by Drew Wagar
‘Lord Crenech?’ the first woman asked. He nodded.
‘I am Zoella,’ she said. She was the tallest of the two, with brown wavy hair and soft eyes. ‘This is Meru and Kiri.’ She gestured to the second woman. Crenech recoiled at the sharp expression on her face and the glare of her blue eyes. He looked over at Joachim.
‘Next to get you safely out of sight,’ Crenech said. ‘My house will be safe, Joachim will lead you there. Gemma and I will keep the stablehand busy and meet you there in a spell.’
Joachim nodded and gestured for the three to follow him. Crenech walked out into the stables.
‘Lad,’ he called, raising his voice. ‘Over here.’
The stablehand ran to him.
‘Want to earn some extra coin?’ Crenech said, under his breath.
‘Sire?’ The boy said, wide-eyed.
‘Make yourself scarce for a spell,’ he said, giving the boy a wink and inclining his head towards Gemma.
‘Of course, sire.’
‘I’ll ensure you don’t get into any trouble with your master,’ Crenech added, tossing a coin to him.
The boy grinned and then ran off.
‘You’re old enough to be my father,’ Gemma whispered.
‘Perhaps even your grandfather,’ Crenech replied. ‘I’m afraid it’s behaviour that’s all too common amongst my peers. Many of the lords have unsavoury habits.’
Crenech took her hand and led her within the stables, deep into the shadows.
‘Now we wait for a spell,’ Crenech whispered. He could feel his stomach clench with a mixture of fear and excitment.
Committed now. We’ve made our move and the nieces are here! Let’s hope this works.
‘Joachim should have our visitors inside shortly. Once there they will be safe for now. Have you sensed anything?’
‘I’ve felt nothing,’ Gemma replied. ‘As far as I can tell the priestesses are still up in the throne room.’
‘Good,’ Crenech said. ‘Make no further attempts to sense them for now.’
They waited a while longer. Crenech looked out.
‘That should be long enough,’ he said. ‘I will go straight home. You walk down to the markets and spend a while there before returning. I will see you soon.’
Gemma nodded and left, walking down the roads towards the lower city.
Crenech emerged a few moments later, straightening his jacket, looking around and then walking up the road towards his house.
Joachim was waiting at the doors when he got there.
‘Master?’
Crenech moved inside and Joachim closed the door behind him.
‘All safe?’ Crenech asked.
Joachim nodded. ‘They are within.’
‘Lock the front doors,’ Crenech said to him. ‘And draw the shutters against the light. Tell the servants to prepare a meal and have it sent to the drawing room. Our guests?’
‘Rooms were already arranged,’ Joachim said. ‘They are upstairs. Hot water and a change of clothes have been provided.’
‘Good,’ Crenech said. ‘They looked exhausted to me. We cannot expect the priestesses to be ignorant of their arrival for long. I must speak to them before the sleeping.’
Joachim nodded. ‘They are keen to speak to you too. But a wash, new clothes and food will be most welcome I think.’
‘Excellent,’ he said. ‘Leave the servants’ entrance open. Gemma will return before too long. Once the food is served have the servants retire, then bring down our guests and make sure we are not disturbed. I want no one else knowing they are here.’
‘Yes, master.’
Crenech nodded. ‘This is it. The next stretch will decide all our fates, one way or the other.’
Joachim swallowed.
‘To be Scallian again?’ he asked. ‘A risk worth taking.’
* * *
Nerina stood in the hall of the priestesses, oblivious to the horrified stares of the others before her. Her face was streaked with blood, her dark clothing stained. Her arms were slack at her side, the knife still clenched in her right hand.
Blood dripped to the floor.
A pool of it surrounded a mutilated body that lay at her feet.
Nerina threw the knife aside and stepped forward.
So, this maid, this Zoella is the true power. But where is she?
‘Clean up this mess,’ she snapped, pushing her way past and through the double doors of the hall.
* * *
A chime later, Zoella heard a knock at the guest room door. Kiri answered it and looked out.
‘Joachim,’ she said. ‘We’re ready.’
Kiri turned and allowed Joachim to enter the room. Zoella smiled at Joachim and saw him smile in return. She saw Kiri raise an eyebrow.
All three of them were washed and changed, now wearing the clothing of well-to-do Scallian folk.
‘Lord Crenech hopes you are refreshed,’ Joachim said. ‘Food is waiting, but he would like to speak to you …’
‘Food would be very welcome,’ Zoella said.
They followed Joachim downstairs. He led them into a drawing room and closed the door behind them.
Zoella looked around the room, reminded how she had once visited Ioric’s own dwelling in Viresia. A fire was roaring in a large stone hearth, warm and welcoming. The room was lit by oil burners, giving a rich scented flavour to the air. The shutters were pulled against the light of Lacaille, the room cut off from the outside world. Crenech was within, sitting in a comfortable armchair near to the fire and there were other softly padded pieces of ornate furniture arranged throughout. Gemma stood alongside him, now dressed as a lady of Scallia. He turned and rose, striding towards them.
‘My Princesses,’ he said, bowing before Zoella and Kiri, his voice hushed. ‘Daughters of Myana and nieces of King Ioric. And Meru, yes? Welcome to my house and welcome home … to Viresia, in Scallia.’
‘It is good to be here,’ Zoella said, taking his hand in hers. ‘I thank you for your hospitality and the risks you have taken to get us here.’ She looked around, smiling at Gemma and Joachim. ‘All of you.’
‘You bring us hope,’ Crenech said. ‘The risk is worth taking.’
‘Are we safe here?’ Meru asked.
‘We have taken as many precautions as we could,’ Crenech replied, keeping his voice low. ‘Your presence should remain a secret, but we should be cautious all the same. You must be hungry, here … there is food …’ He gestured to a table set against the wall of the drawing room.
Zoella saw Kiri and Meru look hungrily across, but she shook her head.
‘We must decide our next move first,’ she said. ‘May not have much time. The high priestess, Nerina, has tried to find out where we are. For now she has relented, but she will try again. We may not be able to stop her much longer. Do the priestesses here have any suspicions?’
Crenech gestured for them to sit and they lowered themselves into the chairs. Zoella sat perched on the edge of hers.
‘We do not believe so,’ Crenech said. ‘They reside in the palace throne room atop the city, their habit is not to venture out during the sleeping. But there are guards there until the first chime, we can’t approach without arousing suspicion.’
‘We must move against them,’ Zoella said. ‘As soon as we can.’
‘Confront them directly?’ Crenech asked.
Zoella nodded. ‘We need to get close to them, undetected. What happens at the first chime?’
‘The guards are dismissed, the priestesses break their fast,’ Crenech said. ‘Then …’
Joachim leant forward. ‘Then one of them flies out on her dach to search.’
Zoella nodded.
‘So,’ she said, looking across at Kiri. ‘At first chime, they will find … us.’
Everyone looked at her.
‘But how?’ Crenech asked.
‘You will take us to them,’ Zoella said to Crenech. ‘Hand us over as prisoners.’
‘Prisoners?’ Crenech said
in alarm.
Meru nodded. ‘A good idea. I see what you mean.’
‘I don’t,’ Kiri complained.
Zoella gestured to Crenech and Joachim. ‘They capture us,’ she said to Kiri. ‘Lead us to the priestesses … vagabond women found wandering in the land, to be tested for the gift. Crenech and Joachim deliver us directly to them …’
‘Yes,’ Kiri said, her eyes widening. ‘That gets us there and provides a means for the others to escape should things go wrong.’
‘What about me?’ Gemma asked.
‘You will stay here, young lady,’ Crenech said, giving her a look. ‘No sense risking those we don’t have to.’
‘I can help,’ Gemma said. ‘I have the gift too.’
‘We may need all the help we can get,’ Zoella said. ‘Three of us, three of them.’
‘I don’t like it,’ Crenech said.
‘If you all perish,’ Gemma said. ‘What hope is left for me? The priestesses will come for me, then what?’
Kiri nodded. ‘She’s right. They will show no mercy.’
‘And me?’ Meru asked.
‘Stand with us,’ Crenech said. ‘You and Joachim can claim to have found these three women and brought them to my attention. Together we will take them to the priestesses.’
Zoella looked around at them all. ‘We are agreed then? First chime on the next stretch?’
They all nodded.
‘You know we will have to kill them,’ Kiri added, after a pause. Gemma swallowed.
‘No,’ Zoella snapped. ‘I will not murder them just because they follow Nerina’s instruction.’
‘Then we will have to take their power,’ Kiri said. ‘If we don’t they will alert Nerina.’
‘Kiri …’
‘I know you hate this,’ Kiri said. ‘But if Nerina finds out from them we are here she will come for us with no delay. We will not be ready.’
‘Tear them?’ Zoella asked.
‘Yes. If you won’t kill them, tear them. We cannot take the risk of trusting them.’
Zoella swallowed. ‘We both know what that power will do to us, the rage that will build, the desire for domination …’
‘We will have to overcome it,’ Kiri said. ‘The others will watch over us and we must watch each other.’
‘Tearing them is worse than murder. You know what happened to Liana … we can’t leave them like that … alive with no thoughts!’
‘It’s one or the other,’ Kiri said, her voice cold. ‘Or we might as well just hand ourselves over and give up.’
‘Perhaps we could convince them,’ Zoella said. ‘Persuade them to …’
‘I know what they’re like,’ Gemma said, shaking her head. ‘I was there when they tore my companions. They were barbaric, gleeful, there is no chance of compassion …’
‘Kiri is right,’ Crenech said. ‘Either they die, or you take their powers. They are the enemy, we can afford no mercy. We will need time to prepare afterwards, to bring the city on side so we are ready for the high priestess. We cannot gamble with that. What is the choice to be?’
Zoella looked about her. Kiri had her arms folded. Meru looked worried, Joachim concerned, Gemma was looking at Zoella.
Looking to me to make this decision. Why me?
Crenech was staring at her.
‘We must agree on this,’ he said. ‘Now.’
‘I vote we kill them,’ Kiri said. ‘Quick and simple.’
‘Yes,’ Gemma said, nodding.
‘I don’t like it,’ Meru said. ‘But they would kill us and tear you both. I think we have to kill them to be sure.’
‘Zoella?’ Crenech asked.
‘You give me a choice between murder and torture,’ Zoella said. ‘Both are evil choices, but the first is more merciful and less dangerous.’ She swallowed. ‘Murder it is.’
Zoella saw Joachim nod.
‘Decided then,’ Crenech said. ‘I will procure a few items. Hergs, a wagon, clothing suitable for your new status as vagabond prisoners …’
‘Dressing in rags again,’ Kiri said, rolling her eyes.
‘It must look convincing,’ Crenech said. ‘The priestesses are no fools. We will have to bind your wrists and eyes as per their instructions.’
‘Dressing as princesses and ladies would be a giveaway,’ Meru said, venturing a smile.
‘Just not so tight we can’t get loose!’ Kiri replied.
Zoella looked across to Crenech.
‘The next stretch will decide everything,’ he said. ‘But first, food and rest.’
* * *
The food was consumed in near silence, Zoella found she could eat little, the thought of killing the priestesses weighing on her mind. She returned her plate to the table.
‘You’re sure the people of the city will accept us, rally to us?’ she asked Crenech.
Crenech wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin before answering.
‘The nieces of King Ioric?’ Crenech said. ‘Princesses of our realm, having returned and despatched these hated priestesses? Yes, indeed. They will call for sovereignty to be restored immediately …’ Crenech stopped. ‘You are both princesses, but only one can be queen …’
‘It is Zoella,’ Joachim said.
Zoella looked at him in surprise. Kiri and Meru nodded.
‘We already decided,’ Kiri said, by way of explanation.
‘I see,’ Crenech said looking from Zoella to Kiri and back again. ‘In that case, on the next stretch, if luck should be with us and we win our first battle, I will proclaim from the palace of Viresia that we will crown Queen Zoella of Scallia …’
‘I will not take the crown,’ Zoella said, interrupting him.
All eyes were on her now.
‘Zoella …’ Kiri began.
‘I will not take it,’ Zoella said. ‘Not until all of this is done and we have won everything. Ioric took the crown and was slain within just a few stretches. If I am to be queen, and reluctantly so, my reign will start with peace, not war. Let us fight all the battles first, and celebrate afterwards. If there is anything left for us to celebrate.’
Crenech nodded. ‘Your wisdom exceeds mine,’ he said. ‘It will be as you say. But do not underestimate the potency of having our royal line restored.’
‘We will have to count on it to defeat Nerina,’ Zoella said. ‘Many will die again, we must all be prepared for that. The battle will be fierce and brutal. Nerina’s wrath will be terrible.’ Crenech saw her look over at Kiri. ‘We know her rage.’
Kiri nodded.
‘She will spare no effort to possess us,’ Kiri said. ‘Nothing else will matter, not us, not you, not even her own people. She will sacrifice everything. Once she knows we are here, we will have little time.’
‘Let us focus on the task in hand,’ Crenech said. ‘First chime tomorrow. For now, we should rest. Sleep if we can.’
Zoella nodded.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘We must be as ready as we can be.’
They all stood up. Kiri gave Zoella a hug.
‘We are going to win this,’ she said.
Zoella nodded. ‘Give me a moment to gather my thoughts.’
Kiri nodded. Meru went with her.
Crenech and Gemma gave her a bow and followed them out. Joachim hesitated for a moment and then left.
Alone now, Zoella paced around Crenech’s drawing room, looking at the paintings, furniture and books that lined the walls. There was a great deal of Scallian history on show; images of Viresia, the shadeward forests, portraits of kings from long ago.
Did Ioric feel like this? Poised on the verge of battle, knowing that people were going to live or die based on the decisions he took? I wish he was here to ask! It should have been him, not me. I truly am just a vagabond girl from a half-forgotten town. I might have the bloodline, but I am nothing, how can I be Queen of Viresia?
The thoughts cascaded around her mind, driving her to panic, fear and desperation.
But the choice is made. We at
tack on the next stretch. For good or for ill, we are plunging into war again. How many will die this time?
‘Zoella?’
She turned to see Joachim standing in the doorway.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean to disturb you.’
She gasped.
‘You did,’ she managed. ‘But I’m glad of it. Will you stay awhile? My thoughts are awhirl.’
‘Your friends …’
‘Already gone to bed,’ Zoella said.
‘Trying to get some sleep is probably the best idea,’ Joachim replied.
‘Oh … I doubt they’ll be sleeping,’ Zoella said. ‘Not those two.’
‘Ah,’ Joachim said. ‘They’re …’
‘Together, yes,’ Zoella said.
‘And you?’ Joachim asked. ‘Is there …?’
‘No,’ Zoella said. ‘I’m the sensible, boring one. I have to think about what is next, worry about the future, plot murder …’ Her voice wavered.
‘It sounds very lonely,’ Joachim replied, stepping towards her.
Zoella gasped, swallowed and turned away. When she looked up Joachim was standing alongside her.
‘I didn’t mean to give voice to your feelings,’ he said. ‘But if there’s anything I can do to help …’
‘I’m just a maid,’ Zoella said, her voice shaking. ‘Yes, I was born to a queen, but I knew nothing of it until a pass ago. I am of lesser rank than Gemma, far lower! I have no training, no experience … I can’t fight like Kiri, can’t fix machines like Meru. I have no skills, nothing to recommend me. Everyone is looking to me. Now I’m told I must murder to bring peace. I don’t want to do this.’
She sobbed, resting her head in her hands.
She felt Joachim touch her shoulder.
‘You will make the right choice,’ he said. ‘You will be our queen.’
She turned to look at him,
‘I have earned no higher station than you,’ she snapped. ‘I’m not royalty just because of my parents … a mother who I never knew, a father who … well, never mind. I know nothing of power, politics, running anything … I was just … born, there’s nothing special about me, no more than anyone else.’
Joachim took her hand.
‘From the moment I met you I saw a leader,’ he said. ‘Someone who others will follow, trust and lay down their lives for. Your friends, they look up to you. If Lord Crenech would allow it, I would pledge myself to your service right this moment, Zoella. Though I am just a servant. I believe in you.’
