‘Fate’s idea of a twisted joke,’ Noli said. ‘You, a fucking princess.’
‘You never used to swear Noli,’ Shella said. ‘Sounds weird coming from you.’
‘Yeah, well the death of a husband and four children can change someone.’
Shella fell silent, her mouth open.
‘That right, little princess,’ Noli said. She walked over to a cheap wooden stand, where she uncorked a bottle of spirits and picked up some tiny glasses. ‘Four. Two were taken by cholera, one from an infection when the doctors ran out of medicine, and the other died of starvation. Thymo died in a riot. He was coming home with food and went down a wrong street. Got beaten to death.’
She approached Shella with a glass, her face steady, but her hand shaking.
‘And,’ Noli went on, ‘our sister Chapu, also from starvation.’
‘The others?’ Shella whispered. ‘Asta, Marru?’
‘Both alive,’ Noli said, sitting. ‘Out working.’
‘Sami’s well.’
‘Of course he is,’ spat Noli. ‘Living the life of a prince.’
She turned to her other sister. ‘For fuck’s sake, Zonnie, sit down.’
Zonnie sat, her expression unchanged, regarding Shella with a base fear.
‘And you,’ Noli said to Jayki, ‘whoever you are, have a drink with us. Celebrate the family reunion.’
‘I need to keep a clear head, miss.’
‘Drink!’ Noli cried. ‘You will drink. Sit.’
Shella nodded at him, and Jayki took a seat.
Noli turned back to Shella. ‘Did you know that Lenni went to see you get crowned? Idiot. I told him not to bother. Half the tenement went along for the free food, and to laugh at you, perched on your fucking throne like a gaudy bird.’
‘I quite enjoyed it,’ Lenni said. ‘She made a nice speech.’
‘Yeah?’ Noli said. ‘Was it about how terribly sorry she was for killing half the population of the city?’
‘The Rahain annihilated the Migration,’ Shella said. ‘I should know, I was there.’
‘But little old you escaped, didn’t you,’ Noli sneered. ‘Then the Holdings made a mockery of justice by rewarding you with a crown instead of the noose. I know which I’d have preferred to see you wear.’
‘I did my best,’ Shella said. ‘My conscience is clear.’
‘You could have stayed. You choose to leave. The sea walls collapsed first, because all of the best flow mages had gone. Then the spawnpools went bad, because there weren’t enough workers to clean them. There was no one to collect the harvest, though that hardly mattered as most rice fields were under the sea by that point. Money became worthless, nowhere would accept it, you had to barter whatever you had for a scrap of food. Whole districts, including Brackenwell, were evacuated, and everyone was crammed into the centre of the city. When the food ran out, people started behaving…’
Noli lowered her head for a moment, her eyes half-closed.
‘You couldn’t go outside,’ she went on. ‘Men, women, even children were being killed if they had any food on them. My husband was one of them.’
She took a sip from the glass, and refilled it.
‘I don’t blame the government for selling us out to the Holdings,’ she said. ‘What else could they do? We’d turned into savages. Then the food started to arrive. Great wagons, filled with sacks of cornmeal and flour. Soon a new police force were on the streets, armed with crossbows, and the city calmed down. But no one who was here will ever forget those days.
‘In fact, the one joyful memory I have from then was when I learned of Obli’s death. Just imagine if she’d survived, and the Holdings had made her queen...’
Noli shivered, then glanced at Shella.
‘Did you see how she died?’
‘She took her own life,’ Shella said. ‘I was trying to persuade her to escape with me, but she had already drunk the poisoned water, after watching her spawn die.’
‘Obli had spawned?’ Noli cried. ‘That makes it all the sweeter. It was worth you coming here to know that she had to watch her babies die, her life in ruins, before she met her own end. Just a pity you didn’t do the honourable thing and join her in a suicide pact.’
‘Miss,’ Jayki said. ‘You’re out of line. Shella worked hard to save the Migration, and…’
‘Shut up,’ Noli said.
‘Do you want to come back to Plateau City with me?’ Shella blurted out. ‘All of you?’
The room fell silent.
Shella glanced over at Lenni, who looked confused.
‘I could find you jobs,’ she said. ‘I’m the fucking ambassador. Jobs, and somewhere decent for you all to live. Let me do one tiny thing to make your lives better.’
‘To accept this,’ Noli said, ‘I’d have to leave Arakhanah, and that I’ll never do.’
‘Nor I,’ said Zonnie. ‘I couldn’t bear to live in the same city as you.’
Shella glanced back at Lenni.
‘No, Shella,’ he said. ‘You might live in a palace, with servants bowing to you, and your food served on silver plates, but here at least we have a community, friends. We’ve all lived through something worse than we could imagine. I’d feel like I was deserting everyone if I left.’
Noli narrowed her eyes.
‘What about one of the children?’ she said. ‘Would you take one of my babies if I were to trust you with their future?’
‘Are you serious?’ Shella asked. ‘You’d give up one of your children?’
‘I don’t know,’ Noli said. ‘Maybe I should. My heart would break, but it’s been broken so many times in the last few years that I might be able to bear it. And I always have this.’ She raised her glass.
‘You can’t,’ cried Zonnie, her eyes widening. ‘Don’t think of it.’
Noli hung her head. ‘But Zonnie, maybe I should gamble that at least one of my children has a decent life.’ She looked up at Shella, her eyes cold. ‘Would you do this for me, Shella? If you truly want to help, would you look after one of my sweet babies, feed, clothe and educate them? Would you love them?’
Shella stared at her. ‘Yes.’
Noli laughed. ‘You’d make a terrible parent. No, it was a stupid idea.’
She stood, and walked over to the window, where a small grimy pane looked down over the street.
Shella glanced at Jayki, who eyed the door.
Noli turned. ‘Wait here,’ she said, then left the room by a side door.
‘Where’s she gone?’ Shella said.
‘Kids’ bedroom,’ Lenni said.
Shella gulped.
‘Ha,’ Lenni said. ‘You look terrified.’
‘Shut up.’
They sat in silence for a few moments.
Jayki coughed. ‘Miss…?’
The side door opened and Noli re-entered, carrying a pack and leading a small boy by the hand.
‘This is Thymo,’ she said, as the boy stared at Shella. ‘Named after his dad.’
‘Hello,’ Shella said.
‘He’s quiet for a five year old,’ Noli said, putting the pack down, ‘but he takes everything in…’ Her voice cracked, and she sobbed. She got down on her knees and embraced the boy.
‘This is Auntie Shella,’ she said. ‘She’s going to look after you. She’s going to take you to a beautiful place, where you’ll be happy.’
‘Don’t do it, Noli,’ Zonnie said, standing by her sister, laying a hand on her shoulder.
‘I have to,’ she said, stroking the boy’s hair.
Thymo remained quiet, eyeing Shella.
Noli stood.
‘Swear to me,’ she said to Shella, ‘that you’ll do your best for him, that you’ll protect him with your life.’
‘I swear it.’
‘Then go,’ Noli said. ‘Now, before I lose my nerve.’
Shella stood, and reached out her hand to Thymo. The boy stared up at her, then took hold of her fingers.
‘Good bye, my sweet baby,’
Noli said, tears streaming down her face. ‘I will see you again one day.’
‘No, Noli,’ Zonnie cried. She lunged forward to grab Thymo, but Noli restrained her.
‘Lenni,’ Zonnie shouted. ‘Help me!’
‘It’s up to Noli,’ he shrugged. ‘One less mouth to feed, and let’s face it, that boy’s the least likely to thrive out of all of them.’
‘Fuck you,’ Zonnie yelled, her eyes welling.
Noli pushed Zonnie to the side, and ushered Shella, Jayki and Thymo through the front hall of the apartment. She opened the door and pushed them out, slamming it shut behind her.
The three of them stood and stared at the closed door, listening to the sound of weeping from within.
‘Well,’ said Shella, ‘that didn’t go exactly how I expected.’
She took the boy’s hand.
‘Come on Thymo, let’s get out of here.’
Shella rubbed her temples, her head aching from the raw alcohol she had drunk at Noli’s house. She got up from the sofa and began throwing her things into a trunk, keeping half an eye on the boy, who was sitting in an armchair, watching her in silence.
‘We’re beginning a long journey tomorrow,’ she said. ‘You’ll see a lot of new things on the way.’
The boy said nothing.
‘I’ve got someone out buying you new clothes for the trip,’ she went on. ‘I hope you like them.’
She cringed, sure she must sound like a phoney.
‘Just wait till you try chocolate,’ she said. ‘You’ll love it. And you’ll meet new friends. There’s a little Rakanese school in the Old Town of the city or, you know, if you want we can get a tutor. What would be better, do you think?’
Thymo continued to stare at her.
‘Look,’ she said, ‘we’re not going to get very far if you won’t speak to me.’
‘I want to go home,’ he said.
‘We’re going to a new home.’
‘I don’t want to go with you, I want to go home.’
‘Tough shit, little man,’ she said. ‘You’re stuck with me.’
Thymo’s lip trembled for a moment, then he hardened his face and looked away.
She gazed at him.
Noli had made a terrible mistake. She wasn’t cut out for this.
He was kind of cute though, with his dark hair, big sappy eyes, and constant frowning. She was reminded of Kylon, and smiled.
‘You hungry?’
He glanced at her, then turned away, trying to hide his interest.
She leaned over and pulled a bell-rope, and within seconds a porter was wheeling a trolley into the grand quarters where Shella had been residing since she had arrived in the city.
‘Thanks,’ she said, as the porter left.
She removed the covers from the plates, allowing the aroma to drift through the room.
‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Eat.’
Thymo got up, and walked to the trolley, his eyes darting over the contents of the plates and bowls.
‘One small compensation of living with a princess,’ she said. ‘Good food.’
The following morning Shella sat back and relaxed as porters lifted her heavy trunks, carrying them downstairs to where a line of carriages waited. Thymo sat opposite her, drinking fruit juice.
She wondered if Noli would appear at the last minute, crying out that Shella was kidnapping her child, and it had all been an elaborate plan for revenge. She shook her head at her paranoia, and instead started thinking of all the adjustments to her life she was going to have to make. Poor boy, she thought, stuck in the same house as Sami and Kalayne.
‘You don’t like me,’ the boy said.
‘What?’ Shella said. ‘That’s not true. I don’t love you. We’ve only just met, and that would be weird. But I’m coming round to you. I’m going to honour the promise I made to your mother, and look after you the best I can.’
There was a knock at the door, and Jayki entered.
‘We might have a problem,’ he said, glancing at Thymo.
‘What?’
‘Prime Minister Drappo’s waiting downstairs for you.’
Shella sighed. ‘Haven’t we already said our goodbyes?’
Jayki shrugged.
She stood. ‘Come on,’ she said to the boy.
‘Might be best if we leave him here,’ Jayki said.
‘No way,’ she said. ‘You saw how he kept trying to wander off on the way here. I’m keeping him where I can see him.’
‘Fine.’
Jayki turned, and they followed him out, Shella taking the boy’s hand. They went down a flight of stairs and reached the building’s main entrance hall where Drappo stood, surrounded by officials. Shella could see carriages outside, getting ready for their departure.
‘What’s up?’ she said to the prime minister.
‘I see you have brought the boy with you, your Highness,’ Drappo said.
‘Very observant.’
‘Well I’m afraid that his presence has caused a bit of a stir in the government. Some of my more excitable ministers believe you intend to take this boy, whom I believe to be closely related to you, back to Plateau City to be anointed as your successor, a Prince of Arakhanah.’
‘That’s a load of crap,’ she said. ‘I promised my sister I’d look after the boy, make sure he gets a good education and everything. That’s it. He’s not going to be my heir.’
Drappo nodded. ‘But he’s your sister’s son? You must see how that looks to certain people. On one hand it encourages the small but noisy royalist clique who will argue, whether you agree or not, that the boy is a prince already, and should be recognised as one. And on the other, the anti-royalists want me to arrest the boy here and now, as a danger to democracy.’
‘He’s five years old.’
‘It sounds ridiculous to me too, but for some he holds the promise of the future.’
‘I’m taking him back to the Plateau,’ Shella said, ‘but I’ll sign anything you need me to.’
‘I was hoping you’d say that,’ Drappo said, clicking his fingers.
A clerk walked forward, holding a sheaf of papers.
‘I took the liberty of drawing these up,’ Drappo said. ‘They should help calm things down.’
The clerk held out the papers and a quill for Shella. She took them in her hands.
‘Give me a quick paraphrase,’ she said.
‘In these documents, you swear again that you will not take or recognise any heir to your royal position.’
‘Fair enough,’ she said, signing the bottom of each sheet.
‘Right,’ Drappo said. ‘Let’s get you on your way before there are any more calls for children to be arrested.’
They began walking towards the carriages.
‘I have, as you know,’ Drappo said, ‘gathered a small number of flow mages for you to take back to Plateau City.’
Shella’s heart sank.
‘I know how you feel about this,’ he said. ‘May I remind you that you gave your word?’
‘I’ll do it,’ she said. ‘I’ll deliver them in one piece.’
They walked through the front gates, where six carriages were prepared. Jodie was waiting by one, its door open. Porters were loading the tops of the carriages with trunks, and guards had taken up position on the front bench of each, next to the drivers.
‘Here they are,’ Drappo said, pointing at a small group standing by the carriages. Shella looked them over. Three were elderly, two men and a woman. The fourth figure was much younger, a woman who was staring at Shella as they approached. A guard kept his crossbow trained on her.
‘Three retirees and a criminal,’ Drappo said.
‘A criminal?’ Shella said. ‘What did she do?’
‘Set fire to her parents’ house, killed them both,’ he said. ‘It was this or the noose.’
Shella noticed the chains on the woman’s wrists and ankles.
‘That’s just fucking great,’ she said. ‘Is that why I’m gettin
g an armed escort?’
‘Partly,’ he said, ‘but mostly to ensure all four mages arrive safely.’
Shella watched as the mages climbed into their carriages. The three older mages got into one together, while guards led the woman into another. Shella reached her own carriage, where Jodie was standing.
‘Here’s where I leave you, your Highness,’ Drappo said. ‘Have a safe journey and all that. Try not to get any mages killed.’
‘I’ll try.’
The prime minister gave the smallest of bows, then turned and began walking back to the building, the crowd of officials following.
She turned to Jodie.
‘Your Highness,’ she bowed.
‘Hi Jodie,’ Shella said. ‘Good to see you again. You have a nice time?’
‘So, so,’ she said. ‘I’ll tell you about it on the way.’ She glanced down at Thymo, as Jayki checked their baggage.
‘This is Thymo,’ Shella said. ‘Thymokanawara.’
Jayki glanced back at them. ‘Not Yalopo?’
‘No way,’ Shella said. ‘The boy’s a Kanawara. He’s family.’
Jodie nodded.
‘Should I bow to him?’ she whispered.
‘No,’ Shella smiled as she climbed into the carriage. ‘At least not until we get back to Plateau City.’
‘Is she serious?’ Jodie asked Jayki.
‘It’s Shella,’ he said. ‘Who knows?’
Chapter 18
Twenty-Five
Slateford, Rahain Republic – 14th Day, Last Third Autumn
Daphne’s vision soared up into the night sky, and she sighed in exhilaration. She stretched her mind, taking in the pinpricks of light below, where the sleeping villages and hamlets of Slateford Estate lay. A few miles to the north, a dull glow marked the town, where bars and taverns were open for business throughout the night.
She glanced down at the mansion beneath her, where her body slept next to Killop’s. At the foot of the bed was Karalyn’s cot, and Daphne waited a moment. If Karalyn was going to follow her on the night vision, she usually emerged soon after Daphne. She smiled as she sensed her daughter’s vision rise from the cot. It paused, then went into Killop’s head, and Daphne frowned.
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