by Drew Wagar
‘Leave him alone,’ Zoella scolded Kiri. ‘Just ignore her.’
‘And you’re both the nieces of King Ioric?’
Zoella nodded. ‘Princesses of Scallia, daughters of his sister, Myana.’
Joachim swallowed. He and Gemma looked at each other.
Royalty! When we thought they had all perished …
Both he and Gemma dropped to their knees, their head bowed.
‘My service, Princesses,’ Joachim said, ‘is freely given. Command me.’
He heard Kiri laugh, but felt a hand grip his. He looked up to see Zoella standing over him. She had hold of Gemma’s hand too.
‘For now,’ she said, pulling them to their feet. ‘Your company on the road will suffice. We must reach Viresia without being seen. You can tell us everything else on the way.’
Joachim nodded. ‘It will take us most of the stretch to return,’ he said. ‘Priestesses patrol the skies at intervals, we must stick to the forests to avoid being seen.’
‘We won’t be missed for a stretch,’ Gemma added. ‘So we have time to get you inside.’
‘How far?’ Meru asked.
‘Seven or eight marks to the city from here,’ Joachim said. ‘We would have brought other hergs, but that would have aroused suspicion.’
‘Wise enough,’ Zoella said.
‘Hardly the glorious return for Queen Zoella,’ Kiri said. ‘Traipsing in from the wild and sneaking in through the back door.’
Joachim stared at her for a moment and then looked at Zoella.
‘Ignore my sister,’ Zoella said. ‘She fancies herself as quite the court jester.’
‘So you would be Queen?’ Joachim asked. Gemma was looking at Zoella with her mouth open.
‘Yes, she would,’ Kiri said, pulling a face. ‘She’s the oldest.’
‘So you say,’ Zoella said. ‘And all that can wait until we have got safely to the city and dealt with the priestesses. Shall we?’
She gestured to the track Joachim and Gemma had ridden along.
‘You must ride, my Queen,’ Joachim said. ‘The Queen of Scallia cannot walk. I will not allow it.’
‘I am not a queen yet,’ Zoella said. ‘And I’m quite capable of walking, thank you. Give the herg a rest and let us make haste.’
Zoella strode off, leaving Joachim and Gemma nonplussed in her wake. Meru trudged after her, followed by Kiri.
‘See? She’s definitely the Queen,’ Kiri said, giving Joachim a wink before walking off. He tugged on the reins of his herg.
‘She’s …’ Gemma began before stopping, unable to find the right words.
Joachim nodded. ‘Amazing.’
They walked out of the shadowfells and then turned into the forests that bordered the road. Joachim led the way now, pulling the herg along beside him. Zoella walked to his left, with Meru and Kiri further back with Gemma.
‘I meant no offence,’ Joachim said.
Zoella looked at him. ‘None was taken.’
‘It’s just,’ he began. ‘I’ve never met a …’
‘Please,’ Zoella said. ‘I am not a queen, I may never be one. I grew up as an orphan in a ramshackle hall in Serenia. Ioric took me in as a maid and so I served. I have no money, no jewels, no servants. I have never lived as a queen and I doubt I will start now. I’m just Zoella.’
‘When I was younger I dreamt of being a soldier in service to King Marek,’ Joachim said. ‘Then King Ioric and Torin …but then the priestesses came. Lord Crenech has resisted them with guile and cunning, but I would prefer a fair fight.’
‘They would not give you one,’ Zoella said. ‘And do not wish to take up a sword. I have seen too many lives stolen away by war and battle. If I had my way we would not need such things, nor service to a monarch.’
‘I would serve you as I wanted to serve them,’ Joachim said.
‘I would rather you were a friend,’ Zoella answered. ‘I have more need of those.’
Joachim looked at her in astonishment.
They topped a small rise, leading to a clearing in the forest. Meru, Kiri and Gemma caught up with them
‘Viresia is not far now,’ Joachim said. ‘If you stay within the forest for another mark, you will emerge at the shadeward wall.’
‘I know it,’ Zoella said. ‘It is seldom used. I went that way once on an errand for King Ioric.’
Joachim nodded. ‘The main gate will be guarded, you must enter through the sewers.’
‘The sewers!’ Kiri exclaimed.
‘You didn’t think we were just going to walk straight in, did you?’ Zoella asked. ‘We can’t risk being seen by the priestesses until we’re ready.’
‘But … sewers?’ Kiri said, wrinkling her nose.
‘They aren’t used on this side of the city,’ Gemma said. ‘They will be washed clean, pretty much.’
‘Where do they lead to?’ Zoella asked.
‘In many directions,’ Joachim said. ‘But stay to the central route and it will lead you to the stables.’
Zoella nodded. ‘Funny … I used to work there.’
‘You worked there?’ Gemma asked.
Zoella smiled. ‘I wasn’t very good as a maid, so I was sent to the stables to muck out the hergs. Honest work, if a bit smelly.’
Gemma’s mouth was hanging open again.
‘I’m not quite what you expected, am I?’ Zoella asked with a laugh. ‘I told you I wasn’t a queen.’
‘I didn’t mean to …’ Gemma stuttered.
Zoella smiled at her. ‘I know, not what you meant. I’m not offended.’
‘You’re very gracious,’ Joachim replied, looking at her.
‘We’d better get going, don’t you think?’ Zoella asked after a pause.
Joachim nodded. ‘Yes. Gemma and I will meet you at the stables,’ he said. ‘We must go before we’re missed.’
Zoella nodded. ‘Be careful.’
Joachim smiled, Gemma waved and they led the hergs away.
Zoella watched them go, seeing Joachim turn about to look at her before he was hidden from sight amongst the trees.
‘He likes you,’ Kiri whispered in Zoella’s ear.
‘Really?’ Zoella said. ‘He’s just overwhelmed and …’
‘And you like him,’ Kiri said.
‘Oh stop it. We’ve got far more important things to worry about than …’
‘Joachim,’ Kiri said, grinning.
Zoella rolled her eyes. ‘Come on.’
* * *
The three companions followed the forest to the edge of the walls of the city. Here the outside walls were wedged close against the sheer cliffs of rock that led upwards thousands of hands into the sky above. Lacaille was obscured by the bulk of the city, the whole area cast in shadow.
Zoella had explained to Kiri and Meru how the city had been built for many more people than now occupied it. The entire area was abandoned, covered in ages of dust and debris. No one lived here when there was plenty of space on the Lacaille-facing side.
‘Didn’t really get a chance to sightsee last time,’ Meru said, looking around him in awe. ‘It’s magnificent. Ancient too.’
Zoella nodded. ‘I remember Ioric saying something about how they tried to maintain the stonework, but couldn’t build like it any more.’
Zoella shivered when she remembered how she had first come to this part of the city. Ioric had instructed her to visit the catacombs beneath the streets. She’d found her way into an ancient library, finding out about their past from old books and documents.
And had been sealed in the darkness by Liana.
Ioric had rescued her, but she could feel the terror even now.
The darkness …
‘Here,’ she said. ‘This must be it.’
There was a culvert built into the wall, from which a thin stream of water was gushing. They couldn’t see far inside.
Meru took a look and sniffed.
‘Doesn’t smell great,’ he said.
‘Lovely,’ Kiri said.
They had brought their hand-held lights with them. Meru unpacked them, switched them on and handed them round.
Zoella gritted her teeth.
Darkness …
Summoning her determination she crouched down and clambered in. Inside, the tunnel was bigger, with stones and mud coating the floor. Kiri followed her with Meru bringing up the rear. They couldn’t see far.
They walked for perhaps a quarter of a mark, stepping through fetid and dank puddles of water, hearing the squeaks of marsips in the darkness, but never seeing the small rodents. They reached an intersection and huddled close to inspect the passageways that led away into the darkness.
‘Straight on?’ Meru asked.
Zoella nodded.
‘Let’s be quick,’ Kiri said, with a shiver. ‘It’s just horrible down here … dark and …’
Both Zoella and Meru turned as Kiri stumbled back, clutching at her head. She moaned, pushing her hands against the sides of her forehead and thrashing around. They caught her, lowering her to the ground.
‘Nerina?’ Meru demanded.
Zoella nodded, she could feel the power of the nexion around her, a hot metal smell growing in her nostrils. Kiri screamed and clenched her eyes tight, her body trembling.
‘We’ve got to stop it,’ Meru said to Zoella. ‘Can’t you do anything?’
Kiri yelped in pain and then her eyes opened.
‘No … don’t!’ she gasped. ‘Please don’t … not …’
Zoella held on to Kiri’s wrists. She too flinched and grimaced with pain.
‘It’s her,’ Zoella said. ‘Nerina. I’ll try to …’
Zoella’s expression went blank, and then a look of horror crept across her face.
* * *
Nerina pulled the knife back and held it in front of Pootle’s eyes. It glinted in the bright orange light from the flames behind her. He quivered in her grasp, immobile, caught in her mental grip. Nerina turned the knife around, seeing its reflection cast a glow across his pale skin.
See Kiri? I do have a hold over you. I have him. I know he is dear to you. I know all.
Nerina revelled in the panic that spluttered across the link.
No … don’t! Please don’t … not …
Nerina pushed the knife point against Pootle’s face, just enough to dint his skin.
You can save him Kiri. Give yourself up, come back to Drayden, submit to me. I will let him live. Otherwise …
Nerina twisted the knife a fraction, a rivulet of blood dripped down Pootle’s cheek. Pootle shuddered in her grip, but was still locked in her hold. Nerina could feel the horror, feel the fear that cascaded across the mental connection. Kiri’s guilt flashed and soared around her. She luxuriated in it.
Yes, you abandoned him didn’t you? Thought only of yourself. Left him here to face the punishment that should be yours. I will torture him, you know I am capable of it.
The dread was palpable now.
Just come to me … I will spare him.
Nerina felt it … capitulation.
I will …
NO!
Another voice, strident and powerful, cut across the exchange. Nerina sensed a stronger power, vibrant and fierce, determined and forthright.
You lie! You will not have her, she will not come to you!
Nerina felt the alarm, heard Kiri’s plaintive protest.
But Pootle … he served me … he’s innocent …
Nerina’s retort was immediate. She pushed the knife up Pootle’s face, cutting a gash in his skin. Pootle yelled, blood flowed.
He will die!
Nerina’s mental vision was swamped with another face. Brown eyes and a resolute face. She saw regret, felt anger, but sensed utter unwavering will.
And he will be avenged!
* * *
Kiri howled with anguish as the link was suffused with redness; blood mixed with anger, horror and regret; the slashing thrusts of a knife wielded in rage. Pootle’s screams echoed in her mind …
Silence.
Just the dripping of dank water in the tunnel.
‘Kiri …’
She looked up into Zoella’s eyes.
‘You stopped me,’ Kiri whispered. ‘I could have gone, I could have saved him.’
‘It was a trap,’ Zoella answered, matter of fact. ‘She would never have let him go. She would have torn you and been all the stronger.’
Kiri’s eyes were dark and haunted. Meru crouched down beside her. She was trembling and didn’t respond.
‘What happened?’ he asked, his tones hushed. Zoella explained.
Meru pulled Kiri into a hug.
‘It’s not your fault,’ he said. ‘Zoella’s right. She was baiting you, there’s no way she would have done as she said. All the more reason for us to stop her, avenge this servant of yours …’
Kiri was sobbing now, limp in Meru’s arms.
‘All this death,’ she cried. ‘It has to stop.’
Zoella got to her feet. They looked up as she held out her hands to them both.
‘And we will stop it,’ she said. ‘We have to.’
Meru helped Kiri to her feet.
‘Did Nerina find out where we are?’ he asked.
‘I don’t think so,’ Zoella said. ‘She can only see what we can see. Down here …’
She gestured to the dank walls of the sewer.
Meru nodded.
‘But when we are somewhere she might recognise,’ Zoella said. ‘Our guard could slip, it’s only a matter of time before she finds out. We’ve been lucky so far.’
Kiri wiped her tears away.
‘I want to kill her,’ Kiri said. ‘Make her pay.’
‘It may come to that,’ Zoella replied, looking at her and then across at Meru. ‘It will take all our efforts.’
Meru nodded.
‘It’s her or us,’ he said. ‘Clear enough.’
He pulled the two women into an embrace.
‘Together, the three of us.’
* * *
Joachim and Gemma led their hergs around the walls and then struck across the farmlands towards the main track to the city. They could see a stream of workers traipsing towards the city from the fields to the sunward.
‘Let’s join the others,’ Joachim said. ‘If we plod on with them, no one will give us a second glance.’
They moved into the crowds. They crossed the river and turned towards the main city gates, walking up to the stables.
As they tied up the hergs Joachim wondered how many people were still working. It was late in the stretch and most of the hergs were in and munching on dried greenings from the fields. Few more would arrive now. The stables should stay quiet.
‘Seems safe enough,’ Gemma whispered. He nodded.
They made their way up to the council chambers. Crenech would be waiting for them.
The chambers were dusty, full of dark-hued wooden benches and tables piled high with books, ledgers and scrolls. A few scribes sat on tall stools, scribbling away with styluses, but the room was quiet.
Crenech was seated in a corner, half hidden behind an ungainly stack of books. He saw Joachim and Gemma and beckoned them over.
‘Well, did you find them?’ he whispered, as they drew close.
Joachim nodded. ‘Yes, we led them to the sewer outflow on the shadeward side, they’ll be making their way to the stables as we speak.’
‘The priestesses are communing up in the palace,’ Crenech said. ‘We are safe for now.’
He gestured for the pair to sit next to him.
‘So … it is true?’ Crenech asked. ‘We risk everything on account of them. If they cannot overcome the three priestesses we will all be killed.’
‘They are as they said they would be,’ Gemma said. ‘The three of them who remain … Meru is …’
‘The boy doesn’t interest me,’ Crenech said. ‘The nieces?’
‘Kiri was a priestess,’ Joachim said. ‘She still looks like one. She’s a fighter, trai
ned and ready to deal with anything. She looks like she could take them all on herself and win.’
‘And Zoella?’
‘It’s strange,’ Joachim said. ‘She seems … demure … gentle even. She’s warm and friendly, totally the opposite of Kiri and yet …’
‘Yes?’ Crenech said.
‘Both of the others,’ Gemma said. ‘They look to her. She’s in charge. I see no reason to doubt them … but until we confront the priestesses …’
‘Interesting,’ Crenech said, ‘Let’s hope they are everything we hope they are. If they aren’t, the priestesses will kill us all.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Viresia, Capital of Scallia
Round 2307, Tenth pass
Crenech, Joachim and Gemma made their way out of the council chambers and down the streets to the stables. The smell of herg droppings was stronger now, the hergs standing in their allotted stalls. Joachim led them inside, their conversation trivial and light hearted. It was dimly lit inside, only a few jars of mossglow were hung on an exposed beam above, giving a faint glow. The one stablehand that remained looked up briefly from his work, but took no further notice of them as they went to their respective hergs, pretending to inspect them.
‘I don’t think I fancy travelling home this stretch,’ Crenech said, offhand. ‘I think I will spend the sleeping in the city.’
‘As you wish, my Lord,’ Joachim responded, dutifully.
‘Fetch my gear for me, lad,’ Crenech said. ‘I need a few things from my pack.’
Joachim bowed and retreated further into the stables. Crenech and Gemma stood waiting alongside his herg, nodding at the stablehand who glanced in his direction and then went back to his task.
‘I think you’re quite right,’ Gemma said, primly. ‘To travel back now would be tiresome.’
‘It’s a long way.’
They didn’t have to wait long. A faint whistle made him turn his head to see Joachim’s face peering at him out of the gloom.
‘Keep an eye out,’ he whispered. Gemma nodded.
Crenech walked deeper into the stable, Joachim led him into one of the tack rooms towards the rear. He could make out the two women and young man who accompanied them. They all looked grimy and tired, a stale smell rising about them.
