Maig's Hand

by Phillip Henderson

  When they were alone, Fren closed the door, leaving her with her colleagues. “A wonder, yes,” she said, picking up where Henry had left off. “He possesses powers I have not heard of nor read about in the writings.”

  “And the ones we know of?” Lord Galloway asked, warming his hands at the small fire in the chamber’s hearth against the morning chill that was in the mountain air.

  “He has them all.”

  Both men looked astonished, and more than a little uneasy.

  “When will he wake?” Henry asked.

  Fren poured herself a draft of beer from a barrel sitting on a timber bench beside the hearth. She could hear laughter and chatter in the long hall behind the tower. “Already he stirs. It won’t be long now. Not that I expect he will be up and about for a few days.”

  She took a gulp and sighed as the foaming liquid wet her throat and took the sting from her thirst. After three days’ fasting, and not so much as a sip of water since sunset, little else could have brought her such pleasure. She sat down wearily and considered her fellow elders, well aware that they were treading lightly around what troubled them. “So what are we to think, gentlemen?”

  Galloway had sat down on the stone stairs, his eyes closed as he rubbed his furrowed brow. He looked up, a distant look in his eyes as he recited a passage from Ohed’s diary. ‘“…Only at a time when the fates turn against you will the Mother of Darkness send the perfect one to walk among you.’ It’s what the old prophet said.”

  “Is it possible you misread something, Fren?” Henry was watching her from where he crouched at the fire.

  “Would that it were so…” She took another well-deserved sip from her mug before saying, “You should know that there has been no news from my sister this morning. There was also a disturbance in the ether. I think a White One died this night, around dawn.”

  Both men stared at her. It had been centuries since that had happened, and certainly not during their lifetime.

  “You think we have reason to be concerned? That this is related to Kane being the Perfect One?” Henry asked. He shook his head, bewildered. “Keira had all in hand when I was there two days ago. The preparations for the abduction of the princess and Lord Cargius tonight were well advanced. And the death of a White One, that could only work to our favour, surely?”

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not? All I know is that there is something very wrong. And our goddess sending the Perfect One to walk among us only confirms it.”

  “As that may be, I don’t think we need to worry about Amthenium. As I said, all was in order when I was there two days ago. More likely, Keira’s messenger has been waylaid or picked off by a bird of prey. You know how dangerous it is to fly through the Eastern Mountains.”

  “So what could it be then?” Galloway broke in. He seemed just as bewildered as Henry. He rose and walked to the barrel to pour himself a draft. “The king is almost on his death bed, though he knows it not. Word in Illandia is that he was vomiting this morning. Two more doses of the poison and he will go to sleep and fail to wake as planned. As for the Archbishop, as I said last night, the man is fairing better than expected, and we will have him out of the dungeon in less than a week, or sooner if we can get Kane’s election to the throne secured before then.”

  Thinking this through, Fren took a sip from her cup and then said, “Perhaps we look too closely. The vote might go against Kane’s election. Or the change in the fates could be because of one of the other Children of Light. In truth, it could be anything not specifically noted in the prophecy…”

  “Or the uncertainty could be a trick in itself,” the Duke of Highwood suggested, chewing at his lower lip.

  Fren looked over at him, questioningly.

  Galloway said, “Naratha lost one of his kin today, you say. He could be trying to conceal it from us.”

  Fren thought about that for a moment then said, “But how could the White Ones change the fating? Muddy the waters so to speak. They do not have the capacity to interfere in this way.”

  “Not muddy the water, my dear Fren, but bloody it,” Kane said from where he was standing on the tower stairs, until now, un-noticed.

  The fact their new Hand was up and about shocked them all, and as Kane crossed the room to the beer keg, they gaped at him.

  Fren studied him intently as he poured himself a mug of beer. There hadn’t been a seeing ceremony since Brutarius was anointed as the thirty-third Hand to rule from Amthenium, but she knew well enough how this worked. Kane would remember little of what had happened on his journey to the Forge of Vellum. The memories would come in dreams in the following weeks and months. But the powers that had lain dormant in his blood were awakening now—she could see it in the dark purple aura that glowed around him. It was the best of omens and confirmation of what she had seen in the dregs. Kane oozed a power that reminded Fren of days gone by and gave her hope and reassurance despite her concerns of the moment.

  “How do you feel, Milord?” she asked.

  “Most strange.” He was smiling as he turned to face them. “I feel and hear and see things…extraordinary things. I feel—I feel…” He hesitated as if searching for words. Then he laughed. “I feel impossibly strong. Invincible.” He took a long draw from his mug, emptying it, and then turned to refill it again, saying, “The same can’t be said for your sister I’m afraid, or my pretty Lea.”

  “My niece, what is this you say, Milord?” Henry asked.

  Fren felt her confidence of a moment ago vanish. “Kane, what are you talking about?”

  Kane had taken another swig of beer and was now ripping apart a loaf of bread. “Seems she deceived you all. She changed the plan, brought the abductions and sacrifice forward to last night. Apparently by doing it on the same night as my anointment I would be a great deal more potent?”

  Fren understood what he was saying. But they had decided against it because of the significant risks. Bloody Keira! She could not believe that Mason and Bale had gone along with it.

  “So what happened?” Fren demanded.

  Kane shrugged. “They’re dead. Oh, and your Mr Bale as well, and more than three hundred of your brethren with them. Allius and Lord Mason are on their way here as we speak.”

  Fren suddenly felt ill. She sat down heavily, the blood draining out of her face. “My sister’s Seer’s bones?” The words faulted in her throat.

  “Naratha has them. He has banished the Twenty Three by the way.”

  “Oh dear mercies. We are undone!”

  “Keira did manage to kill Lord Cargius, which is a small mercy one would think. But my sister is alive and as furious as a provoked wild cat. Oh, and she knows about our father. That I am responsible for his present ill health.” Kane turned nonchalantly to face them and took a sip of his beer.

  Fren shook her head in utter disbelief. Kane’s complete lack of concern was unfathomable. He’s quite mad. He cannot see the peril we are in. Oh, dear mother of darkness what have you done to him? What have you done to us?

  Kane chuckled. “I’m not mad, Fren. My faculties are exactly as they should be.”

  Fren countered angrily, saying, “If my sister is dead as you say and Naratha has the other set of Seer’s bones, and your sister is still alive …”

  “Damn it, woman, calm yourself. All is in hand. You fret for no good reason.”

  Fren glowered at him and stood in a rush. “You arrogant young pup.”

  “On the contrary, Fren. The arrogant young pup is likely on her way back to Illandia, Vellum-bent on destroying me.”

  “You have seen this? You know where she is?”

  “Not exactly. I sense it. And no, unfortunately, I don’t know where she is per se. However, unfortunately for her, she has not seen what I have seen and nor have any of you.”

  There was purpose in his eyes. It made Fren pause.

  “And what is that?”

  Kane shrugged. “Our victory. And her complete annihilation.”

  Fren was baffled again. Arrogan
ce was the wrong word. Deluded was more accurate.

  “Milord, with all due respect,” Henry said. He was clearly shaken by the news that his niece was lost. “We cannot see how that is possible.”

  “Well let’s just say my sister and eldest brother are soon to become the most hated people in Arkaelyon. And in a little over a week, my dear fellow, the commoners will flood the Illandian grand square in their thousands to see them executed. And not a single tear will be shed. And shortly after, my father’s crown will be on my head.”

  “You have seen this or merely sensed it?” Fren said. “And what of the Book of Minion and the Fountain of Rebirth?”

  “They will be ours in due course.”

  “How.”

  “Let’s just say that the Archbishop’s whore is more than she appears.”

  “Bianca Winterstone?”

  “Yes, it seems the little bitch is a Child of Light. Probably no surprise since the woman and Dee are so much a like. They are sisters in fact.”

  “What? You mean sisters in the Light?”

  “That and sisters in blood. Seems my mother was a Child of Light also. Bianca was her first born.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “Apparently it is. Oh, and Bianca is of the third nature so she will be able to recover the gifts.”

  Fren looked at her two colleagues. They all felt it; relief that perhaps things were not as dire as they had feared.

  Kane finished off his mug of beer, and walked back across the chamber to the stairs. “I’m going to get some more sleep.” He stopped on the first step and turned saying, “Oh, and did I mention that Keira is not exactly dead. She is in limbo and would be greatly relieved if you and the council would resurrect her.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “I talked to her while I was in Vellum’s Forge.”

  “You remember?”

  “I do. And a great deal of other things also. Oh, and one more thing. It seems I am destined to marry Faith Galloway? This should please you. Apparently she is the legendary Abbagay.”

  EPILOGUE

  “You know you’re not going to be able to send any of those?” Faith said.

  Danielle was sitting at a small table in the cramped and cluttered captain’s cabin of father Vinasta’s ship, Goodwill. Warm afternoon sunlight was streaming in through the open windows at the stern of the vessel. They were on the placid waters of the Amthenium tributary a few miles down river from Arkaelyon’s northern most town of Summerset. The Ren forest ranged away from the northern bank of the river like an undulating carpet of deep green, while on the southern bank—Arkaelyon’s northern border—the majestic snow capped peak of the Summerset Mountains towering out of equally thick forest were just coming into view.

  Unlike Faith, who had just entered the cabin with a tray of food in her hands, Danielle was busy writing. A dozen letters were already stacked in a neat pile beside her on the small table and she was now writing another, this one regarding the future financing of the Illandian’ soup houses, and how they might implement the scheme in Arkaelyon’s other free cities and towns.

  “I know. They’re for Bastion,” Dee said, in answer to her friend’s question.

  Faith placed the tray on the table and uncorked the bottle of wine. “You haven’t told him have you?”

  Danielle could feel Faith watching her. “I will. Soon.”

  As she poured some of the wine into a glass, Faith said, “The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be able to sleep. I know you were up on deck last night, pacing about. You looked like death this morning. James is worried sick about you and he’s not the only one. You need to tell him.”

  “Faith, I’m trying to think, so please?”

  Faith ignored her and crouched so they were at eye-level. “I don’t understand what you are so anxious about. James knows that the ritual of enlightenment was very likely going to end with you bearing Cargius’ child.”

  Slightly irritated by her friend’s persistence Danielle lowered her quill and said, “Well it seems different somehow when the deed is actually done.”

  “How?”

  “I don’t know. It just does.”

  “That is ridiculous. He could be a tremendous help and comfort if you’d let him. I mean he’s only your husband to be.”

  “This isn’t his burden to bear,” Danielle said, returning to her work.

  Faith snickered, saying, “For the sake of all that is holy, that is so tired coming from you. You are betrothed, it’s time you started treating him as an equal, not a bloody servant.”

  Danielle knew there was truth in that and she put her quill down and sat back in her chair with a sigh.

  “Well?” Faith asked, her eyebrows lifted slightly.

  Danielle took a sip of the wine. “I have to protect this child. Surely you understand that?”

  “Of course I do. And so will James.”

  Danielle laughed at that. “He will blame himself for my predicament and make this harder than ever. You know what he is like.”

  Faith reached across the table and took her hands. “So let him bear this with you.”

  “And when I tell him we cannot make love again until this child is born? I’m sure he will feel very paternal. And even if he accepts that, what if I have a weak moment and can’t resist him?”

  “What? You are stronger than that.”

  “You have not seen James naked.”

  Faith laughed at Danielle’s earnestness.

  “It’s not funny—I could harm, nay kill this child and ruin any chance we have of winning this war.”

  “Come on, Dee, James is too noble a man to let that happen. He knows how important you are to our success. He’ll understand well enough what this child means, and take to the role of father like a duck to water. For like you, he has a perverse love of martyrdom.”

  Danielle couldn’t help but smile at that, at least slightly. But her smile didn’t last. “As that may be, I am wondering if Cargius was right. Perhaps James is a distraction I can ill afford, at least until Kane is dealt with.”

  “Come on, that is not what you want.”

  “Of course it’s not what I want.”

  “Good, because whatever you might think, he is exactly what you need right now. His support and comfort could very well be the only things that keep you sane in the months ahead. And since you have neither the guts nor wisdom to talk to him about it, I’m going to.”

  Faith climbed back to her feet and turned to go.

  “Don’t you dare!” Danielle darted out of her chair and got to the door first, blocking the way. “I haven’t made up my mind how to tell him, is all. I will talk to him. I promise.”

  “Good.” Faith gave her a teasing smile and pushed passed. “Then I’ll go and get him.”

  “Faith.”

  “No. This is the way it has to be.” Faith kissed Danielle’s cheek and then began down the passageway. She stopped after a few yards and turned saying, “Oh, and I’m going to find some lacta beans in the ship store so we can dye your hair black. It should be enough of a disguise so you can come up on deck during the day. The fresh air and company will do you good.”

  Danielle closed the door and sighed. She felt more than a little cornered, even if this was the right thing to do. She went to the window, trying to think how she should open this discussion with James.

  A knock came at the door and her heart raced. Spying her half empty glass she polished off the wine then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and said. “Come.”

  To Danielle’s surprise Father Vinasta stepped into the cabin, not James as she had expected.

  The captain offered her a kindly smile and closed the door. Like all his brown robed men, Vinasta was clean-shaven with no beard or hair to speak of. He was as broad as Eden across the shoulders, and, like her brother, he moved with the grace of a warrior, which in itself was no surprise since the good captain and his men were priestly knights, anointed to defend the Reformist F
aith. The Order could trace its existence back two hundred years, from the time Dee now knew, when the Aquarius brotherhood had decided they could remain submissive no longer and had devised the plot to steal the Book of Minion.

  “I see the Lady Galloway is helping herself to my wine,” he said with a wry grin and a glance back towards the passageway.

  Vinasta and his men had been most hospitable since they came aboard yesterday afternoon, and as Danielle understood it, Faith and James had spent much of their time in the captain’s company and it was little surprise that these men held her soldierly friend in the highest regard.

  “She said it was payment for annihilating you at chess last night,” Danielle replied.

  “That she did and then some. One can understand why she is Corenbald’s First Sword. Your friend is quite the tactician.”

  Dee smiled at that. “That she is. She’s now after any lacta beans you might have aboard I believe.”

  “She did say so, just now. And for what it is worth, I think a disguise is a good idea. The fresh air as well, if you don’t mind me saying so, your highness.”

  “Yes, well, my friend happens to be correct about a lot of things of late.”

  He nodded and his smile broadened as he handed her a folded piece of parchment. “I suspect this will please you. The bird just arrived. No seal and rather cryptic, but I’m sure you know who it is from.”

  Danielle’s heart raced again.

  “I’ll leave you to your business, Milady, and see you at dinner.” At that he stepped back out into the passageway and closed the door.

  Danielle quickly settled down on the window seat and opened the note. It was very brief, but for what it lacked in length, it delivered in sheer relief.

  Worry not, all is well in Illandia. Your home is now a fortress, with new allies defending the gates, doors, windows and all who dwell within. I will be waiting for you on your return. From your very relieved friend. J