the trap."

  From her vantage point amongst the rocks Heather watched in a mix of fear and anticipation. The first few horses passed through the trap as planned, and then suddenly horses began screaming and riders were thrown to the ground. Those in the rear of the attack column tried to rein their horses in.

  Daniel was hidden amongst the rocks ready to strike the fire for the powder. As the horses began thundering by, he realized that they were powerful enough to disrupt his carefully buried lines of powder. He became so nervous that he had trouble striking the flint to start the powder on fire. He needed his explosion to occur while the mounted troops were bunched up and before they could reorganize.

  When he finally struck a flame in the powder and the smoke moved forward, he retreated further into the rocks. They had discussed a complete retreat, but he was unsure of the powder so he stayed close enough that he could relight it if needed. The powder trails seemed to burn more slowly than he remembered, and his anxiety about failing increased. The mounted troops were reorganizing and this opportunity was quickly fading.

  Daniel was thinking hard about what else he could do and failed to keep himself completely hidden. A call went up from one of the troops, who began pointing towards Daniel. At this point all Daniel could do was flee the area and worry not about the powder. He took off running upriver in amongst the rocks along the bank. Three of the mounted troo
ps peeled off from the main group and began their pursuit. They had no sooner left the area of Heather's trap when Daniel's powder erupted in a great explosion, which hurled rocks and dirt over the mounted troops. Many were knocked free of their horses just from the concussion of the explosion. The flying debris injured or killed many others, and the sound of horses screaming from their wounds permeated the valley.

  As soon as debris quit falling from the sky, the commander of the Red commenced his attack. The ferocity of the explosion seemed to stimulate his troops. They charged uphill not to the sounds of trumpets, but to the roar of the soldiers’ cries of aggression as they moved to defend their homeland. The network of ropes slowed their progress and some of the mounted troops escaped; those who were not quick enough succumbed to those of the Red.

  Heather's attention had already shifted to the three mounted troops who had left the main group and were headed upstream along the bank. When she realized they were pursuing Daniel, she remembered not her injured foot as she ran to where her horse was hidden. She yelled that those of the Forest with her should follow, and she took off at a dangerous gallop down the narrow trail.

  She mostly just held on as the horse navigated the steep trail, but as soon as the trail leveled she unsheathed her sword. She could see that Daniel was soon to be overrun and urged her horse on. Those of the East were concentrating hard on their quarry and paid no attention to the approaching horse. Daniel darted behind another rock, which caused the pursuers to pull up and change directions, which allowed Heather to close the distance between them.

  It took a moment for the three from the East to recognize that Heather was not of their troop despite her horse. The closest turned and began positioning his lancet for an attack. Heather bothered not with traditional battle and instead raced by, only to stop and turn, using a quick thrust of her sword to the horse’s hamstring. The horse screamed, but Heather's horse had already turned and was rearing up on its hind legs, striking another of the horses with his front hooves clad in cutting edges. This attack managed to dislodge the rider, who was partially trampled by the sparring horses.

  The third of the mounted troops had turned and prepared and was ready for Heather. Heather pulled her horse up short, and the one from the East charged with his lancet leveled. Heather met the charge using her sword and all her strength to deflect the lancet. The strength of the attack all but overwhelmed Heather and severely twisted her shoulder, so she shifted her sword back to her right arm. When the one from the East stopped and turned his horse preparing for another charge, he was just opposite Daniel, who was hiding behind the boulder.

  Daniel reacted using the only weapon he had, a broken tree limb. He charged out from behind the rock and attacked the horse in one of the few places without armor. With all his strength he shoved the stick into the horse’s rectum. The horse responded with a scream and reared up to its full height. This unexpected movement dislodged the warrior riding on its back as the horse fled.

  Heather wasted no time and brought the strength of her horse and sword to the warrior who wisely decided to fight no more and lay passively on the ground. Jeremy and the others of the Forest had been running hard and had arrived just in time to witness Daniel's attack. Jeremy was laughing so hard he had trouble talking. When Daniel asked him what was so funny, he replied, "Who but our mighty healer would think of attacking a war horse by shoving a stick up its arse?”

  Daniel’s response was, "It worked, did it not?"

  Jeremy had to agree but still could not control his laughter. Heather spoke up, saying, "I would we secure this area and the prisoner. We need to move to higher ground."

  Those of the Forest, in their apparently disorganized fashion, began moving back across the river to the higher hills to the east. Not until they had found a defensible position did Heather stop and allow Daniel to examine her shoulder. It had already swollen considerably, but he could feel no break in the bones and the joint seemed intact. He used one of his cloth bandages to try to support the arm. Heather was obviously in significant pain but complained not.

  From their temporary camp, scouts went out and brought back reports. As nightfall approached it was obvious that those of the Red had succeeded in turning the tide of the battle. Those from the East were now being pushed hard from both fronts.

  Those of the Great City watched from the protection of the walls and knew not exactly what had happened. The citizens knew that the bombardment of the walls was much reduced, but they understood not the risk that had been taken. The Scarlet King and those of his war cabinet had likewise stood on the parapet and watched the battle unfold. The one called the Pet Bird by those of the Forest spoke up, saying, "It is about time we counterattacked. I would have done this before so much destruction of our walls and city had occurred. I do not know why our commander had to wait so long. We could've easily done this without the help of the strangers."

  The Scarlet King listened to the whining, and despite the confusion of his mind he knew that it was the One with the Golden Hair and those of the Forest who had changed the course of the battle. He spoke up, saying, "We owe our survival to those of the Forest and their spirits. I would not have any one speak against them."