The Caged Kingdom

by M A Price

  She pulled him close to her and hugged him, as tight as she possibly could.

  “I’ll come back. Give me a moon turn. If I can’t figure it out in that time, then there won’t be anything to figure out. Worry after that.”

  “One moon turn. You come back Katanya. Ruddy well come home.”

  “You’ll be alright whilst I’m gone?” He didn’t answer her at first. “Ivloch?” She knew he would understand both her worries for him and for the camp if they knew their location.

  “I’ll be ruddy fine lass. Don't you worry about me. I’ve got an idea of a plan myself. See if we can get us some help from another direction.”

  “The Black Lands?” They had avoided all contact from The Guild, ever since the threat of The Unforgiven had been so prominent again. Moon turns worth of letters ignored. The Guild's split from them had been a wound to their pride that had never healed.

  “It’s worth a try.”

  She would worry for him, she knew that, but she couldn’t object, not when she was about to ride off into danger herself. They needed to try everything they could. The Guild’s former allies may be the only other direction aid could come from. She didn't ask if they could trust Camrin to protect the camp. They had no other choice.

  She’d debated leaving Ballaca here and taking a stallion that meant a little less but decided against it. Ball would never forgive her if she did and she knew somewhere safe on the outskirts she’d be able to leave her for the first day until she knew she could get safely into the palace. She could be sent for after that. Multiple servants had their own mount, everyone did in Brodanna. How else were you meant to get around?

  She seemed eager and ready as she trotted beside her and Ivloch back towards the revel. As soon as they’d placed the saddle on her she’d known an adventure was incoming. Katanya could only hope she didn’t think she was going home but doubted Ballaca had ever really thought they would. She had kept realising what was happening quicker her.

  "Ivloch..." thinking of Ballaca and her journey here had reminded her of something.

  "If Elex left you her plan then she never really needed me to come here. She could have written what I told you. I think in her own way she was trying to force me back. I think she guessed this was still meant to be my home."

  It was an odd thought. A kindness from the sister that wasn't prone to such deeds.

  “Elex could always be surprising. She cared for you, I really wouldn't put it past her.” They paused as they reached the pavilion and overlooked the party. “Will you say goodbye to any of them?” They could see Mara and Idyn awkwardly avoiding each other, Camrin with Dexter, Jengen and Yenna still singing.

  “Not today. Never was good at goodbyes and I intend to be back. You tell them all I love them though. Make sure they know.” She batted at her eyes. It had been an emotional day, but now was not the time.

  “I’ll tell them Kat. You take care of yourself.”

  She promised she would as she climbed on to Ballaca’s back, but secretly she was relieved he hadn’t made her vow it.

  Forty-Seven - Mara

  Making stick men was nowhere near as fun alone.

  She tied the bits of branches together with twine and placed them in various parts of the usual clearing by the river.

  Normally Katanya or Idyn would be running around naming them, pushing them over or making up a life story for a particular one. It was stupid and inane; but it had become her routine. Her safety.

  The fact Katanya had left two moons before with nothing so much as a wave was still stinging. She could guess why. Katanya hadn’t wanted the upset or the worry…there had been plenty of that when Ivloch gathered them all the next morning to admit where she’d gone. A chance to say good luck might have been nice.

  The worst part was how much she missed her. The company, the chatter, and the companionship.

  Idyn still hadn’t spoken to her. Ivloch had mentioned how he was in charge of guarding the prisoner. That meant he was busy during the day, but he’d avoided her at the vow celebration and Ivloch’s meeting about Katanya.

  Had she really ruined everything?

  She lined up in front of the first stick man and demanded her air power knock it from its feet. She managed to send a blast but instead it went flying into the second one along.

  Maybe she’d be fine providing she aimed for the wrong man… It was definitely different from what had happened at Becca's wake.

  “You need to stop letting your thoughts distract you. The night you handled the prisoners you let your instincts take over. All you cared about was winning to protect yourself and…the people you care for.”

  She hadn’t noticed Camrin sitting on the jetty and his words made her send another waft of air from her palm. This one fell lamely into the river beyond him.

  “How long have you been there?”

  “Since before you were here.”

  “Oh.”

  She was pretty sure she’d been talking to herself when making the stick men. He hated her anyway and would now probably think she was insane.

  “She’ll be back you know,” he mused, his head returning to the book he was holding. She couldn’t see the title from where she stood and hadn’t taken Camrin for any kind of reader.

  “I know, I’ve never really done this on my own though.” She didn’t even know why she was telling him.

  He placed the book on the grass of the river bank.

  “Still not talking to lover boy?”

  “We erm…haven’t spoken in a few days.”

  “I gathered,” he pondered, pulling a smoke from inside of his tunic. He looked for something in his pockets, Mara presumed some sort of lighting device, but seemed to come up empty and cursed. She didn’t think as she crossed the distance between them. She just concentrated on what was in his hand and willed a flame.

  Fire had always been her weakest weapon and Katanya’s strongest. She thought even Kat would have screamed in joy as the end of his smoke glowed red. Camrin just shook his head and smirked.

  “See, concentration helps. You should probably go and talk to him. It’ll clear your head and make the rest of your…enemies easier to hit.”

  “He doesn’t want to talk to me.” There was a silence before Camrin actually snorted with laughter.

  “I don’t like you Mara, but Idyn does. He’s spent the last four moons walking around in the biggest mood I’ve ever known him to be in. He misses Becca and he misses Katanya but the way that man is feeling is not about them.”

  “Why won’t he talk to me then?” She was aware she sounded like a child, knew she should care more about Camrin’s declaration of dislike but…at some point she had stopped caring quite as much.

  Katanya had said he would come around. ‘He is stubborn, possibly more stubborn than me, and that’s quite the achievement really.’ To Kara, she missed her.

  “I don’t know Mara. I very much try and stay out of your romantic affairs, I can assure you. I do love Idyn and if you hurt him then Kara’s Mark or not, I will hunt you down and make you suffer. If you care about him even slightly then sort your shit out and go talk because I think he happens to be horribly in love with you and love is not a pleasant affliction for anyone, let alone a man like him.”

  She didn’t say thank you or move any of the stick figures before she started to run from the clearing.

  She carried on the whole way through the forest, past the temples and into the centre of camp. Her breath was raging and painful by the time she spotted Dexter meandering up the path.

  “Dex…Idyn…prisoner…where?” He chuckled and pointed towards the stables.

  She took another gulp of air and hoped her legs would get her there. Yenna screamed her name from outside the pavilion, but Mara pressed on waving back as she passed. She had to find him. Talk to him.

  It was awful when Camrin was right.

  One of the makeshift stables had been turned into a prison and Idyn stood outside it talking with Fendir. As s
he reached them, she realised she couldn’t speak, her breath too...

  When Katanya got back, she’d make her add running into their training regime.

  “Mara?” Idyn rushed towards her. Fendir pretended to find something fascinating in the sky.

  She tried to will her power to help her breathe. It took a few seconds, but she finally thought she might be able to reply.

  His arm went around her as an expression of concern played across his dark features. “What is it?”

  “I…” now she was here she realised she hadn’t actually planned what to say. “Camrin told me to talk to you and I don’t want to fight anymore. I miss you Idyn and I like you and I hate this. I’m sorry if my power scared you, I’m learning to control it. I don’t want us not to talk. I want this. You. Us.”

  Idyn gaped at her, his brow furrowing. “Camrin told you to talk to me?”

  “Well he insulted me whilst he did it and I’m pretty sure threatened to kill me if I hurt you but yes and I should have anyway. He was right.” The words were tumbling now, as messy as her mind and nowhere near as clear as her heart.

  Idyn bent his head and kissed her, his arms pulling her in tightly against him. “You never scared me Mara. You or your power, you never would. I thought I’d let you down and I didn’t hear from you after I told you I liked you. I thought it was too much with the note from Xave. I’m sorry.”

  She laughed then and kissed him again. Fendir was still staring up, but she saw the slightest hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

  Forty-Eight - Katanya

  She had forgotten how much she hated Tonkara.

  She’d only been in the city for mere hours and already she felt its intensity smothering her.

  Too many people, too many voices, and far from enough action.

  The journey had been hazardous and long, always avoiding patrols around the city. Leaving Ballaca with Niya was the worst.

  Katanya had apologised for her anger towards when she left The Guild. Niya wasn’t one to hold a grudge and had passed over a drink with a twinkle in her eye.

  “I’ve waited years for that Leshi. You, apologising! Totally worth every second.” Katanya just grumbled. They both cried for Becca. Parting had been harder than she expected.

  “I’ll see you soon Niya?”

  “I’m like a bad rash that’s always lurking, so I imagine so. Just don’t get yourself killed.”

  She hoped she wouldn’t.

  The fake identity papers Camrin had passed her before she left had managed to hold up at the checkpoint into the city, she clutched them tightly as she stared up at the round turrets of the palace and its formidable gates.

  It was a mixture of white marble, that looked red when the light caught it; an incredible sight that could be seen from anywhere in the vicinity of Tonkara. Plants of all colours were entwined along its edges, both of the main palace buildings and all those surrounding. Twelve-foot black gates with long iron bars she knew to be User-made kept it safe along with the innumerable guards and, she imagined, Unforgiven inside.

  It looked like its own city, full of lies and horrors she wished she didn’t have to face, hidden amidst the stench of Tonkara.

  Katanya Leshi hated to admit it; but Ivloch had been right. She never would have been able to get Becca out with an army at her back, let alone, on her own.

  The thought stung, as the truth often did.

  She stared up at the gates from her spot in Kara’s Square and wondered if she could even get in now, or was this finally going to be her match?

  The note had said Becca had made friends. That meant there was someone inside those walls who could help them; who knew about the serum and could be the only hope they had left.

  One last bastion against the strength of The Unforgiven.

  She might not make it in, she might die if she did, but she certainly owed it to Becca, Ivloch, Mara, Kyllian, and to herself to try.

  She took a long breath and sauntered towards the gate and all the soldiers surrounding it.

  Forty-Nine - Jaxon

  Samiah was fuming.

  “Jala is to be your Second? She’s barely out of nappies!”

  Her rage echoed off the walls of the throne room. It was empty except for the two of them, Jala outside with Tyr. She had demanded this ‘talk’, her shift not meant to start until evening. The King was off plotting with Xave or whatever creature he preferred t, so he had ushered her in the empty space.

  He hadn’t predicted an argument.

  “You’re to lead the night shifts, she’s only my second in name whilst working with me.”

  The platitude did nothing to calm her and she stomped around the room. For a moment he thought she was going to sit in the carved wooden throne, but instead she prowled back towards him.

  “Is this because we ended? Is it about Becca Youchnore?”

  “It’s nothing to do with either Samiah.”

  She cursed, a hand trailing through her neatly cut hair.

  “I thought we were friends Jaxon. I didn’t know that friendship only counted when I was sharing your bed.”

  “Samiah, this has nothing to do with the fact we’re no longer sleeping together. I was the one who put a stop to it, if you recall? I need someone to lead the evening rotation. You’re more qualified than Tyr. If you really want to swap.” He knew he was lying about the last part and from the ferocious look in her eyes, he gathered she was aware.

  “You’re a coward Jaxon Rowdedge. I hope you know that.”

  The door swung open and Reyn Landress entered. There was a silver cloak today, matched with an intricate velvet jacket.

  “Oh dear, am I interrupting?” They both turned to look at him, an eerie silence falling over the room. Kara’s violet eyes glaring down at them all.

  Jala followed him into the room, hunched eyebrows that suggested she had heard everything.

  “I stopped to see my friend Jala here and heard an awful noise emanating from this room,” he turned his attention towards Jax. “Rather fortunate I heard you and not one of our more interesting palace guests, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Jaxon didn’t miss the double meaning in his words. Samiah drew herself into a short curtsy.

  “Apologies Your Highness. I request my leave.”

  The Prince looked at her sadly. “On your way Samiah.”

  She didn’t look at Jaxon as she left.

  “That went well,” Jala asserted.

  “You hurt her,” Reyn swaggered towards the dais as if about to inspect where Jefferson usually sat. “It’s a dangerous game to hurt someone like that. People do stupid things when they’re in pain.” He pulled a face at the throne and whirled round. “Ugly little thing really, isn’t it? Anyway, I met a rather beautiful redhead in the kitchens this morning. A new friend of Kress’ I believe. She scowled at me the whole time, I think I’m smitten.”

  Jaxon said nothing as Jala asked for details and Reyn described the woman, an excited chitter passing between them.

  Had he hurt Samiah? She had been the one so desperate for Reyn’s attention, so hell bent on her career that she would happily enjoy a woman’s suffering.

  She claimed to not know him but what did he really know of her? All she ever discussed was her career. She had refused to even tell him what part of Brodanna she originated from, anything about her family or who she had been before this place.

  If she was hurting, then she probably deserved it.

  He made to leave but Reyn caught him by the arm.

  “I did actually come to find you for important reasons Captain, finding you and your lady arguing was an accident. You do need to be more careful though.”

  “She isn’t my lady.”

  “Perhaps not, but you’re obviously on each other’s minds. That tends to mean you’re linked at least.” Jala made a noise of agreement and Jax scowled at her in response.

  Reyn let go of his arm, his near black eyes regarding him.

  “My mother came to me
this morning. She is worried. I’ve told her of you. I need you to meet me in my chambers this evening. We need to talk.”

  Jax inclined his head in response, but it didn’t appear Reyn was quite finished.

  “Whilst the three of us are here, there is something else.” His attention switched to Jala and Jax thought he might know why. “I can get you out Jal. I know you’re going to object, but there is a way and it’s taken most of my resources to look into. There is no escape for either me or Rowdedge, but you’re young and you won’t be noticed. You could leave tomorrow. Go back to your family,” he paused awkwardly. “I know they are very well thought of in Torlung.”

  Jala’s heart-shaped face tightened. She pulled what appeared to be a nightgown from the mysterious fold of her uniform and brandished it at the Prince. Jax couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing as she preceded to chase him across the room hitting him with it.

  “YOU DO NOT MENTION MY FAMILY! DO YOU HEAR ME?”

  Reyn shouted a line of apologies and ducked to avoid the onslaught of fabric.

  For such a small woman Jala was certainly feisty.

  Jax couldn’t help but feel the terrible mood Samiah had left him in lift as she finally stopped and brought her hands to her hips. Reyn moved cautiously to stand next to him whilst she regarded them both.

  “You’ve been cooking up this little plan together, haven’t you?” She kicked her foot and left them no time to make excuses. “Save little innocent Jala because she’s so small and girly and whatever else goes through your mighty idiotic heads. I might be young but newsflash…neither of you are much older and you’re in more danger than me. I’m doing what I believe in and that’s the end of it. Did Becca teach you nothing? Some things are worth it!” She shook her head, the rage ebbing, but only slightly. “Now both of you, go do something useful and it better be the last I hear of it or I’ll come at you with more than my nightwear!”

  She trampled back to her duty leaving them both looking abashed in her wake.