The first thing of note was that each was a svelte beauty. Several of Orrell’s men swore under their breath. None of the women could have been past their twentieth year and Leopold was as surprised as everyone to see such young ladies emerging from the trees and ruins, as if there were a wonderful paradise just out of view, home to such heavenly angels.
Apparently, they had been subsisting in these jungle wilds, but none of them looked the least bit dishevelled. Quite the opposite, they were immaculately clean and well-dressed, as if readied to attend some royal gala. Some had their long black hair pulled tight in ponytails, or tied up in decorative fashion. Some had shorter hair that hung freely about their shoulders. They wore shimmering, figure hugging garments, similar to Lady Wind’s in design, but while her clothes were made from the simple fabric common to Amandia, theirs shimmered in the light. Lady Wind would later explain it was silk, a material rare in Amandia before the Darkening.
One of them conversed with Lady Wind in some unfathomable language that only the good Lady comprehended. The young woman’s expression was serious as she spoke to the older, and she looked as if she had never laughed in her life. Such a grievous bearing looked altogether strange on her youthful face.
Samuel, the only one still sitting, raised himself, slowly and groaning like an old man, to come beside Leopold.
‘Do you understand them?’ Leopold asked of the magician.
‘I understand everyone,’ he said. ‘The Lick of the Ancients taught me all languages.’ The reference escaped Leopold. ‘Even if I did not, they speak the Old Tongue, which I learned long ago. Here. It is a simple matter, and it is fitting that you understand them, too. I will just give you fair warning: I would treat these young ladies very carefully if I were you. They will not put up with nonsense.’
Leopold was trying to make sense of the magician’s comments, when surprisingly, between one word and the next, he understood what was being said.
‘—before we saw you arrive, Lady Wind,’ the young woman was saying. ‘We waited twice the standard time to be sure of no deception, to be sure you were not being held against your will. We noted your signals with caution.’ She spoke with authority, as an equal to the much older woman.
‘That was well, Phoenix. I expected no less. I must say, it has been many years since I had someone to converse with in my own tongue. I am truly happy to at last be home.’
Phoenix nodded in return, devoid of expression. ‘We have waited several years. We came to see what happened to those sent before us, but there was no sign of them. Something took them without warning, before they could leave markers to explain their demise. We carried on with their duties, awaiting your return.’
‘What is happening on the mainland?’ Lady Wind asked, impatient to hear the news.
‘The Eudans continued arriving until five years ago, with a last sudden rush. At the same time, they stopped attempting to send anyone back. They burnt any ship capable of making the crossing, making it clear that the Eudan invaders do not ever intend to leave.’ Her voice was flat as she made her report, but her next question was filled with hope. She stepped up to Lady Wind and took both the older women’s hands in hers. ‘Where is she? Where is our god?’
‘She perished,’ was Lady Wind’s response and the collection of young women murmured with concern, shaken by the news.
The one called Phoenix was confused. ‘Perished? That is a strange choice of words. Have you found her new vessel?’ She glanced momentarily towards Jessicah.
But Lady Wind shook her head. ‘I have spoken long with our magician about this. Our god’s spirit has not yet been reborn. She is in waiting, until complicated matters can be resolved, until the world finds peace once again.’
Phoenix looked thoughtful before setting her gaze directly on Samuel.
‘That one is the magician,’ she stated, no question in her tone, the final word laced with contempt. ‘I will trust your judgement in keeping such company, but we will keep a close eye on him.’ She turned her attention to Leopold beside him. ‘And that one also understands.’
Lady Wind followed Phoenix’s gaze to Leopold. ‘Given what Lord Samuel is capable of, I do not doubt anything is possible. Nothing seems beyond him. Thankfully, the magician is our steadfast ally. Leopold, do you understand me?’
Somehow, Leopold knew that the question had been uttered in the Turian tongue, not Koian, and he nodded his head in response. He was unsure what would come out of his mouth if he spoke.
Phoenix approached Samuel. ‘Welcome to our lands, Magician,’ she said in her native tongue. Her voice had lost the business-like tone she used with Lady Wind, now light and whimsical, as might be expected from a woman her age. She granted Samuel a playful smile as she bowed her head and clasped her palms gently together. But her new demeanour lasted no longer than was necessary, and when she again raised her head the emotion had fled.
‘I accept your hospitality, Lady Phoenix,’ Samuel replied. He did not bow or move. ‘I am humbled to step upon the soil of Empress Moon—assuming she still lives.’
Anger passed over Phoenix’s visage, a crack in her porcelain mask. It lasted an instant, barely a twitch at the corner of her eye, but the magician had scored a victory.
Her narrow eyes closed almost altogether as she corrected him. A smile of gladness formed, plastering over her fractured visage. ‘She lives, friend Magician, I am sure of that. She is a prisoner of our Eudan occupiers, but she lives.’
‘A pity,’ Samuel replied and deliberately, unhurriedly, he stepped away to inspect some detail at the edge of the clearing.
Phoenix’s smile collapsed as soon as he turned, and she glowered at his back. Why the magician was set on vexing her Leopold did not know, but he found it mildly amusing. It was refreshing to have someone else on the receiving end of Samuel’s distemper.
Phoenix went on. ‘Given you have returned, our task is complete, Lady Wind. What would you have us do now?’
‘Come with us,’ she told the younger woman. It is time to retake our home.’
‘It joys my heart to hear that.’ Her expression failed to change, despite her words. ‘With the aid of these outlanders, our chances are improved. The sight of a great ship returned will give hope to the people. The revolt can begin. Our nation will be restored as it was. Empress Moon will be freed.’
‘She will,’ Lady Wind replied with a sincere nod.
Phoenix called for her companions to make ready. Some bound off into the forest to retrieve their belongings and Leopold noticed how strong and lithe they were, leaping on lean but muscled legs, shifting gracefully and without effort; not nearly as delicate as Amandian women.
Samuel caught Leopold openly goggling at them and stepped silently to beside the young Emperor. ‘I told you, Leopold, if you play with fire you must prepare to be burnt.’
‘What do you mean by that? Can’t you simply explain something for once?’
‘Of course I can. It means you are going to ignore me. It means I am going to be thoroughly entertained by your futile attempts to woo one or more of these Koian women.’
‘How can you be so sure?’ Leopold asked suspiciously.
‘It is in your nature, Leopold. Right now, every fibre of your being is telling me that fact. Never forget, I can see through your words, Leopold. I can see through your clothes, through your skin and into the very core of your being. You have no secrets from me.’
Leopold shuddered. Through his clothes?
‘What is happening?’ Captain Orrell asked of Lady Wind, not having followed anything being said.
‘They will come with us,’ the older Koian woman replied. ‘They will aid us.’
‘Lady Wind,’ Samuel told her. ‘We do not have time to assist with your rebellion. That is not why we came.’
‘Don’t worry, Lord Magician,’ Lady Wind replied. ‘I do not intend to get in your way. Our paths run together for the time being. When they diverge, you will be the first to know.’
****
The newfound Koian women led the way to the beach, carrying enormous woven baskets on their backs that looked almost their own weight, each one filled with personal belongings and provisions.
The women were remarkably strong and Leopold could only suppose that living on the island had toughened them. There were no men or other companions, so they had become used to fending for themselves.
They brought with them basketfuls of vegetables and prepared meats, obviously not intent on returning to their hiding place upon the mountain.
Leopold was so busy gawking that he was almost run into by one of the young women as he stopped to observe another adjusting the basket straps over her bare shoulders. She paused behind him, waiting for him to notice. When he did, she glared at him, balancing her mountainous load upon her back. Her hair was tied into a tight tower that rose up from the centre of her head, bound in white cloth right up to the end where her dark hair sprouted. Her dark eyes turned to slits.
‘Oops. Sorry,’ he said to her, stepping aside.
‘You pale people look like ghosts. You hover in front of us as if we could walk straight through you,’ she replied, venom in her tone. ‘Clumsy Oaf.’
‘I can understand you, you know,’ Leopold told her, now feeling the Koian language passing over his tongue. ‘That’s very rude.’
‘I know,’ she said, and she marched off past him, setting her hair knot waving left and right as she went, with it peeping out from either side of her basket.
He thought momentarily of offering to help her; looking at the size of her encumbrance and how easily she bore it, he decided she had everything under control.
‘That one was Kali,’ Daneel remarked, stepping beside him, watching the line of women continue by. ‘That one is Arrow,’ he said, pointing to the one Leopold has been first watching. ‘Destiny is currently my favourite. In a moment or two I think it might be Twilight.’
‘How do you know their names?’ Leopold asked the eyepatched man.
‘I asked Lady Wind. Now they are all up here,’ he said with a smile, tapping his forehead with a finger.
‘All sixteen of them?’
‘When it comes to ladies, I never forget a name,’ Daneel remarked.
It took Leopold those moments to remember his dislike for the man. He marched away without further word, following the column back towards the beach.
Once the longboats had been filled with the supplies and their new companions had climbed aboard, they dipped their oars and headed towards the ship. Salu and Toby meandered down from the forest in their own good time, getting into the last of the boats as it pushed away from the shore. Several more boats had come from the Farstride to help them, and the sailors manning them could not keep their eyes from the women. They nudged each other and one nearly fell overboard in his surprise as he turned from his oars.
Once again, Leopold marvelled at Samuel’s failure to assist. One wave of the magician’s finger could have had everything aboard in a flash. Instead, the delay caused them to arrive in full darkness.
The magician watched everything around him—like a scarecrow with its arms pinned to its sides—never participating unless the need was dire. He was an observer, watching humanity conduct its business around him, trying to remember if he belonged.
Captain Merryweather organised cabins for their new passengers without hesitation. There was now much space in the holds, given their vast supplies of provisions were depleted. They had slaughtered the last of the livestock several days ago and there were far more empty barrels and crates in the holds than full ones. Many had been smashed to fuel the kitchen stoves.
Lieutenant Fillius relegated a score of his men to the emptied chambers deep below decks, giving the newcomers some of the precious space in the well-lit and better ventilated aftcastle. The sailors made no effort to hide their stares and grins at the women now boarding, but Commander Riggadardian swore loudly and let them know such behaviour was unfitting of the Imperial navy. Captain Merryweather followed suit, also berating his men with vim, but he would stop between every second breath, swallow uncomfortably and pull at his stiff collar, gazing at the women with wonder, before returning to his shouts and threats.
****
Leopold was called to Commander Riggadardian’s cabin after dinner. The Commander, Captain Orrell, Lady Wind and Phoenix were seated around the large table. The magician was there, seated like a hunched-over ghoul, pallid in the face and looking like he might drag one or more of them to the netherworld at any moment.
They had emptied dinner plates before them, silver cutlery discarded upon those. Lady Wind and Phoenix both had their customary eating sticks set on theirs. Even after so many years in Amandia, Lady Wind still preferred them, spurning such things as knives and forks. Samuel’s space was bare, except for a small cup of water. His right hand rested beside it, extending from his black sleeve like a pale claw.
The room was spacious, but not so much that the party did not have to shuffle their chairs about as Leopold entered.
‘Come, sit with us, Emperor Leopold,’ Riggadardian implored.
Leopold nodded politely and sat down in the space created beside Samuel. He looked into the magician’s gaunt face, and was met with a blank, unblinking gaze in return, forcing him to avert his attention.
‘We will reach Koia very soon,’ Riggadardian explained, ‘so we have been exploring our alternatives.’ The commander then paused for Samuel to take over, but as usual, the magician was in no hurry to speak. Clearing his throat, the Commander went on. ‘We will go to the Koian capital and investigate what has happened. Lady Wind and some of her country-women will accompany us. A small party will go ashore, while the rest of us remain hidden at sea. Once they return, we will know better what course of action to pursue.’
‘Do we know if the Ancient One is here or not?’ Leopold asked, getting to the heart of the matter.
‘He is not,’ Samuel told him, his voice rasping. ‘Now we have arrived, I can feel Poltamir further south-east of here.’
‘Further?’ Leopold repeated with disappointment.
‘That’s right. But before we leave to pursue him, I would learn about the Eudans. Our new Koian friends were on their island for a long time and have not heard much news from the mainland. From what I gather, there has been some great disturbance in Euda in recent years that caused their exodus. I suspect Poltamir is responsible, so we will confirm the details and not dally long. Euda will be our next port of call.’ Leopold felt his heart sink even further. ‘Also, I sense magicians here in Koia and I would see what business they conduct, for Koia has never been a nation to tolerate magic. I will seek an audience with the one who has taken command of the Koian palace—their overseer called Pradmet. Lady Wind will advise us, and she also hopes to investigate the palace herself, to make her plans for revolution. Captain Orrell and his men will kindly act as her escort.’
‘So why are you telling me all this?’ Leopold asked.
‘Because you are our Emperor, Leopold,’ Samuel said with an amused smile. ‘We require your approval.’
Leopold regarded them with something between shock and disbelief. It was a dismal waste of his time. ‘Fine,’ he uttered. ‘Go ahead.’
‘Excellent!’ Riggadardian boomed. He laughed riotously, clapping Captain Orrell beside him soundly on the back, nearly causing the man to fall from his seat. ‘See? Emperor Leopold commands with finesse and precision. He does not mince his words, just like his father!’
‘And of course, Your Majesty,’ Orrell stated once he recovered from the jolt, ‘we hope you can join us. This is your crusade, after all.’
‘Don’t you think it might be dangerous?’ Leopold asked.
‘Come now, Your Highness,’ Lord Samuel replied, ‘you know I would never lead you into harm. I will have the honour of being your protector.’
Strangely, Leopold already assumed he would be going everywhere with the magician.
‘Then if that is all, p
lease excuse us, Your Majesty,’ Samuel continued, sounding overtly courteous—quite out of character. ‘I am sure you have much to do in your cabin and we have the mundane details of the sortie to discuss.’
Leopold shrugged and pushed back his chair to stand. Everything would be easier if they did not insist on seeking his permission. They had never bothered before; why start now?
He returned to his room filled with annoyance. Much to do in his cabin, indeed!
****
It had grown late and Salu and Toby were fast asleep, now competing to see who could snore in the loudest, most irritating and exaggerated fashion. Leopold had whiled away the hours polishing his sword and choosing his clothes for their planned excursion. As he was getting set on readying for bed, Samuel appeared at his door, opening it wide and leaning in.
‘I don’t know why I bother locking it,’ Leopold told him.
‘It was locked?’ Samuel responded, feigning surprise.
‘What do you want?’
‘A word, if I may, Leopold.’
‘Come in,’ he said, but the magician was already through the doorway before he spoke. ‘Why are we persisting with all this nonsense, if you already know the Ancient One is not here?’ He had forgone adding Magician or Samuel to anything he said; all it did was get him into trouble. The less he said to the magician, the better. ‘Should we not be off as quickly as we can and go find this Poltamir? I want to be done with this infernal quest so I can get back home and organise a hangman to string you up.’ Samuel showed no mirth at the statement. ‘I’m joking about the last part, of course,’ Leopold was forced to amend, reminding himself of his previous thoughts: the less said the better.
‘In truth, I have some business here,’ Samuel stated. ‘I would see what happened to the Circle of Eyes in these parts. I doubt they have been idle all these years, but I have my own plans for them. If Pradmet is not a member of the Circle, someone close to him certainly will be. The Circle always keeps close to those in power. I don’t want to mess around in the dens and marketplaces looking for contacts. Better we go straight to the source.’
The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) Page 27
