The Magelands Box Set

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘It is.’

  ‘He and his men are forbidden from being any part of the alliance,’ the King said. ‘Our people, and our soldiers, would not accept his presence. The pain of that day will be hard to excise, and many are living who lost friends and loved ones. If you were to show in the strongest possible terms what you think of his behaviour, then we believe that sentiment would be duly satisfied. Of course, he is your man, and we would never presume to tell you what should be done with him.’

  ‘I will deal with B’Dang,’ Agang said.

  ‘Then we pronounce this holy alliance founded,’ the King said, raising his slender arms. ‘The Realm of the Holdings, the exiles of Kellach Brigdomin, the city of Arakhanah, and now the Forest Realm of Sanang, for realm we call it, and we name Lord Agang Garo its king-in-waiting.’

  Courtiers and soldiers all bowed low to Agang, and his heart swelled. Praise be to the war god.

  Chapter 18

  The Leftovers

  Outside Plateau City, The Plateau – 16th Day, Second Third Autumn 505

  Keira looked up the length of the grassy field, aware that two burly Sanang were closing in fast.

  ‘To me!’ yelled Leah, her arms waving, the high walls of the city towering in the distance behind her.

  Keira drew back her hand to release the ball just as the weight of the Sanang warriors hit her. She was flung off her feet, and slammed onto the cold earth. One of the Sanang rolled over her, his elbow digging into her side.

  ‘Ooft,’ Keira gasped. She swung her fist, and struck the Sanang in the face.

  She got back to her feet, brushing the dust off her shorts and vest. ‘Fang, ya fucking wee prick, that was a foul.’

  ‘The Sanang’s tackle was a fair one,’ the Holdings referee shouted, as he stopped play. He picked up the ball as Fang groaned, holding onto his chin. ‘However, striking an opponent is against the rules. Keilyn, you’re off.’

  ‘No fucking way,’ she protested. ‘He hit me first.’

  ‘You had the ball,’ the referee said.

  ‘So it’s all right to tackle someone who has the ball?’

  ‘That’s correct,’ the referee said. ‘The rules state…’

  Keira thumped him on the nose.

  She stood and smiled as both teams began to fight each other. Holdings troopers ran onto the field, trying to pull apart the Kellach and Sanang warriors.

  ‘You!’ one of them shouted at her. ‘Get off the pitch. You’re a disgrace.’

  ‘Shite game anyway,’ she said, and walked from the field.

  She approached Kylon in the line of spectators.

  ‘Don’t start,’ she said.

  ‘I’m surprised you lasted as long as you did.’

  ‘We’re leaving in two days,’ she said, ‘and this is what they’ve got us doing. Running around after a pig’s insides.’

  ‘I think the Holdings officers thought it would be fun,’ he said, glancing at her as she raised an eyebrow. ‘After all the training together, they probably thought we’d appreciate trying one of their sports.’

  It started to rain, and a chill autumn wind gusted across from the Inner Sea. Enormous waves crashed into the city’s harbour walls, soaking the new Holdings vessels tied up at the docks.

  ‘It’s going to be winter by the time we arrive now,’ Kylon said.

  Keira gazed off to the south, over the miles of wind-ruffled water. Half a third before, the main body of Holdings cavalry, Agang Garo’s Sanang regiments and the Kellach Brigdomin regular forces had left Plateau City, on their way round the coastal road, bound for Rahain.

  ‘Are we stupid for going back?’ she asked.

  ‘Maybe,’ he said, ‘but we have to. There are at least a hundred thousand of our people enslaved in Rahain. Freeing them is essential. We could start to rebuild.’

  ‘It’s too late, Kylon,’ she said, spitting onto the wet grass. ‘Our folk are spread over half the fucking world. How are you going to bring them all back together? Even if we destroy the lizards, what difference will it make? We can never go back to the way we were before.’

  ‘No, but we can make a new life.’

  A line of horses with mounted troopers moved onto the field to separate the battling players. The warriors began to organise themselves back into their companies, and the members of the squad both she and Kylon belonged to gathered round them.

  The major of the battalion trotted up, observing them from under his helmet, the rain now falling steadily.

  A sergeant next to him bellowed out a call for silence, and the warriors and troopers stilled.

  The major waited until everyone was quiet while he sat up proud on his enormous horse. Keira was impressed with the size of the cavalry mounts, and more impressed still with the tales that the Sanang had defeated them on foot.

  ‘Men and women of the King’s Combined Battalion,’ the dark-skinned major said, looking around at the field filled with soldiers and warriors, ‘the day after tomorrow you, the first mixed-race units of the allied expeditionary force will be setting sail across the Inner Sea to join up with the main army. We are the leftovers, the companies cobbled together from the Kellach militia, warriors from Lord Agang Garo’s Sanang allies and those Holdings who arrived too late to leave with the others.

  ‘The three proud armies awaiting us on the far reaches of the Inner Sea will probably try to look down on our motley battalion of four thousand, not understanding how hard we have trained you. Any such arrogance will cease when they learn that you have been selected to lead the first assault on the port of Rainsby.’

  He paused, scanning the faces gazing up at him.

  ‘His Majesty the King has personally chosen you as the tip of his spear, representing the three races lending their strength to the expedition. You are honoured indeed.

  ‘For all your hard work,’ he went on, ‘the battalion commanders have decided that you deserve the rest of today and tomorrow off, to rest before embarkation. The curfew is set for tomorrow at sunset, when you will be confined to barracks until dawn, when the new Holdings fleet sails.’

  He raised his arm as the crowd cheered.

  ‘Remember the rules,’ he said. ‘Alcohol consumption is confined to the Kellach Brigdomin camp, the city is off-limits after dark, and no smoking weed or fighting with the locals. Or each other. We want you to be proud of this battalion, and we want the King to be proud of you. Do not let his Majesty down.’

  He spurred his horse, and trotted towards the gate in the city walls, the mounted cavalry following.

  Sergeant Bury stepped before Keira’s squad. The Kellach stood together, as did Fang and Brecht, the two Sanang, while the Holdings troopers mingled round them.

  ‘I’ll keep this simple,’ she said. ‘This is our last proper night before leaving, and I’m the sergeant, and I say we’re all going to the Kellach camp to get drunk.’

  Leah mimed drinking to Fang and Brecht, who remained unable to understand Holdings. The battalion had made them all take lessons, in large tents set up where the Sanang army had been, and the Kellach had attended frequent long sessions. The Sanang had joined later, once Agang’s allies had been persuaded to enter into the spirit of the alliance, as the King’s pronouncements had put it.

  Keira didn’t care what the King said. All she wanted was revenge on the Rahain.

  It had been easy for her to remain hidden as Keilyn. Nobody had ever asked her anything, or looked at her funny, or hinted they knew who she was. She hadn’t recognised anyone among the thousands of older and injured folk who would be remaining behind in the camp, partly due to there being so few Kell.

  The squad set off in the same direction as many of the other units of warriors, towards the rampart of the Kellach camp. It was no longer defended, and they strode over it, trying not to lose any ground to the other squads.

  ‘The taverns will be rammed,’ Keira said.

  ‘I need to get away,’ said Leah. ‘Can you cover for me?’

  ‘Where a
re you going?’ Kylon said.

  ‘I’ve managed to track down Bedig,’ she said. ‘Turns out he’s been in the fucking city the whole time, staying with the Holdfast family.’

  ‘Why?’ Kylon said.

  Leah shrugged. ‘I’ll ask him when I see him.’

  ‘I wish I could come,’ Keira said. ‘Be good to see that big red-haired bastard again.’

  ‘But, Keira…’ Kylon began.

  ‘Aye,’ she said, ‘I fucking know I can’t. I’m only saying, but.’

  ‘I’ll say hello to him for you,’ Leah said, ‘and see if he knows anything about Baoryn. The Holdfasts are important, they might be able to help him get released.’

  Kylon frowned at Leah. ‘Be careful.’

  She nodded.

  They glanced around, and saw through the drizzle that the sergeant was well out in front. They waited until they had passed the first line of houses in the Kellach camp, then Leah sprinted off to the right, and disappeared into the rainy afternoon gloom.

  Keira glanced at Kylon. His brow was furrowed, and he looked as grim as he ever did.

  ‘So,’ Keira said, ‘who are the Holdfasts?’

  ‘A rich Holdings family,’ he said.

  ‘And how does Bedig know them?’

  ‘We met one of them, back in Rahain when we were escaping.’

  ‘Is that who gave you the money?’

  ‘No,’ he said. ‘A man from the embassy did that.’

  Bronald, the other Kellach in their squad, joined them as they followed the sergeant through the muddy camp.

  ‘Where’s Leah?’ he asked, his eyes scanning the warriors.

  ‘Gone for a shit,’ Keira said.

  ‘Oh. Right.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be able to letch over her when she gets back.’

  Bronald smirked. ‘It’s not my fault she wears tight clothes.’

  ‘Pal,’ she said, ‘she’s not fucking interested. She’d rather fuck one of the Sanang, and they’ve got faces like a sheep’s arsehole. See if you can cadge some dullweed off them, because drugging her’s the only way you’re getting into her pants.’

  ‘Fuck you, Keilyn.’

  Keira laughed, and slapped Bronald on the back.

  ‘Only kidding ye on,’ she said. ‘I just like to wind ye up.’

  They reached a large drinking tavern, and entered. The place was filled with Kellach, Sanang and Holdings. Most remained grouped with their own kind, and there was a simmering atmosphere of hostility within the hall.

  ‘There will be faces getting punched tonight,’ Keira said.

  ‘Make sure you don’t get involved in any fights, Keilyn,’ Sergeant Bury said. ‘Same goes for all of you.’ She looked over her squad. ‘Where’s Leah?’

  ‘Taking a piss,’ Keira said. ‘You getting the drinks in, sarge?’

  ‘I’ll get the first round,’ Bury replied. ‘Find a booth big enough for all of us. I’ll fetch a waiter.’

  The squad moved through the hall, and secured a large corner table. Ale was ordered, and the sergeant sat with them.

  ‘You all heard the major,’ she said. ‘We’ll be attacking Rainsby, a big trading settlement on the southern coast. Has anyone here ever been?’

  Keira and Kylon put their hands up.

  ‘What’s it like?’

  ‘A shithole,’ Keira said.

  ‘You only saw the Kellach refugee camp,’ Kylon said. ‘The town’s not bad. Wood and stone-built. Surrounded by a wooden palisade. Militia armed with crossbows and swords, and a small garrison of regular Rahain soldiers. Long piers out into the sea, with a small fort by the docks. Outside the walls is a big Rahain slum full of peasants, and the Kellach camp.’

  ‘Which is a shithole,’ Keira said.

  Kylon nodded. ‘Aye. That it is. It’s about half the size of the one here, but more chaotic, and definitely more dangerous.’

  ‘There’s a rumour,’ the sergeant said, ‘that we’re to take and hold the town harbour and walls, then wait for the Sanang army to arrive by road. Apparently the King intends to turn the town over to them to sack, as a reward for joining the alliance.’

  A few in the squad turned to glance at Fang and Brecht, who were sitting drinking, oblivious to the conversation going on in Holdings.

  ‘The Kellach regulars will move into position around the refugee camp,’ the sergeant went on, ‘to ensure the sack of the town doesn’t spill over, and then we, and the rest of the Holdings army, will let the Sanang get on with it.’

  Several of the younger Holdings troopers in the squad looked uncomfortable.

  ‘They’re animals,’ one of them said. ‘Why must the King pander to them?’

  ‘We’re not strong enough to defeat the Rahain on our own,’ the sergeant said. ‘We need the Sanang. Apparently their big chief Agang doesn’t control all of his soldiers. Some are under the authority of other chiefs, and many of them didn’t want to join the alliance. The ones that did were promised blood and treasure, and Rainsby is where they’re going to get it. It’s brutal, but it’s politics.’

  ‘Can’t wait to get stuck into the lizards,’ Keira said.

  Bury frowned. ‘Don’t let revenge get in the way of your training.’

  ‘You’re kidding, right?’ Keira said. ‘Aw wait, you’ve never seen me and Kylon in a proper fight have ye? I’ve killed hundreds of the scaly wee fucks.’

  She felt an elbow in her ribs as the squad stared at her.

  ‘All right, I’m exaggerating. Maybe not hundreds, but quite a few.’

  ‘But you still lost,’ said Flora, a young Holdings trooper.

  ‘Aye, hen,’ Keira said, glowering at the dark-skinned woman. ‘We did.’

  ‘They kicked our arses,’ Kylon said.

  ‘Not this time, though,’ the sergeant said.

  ‘Naw,’ said Keira. ‘This time we kick theirs.’

  Later that evening, once the Kellach taverns had closed for the night, the squad wandered back across the rampart to where their company was camped. They had been given an old cavalry tent, long enough to fit the whole squad.

  Keira’s army overcoat clinked as she walked in. A couple of troopers lit some small oil lamps, and the rest of the squad staggered inside. Most fell into their beds, but Keira, Kylon, Sergeant Bury, and a wiry, lean trooper named Niall settled down at a table.

  ‘What did you get Keilyn?’ the sergeant asked, swaying in her chair.

  ‘Cheap rum,’ she replied, setting a bottle and stolen shot glasses onto the table.

  The sergeant frowned as she noticed the squad’s two Sanang. They were huddled down by their beds, lighting up a small stick of weed.

  ‘What have I told you boys…’ she slurred.

  ‘Ach, leave them,’ Keira said. ‘They’re not doing anyone any harm and it keeps them out of trouble.’

  Kylon grunted. ‘I thought you were against smoking?’

  ‘Not when it’s those bawbags doing it,’ she cackled, pouring herself a drink. ‘I’ve met tramps in Lach who were more civilised than those manky bastards.’

  ‘Wait till you see them fight,’ Niall said. ‘Tough fuckers, and fast.’

  ‘I watched them rip through your peasants on the far bank,’ Keira said.

  ‘And I saw them last year at the second battle of the Twinth,’ he said. ‘They kicked our arses, just like the Rahain did yours. Urgh,’ he spat. ‘This rum is the worst piss.’

  ‘You’re still drinking it, but.’

  Niall turned. ‘Sergeant, do you… oh.’

  Bury’s head was on the table, a string of drool creeping from her open mouth.

  ‘Light-weight,’ Keira said. ‘We’ve got till sunset tomorrow to get totally smashed.’

  ‘With the boss asleep,’ Niall said, ‘I can have one of these.’ He pulled a smokestick from his jacket.

  ‘Fucksake,’ Keira muttered.

  ‘It’s keenweed,’ he said. ‘I need to waken up a bit, so I can drink more. It’s hard to keep u
p with you damn Kellach.’

  She watched him light it up.

  ‘Is that all it does?’ she said. ‘Wake you up?’

  ‘Makes everything go a bit sparkly too.’

  She folded her arms.

  They heard the tent entrance open, and Leah walked in, followed by another Kellach, an older, shorter man, with trimmed white hair and a tidy beard. His eyes were bulging out as he looked around at the sleeping troopers in their beds.

  ‘Kalayne,’ Keira cried, ‘ya ugly auld bastard.’

  The man furrowed his brows as he approached. ‘You again. Always back to you. How I dread having to put up with your coarse and abusive tongue and your vulgar manner. Next time, I want the fire goddess to be a polite girl.’

  ‘Remember not to say that in the Holdings language,’ Kylon said. ‘We have company.’

  ‘Greetings and hearty salutations to you too, Kylon.’ Kalayne said. ‘I see you’re still a sour-faced prick.’

  ‘Wherever you found him,’ Keira said to Leah. ‘Can you please put him back?’

  ‘He found me,’ Leah said, sitting and filling a glass. ‘He was lurking about in the street when I left the Holdfast house.’

  ‘Aye,’ Kalayne said, ‘I’m a nosy old man. Wanted to see what you’d been up to in that particular house. Also, as you’re all leaving soon, I supposed I’d better come and see you off.’

  ‘You knew we were here?’ Keira said.

  ‘Of course,’ he snorted. ‘You’re much cuter with blonde hair, by the way.’

  Niall coughed. ‘I should probably mention,’ he said in the Kellach tongue, ‘that I used to work in the refugee camp here. Learned the language a while back.’

  ‘You never fucking said,’ Keira frowned.

  ‘You never asked.’

  ‘Well,’ Kylon said, ‘this is Kalayne, a madman from our homeland. Disregard everything he says, he’s completely insane.’

  Kalayne glared at Kylon, growling and baring his teeth.

  Keira laughed, then noticed that the Lach warrior was frowning at Kylon as well.

  ‘I spoke to Bedig,’ Leah said. ‘Kylon, are you listening?’

  ‘Aye.’

  ‘I also spoke to Daphne.’