The Spook stared hard at me. 'She just named one so far, lad. You. You'll be part of that delegation.'
The thought scared me but I tried not to show it. I hoped the Spook, Arkwright or Mam would be with me. Then at least I wouldn't be alone.
'No doubt it's some sort of trick. A way to get inside and take the enemy by surprise?' Arkwright asked.
'Aye, that's the idea. She's not thought it through yet, but she's hoping to create some sort of diversion. The main attack would be launched while the delegation pretends to go about its business. She's going to hire mercenaries – a lot of 'em. Savage warriors from the north.'
Arkwright soon went off with the dogs and I was left alone with the Spook. He looked ill at ease and kept muttering to himself and shaking his head.
'What's wrong?' I asked.
'Wrong? Too much is wrong. This is just about the most dangerous situation I've ever walked into with both eyes open, lad. If we survive a likely attack by maenads, we have to cross the Pindhos Mountains, and they're likely to be crawling with feral lamia witches. And all before we even set eyes on the Ordeen . . .'
His reference to lamias made me think of Meg, the love of my master's life, and her sister, the feral Marcia. They'd both sailed back to Greece the previous year. Maybe our route would take us close to where they were staying? I wondered if he was still missing Meg.
'Will you go and see Meg while we're here?' I asked.
The Spook bowed his head, and for a moment I thought he wasn't going to answer – or would tell me in no uncertain terms to mind my own business. But then he looked up and I saw sadness in his eyes; even before he began to speak, I knew that he had been considering it.
'I've thought about it, lad, but decided against it. You see, she told me where she was heading. By now she'll be living in a remote farmhouse far to the south. Because she's kept her distance from people, she'll have changed back to her feral form. I'd hardly recognize her now. A year or so and she'll be no different to her sister, Marcia. She's lost to me now. She might as well be dead. The woman I knew and loved is certainly gone, so I'd like to keep my last memories of her just as they were . . .'
He shook his head sadly and I could think of nothing to say that might make him feel better. But to my surprise he was smiling as he got to his feet.
'Do you know, lad, my old bones have never felt better! It must be the heat and the dry air. No doubt they'll soon start aching again once we get back to the County. But for all that, I'll be glad to be home!'
Late that afternoon Seilenos and three of his men returned after a successful boar hunt. The other warriors had been out scouting or guarding the perimeter of the camp.
That night we dined under the stars, on wild boar and lamb. 'All's well for now,' Mam said. 'There's plentiful game in the area and the men report that there's no sign of enemy activity. Tomorrow we press on towards Meteora.'
Seilenos looked across at the Spook, who was merely picking at his food. 'Eat up, Mr Gregory!' he said with a smile. 'We have dark to fight soon. Need to build up strength!'
The Spook looked back at him dubiously. I could tell he didn't really approve of Seilenos. 'Back home in the County, we spooks don't eat much when the dark threatens,' he replied, his manner cool. 'When things become critical, we fast, denying ourselves food so that our minds and spirits are better prepared to face our enemies.'
The Greek spook shook his head. 'That I cannot understand!' he cried, throwing up his hands in bewilderment. 'You weaken yourself by such foolish practices. Food and wine give strength. Is that not so? You will need your strength to face the salamander!'
'What's a salamander?' I asked.
'Highest and most powerful form of fire elemental is this salamander. More powerful even than asteri. A big lizard, it is, basking at the heart of fierce flames. It spits fire too. Also blows scalding steam from its nostrils. Need lots of food inside you to fight such a formidable thing. Eat up, young spook! You will need all your strength soon. Do your wives not feed you well at home?' Seilenos asked, looking at Arkwright and the Spook in turn.
'I have no wife,' Arkwright growled.
'We County spooks don't marry,' John Gregory explained. 'A wife and children would distract us from our vocation, which is to fight the dark.'
'A pretty wife could be a distraction, yes,' Seilenos agreed. 'Fortunate it is that my wife is ugly and has a sharp tongue!' he went on, giving me a wink. 'I've five little ones to bring up too. That's why I travel with you. To escape wife and earn money from your good mother!'
I was hungry and ate until I was full. Even so, compared with Seilenos, I picked at my food. He ate until his belly seemed sure to burst, applauded by his men, who seemed to delight in his insatiable appetite. When I settled down to sleep, he was still eating – and drinking a good deal of wine.
I thought over what the Spook had reported earlier. Mam hadn't mentioned her plan at supper, so she must still be thinking it through. Why had she picked me to be part of the delegation? The thought was frightening but I had to trust Mam's judgement.
Soon after dawn, we continued our journey eastwards.
We travelled for three days, each stage of our journey more wearisome than the previous. It was hot and dusty, the sun beating down mercilessly. After the third day we skirted the town of Yiannena.
At last we saw a ridge of mountains on the horizon, the ones we needed to cross in order to reach Meteora. Two nights later, as we made camp on their lower slopes, those high Pindhos Mountains loomed very close. Tomorrow, well before noon, we would start to climb. Beyond the mountains awaited the plain of Kalambaka, where the Ordeen would emerge from her fiery portal. Every mile brought us closer to that ultimate danger.
Chapter 11
NIGHT ATTACK
Ilay wrapped in my cloak some distance from the cooking fire. It had been a hot day but the stars were bright and the air was starting to cool a little. Just as I started to sink into sleep, I was awoken very suddenly by a loud noise.
It sounded like wild laughter but ended in a frenzied scream. I looked out into the darkness beyond the fire. Immediately the sound was repeated from a different direction and I lurched to my feet, snatching up my staff.
It was maenads – I felt sure of it. They were preparing to attack. Other people were stirring about me. In the light of the embers I saw Bill Arkwright's shaven head as he kicked dirt across to extinguish the orange glow of the fire, plunging us into relative darkness. In the distance the other fires were also being doused, so that the enemy had only starlight to see us by. I saw Arkwright crouch down to make himself less of a target and I did the same.