He sheathed the sword, then he and his grandmother embraced. The crowd cheered at this, but many still looked nervous and unsure.
‘We have a prince again,’ said Emily.
‘I’m sure your father will be very pleased.’
‘No doubt, but I know the truth.’
He glanced at her. ‘The truth?’
She leaned over and whispered in his ear. ‘It should be you, Daniel Aurelian.’
The Blades began to move, with two flanks pushing back the palace guards and the crowds to clear a path towards Maeladh Palace. The new prince took the God-Queen’s hand, and they walked side by side, processing between the thick lines of soldiers. More Blades were disembarking from the ships, and many began to follow the royal party, while others remained to secure the harbour district. The torches surrounding the God-Queen and her grandson faded into the fog as they drew away into the distance.
‘Disperse!’ cried a Blade officer, his sword drawn. ‘This crowd must disperse!’
A group of Blade sergeants and armoured soldiers began piling into the crowd, shoving them back.
‘All Taran militia must return to their barracks immediately without exception,’ yelled a sergeant as he eyed a few uniforms in the crowd, ‘and all civilians must return to their homes. Failure to comply will result in punitive measures being taken. Disperse!’
The crowd began to break up as groups of Blades forcibly moved them on.
‘Are you stationed in Tara now?’ said Emily as Blades approached them.
‘Yes.’
‘We should marry as soon as possible. I missed you, and I don’t want to be separated from you for long.’
He held her close and they kissed. ‘I’ll send a message to my mother in the morning.’
‘You two,’ cried a Blade as he strode forwards. ‘Off the streets. Soldier boy, get back to your barracks, and girl, run on home before I break your heads.’
Emily’s mother rushed up and pulled at her daughter’s arm. Daniel gripped her hand, then felt her fingers leave his palm.
‘Goodbye Danny,’ Emily said as her parents bundled her away.
He watched her go, then turned to the approaching Blades, his hands raised. ‘I’m going.’
‘Too right you are, boy,’ said a sergeant. ‘We own this City now.’
Chapter 29
Insider Knowledge
Pella, Auldan, The City – 4th Balian 3419
Despite the brandy, Aila had trouble sleeping. Her mind went over every word that Khora and Naxor had said to her, trying to decide how much of it was true. Perhaps all of it was. Perhaps she was being paranoid, but her history with the princess and her children had been filled with lies and deceit. With them reading her head, she no longer had any secrets; they knew everything, whereas she had no idea if anything they had told her was true.
She considered getting up, putting on a false appearance, sneaking out of the palace and returning to the Circuit. Or maybe she should keep going, pass right through the Middle Walls into the Bulwark, and look for Corthie. She would need a disguise, as Lady Aila of Pella was barred from entering the Bulwark, just as the Blades were barred from entering the rest of the City. The rules had protected her from the attention of Duke Marcus for three hundred years; if he overturned them, she would have nowhere to hide.
Her blankets felt suffocating and she threw them off. She would die before she allowed Marcus anywhere near her. She snorted. It was easy to say; not so easy for a demigod to carry out. Where could she run if he came after her? Nowhere, especially if her treacherous sister Vana was around to track her down. No, working with Khora was the only option, no matter how much it violated her principles. Only together could they beat the duke if he ordered the Blades in. She almost wished Naxor had sent up a lump of opium to her room instead of the brandy, then she could have blotted everything out and surrendered to oblivion. She sat up and lit a small lamp. The half-empty bottle was sitting on the bedside table and she poured herself a small measure.
If Corthie were by her side, then she would feel like she could take on anyone. He never seemed to despair, or give up; the only time she had seen him at a loss was when she had told him they were breaking up because he was mortal. It hadn’t been her most tactful moment, but she had needed to say it.
She took a sip, then her eyes were drawn to the shutters. A faint red glow was visible between the slats. She smiled. Maybe Tara was burning. She imagined the wealthy Rosers running around shrieking as their massive villas and mansions caught fire; what a dreadful shame that would be. She got up and opened her balcony doors. The fog lay thick and heavy over the bay, and she squinted at the red glow. It seemed to be coming from somewhere at sea, rather than from Tara or Ooste. A boat was in trouble, maybe, but no one down at the harbour front in Pella was hastening to their aid. She frowned, and looked down off the balcony; no one seemed to be about at all. The quayside was deserted, as were the guard posts in front of the palace. Where had the damn Tarans gone? She listened, but the only noise was coming from that faint splash of water against the harbour walls below. She turned, and went back into her room. She swapped her nightshirt for a loose dress and strapped a belt round her waist. She knew Naxor would be sleeping, so left her quarters and padded through the hallways of the palace in her bare feet.
She came to a door and knocked on it. ‘Hey, Naxor?’
Nothing.
She turned the handle and the door opened. ‘Are you in?’ When there was no reply, she strode into the large room, her eyes scanning the table and furniture. She went to the bedroom and knocked again. Silence. She wondered if the demigod kept a diary.
‘Ma’am?’ came a voice from behind her. ‘Can I help you?’
She turned. ‘I was looking for my cousin; have you seen him?’
The servant inclined his head. ‘Lord Naxor went out this evening, ma’am; he departed not long after the last meeting finished. He told us to expect him back later tonight.’
‘Has he gone out to a tavern?’
‘I believe so. His last words were, “I’m going to get blind drunk; don’t wait up,” ma’am.’
She smiled, then remembered the missing Tarans. ‘Where have the soldiers gone?’
‘They have been recalled, ma’am.’
‘What? Why?’
‘I don’t know, ma’am. Her Highness the Princess is currently discussing the matter with Lord Salvor.’
‘Oh, right. Well, that’s good; they’ve got it in hand, then.’
The servant nodded, and waited by the door.
‘Fine, I’ll go,’ muttered Aila. ‘I wasn’t going to steal anything, just have a poke around.’
‘Quite, ma’am. I will be sure not to mention this to Lord Naxor upon his return.’
‘Good.’ She walked past him and back into the hallway, then he followed her out and closed the door. ‘Actually,’ she said, ‘I’m a little hungry. Are the kitchens open?’
‘For you, ma’am, always.’
‘Don’t try to suck up to me now, not after throwing me out of Naxor’s quarters.’
He looked a little nervous at the remark, so she winked so he would know she was joking. That seemed to make it worse, so she attempted a smile and turned away. She descended a flight of stairs and turned to the right, where she knew a kitchen with a bread oven was located. Perhaps there would be some hot pies or fresh cakes available, she thought, her stomach rumbling. She walked past the palace’s small library, and noticed the door was open. She heard an intake of breath, and halted, listening. Oil lamps were burning in the passageway, but she could see no one. She turned to the library and peered through the open door into the dark chamber.
‘Hello? Is there someone in there?’
A hand went to her mouth as another pulled her into the room. She struggled, and lashed out with her foot, kicking the man’s shin. The door swung closed and the room was cast into darkness.
‘Don’t make a noise,’ whispered a voice in her ear as the han
ds released her.
She stumbled back a step, her mouth opening. ‘Corthie?’
‘Quiet,’ he hissed.
‘What are you doing here? Sneaking about the palace like a thief or a… an… No.’ She backed away.
‘I’m not here to kill anyone.’
She heard a low noise as he lit a lamp. Her eyes squinted in the change of light, then Corthie came into focus, standing before her. He was dressed in his ordinary uniform, the same one she had seen him in when he had visited the Blind Poet, with no armour, and not even a sword on his belt.
‘Hello,’ he said, his eyes fixed on her.
‘Hello.’
‘My shin’s a bit sore.’
‘Well, that’s what you get for grabbing me.’
‘I didn’t want you to shout. Sorry.’
They stood in silence for a moment.
‘Well,’ she said. ‘This is a little awkward.’
‘Awkward? It’s a complete disaster.’
‘Oh, thanks. It’s nice to know you think seeing me again is a disaster.’
‘It is, because I knew I would only be able to go through with my plan if I never saw you again. Now I have, I don’t ever want to leave you. I know you finished it, and I’m not going to be an asshole about it, so I promise I’ll say this only once, and if you tell me to shove it, then… then I’ll accept it.’ He took a step forward, and she looked up into his eyes. ‘I love you,’ he said. ‘I want to be with you, no matter the barriers in our way.’
‘Oh Corthie, stop.’ She rubbed her face. ‘I can’t…’ She took a seat by a reading table. ‘I love you too.’
He laughed. ‘You do?’
She smiled, despite the pain she felt in her heart. ‘I do, but it doesn’t change anything.’
He approached, and crouched by her. ‘It changes everything. Look, as much as I want to talk about this, you have to leave the palace.’
She blinked. ‘What?’
‘Was there a red glow in the sky, in the direction of the bay?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then Blades are sailing here. We don’t have long.’
Her skin felt cold, as if an icy wind had blown through the library. She stared at him, a hundred questions bubbling to the surface. ‘Start at the beginning.’
‘The duke is launching a coup, tonight. He’s sailed for Tara, and is sending soldiers here too.’
‘Then why are you here? If you’re not an assassin, then what are you?’
‘I’m trying to be a thief, but so far I’ve not proved to be a very good one.’
She glared at him. ‘And it never occurred to you to warn Khora about what was happening? The Blades are invading, and you’re trying to steal something?’
‘She tried to kill me, you told me so yourself. Why would I warn her?’
Aila groaned. ‘Malik’s ass. Uh, I might have been mistaken about that. It was the duke who was paying to keep the riots in the Circuit going; it might well have been him trying to kill you and make it look as if Khora was behind it.’
‘Oh. Bollocks.’
She stood. ‘We’ll have to tell her.’
‘You should, but I can’t,’ he said, getting to his feet. ‘I made a promise, and I’m going to keep it.’
‘What promise; to whom?’
‘To a very large dragon. I told her I’d help her get out of here, and I will.’
‘What do you mean by “out of here”? Leave the City?’
‘Aye.’
‘And go where?’
‘Take her home, back to her world.’
‘And… and you were going to leave me?’
‘You broke it off. I thought I’d never see you again. That’s what I meant about it being a disaster, because now I can’t do it; I can’t leave you, but I can still fulfil my promise. If I find the Quadrant, then I can take it to the dragon and she can use it to go home, and I’ll stay here, with you. That’s what I’m saying; if you want me, I’ll be here. If you don’t…’
‘You would stay for me?’
‘Aye,’ he said, his eyes gazing down at her. Aila gazed back, her mind torn. She wanted Corthie, and knew how easy it would be to sink into his arms and kiss him, but soldiers would soon be storming Cuidrach Palace, and she needed to warn Khora.
‘Come on,’ she said, pulling her gaze away and walking to the door.
‘Where are we going?’
‘To see Khora, then I’ll help you with your promise to the dragon.’
‘And then?’
‘One thing at a time, Corthie; my brain can’t handle any more than that at the moment.’
They stepped out into the hallway and she led him to the centre of the palace towards Lord Salvor’s personal suite of rooms. A servant watched them pass, his eyes widening at the sight of the Champion of the Bulwark. A solitary Reaper guard was on duty at the entrance to Salvor’s rooms, and she saluted as Aila and Corthie passed.
‘But, mother,’ she heard Salvor shout through a closed door; ‘I have no troops available to redeploy, they’re all miles away in the suburbs. I’ve recalled the closest ones, but I can’t get them here any quicker.’
Aila glanced at Corthie. ‘Could you stay out here for a moment? I think I might need to build up to you being in the palace.’
He smiled. ‘Aye, sure. Call me when you want me to come in.’
She knocked on the door and entered. Salvor and Khora were standing by a table, and they turned as Aila approached.
‘Niece,’ said Khora, ‘grave news. The Taran militia have withdrawn from Pella. At this present moment, the palace is undefended.’
‘I have even worse news, but I also have other information that might help.’
Khora faced Aila. ‘Go on.’
‘You were right. The duke’s going to try to take over, tonight.’
‘Tonight?’ cried Salvor.
‘I have spies on the Middle Walls,’ said Khora, ‘and they have reported no movement from the Bulwark.’
‘They’re coming by ship.’
Khora looked like all breath had left her for a moment. ‘When will they arrive?’
‘Soon. The duke’s going to Tara.’
‘Then the God-Queen must have granted her permission.’ Khora lowered her head. ‘That’s why the Tarans have been withdrawn, to make the things easier for the Blades.’
‘We may not have any militia,’ said Aila, ‘but we do have someone else on our side.’ She glanced at the door. ‘Come in.’
Corthie strode through the entrance and walked up to stand by Aila. He nodded to Khora.
‘He came here to warn us,’ Aila said. ‘It was Corthie who gave me the news about the ships.’
‘The duke told me himself,’ he said.
‘And you came, all this way?’ said Khora, frowning. ‘Against orders?’
‘Not exactly. The duke sent me here to kill you, but, as you can see, I don’t intend to do any such thing.’
‘And what do you intend to do when the Blades arrive? Are you pledging your service to me?’
‘He will,’ said Aila, ‘he just needs your help with something else.’
‘Let me deal with the “he will” part first.’ Khora glanced at her son. ‘Summon every remaining servant and member of the Reaper militia and tell them to gather here, then break open the armoury; we’ll need weapons and armour for our champion; oh, and wake up Naxor.’
‘That won’t be necessary,’ said Aila; ‘He’s out getting drunk.’
‘As a mother it makes me glad that he is safe, but as the High Guardian of the City…’ her expression darkened; ‘I told him to stay in tonight.’ She glared at Salvor again. ‘Why are you standing here? Go.’
Salvor nodded and hurried off, then Khora turned back to Aila and Corthie. ‘Onto the next item on my never-ending list. What assistance does the champion require from me?’
Aila glanced at Corthie.
‘I was letting you do the talking,’ he said.
‘But what was the name
of that thing you wanted?’
Corthie smiled. ‘Khora would never give it to me willingly, and I don’t even know if it’s worth asking. If we do, then she’ll know that I know about its existence.’
Khora raised an eyebrow. ‘If you don’t ask, then you’ll never know what I’d say.’
‘I can guess,’ he said; ‘but don’t worry; I’ll fight for you tonight. It sickens me to think I’ll be up against Blades; I have a tattoo on my arm that says I’m one, but I have to do what I think is right.’
‘Corthie,’ said Aila, ‘you were correct about letting me do the talking; you’ve just given away any leverage you had. No, this isn’t good enough. If Corthie’s going to risk his life, go against his commander’s orders and fight to save you, my dear auntie, then I want you to promise that you’ll give him what he asks for.’
Khora frowned. ‘Without knowing what it is? I think not.’
‘Wait!’ Aila cried. ‘It’s coming back to me… Quarter... Quatran… oh, damn it, something like that.’
‘The Quadrant?’ said Khora, her eyes like ice.
‘Yes, that’s it. The Quadrant. I’ve no idea what it is, but could you please give it to Corthie?’
A silence fell over the chamber as Khora stood frozen, her eyes unreadable. Sounds filtered through from outside the room, of guards arriving and preparing themselves.
Khora finally took a breath. ‘He wants to go home?’
‘I want someone to go home,’ he said, ‘but I’ll stay, if Aila wants me to.’
The princess laughed. ‘Oh, she wants you to, believe me. Listen, I cannot hand over what is not mine to give, and besides, I do not have it.’
Aila felt her face turn a shade of red, and she cursed her aunt’s vision powers. She glanced at Corthie, and met his eyes; he was gazing back at her, oblivious to Khora’s words.
‘Oh, please,’ said the princess, ‘stop these glances. Did you hear me? I don’t have it.’
Corthie turned to face her. ‘Naxor has it, doesn’t he?’
The Mortal Blade: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Eternal Siege Book 1) Page 41
