The Magelands Epic: Storm Mage (Book 6)

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘What?’ said Ivy. ‘You’ve been fine all trip, unlike your poor sisters.’

  ‘So they can be sick for twelve days and you’re not upset, but I have a headache for one night, and I get into trouble?’

  ‘You’re not in trouble; don’t be so dramatic.’

  ‘I’m feeling better today, mother. Thank you for asking.’

  ‘There’s no need for sarcasm, Thorn.’

  ‘May I be excused? I want to see Belinda.’

  Ivy sighed. ‘Go on, then.’

  Thorn strode off to the other side of the deck. Karalyn nodded to her as she approached.

  ‘Good morning, Thorn,’ said Calder. ‘Sleep well?’

  ‘Yes, thank you. I think I could live on a boat. I find the movement a comfort.’

  Calder smiled. ‘I’ll never get used to it, myself. Much prefer dry land.’

  Thorn turned to Belinda. ‘Good morning.’

  Belinda said nothing.

  ‘Don’t be rude,’ said Karalyn. ‘Thorn is speaking to you.’

  ‘How are you feeling today?’ said Thorn. ‘I’m really sorry about yesterday. I had no idea that you’d never drunk before, and I would never have given you that gin if I’d known. I hope you can forgive me.’

  ‘It’s me that should be sorry,’ said Belinda. ‘I made a complete fool of myself. I said a lot of silly things that I can’t even remember, and now you won’t want to be my friend any more.’

  Thorn took her hand. ‘Don’t say that, please. We’re still friends.’

  ‘We are?’ said Belinda, raising her eyes and smiling.

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Damn it,’ said Karalyn. ‘I left something in my cabin. I’ll be back in a minute.’

  Thorn waited until Karalyn had disappeared down the steps to the lower decks, then turned to Calder.

  ‘Could I have a quick word in private, please?’

  ‘Aye, sure,’ he said, a puzzled look on his face.

  Thorn led the Kellach man to a quiet corner of the deck.

  ‘What is it?’ he said.

  ‘I need to ask you something. Last night, Karalyn told me some things, and they’ve been preying on my mind all night. I could hardly sleep, in fact. I need to know if she was telling me the truth, but I daren’t ask her myself.’

  Calder nodded, but said nothing.

  ‘Tell me,’ she said, ‘can she really see into the future?’

  The Kellach man frowned. ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘Because she told me she could. Is it true?’

  ‘Aye. It’s a secret, but if she told you herself, then she must want you to know. Did she give you a prophecy?’

  ‘Yes. I mean, I think so.’

  He put a hand on her shoulder and leaned in close. ‘Whatever it was, believe it.’

  Karalyn re-appeared on deck at that moment, though Thorn hadn’t seen her approach. She gave a slight smile to Thorn.

  ‘I know that you’re hoping to see more of Belinda in Rainsby,’ she said, ‘but I’m afraid we won’t be staying in the town.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘I can’t tell you. I just wanted to give you a chance to say your goodbyes.’

  Thorn rushed back to where Belinda was standing.

  ‘I just heard you won’t be living in Rainsby,’ she said, as her eyes began to well. She tried to hold back her tears, but one look at Belinda’s sad face was enough to set them off.

  ‘I’m going to miss you,’ Belinda said.

  ‘Me too.’

  They embraced, and both began to cry. Thorn held the young woman close to her.

  ‘It’s not fair,’ she said. ‘I wish you weren’t going.’

  Belinda pulled back, and wiped the tears from her face. ‘Karalyn says we have an important job to do, and then we’ll come back.’

  ‘Come and find me when you do.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘I promise.’

  The two women turned, and stared at the harbour. The ship was navigating its way between dozens of other vessels anchored within the safe walls of the port. On the stone wharves were hundreds of people. Some were working on loading and unloading ships, but the main bulk were laid out on stretchers in the morning sunshine. Rows and rows of injured and sick soldiers were waiting for their ship to arrive, as sailors rushed about the deck, taking down the sails and readying the ropes. Thorn felt for her powers, then remembered what Karalyn had said about them.

  ‘We’re going to be busy today, girls,’ said Bluebell, as the hedgewitches gazed at the harbour front. ‘It’s time to earn our keep.’

  ‘You have a beautiful power,’ said Belinda. ‘Healing is much better than killing.’

  Thorn nodded. ‘Thank you.’

  Karalyn caught her eye. ‘Good luck, Thorn, and don’t give up.’

  Thorn narrowed her eyes, but said nothing. Instead, she gave Belinda one last hug, then shook the hands of Calder and Karalyn. Her mother called her over, and she returned across the deck to where her family stood.

  ‘You been crying?’ said Acorn.

  ‘I was upset to say goodbye to Belinda.’

  ‘Aww,’ said Clove in a stupid voice, ‘was the little baby sad?’

  Thorn didn’t respond.

  ‘You might want to give Bracken some attention,’ said Acorn, gesturing over to where the young Sanang woman was standing alone, a look of pure misery on her face. ‘I think you’ve neglected her long enough.’

  Thorn sighed. ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Come on,’ said Acorn, ‘the poor girl would follow you into a burning house, even though you dump her at every opportunity.’

  ‘Listen to your sister,’ said Ivy.

  ‘All right,’ muttered Thorn. She took a deep breath and walked over to Bracken.

  ‘What do you want?’ she said as Thorn approached.

  ‘I need to ask you a massive favour.’

  Bracken snorted. ‘And why would I help you?’

  ‘Because you’re my best friend.’

  Bracken frowned, and turned away.

  ‘I need you to tell me if you hear anything about a man called Keir Holdfast. It’s very important that you let me know right away if you find out where he is.’

  ‘Why?’ said Bracken.

  ‘Because,’ Thorn said, ‘he might just be my prince.’

  Chapter 16

  The Kildrummie

  Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – 23rd Day, Second Third Spring 525

  ‘In fifteen days I’ll be fifteen,’ said Kelsey from up in the saddle.

  ‘So?’ said Keir.

  She glanced down at him as he led Monty along the road. ‘What are you going to get me?’

  ‘Hmm. What do I get for an annoying little brat? A gag?’

  ‘How about a nice horse?’ she said. ‘To replace the one you made me abandon?’

  ‘It all worked out fine. The amount I took is just about what we would have fetched for Fickle. It was hardly stealing at all, if you look at it that way.’

  ‘I wonder if Tilda and Philo feel the same?’

  ‘Why don’t you go back and ask them?’

  ‘They trusted us, you know,’ she said, ‘and you threw their hospitality back in their faces.’

  ‘Shut up.’

  To Keir’s surprise, Kelsey did as she was told for once, and quietened. He frowned. His sister had been nagging him endlessly about what he had done in that stupid village, and he was sick of listening to her complaining. She had still eaten the food and slept in the inn rooms that the stolen gold had paid for, the little hypocrite. She had a talent for making him feel guilty, as if she were somehow morally superior to him.

  ‘Look!’ she cried. ‘There it is at last.’

  He glanced up, and caught a glimpse of the great imperial capital ahead through the trees. Its high walls spread before them, marked with turrets and battlements. Beyond, the tall spires and towers of the city pierced the blue sky.

&n
bsp; ‘Does it look the same as you remember?’ Kelsey said.

  ‘I was six when I was last here. All I can remember are the parties and parades, and getting to stay up late with mother.’

  Kelsey shook her head. ‘So Karalyn was taken to visit Kellach Brigdomin by father, and you were taken here by mother for the Empress’s ten-year jubilee, but me and Corthie? Fuck all. Taken nowhere exciting. Father’s favourite, and mother’s favourite. I don’t hear you deny it.’

  ‘It’s not my fault. Maybe you were an ugly baby.’

  ‘Or maybe it was because you and Karalyn were both so needy, whereas me and Corthie can look after ourselves. You pooped your pants until you were twelve.’

  He glared at her. ‘Do you think that might have something to do with that fact that Karalyn cooked my brains when I was a baby? That bitch ruined my childhood. I’ll never forgive her for it.’

  They emerged from the small patch of woodland. Ahead, the road they were on joined the main highway from Amatskouri to the capital, and was busy with passing wagons and people walking in both directions.

  ‘Time to put your hood back up,’ Kelsey said.

  Keir sighed and pulled the hood up and over his head. It fell low, covering his face in shadow. He was also wearing gloves, in the hope that he would pass as a Kellach Brigdomin. He hated the hood, as it meant he could hardly see anything to either side, and the warm weather would make him sweat.

  ‘That’s better,’ Kelsey said from atop Monty, ‘and remember, leave the talking to me if any needs done.’

  Keir led Monty onto the paved highway, joining the traffic behind a large covered wagon. He kept his eyes lowered, trying to act normally while his heart pounded. The road branched after a few hundred yards, the left arm heading off south towards the river and the Rahain Gate, while the main road continued on to the Kellach Gate. The wall between the two gates showed many places where it had been repaired since the old wars, and one section of melted rock had been left in place, to mark where the mad Emperor had tried to destroy the Kellach quarter in his hunt for the fire mage, Keir’s aunt. A new tower rose to the left of the tall gates, where soldiers kept watch on the flowing traffic below. The entrance was wide open, with only a couple of guards on duty.

  ‘I thought there’d be more security,’ said Kelsey. ‘Anyone could just walk in.’

  ‘Good,’ said Keir.

  ‘Aye, good for us, but also good for any enemy agents that fancy a bit of mischief-making. Do you not remember the attacks in the market last year, before Ghorley invaded?’

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘Then you’re an idiot. The Kellach and Rahain quarters were practically at war with each other.’

  ‘I hope the Kellach kicked their scaly arses.’

  ‘The Rahain are just like us,’ Kelsey said. ‘You can’t blame them for having a shitty government.’

  The flow of traffic slowed as they approached the Kellach Gate. Sweat trickled down Keir’s face. The wagon ahead of them rolled forwards a few yards.

  ‘Be calm, brother,’ Kelsey whispered. ‘Remember to breathe.’

  The walls loomed up as they edged closer, then finally the wagon in front of them trundled through the gates after being checked by the soldiers on guard. Keir led Monty forward, but the soldiers didn’t give him a second glance; they were already looking at the next wagon in line. Keir walked under the arched gateway, the streets of the city just yards away.

  ‘Excuse me, ma’am,’ said Kelsey.

  A soldier turned. ‘Aye?’

  Keir froze as the soldier eyed them.

  ‘Could you please direct us to the nearest decent stables?’ said Kelsey.

  ‘Aye, miss,’ the soldier said. She pointed down the street into the city. ‘Take the third road on the left.’

  ‘Thank you, ma’am,’ said Kelsey. She turned to Keir. ‘You heard the lady. Lead on.’

  Keir nodded, his head low, and walked onwards. Kelsey chuckled as they emerged back into the sunshine.

  ‘That was funny. Did you poop your pants again?’

  ‘Shut up,’ he muttered, sweat getting into his eyes.

  They followed the soldier’s directions, and headed down the busy street into the Kellach quarter of the city. High tenements lined the road, with taverns, stores and workshops at ground level. The vast majority of folk were Kellach Brigdomin, and Keir had the unusual feeling of not being the tallest person in his immediate vicinity. He smiled. At least his height wouldn’t make him stand out.

  They turned left at the third junction, and walked down a wide street, where an animal market had been set up. There were pens of sheep, pigs and cattle lining the roadside to the left, while a large paddock with horses and stable buildings was on the right. Keir led Monty over to where a couple of Holdings men were talking to a Kellach woman by the entrance to the paddock.

  ‘Good morning,’ said Kelsey as they neared.

  The eyes of the small group turned to them.

  One of the Holdings men sucked in his breath. ‘Now that,’ he said, ‘is a fine looking beast.’ He glanced up at Kelsey. ‘Holdfast?’

  ‘Aye,’ she said. ‘Bought by my father directly from the estate during last year’s spring fair.’

  ‘Are you looking to sell? I’d offer a good price for him.’

  ‘No,’ said Keir from under the hood.

  The group turned to him.

  ‘We just want to put him into stables for a while,’ Kelsey said. ‘What are your rates?’

  The Holdings men approached. One stroked Monty’s flank, nodding.

  ‘One and a half bits per day,’ he said. ‘For that he gets food and water, and exercised each dawn for an hour.’

  ‘We’ll give you fifteen now,’ Kelsey said. She gestured to Keir. ‘Please pay them.’

  Keir reached into his belt and counted out fifteen silver bits, his gloves making him seem clumsy and awkward. Kelsey reached out and one of the Holdings men helped her dismount as Keir handed over the money.

  ‘If you could come into the office for a moment,’ said the Kellach woman, as the Holdings men unloaded the bags from Monty’s back. ‘Got a form you need to fill in.’

  Kelsey nodded. ‘Wait here,’ she said to Keir.

  Keir watched as the group moved on towards the stables, one of the Holdings men leading Monty by the reins. Kelsey was chatting to them as they walked, as if they were old friends, and he frowned. He pulled a cigarette from a packet and lit it, then glanced around the market. As he had been keeping his head down since they had entered the city, it was the first good look he had taken of the place. He had thought it would look much the same as Holdings City, which he had visited often, but the scale of the buildings was on an altogether different level. And as if the sights weren’t enough, the noise and smell of the Kellach animal market assaulted his senses. He noticed a couple of young Kellach women standing by the sheep pens, and stared at them from under the hood for a few minutes. They were gorgeous. One had red hair, something never seen in the Holdings, and she was almost as tall as he was.

  ‘My, oh my,’ said Kelsey. ‘Enjoying the view, dear brother?’

  He turned to her. ‘Are you sure Monty will be well looked after here? Perhaps we should have looked at a few other places.’

  ‘Relax, he’ll be fine. You can visit him every day if you want to.’

  He frowned. ‘What now?’

  ‘Now, we find somewhere to stay.’

  ‘And how do we do that?’

  Kelsey pulled a folded scrap of paper from a pocket. ‘I asked the folk in the stables for a few recommendations. Somewhere cheap but cosy.’

  He stubbed out the cigarette beneath the heel of his boot.

  ‘Come on, then,’ she said. ‘I’m starving.’

  Keir picked up their bags and followed her as she led the way through the city streets. They came to a large open area, signposted ‘Welcome Square’. A great bronze statue of Empress Bridget stood in the centre, surrounded by market stalls and ope
n-air taverns. A few groups of Kellach were sitting in the sunshine, drinking ale, while a racket was coming from a row of blacksmiths on the southern edge of the square.

  ‘The centre of the Kellach quarter,’ Kelsey said. ‘Did you know that this quarter is the only one that has any statues in it? There’s one of Chief Duncan in the park, and there’s another of Auntie Keira down that street over there. Karalyn’s in that one too, as a little girl. No other quarters have any statues at all, just the Kellach one. Weird, eh?’

  ‘If you say so.’

  They wandered past tables where lunch was being served to a group of Kellach workers, and Keir’s stomach growled at the sight of the food.

  ‘Are we nearly there?’

  ‘Aye,’ said Kelsey, ‘just down this street here.’

  They took a lane leading from the northern edge of the square, where a row of hostels and inns was located. Kelsey glanced at the scrap of paper and approached an open tavern.

  ‘Is this the Kildrummie Inn?’ she asked a serving boy.

  ‘Aye, miss. You wanting lunch?’

  ‘Aye, but a room first, please.’

  The boy nodded. ‘Ask inside at the bar.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  They passed the outside tables and entered the low-ceilinged building. The air inside was thick with weed smoke, and several patrons seemed drunk despite the early hour. Before Keir could complain about the place, Kelsey had already reached the bar, where she was talking to an older man. She turned and beckoned Keir.

  ‘Please give this man ten bits.’

  ‘For one night?’ Keir said.

  ‘Don’t be silly; it’s for four nights, including breakfast and dinner.’

  ‘But not your ale,’ said the man behind the bar. ‘You pay as you go for that.’

  Keir put down their bags and withdrew his coin pouch. He fumbled with the silver.

  ‘Give it here,’ said Kelsey, rolling her eyes.

  Keir handed her the pouch, and she counted out the correct money and gave it to the man.

  ‘Here’s an extra one,’ she said. ‘We’ll be down soon and will be needing fed.’

  The man nodded. He narrowed his eyes at Keir.

  ‘I don’t like hoods indoors,’ he said. ‘I like to know who I’m renting rooms to.’