‘Where’s Leah?’ he asked, his eyes scanning the warriors.
‘Gone for a shit,’ Keira said.
‘Oh. Right.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be able to letch over her when she gets back.’
Bronald smirked. ‘It’s not my fault she wears tight clothes.’
‘Pal,’ she said, ‘she’s not fucking interested. She’d rather fuck one of the Sanang, and they’ve got faces like a sheep’s arsehole. See if you can cadge some dullweed off them, because drugging her’s the only way you’re getting into her pants.’
‘Fuck you, Keilyn.’
Keira laughed, and slapped Bronald on the back.
‘Only kidding ye on,’ she said. ‘I just like to wind ye up.’
They reached a large drinking tavern, and entered. The place was filled with Kellach, Sanang and Holdings. Most remained grouped with their own kind, and there was a simmering atmosphere of hostility within the hall.
‘There will be faces getting punched tonight,’ Keira said.
‘Make sure you don’t get involved in any fights, Keilyn,’ Sergeant Bury said. ‘Same goes for all of you.’ She looked over her squad. ‘Where’s Leah?’
‘Taking a piss,’ Keira said. ‘You getting the drinks in, sarge?’
‘I’ll get the first round,’ Bury replied. ‘Find a booth big enough for all of us. I’ll fetch a waiter.’
The squad moved through the hall, and secured a large corner table. Ale was ordered, and the sergeant sat with them.
‘You all heard the major,’ she said. ‘We’ll be attacking Rainsby, a big trading settlement on the southern coast. Has anyone here ever been?’
Keira and Kylon put their hands up.
‘What’s it like?’
‘A shithole,’ Keira said.
‘You only saw the Kellach refugee camp,’ Kylon said. ‘The town’s not bad. Wood and stone-built. Surrounded by a wooden palisade. Militia armed with crossbows and swords, and a small garrison of regular Rahain soldiers. Long piers out into the sea, with a small fort by the docks. Outside the walls is a big Rahain slum full of peasants, and the Kellach camp.’
‘Which is a shithole,’ Keira said.
Kylon nodded. ‘Aye. That it is. It’s about half the size of the one here, but more chaotic, and definitely more dangerous.’
‘There’s a rumour,’ the sergeant said, ‘that we’re to take and hold the town harbour and walls, then wait for the Sanang army to arrive by road. Apparently the king intends to turn the town over to them to sack, as a reward for joining the alliance.’
A few in the squad turned to glance at Fang and Brecht, who were sitting drinking, oblivious to the conversation going on in Holdings.
‘The Kellach regulars will move into position around the refugee camp,’ the sergeant went on, ‘to ensure the sack of the town doesn’t spill over, and then we, and the rest of the Holdings army, will let the Sanang get on with it.’
Several of the younger Holdings troopers in the squad looked uncomfortable.
‘They’re animals,’ one of them said. ‘Why must the king pander to them?’
‘We’re not strong enough to defeat the Rahain on our own,’ the sergeant said. ‘We need the Sanang. Apparently their big chief Agang doesn’t control all of his soldiers. Some are under the authority of other chiefs, and many of them didn’t want to join the alliance. The ones that did were promised blood and treasure, and Rainsby is where they’re going to get it. It’s brutal, but it’s politics.’
‘Can’t wait to get stuck into the lizards,’ Keira said.
Bury frowned. ‘Don’t let revenge get in the way of your training.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’ Keira said. ‘Aw wait, you’ve never seen me and Kylon in a proper fight have ye? I’ve killed hundreds of the scaly wee fucks.’
She felt an elbow in her ribs as the squad stared at her.
‘All right, I’m exaggerating. Maybe not hundreds, but quite a few.’
‘But you still lost,’ said Flora, a young Holdings trooper.
‘Aye hen,’ Keira said, glowering at the dark-skinned woman. ‘We did.’
‘They kicked our arses,’ Kylon said.
‘Not this time, though,’ the sergeant said.
‘Naw,’ said Keira. ‘This time we kick theirs.’
Later that evening, once the Kellach taverns had closed for the night, the squad wandered back across the rampart to where their company was camped. They had been given an old cavalry tent, long enough to fit the whole squad.
Keira’s army overcoat clinked as she walked in. A couple of troopers lit some small oil lamps, and the rest of the squad staggered inside. Most fell into their beds, but Keira, Kylon, Sergeant Bury, and a wiry, lean trooper named Niall settled down at a table.
‘What did you get Keilyn?’ the sergeant asked, swaying in her chair.
‘Cheap rum,’ she replied, setting a bottle and stolen shot glasses onto the table.
The sergeant frowned as she noticed the squad’s two Sanang. They were huddled down by their beds, lighting up a small stick of weed.
‘What have I told you boys…’ she slurred.
‘Ach, leave them,’ Keira said. ‘They’re not doing anyone any harm and it keeps them out of trouble.’
Kylon grunted. ‘I thought you were against smoking?’
‘Not when it’s those bawbags doing it,’ she cackled, pouring herself a drink. ‘I’ve met tramps in Lach who were more civilised than those manky bastards.’
‘Wait till you see them fight,’ Niall said. ‘Tough fuckers, and fast.’
‘I watched them rip through your peasants on the far bank,’ Keira said.
‘And I saw them last year at the second battle of the Twinth,’ he said. ‘They kicked our arses, just like the Rahain did yours. Urgh,’ he spat. ‘This rum is the worst piss.’
‘You’re still drinking it, but.’
Niall turned. ‘Sergeant, do you… oh.’
Bury’s head was on the table, a string of drool creeping from her open mouth.
‘Light-weight,’ Keira said. ‘We’ve got till sunset tomorrow to get totally smashed.’
‘With the boss asleep,’ Niall said, ‘I can have one of these.’ He pulled a smokestick from his jacket.
‘Fucksake,’ Keira muttered.
‘It’s keenweed,’ he said. ‘I need to waken up a bit, so I can drink more. It’s hard to keep up with you damn Kellach.’
She watched him light it up.
‘Is that all it does?’ she said. ‘Wake you up?’
‘Makes everything go a bit sparkly too.’
She folded her arms.
They heard the tent entrance open, and Leah walked in, followed by another Kellach, an older, shorter man, with trimmed white hair and a tidy beard. His eyes were bulging out as he looked around at the sleeping troopers in their beds.
‘Kalayne,’ Keira cried, ‘ya ugly auld bastard.’
The man furrowed his brows as he approached. ‘You again. Always back to you. How I dread having to put up with your coarse and abusive tongue and your vulgar manner. Next time, I want the fire goddess to be a polite girl.’
‘Remember not to say that in the Holdings language,’ Kylon said. ‘We have company.’
‘Greetings and hearty salutations to you too, Kylon.’ Kalayne said. ‘I see you’re still a sour-faced prick.’
‘Wherever you found him,’ Keira said to Leah. ‘Can you please put him back?’
‘He found me,’ Leah said, sitting and filling a glass. ‘He was lurking about in the street when I left the Holdfast house.’
‘Aye,’ Kalayne said, ‘I’m a nosy old man. Wanted to see what you’d been up to in that particular house. Also, as you’re all leaving soon, I supposed I’d better come and see you off.’
‘You knew we were here?’ Keira said.
‘Of course,’ he snorted. ‘You’re much cuter with blonde hair, by the way.’
Niall coughed. ‘I should
probably mention,’ he said in the Kellach tongue, ‘that I used to work in the refugee camp here. Learned the language a while back.’
‘You never fucking said,’ Keira frowned.
‘You never asked.’
‘Well,’ Kylon said, ‘this is Kalayne, a madman from our homeland. Disregard everything he says, he’s completely insane.’
Kalayne glared at Kylon, growling and baring his teeth.
Keira laughed, then noticed that the Lach warrior was frowning at Kylon as well.
‘I spoke to Bedig,’ Leah said. ‘Kylon, are you listening?’
‘Aye.’
‘I also spoke to Daphne.’
‘Who’s Daphne?’ Keira asked.
‘She’s pregnant, Kylon.’
Kylon’s face dropped, and emotions raced across his eyes.
‘Who’s pregnant?’ Keira said. ‘Kylon, answer me.’
‘How long?’ Kylon said.
‘The dates match,’ Leah said. ‘She was already pregnant when she rescued us.’
‘Kylon,’ Keira cried. ‘What’s going on? Are you the fucking father?’
He stared at her, his eyes confused.
‘Leah,’ Keira said, ‘for fucksake, will you tell me the truth?’
Leah shook her head. ‘It’s your brother,’ she said. ‘Killop’s the father.’
There was a sparking noise as Niall lit another stick of weed.
‘Carry on,’ he said. ‘Don’t mind me.’
‘Fucking give me that,’ Keira said, snatching the weedstick from his hand, and taking a draw.
She got a headrush, and her senses lit up. Everything around her appeared sharper, and the sounds in the tent clearer. What attracted her attention most were the lamps, their small yellow and orange flames dancing like woodland spirits, as if they were alive, as if she could control them with her thoughts alone.
She puffed out her cheeks. ‘Shit.’
She felt Leah take the weedstick from her hand.
‘I told Daphne the truth, Kylon,’ the Lach woman said, smoking. ‘I thought she needed to know. I guessed you would have done the same.’
Kylon shrugged. ‘It’s too late now to make any difference.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Keira said.
‘Kylon had a job to do,’ Leah said. ‘Carry a message to Killop in Rahain, tell him that Daphne was waiting for him in Plateau City.’
Keira stared at Kylon, studying his face, his skin, his beautiful dark eyes.
‘And?’ she said.
‘He told Killop that Daphne was dead.’
‘He fucking did what?’ Keira said, as Kalayne laughed. ‘What are you smiling at ya old bastard?’
‘I picked out Kylon right from the start,’ Kalayne said. ‘I knew he was different.’
‘Many people are arseholes,’ Keira said. ‘He’s not that different.’
‘I had my reasons,’ Kylon said.
‘Care to share them?’
‘Killop needs to be where he is,’ Kylon said. ‘If he’d known Daphne was alive, he’d have left Rahain in search of her.’
‘And what’s fucking wrong with that?’ Keira said. ‘I mean, I assume the wee numpty was shagging this Daphne woman?’
‘He loves her.’
‘And you told him she was dead? You total bastard, you absolute shitstain. And she’s fucking pregnant?’
‘I didn’t know that at the time.’
‘And if you had?’
Kylon downed his glass and took the passed weedstick from Leah. ‘I probably would have done the same.’
Keira and Leah scowled at him, while Kalayne chuckled and Niall looked drunk and amused.
‘At least,’ Kalayne said, ‘your company is still entertaining. Kylon’s right though, only Killop could raise the size of rebellion needed to trouble the Rahain.’
‘Why?’
‘Because only the brother of the fire mage can redeem the shame you have brought upon them,’ Kalayne said. ‘The Kellach Brigdomin slaves will follow him, as they would follow no other, and so find some redemption in his service.’
Keira’s face dropped.
‘You cannot run away from what you did,’ Kalayne said, ‘not forever.’
Niall got to his feet. ‘I might go for a walk. This seems like a private conversation.’
‘No,’ Kalayne said, turning to him, and fixing him with his staring eyes. ‘Your evening’s over, laddie.’
Niall looked surprised for a second, then toppled onto the floor, a smile on his sleeping face.
Kalayne continued to stare at him, then turned and chuckled. ‘He won’t remember me in the morning, so don’t mention that I was here. Now, where was I?’
He turned to face the fire mage.
‘Keira,’ he said, ‘what you did upset the schemes of the creator. He had his plan, and you were in it, but no more. At least now you are free of his machinations. He feels nothing but disgust for you. Funny. I sent Kylon to save the flow mage, but I didn’t know he’d be saving her from you.’
‘Blah blah blah,’ Keira said. ‘Who gives a shit? All I’m thinking about is finding Killop, as soon as we fuck Rahain over. Find him, and tell him Daphne is alive, and she’s carrying his bairn.’
‘While your future is now unclear,’ Kalayne said, ‘one thing hasn’t changed. You’re still the fire goddess.’
‘A fire goddess who can’t use her powers.’
‘Not here, at any rate,’ Kalayne said. ‘The Holdings would arrest you, probably after you had rendered many to ash first. Remain hidden for now, and listen to your dour-faced boyfriend, he knows things. Travel to Rahain, wade in the blood of revenge. There’s plenty of time for you to fulfil your promise.’
‘What about me?’ Leah said. ‘Nothing for me?’
‘If you insist,’ Kalayne said. He leaned over to stare into Leah’s eyes.
‘In a field not far from here, at night, soldiers, flames. You are looking into the eyes of Agang Garo, he is terrified beyond belief. As are you.’
He leered at her. ‘There you go, dear. Hope it was the kind of thing you were after.’
‘At least I know I won’t be dead tomorrow,’ Leah said, sitting back and drinking. ‘And maybe now you’ll tell us what you were doing hanging about outside Daphne’s house? You been stalking her?’
‘Maybe,’ Kalayne said, rubbing his thighs. ‘Maybe a bit. Right now she’s much more important than you lot. And much better looking. I’ve always found pregnant women attractive.’
His eyes drifted off for a moment.
‘I felt that someone needed to keep an eye on her, and what, or who, she carries,’ Kalayne went on. ‘She’s the only reason I’m in this city. Next to that, coming to visit you out here in this flea-infested dump was secondary.’
‘Then I suppose we should feel honoured by your fucking presence?’ Keira said.
‘To be honest,’ he shrugged, ‘I only came because Leah said there would be weed and booze. And I have to say,’ he held up a weedstick in one hand and a glass of rum in the other, ‘I’m not impressed with the quality of either.’
He gazed at Keira, and winked.
‘They’re much better in Sanang.’
Chapter 19
Words of Love
Plateau City, The Plateau – 17th Day, Second Third Autumn 505
A cold wind blew off the grey waters of the Inner Sea, penetrating Daphne’s thin clothes as she sat alone on the townhouse balcony.
She balanced a cigarette in her fingers, though she hardly raised it to her lips, guilty at the thought of hurting the baby within her. The sky was lightening, but she hadn’t slept, awake all night in her bed, thinking, going over the same conversations hundreds of times in her mind, until she had gone out to get some fresh air.
She wrapped her housecoat around her, shivering in the autumn chill.
She had never been angrier.
Killop should have been in the city, with her. Would have been, were it not for that two-faced liar
Kylon. She was glad the fleet was leaving the following dawn, otherwise she might have been tempted to go down to the auxiliary camp, just to hurt him. At least Leah had shown some remorse, pleading that she had only been doing what Kylon had ordered her, and had played along with the deception.
Daphne had believed her when she said they had not known she was pregnant, but it didn’t make any difference. There was no way she could get to Killop, or he get to her, in time for the birth.
Part of her also felt relief, and a joy that Killop had not abandoned her. He believed her to be dead, so of course he had stayed, to fight for his people. If he had been made to choose between leading the rebellion and returning to her, and had chosen her, he might have regretted leaving Rahain, and all the slaves there that needed his help. In a perverse way she was glad he had never had to make that choice, but her heart sickened at the lonely wasted thirds without him, both those that had passed, and those yet to come.
She felt the baby kick, and put down the cigarette. She closed her eyes, fighting back tears.
‘Here you are, Daffie,’ her father said. ‘You look like you’re freezing.’
She felt a thick robe placed over her shoulders, and she pulled it close.
She opened her eyes as her father sat. He had brought tea, and poured two cups.
‘This will warm you up,’ he said.
He looked awkward, and avoided her gaze as he stirred in milk and sugar.
‘I am most dreadfully sorry,’ he said.
‘I know,’ she replied. ‘You’ve told me many times.’
‘Your mother is a stubborn woman,’ he said, ‘but if she’s as ill as Jonah says she is, then I must return. With the siege over the roads are clear.’
Daphne picked up her tea, and sipped the sweet scalding liquid.
‘My stay here was always going to be temporary,’ he went on, ‘as was Ariel’s. She misses little Teddy, and Faden needs to get back to work in Holdings City. I ask you to re-consider, Daphne. Won’t you come with us?’
‘I’d have to go by wagon, father,’ she said. ‘I’d be about ready to give birth by the time we got to the Hold Fast estate. I can’t risk it.’
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