‘Get down, Zastra!’ Kastara cried. ‘Rastran can’t hurt you if he can’t see you.’
Even before she finished her warning, Findar had pulled Zastra back down behind the panels.
‘Murderer!’ came a cry from the far end of their balcony. In the shadows, Fester tugged at a pair of snarling caralyx as they strained against leather leashes.
‘Two caralyx, and you only have one bolt left, Zastra,’ Rastran exulted. ‘Release the girls, Fester.’
Fester let go of the leashes. Eight sets of claws scrabbled for purchase on the polished wooden floor. Lips drew back from teeth as the powerful animals bounded towards Zastra and Findar. Zastra sighted along her crossbow, knowing that Rastran was right. She couldn’t kill them both.
‘Don’t shoot,’ Findar said, stepping calmly between her and the caralyx. The beasts skidded onto their haunches and came to a stop, nuzzling against Findar’s opened palms.
‘No!’ raged Fester. ‘Do as I command, you stupid beasts. Tear them apart.’
But the caralyx continued to lick Findar’s hands.
‘That’s the trouble with bullies, isn’t it, you beautiful creatures?’ he said tenderly. ‘They never learned how to ask nicely.’
Kastara used the diversion to position herself between Rastran and her mother. Anara sawed through her bonds using the edge of Brutila’s sword, and grabbed Kastara’s hand.
Rastran sighed theatrically. ‘I suppose I’ll just have to do everything myself.’ His chair of bones lifted off the floor and he rose towards the balcony. He’s mindmoving the throne, Kastara realised. Once he got above the railing, he would have a direct line of sight to Zastra and Findar. She pulled Anara backwards, so they stood directly beneath Zastra and Findar and changed her bubble into a wall. She hoped it would be high enough to protect them all.
‘I’ll start with you, boy,’ said Rastran. He focused on Findar and narrowed his eyes. When Findar continued to kneel happily in front of the now tame caralyx, Rastran’s confident grin faded. He closed his eyes, obviously trying even harder. Findar remained unharmed.
‘Impossible!’ Rastran raged.
‘It’s over,’ said Kastara. ‘I can block everything you can throw at us. Even mindmoving.’
Rastran’s face contorted into a hateful sneer. To think that she had once thought him attractive.
‘Not quite everything.’ He flew towards Fester. ‘Ever wonder why we invaded Aliterra? My father’s scientists found a use for their precious yellowsap. They made it into a powder, and when it is dropped into a solution of… well, I won’t bore you with the details. Let me demonstrate.’
A large canister, just like the one Zastra had moved from the liden was sited just behind Fester. Rastran concentrated on it. There was a faint popping sound and thick yellow smoke started to billow out of a vent near the top. Fester dropped to the ground, clawing at his throat.
‘Please, my lord…’ he pleaded, his eyes streaming. ‘I have served you faithfully.’
‘It cannot be helped, Fester. Your sacrifice is appreciated.’
Fester crashed to the floor, blood seeping from his eyes. In a few moments he was dead.
‘The gas is released as soon as the powder hits the acid,’ Rastran explained. ‘All that prevents them touching is a little mesh of scrittal bones. He swept around the hall. Canisters in each corner bloomed with yellow smoke. Without conscious thought, Kastara’s shield shrank into a small bubble around herself and her mother. The yellow smoke billowed around it, making it visible as a clear dome inside the yellow cloud. They were safe for the moment, but how long would their air last?
‘Very clever,’ said Rastran. ‘But you can’t save everyone.’ He rose higher and narrowed his eyes. Yellow smoke began to billow out from the liden and onto the balcony, where Zastra and Findar continued to cower behind the splintered panelling. Kastara felt sick. There was nothing she could do. If she tried to expand her bubble, it would only push the poisonous gas towards Zastra and Findar.
Zastra grabbed Findar, but they were caught between two clouds of smoke and if they put their heads above the panelling even for an instant, Rastran would kill them with his bone-breaking powers. They were trapped.
‘There’s only one way out of here,’ Rastran crowed, ‘and I’m the only one who can take it. With you all dead, Golmeira will rally behind me, the last of the royal bloodline.’
‘You underestimate our people,’ Zastra cried in anger and frustration as smoke rolled towards her and her brother. ‘And our friends.’
‘Your friends?’ he snorted. ‘Where are they?’
The sound of shattering glass cut him off. Kylen burst through one of the skylights, sending shards of glass raining down into the gas cloud below. The soles of her boots connected with Rastran’s face, spinning him backwards and tipping him out of his macabre throne. With a shriek, he plummeted towards the ground. The yellow smoke billowed and cleared as he plunged through it to land with a sickening thud. His screams were choked off as the thick yellow gas closed around him.
Kylen clung to the end of a rope, grinning at Zastra.
‘Need some help?’ she asked.
A pair of vulyx dropped through the skylight, carrying ropes in their beaks. Zastra and Findar were swiftly hauled to safety by Ithgol and Hylaz. Kastara then expanded her bubble, pushing away the poisonous gas so she and Anara could also be lifted clear.
‘I’ve never been so happy to see you,’ Zastra said, hugging Kylen. ‘How did you get up here?’
‘I borrowed one of these excellent birds,’ said Kylen. ‘Hylaz and Ithgol ran up one of the towers and across the roof.
Zastra turned to Anara.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she began. Anara opened her arms.
‘My own darling, you have nothing to explain to me. Nothing to apologise for.’
Zastra folded herself into her mother’s embrace, knowing that Anara understood and forgave everything.
Chapter Seventy
Until the gas could disperse, the castle was uninhabitable and so Zastra set up a command post in the House of Brandicant, a large mansion that lay within the extensive castle grounds. Mata joined them late in the evening, leading a contingent from Uden’s Teeth. She walked gingerly, as if she had yet to find her land legs.
‘It seems we’re too late,’ she said. ‘We ran into a bit of bother outside port Trestra. Some of the fleet still survives and felt obliged to try and stop us.’
‘Did you leave anyone at all on Uden’s Teeth?’ asked Zastra, looking at the large column following behind Mata.
‘A handful only, with the littluns. No one wanted to miss this battle. We thought it would make a new chapter for the Legends of the Warriors.’
‘No such luck,’ said Kylen, with more than a hint of disappointment. ‘There was barely any fighting at all.’
‘You did well,’ Mata said. ‘A victory with few casualties is a good one.’
‘Kastara and Findar deserve most of the credit.’
Findar looked embarrassed while Kastara glowed with pride.
‘Typical, giving credit only to the Golmeirans,’ said Kylen, in mock outrage.
Zastra laughed. ‘I’m very grateful for your contribution. Although I’m sure you got as much pleasure from kicking Rastran in the head as you did from saving us.’
‘Fair point.’
Their eyes met. They both looked away and Kylen cleared her throat.
‘Um.… now that everything’s over, can I talk to you? In private.’
Zastra caught Findar and Kastara exchanging grins. What’s amusing them?’ Kylen took her to an empty chamber and closed the door. She leaned her forehead against it, suddenly pale.
‘Are you ill?’ Zastra asked in concern. ‘You didn’t breathe in any of that gas, I hope?
Kylen shook her head. The relief that everything was finally over began to flow through Zastra. Words burst out of her in a torrent.
‘I can’t believe we’ve just won. That it’s finally all
over. Of course, there’s much to do, but we should have some kind of celebration. We need to find food for all these people, and the—’
‘Zastra, please.’
‘What is it? What’s wrong?’
‘For the first time in my life, I know what it is to be afraid.’
‘Afraid? You? Impossible. You’ve never backed away from anything, not in all the years I have known you.’
‘Zastra, please, just shut up and listen!’
Kylen stepped away from the door and began to pace up and down the room.
‘I’m going to stand down as Lord of Sendor,’ she said at last. Zastra was shocked. Of all the things she thought Kylen might say, this was the last thing she expected.
‘You can’t,’ she protested. ‘Not now. Not after all we’ve fought for. Why would you even say such a thing?’
‘Because I love you.’
Zastra’s heart swelled so violently she couldn’t speak. Kylen stopped pacing.
‘I tried to fight it for so long, but it was one battle I could never win. Against you, my defences never stood a chance.’
‘Oh, Kylen!’
‘Before I met you, I thought I knew what bravery was. But your courage has put mine to shame. The things you have suffered, the responsibilities you have shouldered on behalf of others… Zastra, I told you once that you have no idea how special you are, and you still don’t. It’s one of the many reasons I love you. But loving you means I must stand down. Someone else must speak for my people from now on, for I could deny you nothing. Only… dare I ask…?’
Zastra caught hold of Kylen’s hands.
‘How could I not?’ she said softly. ‘You gave me strength when I had none. Without you, I would have been lost long ago.’
Kylen’s eyes glistened.
‘Can it really be true?’
Zastra nodded wordlessly. Kylen broke into a smile.
‘I suppose I did save your life. And not for the first time.’
‘I think we’re about even on that score,’ Zastra remarked. ‘But who’s counting?’
‘To think I almost didn’t have the courage to tell you. I wasn’t sure you felt the same way. Especially after the way I behaved, pretending I hated you.’
‘I was hurt then, but only because some part of me knew that I loved you. But I wasn’t ready to acknowledge it. You know, I think I’ve loved you ever since you punched Rastran on the nose.’
‘But that was years ago,’ Kylen said with a disbelieving laugh.
‘Well, you were impressive, even then.’
‘I remember you took my punishment. Never told them it was me. Why did it take us both so long to realise?’
‘Between duty and grief we didn’t allow ourselves space for Iove. And, in a way that I can’t explain, I think we were right. This wouldn’t have felt right until now. Oh, I’m not making any sense!’
Kylen reached out tenderly and caressed her cheek.
‘It makes perfect sense to me. But are you sure? Do I really have your love?’
‘Always,’ whispered Zastra. She rested her head on Kylen’s shoulder, feeling that she might burst with joy.
Chapter Seventy-one
‘I’m delighted for you both,’ said Anara, opening her arms to Kylen as they returned to the others. ‘Welcome to the family, my dear.’
‘How did you know?’ Zastra exclaimed. Anara smiled at her over Kylen’s shoulder.
‘Findar and Kastara told me.’
‘How did they know?’ Zastra turned to the twins, who were grinning like children at a birthday party.
‘You’re not as good at hiding your feelings as you think, Zastra,’ said Findar. Anara reached towards her.
‘After everything you’ve both been through, you deserve happiness.’
‘You don’t mind that I’m in love with a Sendoran?’
‘My darling, I don’t care who you love, so long as you’re happy.’
‘I hope my people will be so generous,’ said Kylen, ‘but I doubt it.’
‘Don’t be so pessimistic,’ said Hylaz, who was lurking at the back of the room with Ithgol. ‘Zastra’s a good match for you, my lady. Better than you deserve.’
‘Thanks, Hylaz,’ said Zastra, flashing him a grateful smile. ‘That means a lot.’
‘Yes, thanks Hylaz,’ said Kylen drily. ‘I would discipline you for insubordination if I didn’t completely agree with you.’
That evening, Zastra and Kylen held a celebration with those who had played a key part in their victory. The House of Brandicant had only a small dining hall with a single table, which limited how many people they could invite. The best wine was brought from the cellars and platters of hot and cold food spread all along the table. A herb-encrusted vizzal steamed in the centre, flesh melting from the bone. It was surrounded by squares of freshly cut cornbread and piles of roasted vegetables. Silver tureens of sauces added to the savoury aromas that filled the candlelit hall. A table to the side held desserts of cakes, jellies and candied fruits. Jelgar arrived with Lungrid and Ithgol to make up the Kyrginite delegation. Rafadal, Urbek and Bekka came from the Aliterran camp, and Yelina, who had made the trip from Uden’s Teeth with Mata, ensured the Far Islanders were represented. Polina and Morvain attended on behalf of the mindweavers, and Zastra insisted Gwylla and Zenarbia be invited too. The two young women sat towards the bottom of the table, shy among such company, but enjoying the air of celebration all the same. Myka sat with Findar and Kastara. He had brought Dalbric and a young man with a shrivelled arm. Zastra took a moment to recognise him
‘Podrik?’ she exclaimed in delighted surprise. His round face broke into a beaming smile
‘You remember me?’
She hugged him.
‘How could I forget the boy who befriended me when I was all alone? You must join us.’ Podrik bowed. Dalbric too, seemed a little awed at being invited.
‘All these lords and ladies, and guthans and whatevers,’ he said. ‘I think perhaps I’m better off back in the camp.’
‘Nonsense,’ said Zastra. ‘You are family, you belong here as much as anyone else. Where’s Hanra?’
‘She stayed at Uden’s Teeth with the littlun.’
‘What do you think you’ll do, now it’s all over?’
Dalbric shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. I miss the borders but Hanra likes it on Uden’s Teeth. And I’ve found I enjoy carpentry more than farming. So, we may stay. At least we have a choice now.’
Kylen and Zax led a Sendoran delegation that included Hylaz, Beregan and Lorzan.
‘Glad you two have finally realised what was right in front of you,’ said Zax, giving Zastra a kiss on the cheek. Mata and Nerika made up the last of the party. Nerika sat a little apart. Seeing her alone, Zastra grabbed a bottle of spiced wine and sat down beside her.
‘Nerika, I have a favour to ask.’
‘Don’t I even get one night to celebrate before you start giving orders, Grand Marl.’ Nerika sounded as bitter as ever. Grand Marl. The title sounded odd to Zastra. Something she would have to get used to.
‘Forgive me, Nerika, but you don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself.’
‘I just wish… Justyn were here.’
‘Me too, but aren’t you glad that we’ve won?’
Nerika turned to her.
‘Zastra, you have won. Nothing has changed for the poor people in our society.’ She jerked her head towards the food on the table. ‘What we have here tonight would feed a village for days.’
‘That was what I wanted to ask. I want you to draft some legislation for me to look at. Think about how we can enshrine in law the right of all our people to a free and happy life. A law that will apply to everyone.’
‘Including the grand marl?’
‘Of course,’ said Zastra. ‘No one should be free to act like Rastran and not be held accountable.’
Nerika’s expression softened.
‘Freedom is all very well, but if you have no property or money, the law is
just empty words.’
‘I agree. The rich will have to give up some of their lands.’
‘Justyn always said you would keep your word.’ Nerika’s voice cracked. Zastra had a moment of realisation.
‘Oh Nerika,’ she said, ‘you loved him, didn’t you? I had no idea.’
Nerika turned her head away, but when Zastra rested her hand on her forearm, she did not pull it away. After a moment, Zastra stood and called for silence.
‘Before we eat, let us take a moment to honour those who have fallen so that we may see this day. We thank them for their sacrifice.’ She raised her glass.
‘To Dobery,’ she said.
Nerika stood up beside her. ‘To Justyn,’ she said, her eyes bright with tears.
‘Orika,’ said Polina.
‘Brutila,’ Anara added quietly.
Other names were spoken, each name greeted by silent contemplation. Then, at last, Zastra bid everyone sit and eat.
The plates were being cleared away. Myka, his belly pleasantly full, helped Kastara to a mug of hot chala.
‘It’s good to see your sister so content,’ he said, nodding towards Kylen and Zastra, who sat with their heads together, unable to hide their happiness in each other’s company.
Kastara wrinkled her nose. ‘I hope that means she’ll be nicer to me in future. Or better still, just leave me alone.’
‘You don’t mean that,’ said Myka. ‘Everything you’ve done since she rescued you has been to get her attention. Except you’ve been going about it the wrong way. Until today, that is.’
‘Is that a compliment?’
‘I helped too,’ said Findar, leaning around his twin. But Myka didn’t seem to hear him.
‘Kastara, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,’ he began hesitantly. Kastara pushed back her chair.
‘Oh, look! Zastra’s called Polina and Morvain to her,’ she exclaimed. ‘I bet she’s going to ask one of them to be Highmaster. I need to find out what’s going on.’ She hurried away to the top of the table.
‘Don’t worry, Myka,’ Findar said, as the Southlander stared after her forlornly. ‘At some point she’ll be glad to hear what you have to say. Just not today.’
Warrior of Golmeira Page 33