She took a plan of the city from her bag and laid it out on the floor in front of them, placing weights onto each corner of the unfolded parchment.
‘We’re here,’ she said, pointing, ‘and the government should be somewhere in that cavern over there. It housed the senate and the city council buildings but, according to my mother, both were burned out during the war. My hunch is that we’ll find Ghorley close by.’
Calder measured out the distance between the two caverns with his fingers. ‘A couple of hours’ walk?’
‘Seems about right,’ she said. ‘I’ll need to remain alert the whole way, so don’t distract me unless it’s an emergency. I’ll not lie to you; the thought of keeping the three of us hidden all the way to the centre of the capital of our enemy scares the shit out of me a little bit.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ Calder said. ‘We’ll have your back.’
‘Maybe we should stay here,’ said Belinda.
‘Aye,’ said Karalyn, ‘maybe.’
‘No fucking way,’ said Calder. ‘I’m not leaving you to go on your own.’
‘But it’s a sneaking about mission, and keeping myself hidden is a lot easier than doing the same for all of us. Remember when you got shot on the farm estate? I was trying to do too much at once.’
‘But you said your powers were getting better.’
‘They are, but baby steps, Calder, come on.’
The Kell man frowned at Belinda, who shrugged.
‘Don’t blame her for having a good idea,’ Karalyn said.
‘”Good idea”?’ he muttered. ‘My arse it is.’
Karalyn put down the bread and meat and lit a cigarette. ‘Just make sure you’re ready for when I get back. Hopefully, I won’t be alone.’
She had been right. Without Belinda and Calder to watch over, she was able to ghost her way through the dark tunnels and gloomy caverns of the great city without a moment’s pause. She kept to the shadows, which were plentiful in the poorly-lit streets, and raced unseen towards the heart of the city. Teeming crowds of workers filed past her, but most had their heads down, fearful of the supervising soldiers and groups of armed civilian militia that watched them. The workers were all dressed in near-identical uniforms; a drab brown tunic that fell below the knee, a shapeless sack that made it hard to separate the men from the women. Karalyn could sense their fear without going into their minds.
She thought of her parents. Her mother had stayed in the Rahain capital for a while, killing people for a living, or so the story went; while her father had been enslaved along with the rest of the Kellach Brigdomin that had been forcibly removed from their homeland. Her Aunt Keira had also passed through the city, paraded in front of crowds baying for her death while trussed up in chains. She smiled. At that point in time, the Rahain must have thought they were the masters of the world; all-powerful and triumphant, and yet, a few years later, their lives had been turned upside down, and they had converted to the creator-faith in their masses in the wake of their defeat and humiliation by the Alliance.
Nearly twenty years of isolation later, and Karalyn could see the tragedy of that decision etched in the face of every worker that shuffled through the tunnels as she lurked in the shadows. It wasn’t their faith that was causing their despair, it was the unremitting certainty that they were right and everyone else was wrong that brooked no compromise; no deviation from the orthodoxy. Heretics and unbelievers were burnt at the stake, or so imperial intelligence had reported. Karalyn herself could see the charred platforms that had been set up in the larger caverns as she passed through them, and knew the truth of it.
The lamplight improved as she approached the vast central cavern. Her feet were sore after three hours of sneaking, but her powers hadn’t been stretched. The district she was in seemed more affluent than the out-lying caverns, and there were many more soldiers on the streets, guarding the shops and larger residences, and eyeing the few peasants that were about with suspicion. At the end of the road the tunnel opened out into the greatest cavern she had ever seen, huge enough to encompass any major town in the Holdings. The ceiling was lost in shadows, and the tallest spires and towers rose up into the darkness. Even so, it was the best-lit space she had seen in the city, with lamps running down every street. In the distance to her left was the burnt-out shell of the ancient senate building, its walls blackened and broken, and its domed roof shattered. Towers had collapsed into rubble, but a good portion of the outer walls was still standing proud, their thickness and strength enduring.
A few hundred yards to its right stood the second-grandest building in the cavern. It too showed fire damage, but also signs of repair, and lights were shining from its many windows. The City Council, she thought; that’s where the government must be based.
She entered the cavern and stole down its long, straight and wide streets, peeling off into a network of alleyways as she approached the council building. She came to a junction and halted. Ahead was a large mansion, surrounded by a high wall, with dozens of soldiers posted at its gate and up on the battlements. She thought back to her plan of the city. The old Holdings embassy, she thought, where her mother had worked. She edged into the deep shadows of an arched portico, and sent her vision across to the mansion. Her sight soared over the wall, and through the glass of a large bay window, entering a grand state room, where an empty throne sat on a low platform. She gazed around. A courtier was polishing the ceremonial steel swords that were attached to the wall, but no one else was around. She went into the man’s mind, and dug through his thoughts.
She laughed, not believing her luck, The old embassy had been turned into the Lord Protector’s official residence. The first place she had looked, and she had found where he lived. She pulled back from the courtier’s mind and began exploring, peeking into rooms and searching for any sign of Ghorley. The rooms had been laid out in the most expensive and luxurious manner, more opulent than anything the Empress had allowed in either her original palace, or in the Great Fortress. It soon became clear to her that the Lord Protector was not at home, so she looked around for another target.
There were several Holdings men and women working in the building, most dressed in the long dark robes of the faith. There was one man, however, who was wearing an old Holdings-style suit, as if to proudly display his civilian status. Her vision followed him as he made his way down a corridor, a folder clutched in his hands. She went into his mind, and almost recoiled from the pent-up frustration and bitterness that flowed through his thoughts.
Perfect, she thought.
Getting the man back to the abandoned cavern had been easy but slow. She had manipulated his thoughts, persuading him to leave the Lord Protector’s residence in a carriage, but she had made him take a tortuous route to their hideout in case he had been followed. He had sent the carriage back in a northern district of the city, and she had made him walk the rest of the way, emptying his head of any thought but to follow her instructions.
When they arrived at the cavern, Karalyn went on alone, leaving him standing in the shadows by the entrance. She stole into the derelict apartment. It was in darkness, save for the one room at the back where Calder and Belinda were sitting by a small lamp. She watched them for a moment, keeping herself hidden. Calder was busy. He had arranged their supplies in front of him, and was repairing clothes with a needle and thread, his thoughts focussed on his work. Belinda was sitting in silence next to him, her back against the wall, her gaze staring into the distance. Karalyn watched her in sadness. Everything had changed when she had released her hold on the young woman’s battle-vision and healing powers. She knew that Belinda still loved her, but a barrier formed of mistrust had been erected between them.
‘I’m back,’ she said, revealing herself.
Calder stared at her, his mouth open. ‘I wish you wouldn’t do that.’
‘Just making sure you were still alive.’
‘She was checking up on us,’ Belinda said. ‘Wanted to see if we were talking ab
out her.’
‘We were,’ laughed Calder, taking it as a joke, ‘but we couldn’t keep it up all day. You hungry?’
‘Aye,’ she said, ‘but food will have to wait. I’ve brought someone.’
‘Who?’ said Belinda.
Karalyn reached out with her mind and summoned the man. She took a seat while she waited, as Calder gathered up their supplies and packed them away. Belinda stood and picked up her sword.
‘Here he comes,’ said Karalyn as the man entered the room, He walked into the centre of the small chamber and halted.
‘His eyes…’ said Calder. ‘What have you done to him?’
‘I’ve taken control of his mind. His consciousness is still in there, but he’s under my command.’
Calder winced. ‘Please don’t ever do that to me.’
Belinda looked away.
‘I’m going to release him,’ Karalyn said, ‘so get ready. He might panic.’
Calder got to his feet and moved to block the room’s only entrance.
Karalyn clicked her fingers, and the man’s eyes returned to normal, then widened as he stared at his surroundings.
‘What the blazes…? Where…? Who are you?’
‘Remain calm,’ Karalyn said from her chair. ‘We’re not going to hurt you.’
The man’s breathing increased, his eyes wild.
‘Sit down,’ she said. ‘Relax. Cigarette?’
His gaze went to Belinda’s sword, then to the presence of Calder by the door. He sat, and Karalyn passed him a lit cigarette.
‘What do you want from me?’
‘We just want to talk,’ she said. ‘I believe you used to know my mother.’
He stared at her.
‘Your name is Joley Holdvale, is it not?’ she said.
‘Yes.’
‘My mother is Daphne Holdfast.’
‘What?’ he gasped. ‘You’re Daphne’s daughter?’
‘Aye.’
‘Then I assume you are an imperial spy?’
‘You assume correctly.’
Joley took a long drag on the cigarette. ‘I met you once, you know, when you were a little girl, about one year old. Your mother just walked into the old embassy one day, to let Ghorley know she wasn’t frightened of him, and she had you with her.’ He smiled. ‘I do believe it’s the only time I ever saw Ghorley scared. Tell me, how is your mother?’
‘She rules the Holdings now, did you know that?’
‘I did, yes; Ghorley has spies all over the empire. After the Empress, I’d say that Daphne Holdfast is the person the Lord Protector hates most of all.’
‘I don’t understand,’ said Belinda. ‘Why is he talking to us? Can we trust what he says?’
‘Madam,’ he said, ‘I am a rational man. You have me surrounded, and could kill me at any moment. I apologise if by talking I have deprived you of an opportunity to torture me for information, but I’m not very partial to pain, thank you very much. But be warned; Ghorley will be able to read my mind when I return. Assuming of course that you intend to let me return.’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ said Karalyn. ‘You’ve been working for the Lord Protector for nearly two decades, you must know him better than anyone.’
‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘I hate him; he hates me, but I’ve made myself indispensable to him over many years. For self-preservation, you understand. In the old days, I told myself that I could leave any time I wanted, and that I was staying through loyalty and my own free will, but when Ghorley closed the borders I realised how stupid I had been. Your mother actually offered to help me get out, but I refused, can you believe that?’ He shook his head. ‘And once I understood that there was no escape for me, I did what I always did – put my head down and got on with my job.’
‘What is your job?’ said Calder.
‘I’m Ghorley’s chief of staff,’ he said, ‘in charge of running the official residence of the Lord Protector. I’m not in the government or anything like that; I see to the smooth organisation of Ghorley’s private life.’
‘If he hates you,’ said Belinda, frowning, ‘then why hasn’t he killed you?’
‘Because, as I said before, I have been ruthless in making myself essential to him. He loathes me, but no one else knows his routine like I do; what he likes, what he hates, right down to the way he takes his tea. He also gets a fair amount of pleasure from humiliating me, especially in front of the deacons of the faith.’
‘You let him humiliate you?’ Belinda said. ‘You sound like the worst sort of coward.’
‘Oh madam, I am a master of being cowardly, an expert in ingratiating sycophancy. One does not survive in the court of a tyrant for as long as I have by being bold.’
‘We can help you escape, Joley,’ Karalyn said, ‘if you want.’
He smiled. ‘Do you remember the part when I told you that Ghorley is able to read my mind? I’m duty-bound to refuse your assistance, otherwise he will discover my treachery when I return to the residence. Nothing I ever think or do is a secret to him; his paranoia has grown with the years, and he trusts no one. Except perhaps Yosin.’
‘Who?’ said Belinda.
‘A relic of the old days,’ Joley said. ‘The ex-leader of a sect within the church called the One True Path. They were destroyed when the Emperor fell, but Yosin made his way here to Rahain, his heart burning with lust for revenge. Without his zeal for the faith, I actually believe that Ghorley might have attempted to build bridges with the empire, but Yosin’s beliefs would never allow it. He is the author of the Wronged God theology, that vicious creed that demands the destruction of the Empress’s rule at all costs.’
‘You’re not a believer, then?’ said Calder.
‘No, never have been. It annoys the deacons, but Ghorley himself isn’t bothered by it.’ He sighed. ‘Can we stop playing games now? I know you’re not going to let me go. I’ll already be missed at the residence, and if I return, then Ghorley would find out that you’re here and, well, I’m sure that’s not what you desire. I would like to make one request, on the grounds that I have been open and civil with you.’
‘What’s that?’ said Karalyn.
‘That you make it quick.’
‘Are you not scared to die?’ said Belinda.
‘No, madam, not any more. There was a time when I would have done anything to save my life, but recently I’ve begun to stop caring.’
Karalyn smiled at him. ‘You still have a part to play, Joley, but before we get to that I have more questions.’
He shrugged. ‘Can I have another cigarette, and perhaps a drink of something?’
Belinda passed him a skin of water, and Karalyn lit a cigarette for him.
‘Such kindness,’ he said, ‘thank you.’
‘Last year,’ Karalyn said, ‘assassins appeared in the imperial capital.’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I believe Yosin’s intelligence network was responsible for that.’
‘The assassins had a method they used,’ she went on, ‘to travel from one place to another. Do you know it?’
‘No, not directly, but I think I can guess what you’re talking about. I once saw a group of assassins upon their return here, and overheard their claims to have been in the imperial capital, despite, to the best of my knowledge, having not left this city, if that makes sense; as if they had been able to make the journey in a day.’ He laughed. ‘I thought at the time it was preposterous, but the Lord Protector was taking their claims seriously. Something occurred, however, the last time they re-appeared. Some of their number had been killed, and their mission had been a failure, but more than that, Ghorley was furious with them. I don’t know why, but they were never sent again. In fact, Yosin had them all executed to ensure their silence.’
‘Where does this Yosin reside?’ said Karalyn.
‘In the old Senate building.’
‘It looks completely destroyed.’
‘Most of it is, but Yosin has taken over some of the basement levels, and stays th
ere with his inner circle of mages and deacons.’
‘Mages?’
‘Yes,’ Joley said, ‘or at least that’s what he says; I’ve never so much as laid eyes on them. I assume they’re vision mages of some kind, judging by the intelligence Yosin regularly brings to the Lord Protector’s ear, but that’s just my guess.’
‘Do you know any of their names?’
‘I did hear one name slip from Yosin,’ he said. ‘Agatha.’
Karalyn nodded.
‘If I’m going to die anyway,’ he said, ‘there’s one more thing that may interest you. Ghorley’s proudest achievement, in fact. One of the empire’s best Holdings mages is actually working for him. Her name’s Sable Blackhold, and she was turned years ago. I’ve met her once or twice, and it was her information that led to the successful assassination of Chief Mage Isobel, among many other deeds.’
‘Do you know where she is right now?’
‘No idea. She was briefly in the capital about a year ago, after the sack of Silverstream, which she also had a hand in. She came to the residence for tea.’
Karalyn cursed. She knew the name of Sable, and knew that Nyane had thought of her as a loyal servant of the empire. She had been presumed killed after the fall of Silverstream, and her loss had been mourned in the palace.
‘Fucking traitor,’ muttered Calder. ‘I always wondered how Silverstream had fallen. Well, I guess we know now.’
Joley stubbed out his cigarette. ‘Alright, if there are no more questions, then I’m ready.’
Karalyn smiled, gazed into his eyes and sent him to sleep. Calder walked over to him and prodded his shoulder.
‘He’s out,’ he said. ‘I’m guessing you have some sort of plan for him?’
‘Aye,’ she said, ‘he’s our way into the Lord Protector’s residence. I just need to go into his head and re-arrange things a bit, then we can send him on his way.’
She moved her chair closer to him, and entered his mind. She had put him into a dreamless state, and his thoughts were drifting like leaves on a stream. She hid all memory of his meeting with them, then ransacked his older memories for images that she could use to fill the gap. She re-positioned an assault from his youth, when he had been mugged in a dark alleyway, padding it out with scenes of the Rahain capital, and changing the faces of his attackers to those of Rahain peasants. She made it all vague and cloudy, adding in a disorientated feeling of terror and panic, and worry that he would get into trouble for being late. She nodded, then frowned.
The Magelands Epic: Storm Mage (Book 6) Page 31