‘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 your 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 Sanang as an independent nation, 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 said.
‘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 areas, 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.’
‘How would they find out from a hedgewitch?’ Chane asked. ‘If it’s such a secret, couldn’t you trust them to keep their mouths shut?’
Hodang shook his head. ‘We cannot take the risk.’ He sighed. ‘No, all we can do is continue what we have been doing for a hundred years, seeking out and destroying anyone we find who possesses those dark powers.’
‘There might be a way we can get round this,’ Agang said. ‘The clause calls for volunteers. If we agree, then we can’t be held at fault if none are forthcoming. When we get back to Sanang, we can delay, and delay, until the clause is forgotten.’
His advisors fell into silence.
‘Will the Holdings forget, my lord?’ Hodang said after a while.
‘I’m not sure it matters,’ Chane said. ‘This invasion has spread Sanang all over the Plateau and Rahain. And when peace comes, there will be free movement between the nations. Even if you delay, I think it likely that this Institute of Mages will find their volunteers one way or another.’
Agang nodded. ‘I agree. Hodang?’
‘I still don’t like it, my lord,’ he said. ‘Even agreeing in principle sends a message.’
‘I will not forego the crown over a message,’ Agang said.
‘Very well, my lord,’ his chief minister said. ‘We’ll have to play very cleverly with this though, to avoid offending the Holdings and their new Emperor. Just as I intend to be diplomatic about requesting extensions to the time limit on the emancipation of slaves.’
‘You cannot go back on that,’ Chane said.
Hodang shook his head. ‘It displeases me, but this clause we will have to go along with.’ He looked at Chane. ‘We will not go back on our word. Slavery is over, we just need time to mitigate the effects.’
‘Not to mention the money to pay off the owners,’ Agang said. ‘A good part of the treasure from this expedition will have to be assigned to cover it all.’
He glanced at his advisors.
‘Are we agreed then? I will sign this treaty?’
They nodded.
‘Send the priest back in.’
Echtang opened the door and the three Holdings entered.
‘My lord?’ Ghorley said as he approached. ‘Have you come to a conclusion?’
‘I have,’ he said. ‘We accede to the clauses within the treaty.’
‘Most excellent,’ Ghorley said. Bates came forward and turned around, facing away from Agang. Ghorley laid out the treaty on the priest’s back, and produced a quill from a sleeve.
‘My lord,’ he said, handing Agang the pen.
He gazed at the treaty, noticing it was written in Sanangka as well as the Holdings script. He paused, unable to shake that feeling that he was being tricked somehow, and that the Holdings were laughing at him behind their polite smiles.
He knew this treaty would seal the alliance, and begin the reign of the Holdings Emperor. It was open knowledge that the Rakanese and Clackdomyn went along with everything Guilliam said, and were securely in his grasp. He also realised that Laodoc had probably been presented with a similar document before his inauguration, and for the first time he felt a twinge of sympathy for the old man.
Eyes from every direction were staring at him, and he reached down and signed his name.
Agang Garo.
Ghorley took the treaty, and bowed, while Bates went back to his previous position.
‘Thank you, my lord,’ Ghorley said. ‘In ten minutes your coronation will begin, may your gods show you favour.’
The Holdings left the room.
‘This is it, then,’ Drechtan said, patting down his robes.
‘Sanang will be recognised,’ Agang said, ‘and I shall be king.’
His mind swirled, and his heart rate increased.
‘You are the greatest Sanang who has ever lived,’ said Hodang. ‘You have done everything you set out to do, and more. The glory of your reign will be spoken of through the ages.’
There was a knock at the door, and a Sanang officer entered.
‘My lords,’ he said, ‘the execution of Lomecht Ra has been carried out in the cells under the council chambers. I was told to bring the news directly to you.’
‘Thank you, Captain,’ Agang said, keeping his face blank as the officer left.
‘Mandalecht, Drechtan,’ he said, ‘as soon as the coronation’s over, summon the warriors. We’re leaving.’
Drechtan beamed. ‘When, my lord?’
‘As quickly as we can get ready. Within a few days if we can.’
Chane and Echtang both broke out in wide grins.
Badolecht entered the room.
‘My lord,’ he smiled, ‘the senate chamber awaits your presence. Your crowning is about to begin.’
Agang got to his feet, and his advisors placed themselves behind him, with his chief minister standing behind his right shoulder.
‘My lord,’ Hodang said as they walked towards the door. ‘I was under the impression that the alliance is planning to mount an expedition against the rebel cities to the south in the next third or so. Won’t they be expecting us to join them?’’
They entered a great round hall, with ornate and decorated benches, and the standards of all five nations hanging from the walls. The room was full, and people from every corner of the world were present. In the centre of the marble floor a raised podium had been constructed, and upon it was a throne.
The priest Ghorley was there, dressed in elaborate and flowing robes, while Laodoc and Field Marshal Howie stood close by in attendance. A young priest by Ghorley’s side held a crown in his hands, glistening gold in the dazzling light of a hundred lamps.
‘My lord?’ whispered Hodang.
‘They’ll have to do it without us,’ Agang said, his eyes fixed on the crown. ‘It’s time to go home.’
Chapter 34
At the Threshold
Sanang Frontier – New Year’s Day 506
‘Happy New Year, bawbags,’ Keira said, smirking at her squad as they awoke on the hillside. Their cloaks were coated in morning dew, glistening in the dawn rays. Around them, trees spread up the valley, covering the foothills that marked the frontier of Sanang.
‘Are we there yet?’ Flora mumbled.
‘Try it in Sanangka,’ Keira said. ‘You need the fucking practice.’
Flora si
ghed. ‘We here? We here now?’
Keira snorted and laughed.
‘No one will expect her to speak, boss,’ Fang said. ‘Might be better if she keeps her mouth shut.’
‘And why the fuck’s that?’ Keira said. ‘Is it because she’s got tits?’
She shook her head as Fang frowned.
‘I’ll tell you, Fang,’ she said, ‘the first monkey-man to order me to be quiet because I’m a woman is getting their teeth rammed down their fucking throat.’
‘You’re different, boss,’ Fang said. ‘You’re a killer. You’ll be alright, and so will Leah. Flora though, she doesn’t look like a warrior. She’s soft.’
‘We both saw her fight in the gatehouse, and back at the tunnel,’ Keira said. ‘I expect you to stand up for the folk in the squad, Fang. You mess with one, you mess with us all. Are you going to stick up for Flora if she gets hassled?’
‘You guys are my family, boss,’ Fang said. ‘I fight and die for you all. But the men in Sanang, they… It might not be safe for her.’
‘We all stick together,’ Keira said. ‘We’ll be alright.’
She noticed Flora was looking at her.
‘Did you understand that?’ she asked.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Flora said. ‘Most of it. I’ve heard about the treatment of women in Sanang, but it’s like what Fang said. We’re family. I’m not afraid.’
They cleared up the camp, and broke out a ration of their supplies.
‘I’ll see if I can shoot something today,’ Leah said, grimacing at the dried-up rind of salted meat in her hand. ‘Anything would be better than this shit.’
‘Just think,’ Niall said, ‘there will be parties all over the Holdings today, and anywhere else they celebrate the New Year. We used to have the best feasts in Hold Clearwater, dozens of fine cattle roasted, enough beer for everyone, and singing and dancing, the entire square done up in bunting and flowers.’
‘We just used to get pissed,’ Keira said.
She looked over at Kylon, who was staring off into the distance.
‘What’s up with your pus?’
He glanced at her, his dark eyes piercing her soul.
‘He’s always moody in the morning,’ Leah said.
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