‘Indeed,’ she said, ‘and it’ll be funny.’
The six strangers washed and put on their cleanest clothes as the sun fell beyond the mountains to the west. Laodoc had wondered if anyone would refuse to go, but they were so sick of being stuck inside the house that even Dean didn’t complain.
He noticed Bridget come out of her room and enter their small communal hall, where they were waiting.
‘Did you speak to Shella?’ he asked, as the others got ready to go.
‘Aye,’ she said, her breath strong with Rakanese spirits. ‘Said she was sorry, in her own sort of way.’
‘She’s always been one to speak without thinking,’ Laodoc said, putting on his coat. He picked up the two crutches, and placed them under his shoulders.
Bridget shook her head. ‘Just walk, for pyre’s sake. Shella’s having ye on. No one in the town even knows ye were injured, or maybe at most they heard ye had a sore leg. Just tell then ye sprained yer ankle, and let’s see Shella’s face when she realises.’
Laodoc smiled. He glanced at Agang.
‘Do it,’ he said. He turned to the others. ‘Listen. If anyone asks, Laodoc had a sprained ankle, and he’s all better now. Nobody mention broken bones, and nobody mention anything about me being a mage.’
Dyam sighed. ‘We know, ye’ve fucking told us often enough.’
‘Just making sure,’ he said. ‘Shella knows, but that’s it.’
They nodded.
Agang stepped forward and put his hand on the entrance door. He glanced at the others, then turned the handle. It opened. He smiled, and stepped outside, the others following. Laodoc watched them, then gazed back at the crutches.
‘Getting cold feet?’ Bridget said.
He placed the crutches back against the wall, and took his walking stick instead. They went outside, and Laodoc got his first proper look at his surroundings. Wooden and brick-built houses were raised on stilts, with low walkways connecting them, creating streets through the town. Lamps were being lit as the sun set, and trees lined the avenues. Beneath the houses and walkways, the waters of the river reflected the lamplight. The Rakanese had breached its banks, and inundated the area to create a large freshwater marsh. Insects buzzed about the lamps, and birds nested on the wide rooftops.
Laodoc shook his head. ‘All this time, I had no idea we were above water. We’ll have to get all the shutters in the house opened up, I feel like we’ve been living underground.’
‘Ye should have felt at home, then,’ Bridget said. She took a swig from a hipflask, and gazed around. A small crowd had gathered, gawking at the strangers. A couple stepped forward.
‘Good evening,’ said one in Rahain. ‘We’re here to escort you to the town hall for the celebrations.’
Agang bowed to them, much to the amusement of the crowd. ‘My thanks,’ he said, ignoring the laughter.
‘Come on,’ Bridget said, and they set off, a path clearing before them. The escorts led them along several wide avenues, the trees leafless and bare. A chill wind was blowing down from the mountains, and most of the locals were wrapped up warm. They came to a square, fronted on all sides by the tallest buildings in the town. Ahead was the largest, a wooden-framed brick edifice, with its great doors wide open.
‘The town hall,’ Bridget muttered before their escorts could speak.
‘I heard your speech there today,’ said one. ‘It was very moving.’
Bridget nodded and glanced away.
The escort turned. ‘This way, please.’
They crossed the square and entered the hall. They passed through an entrance lobby, and went into a large, high-ceilinged chamber, where great fires burned at either end. Tables had been laid out and hundreds of Rakanese were already sitting. They hushed when they saw the strangers. Shella stood, and stepped forward.
She opened her mouth to speak, then noticed Laodoc and frowned. She turned to face the Rakanese.
‘These are our guests,’ she said, ‘and we’re holding this dinner to welcome them to Silverstream, and to acknowledge Miss Bridget’s gracious apology, made before the town council earlier today.’
There was a smattering of applause, and a few banged their cups on the tables.
‘So, without further ado,’ she went on, ‘let’s get them seated, and dinner can begin.’
She led them to a table at the end of the room, where several Rakanese were sitting. Laodoc sat next to Shella, with Dyam on his right, and Agang and Bridget opposite. In front of them were jugs of water and the clear spirit alcohol that the locals drank. The Brig woman filled her mug.
Laodoc smiled out of politeness as servers placed a great variety of small dishes onto their table.
‘Help yourselves,’ Shella said, picking up a spoon and scooping a portion of something with tentacles from a bowl.
Laodoc spotted a dish of rice and vegetables, and heaped some onto his plate. It came in a thick sauce that scorched the back of his mouth, and he poured himself a large water.
‘Your people’s range of foods,’ said Agang, glancing at Shella, ‘is unique.’
Bridget snorted. ‘That’s one way to put it. Insects and slugs, and things with too many eyes.’
‘You seem to be enjoying it,’ Shella said, nodding at Bridget’s heaped plate.
‘The rice is good,’ she said. ‘It’s the rest of it I’m not touching. I’ve put up with worse than a spicy grasshopper, but never through choice.’
‘Your loss,’ Shella said, biting the head off a long fried stick insect.
The plates were replenished as soon as they ran low, and dozens of new dishes appeared. Laodoc found a bowl of plain rice, and pulled it towards him. Bridget laughed, and emptied her mug. He watched as she refilled it.
‘Thirsty tonight?’ he said across the table, his voice lowered.
‘Aye, so?’
‘We can drink back at the house later,’ he said. ‘Maybe we should rein it in a little while we’re here?’
She shrugged. Laodoc looked across to Agang for support, but the Sanang was chatting to a Rakanese man on his left.
Dyam nudged him. ‘This reminds me of the parties we used to have in Slateford. Do you remember Killop’s birthday party, when Bridget went mental and trashed half the dance-floor?’
‘I think I missed that one,’ Laodoc said.
‘Maybe it was before you got there,’ she said.
Shella nudged him from the other side.
He turned.
‘What was that?’ Shella said. ‘Something about a birthday?’
‘Aye,’ said Dyam. ‘Last year.’
‘Whose did you say it was?’
‘Our chief’s. Killop.’
‘Chief Killop?’ Shella said, frowning. ‘Wait. All this time you’ve been here, no one mentioned that you were in Chief Killop’s clan, or tribe? Whatever it’s called.’
‘Clan,’ said Bridget. ‘The Severed Clan.’
‘Right,’ Shella said. ‘Laodoc, you didn’t think this was important?’
‘Is it?’ he said. ‘I admit, it never came up, so I didn’t think it worth mentioning.’
‘But what about Daphne, you dozy old lizard?’ Shella said. ‘This is Daphne’s Killop we’re talking about, right? You didn’t think I’d want to hear about my best friend?’
‘Sorry.’
‘She did make it there, didn’t she? She must have done, if Bedig made it.’ She groaned. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t put it together myself.’
‘She made it to Slateford,’ Dyam said, ‘with Bedig and her daughter.’
Bridget snorted.
Shella frowned at her, then turned to Laodoc and Dyam.
‘So, how was old Daffers? When did you last see her?’
Laodoc’s tongue flickered.
‘Not always a good sign,’ Shella said, ‘but go on.’
‘Daphne Holdfast was happy in Slateford, with Killop and the baby. They lived a good life there, from what I saw. Daphne was at her usual best. She rescued me f
rom the Rahain Capital when the rebels took over the government.’ He paused.
‘Ha,’ laughed Shella. ‘Good old Daffers.’
‘When we parted,’ he went on, ‘she was on her way to settle an old debt.’
‘Aye,’ grunted Bridget, ‘and tell her what happened next.’
Shella glanced across the table, frowning.
Laodoc swallowed. ‘Killop left the clan and went after her.’
Bridget shook her head and mumbled something.
‘What was that?’ snapped Shella.
The Brig woman looked up. ‘I said I hate that cow.’
‘Who?’
‘Daphne fucking Holdfast,’ Bridget muttered. ‘All that time I thought she was my friend, I was fucking fooling myself. She was never my friend. She didn’t give a shit about anybody but Killop and Karalyn.’ She swayed, and put a hand on the table to steady herself, as the others stared.
‘I wish she’d stayed the fuck away,’ Bridget went on, ‘then Killop would never have left. That girl fucked with his mind.’
‘Love does that,’ Shella said.
Bridget stared at her. ‘Not Daphne, ya fucking idiot, Karalyn. She fucked with Killop’s mind.’ She gazed around the table, her heavy eyes narrowing. ‘None of you know, eh? Not one of ye knows.’
‘Knows what?’ said Shella.
‘About Daphne’s daughter. About what she can do.’
Laodoc frowned. ‘And what can she do?’
‘She’s a fucking mage,’ Bridget said, ‘a one-year-old mage, more powerful than either of you two sitting here.’ She nodded to Agang and Shella. ‘She can read minds, mess with yer thoughts, and fuck knows what else.’
She put down her mug. ‘Just like Kalayne. That’s what Daphne said. She has the same powers as Kalayne.’
‘Bullshit,’ Shella said. ‘I was there at the birth, and saw Karalyn loads over the next few thirds. They was nothing crazy about her.’
‘And how old was she when Daphne left Plateau City?’ asked Laodoc.
‘Nearly seven thirds.’
‘She’s grown a fair bit since then,’ Bridget said.
‘I never saw anything out of the ordinary,’ Laodoc said, ‘but I wasn’t the most sociable back then. I didn’t pay much attention to the child, I’m afraid.’
‘Could it be true?’ said Agang. ‘This child of Daphne Holdfast and Killop, could she possess the same powers as Kalayne?’
‘In Rahain,’ Laodoc said, ‘scientists believed that the Holdings and the Kellach peninsula were once a single continent, long ago. If that’s true, then maybe the powers of Kalayne belong to both their peoples.’
Agang’s eyes widened. ‘That’s it,’ he said. ‘This is the answer.’
‘What?’ said Shella.
‘Kalayne may be dead,’ he said, ‘but this girl lives.’
He stared across the table.
‘We need to find her.’
Chapter 24
Rear Guard
Shield Mountains, Imperial Holdings – 7th Day, First Third Winter 507
‘Kara-bear?’ Daphne called, her eyes scanning the crowded camp. ‘Where is she? Celine?’
The Holdings woman glanced over. ‘What is it?’
‘Where’s Karalyn?’
Celine frowned. ‘She was right here, I just saw her…’
‘Karalyn!’ Daphne cried.
‘Look, here’s her toy,’ Celine said, kneeling by the fire where the girl had been playing moments before. ‘She must have run off.’
‘Dammit,’ Daphne muttered, walking round the fire where the others were eating their breakfast in the dawn light. Kylon caught her eye, and walked over.
‘Help me look for Karalyn,’ she said before he could open his mouth. ‘She was here a minute ago, now she’s gone.’
‘I’ll check the caves,’ he said.
‘Alright, go.’
She turned, and pulled on some battle-vision, her enhanced eyesight taking in every detail around her. She examined the area next to the busy campfire, then searched by the haphazard jumble of tents, trees and carts, extending her vision out to the paths at the edge of their new base as far as the sentries.
Nothing.
‘I don’t understand,’ said Celine, worry creasing her brow, ‘she can’t have just disappeared.’
‘She’s not in the caves,’ Kylon said, his eyes dark. ‘I’ll start searching the tents. We’ll tear this place apart until we find her.’
‘Wait,’ Daphne said. ‘Maybe she’s still here. Maybe we just can’t see her.’
‘What?’ said Celine.
‘If she can hide from the Emperor, she could be hiding from us.’
‘Do you think you can find her?’ Kylon said.
‘I’ll try.’
He nodded. ‘I’ll get a search party organised while you do what you can here. Signal me if you find her.’
Daphne watched the Kell man stride away, as Baoryn stepped out of the crowd to follow him. She sat on the rough ground, and lit a cigarette.
Celine knelt next to her. ‘Should I send a messenger to Killop and Chane?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘Not yet.’
She stubbed out her cigarette, and closed her eyes. She took a few deep breaths, steadying herself. She softened her focus, allowing her mind to break free of her body in the way Kalayne had taught her, rather than use the more forceful Holdings method. Her vision gazed down on the camp. She saw herself, seated, with Celine crouching next to her, biting her nails.
Two yards to her left was a tree, with low hanging branches. Under them Karalyn was crouching, her knees drawn up, her eyes closed. Daphne glided down.
What’s wrong, little bear?
Mummy.
Are you scared? Everything’s all right, you don’t need to hide.
Mummy hide too.
Mummy’s here because I was worried, Daphne said. Please don’t hide from mummy, Kara-bear.
No, mummy hide now.
Why? What are you hiding from?
Karalyn’s eyes opened. The bad man’s coming.
Daphne’s vision shot back to her head and she opened her eyes. She could see Karalyn, crouching under the branches of the tree. Daphne held out her right arm, and the girl ran to her.
Celine gasped. ‘Where did you appear from, young lady?’
Daphne held Karalyn close, her mind racing. She needed to calm herself. Karalyn was sniffling in her embrace, but she cleared her mind, and sent a flash of line-vision up to the nearest mountain peak, half a mile to the north. From there, she scanned the approaches to their base. There were only two ways to access the narrow valley where they had camped. Daphne looked first to the west. In a clearing a few miles away lay several Rahain flying carriages, their hatches open. Dozens of soldiers were spilling out of them. Daphne span round, and sent her vision east. The same, except this time the soldiers were accompanied by a tall figure in black armour.
She pulled her vision back and retched, holding Karalyn clear as she threw her breakfast up onto the ground. Several troopers stared at her from the fireside.
‘I need Killop,’ she gasped at Celine, who was sitting open-mouthed, ‘and Chane, Mirren, Kylon, everyone. Now.’
‘Are you alright, ma’am?’ a trooper called over.
Daphne spotted an officer, and staggered to her feet. ‘Lieutenant,’ she cried. ‘Get over here.’
He approached. ‘Yes, my lady?’
‘To arms,’ she said, her gaze steady. ‘Get everybody up and ready. No fuss. Now.’
The lieutenant’s eyes widened. ‘At once, my lady.’
He turned, blew a whistle and began crying out orders to the camp. More officers approached.
‘Send for Killop and Chane,’ she said, rocking Karalyn in her arms.
‘We’re here,’ said Killop.
She turned, and saw him walk into the clearing by the fire, Chane at his side.
‘What’s wrong?’ he said.
Daphne waited until her officers were
gathered.
‘Let me take her,’ Celine whispered.
Daphne shook her head. ‘Get me a table.’ She glanced up. ‘Chane. Map.’
Celine carried a folding table to where Daphne stood holding Karalyn, and Chane laid a map on it. Mirren arrived, drawn by the crowd. She pushed her way through the troopers, until she stood by Killop and the other officers.
‘Lady Holdfast,’ she said, ‘are we compromised?’
Daphne nodded. ‘The Emperor’s forces are only a few miles away, blocking both exits to the valley.’
The crowd stared at her, their faces frozen.
‘I thought he was a hundred miles away,’ said Chane.
‘He’s flown in on winged gaien, straight to our location.’
‘The Emperor’s here in person?’ said Mirren.
‘He is,’ Daphne said. Some in the crowd grew restless, looking over their shoulders.
‘Someone has betrayed us,’ cried a trooper.
Daphne swallowed. The trooper was right. She glanced at Killop.
‘We’ll worry about that later,’ he said. ‘Right now we need to hold our nerve and find a way out of this trap.’
‘What do you suggest, Commander?’ said Daphne.
Killop stepped forward and glanced at the map. ‘Show me the position of the enemy forces, my lady.’
Daphne pointed at the two locations.
‘And at which end of the valley is the Emperor?’
‘The eastern.’
He nodded, staring at the map. The rest of the officers gathered closer in silence.
‘All right,’ he said, straightening, ‘here’s what I suggest. I’ll take three raiding squads, and make for this position here in the east. We’ll hold the Emperor up, while every other available trooper attacks the Rahain at the western end of the valley. Chane, you take command of this force. Break through the enemy as fast as you can. Once you’re clear of the valley, head north towards the coast, and I’ll catch you up with my three squads later.’
Daphne stared at him.
‘My lady?’ he said.
‘You’ll catch us up?’
‘Aye,’ he said, ‘we will.’
She faced the others. ‘You heard the commander, those are my orders. The Emperor thinks he’s got us trapped like rats in a bag, but he doesn’t know we’re waiting for him, or what we’re capable of. Let’s show him.’
The Magelands Box Set Page 179
