The Magelands Box Set

by Christopher Mitchell

  The Emperor stopped when he reached Jean.

  ‘Where is Holder Fast?’

  His voice was strong, and almost caused pain to Killop’s ears. The prisoners cowered.

  Jean shook her head.

  ‘He’s upstairs, in the dining room,’ cried one of the staff, his eyes wild.

  The Emperor pointed at him, and the man’s head disintegrated in a flash of red. The body toppled to the floor, amid screams and wailing from the staff. The two children wept, near hysterics.

  ‘I hate telltales,’ the Emperor said, ‘but I hate having to listening to this racket even more.’ He glanced at the Rahain soldiers. ‘Kill them all.’

  He strode from the passageway, and walked past where Killop was hiding. Killop kept himself low until he had gone, then sprang to his feet. He ran heedless towards the passageway, as the soldiers aimed their crossbows at the prisoners.

  Killop roared as they loosed. He reached the first soldier and throttled him, cracking his neck. He gazed down at the fallen bodies of the prisoners, then punched the next soldier, breaking his nose into his face. The other soldiers were reloading, and the thought of Karalyn swept over his mind. His red rage receded, and he ran back the way he had come. Crossbows bolts hit the wall next to his head, and he felt a sting in his left thigh. He crashed through a doorway, and ran for his life, barrelling through storage rooms and empty corridors. The smell of smoke reached his nose.

  As soon as he knew the pursuit had ceased he fell to his knees, and vomited over the floor. The imprint of what he had seen shone in his mind, and guilt surged through him. He had been too slow. He had frozen when the Emperor had walked past his hiding place. He should have acted sooner.

  Teddy and Lydia.

  He imagined how he would feel if it had been Karalyn, and he almost broke. Instead, he hauled himself to his feet, and began running back towards the laundry room. As he approached, there was a great roar from above, and the ceiling over his head burst into flames. He ducked down, and kept running, the heat intensifying. In every room and corridor he passed through, the wooden beams holding up the floor above were burning, as if a great inferno had consumed the upper storeys of the mansion.

  At last, he reached the corridor leading to the laundry room. As he was about to sprint across the gap, the door to his left flew open, and the Emperor strode through. He walked into the laundry room, and paused.

  Killop could see Celine, Karalyn and Ariel huddling in the corner as the Emperor approached them. He clenched his fists, rage taking hold of him. He ran into the room, whispering a silent apology to Daphne. He had failed, but at least he would die defending his family.

  The Emperor’s glance passed over the group crouching in the corner, and he strode from the room.

  Killop stopped, his mouth open in disbelief.

  ‘Daddy,’ Karalyn cried, and ran to him, hugging his leg.

  Celine rose to her feet. ‘Did you see that?’ she sobbed. ‘He walked right past, like he didn’t even see us.’

  ‘Karalyn hide from the bad man,’ the little girl said as Killop picked her up and hugged her.

  Ariel glanced over. ‘My children? Did you see them?’

  Killop swallowed. ‘They’re waiting for us at the stables.’

  Ariel nodded, and got to her feet.

  Celine took Karalyn, and they left the laundry room, keeping silent as they headed towards the kitchens. They passed the bodies of two young servants lying dead, bleeding from their vacant eye sockets.

  ‘Bastard,’ Celine muttered. ‘Why’s he doing this? If he’s after mages, he must know Daphne’s in the old capital.’

  Ariel shook her head, her eyes tired and red. ‘Revenge against the Holdfasts. The Emperor’s always hated us. Daddy’s rebellion has given him the excuse he needed.’

  They crept through the kitchens, past abandoned pots bubbling on the stoves, and a dead servant lying sprawled among a pile of broken dishes.

  ‘There’s the door,’ Celine whispered, pointing ahead.

  They ran into the deserted hallway. The side door was lying open, letting in a shaft of sunlight. Killop peered through the gap. Across the gravel was the market square, its canvas covering aflame in a sea of fire. To the left, the stables were also burning. Dozens of Rahain soldiers were outside, corralling a large group of workers. Killop squinted through the smoke. There was no sign of Kylon.

  ‘We can’t leave this way,’ he said. ‘Too many soldiers.’

  ‘Let me look,’ said Ariel as she leaned towards the door.

  ‘What’ll we do, boss?’ Celine said, clutching on to Karalyn.

  There was a great roar from outside, and Killop edged to the door beside Ariel. A large group of armed Holdings was charging the Rahain. Several fell as the soldiers aimed their crossbows at them, but the Holdings soon reached the Rahain, and engaged at close quarters.

  ‘Leave them to me,’ a voice echoed, and Killop flinched from its raw power.

  The Emperor strode towards the fray. With a wave of his hand, the Rahain soldiers were flung backwards, leaving the Holdings exposed. In their centre stood Jonah.

  ‘A Holdfast,’ the Emperor said. He waved his other hand, and every Holdings fighter fell, their eyes bulging and bleeding, except for Ariel’s brother.

  Jonah stood alone and defiant as the Emperor smirked, and strode towards him.

  ‘Do you want to hear how your mother and father begged for their lives?’ he said, his voice like a razor through the mind. ‘How they pleaded on their knees before me? Your family has long been a hindrance to my plans.’ He stopped a yard from Jonah. He flicked his finger, and the Holdings man fell to his knees. ‘But the main reason I’m here,’ he said, ‘is to hurt your sister. She betrayed me, and I want her to know her family is dead before I kill her.’

  He raised his hand, and Jonah’s eyes burst from his head. His body collapsed to the ground.

  ‘No!’ screamed Ariel, and before Killop could grab her, she bolted from the door, flying towards her brother.

  The Emperor turned, and stretched out his arm. Ariel exploded into a thousand pieces of flesh, her remains covering the gravel outside the mansion in a circle of deep red.

  Killop fell back behind the door, as the Emperor stared in their direction. Karalyn burrowed her head into his chest.

  ‘Wee bear hide,’ she said, as Celine huddled in from the other side.

  ‘Come on,’ Killop said, getting up. He picked up a large knife from the kitchen counter. ‘Follow me.’

  They retraced their steps through the burning mansion, passing the corpses of dead servants, and skirting groups of soldiers. They reached the south wing, where the flames had yet to reach, and stole their way through deserted chambers until they came to Godfrey’s private study. Killop bolted the door, and Celine crashed down into an armchair, out of breath, Karalyn clinging to her.

  There was an old sword attached to the wall above Godfrey’s desk, and Killop reached up and took it down. He strapped it to his belt, and walked to the balcony doors. The view from the study overlooked a steep slope, at the bottom of which were workers’ cottages, all aflame. Rahain soldiers stood before them, watching them burn. A pile of bodies lay in the middle of the road.

  He turned to Celine and Karalyn.

  ‘We’re getting out of here,’ he said.

  Celine nodded.

  ‘Help me,’ he said, and they began ransacking the room. Celine found a bag, and they packed it with the snacks they knew Godfrey kept in a drawer, along with a full water skin, and a bottle of rum. They shoved a map into the bag, and Celine slid an old hunting knife they found into her boot.

  Killop knelt by Karalyn.

  ‘Where’s the bad man?’ he said. ‘Is he close?’

  Karalyn shook her head. ‘The bad man is killing the horses in the stables.’

  Killop nodded. He got up, and gazed out of the window. There were at least eight soldiers at the bottom of the steep slope.

  ‘Wait here,’ he said
, as Celine joined him at the balcony door. ‘Bring Karalyn when I signal.’

  Before she could respond, Killop slipped out of the door, and jumped over the balcony railing, landing on the gravel. He crouched in the deep shadow of the mansion, and began to edge his way down the slope. The soldiers were all watching the fires consume the workers’ cottages, and as Killop reached the bottom of the slope he drew his sword.

  He took a breath and crept across the gravel without making a sound. He slashed down, striking a soldier from behind, then jumped into their midst, swinging his arm at anything within reach. He felled another, then another, charging and rushing, before a crossbow bolt hit his right thigh. He sprang forwards, grabbing a soldier by the throat in his left hand, while he lashed out with the sword, killing another. He span round, and saw the remaining four soldiers aiming their crossbows at him.

  ‘Fuck.’

  The soldiers fell, their hands grasping their faces as their eyes rolled up into their heads. Killop blinked. His daughter?

  He looked up.

  ‘That was stupid,’ said Celine, reaching the bottom of the slope with Karalyn in her arms. ‘Are you trying to get yourself killed? You’re lucky little bear was here to save you.’

  Killop sheathed his sword, reached down and pulled the crossbow bolt from his thigh, grunting with pain. Celine handed him a rag from her pack, and he tied it round his leg.

  ‘Can you walk?’ she said.

  Killop nodded, then drew his sword again as a armed figure appeared by the cottages, running towards them.

  ‘Kylon,’ he said.

  ‘Back porch is swarming with Rahain,’ Kylon said, catching his breath. He gazed at Celine and Karalyn. ‘Ariel and her bairns not make it?’

  Killop shook his head.

  He pushed on, despite the pain, and the others followed, half-running, along the bottom of the steep slope towards the wide driveway that led from the front of the mansion. Two flying carriages were sitting before the grand steps leading to the main entrance, and soldiers were standing guard. Killop peered in the opposite direction. The road leading away from the estate house was empty, and they set off again, keeping the main road to their right.

  The slope levelled off, and they stopped. Killop looked back. The mansion, and every other building of the estate, was burning. Great pillars of smoke were rising, and among them were flying carriages, taking off and departing, one after the other.

  ‘I messed up, boss,’ said Kylon behind him. He turned.

  ‘How?’

  ‘I’m supposed to be looking after Karalyn,’ he said, ‘and when I was needed, I was sleeping off a hangover.’

  ‘It was Celine’s shift,’ Killop said, ‘and she did fine.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Kylon said, his eyes burning. ‘From now on, I’m always on shift. I won’t let you down again.’

  They gazed at the cauldron of fire engulfing the estate. Celine joined them, holding Karalyn, who turned her head to watch the fires.

  Killop kissed his daughter on the top of her head.

  ‘You’re a brave wee girl,’ he said. ‘You saved us today.’

  He glanced at Celine and Kylon, and covered his daughter’s ears.

  ‘Let’s get the fuck out of here.’

  Chapter 15

  The Scene of the Crime

  Tahrana Valley, Imperial Rahain – 15th Day, Second Third Autumn 507

  A chill autumnal wind blew off the Rahain mountains, blustering down the long and deep valley. The small group of travellers sat together, sheltering behind the remains of a brick wall. To their right flowed a river, its clear waters glistening through the abandoned and devastated remains of Akhanawarah City. Acres of burnt-out streets and buildings lined the banks of the river, while mud and pools of viscous, oily liquid covered the ground. By the edge of the water, some life was returning. Reeds and grasses bent in the wind, and a few thorny bushes clung to the deteriorating brickwork of the old quays, their roots reaching down into the clean water.

  ‘This place stinks,’ said Dean.

  ‘Yes,’ said Laodoc. ‘Maybe we were wrong to come here.’ He glanced at his companions. ‘I’m sorry my sense of morbid curiosity has led us to this place of death, but I felt I couldn’t pass it without stopping by to take a look.’

  ‘Should we head back to the wagons?’ said Dyam.

  ‘We’re close to the centre,’ Bedig said. ‘I think I’d like to see it again.’

  ‘Thank you for guiding us, my friend,’ Laodoc said. ‘I know it must be painful for you, but maybe something here will spark your memory about the location of Silverstream.’

  ‘I don’t see how,’ Bridget said, gazing around at the charred brick walls and toppled masonry. ‘Keira did a pretty thorough job.’

  Dyam nodded. ‘I had no idea how big this place was.’

  Agang pulled the stopper from a water skin, drank, then passed it to Laodoc.

  ‘Remember to keep some of that for later,’ Bridget said. ‘That’s the only clean water we’ve got. The rest of us will be fine, but you two should drink only that until we’re clear of the city.’

  Laodoc nodded as he took a sip.

  ‘I should be able to heal myself if I ingest any toxins,’ Agang said.

  ‘I’m the only frail one here,’ Laodoc smiled. ‘What with your healing powers, and the Kellach’s natural immunity, it appears that, here in Rahain, I am the one in danger. Ironic.’

  ‘Why did they do it?’ asked Dean. ‘The city, I mean. Why did the Rahain destroy it?’

  ‘Fear,’ said Laodoc. ‘The government was afraid that the Rakanese would spread, that this city was only a first step to overwhelming the Rahain population. Lies, exaggerations and ignorance did the rest. It was like the ruling party was in the grip of mass hysteria. The siege nearly bankrupted the republic, leaving it open to invasion. The alliance was supposed to be in response to this great crime, to bring justice to those who had carried it out, but now I believe it was just an excuse, and that the Holdings wanted to dominate the world from the beginning.’

  ‘Not all the Holdings,’ said Bedig. ‘I met plenty of fine folk up in Plateau City, when I was living with Daphne and her family.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Dyam, ‘and how many young ladies did you get to know?’

  ‘One or two.’

  Bridget whacked him on the arm.

  ‘Ow,’ he yelled. ‘I couldnae help it.’

  ‘He has a point,’ Laodoc smiled. ‘Being a tall, handsome, exotic foreigner in the imperial capital turned a few heads towards Bedig. I remember it well.’

  ‘Aye?’ Bridget said. ‘But I’d rather not fucking have to hear it, thank you very much.’

  They laughed, and Laodoc thought what a strange noise it made in such bleak surroundings. Though most of the bodies had long gone, rendered to ash by Keira, or disintegrated over time, a few blackened bones still littered the side of the river, or protruded from stagnant pools like pale reeds. A sense of shame thickened his blood, and he bowed his head.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Agang asked.

  He shook his head. ‘This is where everything turned bad. My sons, my country. We committed the most heinous of crimes, and our punishment has been commensurate. We have lost everything.’

  ‘I like you, Laodoc,’ Dyam said, ‘but don’t expect me to have much sympathy for Rahain. I lost my family too, when your soldiers invaded our lands.’

  ‘We have all been wronged,’ said Agang. ‘My land was stripped bare by the Holdings for years before we were organised enough to fight back. But then we went and did the same to them.’ He shook his head. ‘It pains me to say it,’ he went on, ‘but the empire is a good idea. Imagine all five peoples living in peace, deciding their differences by talking, instead of killing each other. I’d love to see the other lands of this world. The wide plains of the Holdings that Daphne used to talk about, or the city of Arakhanah where Shella comes from. It’s all out there, waiting for us to stop slaughtering our neighbours and co
me to our senses.’

  ‘It sounds like a dream,’ said Bridget.

  ‘It is,’ said Laodoc. ‘It is we who have turned it into a nightmare. Our petty prejudices, our greed, and our pride. They have brought us to our knees.’

  ‘So we find Shella,’ Bridget said, ‘and bring her and Keira together. Then hope Kalayne was right.’

  ‘What if Shella doesn’t want to see Keira?’ Lola said.

  ‘Aye,’ said Bonnie. ‘I mean, look around and imagine this used to be your home. Would you want to meet the person that destroyed it?’

  ‘We’ll worry about that if it happens,’ Bridget said.

  ‘Shella knows it was the Rahain that did it,’ Bedig said.

  Dean glanced at the big Brig man. ‘Can she really kill folk just by waving her hand at them?’

  Bedig nodded. ‘Aye.’

  ‘Like the Emperor,’ said Agang, ‘and Keira.’

  Bedig frowned. ‘So, is the plan that Keira and Shella will fight the Emperor?’

  ‘Fuck knows,’ said Bridget. ‘Agang?’

  The Sanang man shrugged. ‘Kalayne didn’t say how it would happen, just that they have to meet.’

  Bonnie shook her head.

  ‘Don’t bite yer tongue,’ Bridget said. ‘If ye’ve got something to say, say it.’

  ‘I’m committed to the job, boss,’ Bonnie said, ‘but it seems like a fool’s errand to me.’

  ‘Maybe it is,’ Bridget said. ‘It’s better than sitting on our arses doing nothing, but. Talking of which, let’s get moving. I want to be out of the city by nightfall.’

  They got to their feet, some pulling packs over their shoulders. They had left the majority of their luggage with the wagons, hidden in some trees where the edge of the hills met the city, and were travelling light. Laodoc was carrying nothing but a walking stick, and he used it to help him stand.

  Bedig took the lead, and they left the shelter of the wall, and walked to the edge of the river, avoiding the oily, stinking pools of mud along the way. By the water ran a long brick-paved walkway. Parts of it had fallen away into the river, but it was easier to navigate than the debris-strewn streets. Laodoc had a light headache from the tainted air, but he managed to keep up with the others as they made their way towards the centre of the ruined city. The remains of the buildings to their left grew taller, with some over one storey high, though the inner floors had been destroyed. Blackened and charred bricks were everywhere, heaps of them littering the streets. They came to a canal branching to their left.