The Ravens of Carrid Tower

by David c Black

  The Shaa says we deserve to suffer. Our birth is a sin and life thus unworthy. God will only free those who have suffered most for him. Killed for him. Died for him. Finally repented. I don't really know what that means though. Is this suffering? Am I suffering? or should I do more? Something else? It all just feels… the same really. I'll collect more stones for them in the next place we stop. I don't want to kill anyone though.

  Closer to the centre the boy saw what he expected. Men with armour on, though none seemed to match. Some had helmets, others breast plates and mail. Everyone fought in the Shaa's army.

  Except for me, I find a body to hide under and close my eyes. It's so loud and scary.

  The followers were always sent to engage the unbelievers first, armed with pitch forks, knives and sticks. Slingers and javelin men hired from Rov’nia and Gor would follow keeping up the pressure, firing a hail of missiles beyond the frenzied mass of people into whoever was trying to press them back.

  Behind them all would follow the Shaa's chosen men. His Knights. Guardians of the flock, issued armour and forged weapons. They stopped anyone from running away first and then when their foe is already exhausted, charge over the dead and finish the Shaa's holy work. The people in the towns had heard the tales. To stand and fight was to die. To kneel with your head down in prayer and submission was to live.

  Convert or die. The Shaa tells the men to spare anyone who submits. We free them. Free them from what? Sin I think they said. Whoever sin is.

  And so, the Shaa's camp had grown. Moving every few weeks destroying everything in its path. Consuming any meagre spoils this barren desert could produce. With each town and city they swept through the flock expanded. Better armed and supplied. Most would never survive though, food was taken to the temple at the centre of the camp and never shared with anyone but the priests and knights. The newly joined were expected to earn their position in the regime. Expected to suffer. It was a crime to kill a believer, but once the body had fallen, it was a worse crime to leave good food to rot. Time and suffering were the currency of camp advancement. To die is to be freed, but only if an unbeliever is taken with them. To kill and survive is to serve for another day, their tent pitched closer to the Shaa the next time they made camp. Those few who survived many battles and killed enough of the unbelievers were given arms and rations. Knights of the Shaa.

  This then was the only choice permitted the flock. Die in battle and earn eternal freedom. Survive for the opportunity to serve once more. Or, fall and feed the camp.

  The boy had reached the inner ring and stopped. Order at the centre of the camp's chaos. A neat raked ring of sand surrounded the large leather tents and one huge circular wooden structure. The boy knew he was not allowed to go any further.

  Only the priests and knights can go there, and they have to use that path. I'll wait here. I hope I can see him.

  The boy waited patiently as robed priests and an assortment of officers walked up and down the marked path to the heart of the camp. One individual caught his attention though. A strange looking man. Dressed in black, with pale skin. Tall. Much older than most of the adults he had seen before. Wrinkled skin around the eyes and hair almost as white as the stones in the boy’s pocket.

  Not from the desert.

  The man crossed the forbidden zone and made a sharp left. Towards the boy who realised too late to move. He made himself as small as possible, pushing closer into the boxes he was crouching behind.

  The man walked past, seemingly unaware of the tiny eyes peering up at him. He entered the tent and closed the flap behind him quickly. The boy didn't move and no sound came from the tent. Another man crossed the forbidden zone and he felt his heart start to race even more.

  He is looking right here... Oh good, he's turned right.

  From his position though he watched the newcomer circle around and then walk to the tent from the rear.

  I should run.

  But the boy didn't run. Frozen as he was with fear. The two strangers began talking inside.

  "I've never seen him so happy."

  "He thinks he has played Jaro."

  "He has. Sort of."

  "How long do we let him revel?"

  "Until the end. Koh Deras wants all the elements in place. The Naru are not embroiled yet, Galtus has been much more restrained than we had expected."

  "I see. The Shaa is unlikely to wait."

  "The tribe’s holdout won't fall easily. They have had time to fortify. We still have time."

  What are my orders?"

  "Maintain the Shaa's confidence."

  "Until?"

  "Until we tell you to kill him"

  The boy heard the tent flap open and watched one pair of feet exit, retracing steps around the adjacent structures. He did not see a second. Anxious, the boy listened for any sounds coming from inside the tent, but heard nothing. Almost overcome with the urge to flee he steeled himself and for the first time peaked in through a small hole in the stitched hide.

  There's no one in there.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Narubez

  "Welcome back."

  "Imperator" Raulin said while bowing respectfully.

  "Take a seat, you look tired. Was it as remote as we imagined?"

  "It was, but my Lord I have a feeling it is as remote as they want it to be."

  "Explain."

  "I don't know how to describe it exactly my Lord, but I believe that the temple appears where the warlocks want it to. At least on that plateau."

  "Sorcery."

  "If I’m right, then certainly."

  "If?"

  "The range is vast my Lord. There is no path of any sort, no marking, no sign. Just unbroken snow. I would not hide from you the fact that once on that plateau my direction was random. When I thought I couldn't go further I saw a building."

  "I see, unlikely as you say. And on your return?"

  "The door took me out onto the same position on the mountain, but as I walked away, the snow storm strengthened and I lost visibility. I wanted to check, but could see nothing. I was either disorientated by the snow storm, a likely possibility in those winds, or it disappeared."

  "So, we could never take it by force?"

  "Was that ever a plan, Imperator?"

  "God no, just a thought. I am happy to trade. Speaking of which, what did they have to say? How many of them are they? Wait. No. Time for that later, tell me what they offered."

  "My Lord, they knew almost everything."

  "Everything?"

  "By the time I made it to the temple I was in bad shape. Frost bitten. I am ashamed to say I could barely string a sentence. Two of the warlocks assistants, wiry beasts without faces, carried me out of the storm and another offered a bed, but I would not accept. They knew my name, my rank. They knew that you had sent me and why."

  "How?" Galtus asked quickly.

  "I do not know. That I was expected though is not within doubt."

  "You said they knew what we wanted?"

  "Yes. The drakes."

  Galtus stood slightly in shock, fighting an urge to break his composure.

  "Tell me everything."

  "I sat in front of eight of them in their temple. Old twisted creatures, sharp beaks, hooked at the tip like a carrion bird. Dead grey eyes. Unnerving. They aren’t human.”

  “I know.”

  Raulin paused for a moment recollecting the wrinkled grey faces. “They said a convergence is coming. An entwinement of fates that drew me to their door. Our aims they said, are for the mean time aligned and they will give us the drakes."

  "At what cost?"

  "There is more. They say they have magic. Like Carrid's but different. From a different place, aspect or something. Anyway, they can weaponize it and offer it too."

  "At what cost?" Galtus repeated.

  "They want to ally."

  "What? Eight cackling warlocks?"

  "There may be more. They showed me a drake. Huge thing. It looked like what
I would imagine a dragon from the old tales would have looked like, but it's body is closer to shape of a massive dog or lion with the wings of a bat curled around its trunk."

  "And the magic?"

  "Waves of blue and green light that burned anything in its path. They said this is but the beginning."

  "I see. And what would they require of their new ally."

  "They want access to our cities. The people."

  "To proselytize?"

  "I believe so. And more, they say they would need to create an institution to train these new magic wielding warriors."

  "Can they kill a monk?"

  "None of this has been used before in battle my Lord. At least in Lathania. They gave me a demonstration of some of this... stuff, but we need an expert’s opinion. The Church maybe."

  "No." Galtus said quickly.

  "My Lord?"

  "They must not know of this. Of the warlocks offer, or even of our contact. They will resist to their fullest extent. Undermine any possibility of negotiation."

  "I will speak only to you."

  "Let me get this straight Raulin. They will give us their drakes and magic in exchange for coming to Naru? Setting up shop here?"

  "In a manner of speaking. They want to make some amendments to doctrine."

  "What? No Raulin. Absolutely no."

  "They said you would have that reaction."

  "And? They send you back with that offer anyway?"

  "They said they could work within our existing framework. Forge not a new religion, but enhance this one with this new knowledge. New power. New truth. They say we share the same god, just differ in methodology to reach him."

  This is madness. The priests would never allow such a thing.

  "I need to speak to these people in person Raulin, we are talking of matters beyond your original mission."

  I need those drakes.

  "How can we tell one of them to come down here? You don't look fit to travel back anytime soon."

  "No, my Lord, I am not.”

  A loud tap sounded and both men turned to the window. A small bird stood on the ledge and tapped again three more times on the pane.

  “Ahh, sir that bird…”

  “A friend of yours?” Galtus said with a raised brow.

  "It’s been following me ever since I left the mountain. I thought I’d lost it when I reached the capital.”

  Galtus walked to the window and opened it carefully making the bird fly away quickly, only to return straight back to the ledge.

  “They heard every word?”

  “I’m not sure, I’m sorry my Lord I should have been more careful. Thought it had finally flown back when I crossed the lake.”

  Galtus lowered his head and stared into the creature’s eyes, before saying, "go back, little one. Tell your masters we welcome their generous offer, but would like an audience to discuss the… details."

  The bird squawked as if in confirmation and opened its wings with a few slow flaps. Turning around it walked to the edge with a couple of bobs of its tiny head and jumped off into the night.

  Galtus started laughing and patted the tired agent on his back. "Go and get some rest Raulin, tomorrow I'll gather the others and we can discuss this."

  "Yes, my Lord, thank you." The spy said, turning to depart.

  "Excellent work as always. I must make a speech."

  "Ah the parade?"

  "Indeed. Oh, Rawlin.”

  The man flinched before looking back at his master. “Go and see Yarrian. I think we’ll need you in Drorea."

  “Yes, Imperator.” He said with a barely concealed sigh.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Carrid

  "Aldo the decision has already been made. We're announcing it today."

  "And pull out? In practice?"

  "Yes. We have won. You are due a great deal of credit too."

  "Forget the credit Jaro, I care only for the state. Just listen to me. Please sir. To leave the desert now will hand the entire region to the Shaa. You must see that? They have already..."

  "We will still have an administering hand there. You met some of the town’s new leaders and…"

  "They will fold at the first sign of a Warband. I told you that."

  "We have sold them weapons."

  "The Shaa will take those weapons. Sir, this is madness. We know. You know what his followers are doing. What happens when the horde finds a village.”

  "The people don't want the Shaa, why would they. They will sort their own situation out.” Jaro said with an absent flutter of his fingers. “They are free of the tribes now. Let us allow them some peace Aldo."

  Has he gone mad?

  "Peace!? You leave them to perish. You know it."

  "I am Consul, Spy Master." Jaro said quickly, the forced veneer of calmness and consideration dropping for the briefest of moments.

  "Yes sir."

  "Look Aldo, there is more at play here. Other… components. You understand, don't you?"

  "Not really." Aldo said bluntly.

  It’s my job to inform you of those components.

  "We have to think about the future. The best people from the desert are here now and our republic grows. The tribes were all but clients to Narubez and that threat is no longer on our doorstep. It's time for peace."

  "Jaro with all due respect, you are speaking to me like an ordinary member of the public. You and I both know the desert won’t sort itself out. It never has, and it certainly isn't going to now that your policies have either driven away or killed anyone with a shred of talent in the region. Leadership."

  "The Quoroubi has been under foreign rule for hundreds of cycles. Passed about between us and Narubez, then settling into the tribe’s hands. We have freed them. You can see that, right Aldo?"

  "I can see that the next pair to grasp the desert will be the Shaa's."

  "We don't need to worry about them."

  "That is foolish."

  "I have assurances."

  "What? From whom?" Aldo asked with surprise.

  "Well, er..." Jaro hesitated. The spy's professional eye watched the Chancellor's mind race, poorly concealed behind an expression of concentration. As if he was trying to best frame his thoughts in a manner understandable to a particularly slow child. "Not assurances exactly, but close. My colleagues in the Assembly believe like I do that the Shaa’s flock will burn itself out eventually. Starve most likely. You told us that too Aldo, in fact the first to voice the conclusion."

  "They will destroy themselves through battle or attrition. Of that there is no doubt. They are a death cult and after everything in its path has been killed or converted, it will eventually turn on itself. “

  "Exactly. See? Burning out. This is the right move.”

  "You don't see at all, sir. I said once all the available food and souls had been consumed. All fires extinguish themselves eventually. But what we’re seeing in the desert now Jaro, aren’t embers cooling off. They are the first few puffs of smoke from dry kindling. Before this is done, the inferno that is sure to come will utterly destroy what’s left of the Quoroubi. The fire will reach Carrid. Naru. Everywhere. They must be destroyed now, how many times must I tell you and Adderock that!" Aldo said losing his temper.

  "I’m sure I couldn’t divert you from the subject in any case, Aldo." Jaro joked. Snapping back into formality after observing the spy master’s stern and wrinkled face. "Oh, don't be so dramatic." He continued in a soft, friendly manner.

  "You credit me with a hand in the victory and I thank you for that. Now grace me with an answer to my question?"

  "Which was?"

  "Why are we leaving the desert?"

  Jaro paused for a long time before looking directly at the man.

  "We have to Aldo. I can't explain all of the details, but we have to."

  "I see. Can I help?"

  "You already have." Jaro smiled broadly before asking. "Unless you wanted to help me with that scoundrel Annick?"

  "I ca
n't interfere in that, Jaro."

  "No, I know you can't. A joke."

  Aldo nodded. "Our next priority?"

  "For you?"

  "Yes. For the agency. Can we at least watch the Shaa?"

  "I wouldn't expect anything else. But I want increased tabs on Narubez. We need to know what his response to the news of our departure is."

  "If the Shaa takes the desert, the Naru may cross the Ciavelli. We couldn't really blame them."

  "He won't!" Jaro snapped. "He can't, it won't be tolerated."

  That hit a nerve. Aldo thought to himself.

  "I will send more people to Narubez."

  "Yes, do that. Forget about the desert and the Shaa, let's watch the Naru. We need to know they aren't going to do anything... stupid."

  "Yes, sir."

  Stupid. Yes.

  "And Acalley. Find out how she is coping."

  "Yes, Sir."

  Admiral Jip and his companion walked along the wooden planks sitting atop the huge stone deep-water harbour wall. The sun gleamed off the tower in the distance and Annick pulled at his undershirts collar to let a little of the ocean breeze cool him down. He had requested the meeting to learn more about the Republic’s Naval capacity and plans before the electoral debates began the following cycle.

  And anything I can learn about Adderock would be a bonus too.

  To their left, in its own specially constructed wharf was a giant structure. If not for the network of square and triangular sails tied around the masts at either corner and down the centre, it wouldn't be obvious that it was a boat at all. A massive flat topped rectangular, three legged catamaran the size of a small town or village. Each submerged fin displaced the equivalent of fifteen, perhaps twenty warships. It housed two thousand sailors and up to five thousand marines. The decks were covered in catapults and ballista raised up in crenelated towers around the edges of the ship to make it possible for the vessel to rain fire down on enemy ships far below. The ship was designed to provide a safe anchor point for the fleet at sea and a staging area for coastal interventions. Invasions even. An indestructible leviathan, projecting Carrid's force around the continent. The Assemblies mailed fist at sea. This was the tenth and final Sea Fortress built for Carrid and was being now being prepared for sea trials. It was the most advanced of all the Freedom class vessels.