‘You’ve experience of wine-making?’ Killop said. ‘Brodie will be glad to hear that.’
‘Who’s Brodie?’ Koreen asked .
‘The clan’s brewer and distiller,’ Killop said. ‘Problem is, he knows fuck all about wine. There are acres of vines on the estate, and we have contracts with Rahain merchants to fulfil. Somehow we’ve got to turn all these grapes into wine within the year, our loans from the money-lenders depend on it. Anything you could teach him…’
‘Aye, Chief,’ Conal said. ‘I’ll do my best. I have to admit, the time we spent on the vineyard wasn’t too bad. The master there loved everything about wine. She taught us quite a lot.’
‘That was the most fun we had,’ Koreen said. ‘I remember when we were stomping the grapes. There was about twenty of us, all jumping up and down and singing songs in these huge vats inside a great big shed. Even the guards relaxed for a while.’
Conal smiled. ‘Aye, then we washed the juice out of our hair in the river, and the guards let us lie on the bank in the sun for a few hours to dry.’
Tears started to run down Koreen’s cheeks. ‘Don’t look at me,’ she said. ‘I feel stupid.’
‘You’re not,’ Killop said. ‘It’s fine to remember the good days.’
‘It was the worst day,’ she said. ‘It made us feel normal for a while, made us feel the way we used to, before those bastards came to Kell. When we had to put our chains back on, it was like being captured all over again.’
Conal put his arm around her shoulder as Koreen wept.
‘It’s over,’ he whispered.
‘I know,’ she said, wiping her face with her hand.
She gazed up at Killop. ‘Last night you said Kallie wasn’t here. What happened?’
‘We spilt up,’ he said. ‘It was a while ago, after we escaped from prison.’
‘Why? I thought you two were going to be together forever.’
‘So did I at the time.’
Koreen narrowed her eyes. ‘That lassie was the most gorgeous girl I ever saw. She was devoted to you. What did you do to piss her off?’
‘I met someone. ’
Koreen snorted. ‘Who? She must be a goddess or something, if she’s better looking than Kallie.’
‘I can’t explain how it happened. We looked at each other and knew.’
‘Is she a Kell?’
Killop shook his head.
‘Please don’t tell me she’s a fucking Domm…’
‘She’s from the Holdings.’
‘What?’ Conal cried. ‘Like those alliance soldiers?’
‘One of those short, dark-skinned folk?’ Koreen said. ‘Pyre’s tits, Killop, a foreigner?’
‘So?’
‘Does your sister know?’
‘I have no fucking idea.’
‘So where is she then?’ Conal said. ‘Your dark-skinned lassie?’
‘Up on the Plateau with her family,’ Killop said, ‘and our baby daughter.’
Koreen made a croaking sound, while Conal’s eyes bulged. Neither spoke.
‘You look just like Bridget did when I told her.’
‘Fuck,’ Koreen said. ‘That’s a lot to digest.’
They started walking again, making their way down the gentle slopes towards a small settlement at the foot of the hill.
Koreen poked Killop in the side.
‘Shouldn’t you be up there with your new family?’
‘They’re coming here,’ he said. ‘I feel shit for missing the birth. I didn’t even know she was alive, let alone pregnant. Then I find out she’s got a baby, and they’re coming here when she’s old enough to travel. Before winter at any rate. And I’ve had so much to do on the estate, organising the Kellach as they’ve poured in. Not a day goes past when I don’t think of them, though.’
‘You going to get married?’ Conal said.
Killop shrugged. ‘I intend to ask.’
‘What’s your wee girl’s name?’ Koreen asked .
‘Karalyn.’
‘Nice.’
‘How do you know that,’ Conal said, ‘if she’s hundreds of miles away?’
‘Holdings vision mages,’ he said. ‘They can talk to each other, mind to mind, even if they’re far apart. The alliance fort up the road has a mage who can do it, and if you pay them enough, they’ll send on messages, and write down the answers for you when they come back. Takes a few days, and it’s expensive so I’ve only done it a couple of times. The first time I did it I told her I was leaving Slateford to see her. I was packing my bags when I got her reply. She said to stay, that she wanted to come and live here, and would leave as soon as Karalyn was able.’
He smiled.
‘I can’t tell you how much that message meant to me,’ he said. ‘I still have the scrap of paper the mage used to write it down. It was the first time we’d communicated in over a year.’
‘You sap,’ Koreen said. ‘You really are in love with her, then?’
‘Aye.’
A path opened up as they reached the bottom of the hill. Ahead lay the small settlement they had seen from the terraces.
‘Let’s go to the winery,’ Killop said. ‘I think Brodie will be there. I want to introduce you.’
‘It’s Conal who’s interested in wine-making,’ Koreen said. ‘Keep me out of it, I’ve had enough of nursing vines to last a lifetime.’
‘What do you want to do, then?’
‘Something that involves peace and quiet,’ she said. ‘I’d like to be alone for a while. A bit of solitude would suit me fine.’
‘There are cottages up in the hills, where the woods are thickest. Sturdy and stone built, think they’ve been up there a long time. We’ll find you somewhere.’
‘Do you live in the big house?’ Conal said.
‘Aye,’ Killop said. ‘Laodoc’s old mansion. We gutted it out and fixed it up. Nearly a hundred folk live in it now. Me and Bridget have rooms on the top floor.’
‘You and Bridget?’ Koreen said, raising an eyebrow.
‘Aye,’ Killop laughed, ‘but don’t get any ideas. Me and her are like brother and sister now.’
They slowed as they reached the settlement. They passed a row of cottages, where a few Kellach were out working, tending vegetable gardens and sawing wood. A few noticed Killop, and raised their hands in greeting. The road led to the largest building in the village, a squat stone and wooden shed, with a large set of open doors at the front.
Standing under a great Rahain crest affixed to the wall of the building was a group of Kellach arguing. Killop headed toward them. As he approached a man with a crutch saw him and waved.
‘Brodie,’ Killop said.
‘Chief,’ the one-legged man replied. ‘Good morning to you. We’re fucked.’
Killop paused as the other Kellach standing next to Brodie all shouted at once.
He raised his hand. ‘Brodie,’ he cried, stilling them.
‘Chief,’ he replied. ‘Look, I’ve never bullshitted you. I always told you I know nothing about wine.’
‘I may have someone here who could help,’ Killop said. ‘This is Conal, an old friend.’
Brodie hobbled over to the young man. ‘And you’re an expert on wine-making are you, son?’
‘No,’ Conal replied, his cheeks flushing, ‘but I worked through harvest-time last year in a vineyard, and learned a wee bit.’
Brodie slapped him on the back. ‘Good enough for me!’ He turned to Killop. ‘Can I keep him, Chief?’
Killop laughed. ‘Sure. He’s staying at the mansion just now.’
‘If it works out I’ll find him a room here at the winery,’ Brodie said.
‘That sound all right, Conal?’
‘Aye, Chief, thanks.’
‘See you later, then. ’
Killop and Koreen watched as Brodie led Conal into the winery buildings, chatting, his arm waving about.
‘Do you want to start looking for a place up the hills?’
‘Aye, Killop,’ she
said, ‘if ye don’t mind.’
‘Chief!’ a voice called.
They turned, and saw a young woman running up the path towards them.
‘Message from Herald Bridget, Chief,’ she said. ‘She needs you in town.’
‘Did she say why?’
‘There’s some trouble,’ the messenger said. ‘Alliance soldiers again.’
Killop nodded. ‘You catch your breath, I’ll head down the road now.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Koreen said.
They took the path down a gentle slope to where it met the main road, which ran alongside the river from the mansion to the town.
‘Brodie’s a good man,’ Killop said. ‘He’ll look after Conal.’
‘That boy,’ Koreen said, ‘he never gave up. All the time we were slaves, he kept me going. Annoyed the fuck out of me half the time, but.’
‘Bridget did the same for me,’ Killop said. ‘I would have lost it without her.’
‘I cannae believe how much that lassie’s changed. When we got separated, she was just Bridget. A sarcastic wee cow. Now she’s a proper leader. She gives out orders, and everyone does what she says.’
‘She’s my right hand.’
‘I always thought you’d make a good chief.’
‘I’ve made a lot of mistakes.’
‘Kallie?’
‘That was a mess, but it wasn’t a mistake.’
Insects were hovering over the river flowing to their left, as it twisted in lazy curves under the summer sun. At the junction with another road, there was a small village with a cluster of old stone houses at its centre, while all around were dozens of new timber buildings. Workers were up on the roofs of several, fitting dark slate tiles, while others were in the process of putting together the wooden framework of more houses.
‘Place is growing, then?’ Koreen said.
‘Aye. Used to be five thousand Rahain peasants on the estate, and at the last count over ten thousand Kellach had moved in, with more arriving all the time. Some just rest here a while before leaving for the old country, or heading up to Rainsby, but we find a home for any who want to settle.’
‘What happened to the Rahain?’ Koreen said. ‘I haven’t seen a single one since we got here.’
‘Laodoc was vague on the details,’ Killop said. ‘I think a lot of them were conscripted into the army, others were slaves who left when they were freed. I think the rest might have been evicted to make way for us, but I don’t know for sure.’
‘Serves them fucking right.’
Killop said nothing.
Koreen eyed him. ‘You gone soft on the lizards, boss?’
‘I don’t hold every Rahain responsible for what they did to us,’ he said, ‘especially not the slaves. What choice did they have?’
‘You used to talk about justice.’
‘The Rahain have just had their arses kicked by the alliance army. What more do you want?’
Koreen lowered her head. ‘I get it. I guess I want an apology from every single lizard, you know, some sort of acknowledgement that what they did to us was wrong. I don’t want money or land, I just want them to say sorry and mean it.’
‘A company of freed Rahain fought on our side in the battle outside the gates of the capital. Half of them died defending our fire mage.’
‘That wee lassie?’
‘She’s sixteen,’ he said. ‘Not that wee.’
‘So where are they all now?’
‘The Rahain? They went back to Severed City, and stayed there. The tunnels suit them better than the estate, and the government has recognised the ruling council they’ve set up. It’s a pity. I wanted to keep the clan together, but the Kellach moved here, and the Rahain stayed there.’
‘I’m glad,’ she said. ‘I’d rather not have to look at their scaly arses every day.’
Killop glanced up. The rooftops of Slateford Town were visible ahead through a stand of trees. As they approached, Killop breathed in the scent of sawdust and paint coming from the outskirts of the town, where dozens more wooden houses were being built.
Mingled with the sounds of hammers and saws were cries of anger, and Koreen glanced at Killop.
‘That will be the trouble the messenger mentioned,’ Killop said.
‘She said it was alliance soldiers again. What does that mean?’
‘They come down from the fort on their days off,’ Killop said. ‘Pay good money to get drunk.’
‘Why don’t they get drunk at their fort?’
‘The Holdings don’t approve of alcohol. It’s banned.’
Koreen raised an eyebrow. ‘Poor bastards.’
‘The soldiers tend to get into a lot of fights,’ he said, ‘usually with each other. We’ve tried watering down their beer, but they just drink more.’
‘They sound like a right laugh.’
Workers waved at them as they passed the building sites on the edge of the town. The road was wide and well-paved, and lined with low stone cottages. The only older buildings that were more than one storey high were clustered around the central town square. The road grew busier and they moved to the side as carts and wagons rumbled past, a mixture of gaien and horses pulling them.
The shouting had tailed off, and as they reached the town square they saw a squad of Kellach militia armed with clubs ringing a group of Holdings soldiers, most of whom were sitting on the cobbles. A few were nursing black eyes and burst lips.
‘Kalden,’ Killop said to the leader of the militia.
‘Chief.’
‘What’s the story? ’
‘Usual nonsense, boss,’ he said. ‘Twenty or so troopers up for a fight. Apparently a priest was giving them a telling off for drinking, and they took exception to him.’
‘A Holdings priest?’
‘Aye.’
‘Where is he now?’
‘We had to take him off the streets for his own protection. He’s with Bridget in the town hall.’
‘I’d best see what’s happening.’
Kalden nodded at the Holdings troopers. ‘I’ll be along after I’ve handed out fines to this lot.’
Killop and Koreen walked over to the largest building in the town, an old hall that they had converted into a base for the clan militia.
‘Chief,’ a guard saluted as they entered through the large wooden doors.
‘There’s an office on the top floor,’ Killop said as they climbed a set of stairs. ‘Got a great view over the town.’
At the top of the stairs a tall door was lying open, and Killop entered, Koreen a pace behind. In the centre of the room was an enormous table, upon which lay maps, their corners held down by piles of books. Sunlight poured in through a latticed window that stretched across one wall. To the left was a fireplace, where Bridget was sitting. Opposite her sat a dark-skinned man, young and thin, almost emaciated. He was wearing long black robes, and his hair had been cropped.
‘Morning, Bridget,’ Killop said.
‘Morning, Chief. How’s the head, Koreen?’
‘Walked off the hangover,’ she said, crossing to a small table where jugs and cups were set out. ‘Beer?’
‘Aye,’ Killop said.
‘Thanks,’ said Bridget. ‘Water for our guest.’
Koreen poured out three mugs of beer and a cup of water. ‘Killop took us through the vineyards. Conal might have found himself a job.’
Bridget nodded as she was handed a mug.
Koreen passed the other mug to Killop, and the water to the Holdings man, who was watching them with narrow eyes.
‘Busy morning?’ Killop asked as he sat.
‘The usual,’ Bridget said. ‘A few arrivals. One of them’s actually literate, would you fucking believe. Hired her right away. She starts teaching in the school tomorrow. Then I got interrupted by this arsehole sitting here.’
‘I can speak Kellach, ma’am,’ the Holdings man said.
‘I know,’ she said. ‘I already heard you do it. As I was saying, I heard some
shouting in the square, and looked out to see this eejit ranting at some drunken troopers, practically frothing at the mouth he was. Kalden had to go out with a squad before it turned into a proper riot.’
Killop gazed at the Holdings man. ‘Why have we not sent him on his way?’
‘Says he has a legal right to be here.’
‘On whose authority?’
Bridget nodded at the man. ‘Show him your letter.’
‘Can he read?’ the man said.
‘Course he can, ya cheeky wee bastard.’
The man scowled, then reached into his robes and pulled out a rolled up document.
Killop took it from his hands and unrolled it.
‘The relevant clause,’ the man said, ‘is near the bottom. All religious missionaries must be allowed to travel unhindered. I have been sent here to preach the truth of the Creator. You cannot refuse me.’
‘This treaty,’ said Killop, ‘is between Emperor Guilliam and the Rahain Republic.’
‘Yes?’
‘Then it doesn’t apply here. Chancellor Laodoc assigned clan sovereignty to the entire estate. There’s a copy of the decree hanging on the wall of the mansion if you’d like to see it.’
The Holdings man smirked.
‘We thought you might try that approach,’ he said, pulling another scroll from his robes.
Killop snorted as he read it .
‘That fool Duncan,’ he said, glancing at Bridget, ‘he’s put his name to a similar treaty…’
‘You call your chief a fool?’ the Holdings man said.
‘Duncan isn’t our chief,’ Killop said. ‘He rules the Kellach up on the Plateau, not here.’
‘The Emperor has given him authority over every Kellach Brigdomin, no matter where they live.’
‘Tough shit. I don’t recognise his authority. In fact, I couldn’t give a fuck about the Emperor either. We have autonomy here, we don’t have to listen to anything you say.’
The Holdings man said nothing, his eyes glaring.
Bridget shrugged. ‘Well, there’s your answer. I told you that’s what he’d say. Now, Father…?’
‘I’m not a priest,’ the man said. ‘I am Deacon Millar of the One True Path.’
‘All right, Deacon Millar of the One True Path,’ Bridget smirked. ‘I’ll get the militia to escort you off the estate. I assume you sneaked in among the troopers?’
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