‘Seal the quarter,’ said the Holdings man. ‘They’re rounding up everyone, and taking them to the Great Fortress.’
‘You getting out of the city?’
‘Aye,’ said the Kellach. ‘I’m not fucking hanging around for the Emperor to turn up. I was here last time he paid us a visit.’
‘We’ll come with ye,’ Keira said.
‘We?’
‘Aye, wait a minute.’ She ran back to the doorway. Karalyn was standing next to Kallie, peering out.
‘Come on, let’s go,’ she said, picking up the girl.
‘No, want to walk,’ cried the girl.
‘No fucking time for that,’ yelled Keira, as she and Kallie ran out onto the street. They joined the group, and together they ran for the gates.
When they were halfway there a Holdings fighter shouted, ‘Get down!’ Keira glanced up and saw a great mass of dark red fire fly over their heads. It struck the gatehouse with a blinding flash, and the structure went up in thick, oily flames. The heat was intense, and the group juddered to a halt, and started to retreat.
Keira.
The fire mage froze. She recognised the voice.
I’m intrigued to see you alive. Intrigued and also glad. You will make a fine specimen for my next attempt.
‘Keira, move,’ cried Kallie. ‘The fire’s spreading, but we can run to the collapsed part of the wall. Don’t stand there gawking, come on.’
Keira’s legs refused to obey.
I’m coming for you, fire mage.
Karalyn screamed, and Keira blinked. She glanced at Kallie, who was staring at her. The fire from the gatehouse was starting to engulf the nearby buildings, and the other fighters had scattered. They were alone.
‘The bad man’s here,’ whimpered Karalyn.
‘What?’ said Kallie, looking around.
‘It’s me he’s after,’ Keira said.
‘How the fuck does he know yer here?’ Kallie cried.
I see all, said the voice of the Emperor inside Keira’s head. I see every mage in the world. All of them. You can run, but I’ll find you. I’ll find all of them.
‘Sounds like a fucking challenge,’ Keira muttered. She glanced at Kallie, then ran, the Kell woman sprinting after her. They raced down a street away from the burning gatehouse, then turned and headed towards a section of the wall where it had collapsed. A few civilians were already there, climbing over the rubble in the direction of the rising sun.
Keira heard the stamps of boots, and swerved to her right as ranks of Rahain soldiers charged down the street past a burning tenement block. In their midst strode a figure, standing taller and broader than any Kellach Brigdomin, clad in a full set of black armour that glinted in the firelight.
Kallie skidded to a halt, her eyes wide, and started to back away. Keira joined her, and they retreated into the doorway of an abandoned and closed-up shop. They huddled in the corner as the Rahain sped by. The Emperor raised his hand, and the civilians trying to flee over the rubble dropped like scythed wheat.
Keira swallowed, and put Karalyn down.
‘Stay with yer Auntie Kallie,’ she said, kissing her. She gazed at the Kell woman. ‘Look after her.’
She stood, and strode out into the street.
‘Couldnae get enough of me the first time eh?’ she sneered at the Emperor.
Keira flexed her fingers and felt for her powers as the Emperor turned to face her, silhouetted by the flames from the burning tenement. The company of Rahain continued on towards the collapsed wall until the two stood alone in the street, the Emperor towering over her.
‘Ye think yer smart, wee man,’ she cried, ‘just cause ye’ve grown a foot or two? I’ve seen bairn’s shites that were harder than you.’
‘The things I’m going to do to you,’ the Emperor said from behind his iron mask. ‘I’m going to enjoy breaking you.’
Keira squinted. ‘Is that supposed to make me feart? Oh, I’m fucking quaking here.’
Just a little bit longer, keep him talking a little bit longer.
He raised his hand.
‘Don’t ye want to know how I escaped last time?’ she said.
‘I’ll find out everything I want when I have you in chains.’
‘Nah,’ she said, her hand poised behind her back, ‘I have a better idea.’ She whipped her hand round and spread her fingers. With a deafening roar the fire raging in the tenement toppled down from above and fell upon the Emperor, drowning him in an inferno of flames. Keira was thrown off her feet by the force of the explosion, and she landed in a heap by the wall of the building opposite.
She raised her head, groaning. Her vision spun, and the stink of her singed hair filled her nostrils. All she could see were the flames roaring on the street only a few yards in front of her. She began to crawl away from the heat when she noticed something move. She stared as a figure rose from the flames, tall and dark.
Keira groaned. ‘Now that’s just bullshit.’
The Emperor strode towards her, his armour glowing hot, its black enamel blistering off.
‘You want me to kill you?’ the Emperor said, his voice raging and booming in her head. She flinched. ‘I will,’ he went on, ‘but not before I have shredded and flayed your mind and your body.’
‘Dream on,’ she gasped, as he leant over her.
His head whipped back as an arrow pieced his right eye socket. He staggered, and Keira felt hands grab her shoulders.
‘Run, ya stupid cow,’ screamed Kallie, hauling her to her feet. As Keira got up, Kallie notched, aimed and loosed another arrow, striking the small gap between his helmet and armoured shoulder where the flesh of his neck lay undefended. The arrowhead drove deep behind his ear, and the Emperor fell to his knees. Kallie turned and ran, pulling Keira along with her. She shoved open the door of an empty shop where Karalyn was sitting. She was on the floor, rocking back and forth, her knees up at her chin.
‘It’s alright, wee one,’ cried Kallie. ‘I found her.’
Karalyn reached out with her arms and Keira embraced her.
‘Come on,’ said Kallie. ‘Two arrows won’t stop him for long. We need to run.’
‘It doesn’t make any difference,’ she said. ‘He’ll find me wherever I go.’
Kallie slapped her.
‘Don’t talk shite, and don’t give up. Take Karalyn and follow me.’
Kallie slung the pack over her shoulder and pulled an arrow from her belt quiver, her longbow resting in her left hand. She ran to the back of the shop and kicked the door down.
Keira picked up Karalyn, and stumbled after the Kell woman, her body aching.
‘Hold on tight, wee one,’ she said, as she kept up with Kallie. They ran down alleyways, but soldiers were now occupying every weak point in the wall around the Kellach quarter. They kept running, Kallie turning back towards the centre of the city, and the Great Fortress. She stopped at a small squat building, and pushed the door open. Keira followed her in, her knees buckling.
‘Down here,’ Kallie said, shoving furniture out of the way to reveal a trapdoor.
‘The tunnels?’ Keira gasped. ‘Aye. You go first.’
Kallie lifted the trapdoor, and climbed down the steps dug out of the ground. Keira put Karalyn down, and looked out of the open door onto the street.
‘Go after yer Auntie Kallie,’ she said. ‘He won’t find you if I stay up here.’
‘No, Keiwa come,’ Karalyn said, starting to cry as she stood by the trapdoor.
Keira knelt by her and stroked the hair out her eyes.
‘If ye go down there, Auntie Kallie will keep ye safe, but if I go too, then the bad man will find us all.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ the girl said, sobbing. ‘Karalyn hide with you.’
Keira gazed at the girl. Had the Emperor been telling the truth about being able to see every mage? The more she thought about it, the more like bullshit it sounded. And even if it was true, then she’d make sure Karalyn got away even if the Emperor did find her
. Now that her powers were back she wouldn’t be easy to capture.
She smirked.
‘Alright then, ya wee toerag,’ she said. ‘Let’s hide in the tunnels.’
Karalyn reached out and took her hand.
Last one down’s a stinky poo.
Chapter 34
Made to Endure
Outside Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – 19th Day, Second Third Winter 507
Killop gazed at Daphne. Her eyes were closed, and her chest was rising and falling in time with her breath. Her dark skin glowed in the reflected lamplight within the small stables where he had laid her body down. He had checked her for injuries, but had found nothing, ruling out a blow to her head, and he was starting to believe something or someone had harmed her mind instead.
The Creator. It had to be. Daphne had been unconscious for nearly an hour, since the moment the earthquake had ceased. The two events were connected somehow, and both had something to do with the Creator, he felt certain of it.
He heard the door to the stables open behind him.
‘How is she?’ said Chane.
‘The same.’
The Holdings woman walked over and crouched by him. She looked exhausted, and was covered in smeared ash. She lit a cigarette as she frowned at Daphne.
‘I’ve taken care of the horses,’ she said. ‘Moved them a quarter of a mile up the track and put them in a barn. Took a while to calm them down. The earthquake and fire freaked them out.’
He nodded, his mind elsewhere.
‘I saw the city from the top of the slope,’ she went on. ‘The sky’s all red and flickering, as if the city’s in flames. The earthquake must have hit it hard.’
Killop said nothing.
‘We need to re-think the plan,’ she said. ‘I doubt that Keira will be meeting us at the time and place we arranged.’
‘She’ll be there.’
‘But, Killop, the city will be in chaos…’
‘Then maybe I should go in.’
Chane eyed him. ‘On your own? You’ve no idea where your sister or daughter are.’
‘Then what do you suggest?’
She shrugged. ‘I’m all out of suggestions, big man. Look, it’s only an hour or so till dawn. We could wait and see if Keira comes along in her wagon, and then decide. But, I’m worried.’
‘Of course yer fucking worried,’ said Killop. ‘Daphne’s unconscious and Karalyn might be in danger.’
‘Not just about that,’ she said. ‘The earthquake, that’s what I’m talking about. Kylon told me there had been an earthquake when the Emperor got his powers. We know the fucker’s in the city, and he’s got his captured mages with him.’
‘Shit,’ Killop said. He remembered something Daphne had mentioned a long time before, about how she had lost her powers when she had been captured by Douanna. He glanced down at his fingers, and willed a spark to arc between them.
Nothing happened.
His mouth dropped open. For the first time in his life since he was in his teens, his powers had gone.
‘You’re right,’ he said, looking up at Chane. ‘I can’t spark. Daphne said the same thing happened to her the night the Emperor got his powers, even though she was hundreds of miles away.’
‘He’s performed another ritual? Fuck. I wonder if all the mages he captured are dead. There will hardly be any left at this rate.’ She shook her head. ‘Do we assume that the bastard’s even more powerful now?’
‘I think we have to.’
Chane stubbed out her cigarette and lit another one.
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘You know, for pulling me out of the farmhouse.’
He nodded.
‘I know I’ve not been the easiest to get along with,’ she went on. ‘I know that I fuck up most things I try, but Daphne’s the only friend I have in the world and I’d do anything to help her. What I’m trying to say is that if you need me to go into the city to look for Karalyn, then I’ll do it. That way you can stay with Daphne.’
‘No thanks.’
‘Are you not even going to consider it?’
He stood. ‘I need some air.’
Without waiting for Chane to speak, he pushed open the door of the stables and stepped out into the chill night. To his left, a hint of dawn was appearing as a light smudge on the eastern horizon. Though he had slept only a few hours, his head was buzzing with pent-up frustration. He bowed his head and turned to his right, and strode up the grassy slope to the top of the low hill.
In the distance he glimpsed the city. Karalyn’s birthplace, and the centre of the world. The clouds above it were reflecting the red glow of the fires burning beneath, and his eyes picked out flames. If he ran, he could be at the walls in under an hour. If he was quick, he could be in, and back again before Daphne awoke. That would be a good way to surprise her. He smiled. To have her open her eyes to the sight of Karalyn would signal the end of their nightmare.
Chane was right, though. He had no idea where to begin looking, and the city looked immense in size. And if the Creator was even more powerful than before, then he would be no match for him if he was discovered.
He swore under his breath as helplessness rubbed his nerves raw. His only respite was the knowledge that his sister was looking after Karalyn, and if anyone could keep his daughter safe, it was Keira. Even without her powers she was a resourceful cow.
He turned to walk back to the stables, but halted, his mind conflicted. He needed to do something, he would explode if he had to sit for hours by Daphne’s side, while the city burned and his daughter and sister were still inside. It was stupid, it was selfish, but he had to go. He had to look for them.
A scream tore through the air, coming from the stables. He ran down the slope and burst through the door.
Daphne was sitting up, her eyes wide.
Killop rushed to her side.
‘Karalyn,’ she gasped. ‘The Creator. Earthquake.’
‘The earthquake was an hour ago,’ Killop said. ‘Are you alright?’
She caught his gaze. ‘I saw the Emperor. He was ready to perform another ritual. Then I spoke to Keira, told her to get Karalyn out of the city, and then… then the earthquake, and I can’t remember anything else. Except Karalyn, just now, she woke me, somehow…’
‘How are you feeling?’ said Chane, offering her a waterskin.
Daphne frowned. ‘Fine. My head feels… fine.’
‘Karalyn fixed you,’ Killop said, ‘just like she fixed me before.’
‘Yeah,’ Daphne said, ‘maybe.’ She gazed at him. ‘My vision powers have gone.’
‘Mine too.’
‘It feels like I’m blind.’
‘How long did they take to come back last time?’ Chane said.
‘A few hours,’ she said, lighting a cigarette. ‘I can’t really remember. They came back gradually though, not all at once.’ She took a draw. ‘What time is it?’
‘Less than an hour before sunrise,’ Killop said.
Daphne stretched her neck and rolled her shoulders.
‘Thanks for waiting for me,’ she said. ‘Are we ready to go?’
Killop nodded. ‘Can you run?’
She got to her feet.
‘Let’s find out.’
For almost an hour, Killop, Daphne and Chane raced across the grassy slopes and fields towards the city. Behind them, the glow of the coming dawn was growing, lighting their way. Ahead, the city loomed closer with every step. Countless pillars of smoke were funnelling up from behind the half-ruined walls. Battlements and towers had toppled, and the gatehouse leading to the Kellach quarter was awash with thick, dark flames.
They slowed as they approached, reaching a steep embankment a hundred yards from the walls. They halted, and lay down along its ridge, gazing at the city.
‘I can feel my vision returning,’ said Daphne. ‘It’s not all there yet, but it’s coming.’
‘Excellent fucking timing,’ said Chane. ‘Something’s going on in there. Do you see the sol
diers guarding where the earthquake ripped holes in the wall? Why the fuck would they do that? They’re stopping people from getting out. And there’s more up on the battlements.’
‘But not by the merchants’ quarter,’ Daphne said, pointing to the right of the Kellach district. Killop looked over. There were several breaches in the walls, but no soldiers could be seen.
‘So the Emperor’s sealed the Kellach quarter?’ he said. ‘Can we get in from anywhere else?’
‘There’s a wall separating it from the New Town,’ Daphne said. ‘The gate there will probably be guarded as well, but it’s our best option.’
‘But what if Keira breaks out while we’re in the New Town?’ he said. ‘She might be fighting her way to the walls right now.’
‘We can’t just wait here,’ said Daphne.
Killop turned to Chane.
She frowned. ‘No fucking way.’
‘A while ago you said you would do anything.’
‘I’m not fucking staying out here while you two go in,’ Chane said. ‘No chance.’
‘You don’t need to,’ said Daphne. ‘My vision powers are returning. I should be able to contact Karalyn or Keira soon, and then we’ll know where they are.’
Chane winked at Killop. ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easily.’
He said nothing as they slipped down the slope and ran north, following the line of the ridge away from the Kellach quarter.
‘The Merchant Gate,’ said Daphne, pointing ahead as they raced through the grass. Killop glanced up. The gates were lying open, and a group of civilians were gathered outside. They turned to gaze at the three arrivals, and Killop noticed that most were dressed in dust-stained night clothes.
Daphne ignored them, and headed straight for the entrance.
The group quietened as they passed, but no one tried to stop them. Killop and Chane followed Daphne through the large gates, and into the city. Inside, a scene of destruction awaited them. Fires were raging out of control in several places, and more than half of the grand stately mansions and buildings had collapsed. Civilians stumbled around in small groups, gazing with wide eyes, or mourning over the bodies of the fallen.
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