by Drew Wagar
‘Yeah, you’re right.’
‘You’re the captain, Captain.’
* * *
Meru was sitting with Zoella, their feet propped up on the grass.
‘You knew her best,’ Meru said.
‘She was so young,’ Zoella said, staring off into the distance. ‘How could she really know what she was doing …?’
‘How do any of us?’ Meru asked. ‘How old do you have to be to sacrifice yourself for your friends?’
‘I don’t know,’ Zoella said. ‘I don’t know anything any more.’
‘It’s not your fault,’ Meru said.
‘I’ve tried to look after two children,’ Zoella said. ‘One is dead … the other … she’s …’
‘What happened to Ren was tragic,’ Meru said. ‘But he made a choice to fight. Ira made a choice to give herself up for everyone else, including you … especially you. That’s how much she cared for you … she loved you.’
Zoella sighed. ‘I just don’t want more people to die,’ she said, tears coming to her eyes again. ‘Everything we do, no matter what … no matter how we try to make things better …’
Meru gave her a hug around the shoulders.
‘We’re not through this yet … not until we deal with the priestesses,’ he said. ‘We’ve got to keep fighting to turn Esurio back to how it was supposed to be. At least we know what we’re fighting for.’
Zoella nodded, looking over at Kiri.
‘You’d better go to her,’ she said. ‘Don’t leave her alone.’
Meru looked up to see Fitch walking towards Kiri. He got to his feet, ready to intervene, but saw them exchange nothing but a few words. After a moment, Fitch turned and walked away. Kiri had a puzzled look on her face. He watched as she turned and sat down on the steps again.
‘You’ll be alright?’ Meru asked.
Zoella nodded.
Meru left her and walked across to Kiri. She looked up as he sat down next to her.
‘How are you doing?’
She smiled. ‘Alright I think,’ she said. ‘Just trying to get it all straight in my head.’
‘What did Fitch want?’
‘To make peace.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah,’ Kiri replied. ‘I was surprised too. Is Zoella …?’
‘She’s feeling guilty for what happened to Ira.’
Kiri nodded. ‘Meru, I didn’t mean to hurt you when I made that offer … I just couldn’t bear the thought of Zoella … I thought it would be …’
‘Shhhh,’ he said, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss. ‘You wanted to save her. We all did. I understand. It was very brave.’
‘I just thought … I can’t go back to Amar with you … if it had been me, you’d be free to …’
‘I am not leaving you,’ Meru said, turning her head by her chin and forcing her to look at him. ‘Believe it.’
Kiri managed a smile.
‘What that girl did, Ira …’ Kiri said. ‘If she hadn’t been here it would have been Zoella or me anyway. To be caught in that machine … held there like that forever …’
Meru felt her shudder in his arms. He pulled her closer.
‘I think Ira was right,’ he said. ‘It’s you two that have to stop the priestesses.’
Kiri sighed. ‘Just the two of us? How?’
‘That’s our next problem.’
* * *
The crew of the Mobilis returned to the ship, Meru escorting Kiri at the rear of the group. They boarded in a subdued fashion, with Coran explaining to Daf and Creg what had happened to Ira. Both of them listened without responding, but they looked glum.
Smoke from the burnt plants drifted into the sky. Even here, in the full protection of the Obelisk the flare had scorched the land. They could see distant plumes rising from the forests. The smell of burning was heavy all about them. No animals could be seen and there were no signs of movement.
Fitch prepared more food and Coran asked everyone to gather on deck. He let them finish the meal before addressing them all.
‘It’s been quite a stretch.’ He looked at each one in turn. ‘We came here to fix the Obelisk, unaware of what that would require. One of us has sacrificed herself so that might be accomplished. I’m sure none of us will ever forget Ira and what she did … what she will continue to do on behalf of everyone, perhaps long after we are all forgotten.’
Everyone around him nodded solemnly. Zoella, sitting next to Kiri, stifled a sob and Kiri put her arm around her.
‘Before I move on to what happens next,’ he said. ‘There’s another piece of business for this crew. We just lost a shipmate, I’d like to invite another aboard.’
He saw Kiri start and then look around in bewilderment, before looking at him.
‘Kiri,’ he said. ‘You were our sworn enemy not long ago. I guess what we’ve all been through shows that we were never meant to be at odds. This planet was supposed to be a peaceful world, without factions and sides. I’ve seen enough of your character to see you’re a loyal friend to those you care about. Will you work with us to set the world right?’
Kiri stood up, her eyes wide with shock. She looked around at Meru and Zoella, both of them gave her an encouraging nod. She turned to Coran.
‘I can’t fix the whole world,’ she said, sparing a glance at the rising smoke. ‘But I will help you try to stop the priestesses. I can do that.’
Coran grinned at her.
‘I’m told,’ he said, giving Mel a quick look, ‘that I have a little influence in what’s decided back home in Amar. So, you help us, and in return, I will hold your crimes against Amar pardoned.’
Kiri gasped, Coran could see she was trembling.
‘I don’t deserve any of this,’ she said. ‘Not after …’
‘None of us are perfect,’ Coran said. ‘We’re just trying to do the right thing. Seems to me that’s what you’re about now. Am I right?’
Kiri nodded. Coran saw her look around at the rest of the crew. They were all waiting for her to say something. Coran saw her swallow.
‘I’ve done bad things, hurt and killed,’ she said, looking from one to another. ‘But I will do my best to put things right. Put things back how we’ve learnt they should have been.’
She looked at Coran, a small smile on her face. Coran extended his hand to her.
‘Welcome aboard the Mobilis, Kiri.’
She took his hand. He was surprised at the firmness in her grip, saw the tendons and muscles flex in her arm. Meru, Zoella and Mel clapped, even Fitch tipped his hat. Coran saw Kiri’s cheeks flush pink.
‘What are your orders, Captain?’ she asked.
Coran winked at her.
‘First an initiation,’ he said, hearing Fitch chuckle from alongside. From behind him he pulled out a bottle and a set of small wooden tumblers. He passed them round and then poured a measure of a thick dark liquid into each one. He kept a couple back for himself and Kiri.
‘Let’s see how you master a measure,’ he said, setting the bottle down and raising his tumbler. ‘To Kiri!’
‘To Kiri,’ everyone said from behind her. Coran saw Fitch, Mel, Daf and Creg down theirs without a pause. Meru swallowed his too, clenching his eyes tight shut for a moment before he swallowed. Zoella sipped hers and then coughed and spluttered, tapping her chest with her hand as discretely as she could.
Kiri sniffed hers before her eyes widened in surprise.
‘Oh yes! I love this stuff,’ she said, downing it in one go.
Coran waited for a moment and then looked at her in surprise, expecting a reaction to the strong liquor. Instead she licked her lips and held her tumbler out for more. He topped it up again. She downed the second one just as fast.
‘Seems like you were born to it,’ Coran said, exchanging a surprised glance with Fitch.
Kiri smiled coyly. ‘I’ve had it before,’ she said. ‘Well, something like it.’
Coran caught the sideways look she gave Meru. Now he was b
lushing.
‘A story worth telling?’ Coran asked.
‘No,’ Meru said, a little too quickly.
Kiri laughed. ‘Maybe one stretch.’
Coran sat back. ‘As for orders,’ he said. ‘Sit yourself down and tell us what we’re up against. Seems to me that the priestesses will try to take Amar again. They’re going to be wise the second time. What can you tell us about them?’
Kiri did as she was told, seating herself next to Meru. Coran watched her as she looked around, seeing everyone looking at her. She coughed and sat up straight.
‘The first thing you need to know,’ she began, her voice sharp, ‘is that the priestesses are a strict hierarchy. A matriarchy I suppose, like Ira said. The high priestess controls everything, but then delegates different tasks to those below her. She has the strongest gift, she’s in charge. Everyone follows her orders, they are well disciplined. All priestesses are taught how to fight, but only about half are fully trained for war, others run errands and other tasks to keep things running.’
‘How many are there?’ Coran asked.
‘Now?’ Kiri asked. ‘I don’t know, before the battle for Amar, we mustered two hundred priestesses trained to fight and fly. That is what we attacked Viresia and Amaris with.’
‘Perhaps half of them survived the battle,’ Fitch said. ‘Weakened for sure, but not weak.’
‘There are more in reserve,’ Kiri said. ‘They would be able to muster the same numbers again if they compromised the defence of Daine.’
Coran thought about that for a moment.
‘But, the fleet from Taloon was destroyed.’
‘Much of it,’ Kiri said. ‘Perhaps the greater part of it, but I did not see what other resources they had. Certainly they sent a lot of their ships, but they would have kept some back and they’ll build more with enough time. I think they’d still be able to mount an offensive before too long.’
Coran nodded. ‘I suspect you’re right. We can’t repel that kind of attack again. And we had the element of surprise last time too. The priestesses will remember the flying ships and the quayside weapons, even if they could be made operational in time.’
‘Is there any way we can take the fight to them?’ Mel asked. ‘We have you two, that’s got to count for something, right?’
‘The two of them can’t stop the priestesses alone,’ Fitch said. ‘Outnumbered a hundred to one? That makes no sense!’
‘It doesn’t work like that,’ Meru said.
Kiri was nodding. ‘The priestesses can’t combine their powers; that’s why I was taught how to tear … take power from other women. Individual women can increase their powers. I planned to …’
She looked over at Zoella. Zoella nodded in encouragement.
‘I planned to take Zoella’s powers in order to challenge …’
‘Her?’ Coran asked.
‘The high priestess,’ Kiri said, with a nod.
‘Liana, the Scallian Queen, had done this too,’ Zoella said. ‘Taking power from the women in Scallia, she tried to take mine too. She thought she was strong enough to resist the priestesses, but she got her sums wrong.’
‘There are only three priestesses you have to worry about,’ Kiri continued. ‘Nerina is the high priestess, she is the most powerful. You met her on the quay, she was the one who told you to surrender.’
‘I remember her alright,’ Fitch said.
Coran nodded.
‘Beside her, stand two others,’ Kiri said. ‘Her protégé, Rihanna. She is young, about the same age as Zoella and me. Nerina trained her and me side by side.’ She gestured to herself and Zoella. ‘She is the equal of both of us, probably even stronger now. She’ll have been encouraged to tear more power.’
‘And the third?’
‘Merrin,’ Kiri said with distaste. ‘Not a fighter, but she is the chief administrator, she runs everything else. She is sly and treacherous – she hates me! Deal with those three and the priestesses will relent. All the time those three live, the priestesses will be your mortal enemies.’
‘So we kill those three,’ Fitch said, patting his rifle. ‘Simple enough.’
‘You won’t get close enough to hurt them,’ Kiri said. ‘They will hear your thoughts and strike you down before you could get close. All of them are easily capable of crushing your minds before you could use your weapons, even these ones.’ She pointed at Fitch’s rifle.
‘She’s right,’ Zoella said. ‘What I did to you all in my rage … it would be like that, but worse. Your minds crushed beyond recall.’
‘And now we know how it works,’ Meru said. ‘Those tiny nanomachines are in everything, even inside us … and they respond to their control.’
‘And in addition to those powers,’ Kiri said. ‘Those priestesses who are trained as warriors are fierce and brutal. They are very skilled with swords, bows and the kai.’
‘Yes,’ Coran said. ‘I remember that well enough too. So … what do you think they’ll do?’
Kiri got to her feet and walked around the deck of the Mobilis. She looked out to sea for a moment before turning back.
‘Nerina will have been weakened by the failure of the attack on Amar,’ Kiri said. ‘I think that’s what she intended for me. I thought I was the chosen one of Elena’s prophecy. She was using me to either win, or come back in failure. She will need to strengthen her position.
If she could claim victory over Amar, that would silence any opposition she faces.’
‘So they will be coming back,’ Fitch grumbled.
‘If it was up to you,’ Coran said, looking at Kiri. ‘What would you do? How would you defeat us?’
Kiri bit her lip.
‘I’d attack you,’ she said, looking Coran straight in the eye. ‘You’re the leader, your ship is the most powerful vessel anyone has ever seen. I’d kill you all save Zoella, tear her gift, destroy or steal the ship. Then Amar would fall.’ She paused. ‘That’s what I would do.’
There was silence for a moment. Everyone was looking at Kiri.
‘Well, you did ask,’ Fitch said, laughing, looking around at the stunned expressions about him. ‘Sound strategy too. A little on the cold-hearted and callous side, but she’s not wrong.’
‘Is there no way we can talk to them?’ Mel asked. ‘Reason with them?’
‘Reason with them?’ Fitch asked, giving her a withering look.
‘Kiri has changed her mind,’ Mel shot back. ‘She listened … why not the rest of them? If we could show them what we’ve found out …’
‘Some might,’ Kiri acknowledged. ‘But they’ve all been taught from childhood that they are superior, deserving of their position and following the will of a goddess who demands complete obedience or dishes out severe punishment. I only had three rounds of that. It was hard enough for me to leave it behind. I don’t think there is much hope that will work.’
‘Neither do I,’ Coran said. ‘Nor do I much fancy our chances in a second confrontation. We’ve got to stop them before they’re ready to attack Amar.’
Kiri nodded. ‘Nerina already knows the religion we followed isn’t true. She just wants to be Empress, be in control of everything. She has torn so many women … her power is huge and the rage and madness that comes with it will have taken her over.’
‘We need to take out the leaders,’ Fitch said, holding his rifle out before him. ‘Get me within three hundred hands and I’ll drop them stone cold dead.’
‘We’ve got six rifles in total,’ Coran said. ‘With maybe a hundred cylinders for them. But the priestesses know about them and how they work. Getting a shot is the problem.’
‘And they’ll be shooting back,’ Kiri said. ‘All of them are trained in archery remember.’
‘Then there is the problem of getting to them,’ Coran said. ‘What is their city like?’
Kiri sat alongside Meru, crossing her legs.
‘Daine? It is far inland, the city has a wall. The priestesses live in a temple at the very centre of the
city. Many dachs are stationed nearby. I don’t think it has ever been attacked from the ground. There are regular patrols of the area, you could not approach without being seen.’
‘And we barely have enough flying machines to counter the dachs in defence, let alone an attack,’ Meru said. ‘Not even close.’
‘Yeah, that won’t work,’ Fitch agreed. ‘So we can’t attack ’em and we’re likely to lose if we wait for them to come to us. Doesn’t leave us much does it?’
‘We need an army,’ Coran said. ‘And we don’t have one.’
He saw Zoella frown for a moment, then she shook her head.
‘Zoella?’
‘No it won’t work …’ she said.
‘Try us,’ Coran said. ‘Anything is a good suggestion at this point.’
‘There is an army,’ Zoella said. ‘Well, what’s left of one.’
‘Where?’ Fitch demanded.
‘In Viresia,’ Zoella said.
‘But Viresia fell to the priestesses,’ Meru said. ‘The city was aflame, routed …’
‘Yes,’ Zoella replied. ‘But not all the soldiers were killed.’
‘She’s right,’ Kiri agreed. ‘I went back there after I left Drem. There are priestesses there, but only a small force to keep order. Most of the rest of the city and the people were left intact. The lords there swore loyalty to Nerina or faced death. One was killed, the others capitulated. Nerina left there to return to Drayden … I went with her.’
‘Viresia already fell once,’ Fitch said. ‘What would make a second time any different?’
Kiri and Zoella looked at each other.
‘Us,’ they both said together.
‘And our weapons,’ Meru said. ‘We might even be able to bring in reinforcements from Amar to help make a stand.’
‘Alright,’ Fitch said, leaning forward with renewed interest. ‘So we take out the priestesses in Viresia and take back control of the city. Then what? The priestesses won’t take that sitting down.’
Kiri looked at Zoella.
‘Then we entice Nerina in,’ Zoella said.
‘How?’ Coran asked.
‘Us again,’ Kiri said. ‘Nerina, Rihanna and Merrin think I’m dead and whilst they know of Zoella they don’t know where she is …’
