Shella picked up her mug of water, and took a sip.
The sounds from below the table ceased, and a servant staggered to his feet.
‘The governor’s dead,’ he said, his eyes wide.
‘What a terrible tragedy,’ Shella said, ‘and in the middle of dinner, too.’
The servants stared at her.
Guards burst through the main doors of the dining room, and gazed at the scene.
‘The governor choked on his food,’ a servant said. ‘We tried to save him. ’
The officer walked to the table and examined the governor’s dinner plate. He picked up the half-eaten leg of poultry, shaking his head.
He glanced at Shella.
‘I will have a carriage summoned for you at once, ma’am,’ he said, ‘to carry you back to your accommodation.’
‘That’s probably for the best,’ Shella said. ‘My appetite has been completely ruined.’
By the time they restarted their journey at dawn the following morning, Jodie had still not spoken to Shella. Even Jayki was being quiet, she noticed. As their carriage swung back out onto the main road leading towards the gatehouse, Shella gazed at her companions.
‘What’s the matter with you two?’
Jayki shrugged and Jodie ignored her.
Shella looked out of the window and lit a cigarette. The street was narrowing, and the carriage halted as it approached a huge set of wooden gates. Groups of irregular militia hung around, mixed in with cavalry troopers. The gates were opened, and their driver reined the horses through, into a long, wide tunnel.
The gates closed behind them, and they were cast into darkness. Above them was the mass of the frontier fort, where they had dined the night before, and where the governor’s corpse would be laid out somewhere.
Another set of gates opened, and light flooded their eyes, blinding them for a moment. Then they were through, and back out into the open air.
Shella looked back to see the huge frontier wall behind them, its gates closing. On both sides of the road spread an enormous shanty camp, filled with dusty, thin Rakanese, who were staring at the carriage. Within seconds, a crowd had formed around them, and begging hands were thrust through the windows. Children called out to them as they ran alongside the carriage .
‘Speed up,’ Jayki said to the driver, who lashed the whip. The horses gained momentum, and the crowds scattered to either side as the carriage bounded down the road.
Shella glanced over to Jodie, who was staring out the window, her mouth open.
‘Not what you remember from the last time you were here?’ Shella said.
Jodie’s head snapped round to face her.
‘You irresponsible fool,’ she cried.
Shella smirked. ‘You’ve just noticed?’
‘We could have been arrested,’ Jodie went on. ‘You murdered the governor.’
‘He choked on a bone.’
Jodie narrowed her eyes. ‘I thought you wanted to be honest with me? Every time I think that you’re opening up, you do or say something stupid and I’m back to thinking you’re nothing but a vain, selfish fool.’
‘Now that,’ Shella said, ‘that sounded honest.’
Jodie clenched her fists and glared at her.
‘I lay awake all night,’ she said. ‘I was convinced that soldiers were going to break the door down, and drag us all off to prison, or worse.’
‘I’m not sorry he’s dead,’ Shella said. ‘Look out the window, look at all the suffering on this side of the wall. A gigantic slum, full of Rakanese people desperate to get out. This mess was caused by him.’
‘Another governor will just be appointed,’ Jodie said. ‘It makes no difference. Do you think his replacement will look more kindly on our people out here?’
‘Probably not.’
‘It’s the entire system that needs replaced, Shella. The whole imperial power structure that keeps the Holdings repressing the other peoples of this world must go, not just one sadistic governor. The Emperor is holding us in chains.’
‘And there we have it,’ Shella smiled. ‘I hope you put that in your journal.’
Jodie flushed .
‘Said too much, did we?’ Shella smirked. ‘It’s just as well we agree.’
Jodie glanced up.
‘You’re right,’ Shella said. ‘The death of that idiot governor makes no difference. Quite enjoyed it anyway.’
The horses slowed to a trot as they reached the outskirts of the slum settlement. A crowd of children continued to chase them, but grew smaller in the distance as the carriage left them behind.
Jayki closed his eyes and leaned back.
‘It’s all true, isn’t it?’ Jodie said.
‘What?’ Shella said.
‘You killed lots of people during the Migration?’
Shella nodded.
‘How many?’
‘More than a few,’ Shella said. ‘That was my first Holdings though.’
Chapter 10
Courtesy Call
R ahain Capital, Rahain Republic – 19 th Day, First Third Autumn 506
The old man lay asleep at his desk, his head resting on a pile of papers. A pot of ink had spilled next to his hand, its dark contents seeping through a large map of southern Rahain. A solitary lamp burned from the wall behind him, illuminating a small study.
Wake up.
The old man stirred.
Laodoc, Daphne called to him.
His eyes jerked open, and he scanned the room, his tongue flickering.
I’m in your head, she said.
‘Daphne, is that you?’ Laodoc whispered.
It is. I need to talk to you, please.
‘Of course my dear,’ Laodoc said, rubbing his forehead. He looked older, more worn with care and time, but his eyes held their spark. ‘Although it’s a little difficult to concentrate with you inside my mind.’
Let’s try this instead, she said. She went to the area of his mind controlling his eyesight and projected a vision of herself standing in front of him .
‘Oh my,’ Laodoc gasped.
‘Is that better?’ she asked.
‘Much, thank you,’ he said. ‘Even though I know you’re not really there, it seems more normal to speak to you like this. Well, a little more normal at any rate.’
‘How have you been?’
‘Oh, you know,’ he said. ‘Invasion, the overthrow of the republic, becoming chancellor, seeing my country descend into civil war, and my people desert their culture and flock to the Holdings religion in their thousands. I think I’m doing quite well, considering. You?’
‘I had a baby girl.’
‘My congratulations,’ he smiled, pouring himself a brandy. ‘I’ll drink to her health.’
‘It’s good to see you.’
‘And you, my dear,’ he said, taking a sip. ‘So, have you learned how to do this all the way from Plateau City, or am I to assume that you’ve returned to Rahain?’
‘I’m back,’ she said, ‘though I’m not in the capital yet. Did the church not tell you I was coming?’
‘It must have slipped their minds. One of many things they have neglected to tell me.’
‘Don’t trust them.’
‘All trust between myself and your church broke down some time ago, I can assure you.’
‘They’re not my church,’ Daphne said. ‘I’m a renegade.’
Laodoc raised an eyebrow.
‘Their own word for me,’ she said. ‘I’m taking it as a hard won compliment.’
‘Are you fleeing from them again?’
‘No, we’ve reached a compromise. They leave me alone, I leave them alone.’
Laodoc shook his head. ‘Did I not just hear you say, dear Daphne, that they weren’t to be trusted?’
Daphne shrugged. ‘I’m well aware what they’re capable of. Legally though, I’ve done nothing wrong, so I can’t be arrested. That won’t stop some of them from trying to kill me, and my daughter. The One True Path already tried in Rainsby.’
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Laodoc shook his head. ‘Awful. And your daughter, she must be nearly nine-thirds old by now?’
‘Eight and a half. Her name is Karalyn.’
‘Lovely.’ Laodoc sighed. ‘I always wished for a daughter. For a time I lived as if Simiona were mine, and it might be the happiest I’ve ever been.’ He looked up. ‘There are no slaves in Rahain any more, Daphne. At least not in the regions we control.’
‘How’s it going with the rebellion?’
‘Not well,’ he said, taking another drink. ‘They have money. And slaves to work while their peasants fight for them. They’ve taken to calling themselves the Old Free, and are led by a rebel government in Calcite City made up of senators and councillors who fled the invasion. My son Ruellap is one of them. So too is Douanna.’
‘I should have killed her.’
‘But you didn’t,’ Laodoc said, ‘and now I believe she has attained a certain level of power within the rebel administration. I have seen her signature on several orders we intercepted being sent to her spies. Agents from the church captured a nest of them.’ He looked up at Daphne. ‘In the fight against the rebellion, I have to accept that the church have been willing allies. They hate the rebels as much as anyone.’
‘They want the whole world to bow to the Emperor.’
‘Yes,’ Laodoc said, ‘but what’s got them more annoyed than the political situation, is that the rebels hunt down and kill any Holdings missionary they find on their territory. Dozens of deacons and priests have been executed, their bodies displayed by the roadside. Some have even been assassinated while they walked the streets of the capital, killed by Old Free sympathisers.’ He smiled. ‘This is something the Severed Clan shares with the rebels.’
Daphne frowned.
‘Killop has also banned Holdings missionaries from entering his clan’s land at Slateford,’ Laodoc said. ‘Probably for the same reasons as the rebels, though he would no doubt dispute that. However, they are on the wrong side of history. The Rahain people are converting to the creator-faith like thirsty men to water, with no sign of slowing down. Whole neighbourhoods of the capital now worship the Creator, and it’s the same in Jade Falls and Tahrana, in fact wherever the missionaries are able to go.’
‘Killop has banned them?’
‘Yes. Sent them packing, I believe. He hasn’t executed any, as the rebels have done, but his actions have vexed the church here in the capital. Ghorley keeps trying to get me to overturn their law of sovereignty, that grants the Severed Clan the right to live according to their own customs, but I never shall. I’ll take one small victory over that damned priest.’
‘So Ghorley’s still in charge?’
‘He runs the Church Mission, co-ordinating the mass conversions, and sending out One True Path missionaries to every corner of Rahain. General Harkin may be the imperial legate, but Ghorley is the one pulling all the strings.’
Laodoc lifted his glass of brandy. ‘He even tried to ban this. Ridiculous. When I told him no, he just sent out his deacons, and they destroyed several bars and roughed up members of the wine merchants’ guild, while soldiers looked the other way. Most of the new army regiments are made up entirely of converts. They keep the peace, and they fight the rebels, but I know where their true loyalty lies.’
‘I saw some detachments of Holdings troopers on their way out of Rahain as we were coming in,’ Daphne said. ‘Why are they leaving if the rebellion’s getting worse?’
‘There’s been some sort of disturbance in Sanang,’ Laodoc sighed. ‘That’s what Harkin told me. The Emperor asked for troops, and Ghorley assured him we could defeat the insurgency with the new army alone. After all, the Creator is on our side.’
‘Faith won’t keep out a crossbow bolt.’
‘Quite, Daphne. Luckily not all of the new army is beholden to the church. We have managed to recruit over ten thousand Kellach Brigdomin, most of whom have fighting experience of one sort or another.’
‘What about Killop? He hasn’t joined up, has he?’
‘No,’ Laodoc smiled. ‘He’s quite safe. He did allow the imperial recruiters onto the estate though, and several thousand from Slateford enlisted. I imagine he’s got his hands full running the place, not to mention looking forward to seeing you and Karalyn.’
She gazed at the floor. ‘It’s been a long time apart. Damn Kylon.’
‘But Daphne, without the Severed Clan’s intervention at the Battle for the Gates, the day might have been lost.’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘I heard. I understand all that, but I still wanted him beside me.’
‘And now your wait is almost at an end,’ Laodoc said. ‘Do you know how to get to Slateford Estate?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you going straight there?’
‘No, there’s something in the city I have to do first. Don’t worry, I won’t cause any trouble.’
‘Do you require an escort, my dear, if you’re worried for your security?’
She shook her head. ‘Thanks for the offer. I’ll send word when we reach Slateford.’
Laodoc smiled. ‘All the best, Daphne.’
The apparition disappeared.
Take care, Laodoc.
Daphne pulled her vision back to where she sat cross-legged on the floor of a small cabin they had rented from a farmer a few miles from the capital. Her eyes snapped open, and she heard Karalyn squeal.
‘That was quick,’ said Bedig.
He lit a stick of keenweed and passed it to her, along with a cup of wine.
‘Thanks,’ she said, taking a drag.
Her mind cleared. The room was in shadows, the shutters closed. A lamp burned on a table .
Karalyn tottered over to her. Daphne reached out with her right arm and gave her daughter a hug.
‘You should be in bed, Kara-bear.’
‘I’ll take her,’ Bedig said, standing. He plucked Karalyn off her feet and carried her over to a cot.
‘Thanks,’ Daphne said.
‘How’d it go?’
‘Rahain’s in a mess,’ she said. ‘Poor Laodoc, squeezed between the church and the rebels. The sooner we leave the capital the better.’
‘We’re going into the capital?’ Bedig said, turning from the cot. Karalyn was lying down but was still awake, making gurgly laughing noises.
‘I have a job for you,’ Daphne said.
She reached into her pack and withdrew a purse of coins. Bedig came over and sat down. She handed him the purse, and a slip of paper. He squinted at it.
‘That’s the address,’ she said. ‘Be discreet.’
He nodded. ‘Back on the weed, then?’
‘I’ll need it for the amount of vision I’ll be doing.’
Bedig said nothing.
Daphne glared at him. ‘Do I say anything about your drinking?’
‘I’m not judging you, miss.’ He placed the purse and paper into his own pack.
She took a long sip of wine.
‘When we get there,’ she said, ‘we’ll stable the horses by the western gate, split up, and meet back there at sunset. If we ride through the night, we could make Slateford by the following evening.’
‘I wonder if I’ll know anyone there.’
‘I think they’re all ex-slaves.’
‘My brother was captured and enslaved when the Rahain took our village. I escaped before the wagons had left Brig, and left him behind. That was the last I ever saw of him.’
‘If he’s alive,’ Daphne said, ‘he’ll be in Rahain.’
‘Or he might have left, to go back to Brig. ’
Daphne glanced at him. ‘But there’s nothing down there. The Rahain left it a desert.’
Bedig smiled. ‘That’s what most folk believe, or want to believe, but I was there, remember? I met Keira, and Kylon, and Leah and the others in Domm. There are people still living there, Daphne. They were well hidden in the glens when we left to fight in Kell, before Kylon dragged us off to help Shella in Akhanawarah.’
&nbs
p; ‘Then why is Duncan the Kellach chief?’ Daphne said. ‘Should it not be someone who is living in your homeland?’
‘Like I said, many folk, including Duncan in Plateau City, want to believe that the whole of Kellach Brigdomin is a wasteland, and Domm, where all the survivors are living, is at the furthest tip of the world, and between it and the Plateau are all those miles of desert you were talking about. Destroyed villages, opencast mines, slagheaps. Shanty towns of slave Rahain, toiling day and night. But the folk way down in Domm are living in a world of their own. I’ll bet none of them have even heard there’s an emperor.’
‘They will soon,’ Daphne said, ‘if freed slaves start returning from Rahain.’
Bedig nodded.
Daphne stood. ‘Bed.’
‘Aye.’
She turned down the lamp and got into the small wooden pallet, a pile of blankets keeping out the autumn chill. She heard Bedig lumber about until he found his own bed and got into it.
She closed her eyes and listened out for Karalyn’s breathing, its soft rhythm lulling her to sleep.
Daphne hired a gaien-drawn cart with a driver at the western gates of the capital, and sat in the back with Karalyn as it pulled them through the great tunnels of the city. The western region was one of the areas least damaged by the alliance invasion, but the scars were still visible. Beggars lined the busy junctions, and many of the street lamps were not working, casting deep shadows across the thoroughfares.
Groups of Rahain soldiers in grey uniforms stood watching the crowds of people going about their business. The brown tunics worn by slaves and peasants alike before the invasion were still ubiquitous, although no slave chains were evident, and there was no way to tell the difference between the two groups. A few Holdings troopers were on guard at certain points, while dozens of their black-robed country-folk were out on the streets, preaching to quiet and attentive crowds.
There was little traffic on the roads, and Daphne saw none of the old, ostentatious carriages that the aristocratic class had used to travel.
‘This your first time in the city, miss?’ the Rahain driver asked.
‘No,’ she replied. ‘I’m returning after a year away.’
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