‘Then what the fuck do you need me for?’ Sami groaned from the floor at Rijon’s feet.
Rijon looked down at him. ‘Do you remember when Queen Obli had the high mages killed at that place where the Migration camped? Do you remember how she told Shella that she would kill you if she disobeyed?’
‘So I’m a fucking hostage again?’
‘Not just you,’ Rijon said, ‘the boy prince as well.’ He glanced up at Shella. ‘I know what you’re thinking. I know you want to kill me. You’ve already resigned yourself to being shot if you do it, but you should know that the wardens have orders to execute both your brother and your nephew if you try. You’re a powerful mage, and the empire needs you.’
‘Fuck the empire,’ she said.
Rijon laughed.
He signalled to a pair of wardens. ‘Bind Prince Sami’s hands and load him into the wagon outside.’ The wardens nodded, and led Sami out, a crossbow pointed at his back.
There was a sound from the corridor leading to the stairwell.
‘That’ll be the young prince,’ said Rijon, turning.
The door opened and Benel was thrown in. He hit the marble floor, sprawling, and a dozen crossbows aimed at him.
Rijon stared, his mouth open, then started to laugh. He pointed at Benel and tried to speak, but couldn’t. He put his hands on his knees, and took a breath.
‘This is the best day of my life,’ he said. ‘Shella and Benel.’ He stood up straight and wiped the tears from his eyes.
‘Always glad to provide amusement,’ Benel said from the floor.
Rijon nodded to a handful of wardens, and they approached, pulling batons from their belts.
‘Hey!’ Benel shouted, his eyes wild, but Rijon nodded again and the blows rained down on him. Benel raised his arms as the batons clubbed him over his back and legs.
Rijon watched for a minute, then raised his hand. ‘Enough.’
The wardens retreated, and Rijon went down on one knee next to Benel. The priest grabbed him by the back of his hair and lifted his head.
‘Time for a few questions.’
‘Fuck you,’ Benel gasped, blood trickling down his face from a gash in his forehead.
‘Leave him alone, you fucking freak,’ Shella said, her hands trembling with anger.
Rijon glanced up at her. ‘Don’t worry yourself, little princess, I’ll be gentle to Benel’s mind. After all, he’s a mage, and the institute needs him whole. They wouldn’t thank me for scouring the inside of his head now, would they?’
Rijon gazed into Benel’s bloodshot eyes for a moment then pulled away. He let go of Benel’s head, and stepped back, his face enraged.
‘Who did that to him?’ the priest cried. ‘Someone’s been in his mind already, and wiped out whole chunks of memory.’ He stared at Shella. ‘Who did it?’
Shella smiled.
Rijon spat on the floor. ‘Bind Mage Benel’s hands and hood him,’ he said to the wardens. ‘His mind is sound, despite the missing memories.’ He walked over to where Shella stood. ‘Bind her hands too.’
Shella felt her arms pulled behind her back and her wrists tied together. She watched as Benel was bound, and a large sack was secured over his head.
‘The questions will have to be for you to answer,’ Rijon said to her. ‘How did Benel get here, and how has his presence been shielded from us?’
‘I don’t know,’ she said, her eyes unwavering.
‘Is there another mage?’
She said nothing.
Rijon shrugged. ‘Brace yourself, princess. I’m coming in, and I can’t promise I’ll be gentle.’
He stared at her and she felt an immense pressure build up behind her eyes. Rijon’s face strained, and the pressure increased, but didn’t yield. It pushed out against the priest, and he staggered back, nearly falling.
He dropped to his knees, holding his head.
‘You bitch!’ he cried, his eyes clenched shut. A trickle of blood ran from his nose.
‘Father,’ said one of the One True Path, rushing to the priest’s side. ‘Are you hurt? What happened?’
‘She blocked me,’ Rijon said as the warden helped him to his feet. ‘My head feels like it’s been hit with a hammer.’ He glared at Shella. ‘You’ll pay for that.’
Shella laughed. ‘Bring it on, asshole.’
Daly shot her a look.
‘This is getting out of hand,’ the old secretary said. ‘There’s no need for violence.’
Rijon grabbed a crossbow from a nearby warden and shot Daly in the chest.
Jodie cried out as the old man fell, and Rijon pointed the bow at her.
‘No,’ Shella cried.
Rijon turned to her.
‘If I can’t get inside your mind,’ he said, keeping his bow trained on Jodie, ‘then you’ll have to tell me what I want to know. Otherwise I will kill everyone here, starting with her.’
‘It was Daphne,’ Shella said. ‘She put the block in my head.’
‘You’re a terrible liar,’ he said. ‘Daphne had already left the city when I last searched your mind.’
‘She came to me in a vision,’ Shella said. ‘I told her you’d been in my head, and she said she would stop it from happening again, then she did something to my mind.’
He stared at her.
‘She’s not that powerful.’
‘Yes she fucking is. You have no idea.’
Rijon said nothing. The room was in silence, except for Jodie, who was crying by the body of Daly.
The door to the stairs opened, and a group of wardens entered.
‘Father,’ said one. ‘We’ve searched the building. There’s no sign of Prince Thymo, or anyone else.’
Rijon shook, his face red.
‘You incompetent bastards,’ he screamed. ‘He must be here!’
‘We’ve been in every room, father. Twice. And up on the roof, and out in the garden. We found the prince’s quarters on the top floor but there was no sign of him anywhere.’
Rijon turned to Shella, and approached, until their faces were inches apart.
‘Where is he?’
‘I have no idea,’ she said, ‘and you can execute the entire embassy staff, and my answer will be the same, because it’s true. Or, you could try to get inside my head again.’
She smiled.
Rijon took a step back and swung the crossbow, striking her on the left side of her jaw and sending her flying to the marble floor. She opened her eyes, dazed, and Rijon kicked her in the stomach.
‘Hood her.’
Hands grabbed her shoulders, and a sack was pulled down over her face and secured round her neck. She fell back to the floor and lay still, curled up, her head pounding in agony, and her stomach aching. She had missed her chance to kill him, even though she knew that death would have been the price.
The wardens picked her up.
‘Let’s go,’ she heard Rijon shout. ‘The institute’s waiting.’
Chapter 30
Burnt Out
Slateford, Imperial Rahain – 4th Day, Second Third Winter 506
‘What do you think of this one?’ the shopkeeper said, holding up a silver locket on a slender chain.
‘It’s beautiful,’ said Daphne.
The shopkeeper smiled.
‘Did you make this yourself?’
‘No, my dear,’ the shopkeeper said. ‘My wife does the making, I do the selling.’
‘She’s the best silversmith on the estate,’ Killop said. ‘We’ll take it.’
‘Many thanks, Chief,’ the shopkeeper grinned. ‘Is it a gift for someone?’
‘It’s for our daughter,’ Daphne said. ‘She’ll be one in a few days.’
Killop pulled a pouch of coins from his pocket.
‘No, no, Chief,’ the shopkeeper said, raising his hands. ‘If it’s for your wee lassie then I’ll not accept any payment. I insist.’
‘Are you sure?’ Daphne said. ‘That’s very kind of you.’
‘Not at al
l my dear, it’s an honour,’ the shopkeeper said. ‘And I hope you won’t mind if I tell folk that the chief’s daughter will be wearing one of our lockets.’
Killop laughed. ‘You do that.’
The shopkeeper nodded. He wrapped the locket and chain in paper, then placed the small parcel into a velvet bag, tied at the top with red string.
He held it out and Daphne put it into the pouch on her belt.
‘Thank you.’
He gave her a bow. ‘My pleasure.’
‘We know where we’ll be coming for our wedding rings,’ she winked, ‘if Bridget ever lets us get married.’
The shopkeeper gave a nervous laugh.
‘Have a lovely afternoon,’ he called out as they left the shop.
Daphne tightened her cloak against the cold winter air. The single street of the small village was quiet under the shadows of the heavy grey clouds above, and the corn and rye fields beyond were empty.
‘Why did they put their shop out here?’ Daphne said. ‘Must be at least three miles from town.’
‘They went through a lot in the war,’ he said. ‘I don’t think they care about the money, they just want a peaceful life.’
Daphne gazed at the stone and timber houses and farms. In the distance she could make out the line of the river, and then the gentle rise up the other side of the valley to the mountains.
‘Which way will we go?’ said Killop. ‘To town, or the mansion?’
‘Let’s go to the town,’ she said. ‘We’ve still got presents to buy, and Bedig did say he would take Karalyn for the whole day.’
Killop nodded, and they set off down the street to their left.
‘It’s strange being without her,’ he said.
‘It’s good to get some time alone.’
‘Aye. What else will we get her?’
‘Clothes, maybe? A toy?’
‘We could get her a new toy animal to play with,’ he said. ‘I used to have one that my dad made for me when I was young. A bear.’
Daphne stopped, and lifted her hand to her face. ‘Dammit.’
‘What is it?’
‘I completely forgot,’ she said. ‘I have your toy bear.’
‘Eh?’
‘Laodoc gave it to me,’ she said, ‘right before he left Plateau City with the alliance invasion force.’
‘Laodoc had it?’
‘Yes. He said he picked it up from your things after you were arrested.’
Killop nodded. ‘Kallie took it from my house in Kell.’
Daphne smiled. ‘It meant a lot to me when we were apart, but when we got to Rainsby I packed it at the bottom of my luggage to keep it safe. Then I forgot all about it. Do you want it back?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘You keep it.’
She nodded, and they resumed walking.
‘Do you ever think about her?’ she said.
‘Who?’
‘Kallie.’
He shook his head.
‘I wonder where she is.’
‘She hopefully made it back to Kellach Brigdomin,’ he said. ‘That’s where she was headed.’
‘It’s a long walk.’
‘Aye,’ he said, ‘it is. At least two thirds to Kell, and another to get to the haven in Domm. Kallie should make it, she’s young and fit, but the silversmith and her husband?’ He shook his head. ‘That’s what Bridget doesn’t seem to realise. With her talk of moving the clan back to Domm, she’s forgetting that many of the folk here are too old or injured to survive the journey.’
‘I think she knows,’ Daphne said. ‘She cares about the people as much as you do. She’s weighing up how many will die if the clan goes, against how many might die if it stays. All over Rahain the Kellach are being driven out, unless they convert, and Slateford has the biggest concentration of your people outside of Rainsby or Plateau City.’
‘Slateford’s bigger than Rainsby.’
‘It was,’ she said. ‘Not any more, though. I know you’re focussed on defending the estate and holding out through the winter, but you need to plan for what will happen in spring.’
‘In spring we’ll plough the fields and plant the year’s crops.’
She shook her head. ‘People are talking about leaving as soon as winter’s over. The battle at the border post changed a lot of people’s minds. Slateford doesn’t seem safe any more.’
Killop said nothing.
‘I want to stay on the estate,’ she went on, ‘and to be honest with you, I don’t want to go to Kellach Brigdomin. It’s too cold, and too far away.’
‘I don’t want to go either.’
They walked on. Daphne glanced at Killop, but his face was set grim. When they were a mile from town, he stopped.
‘Did you hear that?’
‘No,’ she said.
He closed his eyes, listening. ‘Coming from the direction of the palisade.’
‘Kellach and their damn hearing,’ Daphne sighed. ‘Wait a minute, I’ll take a look.’
She took hold of his arm and steadied herself. Her gaze cast around for a high point, and she settled on a tall tree on the edge of the horizon. Her vision flew out, reaching the branches of the conifer, from where she could see the town in the distance. Her vision flew out again, reaching the roof of a stone building in the central square, then on further, towards the new timber tower marking the border crossing. The Kellach palisade was now over three miles long, stretching out on either side of the road, where a gate had been constructed by the tower. Militia were running around at the rear of the wall, lining up by the firing ledges, and handing out sheaves of arrows.
Daphne looked over the stockade. At the edge of the forest was a long line of Rahain shields, the large door-sized ones that the republic’s army had used. The line was half a mile long, and more Rahain were thickening the ranks. She gazed at the New Free fighters. The majority had no armour, and some were barefoot, or wore tattered rags, but each held a crossbow. Dotted among them were One True Path in black robes, acting as commanders and exhorting the ex-slaves to get into line.
She whipped her vision back to her body and coughed.
Killop passed her a lit cigarette.
‘Thanks.’
She took a draw and closed her eyes, a headache forming behind her temples.
‘There’s trouble,’ she said. ‘We might have to forget about shopping for now.’
They ran to the town, where groups of militia reserves were assembling in the main square, then followed the road to the border crossing.
‘Brynt,’ Killop nodded at the old hunter, who had taken charge of the clan militia, ‘are the New Free still preparing to attack? Have they made any attempt to talk?’
‘Chief,’ Brynt nodded. ‘They’ve finished forming up into ranks, but haven’t signalled us. Not sure what they’re waiting for.’
Daphne gazed up at the rear of the palisade. Kellach were crouching along the narrow shooting ledge on both sides of the gate, with more up on the tower, each with a longbow and a stack of arrows. She watched as Killop rubbed his chin.
‘We should send for Dean,’ he said.
‘Aye, Chief,’ Brynt said. ‘I’ll get a runner.’
‘I’ll do it,’ Daphne said. ‘Save time.’
Killop nodded, and Daphne took hold of his arm again.
‘I know you disapprove,’ she said, ‘but I’ll need something stronger than a cigarette after this.’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘They’re in my top pocket,’ she said, turning to face south, where the mansion lay. She hurled her vision to the horizon, bouncing it off a low ridge by the entrance to the vineyards, then onwards, straining to go further with each leap. She reached the mansion and went through the open window into Liam’s room. The old sparker was sitting with Dean, watching as the boy practised with fire animals, forming them and making them jump in the palm of his hand, while a large candle burned close by.
I’m really sorry about this, Liam, she said, entering his mind. It’s
Daphne, and I’m in your head. I’ll be gone in a second, I just need to pass on a message from Killop.
The old man spluttered, causing Dean to jump, the fire-cat in his hand vanishing.
Listen, she said. Killop needs you to bring Dean down to the border crossing. A New Free force has assembled outside the gates. Bring Dean, and an armed guard. Do you understand?
Liam nodded.
Are you sure? Repeat it for me, please.
‘I’m to take Dean down to the border crossing,’ Liam said, while the young mage stared at him, his mouth open. ‘And I should bring some guards.’
Perfect, she said. Thanks. I’ll be off now.
She withdrew from his mind and her vision zipped back to her head. She staggered, retching, her head pounding. Killop handed her a bottle and a lit weedstick. She took a swig. Gin. She coughed again, and choked, while Killop thumped her back. She took another long swig, then put the weedstick to her lips and inhaled.
The pain began to clear, and she straightened. ‘That’s better. Thanks.’
Brynt was staring at her, a smile on his lips. ‘Did you do it?’ he asked. ‘Did you move your mind through the air?’
She nodded and took another swig. ‘Message sent.’
Brynt laughed. ‘I’ll tell my captains that the young fire mage is on his way.’
Daphne looked at Killop as the officer walked away.
‘You all right?’ she asked.
‘Aye,’ he said. ‘I just don’t like watching you come out of a vision trance. Looks painful.’
She shrugged. ‘That’s why I smoke. What about you? Do you not feel the same after you’ve sparked?’
‘No. I get tired, and maybe a headache, but it’s not too bad. Even when Keira nearly drained me I felt all right, it was like I was just drifting away.’
She shuddered.
‘Shall we go to the tower and take a look?’ he said.
She nodded and they walked over to the tall wooden structure, three storeys of thick posts and beams. They climbed the ladders to the top and emerged onto an open platform, shielded on all four sides with timber battlements. The militia there saluted Killop and made a space for them at the edge fronting the forest. They stepped forwards, and looked down over the cleared land. The Rahain shieldwall was where she had seen it in her vision, and was now ten warriors thick.
The Magelands Box Set Page 133
