by Drew Wagar
Zoella swallowed, looking around at the bodies of the priestesses.
‘I don’t like it,’ Zoella said. ‘I don’t want it … I wish I’d never been born with this awful power …’
‘We must still defeat the high priestess …’ Gemma said.
‘Yes,’ Zoella said. ‘But then, then I will never use this accursed gift again. Never.’
Kiri pulled her into a hug. Tears streamed down their faces.
‘They weren’t able to send any messages?’ Crenech said. ‘Forgive me … but we must be sure.’
Zoella released Kiri and shook her head. ‘They did not have time. They suspected nothing.’
Crenech nodded.
‘Meru, Joachim,’ he called. ‘Put their bodies in the wagon …’
‘They must be treated with respect,’ Zoella called. ‘I will not have them dishonoured. They did only what their mistress bid them to do and they died doing it.’
Crenech nodded. ‘It will be done as you say.’
Kiri walked across to the first of the priestesses, kneeling down alongside her and running her fingers across her face and closing her eyes. Zoella crouched down beside her.
‘I knew this one,’ Kiri said, her expression downcast. ‘Her name was Amrit. She was much like me.’
‘I am sorry for what we had to do,’ Zoella whispered.
‘I heard her thoughts,’ Kiri said. ‘She would not have listened to us, she was terrified of Nerina’s wrath. The hatred, anger and fear had grown within her. They’ve all been consumed by the gift. They’ve all been encouraged to tear too many other women. We couldn’t have turned her back.’
Kiri looked at Zoella.
‘We came so close ourselves,’ Zoella said. ‘Either one of us, more of the gift would have sent us into this spiralling frenzy.’
Kiri got to her feet, Zoella alongside. Both beckoned to Gemma and held her hands.
‘It won’t be long before Nerina notices they fail to report in,’ Kiri said. ‘A stretch perhaps, no more.’
‘Then we must now take back control of the city and make preparations for war,’ Crenech called to them. ‘It is time to proclaim that the princesses of Scallia have returned. I will summon the lords. Come!’
* * *
It did not take long. Crenech had summoned the lords of the city, but news that something momentous had occurred had leaked out. Crowds were already gathering about the palace, thronging its courts. The absence of the priestesses had been noted. Guards had already been posted at the walls to stop anyone from leaving and the gates of the city had been barred.
A hastily convened meeting of the lords had been organised. A few of them remembered Zoella as a maid to the late King Ioric, but all of them remembered Kiri. Crenech had to quell several threats of violence before her story could be told. Even Zoella’s own tale did not get told without interruption.
‘A maid as our queen?’ one Lord complained.
‘A princess as our queen,’ Crenech replied. ‘And you will show the proper respect to the daughter of Myana, sister of King Ioric and daughter of King Marek.’
Conversation rose in an angry hubbub. Zoella stepped into the midst of it, raising her voice.
‘My Lords,’ she said, her voice quavering before growing more confident. ‘I know this is much to take on at such notice. But time is truly not on our side. We have mere stretches to prepare our people for war once again.’
Silence fell as the conversation ebbed away around her. The lords were watching and listening to her now. She looked at each one in turn as she spoke.
‘Ioric was my king. Yes, you knew me as a maid and I served him as such, but you will also remember I swore an oath to King Marek too. Then I had no knowledge of my past, my birthright, nor that I even had a sister.’ Zoella gestured for Kiri to stand alongside her and held her hand tightly. ‘Neither of us knew of our past, but we have put down our own animosity, forgiven past wrongs. We stand together now and you saw how we rid Viresia of the priestesses. Now we must rid Scallia of them too and safeguard the future. I intend to fulfil the oath I swore. You have sworn similar oaths in defence of our kingdom. Now I ask you to fulfil them. Will you stand with me?’
Zoella swallowed. No one spoke, the lords stared at her.
‘Will you stand?’ she demanded again.
Still there was no response. Crenech stepped forward.
‘I will stand,’ he said. ‘Scallia will be returned to house Tiamoi. Who will see this done?’
He looked around at the other Lords. One stepped forward, then another. Each muttered assent.
Zoella let go of Kiri’s hand and paced before them, looking each one in the eye once more.
‘The future Queen of Scallia asks for more than a mumbled reply,’ she snapped. ‘Swear that you will be loyal to house Tiamoi!’
‘We so swear,’ their voices were still hushed.
‘Not good enough,’ Zoella said, glaring at them. For a moment she closed her eyes, her mental powers surging forth.
Swear! Swear that you will be loyal to house Tiamoi!
The lords gasped as one. Zoella didn’t relent.
‘Swear it!’ she shouted aloud.
Now their answer was strong.
‘We so swear!’
Zoella pulled Kiri alongside her once more, gesturing to her and then to the lords.
‘Swear that you will defend our royal line! Princess Zoella Tiamoi and Princess Kiri Tiamoi!’
‘We so swear!’
The cry was strong now, growing louder with each repetition.
‘Swear that you will defend our interests,’ she shouted. ‘Defend our people, our cities and our lands against all that would do them harm!’
‘We so swear!’ the lords shouted back.
‘Then let us tell the people,’ she said. ‘Let us tell them that their royal line is found again, that the priestesses who afflicted them are ended, but they must yet fight for their survival if they would see Scallia returned to them.’ Zoella paused for breath. ‘And let us tell them … if they … if we win … they will have a queen and she will pledge that Scallia is restored and made whole again.’
‘All hail Princess Zoella and Princess Kiri!’ Crenech roared, glaring around the room.
The cry was taken up and then thunderous applause followed. Zoella looked around, seeing Joachim and Gemma clapping wildly. Kiri was looking at her with wide eyes, Meru staring at her in admiration, also clapping as hard as he could.
Crenech walked up to her, his fist clenched.
‘Princess Zoella,’ he said. ‘You are my queen, now and forever!’
He bowed low and then turned on his heel, gesturing to the doors.
‘Open them!’ he called. ‘We present our princesses and our future queen to the people!’
The doors opened, Lacaille’s light blazing in about them, casting long shadows on the marble floor.
‘I will call for you both,’ Crenech said, his eyes ablaze with excitement. ‘It will not be long.’
He strode to the front of the group of Lords, organised them into two lines and then led them out into the bright light outside. They could be seen standing in a semi-circle before the courtyards and the hundreds of people gathered before them. The conversation of the crowd dropped away and Crenech began to speak.
‘You were magnificent,’ Meru said from beside her. Zoella turned to look at him. Kiri was also alongside, nodding. Zoella stretched out and took their hands in hers.
‘I couldn’t have done it without the two of you,’ she said. ‘My friend and my sister.’
She looked past them to see Joachim and Gemma, standing not far away. She smiled and beckoned to them.
‘And you,’ she said to Joachim. ‘Your words have been a sweet kindness in my ears these last few stretches. I count you amongst my friends too.’
Joachim’s mouth fell open in surprise.
‘And you,’ Zoella said to Gemma. ‘You stood alongside us, brave despite the fear. Come.’
Zoella gestured to them and she pulled them all into an embrace.
Their hold was comforting. Zoella could feel herself trembling.
There was a roar from outside, some kind of chant growing. All five of them looked up as Crenech walked in, his figure silhouetted against the light of Lacaille until he came close.
‘It is time,’ he said, a smile splitting his face into a wide grin. ‘Viresia awaits its queen to be.’
Zoella looked at Kiri, Meru, Joachim and Gemma. They nodded.
‘Together,’ Zoella said. ‘We share this moment.’
Crenech led them forward out of the palace and into the glare of Lacaille. Zoella stood in the middle, flanked by Kiri and Meru, with Joachim and Gemma beyond them. As her eyes adjusted Zoella could see the crowds of people.
Some folk pointed, a cheer arose.
‘My Lords!’ Crenech shouted. ‘Ladies, Gentlemen and citizens of Viresia. Here stand those who have freed our city from the grasp of the priestesses! Our royal line is restored. These are the lost daughters of Myana, daughter herself of King Marek! Show your honour first to Princess Kiri Tiamoi, warrior and fighter!’
The cheer rose. Zoella saw Kiri blush and then awkwardly curtsey next to her.
‘And now your adulation!’ Crenech roared. ‘Soon to be crowned Queen of Scallia, Princess Zoella Tiamoi!’
Now the cries rose higher, the applause thunderous. Then the chant rose, this time the words were audible, clear and ringing out across the city.
‘All hail Princess Zoella!’
Zoella stood there, tears streaming down her face. She raised a hand in acknowledgement.
‘All hail Princess Zoella!’
How long it took for the cries to subside Zoella couldn’t tell. It seemed to last for a spell or more. When it subsided she stepped forward and looked at all the people around her, the lords, her friends and all those gathered beyond.
‘I have come through many troubles to stand here,’ she said, raising her voice as loud as she could. ‘Long before I knew of my heritage I swore an oath to King Marek to defend Scallia. Now I know who I am, I have returned to fulfil it. Yes, we have defeated the priestesses that took over our city, but this is just the beginning of the struggle. Beyond our lands the priestesses still rule and they will seek to take control again. This I will not allow. We have friends and allies en route to aid us and we will stop them once more. You must make ready to defend our city. Viresia has been attacked before, I watched the fire consume us. This time we will be wiser and stronger. We must stand firm, defy them and defeat them. When that is done, and our lands are safe and secure once more, then … and only then will I take the vows and take the crown.’
The cheers rose to a crescendo once more and the chant continued. Zoella heard Meru, Kiri, Joachim and Gemma join in.
‘All hail Princess Zoella!’
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Viresia, Capital of Scallia
Round 2307, Eleventh pass
Through Viresia the news had travelled swiftly. Within the stretch all in the city were aware of what had happened and messengers had been sent with news for the more distant communities within Scallia.
There was shock and disbelief from many, but the absence of the dachs flying overhead convinced those who didn’t accept the stories on first telling. Before long, soldiers and merchants were flocking to the city.
Preparations were hurried.
Food and medicines were stockpiled within the walls, brought in by laden hergs and carts crammed to overflowing. Weapons were readied, swords sharpened and bows restrung, with arrows trimmed and fletched. Carpenters and stone masons were working every spell shoring up the city walls, gates and defences.
Water and sand was being stored everywhere it could be, mindful that the priestesses had used fire to great effect in the last encounter. Meru and Kiri patrolled the walls, giving advice on how to prepare against the aerial attacks.
‘Use the sand first,’ Kiri said. ‘The weapon is a type of oil, it floats on water, so it doesn’t work on its own. Sand stops it, then douse what is left with the water. If you pour water on it first it makes it worse!’
Meru had requested that archers assemble beyond the city walls, explaining how they would be stationed on a flying machine that would lift them into the coming battle, rather than being caught underneath it. Many were doubtful, scoffing at his description of the battle of Amar. He had left Kiri in charge whilst he went to retrieve the smaller flying machine.
Many questioned her on the tactics of the priestesses.
‘A machine of the air?’ one argued. ‘I’d still prefer take my chances on the ground.’
‘Then you’ll die,’ Kiri told him. ‘You saw how the priestesses are skilled at shooting from their dachs. The elevated position gives them a huge advantage and they practice every stretch. Between the arrows and the fire, that’s how they defeated you before. It works everywhere, they will try it again.’
‘In a fair fight …’
Kiri laughed at him.
‘A fair fight?’ she mocked. ‘There is no such thing. The priestesses don’t care about what is fair, they care about winning. We must do the same.’
She raised her voice.
‘You must also be aware their abilities,’ she said. ‘If you shoot individually you will miss, they can see the arrows coming.’
Kiri could see the doubt on their faces.
‘Don’t believe me?’ she asked. There were mumbles of disagreement. She pointed at one. ‘You. Come here.’
One of the young archers did as she instructed, he was one of the better shots.
‘That target,’ Kiri said, gesturing to one of the nearby training boards they had been using. ‘How far is it?’
‘A hundred hands, give or take,’ he answered.
‘An easy shot?’ Kiri asked.
‘Yes,’ he said.
‘Show us,’ Kiri said.
The man nocked an arrow and pulled it back. He loosed it and the arrow thunked heavily into the centre of the target. A smattering round of applause greeted the result.
‘Good work,’ Kiri said. ‘Now do it again.’
The man nocked a second arrow and loosed it as before. Kiri concentrated, gesturing with her fingers as he did so.
It sped past the target in a blur, clattering to the ground some distance beyond. Mumbles of surprise came from the other archers.
‘And again,’ she called.
He tried again. This time the arrow was diverted to the other side.
‘It’s magic …’ someone muttered.
‘No,’ Kiri said, gesturing to the archer. ‘It’s not magic, but the priestesses can feel your muscles, your tendons, they can sense your aim and change it. But not all at once. Fire en masse, not alone, and you have a chance. They can’t stop all of you.’
‘And these machines,’ another asked. ‘Where are they?’
‘Coming,’ Kiri said. ‘They are flying from Amar, it is quite the trek, hundreds of marks.’
She was interrupted by a noise in the air above.
‘And here is one.’
The men around her looked up, shielding their eyes against the dust that billowed and spiralled up around them. The flying machine came down before them, its engines spinning down as it settled on its tricycle undercarriage.
The dust and sound faded and Meru leapt out.
‘Ready?’ he asked.
Kiri turned, a mischievous grin on her face.
‘Now we find out who can really shoot,’ she said.
* * *
‘They’re working them hard,’ Crenech observed with a grin, watching the flying machine take off again with another party of archers aboard. ‘I’ve had so many complaints already. Kiri is quite formidable.’
Zoella smiled. ‘She has to be; the priestesses will show us no mercy.’
Crenech nodded. ‘The city will be ready. Provisions for a siege are being stowed, though it seems the battle will be decided quickly.�
��
‘Nerina comes for me and Kiri,’ Zoella replied. ‘And Gemma too, if she realises she’s here. They will attack from above as is their way. Meru will meet them in the air with the machines. After that it becomes a straight fight for the city. Kiri and I will defend the soldiers as best we can from their powers.’
‘We all have faith in you both,’ Crenech said.
‘I hope it is well placed,’ Zoella said. ‘Nerina is likely to spare no one if she wins.’
‘Have you sensed her?’ Crenech asked.
‘No,’ Zoella said. ‘It’s as if she waits for something. None of us have tried to extend our thoughts for fear of alerting her to our intentions.’
‘Her delay bodes well for us,’ Crenech said. ‘We have had time to ready ourselves.’
* * *
Later that stretch, the ground beneath the city began to vibrate. Fearing an earthquake the populace rushed outside, only to be greeted by a vast shadow falling across them. Above, Lacaille’s light was blotted out by an enormous metal hull. People pointed and cried out in surprise, delight and trepidation. The air thrummed to the power of the machines, thumping down through the city and making everything vibrate.
‘At last,’ Meru said.
Crenech, with Joachim and Gemma beside him, stared upwards in awe as the massive machine turned above the city and began to lower itself to the ground beyond the city walls, flanked by the other smaller vessels.
‘Even with your description,’ Crenech said, ‘Quite the sight. I hope it intimidates the priestesses as much as I.’
‘They have seen it before,’ Kiri said. ‘We don’t have the element of surprise like the defenders did at Amar.’
Meru nodded. ‘And they will have been thinking how best to counter our machines.’
‘Let us go and meet the Amarans,’ Zoella said. ‘Scallia should welcome them. Will you join me, Lord Crenech?’
Crenech nodded. ‘It would be my privilege, Princess Zoella.’
Zoella led Crenech down through the city and through the huge pair of gates that led out beyond the city walls. The flying machines had settled down before it in the plain beyond, by the river that flowed away to the sunward.
