Keira stood. ‘I want to see it.’
Kallie sighed. ‘Come on then.’
She led Flora and Keira back into the wealthy quarter and down an alleyway to a large paddock, where four winged gaien were tethered. Next to them lay a long carriage.
‘Wow,’ Flora said, her eyes lighting up.
Kallie smiled. ‘We have no idea how it works, but…’
‘I can fly it,’ Flora said, walking towards the carriage. ‘Learned when we fled from the Rahain Capital. Leah showed me.’
Flora neared the carriage, and put her hand up to run her fingers over the wooden frame, and the thick steel bands that held it together. She turned back to Kallie.
‘Do you mean I can take it?’
‘Aye,’ Kallie said, ‘if it’ll help ye get home.’
‘Thanks,’ Flora said, ‘though I wouldn’t be able to fly it alone. It needs a crew of three, at the very least.’
Kallie rubbed her chin. ‘That could be a problem. I suppose we could see if there are any volunteers, who are up for an adventure to the Holdings.’ She turned to Keira. ‘You could take the bear you carved to Killop.’
‘I can see what yer trying to do,’ said Keira. ‘I’m not fucking stupid.’
‘The world needs you, Keira,’ Kallie said. ‘I realise that now, after everything you’ve accomplished here. In a dozen days ye’ve cleared Northern Kell, and killed close to, I don’t know, twenty thousand Rahain.’ She shook her head. ‘You are a goddess. You have to go. Fight the Emperor, do whatever you have to do to make sure no more armies ever come marching towards Kellach Brigdomin.’
Keira frowned. She turned away from Kallie and Flora’s beseeching eyes.
Why did it always fall to her? Could the rest of the world not fucking look after itself for once?
She spat on the ground.
‘Three?’ she said to Flora. ‘That thing needs three to crew it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Alright then. I’ll fucking do it, but on one condition.’
She smirked at Kallie.
‘You’re coming with us.’
Chapter 18
The Red Hills
The Red Hills, Imperial Holdings – 5th Day, Last Third Autumn 507
Killop held Daphne close, his bare arms pressed against the cold steel of her armour, his face in her hair. He kissed her.
‘Up, up,’ cried Karalyn from the floor of the tent, her arms raised. Daphne leaned down and picked her up.
‘Mummy stay,’ the child said.
‘I can’t, Kara-bear,’ Daphne said. ‘Mummy has to fight the bad man, but I’ll be back soon.’
Karalyn started to cry.
‘It’s alright,’ Daphne said. ‘Everything’s going to be fine. Daddy’ll look after you.’
She glanced up at Killop, and he gazed into her green eyes.
‘I’d better go.’
Killop reached out and took Karalyn, and the crying girl buried her face into his shoulder.
Daphne scanned the tent, and picked up her cavalry helmet from the low bed. She adjusted the buckle on her sword belt, and took a breath.
They walked the few paces to the entrance, and Daphne pushed the canvas aside, revealing a blue sky over the great plains. Chane and the Hold’s senior officers were outside, their armour shining, and they saluted as she left the tent. Killop remained in the entranceway, watching as Daphne nodded her greetings.
‘Holder Fast,’ said a man bowing low, his uniform and armour decorated with medals. ‘Chancellor Holdwick and First Minister Blackhold request your presence to discuss the strategy of today’s battle.’
Daphne nodded. The army camp was situated on a gentle slope of the Red Hills, which stretched behind them, growing into the great Shield Mountains. She gazed across the plains in front of her. The Holdings infantry had already assembled, twenty thousand soldiers formed up into their Holds were arranged half a mile from the foot of the hill. Beyond them in the far distance was a dust cloud, marking the approaching imperial forces, commanded by the Emperor.
‘It’ll need to be quick,’ Daphne said. She turned a final time to Killop and Karalyn, smiled, then with Chane at her side she walked along the path to the chancellor’s command post, a terraced platform dug into the side of the hill a hundred yards away.
Karalyn waved, and they watched Daphne disappear, flanked by her officers.
‘She’ll be back soon, wee bear,’ Killop said. He walked to a smaller tent, alongside Daphne’s. ‘Ye can come out now, she’s gone.’
Kylon emerged from within, a sour look on his face. Celine followed, but kept her distance from her colleague. Kylon walked off alone, and stared out over the plains.
‘He’s still in the huff,’ Celine said.
Killop shrugged. ‘He was out of order last night. I thought at one point that Daphne was actually going to hit him.’
‘He has a problem with getting told no,’ Celine said. ‘I think he’s used to giving orders, not taking them.’
Killop glanced at the black-clad Kell standing alone at the edge of the ridge.
‘What did you think of what he was suggesting?’
Celine shook her head. ‘Madness. You can’t take a child into battle.’
Killop nodded.
‘This must be weird for you,’ she went on. ‘You were a soldier, and an officer. You’ve fought in battles, right?’
‘Aye.’
‘And here you are, standing unarmed with the children and civilians, about to watch a battle that could decide the fate of the world.’
Killop said nothing.
‘Do you not wish you were down there?’ she asked, nodding at the soldiers lined up on the plains before them.
‘Not really,’ he said. ‘I wish I was with them.’ He pointed to the right, where at the bottom of the slope the Holdings heavy cavalry was beginning to assemble. ‘But you’ve seen me ride, aye? I mean, I can stay on the damned beast, but I’m years away from being good enough to make the cavalry.’
Celine nodded.
‘I was told I could join the infantry if I fancied it,’ Killop went on, ‘but I knew Daphne wanted me up here, making sure Karalyn is alright.’
‘She doesn’t trust us?’
Killop lowered his voice. ‘She trusts you.’
Celine frowned. ‘Kylon would die for Karalyn.’
‘I know he would.’
From Killop’s arms Karalyn gazed over at the lone Kell man. ‘Kylo sad.’
‘Is he?’ said Celine. ‘He looks more angry to me.’
‘No,’ Karalyn said. ‘Kylo sad. Kylo miss his family.’
Celine raised an eyebrow, and leaned close to Killop. ‘Do you know anything about Kylon’s family?’
Killop shook his head. ‘He’s always refused to talk about his past. I only know about his life from the day he joined my squad back during the Rahain invasion of Kell. Before that, I have no idea.’
‘Karalyn show you,’ the girl said.
‘No, wee bear,’ her father said. ‘If Kylon wants to keep it a secret, then we must respect that.’
Celine’s eyes were conflicted, and she looked away.
A group of uniformed officers strolled up the hillside towards the Hold Fast tents.
‘Chief Killop,’ said one, ‘the chancellor would like to invite you and your party to the command platform to watch the battle, now that the cavalry have received their orders.’
‘Aye, thanks.’
The officer nodded. ‘Should we wait a few minutes until you are suitably attired, Chief?’
Celine chuckled as Killop looked down at his scruffy tunic and stained leathers.
‘Aye, alright,’ he muttered. He passed Karalyn to Celine, and strode back to the big tent. Inside, he washed and put on his cleanest clothes, then picked out his best armour, and the steel chestplate emblazoned with the Hold Fast insignia that had been a gift from Godfrey. He strapped on the armour, then laced up his infantry boots, and pulled a comb through his wild ha
ir. He stood in front of Daphne’s tall mirror, though he had to crouch to see his head.
How much simpler life was when you couldn’t see how you appeared to others.
He began to walk towards the exit, then remembered his weapon. He reached over by the bedside, slid a scabbard out from under the mattress and buckled it to his belt. Inside was a fine Holdings longsword, light but strong, and made from steel that kept its edge better than any blade forged in Kell.
Celine laughed when he re-emerged into the open.
‘You look like a different person,’ she said. ‘One I could actually believe used to be a chief, rather than a vagrant.’
He shook his head.
The officer smiled, and gestured in the direction of the platform. ‘This way, please.’
The terraced area was dominated by a pair of raised chairs. Both were empty, as Faden Holdwick and Queen Mirren mingled with the officers and aristocrats who had gathered to observe the battle. Killop walked into their midst, Celine on his left, carrying Karalyn, and Kylon on his right, wordless and brooding.
Killop gazed around. He and Kylon were a good head taller than anyone else on the platform, and he could see a few gazes in their direction. As Holder Fast’s barbarian consort he engendered a mixture of responses. Some appeared to admire his past, and respect what he had achieved, while others made no attempt to hide their contempt at the savage upstart, who had the audacity to presume he was a suitable match for a Holder of the Realm.
Everyone gave Kylon a wide berth, his deep frown acting as a repellent to anyone wishing to engage in small talk. The queen caught Killop’s eye, and she approached.
‘Chief,’ she said, smiling, ‘and Miss Celine Holdfast.’ She gazed at Karalyn. ‘And the little one. What a beautiful girl, you must be proud.’
‘Aye,’ said Killop.
‘I hear you did a fine job in rescuing your daughter from that awful tragedy on the Hold Fast estate,’ Mirren said. ‘I hope today that the new Holder Fast is presented with ample opportunity for revenge.’
‘There’s only one person she needs to kill,’ he said. ‘Your husband.’
A flash of sadness swept over the queen’s face. ‘Indeed. I wish it were not so. However, as you already know, I believe that the man out there leading the invasion of the Holdings is not my beloved Guilliam. I will not shed a tear when the Emperor falls today.’
Faden walked up to Mirren’s side.
‘Ah, Killop, my good man,’ he said, swaying a little as if he had taken a drink.
‘Chancellor,’ Killop nodded.
‘May I say how sorry I am, Chancellor,’ Celine said, ‘about your loss.’
‘Thank you, my girl,’ he said, his features falling. ‘That terrible day of infamy was meant to scare the people of the Holdings, but rather than being cowed, the Emperor will instead find us steadfast and united against him.’ He turned to Killop. ‘So, what’s your prediction for today’s little set-to? Am I to assume that you’ve never seen the magnificent Holdings heavy cavalry in action before?’
‘I watched them charge the gates of the Rahain Capital during the alliance invasion,’ Killop said. ‘It was quite a sight. They were vulnerable to the catapults and ballista, but I’m told the imperial army have no machines with them today.’
‘Quite right,’ Faden said, his eyes bright. ‘Can you believe their arrogance? The Rahain armed forces have always been famed for their artillery, and yet here they are, marching towards us with nothing but shields and crossbows.’
‘Did you fight against the Rahain when you were younger, Chancellor?’ Celine asked.
‘No,’ he frowned. ‘The wars came at a bad time for me. I was nineteen and still in officer training when the great Rahain Wars ended, and then when the last queen ordered the assault against Sanang, I was too old to go. I spent my military prime during years of peace. My career in the cavalry consisted of nothing but exercises and getting rather drunk.’
‘My dearest Faden,’ Mirren laughed, ‘that’s why we keep reminding you to leave the tactics to our experts. I would imagine that Killop here far out-reaches your knowledge of warfare.’ She turned to him. ‘I believe you have led armies against the Rahain on multiple occasions, yes?’
‘Aye,’ Killop said. ‘I’ve fought and commanded in many battles.’
‘Well then,’ Faden said, stretching his arm out toward the plain below. ‘I’d be intrigued to hear your opinion of today’s engagement. Your critique, as it were.’
Killop gazed down at the Holdings infantry in their positions, where they had been all morning. To their right the heavy cavalry had assembled, formed into four detachments. He couldn’t see where the light cavalry had been placed, so he guessed it was off to the left, to fend off any Rahain attempt to outflank the Holdings infantry on that side.
Ahead, the sky was filled with dust. Now only two miles away, the imperial army was approaching them in a line twice as wide as that of the Holdings, and their ranks were deeper. At the front, their soldiers held out the great door-sized shields he had seen so many times before.
He glanced at Faden. ‘It depends what you’re going to do with your heavy cavalry. I’d guess you want your infantry to hold theirs for as long as possible, while the cavalry does something else to win the battle.’
Faden grinned. ‘And what would that be, do you think?’
‘If it were up to me,’ Killop said, turning back to face the armies below, ‘I’d ram them straight down the Emperor’s throat. Have them circle the flanks, find a gap, and strike for the centre.’
‘A rather succinct summation of our battle plan, don’t you think, Faden?’ said Mirren. ‘Perhaps we should find a job for this young man on the staff?’
‘It’s pointless,’ said a low voice to Killop’s right.
‘I’m sorry?’ said Faden. ‘I didn’t quite catch that.’
Kylon glared at him. ‘I said it was fucking pointless. This whole battle, you’re just wasting time and soldiers. You should be hiding your mages away up the mountains, and sheltering your folk, not throwing their lives away. Look at you all up here, swanning about like you think you’re important. Don’t you realise that the Emperor is about to annihilate your entire army before your eyes? He killed a hundred thousand Sanang in front of the walls of the imperial capital. They had the greatest fire mage the world has ever seen on their side, and he still smashed them. Do you think he’s going to balk at a few horses?’
Faden stared in silence, his mouth open, as several officers on the platform bristled and tensed.
Mirren suppressed a smile. ‘It’s so refreshing to hear a contrary opinion. As queen, I always felt that people were too scared or sycophantic to truthfully express their inner thoughts, and I continually had a niggling feeling that I was being humoured.’ She stared at Kylon. ‘And what is your name?’
Killop opened his mouth to speak. ‘He’s…’
‘My name is Kylon. I led the Sanang army that invaded the Plateau last winter, along with Keira the fire mage, Killop’s sister.’
There was a collective gasp from the officers on the platform, and Killop heard Celine groan.
Mirren nodded, her eyes bursting with amusement.
‘A wanted man.’
‘Only under imperial law,’ Kylon said. ‘I have already faced the enemy your army is about to meet. I urge you to pull back, scatter, and flee for the mountains. The Emperor wants your mages, that’s why he’s here. He’s doesn’t care about your little rebellion; it’s the mages, that’s all he’s after.’
‘We are aware of that,’ Mirren said. ‘Our high mages have already been withdrawn. In fact, I believe the only one on the field today is Holder Fast, who unfortunately could not be dissuaded from donning armour and mounting her horse.’ She glanced at Killop. ‘I tried my best, believe me.’
‘All the more reason to call off the battle,’ said Kylon. ‘If there are no mages here to defend, then the Emperor will destroy your army for nothing.’
Faden stepped forward. ‘Do not humour this man any longer, Mirren,’ he said. ‘Chief Killop, please escort your companion from the platform. His defeatism is souring the mood.’
Killop nodded.
He glanced at Kylon, and the two Kellach men walked away to the edge of the platform.
‘I’m only speaking the truth,’ Kylon said.
Killop looked out over the plain. The heavy cavalry, Daphne among them, were preparing their lines, wheeling into formation, their hooves kicking up a cloud of dirt. Their armour glistened in the sunlight, and their long green pennants fluttered in the breeze. They looked as if nothing could stop them.
‘Are you sure?’ he said.
‘Aye, Killop. The Emperor will destroy them all.’
‘How do you know? I thought you’d left the battlefield before the Emperor made his appearance at Plateau City.’
‘You’re right, I wasn’t actually there,’ Kylon said, ‘but I saw what a hundred thousand Sanang looked like before the battle, and where are they all now? Every eyewitness account says the same thing, and Kalayne also vouched for the truth of it. The Emperor killed them, single-handed. That’s why he hasn’t brought any catapults or ballista. He doesn’t need them.’
Killop nodded, his gaze on the plain. The imperial army was in the process of coming to a halt, a quarter of a mile in front of the Holdings infantry. Horns were blowing, and the front line of shields closed up into a firm wall.
‘Get horses prepared,’ Killop said. ‘Get ready to go. I’ll send Celine and Karalyn to you as soon as the battle’s underway.’
‘And you?’
‘Just concern yourself with getting Karalyn to safety,’ Killop said. ‘Don’t worry about me.’
Kylon nodded, then turned and walked back down the path towards the tents.
Killop re-joined Celine. Mirren and Faden had moved on, and were speaking to a small group of elderly officers by a table laid out with refreshments.
‘Daddy,’ Karalyn squealed, and he took her into his arms. She rapped her knuckles on his steel breastplate. ‘Shiny.’
Celine raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Well?’
‘He’s gone back to his tent.’
The Magelands Box Set Page 170
