by Drew Wagar
With Coran, Mel and Fitch alongside … but they’re all gone. Even Caesar is gone too …
Kiri grabbed Fitch’s hat from inside, put it on Meru’s head and tapped it into place.
‘There,’ Kiri said, giving him a quick kiss.
‘Does sort of … suit you actually.’ Zoella nodded, managing a smile before they climbed inside.
‘All set?’ Meru asked.
Zoella answered in the affirmative from the rear, both had already strapped themselves in.
‘All ready …’ Kiri began. She gasped, yelping with pain and clutching her forehead.
‘What is it?’ Meru asked, turning around. ‘Kiri? What’s the matter?’
Zoella could feel the nexion twisting around her.
‘It’s her … it’s Nerina!’ Zoella said.
* * *
Nerina watched as Merrin’s body slumped to one side on the floor of the hall.
She wasn’t dead. Her eyes were open and she was still breathing. But her essence, her power, all drained.
Nerina was trembling with the after-effects of tearing her.
Not as strong as Kiri or Rihanna would have been, but powerful enough! I have the strength to take anyone who dares stand against me now. Merrin served her purpose well enough.
She looked down. Merrin’s face was blank, spittle dribbling from her mouth, her overweight body slumped in a heap on the ground.
Nerina stepped around her and moved to the wall, pulling on the rope cord that summoned her servants.
She took a deep breath and then walked to Merrin, crouching down next to her.
The door opened and the servant entered.
Nerina turned, her expression now shocked and distressed.
‘Summon the healers,’ she called, her voice shaking. ‘Priestess Merrin is ill. She cried out and then fell, she needs help. Hurry!’
The servant retreated at a run. Within moments the healers arrived, they clustered around Merrin, examining her.
‘She said she felt a pain,’ Nerina explained. ‘Clutched her head and then fell. Please tell me she will be alright?’
‘We will see to her,’ the nearest healer said. ‘You aren’t hurt?’
‘No, I’m fine,’ Nerina said. ‘Look after her. Give her the best care you can, she is dear to me. Poor Merrin.’
Merrin’s unconscious body was, none too easily, wrestled on to a stretcher. Four of the healers were required to carry her out.
Nerina’s pain and concerned expression lasted until the doors closed behind the healers.
Then it was gone.
She strode to her chair and lowered herself into it, clenching her hands tight around the armrests. She closed her eyes, concentrating hard.
A spell passed. A strain grew on Nerina’s features. She gritted her teeth, a frown growing into a grimace on her face.
Kiri! Where are you?
Kiri’s response was sharp and acidic.
As if I would tell you!
You will tell me, you will do as I say! You will come back to Drayden, you will answer to me.
I will not! You betrayed me, tried to kill me. I have seen you for what you are. You have no power over me now!
Nerina tried to force a view through the link, but Kiri was resisting her. She could see nothing, glean no information other than Kiri’s words.
Is that what you think?
The link broke.
* * *
Kiri looked up, her face pale.
‘What happened? Zoella asked. ‘Did Nerina …?’
Kiri nodded. ‘She tried to find out where I was, but she got nothing from me.’
Zoella gave her hand a squeeze. ‘Well done. I know how brutal she can be.’
‘But there’s something else,’ Kiri said. ‘She threatened me, demanded I come back to Drayden.’
‘She knows you’re strong,’ Meru said, nodding to Zoella before looking at Kiri. ‘She wants your gift so she can guarantee overcoming Zoella when the time comes.’
Zoella nodded. ‘We need to get to Viresia soon, before she determines what we’re trying to do.’
Kiri nodded.
‘Contact Gemma,’ Zoella said. ‘Let her know. Meru? Get us flying.’
* * *
‘They’re coming,’ Gemma said, blinking, Kiri’s mental voice still echoing in her head. ‘They will be with us in a stretch. Meru says they will land in the shadowfell of the sunright mountains to avoid being seen.’
Joachim nodded. ‘Sensible enough. The priestesses won’t see them there.’
‘We will need to keep the priestesses occupied,’ Crenech said. Joachim, I want you to go and meet our Scallian nieces. Bring them to the city via forests and the shadeward walls.’
Joachim nodded.
The priestesses have been alerted to be on the lookout for something,’ Crenech said. ‘It can’t be anything other than our missing royal nieces, which means we can’t risk arousing their suspicions by our actions. We stick to our plan. Agreed?’
Joachim and Gemma nodded. Though both looked pale.
‘It will be alright,’ Crenech said, looking at Gemma. ‘Joachim will bring them in, but I need you with me in Viresia. Only you can speak to Kiri.’
Gemma nodded.
Joachim left to see to the hergs, returning with three of them saddled and ready for the ride.
‘Let’s go,’ Crenech said, taking the lead.
Viresia was not far. The road was well travelled and it wasn’t unusual for wayfarers to be on the road between the outlying farms and homesteads. Viresia’s white walls rose high against the rocky valley that lay beyond it, water still cascading down from upon high, being cunningly routed through the city and to the river below by a series of tunnels, fountains and aqueducts.
Crenech wasn’t looking at the city. His gaze was directed upwards. He could see a dach circling above him.
Joachim had seen it too. ‘We’ve been spotted.’
Beside him, Gemma shuddered. Crenech saw her herg startle and snort.
‘Easy. We’re just on our way to the city,’ Crenech replied. ‘About our normal business. The homesteads over to the sunright are late with their taxes. That’s the task in hand. I’ll want that squared away by the end of the pass.’
‘We’ll get out of Viresia as soon as I can,’ Joachim said.
‘Loaded down with ledgers,’ Crenech said. ‘Meanwhile …’ He turned to Gemma. ‘I will be looking at provisions and supplies for the household whilst you help Joachim.’
Gemma looked up from under her cowl. She looked pale, but she nodded.
Crenech smiled at them both.
The road grew busier. About them, traders and travellers passed either side of the road running along the river. Heads were bowed, few made eye contact, content to be getting on with their own business without being disturbed.
The dach was circling lower now. They saw it alight on the walls of the city and the priestess dismount. She was lost from sight for a moment before she reappeared at the entrance.
The gates were unlocked and open, with guards either side. They spotted Crenech some distance off and waved him in. Crenech rode forward with Joachim beside him. The priestess was waiting.
‘… and don’t take any nonsense from them,’ Crenech began, talking loudly. ‘They’re a tough crowd at times and need a firm hand. Good at heart … well mostly.’
‘I’ll do my best,’ Joachim answered.
‘And don’t take no for an answer,’ Crenech said. ‘They know what they owe … ah … priestess.’
The priestess looked him over.
‘Away from home again, Lord Crenech?’
‘Alas, yes,’ Crenech replied. ‘I would rather be warming my heels in front of a fire with a jug of Ochren to keep me company. Unfortunately I have duties to attend to in the city. I need to get my scribes to complete the tax ledgers. We have a small discrepancy … Joachim here will be dealing with it.’
‘Discrepancy?’
‘Taxes.
A minor thing in the grand scheme,’ Crenech said. ‘Overdue.’
‘I can punish them for you,’ the priestess replied. ‘They can answer to me directly.’
‘You could indeed,’ Crenech said. ‘But it may induce resentment that we might otherwise avoid. I’m sure I can handle it, though I do appreciate your support. Joachim, make your way to the sunright homesteads, be back before two stretches are out, mind!’
Joachim bowed low, turned his herg and rode out beyond the walls. Gemma followed him on her own herg. Crenech watched as the priestess’ gaze followed.
‘You need both of them for this errand?’ The priestess asked.
‘Joachim carries all the ledgers,’ Crenech said. ‘Gemma’s herg carries the provisions. It’s a bit of a trek out there, and no watering holes.’
The priestess watched as Joachim and Gemma rode away.
‘There is another item I would like to discuss,’ Crenech said. ‘If you could spare me the time?’
The priestess turned to him, nodding curtly. Crenech gestured towards the buildings beyond the entrance.
* * *
‘You there!’
Pootle turned, the sharp voice startling him. The stack of bedding he was carrying toppled over. He scrambled to catch it, only then realising who had addressed him. He fell to his knees, bowing low.
‘High Priestess.’
With short sharp steps she was poised before him.
‘You were priestess Kiri’s man servant, were you not?’ Nerina demanded.
‘Yes, High Priestess, though since she was killed I now serve …’
‘I have news for you,’ Nerina said. ‘Follow me. Leave the linen.’
Pootle scurried after Nerina down through the corridors of the dormitories and towards the temple. He looked in surprise at the doors; there were no guards in evidence. He slowed as he crossed the pathway between the dormitories and the temple.
‘You will follow me,’ Nerina said, looking over her shoulder.
‘But men are not …’
‘This stretch I make an exception,’ Nerina snapped. ‘No further questions. Follow me!’
Pootle hurried up behind her, as she walked through the double doorway into the temple.
He caught his breath as they walked in, the doors closing with a resounding boom behind them. Pootle gasped as he looked around, seeing the rich carpets beneath his feet, the vast mirrors that hung at the corners of each corridor, reflecting the blazing light of Lacaille in all directions. Dust motes hung in the beams of warm light in the air before him. At intervals down the corridor stood incense burners; the hallways laced with a thick miasma of scent and spice.
But the temple was deserted, there were no other priestesses near by, their footsteps, muffled as they were on the carpets, still echoed off the walls.
Nerina turned right and Pootle scurried to keep up with her. Nerina pushed through another set of double doors and led him into a hall. Pootle looked around him in bewilderment. ‘The inner hall of the priestesses,’ he whispered.
Beneath his sandled feet he could see alternating red and sand coloured tiles. Wooden benches of furler wood lined the walls, all deserted. Beyond those, the hall was lit by huge upturned bowls of metal hoisted aloft on elegant stands within which fires blazed. The metal bowls were wrought to resemble the shades of the forest.
There was a table at the far end. Nerina reached it and turned, her dark cloak billowing out around her.
‘Kneel,’ she called out, gesturing to him.
He did as she bid.
Nerina walked to him, then proceded to circle him, placing one foot before the next.
‘You are the first man ever to set foot within these hallowed halls,’ she said. ‘Lacaille has blessed you with this great honour.’
Pootle swallowed. ‘It is an honour unlooked for, High Priestess.’
Nerina continued her walk. Pootle kept his head lowered, seeing her cloak sweep past his vision every few moments.
‘You will be wondering why I have brought you here,’ she said. ‘You have an opportunity, to do something unique for Drayden, something no man has ever achieved before …’ She stopped in front of him. ‘A chance to be immortalised in the annals of Daine.’
Pootle couldn’t help it. He looked up.
Nerina leant down towards him, her hand caressing his plump upturned face.
‘Tell me,’ she whispered. ‘Tell me all about … Kiri.’
‘But … she’s dead.’
Nerina’s voice dropped even further and she bent down towards him. A knife was in her other hand.
‘No,’ she said, her voice just a murmur. ‘She lives …’
* * *
Joachim and Gemma rode hard, following the wall around the city on the sunright side, before following another road out towards the mountains. They arrived at the homesteads Crenech had mentioned, Joachim ensuring he had some simple conversations regarding their affairs in case any questions were asked.
Then they rode onwards, towards the shadowfells of the mountains beyond.
‘Nervous?’ Joachim asked.
Gemma nodded. ‘Yes. You?’
Joachim smiled at her. ‘Meeting this rogue priestess Kiri? Meeting royality of Scallia, however estranged? Yes, I’m nervous.’
The route was seldom used, the pathways rough, dusty and rocky. It led nowhere useful now. Long ago, rocks had been quarried out of the mountains and carted back, but that hadn’t been in living memory. Nothing grew in the shadowfells, the eternal shadows cast by the mountains. No direct light ever reached them.
None ventured here.
Joachim stopped and looked, Gemma bringing her herg to a halt alongside. Lacaille’s light had faded behind the mountains now, with the gloom beyond now visible as their eyes adjusted. Joachim could see nothing but the rocky sides of the mountain stretching up before him. He guided his herg further into the gloom, Gemma following behind. It was cooler, the air growing dank about them.
For another spell the hergs trotted onwards. Joachim signalled for a halt and both of them eased their hergs to a standstill, looking around the bleak landscape.
‘Where are they?’ Gemma whispered. ‘There’s nothing out here. Nothing at all.’
‘I don’t know,’ Joachim said, ‘Can you …?’
‘That’s far enough!’
The voice came from one side. Joachim and Gemma looked, but couldn’t see anything.
‘Get down from the hergs and raise your hands,’ the voice shouted. Joachim could hear it was male, with a strange accent he hadn’t heard before.
He pulled his herg to a stop and dismounted slowly, holding his hands up as directed. Gemma did likewise.
‘Step away from the hergs.’
Gemma stood close to Joachim.
‘Do as they say,’ he said. ‘It will be alright.’
Joachim and Gemma did as they were instructed, scanning the rocks for a sign of whoever it was who was calling to them.
Before he saw anyone Joachim felt a nudge in his back.
‘Hold still!’
This time it was a woman’s voice, with a short clipped accent he did recognise.
Drayden … a priestess?
The woman patted him down, looking for a knife. She found the one he had secured on his belt and pulled it out. She did the same with Gemma, not finding anything.
‘Turn around. Keep your hands up.’
Joachim did so, and was confronted with a fierce-looking woman with dark hair and sharp blue eyes.
How did they know I would be here?
The woman continued to check his clothing, satisfying herself that he carried no further weapons.
‘He’s clear.’
The woman turned her attention to Gemma, looking her over for a brief moment before stopping.
‘You …’ she said, gasping in surprise.
‘Kiri?’
Joachim heard footsteps behind him and looked over his shoulder. A man, with another woman beside him.
‘Is it her?’ the man asked. ‘The one you spoke to?’
Kiri nodded and a smile formed on her fierce features. ‘It’s her.’ She pulled Gemma into an embrace. ‘Gemma! You made it. You escaped!’
‘I did,’ Gemma replied. ‘But only just, I was saved …’
‘It’s good to know you’re alive,’ Kiri said. ‘They told me they’d found you and killed you.’
Gemma shook her head. ‘Another priestess almost caught me, one with red hair …’
‘Rihanna,’ Kiri whispered.
‘… but I threw myself into the river and got away,’ Gemma continued. ‘Lord Crenech and Joachim found me, got me safely to Viresia and kept me hidden from the priestesses.’
‘And good for us that they did,’ the man said.
Gemma looked at him. The man turned to Joachim.
‘Then you are …?’
‘Joachim, servant to Lord Crenech of Scallia,’ Joachim said.
The man and woman looked at each other.
‘Then be at peace, Joachim,’ the second woman said. ‘I am Zoella, also of Scallia. It is good to be here.’
Joachim let out the breath he was holding.
‘Zoella,’ he said, smiling. ‘I have heard so much of you. The girl who rescued King Ioric from the molossc!’
Zoella smiled. ‘That was a long time ago.’
The man beside her coughed.
‘My companions,’ Zoella said. ‘This is my friend Meru.’
Joachim reached forward and shook Meru’s hand, looking him over. Meru seemed about the same age as him, tall and lanky, with a mop of brown hair. He looked tired and worn out.
‘And you’ve met Kiri,’ Zoella said.
Kiri had let Gemma go and was walking around him, her gait almost predatory. She had the air of a practised fighter. Her left hand was covered in a dark glove. He had no doubt she could wield the staff she held in her right.
‘Aren’t you …?’ he began.
‘A priestess?’ Kiri said, twirling the staff. ‘I was.’
‘She’s with us now,’ Meru said.
‘She’s on our side,’ Gemma said. ‘She’s the one who set me free from Drayden.’
‘The rogue priestess,’ Joachim breathed.
‘Rogue?’ Kiri said, stepping forward.
‘I meant no offence.’ Joachim retreated before her.
