‘She has to go to bed in an hour,’ Killop said, kissing Karalyn on the head. ‘Night-night, wee bear.’
‘Dada go?’
‘Aye. I’ll be back soon, but.’
Bridget called for a squad to accompany them, and they left the crowded square, and went down to the road by the river. The seven stars were shining bright in the dark heavens, reflecting off the slow-moving waters, as Killop and Bridget led the squad towards the town.
‘About before,’ Bridget said. ‘I know you want to rescue Daphne from the city, but if anyone can survive there, it’s her. She knows all the sneaky places to hide. Remember when she took us through the tunnels under the Senate?’
‘I hate being helpless,’ he said. ‘She’ll know I didn’t even try to find her.’
‘You have to look after Karalyn. Daphne’ll understand.’
‘When we meet these Old Free rebels,’ he said, ‘I’m tempted to demand that she’s delivered to us safely.’
‘What?’ Bridget cried. ‘Are you crazy? Don’t give those bastards any advantage they can use against us. If they know you want her, they’ll try to keep her as a hostage, or worse.’
‘I know,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.’
They carried on in silence for a while.
‘How was Laodoc when you left him?’ Bridget said.
‘Sleeping,’ Killop said. ‘I asked him if he wanted to come down for the feast, but he was exhausted. I put him in Lilyann’s old room, and he went straight to bed.’
‘Poor sod,’ Bridget said. ‘He had an impossible job.’
‘And we don’t mention him to the Old Free either.’
Bridget smiled. ‘Do you think I’m stupid?’
They passed through Slateford Town, where a number of Winter’s Day feasts and celebrations were taking place. Kellach filled the streets, and every tavern was full. Killop took the road out of town, and into the cleared border area. The forest ahead loomed a deep black, and they made for the torches of the Kellach militia, who were standing next to a group of Rahain.
Kalden turned and saw Killop approach.
‘Chief,’ he said.
Killop glanced at the rebel Rahain. Two were in robes, and the other four wore army uniforms.
‘This is Chief Killop of the Severed Clan,’ Bridget said. ‘I’m the clan herald. What do you want?’
‘We wish to talk, Herald,’ said the taller of the two robed men. ‘I am Pleonim, and this is Ruellap. We are members of the new government of Rahain.’
‘The usurping government,’ Bridget said.
‘The re-establishment of the legitimate republic, madam,’ Pleonim said. ‘As such, we regard ourselves as the true government.’
‘We’ll just have to disagree on that.’
‘As you wish, Herald. Might we go somewhere more comfortable to talk?’
‘Just the six of you?’ Bridget said, staring at the soldiers in brown uniform.
‘Yes,’ Pleonim said. ‘We trust that you will obey the laws of courtesy and not kill us.’
‘Come on,’ she said.
Kalden and the militia stood back as Killop and Bridget led the Rahain towards a nearby guard tower, the squad from the mansion following.
There was a large chamber on the ground floor of the tower being warmed by a huge open fire. The militia occupying it were sent off to the town to enjoy the holiday, and Bridget showed the Rahain to seats around a table. She and Killop sat opposite them as a serving boy set out jugs and mugs.
‘Help yourselves,’ Bridget said.
‘Thank you,’ said Pleonim, and poured wine for himself and his colleague. The four Rahain guards drank nothing, and sat at the table in a brooding silence .
‘Let’s get started,’ Bridget said. ‘You first.’
Pleonim nodded and cleared his throat.
‘We have been sent here by the new chancellor of the republic, Lady Douanna,’ he began. ‘We understand that our side, the “Old Free” as we are known, and the estate of Slateford, have not been friends. And why would we be? We represent the forces that conquered your land and enslaved your people. It seems quite fitting and natural that you should feel enmity towards us. And yet, in the main, there have been no hostilities between us. Yet.
‘Chancellor Douanna is nothing if not practical. She and her government have been weighing up our strategic options. Obviously, we cannot accept the independent sovereign status that the traitor chancellor Laodoc bestowed upon you. The republic of Rahain is inviolate, and cannot be split. Nevertheless, Chancellor Douanna is prepared to offer you, the chief of the Severed Clan, a full and binding peace treaty.’
Bridget snorted. ‘Peace?’
‘Yes, Herald, peace,’ Pleonim went on. ‘Our government recognises that the situation has fundamentally altered with the introduction of the Holdings religion into Rahain. The wicked missionaries of the One True Path have spread their lies throughout the population of northern Rahain, and the disease has especially infected the former slave classes. Only in the south, where our rule continued uninterrupted, and here inside this estate, has anywhere resisted the epidemic of creator fanaticism. From this we have formed some hopeful conclusions.’
He put down his mug. ‘The old struggles have lost their meaning. Our quarrel with you pales into insignificance with the real threat that faces us both.’
‘What threat?’ Bridget said.
‘The followers of the false creator god are single-minded,’ Pleonim said. ‘The war that is coming will be between those that follow the Holdings church, and those who refuse to surrender their will to a fake prophet and his deluded dogma. Therefore, Chancellor Douanna wishes to prevent any conflict between our government and Slateford, in order that we may both steel ourselves for the struggles to come. ’
Bridget smirked. ‘Is it not just because you know we’d kick your arse?’
Pleonim smiled, while his colleague frowned.
‘You’re quiet,’ Bridget said to him. ‘What’s your name again?’
‘Ruellap,’ he said, ‘and I am forcing myself to remain silent, lest my anger ruin these talks.’
Bridget laughed. ‘At least you’re honest. What is it in particular that you’re so worked up about?’
Ruellap gazed down at the table.
‘It’s personal,’ he said, ‘which is why I felt it inappropriate to mention. However, as you have asked, it’s because this estate used to belong to my family and, well, I don’t like you being here.’
Killop glanced over at him. ‘Are you related to the old chancellor?’
‘I’m his son.’
‘Likiat’s brother?’
‘Yes,’ Ruellap said, ‘and I know you were responsible for his death. Another reason for my anger.’
Bridget frowned. ‘I’m not sure you were such a good choice to be sent as a negotiator.’
‘He’s perfect,’ Pleonim said. ‘Chancellor Douanna judged that you would take his presence as a sign of our trust and goodwill.’
She shrugged. ‘So what else does this peace treaty entail?’
‘Simply an agreement not to initiate hostilities against each other.’
‘That it?’
Pleonim spread out his palms. ‘We’re here to talk. Tell us what you want.’
‘All the Kellach slaves freed, for a start,’ Killop said.
Pleonim smiled and withdrew a scroll from his robes. He cracked open the seal and passed it to them.
‘The chancellor had this ordinance drawn up this morning,’ he said. ‘A proclamation guaranteeing the manumission of all remaining Kellach Brigdomin slaves within the Rahain republic, to be completed within two years.’
Killop scanned the document, then passed it to Bridget .
‘This is worthless,’ she said. ‘A promise only. Here’s what I think. You lot have problems piled high at your door. The folk in the capital are mostly worshippers of the Creator from what I hear, and I doubt they’ve welcomed your return with flowers
and parties. The imperial army is getting closer every day, and the last thing you need are the uppity savages in Slateford pissing in your breakfast. What can we do to shut them up? I know, write some shit down that we’ll never have to actually do, and maybe they’ll buy it.’ She smirked. ‘Am I close?’
Ruellap looked ready to explode, but Pleonim took a sip of wine and smiled.
‘That was indeed an excellent summary of our position.’
Ruellap stared at his colleague in fury.
Pleonim sighed. ‘Honesty,’ he said. ‘It’s the only way to get what we want. They’re not stupid, but let’s hope they’re pragmatic.’
He turned back to Killop and Bridget.
‘What else do you want? I’ve been honest with you, now be honest with me. What would it take?’
‘These are our conditions for a truce,’ Bridget said. ‘Not a peace treaty, mind. Just a truce. First, remove all the roadblocks and let trade resume. Second, find buyers for all of Slateford’s excess produce. Third, free all your slaves immediately, fourth, reinstate Laodoc as chancellor, and fifth, kiss my arse.’
She broke off, laughing.
Pleonim’s lip trembled, but he remained quiet.
‘Here’s the deal,’ Killop said. ‘You have my word that the Severed Clan will not initiate hostilities against the Old Free, but if you invade Slateford, we will destroy you.’
Pleonim nodded.
‘You can call it a truce if you want,’ Killop went on, ‘and you can go back and tell Douanna that, but don’t mistake it for friendliness on our part. The enslavers of our folk are not easily forgiven.’
‘I accept your terms on behalf of the new government,’ Pleonim said, standing. ‘Laodoc once told me that tolerance is learning how to live next to someone you hate, without resorting to bloodshed. If you happen to see him, please tell him that he still has my respect, and it’s not too late for him to return to the right path.’
‘I’ll be sure to pass it on,’ Bridget said, ‘should Laodoc wander by.’
Pleonim smiled.
‘Come, Ruellap…’
The younger man shrugged free of Pleonim’s hand, and strode over to where Bridget and Killop were getting to their feet.
‘What would it take for you to leave?’ he cried. ‘For every Kellach Brigdomin in Slateford to pack up and go home?’
‘We are home,’ Killop said.
‘No!’ Ruellap shouted. Several guards in the room tensed. ‘This is not your home. Go back where you belong.’
Killop squared up to him.
‘Your armies obliterated my home,’ he said, his eyes dark. ‘I watched them do it. This scrap of land is the least of what you owe us, and I’ll kill anyone who tries to take it from us by force.’
Pleonim put a hand on Ruellap’s shoulder. ‘Leave it.’
Ruellap bowed his head.
‘Go back to Douanna,’ Killop said. ‘Tell her we have a truce.’
He stared at the Rahain.
‘And tell her I haven’t forgotten Simiona.’
Chapter 25
The First Cracks
P lateau City, The Plateau – 15 th Day, First Third Winter 506
Shella was in bed, dreaming of deep-fried lobster claws served with a mouth-scaldingly spicy sauce when the earthquake struck.
The tremor began as a low grinding, then the ground jolted up, seemed to hover for a second, before crashing back down in a violence of juddering and shaking.
Shella screamed as she was thrown out of bed. A lump of ceiling plaster fell and hit the floor, disintegrating into a white cloud of thick dust. The lamp on the table rolled onto the carpet, setting it alight. Pictures fell from the walls, their glass shattering.
It ended. Shella lay still, her eyes wide in frozen terror. Benel leapt up naked from the floor where he had fallen and stamped out the rug fire with a boot on the end of his arm. Screams and pealing bells came through the broken window, and the room was lit by the low glow of fires burning in the city. Shella pulled herself to her knees, and staggered to the door.
‘Thymo!’ she yelled, pulling open the door to her living room. It was in darkness. She stumbled to the dresser and lit a lamp, her hands shaking. Kalayne came out of his room, a night-robe wrapped around him.
He frowned. ‘That was unnatural. ’
She ignored him, and ran for the study. She opened the door, and went in, taking the lamp with her. The little room was in chaos. Bookshelves had upended and toppled their contents to the floor, and half the ceiling had come down, revealing a jagged crack to the attic above. She pushed broken shelves out of her way, and reached the bed.
Empty. She bent over and gazed underneath. Thymo was lying there, curled up and staring at her, his eyes wild.
‘It’s okay,’ she said. ‘It’s over, we’re all okay.’
She reached out and took his hand in hers. ‘Come on.’
He crept out from under the bed, and she led him into the living room just as someone banged on her door.
She checked that Benel and Kalayne were out of sight and answered it. ‘Daly,’ she said, opening the door. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, your Highness, you?’
‘We’re fine. Do we need to evacuate the building?’
‘No, your Highness,’ he said. ‘It’s safer to stay indoors. There’s a lot of debris falling in the streets.’
‘Any casualties? Is my brother okay?’
‘A few staff have cuts and bruises, nothing life-threatening,’ he said. ‘Prince Sami is shaken but otherwise in fine health. There are several fires in the city, and I would expect there to have been some fatalities.’
Shella nodded. ‘Send out some of the uninjured staff to see if our neighbours in the street need any assistance. Everyone else should stay put.’
He bowed. ‘Yes, your Highness. Do you require cleaners or anything urgently repaired?’
‘Nothing that can’t wait until morning,’ she said. ‘We’ll be fine. See to those who need help the most.’
He bowed again, lower. ‘Your Highness.’
She closed the door and bolted it.
‘You can come out.’
Benel emerged from her bedroom, fully dressed.
‘You should take a look out of the window,’ he said.
Kalayne joined them. ‘My room has the best view. ’
They went into the old Kell’s room. The window had survived intact, and was wedged open with a coat hanger. They squeezed past his bed, and gazed out at the city, Shella clutching onto Thymo’s shoulder.
The night sky was lit up by flames, all coming from the north-eastern quarter of the city, several hundred yards from the area where the Rakanese Embassy lay.
‘That’s where the cathedral is,’ Benel said.
‘Half the population of the city are on the streets,’ Shella said, ‘along with several thousand roof tiles.’
‘What happened?’ Thymo said.
‘An earthquake,’ Shella said. ‘I didn’t think this area was prone to them.’
‘It’s not,’ Kalayne said. ‘Did you not hear what I said? That wasn’t natural.’
‘Rahain mages?’
‘Maybe the ones imprisoned in the institute rebelled,’ Benel said.
‘I thought you said they were kept in wooden boxes?’
‘I managed to escape.’
‘The more reason to increase security, I’d have thought.’
‘Quiet, you two,’ Kalayne said. ‘I’m trying to listen.’
‘What for?’
Kalayne sighed. ‘When I vision-range in my dreams I can discern a faint vibration whenever mage powers are used. Over decades I have learned to distinguish between the five main strands of magery, and their subtly different frequencies.’
‘Well?’ Benel asked. ‘Can you sense if Rahain powers were used? Did they cause the earthquake?’
Kalayne shook his head as he stared out of the window, his face illuminated in the flickering glow.
‘I hav
e never detected anything like this before,’ he said. He turned to them, his eyes bulging. ‘It’s a blend of all five powers, so far as I can tell. Every mage power has been used tonight.’
‘The institute?’ Shella said.
‘Where else?’ said Kalayne. ‘It has begun.’
The following morning, Shella took a light escort and walked out into the streets. A layer of dust and debris littered the road and the pavements, and she stepped over fragments of roof tiles and shattered window panes as they made their way towards the palace.
Cleaners were sweeping up the roads, filling the backs of large horse-drawn carts. Their eyes were fearful.
Shella raised an eyebrow at Jodie, who was walking next to her.
‘Apparently, your Highness,’ she said, ‘a lot of people believed the fire mage was attacking the city last night. They mistook the earthquake for catapult strikes, and thought the assault had begun. More than a few shops were looted before church wardens could restore order.’
‘The Sanang are still over a third away,’ Shella said, shaking her head. ‘If the populace are this jumpy already, the city is fucked.’
‘Your Highness,’ a passing noblewoman curtsied. ‘Shocking, all this, isn’t it?’
‘A good test of the city’s preparedness,’ Shella said, a faint smile on her lips. ‘The last time I was in an earthquake, a fire mage arrived ten days later and incinerated my entire city in an inferno. The very same fire mage that now approaches us, I believe.’
The noblewoman’s mouth hung open. ‘Do you think the same thing will happen here?’
‘Can you think of any reason why it won’t?’
The woman stammered, then performed an awkward curtsy and hurried down the street away from Shella and her small entourage.
‘Was that wise, your Highness?’ Jodie said. ‘Inflaming their fears?’
‘They need to realise what’s coming,’ Shella said. ‘A handful of people are alive who saw what Keira did to Akhanawarah City, and I’m one of them. Sami’s the only other one in the city apart from Jayki and me, and he’s not exactly in a fit state to warn anyone.’
Jodie fell silent. They turned a corner, and began heading north, along a main road away from the palace and towards the cathedral quarter. Traffic was busy, and they had to wait while a convoy of workers on the backs of wagons trundled by, heading towards the damaged neighbourhoods.
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