Tales of Golmeira- The Complete Box Set

by Marianne Ratcliffe

  ‘I joined the alliance to help our people. We are stronger together.’

  Borez pointed at her accusingly. ‘She even sounds like a Golmeiran. She parrots their lies and false promises like a trained puppy.’

  ‘Zastra is not like other Golmeirans. I trust her.’

  Even as she said the words, Kylen felt the mood shift further away from her.

  ‘She’s Thorlberd’s niece,’ said Lorzan, the soldier who had served with Alboraz. He even sounds like his general, Kylen thought.

  ‘And yet she has proven herself many times,’ Hylaz insisted. ‘Remember Murthen Island? How many of our people she helped to save? And it was Zastra who granted us sanctuary here.’

  Kylen was touched. Hylaz rarely spoke in public.

  ‘Murthen Island was a long time ago,’ said Beregan. ‘What has she done since, except disappear for months searching for her brother and sister? Her priorities are clear. I wish we were as certain of yours, Lady Kylen.’

  ‘Zastra stands in our way,’ insisted Borez. ‘We are by far the largest group. Sendor should be leading this alliance.’

  Murmurs of agreement spread round the room. Kylen cut them off.

  ‘I have pledged that we will work with the others. The word of a Sendoran should mean something.’

  ‘It was never the way of Sendor to bow to a Golmeiran,’ Borez said bitterly.

  ‘Allying with Zastra doesn’t make me her servant.’

  ‘Nobody is saying you’re her servant.’

  The way he smirked made Kylen want to punch him.

  ‘What do you want?’ she asked.

  ‘Step aside. On my honour, no harm will come to you.’

  ‘Your honour?’ Kylen snorted. ‘I see no honour in this gathering.’

  ‘If I cannot persuade you, perhaps someone else can,’ Borez turned towards the fireplace. ‘My Lord Zadorax.’

  Kylen’s mouth went dry as her brother rose from his chair. He was taller than she remembered and his hair longer. She had been away so long, she wondered if she really knew him any more. Surely her own brother wouldn’t betray her?

  ‘You’re challenging me?’ she asked hoarsely. He shook his head.

  ‘Not me. I have no scars. Let Borez take this burden from you. He served our father well. Fought by his side.’

  ‘I have no doubt Borez can fight,’ Kylen said bitterly. ‘But he’ll get you all killed.’

  ‘Too many of our people live as Golmeiran prisoners.’ Zadorax’s voice was hoarse and his eyes were rimmed with red. ‘At the mercy of those black ravens.’

  Kylen’s heart cracked. It had been years since her brother’s mind had been ravaged by Rastran and his mindweavers. Recurring nightmares planted so deep even Dobery and Polina had been unable to remove them completely. And all my fault.

  ‘We must help them,’ Zax continued. ‘I don’t blame you for being fooled by Zastra. I thought she was our friend too, until Borez reminded me about Golmeiran deceit. They killed our father. They can never be trusted.’

  ‘There is a way you can prove that you are loyal only to Sendor,’ said Borez. He took a vial from his pocket. ‘Poison from a calabash snake. Next time you are with Zastra, just slip this into her drink. It will be painless. Then we can take control.’

  ‘That wasn’t what we agreed,’ Zax protested. ‘You told me no one would get hurt.’

  Kylen took the vial from Borez. It rested in the palm of her hand, the glass warm against her hand. She clenched her fist around it and then flung it into the fire. The glass shattered against the back of the grate.

  ‘Poison? A coward’s weapon. Shame on you!’

  Some of those present flushed and lowered their eyes. Borez reached behind his back.

  ‘If you are ashamed of your people, you have no right to lead them.’

  Kylen had turned her back on him only for a moment, eager to plead her case with the others. There was a blur of movement and she felt a sharp pain in her side. She turned to see Hylaz fling Borez against the wall, so hard the stanchion cracked. The light left Borez’s eyes as he crumpled to the ground, a bloodied knife dropping from his hand. Kylen clutched her side. Her palm came back sticky with blood.

  ‘This is how we deal with traitors,’ Hylaz growled. One by one, the rest of the Sendorans filed out of the room, leaving Kylen alone with Hylaz and the dead body. The reality of the situation sunk in. She had lost the trust of her people. Worse than that, she had no idea how to get it back.

  Chapter Seven

  Mata and Polina brought the Aliterran ashore as soon the storm had died down. Zastra listened in silence as the man told his tale. As soon as he’d finished, she ordered Pitwyn to assemble the council immediately, which he did with his usual efficiency. By the time she arrived in the great hall, she was greeted by the aroma of steamed rice and smoked yellow perch. Somehow, Pitwyn had found time to arrange breakfast as well as notifying the council. Justyn dipped a fork into a steaming bowl of rice and Nerika stood off to the side talking to Yelina and Mata. Ithgol, as usual, took up station behind Zastra. Morvain arrived, buttoning up a rumpled jacket.

  ‘What’s the rush?’ he asked, frowning with annoyance. ‘I haven’t even had time to press my clothes.’

  ‘You all need to hear this,’ Zastra said. ‘Has anyone seen Kylen?’

  ‘She went off the ship just after midnight,’ said Mata. ‘Made me send the gig across in the middle of the squall. She might not care for her own neck, but I don’t appreciate her endangering my crew.’

  Zastra was surprised and hurt to discover that Kylen had been on Port Krysfera since the previous night without coming to see her, especially knowing the importance of the Aliterran’s communication.

  ‘Pitwyn, did you try the south end of the bay?’

  ‘Of course, Lady Zastra. We left word at every Sendoran bunkhouse. Really, it is most irregular – these Sendoran savages, I mean – apologies, I will learn to keep my tongue – I know Lady Zastra doesn’t like us to refer to our allies in such – but this kind of behaviour really is – Radogan, go and look again, this instant!’

  A young man with a shaven head scurried away.

  ‘Typical of the Sendorans to keep us waiting,’ Nerika remarked acidly. With one last hopeful look at the door, Zastra decided they could wait no longer.

  ‘Let’s get started. Urbek, please tell everyone what you have just told me.’

  The Aliterran gave a small bow and began his story. He spoke slowly and deliberately, which was fortunate, for he had a strong accent.

  ‘I thanking you. My name is Urbek. I am being second tharl of the vulyx clan. Vulyx clan are leaders of our people, and they are being led by First Tharl Rafadal. I am sent by him to be finding out what is Grand Marl Thorlberd planning.’

  ‘You’re an ambassador?’ asked Zastra.

  ‘More like a spy,’ said Morvain.

  ‘Just so, I thanking you. I am being a spy.’ Urbek nodded happily. ‘In the long ago, very few Golmeirans are coming to our lands. Healers only, to be harvesting our valuable plants. But for this last of years, more peoples are coming from Golmeira. Not healers, they are only buying or stealing our yellowsap, but not saying what it is for. Tharl Rafadal is wanting to know why.’

  ‘Yellowsap?’

  Urbek ran his finger across his yellow cheek and held it up. A paler streak remained from where the yellow transferred to his finger. Beneath it, his skin had a mottled appearance, half brown, half pink.

  ‘I have not so much now since I was being captured. They took everything I am having.’

  ‘Face paint?’ Nerika asked in astonishment. ‘What does Thorlberd want with face paint?’

  ‘I am being captured in Bractaria and questioned by Marl Rastran. He too is wanting to know what Thorlberd is planning,’ said Urbek. ‘He is hurting my head, stealing all my secrets, even my most private.’

  ‘Mindweavers tend to do that,’ Nerika said, with an arch look towards Morvain and Polina. Urbek’s eyes widened in horror. />
  ‘You are being thought-stealers?’ He backed away. Zastra moved to reassure him.

  ‘Do not be afraid. You are safe here. It is true that Pol and Morvain are mindweavers, but they are not like Rastran. They will not invade your privacy without your permission.’

  Urbek continued, although eyeing Morvain and Polina with deep suspicion.

  ‘Rastran, yes, and there is another, coming later. He is like a stork – so skinny and tall. His nose like a beak.’ He made a pecking motion with his thumb and forefingers.

  ‘Strinverl,’ said Morvain, his mouth pursing as if he had just drunk a mouthful of vinegar.

  Urbek nodded furiously. ‘Yes! Strinverl, that is what Rastran is calling him. They are arguing but then Rastran is letting Strinverl steal my secrets also.’

  ‘Tell them what you overheard,’ Zastra prompted.

  ‘The giant stork – this Strinverl – is laughing. He is thanking me for showing him all our defences. He is saying we are more feeble even than the Far Islanders.’

  Yelina emitted a choking noise. The Aliterran bowed apologetically in her direction.

  ‘I am only repeating what I am hearing. Rastran too, is liking to boast. He is saying my people will be easier to control than the fool Jelgar. I am not knowing who this is being.’

  ‘Jelgar is chief guthan of my people. He is controlled by no one,’ Ithgol told him with a low growl.

  ‘There is being something else. Strinverl is telling Rastran our yellowsap will be giving Thorlberd the power to destroy Zastra’s rebellion utterly.’

  Chapter Eight

  There was a pause whilst the members of the council considered Urbek’s tidings. During the silence, the door opened and Hylaz stepped forward, examining each corner of the hall before deciding it was safe to enter. Behind him came Kylen and Beregan. Zastra rose to greet them, smiling with relief.

  ‘There you are! We were wondering where you had got to.’

  Kylen brushed past her brusquely, wincing as their shoulders touched.

  ‘I hope you didn’t start without us,’ she said coldly.

  ‘Where’s Borez?’ Zastra asked, stung by Kylen’s rudeness.

  ‘Beregan will be my deputy from now on.’

  ‘We haven’t agreed to that,’ Yelina said, but no one paid her any attention. Zastra tried to catch Kylen’s eye, but the Sendoran refused to look at her.

  ‘We’ve been catching up with Urbek’s news,’ she said, striving to compose herself. ‘This thing with the yellowsap—’

  Kylen broke across her.

  ‘Sounds like Thorlberd is making a new weapon. He’s planning something. Every migaradon has been mobilised.’

  Zastra felt a flash of irritation.

  ‘Really? When were you going to tell us this?’

  ‘I’m telling you now, aren’t I?’

  Zastra pressed her lips together, wondering what had got into Kylen. She’s acting like I’m her enemy, not her friend.

  ‘I am being most grateful for you saving me.’ Urbek rushed up to Kylen and crushed her hand in his. Another time, Zastra would have been amused at Kylen’s embarrassed expression as she prised her hand from his grasp. Kylen had always been terrible at accepting gratitude. Some things, at least, had not changed.

  ‘Urbek has asked for our help,’ Zastra said. ‘All the evidence suggests Thorlberd is planning to attack Aliterra.’

  Yelina was quick to voice her concern. ‘We cannot possibly consider some fool’s errand to rescue a country with which we have no treaty, or indeed any diplomatic relations.’ Her fellow representatives from the Far Isles nodded vigorously.

  ‘Yelina makes a sensible point,’ said Morvain. ‘As far as the mindweavers are concerned, this changes nothing. The trainees are still too young and inexperienced.’

  ‘I was twelve when I fought my first battle,’ Kylen snapped.

  ‘Which explains a great deal,’ Morvain responded smoothly.

  ‘Nerika, Justyn, what do you think?’ Zastra asked. Nerika turned to Justyn, who scratched his beard.

  ‘I don’t like the sound of Thorlberd getting his hands on a new weapon, but I don’t see what we can do. We couldn’t stop him invading Aliterra. His army is far too strong.’

  ‘Hylaz, what about you?’

  ‘Me?’ Hylaz seemed surprised to be asked. ‘I do as Lady Kylen commands.’

  Zastra cast around the room for further suggestions, but everyone seemed to be waiting for her to speak. She wished Dobery were here, but he was still too ill to move from his cabin. Trust yourself, Zastra. She gathered herself.

  ‘Urbek has come here asking for our help,’ she began, ‘and I believe that we should answer his call.’

  Yelina began to protest.

  ‘Please, Yelina, hear me out. We all know how badly Thorlberd treats the citizens of those countries he invades. And if he is developing a new weapon, it is vital we stop him. Many of us remember the horrors of sintegrack.’ Here Nerika muttered something under her breath, but Zastra continued over her. ‘If those arguments don’t sway you, then consider this. We do not have enough people on Uden’s Teeth to challenge Thorlberd. But if the Aliterrans were to join us, we would have him surrounded.’

  ‘You surely don’t plan to march on Aliterra?’ Nerika exclaimed. ‘We’d have to go past Golmer Castle. Thorlberd’s army would cut us to pieces before we got halfway there.’

  ‘I agree that such a plan would be foolhardy. I have something different in mind. You heard what Urbek said about Strinverl and Rastran. They are overconfident. They may send only a small force of mindweavers, along with the migaradons.’

  ‘He is being right,’ said Urbek, forlornly. ‘My people are being brave and hardy, but against thought-stealers we can be doing nothing.’

  ‘We can help with that,’ said Zastra. ‘I propose a small expedition, including as many mindweavers as we can spare. We will bring scale-tip arrows and spears, which will give you a chance against the migaradons.’

  ‘We? Surely you don’t intend to go yourself?’ Kylen said sharply. Zastra turned towards her.

  ‘Of course. I hope you will join me. We have both fought migaradons. Not many here can say that.’

  ‘I am not your servant to command,’ Kylen snapped. The room fell silent. Zastra swallowed and forced herself to continue.

  ‘I intend to discuss a potential alliance with the Aliterran leader. Such a thing cannot be done at a distance. Do you not wish to represent Sendor?’

  Kylen stared at the floor, the ceiling and finally at a point above Zastra’s shoulder. ‘I am needed here.’

  ‘I am thanking you!’ exclaimed Urbek, rushing to hug Zastra with tears in his eyes. ‘I am knowing you would be helping. I am hearing about you being so good and brave.’

  ‘Really? From who?’ Urbek released her and clapped his hand against his mouth.

  ‘I am not allowed to be saying. Please be forgiving.’

  Curious. Who could have been talking to Urbek about her? Tempting as it was to ask Polina to read the Aliterran’s mind, she had promised Urbek that his privacy would be respected. She would have to remain in the dark, for now at least.

  ‘It is too dangerous for you to travel through Golmeira,’ Kylen said stiffly. ‘Remember what happened last time.’

  It wasn’t something easily forgotten. The pain searing through her broken body like fire. Rastran kneeling over her, gloating, as he held her life in his hands. Why had Kylen brought that up now? It seemed as if the Sendoran was trying to rattle her, or make her appear weak. Zastra didn’t appreciate being ambushed.

  ‘There is being another way, possibly,’ said Urbek. ‘When I am seeing this beautifous ocean, I am being reminded of a story told by a ko-venteela.’ A look of distaste flashed across his face.

  ‘Ko-venteela?’ asked Zastra. Urbek sniffed. ‘Aliterrans are two peoples. I am ko-yamacha. Some other of our peoples are living in the Smoking Mountains. These are being ko-venteela, and are believing all kinds of terrible th
ings. When I was being a boy, one visited our clan lands. He is talking of a vast sea, flat like a mirror. He is pointing far, far to the west.’

  ‘Are you saying there may be a route that connects the Serene Sea to Aliterra?’ asked Morvain. ‘It would be much shorter than going via Golmeira. Safer too, probably.’

  Urbek pursed his lips. ‘I cannot be promising it is safer. Ko-venteela are killing all strangers that cross into their lands.’

  ‘Don’t the Smoking Mountains spew out molten rock?’ asked Zastra, trying recall her childhood geography lessons.

  ‘Burning rock, yes,’ Urbek agreed happily.

  ‘Sounds delightful,’ Polina remarked.

  ‘I would like to volunteer,’ said Justyn. ‘It’s about time I made myself useful. As a soldier, I am trained in crossbow and spear work, and if the Aliterrans need advice on defensive positioning, I can help.’

  Justyn had been an ordinary soldier when Thorlberd had taken control of Golmeira, part of a rag-tag group of frightened refugees who had stolen a ship to escape the massacre at Seacastle. With no one in charge and everyone frightened for their lives they had needed a leader. Polina had invented ‘Lord’ Justyn, using her mindweaving skills to plant the idea in the minds of the escapees, but he had never been comfortable with his assumed title. He had been more than happy to let Zastra take over leadership of the rebels.

  ‘I will stay.’ Nerika gave Kylen a dark look. ‘Someone has to keep the Sendorans in check.’

  ‘My people will need to discuss this,’ Yelina protested. ‘I won’t agree to any of this without a vote.’

  ‘By all means, talk to your people,’ said Zastra. ‘Any suggestions that will increase our chances of success will be welcomed. Yelina, ask your fishing captains if they have seen any landing sites this side of the Smoking Mountains. I look to you all to nominate people to join Justyn and myself.

  ‘Who will be in charge while you are gone?’ Nerika asked. Zastra hesitated for only a moment.

  ‘Kylen. There is no one I trust more to defend Uden’s Teeth, should anything happen.’

  Once again she tried to catch Kylen’s eye, hoping for a sign to show they were still friends, or an offer to explain her behaviour, but Kylen spun away and left the hall without another word.