‘This witch,’ Belinda said, her strong grasp choking Karalyn as she flailed about, ‘who is she?’
Karalyn felt her knees give way as she struggled in Belinda’s iron grip. Her fingers pulled at the woman’s hand, but her strength was failing.
‘Let her go,’ cried Bridget.
Belinda turned to Karalyn. ‘This time I’m going to make sure.’
She squeezed tighter and Karalyn’s eyes began to close. There was a cry, and two hands appeared round Belinda’s head as Bridget attacked her from behind, her fingernails scraping her face. Belinda screamed as her right eye was scratched, and the filmy barrier was twisted and pushed aside, revealing a portion of her pupil.
In an instant, Karalyn was inside her, and with all of her remaining strength she blasted her mind, shredding her thoughts, her memories, her identity; until nothing was left.
Belinda collapsed to the floor, loosening her grip on Karalyn’s throat as they fell. Karalyn breathed again, her throat rasping, each breath agony and relief at the same time. Bridget clambered off the bed and staggered towards them.
She knelt, and placed her hand on Karalyn’s forehead.
‘Are you alright?’
Karalyn nodded and sat up, holding her throat.
The Empress glanced at the still body of Belinda. ‘Is she dead?’
‘No,’ Karalyn croaked. ‘I scoured her.’
‘Was she telling the truth about Dyam?’
Karalyn nodded. ‘Aye.’
‘Then she should die,’ Bridget said. The Empress remained motionless for a moment then reached for Belinda with her hands.
‘No,’ said Karalyn. ‘You can’t kill her.’
‘And why not?’ Bridget said, fury lining her face.
‘Because her mind is clean. Everything about her has gone. When she wakes up she’ll have forgotten who she is, and every single thing she’s ever done. She won’t remember language, or even how to feed herself. It would be like killing a baby.’
The Empress withdrew her hand, but her frown remained. ‘Isn’t she evil, though?’
‘Are people born evil?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Neither do I,’ said Karalyn.
‘Then what should we do with her?’
‘I scoured her,’ Karalyn said. ‘I should be the one to try to fix her.’
The Empress shook her head and with one hand on the bed, she pulled herself to her feet.
‘Thank you,’ Karalyn said, doing the same. ‘If you hadn’t scratched her face…’
The Empress put her arm over Karalyn’s shoulder to steady her, and together they limped towards the door.
‘So what’s happened since I was injured?’ said the Empress.
‘I’m sure Nyane will tell you everything,’ Karalyn said, ‘though we’ll have to rescue her from a cell first.’
‘And Dyam,’ the Empress said, pausing to wipe a tear from her cheek. ‘How did she die?’
‘In shining armour with a sword in her hand,’ Karalyn said. ‘She was trying to save you.’
The Empress wept.
You are strong, Karalyn whispered in her mind. You are the Empress. You must be strong.
Bridget nodded.
They approached the door.
‘Are you ready, your Majesty?’ said Karalyn.
‘Aye,’ Bridget said, lifting her head.
Karalyn threw open the doors and they staggered out into the hallway, supporting each other. The two guards stared at them, their mouths open, then both fell to their knees.
‘You,’ said Bridget to one of them, ‘bring me my children.’
‘Yes, your Majesty, at once.’
The soldier ran off. The other glanced up.
‘What shall I do, your Majesty?’
‘Go downstairs,’ said Karalyn, ‘and give everyone a message – the Empress is back in charge.’
This concludes Fragile Empire
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Author’s Notes
March 2020
Thank you for reading book five of The Magelands Epic series.
Originally this was going to be book one of a second series, but as I planned it out it became clear to me that it was a continuation of the same story (albeit with a 16-year gap), rather than something separate.
As I write this, much of the world is in the grip of a pandemic, with Scotland having been locked down as of this morning. I hope one day I can look back on this period of time and remember the good that was brought out in people.
About the Author
Christopher Mitchell is the author of the Magelands epic fantasy series.
For more information:
www.christophermitchellbooks.com
[email protected]
The Magelands Series
The Magelands Origins
Retreat of the Kell
The Trials of Daphne Holdfast
From the Ashes
The Magelands Epic
The Queen’s Executioner
The Severed City
Needs of the Empire
Sacrifice
Fragile Empire
Storm Mage
Soulwitch Rises
Renegade Gods
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Fragile Empire Page 44
