‘Does that mean that you’ll be coming back with me, after our trip’s finished?’
He looked hurt. ‘Of course, miss.’
‘Good,’ she said. ‘I had a worry that once you got here, you might want to stay. You know, track down any of your family and friends.’
‘I still hope to see my mum and dad,’ he said. ‘But we’ll be here for a third, I’m sure I’ll find time to visit them. I’m loyal to you, princess.’
Shella’s face flushed. ‘Don’t call me that, not you. Coming from you makes it sound real. When anyone else says it I can brush it off, but we’ve known each other since the first days of the Migration, when my idiot brother Pavu assigned you and Braga to watch out for me.’
‘I remember,’ he said. ‘I’ve often wondered about that. I mean if he’d chosen anyone else then I wouldn’t be alive. He just looked over a room of volunteers and picked me at random.’
‘Life’s fucked up,’ she said. ‘No point saying, “why me?”’
She dropped the finished smokestick into the toilet pit, and stood.
She smiled. ‘Shall we?’
The banquet was an enormous affair, with the entire area of Democracy Square covered in lines of tables, with a great platform at one end, where Shella was seated. Tens of thousands of people were crammed into the square, and every street leading there was packed. Food and drink were being given away for the celebration, and both had been supplied in prodigious quantities. Hundreds of cooks, porters and waiters had been hired, and several musical bands were playing in various corners of the square.
Tall torches and lamps lit the square from end to end, and the noise of people talking filled the air, over plates clattering and singers serenading the crowds.
Shella had insisted that Jayki accompany her to the banquet as her guest, and he had been assigned a place at the same table where she sat, along with the prime minister, and several other officials. Also at the top table were two Holdings, a woman, and a man in black robes.
‘That’s Serena the old ambassador, now the imperial legate,’ Prime Minister Drappo said in a low voice, noticing the direction of Shella’s gaze. ‘A most disagreeable woman. Never relaxes. Doesn’t understand what off-duty means.’
Shella nodded, as waiters placed more dishes in front of them.
‘The other one’s their chief priest.’
‘How are their missionaries getting on?’ Shella asked.
‘Not so well,’ Drappo chuckled. ‘In the land of a thousand gods, one more doesn’t make much difference. Most citizens were amused at first, but to be honest, they’ve had enough of false prophets and crazy holy men. And holy women.’
‘No mass conversions, then?’
Drappo raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you referring to what’s been happening in Rahain?’
Shella nodded, picking at her food. The keenweed had suppressed her appetite, but she thought it might look ungrateful if she didn’t eat something.
‘Soon,’ he went on, his voice almost a whisper, ‘the two major powers of this world will follow the same religion, as they bow to the same emperor.’
‘As one day the whole world shall,’ said a voice behind them, ‘or so I pray.’
Shella turned, to see the Holdings priest standing close by.
‘Your Highness,’ he bowed. ‘Prime Minister.’
He brought a chair forward, and pushed it in to Shella’s right.
‘May I?’ he said, sitting.
‘I think you already have,’ Shella said.
‘What a wonderful celebration, your Highness,’ the priest said. ‘The people seem to be enjoying it.’
‘Who wouldn’t enjoy free food and drink?’
He glanced at her. ‘You really don’t have to worry about the spread of belief in the Creator.’
‘Were you using your powers to listen to our conversation, priest?’ Shella frowned. ‘A rather vulgar thing to do at dinner, don’t you think?’
He stared at her. She tried to clear her thoughts, but was unable to rid her mind of the loathing she felt for him.
The priest frowned. ‘We need to discuss Rakanese mages, your Highness.’
‘I’ll be in Arakhanah for a third. I’m sure we can arrange an appointment.’
‘I have my instructions from the Lord Vicar. He made it clear he wanted the topic brought up as soon as possible.’
Shella glanced over at Drappo. He was eating, but watching them from the corner of his eye.
‘I shall leave you two alone to discuss it, your Highness,’ the priest said. He bowed, and returned to where the legate sat.
Shella put down her fork, and opened a bottle of spirits set out before her.
‘They’re predictable, at least,’ said Drappo.
Shella frowned. ‘We have to remember that bastard can hear everything. He’s probably in one of our heads right now.’
‘Have a little patience,’ he said, going back to his main course.
Shella tutted, picked up her glass, and tried to think of nothing.
Ten minutes later, as a further course of fried fish was being served, there was a commotion where the Holdings were sitting. The priest stood, clutching his stomach, then staggered into the arms of a servant, sending her tray flying. They went down together in a crash of plates and cutlery. The legate got to her feet, and the priest was hauled up by more servants, vomit strewn down his black robes.
Drappo chuckled as the priest was helped down from the podium.
‘Must have eaten something that disagreed with him.’
The legate sat back down, and the feast continued.
‘Now we can speak,’ the prime minister said. He wiped his chin with a napkin and turned to face Shella.
‘Tell me the truth,’ he said. ‘Why do the Holdings want our mages?’
‘Well, first of all,’ she said, ‘it’s not just our mages. The Emperor wants mages from every land, and already has some from each, except ours.’
‘But why?’ Drappo said, shaking his head. ‘For what possible purpose?’
‘I don’t know,’ she said, ‘but I know someone who’s trying to find out.’
‘I received a letter from Guilliam,’ Drappo said, his mouth twisting in anger. ‘He said that unless you return to Plateau City with mages, all aid will be immediately cut off.’
Shella gazed out over the vast square, packed with her people.
‘Just how dependent on aid are we right now?’
Drappo snorted. ‘See all this?’ He waved his hand at the tables. ‘It’s an illusion, paid for out of Holdings gold that had to be kept aside for the purpose. The food we’re wasting tonight could feed the entire city for days. No wonder half the citizenry turned up.’
He slammed his hand down onto the table, his face red with rage.
‘In answer to your question,’ he said, glaring, ‘we are utterly dependent on Holdings aid. Food, coin, everything we need to keep the city going, we get from the empire. I cannot take the people back to the bad days. I won’t.’
‘So we’re going to hand over some mages?’
‘There’s no alternative,’ he said, bowing his head. ‘Yes. I have already selected a handful of volunteers. The majority are pensioners, those who’ve already served the city for most of their lives, and who were willing to go. None of them are highly ranked.’
‘Has the government taken a vote?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘We’re still a democracy, despite the changes that have been forced upon us. The decision wasn’t unanimous, but we decided it was the only course we could take.’
‘It’s blackmail.’
‘We’ve tried everything we can think of to buy more time,’ he said, ‘but we need at least another year to become self-sufficient in food. Two before we have enough money to get by without aid.’
‘So my first public act as princess, upon returning to the imperial capital,’ she said, refilling her glass, ‘will be to hand frail old mages over to the church?’
�
��You pledged to serve the people of Arakhanah,’ he said. ‘We are doing this for them, so no one else has to starve.’
‘Sacrificing a few to save many,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure I can do it.’
‘You must,’ he said. ‘You already have the blood of six hundred thousand Rakanese on your hands, your Highness. My government begs that you do not add to that figure.’
She thought back to the volcanic wastes that the Migration had passed through, and the hundreds she had killed to maintain order. Her spirit had paid for it, she knew, brutalised by the constant deaths and inured to the endless misery of the basalt desert.
Like Jayki, she too had changed.
She put down her glass.
‘I’ll do it.’
Chapter 14
The Scalding
Slateford, Rahain Republic – 11th Day, Second Third Autumn 506
Daphne opened her eyes. Sunlight was filtering through the gaps in the cabin’s shutters, and a pile of blankets was keeping out the cold.
She could hear the sound of two people breathing, and she smiled. At the end of the bed Karalyn was sleeping in a cot, her legs tangled up in covers, and to Daphne’s right, squeezing alongside her on the narrow mattress was Killop, a powerful arm visible above the blanket. She sat up, and gazed down at him for a moment. He looked the same as she remembered, only with a few more scars, including a deep one running down his cheek. He had told her it had been inflicted when he had been forced to fight a challenger for the chiefdom of the clan. After living so long with Bedig, she had been surprised at how much taller and broader Killop was compared to the Brig man, with fists that looked like they could break stones.
She slipped out of bed, and pulled on a long, loose robe. Creeping past the cot, she picked up a small pack and stepped outside into the chill mountain air.
The views across the hills and valleys of Rahain were wide and beautiful. Far below the cabin, she could make out the big mansion where Killop lived, and a few miles to the left, there was a smudge that marked the location of Slateford Town. Daphne sat on a large boulder, and lit a cigarette.
Her new home, and Karalyn’s too. A Holdings and a half-Holdings among fifteen thousand Kellach Brigdomin. Killop had taken her on a tour of the estate, and then they had moved up the mountainside to stay in the wooden cabin behind her, just the three of them, so they could get to know each other. As much as she had relished the experience, she was anticipating settling in, impatient to be over the feeling of being somewhere unfamiliar.
She had enjoyed the time they had spent together. During the days, if the weather was fine, they would take Karalyn for a long walk through the forest, then in the evening they would build a fire in the cabin’s hearth, and share a few drinks after putting Karalyn to bed. They had talked each night, telling each other stories of their lives, and Daphne had tried to describe every step of their daughter’s growth. Then after that, bed. She had been worried that she wouldn’t desire him, or he her, or that the baby would make it all seem too uncomfortable, but it had been fine. Better than fine. She smiled at the new memories they had made in the darkness of the cabin, and felt her desire stir.
Killop was a good man. Passionate, thoughtful, though so quiet at times that she had trouble trying to figure out what he was thinking. She knew she could look into his mind at any moment, but had stuck to her resolution not to. She took a deep breath, savouring the scent of the nearby pine trees.
She heard a wail from the cabin, sighed, and stubbed out her cigarette. She jumped down from the boulder and opened the cabin door. Killop was up, standing at the end of the bed, rocking Karalyn back and forth in his huge arms. The baby was red-faced and screaming, tears and snot running down her cheeks.
Killop looked up as Daphne approached.
He passed her Karalyn.
Daphne sent a soothing stream of vision into her daughter’s mind, and she calmed.
Killop sighed and sat on the bed.
‘Don’t feel bad,’ she said. ‘I’m cheating, remember?’
‘I don’t think she’s used to me yet.’
‘It might take a while. She’s been seeing the same familiar faces ever since she was born.’
Killop grabbed his clothes and got dressed.
‘I’ve really enjoyed our holiday,’ she said, laying Karalyn onto the bed to put on a clean nappy, ‘but I’ll be glad to head down to the mansion today. I’m looking forward to moving in, and meeting everyone.’
‘And I’ve got to get back to work,’ he said, fastening his boots.
She lay out the fresh nappy, and noticed Killop watching her.
‘You’ve still not done one of these,’ she said. ‘Bridget’s bound to ask. Come on, you can do this one.’
She showed him how to put Karalyn’s nappy on, his hands deft despite their size, though he pricked his finger on the safety pin.
‘Should I be worried about her?’ she said, as Killop wiped the blood from his finger.
‘Who, Bridget?’ he said. ‘Of course not.’
‘You seem very close.’
‘We are,’ he said, ‘but we’ve never fancied each other. It’s how we’ve managed to stay friends.’
‘Like me and Bedig,’ she said, as she finished dressing Karalyn.
Killop said nothing.
‘What’s that look for?’ she said.
‘Just wondering what’s wrong with Bedig.’
‘I was pregnant for a lot of the time,’ she smiled. ‘Probably didn’t look my best. Besides, he was too busy chatting up every servant girl in the house. Broke a lot of hearts did Bedig.’
‘I’ve never seen Bridget with a man.’
‘Maybe she likes women.’
‘I thought so for a while,’ he said, ‘but she’s mentioned a few guys that she’s liked. She had a thing for Kalden a few thirds back, but didn’t do anything about it, and I had to promise not to tell him.’
Daphne nodded, and they began to pack up their things. When they finished, Daphne prepared some breakfast, while Killop went to the stream for water. When he returned, she made up a bottle of milk, and gave it to Karalyn.
‘Mama,’ she said, and Daphne’s face broke out in a grin.
‘I still can’t get used to it,’ she said. ‘She’s too young to be saying anything.’
‘She looks like you,’ Killop said.
‘But it’s you that’s making her grow so fast,’ Daphne said, ‘and walk and talk. And never catch a cold or be sick. She’s strong.’
‘And she’s a mage.’
Daphne nodded. ‘I’ve protected you now, though. She won’t be able to enter you head again.’
‘I know,’ he said, ‘but it’s a lot to take in. And I still don’t understand how me and you could have made someone with Kalayne’s powers.’
‘Neither do I,’ she said, ‘but there’s no point in wondering. We’ve just got to deal with it.’
‘Will we tell the others?’
‘I think we should keep it to ourselves.’
‘But what if she goes into someone’s head,’ he said, ‘and does to them what she did to me? You might not be there to stop it.’
‘I could probably protect everyone who lives with you on the top floor of the mansion,’ she said. ‘Bridget, and your mages.’
‘Is Bedig protected?’
‘To be honest,’ she said, ‘I’ve never felt the need. What she did to you was the first time she’s done anything like that. She must have seen something in you that got her attention, I don’t know.’
They both watched as Karalyn drank from the bottle. Her dark hair was down to her shoulders.
Daphne shook her head. ‘She’s starting to look like a little girl already. She’s not even one.’
‘I’ve never spent much time with bairns,’ he said. ‘Not sure how fast they’re supposed to grow.’
‘Bedig said that she’s growing like a Kellach child, only dark-skinned.’
Karalyn put down the bottle, and toddled over t
o Daphne.
‘Time for a nap, Kara-bear,’ she said, ‘then we’ll be going down the hill to see our new home.’
She picked her up, kissed her cheek, and walked over to the cot.
Killop caught her eye as she tucked the baby in. He smiled, and glanced at the bed.
She checked that Karalyn was drifting off to sleep, then climbed onto the mattress. She put her right hand round Killop’s neck, and pulled him close. He wrapped his big arms round her, and they kissed, sinking into the soft sheets.
The mansion stood on the brow of a gentle slope, looking down upon the river. The road crossed the water by way of a ford, and the wheels of their wagon splashed through the shallows, the gaien lumbering and tired from the journey down the mountain. They heaved the laden wagon up onto the bank, where a small village had sprouted up. It was centred around an old stone mill, but every other building was new. Twenty wooden houses clustered by the road, along with barns, stables and a tavern.
Killop nodded at a few Kellach out on the road. He seemed to be known by everyone they passed, Daphne noticed, and they all greeted him in an informal manner, as though the chief was an old friend rather than their ruler and lord.
The gaien left the village, and pulled the wagon up the slope. The road levelled off at the top and they came into the large courtyard that sat before the mansion. Children were playing, some hopping and jumping about over grids of chalk marked on the flagstones, while others ran and chased each other. Draewyn and her team of helpers stood talking to one side, keeping half an eye on their young charges.
Killop called over to Draewyn, and she waved back at him.
They brought the gaien to a halt by the stone block of stables on the eastern side of the courtyard. Hands emerged to unharness the beasts, and Killop jumped to the ground. Daphne picked up Karalyn, and climbed down the steps.
As Killop chatted to a few stable workers, Daphne gazed up at the mansion. She had seen it before, but it had been at night, when they had first arrived. It was a four-storey block, built from the same grey slate that was seen everywhere on the estate. Its windows and doorways were arched, and Daphne could see the scarring left by removed ivy on one side of the façade.
The Magelands Box Set Page 110
