Needs of the Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘Don’t worry, Bridget, I won’t spoil the party.’

  Daphne wore what Bridget suggested, and put on her mask of calm confidence as she sat through lunch. She was seated at a long table with the leadership of the clan, to Killop’s left, while Bridget sat on his right. For over two hours a queue of clansfolk filed past the table, giving the chief their birthday greetings.

  She spoke only when asked something, which wasn’t often, while she could tell Killop was forcing himself to be genial, trying to smile at each person who came forward. He hadn’t said a word while they had got ready, a silence she blamed on the night before. She found it easy to slip into her old familiar role of a noblewoman, and realised that meeting the public made Killop uncomfortable.

  After lunch, the high table watched as locals put on acts for them. Children danced and sang, and old men and women chanted long Kellach legends.

  Daphne smiled and clapped at the end of one recitation.

  ‘How you doing?’ she whispered to Killop.

  ‘Fine.’

  Daphne nodded.

  She turned to Karalyn, who was perched on a cushion upon a chair. Daphne shook her head. The girl should be in a highchair at her age, yet there she was, sitting at the table like a two year old, instead of not having yet reached the age of one.

  ‘Mama eat?’

  ‘Yes, Kara-bear,’ Daphne said. ‘Mummy’s eating.’

  Bridget leaned over.

  ‘That’s the acts finished for now. We can all take a break for half an hour, and get out of everyone’s way while they re-arrange the tables.’

  Killop nodded, the relief on his face obvious.

  Daphne picked Karalyn up off the chair, and followed Killop down from the podium.

  ‘I need to get some air,’ he said, walking towards the path that led to the river.

  ‘All right,’ said Daphne, watching him go.

  ‘What’s up with him?’ Bedig said. ‘He’s not usually this bad-tempered.’

  ‘Could you hold Karalyn for a few minutes?’

  ‘Sure.’

  She passed him the child.

  ‘Thanks.’

  She headed off after Killop, smiling at the clansfolk she passed. There was a little path that branched off from the main road, that followed the riverbank up the valley towards the waterfalls. She and Killop had taken Karalyn there many times, and she knew it was his favourite place.

  As snow started to fall she wished she had taken a thicker coat. Rahain must be the coldest place in the world, though from the way the Kellach talked, it was even colder where they were from.

  She spotted Killop ahead on the path, and slowed her pace.

  He was leaning against a fallen tree limb, gazing down at the fast-moving stream. The waters were wide but shallow, and tumbled over the rocks. She stood next to him.

  After a long silence, she nudged him.

  ‘I’m freezing up here,’ she said. ‘Do you want to talk?’

  He turned to her, his eyes dark.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re so calm about it,’ he said, his voice rising. ‘How can you be so fucking calm?’

  ‘I don’t like it when you swear at me.’

  He blinked.

  ‘I’m calm,’ she said, ‘because I don’t see any point in panicking. I’m still trying to work out exactly what happened, but I’m pretty sure we’re not in any danger.’

  ‘In danger?’ he said. ‘Why would we be in danger?’

  ‘In case the Creator realised we were eavesdropping on his thoughts.’

  ‘Shit. That hadn’t even occurred to me.’

  ‘Then what are you getting worked up about?’

  ‘The Creator is fucking real, Daphne,’ he cried. ‘Sorry. The Creator is real.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘I know you do,’ he said. ‘You’ve told me. Now, no matter how I say this it’s going to come out wrong, but when you said you’d spoken to the Creator, I believed that you believed it. I mean I didn’t think you were lying or making it up. But…’

  ‘You thought I was mad?’

  ‘Hallucinating, maybe. ’

  ‘So,’ she said, ‘unless we had a shared hallucination last night, you believe it now?’

  ‘Aye,’ he said, ‘and it changes things. It’s not every day you get proof there’s a god.’

  ‘He’s not a god,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what he is, but he can’t do anything, except talk to a small handful of the best Holdings mages, and see what’s happening in the world. He has no real power.’

  ‘He felt powerful to me.’

  ‘But he seemed to be made of the same stuff as us,’ she said. ‘I mean his thoughts moved in the same way. He didn’t feel, I don’t know… divine.’

  He shook his head.

  ‘I don’t ever want to go through that again.’

  ‘That’s the first time I know of that Karalyn has seen the Creator’s thoughts. I don’t know how often it might happen.’

  ‘How could the wee lassie stand it?’

  ‘She was the only one who didn’t seem bothered by the experience,’ Daphne said. ‘We were both sick and achy, but she was fine. She only screamed because I threw half a jug of water over her, she went back to sleep straight away. Her mage powers must protect her somehow.’

  ‘Good,’ he said. ‘So what now? Do we let the missionaries in? After all, they’re telling the truth.’ He frowned and shook his head. ‘Do we tell Bridget? Have you told her already?’

  ‘No,’ Daphne said. ‘I remember the reaction the last time I told people I’d met the Creator.’

  ‘Aye,’ he said, ‘this is one we should keep to ourselves.’

  ‘Another secret.’

  He nodded. ‘And the missionaries?’

  ‘The church are liars and the One True Path are fanatics. Kalayne told me that they were planning something. He didn’t know what, but he was trying to find out. And the church wanted me as far away as possible, they didn’t want me messing up their plans.’

  ‘They fear you.’

  She fell silent. Could there be anything that the church was planning that was more important than her life in Slateford, with Killop and Karalyn? Was she needed somewhere else?

  ‘So you think I should keep the missionaries off the estate?’ he said.

  ‘It’s your decision,’ she said, ‘but I can’t guarantee I’ll be calm if I happen to run into a deacon.’

  He smiled. ‘Me neither. I nearly lynched that Millar when I caught him.’

  They shared a glance.

  ‘Come on,’ she said, brushing the snow off her coat. ‘We’d better be getting back.’

  He took off his thick cloak and wrapped it round her shoulders.

  ‘You need it more than I do,’ he said. ‘Soft northerner.’

  She raised an eyebrow. ‘Do barbarians not feel the cold because they’re so hairy?’

  ‘We’re too savage to care about a bit of snow.’

  Daphne shook her head as they began walking down the path. ‘Winter in the Holdings would probably be too hot for you, and you’d melt in summer.’

  ‘I’d just have to walk around naked.’

  ‘My mother might have something to say about that.’

  ‘Something complimentary, I hope?’

  ‘Maybe after she’d stopped screaming.’

  He took her hand, and they kept going, the snow falling thicker around them.

  Bridget was frowning when they returned to the courtyard in front of the mansion, although Daphne wasn’t sure if it was due to the snow, or the fact that she and Killop were late. Lines of tables had been set out on the edges of the square, leaving a large open space in the centre. Fires had been built in each corner, and were roaring up into the snowy evening, the sky darkening overhead. Musicians were strumming and tuning their instruments, and ale was being served from a long bar next to the mansion.

  Bridget led them to the head table, where they were seated next to Bedig and Karalyn. At once, food w
as served.

  Unlike the luncheon, where alcohol consumption had been restrained, Daphne noticed that the Kellach were drinking copious amounts. Men and women were draining great mugs of golden ale, and the volume of conversation was drowning out the noise from the musicians.

  A serving boy asked Daphne what she wanted to drink.

  ‘Do you have any of that gin?’

  ‘Brodie’s gin?’ Killop grimaced. ‘You tasted it?’

  ‘I quite liked it,’ she said. ‘But on second thoughts, I did get very drunk…’ She looked at the boy.

  ‘An ale, please,’ she said. ‘A weak one.’

  The boy nodded and ran off to the bar.

  As the snow got heavier, canopies were erected over the tables, and Daphne was glad she had Killop’s cloak wrapped round her to keep out the cold. They ate, and drank, and the Kellach grew louder and more boisterous. The musicians started playing, and soon groups were up dancing and singing, while the snow fell around them.

  ‘This is better than lunch,’ Daphne said to Killop. ‘I must admit, I was a bit bored.’

  ‘Aye,’ he said. ‘We like to get the formal stuff out of the way early, so when dinner begins we can all just relax, and nobody has to worry about making a speech or anything.’

  ‘And Draewyn hasn’t annoyed me once.’

  Killop nodded. ‘I had a word with her.’

  ‘You didn’t, did you?’

  ‘I couldn’t let her speak about you like that.’

  ‘Thanks for sticking up for me,’ she said, ‘but I can handle Draewyn. Now she’ll think I actually care what she says.’

  ‘Maybe you don’t, but I do. ’

  She felt a wave of tiredness come from Karalyn. Bedig glanced at her.

  ‘She’s getting sleepy,’ he said. ‘Do you want me to take her in?’

  ‘Thanks Bedig.’

  She leaned forwards and kissed her daughter.

  ‘Nighty-night, Kara-bear.’

  Killop came round and held her for a minute, then passed her to Bedig, and they watched the Brig man carry her away.

  ‘I envy him,’ Killop said in a low voice as he sat back down.

  ‘You’re the one she decided to link minds with,’ Daphne whispered. ‘I think she knows who her father is.’

  ‘Bedig’s great with her.’

  ‘Bedig is that way with everyone,’ she said. ‘He’s naturally cheerful and good-natured. That’s why so many girls chase after him.’

  ‘But not any more, I hope?’

  ‘We’ll see.’

  Kalden came over to the table, and caught Killop’s attention. Daphne nudged him, signalled that she was going for a smoke, and stood. She dodged the serving boys and girls, and the more enthusiastic dancers, and made for a patch of trees near the gardens to the north of the courtyard.

  Taking shelter under the bare branches of a tree, she lit a small stick of keenweed, and watched the festivities.

  ‘What did you really do, Daphne?’

  ‘What?’ Daphne said, turning. ‘Oh, it’s you Lilyann. You’re not on about the Creator again are you?’

  ‘I need to understand,’ the young mage said, coming forward.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘If the Creator loves everyone, then what did you do to make him hate you?’

  ‘Does he hate me?’ Daphne said. ‘Or is it the One True Path that hates me?’

  ‘Deacon Millar said that the Creator had spurned you.’

  ‘Did you know,’ Daphne said, taking a draw, ‘that the church has made it illegal for anyone to marry or have a relationship with someone from another race? They say it’s wrong, that Holdings should stick with Holdings, Rahain with Rahain, and Kellach with Kellach. Now, laying aside what business it is of the church who people sleep with, did this new law come from the Creator, or the Lord Vicar?’

  ‘It must have come from the Creator, I suppose.’

  ‘So why is it a new law? If the Creator is all wise, it would have always been wrong. Why has he changed his mind?’

  Lilyann paused, her eyebrows furrowed. ‘Karalyn?’

  Daphne shrugged. ‘Whatever the reason, do you think someone should go to prison for loving the wrong person?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Lilyann said. ‘I’ve never met anyone from Rakana, but I’ve heard they look pretty weird. And I can’t ever see a Kellach getting together with a Rahain or a Sanang. Maybe we’re not meant to interbreed.’

  ‘I reject that,’ Daphne said. ‘No one tells me who I can or can’t love. And no one can tell me that Karalyn’s life is worth less than anyone else’s.’

  ‘I’m confused,’ Lilyann smirked. ‘You know the Creator is real, and you reject what he says?’

  ‘You’re damn right I do,’ Daphne said. ‘He’s got no more say over my life than you or anyone else.’

  ‘You’re putting your soul in danger.’

  Daphne snorted. ‘My soul?’ She shook her head. ‘A bedtime story that the church invented to control the peasants. Suffer in this life, do what you’re told, and everything will be great in the next.’

  ‘You’re a liar.’

  Daphne straightened. ‘Steady,’ she said. ‘Just because we disagree, doesn’t mean I’m lying. I’ve been having debates about the Creator all my life. With my family, at university. I’ve met lots of enthusiastic believers. You though, I think are just rebelling.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Where I’m from,’ Daphne said. ‘To rebel meant to go out to parties and get drunk. But here, to rebel means to give up drinking, never go out and stay in all the time praying.’

  ‘You don’t know me,’ Lilyann said. ‘Deacon Millar was right, you’re an evil cow.’

  She turned and walked away through the snow, which was lying thick on the ground.

  Daphne sighed, her breath forming a cloud. She wasn’t making many friends. She dropped the end of the smokestick, and trod on it.

  She heard a loud yell from the front of the mansion.

  ‘You fucking prick!’ screamed Bridget.

  Daphne hurried towards the mansion. The noise from the party was echoing round the courtyard, and no one else seemed to have noticed Bridget’s cry. The keenweed, she smiled, it had its uses.

  Light was shining through the big bay windows at the front of the building. On the steps, Bridget and Bedig were rowing. As Daphne approached, Bridget swung her arm and punched Bedig on the chin. He slipped and fell back, landing in the snow.

  ‘Oww, Bridget,’ Bedig yelled. ‘I didn’t do anything!’

  ‘You’re a fucking arsehole,’ Bridget said. She paused, seeing Daphne.

  ‘What did he do?’

  ‘I went looking for him,’ she said. ‘Found the dipshit in the mansion, groping some blonde lassie, his hands all over her…’

  ‘I wasn’t!’ Bedig cried, rising to his feet.

  ‘We’re finished,’ Bridget spat at him. ‘Stay out of my sight. I’m away to get reeking.’

  She stormed off down the stairs and disappeared into the snow.

  ‘I did not deserve that,’ Bedig said, brushing dirt off his clothes.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Daphne smiled.

  ‘That lassie in there was all over me,’ he said. ‘I was trying to push her off.’

  ‘Right,’ Daphne said. ‘You know that cabin up the mountain? Maybe you should think about…’

  ‘No way,’ he said. ‘I’m staying here. I’m going to win her back. ’

  There was a huge crash, as if tables were collapsing, and drunken yells of surprise and mirth.

  Bedig winced. ‘There’s a good chance that’s Bridget going mental.’

  ‘Let’s go see.’

  They walked down the steps through the thickening swirl of snowflakes, towards the nearest fire and the sounds of laughter.

  Chapter 19

  Speaking to Power

  M ya River, Kingdom of Sanang – 15 th Day, Last Third Autumn 506

  Agang lay in darkness, listening to the rain pounding on
the canvas a few feet above his head. He felt the wagon come to a halt, and voices approach.

  The flap at the rear was pulled open, sending grey light into the interior where Agang lay. Arms reached in, and he was hauled out, his feet sinking into the thick mud by the gates of a fortress, the rain pelting down upon him. Warriors gathered round, and a hood was tied over his head. His arms were twisted behind his back, and he was bundled through an entranceway, and pushed up a long and narrow flight of wooden stairs. He stumbled in the darkness, landing heavily. Warriors cursed, and pulled him back to his feet. At the top of the flight he heard a door open. He was shoved through, and fell sprawling across the cold wooden floor.

  The door was slammed shut behind him.

  He raised his hands and ripped off his hood, his eyes blinking into the dim light of a small room.

  ‘Are you all right? ’

  He glanced over, and saw Hodang sitting cross-legged on the floor, shivering in the cold.

  Agang nodded, and got to his feet. Seated by either side of the door were the two Holdings he had seen at Broadwater, the woman with the white face-paint, and the older man, their crossbows trained on him. At the other end of the cell crouched the girl. Her face was visible, but she kept her glance down to avoid eye contact.

  Agang walked over to a narrow window and stared down at the forest.

  ‘Anganecht’s old fortress on the Mya,’ he muttered.

  ‘Yes,’ said Hodang. ‘Though from the state of it, I would guess that it hasn’t been occupied since the old chief was killed in the Plateau last summer.’

  ‘How long have you been up here?’

  ‘A couple of hours,’ the old man said. ‘I must have been near the front of B’Dang’s army when it arrived at the river this morning.’

  ‘It’s good to see you.’

  ‘And you,’ Hodang said.

  ‘How long’s it been? I’ve been kept in a covered wagon, and lost track of time.’

  ‘Well,’ Hodang said, ‘it’s been twenty days since Broadwater fell, and we were separated when the army moved out on the third dawn after that.’

  ‘Anyone spoken to you?’

  Hodang shook his head.

  Agang picked up a cup from the floor and stretched his arm out of the window. He waited until it had filled with rainwater, then turned and offered it to Hodang.