Daphne squinted through the mid-morning light as she got out of the carriage, onto a muddy track leading to the river, the sun in her eyes.
That man, she thought, I’ve seen him before.
She froze. Then ran.
‘You!’ she cried, as she pulled near. He turned to see who had called out, and saw her. His face opened in shock as she swung her right fist and cracked him on the chin. ‘Bastard!’ she shouted as he fell, landing on his backside in the mud.
Dale appeared at her side, pulling her back.
‘Miss Holdfast!’ the ambassador shouted. ‘Desist at once!’
Rijon sat in the mud, looking up at her. His shock had turned to a broad smile, and he started to laugh.
‘You survived then, I see,’ he said.
She took a step back, as Dale gripped her right arm.
‘Most of my company didn’t,’ she said.
The smile vanished from Rijon’s face, and he looked down.
The ambassador arrived.
‘What’s going on?’ he cried.
‘You never told me that Captain Daphne Holdfast was working for you,’ Rijon said, still sitting in the mud.
‘I’m not a captain any more,’ she said. ‘They threw me out of the army, right before they sentenced me to death.’
‘It was a bad business,’ Rijon said, getting to his feet. ‘One I’d rather pretend never happened.’
She heard a low laugh, coming from the right. She looked over and saw a large Kellach warrior stride towards them. Daphne opened her mouth in surprise. She was fair-haired, with blonde braids, wearing a long coat of chain mail, and had a longbow slung over her shoulder. She was taller than Kallie, and stronger built than Bridget.
‘Now that was funny,’ the Kellach said in clipped Rahain. She slapped Rijon on the back, nearly toppling him over again, then turned to face Daphne.
‘Who are you?’ she said.
‘Leah,’ Rijon frowned, ‘introductions will have to wait. The high mage is expecting us.’
The warrior stopped, and looked over at him.
‘Aye,’ she nodded. ‘Let’s get back.’
‘Everybody, onto the boat, please,’ Rijon said. ‘My lord, if you would,’ he said to Quentin, extending his arm.
‘Thank you,’ the ambassador said, letting Rijon escort him.
Daphne remained where she was, watching the others step onto the barge.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Dale.
She said nothing.
Dale looked at her, then back at the barge.
‘Are you going to be able to deal with Rijon?’ he said. ‘I don’t know what history the two of you share, but can you keep it private for the duration of this trip, at least?’
Daphne thought back to the fort in Sanang, and the last time she had seen Rijon. It already seemed like a different life, one from long ago, and though she had always sworn she would kill him if she ever saw him again, she realised that if she was going to attempt to rescue Killop, she would need to stay out of trouble, and get on with her job.
‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, and they walked to the barge.
On board, Daphne got her first look at the Rakanese. There were six of them, all punting the long barge down the river. They were short, she thought. She was a few inches taller than them, and she was below average Holdings height. They had big eyes which made them look like astonished children, and were olive-skinned, halfway between her chocolate brown, and the milky white of the Kellach.
Their bodies were lithe and lean, and they handled the boat expertly, at home on the water, while the Holdings folk looked queasy, and gripped the handrails.
They came to the confluence with another tributary, and the river widened. The Rakanese piloted the craft out into the middle of the water, where the current bore them swiftly along, past fields and gentle hills.
‘How far is the camp?’ Daphne asked Leah, who stood to her right.
‘It’s not a camp,’ the Kellach said, ‘it’s the biggest city I’ve ever seen.’
Rijon smiled. ‘I thought you only had villages and goats where you’re from?’
‘Cheeky bastard,’ she frowned. ‘We had a few towns as well. Our largest used to have thirty thousand people living there. This is way bigger.’
‘But how could it be called a city?’ Daphne said. ‘They only got here a few thirds ago.’
‘The Rakanese,’ Rijon said, ‘are fast builders, whatever else you might say about them. Most of the three hundred thousand migrants are already out of their tents and living in brick housing. They have also constructed a network of canals, linking everywhere in the city, and countless bridges and pools. These are not savages you’re about to face.’
‘I never said they were,’ Daphne replied. ‘I don’t have any opinion of the Rakanese, as it happens. I’m in complete ignorance of them.’
‘Then what are you doing here?’ Rijon said. ‘What use do you have on this trip?’
‘If I get an opportunity,’ she said, ‘I’ll be happy to show you.’
Leah laughed.
Rijon looked at her sideways. ‘Be careful, Daphne,’ he said. ‘I’ve no doubt that you have become powerful, I can see it in your eyes.’ He paused, staring at her, and she felt his gaze bore through her. ‘At least up to inner,’ he muttered, blinking and looking away. ‘Possibly beyond.’
He laughed to himself, shaking his head.
‘Look,’ Leah said, pointing.
Daphne peered up the river, and saw the tops of buildings appear over the long grass. Before long, the river banks were crowded with structures, with canals and subsidiary channels dug in every direction. Quays and wharves had been built, and graceful bridges spanned the river at its widest, as the barge pulled its way through the new city of the Rakanese. Brick towered upon brick, and the housing blocks soared into the sky on either side. The noise and smell also hit her, and the multitudes of life. People worked, and stood, and haggled, and talked, and were everywhere she looked.
‘No,’ she said, ‘not a camp.’
‘That is the palace of Queen Oblikanawara,’ Rijon announced, as the carriage pulled into a large square.
‘But we’re not going there, you said?’ the ambassador asked.
‘No,’ he replied. ‘The queen is confined to her labour within. High Mage Shellakanawara prefers to work out of that building there.’
He pointed across the square, to a large brick tenement block, several storeys high.
As their carriage approached, Daphne saw that the building was ringed with black-clad soldiers, who were keeping back the masses pressing against them.
‘I assume she’s expecting us?’ asked Shayba.
‘Yes, ma’am, she is,’ Rijon said.
The soldiers cleared a path for them, and their carriage was pulled under an archway and into a large courtyard. More soldiers were awaiting them, along with another two Kellach warriors, one male, one female, each with long black hair.
‘Is there an explanation regarding these Kellach Brigdomin?’ the ambassador asked as their carriage halted.
‘There is, my lord,’ Rijon said. ‘Some of the details surrounding their presence trouble me. However, it can wait for a more private moment.’
The ambassador nodded. Daphne pretended not to hear, and stepped down into the courtyard.
She pulled on a slender thread of battle, and took in the positions of everyone around her. She stood behind Quentin, and gauged every possible threat. She saw Rijon glance at her, and knew he could tell she was drawing on her vision.
They were led into the building, and up several flights of stairs, until Quentin had to pause for breath near the top. Daphne strode over to Rijon as they waited.
‘A truce for now,’ she said to him.
He nodded. ‘I would appreciate that.’
‘What’s she like?’ Daphne asked. ‘The mage?’
‘She’s amazing,’ Rijon said. ‘She organised the migration, then designed and built the city
. She is also ruthless in her desire to protect the people.’
‘It sounds like you’re in love with her.’
‘I am, a little bit,’ he said. ‘Though don’t worry. As you can imagine Daphne, I’m not one to allow emotion to interfere with my duty. Or my orders.’
‘Three of us made it out,’ she said, keeping her voice calm. ‘Of the entire company. Three. After you followed your orders.’
‘As I said, it was a bad business,’ he replied. ‘It’s a hard thing, to sacrifice your own troops for the greater good, and not a decision I myself could have made. My orders came from the top, and I knew my duty, as much as I hated doing it.’ He looked down. ‘For what it’s worth, Daphne, I’m sorry. And believe me, it gladdens my soul to see you alive, and in such good shape.’
He smiled at her, and she looked away, frowning.
The party continued to the top of the stairs when the ambassador had recovered. As well as the five from the Holdings, a squad of black-uniformed Rakanese soldiers marched with them. The door opened to a large reception room, with couches surrounding a long low table.
On the opposite side of the table, near the centre, reclined a woman, dressed in a long black gown. She had a black band on her brow, and her long dark hair tumbled down over her bare shoulders. She looked up with her big eyes, as she beheld the Holdings delegates.
‘High Mage Shellakanawara,’ Rijon said in the Rahain tongue, as they approached the table, ‘I am pleased and honoured to introduce to you His Lordship the Exalted Ambassador of the Holdings Realm to the Rahain Republic, Lord Quentin of Hold Terras.’
The woman smiled. ‘I’m not sure I’ll remember all that,’ she said. ‘Will Quentin suffice?’
‘Certainly, High Mage,’ the ambassador bowed.
‘And these are the ambassador’s aides,’ Rijon continued. ‘Lady Shayba of Hold Elance, Mister Dale of Hold Anster, and Miss Daphne of Hold Fast.’
‘Just the four of you?’ Shella said. ‘No guards?’
‘We are here as friends, High Mage,’ Quentin said. ‘Friends do not bring guards.’
‘Of course,’ she laughed. ‘Sit, all of you. Eat, drink. Already I’m liking you more than the Rahain.’
Daphne sat to Quentin’s left, where she had a good view of the ambassador, though she didn’t think the mage looked likely to attack. She scanned the other Rakanese at the table, as a glass of cool water was placed in front of her by Dale. A young woman sat to Shella’s left, and a man to her right, both also dressed in black.
‘Rijon tells me,’ Shella said, addressing them across the table, ‘that you’re acting as intermediaries between ourselves and the Rahain Republic. If you have come to ask us to leave this city, then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.’
‘It is our duty to find a way to peace,’ Quentin said.
‘And have you found one?’ she asked. ‘If so, then please let me in on the secret. You must know the Rahain well, Ambassador. Tell me, are they a peaceful nation?’
Quentin smiled. ‘I’m sure the Kellach Brigdomin among you will have told you something of the nature of the Rahain Republic, as regards foreigners. And war. We left the Rahain lines this morning, where tens of thousands of reinforcements are arriving, and are preparing to encircle this city completely, unless you evacuate these lands.’
‘That would be a pity,’ she said. ‘These are beautiful lands, which, as I’m sure you know, were neglected and unused until we arrived here. The Rahain don’t seem to like living in these low-lying river areas. They prefer mountains, don’t they? We could always swap some land with them. To the west of Arakhanah City is the range we call the Forbidden Mountains, which separates our homeland from the high plateau beyond. As our name for them would suggest, we have no interest in these hills, finding them useless, barren and rather unsightly. We could allow the Rahain to take their pick of an area of similar size to this new settlement, say twenty square miles. How does that sound?’
‘High Mage,’ Quentin said, ‘I do not believe the Rahain would take such an offer seriously.’
‘I do not believe so either,’ she replied, smiling, ‘but it will give you something to take back to them, so your mission doesn’t look a complete failure.’
Daphne smiled.
‘I would also like you to take back some gifts,’ she went on, ‘for yourselves and for our mutual neighbour, a selection of our best produce and finest crafts, as a token of our desire for friendship and peace.’
‘Thank you, High Mage,’ he said. ‘Is there also a message to go with these gifts, and the offer of a land swap?’
‘Indeed there is, Lord Quentin of Hold Terras,’ she replied. ‘Inform the Rahain government that, if they want this land back, then they will have to come and take it from us. Did you look around when you arrived? If we can build a city in such a short time, then how quickly do you think I can build an army? How quickly do you think I can have my soldiers armed, trained and ready to fight? This city will be the mass grave of the Rahain if they try to enter.’
Quentin nodded. ‘And if they place you under siege, High Mage?’
Shella laughed. ‘Six hundred thousand of our people set out from Arakhanah last summer, and we left half that number lying dead from hunger and thirst along the way. We’re better equipped to survive a siege than the Rahain. I’ve already begun moving the majority of food production to within our defensive perimeter, and am fortifying the water supplies and stores. I have three hundred thousand skilled workers in this city, and we are united in our will and purpose. We shall outlast any siege, and still be living comfortably when the besiegers have given up and gone home. Tell me, Quentin, how much money is the blockade costing the Rahain? How long will their coffers hold out while funding such an extensive siege?’
The ambassador smiled. ‘I have no answers, High Mage,’ he said, ‘but will pass on your message, in full.’
‘For that I thank you,’ Shella said. She swung her legs off the couch and stood. ‘And now, if you will kindly excuse me, I have some pressing engagements. Though please stay and have some lunch before you depart. Rijon, with me.’
She left the room, flanked by her aides, while Rijon rose and followed her.
With the Rakanese guards lining the walls, the small group of Holdings around the table looked at each other.
‘That went about as well as I could have expected,’ Quentin said.
‘We’re still alive,’ Dale shrugged.
‘She seems to know what she’s doing,’ Daphne said. ‘Rijon told me that she was responsible for organising and designing the city.’
‘He was correct,’ Shayba said. ‘She would be a useful ally.’
‘She won’t be much use to us once the Rahain surround them,’ Quentin muttered. ‘We’ll need to keep Rijon here for a bit longer, that’s clear.’
‘Remember, Ambassador,’ Shayba said, ‘Father Rijon works for the church, not you.’
‘I don’t trust him,’ Daphne said.
‘Yes,’ Shayba said. ‘We saw that quite clearly by the river bank, thank you. Be careful miss, Father Rijon’s connections go to the very top, and his own powers are… considerable.’
‘I’m already on rather bad terms with the prophet,’ Daphne said. ‘Rijon doesn’t scare me.’
She caught Dale smiling at her. Just then, the main doors of the room opened, and a big Kellach warrior walked in. He was slighter than the other males she had seen, and had long jet-black hair. He glanced over at the long table, where the Holdings delegates sat, then paused, and turned to a guard. They spoke for a moment, then the man approached them.
‘Greetings, Holdings folk,’ he said in a low voice, as he looked at them. ‘I was on my way to see the high mage, I thought she was in here. I am Kylon, from Kell, I was…’ He stopped as his glance fell on Daphne. ‘You?’ he said, his eyes widening.
‘Do I know you?’ Daphne asked, caught by the man’s gaze.
‘Come,’ he said. ‘We must speak alone.’
&nb
sp; He turned, and without waiting to see if she followed, started to walk from the room.
Daphne glanced at Quentin.
‘Go,’ he said, ‘but be careful, and don’t be long.’
She got up and walked after Kylon. He led her to a small room, with a tall window overlooking the city. He closed the door, and turned to look at her.
‘Do you know me?’ she asked.
‘A Kell mage named Kalayne put your image into my head, along with Shella’s, to guide me,’ the warrior said, staring at her with his troubled eyes. ‘You are Killop’s dark-skinned woman from the prophecy.’
‘You know Killop?’
‘Aye,’ he said, ‘and unlike Keira, I’ve always believed he’s still alive.’
‘He is,’ she said. ‘I saw him two days ago.’
Kylon smiled, and she saw how young he was. Probably the same age she was.
‘Where is he?’ he asked her.
‘In prison.’
‘Then how did you see him?’
‘I used my mage powers,’ she said. ‘Do you know what Holdings mages can do?’
‘Aye,’ he replied. ‘I’ve seen Rijon do it often enough.’
‘Good,’ she said. ‘Then you believe me. Now, tell me about the prophecy.’
‘The mage I mentioned, Kalayne, he saw the future,’ Kylon said. ‘He saw you and Killop together. He also told me I would meet you, more than once.’
‘He saw me and Killop together?’
‘Aye. Tell me, have you ever met Kallie? Is she still alive?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Also in prison.’
‘And Keira?’
Daphne shook her head. ‘The fire mage? The Rahain move her around a lot. I don’t know where she is right now.’
Kylon swore, and a dark look touched his face.
‘I should be in the Rahain capital,’ he groaned, clenching his fists. ‘Not out here. This is not my fight. My place is with Keira.’
Just as her place was with Killop. Her feelings for him, so sudden and passionate, had been prophesised. It was destiny. She smiled and looked up at Kylon.
‘Do you want me to send a message to Killop for you?’
The Queen's Executioner Page 31
