Needs of the Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘I want to go into town,’ Lilyann said.

  ‘No.’

  ‘I hate you.’

  Killop took a breath.

  ‘He’s the chief,’ said Bridget. ‘You’ll do as he says.’

  ‘He talks to me like he thinks he’s my father. I feel sorry for that daughter of his who’s meant to be coming here. And for his Holdings woman, although maybe she likes hairy brutes for all I know.’

  ‘Watch your tongue Lilyann,’ Bridget said, before Killop could lose his temper. ‘Say what you like about us, but don’t speak about Daphne and Karalyn.’

  ‘We give you a lot of leeway,’ Killop said, ‘because we know it’s hard for you. I know you don’t want to be shut up in the big house, but there are too many folk around. Just be patient for a few days, until the alliance recruiters leave.’

  Lilyann scowled, but fell silent .

  They reached the edge of the river, and filed down a narrow path past a waterfall. The leaves of the overhanging trees were red and orange, and glowed in the mid-morning sunshine.

  ‘I’m not going to join the army,’ Dean said.

  ‘You’re too young anyway,’ Lilyann said. ‘They wouldn’t take you.’

  ‘Why did you let them in?’ Dean said.

  Killop drew alongside the others as the path widened.

  ‘Laodoc asked me,’ he said. ‘Sent me a personal letter. He told me that the fighting in the south is not going well, but the empire’s pulling more Holdings troopers back to the Plateau. They’re getting replaced by the new army of freed slaves that Laodoc’s government has created, but they’re desperate for experienced warriors to fill the gaps.’

  He shrugged. ‘I couldn’t say no. As Laodoc reminded me, there are still thirty thousand Kellach slaves in the south. We need to do something to help them.’

  ‘How many will join up, do you think?’ Dean asked.

  ‘A couple of thousand, maybe,’ Killop said. ‘The restless, and those still bearing a grudge against their old masters. I took my own share of revenge after I escaped. I won’t judge anyone else who does the same.’

  Killop sent Liam to escort Lilyann and Dean back to the mansion, and walked with Bridget to the settlement at the foot of the vineyard terraces. Draewyn greeted them in the courtyard in front of the winery, where a long line of tables had been set up.

  The Domm woman put down the jugs of ale she had been carrying, and strode towards them.

  ‘Here at last, Chief,’ she said.

  ‘I thought I’d fit in a quick training session with the mages,’ he said. ‘They’re fed up being stuck in the house.’

  ‘At least it keeps them out of trouble,’ she said. ‘Come on, get stuck in, there’s still plenty to do. You as well, Bridget.’

  ‘Stop nagging,’ the young Brig woman said. ‘Just tell me what to do. ’

  ‘Ale and food are over there,’ Draewyn pointed, ‘in the shade of that tree. We need it all up on the tables. The first labourers will be here in a few minutes.’

  Killop and Bridget walked over and picked up baskets of bread, pork slices and olives. When they got back to the tables, others were there, setting out rows of ale mugs.

  ‘Hi Chief,’ Conal said, a long apron covering his front.

  ‘How you getting on?’ Killop said.

  ‘Great,’ Conal said. ‘Busy. It’s going to be a hectic few days.’

  ‘You heard from Koreen?’ Bridget asked.

  ‘Aye,’ he said. ‘She’s settling into her wee place up the hills. I went to see her the other day, she’s loving the peace and quiet.’

  ‘Does she not like us?’ Draewyn said.

  Conal’s face fell. ‘She’s had a rough time.’

  ‘So has everyone else in the clan,’ Draewyn said, ‘but if we all went to live in the hills, there’d be no one left to do the work.’

  ‘Leave her be,’ Dyam said. ‘She’ll come down in her own time.’

  Draewyn frowned.

  Bridget strode over to Killop. ‘Remember we’ve got those Rahain merchants coming tomorrow. We’ll need to go into town to meet them.’

  Killop nodded. ‘When?’

  ‘Early.’

  Draewyn raised an eyebrow. ‘You two spend a lot of time together. You’d better watch your Holdings woman doesnae get too jealous when she arrives.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to meeting her,’ Conal said.

  ‘You’ll like her,’ said Bridget.

  ‘She must be something special for Killop to have dropped Kallie for her. I heard they’ve only met twice. Is it true?’

  ‘Aye,’ Draewyn said, rolling her eyes. ‘It’s a puzzle to us as well.’

  ‘Do we have to go over this again?’ Killop said.

  ‘What really gets me,’ Draewyn said, ‘is the face on poor Larissa when he told her. That lassie had chased him for ages, and when she’s finally got him, he tells her his long lost love is coming back, and bringing his child along with her.’

  ‘I hated doing that,’ Killop said, ‘but what was I supposed to do? Lie to her?’

  ‘I’m not blaming ye, son,’ Draewyn said. ‘Love is love, eh? But I cannae help feeling sorry for Larissa. I miss her, we all do.’

  ‘I saw the alliance recruiters when I was coming here,’ Dyam said, breaking the awkward silence. ‘They’re making their way to the winery, stopping at every village on the road so they could speak to folk. Their leader is a Holdings woman, but they have Kellach and Rahain soldiers along as well, all decked out in new armour.’

  ‘I can think of a few folk who’ll be happy to go back to fighting,’ Draewyn said.

  ‘The thought of it makes me feel sick,’ Conal said.

  ‘But what about all the enslaved Kellach in the south, son?’ Draewyn said.

  ‘Let the army deal with it,’ Conal said. ‘I’m not saying folk shouldn’t go, only that there’s no chance I’m putting on a uniform again.’

  ‘I thought about enlisting,’ said Dyam.

  The others turned to her.

  ‘You’d make a brilliant officer,’ Killop said, ‘but you’re the clan’s schoolmistress, the best teacher we have. We need you here.’

  Dyam glanced up, her pale features and blonde hair almost luminescent in the noon sunlight.

  ‘I know,’ she said. ‘That’s why I’m staying.’

  Bridget looked up. ‘Here they come.’

  From the road to their left a long column of labourers was marching, each carrying a heavy pair of filled baskets, hung from a bar across their shoulders. At their head was Brodie, looking both exhausted and ecstatic, his crutch hurrying him down from the terraced slopes.

  ‘Unload your baskets in the winery,’ Conal called out, walking over to meet them.

  ‘Aye,’ Brodie cried, ‘then it’s lunchtime.’

  ‘Got a good day for it,’ Bridget said .

  ‘Just in time, I call it,’ Brodie said, stopping by the line of tables as the column continued on behind him into the winery. ‘First frost is coming soon, and that would have been the end of us. We’re lucky the weather’s held out this long.’

  Draewyn passed him a mug of ale. He leaned against the table and drank it in one long draught.

  ‘That’s the first terrace done,’ he said, wiping his chin. ‘Three days for the lot I reckon. You coming to the stomping party tonight?’

  ‘Oh aye,’ Draewyn said. ‘We’ll be there.’

  Empty-handed labourers were emerging from the winery, and began queuing at the tables. Killop and the others handed out ale and plates of food, and the workers sat, filling the courtyard. As the last were served, Conal came back out of the winery, wiping his hands with a rag.

  ‘They filled two vats,’ he grinned. ‘If they get another two this afternoon, we’re going to be up all night.’

  Brodie frowned. ‘I’m starting to worry we won’t have enough barrels.’

  ‘Relax,’ Killop said, pouring ale into a line of mugs. ‘One thing at a time. Let’s get the grapes in
first.’

  ‘That was braw,’ a young labourer said, placing her empty plate and mug onto the table. ‘What are we getting for dinner?’

  ‘Roasting a few pigs,’ Bridget said.

  The labourer grinned.

  Brodie clapped his hands. ‘Right, break’s over. Back to work.’

  After lunch was cleared away, Killop and the others began preparations for dinner and the grape stomping party. Kalden arrived with a few militia to help out, and by the time the sun was setting, everything was ready. The labourers returned from the terraces, again laden with heavy baskets, and dinner was served around a great fire in the middle of the courtyard.

  When the last worker had been handed their food and drink, Killop took a mug for himself and savoured a cold ale. He watched the folk of his clan eating and laughing round the fire, and allowed himself a small measure of pride.

  ‘Remember,’ Brodie cried out. ‘Don’t get too drunk!’

  The Kellach laughed and raised their mugs.

  ‘Stomping starts in an hour,’ the one-legged brewer shouted, as he dodged a thrown mug.

  As Killop smiled, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

  ‘Excuse me, sir.’

  He turned. Before him stood a Holdings woman, in the uniform of the new imperial army, wearing a steel breastplate and dark grey leathers. For the smallest moment his heart stopped before he realised it wasn’t Daphne.

  ‘I was told that you’re the Chief of the Severed Clan,’ the officer said.

  ‘I’m Killop.’

  The officer bowed her head. ‘Then let me offer you my thanks for allowing the Imperial Recruiters onto the clan’s land.’

  Killop nodded. ‘I appreciate that you asked politely, rather than try to sneak in.’

  ‘There was no need to sneak in,’ she said. ‘I believe our cause is just, and in the interests of the Severed Clan as well as the rest of the empire.’

  ‘There is no “rest of”,’ Bridget said, coming up beside Killop. ‘We’re not part of the empire.’

  ‘I’m not here to debate politics, madam herald,’ the officer said to Bridget, ‘but to do my best to persuade as many folk as are willing to volunteer, to help end the insurgency in the south.’

  Killop looked past the officer. Behind her on the road leading to the river a wagon was parked. Around it were a dozen soldiers, equally split between Holdings, Rahain, and Kellach Brigdomin.

  ‘Do you want to speak to the workers?’ he said.

  ‘I’d be most grateful, Chief.’

  He glanced at Bridget, who frowned, then gave a slight nod.

  ‘I’ll introduce you,’ he said. ‘Get your rousing speech prepared. ’

  Killop walked out to where most could see him.

  ‘Thanks for all your work today,’ he said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. ‘Before you start stomping, there’s someone who wants to speak to you. An officer from the imperial army. I want you to know that I won’t stand in the way of anyone who volunteers. Freedom is worth nothing if you’re not allowed to leave.’

  The officer appeared at his side, and he gestured for her to stand forward.

  ‘Men and women of the Kellach Brigdomin,’ she said, all eyes watching her. ‘Slateford Estate is beautiful and fertile, and you have already transformed it into a place that feels like home. It stirs in me a longing for my own home, the endless plains of wheat and horses that I love. I envy you. For all the dreadful suffering your people have endured, here you are, making a new life from the dirt with your own hands.

  ‘Yet a mere hundred miles south of here lies Calcite City, the base of the rebels who refuse to accept the universal peace the Emperor has brought. They continue to defy their lawful government, and have begun to strike out, attacking camps and supply lines like cowards, but never meeting us in full battle.

  ‘Do you think these rebels, who regard your people as chattel slaves, and who still hold at least thirty thousand of your folk in chains, do you think they would hesitate to raze Slateford to the ground? You represent all that they hate. And trust me on this, their hate for you is strong indeed.

  ‘Free folk, if they are truly free, protect what they love, and you love this fair place. Will you protect it? You may think, you have a militia who will protect you, who will guard the valley from any enemy. But if the lawful government of Rahain falls to the rebels, how long do you think your militia will hold out?

  ‘Think of the future, and make plans to secure it. Serve with the imperial army for two years, fight the last war to unite this world, and free the remainder of your folk who are enslaved. The pay is good. You know our cause. Anyone over sixteen who wishes to enlist can do so. Go to the wagon, give the soldiers there your name, and you will be given a token. If you present that token to the nearby fort within a third, you will be accepted into the army. We’ll be here all night, so even if you just want to chat, feel free to come and talk to us.’

  She gestured to the alliance fighters behind her, who were standing in a row, their armour glistening in the firelight. She bowed.

  ‘Thank you for listening.’

  The officer turned away, and joined Killop by the tables as the Kellach resumed their dinner.

  ‘That’ll probably do the trick,’ he said. ‘I think you’ll get a few names this evening.’

  ‘That would be fantastic,’ she said, looking over the table’s crowded contents of dishes, jugs and plates. ‘May I get some food for my squad, Chief? It’s been a long day.’

  ‘Of course, help yourself.’

  He watched her as she picked up a large plate and gazed at the food on offer. She looked nothing like Daphne, but her presence brought her to mind. She would be well on her way to Slateford, and soon she would arrive with Karalyn, and his life would change.

  The officer turned, and caught him gazing at her. She smiled.

  ‘Do you have anything non-alcoholic to drink?’

  ‘I’ll get you some grape juice,’ he said. He hoped that Daphne drank, she might find it difficult to fit in among the Kellach if she didn’t. He walked to the winery, chatting to a few workers on the way. As he reached the entrance, a runner approached, sprinting across the fire-lit courtyard.

  ‘Chief,’ he panted. ‘An intruder has been caught in the big house. Liam asked for you, said you needed to come.’

  Killop found Kalden, and the two of them hurried along the road to the mansion, a squad of militia following. It was dark by the time they reached the big house. A guard was waiting by the front door .

  ‘Chief.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Mage Liam has the details, Chief,’ she said as they entered the house. The guard led them to a large office on the ground floor, where the old sparker was sitting by the fireplace, his head bowed.

  ‘Liam,’ Killop said.

  ‘Ah Chief, you’re here,’ he said. ‘It’s my fault. I should have been keeping a better eye on things.’

  ‘I was told there was an intruder.’

  ‘The guards have him secured in the next room.’

  ‘Him?’

  ‘A Holdings priest.’

  ‘Where was he found?’

  ‘I caught him, chief,’ Liam said. ‘I went in to check on Lilyann and Dean, and there he was, talking to them like he was an old friend.’

  Killop felt rage grow within him. He strode to the door, Kalden a step behind. He flung it open and entered. Six guards were inside, watching a solitary dark-skinned man, who was sitting on a stool.

  ‘You,’ Killop said. ‘Millar.’

  The deacon glanced up.

  ‘I told you not to come back,’ Killop said, his eyes dark.

  ‘The Creator sees no boundaries,’ Millar said, a faint smirk on his lips, ‘and I am doing his work. If you are now going to beat me as a punishment, go ahead. I welcome it. The Creator will witness the suffering I undergo in his service, and know I am true to his purpose.’

  Killop bared his teeth, his fists clenched. He towered ove
r the Holdings man.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I heard a rumour there were mages,’ Millar said, ‘and I came to find them. The souls of mages are prized above all others by the Creator, and it is our sacred duty to bring them to the truth.’

  ‘Your religion is not welcome here,’ Killop said.

  Millar shrugged. ‘Your two young mages seemed quite interested in what I had to say. Indeed, they wondered why you had been keeping it from them.’

  ‘I’ll do what it takes to protect them from your lies.’

  ‘If you want, Chief,’ Kalden said, ‘you can just leave the room, and we’ll take care of this.’

  Lilyann burst in. ‘Leave him alone!’

  She ran across the floor, flinging herself between the Kellach and Millar, who smiled.

  ‘Don’t listen to him, Lilyann,’ Killop said. ‘His words are poison. He wants to hand you over to his church in Plateau City.’

  ‘I know,’ she said. ‘He explained it all to us. I want to go. If Pyre is the Creator, and he loves mages with all his heart, and he has a plan for us, then I want to be part of that.’

  ‘There is no Creator.’

  Millar smirked. ‘Do you think Miss Holdfast believes that?’

  Killop stared at the priest. ‘How do you know about Daphne?’

  Millar chuckled. ‘The One True Path know much about Miss Holdfast. And thanks to Lilyann, I now know she’ll be arriving here soon. I am blessed indeed. When I was given this assignment I had no idea that Daphne Holdfast would be coming. But let me get to the point. It’s well known in the church that the Creator himself once spoke directly to Miss Holdfast. He offered her the highest honours, but she spurned him, and is now a renegade against the holy church. She probably hates us even more than you do, but one thing she cannot deny: that the Creator is real.’

  Killop said nothing, his thoughts racing. He was glad that Daphne was no friend of the Holdings church, but he also saw how ignorant he was of the life she had led, and the kind of person she was.

  ‘Chief?’ Kalden said.

  ‘Get him out of here,’ Killop said. ‘Don’t hurt him, just get him off the estate.’