The Magelands Box Set

by Christopher Mitchell

  They stopped at a crossroads, marble-floored corridors stretching out in four directions.

  ‘Do you know where we’re going?’ Daphne asked.

  ‘North wing, second floor,’ Shella said. ‘This way.’

  They came to a large wide staircase, where troopers on guard nodded them past. At the end of another passageway, they climbed a smaller set of stairs, and reached a double door.

  ‘Can you smell the paint?’ Shella said. ‘Agang’s so-called court moved in here as soon as the rooms were ready. The new wing beyond these doors might be interpreted as Sanang territory, so we’ll have to behave.’

  Daphne nodded.

  ‘Here we go then,’ Shella said, and thumped on the door.

  Moments later, the door opened a crack, and a Sanang warrior peered out.

  ‘What do you want?’ he said in Sanangka.

  ‘We wish to see Chief Agang Garo,’ replied Daphne in the man’s language.

  ‘The chief is out.’

  ‘We’re happy to wait.’

  The warrior looked up the hallway to see if any others were there.

  ‘This is Princess Shellakanawara,’ Daphne said. ‘Rakanese royalty. I’m sure your chief would like to speak with her before he departs.’

  ‘Princess?’ He closed the door.

  Shella and Daphne glanced at each other. They were about to knock again, when the door re-opened, and another man appeared, dressed in robes rather than war gear.

  ‘I am Hodang Tipoe,’ he said, studying the two women, ‘Chief Minister of Sanang.’

  ‘Good day to you, sir,’ Daphne bowed. ‘May we come inside, and wait for Chief Agang to return?’

  He looked at Shella. ‘I recognise you from court, your Highness,’ he said. ‘What can we do for you?’

  ‘The princess wishes to discuss the relationship between the Sanang and Rakanese nations,’ Daphne said, ‘as one royal to another.’

  ‘And who are you?’

  ‘I am her embassy liaison officer,’ she replied, ‘and her translator. The princess speaks no Sanangka.’

  Hodang pursed his lips, then nodded.

  ‘Very well,’ he said. ‘Please come in, your Highness, and welcome to the court of Agang Garo, king-in-waiting of the Sanang Realm.’

  He bowed low as Shella and Daphne crossed the threshold, and entered the wing of the palace taken over by the realm’s new allies.

  ‘I will take you to one of our more informal meeting rooms to wait,’ he said, as he led them down the corridor. ‘Chief Agang may be another hour or so. I’ll see that refreshments are provided.’

  ‘You are very kind,’ Daphne said. ‘Thank you.’

  He opened a door, and they went into a room with a large bay window, which overlooked the courtyard in front of the palace.

  ‘Please take a seat,’ Hodang said. ‘I’ll inform Chief Agang that you’re here when he arrives.’

  Daphne and Shella sat by a table next to the window as Hodang left.

  ‘So he bought it, then?’ Shella said.

  ‘Just like we said.’

  ‘Old Agang’s a sucker for royalty.’

  ‘It’s what’s always obsessed him,’ Daphne said. ‘The need for Sanang to be recognised as an equal, and for him to be king.’

  ‘And would he be a good king?’

  ‘I don’t know. When I knew him, we used to talk for hours, but I got the feeling he was only interested in the information I was giving him, not in my company. I don’t know what he’s like as a person, he was always closed when I asked him, like he has secrets to keep.’

  Shella frowned. ‘Why didn’t you just read his mind?’

  ‘That was before I knew how to do it.’

  The door opened, and two Sanang servants entered, with trays of food and drink. They set them down on the table, bowed and left.

  Daphne got to her feet once the door had closed.

  ‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Shella said.

  Daphne shook her head.

  ‘Remember, Daphne,’ Shella said, ‘short bursts only.’

  Daphne walked to the door of the room, and knelt by the keyhole. She sent out a quick shot of line-vision, bending her sight into the corridor. It was clear.

  She opened the door, and crept out.

  If the layout of the rooms was patterned on the floors below, then she had a good guess where she needed to go. She sprinted down the passageway, then took a left, and a right. She heard footsteps, but had reached the door she was looking for before anyone was in sight. She pushed it open, and entered.

  The room was in near darkness, with thin streams of light filtering through the tall shutters on the left wall. A large throne was sitting empty at one end of the room, and Daphne stole her way to the wall behind it, finding another door.

  She took a breath, and opened it.

  Ahead of her, sitting on a chair by the window of the bedroom, was Chane.

  She turned her head, and saw Daphne.

  The women stared at each other for a long moment, then Chane was up off her chair. She ran at Daphne, and hugged her tight, laughing.

  ‘Careful with the arm,’ Daphne said. ‘Remember?’

  Chane took a step back, a grin splitting her face. ‘Yeah, I remember. Fuck me, it’s good to see you, Daphne.’

  ‘You too, Chane. You’re looking good.’

  ‘It’s pretty much all I’m needed for nowadays.’

  ‘But you’ve done well,’ Daphne said. ‘You’re right next to Agang, the future king of Sanang.’

  Chane smiled.

  ‘And,’ Daphne said, looking at the bed, ‘you’re his lover too?’

  Chane’s eyes went down to Daphne’s middle, and her mouth opened. ‘You’re pregnant?’

  ‘Yes,’ Daphne said. ‘Six and a half thirds gone.’

  ‘Are you married?’

  ‘No,’ Daphne said. ‘The father’s not around. He’s a Kellach Brigdomin.’

  Chane laughed out loud. ‘Fuck, Daphne. So the two of us went for men from outside the Holdings?’

  ‘We have that in common.’

  ‘So what are you doing here?’ Chane said. ‘It’s good to see you, but how did you get in?’

  ‘I know you’re due to leave with Agang and the fleet tomorrow,’ Daphne said. ‘I had to come and see you, to ask if you’d rather not go. If you’d rather stay here.’

  Chane’s expression changed. ‘What makes you think I’d want to stay here? I know what everyone in the Holdings thinks of me, they say I’m a traitor. Agang’s whore.’

  ‘I don’t think that,’ Daphne said. ‘I just wanted to offer you the chance to get out.’

  ‘Fuck you, Daphne Holdfast,’ Chane spat. ‘You think you can sneak in here, and try to save me? You arrogant bitch. I don’t need saving. And I don’t need you.’

  ‘Please, Chane, I’m sorry…’

  Chane stepped up close to Daphne’s face.

  ‘You left me!’ she shouted. ‘When you escaped, you fucking left me behind. Do you have any idea what that did to me? And now, two years later, you turn up to save me. Too fucking late. Stupid bitch.’ She sat down by the window, her face lowered. ‘Go on, get out before I raise the alarm. Do you know the penalties for breaking into the chief’s female enclosure?’

  Daphne stood in silence for a moment, then turned and left.

  ‘We can talk about it if you want,’ Shella said, as her carriage bore them through the streets of the city back to the townhouse.

  Daphne shook her head. She felt numb, as if she was incapable of feeling, like her heart had been ripped out. She looked through the window. The rain had stopped, but the clouds hung heavy overhead.

  ‘That Hodang guy looked a little put out when we left,’ Shella went on, ‘or maybe he always has a face like he’s swallowed a wasp.’

  Daphne could sense Shella’s gaze on her, but she didn’t turn.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ she said. ‘About using your vision, I mean. How many bursts did you ne
ed?’

  ‘Just the two,’ Daphne said. ‘One in, one out. I feel all right, I suppose. They were both tiny bursts, just a second each.’

  ‘Good,’ Shella said. ‘At least we know you can do that, if you have to.’

  Daphne nodded, and continued to stare out of the window.

  ‘I’ve been thinking,’ Shella said. ‘Maybe it would be best if I moved into your big house, at least until the birth.’

  Daphne turned. ‘Do you mean that?’

  ‘If you’ll have me,’ Shella said. ‘I’m not easy to live with, or so I’ve been informed. More than once.’

  ‘Of course I’ll have you.’

  ‘I’ll get the servants to bring my stuff round,’ Shella said. ‘And just so you’re aware, the embassy will probably assign a few guards at the front door. I am a princess, you know.’

  The carriage pulled up outside the Holdfast townhouse, and they climbed down onto the street.

  Daphne pulled her scarf round her throat as a cold wind cut through them. A servant opened the front door to the house and they ascended the steps.

  ‘Miss Holdfast, Princess Shellakanawara,’ the servant bowed. ‘Miss, you have a visitor.’

  Daphne frowned as she took her overcoat off.

  ‘Councillor Laodoc, miss. He’s waiting in the front room.’

  ‘Damn it,’ Daphne said. ‘I forgot.’

  She rushed through to the large front room, and saw Laodoc sitting upright on a long sofa, holding a teacup.

  ‘Laodoc,’ she said, ‘I’m so sorry. Have you been waiting long?’

  ‘It’s quite all right, miss,’ he replied. ‘Your servants said you were at the palace. I know how time can get away from you there.’

  ‘You’re too kind,’ she said, sitting down in an armchair.

  ‘I really just popped by to say cheerio,’ he said, ‘and that I’m going to miss you. You’ve been a true friend.’

  Daphne defences crumbled, and she burst into tears.

  ‘Oh dear,’ Laodoc said.

  ‘It’s not you,’ Shella said. ‘Well, it’s partly you. Daffers has had a rough day.’

  She sat on the arm of Daphne’s chair, and put an arm round her shoulder.

  Daphne took a handkerchief from a pocket, and wiped her eyes.

  ‘Sorry, Laodoc,’ she said.

  ‘No need to apologise, miss,’ he said. ‘Oh my, look at us. I might start crying myself at any moment.’

  ‘Please don’t,’ Shella said.

  ‘Are you nervous about going?’ Daphne said, sniffing.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘I’d be foolish to deny it. The Rahain government will see me as the worst kind of traitor, but I believe the alliance can defeat them, and bring about a better society for all of my people. It’s very exciting.’

  Daphne nodded.

  ‘I’ll be going as an advisory member to the council of eight,’ he went on, ‘but I’ll not have a vote. I suppose my role is to temper’s the alliance’s urge for revenge, and encourage its more benign instincts. The King told me he wants a clean transfer of power, and quite amazed me when he said that he wanted to use the constitution that I had prepared as the template for the new government.’

  ‘Well done,’ Daphne said.

  ‘It will be a long journey,’ he said, ‘and I regret that I’ll miss the birth of your child. I wish you all the luck and success, for you and your baby.’

  ‘Thanks, Laodoc,’ she said. ‘I wish you luck as well. When you get to Rahain, and overthrow the government, will you do something for me?’

  ‘Of course, miss. Name it.’

  ‘Killop is leading a rebellion of slaves in the mountains.’

  ‘Ah, yes,’ Laodoc said. ‘I’ve been briefed on that. I don’t know the details, but Killop’s forces were discussed at the last meeting of the council of eight.’

  ‘If you see him,’ she said, ‘tell him I’m alive. Tell him about the baby.’

  ‘But why would he think you were not alive?’

  ‘Because Kylon told him I was dead.’

  ‘What?’ cried Shella. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? That lying bastard.’

  Daphne shrugged. ‘He did it to ensure Killop would stay to lead the rebellion. Compared to the war, I suppose me and my pregnancy are of small importance.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to be Kylon when Killop finds out,’ Shella said.

  Daphne smiled. ‘Also, Laodoc,’ she said, ‘if the alliance is successful, and the government is overthrown, tell him I’ll come to him once the baby is old enough to travel. I’m sure he’ll have his hands full looking after his people.’

  ‘I will tell him,’ Laodoc said, ‘you have my word. I’d better be off, but before I go, I have something for you.’

  He reached down into a canvas bag, and took out a small object.

  ‘I found this,’ he said, ‘in the Kellach quarters of my mansion back in the Rahain capital, after the army had raided it. It was the only personal possession I ever saw them with, and if I had to speculate, I would say it was probably carried by them all the way from their homeland. The wood is of a type I do not recognise as being native to Rahain.’

  He handed her the object.

  It was a small wooden model of a mammal, rising on its hind legs, its powerful arms ending in finely carved claws. Its mouth was open in a roar, and sharp teeth were visible in its jaws.

  ‘It is a bear, I believe,’ Laodoc said, ‘a name I sometimes heard the others call Killop, so I think it might have been his.’

  It was too much.

  Daphne closed her eyes, and felt the tears stream down her face.

  Chapter 20

  Allure

  Severed City, Rahain Republic – 27th Day, Second Third Autumn 505

  ‘You did say you wanted the Rahain to come to us, Chief,’ Larissa whispered as they lay hidden under a thicket. ‘Well, you got your wish.’

  The bottom of the dry valley in front of them was covered in the tents of the republic’s military. Thousands of conscripted soldiers milled around, dug ditches, or were out on scouting patrols, trying to find a way into the Severed City.

  ‘The warriors are betting,’ Larissa went on, ‘about what will come first. Them finding one of the tunnels, or us starving to death.’

  Up on the horizon, a pair of winged gaien circled, bringing in supplies. Dozens of soldiers were on the ridge-top, guiding them in to land.

  ‘Come on,’ said Killop, ‘I’ve seen enough.’

  They crawled back through the low and twisted undergrowth, and squeezed through a small hole, remembering to replace the boulder covering the entrance. They emerged into a small rock-cut chamber, where a squad of warriors were waiting for them.

  ‘No changes,’ Killop said to them. ‘Rahain army is sitting fast. They’re being supplied from the air.’

  He gazed at the grim faces before him.

  ‘Keep guard here,’ he said, ‘and remember your orders.’

  ‘Aye, Chief,’ they replied.

  Killop nodded to Larissa, and they left by another tunnel, heading down into the heart of the city.

  ‘Still no sign of your plan working,’ she said.

  ‘You got a better one?’

  ‘Send them Lilyann,’ Larissa said. ‘She’s such a pain in the arse, she’ll annoy the lizards so much they’ll leave.’

  Killop suppressed an urge to agree. The young mage had accompanied them on their previous raid, before the Rahain army had arrived, but she had proved to be a hindrance, questioning every order, and slowing them down. The other warriors had been quick to complain, and he had needed to defend her in front of them, despite his own feelings.

  They reached a large tunnel junction, and turned left along a tall wide passageway.

  The route was busy, with Kellach civilians packing and moving crates and sacks, all heading to the deep southern caverns, to be away from the fighting when it came.

  He received a few grunts and nods of acknowledgement from his people, and came
to the chief’s hall. Inside, his council were arguing.

  Bridget, Brodie and Kalden were shouting at each other round the table, while Draewyn looked bemused, and Dyam sat bent over her maps and plans. The Rahain captain Tiel was sitting alone, his arms folded, and his tongue flickering. Dim light from the overcast sky outside filled the hall.

  They quietened as they saw Killop and Larissa approach.

  ‘It’s happened, Chief,’ Bridget said, her face hard.

  Brodie turned to him, snarling. ‘One of the wee bastards ran away in the night. Why did we ever trust them?’

  ‘But Brodie,’ Killop said, ‘this is what we’ve been waiting for.’

  ‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him,’ Bridget said, picking up her mug.

  ‘We must throw the rest of them out,’ Brodie spat.

  ‘Calm down,’ Bridget said. ‘It would have been stupid to think that the Rahain wouldn’t plant a spy here in the city, or that one of them wouldn’t want to leave. It was only a matter of time. Why do you think we told the guards to turn the other way if any tried to get out?’

  ‘This does not sit well with me,’ Tiel said. ‘The implication that you expected to find a traitor among my people is most insulting.’

  ‘If it’s an insult,’ Killop said, ‘then it’s an insult to everyone. People are people. Races aren’t good or bad, people are good or bad. Or both, sometimes in the same day.’

  ‘The clan’s Rahain are very upset about this.’

  ‘As long as they’re ready to fight.’

  ‘Of course they are, Chief,’ Tiel said. ‘To the death.’

  Killop looked at the Rahain man. His tongue was flickering rapidly, as if he was having difficulty controlling his emotions.

  ‘Once the battle’s over,’ Killop said, ‘it’ll be a victory we’ll have won together. I’ve no doubt that our Rahain warriors will fight well.’

  Tiel nodded.

  ‘Now I want to hear from Dyam,’ Killop said. ‘What tunnel did the runaway leave from?’

  Dyam looked up. Her pale face had thinned, and she had dark circles under her eyes. Killop knew she had been working hard to keep afloat of her deep grief for Dominic. He worried that she might be close to a breakdown, but needed her at her best for a bit longer.