Moonblood

by Martin Ash

  ‘Waver so much as once from that which is said to be,

  Remould or recast to the most paltry degree,

  And your hopes and your longings will scatter…

  Then you shall see that Ravenscrag’s birth will be

  Not to its saviour but to its Iniquity.’

  ‘Iniquity?’ I said.

  Sheerquine opened her eyes and gave a slight shrug. ‘That is what is stated.’

  ‘But there’s more, surely?’

  She stared at me fixedly for some seconds, breathing deeply, her breasts rising and falling beneath her grey robe. Her green eyes held a look that was almost challenging. ‘There’s further reference, Master Dinbig. I don’t recall it in its entirety now, but it implies that Molgane’s bane can still be nullified even after its effects have become apparent. It can be done only by a specific person. That person is described as ‘the one who comes from afar, bringing uncommon knowledge and shattered gifts.’

  It took a moment to sink in. Then I returned her stare, dumbstruck. Here, apparently, was the answer to Ulen Condark’s question as to why I alone had not been imprisoned with all the others of Ravenscrag’s guests. And why I, who by dint of my magic might be most suspected of being involved in Redlock’s abduction but had instead been appointed to investigate it.

  It was written in the prophecy! Somehow, at least by Sheerquine’s and Flarefist’s reckoning, I played a part in Ravenscrag’s fate.

  ‘There is one other thing,’ said Lady Sheerquine, her gaze unwavering. ‘It states not only that the person may find the means to lift the bane, but that the price of his success may be his own life.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  ‘Mystery upon mystery upon unfathomable mystery, and now a sentence of death into the bargain!’ I flopped back in my seat, suddenly exhausted.

  Cametta gazed at me with concern. She had received me, somewhat to my disappointment, in her parlour. Unrealistically, I know, I’d entertained hopes of something more. An hour or two of rapture-enhanced erotic play would have provided solace and distraction, which was something I was in need of just now, notwithstanding my burns. Over the past fifteen hours my mind had become a tumult of unrest, the puzzles and insanities of the day clamouring and babbling there relentlessly. I longed for diversion.

  Darean Monsard was still at the castle. His duties weighed heavily on him just now, and Cametta had seen nothing of him since last night. Nor did she know when to expect him back.

  The temptation was there, but we both know that to make love in her home at present would be inviting trouble. Now, of all times, we couldn’t afford to arouse the slightest suspicion.

  Upon my arrival Cametta’s first utterance had been of shock, though her reaction was tempered by the constraints of our situation. ‘What’s happened to your face and arms?’

  I related to her much of what I’d been through since we’d last spoken. Lani brought dark ale, fruit cordial and biscuits. I drank the ale gratefully, and as I finished my account Cametta said, ‘You must escape,’ then added in a near-whisper, leaning towards me with a nervous glance towards the door: ‘Take me with you.’

  ‘I can do neither. Sheerquine made it plain at our initial interview this morning that she had me under surveillance. Now, with her latest revelation, she has assigned a pair of lurching guards to me, that I might be under no illusions as to my standing. Their orders seem to be to stomp beside me wherever I go, clattering and clanging to the highest degree of their capabilities. They were with me as I came here from the castle; they await me outside now and will stomp back with me when I leave. They will no doubt sleep clangingly outside my door and will be stomping at my back throughout every waking moment, whether it be in the pursuance of my investigations or the voiding of my bowels!’

  ‘Can’t you elude or disable them with magic?’

  ‘I could, but it would gain me no advantage.’ In a few words I endeavoured to explain to her something of the nature and limitations of Zan-Chassin shamanism. ‘And moreover, Sheerquine and Flarefist have me in their jaws. For the sake of those poor folk held now in Ravenscrag’s dungeons, and those foreign dignitaries who are confined to their chambers, I’m compelled to strive to resolve this murky business. If Flarefist has free rein, any or all of them may die. War looms and dark forces seem to gather to create mayhem; doom hangs over Ravenscrag and I, unhappily, have a part to play. I would rather shrug my shoulders and walk away, but I can’t.’

  ‘I’ll speak to Sheerquine,’ Cametta volunteered. ‘We are friends. I’ve given her counsel in the past and she has heeded me. I think she’ll do so now. And Darean, if I tell him what’s amiss, will add his words to mine and give them more weight.’

  I shook my head ruefully. ‘My love, you can’t. Sheerquine knows about us. This is the greatest threat she holds over me. You are yet another pawn in her desperate game.’

  Cametta gave a gasp of horror. ‘Oh, the gods! Darean! He’ll kill me!’

  ‘Darean knows nothing,’ I hissed, glancing to the door. ‘That is Sheerquine’s threat; if I fail to do her bidding, he will be told.’

  Cametta was white with shock. ‘Then we must escape. Together. And with my son, Alfair.’

  I would have taken her hand to comfort her but household staff passed to and fro beyond the open door. So I shook my head and said only, ‘That’s not the way.’

  ‘Then how can we be saved?’

  ‘I have to do as I’m bid, to the best of my ability. That way you, at least, will be safe.’

  ‘But that may be your death sentence.’

  ‘I’ve heard Sheerquine’s malediction, it’s true, but I’ve yet to see the written word. Nothing is certain, I’m convinced of that. Moreover, I count myself fortunate that I’m not a man of exceptional courage. I’ll not rush heroically, blades flashing, into an affray, but rather will take every precaution to protect my tender skin and preserve my well-being. I am attached to life and its bounties. I’m still young and have no desire yet to drink the bitter draught of death. So, I will proceed guardedly, with senses pared and nerves a-twitch. If, as Sheerquine has stated, my death is implied in this mystery’s unravelling, then at least I’m forewarned, and thus forearmed. And my first task must be to unearth Molgane’s bane, for therein, it’s plain, are surely keys to the unlocking of this dire business.’

  Cametta furrowed her lovely brow. ‘Molgane’s bane?’

  I’d forgotten, she knew nothing of the bane. In my explanation I’d made only oblique reference to it as a missing section of the prophecy. My reservation wasn’t out of consideration of my promise of silence to Lady Sheerquine; I had no qualms, ethical or moral, on that score. But I did not want Cametta to become alarmed, nor to speak of the bane to others. ‘It’s just a name given to the missing part of the prophecy,’ I said, feigning nonchalance. ‘But understand that I’ve taken you into my confidence. I need both your comfort and your counsel, but say nothing to any other of what has passed between us here. It is our secret.’

  ‘My love, of course.’

  ‘Tell me what you know of the misfortunes that have befallen Ravenscrag in your lifetime. How did they come about?’

  Cametta narrowed her eyes and pouted her lips momentarily in concentration. She gave a small shrug of her shoulders. ‘I don’t know a lot. For many years, going back to before my birth, there have been political differences with House Condark. It’s widely held that Condark wishes to add Ravenscrag to its dominion. But there’s never been open conflict on that score, only coolness in relations, as far as I’m aware. The greater misfortune has come about through the long-term squandering of funds.’

  ‘By Flarefist?’

  ‘He’s responsible in part, certainly. He has frittered away untold amounts of the Ravenscrag fortune on lavish galas, fetes, pageants… He has always been given to extravagance, bestowing generous gifts upon those who please him. This very house was given to Darean in return for his service. And at the same time Flarefist has failed to properly mai
ntain his properties and estates. He has done nothing to encourage development or economic growth. He is remiss in collecting dues, and has allowed taxes to remain unrealistically low rather than incur the resentment of the people. But he isn’t solely responsible. His forebears acted in a similar manner; he merely carried on in the way of generations.’

  ‘But it must have been evident for many years, perhaps decades, that the coffers could not support such extravagances,’ I mused, and thought to myself: Almost as if the successive lords of Ravenscrag were induced, or indeed possessed, to behave in such a manner.

  I stopped myself. Was it not demonstrably in our basic nature to partake short-sightedly of the pleasures of the moment at the possible expense of long-term interests? Indulgence was the norm wherever the harshness of life gave space to admit it. It was a vast leap of the imagination to associate it with supernatural possession.

  Yet the thought lingered, and I cursed again that I was unable to view the written words of Molgan’s bane.

  ‘Tell me, what was the feeling when it was learned that Lady Sheerquine was pregnant with Redlock?’

  ‘Oh, immense joy!’

  ‘Mingled, surely, with apprehension? For since Moonblood, hadn’t she lost four infants at or near birth?’

  ‘Yes. But when the pregnancy was announced it was with a feeling of euphoria, of being at one with destiny. Most especially when Irnbold and Elmag gave their forecasts. For the prophecy has for so long been on everyone’s lips, and now, suddenly, here it was, a time foretold. You can’t imagine how we all felt. Such hope, Dinbig. Yes, in our hearts we questioned whether it could possibly be true. But all the signs were there. Even the most cynical among us were drawn to believe.’

  And I thought: And quite possibly you were not mistaken, for the prophecy appears to have come true, but in its fullness, in the parts known only to a few.

  ‘Didn’t one of those four babies, the one most recently born, survive its birth?’

  Cametta gave a sad nod. ‘By a few days. She was a little girl, born two weeks early. Yet for all that she was a good size. She might have survived had not the weather been so bitterly cold and damp. Her nurse found her dead in her crib one morning.’

  ‘Am I right in thinking Moonblood was very fond of her?’

  ‘She doted on her. She was so distressed when the baby died. Moonblood is a lonely girl.’

  ‘Was the baby named?’

  Cametta nodded. ‘Misha.’

  ‘How long ago did this occur?’

  ‘About three years.’

  I sipped my ale and wondered how things might have turned out had the unfortunate infant lived. After some moments of reflection I said, ‘It has struck me as odd that while witchery is outlawed here, and is met with summary punishment, old Elmag is permitted to practise her craft – that is, she has been until now. And Irnbold too, for that matter.’

  ‘Elmag is a farseer, not a witch. She has never cast spells, nor brewed potions, nor taken a familiar. She gives neither blessing nor curses; she simply divines. Her gift has been validated on a number of occasions over many years. Long ago she won Flarefist’s confidence by predicting perfidy on the part of a local baron, Vesmund by name. Acting on Elmag’s advise Flarefist secretly visited one of Vesmund’s confidantes and learned, though threats and cajolements, that Vesmund planned his, Flarefist’s, murder. It would be passed off as a hunting accident. Thus, as Vesmund rode to join the hunt he was set upon and killed by persons unknown.’

  ‘Hardly an unequivocal demonstration of Elmag’s powers of clairvoyance, but point taken. What of Irnbold?’

  ‘Astrology is a science, a method of interpretation. We all desire a glimpse of what the future may hold. Irnbold has provided advice, comfort and insights into the life-problems of many of us, without recourse to witchery.’

  I smiled. ‘You sound like an expert astrologer.’

  ‘Irnbold has taught me something of the rudiments of his craft.’

  ‘As he did Moonblood. Do you know anything of giants?’

  Cametta shook her head. ‘There are none.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Perhaps far to the north, towards the mountains of the deep interior. It’s possible a few still exist there, I’m told. They haven’t been seen near human settlements for a hundred years or more.’

  ‘But there are other things in the forest.’

  She gave a small shudder. ‘So it’s said. Even our woodsmen don’t venture further than they need into the forest.’

  I sat back, thoughtful. Cametta’s face was set in questioning concentration, but she smiled when she saw that I was gazing at her. A strand of long brown hair had fallen in front of her face. I leaned towards her. ‘Cametta, I ache to take you in my arms and make love to you. Is there no way that we could contrive to spend an hour or so alone together?’

  ‘Oh, my love, I want nothing more. But it’s impossible, you know it is. For all I know Darean may be on his way home even now, and I can’t come to you at the castle. The only way is that we leave this place somehow, together, with my son. Then I’ll be with you for all time.’

  Its impracticality aside, this wasn’t what I’d had in mind. But she was right, and I’d known it. Giving way to our passions now might prove a fatal error.

  ‘I have to return, then, unfortunately, and get on with this strange and complex business.’

  We both stood, and Cametta gazed at me anxiously. ‘I’m afraid. For you, for me, for us all.’

  I took her hand and bent to kiss it, inhaling her perfume, allowing my lips to linger just a second or two upon the mounds of her knuckles. ‘Calm your fears. I won’t allow you to be harmed. Remember, say nothing.’

  She gave a sharp gasp. Her eyes were wide, focused behind me. I released her hand and turned. In the doorway stood her husband, Darean Monsard.

  ‘Master Dinbig,’ he said without warmth, advancing with a swagger into the room. ‘I’m surprised to find you here. Surely your time is taken up entirely at the castle?’

  ‘Not entirely, Captain. I am first and foremost a merchant, remember.’

  ‘A merchant who lacks access to his goods, I believe.’ He lifted the jug of ale and, there being no third mug, brought it directly to his lips and drank.

  ‘Master Dinbig came here to apologise, Darean,’ Cametta put in with an admirable tone of indignation. ‘Yesterday I gave him an order for new gowns and some outfits for Alfair. Now he brings me the news that he can’t deliver due to restrictions placed upon him. He says he is denied access to his stock. Is this true?’

  Jug in hand, her husband moved to her and threw a muscular arm about her shoulders. ‘It is.’

  ‘Then it’s too much! I was so looking forward to receiving those garments today. I have nothing to wear now.’

  ‘Which is just how I like it!’ leered Monsard. He pushed his face in front of hers. ‘Now, does a husband get a welcome-home kiss?’

  I suppressed my anger: he was her husband, after all.

  ‘It’s not good enough, Darean. They are such beautiful clothes. I am so disappointed.’

  Cametta tried to move away but her husband’s arm kept her to him. She used her feigned disappointment to justify denying him the kiss, though. He frowned. ‘Ah, so that’s how it is. Very well, I’ll speak to Sheerquine when I return to the castle. Will that do?’ He looked back at me with an unpleasant smile. ‘Nothing but the best for my wife, eh, Master Merchant?’

  ‘Quite so. Madam Cametta is deserving of only the very finest.’

  ‘And she has it, in me!’ He laughed and swigged more ale from the jug. ‘And now, I believe you were leaving, weren’t you? My beautiful wife and wish to be alone.’

  He winked, his tongue sliding along his lips. ‘And I have to say, Master Merchant, you are not looking your best today. A touch too much sun?’

  Ignoring the jibe, fighting down my feelings, I wished them both good-day and departed.

  ~

  I returned to the castle
, my two lummocking guards stomping along at my shoulders. I was making for Moonblood’s chamber, to look again in the hope of finding some clue. Passing through the main wing I came upon Lady Sheerquine, who was instructing a maid upon some household duty in a side passage off one of the main corridors. I stopped and addressed her.

  ‘My lady, I would have a very brief word with you if it’s not inconvenient.’

  Her green eyes flickered over me unwelcomingly, but she sent the maid on her way, then spoke to the guards. ‘You two, wait along the corridor.’ She turned back to me. ‘What is it? Please be brief, I’m very busy.’

  ‘Firstly, this latest move on your part is intolerable. How can I be expected to conduct investigations in a full, proper and discreet manner with a pair of coarse, clanking troopers forever at my side? I can’t possibly proceed under these conditions.’

  ‘What would you have me do?’

  ‘Remove them.’

  ‘So that you might remove yourself? Come now, Master Dinbig. I’ve already cautioned you not to take me for a fool.’

  ‘I am a man of honour. I have given you my word – ‘

  ‘No, you are not. You are a sly opportunist who considers his own skin before all others. What do you care about us? Nothing! And I’ll wager that when you know your own life is at risk you care nothing for your men – or Cametta, either.’

  ‘Lady Sheerquine, were I to attempt to escape, the odds are heavily against me, as you must acknowledge. The fact is that, regardless of Molgane’s bane, my best hope is to continue here to try to bring about a satisfactory end to this mystery. But I can’t do that – it’s impossible – with two lumbering jobbernowls endlessly clonking at my side.’

  Sheerquine surveyed me down the length of her nose. ‘I will give the matter due consideration. Is that all?’

  ‘One other thing. Tell me, how did you come to name your daughter Moonblood?’

  Her chin rose and a wariness crept into her gaze. ‘It was a decision made between my husband and myself. The name appealed. Why?’