Fragile Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  Karalyn frowned. ‘But it was your idea to go up the kitchen stairs…’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Dyam said. ‘You proved yourselves today, and the Empress needs loyal friends right now. The next attack could come at any moment. That’s why I want Karalyn living and sleeping in the palace from now on. Until we understand the threat, you’re not to leave the Empress’s side.’

  ‘I’ll need to collect some things,’ Karalyn said.

  ‘Of course. Give me a list and I’ll have someone go round to the Holdfast townhouse and gather whatever you need. Nyane, walk with me, I need to go over the new security arrangements with you.’

  ‘Yes, Herald,’ Nyane said, and the two strode from the room, leaving Karalyn alone. The young mage gazed at the bloodstains on the floor. She noticed something glint on the carpet and picked it up. It was a jewel, clear but with soot marks on its surface, the size of a pea. It would look nice in a necklace, she thought. She slipped it into her pocket then went out onto the balcony and lit another cigarette.

  Chapter 23

  By the Fireside

  Silverstream, Rahain Republic – 20th Day, Last Third Spring 524

  Twelve young women worked in the clay-pit at Silverstream, and by his fourth day there, Ravi had concocted a different fantasy about each of them. He was good with names, and regarded himself as a keen observer of women, so that no matter how mud-splattered they all were at the end of their shift he never mixed them up. Drab, grey overalls hid their figures from his eyes, but his imagination made up for the loss.

  ‘Hi Ravi,’ said Kerri.

  He glanced up from where he was sitting at the bottom of the pit. Kerri was up by its edge, looking down at him.

  ‘I’ve brought your lunch,’ she said, holding out a bag.

  ‘Thanks, babe,’ he said, standing. He stretched and climbed the ladder to the top, where Kerri kissed him. He reached for her but she backed away, raising an eyebrow at the thick, wet mud he was covered in.

  ‘You’re not making me filthy,’ she said. ‘I hate mud.’

  Ravi opened the bag and withdrew a bowl of rice and fish. He began shovelling it into his mouth where he stood.

  ‘How’s work?’ she said.

  He shrugged.

  ‘I was speaking to Yanin,’ she went on, ‘about us getting jobs. We’ve only been here a few days and I’m already bored. All we seem to do each day is hang around the house with Sable and Derrick, smoking dreamweed.’

  He frowned. ‘You’re smoking all day?’ he said while chewing. ‘While I’m working my ass off?’

  ‘It does seem a bit unfair,’ she said. ‘Sable told us not to worry. We’re guests, and that means we don’t need to work, apparently.’

  Ravi finished the bowl of food and belched. He handed the bag back to Kerri. She glanced around.

  ‘So where are all the bricks?’ she said.

  ‘Not doing bricks.’

  She frowned.

  ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘I’ll show you.’

  Planks had been laid out across the field of mud to create a network of paths, and they walked along one, heading downhill away from the town.

  ‘We’re cutting long strips of clay out of the ground,’ he said as they walked, ‘then wheel-barrowing them down here, to where the ramparts are being built.’

  The path levelled out and they crossed a wooden bridge over a deep ditch. On the far side a wide wall was being constructed, and dozens of workers were busy on the site. Yard-long strips of fired and mage-hardened clay made up the blocks in the wall.

  ‘What do you think?’ he said. ‘It’s a lot quicker than bricks.’

  Kerri peered up at the wall. ‘You’ve done all this in four days?’

  ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘They’d already built that bit over there.’ He pointed to a section of wall further down the line. ‘It’s made of their own homemade bricks.’ He winked at her. ‘My way’s much better. Watch.’

  Ravi nodded at a few workers and approached the newest section of wall, where the layered slabs were waist-high and braced with a line of wooden posts. Workers were heaving the strips of wet clay onto the top of the wall, and Ravi waited until eight had been put in place. He then raised his hands and made contact with the heavy, viscous material, pushing his powers into it. Its texture hardened, and its colour changed from brown to a darkened and burnt red as the new layers set. He withdrew his hands and smiled.

  ‘See?’ he said. ‘Putting them here when they’re still wet means they bind into the previous layers, meaning the wall’s much stronger than if I’d just made normal bricks. My idea, it was. I’m a fucking genius.’

  He pinched her bum, leaving a muddy handprint.

  ‘Hey!’ she cried. ‘I’ve got to walk back through town with that mark on my ass.’

  He grinned. ‘Couldn’t resist.’

  She sighed and kissed him. ‘See you when you get home.’

  ‘Bye,’ he said. ‘Thanks for lunch.’

  He watched her leave, then turned back to face the wall. Thirty yards done, only another thousand or so to go.

  A primitive shower hut had been put up next to the vast construction site, and at the end of each day Ravi washed alongside the other men working there, after the women had been through. The water was cold and Ravi shivered in the chill evening air as he dressed himself. His skin was red from where he had scrubbed the mud off, and his wet hair was dripping onto his shoulders. He smiled at a small group of good-looking women as they laced their boots up and pulled on their coats, and day-dreamed about accidentally finding himself in the shower hut at the same time as them.

  ‘You coming for a drink, Ravi?’ one of the women asked.

  He almost said ‘yes’ as a reflex, but remembered that Kerri was making dinner for him, and she had been angry the last time he had come home late, drunk.

  ‘I’d love to, ladies,’ he said, ‘but I can’t tonight.’

  ‘Was that your girlfriend who was here at lunchtime?’ another asked.

  He gritted his teeth. ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Oh well,’ she said, and the women walked away.

  He sighed. He had sworn to Kerri that he would be faithful, but it was hard. Every young woman he saw triggered an automatic response deep within him, that made him crave her like a thirsty man seeing a glass of cold wine after a third in a desert. He loved everything about them – their curves, their laughter, their eyes when they looked at him. He tried to think of Kerri. The long spell of abstinence was over, and they had made fair use of their massive, new bed. He thought back to the previous night, when she had tied his wrists to the bedposts with cotton cords. He smiled. How could he hanker after other women when he had Kerri?

  He finished tying his boots and left the construction yard, nodding to the guards at the main entrance. Most people seemed to know his face, and often strangers would slap him on the back without warning, or yell cheering words at him in their awful accents, thanking him or worse, trying to engage him in a boring conversation. He reached the top of the slope and turned before entering the town to gaze back down the hill at the completed section of wall. Posts had been driven into the ground to mark the intended line, and they stretched away to the left and right along the southern approaches to the town. At times during the day it seemed as if half the town’s population was working on one part of the project or another, from clearing and levelling the ground to transporting the huge amounts of timber and clay that were needed. So much still to do, but he had the whole summer ahead of him to do it. He turned and entered the town. Lamps were being lit above the wooden walkways and he smiled and nodded as a few people greeted him.

  There were four taverns in town, and he passed one of them, listening to the noise and wishing he were inside. He reached the big house where he lived with the others and entered through the front door. He hung up his coat and pulled his boots off, then went into the large sitting-room.

  ‘Brother!’ Yanin cried. ‘How was your day?’

  She a
nd Sable were reclining on a long couch, ashtrays and mugs cluttering the low table in front of them. Ravi sat in the armchair opposite.

  ‘Muddy,’ he said. ‘How was yours?’

  She giggled.

  He glanced at Sable. ‘You’ve got to find them jobs. They can’t just sit here every day and get blasted.’

  The Holdings woman shrugged. ‘The town council doesn’t want them working,’ she said. ‘They’re honoured guests.’

  ‘And what about you?’ he said. ‘You don’t seem to have done any work since we got here.’

  ‘I’m treating it as a holiday. Don’t get many, so I’m taking full advantage.’

  He glanced at her bloodshot eyes. ‘So I see.’

  She laughed.

  ‘So I’m carrying the lot of us, eh?’ he said. ‘Nine hours of back-breaking work each day so I can keep three women living like spoilt princesses. How did my life come to this?’

  ‘Revenge for all those girls’ hearts you broke in Amatskouri,’ his sister said.

  ‘Quite a rogue, was he?’ said Sable.

  Yanin laughed. ‘Wasn’t happy unless he had at least five girlfriends on the go at the same time.’

  ‘I can’t help being irresistible to women,’ he said. ‘I just couldn’t say no.’

  ‘Poor Kerri,’ said Sable.

  ‘Poor me what?’ said Kerri, walking into the room. ‘Dinner’s ready.’

  Ravi sprang to his feet and kissed her, then whispered into her ear his bedroom plans for that night. Kerri laughed, and Yanin made vomiting sounds.

  ‘Sickening,’ his sister said. ‘I could hear that.’

  ‘You shouldn’t be listening,’ Kerri said.

  They went through to the dining-room, where Kerri had laid the table. Bowls of steaming food and jugs of water and spirits had been set out.

  ‘This looks great, Kerri. Thanks,’ said Ravi.

  She smiled. ‘I feel a bit bad that you’re doing all the work. At least if I make dinner I’m being useful.’

  He glanced at Yanin. ‘You should be helping her.’

  His sister shrugged. ‘She seems to enjoy it.’

  They sat and Kerri poured out a glass of water for Ravi, who picked up a fork and started to eat.

  ‘Where’s Derrick tonight?’ he said.

  ‘He’s working,’ said Sable. ‘Making contact with Stretton Sands, I believe.’

  ‘Said he’d be over later,’ said Yanin, filling a mug with spirits.

  ‘Does he have to come over every night?’ said Kerri.

  ‘Don’t you like him?’ said Sable.

  ‘It’s not that, it’s just that a quiet night would be nice once in a while.’

  ‘He’s been starved of company for thirds,’ Sable said. ‘With us he can talk about the real world beyond Silverstream. Remember that none of the locals have ever been to the Plateau, let alone Amatskouri or the Imperial Capital. I’m sure we’ll see less of him as we get into summer and the novelty wears off.’

  Kerri frowned. ‘Fine.’

  Yanin raised an eyebrow. ‘I’ve just thought of something. Do we have enough weed to get us through the entire summer?’

  Sable laughed. ‘Derrick’s got enough to last a year!’

  Yanin joined her in laughter, while Kerri and Ravi shared a glance. Were they sleeping together, he wondered. He had thought Sable liked boys, but maybe she liked both. Yanin certainly seemed relaxed and happy in her company. From Kerri’s expression, he guessed that she was wondering the same thing.

  ‘Ravi’s got a point, though,’ Sable said. ‘You two should do something to occupy your days. Perhaps I should teach you the Holdings language.’

  ‘We already speak Holdings,’ Kerri said. ‘We did go to school, you know.’

  A frown skipped over Sable’s features. ‘How about Rahain?’ she said, smiling again.

  ‘Can’t see that being very useful,’ said Ravi.

  ‘This is not about you, brother,’ said Yanin. ‘Sable’s offering to teach me and Kerri.’

  ‘You interested?’ the Holdings woman said.

  ‘Yeah, maybe,’ Yanin said. ‘It would pass the time.’

  ‘Remember that Rahain we met in Amatskouri on election day?’ Ravi said. ‘She was the chief engineer of the empire.’

  ‘Are you talking about Lady Nyane?’ asked Sable.

  ‘Do you know her?’ Yanin said.

  ‘No. I mean, she’s probably never heard of me, but I know of her.’

  ‘Very straight-laced and proper, she was,’ said Kerri.

  ‘Yes,’ said Sable, ‘but she has an inner steel that I respect. I believe she is a woman not to be crossed.’

  There was a noise from the hall, and Derrick entered. His eyes seemed troubled.

  ‘Good evening, Derrick,’ said Sable.

  ‘Apologies for interrupting your dinner,’ he said. ‘I can wait in the living-room until you are finished.’

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ said Kerri, rising. ‘I made extra in case you turned up.’

  Kerri left the room and Derrick sat. He poured himself a large measure of spirits, his eyes lowered.

  ‘Busy day?’ said Yanin to the Holdings mage, but Derrick said nothing.

  Kerri came back into the room with a bowl and some cutlery and set them out before Derrick.

  ‘You’re too kind, thank you,’ he said.

  Kerri sat back down and the table spent a few moments in awkward silence, as Derrick remained motionless, his head down.

  ‘What’s up, old chap?’ Sable said.

  ‘I’m sorry, dears,’ he said, lifting his eyes. ‘I’m afraid I might be rather discombobulated at present. I received news from Stretton Sands that has left me frightfully concerned.’

  Sable straightened in her seat. ‘Go on.’

  ‘First,’ he said, gazing at the young Holdings woman, ‘is the news that your boss and mine, Lady Isobel, has been murdered in Plateau City by assailants masquerading as palace servants. The Imperial Herald has appointed Lady Nyane as interim chief of intelligence. We now report to her.’

  ‘Lady Nyane?’ Ravi said. ‘The Engineer?’

  ‘Indeed,’ said Derrick, ‘though I’m sure that the Imperial Herald knows what she’s doing. As harrowing as this loss is, however, the next piece of news has chilled me further. Yesterday, there was an attempt made on the life of the Empress, by a group led by the same assassin that murdered Lady Isobel.’

  ‘The Empress?’ Sable cried.

  ‘Yes. She lives, but was grievously injured in the attack. Happily, the assailants were discovered, otherwise the Empress and her children would now be dead.’

  Sable stared at him.

  ‘They also captured three of the attackers,’ Derrick went on. ‘Alive.’

  ‘That’s terrible,’ said Kerri, her hand to her mouth. ‘How could attackers get inside the palace? Surely she has guards?’

  Derrick nodded, a deep frown on his lips. ‘I don’t know how they made it into the Empress’s private quarters, or how they escaped.’

  ‘I thought you said that some were captured?’ Yanin said.

  ‘Some were. The others escaped.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ Yanin said. ‘The soldiers who were meant to be guarding her should be strung up. There has to be a traitor inside the palace, who let the attackers in, and then hid their escape. Fucking outrageous.’

  ‘The Empress,’ said Sable; ‘how seriously injured is she?’

  ‘Her Majesty lost an eye,’ Derrick said. ‘Her left. It was cut out by the assailants.’

  ‘Bastards,’ muttered Ravi.

  ‘The Imperial Herald is running the government,’ Derrick went on, ‘at least until the Empress is back on her feet. The healers think that might take a third or so. Frankly, the feeling uppermost in my mind is relief. It could have been so much worse. It was Lady Nyane’s intervention that saved her, that’s what I was told.’

  ‘Good old Nyane,’ said Ravi.

  ‘Yes,’ said Sable. She rose
to her feet. ‘Sorry all, but I’ve completely lost my appetite. I think I’ll have an early night.’

  Yanin’s mouth opened. ‘No. Really?’

  ‘Yes. Derrick’s news has quite upset me, and I’m tired. I’ll see you all in the morning.’

  The Holdings woman turned, and left the dining-room.

  ‘Weird,’ said Kerri. ‘I didn’t know Sable loved the Empress that much.’

  ‘Tell us about her,’ said Ravi to the Holdings mage. ‘You must know her well.’

  ‘Not really,’ Derrick said. ‘She’s from Hold Black, which means she’s aristocracy. She’s actually related to the queen of the old Emperor; she was her great-aunt, I believe.’

  ‘So she’s Sable Holdblack?’ said Yanin.

  ‘Not quite,’ smiled Derrick. ‘For some reason, colours go first. She’s Sable Blackhold.’

  ‘Is she rich?’ Ravi said.

  ‘Her family certainly is,’ Derrick said. ‘They allied themselves with the Holdfasts during the war, and have stuck loyally to Holder Fast ever since. As she is now ruler of the Holdings, they’re doing very well, I’d imagine.’

  The Holdings mage took a weedstick from a pouch and lit it. Kerri’s nose crinkled, but she said nothing. Ravi pushed back his empty plate.

  ‘That was great,’ he said. ‘Thanks.’

  Kerri smiled.

  ‘Indeed,’ said Derrick, though his bowl had hardly been touched. ‘Quite wonderful, thank you.’

  ‘Shall we adjourn to the living-room?’ said Yanin.

  ‘Let’s,’ said Derrick, rising.

  ‘I’ll clear up,’ said Kerri, but Yanin and Derrick were already heading for the door, drinks in hand. She sighed.

  ‘Want me to help?’ said Ravi.

  ‘No. It’s fine.’

  ‘Thanks!’ he said.

  He kissed her on the cheek and followed the others. Yanin threw a few logs onto the fire and they pulled their chairs close to the rising flames. Derrick filled their mugs from a bottle of spirits and lit a fresh weedstick. He gave it to Ravi.

  ‘So,’ Ravi said, taking a drag, ‘you were talking about Sable?’