by Emma Miles
‘Tantony!’ Rosa ran past the shocked warriors and down the stairs. Her aching lungs were too tight to draw in enough air and she felt a wave of dizziness.
The Merkis was getting slowly to his feet, she could see even before he reached him that his left forearm was red and blistered. ‘I’m all right.’ He waved them all aside. He took in a few breaths to steady himself while one of the women brought him a bucket of water to plunge his arm in to. He sucked air sharply into his lungs at the pain.
‘What now?’ Rosa’s shoulders rose and fell as she drew in deep breaths of her own.
Tantony looked at her. ‘No more fire arrows for a start. We wait. That’s all we can do; that and pray we can hold them off.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dia Icante: Kingdom of Elden
Dia gazed up at the high walls of Taurmaline as they rode past lines of fleeing refugees all hoping to take shelter within. She felt incredibly small.
‘Not an unwelcome sight.’ Arrus grinned at Vilnue who rode at his side. ‘Smells a bit, though.’
The Merkis laughed. ‘Worse on the inside!’
One of the Elden warriors rode ahead, clearing a way through the gate. Dia’s concern grew when she saw the amount of people already crowded within the city. If they were held under siege for long, starvation and disease would be a real problem. Merkis Vilnue guided them through the winding streets to the main keep. The king came out himself to meet them, clasping Arrus’s wrist and taking Dia’s hand to kiss her cheek.
‘Icante, Silene, welcome, we are honoured that you would come.’ His eyes glanced across those they’d brought with them. Heara, of course, along with five walkers and forty warriors. She’d left Larissa and Worvig to take charge of the Fulmers.
The king invited them in as servants led away the horses.
‘Who would have thought things would change so quickly and you would be here to defend us?’ He chatted amiably as they walked toward the throne room. Dia narrowed her eyes. She’d politely not called up her knowing but even so, her intuition prickled.
Servants were waiting with bowls of water and cloths for them to wash their hands. Food had been lain out on the tables at the edge of the room and both wine and beer were offered around. Dia’s gaze fell on the throne and the stark black seat that stood a little to the left of it.
‘Where is my daughter?’ she asked.
‘Ah.’ The king smiled although it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘She and her husband set out some days ago to assassinate the Coven Overlord in Chem.’
‘Chem!’
Several people turned around at her raised voice, including Arrus who almost choked on his beer and demanded, ‘What did you say?’
‘They’ve gone to kill Dryn Dunham and therefore end this conflict.’
Dia glanced at her husband, it was like Kesta to go charging off into danger, but with the Dark Man? ‘How long ago? Have you heard anything?’
‘This isn’t the place,’ Bractius said quietly. ‘When we’ve finished putting on this show, we’ll go and talk in a private chamber.’ He turned to Vilnue. ‘Merkis! How did you enjoy your visit to the Fulmers?’
Dia’s anger boiled. Unlike her daughter’s her temper was slow burning; however, her patience was not infinite. While she understood the need to hide some things for the sake of morale, this all felt far too false to her. She could see her husband’s face darken and he went from laughing and drinking to carefully assessing the room.
A well-dressed servant with blue-green eyes and dark hair came over to them and bowed, trying hard not to look at her mismatched eyes. ‘Icante, if you will please follow me we have a room ready for you.’
She was reluctant to leave the other walkers.
‘It’s fine.’ Arrus touched her arm.
She nodded, trusting her husband’s judgement and experience of the Elden court.
They were taken up to the room that Arrus had used on his previous visit and the same young page hovered on their heels in case they needed anything. Arrus stalked across to the window.
‘He is putting on an act, but I think he is terrified,’ Dia said.
‘He is right to be.’ He rubbed at the back of his neck. ‘Elden is a big land, and he spread his warriors too thinly to defend it.’
‘But then, if he’d pulled them all back here, this Adelphy could have taken the coast and spread his undead army across the land as they did in the Borrows.’ She sighed, perching on the edge of the table. ‘These aren’t Borrow raiders, they’re not predictable.’
‘I can’t believe Kesta’s gone to Chem.’ He walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder, his fingers unconsciously digging into her muscles, kneading to ease her tension and his own.
‘I can.’ She snorted. ‘Tell me again about Thane Jorrun, I wish I’d met him. Would you say he is a handsome man?’
Arrus scowled. ‘How would I know? Are you thinking our sea urchin has had her head turned? She’s far too sensible for that.’
Dia smiled to herself, more men had caught their daughter’s eye than Arrus would like to admit, but he was right, Kesta had learnt her lessons quickly and was careful of her heart. Anyway, it was harder to fool a walker, though not impossible. No, it was more likely Kesta had seen a chance to take it upon herself to save them all and taken it. As much as she trusted and respected her daughter, she couldn’t help but be afraid for her alone in Chem but for the Dark Man.
Someone knocked loudly at their door and Arrus opened it to find a steward standing with their page.
‘Your majesties, the king has asked to see you at once.’
Arrus grinned at the title and Dia couldn’t help but enjoy his amusement. ‘Lead the way.’
The steward took them to a small room away from the throne room. They found the king pacing there with two warriors they hadn’t yet met. Merkis Vilnue reached the door only moments after they did, forcing a thin-lipped smile of greeting.
‘Ah, come in! Close the door behind you, Vilnue.’ Bractius pulled at his beard, his eyebrows drawn in tight towards his nose. He didn’t meet their eyes until the door was shut. ‘Taurmouth has fallen. The harbour was breached, and the town overrun. Their sorcerers set everything alight and from the level of destruction it seems unlikely they intend to make a base of it from which to strike. I’ve sent commands for all warriors to head for the river or for Taurmaline. It seems we must have one large and decisive battle rather than the skirmishes we are used to.’
‘No matter what you did they would change their attack to match it.’ Dia felt a little sympathy for him. ‘Is there any account of how many sorcerers they might have?’
One of the men shook his head. ‘There was not much detail in the message.’
‘But from the damage done it sounds like there are several,’ she mused aloud.
‘Maps!’ The king pointed at the table and his steward quickly placed down a scroll and unrolled it. ‘I think we should avoid a siege if possible. I imagine these necromancers have no difficulty getting past gates and walls.’ His eyes ran down the wide blue line that marked the river. ‘Your daughter and the Thane have done some work to strengthen the defences at the bridge here. I should have married a Fulmer woman myself.’
Dia and Arrus caught each other’s eyes but remained diplomatically silent.
Merkis Vilnue spoke up, addressing Dia and Arrus. ‘Ordinarily it would take about two days and two nights for someone to sail up the river from Taurmouth to Taurmaline. If they use magic as you do—’
‘I’ve witnessed a necromancer use elemental magic in a similar way to that which we do in the Fulmers.’ Dia looked from the Merkis to the king. ‘They could use wind and even water to speed their way here, although it would deplete their energy before they got here.’
‘I’m all for them depleting their energy.’ The corner of the king’s mouth twitched upward. ‘I’ve sent archers to harry the riverbank and warriors to meet them should they come ashore before the lake.’
‘I could sa
il down river to meet them if you have a suitable ship.’ Dia saw her husband open his mouth to protest, but she stilled him with a look. ‘It would, of course, deplete my energy but I could do some serious damage to his ships.’
Bractius regarded her with his eyes narrowed. ‘It’s an option worth considering. The other fire-walkers would stay here?’
‘I’d be wise to take one other with me.’
Bractius turned back to his map. ‘Let’s see how much damage we can do with traditional warfare first before risking you, Icante. If he gets more than halfway up the river with most of his ships and warriors intact, then you shall have my royal ship and the best crew I can give you.’ He looked over his shoulder at Merkis Vilnue. ‘Make sure everything is ready in case you have to sail at short notice.’
‘Yes, Majesty.’
‘That is all for now.’
The three Merkis bowed and left, Vilnue trying to indicate in as subtle a way as he could that the king had also dismissed her and Arrus.
Dia folded her arms and tilted her chin to regard the Elden King. ‘What of our daughter?’
Bractius smiled politely, but it didn’t reach his eyes. She noticed his left hand clench briefly. ‘I’ve had no news of her or Jorrun since his Merkis arrived back at Northold. I’m afraid all I know is that Jorrun was meant to go alone. It was his idea; he believes that if we kill Dryn Dunham, the necromancers here will all go running back to fight over their Seats. I couldn’t say why Kesta chose to go too.’
She quickly called up her knowing, she was in time to sense some confusion from the king. Part of him was pleased but there was also a bitter tang of annoyance.
‘A dangerous, perhaps foolish, plan, but one that would indeed change things if they succeed,’ Dia acknowledged.
The king stood looking at them with his eyebrows raised, Dia’s nostrils flared and she stubbornly remained where she was.
‘Um, perhaps we could let the walkers know what’s happening?’ Arrus shifted his feet.
Dia smiled without turning away from the king. ‘Yes. Until later, your majesty.’ She gave a slight nod of her head.
‘Icante.’ He nodded politely back.
Once outside, Arrus hissed under his breath, ‘Is this really the best time and place to be contesting who has the biggest balls?’
She grinned up at him. ‘You know that will always be me.’
He pursed his lips and shook his head but there was a spark of amusement in his eyes.
‘Bractius needs to remember that I am his equal.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Not his to command or dismiss.’
***
Messages came by bird and by horse, several scouts risked their lives to send them news. It seemed that an army of some two hundred dead had been loosed on the streets of Taurmouth and they speculated that they were there to keep Adelphy’s retreat open should he need it. It also meant that he must be intending to leave at least one, if not more, necromancer at the harbour town. It was mid-afternoon on their third day at Taurmaline that they received a summons to attend the king’s private audience room. Adelphy was on the move and had begun his journey up the Taur.
Reports came in throughout the rest of the day and on through the night. Archers had been thwarted by unnatural winds, fires had sprung up in riverside villages pushing back their warriors. The Chemmen progressed steadily closer and for the most part unopposed.
‘They are using up their power though.’ Dia tried to give them some small amount of encouragement. ‘I wonder, though …’
‘What?’ Bractius waved a hand at her.
‘They are expending magical power rather than wasting warriors. It makes me wonder if they know that Thane Jorrun isn’t here.’
‘You think that Jorrun may have been captured? Or even killed?’ Bractius bit briefly at his thumbnail. He stood up, his eyes glancing over his maps. ‘It suggests they don’t know you’re here.’
‘Or perhaps they no longer fear Jorrun since Karinna captured him dream-walking,’ Dia suggested. ‘As for walkers, despite the fact we have killed several of them, I think they’re too arrogant and misogynistic to fear a woman still.’
‘I think we are going to have to teach them to fear you.’ Bractius looked her in the eyes.
She nodded.
‘I’ll ready the ship.’ Merkis Vilnue straightened up and headed for the door.
***
‘I should come,’ Arrus growled.
She reached up to put a hand to his bearded cheek. ‘You should stay, I need someone here I know will protect the other walkers from Bractius as well as Adelphy.’ She turned away to slide a dagger into her boot. ‘Heara has my back.’
‘Just return to me,’ he mumbled.
She kissed him quickly and slapped his rear. ‘Stay out of trouble!’
Heara stood in the door grinning and she blew a kiss to Arrus as they hurried from the room.
‘Fetch Everlyn,’ she asked Heara. ‘She has the most battle experience of the other walkers. Meet me at the ship.’
Heara nodded and ran off with her swift but energy conserving lope. Dia herself went to where their warriors were being housed and pointed at five of them to accompany her. They made their way down through the city to the wharves and she recognised the ship that was the king’s at once. She’d expected something showy, all gilt and polish, but this ship was a sturdy warship built for speed.
‘Icante!’ Merkis Vilnue spotted her and waved at her to come aboard. ‘We’ll be on our way within the hour.’
She hurried up the gangplank to join him.
‘I’ll show you your quarters.’
‘I don’t need quarters.’ She looked past him and then made her way to the prow. Stretching out her knowing she got a feel for the ship. Although it was not alive, such a vessel often took on the feel of the crew and its captain through the once living wood. There was determination. Courage.
Good.
‘I need room here for myself, Everlyn, Heara, and two of my archers,’ she told Vilnue without looking around. ‘Tell your men to expect storms, bad storms. Keep us from running aground, be prepared to fend off boarders. When any of my people tell you to, you must get your rowers to take us back up river as quickly as they can. I don’t see the point in getting us all killed if we can prevent it.’
‘Yes, Icante.’
‘Oh, and if you hurt Heara, you’ll have me to deal with.’
‘I think it far more likely she will rip my heart out, Icante. Probably eat it too.’
She turned to stare at him and then laughed as his serious face turned in to a grin. ‘Yes, most likely,’ she conceded. She turned back to look across the lake and her resolve faltered. Adelphy was by all accounts a very powerful man. She wished that Doraquael had been able to cross the sea to come with her, the spirit gave her courage. It was not unusual for walkers to fight in battles but rarely had they ever competed against other magic users. They sometimes trained together and always worked with an apprentice; this was something new though.
‘Icante?’ Vilnue took a step toward her.
‘Be ready to sail,’ she replied firmly.
***
Heara, Everlyn, and two of the Fulmer warriors joined her as they set the sails and headed out across the lake; the other three Fulmer warriors standing guard. Dia gripped the railing and watched the shoreline pass. Lake Taur was almost half the size of Fulmer Isle. In the distance she spotted the top of a tower rearing up beyond the trees. Merkis Vilnue saw the direction of her gaze and placed a hand near hers on the railing.
‘That’s the Raven Tower. Northold, where your daughter is now the lady.’
Her muscles tightened, and she struggled to keep the resentment and anger from her face. She had no way of knowing if her daughter was even still alive.
As they approached the bridge, she saw that archery towers had been recently constructed from poles and planks. Men hurried forward to man the winches and two sections of the bridge began to lift upward to allow their tall masts
to pass through.
‘Vilnue, warn those men to get to high ground and beware of the river.’ Dia regarded the faces of the warriors as they drew closer. Men she would probably never know or meet but whom she was here to fight beside. But for their paler skin they could just as easily have been Fulmer men.
Night had set in when a rider came pounding down the tow path. He pulled up sharply and waved wildly at them. ‘Hello, king’s ship!’ He hailed.
‘We hear you, man!’ Vilnue inflated his lungs to bellow back.
‘Enemy ships half a mile downriver!’
Vilnue gave a wave of acknowledgement and the man kicked at the horse and was away at once.
Dia gripped the railing and took in a long breath before turning to address those around her. ‘Vilnue, we need to move the ship to the side of the river, somewhere where it will not smash into trees when the river rises. Everlyn will do her best to protect us from the elements. Heara, you know what to do. I want you men to take any opportunity you can to shoot down the Chemmen necromancers.’
Merkis Vilnue strode away to shout out his orders. Dia didn’t wait but closed her eyes to concentrate on heating the air. Very soon vapour formed and thickened, rising up to become a dark thunderhead above them. Light flickered and glowed deep within it and thunder growled like an angry cat.
She stopped the flow of the river, letting the water build up into a wall that battered against her wind shield while Everlyn formed a second shield to separate the ship from the huge wave that was forming. Fat, warm drops of rain began to splatter against the deck, stinging where it fell on skin. Several of the Eldemen cried out in alarm at the growing mountain of water that towered higher and higher above them. With a nod at Everlyn Dia let it all go. Water broke over them and Dia sent a swirl of wind upward to strengthen Everlyn’s barrier and they found themselves in a black tunnel of water. No one chastised the men who threw themselves to the deck and covered their heads, sucking in air as though they feared suffocation.
