Dwellers of the New World Chapter Thirteen ( Pt 10 ) Meetings

Back at the lodge Liora was tidying up and preparing for the day's events. She thought about Jay as she worked and felt anxious, new feelings had been aroused in her, this was something she'd never experienced before and it was unsettling, so she decided to not ponder on the situation any more.

Placing her spears in their casing, she requested the men be ready to leave. Checking everything was in order, Liora was just about to depart, when her friend Usha arrived in high spirits at the thought of her plan to drug Bracus. As Usha announced they were ready to move the barrels, Liora stopped the woman in her tracks. “I have decided on another proposition my friend!” She said resting her hand on Usha's shoulder.

Usha's expression changed to confusion, as she realised Liora would have the last word on the matter as always. “And what might that be?” She replied, knowing how Liora would not give up on her own plan till she got what she wanted.

Liora knew she'd have to explain herself, so invited Usha in to sit by the fire so she could explain. “After I left you yesterday, I spoke to one of those men off the Flying Fish. After much deliberation I came to the conclusion that he would be able to help us, without putting anyone's life in danger.”

Usha's curiosity was aroused. “How do you plan on doing that?” The woman held her hands against the flames, enjoying any warmth she could get.

Liora could see that her friend looked intrigued and so continued. “The man I spoke to...his name is Brigs. I think it's possible I've sown a seed to get him to help us...at least I hope that's what I did.” Liora now had the woman's full attention. “You see I'm hoping that with you, your man Udi and my men, we can persuade Brigs that we'll build his houses at no extra cost, other than handing the children over to us.”

“He'll never agree to it!” replied Usha, adamant that Bracus was no pushover and wouldn't part with the children.

“It doesn't matter what Bracus thinks...as long as we can get Brigs on side, then we have a chance.” Liora gestured with her hands, adamant that her plan would work. “He's a good man...I can tell, and doesn't want to see the children suffer any more than they already have, he's not like Bracus at all. My feelings are that he's a born leader and would be able to get the rest of the men to do his bidding. My instincts tell me that he wants to be in charge, but is being held back by Bracus.”

“So when do we go and see this Brigs?” Asked Usha, anxious to be off so they could put their plans into action.

“We can go now...I told him I'd be down at the jetty this morning early, so if you're ready we'll make our way down there.” Liora put on her fur wrap with the hood, deciding it was too cold, as the wind had now picked up and there was snow falling on snow.

Leaving the lodge the white stuff crunched under foot as they made their way along the path, till they came to Harebell Passage. Once more they picked up torches and made their way down the tunnel shaking off their wraps as they went.

Finally they came out the other end of the passageway and walked along the jetty path. Liora could see Brigs standing on the ship's deck waiting for her. Arriving at their destination, she called out to the man. “Brigs! You made it...thank you for coming and waiting.” The little party climbed on board, the wind almost knocking them over.

Brigs took a drink from a wooden tankard sipping the hot tea and licking his lips, as the wind whipped his jacket and hair around. He acknowledged the woman. “Well I'm certainly glad to see you pretty lady, I've a funny feeling we're going to be working together...you're a very persuasive woman you know.”

“I'm so glad you feel that way,” replied Liora. “This is my friend Usha and these are the men that I hope Bracus will take on.” She made the introductions and there was much talk.

A figure arrived from along the path towards them, looking dishevelled. “Ah! My friend...you made it,” announced Briggs making the introductions. “This is one of the ships crew members come to join us, Liora meet Varg.” As the man and woman shook hands, Brig's explained how Varg had lost his brother at sea, and that he himself was now Varg's companion.

“So we have another ally in our company...that's good,” replied Liora smiling at Varg. She noticed that the man did not say much and could tell he was still in mourning his brother. If they hadn't been making plans, she would have liked to listen to Varg's story, but now was not the time or place, so she continued to speak of their plans.

“How exactly do you plan on persuading Bracus to give us the children?” Mentioned Usha, who decided to get her question in quick, before Liora said any more.

Through the sound of the wind and snow, Brigs answered the woman's question. “Bracus mentioned that you have some home brew to barter?” He had to holler to get himself heard.

“Yes we do!” Shouted Usha, pulling her wrap further around her shoulders and bringing her hood down around her face.

Brigs wanted to take the party down below, but felt he needed to keep a look out, in case one of Bracus's devotees came along and reported him. “Well! If you bring the barrels over to Clear Wing Valley with the men, Bracus has agreed to forfeit the children.” There was a pause as Brigs spoke again. “There is another condition though.” A sudden gust whipped his hair across his face.

“And what might that be?” Declared Liora, hating conditions as they always spelt trouble.

“He wants to keep your men permanently,” said Brigs, knowing immediately what Liora's reaction would be.

“Oh no! They're with me.” Liora was adamant she would not let her men go completely.

“Look! It's okay...I understand.” Brigs responded with a smile.

“I don't get it...why is it okay?” Liora's pained expression amused Brigs.

“Because as soon as you get the children away...I'll deal with Bracus, after all he's got a bad leg and he's in a bad way too...can't see him leading for much longer.” Brigs rubbed his hands together before turning to Varg. “We're slowly getting the others of the crew on side...aren't we Friend?”

Varg just nodded in agreement. Had Jason been there, he would have had a lot more to say, but now he just felt lost all the time. Jason's company couldn't be replaced...not even by Brigs.

Brigs continued. “Very soon Bracus won't have a leg to stand on...pardon the pun. Yeah! I'm getting excited at the prospect of taking over the Flying Fish.”

“There are a couple of other things I need to mention,” commented Liora, hoping that she wasn't being too presumptuous.

“What might that be?” uttered Brigs, his face and hands turning blue with the cold.

“The boy Varden who stays with Bracus,” said Liora.

“Yeah! What about him?” questioned Brigs.

“I need him...he comes from Wild Whistling Isle, he went missing a long time ago and now he's back, he knows of a man by the name of Dawson, who is being kept prisoner down in the chambers. It's important that we help Dawson escape and Varden knows him. Is there any way you can get the boy away from Bracus?”

“Yeah! Sure that's no problem. Just get that home brew to us...Bracus loves his ale and when he's asleep, I'll untie the boy and let him go. But you need to stay close by...otherwise I can't guarantee his safety.” Replied Brigs.

“Good...good,” declared Liora. “Though what about the guards? There always seems to be someone watching him.”

Brigs grinned smugly. “You leave it up to me...I know exactly what to do.”

Liora seemed content that their plans could work. “We'll go and get the barrels then and hope that everything goes to plan. ”

As Liora...Usha and the other men left and headed back along the path, Brigs and Varg went below to collect some more furs, before heading back to Clear Wing Valley, where he would set the wheels in motion for the first part of their plan.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Thirteen ( Pt 11 ) Together Again | ABCtales