Dean shut his eyes, and raised his arm.
‘I can’t do this,’ he said. ‘I can’t.’
‘You can,’ Liam said. ‘I’ve seen you do it. You just need to practise. It gets easier every time.’
Beads of sweat ran down Dean’s face as he strained, his hand outstretched and trembling.
‘Do you feel it?’ Liam asked.
‘I don’t know,’ the boy whispered. ‘Aye, I think so.’
‘Good. Now lift your hand, and raise the flame. Slowly.’
Dean began to move his arm up, inch by inch. Killop looked from him to the lamp. The yellow flames were stretching upwards in thin streams, growing to a foot above the lamp.
‘You’re doing it,’ Bridget laughed.
Dean gasped and fell to his knees, and the flame dropped down to its original height.
Liam put his arm around Dean, who was panting, his clothes saturated in sweat.
Killop nodded. ‘Well done. You’ve earned another chance.’
He glanced over to see Lilyann slouching by the table, smirking and shaking her head.
‘You think that was impressive?’ she said. ‘Watch this.’
With her eyes open, she faced the flame, and raised her arm.
The flame shot up in a fierce burst of fire and heat, almost reaching the ceiling. Then, after a second ablaze, it died down again, the lamp having used up its fuel in an instant. There was a crack, and the ceramic base fractured into blackened pieces on the surface of the table.
‘Pyre’s sake, lass,’ Liam said, as Lilyann staggered, ‘that was wonderful.’
Killop stepped forward, and caught the girl as she fell.
He smiled at her as he placed her back on her feet. ‘Does that mean you want to stay?’
She gasped and coughed, her eyes red. ‘Maybe.’
‘Good enough for now.’
He nodded to Liam and left the room, Bridget following.
‘Killop,’ Bridget said, as they were going back down the stairs, ‘were you really going to throw them out?’
He shrugged. ‘Aye,’ he said. ‘I would have made sure they had food and water, but I meant every word in there. Let Liam be the nice one, I don’t care if they hate me for it.’
‘They’re only bairns, but.’
‘Dangerous bairns,’ Killop said, ‘and soon they’ll be adults. I don’t envy them, it’ll be tough, but the fact is they have powers, and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that.’
‘I feel sorry for them.’
Killop glanced at her. ‘There was a good reason why fire mages were taken away into the mountains as soon as their powers were discovered. I was angry when they took Keira, but now I wish we could do the same for Lilyann and Dean.’
‘I wish they could live ordinary lives.’
‘I wish we all could, but the Rahain invaded, and everything’s been fucked since.’
They stopped as they reached the huge training hall. The sun was overhead, and shafts of autumnal light shone down on the floor where the warriors practised.
‘It’s been a while since I saw the whole place,’ he said. ‘Will you give me a tour, Bridget?’
‘Aye,’ she replied, ‘though you’ll owe me a drink at the end of it.’
‘Deal.’
Hours later, the two of them were back in the chief’s hall.
‘That’ll temper the hangover,’ Bridget said, belching as she put down her mug. ‘Hey Brodie, when will the first whisky be ready?’
‘Depends how badly you want to burn your throat,’ he replied, sitting on the bench opposite. ‘Distilling’s no bother, I’ve already made up gallons of raw spirit. It’s the maturation that’ll need time.’
‘And how long will that fucking take?’
‘Years,’ he said, shaking his head, ‘but I’ve been experimenting with gin. I should have something ready soon.’
‘You’re a beautiful man, Brodie.’
‘Chief,’ Kalden said, approaching the table, Tiel the Rahain captain behind him.
‘Evening,’ Killop said as they sat and poured themselves ale.
‘I’ve got four in the cells, Chief,’ Kalden said. ‘Been waiting for you to get back. We wanted your advice.’
Killop refilled his mug. ‘Go on.’
‘The first two,’ Kalden said, ‘are a man and a woman caught trying to kill each other. One had a knife, the other a hammer. Lovers’ quarrel that got murderous. Seems they were together for a while, then it got insanely jealous and out of control. Can’t work out whose fault it is, or if either are really to blame.’
‘Have they made up since?’
‘Fuck no,’ Kalden said. ‘They still want to kill each other.’
‘Either of them good in a fight?’
‘The male’s a warrior in Domni’s company.’
‘As of now,’ Killop said, ‘he’s re-assigned to my squads. I’ll take him out on the next raid in a few days, see if some distance calms them. Once we’re gone, release the woman, but keep an eye on her.’
‘Aye, Chief,’ Kalden said. ‘The next’s another male. He’s been warned about slinging insults at the free Rahain in the city, but several days ago we arrested him for assaulting an old Rahain man.’
Killop took a drink. ‘Have there been other cases like this?’
‘A few,’ Kalden said. ‘There are always some arseholes, but this was the worst.’
Killop glanced at Tiel, sitting next to Kalden.
‘Is he repentant?’
Kalden shook his head.
‘Then keep him locked up,’ Killop said. ‘If he shows remorse, then he can work off his debt to the old man he attacked.’
Kalden nodded.
‘The last one,’ he said, ‘is a woman, Lindie ae Lydia ae Lach, who we caught trying to poison her neighbours over some old feud, dating back to the homeland.’
‘How do we know it was poison?’
‘We have a score of witnesses, we have identified the herbs the woman was using, and we have a confession, freely obtained. Bridget was at the hearing, she can corroborate.’
‘Aye,’ Bridget said. ‘She admitted it in front of everyone.’
‘Fuck,’ Killop said. ‘Imagine carrying a grudge with you all the way from Lach. I take it she’s not remorseful?’
Kalden shook his head. ‘Said she’d try it again if she gets the chance.’
‘Throw her from the rift,’ Killop said. ‘Do it quietly, but take a few witnesses, and let it be known that I commanded it.’
‘Aye, Chief,’ Kalden said, rising, ‘I’ll see to it.’
Killop turned back to Bridget as Kalden walked away.
She caught his eye. ‘Nothing like an execution to put a dampener on your mood.’
‘My first as chief.’
‘The other Lach will be happy,’ Bridget said. ‘No, not happy. They’ll be satisfied.’
He frowned, then realised that the sun had set while he had been talking. The large shutter was now letting in the dark night air, and oil-lamps were being lit around the hall. Many of the clan were in the large room, sitting, chatting and eating. As he drank his ale, Bridget gestured to a couple close by.
‘Some better news,’ Bridget said. ‘This is Briac and Brenda. They’ve come to ask if they can be married.’
Killop glanced at the young pair standing before him.
‘How old are you?’ he asked.
‘I’m twenty, Chief,’ the woman said. ‘Briac’s twenty-four.’
‘Are you in love?’
‘Aye.’
‘Any relatives in the city?’
‘No, Chief.’
‘Aye, then,’ Killop said. ‘Away and get married.’
Bridget smiled. ‘Chief,’ she said, ‘they want you to marry them.’
Killop blinked. ‘Me?’
‘Aye, Chief,’ Brenda said. ‘There are no priests here to do it, so we were hoping, please, if you’ve got the time.’
‘Of course,’ he said, failing to k
eep a grin from his face, ‘I’d be honoured. Before I go out on the next raid?’
They both nodded.
‘The day after tomorrow, then,’ he said, ‘here in the hall at noon. That suit you?’
‘Thanks, Chief,’ Briac said.
‘I’ll see you in two days,’ Killop said.
The pair smiled and left.
‘You should have seen your face,’ Bridget laughed. ‘Leave the planning to me. A wedding will be good for the clan. We’ll get some flowers in, and I’ve already asked Brodie about extra food and ale. The Damin twins have offered to sing.’
‘Sounds like you have it under control.’
There was a roar of laughter from the entranceway, and Killop turned to look. A group of hunters came into the busy hall, many looking drunk.
Killop narrowed his eyes.
‘Relax, Chief,’ Bridget said. ‘It’s their night off.’
He noticed Larissa among them, her cheeks flushed. She staggered over to the large limestone table and sat, her hunters gathered round her.
‘I did tell her to get drunk,’ Killop said to Bridget under his breath.
‘Looks like she took your advice.’
As the hunters poured more ale for themselves, Larissa looked up and saw Killop. She stared at him for a moment, then said something to her friends and stood.
‘Chief,’ she said, walking over. The other hunters continued to drink, their laughter echoing above the noise in the hall.
‘Larissa.’
She came closer, and crouched by him.
‘I just wanted to say, Chief,’ she said, slurring, and swaying gently, ‘that I’m proud you chose me, and I promise I won’t let you down.’
‘I know you won’t.’
A tear sprang from her left eye. She wiped it away, her face reddening. ‘Stupid cow,’ she muttered.
She got to her feet to leave, then turned and leant down by him.
‘Come back to my room,’ she whispered in his ear.
He shook his head, unable to form any words.
‘I want you.’
‘It’s too soon,’ he said. ‘Daphne…’
‘Daphne’s dead,’ she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. ‘I’m not.’
She turned and walked from the hall. A couple of hunters watched her go, then got up and went after her.
‘Fuck,’ said Bridget, ‘that was heavy.’
Killop frowned. ‘I messed it up.’
‘You were honest with her,’ Bridget shrugged. ‘The next raid might be a bit awkward, but.’
Chapter 17
Revelation
Outside Plateau City, The Plateau – 28th Day, First Third Autumn 505
Agang sat bolt upright in bed, the dream fresh in his mind, his heart racing.
He glanced to his left, and saw in the gloom of dawn that Chane had already arisen, and left his sleeping chamber.
Agang pulled back the blanket and dressed himself, unable to keep a smile from his face. He went into the adjoining tent, where Chane was sitting, eating breakfast. She looked up as he walked over.
‘Chane,’ he said, ‘I need to tell you something.’ He sat. Chane’s eyes lit up at the obvious excitement on his face.
‘Now, I know,’ he said, ‘that you don’t believe in the Sanang religion, so what I’m about to say may seem incredible.’
Chane put down her mug. ‘Now I’m intrigued.’
Agang took a deep breath. ‘The war god visited me in my dreams last night. He told me what I must do.’
Chane pursed her lips, but remained silent.
‘I shall be king,’ he said, his thoughts returning to the vision.
‘You had a dream?’
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but I know it was the war god, because he has guided me before.’
Chane said nothing.
‘Do you remember how I was able to capture Daphne Holdfast’s fort?’
She furrowed her eyebrows. ‘Vaguely.’
‘The war god came to me in a dream,’ Agang said. ‘He told me all about the fort, its weaknesses, and that the other garrisons had been evacuated. I wasn’t sure at first if it had really been the war god, or whether my mind had invented it, but I chose to attack, and every word the god said was proved true.’
He paused, as Chane stared at him.
‘The god has not visited me since,’ Agang went on, ‘until last night.’ He smiled. ‘He said I was the chosen one, and that I would be the king who would unite Sanang. He also told me how to do it.’
‘How?’
‘You’ll learn soon enough,’ he said. ‘I knew you’d be sceptical. I don’t blame you, I mean the idea of a god sending a vision into your mind probably seems crazy to you, but doesn’t your creator god do the same? Doesn’t he speak to your prophets?’
‘So they say,’ Chane replied. ‘I haven’t believed it since I was about eight.’
He laughed. ‘There are mightier powers at work than either you or I understand.’
For a moment Chane looked as if she was going to say something, but instead picked up her mug and drank. Agang sat back, pleased she had refrained from voicing more doubt about his dream. He thought back to the vision. The voice, his presence, all had been identical to the first time. The god had even remarked about it being his second visit, and had hinted about more in the future.
He grinned.
A god was on his side. How could he lose?
‘Withdraw, Chief?’ cried Badranga. ‘We refuse to give up, we refuse to run away like frightened women.’
‘We are not running away,’ Agang said, raising his hand to quieten the assembled chiefs and officers. ‘We’re meeting the sole condition set by the Holdings for starting negotiations. We have been camped outside the walls for over a third, and all that time the King has said that he will talk to me, if we remove the warriors back five miles from the city.’
‘We should be attacking,’ Badranga said, ‘not negotiating. Your talk of a long siege was always impossible. We’re low on supplies, and every farm and village for a hundred miles around has been stripped bare. We also know that a Holdings army is approaching from the horselands. I say we strike straight through the middle of the Clackdomyn camp, and assault their weakest wall, before their reinforcements arrive.’
‘No,’ Agang said, ‘we will speak to the King, and make our demands known. Gold, wagons of treasure. And slaves, thousands of slaves. I will list our demands to the King. If he acquiesces, then we will have left the region by the time the Holdings army gets here.’
‘The warriors are restless, my lord,’ Drechtan said. ‘Many are hard to restrain. They thirst for an attack, they thirst for blood. If we order them to retreat, even if only as a tactical gambit, they may refuse our orders.’
‘You have a problem with discipline in your ranks?’
‘Not personally, my lord,’ Drechtan said. ‘I was thinking of others.’
‘You mean B’Dang, who once again has not deigned to attend a war council?’
‘For example, my lord.’
Agang looked over the gathered chiefs, light from the bright autumn morning spilling into the large tent.
‘Does anyone here refuse to follow my commands?’
There were scowls, but no one spoke.
Agang nodded. ‘Here’s what I plan. We shall withdraw the army, back ten miles to the woods along the western road. It has the only body of trees left in the area, and while I am having talks with the King, I want the army preparing for an assault. Rams, ladders, shields, everything we need.’
The chiefs looked up at his words.
‘If the King does not fulfil our demands, then we will launch a full assault on the walls, and we will burn the city to the ground. I shall lead the attack.’
The officers and chiefs let out a roar, and cheered his name. Agang raised his arms to take the acclaim.
He felt a tug at his elbow.
‘We need to talk, my lord,’ Hodang said.
Agang nodde
d, and stepped down off the dais. He followed his chief minister to the rear of the tent.
‘I don’t understand these new orders,’ Hodang said. ‘I thought we’d agreed that we would discuss changes in strategy? I had no idea what you were going to say up there. Have you have decided to lead an assault on the walls?’
‘Don’t worry, Hodang. It won’t come to that.’
‘No? I can hardly believe that the King will willingly give up thousands of his subjects as slaves.’
‘A greater destiny is at work,’ Agang said.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Trust me, old friend,’ Agang said, ‘I know what I’m doing.’
The chiefs began to disperse back to their own forces, leaving his officers waiting.
Agang turned to them. ‘Order the withdrawal. All the warriors, in an orderly fashion, back to the woods.’ He glanced at his commanders. ‘Mandalecht, you’ll be staying with me, along with a company of your best. Lomecht, you will take command of the army while we’re with the King.’
He turned back to Hodang, who was standing with a worried look on his face.
‘Organise a herald to be sent to the Clackdomyn. Pass on a message through them that the army is leaving, but I will be remaining here to await the King of the Holdings.’
‘Yes, Chief,’ his minister said.
‘Also, send someone to fetch Drechtan back. I’ll need one of the allies present. And summon Badolecht.’
Hodang nodded and strode away.
‘Chief,’ Mandalecht said, ‘it could be a trap. The King may send his cavalry out as soon as the army has marched away. Or the Clackdomyn may attack us.’
‘I do not believe that,’ Agang said. ‘We’ll move this command tent to the road in front of the main city gates. We’ll keep your company close by, but they’ll be mostly for show. I believe the Holdings King wishes to talk.’
‘If he comes out. He might think we’ll ambush him. I would.’
‘He will come,’ Agang said.
By mid-afternoon, Agang was sitting on a raised throne, four hundred yards from the northern gates of Plateau City. Just behind him was the command tent, its canvas walls cleaned of the mud of a third-long siege. To either side, in compact ranks, stood a company of elite soldiers, the only Sanang armed presence for ten miles. The last units of the main army had disappeared along the western road hours before. Mandalecht was to his left, the one-eyed officer sweating and staring at the gates. Beyond him stood Drechtan, dressed in his finest furs and kilt.
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