The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  Carrie and Leisha nodded.

  ‘Remember and act drunk,’ whispered Carrie.

  ‘Act?’ said Leisha, laughing. ‘I’m fucking hammered.’

  They got to their feet, Lennox and Leisha swaying. They leant over to haul Cain up, but stumbled, and Lennox staggered backwards, nearly falling into the fire.

  The other guards laughed as they watched.

  ‘That’s our cue,’ said one of the Rakanese merchants. ‘If Kellach Brigdomin are this drunk, it’s time for sleep.’

  Lennox tried again, and gripped onto one of Cain’s shoulders, and Leisha helped him drag the unconscious ex-soldier over to their tent.

  ‘Night, all,’ said Carrie as she untied the entrance.

  ‘Aye, good night,’ called over the guard from before.

  Lennox tripped on one of the guy ropes, and they tumbled through the open flap.

  ‘Fucksake,’ cried Leisha as she tried to untangle herself from the heap they made by the front of the tent. Carrie stepped over them and lit a small oil lamp, then closed the tent flap behind them. Lennox pulled himself up, and dragged Cain by one arm over to his sleeping pallet. Leisha remained where she was on the ground. Her fingers went into a pocket and withdrew the keenweed. Carrie brought the lamp over for her, and she lit one off it, taking a long drag.

  Her eyes widened. ‘Pyre’s arsecrack, my fucking head.’

  She threw a weedstick over to Lennox, who missed it.

  ‘Shit,’ he mumbled. He bent over to pick it up, and toppled onto the floor, laughing.

  Leisha stood, and took another draw. Lennox felt his eyes close, then a hand was pulling his arm up. A weedstick was inserted into his mouth, and finger gripped his nostrils. He took a deep breath, then spluttered, coughing and gagging as the keenweed ripped through his system. A pounding headache developed behind his eyes, but his mind began to clear. He moved into a sitting position, his legs crossed under him, and glanced at Leisha.

  ‘Tomorrow’s going to be fun.’

  ‘What’s the plan?’ said Carrie.

  Lennox frowned. ‘What were we doing again?’

  Carrie stared at him. ‘The bandits, Lennox. Remember?’

  ‘Oh aye. Shit.’ He rubbed his face. ‘Alright, get your armour on. Quietly.’

  Leisha thumbed at Cain. ‘What about him? I doubt even keenweed would wake him now.’

  ‘Leave him,’ said Lennox, standing. He reached for his leathers and strapped them on, his body going through the motions despite the searing pain in his skull. His thoughts raced as he dressed, going over the myriad plans that the bandits might be devising. There were only five of them, against seven loyal guards. They would have to deal with them first, before moving onto the wagon-master and the carriage. How would he do it? Get them drunk; then kill them while they slept, but how? Crossbows? No, fire. Torch the tents, while a couple of guards lingered outside to pick off any that managed to escape the flames.

  He pulled on his sword belt and buckled it. He was still unused to fighting with a blade, and missed the weight and feel of a mace in his hands. They had been trained in sword-work, but it had been many years since he had last practiced. They had also been issued crossbows, but of a type less accurate and robust that those supplied by the Army of Pyre. He slung his over his shoulder.

  ‘Ready?’ he said to Carrie and Leisha.

  They nodded back at him.

  ‘Alright. We’ll stay in the centre of the tent. Remain close to me at all times.’

  He dragged Cain over to the middle of the floor, and created a clear space. He picked up his shield and sat with it held vertically against the floor. Leisha and Carrie brought over the other shields and they formed a small square, with them crouching in the middle.

  ‘See if we’re wrong,’ said Leisha, as she frowned at Cain’s sleeping form, ‘we’re going to feel pretty fucking stupid in the morning.’

  Lennox nodded at Carrie. ‘Turn off the lamp, then silence.’

  Carrie picked up the lamp and twisted the valve until the flame died away. Outside, they could hear the remains of the fire burning, and further away, the low rumble of the ocean. Lennox strained his hearing, but no voices were audible. Maybe they were wrong, and it was paranoia that had driven them. As soldiers in the Army of Pyre, they had been conditioned to treat every situation with suspicion and act accordingly; were they seeing a threat where none existed?

  Long minutes passed. The three ex-soldiers remained still and silent, while Cain snorted and snored from the floor. There was a rustle from outside, then nothing. Lennox stared at the dark entrance of the tent, tensed. The wind? His grip tightened on the shield. His head turned as a faint shimmer of light seeped through the canvas sides of the tent; dancing like a firefly.

  ‘Here it comes,’ he muttered. ‘Get ready.’

  The light approached, then increased to a harsh brightness as the tent next to theirs burst into flames. Seconds later, fire reached their own tent as the entrance erupted with fire. The flap was ripped open, and a lit brand was tossed in. At the same time, another torch was held to the rear of the tent, and it too went up in flames.

  Leisha tried to rise to her feet, but Lennox pulled her back down.

  ‘Stay by me,’ he whispered.

  ‘We’ll burn alive,’ she cried.

  ‘No, we won’t. I can protect us.’

  She stared at him.

  ‘I control fire. Remember?’

  They bunched closer together as the heat in the tent rose. The flames grew as they ripped through the baggage and straw mattresses at the rear of the tent, while the canvas roof went up in flames above their heads. Lennox felt the fire surround him, and knew they were safe. He threaded his thoughts through the flames, guiding them away from him and his friends. Carrie and Leisha huddled behind their shields as Lennox kept the flames at bay. Sweat was lashing down his face from the heat, and he was finding it hard to breathe.

  ‘Let’s move,’ he said to the others. ‘We’ll get out the back of the tent, while they think we’re burning to ashes.’

  They shuffled their way down the interior of the tent, Lennox pushing the flames out of their way, while Carrie and Leisha dragged Cain’s unconscious body along with them. The rear canvas of the tent was almost burnt away, and beyond lay the dark forest. Lennox peered out, but could see no one. They hauled Cain outside, and pulled him behind the nearest tree. Ahead of them, four tents were ablaze, while five guards with crossbows were standing by the camp fire. Three of them nodded to the others, and began moving towards the carriage, fanning out before it.

  Lennox gestured to Leisha and Carrie, and they retreated into the forest, then double-backed, returning to the clearing directly opposite the carriage.

  He drew his sword. ‘Let’s earn our wages.’

  Before he could move, the side door of the carriage burst open, and the two Holdings passengers leaped out, landing back-to-back next to the three ex-bandits. The pair were dressed in black, and each held a long knife. One was a man, the other a woman; their faces so similar that they looked like brother and sister. They were dark-skinned like all of the Holdings, but the woman’s hair was silver-white, and gleamed in the firelight.

  As the guards levelled their crossbows, the two Holdings sprang at them, their movements fast and fluid, the long knife blades cutting through the air.

  ‘Change of plan,’ cried Lennox. ‘This way.’

  He ran out from the treeline, and charged at the two guards by the camp fire. They were staring at the two Holdings as Lennox approached and he loosed his crossbow from a few feet away, and one of the guards fell with a bolt in his eye. Leisha sprang to his side and swung her sword down, slicing through the other guard’s forearm. He cried out in agony, and Leisha plunged the blade through his throat.

  Lennox turned. The two Holdings passengers were staring at him, their blades dripping blood onto the ground, and the bodies of the three guards lying dead at their feet.

  The wagon-master appeared, his
eyes wide. He rushed to the flaming tents, then backed off from the heat. He then noticed the bodies littering the ground. He stared at Lennox.

  ‘Those five bandits you hired,’ said Lennox. ‘Turns out they weren’t so loyal.’

  ‘You killed them all?’

  ‘No,’ Lennox said, pointing at the two Holdings. ‘They took care of three of them.’

  The two Holdings passengers sheathed their long knives and walked side by side to the fire.

  ‘Where are the other guards?’ said Johan.

  ‘Incinerated, I would imagine,’ said the Holdings woman. She held out her hand to Lennox. ‘I am Racine, and this is my brother Gorman. You three appear to be the only guards left.’

  Lennox shook her hand.

  With tears in his eyes, the wagon-master walked over to the tents, where the flames were started to fade and lower. Inside the one nearest to them, the forms of three charred bodies could be seen through the smoke. The drivers by the fire were all awake, and the two Rakanese merchants had also come out of their wagon to survey the scene along with the wagon-master’s daughter.

  A groaning noise came from the forest and every head turned. Racine and Gorman put their hands to the hilts of their blades as a figure stumbled from the trees.

  ‘It’s alright,’ cried Lennox. ‘He’s with us.’

  Cain scratched his head and stared at the ruined mess of the camp. ‘So, what did I miss?’

  Chapter 9

  Youthful Audacity

  Rainsby, Imperial Plateau – 19th Day, Second Third Autumn 525

  ‘Admit it, dear brother,’ said Kelsey as their carriage rolled through the streets towards the harbour, ‘you thought she was being childish.’

  Keir gazed out the window and nodded. ‘Yeah. I thought she was acting like a spoiled brat. “I’m not getting off the boat until everyone comes down to greet me,” I mean, come on. I bet the governor hates her.’

  ‘Aye,’ she said, ‘but then he probably did anyway, so no loss there.’

  ‘But she’s brought Rainsby to a standstill,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it.’

  ‘In two days she’s changed everything. I thought the protests last night were going to turn ugly. The governor’s residence besieged; the harbour blocked; the marines making their feelings known.’

  ‘That’s one way to put it. ”Whispering mutiny”, is how the governor described it. Half the town’s besotted, while the other half’s in near panic, and all that, from sitting in a boat.’

  Kelsey glanced at her brother. ‘And which half are you in?’

  He snorted. ‘I’m not besotted.’

  ‘That isn’t how Sergeant Demi described your reaction,’ she said, chuckling. ‘I wish I’d been there to see it.’

  He flushed, and felt his temper rise. ‘That was Karalyn’s fault. She put a block in Thorn’s mind to stop me reading her. I was taken aback.’

  ‘W, w, w, were you?’

  ‘Shut up.’

  She laughed.

  ‘I actually think she’s quite arrogant.’

  ‘Then you should get along marvellously.’

  ‘Brat,’ he muttered.

  The carriage slowed to a halt.

  ‘Are we there already?’ said Kelsey.

  ‘No, it’s the crowds; they’re blocking the road.’

  ‘Keep the curtain drawn,’ she snapped. ‘The last thing we need is for them to realise the stormwitch is here.’

  Keir frowned, but edged back from the window. ‘We should have left earlier.’

  ‘It wouldn’t have made any difference; the crowd’s been here all night waiting to catch a glimpse of her royal highness. Is it true she’s already wearing a crown?’

  ‘It’s not a crown,’ he said. ‘It’s just a silver band with a sapphire.’

  ‘It’s a statement of intent, that’s what it is, my foolish love-sick brother.’

  He shook his head. ‘I don’t even like her.’

  ‘Hmm, alright.’

  ‘I don’t.’

  ‘Then you won’t mind if I tell her you have a tiny little baby back in the Holdings?’

  He glared at her. ‘Don’t even think about it.’

  ‘But w, w, why not, dear brother? I mean, if you don’t like her anyway…?’

  ‘I’ll tell her myself,’ he said, his eyes narrow, ‘in my own time.’

  ‘I wouldn’t leave it too long.’

  ‘Promise me you won’t mention it.’

  ‘Or what?’

  ‘Or I’ll throw you from the top of Madden’s Tower, then watch to see if you bounce or splat.’

  She held out her hand. ‘See that? That’s me shaking in terror.’ She sighed. ‘Fine. I won’t say anything. I wouldn’t want to ruin your birthday.’

  ‘Not just today,’ he said. ‘Promise me you’ll never mention it.’

  ‘No. I’m not making a promise like that. I’ll give you a third, and if you haven’t told her by then, I might start dropping some hints around the place.’

  ‘Also, I don’t want you telling her it’s my birthday.’

  ‘Why not? Worried she’ll give you a birthday kiss?’

  ‘I just don’t.’

  ‘Ah,’ she nodded. ‘You’re embarrassed that you’re younger than her? She’s nearly eighteen and a half, while you’ve only just turned seventeen?’

  ‘I look older than seventeen.’

  ‘So, you’re going to lie to her about your age as well? A promising start.’

  ‘I’m not going to lie; I’m just not going to mention it.’

  ‘The way you behave? She’ll figure it out.’

  ‘I can act older.’

  ‘Only if you keep your mouth shut. Maybe then she’ll think you’re brooding or shy, rather than an immature wee arsehole. Oh wait, she’s already met you.’

  The carriage slowed again, and Keir peered behind the curtain covering the window for a moment.

  ‘We’re going through the harbour gates,’ he said.

  ‘Good. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get out of this stupid dress.’

  He smirked at her. ‘Kelsey all dressed up; mother would be so proud.’

  ‘Eat shit.’

  She gathered up her long skirts as the carriage came to stop. The side door was opened by Sergeant Demi, and Keir stepped outside to a roar from the massed crowds packing the harbour. He waved, a big smile on his face, then held out his hand to help Kelsey climb down from the carriage. Marines were surrounding them, keeping the crowds back. Keir gazed around. He had never seen so many people in the one place before. Even the roofs of the warehouses were crowded, and every boat in the harbour was filled with people. The great warship that had borne Thorn across the sea was berthed where he had seen it on his visit two days previously. Marines lined the deck, their armour shining in the autumn sunlight. To the right of the wharf, a large wooden platform had been constructed, and carpenters were still working to get it finished for the ceremony. A row of large carriages were parked to the side, one of them bearing the pennants of the governor.

  Their marine escort pushed their way through the crowd towards the platform, as a chant of ‘stormwitch, stormwitch’ echoed through the air. Several companies of imperial troopers were formed up around the platform, with a squadron of cavalry ready to keep back the crowds. The roar of the crowd increased to deafening levels as Keir mounted the platform. He raised a hand, basking in the attention. Kelsey climbed up and stood beside him, looking awkward in her long, green dress. He was wearing a military uniform borrowed from the marines, and felt at home in it. It made him look older, which pleased him.

  The governor approached from the rear of the platform, attended by the highest-ranking commanders of the imperial forces in Rainsby. Keir gave the governor a slight bow as their eyes met.

  ‘Thank you for coming, storm mage,’ said the governor. He tried to smile, but a frown seemed imprinted upon his features.

  ‘Quite a scene,’ said K
eir, gesturing to the crowds.

  ‘Yes, quite.’

  ‘And beautiful weather for it,’ said Kelsey.

  ‘Indeed.’

  Ranks of marines began disembarking from the warship, descending the gangway, and then lining up into two long columns. They pushed the crowds back to form a clear passageway leading from the ship to the platform. The masses of people swarmed across the wharf, each eager to get a view of the gangway as anticipation grew. The roar rose into a crescendo as Thorn made her appearance on the deck of the warship. She greeted the crowd with a wave, and they cheered back.

  Kelsey gasped by Keir’s side. He glanced down at her.

  ‘She’s using her powers on the crowd,’ she whispered, ‘sending out a wave of healing; its faint, but I can hear it; just enough to make them feel good. Wow. She’s strong.’

  Keir frowned and glanced back at the ship as Thorn began to descend the gangway. Behind her, two maids were lifting the train of her long, blue dress, while her sister Acorn and several officers from the marines followed. Thorn reached the wharf to a cacophony of noise. The crowd surged forwards, and the line of marines bent but didn’t break as it was pushed back. Thorn remained serene amid the chaos as she made her way slowly towards the platform, stopping to wave at the crowd every few yards.

  Kelsey chuckled. ‘They love her more than they love you, dearest brother.’

  Flowers were being thrown from the roofs of the harbourside warehouses, and petals rained down upon Thorn, settling on her hair and along the long, blue train of her dress. She reached the base of the platform and ascended the steps. The governor held out his hand to greet her, but she ignored him and went first to Keir.

  ‘Stormwitch,’ she smiled.

  He took her offered hand, and kissed it, his eyes never leaving her. She had seemed so beautiful the first time he had seen her that he had started to believe he had dreamt it, but no, she was real, and she was standing right in front of him. His heart pounded.

  ‘My lady,’ he said, keeping hold of her hand, ‘it’s an honour to see you again.’

  ‘I’ve been looking forward to it.’

  ‘Hello,’ said his sister. ‘I’m Kelsey.’