‘The captain is a fine officer and a good person, sir.’
‘In your opinion, which is utterly worthless. Are you the only Blade here?’
‘Yes, sir.’
His eyes roved over her and she felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach.
‘So, we’re all alone?’ he said, taking her hand.
She tried to pull it away, but he tightened his grip.
‘Do you know the authority I have, as Adjutant?’ he said, pulling her closer. ‘It means I can get away with doing whatever I want to whomever I desire; and right now, that’s you.’
‘We’re not alone,’ she said, as she squirmed in his grasp.
His eyes narrowed. ‘Who else is here?’
She glanced at the door leading to Blackrose. ‘There’s a dragon right through that door; a dragon who has become quite protective of me over the last few months, sir. Just thought you should know.’
‘That lizard cares about no one; you’re bluffing.’
‘Do you want to risk finding out if that’s true?’
His eyes darted from Maddie to the door, then he shoved her away. She fell to the floor, her left leg aching as it hit the flagstones of the entrance hall.
‘Get up, reject,’ he said. ‘Run ahead and tell the dragon that I am here. I will follow in a few minutes.’
He watched as she struggled to her feet. She pulled herself up, and straightened despite the pain. Asshole. Her fear lessened and her fury increased with every step she took away from him, and she could feel her eyes welling from the humiliation. She passed Hilde’s office. Had she heard what had happened? Maddie hoped not, for if she had, and had ignored it, it was the end for her and Hilde.
She pictured Blackrose opening her jaws and incinerating him. She had heard that fire was one of the only ways to kill a demigod, but she was pretty sure that having his head bitten off would work as well.
She entered the cavern and hobbled towards the black gate. She paused, and tried to clear the anger from her mind. She needed to do what was best for Blackrose, and getting her to kill Kano might see them both executed. What would the duke do when he learned that his adjutant had been ripped limb from limb by a dragon that had refused to serve him for ten years? Blackrose was helpless as long as she had that chain shackled to her limb, as they could withdraw her food and starve her to death. Once she was free of it? Well, that would change things. Lord Kano would get what was coming to him, she just needed to be patient for the first time in her life. She would have to lie to Blackrose and pretend everything was fine; but she would explain it all later, when the chains were gone, and the dragon would understand; well, she hoped she would.
She hobbled through the hatch in the gate. Blackrose was in the same position as when they had left her, with her head resting on the ground.
‘You have a visitor, but it’s not Duke Marcus.’
‘Don’t tell me that he’s sent that awful lackey of his. I told the duke years ago that I loathed that foul insect Kano; is he trying to provoke me?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Girl, listen to me. What I am about to do may seem to your eyes as unworthy of me, but I must; it is necessary.’
‘Is it part of a plan you’ve cooked up with Corthie?’
The dragon gazed at her. ‘You’re a good girl. Very clever. Do not judge me for the things I must say to Kano over the next ten minutes. It is for a higher purpose.’
‘Are you going to lie to him?’
‘No, but I can shape words to make them seem true, and the gullible leave with a conviction that I have said things that I never actually uttered.’
‘Sounds a bit like lying to me.’
‘Which is why I am telling you this in advance. I loathe Kano, but it might not seem so from my words once he has arrived.’
‘I hate him too, but for you, I will try to do the same.’
‘Then we shall keep each other strong.’
‘Can I ask something? Hilde said that your wings were… uh, not, eh…’
‘My wings will take some time to heal, it is true.’
‘But you will fly again?’
‘How could you ever doubt it?’
‘I don’t, it’s just from what Hilde said, she…’
‘The captain is sad because she understands that things are about to change, and she is trying to resist it. Don’t be angry with her; she needs your support now more than ever.’
Maddie nodded.
Footsteps echoed from the cavern and she turned to see Lord Kano enter the lair.
‘Son of the noble and beloved Prince Isra,’ said Blackrose, ‘your reputation and authority precede you. Duke Marcus, I see, has sent his Adjutant in response to my request; will you be so good as to pass on what I have to say to him?’
‘Dragon,’ Kano said. He glanced over at the chain, as if to make sure it was securely attached to Blackrose, then noticed Maddie.
‘What I have to say,’ said Blackrose, ‘concerns the future. Perhaps I have been here long enough; perhaps it is time to consider changing my mind.’
‘Are you willing to swear allegiance to the Commander of the Bulwark, yes or no?’
‘Would I have asked you here for any other reason? I would do almost anything to be free of this prison, and as I cannot remove these chains myself, it seems that swearing allegiance is the only option left to me.’
‘Really? After all this time you’ve changed your mind?’
‘The girl here has been most insistent. She has asked me to reconsider, and has told me of the many honours bestowed upon Buckler for his courageous service. Ten years is a long time to do nothing but sit and think; it is time for a change.’
Kano laughed and slapped his thigh. ‘So, we’ll have two dragons in the air in time for the winter fighting season? Ha. This will please the duke greatly, if you’re not lying to me.’
‘Do not insult me; dragons never lie.’
‘And you’ll fight?’
‘I will. I do have some terms, regarding living conditions and so on.’
‘I thought you might. Well, well. The duke thought this visit was going to be another waste of time; just wait until he hears.’ He turned to Maddie. ‘Leave us, Private; I do not wish you to be here while the dragon and I negotiate terms.’
Maddie nodded. Her eyes met those of Blackrose for a moment, then she turned and left the lair.
Chapter 24
Exchange
Tara, Auldan, The City – 19th Namen 3419
‘What a ridiculous time to be travelling,’ Daniel’s mother said as he boarded the carriage.
Four servants had lined the way from the regimental barracks with umbrellas, but the rain had still managed to get down the back of his dress uniform. He clambered onto the bench as the side door of the carriage was closed.
‘The things I do for you,’ said his mother from the bench opposite him. ‘I once swore I’d never leave the house during Sweetmist, but your engagement has moved so far in such a short time that the inconvenience has become necessary.’
Daniel nodded. ‘Where are we going?’
‘To the Omertia townhouse; do you know it?’
He shook his head. ‘Can we not meet them on neutral territory, like a restaurant?’
‘They consider Emily’s trip to the villa as being on our ground, so they expect this meeting to be held on theirs. This will be the fourth occasion I’ll have met them; it’s really you they want to see. They want to judge the young man who will take their only daughter off their hands.’
‘Will Emily be there?’
His mother glanced at him. ‘Why, do you hope she will?’
An image of Emily in his bed at the villa flashed through his mind. ‘Yes.’
‘Good. The fact that you actually seem to like her makes all this so much easier, but at the same time I feel a little sad. My boy is becoming a man, and soon I’ll have to share his love with another woman.’
Daniel cringed. ‘But I’ve been eng
aged before.’
‘Yes, but Clarine was a girl, while Emily is quite clearly a young woman. A strong-willed young woman, whom I will need to evaluate carefully once you are married and she has moved into the mansion. I sense there may be some initial tensions, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to tame her sooner or later.’
‘You’ll do no such thing, mother. She’ll be my wife, and I’ll not have you treat her like one of the servants.’
‘Do you see what I mean? You’re already taking her side over mine. I don’t expect her to act like a servant, Daniel, I expect her to act like an Aurelian. How do you think your father’s mother treated me when we got married? I had to leave my old family behind and not only join the Aurelians, but become one. And just as well I did, for had it had been left to your father I fear the family line might well have ended with you, my dear boy.’
Daniel frowned. ‘It still might.’
‘Which is why you need to be on your best behaviour today; we cannot allow them any excuse to break if off. I admit, they do seem keen at the moment, but you know how quickly things can change. The Omertia family is a strange one, with a number of… eccentrics in their history, but they can boast a pure Roser heritage which can be traced back almost as far as the Aurelians. They are also rich, which helps.’
‘Where does their money come from?’
His mother raised an eyebrow. ‘For the sake of blessed Amalia, I pray that you do not ask questions like that when we’re with them.’
‘I’m not asking them, I’m asking you.’
‘It’s still a vulgar question.’
‘Are you going to answer it?’
His mother frowned. ‘They own substantial tracts of Medio, and the rental income they collect is substantial.’
‘They own farms in Sander territory?’
‘I said “rental income”, son. They own much of the land the Circuit is built on. The recent troubles have hit them hard, as many of the filthy Evader peasants have been refusing to pay their rent, blaming the riots and suchlike, but the Omertias have deep pockets. They’ll weather the storm.’
Daniel glanced out the window at the pelting rain. ‘Will they? It seems to be getting worse, not better.’
‘Yes. All the confident predictions that the troubles would end with the coming of Sweetmist seem to have been unfounded. A most unfortunate situation. Still, these things have happened before, and they always fizzle out eventually.’
‘The Circuit has been paralysed for over three months, and Outer Pella is on the verge of boiling over; I wish I shared your confidence.’ He caught her eye. ‘That reminds me; I heard a rumour yesterday about a possible posting.’
‘I thought you were settled into your new role at the militia headquarters; that’s what I was told. Have they changed their minds? By Malik’s eyes, please tell me you’re not being sent back to the Circuit; it could completely ruin the wedding plans.’
‘No,’ he said; ‘Pella.’
‘Oh. Well, that’s not so bad, at least it’s still in Auldan. Doing what?’
‘It was only a rumour, but I heard the regiment will be based close to Cuidrach Palace, to allow more Reaper militia to be deployed to Outer Pella to keep the peace.’
‘Ah, the palace? This is sounding better all the time. A stint at Cuidrach will look good on your list of achievements, and the harbour front there is delightful. A junior lieutenant in the Circuit, and Pella as a senior lieutenant. Yes, I approve.’
Daniel laughed. ‘I’m sure the commanders will be happy to hear that.’
‘Let me know the details as soon as you find out, dear; I may need to adjust some of the wedding preparations.’
The carriage levelled off as they reached the bottom of the hillside. They turned left into a series of wide avenues, with townhouses set back from the road. They weren’t as palatial as the mansions of Princeps Row, but their solidity and size denoted great wealth and status. They pulled up in front of a gate that had the Taran flag flying from a post, the black leopard looking wet and bedraggled in the rain.
‘They are patriots, as you can see,’ his mother said, ‘so keep any wishy-washy opinions to yourself.’
A line of servants carrying large umbrellas formed between the carriage and the entrance to the townhouse, and the side door was opened. Daniel’s mother took an offered hand and stepped down to the pavement, a hood keeping her hair from being disturbed in the crosswind. Daniel followed, and they hurried in a dignified manner to the front door.
‘Greetings, Lady Aurelian,’ bowed a man as they entered; ‘and Lieutenant Aurelian.’ He stuck out his hand. ‘Nice to meet you at last.’
Daniel shook it. ‘The honour is mine, Lord Omertia.’
A woman was standing next to the lord, her dress as formal as his. She glanced at him, extending her hand.
‘This is my wife, Lady Omertia,’ the lord said as Daniel bowed and kissed her hand.
‘A pleasure to meet you, my lady.’
The woman kissed cheeks with Daniel’s mother.
‘You’re looking well, Lady Aurelian.’
‘And you, my dear. Thank you for inviting Daniel and me to your lovely home.’
‘Well,’ said the lord, ‘we wanted to have a look at the boy before we give our little Emily to him.’
Daniel glanced down the hallway, but saw no sign of her. ‘Is Emily at home today, my lord?’
‘She is, however I have asked her to remain in her room. I will inform her of the outcome of this meeting once it has been completed.’
Lady Omertia smiled. ‘She returned from the Aurelian villa quite struck with you, young man, so you needn’t fear anything about my daughter’s intentions.’
The lord shook his head. ‘The girl will do as she’s told, regardless of her intentions. But let’s not stand out here in the hallway, we have had some refreshments prepared for you in the drawing room.’
He gestured to a doorway. Daniel and his mother handed their raincoats to a servant and followed the lord and lady into a large, high-ceilinged chamber, with tall windows that had been shuttered against the rain. Elegant lamps were bathing the room in a warm glow, and they sat on the comfortable couches that had been arranged around a low table.
‘What’s your drink, Daniel?’ said the lord as he reached for an assortment of bottles and decanters on the table.
‘At this time of day, I would say a red wine, thank you.’
‘Good, good,’ he said, picking up a bottle. ‘Glad to hear you’re not a gin-guzzler. As the Rosers make the best wines and brandies in the City, why anyone with any sense chooses to drink that vile stuff is frankly beyond me.’
‘Some of the younger generation,’ said Lady Aurelian, ‘have been sadly influenced by fleeting fashion rather than good taste. Luckily for my sanity, Daniel appears to be an exception.’
‘Well, that’s me finished,’ the lord said; ‘I only had the one question.’ He laughed. ‘Only joking.’
Daniel smiled, despite the awkwardness, and his disappointment at Emily not being there. The lord poured white wine for the two ladies without asking what they wanted, then filled a glass with brandy for himself.
‘So, Lieutenant,’ he said, leaning back into the couch; ‘tell me, how would you deal with the current crisis afflicting the Circuit?’
Lady Omertia shook her head. ‘Really, darling? Politics?’
‘It’s important to know where he stands on such matters.’
‘It’s a trifle unbecoming, dear.’
‘Nonsense. A man’s politics is what defines him; you can always leave the room if it offends you.’
His wife lowered her eyes and said nothing.
‘Well?’ said the lord to Daniel. ‘You can answer, boy.’
Daniel had been dreading this sort of question. He knew that if he gave his true opinions, then he and the lord would become embroiled in a potentially engagement-ending argument, and he would never see Emily again, let alone feel her body pressed against his. What w
as more important; his desire, or his integrity? He pictured the way Emily had looked as she had stood by his bedroom door, and made his choice.
‘A firm hand is required,’ he said, ‘and a strong will. With rebellions such as this, there is no middle ground; either we concede to the demands of the mob, which would be a disaster for the City, or we remain steadfast, and crush them.’
A broad smile spread over the lord’s face. ‘You echo my thoughts precisely, Daniel. Good chap. There’s been enough tip-toeing around; the entire governance of the Circuit should be placed into the hands of the occupying tribes, with Tara at their head, naturally. If all resistance was dealt with as ruthlessly as the way you handled things when you were there, then the situation would calm down soon enough. What about the root causes though, how would you deal with those?’
‘Sorry, sir, I’m not sure I understand what you mean.’
‘Perhaps I wasn’t being clear. Why is it, do you think, that it’s always the Evader tribe rising up?’
Daniel thought for a moment. The obvious reasons to him were the poverty and appalling conditions most of them lived in, but he knew that wasn’t the answer the lord was waiting for.
‘I’m not sure I know enough to be able to answer that, sir.’
‘No? Well, at least you’re man enough to admit it, rather than just make something up. Shall I tell you what I think? It’s clear to me that the Evaders have never quite fitted in with the other tribes of the City, and that many of the problems we face can be put down to this basic, fundamental clash of cultures. The Evaders are too different to the rest of us, and, while they remain here, the City will never truly know peace and prosperity.’
‘But, sir, what is the alternative?’
The lord smiled. ‘Even I’m not ruthless enough to suggest that we kill them all!’ He laughed. ‘No, no. What I’m proposing is that we transport the entire tribe of the Evaders to the lands beyond the Great Straits on the other side of the Clashing Seas, where they would be free to build their own city. That way we all win; the Evaders get to run their own affairs, while we no longer have to put up with their backward customs and ways. Now, you’re probably thinking that you’ll be able to find a flaw in my plan, but rest assured that I have studied the possibilities extensively.’
The Mortal Blade: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Eternal Siege Book 1) Page 34