Fire and Gold (Sisters of the North Book 1)

by Mara Amberly

  He laughed, “of course I do. A beautiful woman like you, and dressed in that robe most of the time. I figure you don’t get too many invitations.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “There’s a reason for that!”

  It seemed odd to her that one minute he was paranoid and the next he was laughing. Maybe Knave was at ease with her here. People could be strange sometimes, and she reminded herself that if he pushed her too far, she could hit him with a fireball.

  “You know how many years it’s been since I-?”

  She silenced him there, “no, and I don’t care to know.” Cassia didn’t truly know what Knave was going to say; she assumed. She rose from her seat, intending to leave.

  He raised his hands harmlessly, and urged her to sit down again. “Please, don’t go yet. I’m sorry.”

  Cassia sat back down at the table with a slight expression of annoyance.

  “My sisters and I believe there may be some advantage in travelling together and I don’t want to have to tell them I was mistaken. We would value your help in defending us as a group. If you were attacked, we would help defend you too. We may look harmless but we’re more capable than we may seem.”

  He smiled, voicing a thought he’d had for a while. “You’re sorcerers?”

  She nodded, “yes we are.”

  Knave considered her offer. He could tell they were in an awful lot of trouble, regardless of their abilities. “I can’t confirm no one wants to kill me either, but if they came looking for me here I’d be surprised,” he said.

  Cassia laughed, “oh great, so this might make things even more complicated?”

  He sat down on the bed and set the book closed that he’d been reading. It looked to be a journal of some kind.

  “It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it? So these people you’re travelling with, who are they?”

  Cassia glanced around, just on the odd chance they might be overheard, but the walls didn’t seem that thin here and she was certain no one else was listening. “I’m travelling with two other women like myself. Alexa, who you’ve already met, and Brigita who you haven’t.”

  He gazed at Cassia with those piercing blue eyes. “Are you going to bring them to the inn?”

  She shook her head, “no. They don’t want to meet here, but you can talk to them outside now if you like, or tomorrow morning. Does that mean you’re going to accept our offer to travel to Kelbani with us?”

  His lips quirked up into a smile, rather like his namesake. “I didn’t say I was travelling to Kelbani, but I mean to. We can meet them now, unless you’d rather stay?”

  She was already standing, “let’s go then.” Cassia was unwilling to let him follow through on that line of discussion any further than he already had. Hopefully he wouldn’t be as annoying on the journey as he was already proving to be.

  Knave listened at his door, but there was no sound of footsteps or other doors closing. He led Cassia through the hallway and down the stairs into the common room. The innkeeper who’d served Cassia earlier was sitting alone at one of the tables drinking from a mug, and he gave the two of them a friendly wave. He didn’t look judgmental that the young woman had been in Knave’s room, but then as an innkeeper he’d probably seen a lot over the years.

  Knave and Cassia waved back and left the inn. She whispered, “this way,” and led him to the stables.

  The way she behaved was indicative of a tryst, but it was all a ruse, in case they were being watched. Knave didn’t seem to mind, other than appearing a little bemused. He seemed quite happy to go along with it.

  Cassia called out quietly, “hello?” and Alexa stepped out from one of the stalls at the back of the stable. It smelled a lot like horse and damp hay, but then stables normally did.

  “Cassia,” Alexa said, taking a step nearer. “Hello again,” she said to Knave, not really seeing him clearly in the dark but the build of the man looked the same.

  Brigita also stepped into view beside Alexa. “Come to the back of the stable, there’s more room to sit and talk. And breathe without the overwhelming smell of horse.”

  He did as the elder priestess bid, though carefully in case it was some kind of trap. He still appeared paranoid that someone would try to attack him or put him back in prison in Kalle, but it didn’t happen. Once they were away from the stable’s open doors, Brigita sat down on an unturned barrel and Alexa sat cross-legged on a nearby hay bale. Cassia and Knave both followed Alexa’s example.

  “So you’re the one who was awaiting execution and who the gods conveniently spared.”

  Brigita’s voice had distinct sharpness to it that was intentional.

  “Yes Sister,” he said, grinning. “That is so.” He wondered if this was because the gods didn’t want him.

  “At least you haven’t forgotten your manners,” she said.

  Cassia covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, and Alexa elbowed her. Knave sat back on his hay bale and sighed.

  Brigita studied him for a moment. “It seems you didn’t just have one of the gods on your side, wanting you to live, Knave. You had all of them,” she said.

  He couldn’t have looked more surprised if the King had offered to shake his hand, though the darkness of the stables disguised his expression.

  He’d wondered if there had somehow been a mistake. Perhaps one of the others was meant to live and the results got mixed up? “I’ve been told I’m a likeable fellow.” Knave didn’t want the sisters to doubt their decision to save his life, given that the alternatives before had all ended with his violent death. “If your gods see that, maybe you should too.” He smiled. “Perhaps your goddesses value my charm and your gods were impressed by my,” he hesitated here, searching for the right word. “Brashness.”

  Brigita frowned, wondering if she’d have to listen to this rubbish all the way to Kelbani. More than likely, the answer was yes.

  “I think the gods had a very specific destiny in mind for you when they let you live. I doubt it’s because they like you.” She said this with a sense of certainty.

  “I didn’t think the gods agreed on much of anything or am I thinking of their followers?” Knave asked in amusement.

  Alexa answered this with the voice of one who’d read her lore books. “Both actually, but their histories mention times of peace and times of war.”

  Brigita wasn’t too impressed by Alexa’s answer, but it was factually accurate.

  “Do you have any questions about it?” Brigita asked.

  Knave had a blank expression when he responded, “about what?”

  She folded her arms, “about the reading.”

  He shook his head. “I already know what the lass told me. The problem with pushing for answers is sometimes you find out things you don’t want or need to know. I don’t want to risk spoiling a good thing, which is not to say I think I would, but if they have a fate in mind for me, telling me or not probably won’t make any difference to it. I’m a man who takes comfort in having fate in his own hands, where such a thing is possible. If you don’t tell me, I won’t ask. Don’t be surprised if I don’t go looking for a grand destiny, because that’s not my way. I’m not your saviour. I’m not even an especially good person, if you’re looking for the truth of it. I’m just a man who appreciates that he wasn’t executed.”

  Brigita smiled now, quite pleased with his response. “I think we have a perfect understanding, Knave. You’re a man who likes and wants to walk his own path and I think it would be a mistake to interfere with that.”

  He relaxed at this, and seemed more eager to continue than he had been before. “That’s a relief to hear. So I understand someone is out to kill the pretty lass, but she was particularly unforthcoming about who this person was. Perhaps you might be willing to explain in some more detail what I would be up against if I’m travelling with you? I’m not much one for surprises, especially when I don’t know who might be trying to kill me.”

  Knave assumed Cassia had been playing on the safe side and was cautious
about what she told him. He’d have done the same thing in her place. Alexa was the one to answer, which surprised him. He’d assumed until a moment before that Brigita was firmly in charge, but now he wondered if any of the women were.

  “I suppose you’ve heard of the Nemorans?” Alexa asked.

  Oh yes, he’d heard of them. There were many names he might’ve expected or that he recognised, but this group had to be the worst of the worst. Knave let out a low whistle, and then a long silence hung in the air.

  “You’re serious?” he asked, and received nods from all three.

  “Yes,” Cassia answered him. “That’s what we’ve been led to believe.”

  He sighed, and Cassia wondered if this would give him cause to leave.

  “What did you do to bring about their wrath?”

  Cassia thought it was a fair question, and she could only shrug.

  “I don’t know. None of us do. They burned down our temple in Kalle and killed most of our order. We were lucky to escape with our lives.”

  Brigita continued where Cassia had left off.

  “We’ve heard the temple in Kelbani has fallen as well, with some of our sisters kidnapped.”

  Knave wasn’t expecting this news. “Your people are sorcerers. It’s possible that the Nemorans had ranks to fill. Have you considered that?”

  The women shared glances, which suggested they had.

  “If they truly want you dead,” he said, “chances are they will catch up with you. I don’t say this to worry you unnecessarily, but they’re known for violence over subtlety. You should be as prepared as you can be. If you can fight them off or they’re willing to let you walk away, you might be safe.”

  Cassia asked, “But you don’t think so?”

  Knave shook his head. “There are few people I would class as evil to the core, but the Nemorans are. They’re also lunatics. They may not be bothered about you now that you don’t pose an immediate threat, but I would say you’re still in danger if you cross paths with them or if their orders were thorough.” He winced at the last word.

  Brigita glared at Knave, but he didn’t entirely understand why. He saw it as directly relevant information, whether she liked it or not.

  “Cassia explained to you that we would like you to help us defend ourselves if we’re attacked?” Brigita assumed he already knew the fact.

  Knave nodded at this, “yes she did. I’m willing to go along with it so long as you women are willing to assist should my own enemies attack me – or us.”

  Alexa adjusted her sitting position on the hay, not quite crossing her legs, but folding them in front of her. “What enemies do you have?” she asked.

  Knave was very matter-of-fact about the whole issue. “Minister Terell was set on having me killed, and so was the King, I believe. You ladies overruled the King on a matter of justice he wanted done. I’m not yet convinced that the King or his Minister won’t send a lad or two out to put a knife in my back, and then there’s the family of the Captain I killed, who as it turned out was someone rather important. Even if they don’t take steps to try and murder me, others might. I’ve crossed a person or two in my life.”

  While they had enough enemies already, it would be one-sided if they expected Knave’s help and couldn’t offer the same in return.

  Brigita found their offer to Knave relatively fair, but she believed the threat from the Nemorans was greater than from those who might hunt Knave down.

  “Do we have a deal then? We travel together and defend each other, and work with the mutual goal of making it to Kelbani safely? After that we go our separate ways or decide otherwise at that time.”

  Knave nodded, “alright. Like equal partners, but I don’t want anyone telling me what to do and I reserve the right to end this arrangement when I choose to, if I don’t think it’s working out.”

  Cassia tapped her finger on her chin, “so that is not when we are under attack, if we were?”

  Knave grimaced, “I don’t like making promises I can’t keep but I will certainly do my best to defend you if the situation warrants it. It’s hard to know the exact details of a fight when it is completely theoretical so I cannot say with certainty, no, but I’ll do what I can. You have my word on that.”

  The women traded glances. Cassia and Alexa were in agreement, and looked to Brigita for her decision.

  “We have a deal, Knave.” It wasn’t a perfect arrangement, but she thought it was a good option. It might save their lives yet.

  He reached out a hand to shake theirs and Brigita waved him away. “Women of our order are not allowed to touch men, and you should be aware that it’s inappropriate for you to touch any of us, unless the situation absolutely warrants it for reasons of safety or survival.”

  Cassia grew a little sheepish at Brigita’s explanation, and Alexa was amused, but it didn’t quite compare to Knave’s laugh.

  The redhead was lucky to get a kiss off me, alright.

  Alexa climbed from the hay, brushing it off her skirt and cloak, and folding her arms warmly in front of her.

  Knave still hadn’t got a good look at her yet, but she seemed to have a lot in common with Cassia, only she was quieter and thought more before she spoke. She also had a more curvaceous figure than Cassia, who was more slender and hadn’t insulted him yet.

  “I would suggest we leave before the dawn,” Brigita said, standing as well. “I would like to put some distance between us and this place before the sun rises, if at all possible.”

  Knave frowned, “if I stay up, I’ve got a hot breakfast waiting for me. That and a warm bed there tonight, already paid for.”

  Brigita wondered if they’d need to debate every decision. “At the very least we leave early – as early as possible. If I was being more cautious, I would suggest we leave now. We ladies no longer dress as priestesses so it should not be blatantly obvious that we are. Knave, if anyone asks I’m your mother. My name’s Brigita – it’s a pleasure to meet you!”

  Knave grinned at that. “Well met. And what of yourself, girl?” he asked of Cassia’s sister.

  “My name’s Alexa,” she replied with an impish smile.

  “I know, I remember you now. I suppose you’re my sister? We look nothing alike-”

  Cassia grinned, unable to tell much at all in the dark.

  Alexa sighed, “I don’t think we need such a clear excuse to be travelling together. If anyone asks, we could say we’re friends or neighbours, or strangers who met on the road. Then again, we could ignore them and pretend they didn’t ask a question at all, and they should get the idea?”

  “I like it,” Knave said. “Friends works and it won’t seem an oddity to anyone we meet who actually knows my sister.”

  Alexa grinned; she hadn’t thought of that.

  “I’ll meet you behind the inn in the morning after breakfast,” he said. “Until then – unless one of you ladies wishes to share my room?”

  The three priestesses shook their heads. It was hard to see in the dark, so he might only have noticed their silence.

  “It’s a perfectly generous offer,” he said, smiling. Knave tipped his imaginary hat at the ladies and strode out through the side door of the stables. Only after he was gone did the priestesses leave and make their way back to their camp.

  PART THREE

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Cerus Arani travelled to the island of Kalle Demorre at first light. He’d slept better than he expected after the recent murders and arson in the city, and anticipating a particularly delicate negotiation with Maeridea’s King Merrion. The King was an idiot. He was considered a civilised ruler by most of the populace, but that was because they’d never met the man. Cerus had, and he wasn’t particularly looking forward to doing so again. It was known that many of the King’s decisions were influenced by his two advisors: the grey-bearded Sean Craedon from the Isle of Blue – a quiet man from a strategically-important location in the east of the continent and the young nobleman Jason Veryon, who had been a
ward of the King’s family.

  As inclined as Sean was to get the King out of trouble, word had it Jason was more certain to get him into it. Years had passed since he’d met them, and the men had likely grown more accustomed to their lives of politics. They’d never known anything but luxury, so far as Cerus could see, and to him and his people this could be a failing in a man. How could a man’s strength be tested if he never had to survive on his own in adverse conditions or look after himself?

  He couldn’t and most certainly wouldn’t forget that they held political power in their hands, though. They might not deserve it or know how to use it properly – as he was certain he would if he sat on the King’s throne, but they should not be underestimated. They were capable of great feats, for good or ill, and a misstep could prove as dangerous as it might if they weren’t ‘lesser men’. These thoughts put a smile on his face, and while he knew full well he was probably quite an arrogant man, Cerus didn’t care in the least. Sometimes it could be an advantage in a man and not just a failing, and letting some of this sense of arrogance drift through in his interactions had served him well.

  The sailing boat was small and would only hold three or four people at most. On this occasion it only held two: Cerus Arani and the helmsman, whose name was Graham. The early morning was calm, if a little dreary, and Cerus could smell the smoke on the breeze from coal fires burning. It may have been more noticeable because Cerus was looking for the smell, after the tragic events of the day before. Once he’d put some space between himself and the city, Cerus found the smell of smoke receded, replaced instead with the salt of the bay. The crossing between the mainland and island only took around twenty minutes. A proper view of the island crept up on him slowly, but the top of the palace was one of the first details he recognised.

  It was massive and ornate, and from his studies of the kingdom, Cerus knew there was no other building in the known world as large as this one. It was ironic that it should fit on an island, and Cerus believed it was probably a testament to the arrogance of the royal family that it was so close to the ocean on less secure ground, when the mainland was so close. Maybe it was a reflection of Kallean ideals; that the people would stand against the elements, but it seemed yet another manifestation of idiocy to him. The palace and its towers were crafted of marble not unlike the Temple of Solitude, but the design was more flamboyant, with the archways and adornments painted in bright reds, blues and golds. Flags billowed in the breeze above trees that blotted out the view from the wharf. From a purely strategic standpoint, it didn’t seem wise to have heavy cover so near a building of importance like a palace.