Chapter 14
The Presence of Royalty
Hold Fast, Holdings Republic – 8th Day, Second Third Autumn 507
‘Sorry I’m late,’ Killop said as he entered the grand dining room. He nodded at Godfrey, sitting at the head of the long table, then at the other adult members of the Holdfast family, who were lining the sides. He got a curt frown from Rosalind as he took his seat next to Celine, and opposite Ariel and Jonah.
‘That’s fine, Killop,’ Godfrey said. ‘We were just getting started.’
‘Was Karalyn not wanting to leave her daddy?’ Ariel smiled, her swollen abdomen visible.
‘Aye,’ Killop said. ‘She was a wee bit reluctant, but Jean’s got it under control.’
‘She’s quite a handful, is young Karalyn,’ Rosalind said. ‘It’s what comes from her mother always being away, playing soldiers when she should be looking after her daughter.’
‘The Kellach style of parenting is more relaxed,’ Killop said. ‘We tend to give our wee ones free rein when they’re that small.’
‘So you think we’re too strict?’
‘No,’ Killop said, ‘just different.’
‘I believe that discipline is at the heart of every successful example of child-rearing,’ Rosalind said. ‘It might very well be what has propelled the Holdings race to the forefront of the world, rather than languishing in some backwater.’
Killop pondered the wisdom of entering into another argument with Lady Holdfast.
‘You can’t be serious, mother,’ said Ariel. ‘Are you trying to say that the misfortunes that have struck the Kellach Brigdomin are because they don’t cane their children enough?’
‘I’m merely suggesting that it may be part of what makes ours the superior culture,’ Rosalind said. ‘There will be other factors, of course. Literacy, for example. I believe that the Kellach see no use in learning how to read or write.’
‘I agree with you there,’ Killop said. ‘That’s why we set up schools in Slateford. It’s true that we never saw any need for literacy before we were invaded, though there was at least one scribe in most villages. But now?’
‘I fear it may be a little too late,’ Rosalind said. ‘With the Emperor having cleared all of the Kellach Brigdomin from the Imperial Capital and Rainsby, and with the Rahain in control of what remains of your homeland, I wonder if your race has any future in this world, except as ever-dwindling numbers of beggars, recruits for the army, or bandits.’
Killop took a sip of water from a tall crystal goblet on the table, as servants began to serve their opening course.
‘And which of those three would you say I am?’ he said.
Rosalind smiled. ‘Oh, you’re a special case.’ She paused as a plate was set before her.
‘Really, dear,’ Godfrey said. ‘I’m sure Killop doesn’t need to hear any more about the ill luck afflicting his people.’
Rosalind stared at her husband. ‘And might I enquire why you have been so quiet? You usually aren’t so reserved at the dinner table.’
‘If you must know,’ Godfrey said, his expression dark, ‘I’ve just been at a briefing with my intelligence officers. The first detailed reports of the casualties resulting from the Emperor’s Rakanese campaign have arrived. They make grim reading.’
He picked up a spoon and stirred his soup, his eyes cast down.
‘Well?’ said Jonah.
‘Please,’ Rosalind said, ‘not while we’re eating.’
‘I have friends who were conscripted into the imperial army,’ Jonah said. ‘Father?’
Godfrey looked up. ‘Over fifty thousand dead. Another twenty thousand in their beds, too sick to return to the Plateau. The rest were abandoned when the Emperor departed Rakana, and ordered to make their way to Rainsby, to re-populate the town there.’
The table sat in silence.
‘And every horse that accompanied the army,’ Godfrey went on. ‘Dead.’
Jonah closed his eyes.
‘We shall have to rebuild our stocks from scratch,’ Godfrey said. ‘It’ll take years before we have anything like our previous numbers, maybe a generation.’ He glared at Rosalind. ‘See what your precious Emperor has done to us. You may be able to blind yourself to the fact that a Rahain army is currently occupying the River Holdings, but you can’t ignore the empty fields and paddocks right here on the estate.’
‘The army is here because of you, Godfrey,’ Rosalind spat. ‘You’re the one who has put our lives in danger. Your foolish and selfish rebellion against the Creator-appointed ruler of the world will do nothing but damage to our country, and you try to blame me for it? Of course the Emperor has moved his army into the River Holdings. He had to. All order had broken down, with the ignorant peasants following your puppet Faden Holdwick. But I’m not overly concerned. The Emperor will overthrow the pathetic new government, and restore order.’
‘And what about Daphne?’ Killop said.
‘She was naïve to get herself caught up in it,’ Rosalind said, ‘but once again, she believed whatever her father told her. He barked, and she jumped up and down like an eager little puppy.’
‘Shut up, mother,’ Jonah said.
Rosalind glared at her son. Killop shared a glance with Celine.
‘What did you just say to me, young man?’ Rosalind said.
‘Tell me mother,’ Jonah said, ‘what exactly would the Emperor have to do before you condemn him? Slaughter half the River Holdings? Kill Ariel’s husband, and your youngest daughter? Even then I believe you’d find some way to justify his actions. We all know you hate Father, but now I wonder how far you’d go.’
‘How dare you?’ she said. ‘I expect as much from the others, but you, Jonah? After everything I’ve done for you, you turn on me now?’
Ariel and Jonah shouted at the same time, and Killop sat back as the table descended into a row. He frowned at Celine.
‘Another happy family dinner,’ she whispered to him.
‘Quiet!’ Godfrey roared, and Jonah and Ariel fell silent.
Rosalind smiled, her arms folded.
‘You two,’ Godfrey said, ‘apologise for raising your voices at your mother.’
‘Sorry,’ muttered Jonah.
Ariel tutted.
Godfrey glared at her.
‘Fine, I’m sorry,’ she said.
‘Remember,’ Godfrey said, ‘Celine and Killop are new to the family. What must they think when they see you behave like that?’
‘Killop’s not part of the family,’ Jonah said.
‘That’s not his fault,’ Godfrey said. ‘Marriage is prohibited between Holdings and Kellach Brigdomin under imperial law, otherwise I’m sure he and Daphne would have wedded.’ He glanced at Killop. ‘Isn’t that right?’
‘Aye.’
‘Did you not live together for a considerable period under your own laws in Rahain?’ Rosalind said. ‘I would have thought you’d have had ample time for a wedding ceremony there if you were serious about committing to my daughter.’
Killop clenched his fists under the table. ‘The way you said that, it sounded for a moment as if you actually care about Daphne.’
The others fell quiet. A tiny smile appeared on Celine’s lips.
‘I care about the reputation of the family,’ Rosalind said.
‘Then you should be very proud of your daughter, Lady Holdfast,’ Killop said. ‘Daphne is a credit to your family.’
‘She appeals to a certain class among the ill-educated, I’ll grant you,’ she said, ‘but I assure you, the better bred amongst us do not share that view.’
‘And when we get married, what will the so-called better bred think then?’
‘I hesitate to say, in case I ruin everyone’s appetites.’
Killop pushed his untouched bowl of soup away. ‘Too late for that.’
‘Come now, Killop,’ Godfrey said. ‘Don’t play her game. She wants you to get up and walk away, so she can present it to everyone as further proof that you don’t fi
t in.’ He glanced at his wife. ‘Isn’t that right, dear?’
Rosalind performed a false smile.
‘If one cannot speak freely at the dinner table,’ she said, ‘then I fear for the future under Faden’s regime. Well, I would fear, were it not for the fact that the Emperor will soon be in Holdings City to put things in order, and hold those responsible to account.’
Ariel started crying.
‘Oh, do be quiet,’ Rosalind said. ‘Don’t waste your tears on that foolish man. He doesn’t deserve them, Ariel, not after he betrayed you the same way your father betrayed me.’
Godfrey’s face twisted in rage. ‘What have I told you about bringing that up?’
Rosalind ignored him. ‘Some men just can’t help themselves,’ she said to Ariel, ‘especially, it seems, when they are in the presence of royalty.’
‘It’s not true,’ Ariel wept.
Rosalind sighed. ‘You’re such a dreamer, Ariel. I remember feeling the way you do now, faced with the realisation that the father of your children had chosen a woman so far above your station that she may as well be a goddess.’ She shook her head. ‘Unfortunately, daughter, I learned one cannot compete with a queen.’
‘Enough!’ Godfrey roared, getting to his feet.
Killop tensed, as the air in the room grew chill.
As Rosalind began to say something, a side door burst open, and Karalyn rushed into the dining room, wearing a princess outfit. Behind her, Jean was puffing, her arms stretching out for the girl.
‘Daddy!’ she cried.
‘Come now, Jean,’ Rosalind said. ‘I know that girl can be badly behaved, but surely it’s not beyond your abilities to keep her confined to a secure room?’
‘Sorry, ma’am,’ Jean said, as Karalyn ran to Killop and grabbed hold of his legs.
‘What is it, wee bear?’
‘Daddy, daddy,’ she said, hiding her face and clinging on.
Jean began to pull her away, but the girl wriggled and held on tight.
Killop leaned down. ‘What’s wrong, wee bear?’
The bad man, daddy, he’s coming.
He gasped.
Celine got off her seat and knelt by Karalyn, as Killop froze, his mouth hanging open.
‘Come on, little bear,’ Celine said, trying to prise Karalyn from Killop’s leg, ‘we’ll take you back to play with Teddy and Lydia.’
Killop stood, and turned to where Godfrey and Rosalind sat. They frowned up at him.
‘We need to leave,’ he said. ‘We have to get out of here.’
Rosalind laughed. ‘You’re rather excitable today.’
‘I’m serious,’ he said. ‘We need to go.’
‘Whatever are you talking about?’ Godfrey said. ‘We don’t finish meals because of an upset child.’
Killop picked up Karalyn, and held her close. Celine raised an eyebrow.
‘What’s going on?’ she said.
He leaned next to Karalyn’s ear. ‘Wee bear,’ he whispered, ‘show me the bad man.’
In a second his eyesight distorted, as colours whirled and whipped across his vision. It cleared. He was looking out of small, round porthole at the plains rushing by a hundred feet below.
Someone next to him coughed.
‘Five minutes, your Majesty,’ said the officer.
He glanced over the interior of the flying carriage at the dense ranks of Rahain soldiers strapped to their seats, and smiled.
Killop’s vision snapped back to his body, and he staggered.
‘Are you well?’ Godfrey said. ‘Jean, fetch the doctor.’
‘No!’ cried Killop. ‘The Emperor, he’s coming.’
Godfrey stood. ‘I’m sorry?’
Killop stared at him. ‘Use your vision powers.’
‘There’s no need, old chap,’ Godfrey said. ‘Our intelligence has the entire imperial army well within the bounds of the River Holdings.’
‘Look to the skies.’
Godfrey strode to a large bay window, and opened the sliding door to the balcony. Jonah and Ariel followed, while Rosalind sat back and sipped her water.
Killop whispered to Karalyn. ‘Find Kylon, wee bear, tell him to get ready.’
‘Aye, daddy,’ she said.
Godfrey stumbled back into the dining room, his face distraught. He put a hand onto the back of a chair to steady himself. Jonah and Ariel gathered next to him.
‘What did you see?’ said Ariel.
‘Killop’s right,’ her father said. ‘A dozen flying carriages from Rahain are approaching from the south. They’ll be here in minutes.’
Rosalind rose. ‘What? Here? They’re coming here?’
Godfrey looked like he was about to explode at her, but his features softened, and he took her hand.
‘I’m afraid so, dear.’
‘Oh, Godfrey.’
Jonah ran back out onto the balcony, and Killop followed, holding onto Karalyn. Jonah leaned over the railings.
‘Alarm!’ he cried. ‘Sound the alarm! The Emperor’s coming!’
Down below, the workers close to the mansion looked up.
‘Sound the alarm!’ Jonah cried again, and some of those below reacted, running in the direction of the Old Tower. Killop gazed into the south, and scanned the horizon.
‘I see them,’ he said. ‘Coming in low.’
Jonah stood next to him, and squinted into the distance.
‘How did you know?’ he cried.
‘The wee girl can sense things,’ he said. ‘Like her mother.’
‘I have to go,’ Jonah said. ‘With the Hold’s militia down in the capital, someone has to rally the workers.’
‘Tell them to run.’
‘No,’ Jonah said. ‘I’m not giving up Hold Fast without a fight.’
He ran back into the dining room, and disappeared through a door. Killop walked back in. Celine was comforting Ariel, who was weeping. Godfrey and Rosalind were still standing in the same place, saying nothing.
‘We must evacuate,’ Killop said. ‘There’s still a few minutes.’
Godfrey put his hand on Killop’s shoulder.
‘Take Ariel, Celine and the children,’ he said. ‘Go to the stables by the square, and flee.’
‘And you?’
‘My place is here.’ He turned to Rosalind. ‘Our place is here.’
Killop nodded, and began pushing Celine and Ariel towards the door. He turned to Jean. ‘You heard Holder Fast, get the children and meet me by the back porch in two minutes.’
Jean swithered for a second, then ran out of the room.
He leaned close to Karalyn. ‘Where’s Kylon, wee bear?’
His sight blurred and flickered, as his vision was transported to a dark bedroom, where a man was scrambling to get dressed.
Kylon, he said. It’s Killop.
What the fuck’s happening? Kylon cried. I got a garbled message from the wee one. Trouble?
Half a dozen flying carriages filled with imperial soldiers are about to land, Killop said. I’ve got Karalyn, Celine and Ariel, and Jean’s away to fetch the other children.
Kylon frowned. Are we taking them along, boss?
Aye.
They’ll slow us down.
Don’t start, Killop said. We’re heading to the rear porch, get your arse there as fast as you can.
Kylon nodded, and Killop’s vision zipped back to his own head.
He turned to Ariel. ‘Listen to me,’ he said, looking into her red eyes. She was shaking, despite Celine’s arm over her shoulders. ‘We’re going to get out of here. You have to move. Your children need you.’
There was a loud noise from outside, the sound of something heavy striking the ground. The floor shook. A second later, Rahain voices shouted, and someone screamed.
Killop grabbed hold of Ariel’s right arm and, with Celine on the other side, they pulled Ariel out of the room and ran towards the stairs. He didn’t look back. They hauled Ariel down the steps, Killop gripping onto Karalyn at the same time, and rac
ed towards the rear porch. As they reached the anteroom next to it, they skidded to a stop. Rahain soldiers were climbing the steps, armed with crossbows. The bodies of several estate workers lay sprawled across the gravel.
‘Back,’ Killop cried. ‘Through the kitchen. There’s a side exit.’
He kicked down a door, and they bolted through a servants’ passageway, the sound of screaming coming from other parts of the mansion. They reached a large laundry room, which had a window facing the front of the great house. They ran to it, and peered out.
Two flying carriages were lying within yards of the steps leading up to the main doors, and dozens of Rahain soldiers were running towards the great house. Among them walked a solitary Holdings man, in black armour.
‘Guilliam,’ Celine whispered.
Ariel turned to Killop. ‘My children.’
‘Stay here,’ he said to them. He passed Karalyn to Celine.
‘Where the fuck are you going?’ she said.
‘To get Jean.’ He kissed Karalyn on the forehead. ‘Love you, wee bear. Back soon.’
He gazed around the laundry room, picked up a long wooden paddle used for stirring the giant vats of washing, and ran to the door. He calculated the route from the children’s room to the rear porch, and sprinted down the corridors of the mansion, the noise of struggle and terror all around.
He ran out into a wide passageway, and stumbled to a halt as a squad of Rahain wheeled round to face him. He dived back as crossbow bolts flew past him and over his head. One glanced off his right shoulder, taking half an inch of flesh with it. He cursed his lack of armour or weapons, and retreated, slamming a door behind him and barring it with the paddle. He double-backed and sprinted down another passageway. He reached a door, and opened it a crack, keeping silent.
The hall on the other side was clear. He went through, then ducked as he saw a large group of Rahain through an arched opening on the hall’s right. He crouched behind the base of a marble fountain and stole a glance at them.
They had rounded up some of the staff, and were guarding them with crossbows. Killop swore as he saw Jean and the two children among them.
Teddy and Lydia were both shaking, their eyes fearful as the soldiers lined them up against the wall. At the end of the passageway, the man in black armour appeared. Killop looked at him. He seemed like a normal Holdings man, though maybe taller than most. Apart from the blackened steel plate, he was unarmed. He approached the group of prisoners.
The Magelands Box Set Page 164
