‘My servant has a nasty scar down his face,’ said Kelsey. ‘Believe me, it’s better to keep it hidden.’
The man frowned, and for a moment Keir thought he was going to push the issue, but he sighed and reached under the counter for a key.
‘Room eight,’ he said. ‘Through the door and up the stairs.’
‘Thanks,’ said Kelsey, taking the key.
Keir gathered their bags and they went up to the first floor. Kelsey halted at a door bearing the number eight and unlocked it.
‘What a dump,’ said Keir as they entered the room.
‘Stop moaning,’ Kelsey said as he set the bags down onto the bare floor. ‘It’s got a private bathroom with hot water.’
‘There’s only one bed.’
‘What did you expect, brother? A palace? We’re on the run, if you’d forgotten. Our money buys us more than the room. The Kildrummie is known for its discretion. No one will ask us any questions here.’
As well as the bed, there was a battered old chest of drawers and a solitary wooden chair. Keir sat on it, feeling it creak under him. He pulled the hooded tunic over his head. His hair was soaking from sweat.
‘I’m not wearing that again, not in this weather.’
‘Then you should stay in the room. I can bring food and ale up for you.’
‘No way. I’m not being trapped in here all day. I’ll go mad.’
‘Then you need to wear the hood.’
‘No.’
She glared at him. ‘You’re being difficult.’
‘I don’t give a fuck.’
‘Do you want to get caught?’
‘There must be other people that look like me in the city.’
‘You’re right,’ Kelsey said. ‘I read the latest census. In a city of nearly two hundred thousand, there are about three dozen of mixed Holdings and Kellach Brigdomin heritage. It seems that the two peoples are getting along quite well. The only problem is that the oldest one is about seven years old. It seems our parents were pioneers in that respect.’
He stood, his broad chest glistening with sweat. ‘Hot water, you said? I’ll need to wash before I go downstairs.’
She said nothing, piercing him with a stare. He laughed and went to the side door. He opened it and entered their small bathroom, which was lit by a narrow window high in the wall. There was an iron tub in the corner, next to a flushing toilet. No more shitting in the bushes, he thought. He walked to the tub and turned on the taps. The pipes shuddered and squealed, and water began flowing. He put his hand under the hot tap, feeling the water slowly warm.
It wasn’t the Holdfast mansion, but after thirds on the road he would take whatever he could get.
The mirror in the bathroom had been cracked and warped, so Keir wasn’t sure how his hair was looking as they went back downstairs an hour later. Kelsey had said almost nothing as he had got ready. She had offered him the hooded tunic just before they had left their room, but he had ignored her.
The tavern was quiet when they entered, with just a few inside tables occupied. Keir eyed the busy groups sitting outside in the sunshine and made for the main doors.
‘No,’ said Kelsey. ‘If you insist on doing this, can we at least stay in here?’
‘Fine,’ he muttered.
Kelsey turned and went over to a small table in an alcove, out of sight of the main tavern.
‘You sit there,’ she said, pointing, ‘with your back to the bar, and I’ll go and order food. What do you want?’
Keir shrugged. ‘Something that was mooing a couple of hours ago. And eggs. And ale.’
He sat and lit a cigarette as Kelsey walked away. That girl worried too much. Surely folk in the city were used to seeing all kinds of people.
‘Can I help you?’ said a voice.
He turned and saw a young Kellach woman standing by the table. Her eyes flickered over his face for a moment, but she retained the expression of a bored waitress.
‘My, uh…,’ he paused. How was he supposed to be referring to Kelsey? She hadn’t told him.
The waitress raised an eyebrow.
‘I’ve already ordered, thanks.’
‘Fine,’ she said. ‘I’ll get you an ashtray.’
He watched her as she turned and left.
‘Stop staring at every woman that walks past,’ said Kelsey as she returned to the table. ‘You’re going to get a reputation as a lecher.’
‘I can’t help it. Did you see how short her skirt was?’
‘It’s a roasting hot day,’ she said, sitting opposite him. ‘You can’t expect everyone to cover up just so you don’t get over-excited.’
The waitress returned with the ashtray. She gave Kelsey a sideways glance as she laid it down on the table.
‘Thanks,’ said Keir, smiling.
‘No problem,’ she said.
‘You’re like a little puppy,’ Kelsey said once the waitress had gone. ‘She’s eighteen, at least. She’s not going to waste her time with a boy.’
He scowled at her. ‘Did you order ale?’
‘Of course.’
‘Did they ask your age?’
She smirked. ‘No. I don’t think they care about that in here.’
A waiter approached with a tray and unloaded two large mugs, and a bowl of bread. Keir grabbed a slice and began eating. It was still warm, and he almost moaned in joy as his hunger was appeased. He picked up the mug and took a long drink. He sighed.
‘I have a plan,’ said Kelsey. ‘Do you want to hear it?’
‘Not really.’
‘Today we relax,’ she said, ignoring him, ‘have a few drinks, a good meal, and rest. Tomorrow, we both start looking for work. Welcome Square’s the best place to begin. We should aim to be there at dawn…’
Keir’s attention drifted away. He glanced over to see if the waitress was about, and noticed a large group of Kellach and Holdings workers enter the tavern. They were clad in dirty overalls and steel-capped boots that clacked on the stone floor. They ordered whisky and ale and sat round a table close to the alcove. Kelsey stopped talking and turned to look at them.
‘Maybe we should ask them,’ she said.
‘I thought today was for relaxing?’
‘Aye, but they might know if there’s work going.’
She fell silent at the waiter returned with the tray. He placed two large plates of steaming food before them.
‘Thanks,’ she said.
Keir tore into his lunch, and for minutes could think of nothing else. Kelsey nudged him as he pushed the empty plate away.
‘What is it?’ he said.
She glanced at the table where the workers were sitting. Several of them were gazing at Keir, confused looks on their faces.
‘You should have worn the damn hood,’ she muttered.
‘Too late now,’ he shrugged. ‘So what?’
Kelsey frowned as he lit a cigarette.
‘Where’s that waitress?’ he said. ‘I need more ale.’
Kelsey turned to the table. ‘Don’t you know it’s rude to stare?’
Keir groaned as the table of workers quietened. One of them, an older Kellach man with shoulders like an ox, got to his feet and walked over.
‘This is our bar, doll,’ he said to Kelsey, ‘and we’ll stare at whoever the fuck we like.’ He glared at them for a moment, then broke into a huge grin. ‘Only fucking with ye!’
‘Don’t listen to that arsehole,’ cried another Kellach from the table.
‘I’m just being friendly,’ the man said. ‘I’m Doddie, by the way.’ He extended his hand to Keir. ‘And you are?’
‘I’m Keir.’
‘A Kell name, eh? Ye don’t look Kell, but.’
‘He’s lived in the Holdings desert all his life,’ said Kelsey. ‘The sun turned him that colour.’
Doddie raised an eyebrow. ‘Are ye having me on, hen?’
‘Of course she is,’ said a Holdings man from the table, shaking his head.
Doddie squinted at
Kelsey. ‘Think yer funny, hen?’
‘Aye.’
‘”Aye,” she says,’ Doddie laughed. ‘So we have a Kellach that looks Holdings, and a Holdings that speaks like a Kellach?’ He turned to the waitress. ‘I think we need more whisky, hen.’
‘So where do you work?’ said Kelsey.
‘We’re a road maintenance crew,’ Doddie said, taking a seat by Keir.
‘And do you always get drunk at lunchtime?’
‘Ye’ve a tongue on ye and no mistake,’ said Doddie. ‘Our shift’s finished for the day. We start before dawn, when everybody’s still in their beds.’
‘Is it good money?’
‘Why, are ye interested?’ he said, to a roar of laughter from the workers’ table.
‘Not me, ya clown,’ she said. ‘Keir.’
The waitress brought over more ale and whisky to the alcove. As she walked away, Doddie leaned in close to Keir.
‘Some arse on that, eh, lad?’
Keir smiled, but the spirits on the old man’s breath was making him feel queasy.
‘Pig,’ muttered Kelsey.
‘What was that, hen?’ said Doddie, his eyes narrowing. ‘Can a man not give a lady a fucking compliment?’
Kelsey glanced around the tavern. ‘Nope. Sorry, I can’t see the man you’re referring to. I don’t think hairy old perverts qualify.’
Doddie poured himself a whisky, drank it in one, then turned to Keir.
‘Is she yours?’ he said. ‘Are you going to sit there and let her speak to her elders like that?’
Keir swallowed. He glanced at Kelsey, who was smirking, then at Doddie, whose face was growing redder by the moment.
‘Fuck off out of this tavern,’ Doddie said. ‘The pair of ye.’
‘Screw you,’ said Kelsey. ‘We were here first.’
‘We’re here every fucking day, ya stupid wee cow. Now, fuck off before I leather both of ye.’
Kelsey picked up a mug of ale and threw it over Doddie, who raised his hand to strike her, rage twisting his face. Keir lashed out with his fist, hitting the man on the chin. Doddie barely flinched. He bared his teeth and head-butted Keir, who fell backwards into the alcove, blood streaming from his nose. Doddie piled in, his right fist connecting with Keir’s mouth.
‘Ya stupid wee prick,’ Doddie cried. ‘Ye should’ve left when ye had the chance.’ He raised his fist again as Kelsey screamed. Keir raised his hands to protect himself, and his fingers found the handle of his ale mug. He grasped it and smashed into the side of Doddie’s head. It shattered on impact and Doddie fell forwards, knocking Keir off his seat and onto the floor.
Arms reached for him as the other workers rushed to the alcove, and he felt a boot land in his stomach. He rolled free of the unconscious body of Doddie and staggered to his feet. Kelsey was behind him, her face frozen in terror as the workers closed in. Keir put an arm out to shield her as the first punches flew. Keir managed to get a punch off, sending a Holdings man flying, before he was overcome, with fists and boots coming at him from every angle. He fell to the floor.
‘The guard!’ cried a voice, and within seconds the tavern had cleared, except for a Kellach man who, oblivious, was still kicking Keir. A soldier whacked him over the back of the head with a club and he collapsed to the ground in a heap.
‘Right,’ said the soldier to her colleagues. ‘Get this shit cleared up. These three are for the cells.’ She pointed at Keir, the man she had struck, and Doddie, who was sitting rubbing his bloody head.
‘But it wasn’t his fault!’ cried Kelsey. ‘They attacked him.’
‘Couldn’t give two fucks, love,’ said the soldier.
Keir’s arms were lifted, and he was dragged through the tavern, his boots trailing on the ground. Parked outside was a wagon with a large barred cage resting on its chassis. A soldier opened the door and Keir was pushed through. He fell onto the floor of the cage, holding his head, as Doddie and the other Kellach were also thrown in. Keir backed away, but Doddie laughed.
‘Always like a good scrap,’ he said, picking fragments of broken mug from his hair.
The wagon made its way through the streets, picking up a few more disorderly Kellach at the taverns along the route. They stopped by a large stone building, and were escorted at spear point into a basement holding cell. Keir nearly vomited at the stench of the chamber. There were about a dozen others already there, all Kellach Brigdomin, and most drunk and sporting injuries of one type or another.
Keir staggered to a space on the stone bench that ringed the room and sat. His face was throbbing, and his left eye had almost swollen shut. His right fist was also in agony, and his jaw felt like it might have been dislocated. He ran his tongue round the inside of his mouth, checking that he hadn’t lost any teeth. He prayed that his looks hadn’t been damaged.
He glanced up to see Doddie sitting next to him.
‘See when we get out of here,’ he said to Keir. ‘I’m going to batter you and that wee cow you were with. I don’t want to ever see you in Kildrummie’s again. Understood?’
‘No one touches my sister.’
‘She’s a cheeky bitch, and she needs to pay.’
Keir pushed his vision powers into the man’s head.
No one touches my sister! he screamed inside Doddie’s mind, using every molecule of power he possessed.
Doddie juddered, his eyes rolling up into his head. He gurgled, froth appearing on his lips, then slumped down, sliding off the bench and onto the stone floor. He twitched, then lay still. Keir got up and moved to a different end of the cell, where he sat, and kept his eyes down.
Hours passed. A few more drunks were added to the cell, with none of the soldiers paying the slightest attention to the prone body of Doddie lying unconscious on the ground. As the light from the narrow windows was starting to fade, a soldier entered the room.
‘Is there a Keir Holdfast present?’
Keir looked up and raised his arm.
‘Come with me.’
He stood and walked to the cell entrance, stepping over the still body of Doddie on the way. The soldier escorted him up a flight of stairs to the ground floor, and led him into a small room. Keir’s mouth fell open. Waiting for him was his father.
Killop winced as he glanced at the wounds on Keir’s face.
‘Your son, I believe, Lord Killop?’ said the soldier.
‘Aye. Thanks for fetching him. Is there a fine?’
‘Ten gold for causing a public disturbance, sir.’
Keir’s father counted out some coins and gave them to the soldier, who handed over a receipt in return.
‘You’re free to go,’ the soldier said to Keir.
‘Come on, son,’ his father said.
Keir followed his father out of the building and into the street, where a large carriage was waiting. They climbed up and entered. Keir frowned as he saw Kelsey sitting inside.
‘You?’ he said. ‘You told father?’
‘Of course I did. The town guard hauled you away, and I was alone. What else was I supposed to do?’
‘She did the right thing,’ their father said, sitting across from them as the carriage began to move. ‘Though you should have done it thirds ago. Still, at least you’re both alive, and in relatively one piece. Kelsey told me all about your journey.’
‘How did she find you?’
‘I went straight to the palace,’ Kelsey said. ‘I was looking for Karalyn.’
‘Is she in the city too?’
‘No,’ their father said. ‘Both her and your brother were here, but Corthie’s on his way to Holdings City, and Karalyn is away, working for the Empress.’
‘At least there’s that,’ said Keir, gazing out of the window. ‘I couldn’t face seeing her again.’
His father gave him a dark look, but said nothing.
‘So, what are we doing now?’ Keir said. ‘Are you sending me back home?’
‘I’ve talked it over with your mother,’ Killop said, ‘and with Jemma and
her parents. We think it would do you good if you stayed here for a while. After you ran away, Jemma was sad at first, but now she’s just angry. She doesn’t want you anywhere near her, or her baby. She’ll hopefully change her mind in time, but right now I think it would be a mistake to take you back, and your mother agrees.’
‘So I get to live here in the city?’ Keir said, grinning despite the pain it caused him.
‘You’ll be living in the Great Fortress with Kelsey and me, but it’s not going to be easy. There will be no parties, and no going out drinking. You’re going to be very busy.’
‘Doing what?’
‘Training.’
Keir frowned.
Killop smiled. ‘How else will you improve your fire mage skills?’
‘You know about that?’ Keir said. ‘How?’
‘Your big sister saw it in a vision.’
‘And she told you?’
‘Aye, she told me.’
Keir turned back to the window to hide the anger on his face. ‘Bitch.’
Chapter 17
Both Blades Red
Tahrana Valley, Rahain Republic – 2nd Day, First Third Summer 525
Karalyn watched Calder tend the fire by the cave opening. He was poking it with a stick, pushing the dry logs closer to the heart of the flames. He picked up a red hot stone and dropped it into a metal pan filled with water, and bubbles churned the liquid cloudy as it boiled.
‘Tea?’ he said.
‘Aye.’ Karalyn re-arranged her blanket, removing a pebble that had been digging into her, and lay back down. The cave was low, and she had to crouch to move around. Next to her, Belinda was lying on her front, sleeping with her head on a rolled-up tunic. Karalyn glanced outside at the dark night sky, then turned back to the glow of the small fire.
Calder sprinkled some leaves into two mugs and poured water from the pan into them. He had let his hair and beard grow over the journey and day by day seemed less like the smartly turned-out lawyer he had been in Plateau City. After travelling for a third and ten days, Karalyn knew she probably was looking as rough as Calder, and she missed the clean and sparkling bathrooms of her home in the city.
The Magelands Epic: Storm Mage (Book 6) Page 24