Clearing the Web

by Cary J Lenehan

  “Astrid, my wife, thinks that she is in love with Hulagu, but will not admit it, even to herself. She is, like me, on a lifetime mission. She has more difficulty in her mission than I do, as I am not sure that she can enter the Caliphate again as easily as I have entered here. I do not think that she has even made an attempt to report, and the Caliph was possibly very glad to see her go away and out of his land. She is good at her job, very good, and she trains some of the women, and even me, in some of the things that she has learnt. She has made us swear not to pass these things on without her permission, but I can say that it was worth that oath to learn.”

  “Now tell me about your wife. I do not believe that I told you to marry.”

  You didn’t tell me not to either. “It started off in the same way as your granddaughter’s romance, Your Majesty. We were both more than a little drunk and seeking something. I woke in the morning and realised that I was in love.”

  “You had not forbidden me this, and, if I was going to be away for my lifetime, the Princess would still live longer than me. I wanted children to take over my task. My wife and I are still in some discussion over this, but she sort of accepts the possibility that they will inherit my task. We now have two fine children.

  “In fact, our village is blessed with children. We have two priests, and they are diligent in their duties. None of the children has died, and although one came close, no mother has died in giving birth.

  “My wife is an Insakharl from Wolfneck, and we must go there soon to cleanse it of her intended husband at least. He is an agent of the Masters. She is beautiful and strong and brave. She stood alone against the entire Hobgoblin force, admittedly she had magic to help her, but she would have done so without it.”

  “So, your little village wishes to cleanse the whole world of these Masters, does it?”

  “Your Majesty, we have only just realised that there is far more to the world than the Land. You would have to ask the Princesses, but I believe that this is what they somehow intend. When we go out of the village, with the possibility of dying or of killing some of the Masters or their creatures; more always want to go along than we can take. We have a village of plenty, and yet everyone is willing to risk their lives.

  “The women hate the Masters for what was done to them. They also hate their servants and they want to wipe them all out.” He paused and continued with some embarrassment in his voice, “And the rest of us are getting the same way.

  “While I was away last, Astrid took two of the women to her bed to keep them company, and she told me of having to hold one of them every night as she moaned and cried out in her dreams about what had been done to her as a small child on the night she first arrived, pleading with a man to stop continually raping her.

  “Verily (she is the one who is married to the Hob) was also brought in as a child and she cannot readily accept a normal Human, either man or woman, as a lover. Until she had Aziz, she was scarcely Human herself in the way that she acted. Some of the others are similar, especially the children.

  “I thought that this attitude might change when we had new children in the village, but it now looks as if the new-born children have made everyone feel that this task is more important now.”

  By now, I may as well continue and risk asking a question. “Your Majesty, if you found these creatures here and caught them, what would you do?”

  “From what you have reported,” said Hrothnog, his voice now even more menacing, “they would die slowly and horribly, several times each at least. I have had it done before to such. Now, I think it is time to see my granddaughter.”

  He put something that was sewn on his sleeve to his lips and spoke into it. “Get my granddaughter and her husband, and bring them to the private audience chamber. They are in one of the guest suites. Tell her to come as herself, not in disguise. Let them bring their priest, and the Insakharl woman as well. Let me know when they are here.”

  He turned back to the two in front of him. “While we wait, we will discuss your future, young man…”

  Chapter XLVII

  Theodora

  4th November

  “You were the one who wanted to come here,” Rani said to Theodora as they nervously waited out on the veranda, and with the city spread out below them, scarce noticed. “What do you want out of it? He will want to know that.”

  “I am not sure. I was hoping that he would accept us, and help us find anything of the Masters that might be in Darkreach. Apart from that, I don’t know. I do know that we have been waiting for a very long time and Basil has not returned yet. I thought that he would see us straight away once Basil told him that we were here.”

  “Basil said to stay with my disguise on in case it had to be a secret visit, and then he tells the people at Dochra who he is, and Astrid has been telling everyone almost everything,”

  I feel unhappy and even a trifle sulky. Getting back in the Palace is making me more like my old self before I left here. I don’t like that. She was just about to say something when a servant knocked at the door and entered without pausing. He was dressed in green silk trousers and a vest.

  “His Imperial Majesty, the God-King Hrothnog, commands his granddaughter to come before him, as herself, and with her husband, and her priest and the Insakharl woman,” he said. “One of you is his granddaughter?” Theodora raised a hand briefly as she started to take her eye disguise off. “Where are your husband and the others?”

  “My husband is here. He said my husband, did he?” There is a shocked look on the young man’s face. He is obviously not used to being questioned about his tasks when he gives the Emperor’s commands. He nods.

  Theodora turned to Rani: “That means that Basil has talked to him.” She turned back to the messenger. “The others are probably in their rooms.” They went out to the central room. “Father Christopher, Astrid, where are you?” Father Christopher appeared, followed, from another room, by Astrid. Others came from their rooms. Astrid has a baby at each breast and her good dress is unlaced. “We are summoned.”

  “And I have just started feeding these two. He will have to wait.” I thought that he was surprised before. The idea that an order from Hrothnog might not be obeyed promptly has made his mouth fall open in shock. Bianca noticed this and nudged the two Khitan girls. They moved forward.

  “We will look after them now, and you can do the same for us later,” said Anahita, starting to unlace her top.

  “Tuck yourself in, put some pads there and let me help you lace up.” I just shocked the messenger again.

  Bianca turned to check her husband’s presentation. She gave him a kiss and said quietly…not quiet enough…”it is your turn to keep an eye on Astrid. You are to somehow make sure that she does or says nothing foolish.” Christopher glances at Astrid. He realises exactly what his wife means.

  We are ready to leave in only a few minutes. The messenger is obviously agitated by even this delay, and more so when only I increased my pace to match his. “I am not trying to talk to the ruler of half of our world when I am all out of breath,” said Rani. “It is going to be hard enough for us all without that on top.”

  As we emerge from our rooms there are servants moving around, and they will be able to see that my Insakharl eyes have now transformed into those of a member of the Imperial family. Gossip about that will soon be speeding through the Palace. We go through several corridors and down some stairs and a set of large doors. The messenger opened them and ushered them inside.

  It is a bare room, palatial, but not large. There is another, smaller, door on the other side of the room and in front of that is a large, and ornate, chair. It is covered with gems on its sides and front and the rest, apart from the cushion, is gilt. The messenger closed the doors behind them and then bowed.

  “Wait here, please,” he said, and left through the other door.

  Rani and Theodora stood cl
ose to the chair, with Christopher and Astrid behind them. Astrid turned to Christopher. “Basil says that he can read your mind in some way,” she said, “so try and think of something else if you are not answering a question.”

  “Something else?” asked Christopher.

  “Yes, Father. Run through a liturgy, or something like that prayer you said over and over in Dwarvenholme in your head instead of letting your thoughts run. I am going to think about finding husbands for our single women. That should keep my mind occupied, or at least keep him amused. It will probably be easier for you.” She gives a slightly nervous smile.

  Soon the door at the other end of the room opened, and the Granther emerges dressed in golden silk. He is followed by an older man dressed in a dark uniform, then Basil, still dusty in the armour he arrived in, and finally a few servants or secretaries. The Granther takes the chair and the older man stands behind him. Basil gives a salute to the Granther, and then moves to stand beside Astrid and takes her hand.

  Astrid

  “Chairs,” said the figure in a voice that sounded full of doom. My God… I laughed at Basil when he described the voice. He even looks the same, sort of, you can at least see though that Theodora is related. It is not just the eyes. The bones are the same in the cheeks. Oops…think marriage, how to get husbands, good husbands for the women.

  “Fetch chairs for them all, and tables, kaf and food,” said Hrothnog. Servants scurried away. “Granddaughter,” he said, “you are looking well. I have been hearing about your marvellous valley, and what you have done out among the barbarians. I am pleased that I let you run away from here. After all this time you are finally growing up. Now, introduce me.”

  Theodora

  I am thunderstruck. Of course, Basil would report everything. He wouldn’t even think not to. He wants introductions, even though he must already know who everyone is. “Yes, Granther. This is my husband, the Princess Rani.” I cannot gesture…I am holding Rani’s hand very tightly already.

  “…And behind me you see Father Christopher, he is here to help us find anything left by the Masters and then,” she turned, “holding your Tribune’s hand is his wife, Astrid.” Basil has looked down. He did the same as me. He has quickly released her hand, but Astrid has reached out and grabbed it back and squeezed. I am sure that her hand is trembling. Astrid is actually nervous.

  Astrid

  Chairs began to appear. Two for the Princesses are at the front, and three behind them, one to the right for Father Christopher and two to the left for us. Three tables also appeared in front of them and another in front of Hrothnog. A chair has also come for the older man. It was placed beside and behind the Emperor, and he has gratefully sunk into it. Is that Basil’s Strategos? Trays appeared with kaf fragrant with cardamom.

  Do they have a room somewhere where there is always food, and kaf is continually brewed, just in case it is needed? Hrothnog gave a slight start and looked at her. Marriages; think about marriages.

  Theodora

  When everything was organised, and the servants had either left or moved to stand ready for the next request, Hrothnog spoke again. “Theodora, what is it you want of me?” The two women exchanged glances. Rani’s face has ‘I told you so’ written all over it.

  “Granther,” Calm down…take a very deep breath. She raised her hands and started pointing to a finger each time she made a point. I need to make sure that I don’t leave something out.

  “I want your permission to stay in Mousehole with Rani, and yet to still raise our daughter as a Princess of Darkreach.”

  “Second, I want a treaty between you and us, as between any two States, respecting each other, and recognising each other and promising support as it is needed. Basil will have already told you that we have found out one thing you did not already know about—at Nameless Keep—and there may well be more.”

  “Thirdly, if we are attacked by Haven, or the Swamp, or even the Caliphate, we want you to promise to either send help or to avenge us.”

  “Fourth, we want open trade with you without tolls at the border. You have a trader coming to us already. He has already increased his load to us, and we are happy with him and we trust him. Allow us to trade through him with you, not necessarily exclusively, but to a large part.”

  “Fifth, if we send you anyone, because we fear being overrun, I want them accepted as a citizen of the Empire with all of the rights that they should have.”

  “Sixthly, if any of your people wish to come and try for the hand of any of ours, then you will allow them to freely come.” She changed her count to her other hand.

  “Lastly, we might send you an Ambassador. We have one with the Dwarves. If we do, I would like you to accept them.” Breathe again. I forgot to. Hrothnog sat silent for a while.

  “Are you sure that is all, granddaughter? You do not wish something to destroy the dragon with? You do not want a tagma of troops to come back with you?”

  “No Granther. I have thought about this, and what I have asked of you anyone in our position would ask. If I asked for what you suggest, then we are always going to be beholden to you and all will think…no…all will know…that we are just an extension of Darkreach into the mountains and they will harden their hearts against us.”

  Hrothnog thought momentarily and then inclined his head. “Very wise. Then it is agreed.” He turned to where a scribe stood behind him near the wall. He has been writing the whole time! “Write that up properly in formal language, and make two copies for our signatures.”

  He turned back to the front. “Now for the rest of you. Father, you may talk to our priests. I think that you should find that your Metropolitan has nothing to worry about, and we will ask you to check all of Ardlark, as you checked when you entered the Empire. As you do this, please show our priests what you do, so that it may be done throughout the realm.” Father Christopher has signified assent.

  Astrid

  “Now, let us see this marvellous woman who has stolen one of my officers from me.” Is that me? I can feel myself blushing. “I see that we did wrong to allow your people to stay abandoned for so long. Still, what is done; is done.” He is looking hard at me. There is calculation in his eyes.

  “You have had a task held in your mind. Send the girl you think most of to me. I will know her, and she will be happy with me. With my gift of minds, she can always be safe with me from taking her to places she does not want to go. I have been thinking of taking another wife for a while. I think that we will suit each other very well. You have my granddaughter now, and I will have one of yours, and a young mage to boot, as a wife to seal our agreement. Do you agree?”

  He is asking me for agreement. It must be Fãtima he has found me thinking of in my mind. There is an almost imperceptible nod as I thought her name. “Emperor, I will talk to her for you as her go-between. If it is her wish, then I will be glad for her.” Be damned with serious. “And I hope that she will be as happy with you as I am with Basil.”

  I am rewarded with shocked looks from the servants. In their minds Imperial wives do not have to be happy. They are an Imperial wife.

  Your eyes are twinkling. I have amused you.

  Theodora

  “What is more…” He is back to us now. Who does he mean? Damn Astrid. “You should appoint her your Ambassador. She will know the mind of your village, and if she keeps her marvellous saddle or you bring her another when your immediate need is passed, she can get a message to you quickly.”

  He paused in thought for a moment. “In addition, Theodora, I think that I have a request for you, and note that I do say request. You have grown up more since you left here than you did in the last one hundred and twenty years that you spent in the Palace. Do you want more children than the one you now have?” Of course I do.

  “You do realise that you have deliberately put yourself in a position where that is nearly impossible, do you not
?” Rub it in why don’t you? “When my wife has children, and she almost certainly will, then if she agrees, when they are weaned and old enough, they will be sent to you to foster and school until they are of age. Do you agree with that, and do you agree, woman husband of my granddaughter?”

  Who does he mean? There is obviously something that Astrid knows about at least one of the women that I do not. Is it wrong that my ancestor wants to have sex? Does any of that actually matter? No, not really, I suppose. “Of course, Granther.” My husband is already agreeing, even if she is not sure about what she is agreeing to.

  “Good, then this audience is done. Cat girl, get me an answer soon, then you may visit my Tribune’s family. You may talk about any of this as you wish. I am not going to keep it secret.” We all stand, and Hrothnog sweeps out of the room followed by his servants and the older man.

  Astrid

  When he has gone, the other four turn towards me. Basil spoke first: “Who does he mean, and what did his comments imply?”

  I feel very smug. “He meant Fãtima, and the rest is not my secret to tell.” I note that Father Christopher suddenly has a look of understanding on his face. I think that I will share the attention. “Breaking a secret is wrong, isn’t it, Father?” They can now all look at the priest.

  “We can go back to our rooms and I can see how our children are, and ask Fãtima if she wants to go from being just a slave girl, one with not even any knowledge of her parents, to being the Empress of Darkreach.”

  “Please tell no-one about this until I have asked her.” She then led the way out of the room. I am the one on an Imperial mission. The Princesses can trail after me.

  Chapter XLVIII

  Astrid

  4th November

  Astrid went straight away to see Fãtima. She was out on the balcony with Bilqĩs, looking at the view. “Fãtima, I need to speak to you alone. Bilqĩs, can you please leave us. You will find out why soon enough.”