‘You’ve never mentioned this before,’ said Acorn.
‘And you never told me about Bryda.’
An older man on crutches approached the alcove. His lower left leg had been amputated below the knee, and fresh bandages were wrapped round the wound.
‘Thought I recognised ye, hen,’ he said to Thorn. ‘Can I buy ye a drink?’
‘We’re fine, mate,’ said Bryda. ‘Thanks.’
‘Nae bother,’ he said. ‘Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you, ye know, for saving my life.’
Thorn narrowed her eyes, trying to remember if she had seen him before. So many bearded Kellach soldiers, sailors and marines had been placed onto a table in the hospital for her hands to heal, that she had lost track of their faces.
‘You’re welcome.’
He nodded. ‘You take care, hen,’ he said, then turned and made his way to the bar.
The alcove sat in silence for a moment. Thorn suppressed an urge to cry. Why was he thanking her? She hadn’t been able to save his leg, and he would be a cripple forever, relying on crutches to get around. She didn’t deserve his thanks.
Bryda clicked her fingers under Thorn’s nose.
‘Snap out of it,’ she said. ‘We’re here to forget about work, not dwell on it.’
Thorn took a large sip of gin.
‘Here,’ said Tomlin, handing her a lit cigarette.
‘Miss Acorn?’ called a voice from across the bar.
Thorn glanced over and saw her sister’s guard gaze around the room, looking for her.
‘Over here,’ cried Bryda.
The guard hurried over. ‘Miss Acorn, I’m sorry to bother you, but your sister’s awake.’
‘How is she?’ said Acorn.
The marine shrugged. ‘Not so good, ma’am.’
‘Shit.’
‘Want me to come?’ said Bryda.
‘We should all go,’ said Thorn.
Acorn shook her head. ‘It would only make it worse.’ She slid off the bench and stood. ‘I’ll see you all tomorrow.’
Bryda took her hand for a moment and squeezed it, then Acorn walked away, her guard following.
‘After everything you’ve seen,’ said Thorn to the two marines, ‘you must think us weak.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ said Tomlin, ‘no one thinks that.’
‘Aye,’ said Bryda, ‘you girls have fucking performed wonders since you got here; you and the three older hedgewitches as well.’
‘But it’s not enough, is it?’ said Thorn. ‘It’s never enough. Every day, more torn and ragged bodies are brought before us, but we can’t save everybody, no matter how hard we try. I couldn’t even save that man’s leg. And today, those…’ She stopped talking as tears filled her eyes. She put her head in her hands so they couldn’t see her cry, but she could feel their eyes upon her.
‘It’s alright,’ said Bracken, her hand on Thorn’s shoulder.
‘Let her cry it out,’ said Bryda. ‘No one here cares, because they all done it themselves at one time or another. Every one of us stuck in this town has seen death and despair, but we’re still here, aren’t we? We’re still fighting.’
Thorn raised her head.
‘We’re proud of you,’ Bryda went on, ‘more than that, we love you. Every marine would give their life to save any one of the hedgewitches; they’d fight over the fucking honour of it. You think you’re not doing enough? Well, take a moment to imagine what it was like before you arrived.’
Thorn wiped her eyes.
‘Come on,’ Bryda said, ‘let’s drink like the Brigdomin, and forget ourselves for a while.’
Chapter 20
A Third
Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – 28th Day, First Third Summer 525
The Empress frowned.
‘I know you don’t like the idea, your Majesty,’ said Nyane, ‘but unfortunately I think the time has come.’
‘I want to avoid it if at all possible,’ said the Empress. ‘You know how the people will take it. There hasn’t been conscription since Guilliam was wearing the crown.’
‘The people are yours to command, your Majesty,’ said Nyane. ‘Our recruiters estimate that, at current rates of enlistment, we will be the equivalent of four divisions short by the end of the year. If the citizens of the empire cannot be persuaded to fight for their freedom, then perhaps they need to be compelled.’
Keir glanced from the Empress to her Rahain herald, boredom causing his head to ache. He took a sip of cold fruit juice, and remained quiet in his seat. His father was also present in the small chamber in the heart of the Empress’s quarters, along with one of the imperial vision mages, who had earlier given a report of the state of the siege of Rainsby.
‘What about Sanang?’ said the Empress. ‘Between the Matriarch and Agang, they should be able to find more volunteers.’
Keir saw Nyane suppress a sigh. ‘The Matriarch barely has an armed force to speak of, and Lord Agang has already stripped his garrison of extra soldiers. He may be able to supply a few hundred, if pressed.’
‘Then press him.’
‘As you will, your Majesty.’
‘And the Rakanese?’
‘Every Amatskourian recruit is currently occupied in the defence of their city, in case the Army of Pyre or the Sons of Sanang make a move north from Stretton Sands. And, as I’m sure your Majesty is aware, the government of Arakhanah is not particularly receptive to our requests at present.’
‘Fucksake,’ the Empress muttered.
Keir smirked, but kept his head lowered as the room stilled.
‘So it’s down to the Holdings and the Kellach Brigdomin to risk their lives again?’ said the Empress, the anger on her face obvious. ‘The Sanang and the Rakanese will be the first to complain if Ghorley and his hordes take over. Pyre’s tits, does the Matriarch want the Sons of Sanang to return to her homeland?’
Nyane frowned. ‘I think the Matriarch believes that her donation of hedgewitches has fulfilled her obligations to the empire.’
‘Twelve people?’ cried the Empress. ‘Weighed against the thousands already killed?’
‘But six of those twelve hedgewitches, your Majesty, have already saved the lives of countless soldiers in Rainsby, who would otherwise be lost to us.’
‘I’m not belittling their effort; I know they’re doing a great job, but the empire is bleeding through the wound that Rainsby has become. It barely survived last winter. Will it survive another without reinforcements?’
‘I would deem that unlikely, your Majesty, unless Stretton Sands can be recaptured before the end of Autumn.’
The Empress stood, and walked over to the window, where the sun was shining in the eastern sky. She gazed out over her city.
‘Killop,’ she said. ‘Your thoughts?’
Keir’s father stirred. ‘What’s stopping us attacking Stretton Sands now?’
‘Oh,’ smiled Bridget, ‘how about the lack of the, say, twenty thousand soldiers we would need to retake it? Every unit we have is defending something. There’s nothing spare. Worse, every recruit we do get is fed into the charnel house of Rainsby.’
‘What about a limited conscription?’ Killop said. ‘Twenty thousand, if spread around, shouldn’t hurt too much.’
Nyane hid a smile, but her eyes sparkled. ‘If we were to do that, then we would be wise not to send the new recruits against Stretton Sands. The four thousand Army of Pyre and six thousand Sons of Sanang who are based there are all veterans. Instead, we could use the new recruits to relieve other, more experienced detachments, and use them for the assault. I would include the Imperial Marine Division in any attack.’
The Empress said nothing for a long moment, then turned. ‘It’s a bitter day for the empire I dreamed of, and it goes against the idea of freedom that I promised the people when I took the crown; but I bow to necessity. Nyane, send word to the First Holder’s residence and inform Daphne of our plans. Ensure that she knows that any conscripts will not be sent to Rainsb
y.’
‘Yes, your Majesty,’ said Nyane, bowing, ‘and how many soldiers will I request from the Holdings?’
‘Half. We will conscript the other ten thousand from the Plateau.’
‘As you will, your Majesty,’ said Nyane. She turned to the Holdings vision mage, who had been nursing a cup of tea. ‘Mage Sanders, please come with me. We shall send the message immediately.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ said the mage, rising.
They bowed to the Empress and left the chamber.
The Empress sat back down. ‘Sorry that took so long, Killop.’
‘Not at all.’
She glanced at Keir. ‘How’s the training going?’
‘Slowly,’ said Killop, ‘but he has potential. Do you remember training Lilyann and Dean?’
‘Aye.’
‘Well, he’s got it in him to be better than either of them, but has no patience, and he’ll do anything to get out of practice.’
‘Is that why you brought him here this morning?’
‘Aye, I can’t let him out of my sight at the moment.’
Keir simmered in silence, hating them talk about him as if he were a stupid child. He gazed out of the window. It was another sunny day in Plateau City. He should be out enjoying himself, instead of being stuck inside learning how to make idiotic fire animals. It was his father who lacked patience in his opinion, not Keir, shouting at him when he got something wrong. It wasn’t Keir’s fault; how was he supposed to learn something that was so boring? It would be alright if he was getting to properly burn stuff, but his father’s training regime was proceeding at a gaien’s pace.
‘Any word on how close you are to becoming a grandfather?’ said the Empress.
‘It should be within a third,’ Killop said. ‘Jemma’s doing well, I hear. Fed up and wanting it to be over, but doing well.’
‘Then you’ll be leaving soon?’
‘Aye. Jemma made it clear that she doesn’t want Keir there at the birth, but if we leave in the next few days, then we should arrive back in Holdfast not too long afterwards. Hopefully, she’ll be more receptive then.’
‘It’s been good having you here. There’s a job for you on my council any time you want it.’
Killop smiled. ‘You could always command me.’
‘I could, but I won’t. Maybe once your domestic… situation has been sorted out I might be persuaded to change my mind, but until then you should go where you’re needed.’
‘I want to stay,’ mumbled Keir.
The two adults turned to look at him.
‘Fathers have responsibilities,’ said the Empress.
‘But she doesn’t want me there!’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ said his father. ‘No son of mine’s going to abandon their child.’
‘They could move here,’ Keir said.
‘Maybe,’ said Killop, ‘I’m open to all kinds of possibilities. There’s also Holdings City. We could get you a small apartment there, if Jemma’s willing, and then you could start university, or the academy.’
The Empress gazed over, her eyes piercing him. ‘What do you want to do with your life, Keir?’
He looked down. ‘I want to be free.’
‘You’re still a boy,’ said his father.
‘I’ll be seventeen in the autumn.’
‘Aye, and when you’re eighteen, then you can decide for yourself. Until then, you’re the responsibility of me and your mother.’
‘When you do reach eighteen,’ said the Empress, ‘I might have need of you here, if your training’s complete. A vision mage with fire powers? And I know you’re clever; you’re just at the age where you feel foolish admitting it. Come back in a couple of years, Keir, and take your place by my side. I’ll be waiting for you.’
Keir said nothing.
‘Right,’ said Killop, standing, ‘we’ll let you get back to work.’
‘Dinner tonight?’
‘Aye,’ he said, bowing, ‘your Majesty.’
Keir rose and nodded his head in a shallow bow, then he and his father left the chamber. Guards moved aside to let them pass, and they strode down the carpeted hall.
‘Were you listening in there?’ Killop said. ‘The Empress of the World just offered you a position by her side. She has faith in you, just like your mother and I do.’
‘What if I don’t want that life? Does no one care what I think?’
They descended a narrow flight of stairs and left the area sealed off as the palace. Soldiers and clerks were hurrying about their business, filling the lower floors of the Great Fortress.
‘We care,’ said Killop. ‘I haven’t said this to you before, but I’m proud of the way you managed to look after yourself and Kelsey while you were on the run. I’m not proud of the fact that you ran away, don’t get me wrong, but you kept yourself hidden and made it to the city on your own. Couldn’t have been easy.’
They reached the front gates of the fortress.
‘Where are we going?’ said Keir, glancing around at the crowds entering and leaving the huge entrance hall.
‘I want to check on the Holdfast apartment,’ his father said. ‘And we can use your mother’s old training room in the basement for fire practice.’
‘But I’m so tired. I need a day off.’
‘Tough.’
His father gestured at an officer who was passing.
She approached. ‘Sir?’
‘A quick word?’ he said. ‘I need to let you know where we’re going.’
Keir frowned as his father and the officer began talking. He looked around, noticing a couple of good-looking Kellach soldiers on guard by the gates. A group of civilians in robes was standing next to them, having their papers checked before being allowed entry. A young woman in the group caught Keir’s eye. She was tall for a Holdings, and wearing a long white gown. His eyes moved from her long legs to her waist, then up to her face. She smiled at him, and his heart rose. Then, after the briefest moment, the group moved on, waved into the fortress by the guards, and she was gone.
He laughed to himself. He still had it.
He glanced at his father, and his smile faded. It wasn’t fair. He had been in the city for over two thirds, and had never been allowed out of the fortress on his own. The officer was showing his father something in a book, and they were both poring over the pages, as if they had forgotten he was there.
Keir smiled, edged backwards, then ran.
He mingled with the crowd at the gates, and slipped through. Once over the busy bridge, he started to sprint, racing down the streets away from the fortress and into the heart of the New Town. He doubled back after a hundred yards, and took a turn for the Old Town, laughing with exhilaration as his feet sped along the cobbles.
His father would be going crazy, rushing about like a fool looking for him. He picked up his speed, passing through the open gates to the Old Town, then veering left, heading as if on instinct towards the Kellach quarter of the city. He left the Old Town and slowed, his breath coming in long pants. Behind him, the shadow of the Great Fortress loomed, but he felt free for the first time in an age. He patted his belt, making sure he had brought money with him. Weed and whisky weren’t cheap.
Keir loved the summer weather, but more than that, he loved that the young women of the Kellach quarter seemed to have discarded half of their clothes to cope with the heat.
‘It’s a lot hotter where I come from,’ he said.
‘Oh aye?’ said the young woman sitting opposite him as she prepared a stick of dreamweed. She glanced at her friends, sat next to her in the tavern’s outside garden. ‘Where’s that, then?’
‘Far edge of the Holdings,’ he said, lifting the mug to his lips. It was his third ale, and they were going down well. He flicked ash from his cigarette onto the ground. ‘Semi-desert.’
The women laughed. They all looked at least a year or two older than him, but he was determined to brazen it out.
‘The desert?’ said one.
; ‘Ye don’t look Holdings to me,’ said another. ‘Too tall.’
‘Some of us grow big and strong up there,’ he said, smiling. ‘It comes from hunting down wild beasts.’
‘Yer arse.’
‘No, really. There’s one animal with hide so thick a crossbow bolt can’t penetrate it. And it’s got a great big fucking horn on its nose. You have to go after them on foot; the horses are shit scared of them.’
One of the women, a pretty blonde with long hair raised an eyebrow. ‘And you’ve hunted one of these beasts, aye? Is that what yer claiming?’
‘Alright, I wasn’t alone,’ he said, shrugging. ‘My father and others were there with me, but I was part of the hunt all the same.’
‘And what are ye doing in the city?’
‘Thinking about joining the army. Do my bit.’
The women exchanged glances. ‘Ye know where they’ll send ye, aye?’ said one.
‘Wherever the Empress commands, I guess.’
‘Rainsby,’ she said, and the others at the table shuddered. ‘It’ll be Rainsby.’
‘So?’
‘You must have heard what it’s like down there. We’ve been sending soldiers for over a year, and the only ones that come back are the maimed, and those whose minds have snapped.’
‘It’s the worst place in the world,’ said another one of the group. ‘No sane person would choose to go there.’
‘Is that why none of you have signed up?’ Keir said. ‘You all look fit and healthy.’
‘Plenty of our friends and relatives have gone, and we’re all enrolled in the city militia. If trouble comes here, I’ll defend my home and I’ll fight for the city, but I don’t want to go to Rainsby.’
Keir downed the rest of his ale and looked around for one of the serving staff. ‘You might not have a choice soon.’
‘Eh?’ said the blonde woman. ‘What do you mean?’
He hesitated, realising that his story as a wild beast hunter wouldn’t tie in well with him overhearing a secret council of the Empress.
‘What if they introduce conscription?’ he said.
‘Nah,’ she said. ‘No way. The Empress would never do that. She’s always said that she’d only take volunteers.’
The Magelands Epic: Storm Mage (Book 6) Page 29