The Mortal Blade: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Eternal Siege Book 1)

by Christopher Mitchell

  The Elusive Truth

  Arrowhead Fort, The Bulwark, The City – 18th Namen 3419

  Maddie put the pencil down. It was useless. How was she supposed to concentrate when the rain was making such a racket? It sounded as though there were a thousand drummers standing outside in the forecourt of Arrowhead. She picked up the letter she had received from her mother and read it again. It was the first time her family had communicated with her since they had fought over a month before, and Maddie knew she needed to reply, but the damp, humid weather had drained all of her energy.

  Her mother’s tone had been almost formal in its politeness, but Maddie knew that was her way of trying to mend the bridges between them. So far, she had written three lines in response, all bland and inconsequential; grumbles about the rain, and hopes that the family were in good health. If only she could tell her mother the truth; that would make for a good letter, but the thought of having to fabricate some nonsense about repairing walls sapped her will. If she didn’t lie, though, her letter would end up being pretty short. Maybe she should let Blackrose dictate it.

  She heard a noise from the hallway and hoped it was Corthie. The champion hadn’t visited since close to the beginning of the month, and she wanted him to see her walk without her crutch. She stood, unaided, and went to the door.

  ‘Oh, it’s you,’ she said.

  Hilde frowned, her long raincoat dripping onto the floor. She took it off and hung it onto a peg, then walked up the hallway.

  ‘Have you finished writing that letter to your mother yet?’

  ‘Not quite.’

  ‘You’ve had four days, Maddie.’

  ‘It’s tricky; I can’t tell them the truth, but lying seems wrong when I’m trying to make up with them.’

  ‘You do what you have to; it’s important to keep in contact with those who love you.’

  Maddie smiled. ‘See? You do have a heart.’

  ‘I’m actually more concerned with making sure they don’t turn up here again.’

  ‘Maybe you should write the letter; you’re good with words and stuff.’

  ‘Maddie, you’re one of the brightest girls I know; I’m sure that a simple letter is well within your capabilities.’

  She decided it was time to change the subject. ‘How did your trip outside go? Did you find what you were looking for?’

  ‘No, but my suspicions remain firmly with the sergeant at the gatehouse. He’s one of the very few people in Arrowhead who knows the location of Blackrose’s lair, and he probably could have been bribed by Corthie to give the secret away.’

  ‘The sergeant would only have done that if Corthie had already known about her existence. It’s not something that the sergeant would have randomly mentioned. “Oh, hello. I have a secret; do you want to give me some gold and I’ll tell you?” Nah. The sergeant might have helped, but he’s not the one who gave it away.’

  ‘Hmm,’ the captain said; ‘you may be right.’

  ‘You know,’ said Maddie, ‘one day you’ll die.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Or retire. What I’m trying to say is, I want to live up to your standards; I want to be the best looker-afterer of Blackrose, I mean the best carer…? Whatever, you know what I mean. I look at you, and think, yes, that’s what I want to be like.’

  ‘Is there a compliment somewhere in that twisted logic of yours?’

  ‘You’re my role model.’

  ‘Malik’s ass, please don’t say that. I’m a friendless, grumpy misanthrope; why would you want to be like me? And do you really picture yourself putting up with Blackrose your entire life?’

  ‘Of course I do, and let’s face it, there’s nowhere else they can send me now, not when I’ve learned so much.’

  Hilde raised an eyebrow. ‘Kano could cut your tongue out and send you to the Rats.’

  ‘Is that…? What? He wouldn’t, would he?’

  ‘He’s done far, far worse over the years, girl. Think of the cruellest thing you could to do someone; chances are that Lord Kano has already done it. He may look like a boy, but he has the mind of a monster.’

  ‘I need to sit down.’

  ‘Really? You’re not usually this squeamish, except on live-goat day.’

  ‘I’m not squeamish; my leg’s sore.’

  ‘Oh.’

  Maddie limped over to a chair and sat.

  ‘How is it?’ said Hilde.

  ‘A little bit stronger every day, but it’s always stiff when I wake up each morning. Oops, that didn’t come out right. Anyway… no, I’m distracted now, I can’t even remember what I was saying.’

  ‘Your leg.’

  ‘Oh, yes; it’s getting better, and now it only hurts if I stand up for too long.’

  ‘You’ve healed well, but you’re the right age for it. If that had happened to me I’d still be on crutches.’

  ‘Come on, you’re not that old. Are you?’

  ‘Let’s just say I was on the wrong side of thirty when I started looking after Blackrose.’

  ‘Why is it the “wrong” side? Doesn’t getting older bring some benefits?’

  ‘Only a nineteen year old could say such a thing.’

  ‘Do you regret not having children?’

  ‘Not particularly. I’ve never felt myself to be excessively maternal.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know about that; you’re like a substitute mum to me.’

  Hilde stared at her, and Maddie thought for a second that her eyes softened, then it passed.

  ‘Get on with that letter,’ she said, then strode from the room.

  A roar from the lair woke Maddie, and she started.

  ‘Wait,’ she mumbled, ‘I’m coming.’

  She glanced around. She was sitting at her desk, the unfinished letter spread before her, a patch of drool blurring the few lines she had managed to add before falling asleep.

  The roar came again. There was no pain in it, but it was insistent. Maddie got to her feet and rubbed her left leg, grimacing. She walked to the door of her room and peered out just as Hilde was emerging from a store-cupboard.

  ‘Should I go?’ said Maddie.

  ‘Let’s both go,’ said Hilde. ‘As far as I can tell, that roar means she wants the two of us.’

  Maddie frowned. ‘How do you know that?’

  ‘A decade of practice.’

  ‘That could be categorised as a benefit of getting older.’

  Hilde halted as she drew level to Maddie’s bedroom. ‘You finished that letter?’

  ‘Nearly. Maybe I should ask Blackrose for her advice.’

  They walked to the lair’s main gate, taking their time to account for Maddie’s limp. The vast cavern was still, and they went through the hatch in the black gate. Blackrose had her head raised high, and she watched them enter.

  ‘That took you longer than five minutes. What kept you?’

  ‘Maddie’s leg hasn’t completely recovered.’

  The dragon frowned. ‘The frailty of you insects still astounds me. It is amazing that you have survived as a species.’

  ‘What are you roaring about, then?’ said Maddie. ‘I was in the middle of writing a letter to my mother, but I’m not sure what to say. Do you think you could help me with it?’

  ‘I could, but I most certainly won’t, unless you wish me to force you to only write the truth; is that what you meant?’

  ‘Eh, no.’

  ‘Then I will not assist you in the writing of lies meant for the one who birthed you. Have you no respect for her, or for me?’

  ‘Sorry I asked.’

  ‘As you should be. Now, I have been thinking.’

  Hilde and Maddie walked closer, and the dragon lowered her head a little.

  ‘What about?’ said Hilde.

  ‘My life here. Ten years I’ve spent in this… cell, abiding by my principles. I resisted, because I refused to be a slave. Tell me, do you believe I have been right to do so?’

  Hilde raised a hand to Maddie. ‘Don’t answer that; she�
��s trying to trick us.’

  ‘Come now, Captain; so suspicious? It was an honest question. You two know me better than any of the other humans in this world. When you look at young Buckler, and see him soar through the sky, do you think that my defiance has been futile?’

  ‘No,’ said Hilde, as Maddie said, ‘Yes,’ at the same time.

  The dragon watched as Hilde glared at Maddie. ‘Let’s start with you, Captain. Explain yourself.’

  ‘They’re your principles; whether I agree with them or not is immaterial. Standing by what you believe in is never futile.’

  ‘That doesn’t make all that much sense to me. What if you believed that the sun never rose in the morning? Should you stay in bed all day with the shutters closed in case you are proved wrong?’

  ‘But it’s easy to prove if the sun exists or not; how is that the same as believing that if someone is forced to do something against their will, then that makes them a slave? You’ve often told me that you would never work for the humans for that reason. Would you now be content to live as a slave? Have you changed your mind?’

  ‘No, I am merely canvassing the opinions of those I deem closest to me. Captain, isn’t it written in the terms of your employment that part of your purpose is to try to persuade me to submit to the will of the City’s rulers?’

  ‘It is, yes.’

  ‘Then why are you now doing your best to prevent that?’

  Hilde shrugged. ‘You won me over, I guess.’

  ‘Good answer. Now, Maddie, tell me why you think my life is futile.’

  ‘I didn’t say your life was futile, what I meant was I don’t see the point in resisting when your life could be so much better. Buckler can do almost whatever he pleases, he certainly has more freedom than most Blades, and I realise that it’s the “almost” bit that gets you, but everyone lives under some kind of laws or rules that they need to obey. I can’t just go around murdering someone, for example, so does that mean I’m not free? Life is a compromise, I guess is what I’m trying to say, although I can hardly believe I’m saying it. I’m a terrible example. I’ve been thrown out of regiments for not obeying orders, so maybe you shouldn’t be listening me.’

  ‘I heartily concur with that last sentiment,’ said Hilde.

  ‘So, Maddie,’ said Blackrose, ignoring the captain, ‘you would say that swearing an oath to the Commander of the Bulwark would not mean degrading myself as a slave, but instead it could be seen as a normal, dignified course of action?’

  ‘Well, look at Corthie.’

  Hilde sighed. ‘I wondered when his name would come up.’

  ‘Does the champion act like a slave?’ said Maddie. ‘He remains his own man, despite fighting in the Wolfpack.’

  ‘If I understand you correctly,’ said the dragon, ‘you would advise me to do the same as the champion?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose.’

  ‘And would that entail an oath to the Commander of the Bulwark?’

  ‘I guess so.’

  ‘Then summon him.’

  Hilde’s face paled. ‘What? You can’t be serious.’

  ‘Do you think I am playing games with you, Captain?’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re doing.’

  ‘Summon Duke Marcus, as Maddie suggests. I wish to speak to him. That is all.’

  The dragon lowered her head to the ground and closed her eyes.

  Hilde turned to Maddie. ‘With me. Now.’

  Maddie bit her lip as she followed Hilde out of the lair, her limp making her lag behind as the captain strode away. Hilde went through the cavern and continued to her office, and Maddie’s leg was hurting by the time she had caught up.

  ‘Sit down.’

  ‘I think I’ll have to,’ said Maddie as she fell into a chair. ‘Oooh, that’s sore.’

  ‘I don’t care about your leg right now. What in the name of Amalia’s ass were you doing in there? Do you realise what you’ve done?’

  ‘I don’t understand; haven’t we been trying to persuade her to give up her resistance all this time?’

  ‘This is different. Before that idiot champion walked in here, she would never have said such things. He’s got into her head, and filled it with the worst thing he could – hope. She’d already made her mind up before we walked in there, she just needed one of us to suggest it, so she could use that as her excuse. And you fell for it.’ Hilde sank into her chair and put her head in her hands. ‘This is a disaster.’

  ‘But what’s the worst that could happen? Assuming she doesn’t just eat Duke Marcus… wait, do you think that’s what she has in mind? That would be interesting.’

  ‘That I could live with, but no, I think she’s decided to pledge her allegiance as some kind of trick, or as part of an idiotic scheme concocted by Corthie. Why did you let him in, girl? Last time he was here, how long were they alone together?’

  ‘Ten minutes, maybe? I’m not sure. I was still on a crutch back then, so I was taking a while to get around.’

  ‘But long enough, though? Damn it.’

  ‘It might be a plot or a plan, but I don’t know if I care, if it means I get to see Blackrose fly. Imagine, if she takes the oath, then her chains would go, and she could fly again.’

  Hilde said nothing.

  ‘Don’t you want to see her fly?’

  ‘You’ve never seen her wings, have you?’

  ‘How could I? The lair’s not big enough for her to stretch them out.’

  ‘Exactly. Do you know what happens to dragon wings after ten years of being in a cramped cell? I didn’t either, of course, but I do now. Even if Blackrose is released today, she won’t be flying again, not for a long while, if ever.’

  Maddie stared at her. ‘You’re just saying that to put me off; you don’t know.’

  ‘I know what I’ve seen.’

  ‘But dragons have self-healing powers.’

  ‘They do, but remember that Dragons are mortal like us. She could certainly heal a broken bone faster than we would, but… oh, Maddie, her wings are in a bad state, her muscles almost withered away. It could take a very long time for them to recover.’

  ‘But we have to start somewhere, don’t we? Look how long my leg’s taken to heal, but you didn’t give up on me. Why would we give up on her? I won’t.’

  ‘It’s not about giving up, it’s about being realistic.’

  ‘It sounds like you don’t even want to try. I know it might be painful to watch, but if we take it one step at a time, just like you taught me, then it’ll be worth it.’

  Hilde looked away, and raised a dismissive hand. ‘Fine. Go and summon the duke. If it has to be done, then I want it over with as quickly as possible.’

  ‘Alright. Um, how do I do that?’

  ‘Tell the sergeant at the gatehouse to send a messenger; tell him it comes from me. He’ll understand.’

  Maddie remained where she was for a moment. First the dragon had tricked her into suggesting that they summon the duke, and now Hilde was making her do it. Was this so she could take the blame if it all went wrong? So be it. People had blamed her for things all her life. But maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t all turn out wrong. Just maybe, Maddie would be right for once.

  ‘Alright, I’ll go.’

  The sun had set by the time a carriage bearing Lifegiver markings pulled up in the forecourt of Arrowhead. Hilde had been watching the window all afternoon as she had made her way through a bottle of Hammer-branded gin.

  Maddie watched the captain refill her mug. ‘Did you drink this much before you started looking after Blackrose?’

  Hilde glanced at her but said nothing.

  ‘But what if Duke Marcus sees you drinking on duty?’

  ‘I’m not on duty,’ the captain muttered. ‘You are.’

  ‘Since when?’

  ‘Since the moment you suggested this would be a good idea,’ she said, her eyes drunk, and angry.

  ‘Do you hate me?’

  ‘Right now? Yes.’

  ‘
I don’t regret it.’

  ‘I know. If you did, then maybe I wouldn’t hate you.’

  A dark figure flanked by soldiers strode across the yard towards their front door.

  ‘Here they come,’ said Hilde. ‘Go and greet them, and make sure you close my office door behind you. As far as they’re concerned, I’m not in.’

  Maddie stood. She glanced at the captain, then went out into the hallway as the front door was knocked.

  ‘Coming,’ she yelled as she closed Hilde’s door.

  She half-limped to the front door and slid the bolts free. A dozen soldiers seemed to be standing outside in the rain as she opened it. She looked for Duke Marcus, but Lord Kano stepped forward, a long raincoat covering him.

  ‘Where’s Captain Hilde?’

  ‘She’s not in just now, sir. I’m Maddie Jackdaw.’

  ‘I don’t care who you are,’ he said as he barged his way past. He turned and pointed at the soldiers. ‘You lot, go and camp yourselves in the Wolfpack common room; I’ll send for you when I’m done here.’

  The soldiers saluted and trooped off, then Maddie closed the door.

  ‘Here,’ said Kano, handing her his raincoat.

  She took it, and hung it up on a peg by the door.

  ‘When’s Hilde coming back?’

  ‘Tomorrow, I think.’

  He glared at her. ‘You think? And address me as “sir” when you speak to me, soldier; I am the Adjutant of the Bulwark.’

  ‘Yes, I know that. Sir.’

  ‘What is your rank, soldier? That uniform isn’t standard; why has the captain allowed you to wear it?’

  ‘I’m a private, sir. I guess we don’t get many visitors with it being a secret and all.’

  ‘You think and you guess. Do you actually know anything?’

  ‘Does anyone, sir?’

  ‘It that supposed to be a joke?’

  ‘No, sir, I was merely commenting on the elusiveness of true knowledge.’

  ‘Is there something wrong with you?’

  She pulled up her sleeve and showed him her list of previous units tattooed onto her skin.

  ‘Ah, you’re one of those. A reject. Fit for nothing. That explains why you’re here; Hilde was an awkward bitch at the best of times.’