Arducius felt proud. Not a flicker on the Academy benches. No plea for mercy, no howls of protest. The Chancellor was looking at them again. She was smiling but this time there was no love or forgiveness.
'Speak your sentence, Senator Aurelius,' she said. 'The Advocate can wait.'
'First, I must ask if you, the accuser, are demanding that the sentence be that as set down in the statutes for the crime of heresy.' 'What else?' said Koroyan. 'Heretics burn.'
Further hush in the basilica. The drama of pronouncement. Arducius felt removed from it all.
'The sentence for heresy is death by burning on all counts, ashes to be scattered to the devils on the wind, a warning to the faithless,' said Aurelius. 'Subject to appeal, sentences to be carried out as dusk marks the sky, and in the order in which the charges were laid.'
The Chancellor lifted her chin, unable or unwilling to disguise the triumph.
'The evil shall forever fall before the Omniscient and I am the Chancellor of God.' 'However.'
Just one word but it fell on the audience, on the Ascendants and on the Chancellor like crystal glass on rock, shattering and covering everything. The Chancellor spun round, daring Aurelius to speak. His fellow judges, recently so satisfied, did likewise. Aurelius was happy to oblige.
'The burning of a heretic must take place while they still live, such that they can see the devils even while they speak their words of confession and contrition. So it is written in law and scripture. But there is a problem, isn't there? An Ascendant is impervious to flame. Their statements of confession would be lengthy indeed.'
The Chancellor's stare strangled any laughter at birth.
'Then we behead them before burning them,' she said, ‘I see no problem.'
'But then you are not the presiding authority and I am.' Aurelius stood. 'Sit down, Chancellor, I am speaking.' 'This is ridiculous. You are creating—' 'Sit. Down.'
Aurelius was indeed a strong man. There were not many who would face down Felice Koroyan in full fury. He held her stare while she backed off, not so much as blinking. And all the while, hope began to beat in Arducius where there had been none.
'Good,' said Aurelius. 'There is only one legal punishment on the statutes for heresy. It cannot be carried out on the Ascendants. Hence, until there is a revision to the law, they cannot be executed for this crime.'
'Then revise the law,' grated Koroyan. Aurelius smiled in deliberate mimicry.
'A lengthy process, even if I were not otherwise engaged in the multifarious tasks of government and were desperate to make such a change. It is a matter that must first go before a full meeting of the Speakers of Scripture and Order Law, is it not? Requiring a statutory notice of amendment and agenda specifying thirty days' notice of the meeting. Unless I forget my teachings. I am an old man, after all.'
Aurelius pitched his voice low enough that not everyone in the basilica could possibly hear him.
'When you choose to enter my world, Chancellor, you need to do your homework more thoroughly. I have forgotten more of the administrative complexities of the Conquord and its faith than you will ever learn. You will never beat me in the basilica.'
Aurelius banged a gavel on the arm of his chair.
'The verdict stands but the sentence cannot currently be passed. As spokesman for the Advocate, it is my responsibility to make an interim judgement. This I have made. It is that the Ascendants and the Academy personnel be kept under house arrest in the Academy buildings until such times as their sentence can be carried out, appeals heard or the case is reviewed.'
The Chancellor was back on her feet. 'The final insult! You would keep these heretics in the halls of the Omniscient in the heart of the Conquord? Your incompetence and complicity will see you brought to justice yourself.'
The basilica erupted. Everyone was off their benches. Fists were raised, shouts were deafening. Palace guards came to ready and moved in. A line of soldiers ran across the front of the stage, spears levelled. Arducius saw Elise, Gesteris and D'Allinnius excuse themselves, move through the guards and exit quietly. Aurelius had kept his trump card very close to his chest. A wise man as well as a strong man.
More guards were mounting the stage to give Aurelius security and to guide the Ascendants to their extremely comfortable prison. A line of Advocacy guards stood across the Chancellor's path, stopping her reaching either of them, but Arducius could see her pointing and hear her enraged declamations. Aurelius cupped a hand and said something to her. Arducius didn't catch it. He looked to Ossacer who he knew would have been following the exchange and had far better hearing than he.
'What did he say?'
'He was just reminding the Chancellor that the Advocate is due home shortly.'
'Bet that pleased her.'
'I think she just threatened to kill him.'
'And ...?'
'Aurelius said he would add it to his full report on proceedings.' Arducius chuckled. 'Tough bastard.'
'Brave,' said Ossacer. 'And wonderful. Ardu, I'm so sorry I've put you all through this. It was not my intent.'
'You know, Ossie, it's just possible you've actually done us all a favour. Come on, let's go and get something to eat.'
Chapter Forty-One
859th cycle of God, 41st day of Genasrise
The palace complex was quiet. The riots had been brief and broken up with typically overwhelming force by legionaries, palace guards and mounted Gatherers under the command of Elise Kastenas. Trouble still rumbled on in the centre of the city but it was nothing the militia couldn't handle. The Victory Gates were closed, the public excluded until tomorrow and Senator Aurelius was happy with his day's work.
He walked to his rooms, chatting to an adviser and in the company of four Ascendancy guardsmen. Closing the door behind him, rattling the bolt across and hearing the guards stand at ease outside, Aurelius let himself relax. There was a fire in the grate, warming his reception room. Shutters were closed and lanterns gave the room a warm light.
Aurelius was too tired to sit and read. Having written the report of the trial throughout the afternoon and evening, he was fuzzy with detail. An infusion of strong herbs and a gentle incense burn would bring him the rest he required. His servants had already anticipated what he really wanted. He could smell the aroma of beech and orange. A steaming jug rested on a salver just outside his bedchamber. He filled a goblet, took a deep breath and a sip and pushed open the door.
His bed looked wonderfully inviting. It was only five hours until dawn and Felice Koroyan had promised hers would be the first face he saw on welcoming the new day. He had no doubt she would keep her word.
'The time for sleep is long past.'
Aurelius dropped his goblet and backed away into the reception room. At the same time, he heard swords clashing outside. His door shuddered under an impact and burst inwards. Armour of God soldiers ran in. Aurelius backed away towards his shuttered windows, fear constricting his throat.
'How did you get in here?'
'Don't be a fool, Aurelius,' said Koroyan, walking out into the lantern light, more soldiers crowding around her. 'The Chancellor of the Order has friends absolutely everywhere. And they are never more vocal than when the Advocate is away from the Hill.'
'You're here to kill me,' said Aurelius, cursing himself for his quivering voice.
'Very perceptive of you,' said Koroyan, still moving towards him. He came up against the wall. 'Small wonder the Advocate made you her deputy.'
'Don't do it. Don't make the mistake.' Aurelius clawed his mind for a way out. 'The trial is recorded. Nothing can be changed. Process will continue. Killing me will make no difference.'
There were men either side of Aurelius now and ringing the Chancellor three deep. Under their helmets, he saw blind zeal and knew he was lost. A steady drip caught his attention and he looked down to his right. The man closest to him had blood dripping from his gladius.
'You must be old indeed to be so wrong. For one thing, your lifeless body returning to
the embrace of God will give me enormous pleasure. Undeserved but that is not for me to decide. Perverse is the grace of God, don't you think? Once you and your craven staff are out of the way, I can dispense the justice the people demand.'
'You can't ...' began Aurelius.
'Count up, Aurelius. Advocate away; you, shall we say, incapacitated and Jhered absent with another heretic. Unless I am mistaken, that leaves me at the top of the tree, doesn't it?'
'The Advocate will return soon. The military are with the Ascendants. Your authority will be brief. I am sad I will not be there to witness your demise.'
The Chancellor shook her head. 'Oh, Aurelius. And to think I used to actually respect the sharpness of your mind. Even this afternoon, I had to admit you beat me on a point of law. But you haven't seen it all unravel, have you?'
She reached out and stroked his face. He turned away but she grabbed his chin and he wasn't strong enough to deny her. Their eyes met.
'The Advocate will come back but she will be too late, I'm afraid. Poor woman, deluded and distracted by the evil Ascendancy she took to her bosom. She will, of course, be arrested by my officers to stand trial on the charge you deferred before your "unfortunate" death.
'I've waited a long time for a catalyst to bring the citizens behind me. And the military will have no choice but to bend their knee to me. They are, after all, servants of the Conquord as are we all. Thank you, Aurelius, for the part you played in my succession to power.'
Aurelius struggled in her grip and shook his head loose. Armour of God soldiers grabbed his arms and held them down at his sides.
'The legions are mobilised. The Tsardon are coming, backed by Gorian's Ascendant power and the marching dead. Kill the only people capable of standing before him and you kill yourself.'
The Chancellor laughed. 'Do you think I really believe that feeble lie? Rumours designed to scare the faithful into accepting the Ascendants as saviours. There are no marching dead. Gorian Westfallen is almost certainly dead and rotting on an Atreskan field. And the Tsardon? They can come. And I will speak with them. And if they do not listen, I will destroy them, faithless heathens.'
She shook her head and made the Omniscient symbol over her chest. 'Poor, poor Aurelius. Blessed are you who go now to the embrace of God the Omniscient. Your cycle on this earth, this time, is complete.'
The Chancellor bowed her head. Aurelius closed his eyes. He didn't want to see the sword coming.
Ossacer and Arducius ran through the long dark corridors of the Academy. Fighting echoed on the floors below but chasing past a window, Arducius could see that the Victory Gates remained closed. There had been no alarm yet that the Academy was under attack. The barracks beyond the gates appeared dark.
'Get the eleventh-stranders, Ossie. Tenth should be in the safe room. I'll bring the twelfth to you.'
'See you there.'
The brothers split at an intersection. Arducius raced down a long corridor, his sandals slapping off the marble. He ran past ranks of doors, each letting into small rooms once populated by visiting Order ministers and now used to interview new potentials if they were used at all. Further down the corniced corridor, decked with paintings of Order hierarchy of ages past, they'd knocked together several rooms to form dormitories. One used to house the tenth strand until they were granted their own rooms on turning sixteen. Another, the eight children of the fledgling twelfth strand. Little ones, only seven years old.
In this distant corner of the vast, sprawling Academy, the noise of conflict was little more than dim echo. There was no noise either from behind the dormitory door. Arducius had no time for delicacy. He pushed open the door. Shutters were pinned partway back to let in the cool of night. Colonnaded alcoves and shelves were filled with books, rammed in after an instruction to tidy up. The gentle sound of breathing filled the air.
'Up, up, up!' shouted Arducius, slapping his hand on the door. 'It's Arducius. Come on. Up.'
Three of them jerked awake. He heard one cry out. In the darkness there was confusion and alarm. He hadn't lit a lantern. He didn't want the enemy to track his progress if he could avoid it. Questions came at him but he couldn't tell from who.
'No time to dress. Grab your togas and follow me. Dress later. Come on. Genna, Delius, Julius, Paul. Wake up.'
'What is it?'
'Trouble in the Academy. Remember what we spoke about and what we have to do?' Arducius crouched down now, getting to their eye level and calming them. 'Who can tell me?'
'We have to be quiet and go to the safe room.'
'Excellent. Don't be scared. We'll be all right. But hurry. Come on. Drop that book, Garrell.'
The children were crowding into the doorway. Someone was crying.
'Come on, now,' said Arducius. 'Don't cry. I'm here with you and I won't let anything happen to you. Follow me to the back stairs. All right? Everyone ready?'
Nods and yeses had him smile.
'Good. Come on then, and remember ...' He put a finger to his lips.
Holding Genna's hand, for the poor little girl was shaking and barely awake, he walked quickly back down the corridor to the intersection where he had left Ossacer. He turned left and hurried towards the back stairs. Servants' stairs. They stood behind a grand oak door and were rough underfoot with unfinished walls hemming them in as they spiralled down a central column.
Arducius pushed open the door. A shout echoed up from the floor below. There was a clash of swords and running feet. The children bunched. One let out a scream.
'Shhh,' said Arducius. 'Please. They don't know where we are and they're going away.'
He looked over them all. So small. So innocent. His anger flared but he quashed it and instead, forced calm into his lifelines.
'Come here. All hold hands.'
They did and he gripped Genna's hand a little harder. Their energy maps were revealed to him. Taut and too bright. Blue, yellow and red clashed as they tried to deal with the shock. Arducius bled his calm across them all. He saw them begin to breathe a little easier and the brightness fade from them.
'Good. Good. That's it. Now we need to be very quiet on the stairs. And you might see things you don't like. Trust me. It isn't far now.'
Their eyes were wide in the dark but he thought he had them. He led them into the stairwell. No light came from below. No shadow. Arducius didn't need light. The blank grey of stone was the backdrop against which tiny motes of loose energy fluttered in the airflow. But below there was a concentration of dim red and brown. He thought it was on the ground floor and it was certainly a person. And outside the door to the stairs. The drab brown of worked wood formed a barrier to his energy sight.
'Come on,' he whispered.
Step by tiny step, they moved downwards, heading for the cellars where the safe room was located. Built of steel and stone, and with an entrance covered by wine racks, it was big enough for the whole Academy. Provisioned and ventilated, they thought it might even survive the destruction of the entire building. A fine idea but they had to get there first.
Arducius kept his focus on the human energy map below. It was moving. The sounds of fighting were growing louder. The morass of energies out in the main halls of the Academy were chaotic. Light and fire, gathered masses signifying groups of men. Impossible to know if they were friend or foe.
Sweat was creeping down the back of his neck. The hand in his was twitching and hot. He looked back up the stairs as they turned the corner that would bring them down behind the door and the single figure outside it. Arducius put his finger to his lips again. Every head nodded. Every little body was pressed against the outside wall. There was a feeble light feeding down from above. Moonlight, he thought. Enough for them to see by.
Closer to the door, Arducius could see that there was another energy map. Another man. But sitting down. No. Slouched, slumped against the wall. And the energies were dimming. Bleeding away. He froze. Someone else was walking towards the doorway. Voices. He couldn't make out what they were saying
but they were both men.
The door opened. There was a rustle on the stairs behind him. A helmeted head appeared. If he looked up, he'd see Arducius but not the children who were that bit further back round the corner of the central pile. He let Genna's hand go. He could feel all the children cringing into as small shapes as they could muster. One slip of a foot and they would all be discovered. Arducius sampled the gentle movement in the air, ventilation in the stairway. It would be enough. He let the map of wind form in his mind.
Below him, the soldier looked to his right where the stairs went down towards the cellar and complete darkness.
'Been down there?' asked the soldier.
'No,' replied the other. 'Not yet anyway.'
'Keep an ear out.'
'Yes, sir.'
The soldier looked up. Arducius released his Work. The slight air energies in the stairwell channelled though his body, amplifying into a blast of wind that picked the soldier up and threw him out of the doorway. Armour shrieked as it scored across the marble floor of the corridor outside. Arducius kept the wind blowing and marched down the stairs.
'Children, run. Down to the cellar. Don't look back.'
He moved into the doorway. The soldier was lying prostrate, unable to rise. He was shouting. Of his companion, there was no sign. The body of the Ascendancy guard was slumped to Arducius's right. A slick of blood ran away across the floor, picked at by the howling wind and spattered on a nearby wall and door. The children ran behind him, shouting and screaming on their way down into the dark of the cellar. They were safe but they had been seen. Arducius knew what he had to do.
A sharp point jabbed in to his neck, right below his ear.
A Shout for the Dead Page 41
