by Emma Miles
‘I think they are going okay.’ Rosa cringed. ‘I’m not a Fulmer woman!’
‘Thank goodness.’ A smile crinkled the corners of his eyes.
‘Where’s Kesta?’ Catya demanded. ‘And Jorrun?’
‘Well.’ Tantony looked up and Rosa followed his gaze to see his chieftain striding toward them. ‘Let me catch up with Evin and I’ll meet you just inside the Raven Tower.’
‘But they are alive?’ Rosa pleaded.
‘I think so,’ Tantony replied. ‘But I don’t know.’
***
Rosa sat on the bottom step of the Raven Tower, her fingers played with the fabric of her skirt and she kept looking from the closed door to the darkness of the stairway up above. She clenched her teeth and breathed out loudly through her nose as Catya dragged her feet in another circuit of the small entrance hall. She stood quickly on hearing the rattle of the door handle and Tantony stepped in, red faced and breathing fast as though he’d run there.
‘What happened?’ She demanded at once.
‘This must be kept quiet; the tower is the most private place I could think of to talk. The Thane and Kesta have gone to Chem to try to kill the coven’s Overlord.’
Rosa’s knees weakened and Tantony grabbed her arm. ‘My lady?’
‘I’m all right.’ It was hard to catch her breath. ‘It was just a shock. They have really gone to Chem? Not just the two of them, surely?’
‘He wanted to go alone, but she insisted on going with him. It would make it easier on all of us if they just admitted how they felt about each other.’ He caught her eye, and they both looked away, their cheeks reddening.
‘I should have gone with them.’ Catya scowled. ‘I’d have killed a few Chemman.’
‘You’re far too bloodthirsty!’ Rosa shook her head but couldn’t help a smile.
‘You’ll probably get a chance to kill plenty of them here.’ Tantony looked seriously down at the girl before turning back to Rosa. ‘The invasion fleet won’t be too far behind us, I fear. I asked Evin how Kesta’s plans were going but the idiot seems to have dismissed them because she is a woman. Please tell me we are ready to defend ourselves?’
Rosa drew herself up. ‘We have supplies in for a siege, the women and stronger children have all been practising their archery. The bondsmen and craftsmen have been working on repairing and improving the walls. Your man out at the bridge reported he has strong nets ready to pull up across the river and fire arrows aplenty.’
Tantony smiled at her and she felt her pride grow.
‘That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while,’ he said. ‘Would you … shall we … will you walk around the hold with me, so we can speak to everyone and see what else needs doing?’
‘Of course, if you’ll tell me what happened on Mantu?’
‘Yes. How many necromancers did you kill?’ Catya interrupted with much too much enthusiasm for Rosa’s liking.
‘Let’s sit down in the great hall this evening for dinner and I’ll tell you then,’ Tantony suggested. ‘I think the men need to hear what Kesta did for us. The Icante herself is apparently coming to Taurmaline and it would be well for people to know how much they should respect the Fulmers.’
***
Rosa felt incredibly self-conscious seated at the table beside Tantony in the great hall. They had decided not to use the high table both due to their low status and as a reminder of their Thane and Lady’s absence. All Tantony revealed to the hold was that they’d left them at Taurmouth to face the Chemman. Catya’s eyes shone, taking in every word from the Merkis as he recounted a second time how Kesta had defeated three necromancers. Rosa was sure he’d missed out many of the less pleasant details. A few of the warriors still remained dubious.
‘Has there been any news from Mantu?’ Rosa asked.
‘Nothing yet although the king should have received my message by now. He’s probably too busy to worry about a Merkis and a single hold.’
‘Although we are the key to the lake,’ she mused. ‘I wonder if they will strike straight for Taurmaline up the river or try to take the land a mile at a time.’
He was grinning at her.
‘What?’ She placed her hand on her chest.
He gave a shake of his head. ‘I thought I was in for a nightmare of a time when I first met you both; but I have to admit she is the best thing that could have happened to Jorrun and this hold. And you …’ He looked at her and then down at his food. He cleared his throat. ‘I like having you around.’
‘Oh.’ She looked quickly away and swallowed. Was that all she could think of to say? She regarded him as discretely as she could. She’d always thought he had a kind face despite his roughness. She took in a deep breath. ‘I like being here.’
Tantony poured her some more wine and gave her another of his shy smiles.
‘Tantony, can you teach me some sword fighting?’ Catya spoke up.
The Merkis almost choked on his wine. ‘That woman is the very worst influence!’
‘Or the very best.’ Rosa smiled to herself.
***
The following morning Rosa was awoken by Catya urgently calling her name.
‘What is it?’ Only a little light showed through the shutters.
‘A raven has come with a message!’
Rosa sat up. ‘We had best take it to Tantony now he’s back. Would you hand me my dress?’ She took only a moment to brush and pin up her hair before slipping on her shoes and hurrying down the stairs after Catya. The girl handed her the message cylinder as she knocked on Tantony’s door. They heard a muffled reply before Tantony opened the door a crack, only to slam it shut again. A moment later he came out, now fully dressed and rather red in the face.
‘What is it?’
Rosa handed him the cylinder, and he cracked it open to unroll the small parchment. His complexion went at once from flushed to pale as death.
He drew in a breath. ‘Chem struck Taurmouth last night. The warriors are holding out, but ships have landed further along the coast to drop off warriors both dead and alive. They are under siege and don’t expect to last. It … it says they are vastly outnumbered.’
Catya grabbed Rosa’s hand with both of hers.
‘We …’ Rosa found her jaw trembling, and she clenched her teeth tightly, drawing on her resolve and courage. ‘We must send word at once to warn our men at the bridge and any of our hold folk who are not living within our walls.’
Tantony nodded. ‘I’ll get word out at once.’ He scratched at his head. ‘I think I’ll send warriors to reinforce those at the bridge with the instructions they must withdraw back here as soon as it looks like the bridge will be passed.’
‘We will have the women prepare.’ Rosa nodded. ‘I think it would be as well to have as many as possible move into the ward and fort.’
‘Agreed.’ Tantony took a deep breath. ‘Let’s get to it.’
***
The following day brought mixed news. Aven’s daughter arrived back from Taurmaline having gone there with one of her cousins to trade. The carpenter came running to find Tantony.
‘Good news! Mantu has taken back Promise harbour, and the island is ours!’
‘You’re sure?’ Tantony stood up from behind his desk. Rosa’s hand went to her mouth, and she stared hopefully from one to the other.
‘It is all over the city! There is talk of some kind of fire demons helping.’
Tantony and Rosa smiled at each other.
‘If I hadn’t met Azrael for myself, I’d have thought it nonsense,’ Kurghan went on.
‘Anything from Taurmouth?’ Tantony asked hopefully.
‘Nothing new, nothing good.’ Kurghan shook his head.
‘Is it worth our celebrating Mantu’s victory to keep our spirits up?’ Rosa suggested.
‘I don’t know.’ Tantony regarded her thoughtfully. ‘I don’t imagine we will have much to celebrate in the coming days. Let’s spread the word, but we’ll leave off celebrating until we know what
’s happening at Taurmouth.’
She nodded.
Later that evening she was glad he’d ignored her suggestion. A raven arrived from the king with news that made her cold. Taurmouth had fallen.
***
The hold was on edge, tension high, tempers frayed. Rosa wished with all her heart that Kesta were here, she would know what to do to calm everyone. Several refugees had fled up the river and news reached them that the Icante of the Fulmers was now at Taurmaline. Of Taurmouth there was no more news. People fleeing by horse and then on foot passed by the hold, only a handful of exhausted families begged to shelter with them. As concerned as he was that they might not themselves survive an attack or siege, Tantony could not bring himself to turn them away.
Two days later their scouts sighted the king’s own royal ship sailing across the lake and down the river. No more ravens had returned, and speculation ran through Northold; surely the king hadn’t himself gone to face the Chemmen on the river with only one ship? That evening a fierce wind came down from the north and thunder rolled across the wide river valley. Rain threatened to put out their watch fires and many of the hold crowded into the great hall. Rosa and Catya made a last dash through the rain to check on the ravens before night set in, in the hope that there was some news. They were both soaked to the skin as they lit a lantern and clambered up the stairs. Rosa climbed up into the bird loft and looked around at the ravens, the almost reptilian smell of them was strong in her nostrils. Their black eyes glinted in the firelight. None of them had a message cylinder tied to its leg. She came slowly back down with a sigh.
‘It was worth a look.’
The sky lit up and thunder cracked and boomed. Rosa went to the north-facing window, her face so close to the glass it misted the pane. Catya joined her, linking her arm in hers and leaning against her.
‘Where do you think they are?’ the girl asked.
‘Kesta and Jorrun?’ Rosa drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘They will be together, and they will be doing their best to keep us safe.’
‘Rosa?’
‘Yes?’
‘Are you scared?’
Another flash lit up the trees and the tower itself seemed to tremble.
‘Yes, I am. But being scared is not something to be ashamed of, it’s something to defeat. We are both fighters in our different ways, Catya.’
She felt the girl nod.
She looked down at her. ‘Come on, there is nothing more to be done here tonight. Let’s get back to the hall; someone there must know a good tale to tell or a few songs to pass the time.’
***
They awoke to an almost eerie silence, the sky like a bruise; all purple and black. The water level in the lake had dropped several yards to reveal a bed of mud and weeds. Smoke rose from behind the trees from the direction of the river and bridge.
‘I’ve never seen anything like that in my life!’ Kurghan exclaimed. Rosa and Catya had come out to the small wharf with Tantony and the carpenter. Several of the warriors and the chieftain, Evin, had followed. The smell of silt and burnt wood came to them in bursts on the cold wind.
‘What’s that?’ Catya’s head went up, and she turned toward the north.
Rosa heard it too, hoofbeats, a moment before a horse burst out of the trees ridden by a young boy.
‘They’re coming,’ he cried. ‘We’ve abandoned the bridge, the Chemmen are coming!’
‘Evin, send a message to the king immediately.’ Tantony strode forward to grab the horse’s halter. ‘You are not the only survivor?’
‘The others follow.’ The boy was wide-eyed and breathing hard.
‘Get yourself to the stable.’ Tantony regarded his warriors. ‘We’ll form a rear-guard up the path there for our men from the bridge until they get in to the hold. Rosa, have your archers man the inner walls.’
She was about to obey when she realised it wasn’t the best plan. He was probably just trying to get them out of the way and keep them safe. She dared to speak up. ‘Merkis, pardon me but we aren’t actually very good. If we try to shoot from the inner wall, we would be just as likely to hit our own men. We should man the outer wall and shoot when you’re clear.’ A blush burnt her cheeks.
Tantony studied her as he thought over her words, weighing necessity against the lives of the women and children. Rosa didn’t envy him. ‘Very well. Get them up on the outer wall but stay low and hidden. Let’s draw those Chemmen in close and make them think we are poorly defended. Uzra here will keep watch and signal when you should stand and fire, so make sure everyone is watching him. The moment myself, Evin, or Uzra tell you to fall back, you all go to the inner walls, no argument.’
Rosa gave a curtsy. ‘Yes, Merkis.’ She lifted the hem of her dress and ran for the hold, her heart thundering in her ears. Catya ran ahead of her, her face determined with not a trace of fear. Rosa hesitated as they reached the doors of the fort, uncertain how to take command. A pigeon flew out and up from the Merkis’ study window.
She was shocked, and a little in awe, when the previously silent Catya went straight into the great hall and bellowed, ‘Rosa’s archers! Get your weapons!
Rosa snapped her mouth shut and drew in a breath to straighten her spine. The old queen had never taught this kind of thing to her ladies-in-waiting, perhaps she should have! She couldn’t help but feel proud and impressed as the women and children scrambled to be ready in just a few minutes. Catya brought her bow and quiver, handing them over almost reverentially.
‘Okay.’ Rosa cleared her throat to try again, forcing more volume and feigning confidence. She gave them Tantony’s instructions and, with no further speeches, led them out and up onto the ramparts. The few male archers they had gave way somewhat grudgingly. Uzra was already in place and gestured for them to get down and settle. Rosa and Catya joined him and she couldn’t help but peep up over the wall past him to see what was happening below.
Their warriors were hurrying toward the trees even as ships appeared on the lake from the river, one of them still smoking where it had been fired. Rosa gasped at the number and size of the vessels. Then the sound of shouting came from within the trees and every muscle in her body tensed. Their men from the bridge came running out, many of them injured. They were ushered through their waiting warriors, Rosa spotted Tantony at their head and her pulse thundered in her ears. His warriors made a sudden surge forward and there was a clash of metal as the pursuing Chemmen fell upon them.
‘Get down!’ Uzra hissed at her. ‘They’re starting the retreat!’
Several of the male archers fired off shots, just enough to make the Chemmen pause and give their warriors the slightest of advantages. Rosa found her eyes glued to Uzra, watching his eyes, waiting for him to move. The warrior raised his arm.
‘Archers!’
She sprang up, nocking an arrow as she turned to look over the wall. The Northold warriors were almost in but they were seriously overwhelmed in number, there must have been over a hundred Chemmen. Rosa fired, amazed at herself when her arrow struck one man in the shoulder. Arrows hummed and thudded home; the Chemmen retreated toward the woods and she heard the gate slam shut below her.
Tantony was quickly with them to assess their situation with Uzra. Rosa gripped her bow hard to stop her hands shaking. Beside her Catya wore a wild grin on her face.
‘Do you think they’ll go back to join their comrades?’ Uzra asked.
Tantony shook his head. ‘We can’t count on that. They’ll be more cautious now, spend some time checking us out.’
‘Merkis!’ One of the men shouted and pointed back toward the forest. Something moved in the shadows, it looked like a man, but its movement was all wrong. It swayed out from between the trees, arms hanging as though it didn’t know what to do with them. Rosa let out a small cry and immediately felt embarrassed.
‘Gods damn, it’s one of our people!’ Tantony swore, then remembered there were women present. ‘Sorry.’
‘No, don’t apologise.
’ Rosa shook her head, her eyes wide as she watched the creature stagger closer.
‘It means they have a necromancer,’ Catya murmured.
Rosa and Tantony regarded each other in horror.
‘The kid’s right,’ Tantony growled. ‘Or at least they had one fighting against our people at the bridge, we can only pray they didn’t hang about.’
‘There’s more!’ Uzra pointed.
Sure enough, seven more came jerking out of the trees. As they came closer, they seemed to become more co-ordinated, faster, surer of their movement.
‘We need fire,’ Tantony turned to Uzra. ‘Get the men to shoot them down with fire arrows!’ He glanced at Rosa, ‘No offense to the women.’
Rosa shrugged.
‘They look wet.’ Catya pulled herself up to see better over the wall.
‘They do.’ Rosa frowned. A brazier was lit, and several archers touched their specially prepared arrows to it. There was something not right about the water soaking the dead men, it looked too thick to her, somehow …
‘Oil!’ she cried. ‘Stop, Tantony, they are covered in oil!’
‘Hold!’ he bellowed.
One arrow sailed up over the ramparts and struck an undead in the chest. At once flames billowed upward to engulf it. Instead of falling it began a staggered run toward them.
‘Damn it, it’s going to burn down the gate!’ Tantony looked around for inspiration.
‘Water!’ Rosa shouted so loudly it strained her throat. ‘Ladies! Buckets of water!’
‘Not enough time!’ Tantony shook his head. He pushed past her and went hurtling down the steps. ‘Open the gate!’ he commanded. His men looked at him as though he’d gone crazy. ‘Let it in! Quickly! Save the gate!’
Understanding dawned, and they dragged the gates open as the creature reached a sprint to throw itself at the wood and iron. Tantony drew his sword and Rosa grabbed Catya by the shoulders as the Merkis swung it, charging at the flaming human torch. With a roar he took out its legs, rolling away as his clothes ignited. Two of the warriors fell upon him, beating at the flames with their own shirts, hastily removed. Others shouldered the gates to close them again while Uzra hurled a spear to pin the monstrosity to the ground.
