Fragile Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘When we, ahhh, when we were going together,’ he said, ‘we would do stuff, but we never, you know…’

  ‘We never fucked?’ she said.

  He cringed. ‘Aye. We never… slept together.’

  She laughed. ‘And you’re wondering if it was because I didn’t fancy you enough?’

  ‘Was it because you didn’t want to get pregnant?’

  She touched his arm with her hand. ‘Aye. It was. I did fancy you, but there was no way I was going through that again. I couldn’t face having to leave more bairns behind. You know the army won’t let us take fennel-wort. As I said, they want us to have bairns. I just couldn’t risk it.’

  ‘But you slept with Logie,’ he said, regretting the words the instant they came out of his mouth.

  She glared at him, then turned away. ‘I don’t want to talk about that. Ever.’

  Lennox swore under his breath. Why did he have to say that? What was wrong with him? Just as Darine was opening up to him, confiding in him, telling him that she had liked him, he had to go and ruin it by bringing up that arsehole Logie.

  They stood in the cold silence, their cloaks wrapped around them, and their breath misting.

  ‘Sorry,’ he muttered. ‘That was a stupid thing to say.’

  She glanced at him. ‘Do you still like me?’ she said. ‘And I don’t mean just as a friend.’

  His tongue seemed to jam in his mouth, and he stared at her wordlessly.

  She sighed. ‘Oh Lennox,’ she said. ‘Maybe if we were somewhere different, leading normal lives, whatever the fuck that means, then maybe it might happen for us. But here, in the squad? It just makes things too complicated.’

  Her words felt like a knife through his heart.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said.

  He stared at the seven stars and said nothing.

  ‘You’re my friend, Lennox,’ she went on, ‘maybe my best friend. I don’t want to lose that.’

  He wanted to tell her that he would never leave her side, and would always be there for her, but he couldn’t open his mouth.

  There was a cough behind them. ‘Have I come at an awkward moment?’

  They turned. Libby was standing a yard away, carrying a wooden tray.

  ‘No,’ Lennox said. ‘It’s fine.’

  Libby glanced from Darine to Lennox, a sad sort of smile on her lips.

  ‘Lennox knows about the twins,’ Darine said.

  ‘I thought you hadn’t told anyone else,’ he said.

  She shrugged. ‘I’ve only told Libby. And now you. That’s it, two people. Although, the way you’re acting, I’m starting to wish I hadn’t.’

  ‘Is he being a prick about it?’ Libby said.

  Darine paused. ‘No. Forget it, it’s fine.’

  ‘I’ve brought food,’ Libby said, ‘and some wine.’

  She set the tray down onto a large boulder marking the edge of the road.

  ‘We’ve moved your stuff inside,’ she went on. ‘Cain and I sorted out your bedding.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Lennox said.

  ‘Aye, thanks, Libby,’ said Darine.

  ‘It’s no bother. Logie says you’re on until dawn, by the way.’ Libby gazed at them as they nodded. ‘Does this not seem a bit weird to you? We don’t even know what rebels we’re supposed to be looking for. Logie’s having a fit in there, shouting at everyone, trying to cover up the fact that he doesn’t have a clue what we’re doing up here.’

  ‘Maybe we’ll get a chance to talk to the locals in the morning,’ Darine said. ‘Find out more from them.’

  ‘Aye, maybe,’ Libby said. ‘Well, see you tomorrow I guess.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Lennox. ‘See you tomorrow.’

  The sun was high in the sky when Lennox and Darine were awoken. They had been assigned neighbouring bed-pallets, and had crashed onto them at dawn, when Kallek and Carrie had been sent to relieve them.

  Libby handed him a mug of water as he rubbed his face. He glanced around. The entire ground floor of the threshing house had been converted into their temporary barracks. Eight pallets ran down one wall, while the other side had been divided in two, with one area for their equipment, and the other for washing, eating and relaxing. Darine stood.

  ‘Time to find that ditch, I suppose,’ she muttered, leaving Lennox and Libby alone.

  ‘Rough night?’ she said to him.

  ‘It was fine. Didn’t see anyone.’

  ‘I wasn’t talking about the fucking guard duty. I meant you and Darine.’

  ‘There is no “me and Darine”. She made that pretty clear.’

  He got up and threw on some clothes, while Libby watched him.

  ‘Give it some time,’ she said. ‘You’ll get over it.’

  Lennox hurled the mug against the far wall. ‘I don’t want to get over it! I love her so much it hurts.’

  Libby backed away a step. ‘Alright.’

  He sank down onto his thin mattress, his head in his hands, suppressing the tears that threatened to leak from his eyes. He had never cried in front of anyone in the squad, not since he had been five years old, and there was no way he was starting now.

  He heard Libby walk over to where the thrown mug had landed. She picked it up and set it down onto a table, wiping the spilt water away.

  ‘It’s not broken,’ she said.

  ‘I can’t even do that right.’

  She walked back to him and crouched down, placing a hand on his shoulder. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘You’re a soldier of Pyre. You’re a professional. Just breathe.’

  He heard a noise.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ said a voice.

  ‘Nothing, Loryn,’ Libby said. ‘Piss off.’

  Lennox glanced up to see the youngest in the squad start to walk away, her head down.

  ‘Wait,’ said Libby, turning. ‘I’m sorry, Loryn, I didn’t mean that.’

  Loryn half-smiled, and gazed at them with her big, sad eyes.

  ‘The squad leader wants you outside,’ she said, then left through the main door.

  ‘Me and my big mouth,’ Libby said, facing Lennox again.

  They got to their feet, and headed for the door. The sun was shining high in the sky when they emerged into the open air, and Lennox got his first look at the village in daylight. The threshing house was set back from the rest of the settlement, which consisted of low, stone-built houses, roofed in dark slate. Smoke was coming from several chimneys, but no civilians were in sight. The village was in a small, level valley, maybe a hundred yards wide, with mountains on all sides. Cedar trees cloaked the hillsides, while a little river tumbled down, flashing white waterfalls on its the way through the valley. To the side of the threshing house, Logie had the squad lined up doing exercises, while Kallek and Carrie were still down by the road, standing on guard.

  ‘There you are,’ Logie said. ‘About fucking time. Get in line. Push ups, press ups, squats, a hundred of each. Go.’

  Lennox and Libby joined Cain, Loryn and Darine, and fell into the drills. Lennox’s mind wandered, his body responding automatically, honed through endless training sessions. He went over every word Darine had said to him. She hadn’t categorically ruled out something happening in the future. Maybe, she had said, if things were different. But how could they be different? The Army of Pyre owned them both. Nevertheless, he decided it was a hope worth clinging onto.

  ‘Look at this place,’ Logie sighed, while the others sweated. ‘I could see myself retiring to a place like this. Bit quiet though.’

  ‘Where is everyone?’ said Darine, the first to finish the exercises. She went over to where a bucket of water was sitting next to a collection of mugs, and poured herself a drink.

  ‘Maybe they’re shy,’ Logie said. ‘We are an intimidating bunch.’

  ‘An old woman came to see us this morning,’ Loryn said, joining Darine by the water. ‘She took a good look at everyone’s faces, including your and Lennox’s while you were sleeping, then left again. She didn’t say a single word th
e entire time.’

  ‘It was pretty weird,’ said Cain. ‘She’s probably the village nutter.’

  Darine shook her head. ‘She’ll have lost a child to the army, and was looking to see if any of us might be hers.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Cain. ‘Shit.’

  Lennox glanced at the faces of his squad mates. Some looked as though they had never imagined that their parents might be alive, and possibly living somewhere within the enclave of Liberton.

  Logie scowled. ‘Enough of that talk. The Fifth is the only family we need. Right, listen. As we’ll be on duty in pairs, I’m assigning out all tasks to be done in those same pairs. Lennox and Darine, you’re on scouting and mapping the vicinity; Libby and Cain can guard the threshing house; Kallek and Carrie will look after the equipment; and me and Loryn will take care of command and domestic duties. Guard shifts by the road will be dawn to dusk, and dusk to dawn. Whoever’s down there will spend a few hours each shift helping to build a shelter for when the weather turns. Alright, get to it.’

  ‘What about the locals?’ said Cain.

  ‘What about them?’ Logie said.

  ‘Do we speak to them?’

  Logie shrugged. ‘If they ever show their faces.’

  ‘How long are we going to be here for?’

  Logie spat. ‘How the fuck should I know? You don’t half ask some stupid questions, blondie.’

  He shook his head and strode off into the threshing house.

  Darine came up to Lennox. ‘Let’s get started.’

  They passed Loryn, who was standing alone, her eyes downcast.

  Darine nudged Lennox. ‘Did you hear who she’s been paired with?’ she whispered. ‘Logie must be getting bored with Carrie. Fancies his chances with Loryn. Poor lassie. Imagine being alone with that arsehole all night on guard duty.’

  Lennox grimaced, a flash of pure hatred for Logie surging through him. They entered their new barracks, and went to where their equipment had been stacked.

  ‘Dress light,’ she said, picking out her leathers. ‘I don’t want to be scrambling up a rockface weighed down with full armour.’

  He nodded.

  She glanced at him. ‘You speaking to me?’

  He caught her blue eyes. ‘Aye.’

  ‘Friends?’

  ‘Always.’

  Chapter 10

  Mixed Reception

  Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – 14th Day, Second Third Spring 524

  ‘This must be the biggest city in the world,’ cried Corthie, his head sticking out of the carriage window.

  Laodoc chuckled. ‘I would hazard that it’s only the tenth largest in size,’ he said. ‘Though who knows how many live in the seven cities of Rahain these days. Perhaps the imperial capital has overtaken a few, if we’re talking about population rather than extent.’

  ‘Let him enjoy the view, Laodoc,’ Karalyn said. ‘It’s not every day you get to see Plateau City for the first time.’

  ‘The walls must be the biggest, though,’ Corthie went on. ‘And look at those towers. They must be the highest ever!’

  Laodoc shifted in his seat, but said nothing. Karalyn smiled as she glanced out of the window. Ahead of them the road went down a gradual incline, and the great capital of the empire was spread out before them. Clouds were flitting across the sky in the warm breeze, rendering the land beneath into a pattern of sunlight and shadow. Beyond the city, the Inner Sea gleamed and sparkled. Karalyn looked at the tall spires and roofs protected by the city walls, and recognised the Great Fortress, sitting in the centre, dominating the capital as it had for years. Nothing Bridget had built rivalled the size of the old palace or cathedral. Her own new palace was little more than a large townhouse, and Karalyn remembered being surprised, even at ten years old, that the Empress of the World lived there.

  The road levelled off and they approached the city walls along a wide, well-kept highway. There were two carriages travelling, with Karalyn in the lead, while the rear was occupied by Golspie, the woman sent by her mother to spy on her. Her official title was Chief of Staff, and she was meant to be organising everything to make Karalyn’s life easier, but the young mage suspected that she was really there to try to control her, and to keep her mother informed of all that she did. She hadn’t yet had a chance to read Golspie’s mind, but planned on doing so as soon as she was presented with an opportunity.

  Golspie was accompanied by two other servants from her mother’s staff, both younger than she. They seemed nice, but Karalyn had been able to look into their minds, and had seen that they had been told to report everything to Golspie. Once again, her powers had got in the way of her trying to make friends, but how could she trust them if their loyalty lay with her mother?

  ‘Look at that,’ Corthie cried. ‘We’re nearly there.’

  Karalyn leaned out of the window next to him as he grinned and pointed. Ahead, an enormous, arched gateway pierced the high curtain wall. At its top were towers, with pennants and banners fluttering in the wind, while soldiers in steel armour stood guarding the open entrance to the city.

  ‘Cathedral Gate,’ Karalyn said. ‘It’s still called that, even though the cathedral’s gone.’

  ‘Auntie Keira blew it up.’

  ‘Aye,’ Karalyn said. ‘She did.’

  There was a small queue at the gates, as the dawn brought early-morning traffic into the city. Guards were inspecting the wagons and carriages, and they inched forwards every few minutes. When they reached the front, a Kellach Brigdomin soldier poked her head through the open window.

  ‘Good morning,’ she said. ‘Are these two carriages together?’

  ‘Yes, Lieutenant,’ Karalyn said. ‘I have a letter from Holder Fast.’

  She passed the folded document to the soldier, who opened it, her eyes scanning the words. She saluted, and passed the letter back.

  ‘Have a good day, ma’am,’ she said, then signalled to her comrades, who moved aside. Their driver pulled the reins, and the carriages moved off, going under the great archway, and through into the city. Buildings crowded the road on both sides, and the streets were bustling with people. Shops were opening, or taking deliveries, while wagons and carts moved in both directions. Corthie squealed in delight.

  They turned left and entered the merchants’ quarter, where rich houses and mansions were interspersed with walled gardens and tree-lined avenues. They took a right before the market, and crossed the Royal Road that linked the palace to the Old Town. The aristocratic district lay ahead, and the carriages kept on, entering the most prosperous area of the capital.

  ‘What a city!’ Corthie cried.

  ‘Remember,’ Karalyn said, ‘there are plenty of poorer quarters as well. Our driver’s taking the scenic route.’

  ‘No doubt,’ Laodoc smiled, ‘he wished to spare young nobles the sight of poverty.’

  They reached the grandest street of all, where the high terraced townhouses backed onto the sea wall. They stopped in front of one, and a servant opened the door, bowing.

  ‘My lady,’ he said, as Karalyn descended the steps to the ground. Beside him stood another servant, an older woman, who looked nervous.

  Karalyn frowned. ‘”Miss” will do.’

  The servant bowed again.

  Corthie and Laodoc joined her and the two servants bowed.

  ‘Is there just the two of you?’ Karalyn asked.

  ‘Yes, my lady,’ he said. ‘We have been looking after the Holdfast property for some time now.’

  Golspie strode over from her carriage. ‘I’ll sort out the staffing situation shortly. Is everything prepared and in order?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ they bowed.

  ‘Open up, then,’ Golspie said. ‘Let’s get inside.’

  Golspie’s two assistants began unloading the luggage from the carriages as Karalyn and the others went up the steps to the front of the townhouse. The servants swung open the door, and they entered a narrow hallway. There was a dusty, stale smell in the air.


  ‘We got word a few days ago,’ said the male servant, ‘and we’ve been cleaning and airing the place as best we could. The master bedroom is ready, my lady, if you wish me to show you there?’

  ‘I know the layout,’ said Golspie, frowning at a cobweb by the ceiling. ‘I’ll show the young Holdfasts around. You two have obviously been working hard. Take a break and go to your rooms. I’ll send for you if required.’

  The two servants bowed lower and retreated from the hall, descending a flight of stairs.

  ‘That seemed a little rude,’ said Karalyn.

  Golspie glanced at her. ‘I only trust servants that I’ve personally vetted, and I don’t know them. Local hires. No real loyalty to the Hold. I’ll give them to the end of the third to move out.’ She ran a finger across the wooden frame of an old painting hanging on the wall, then held it up, showing Karalyn the smear of thick dust. ‘They won’t be a loss to the household. Also,’ she went on, ‘please disregard the “my lady” nonsense. Your mother is the only Lady Holdfast.’

  ‘Fine by me,’ Karalyn said. ‘Let’s have that tour you were speaking about.’

  The townhouse was narrow but tall and deep, and they followed Golspie up several staircases as she conducted more of an inspection than a tour. Corthie was assigned a room near the top of the house, with a window overlooking the city, and Laodoc was installed in chambers a few floors lower, so he wouldn’t have to climb so many steps. The master bedroom was on the second floor, with its own private balcony leading out onto the Inner Sea. There were other, smaller rooms attached – a bathroom, a closet for her clothes, and a snug study.

  ‘This is where Holder Fast stays when she’s here,’ Golspie said, ‘but as she’ll be occupied in Holdings City for some time, the rooms are yours.’

  Karalyn sent a strand of power into the woman’s head, and found that her mother had placed blocks. She smiled. Did her mother believe they would stop her?

  ‘And where will you be sleeping?’ she asked.

  Her Chief of Staff pointed downwards. ‘The floor below, by the main stairs. Tabitha and Gerald will bring your things up here for you. I intend to interview and hire more staff as soon as possible. Until then, Gerald and Tabitha will have to suffice. This evening, a welcome party has been arranged in your honour at the Holdings embassy. A carriage will be here at sunset to take you. Until then, you have the day free to yourself.’