Kylon nodded, and returned back across the clearing.
Kalayne took a knife from his boot and cut the cords that bound Agang to the wagon.
‘What the fuck are you doing?’ Flora cried.
‘Ach, don’t make a fuss, Miss Whiteface,’ Kalayne said, ‘he won’t run away.’ He turned to Agang, who was rubbing his wrists. ‘You need to hear what I have to say to the fire goddess, so listen well.’
He leapt off the wagon, and began walking to Keira’s tent. He turned.
‘Come on,’ he yelled to Agang and Flora.
They shrugged at each other and climbed down to the ground. Flora raised her crossbow at Agang. He nodded, and they set off after Kalayne. B’Dang and the other Sanang officers seemed oblivious to them as they walked across the clearing, and Agang gazed at the old Kellach man, wondering what kind of powers he possessed that could make them appear invisible. They entered the tent, passing guards that flanked the entrance, and went through a reception area and into a smaller room.
Keira sat in a large chair, a bottle of wine in one hand and a lit weedstick in the other. Fern knelt at her feet, her face giddy from the thick fog of smoke in the cramped canvas-enclosed space. A solitary lantern gave the room a golden glow. Kylon stood in its shadows against the wall, his face in darkness.
‘You’ve all come?’ cried Keira. ‘Well that’s fucking great. Is it time to kill twenty thousand bairns yet? Sit down, have a drink first.’
‘Thanks,’ Kalayne grinned, picking up a bottle of wine and taking the only other chair in the room.
Keira raised an eyebrow at Agang.
‘That mad old bastard freed him,’ Flora said.
‘Thought as fucking much. Anyway, both of you, drink.’
Agang sat on the floor next to Fern, who gave him a sleepy look. Flora hesitated for a moment, then crouched down by Kalayne, keeping her crossbow ready.
‘Relax, my wee witch,’ Keira said to her. ‘What’s Agang going to do? Attack us? Run for it? Frankly I couldn’t give a flying fuck what he does now. Take a drink. Let’s get mangled before we destroy countless fucking lives.’
‘So you’ll do it?’ Kalayne said.
Keira frowned. ‘I’ve come all this way, haven’t I? I’m glad I sent the herald. I gave the fuckers a chance, and it’s not my fault they spurned it.’ She glared at Kalayne. ‘So you can forget your ideas about messing with my head. There’s no need.’
She took a long swig of wine, as Kalayne eyed her.
‘Good,’ he said. ‘Now, I have something to say before I leave you to the destruction of Plateau City.’
‘A new prophecy?’ Keira smirked.
‘An old one, or rather one I’d not properly understood until recently.’
He took a swig of wine.
‘Shella,’ he said.
‘Who?’ Keira said.
‘The mage I sent Kylon to rescue from the Rakanese camp,’ he said. ‘I had a series of visions about her, back when we were in Kell. You were in one.’
Keira shrugged. ‘So?’
‘Well, have you ever met her?’
‘No.’
‘Then the vision remains unfulfilled,’ he said. ‘Remember this. You’ll need Shella at the very end.’
‘What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?’
Kalayne frowned. ‘Have you lost the ability to understand simple words? Anyway, thanks for the hospitality, you were a charming host as always.’ He stood. ‘I bid you farewell, my beloved fire goddess. Steel yourself for what must be done. I know you suffer, and for that I’m sorry. But only you can save the world.’
He turned to leave. On his way out he whispered something to Kylon, whose eyes widened as he watched the old man stride from the tent.
‘Well, that was fun,’ said Keira. ‘Is it dark yet? Is the army in position?’
Kylon remained silent, staring into space.
‘Hoi!’ Keira cried. ‘Wake the fuck up.’
He turned to her. ‘Aye,’ he said. ‘Everything’s ready. Say the word, and the first bonfire will be lit.’
She nodded, and took another swig of wine.
‘You’ve changed your mind about the civilians?’ said Agang. ‘There are forty thousand Kellach Brigdomin in the city.’
‘Aye,’ she said. ‘Followers of Duncan the Arsehole. Half of them are serving in the fucking imperial army. The rest are just poor bastards who happen to be in the wrong place.’
‘But you can’t just slaughter them…’ He raised his arm, and Flora swung her crossbow up and pointed it at his chest.
‘She has to,’ said Kylon. ‘The priests inside the city are close to achieving their aims. We must attack tonight, by tomorrow it will be too late.’
‘And all of this is based upon the word of that old man?’ Agang said, lowering his hands. ‘I pray he’s right.’
‘He is,’ Kylon said. ‘In all the time he guided us in Kell, planning the raids and attacks against the Rahain occupiers, he was never wrong.’
‘It’s funny,’ said Keira. ‘Once I’ve burned the city, we’ll never know if he was right or not.’
‘Try not to dwell on it,’ Kylon said.
She threw the bottle at his head. He ducked and it scuffed off his shoulder, sending a red spray across the canvas wall.
‘Fuck you,’ she yelled, getting to her feet. ‘You and me, it’s dead, we’re done. After all this is over I never want to see you again. Your fucking soul is shrivelled and rotten. Now get the fuck out. Tell those bastards to light their fucking bonfires, then get ready to watch the greatest show you’ve seen in your miserable fucked-up life.’
Kylon’s eyes revealed a well of pain, then his face darkened, and he strode from the tent.
Keira sat down and leaned back, a weedstick in her lips.
Agang looked around the tent. Flora was frowning, her head lowered. Fern had almost passed out, and was reclining against the wide chair where Keira sat smoking.
His heart froze. He knew what he should do. He had an opportunity, probably the only one he would ever get, to prevent the inferno about to engulf Plateau City. He was sitting a couple of feet from Keira; it would be over in seconds.
But what if she was right?
What if the old Kellach man was speaking the truth? If Agang killed the firewitch, then would the Holdings church unleash something worse than the destruction of a city?
He paused.
Keira sighed and stood. She stretched her arms out, then rubbed her face. She glanced at Agang.
‘You coming?’
He stared at her. She shrugged, and left the room.
Agang got up and ran after her. A great roar came from the Sanang ranks as the firewitch emerged from the tent. To their left, the first bonfire had been lit, and in the light of its flames Agang could see the masses of warriors, and beyond, the high walls and barred gates of the city, framed against the dark sky.
‘Kill-kill, kill-kill,’ echoed up from the huge army, the breeze sending the low chant up to the imperial soldiers on the city battlements. Agang took up position by Kylon, who glared at him, but said nothing.
In the centre of the clearing Keira raised her left arm and the Sanang roared as a tower of flame rose from the bonfire, its glare reflecting off the thick clouds.
‘This is the last time,’ she said. ‘After tonight, I’m done.’
She hurled her arm forwards.
A great mass of fire flew through the air, and the destruction of the city began.
Chapter 32
Promises
Tahrana Valley, Imperial Rahain – 19th Day, Second Third Winter 506
A searing wind howled down the length of the Tahrana valley, bringing freezing hail and sleet from the west. The Severed Clan pressed on along the churned-up muddy road towards the river crossing, the gaien snorting their discomfort as they hauled the hundreds of wagons and carts.
Daphne shivered beneath her woollen cloak from where she sat next to Killop on one of the rear wagons. Betwe
en them, Karalyn was nestled under a pile of blankets with only her face visible, her eyes watering from the stinging wind.
In the back of the wagon, under its canvas canopy, a dozen Kellach Brigdomin were sheltering from the weather. They were older folk, among those most reluctant to leave Slateford, and from their expressions Killop knew that a few now carried regrets at their departure.
Daphne touched his arm and nodded to their right, across the barren wastes of the great valley floor.
‘There’s more of them,’ she said.
Killop frowned. Up on a low ridge a mile to the east a band of Rahain were watching the Kellach convoy pass.
‘Which side are they on?’ Daphne asked. ‘Can you tell from here?’
Killop strained his eyes. Despite that fact that it was morning, the sky was dull and grey.
‘New Free,’ he said. ‘One of them’s carrying an imperial banner. I can see the five-pointed star.’
Daphne smiled at him. ‘It’s like you have battle-vision sight all the time.’
He shrugged. ‘It seemed normal to us, until we met other folk, and realised they couldn’t see or hear as well as we can.’
‘Or heal themselves,’ Daphne said. ‘And you never get ill…’
‘What can I say?’ Killop said. ‘The Creator blessed us.’
Daphne laughed. ‘I guess so. And he made you have twins. That seems a bit odd.’
‘Who knows what was going on in his mind at the time? If it was him. I get that he speaks to people, and can send visions and stuff, but did he really make us?’
‘Our scriptures say that he created the whole world, and the sun and seven stars.’
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’
‘Why did he make such a world?’ Killop said. ‘If he could create all this, then why didn’t he make a world without suffering? He must have had the power.’
‘Because he wanted to give us the freedom to make our own choices. Then he’ll reward those who believe in him with a happy afterlife.’
‘So all this is a test?’
Daphne shrugged. ‘I guess so. You have to remember that I didn’t pay all that much attention to religious lessons at school. They bored me stiff. And my family weren’t particularly observant of the faith. In fact, my father used to mock it regularly.’
‘Did he not get into trouble?’
‘That was during the queen’s reign, when nobody was listening to what the prophet and the church had to say. At university, many students were open about their lack of belief.’ She shook her head. ‘Everything changed when she was poisoned.’
‘Was it the church?’
‘I wouldn’t be surprised,’ she said, ‘but I don’t know. I was in Sanang at the time.’
Killop shook his head. ‘You’ve been to so many places.’
‘And all of them warmer than Rahain.’
‘This is nothing,’ he laughed. ‘Like a bracing spring day in Kell.’
She sighed. ‘I miss the sunshine of the Holdings, and the vast blue skies. It’s been years since I’ve seen them. It never snows on the plains, and I’d only seen frost a couple of times in my life before I came to Rahain.’
She paused. ‘They’re moving.’
Killop turned to stare up at the low ridge.
‘And fast,’ he said. ‘Shit, I think some of them are on horseback.’
Daphne squinted into the dim light at the approaching group. ‘You’re right. Horses.’
‘Must have been left behind by the alliance.’
He caught the attention of a scout, who was up on the rear of the wagon ahead of them.
‘Signal the alarm,’ he called.
The scout stood, and lifted a horn to his lips. He blew, and a long note pealed out. All around, on the wagons to each side, and ahead and behind, Kellach reached for their longbows.
Killop eased past the driver, and jumped to the ground. Other Kellach, armed with swords and shields, gathered around him, while those with longbows clambered up onto the wagons facing the nearing group of Rahain.
‘Quickly!’ Killop shouted at the warriors around him. ‘Close the gap, form a line.’
The Kellach ran off, arranging themselves between the wagons as the leading Rahain crashed into them. In places they held, but in the centre the horses barged through the Kellach shield wall. The Rahain shot down with their crossbows, while the Kellach loosed arrow after arrow into them from the wagons.
A pair of horses charged close to where Killop stood, a few yards ahead of their wagon. One was rider-less, while the other bore a black-robed Rahain. Killop drew his sword, and ducked behind his shield as the rider shot a crossbow bolt at him. It embedded itself into the shield with a loud thud, and Killop sprang forward. He raised his sword and swung it at the passing Rahain, cleaving through his left arm and side, and knocking him off the horse.
He glanced up to see the line of Kellach shields had re-formed. Beyond them, the Rahain were retreating back towards the low ridge, leaving half a dozen dead on the sodden ground.
Killop gazed down at the bodies of the three Kellach slain in the skirmish as they were laid out on blankets.
‘Send a message up to Bridget,’ he said to the scout. ‘Tell her there’s been another attack, but we’re still moving. Ask her to send me a signal as soon as she reaches the river crossing.’
‘Aye, Chief,’ the scout said, and sprinted off towards the front of the long convoy of gaien-drawn wagons.
‘Hush, hush,’ he heard Daphne say. He turned. She was standing holding the reins of a tall white horse, stroking its flank with her left hand. Karalyn was strapped to Daphne’s back, sitting in the carrier that Bedig had made, after it had been adjusted to account for her growth. She was smiling at the horse and laughing. Killop sheathed his sword and walked over, staying out of reach of the great beast.
‘Isn’t he beautiful?’ Daphne said.
‘It’s not the word I’d use.’
‘We should keep him,’ she said. ‘He could come in useful.’ She turned to him, a light in her eyes. ‘And I’m not feeling sick from the smell of him. It must have passed.’
They moved a few paces to the left to allow the wagon to trundle past them, as the rear of the convoy got underway again.
Daphne grinned, and unstrapped Karalyn from her back. ‘Could you take her?’
Killop nodded, and picked up the child. He watched as Daphne led the horse off into a clearer space. She was speaking to it the whole time, her eyes never wavering. She gripped the reins, placed her left foot in the stirrup, and leapt onto the back of the beast. The horse reared, then stamped its feet down, but Daphne held on. She laughed, kicked her heels, and the horse raced off.
‘Be back soon,’ she yelled as the horse bore her away.
Killop shook his head. He ran up to his wagon, and climbed aboard, lifting Karalyn up onto the forward bench. As he sat he felt the child’s mind enter his, and a knot of worry passed from her to him. He closed his eyes, and Karalyn took their minds through the air, reaching Daphne in seconds.
She was laughing.
I’ve missed this so much.
Killop looked out from Daphne’s eyes. The land was flying past, the horse racing at a heart-rending speed. Daphne was clutching the reins and keeping her head low, her battle-vision helping her ignore the freezing wind.
He felt her deep joy, and loved her for it. For a moment their three minds melded together, then they separated, and he blinked his eyes open.
He looked down at Karalyn, who was sitting next to him swathed in blankets. The little girl smiled up at him. She was looking less like a baby with every passing day, which was normal for Kellach children around the age of one, while Daphne had expressed to him her bewilderment. In the Holdings, she had said, Karalyn would pass for a three year old.
‘Mama likes the horse,’ she said.
‘Aye, wee bear. She does.’
When the scout returned several hours later, he wasn’t alone. Two men, short
next to the scout, walked alongside him, one young, the other older. Killop glanced back down the road, but there was no sign of Daphne.
‘It’s your Uncle Laodoc,’ Killop said to Karalyn. She burrowed her head into his winter cloak.
‘Chief,’ the scout said as he arrived at the wagon. ‘Herald Bridget reports that they have reached the ford, and have begun crossing the river. That would be an hour ago now, Chief. She said to keep going, and try to cross before nightfall. They’re going to build a camp at the first available site on the road west, and she hopes to see you there this evening.’
Killop nodded. ‘Thanks. Go back and find the camp, let her know we’re coming. Then get yourself some rest.’
‘Aye, Chief,’ he said, and ran off.
Killop turned to the two Rahain men standing by the halted wagon.
He reached down and helped Laodoc climb up, while the younger man followed. Laodoc sat on the bench, and the wagon driver spurred the gaien on.
‘Good to see you,’ Killop said.
‘And you, my boy,’ Laodoc said. ‘And might I say, you are a splendid chief. I know about your doubts, yet you stayed true to your duty to lead the clan despite them. They’re fortunate to have you, just as I’m fortunate to be escaping this wretched land with you. My heart has been broken by the torment my people have endured, and I cannot stay any longer. There is no place for me here. Like the Kellach Brigdomin, I have been rejected by all sides in this conflict.’
Killop nodded.
Laodoc gazed out over the barren valley. The wind and hail had eased, but the heavy clouds overhead threatened more. He looked old and underfed, and his eyes were full of bitterness.
‘I’m glad you’re coming with us,’ Killop said.
‘Where is Miss Daphne?’
‘Gone for a ride on a captured horse,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure when she’ll be back.’
Laodoc frowned. ‘Do you mind if I wait here?’
‘Of course not. Who’s your friend?’
‘I’d rather wait for Miss Daphne to return before I make introductions.’
Karalyn poked her head round Killop to look at Laodoc.
The old man forced a smile, but his eyes were cold.
The Magelands Box Set Page 136