Belinda wandered over and gazed out of the window. There was a muffled roar of laughter from the living-room and Belinda sighed, and stroked the cat sitting on the books.
‘I know you’re fed up with being stuck in our rooms,’ said Karalyn. ‘The hedgewitch and her maid will be gone soon.’
‘But I want to meet them.’
‘You’re the Empress’s secret.’
Belinda frowned. ‘Secret what? Weapon?’
‘You know I can’t discuss it.’
‘It’s not fair.’
Karalyn nodded. ‘I agree. The Empress has ordered it, though, and it’s only temporary.’
‘I hate it here. I want to go home.’
Karalyn flinched from her memories of the Holdfast townhouse. Her last sight of it been in the aftermath of the massacre, and even though it had been cleaned, she couldn’t face the thought of returning without Laodoc’s presence. He had been the solid foundation of her life for five years, and if she went back she would have to live with that knowledge. Somehow, being in the Great Fortress had allowed her to pretend that her normal life was just waiting outside, ready to be re-continued. Like Belinda, she hated living in the fortress, but at least it was a distraction.
She felt a hand on her shoulder.
‘You’re sad,’ said Belinda.
‘Aye.’
‘I miss him too.’
‘I know.’
‘When will it stop hurting?’
Karalyn closed her eyes, trying not to cry. ‘I don’t know.’
The background noise from the living-room went quiet and a moment later, there was a knock at the door. Karalyn got up and walked over to the entrance to her room.
‘Aye?’ she said through the door.
‘It’s me, Nyane.’
Karalyn opened the door a foot. Nyane was standing outside, and behind her, sitting on low couches, were Thorn, her maid, Corthie, and the Empress’s two oldest children. Thorn glanced over at her, a wary look in her eye.
‘Come in,’ said Karalyn, allowing Nyane to pass. She closed the door.
‘How are things?’
‘We’re managing,’ said Karalyn, walking back over to the window.
‘I hate it here,’ said Belinda.
Nyane attempted a smile. ‘Calder will be up soon for today’s lessons.’
Belinda shrugged. ‘Good, but I still hate it.’
‘May I speak with Karalyn alone?’
Belinda frowned, picked up the cat and strode from the room, slamming her bedroom door behind her.
‘I was going to ask how Belinda is feeling,’ Nyane said, ‘but I guess I don’t need to.’
‘Can you blame her?’
‘I’ve been speaking to Calder about her training. She’s coming along well, he says, but the Empress is concerned that you still haven’t unblocked her battle-vision powers.’
Karalyn said nothing.
‘Her Majesty also wanted me to ask about your theory.’
‘What theory?’
‘About how Corthie survived the attack. You said that you put a block into the boy’s mind last year to protect him from his brother attacking him with vision powers, and as a side effect it must have given him protection against all mage powers.’
‘Aye,’ said Karalyn, ‘that’s the only explanation I can come up with.’
‘But what about me? You also protected me from vision attack – I remember the experience well; I had a headache for days.’
‘So?’
‘Well, I’m not protected from other mage powers. We ran a few experiments to check. The Empress wants to know why.’
Karalyn shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Well, the Empress would like you to think about it,’ Nyane said. ‘It’s of the highest importance. If you can protect people from these attacks, then we’ll require you to shield the minds of everyone in the Great Fortress, starting with her Majesty.’
Karalyn lit another cigarette. ‘Bring Corthie in.’
‘All right.’
Nyane walked over to the bedroom door, opened it and called for Karalyn’s brother.
‘What is it?’ said Corthie as he came in. ‘I’m in the middle of something.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Karalyn said. ‘I only need you for a minute. Thorn will still be there when we’re done.’
The boy’s face reddened.
‘Sit over here,’ Karalyn said. ‘And you, too, Nyane. Sit next to him.’
Nyane and Corthie arranged themselves on chairs in front of her. She flicked ash from her cigarette and regarded both of them. She went into Nyane’s mind first. It had been a long time since she had read the herald’s thoughts, and was a little surprised to see that guilt was the Rahain woman’s predominant emotion; guilt at how she had not been a good friend to Karalyn in recent thirds; guilt that she had allowed her work to overwhelm her relationships; guilt not just over Karalyn, but over her father, whom she had also been neglecting. Karalyn pulled herself back from the strong wave of feeling, and focussed on the blocks she had placed to protect Nyane’s mind from being read by vision mages. She found them, still bound securely in place. She nodded, and withdrew from Nyane’s head.
She took a draw and turned to her brother. Impatience marked his thoughts, and a desire to be released so he could go back to being in Thorn’s company. Thorn. Karalyn swerved aside from the other thoughts about the hedgewitch that were beginning to float through the boy’s mind, and concentrated on the same blocks that she had placed into the herald. Karalyn gasped. Her blocks were still there, anchored and sound, but they had spread. The protections had infiltrated every part of his brain, combining with something in his mind that simply didn’t exist within Nyane. Karalyn looked closer, and smiled.
‘The good news is I can explain it,’ she said, pulling back. ‘The bad is that I won’t be able to shield others from the attackers.’
Nyane’s face fell. ‘Why not?’
‘Corthie has dream mage blood in him, and even though he has none of my powers, the dream mage part of him has taken my protections, and created something new.’
‘Damn,’ said Nyane. ‘I mean, that’s wonderful for you and Corthie, and probably the other Holdfast children as well, but disappointing. The Empress had high hopes that her own children would be safe.’
Karalyn shrugged. ‘Sorry.’
‘Can I go now?’ said Corthie.
‘No,’ said Nyane. ‘I need to speak to you as well.’ She glanced at the two Holdfasts. ‘Your father is here.’
‘What?’ said Karalyn, standing. ‘You hid that well.’
‘I’m getting better at shielding my thoughts,’ Nyane said, half-smiling.
‘You should have told me as soon as you knew.’
‘He only arrived half an hour ago.’
‘Aye, but you still asked me all those questions first,’ Karalyn said, striding towards the door. ‘You should have told me. Where is he?’
Nyane looked hurt. ‘Downstairs, in the Empress’s private study.’
Karalyn opened the door, her anger with Nyane simmering. ‘Come on, Corthie.’
Her brother followed her as they left the bedroom, and the conversation in the living-room came to an abrupt halt as the two Holdfasts entered. Karalyn cast her eye over the couch. Thorn was keeping her gaze lowered, while her maid wore a large frown on her features. Karalyn went through a dozen comments in her mind she would like to make, but kept quiet; Corthie glancing at the hedgewitch as he followed her to the stairs. They passed guards on the steps, and reached the floor that housed the Empress’s quarters. More guards let them into a long hall, with doors leading to the Empress’s rooms. They walked to the end of the hall and Karalyn opened the door.
Her father was inside, sitting at a table with the Empress. His eyes caught Karalyn’s and he rose.
‘Father,’ she smiled, as Corthie pushed past her. Killop embraced his son, then came forward and enveloped Karalyn in his big arms, pulling both of his children clos
e to him. The three of them stood like that for a long moment, Karalyn closing her eyes as she hugged her father.
He pulled back and smiled.
‘Look at you,’ he said. ‘Corthie, you look like a young man; you’ve grown so much.’ He ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘And Karalyn, my beautiful girl, I hear amazing things about everything you’ve done. I’m so proud of you both.’
‘And you have every reason to be,’ said the Empress, rising. She put a hand on Killop’s arm and smiled, the metal eye-patch on her face glinting in the light from a window. ‘I’ll leave you three to get re-acquainted. I’m so glad you’re here, Killop. I can’t even begin to explain how much I’ve missed you.’
He smiled back at her. ‘It’s good to see you too, your Majesty.’
‘Don’t call me that when we’re alone,’ she said. She turned to Karalyn. ‘Did you speak to Nyane?’
‘I did, your Majesty.’
‘Good. Thank you.’ The Empress turned and left the small room.
‘That’s the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time,’ Karalyn said as they sat.
‘She’s carrying the weight of the world’s problems on her shoulders,’ her father said. ‘She needs our support.’ He gazed at his children. ‘There’s so much I want to say; so much has happened.’
‘Laodoc’s funeral is today,’ Karalyn said. ‘Did you know?’
‘Not until I got here,’ he said, ‘although a few days ago your mother contacted me and told me what had happened, while I was out searching for Keir and Kelsey.’
‘Have you found them?’ said Corthie.
‘Not yet. Your mother thinks they might have headed west across the Holdings, as we’ve found no trace of them on the main road from the River Holdings to the Plateau. If that’s true, then I’ve been looking in the wrong place all this time.’
‘Has mother not be able to track them with her powers?’ said Karalyn.
Killop shook his head. ‘Have you managed to look?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘Laodoc’s death has turned everything upside down. Sorry. I promise I’ll try, but to be honest, if mother can’t find them then I doubt I’d be able.’
‘It’s fine,’ he said. ‘I understand.’
They sat in silence for a moment.
‘It’s hard to take it in,’ Killop said. ‘He didn’t suffer, did he?’
‘No,’ said Karalyn. ‘It was over in a moment. He wouldn’t have felt anything.’
Killop nodded, then started to cry. Karalyn put her hand on his and squeezed. Her eyes were dry; having spilled so many tears in the previous few days, she wondered if she had run out. Her father wiped his face, and composed himself.
‘And you two were there,’ he said. ‘It must have been terrible.’
Karalyn nodded, and Corthie lowered his gaze.
‘You did the right thing, son,’ Killop said, ‘and I’m proud of you, but you did what no boy of thirteen should have to do. I worry about what it’s done to you.’
Corthie looked into his father’s eyes. ‘I’m fine.’
Karalyn knew her brother was lying, but said nothing.
‘Your mother and I have blood on our hands,’ Killop said. ‘I always hoped our children would be spared that.’
‘I haven’t killed anyone,’ said Karalyn. ‘Not that I’m saying what Corthie did was wrong. If he hadn’t, we’d both be dead.’
Their father nodded. ‘I get it. I’m glad all the same.’ He frowned. ‘I had heard differently, however. I’ve been told that you’d killed someone during the coup; someone who was trying to assassinate the Empress.’
‘That’s the story we put out.’
‘So it’s not true?’
‘I can’t talk about it, sorry. I wasn’t allowed to tell mother, either. All I can say is that no one has died at my hands, and I intend to keep it that way.’
Killop closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Your mother and I think it would be better if Corthie returns to the Holdings.’
‘No,’ said Karalyn. ‘You can’t, please.’
‘Sorry. After what happened, we want him back home for a while. He needs time.’
Corthie said nothing. Karalyn glanced from her brother to her father and back again. The thought of being without Laodoc was hard enough, but to lose Corthie as well?
‘You’re welcome to come back too,’ her father said.
‘You know I can’t leave,’ she snapped. ‘I have work to do.’
‘Aye, I know. The offer stands, however. Never feel that you can’t come home if you need to. Corthie will stay with his mother in Holdings City while I continue to look for Keir and Kelsey.’
‘Why did Keir run away?’ said Corthie.
Killop frowned, and Karalyn could see that he was debating if it was a good idea to tell them.
‘He got a young lady pregnant,’ he said at last.
Karalyn snorted. ‘And what? He just ran away? Abandoned her?’
‘It seems so.’
‘Why am I not surprised?’ Karalyn smirked. ‘Is it anyone I know?’
‘Young Jemma, from his class.’
‘I know her,’ said Corthie. ‘Am I going to be an uncle?’
‘Looks like it, son,’ Killop said. ‘And your mother and I will be grandparents.’
‘Granny Holdfast,’ laughed Karalyn. ‘I’ll bet she loves that!’
‘Your mother’s been remarkably calm about the whole thing,’ Killop said. ‘I was expecting an eruption, but her only concern is making sure the children are all fine. I’m quite looking forward to having another baby in the house.’
The door opened and Nyane entered.
‘Apologies for the interruption. Karalyn, the Empress requests your presence.’
Karalyn rose. ‘I’ll see you soon, father.’
‘No doubt.’
Karalyn followed Nyane out of the room.
‘What’s it about?’ she asked the herald.
‘The Sanang delegation is being assembled,’ Nyane said. ‘They’re being allocated their duties.’
They left the Empress’s private quarters and went downstairs to a large reception room, the same one where they had greeted the Sanang when they had first arrived. The Empress was already there, having changed from her informal clothes to more stately garments. Courtiers were bustling around, preparing the chamber for the Sanang.
The Empress watched as they approached.
‘Nyane told me about Corthie’s mind,’ the Empress said, ‘and why it is that he’s protected.’
‘Aye,’ said Karalyn. ‘Sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault. Still, it’s a damn shame.’
‘Your Majesty,’ said Nyane, ‘have you had a chance to think about removing Belinda from the city? If, as we suspect, the second attacker came here with the sole intention of looking for her, then allowing Belinda to stay in the Great Fortress presents an unacceptable risk to your safety, and the safety of your children.’
‘Aye,’ said the Empress. ‘I’ve thought about it. The problem is that I don’t know where she should go.’
‘There are plenty of places we could hide her, your Majesty; at Agang Garo’s castle in the Mya region of Sanang, or the northern Holdings, or even in Arakhanah City.’
‘All good suggestions,’ said the Empress. ‘Perhaps we should discuss this privately with Agang after the visit of the Sanang delegation is over.’
Nyane nodded. ‘I’ll ask him to stay behind.’
Karalyn listened as they talked. First Laodoc, then Corthie, and now they were thinking of taking Belinda away? She said nothing, not trusting her tongue to be civil.
A courtier poked her head through a door. ‘Two minutes, your Majesty.’
The Empress nodded and they turned towards the low platform. The Empress sat down on the throne, with Karalyn and Nyane standing by. Calder and a few other officials joined them on the platform and the room quietened.
The doors opened and the courtier strode through, Agang a step behind. Following them
into the chamber were the Sanang volunteers. Apart from the three daughters of Lady Ivy, there was only one other young hedgewitch, the others being middle-aged or elderly. Thorn lit up the room as she walked in. She bore herself as if she were a princess, and had a dress and jewellery to match. Her hair had been styled and was up from her bare shoulders, and she was aiming her smile at the Empress. Karalyn rolled her eyes and sighed.
‘Thank you for attending the court of her Imperial Majesty,’ said Nyane. ‘I hope you have enjoyed a restful few days here in the palace. Her Imperial Majesty has taken some decisions regarding the disposition of the hedgewitch volunteers.’
She paused, waiting as Lord Agang translated her words into Sanangka.
‘From the twelve hedgewitches,’ Nyane went on, ‘her Imperial Majesty asks that three be dispatched to our sister city of Amatskouri, to assist in combating the outbreaks of disease among the Rakanese refugees living there.’
She paused again, waiting for Agang to catch up.
‘Three are to remain here in reserve, and to treat those wounded who have already been shipped out of Rainsby. The other six are to depart for Rainsby immediately, to lend direct aid to the masses of injured that are currently there. There are not enough ships to bear all of the wounded back here, therefore the hedgewitches must go to them.’
None of the Sanang looked surprised as Agang relayed Nyane’s words to them. A rumour had been circulating that many would be sent to Rainsby, and none of them looked scared at the prospect.
Lady Bluebell glanced at Agang and he nodded, but before she could speak, Thorn stepped forward.
‘I volunteer to go to Rainsby.’
Bluebell scowled at her and said something in Sanangka, and for a moment the hedgewitches and their aides stood bickering, while Thorn remained silent, her head high.
‘We accept your offer, Miss Thorn,’ said the Empress, cutting through the noise.
The young hedgewitch beamed, then curtsied. ‘Thank you, your Majesty. I promise to do my best.’
Lady Ivy, whom Karalyn presumed to be Thorn’s mother, stepped forwards and took hold of her daughter’s arm, a fierce look on her face.
‘The ship for Rainsby leaves this evening,’ said Nyane. Every eye turned to her as Agang translated. ‘Who else volunteers,’ she said, ‘along with Miss Thorn?’
The Magelands Epic: Storm Mage (Book 6) Page 19