by Drew Wagar
‘You were alone for two thousand rounds?’ Zoella asked.
‘No,’ Caesar replied. ‘One nine six four rounds.’
Meru smiled at the look on Zoella’s face.
‘What did you do in all that time?’ Zoella asked.
‘This unit entered a quiescent state and awaited further input,’ Caesar replied.
‘Didn’t you get … lonely?’
‘This unit is not programmed to experience emotional states.’
Zoella blinked.
‘Caesar isn’t a person,’ Meru tried to explain. ‘I’m not sure what he is …’
‘I am an automated diagnostic, forensic, reference simulation and decision making aid, providing terraforming support to the colonists of Esurio,’ Caesar explained.
‘Somehow,’ Zoella said. ‘That really doesn’t help.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Airea, Capital of Taloon
Round 2307, Fifth pass
A gentle toll of bells summoned them. Kiri was reunited with Liana and the two junior priestesses. The others were dressed as she was, with variations in colour. Liana wore yellow, with the other two in a light green and a mauve. It seemed Taloon embraced colour wherever it could.
Kiri assembled her two younger priestesses and led Liana along beside her. Taloon did have many secrets. She was still marvelling at what she had seen beneath the streets of the city.
All their food, all their crops.
There was no time to think further on it now, she had to concentrate. The pleasantries could wait, negotiation between Drayden and Taloon was the order of business now. Her senses were attuned. She was ready.
A servant bowed and led them through the corridors of the palace. They arrived at a set of double doors which opened as they approached. Within was the palace courtroom, a riot of coloured tapestries and carpets adorned the place, with the interior space set here and there with great pillars of the same white stone she had seen from the air.
Along the sides servants stood, wafting cooling breezes with huge dark fronds.
Ahead of them, King Karquesh sat upon a wooden throne. It was emblazoned with intricate shining metal decorations. He was flanked by his guards, five on each side; tall stern looking men dressed in the leather armour of Taloon. In front of these, six women were arranged at his feet. They were scantily dressed, sitting upon cushions.
The servant walked forward and bowed.
‘The priestesses of Drayden, your majesty.’
Karquesh got to his feet and strode forward, looking at Kiri with a smile upon his face.
‘Welcome, welcome,’ he called, his arms spread wide. ‘We are most honoured to entertain you once again, priestess Kiri.’
Kiri bowed before him.
‘The honour is ours,’ she replied. ‘You know my companions, Adrella and Tali.’
Karquesh looked at them, the smile not leaving his face. He turned his attention to Liana.
‘And Liana, yes …’
‘Liana of Scallia,’ Kiri said in response. Liana bowed her head, but said nothing.
‘My wives,’ he said, turning to indicate the women behind him. ‘Nia, Nala, Zahra, Ayah, Eshal and Kamile.’
‘Six wives,’ Kiri said.
‘I know,’ Karquesh said. ‘A king should have more, I am always on the lookout for another.’ Kiri caught his gaze and was unable to repress a shudder.
To be a mere token of his, how can these women have chosen that? Perhaps they have no choice.
She was conscious of Liana standing motionless next to her.
Is it much different to what we plan with her? If Karquesh can be swayed by physical appearances, so much the better.
Karquesh continued. ‘You want for nothing, I hope?’
‘Your hospitality continues to be without fault,’ Kiri replied.
‘The women of the palace know their duties well,’ Karquesh replied. ‘As we have already seen, things are quite different here than in your country.’
‘Different … yes,’ Kiri agreed. ‘Yet, not so much that there can’t be an understanding between us.’
Karquesh’s smile broadened.
‘To business then. Vandare tells me that your visit is not merely to appreciate the wonders of our city and our land, but that you have a request to make. Will you walk with me, Kiri of Drayden?’
Kiri nodded and stepped alongside him, her heels clicking on the floor. They walked to the side doors of the courtroom, which opened before them, leading out on to a wide veranda that overlooked the city. Kiri once again caught sight of the central thoroughfare, the bridges and the clear blue water of the river that flowed amidst the buildings.
She turned her thoughts back to her task.
‘My request comes from Nerina, high priestess of Drayden,’ Kiri said. ‘She has decreed that we must complete a holy task, in defence of all peoples.’
‘And what is this task?’
‘You will have seen the flares,’ Kiri said. ‘The wrath of Lacaille herself.’
Karquesh paused. ‘We have seen them, there was fire and damage here, some lives were lost, but we have fared well enough I think. You say this is the wrath …’
‘Of Lacaille, yes,’ Kiri answered. ‘The goddess looks down upon us and is displeased.’
‘A goddess,’ Karquesh said. ‘This is the faith of the priestesses.’
‘It is,’ Kiri said. ‘Her dictates apply to all peoples.’
‘And why is the goddess Lacaille so displeased?’ Karquesh asked.
‘In times long gone the priestesses were instructed to rid the world of evil,’ Kiri said. ‘It was our great undertaking, we call it the “task appointed”. It remains unfinished. This is why the flares come, it is our punishment for our failure.’
‘Then what must be done to atone for that?’
Kiri looked at him. ‘A foe of Drayden must be vanquished.’
‘And this foe lies across the sea,’ Karquesh said.
Kiri nodded. ‘Then you already understand high priestess Nerina’s request.’
Karquesh sighed. ‘You wish to make war upon another land,’ he said. ‘With Taloon providing the means to do so.’
‘It is called Amar,’ Kiri said. ‘It lies far to the shaderight.’
‘I have heard the name,’ Karquesh replied. ‘Though I do not know much of it. An island to the sunright I understand. Perhaps our scholars will know more.’
‘They are a force of evil that should have been vanquished long ago,’ Kiri said. ‘Long ago they built machines, machines which flew through the air, scorched the earth and poisoned the waters. Our first high priestess, Elena, she defeated them in battle, but the survivors fled overseas. Lacaille punishes us all with the flares, until such time as the evil is eradicated.’
‘Flying machines?’ Karquesh said, disbelief on his features.
‘I have seen one,’ Kiri said. ‘Fought one on my very own dach and brought it down.’
‘They sound fearsome indeed,’ Karquesh said. ‘And only a fool would attack an enemy without gauging their strength.’
‘We know enough,’ Kiri replied. ‘Their strength is in their machines, not in their people. As we defeated Viresia, so we will defeat Amar. The priestesses will overwhelm them as before.’
‘I have heard many tales of Viresia,’ Karquesh replied. ‘It seems your victory was decisive.’
Kiri straightened. ‘The priestesses of Drayden have the means to cause pain in the bodies of others,’ she said. ‘Men cower and scream before us when we unleash it. We fly our dachs beyond the range of their weapons and then rain fire down upon them. Few survive such an assault, and those who do are swiftly despatched by overwhelming numbers.’
‘Quite the formidable foe,’ Karquesh acknowledged.
‘Amar will fall, as all others have done,’ Kiri said. ‘We merely need to get there. Our dachs cannot fly all that way.’
Karquesh leaned on the balustrade that ran around the veranda.
‘You ask much,
priestess Kiri,’ he said. ‘Drayden asks much.’
‘The rewards would be great too,’ Kiri said. ‘Which reminds me, I bring a gift for you.’
Karquesh turned to look at her. ‘A gift?’
‘Indeed,’ Kiri said. ‘Lady Liana.’
Karquesh paused and looked back through the doors at Liana with renewed interest, but he then turned his attention to Kiri.
‘A generous gift,’ he said. ‘She is quite exquisite. How is she yours to give?’
Kiri smiled. ‘The spoils of war,’ she replied. ‘I conquered Scallia, subdued their capital and … killed their King.’
She saw him swallow, but she continued before he could speak.
‘I pursued her and captured her. A prize. She is royalty, of the house Tiamoi of Scallia.’
‘Scallia tried to resist the might of Drayden,’ Karquesh said, his voice soft.
‘A mistake,’ Kiri replied. ‘They learnt a hard lesson.’
‘And Drayden wishes to continue its conquests?’ Karquesh asked. ‘This land of Amar of which you speak …’
‘Across the sea,’ Kiri said. ‘Yes. It is the will of Lacaille. None can resist her call. As I said, it is Drayden’s great undertaking, our task appointed.’
‘And yet Drayden has no fleet of ships,’ Karquesh said. ‘Taloon does.’
‘Conquest,’ Kiri replied and then shrugged. ‘Or cooperation. A choice that lies before all who would contend with us.’
‘Taloon is not without its strengths,’ Karquesh said.
‘Scallia thought so too,’ Kiri returned.
Karquesh smiled and then looked back to Liana.
‘A fine gift, a fine gift indeed,’ he mused. ‘But one with a metal-threaded cord attached.’
‘You would also have the gratitude and favour of the high priestess of Drayden herself,’ Kiri said. ‘Such an honour is not easily bestowed, nor is it common, but it is to be highly valued.’
‘And this land of Amar,’ Karquesh continued. ‘You wish to subdue it according to the will of Lacaille. For those of us not given over to such religious fervour, might there be spoils of war?’
Kiri smiled. ‘Such women as we deign to take would be ours, all others are to be put to the sword as Lacaille dictates. Other treasures as might be found? They are yours. Coin, metals, anything else you may do with as you will.’
‘And the land itself?’
‘A province of Drayden with a tithe, but we would not be adverse to a ruler allied with us, who could exploit its riches for their own ends.’
Karquesh nodded.
‘I will think upon this,’ Karquesh said. ‘You will have my answer by the end of the next stretch.’
Kiri bowed. ‘I thank you, King Karquesh.’
‘In the meantime, might I be permitted to give you a further tour of the city? There is still much to see. We have time before the banquet.’
‘I should like that.’
Taryen watched the King and the priestess girl approach. Both were smiling, exchanging pleasantries as they walked together and the King pointed at various buildings visible along their route.
This girl is one of their greatest warriors?
Karquesh caught sight of him.
‘Ah, Taryen,’ he said, signalling for him to come over. Taryen did so, stretching up to his full height and looking down on the shorter woman. ‘Priestess Kiri of Drayden,’ Karquesh said. ‘You remember my cousin, Prince Taryen, son of my late aunt.’
‘I remember you from when I first arrived,’ the girl replied.
She bowed her head, but Taryen could see she kept her gaze on him as she did so. She was unarmed and dressed in the flimsy garments beloved of the women of Taloon, yet her left hand was hidden within a black velvet glove that reached up to her wrist. None of the others wore such a thing; he wondered what it was for.
He could see firm muscle tone in her build and there were scars on her skin, showing through despite the colourings that had been applied.
‘I’m honoured to meet you, Prince Taryen,’ she said.
‘You are the famous … warrior … from Drayden?’
She didn’t miss the scorn in his voice. He saw her eyes narrow.
‘I am a priestess of Drayden, of the warrior caste,’ she said.
‘Do you have no men that can fight in Drayden?’ he asked. ‘That you have to do all the fighting?’
‘Do not cause offence, Taryen,’ Karquesh rumbled.
‘None is taken,’ Kiri replied. She was glaring at him now. ‘Men cannot fight the way we do. Too clumsy, too slow.’
‘Then what use are we to you?’ Taryen asked. ‘Our women are civilised, they do not fight.’
‘There are many things in Taloon that are of value,’ Kiri replied. ‘Drayden has many concerns.’
‘Perhaps we don’t want to share with you?’
‘You would stand against Drayden?’ Kiri asked.
‘I would stand against all who seek to impose their will upon my people,’ Taryen said. ‘Taloon is not some minor power such as you have claimed victory over in the past.’
‘Minor power?’ Kiri asked.
‘Oh, I credit you with a good story,’ Taryen said. ‘Defeating the Scallians with an army of women. But it will not happen here, not while real men defend Taloon.’
‘That is enough, Taryen,’ Karquesh said. ‘You will honour our guest. She is a mighty warrior of renown. She has slain kings and princes in battle, your greatest deed is to have marched up and down the colonnade in fresh armour. You will show the proper respect to a true warrior.’
A true warrior? Your time will come cousin!
Taryen bowed, his words taut and grating as he spoke. ‘All honour to you then, warrior Kiri of Drayden.’
The pair continued on. Taryen watched them go.
And upstart women will be taught their proper place.
‘You must forgive my cousin,’ Karquesh said. ‘He is a disenchanted man. His mother sowed many seeds of entitlement into his mind as a child. He believes he should have been King. Though he is younger, he is old fashioned and does not perceive that the world changes around us, or that others have different points of view.’
‘Can you not banish him to some remote province?’ Kiri asked. ‘That is what would happen to troublesome people in Drayden.’
‘He is my cousin,’ Karquesh said. ‘Family is rarely as simple as that.’
Kiri nodded. ‘I have seen that to be true. Does he fight?’
‘Fight?’ Karquesh said. ‘In a manner I suppose. He has a fondness for weapons and fancies he has some skill. But Taloon is not and has not been at war for long rounds.’
‘Born at the wrong time,’ Kiri said.
‘Consider him not,’ Karquesh said. ‘Come, the banquet will soon be ready. It is time for us to prepare.’
The banquet was as lavish as Kiri had expected. The heads of the noble families and the high rank or otherwise worthy folk of Taloon were out in force. Kiri and the other priestesses were the centre point of all conversations and much in demand throughout the event.
Wine and appetisers were served first. Kiri noticed that all the servants that swarmed about the guests had pale skin. Their eyes were odd too, not blue, brown or even green, they were a disconcerting pink. Their hair, cropped short, was white. None of them stopped or made eye contact with her. None of the guests acknowledged them either, so it seemed it was typical for Taloon.
The food was varied and excellent. Fresh sweetbuds, melps, corcuns and tupes, mixed with a choice of seafood and meats. All were choice cuts.
A bell tolled. Around her Kiri saw the guests taking their places at long tables. More food was imminent. Kiri, Liana, Adrella and Tali were placed near each other, interspersed with people from Karquesh’s court. Their table was set in the centre of the hall with space either side. Perhaps there would be dancing later.
Karquesh was seated at the head of the table, but the chair opposite Kiri was empty. He clapped his hands and the muted buz
z of conversation faded away.
‘Honoured priestesses of Drayden, friends, nobles and guests,’ Karquesh intoned. ‘Welcome to my table. Eat, drink!’
Food was placed before them by the servants. They were fast and slick in their movements, almost balletic. Kiri picked up polished metal utensils, turning them over in her fingers.
Expensive. They try to impress us and they have succeeded. That a girl like me could come from the slums to eat at the table of a King …
She had just finished her main course and the servants were beginning to tidy away the plates when she felt it. She stiffened, looking up and around to find the source of the strange sensation.
Metallic, that unmistakeable tang of …
Someone nearby was familiar with the gift, someone had used the nexion, subtly for sure, but impossible to hide from one such as herself. She looked around herself at the table. Neither Adrella or Tali seemed to have noticed and none of the other guests had stopped their conversations.
Then, who?
Beyond the table the servants were in attendance, plates stacked high, moving in swift ordered rows to carry out their tasks.
One caught her eye, a servant girl.
Kiri stared into her eyes for a brief moment. She almost got to her feet, but another figure blocked her view and when she looked again, the servant was gone.
There is more to all this than meets the eye.
‘So, we see fit to entertain these priestesses, do we?’
Kiri recognised the voice of Taryen. He was standing behind the empty place setting, glaring at her.
‘Take your place, Taryen,’ Karquesh rumbled.
‘Have you given in to their demands?’ Taryen asked. ‘Cravenly fallen at their feet? Tempted perhaps …’ He eyed Liana, who was sitting alongside Kiri. ‘… by Scallian flesh?’
