Needs of the Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  Daphne gazed at the stone and timber houses and farms. In the distance she could make out the line of the river, and then the gentle rise up the other side of the valley to the mountains.

  ‘Which way will we go?’ said Killop. ‘To town, or the mansion?’

  ‘Let’s go to the town,’ she said. ‘We’ve still got presents to buy, and Bedig did say he would take Karalyn for the whole day.’

  Killop nodded, and they set off down the street to their left.

  ‘It’s strange being without her,’ he said.

  ‘It’s good to get some time alone.’

  ‘Aye. What else will we get her?’

  ‘Clothes, maybe? A toy?’

  ‘We could get her a new toy animal to play with,’ he said. ‘I used to have one that my dad made for me when I was young. A bear.’

  Daphne stopped, and lifted her hand to her face. ‘Dammit.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I completely forgot,’ she said. ‘I have your toy bear.’

  ‘Eh? ’

  ‘Laodoc gave it to me,’ she said, ‘right before he left Plateau City with the alliance invasion force.’

  ‘Laodoc had it?’

  ‘Yes. He said he picked it up from your things after you were arrested.’

  Killop nodded. ‘Kallie took it from my house in Kell.’

  Daphne smiled. ‘It meant a lot to me when we were apart, but when we got to Rainsby I packed it at the bottom of my luggage to keep it safe. Then I forgot all about it. Do you want it back?’

  ‘No,’ he said. ‘You keep it.’

  She nodded, and they resumed walking.

  ‘Do you ever think about her?’ she said.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Kallie.’

  He shook his head.

  ‘I wonder where she is.’

  ‘She hopefully made it back to Kellach Brigdomin,’ he said. ‘That’s where she was headed.’

  ‘It’s a long walk.’

  ‘Aye,’ he said, ‘it is. At least two thirds to Kell, and another to get to the haven in Domm. Kallie should make it, she’s young and fit, but the silversmith and her husband?’ He shook his head. ‘That’s what Bridget doesn’t seem to realise. With her talk of moving the clan back to Domm, she’s forgetting that many of the folk here are too old or injured to survive the journey.’

  ‘I think she knows,’ Daphne said. ‘She cares about the people as much as you do. She’s weighing up how many will die if the clan goes, against how many might die if it stays. All over Rahain the Kellach are being driven out, unless they convert, and Slateford has the biggest concentration of your people outside of Rainsby or Plateau City.’

  ‘Slateford’s bigger than Rainsby.’

  ‘It was,’ she said. ‘Not any more, though. I know you’re focussed on defending the estate and holding out through the winter, but you need to plan for what will happen in spring. ’

  ‘In spring we’ll plough the fields and plant the year’s crops.’

  She shook her head. ‘People are talking about leaving as soon as winter’s over. The battle at the border post changed a lot of people’s minds. Slateford doesn’t seem safe any more.’

  Killop said nothing.

  ‘I want to stay on the estate,’ she went on, ‘and to be honest with you, I don’t want to go to Kellach Brigdomin. It’s too cold, and too far away.’

  ‘I don’t want to go either.’

  They walked on. Daphne glanced at Killop, but his face was set grim. When they were a mile from town, he stopped.

  ‘Did you hear that?’

  ‘No,’ she said.

  He closed his eyes, listening. ‘Coming from the direction of the palisade.’

  ‘Kellach and their damn hearing,’ Daphne sighed. ‘Wait a minute, I’ll take a look.’

  She took hold of his arm and steadied herself. Her gaze cast around for a high point, and she settled on a tall tree on the edge of the horizon. Her vision flew out, reaching the branches of the conifer, from where she could see the town in the distance. Her vision flew out again, reaching the roof of a stone building in the central square, then on further, towards the new timber tower marking the border crossing. The Kellach palisade was now over three miles long, stretching out on either side of the road, where a gate had been constructed by the tower. Militia were running around at the rear of the wall, lining up by the firing ledges, and handing out sheaves of arrows.

  Daphne looked over the stockade. At the edge of the forest was a long line of Rahain shields, the large door-sized ones that the republic’s army had used. The line was half a mile long, and more Rahain were thickening the ranks. She gazed at the New Free fighters. The majority had no armour, and some were barefoot, or wore tattered rags, but each held a crossbow. Dotted among them were One True Path in black robes, acting as commanders and exhorting the ex-slaves to get into line.

  She whipped her vision back to her body and coughed.

  Killop passed her a lit cigarette.

  ‘Thanks.’

  She took a draw and closed her eyes, a headache forming behind her temples.

  ‘There’s trouble,’ she said. ‘We might have to forget about shopping for now.’

  They ran to the town, where groups of militia reserves were assembling in the main square, then followed the road to the border crossing.

  ‘Brynt,’ Killop nodded at the old hunter, who had taken charge of the clan militia, ‘are the New Free still preparing to attack? Have they made any attempt to talk?’

  ‘Chief,’ Brynt nodded. ‘They’ve finished forming up into ranks, but haven’t signalled us. Not sure what they’re waiting for.’

  Daphne gazed up at the rear of the palisade. Kellach were crouching along the narrow shooting ledge on both sides of the gate, with more up on the tower, each with a longbow and a stack of arrows. She watched as Killop rubbed his chin.

  ‘We should send for Dean,’ he said.

  ‘Aye, Chief,’ Brynt said. ‘I’ll get a runner.’

  ‘I’ll do it,’ Daphne said. ‘Save time.’

  Killop nodded, and Daphne took hold of his arm again.

  ‘I know you disapprove,’ she said, ‘but I’ll need something stronger than a cigarette after this.’

  He raised an eyebrow.

  ‘They’re in my top pocket,’ she said, turning to face south, where the mansion lay. She hurled her vision to the horizon, bouncing it off a low ridge by the entrance to the vineyards, then onwards, straining to go further with each leap. She reached the mansion and went through the open window into Liam’s room. The old sparker was sitting with Dean, watching as the boy practised with fire animals, forming them and making them jump in the palm of his hand, while a large candle burned close by.

  I’m really sorry about this, Liam, she said, entering his mind. It’s Daphne, and I’m in your head. I’ll be gone in a second, I just need to pass on a message from Killop.

  The old man spluttered, causing Dean to jump, the fire-cat in his hand vanishing.

  Listen, she said. Killop needs you to bring Dean down to the border crossing. A New Free force has assembled outside the gates. Bring Dean, and an armed guard. Do you understand?

  Liam nodded.

  Are you sure? Repeat it for me, please.

  ‘I’m to take Dean down to the border crossing,’ Liam said, while the young mage stared at him, his mouth open. ‘And I should bring some guards.’

  Perfect, she said. Thanks. I’ll be off now.

  She withdrew from his mind and her vision zipped back to her head. She staggered, retching, her head pounding. Killop handed her a bottle and a lit weedstick. She took a swig. Gin. She coughed again, and choked, while Killop thumped her back. She took another long swig, then put the weedstick to her lips and inhaled.

  The pain began to clear, and she straightened. ‘That’s better. Thanks.’

  Brynt was staring at her, a smile on his lips. ‘Did you do it?’ he asked. ‘Did you move your mind through the air?’

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nbsp; She nodded and took another swig. ‘Message sent.’

  Brynt laughed. ‘I’ll tell my captains that the young fire mage is on his way.’

  Daphne looked at Killop as the officer walked away.

  ‘You all right?’ she asked.

  ‘Aye,’ he said. ‘I just don’t like watching you come out of a vision trance. Looks painful. ’

  She shrugged. ‘That’s why I smoke. What about you? Do you not feel the same after you’ve sparked?’

  ‘No. I get tired, and maybe a headache, but it’s not too bad. Even when Keira nearly drained me I felt all right, it was like I was just drifting away.’

  She shuddered.

  ‘Shall we go to the tower and take a look?’ he said.

  She nodded and they walked over to the tall wooden structure, three storeys of thick posts and beams. They climbed the ladders to the top and emerged onto an open platform, shielded on all four sides with timber battlements. The militia there saluted Killop and made a space for them at the edge fronting the forest. They stepped forwards, and looked down over the cleared land. The Rahain shieldwall was where she had seen it in her vision, and was now ten warriors thick.

  ‘What are they waiting for?’

  ‘That’s what worries me,’ Killop said.

  ‘A signal, maybe?’ she said. ‘Or a pre-arranged time?’

  ‘Arranged with whom? This is the only way into the estate.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  He frowned. ‘We sent out scouts after we arrived, to map the extent of the estate’s borders. They reported that there were no paths through the mountains.’

  She bit her lip.

  ‘What?’

  ‘The New Free will have Holdings mage-priests with them,’ she said. ‘If there’s any possible way through, they’ll have found it.’

  He turned to face south, and her eyes followed his to the mountains on either side of the valley. The grey light was darkening, as the sun slipped down to the west behind deep clouds.

  ‘A small raiding party might make it through,’ he said, his eyes dark. ‘It’s what I’d do.’

  ‘You stay here,’ she said. ‘I can go back to the mansion.’

  ‘You fit enough to run? ’

  She smiled. ‘I’ve a well of battle-vision I haven’t tapped yet. I’ll be there in an hour.’

  They embraced. ‘Look after yourself,’ he whispered.

  ‘You too.’

  She pulled herself away and descended the ladders to ground level. She stretched her legs and rolled her shoulders. Her left arm was stiff in the chill air, and she wrapped her cloak tightly around it.

  She gazed ahead at the road. The mansion was eight miles from the border post, up a long gentle slope. She drew on her battle-vision, took a breath, and started running. The cold air rushed past her face, but she ignored it, concentrating on the road and nothing else. She skirted the eastern side of town and joined the main road south that ran alongside the river. She was nearing the first bend when a crippling current of fear erupted in her head.

  She fell to her knees and skidded across the gravel, ripping her leather leggings.

  She shielded her mind as she landed, and reached out for Karalyn. She found her daughter’s thoughts as they searched for her, flailing around in a panic. Their minds locked.

  Daphne looked through her daughter’s eyes. The mansion. Bedig. Fire.

  She got to her feet, her knees bloody, and surged her battle-vision.

  I’m coming.

  It was getting dark when she arrived within sight of the mansion, but her vision-assisted eyes captured everything. Flames were billowing out from the windows of the upper storeys, while a great crowd stood about, watching. Her eyes scanned the faces as she sprinted closer. She caught a glimpse of Bridget, organising lines of people with water buckets extending down to the river. She smiled as she picked out Bedig, who was holding Karalyn while they watched the flames. Behind them was an enormous pile of boxes and crates rescued from the mansion, while the bodies of slain New Free fighters lay scattered around the courtyard.

  Daphne rushed through, and took Karalyn into her arms.

  ‘Kara-bear,’ she said, kissing her and holding her close. ‘I’m here.’

  She looked over at Bedig. ‘Thanks. Are you all right?’

  He nodded. His clothes stank of smoke, and he had burns on his arms and hands.

  Bridget walked over.

  ‘Daphne,’ she said, her eyes red.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘About sixty lizard bastards,’ she said, shaking with rage. ‘Came from the south, fuck knows how they got round us. Attacked the mansion with firebrands. We got them all, but we couldn’t stop the fire spreading in time to save the building. Managed to get some of your stuff out.’ She pointed to a pile of bags and boxes.

  ‘Never mind that,’ Daphne said. ‘Was anyone hurt, or killed?’

  Bridget shook her head. ‘The Rahain bastards came ready to die. They threw themselves at the mansion. Most of them didn’t make it halfway to the walls before we’d cut them down, but too many got close enough to throw their torches.’

  They gazed up at the burning building, the heat washing over the crowd.

  ‘Where’s Laodoc?’ said Daphne.

  Bridget looked at Bedig. ‘You saw him get out, didn’t you?’

  ‘Not exactly.’

  ‘What?’ Bridget cried. ‘You said you saw him.’

  ‘I did,’ Bedig said. ‘He was in his room when I was grabbing as much stuff as I could carry. He said he would follow me.’

  ‘And did he?’

  Bedig shook his head. ‘I don’t know, I’m sorry. I was too busy looking after Karalyn to notice.’

  Daphne looked up at the top storey of the building. Over half of it was aflame. She steeled herself, and shot a line of vision to an open window, and looked inside. Her sight rushed down the hallway, and into Laodoc’s room, where the old man sat in silence, his hands folded across his lap. Outside his door, the fires were approaching.

  Laodoc, she said, entering his mind.

  Daphne, my dear. I’m going to miss you.

  What are you talking about? Get up. You can still escape through the western stairwell.

  He shook his head.

  Don’t give up.

  My life is over, he said. Both of my sons are dead, and my country is in ruins. Promise me this though, my dear, promise me you’ll find Douanna and kill her.

  Daphne pulled her vision back and glanced at Bedig.

  ‘Can you look after her again, please?’

  ‘Why?’

  She passed him Karalyn and pulled on more battle-vision.

  ‘Because I’m going in there to get Laodoc.’

  ‘Daphne, no,’ Bridget said. ‘If Laodoc’s still up there, he’s dead.’

  ‘He’s not.’

  She ignored the continuing protests from Bridget, and judged her reserves of vision power. She ripped off a section of her tunic and tied it round her nose and mouth, then tucked her hair into the back of her cloak.

  Daphne sprinted for the building, dodging between the crowds, and ran in through the front entrance, ducking past the flames belching out from an open doorway. She reached the western stairwell, still untouched by fire, and bolted up the three flights of stairs, her heart hammering. She kicked open the door at the top and a gust of fire rushed over her as she flung herself to the floor. The passageway was in flames, fire flowing up the walls to meet at the ceiling.

  Keeping herself low, she pulled her cloak over her head and ran for Laodoc’s bedchamber.

  Inside, flames had reached a bookshelf by the door, and smoke was filling the room. Laodoc was sitting on the bed, his eyes closed .

  ‘Move!’ Daphne screamed. She ran to the bed and pulled his arm as he looked up in surprise. ‘Come on.’

  ‘What are you doing?’ he cried. ‘Leave me to die.’

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘I’m your friend, and I’m not leaving without you.’<
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  Flames leapt across to another bookcase, and the heat in the room increased. She coughed.

  ‘All right,’ Laodoc frowned. ‘I’ll not have your death be the last thing I see.’

  He got up, and Daphne pulled his arm, dashing for the door as fire took hold of the room. She skidded to a halt in the passageway. The fire had spread to the stairs, and a funnel of flame was emerging from the broken door.

  ‘Dammit,’ she said, backing into the bedroom, Laodoc’s arm in her grip.

  She looked around the room. The fires had not yet reached the windows, and she hauled Laodoc over and flung open the shutters.

  ‘Climb onto my back,’ she said, peering out. They were over-looking the courtyard, and the crowd lay spread out below them, standing well back from the flames.

  Daphne waved, and someone in the crowd saw her and cried out.

  She turned back into the room.

  ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Climb on. Now.’

  The old man bowed his head, and grabbed hold of Daphne round her shoulders. She bent her back as he clambered on, but he was lighter than she had been expecting, and her battle-vision was still powering her. She swung a leg out over the window ledge, and the cries of alarm from below were audible above the roar of the flames.

  Daphne extended the climbing claws built into her left wrist-guard, and edged out of the window, getting a foothold in the wide grooves between the stones. Laodoc swung on her back, grasping her, his legs dangling, as she began climbing down the outside of the mansion. Flames rippled across the face of the building, swirling closer as she lowered herself and Laodoc block by block .

  Her mind shrank away from the searing heat, and the smoke, and the pain screaming from every muscle, but her limbs kept moving.

  Halfway down, she felt arms plucking Laodoc from her back and she looked down. Two ladders had been raised, and Kellach were at the top of each. Laodoc was transferred to a tall woman, who put the old man over her shoulder and descended the ladder.

  ‘You next, miss,’ said a man from the other ladder. ‘Climb on.’

  ‘I can make it on my own.’

  The Kellach man nodded. ‘All right. I’ll be a few steps below you. I’ll catch you if you fall.’