The Severed City

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘The vision powers of your people remain a source of fascination to me,’ he said. ‘The ability to communicate over long distances, it transforms the way war is fought. I have an insight now into how you were able to beat us so easily, at least in the first two years of your invasion.’

  Chane lit a cigarette. ‘None of you ever talk about your own mages. Why is it such a secret?’

  ‘Have you forgotten all the times Badolecht has healed you?’ he asked. ‘The power of our mages is all around us. Battlefield healers, and hedgewitches banishing sickness and injury from the camp. We don’t talk about it because it seems so normal to us. It was only when I first saw wounded Holdings soldiers that I realised not all peoples have the power to heal.’

  ‘So there are healers,’ she said. ‘Is that it? I mean I know there are lesser mages who can bend tree branches, and make shrubs move aside, but is that the sum total of Sanang magery?’

  He frowned, and turned to the dead town.

  ‘I spoke of this once with Daphne Holdfast,’ he said. ‘I will not do so again.’

  ‘I don’t remember her telling me anything,’ she said, ‘but I was drunk most of the time.’

  He stared at the blackened buildings, crowned in a glittering coat of white.

  ‘There are other powers,’ he said. ‘Dark powers. That’s all I will say.’

  ‘All right, I won’t press you on it.’

  She smoked her cigarette, and they leaned against the railings in silence. Agang looked over the town walls, and saw the long road south, along which horse-drawn carriages would be taking them the next morning. Down there was the fabled Rahain tunnel, spoken of in hushed tones by Holdings intelligence officers, and their cantankerous old pet Rahain, Laodoc.

  ‘I want to talk to you about the meeting we had with the council of eight yesterday evening,’ Chane said. ‘Do you remember?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘What do you think?’

  ‘It’s fine for the Holdings,’ he said, ‘and for the Clackdomyn, and I have no objections to whatever changes the alliance want to make to the laws of Rahain, but the Sanang are different. I cannot take this proposal to the other chiefs, they would never accept the abolition of slavery.’

  ‘If you were king you could command it, and it would be so.’

  ‘My people will never agree to it.’

  ‘What people? The free ones? What about the others?’

  Agang said nothing.

  ‘Do you have any idea what proportion of Sanang are slaves?’

  He frowned.

  ‘Well,’ she said, ‘do you?’

  ‘I’ve never counted.’

  ‘Would you be surprised to learn that I have?’ She turned away, blowing out cigarette smoke in a narrow stream.

  ‘What’s the answer?’ he said. ‘How many are slaves?’

  ‘About a third of your people. Including me. Don’t forget me.’

  ‘That’s more than I thought,’ he said. ‘I don’t really look at them, they’re just… everywhere.’

  ‘Imagine I wasn’t a slave,’ she said, ‘and instead I was your consort, or queen. You’ll be king soon. Do you want to rule over slaves, or free people?’

  He smiled. ‘If you put it like that the choice seems easy. Somehow I think the reality would be more complicated. It could take a generation of slow change to achieve the kind of society the Holdings have, where no man is a slave.’

  ‘Then you can begin the process.’

  ‘I’ll consider it,’ he said. ‘If you recall, Laodoc was only too eager to teach me the economics of freedom.’

  ‘He’s a clever man,’ she said, ‘you should listen to him.’

  ‘He’s a fool,’ Agang said, ‘being played by the Holdings like a bad set of bagpipes. He has that air of arrogance common to his people. He looks down on us like we were shit he had trodden on.’

  ‘Those who refuse to learn are the arrogant ones,’ she said. ‘Don’t close your ears to what he says because it’s in a patronising tone. Rise above it, and embrace all the information he has to give. He has studied the routes of the tunnel system through the mountains, he has drawn up detailed maps of the entire area, he has provided…’

  ‘Enough,’ he said. ‘I take your point. It’s hard though. Sanang childhood is filled with tales of the treacherous serpents of the forest, and his eyes, his tongue…’ He grimaced. ‘Like a snake.’

  Chane raised an eyebrow.

  ‘I know it’s irrational,’ he said. ‘I promise I’ll try.’

  ‘He’ll be at the handover this afternoon,’ Chane said. ‘Make sure you behave.’

  ‘I will be the very model of magnanimity.’

  Chane smiled. ‘And remember to say “we” instead of “I”. You’ll be speaking for your people and nation.’

  ‘I don’t think I’m ready for that. I can imagine the looks I’ll get.’

  ‘You’ll have to start some time.’

  He frowned and looked away. ‘We will try.’

  Chane laughed.

  ‘May our beloved creator watch over this gathering,’ the young priest said, as everyone in the hall hushed. ‘May he bestow his blessings upon us, and guide our way.’

  The new governor, a tall, thin dark-skinned Holdings woman glanced over at Agang.

  He stepped forward, and handed her the ceremonial key to the town.

  ‘I hereby proclaim,’ a Holdings herald cried, ‘that the town of Rainsby and its environs, and all materials and property within, are now under the authority and protection of the Realm of the Holdings, and his Royal Majesty King Guilliam the third.’

  There was a smattering of applause from the Holdings delegates in the room, while the Sanang and Clackdomyn listened in silence.

  ‘As governor of Rainsby,’ the tall woman said, ‘I will take immediate steps to stabilise the food supply and security of the town. The refugee camp will be emptied and the Kellach Brigdomin will be moved to within the walls, where they will be easier to feed and police. They will be put to work, rebuilding the homes and streets that were destroyed in the sack. Any riots or violent protests will be treated as acts of insurrection against the crown, and will be suppressed without mercy.’

  She met Agang’s eyes.

  ‘Lord Agang,’ she said, ‘on behalf of his Majesty and the realm, I give thanks for your just and honourable stewardship of the town. The port of Rainsby is now an integral part of the alliance, and for that we owe much to the gallant efforts of your men.’

  Agang nodded, mortified with embarrassment, unsure if the woman was mocking him.

  ‘Now,’ she went on, raising her hands, ‘let us join together to celebrate the handover of the town, and to say farewell to our Sanang friends, who will be departing in the morning, to re-join their brethren and the rest of the alliance army.’

  Agang could sense a wave of relief pulse through the Holdings present in the hall, as they imagined the town being rid of the last Sanang. Waiters went through the room, offering water, tea and cigarettes to the delegates.

  Chane stood by his side as Agang endured a dozen handshakes and countless insincere words from his Holdings allies. He kept his face passive, and his responses minimal, until Chane nudged him, signalling that they had spent the requisite amount of time without appearing rude. As they turned to leave, someone tapped Agang on the shoulder.

  Agang sighed. ‘Laodoc,’ he said, ‘I thought you were coming with us tomorrow? We don’t need to say any farewells.’

  ‘Quite, Lord Agang,’ Laodoc said, ‘but that was not the reason for me approaching you. I have given considerable thought to some of the questions you raised regarding the feasibility of emancipating slaves, and the financial implications of such a policy. I was wondering if you had the time to go over it with me before we depart. If you are too busy, then I could leave you a copy of my plans to read on the journey.’ Laodoc frowned, his tongue flickering. ‘I’m making the assumption that you can read.’

  ‘Do you think
I’m a fool?’

  ‘A man without letters can still be wise,’ Laodoc said, his face reddening. ‘I meant no offence. I was under the impression that the Sanang, like the Kellach Brigdomin, have not valued literacy within their societies.’

  ‘Of course I can read.’

  ‘My lord,’ Laodoc bowed, ‘again, I meant no offence.’

  ‘You can take your plans,’ Agang spat, ‘and your assumptions, and shove them up your reptilian arse.’

  He turned, his eyes dark, and stormed from the hall, Chane rushing after him.

  ‘Did you hear that?’ he said, as they came out into the crowded corridor leading to the main doors of the building. ‘Did you hear what that snake said?’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘And, let me guess, you’re taking his side?’

  ‘I’m on your side, as always,’ she replied. ‘Any advice I give is intended to further your interests. Will you listen to some?’

  ‘Do I have a choice?’

  ‘Go back in there, and apologise to him.’

  ‘I cannot. I will lose all credibility.’

  ‘You’re losing it right now, while we speak. What do you think the others are discussing? It certainly won’t be your magnanimity.’

  He turned, and swung his fist at the nearest wall, punching a dent into the wooden planking.

  Chane watched in silence as he gripped his bleeding hand.

  ‘Fine,’ he said.

  They went back to the hall, and entered. Eyes turned to them, and a couple of conversations dropped away.

  Agang strode up to Laodoc, who was standing next to a small group of Holdings officers.

  ‘I wish to apologise to you Laodoc,’ he said. ‘What I said was unacceptably rude, and I want you to know that I regret it, and take it back. I hope you can forgive me.’

  Laodoc flushed.

  ‘It’s quite all right,’ he said. ‘I have a thick skin.’

  Agang nodded, not sure if the old man’s response meant he was forgiven.

  ‘I would be happy to read your plan,’ he said.

  ‘I will have a copy sent round first thing tomorrow.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Agang nodded again, and walked from the hall, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

  This time, Chane said nothing to him as they made their way to his quarters.

  ‘This is actually quite interesting,’ Chane said as she got dressed, the dawn sun shining through the window’s shutters.

  ‘What’s that?’ Agang groaned, turning over in bed.

  ‘Laodoc’s plan. It arrived before the sun was up.’

  He lifted his head. A pile of papers was littering his desk. Chane was peering at a page while she arranged her hair.

  ‘It says here that even if we compensate all slave owners at market value directly from the treasury, the increase in taxes should cover the shortfall in under a decade.’

  ‘Under Holdings or Rahain law maybe,’ Agang replied, sitting up and reaching for his clothes. ‘Sanang barely has a tax system to speak of, beyond extorting goods from villagers.’

  ‘Then you set up taxation at the same time as freeing the slaves.’

  ‘Are you crazy? Tell everyone that not only do they have to free their slaves, but they’ll be taxed as well? I’d be lynched.’

  ‘You’ll find a way, Agang,’ she said, lighting a cigarette and picking up a cup of tea. ‘What’s right is right.’

  ‘I have yet to be convinced that forcing people to free their slaves is right.’

  ‘Don’t you believe that all people are born equal?’

  ‘No,’ he said, ‘that is demonstrable nonsense. Some are born to be kings, others slaves. It’s nature’s way. Who are we to subvert it?’

  ‘Let me see your hand,’ she said.

  He held up his bruised right fist.

  She shook her head, put down her tea, and opened a metal tin. She took out ointment, bandages and a knife.

  ‘I believe,’ she said, as she attended to his injury, dabbing ointment over the cuts, ‘that people have created society, and only people can change it. Nothing is set by nature to control how we live, we make our own rules.’

  ‘But rules build up over decades, centuries,’ he replied, ‘like a tower. If you try to remove a beam from the bottom, the rest comes tumbling down.’

  ‘Let’s think of it a different way,’ she said, cutting off a stretch of bandage. ‘A leader always worries about the loyalty of his people, is always alert to the danger of rebellion and conspiracy. The slave population in Sanang is roughly one third. Who do you think they will follow after you have freed them? You’ll have the allegiance of every one of them.’

  ‘Yes, but they are slaves.’

  ‘No, they’ll be free, each with the same rights as anyone else. Some,’ she said, turning to him, ‘may wish to stay with their old masters, but many will adapt, and take their chances. Open up the ranks of your army to them. Many would fight for the king that freed them.’

  He paused, with no easy retort on his lips.

  She smiled, and tied up the bandage.

  ‘I like this new you,’ he said. ‘Your confidence is back.’

  ‘I have chosen this life.’

  He stood, and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I will work hard,’ he said, ‘to make sure you have chosen well.’

  There was a knock at the door.

  ‘Enter.’

  Hodang walked in. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘the council of eight have summoned me to a meeting in the hall. News has arrived from the army.’

  They got ready in minutes and left his quarters, descending the stairs to the main hall.

  When they entered, Hodang walked up to the raised platform at the end of the room, and took his place as one of the two Sanang representatives on the council. The other, Badolecht, was already seated. Dozens of other officers and delegates stood in the main part of the floor, and Agang and Chane made their way to the front.

  Field Marshal Howie took a seat and nodded to her colleagues.

  ‘I have called you all here,’ she said, ‘because we have received a vision message from Captain Benel, the commander of the mage-scouts at the front.’

  She paused as everyone in the hall gazed up at her.

  ‘The Rahain have blocked up the entrance to the tunnel,’ she said. ‘Their mages have brought down the mountain-side, and filled it up.’

  Agang stepped forward.

  ‘So the cowards will not fight?’

  ‘It appears not, Lord Agang.’

  ‘Why did we not predict this would happen?’

  ‘All of our intelligence,’ she said, ‘showed us that a huge Rahain army was in position to defend the fort at the entrance of the tunnel. We don’t know why, but a day ago they withdrew from the fort, and by nightfall yesterday, the tunnel had been blocked.’

  ‘They’re playing with you,’ Agang said. ‘They know about your vision powers and how you depend upon them. You see an army, so you assume you know its intent.’

  ‘Perhaps there is some truth in that,’ she said.

  ‘If I may speak,’ Laodoc said, approaching the platform. ‘When I left, the Rahain Republic was almost bankrupt, having spent its reserves on the Rakanese siege. Avoiding a conflict would seem to be in their best interests, simply because they cannot afford one.’

  ‘So what do we do now?’ Agang said. ‘It’s too late in the year to go round the Grey Mountains, and the army cannot camp by the tunnel all winter.’

  ‘Do not fret, Lord Agang,’ Howie said, ‘our mage-scouts have already found a pass through the hills, by a river that runs close to the tunnel entrance. The way is not easy, but I propose we send the King’s Combined Battalion up there as soon as possible, to clear the way, and open up the tunnel from the other side, if it can be done.

  ‘We’ll take a vote,’ she went on. ‘Those in favour?’

  The Holdings raised their hands, followed as always by the Rakanese representatives. The pair of Kellach,
who were the same two chiefs who had visited him outside Plateau City, took longer to decide, but also raised their arms.

  Hodang glanced at Agang, and he nodded.

  ‘Proposal carries,’ Howie said as the Sanang raised their hands. ‘I will send the appropriate orders to the front.’ She looked around. ‘If that is the only business this morning, I do believe there are coaches waiting to take us south to the tunnel.’

  No one responded.

  Howie stood, and the meeting broke up.

  Badolecht and Hodang stepped down from the platform. Lomecht also joined them, from where he had been standing in the hall.

  ‘I want to get to the tunnel as soon as possible,’ Agang said.

  ‘It should take us no more than ten days,’ Chane said, ‘half the time it took the main army.’

  Lomecht shot her a glance of undisguised hostility. He had made known his opposition to Chane speaking in public, especially without a head covering, several times to Agang since they had left Plateau City.

  ‘Thank you, Chane,’ Agang said. ‘Let’s get away as quickly as we can this morning. Lomecht, a word, please.’

  Chane and the other Sanang left the hall.

  ‘Chief?’ Lomecht said.

  ‘I know you have a problem with Chane,’ Agang said, ‘but I expect you to be professional.’

  ‘I can’t help the way I feel, Chief,’ Lomecht said. ‘Women should leave politics and war to the men.’

  ‘Look around,’ Agang said. ‘Do you see any of our partners in the alliance acting in the same way?’

  ‘The other cultures of this world are sick and degenerate, Chief,’ he scowled.

  ‘Keep your temper when you’re talking to me.’

  ‘My beliefs are heartfelt,’ Lomecht said. ‘I thought you shared those beliefs, Chief, for they are the foundation stones of our culture. Badranga says you want to copy the other races, and corrupt our society and traditions.’

  ‘I want to pull Sanang up to where it belongs, as an equal nation of this world.’

  ‘If the price is the destruction of our way of life, then…’

  ‘Then what Lomecht?’ Agang spat, his anger rising. ‘Do I have a problem with your loyalty?’