‘Wait!’ cried Loryn. ‘Listen.’
The squad blinked, then turned towards the front room. The doorway was silent. They ran towards the window. The street outside was deserted, and they could hear screams in the distance. Lennox jumped through the window and landed on the cobbles. The sun was shining above the rooftops to his left, where several plumes of smoke were rising from the districts close to the Wine and River Gates. He turned to gaze in the other direction, towards the busy street they had fled from, as the squad joined him outside.
‘Where have they all gone?’ said Loryn.
They walked up the alleyway towards the wide street. As they approached they saw streams of people on the road ahead, running. Horses, gaien and carts mixed with panicking civilians as they raced towards the northern gates. Lennox raised his hand, and the squad sheltered in the shadows of a tenement, twenty yards from the street.
‘They’re fleeing,’ said Libby.
‘Why?’ said Loryn.
‘There’s only one reason,’ said Lennox. ‘The Wine and River Gates. The Rahain Army must have broken through and entered the town.’
Cain punched the air. ‘Yes! Now we’ll show those bastards. Thirty thousand fucking Rahain. We did it!’
‘Aye,’ said Lennox. ‘We did.’
Carrie pointed at the civilians running along the street ahead of them. ‘What about them?’
‘What about them? Let them run. The town’s ours.’
‘Aye,’ said Cain. ‘Let them starve in the winter ice and frost. It’s twenty day’s walk to Amatskouri; they’ll never make it.’
Lennox glanced at him.
‘About before, boss,’ Cain said. ‘Sorry. I was out of order. I thought I was going to die back there.’
‘Alright, but I don’t want to hear any more shit about killing children. We’re not savages, we’re the fucking Army of Pyre. We’re on the right side in this war, and we need to act like it.’
‘I hear what you’re saying, boss, but I’m not sure you’ll find many who agree, on either side.’
‘I agree,’ said Libby, frowning at Cain. ‘So fuck you.’
‘Come on,’ said Lennox, turning away from the flow of civilians. ‘Let’s get back to the clock-tower. See what’s left of the Fourth Regiment.’
Chapter 2
Containment
Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – Winter’s Day 524
‘…and I never found out if that meant she hated me, or was in love with me,’ said Calder, a lazy smile on his lips.
Karalyn laughed. She relaxed back into the comfortable armchair, the fireplace blazing a yard from where her boots were resting on a stool.
She picked up her mug of coffee. ‘If I ever meet her, I’ll read her thoughts and let you know.’
Calder grimaced.
A courtier coughed and crossed the wood-panelled chamber towards them.
‘Her Imperial Majesty,’ she said, bowing, ‘wishes to inform you that it will be another half an hour before she is ready to greet you today.’
‘Thanks for letting us know,’ Karalyn said, ‘and Happy Winter’s Day.’
‘And to you, ma’am, and lord.’
The courtier bowed again and left the chamber. Karalyn gazed out of the window over the Old Town. The view from the Great Fortress took in the entire city if you stood up on the roof, and the Empress had unblocked all of the windows that the old Emperor had bricked up. Since deciding to remain in the old fortress, she had transformed its dark and oppressive interior into a palace of light. It was still the best defended part of the city, but on its upper floors it felt more like a country house.
‘She’s hungover, you know,’ said Calder. ‘Her Majesty overdid it a wee bit last night at the Winter’s Eve party.’
Karalyn frowned. ‘Did she say or do anything it might be hard to put right?’
‘Always the practical one,’ said Calder, shaking his head. ‘You’re starting to turn into Nyane. Now don’t get me wrong, hen, I like her, but she never seems to relax. Anyway, I was more worried about her Majesty’s state of mind; about what’s making her drink so much.’
‘What about the fact we’ve been at war with Rahain for six thirds,’ Karalyn said, ‘or the fact that she lost an eye? And don’t forget she’s still getting over the death of her best friend. Any one of them would be enough.’
‘I know all that,’ said Calder, ‘but I worry about her.’
Karalyn half-smiled. She knew what the Kell man thought of the Empress; he loved her passionately, though he hid it well behind his cool exterior. She knew his feelings because she had read his mind, as she had read the minds of everyone who came anywhere near her Majesty or her children. Courtiers, guards, advisors, delegates, all had been screened by Karalyn before being allowed into the presence of Empress Bridget.
She lit a cigarette and Calder frowned.
‘Open a window if you don’t like it.’
‘Nasty Holdings habits,’ he said. ‘And it stinks.’
‘Blocks out the smell of barbarian.’
‘Hey, you’re half-barbarian and don’t you forget it. Your father’s…’
‘Oh, please don’t launch into another re-telling of the legend of Killop,’ she said. ‘I got enough of that when I was a bairn. When we visited Severton in Domm, the locals treated him like some kind of hero.’
Calder shrugged. ‘He was. Is.’
‘Now he’s just a quiet family man living in the farthest away part of the Holdings,’ she said, ‘and he drinks too much. Like Bridget.’
‘Aye,’ he nodded, frowning.
‘How come you’re not hungover?’
‘Well,’ he said, ‘I like a drink as much as the next hairy savage, but not when I’m on duty.’
‘Come on, it was Winter’s Eve, and you’re a court lawyer. You weren’t on duty.’
‘I’m always on duty when I’m with the Empress.’
‘Now who’s sounding like Nyane? The truth is, you just don’t want to get drunk in front of Bridget.’
His face flushed and he looked away. ‘I hate it when you do that.’
‘Do what?’
‘Act like you haven’t read my mind. You know how I feel.’
‘Don’t get angry,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t personal. And I haven’t told anyone.’
‘Good,’ he said. He sighed. ‘Thanks.’
‘Why don’t you just tell her?’
He glanced at Karalyn, looking her in the eye. ‘Should I? I mean, are you telling me I should?’
‘If you’re asking if I know what she’d say, then no, I don’t. I have no idea how she feels about you.’
Calder frowned. ‘You’ve never read her mind?’
Karalyn took a long draw from the cigarette, watching the smoke trail up to the ceiling.
‘No,’ she said. ‘It’s the line I won’t cross. She’s the Empress. If I’m going to be loyal to her, then I need to actually be loyal. I trust her.’
The door opened and a courtier entered, followed by the Empress, who was dressed in sombre grey. A dark metal plate covered the area round where her left eye had been, extending across her temple and halfway down her cheekbone. She greeted Karalyn and Calder with a nod as they stood.
‘Her Imperial Majesty,’ the courtier said, bowing.
‘They can see that,’ Bridget muttered.
The courtier bowed again, and left the room, closing the door behind her. The Empress poured herself a glass of water from a side table while Karalyn and Calder stood waiting.
‘Sit,’ she said, joining them by the fire.
‘Good morning, your Majesty,’ said Calder as they took their seats by the roaring flames.
‘Don’t bullshit me, Calder; it’s well past noon.’
The Kell man laughed.
‘Good time last night, your Majesty?’ said Karalyn, stubbing out her cigarette.
‘Don’t give me any lip, young lady,’ Bridget said, ‘and you know you’re supposed to open a window if yo
u smoke in here.’
‘Sorry. Happy Winter’s Day.’
‘Aye. Where’s Nyane?’
‘She had to leave, your Majesty,’ said Calder. ‘There was a message from Mage Sanders waiting for her, and she’s gone to check it.’
The Empress frowned, saying nothing.
‘I was wondering, your Majesty,’ he said, ‘about this evening?’
‘Aye?’
‘My ex-wife wants to go out partying tonight in the Kellach quarter,’ he said, ‘and she’s asked me if I can look after the bairns.’
Bridget raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re not wanting to go out yourself?’
‘I don’t get to see the twins much; their mother rarely asks me to help. If I say no, she’ll just say it’s because I’m a lazy da.’
‘Fair enough,’ the Empress said. ‘I was hoping you’d be at the Winter’s Day reception here in the palace, but yer bairns come first.’
‘Aye,’ Calder said, his eyes low.
‘What about you, Karalyn?’
‘I’m expected home for dinner,’ she said. ‘Mother reminded me this morning.’
Bridget smiled. ‘Best do as Holder Fast says. It’s not wise to cross your mother.’
‘It’s a pity your father didn’t come down too,’ said Calder. ‘I’ve still never met him.’
‘Prefers peace and quiet, does our Killop,’ said Bridget, her eyes far away.
‘I miss him too,’ said Karalyn, ‘but if he’d come, then he would have brought Keir and Kelsey with him, and that I can do without.’
‘Maybe you’ll get on better with them when you’re all older,’ Calder said.
‘I hope so,’ said Bridget. ‘I’ve got plans for Keir.’
Karalyn glanced at the Empress. ‘What plans, your Majesty?’
‘Your mother said he’s showing signs of developing into a fine vision mage. When he’s eighteen in a couple of years, I intend to invite him here, just like I did with you.’
‘Have you told my mother this?’
‘Of course I have; it was Daphne who brought it up. Apparently he’s not an all-rounder like your mother; his battle-vision is poor, but he’s strong in the upper reaches, like inner and so on.’
Karalyn said nothing, her lips turned down.
‘What’s that look for?’ Bridget said. ‘Go on, if you have something to say about your brother, let’s hear it.’
‘He’s an arrogant, selfish bully,’ Karalyn blurted out, ‘who thinks only of himself. That’s why I brought Corthie here with me to Plateau City, to save him from Keir.’
Bridget nodded.
‘Teenagers,’ Calder shrugged. ‘I was an arrogant sod at sixteen; completely full of myself.’
Bridget peered at him. ‘Some boys never grow up.’
Calder’s cheeks flushed and the Empress laughed. She knows fine well, Karalyn thought, watching them. She knows he loves her.
The door opened and Nyane walked through, her breath quick.
‘Your Majesty,’ she bowed.
‘Good afternoon, Nyane, glad you could join us,’ said Bridget. ‘Take a seat.’
‘I bring news, your Majesty; Stretton Sands has fallen.’
Bridget’s face contorted and her fingers grasped the sides of her chair.
‘What?’ said Karalyn.
‘Mage Sanders was contacted a couple of hours ago by Mage Veron in Amatskouri,’ Nyane went on. ‘He’d heard from Stretton Sands. There was an attack at dawn this morning. The castle was still in our hands, but the town and harbour have been over-run.’
Bridget rose to her feet and let out a cry of rage that seemed torn from her chest. She threw her glass of water against the wall, shattering it into a hundred fragments as Calder and Karalyn sat frozen to their seats. The Empress went to the table and picked up a lamp, then swung it at a large vase of flowers, smashing both in an explosion of ceramic and pink petals.
‘Fucking bastards!’ she yelled. She bowed her head, her palms resting on the table. ‘How?’
Nyane cleared her throat. ‘The Army of Pyre, your Majesty. They were airlifted directly into the town, where they opened up the gates on the eastern wall. At least three divisions of Rahain troops were waiting outside.’
‘Three divisions?’ Bridget said. ‘How did we not see them coming?’
Nyane shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I’m guessing that Ghorley must have transported them all by winged gaien overnight.’
Calder grunted. ‘But that would have taken hundreds no, thousands, of flying lizards.’
‘Yes,’ Nyane said. ‘It would have.’
‘The Army of Pyre,’ Bridget said.
‘Yes, your Majesty?’
‘You said they landed in the town.’
‘Yes.’
‘How many?’
‘Judging by the number of carriages witnessed, we estimate about three thousand. Three regiments in other words. The defences on the walls downed perhaps a quarter of them before they could land, and many more were killed when the garrison was sent against them, but they managed to secure the two gates, and held out until the Rahain could enter.’
‘And the castle?’
‘It was still in imperial hands when the message was sent.’
‘What, six hours ago?’
‘Four, maybe, your Majesty.’
The Empress glanced at Karalyn. ‘The roof. Let’s go.’
Karalyn and Calder stood, and followed the Empress and Nyane out of the chamber. Two guards at the door moved into formation behind them, and they strode through the Great Fortress, towards the stairs that led to the roof. Bridget’s rooms were on the upper storey, and they met no one on the way. The Empress had blocked off access to the roof from the lower floors so that she and her children could enjoy the fresh air without having to leave the palace. They climbed the iron staircase and emerged into the bright winter sunlight. A sharp breeze was blowing off the Inner Sea, and the flag of the empire was fluttering from a pole in the corner. Bridget had commissioned gardeners to beautify the roof, and it had been laid out with grass, flower-beds and slender trees. She had also replaced the perimeter wall with a wrought iron railing, so that the entire city could be seen from the high garden.
Karalyn lit a cigarette as Bridget gazed south.
‘I need to know what’s happening,’ the Empress said. ‘I need you to vision there and tell me.’
Karalyn walked up next to her.
‘Aye, your Majesty. I’ll sit down, if that’s alright.’
Bridget smiled.
Karalyn went over to a bench that sat beneath the branches of the tallest tree, took another draw, then stubbed out the cigarette. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. Stretton Sands. She had looked there a couple of times; nowhere near as often as she had sent reports back from the siege of Rainsby, but she knew where the town lay. With a calm joy, her vision left her body. She glanced down at the Great Fortress for a second, then sped her sight south-east. She burst out over the Inner Sea, then passed Amatskouri in a blur to her left, hugging the coast as her senses flew mile after mile, until she saw what she was looking for – a tall rocky promontory, atop which sat Stretton Castle. Smoke was rising in slim pillars from the town, and she slowed as she saw a line of refugees fleeing along the road leading north to Amatskouri. There were a few wagons, but most were on foot; a ragged stream of misery. Many kept looking back in the direction of the town, but Karalyn could see that there was no pursuit. She turned, and resumed her course south, flying over the golden beaches that lined the coast for miles.
As she approached the town she realised that smoke was also coming from the castle, and her heart sank as her sight was drawn to the Rahain standards flying over the cliff-top battlements. The town below was full of Rahain soldiers, thousands of them. They were occupying the town’s gates, and guarding every street junction and market square. The harbour was filled with them, and with the survivors of the town’s garrison, who had been corralled together by the long wharves.
Up on the castle, the Rahain were still clearing the buildings and defences of the bodies of the imperial troops who had fallen. Karalyn felt herself tire, and prepared to leave. She circled the town one last time and noticed a large mass of armoured Kellach soldiers resting in a large plaza in the middle of the town.
The Army of Pyre.
Karalyn gazed at them. Almost all were young, around her age, and a few looked younger than Keir. Their armour was battered and bloody, and many had dark-stained bandages wrapped round their limbs.
Karalyn pulled her vision back to her body and jerked her eyes open. Calder handed her a lit cigarette and a glass of water.
She took a draw. ‘The castle’s fallen too.’
Bridget was sitting on the ground next to the bench, running her fingers through the thick grass; her face relaxed and untroubled. Karalyn longed to know what the Empress was thinking, and how she could seem so calm. Was it an act? Was she terrified on the inside, or was she the master of her own will, the leader that Karalyn would follow unto death? She flushed as she realised that Nyane and Calder were gazing at Bridget in the same way, as they each waited for her words.
‘Well, that’s that,’ the Empress said. ‘Rainsby’s on its own until spring.’
‘They under-estimated Ghorley,’ said Karalyn’s mother, sipping from a glass of brandy and smoking a cigarette. ‘They should have known he had something planned.’
‘The Empress knows what he’s capable of,’ Karalyn said, trying not to get annoyed, ‘but I don’t see how she could have predicted this. I mean, the Rahain airlifted an entire army overnight to Stretton Sands, and then sacrificed thousands of their best soldiers to take it.’
‘But now no food can reach Rainsby until spring. If it falls as well, then…’
‘It won’t fall, mother. You don’t understand; you’ve not seen it. The walls that surround Rainsby are the greatest ever constructed, and the sheer number of catapults would destroy any fleet of winged gaien, no matter how big.’
‘It might not fall through force,’ her mother said, ‘but hunger and cold are worse enemies than the Rahain army.’
Corthie and Laodoc sat in silence at the table as Karalyn and her mother glared at each other.
The Magelands Epic: Storm Mage (Book 6) Page 3