‘All the children live here,’ Killop said, coming up beside her. ‘Well, the ones with no parents. Most will probably be orphans, but there’s always the hope that their ma or da might turn up one day. They’re on the first floor. On the ground floor live a lot of old folk, those with no families. Second floor is offices and meeting rooms, and we live at the top.’
‘It’s a beautiful house.’
‘Aye. It amazes me that it was built for one family. We have a hundred folk staying in it now.’
‘There are estates in the Holdings with houses as big as this,’ she said. ‘Though ours tend to be one or two-storied, and more spread out.’ She glanced at him. ‘I was brought up in one.’
‘Hold Fast?’
‘Yes. Nearly twenty times the area of Slateford. Though it’s all flat of course, and half of it’s barren, practically desert. Only good for horses, not for growing things.’
‘So I might be chief here,’ he said, ‘but in the politics of the world, your family’s power outweighs mine. Well, it would if you and your father were more friendly towards the Emperor.’
‘But instead I’m a renegade,’ she said. ‘Unwelcome in my homeland. Again. And you’re one to talk about being friendly with the Emperor.’
‘As long as I hold sovereignty over Slateford,’ he said, ‘they can’t tell me what to do, or who I should allow in.’
‘You’re putting a lot of faith in a piece of paper,’ she said. ‘The church cannot be trusted.’
‘So you’ve said,’ he frowned. ‘We see eye to eye on that.’
They walked towards the mansion, passing a group of old Kellach men and women sitting out by small tables, drinking tea and watching the children play.
The front doors were open, and Killop and Daphne walked up the steps and entered. The interior had been redecorated, with Kellach-made wooden furniture. Tapestries covered every wall, embroidered with scenes of hunting and battles, and the fire mountain. Daphne followed Killop into a large chamber, where a tall man was standing, gazing down with a frown at a pile of documents spread on the table in front of him.
‘Morning, Kalden,’ Killop said.
‘Chief, you’re back,’ Kalden said. He nodded to Daphne. ‘Ma’am.’
‘Did I miss anything?’ Killop said.
‘Nothing catastrophic,’ Kalden said. ‘Do you want a drink? I’ve got about a hundred things I need to go over with you, and I’m sure Bridget’s list is even longer.’
Killop frowned, and turned to Daphne.
‘I suppose I’d better get on with it.’
A side door opened, and Bedig strode in, his face beaming.
‘Karalyn,’ he cried.
The baby smiled and wriggled in delight.
Daphne noticed Killop frown.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ she said. She reached up and kissed him, and he held her and Karalyn close for a moment.
‘See you later,’ he said.
She turned to Bedig, and handed Karalyn to him.
‘I missed you, wee one,’ he said, rubbing his nose against the child’s forehead.
‘Nice to see you too, Bedig,’ Daphne said as they walked from the room.
‘Where now?’
‘Well,’ Daphne said. ‘I need to get all our things moved up to our new quarters.’
‘Already done, miss,’ he said. ‘I’ve had twenty days waiting for you, did you think I wouldn’t unpack our stuff?’
‘I was hoping you’d be relaxing,’ she said. ‘Enjoying some time off.’
‘Oh, I’ve enjoyed myself, miss.’
‘I know that grin,’ she said. ‘You found yourself a girlfriend?’
He shrugged. ‘Not sure where it’s going yet.’
‘There you are!’ a voice cried.
Daphne turned. ‘Hi, Bridget.’
The young Brig woman rushed down the hall towards them, and hugged Daphne.
‘Good to see you back,’ she said. ‘How was your trip up the hills?’
‘Great, thanks,’ Daphne said. ‘You here to see Killop?’
‘No,’ Bridget said. ‘I’m here for you, Daphne.’ She turned to Bedig, and the Brig man’s eyes averted for a second, his cheeks flushing. ‘You alright to watch Karalyn for the afternoon?’ Bridget asked him.
‘Aye,’ Bedig said. ‘Nae bother.’
‘Then I’m claiming you for the rest of the day, Daphne,’ she said. ‘We’re going to get absolutely reeking.’
‘Reeking?’
‘Drunk,’ Bridget said. ‘As fuck.’
Daphne considered for a moment.
‘Let’s do it.’
Bridget grinned.
‘Where are we going?’ Daphne said.
‘Village by the ford’s got a tavern,’ she said. ‘Does great fried bacon as well.’
Daphne kissed Karalyn. ‘See you soon, Kara-bear. Mummy’s going out.’
‘It’s a fine balance,’ Bridget said, taking a swig of ale. ‘On one hand we have to be nice to the outside world so that they deal with us, buy our wine and so on, but at the same time we have our own rules. The authority of the empire stops at the border of Slateford.’
Daphne shook her head. ‘I can’t see how the Emperor and church will allow that to continue indefinitely. This thing about refusing access to missionaries is starting to annoy them.’
‘There’s nothing they can do, but. Killop’s a stubborn bastard.’
‘You’re safe,’ Daphne said, ‘as long as Laodoc remains in power.’
‘Did you see him when you were in the capital?’
Daphne nodded. ‘He doesn’t look well.’
‘Ladies,’ said a serving boy, putting down another large jug of ale onto their table.
‘Hey, wee man,’ Bridget said. ‘You can take this as well.’
She shoved forward her empty plate.
Daphne glanced at her own half-eaten dish. ‘And this,’ she said. ‘I’m full. You gave me enough to feed a whole family.’
Bridget slapped the boy’s hand away from Daphne’s plate.
‘Not so fast,’ she smiled. ‘I’ll have that.’
The boy left, and Bridget starting tucking in.
‘And I wondered if it was just Bedig who had a large appetite,’ Daphne said, ‘but you all eat like him. I don’t understand why you’re not all as wide as a barn.’
Bridget shrugged and belched.
‘Bedig does that a lot too,’ Daphne said.
Bridget looked like she wanted to say something, but instead took a drink of ale.
Daphne lit a cigarette.
‘So,’ she said, ‘you get on all right with Bedig while we were away?’
‘You could say that,’ Bridget said, her face flushing.
Daphne sighed. ‘I probably should warn you, Bridget.’
Bridget frowned. ‘About what?’
‘Bedig’s a great guy,’ Daphne said, ‘but he, umm… likes chasing women.’
Bridget said nothing.
‘He had a bit of a reputation,’ Daphne went on, cringing inside, ‘with the girls in Plateau City.’
‘He’s been good to me so far,’ Bridget said. ‘I think I like him.’
‘You can tell him I warned you,’ Daphne said. ‘He’ll probably laugh.’
‘You’re pretty close to him.’
‘Like how you are with Killop.’
‘Are you jealous?’
‘A bit. Are you?’
Bridget shrugged. ‘I don’t know how it’ll go with Bedig. As for Killop, I’ll try not to get in the way. Everyone’s already been telling me to give you both room, but a chief and herald are a partnership, and me and Killop work well together.’
‘I see how at ease he is with you,’ Daphne said, filling her ale mug. ‘That’s what I’m jealous of, I think. Me and him are still getting comfortable with each other, and we’re not there yet.’
‘Killop and me have been living in each other’s armpits for three years. All the time we were slaves, and then through the
uprising, and now here. It must be shit for you, coming in and seeing that, but nothing’s ever gone on between us, and never will.’
Daphne nodded, resisting the temptation to check if Bridget was telling the truth. She gazed around the small tavern. They were occupying a table by a window, close to where a large fire burned in a central hearth. Even so, Daphne felt the cold through her clothes.
As the serving boy was returning with a fresh jug of ale, the door of the tavern opened and Dyam walked in, followed by Lilyann.
‘Afternoon,’ she said as they approached.
‘Hi Dyam,’ Bridget said. ‘What did you bring her for?’
‘I’m supposed to be tutoring her this afternoon,’ Dyam said, sitting. She nodded to the serving boy for more mugs and ale. ‘She knew that you two were in here, and wore me down.’
Lilyann grinned, and took a seat next to Daphne.
‘What was the lesson?’ Bridget said.
‘Rahain grammar,’ Dyam said. ‘Hence my one condition for agreeing to come here. We all have to speak Rahain.’ She looked round the table. ‘That all right?’
‘Fine with me,’ Daphne said, switching language. ‘I need to practice.’
‘Who taught you the Kellach tongue?’ asked Dyam. ‘You speak it well.’
‘An old Kell man in Plateau City,’ Daphne said.
‘So you know three languages?’ Lilyann said.
‘Four. I also speak Sanang.’
Lilyann put a hand to her mouth. ‘Is that where…?’
‘Where what?’
The table hushed as Lilyann’s face went red. Bridget picked up the jug and filled everyone’s mugs.
Lilyann stared at Daphne.
‘Where the Creator spoke to you?’
Daphne snorted, ale coming out of her nose.
Bridget slapped her on the back.
‘How did you know that?’ Daphne said.
‘So it’s true?’
Daphne lit a cigarette.
Lilyann watched her, her eyes alight.
‘Well?’
‘I’m not going to talk about it right now,’ Daphne said. ‘Who told you?’
‘A man.’
‘Millar?’ Bridget said.
Lilyann nodded.
‘Deacon Millar,’ Bridget said to Daphne. ‘He’s a missionary from the One True Path who keeps trying to get onto the estate. He sneaked in once, and found our mages.’
‘And he told you about me?’ Daphne said to Lilyann.
‘He said lots of interesting things about you,’ she replied. ‘He said I was to be very careful. That you were dangerous.’
‘Have you converted to the creator-faith?’
‘Do you deny it’s true?’
Daphne shook her head, and took a drink.
‘This ale’s all right,’ she said, ‘but it’s making me want to pee. Are there any spirits?’
‘Gin,’ Bridget said. She called over to the serving boy, who nodded.
They sat in silence as the boy brought over a bottle, and four small cups. Bridget poured, and Daphne took a sip.
‘That’s more like it.’
Bridget smiled.
‘What did he say to you?’ Lilyann said.
‘You still talking about that?’ Daphne said.
‘The Creator spoke to you,’ Lilyann cried. ‘Am I the only one that thinks that’s not fucking normal?’
Bridget shrugged. ‘Daphne’s religion is her own business.’
‘I’m a wee bit intrigued,’ said Dyam. ‘This Creator is the god of the Holdings, right? And we’ve banned their missionaries from coming in. But if Daphne really has spoken to their god, then they’re telling the truth, and maybe we should allow them in.’
‘Exactly,’ Lilyann said. ‘Daphne’s living proof that the church is right.’
All eyes turned to her.
‘The church have tried to kill me several times,’ she said, ‘and my daughter.’
‘Because you turned from them,’ Lilyann said.
‘You’ve no idea what you’re talking about,’ Daphne said, glaring at the young mage. ‘You’ve heard a bit of truth mixed in with the church’s lies, and fallen for it.’
Lilyann opened her mouth to reply, but Bridget growled at her from across the table, and she sat back in her seat, scowling.
‘Religion is banned as a topic of conversation,’ Bridget said, refilling their cups with gin. ‘Does nothing but cause arguments. Let’s stick to a safer subject, like sex.’
Dyam smirked. ‘Funny how you only want to talk about it now that you’re getting some.’
Bridget grinned.
‘That big ginger oaf?’ Lilyann said. ‘You shagging him?’
Daphne laughed, her head swimming from the gin. She checked her pockets, and realised she had left her keenweed at the mansion.
‘And what about you, Daphne?’ Dyam said. ‘You and Killop been getting it on?’
She thought back to that morning and smiled.
‘Aye,’ Lilyann said, swigging from her cup of gin. ‘What’s he like?’
‘None of your business,’ Daphne said.
‘Aw, go on,’ Lilyann said. ‘Is he good?’
‘I’m not discussing it with you.’
‘Be like that,’ Lilyann frowned. ‘It doesnae matter if you tell us or not, we already have a pretty good idea what he’s like, judging from the noises that Larissa used to make.’
Daphne narrowed her eyes as the table went quiet.
Dyam glanced at Bridget, alarm on her face.
‘Who?’ Daphne said.
‘No fucking way!’ Lilyann cackled. ‘You mean he didnae tell you about Larissa?’
Daphne looked over to Bridget, who shrugged.
‘It’s when he thought you were dead.’
Daphne pushed back her chair and got to her feet, the sound of Lilyann’s laughter in her ears.
‘You, shut it,’ Bridget muttered at her. ‘Stupid wee cow.’
Daphne walked to the door.
‘Where you going?’ Bridget called after her.
‘Need a minute,’ she said, slamming the door behind her.
It was evening, she noticed, and the breeze was chill on her cheeks. She shivered, through a mixture of cold and rage.
Why had he not told her? The thought of him with another woman made her feel sick, but she couldn’t condemn him, not if he had believed she was dead. But to leave her open to such humiliation was too much. She staggered, then shook her head and began striding up the hill towards the mansion.
The courtyard was quiet, and she entered through the main doors. She tried to remember where their rooms were. They were on the top floor, she thought, her mind clouded by drunken anger. She needed to find some stairs.
‘You lost?’ a voice said.
Daphne gazed down the hall to see a middle-aged Kellach woman approaching.
‘I’m Draewyn,’ she said. ‘We met briefly when you first arrived. I heard that you were back… Are you all right?’
‘Fine.’
‘You been drinking?’
‘Was out with Bridget,’ Daphne said. ‘Could you help me find where I’m supposed to be staying?’
‘Of course,’ she said, turning. ‘This way. Out with Bridget, eh? No wonder you look so drunk. I saw you come in on the wagon with Killop earlier today. Did you have a good time away?’
Daphne said nothing, concentrating on not tripping up the stairs they were climbing.
‘I suppose Bridget told you about her and Bedig,’ Draewyn went on. ‘Been stuck to each other for days. Mind you, he’s a good-looking young lad, and he’s cheered Bridget up no end. She was moping about the place when you and Killop first went off…’
‘Could you stop talking, please?’ Daphne said.
Draewyn tutted, but said nothing. They reached the top of a flight of steps and Draewyn gestured to a door, her lips closed.
‘Thanks,’ Daphne muttered, and barged through.
She came into a large cham
ber, with a fireplace, tables and chairs. Kneeling in front of the fire was Bedig, playing with Karalyn, who noticed her mother, and emitted a squeal.
In the other corner of the room Killop was standing leaning over a table with Kalden, examining documents.
Daphne steeled herself and walked over.
Killop turned, his eyes doing a double take when he saw the rage on her face.
‘I just had to learn about Larissa,’ Daphne said, ‘from that little bitch Lilyann.’
Killop’s face fell.
Kalden coughed, and sidled away.
‘I was going to tell you,’ Killop said.
‘We had twenty days,’ she said, her right fist clenched. ‘You should have told me.’
‘I didn’t want to ruin our time together.’
Her anger boiled up, and for a moment she felt like lashing out at him, as Lilyann’s laughter echoed in her head.
Karalyn let out a high wail, and Daphne felt a wave of raw power come from her daughter, and surge towards Killop. It passed through Daphne’s protections as if they weren’t there, and penetrated his mind.
Killop’s eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed onto the floor, convulsing.
Draewyn screamed and ran forward.
‘What’s happening to him?’ she cried.
Daphne tried to get close, but his limbs were thrashing about. Specks of foam spattered down his beard. Bedig came over, holding Karalyn, who was crying, her face wet. He passed her to Daphne, and knelt next to Killop, gripping the chief’s shoulders and pinning him down.
‘What the fuck?’ yelled Bridget, rushing into the room, Dyam and Lilyann behind her.
‘Help me,’ Bedig said. ‘He’s having a fit.’
Bridget and Dyam took a leg each, while Daphne tried to calm Karalyn, who was wailing.
Killop’s convulsions stopped, and he lay still on the rug, drenched in sweat, his eyes closed.
‘He’s breathing,’ said Draewyn, leaning close.
‘What happened?’ said Bridget.
Daphne shook her head, unable to form any words.
‘He was rowing with Daphne,’ Draewyn said. ‘Then he just toppled over.’
Bedig caught Daphne’s eye. He glanced at Karalyn, but said nothing.
‘I don’t know what happened,’ Daphne said.
‘Let’s get him into his bed,’ Draewyn said. ‘Hopefully he’ll sleep it off.’
The Magelands Box Set Page 111
