‘We’re not noisy climbers,’ said Arik. ‘We won’t be singing battle songs.’
‘I know,’ said Kaelin. ‘What I am trying to say is that any man who falls must not cry out.’
‘They all know that, Kaelin,’ said Arik softly.
‘Let the first of your climbers bring down more ropes. We’ll need at least ten more.’ Kaelin turned to run his eyes over the waiting warriors. ‘Some of them still have scabbards at the hip,’ he said. ‘Get them all to loop them over their shoulders.’
‘I’ll do that, general,’ said Arik, with a wink. Kaelin relaxed and smiled.
‘I must be the youngest general in Rigante history,’ he said.
‘Bendegit Bran was about your age,’ said Arik. ‘And Bane was only a little older when he became a gladiator. We Rigante grow fast to manhood.’
The sky was clear of clouds now and Kaelin took a deep breath. ‘It is time,’ he said. Taking another rope he returned to the edge and swung himself over. Once on the ledge he signalled for the first of the climbers to follow him.
Rayster came down, bringing another rope. He reached the ledge and looked over at the forest hundreds of feet below. ‘I do not like this at all,’ he muttered.
‘Warn the men that on the next drop they will need to swing across to the ledge. The rope is a little shy.’
‘Oh, what a nice thought,’ said Rayster.
Kaelin glanced up. ‘Best move aside,’ he warned. The second of the climbers was on his way down.
Once the first twenty had safely reached them Kaelin lowered himself until he was alongside the second ledge. Gently swinging on the rope until he was above it he dropped to the shelf of rock. Signalling Rayster and the others to wait he examined the area. Here there was a chimney-like fissure, and within it a small column of stone some three feet high. Belaying another rope around it he tied it securely and watched as the coil unravelled on its fall to the next shelf of rock. From here he could not see how far down the rope hung. It seemed, though, that it was shy of the ledge. Kaelin waved to catch Rayster’s attention and gestured him down.
The clansman came down smoothly, then swung on the rope as Kaelin had done. Only he did not let go as his feet swung over the ledge. Kaelin saw that he was very pale, his knuckles white as they gripped the rope. Panic was on him, and he could not let go. He swung back and forth over the dizzying drop.
‘Rayster, listen to me. You will not fall. I will catch you. You hear me!’
‘Damned hands won’t obey me,’ said Rayster. He was sweating now, and staring down into the darkness.
‘Look at me!’ Rayster’s eyes met his. ‘Keep looking at me.’ Kaelin held out his hand. ‘Now swing, and, when I tell you, release the rope. I will catch you. Trust me, Rayster.’
‘I’m not sure that I can do it.’
‘I am sure,’ said Kaelin softly. ‘You are a brave man, and you are facing your fears. Now we are going to climb down this cliff, and we are going to smite the enemy. We are going to fight for the Rigante, and avenge Chara. So start to swing.’
Rayster pushed his feet against the rock face. The rope groaned as he swung back and forth.
‘Now!’ said Kaelin.
Rayster let go and cannoned into Kaelin, almost knocking him from his feet. Rayster stumbled and fell. Kaelin reached out, grabbing his shirt and hauling him back from the edge. The clansman’s face was ghostly white. ‘Breathe deeply and slowly,’ said Kaelin.
‘I am all right. I’ll not panic again.’
‘Wait here,’ said Kaelin, taking the coiled rope from Rayster’s shoulder. Then he lowered himself onto the face, moving down hand over hand.
The first rope ended some eight feet short of the shelf. Kaelin found a foothold and steadied himself against the face. The wind was blowing strong over the exposed rock. Kaelin played out a little of Rayster’s rope, then looped the remainder back over his shoulder. Adjusting his feet more securely he half turned his body and slowly tied the two ropes together. Once the reef knot was tight he dropped the coil to the ledge and climbed down.