‘Thank you,’ said Hodang, sipping. ‘Is anything happening out there?’
‘Just the rain,’ Agang said. ‘And tents, mud and thousands of wet warriors.’
Hodang passed him the empty cup, and he held his arm out into the rain again. He glanced down the hill to the banks of the Mya river, where masses of warriors were still crossing.
‘Fifty, sixty thousand?’ Agang said. ‘Too many to count.’
‘Before we left Broadwater,’ said Hodang, ‘I overheard the Clackdomyn man say that every Sanang male had been ordered to assemble.’
Agang shook his head.
He brought the full cup back inside and walked across the cell to the girl.
‘Here,’ he said.
She ignored him.
‘You need to drink.’
The girl shook her head.
‘Suit yourself.’ Agang walked back to Hodang, and sat next to him on the cold floor.
Hodang nodded over to where a small slops bucket sat in the corner of the cell. ‘I’m not sure a princess would be happy about using that in front of strangers.’
‘She’d rather die of thirst?’
Hodang shrugged. ‘She’s probably hoping it doesn’t come to that.’
Agang tutted and shook his head. ‘Stupid girl.’
The door was pushed open.
‘Morning,’ said Leah, entering. The two Holdings guards by the door sat up straight.
Leah wiped strands of wet hair from her face.
‘It’s pishing it down out there,’ she said. ‘Like a summer’s day in Lach.’
‘How can we help you, madam?’ Hodang said.
‘I’m not a fucking madam. I’m the poor bastard who got the job of looking after you arseholes.’
She scanned the room.
‘You cold?’
‘Yes,’ Hodang said.
‘Hungry?’
They nodded .
‘Right. I’ll sort it. You’ve got visitors coming soon to ask you some questions, better get some food in you first.’
She clicked her fingers, and a pair of Sanang trotted into the cell, carrying blankets and a box of food. Agang noticed that they diverted their glances from the white-faced Holdings woman, and stayed clear of where she sat by the door.
‘And some more seats,’ Leah said.
The Sanang nodded and left, returning a moment later with a stack of wooden chairs.
‘I’ll be back soon,’ Leah said. She left with the Sanang, and closed the door. The Holdings guards relaxed, but kept their crossbows trained on Agang and Hodang.
Agang rooted through the box of food, while Hodang took a blanket for himself, and threw one to the girl, who wrapped it round her shoulders.
Hodang looked at the guards.
‘What are your names?’ he said.
The Holdings glanced at each other.
‘I’m Niall,’ the man said. ‘She’s Flora.’
The white-faced woman scowled at him.
‘What?’ he said. ‘No one told us we weren’t allowed to speak. Way I see it, we’re going to be stuck together for a while. We may as well talk to them.’
The white-faced woman shook her head.
‘Come on,’ Niall said. ‘We get all the shit jobs these days. Guarding these guys is bad enough, but having to keep quiet at the same time?’
‘All that weed, Niall,’ Flora said. ‘It’s messed up your head.’
Agang sat back against the wall, clutching the food he had retrieved from the box. Hodang remained standing.
‘It intrigues me,’ the old man said, ‘to see two Holdings assisting the firewitch. From your uniform Niall, I would guess that you’re ex-alliance?’
‘That’s right. ’
‘Then am I correct in assuming you were in the Rahain capital when the firewitch escaped?’
‘You heard about that, eh?’
Hodang nodded, while Agang sat and ate in silence.
‘Keira pretty much won the war for them,’ Niall went on, ‘and they stabbed her in the back.’
Agang snorted.
‘You got something to say, big fella?’ Niall said, his fingers drumming against his crossbow.
Agang looked up. He wanted to cry out, shout at the stupid Holdings traitor sitting before him, scream that Keira was a war criminal and a savage.
He shook his head.
‘Good,’ said Niall.
Hodang took some bread from the box and sat. ‘Do you know what Keira intends to do with us?’
Niall shrugged. ‘Nah. Though you’d be dead by now if she didn’t have some use for you.’
He looked over at the girl, who hadn’t moved all morning.
‘Hey you,’ he said. ‘You should eat something.’
The girl said nothing.
Niall glanced at Hodang. ‘Is she all right in the head?’
‘I think so.’
Niall squinted at her. ‘What’s your name, love?’
The girl gave him a look of scorn.
‘Girls aren’t named in Sanang,’ Hodang said. ‘She is the widow of Prince Gadang Gabo, that is her title.’
‘Yeah,’ Niall said. ‘I remember hearing some bullshit along those lines. Can’t get my head round it. How can somebody not have a name?’
‘Typical Sanang chauvinistic crap,’ Flora muttered, her white face almost glowing in the dim light of the cell.
‘It is a very outdated tradition,’ Hodang said, making Agang want to get up and punch him.
‘One that you did nothing to change,’ Flora said .
Hodang smiled. ‘Do you think that B’Dang D’Bang will usher in an era of enlightenment? Do you think he cares about the plight of women?’
‘Doesn’t matter what he thinks,’ Niall said. ‘Keira’s in charge.’
Flora grinned, her face-paint cracking.
‘May I ask, Miss Flora,’ Hodang said, ‘why do the warriors fear you?’
‘None of your business.’
The cell door opened and Leah walked in.
‘All eaten?’
‘She’s not,’ Niall said, pointing at the girl.
‘Leave the food out, she might get hungry later,’ Leah said. ‘First visitor’s here so be on your best behaviour.’ She turned and left the cell, and Kylon entered, holding a sheaf of papers, with maps and lists of figures. Flora and Niall straightened up and fell silent.
He set a chair down in the middle of the room, and Leah closed the door.
‘I want to ask you some questions.’
‘About what, may I enquire?’ said Hodang.
‘About where we’re going.’
‘And where would that be?’
‘The frontier wall.’
Agang glanced up at the black-clad Clackdomyn man. His long dark hair hung like a sheet, partly obscuring his clean-shaven face. He looked young, but his eyes were distant and grim.
Kylon stared at the two Sanang men.
‘Agang Garo,’ he said, ‘you’ve been to the wall, haven’t you?’
‘I’m sure there are many in B’Dang’s army that could tell you all about the wall.’
‘And I’ve spoken to them. I want to hear what you have to say.’
‘You want me to help you?’ Agang laughed. ‘You think I’ll betray Sanang?’
‘We’re bringing the empire down,’ Kylon said, ‘with or without your help. There are over a hundred thousand warriors gathered here. We’ll be at the imperial capital in a few thirds, ready to do what you couldn’t last year.’
Agang gasped. ‘A hundred thousand?’
‘Keira is persuasive.’
‘You fools,’ Agang said. ‘I brought peace to Sanang, and you’re destroying it. You only want our warriors as fodder for your mad plans against the empire.’
‘You’ve been deceived.’
Agang fell silent, worried that somehow the Clackdomyn man knew of the fake vision of the war god.
‘How?’ said Hodang.
‘The empire is not benevol
ent,’ Kylon said. ‘Everything is being ordered to follow the plan of the creator-faith, and its church. A plan that will destroy us all.’
‘And how do you know this?’ Hodang said.
‘I’m in contact with a mage who can see the mind of the Creator.’
Agang and Hodang caught each other’s eye.
‘It doesn’t matter that you don’t believe me,’ Kylon said. ‘Will you help us?’
‘I will,’ Hodang said before Agang could answer. ‘I could draw you a decent map of the whole frontier region, including the positions of the forts on the wall. I also know the best places this time of year for the army to find food supplies during the march.’
Kylon gazed at Hodang, nodding. He stood. ‘I’ll be back when I’ve got some time. We’ll go somewhere, and you can draw out a map for us.’ He turned to leave, then noticed the girl in the corner. He walked over and crouched down to her eye level.
‘What’s your name?’
‘She hasn’t got one, apparently,’ Niall said.
‘I don’t believe that,’ Kylon said. ‘Just because the men didn’t give you a name doesn’t mean you haven’t got one. All that time, stuck in the women’s enclosure. Your mother and sisters, they must have called you something.’
The girl said nothing .
‘You shouldn’t be in here,’ Kylon went on. ‘You were just in the wrong place when we arrived in Broadwater. Married to the wrong guy. How old are you?’
‘She’s fourteen,’ Hodang said.
‘Be quiet,’ Kylon said. ‘I was talking to her.’
She glanced at him, her eyes narrow.
‘If you need some privacy, let Flora know,’ he said. ‘There’s a bathroom across the hall. She’ll take you.’
He turned to the white-faced woman, who nodded. ‘Sure, boss.’
Kylon stood.
‘My name is Fern,’ the girl said.
Kylon nodded.
Flora laughed. ‘You got her to talk.’
The big Clackdomyn knocked on the door, and Leah opened it. He gave the tiniest flash of a smile to Fern, then left, and the door was closed.
‘So Fern, hello,’ Flora grinned.
‘You’re the white-faced witch,’ Fern said. ‘I’ve heard about you. You have dark powers.’
‘That’s me.’
‘Dark powers?’ Hodang said.
‘Keira made all that shit up,’ Niall said. ‘The face-paint was her idea as well. Worked a treat, the warriors are terrified of her.’
‘Niall!’ Flora cried. ‘These people are our fucking captives, stop trying to make friends with them.’
‘So it’s not true?’ Fern said.
‘No,’ Flora said. She frowned at her colleague. ‘Thanks, Niall.’
A look of relief passed over the girl’s face.
‘This can be our secret,’ Flora said.
Fern nodded.
The door opened again. Leah stood in the entrance, scowling.
‘More visitors.’
She stood aside as B’Dang entered, followed by Echtang.
Agang’s rage boiled up and he clenched his fists .
‘Think I’ll stay in for this one,’ Leah said.
Flora and Niall raised their crossbows, covering the room. Agang watched them. If he went for B’Dang he would have two bolts in his chest by the time he had risen to his feet.
‘Good morning, prisoners,’ B’Dang crowed. ‘What a fine time to be alive. Your humiliation gives me such pleasure, I get a hard-on just looking at you.’
‘Fuck you, B’Dang,’ Agang growled, his teeth bared.
‘Simmer down,’ Leah said. ‘B’Dang, cut the crap.’
B’Dang grabbed his crotch. ‘One day, Leah, me and you…’
‘If I ever see your cock I’ll rip it off.’
B’Dang laughed. ‘I fucking love Clackdomyn women.’
Leah rolled her eyes.
‘But I’m not here for that,’ B’Dang said. ‘No, I’ve brought along a special visitor.’
He pulled Echtang forward. The young man stood in an awkward pose, his face filled with disgust.
Agang stood.
‘Nephew,’ he said, his clenched fists trembling. ‘What have you come to say?’
‘Uncle,’ Echtang said, ‘you brought this on yourself.’
‘How dare you?’ Agang spat. ‘You little bastard, after all I’ve done for you…’
‘You threw it all away, uncle,’ Echtang said, ‘when you sold out Sanang to the Holdings.’
‘You understand nothing,’ Agang said, edging closer. The two guards raised their crossbows a fraction, and Leah put a hand onto the hilt of her sword.
‘Everything I’ve worked for,’ Agang went on, ‘was for the people of Sanang, to give them a better, more peaceful life. So I entered into an alliance with the other nations of this world, how does that make me a traitor? You’re the traitor, Echtang, you should be ashamed.’
B’Dang watched from the side, smirking.
‘I’m proud of what I’ve done,’ Echtang said. ‘It’s not an alliance uncle, it’s an empire. An empire only has one ruler: the emperor, everyone else is a slave next to him. You made the whole nation of Sanang slaves.’
‘I freed the slaves,’ Agang cried.
‘You whored yourself to the Emperor.’
Agang roared and jumped forwards. Leah drew her sword and pointed it at Agang’s neck. He skidded to a halt just as the tip grazed his throat, and froze, his eyes bulging.
‘Back off,’ Leah said.
B’Dang fell into gales of laughter.
Agang took a step back, a trickle of blood rolling down his neck. Echtang was shaking, his eyes wide with fright.
‘They murdered your brother,’ Agang said.
‘He was weak,’ Echtang said, ‘and a fool.’
Agang shook his head. ‘You two were like sons to me. I remember the day I took you into my household. A pair of young, frightened boys, their father dead, their mother, my sister, butchered before their eyes. I swore that day I would look after you. I always knew that you’d grow into a fine man, and you have, but it pains me that you’ve chosen this path, the way of never-ending war and suffering. Once you have invaded the Plateau and won, what then? Will B’Dang be king? Will his rule be better than mine?’
‘They killed my mother because of you,’ Echtang said. ‘You’re right, I was young, but I remember.’
‘You ungrateful wretch,’ Agang sneered. ‘Your mother would hide her head in shame at what you’ve become, were she still alive.’
The young man’s face twisted in rage, and Leah put out her arm.
‘I think this meeting is over,’ she said. ‘Knew it was a fucking bad idea.’
Echtang spat on the floor in front of Agang.
‘I’ve had a splendid time,’ said B’Dang. ‘It’s always nice to see families getting along.’
‘You’re a stirring wee shitebag,’ Leah said. ‘Come on, time to go.’
She opened the door and gestured .
Echtang turned without a word, and walked from the cell. B’Dang lingered, leering at Agang.
‘I’m going to mould that boy,’ he said. ‘I look forward to breaking him first.’
Agang stood his ground, staring at B’Dang.
‘Move,’ Leah said.
B’Dang mock-bowed, and left, Leah following him out and closing the door.
Agang went to the window, pushing his head out as far as it would go. He closed his eyes as the rain hit his face, and screamed, his voice drowned out by the roar of the storm.
He turned, and slumped to the floor, his back to the wall.
‘You did well, Agang,’ Hodang said. ‘I was sure you were going to hit him or your nephew, and then things might have got very messy indeed.’
‘Fuck you, map-maker.’
Hodang blinked, then nodded.
‘Well I’m glad you stayed calm,’ Niall said, his crossbow across his knees. ‘I would’ve hated having to shoot you
. Not sure Flora would have been too bothered though.’
The white-faced witch shrugged.
Niall rummaged in a pocket, and pulled out a weedstick.
‘You’re kidding me, right?’ Flora said. ‘You’re going to spark one up in here?’
‘Yeah. That was heavy as fuck. I honestly thought there was going to be bloodshed.’
Flora nodded. ‘You can never tell when B’Dang’s around, I suppose.’
Niall lit the weedstick, and took a long drag.
‘Is Keira good friends with B’Dang?’ Hodang said.
Niall snorted. ‘I wouldn’t exactly say that…’
‘Shut up, Niall,’ Flora muttered.
‘I was thinking,’ Hodang went on. ‘Keira seems to be the one in charge here, so what does she need B’Dang for? ’
‘Sometimes,’ Niall laughed, ‘I reckon it’s because he amuses her, like a performing monkey.’
‘A rather murderous monkey,’ Hodang said.
Flora growled at Niall.
‘What?’ the Holdings man said.
‘Stop fucking talking to them,’ she said. ‘You’re blabbering like a fool.’
‘Maybe it’s not the talking that’s the problem,’ Hodang said, ‘but the subject matter. Perhaps we should speak about something that we all find agreeable.’
‘Like what?’ Niall said.
‘What’s Keira planning to do?’ Hodang suggested.
Flora shook her head.
‘What about you, Flora?’ Hodang said. ‘Why don’t you tell us about yourself?’
She grimaced. ‘You’re so transparent. Trying to wheedle your way in. I’m not your friend. You’re my prisoner. Right now I have more respect for Agang, at least he’s not toadying up to his captors. Have a little dignity, man.’
Agang laughed, as Hodang flushed in embarrassment.
‘But seeing as you asked so nicely,’ Flora went on, ‘I’m from a little market town in the Holdings, on an estate called Hold Cane. I’m the youngest of three daughters, and while my sisters were learning the family business, I joined the cavalry. If I’d been born in this shithole country, I would have been stuck inside an enclosure with all the other girls, and some man would have decided what happened to me. In the Holdings, I used to complain that girls were treated unfairly. “Why is the prophet always a man?” I would ask. But that was before I came here. Never mind Keira, here’s a little hint of my plans. Once we smash through that wall, I am never coming back to Sanang.’
Needs of the Empire Page 27