Needs of the Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  She slipped out of bed, and pulled on a long, loose robe. Creeping past the cot, she picked up a small pack and stepped outside into the chill mountain air.

  The views across the hills and valleys of Rahain were wide and beautiful. Far below the cabin, she could make out the big mansion where Killop lived, and a few miles to the left, there was a smudge that marked the location of Slateford Town. Daphne sat on a large boulder, and lit a cigarette.

  Her new home, and Karalyn’s too. A Holdings and a half-Holdings among fifteen thousand Kellach Brigdomin. Killop had taken her on a tour of the estate, and then they had moved up the mountainside to stay in the wooden cabin behind her, just the three of them, so they could get to know each other. As much as she had relished the experience, she was anticipating settling in, impatient to be over the feeling of being somewhere unfamiliar.

  She had enjoyed the time they had spent together. During the days, if the weather was fine, they would take Karalyn for a long walk through the forest, then in the evening they would build a fire in the cabin’s hearth, and share a few drinks after putting Karalyn to bed. They had talked each night, telling each other stories of their lives, and Daphne had tried to describe every step of their daughter’s growth. Then after that, bed. She had been worried that she wouldn’t desire him, or he her, or that the baby would make it all seem too uncomfortable, but it had been fine. Better than fine. She smiled at the new memories they had made in the darkness of the cabin, and felt her desire stir.

  Killop was a good man. Passionate, thoughtful, though so quiet at times that she had trouble trying to figure out what he was thinking. She knew she could look into his mind at any moment, but had stuck to her resolution not to. She took a deep breath, savouring the scent of the nearby pine trees.

  She heard a wail from the cabin, sighed, and stubbed out her cigarette. She jumped down from the boulder and opened the cabin door. Killop was up, standing at the end of the bed, rocking Karalyn back and forth in his huge arms. The baby was red-faced and screaming, tears and snot running down her cheeks.

  Killop looked up as Daphne approached.

  He passed her Karalyn.

  Daphne sent a soothing stream of vision into her daughter’s mind, and she calmed .

  Killop sighed and sat on the bed.

  ‘Don’t feel bad,’ she said. ‘I’m cheating, remember?’

  ‘I don’t think she’s used to me yet.’

  ‘It might take a while. She’s been seeing the same familiar faces ever since she was born.’

  Killop grabbed his clothes and got dressed.

  ‘I’ve really enjoyed our holiday,’ she said, laying Karalyn onto the bed to put on a clean nappy, ‘but I’ll be glad to head down to the mansion today. I’m looking forward to moving in, and meeting everyone.’

  ‘And I’ve got to get back to work,’ he said, fastening his boots.

  She lay out the fresh nappy, and noticed Killop watching her.

  ‘You’ve still not done one of these,’ she said. ‘Bridget’s bound to ask. Come on, you can do this one.’

  She showed him how to put Karalyn’s nappy on, his hands deft despite their size, though he pricked his finger on the safety pin.

  ‘Should I be worried about her?’ she said, as Killop wiped the blood from his finger.

  ‘Who, Bridget?’ he said. ‘Of course not.’

  ‘You seem very close.’

  ‘We are,’ he said, ‘but we’ve never fancied each other. It’s how we’ve managed to stay friends.’

  ‘Like me and Bedig,’ she said, as she finished dressing Karalyn.

  Killop said nothing.

  ‘What’s that look for?’ she said.

  ‘Just wondering what’s wrong with Bedig.’

  ‘I was pregnant for a lot of the time,’ she smiled. ‘Probably didn’t look my best. Besides, he was too busy chatting up every servant girl in the house. Broke a lot of hearts did Bedig.’

  ‘I’ve never seen Bridget with a man.’

  ‘Maybe she likes women.’

  ‘I thought so for a while,’ he said, ‘but she’s mentioned a few guys that she’s liked. She had a thing for Kalden a few thirds back, but didn’t do anything about it, and I had to promise not to tell him. ’

  Daphne nodded, and they began to pack up their things. When they finished, Daphne prepared some breakfast, while Killop went to the stream for water. When he returned, she made up a bottle of milk, and gave it to Karalyn.

  ‘Mama,’ she said, and Daphne’s face broke out in a grin.

  ‘I still can’t get used to it,’ she said. ‘She’s too young to be saying anything.’

  ‘She looks like you,’ Killop said.

  ‘But it’s you that’s making her grow so fast,’ Daphne said, ‘and walk and talk. And never catch a cold or be sick. She’s strong.’

  ‘And she’s a mage.’

  Daphne nodded. ‘I’ve protected you now, though. She won’t be able to enter you head again.’

  ‘I know,’ he said, ‘but it’s a lot to take in. And I still don’t understand how me and you could have made someone with Kalayne’s powers.’

  ‘Neither do I,’ she said, ‘but there’s no point in wondering. We’ve just got to deal with it.’

  ‘Will we tell the others?’

  ‘I think we should keep it to ourselves.’

  ‘But what if she goes into someone’s head,’ he said, ‘and does to them what she did to me? You might not be there to stop it.’

  ‘I could probably protect everyone who lives with you on the top floor of the mansion,’ she said. ‘Bridget, and your mages.’

  ‘Is Bedig protected?’

  ‘To be honest,’ she said, ‘I’ve never felt the need. What she did to you was the first time she’s done anything like that. She must have seen something in you that got her attention, I don’t know.’

  They both watched as Karalyn drank from the bottle. Her dark hair was down to her shoulders.

  Daphne shook her head. ‘She’s starting to look like a little girl already. She’s not even one.’

  ‘I’ve never spent much time with bairns,’ he said. ‘Not sure how fast they’re supposed to grow. ’

  ‘Bedig said that she’s growing like a Kellach child, only dark-skinned.’

  Karalyn put down the bottle, and toddled over to Daphne.

  ‘Time for a nap, Kara-bear,’ she said, ‘then we’ll be going down the hill to see our new home.’

  She picked her up, kissed her cheek, and walked over to the cot.

  Killop caught her eye as she tucked the baby in. He smiled, and glanced at the bed.

  She checked that Karalyn was drifting off to sleep, then climbed onto the mattress. She put her right hand round Killop’s neck, and pulled him close. He wrapped his big arms round her, and they kissed, sinking into the soft sheets.

  The mansion stood on the brow of a gentle slope, looking down upon the river. The road crossed the water by way of a ford, and the wheels of their wagon splashed through the shallows, the gaien lumbering and tired from the journey down the mountain. They heaved the laden wagon up onto the bank, where a small village had sprouted up. It was centred around an old stone mill, but every other building was new. Twenty wooden houses clustered by the road, along with barns, stables and a tavern.

  Killop nodded at a few Kellach out on the road. He seemed to be known by everyone they passed, Daphne noticed, and they all greeted him in an informal manner, as though the chief was an old friend rather than their ruler and lord.

  The gaien left the village, and pulled the wagon up the slope. The road levelled off at the top and they came into the large courtyard that sat before the mansion. Children were playing, some hopping and jumping about over grids of chalk marked on the flagstones, while others ran and chased each other. Draewyn and her team of helpers stood talking to one side, keeping half an eye on their young charges.

  Killop called over to Draewyn, and she waved back at him .

  They brought th
e gaien to a halt by the stone block of stables on the eastern side of the courtyard. Hands emerged to unharness the beasts, and Killop jumped to the ground. Daphne picked up Karalyn, and climbed down the steps.

  As Killop chatted to a few stable workers, Daphne gazed up at the mansion. She had seen it before, but it had been at night, when they had first arrived. It was a four-storey block, built from the same grey slate that was seen everywhere on the estate. Its windows and doorways were arched, and Daphne could see the scarring left by removed ivy on one side of the façade.

  ‘All the children live here,’ Killop said, coming up beside her. ‘Well, the ones with no parents. Most will probably be orphans, but there’s always the hope that their ma or da might turn up one day. They’re on the first floor. On the ground floor live a lot of old folk, those with no families. Second floor is offices and meeting rooms, and we live at the top.’

  ‘It’s a beautiful house.’

  ‘Aye. It amazes me that it was built for one family. We have a hundred folk staying in it now.’

  ‘There are estates in the Holdings with houses as big as this,’ she said. ‘Though ours tend to be one or two-storied, and more spread out.’ She glanced at him. ‘I was brought up in one.’

  ‘Hold Fast?’

  ‘Yes. Nearly twenty times the area of Slateford. Though it’s all flat of course, and half of it’s barren, practically desert. Only good for horses, not for growing things.’

  ‘So I might be chief here,’ he said, ‘but in the politics of the world, your family’s power outweighs mine. Well, it would if you and your father were more friendly towards the Emperor.’

  ‘But instead I’m a renegade,’ she said. ‘Unwelcome in my homeland. Again. And you’re one to talk about being friendly with the Emperor.’

  ‘As long as I hold sovereignty over Slateford,’ he said, ‘they can’t tell me what to do, or who I should allow in. ’

  ‘You’re putting a lot of faith in a piece of paper,’ she said. ‘The church cannot be trusted.’

  ‘So you’ve said,’ he frowned. ‘We see eye to eye on that.’

  They walked towards the mansion, passing a group of old Kellach men and women sitting out by small tables, drinking tea and watching the children play.

  The front doors were open, and Killop and Daphne walked up the steps and entered. The interior had been redecorated, with Kellach-made wooden furniture. Tapestries covered every wall, embroidered with scenes of hunting and battles, and the fire mountain. Daphne followed Killop into a large chamber, where a tall man was standing, gazing down with a frown at a pile of documents spread on the table in front of him.

  ‘Morning, Kalden,’ Killop said.

  ‘Chief, you’re back,’ Kalden said. He nodded to Daphne. ‘Ma’am.’

  ‘Did I miss anything?’ Killop said.

  ‘Nothing catastrophic,’ Kalden said. ‘Do you want a drink? I’ve got about a hundred things I need to go over with you, and I’m sure Bridget’s list is even longer.’

  Killop frowned, and turned to Daphne.

  ‘I suppose I’d better get on with it.’

  A side door opened, and Bedig strode in, his face beaming.

  ‘Karalyn,’ he cried.

  The baby smiled and wriggled in delight.

  Daphne noticed Killop frown.

  ‘I’ll leave you to it,’ she said. She reached up and kissed him, and he held her and Karalyn close for a moment.

  ‘See you later,’ he said.

  She turned to Bedig, and handed Karalyn to him.

  ‘I missed you, wee one,’ he said, rubbing his nose against the child’s forehead.

  ‘Nice to see you too, Bedig,’ Daphne said as they walked from the room.

  ‘Where now? ’

  ‘Well,’ Daphne said. ‘I need to get all our things moved up to our new quarters.’

  ‘Already done, miss,’ he said. ‘I’ve had twenty days waiting for you, did you think I wouldn’t unpack our stuff?’

  ‘I was hoping you’d be relaxing,’ she said. ‘Enjoying some time off.’

  ‘Oh, I’ve enjoyed myself, miss.’

  ‘I know that grin,’ she said. ‘You found yourself a girlfriend?’

  He shrugged. ‘Not sure where it’s going yet.’

  ‘There you are!’ a voice cried.

  Daphne turned. ‘Hi, Bridget.’

  The young Brig woman rushed down the hall towards them, and hugged Daphne.

  ‘Good to see you back,’ she said. ‘How was your trip up the hills?’

  ‘Great, thanks,’ Daphne said. ‘You here to see Killop?’

  ‘No,’ Bridget said. ‘I’m here for you, Daphne.’ She turned to Bedig, and the Brig man’s eyes averted for a second, his cheeks flushing. ‘You alright to watch Karalyn for the afternoon?’ Bridget asked him.

  ‘Aye,’ Bedig said. ‘Nae bother.’

  ‘Then I’m claiming you for the rest of the day, Daphne,’ she said. ‘We’re going to get absolutely reeking.’

  ‘Reeking?’

  ‘Drunk,’ Bridget said. ‘As fuck.’

  Daphne considered for a moment.

  ‘Let’s do it.’

  Bridget grinned.

  ‘Where are we going?’ Daphne said.

  ‘Village by the ford’s got a tavern,’ she said. ‘Does great fried bacon as well.’

  Daphne kissed Karalyn. ‘See you soon, Kara-bear. Mummy’s going out.’

  ‘It’s a fine balance,’ Bridget said, taking a swig of ale. ‘On one hand we have to be nice to the outside world so that they deal with us, buy our wine and so on, but at the same time we have our own rules. The authority of the empire stops at the border of Slateford.’

  Daphne shook her head. ‘I can’t see how the Emperor and church will allow that to continue indefinitely. This thing about refusing access to missionaries is starting to annoy them.’

  ‘There’s nothing they can do, but. Killop’s a stubborn bastard.’

  ‘You’re safe,’ Daphne said, ‘as long as Laodoc remains in power.’

  ‘Did you see him when you were in the capital?’

  Daphne nodded. ‘He doesn’t look well.’

  ‘Ladies,’ said a serving boy, putting down another large jug of ale onto their table.

  ‘Hey, wee man,’ Bridget said. ‘You can take this as well.’

  She shoved forward her empty plate.

  Daphne glanced at her own half-eaten dish. ‘And this,’ she said. ‘I’m full. You gave me enough to feed a whole family.’

  Bridget slapped the boy’s hand away from Daphne’s plate.

  ‘Not so fast,’ she smiled. ‘I’ll have that.’

  The boy left, and Bridget starting tucking in.

  ‘And I wondered if it was just Bedig who had a large appetite,’ Daphne said, ‘but you all eat like him. I don’t understand why you’re not all as wide as a barn.’

  Bridget shrugged and belched.

  ‘Bedig does that a lot too,’ Daphne said.

  Bridget looked like she wanted to say something, but instead took a drink of ale.

  Daphne lit a cigarette.

  ‘So,’ she said, ‘you get on all right with Bedig while we were away?’

  ‘You could say that,’ Bridget said, her face flushing.

  Daphne sighed. ‘I probably should warn you, Bridget.’

  Bridget frowned. ‘About what?’

  ‘Bedig’s a great guy,’ Daphne said, ‘but he, umm… likes chasing women.’

  Bridget said nothing .

  ‘He had a bit of a reputation,’ Daphne went on, cringing inside, ‘with the girls in Plateau City.’

  ‘He’s been good to me so far,’ Bridget said. ‘I think I like him.’

  ‘You can tell him I warned you,’ Daphne said. ‘He’ll probably laugh.’

  ‘You’re pretty close to him.’

  ‘Like how you are with Killop.’

  ‘Are you jealous?’

  ‘A bit. Are you?’

  Bridget shrugged. �
��I don’t know how it’ll go with Bedig. As for Killop, I’ll try not to get in the way. Everyone’s already been telling me to give you both room, but a chief and herald are a partnership, and me and Killop work well together.’

  ‘I see how at ease he is with you,’ Daphne said, filling her ale mug. ‘That’s what I’m jealous of, I think. Me and him are still getting comfortable with each other, and we’re not there yet.’

  ‘Killop and me have been living in each other’s armpits for three years. All the time we were slaves, and then through the uprising, and now here. It must be shit for you, coming in and seeing that, but nothing’s ever gone on between us, and never will.’

  Daphne nodded, resisting the temptation to check if Bridget was telling the truth. She gazed around the small tavern. They were occupying a table by a window, close to where a large fire burned in a central hearth. Even so, Daphne felt the cold through her clothes.

  As the serving boy was returning with a fresh jug of ale, the door of the tavern opened and Dyam walked in, followed by Lilyann.

  ‘Afternoon,’ she said as they approached.

  ‘Hi Dyam,’ Bridget said. ‘What did you bring her for?’

  ‘I’m supposed to be tutoring her this afternoon,’ Dyam said, sitting. She nodded to the serving boy for more mugs and ale. ‘She knew that you two were in here, and wore me down.’

  Lilyann grinned, and took a seat next to Daphne.

  ‘What was the lesson?’ Bridget said.

  ‘Rahain grammar,’ Dyam said. ‘Hence my one condition for agreeing to come here. We all have to speak Rahain.’ She looked round the table. ‘That all right?’

  ‘Fine with me,’ Daphne said, switching language. ‘I need to practice.’