The Severed City

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘In my capacity as chancellor-elect, and on behalf of the Rahain Republic, I apologise to the people of Kellach Brigdomin without reservation, and wish to share my deep regret at the suffering they have endured. I offer this estate from my own private resources, as my personal share of the compensation owed to them. I first saw this mansion, and the fine lands that make up the Slateford valley, when I was a young boy, when my father brought me here to view my inheritance. Since that time I have spent many wonderful days and nights here, and brought my own children when they were old enough.’ He paused, closing his eyes for a second.

  ‘Happy times,’ he said. ‘However, my interests moved on, and I stopped coming many years ago, choosing instead to devote my life to the politics of the republic. It is fitting I feel, that this generous and beautiful estate passes on to people who will use it well, who will develop it and become part of it, and love it as much as I.’

  He nodded to Killop, who stood and approached the podium.

  Laodoc removed a large set of keys from his long coat and held them up.

  ‘I present these keys to you, Chief Killop of the Severed Clan,’ he said, ‘and with them all claims, deeds and entitlements to the estate of Slateford in perpetuity.’

  Killop took the keys, amid polite applause from the Rahain.

  ‘Thank you, Chancellor-Elect,’ he said, ‘your generosity will be celebrated among our folk. You’ll always be welcome to visit, and I hope that you’ll use Slateford as a retreat, somewhere you can rest from the pressures of the chancellorship.’

  Laodoc extended his hand, and Killop grasped it. The Rahain and Kellach who were watching broke into applause and cheering. Drinks were served again, and food, and Laodoc and Killop shook everyone’s hands while they chatted in the noon sunshine.

  ‘I will have to depart soon,’ Laodoc said to Killop as the afternoon wore on. ‘I need to speak to you alone.’

  He nodded, and they walked away from the small crowd. Laodoc dismissed his guards, and led Killop up a track by the little river, in the direction of the waterfall.

  ‘I wish I’d come here more often,’ Laodoc sighed. ‘I had almost forgotten how beautiful it is.’

  ‘It’s perfect for us,’ Killop said. ‘The altitude keeps it cool, but it’s fertile and sheltered, with a good bit of snow in the winter. It’ll feel like home for most of the Kellach.’

  ‘It does rain a lot,’ Laodoc said. ‘We were lucky with the weather today.’

  ‘Rains every day in Kell,’ Killop smiled. ‘Twice a day in Lach.’

  They stopped as the track narrowed by the edge of a sharp ravine, where the river tumbled down over jagged rocks. Trees that were beginning to bud overhung the white water, while flowers dotted the grassy banks. Birds were singing in the branches, having migrated south from the Holdings where they flew each winter.

  Killop closed his eyes.

  ‘I killed your son, Laodoc,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Laodoc blinked, and looked away. His mouth opened, but the roar from the river drowned out any noise he made. The old man seemed to shrink, his shoulders hunching, his head drooping.

  They stood in silence for a long time, with the river and birds for company.

  Without warning, Laodoc began striding back down the track. Killop followed, and they left the river behind. Laodoc kept a pace ahead as they walked.

  ‘Say something,’ Killop said.

  Laodoc ignored him.

  ‘Say something!’

  Laodoc turned. His face was red with rage, his tongue flickering.

  ‘Say what exactly?’ he cried. ‘What do you want me to say? “I forgive you”? I already knew the fate of Likiat, I already knew he died when he led an army to the Severed City. I already knew you killed him, Killop. What possible reason would you have for bringing it up now? It was a war, many died. How many deaths are on my conscience? Every decision I make as chancellor involves death. Which districts get heating, which areas get supplies, who gets conscripted into the army, and who is sent to fight rebels in the mountains…’

  ‘I wanted to be honest.’

  Laodoc shook his head. ‘I have lost both my sons. Likiat to you, and Ruellap has fled with the rebel committee and is as good as dead to me. Neither loss comes close to the pain I still feel over Simiona. The last time I was here, with you and her, was the closest I’ve been to feeling happy in many years.’ He sighed, his anger seeming to leave him. ‘I do forgive you Killop. But I never want to talk about this again.’

  Killop nodded, and they resumed walking.

  They got in sight of the mansion, and Laodoc turned to him.

  ‘There is something I must tell you too.’

  Killop nodded, his attention distracted by the sight of Larissa walking up the path towards them.

  ‘Are you listening?’

  ‘Aye.’

  ‘Kylon lied to you.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘He told you Daphne was dead. That was a lie.’

  Killop’s mouth dried up. He faced the old man, staring. Laodoc’s tongue flickered.

  ‘Daphne is alive.’

  Killop gasped. ‘You know this?’

  ‘Know it? She escorted me all the way to Plateau City. I saw her nearly every day, watching as her pregnancy progressed.’

  ‘Are you playing with me?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  ‘Pregnant?’

  ‘Yes. If everything went well, you became a father nearly two thirds ago.’

  Killop staggered. He put his hands on his knees, his breath coming fast.

  ‘She’ll be travelling here in a few thirds,’ Laodoc said, ‘as soon as the baby’s old enough.’

  ‘Kylon,’ Killop groaned. ‘You fucking bastard.’

  Larissa reached them.

  ‘What’s up?’ she asked, glancing at Killop and Laodoc, the lines on her brow crinkling.

  Killop looked up at her, unable to say anything, his eyes red.

  He fell to his knees and vomited onto the grass.

  Chapter 33

  Conditional Offer

  Rahain Capital, Rahain Republic – New Year’s Day 506

  ‘It’s not fair,’ Hodang said. ‘In fact, it’s a blatant insult.’

  ‘I assure you Chief Minister,’ the Holdings courtier said, ‘no insult is intended.’

  ‘We demand the same attendance at the coronation as is currently sat in there now,’ Hodang went on, his face reddening. ‘If they can watch Laodoc become chancellor, then they can stay to watch Lord Agang Garo become king.’

  The courtier opened his palms. ‘Unfortunately, several of the high-ranking officials are required elsewhere once the inauguration is over. Nevertheless, Field Marshal Howie, and Chancellor Laodoc himself will both be there, along with many other notables, cavalry officers and priests.’

  Agang sighed, watching the pair bicker. Now that his day had come, he just wanted it to be over. He fidgeted in his seat, the long regal robes uncomfortable and making him sweat. Echtang stood to his right, dressed as a prince but looking bored and fed up. Chane was pacing. He had dismissed her from his guard, in anticipation of appointing her to his royal council, but she had chosen to wear a military uniform rather than one of the dresses he had picked out for her. Mandalecht was standing stiff, as if on parade, although Agang could tell from his expression that the man was sleeping on his feet, an old trick of his, perfected over countless hours of dull meetings.

  His high mage Badolecht was two rooms away in the main senate chamber, witnessing the promotion of Laodoc to chancellor, the first in a series of elaborate ceremonies planned for New Year’s Day. Agang was next, followed by a long Holdings religious ritual he was already regretting having agreed to attend.

  The door to the chamber opened, and Drechtan entered.

  ‘My lord,’ he said, bowing with a flourish. He was dressed in rich robes that seemed a size too large for him, and his hair was tied back and shimmering with oil. ‘Soon to be our king.’
>
  Agang nodded.

  A servant passed him a glass of water, and he drank a little, not wanting to need a piss when a crown was being lowered onto his head.

  ‘I thought you were watching Laodoc get inaugurated?’

  ‘I slipped away quietly,’ Drechtan said. ‘The ceremony is all but over, and I wanted to make sure I was ready to join you as you enter the hall.’

  He pulled a hipflask from his robes and took a sip. The Holdings courtiers looked the other way.

  ‘I’ll have some of that,’ Chane said, walking over. She winked at Agang as she drank, and he frowned.

  ‘Urgh,’ she grimaced. ‘We’re in the land of fine brandy, and you’re drinking Sanang rubbish?’

  ‘I carried this all the way from my homestead,’ Drechtan said. ‘It’s vintage. I was saving it for this moment.’ He looked over at Agang. ‘I always knew it would come, my lord.’

  ‘You have always been my most faithful ally, Drechtan,’ Agang said.

  Drechtan bowed, then looked over at Hodang and the courtiers.

  ‘What are they arguing about?’

  ‘The seating arrangement, mostly,’ Agang said.

  Chane smirked. ‘Hodang is acting like a mother on her daughter’s wedding day.’

  Agang looked blank, and exchanged a puzzled expression with Echtang.

  ‘Well,’ Chane shrugged, ‘that’s how they act in the Holdings.’

  Echtang shuffled on his feet. ‘How much longer do we have to wait, uncle?’

  ‘How should I know?’ he replied, his mood thick and dark. His heart was pounding, he realised.

  ‘The inauguration was finishing as I was leaving,’ Drechtan said, ‘so it depends how long it takes to get the chamber ready for the coronation.’

  The door opened again, and three Holdings walked in, two male priests and a female officer. The courtiers quietened.

  ‘My lord Agang,’ the lead priest said, bowing his head. He was thin, with folds of loose skin around his jowls, as if he had lost a lot of weight. ‘I am Father Ghorley.’

  He gestured to his comrades. ‘This is Father Bates, and Major-General Katt.’

  Agang muttered greetings to them. Hodang came over to stand by his side.

  ‘I trust you are looking forward to today’s ceremonies, my lord?’ Ghorley asked.

  ‘I am.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Ghorley rubbed his hands together, and Agang caught a glimpse of scars around the man’s wrists.

  ‘Who are you, Father Ghorley?’ he asked.

  ‘Merely a servant of the king, prophet and creator,’ he bowed. ‘I happen to be the highest ranking member of the church here in the Rahain capital.’

  ‘Then why have I not seen you before?’

  The priest smiled. ‘That will be because, until recently, I was a guest in the prison cells of the republic, having been arrested by the Rahain authorities when the alliance invaded.’

  Agang nodded. ‘Congratulations on your release.’

  ‘Thank you my lord,’ Ghorley said. ‘Your coronation is due this fine New Year’s Day, and a most wonderful and dignified ceremony it will be, but before we step through to the main senate chamber, there are one or two points I would like to discuss, if I may.’

  ‘What points?’ Hodang said.

  Ghorley snapped his fingers and Father Bates drew a rolled up document from his robes and handed it to his superior.

  ‘An agreement,’ Ghorley said. ‘A contract, call it what you will. A legally binding treaty between the Realm of Sanang and His Imperial Majesty Guilliam.’

  He stepped forward, opening the document and holding it up.

  ‘The first clause,’ Ghorley said, ‘states that the monarch of the Sanang Realm shall recognise Guilliam and his heirs as sole Emperor and High King of this world.’

  The Sanang gasped.

  ‘Never,’ Echtang muttered, while Mandalecht glowered in anger.

  ‘How dare you,’ Agang said. ‘If you’re trying to delay the coronation…’

  ‘If this treaty is not signed by your hand, my lord,’ Ghorley said, standing firm, ‘there will be no coronation.’

  ‘This is outrageous,’ Hodang said.

  ‘Not at all,’ Ghorley replied. ‘All relations between reasonable nations are governed by treaty, and that is all there is to it. There are several sub-clauses. Shall I go through them?’

  ‘If you think I’ll allow the Holdings to control Sanang,’ Agang said, ‘then you are much mistaken.’

  ‘Listen to the clauses, and make up you mind, my lord,’ Ghorley said. ‘That is all I ask. Everything that is required of your realm is contained within this treaty.’

  Agang looked at Hodang, who was glaring at the priest in fury. Chane caught his eye, and nodded.

  ‘Very well,’ he said.

  ‘Sub-clause one,’ Ghorley said. ‘The realm of Sanang shall not initiate any military action against one of the other four nations without the Emperor’s approval.’

  Agang considered. ‘And if we are attacked?’

  ‘The wording says “initiate”,’ the priest said, ‘it does not apply to acts of self-defence.’

  ‘I can agree to that.’

  ‘Excellent. Next, the realm of Sanang shall abolish slavery.’

  Agang frowned. Around him he could hear his advisors mutter.

  ‘I’ve seen the chaos this policy has caused here,’ Agang said. ‘This is not something I could implement without bringing the same chaos to Sanang.’

  ‘But, my lord,’ Ghorley said, ‘unlike the Rahain, you will have the luxury of time to plan the release of your nation’s slaves.’

  ‘We’ll need ten years,’ Hodang said.

  ‘Two,’ replied the priest.

  ‘Five.’

  ‘Done.’

  Ghorley took out a pen, and amended the treaty, initialling his changes. Hodang shared a glance with Agang.

  ‘See, my lord,’ the priest beamed, ‘we’re making progress. The next clause requires a map. Bates.’

  The other priest came forward, and unrolled a large map of the Plateau area.

  ‘His Imperial Majesty has decreed that each of the five nations shall be apportioned a section of the Plateau,’ Ghorley said, pointing. ‘This area in red has been assigned to the realm of Sanang.’

  Agang and his advisors gazed at the map. The section marked in red was in the south-west quadrant of the Plateau, and stretched from the Sanang mountains to the Inner Sea in an arc, reaching halfway to Rainsby.

  ‘As you can see,’ Ghorley said, ‘you will have access to the sea from this small port, which before the invasion was a Holdings border fortress, close to where you defeated the cavalry when you first invaded. The land here will be under Sanang sovereignty, if the treaty is agreed. Do you have any objections?’

  ‘Seems fair,’ Hodang said.

  ‘I agree,’ Agang said.

  ‘Good,’ Ghorley said. ‘Now this next one should be easy. The emperor shall recognise the realm of the Sanang as an independent kingdom, and Agang Garo and his heirs to be to the sole legitimate rulers of that realm.’

  Agang smiled. ‘Agreed.’

  ‘Two left,’ Ghorley smiled. ‘The next clause concerns the freedom to worship. The realm of Sanang will not bar any missionaries from other nations or religions from freely preaching and practising their faith, and shall not seek to hinder or obstruct any subject of Sanang who decides to change their religion.’

  ‘Do the Holdings intend to send priests into our forest?’ Agang asked.

  ‘The church is always keen to spread the word of the creator,’ Ghorley said.

  Agang looked over at his advisors. ‘Any thoughts on this?’

  Hodang shrugged. ‘Their religion doesn’t seem to have done the Holdings any harm. Though I can’t imagine many in Sanang will convert.’

  ‘I’d worry about their security,’ Mandalecht said. ‘Priests wandering the forest? I don’t think we could guarantee their safety if they went into remote ar
eas, my lord.’

  ‘We do not ask the impossible,’ Ghorley said. ‘Our missionaries understand the risks, and we would not expect you to be able to guard every one of them. Just do not hinder or obstruct them.’

  Agang nodded. ‘Agreed then. And the final clause?’

  ‘Another simple one,’ Ghorley said. ‘A new Institute of Mages is being established in Plateau City, to begin a grand research into the powers held by the five peoples of this world, and how they might be used to better serve everyone. The institute has vacancies for five Sanang mages that it would like to fill. The positions would be well-paid, and the mages could be from anywhere on the range of skills they possess. In other words, they don’t have to be high mages, anyone with mage powers can apply. The final clause asks that you select five volunteers, and organise their relocation to Plateau City.’

  ‘Research?’ Agang asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Ghorley said. ‘The applicants don’t have to be literate, but it would help with some of the more academic work. Language classes can be arranged for them when they arrive at the institute.’

  Agang frowned.

  ‘We request a moment alone,’ Hodang said.

  ‘Of course,’ the priest said, ‘we’ll wait outside the room.’

  The Sanang waited until the Holdings had left and closed the door.

  ‘I don’t like the sound of this,’ Hodang said. ‘What business is it of anyone else what our mages can do?’

  ‘Just give them some branch-wavers,’ Chane said. ‘Nothing serious.’

  ‘And what would you know of such matters?’ Hodang said. He turned and glanced at Agang.

  ‘I have said nothing to her regarding our mages,’ he said, ‘but she’s aware that other powers exist besides healing and waving branches, as she puts it.’

  ‘I can’t see a problem,’ Echtang said. ‘I’m sure there are more than a few hedgewitches who would be glad to fill the positions.’

  ‘That’s not the issue,’ Hodang said. He gave Chane a dark look, but carried on. ‘We do not want the Holdings, or anyone else for that matter finding out about the seulitch and what they are, or were, capable of.’