Each level he dropped through, he warned the guards he saw, Blackguard or Home Guard, of what was to come. He noted as he descended to the third tier, merchants were taking down the cloth awnings before their shops. Puddles were forming in each nook and dip in the walk. Citizens were hurrying here and there with cloaks pulled close. The rain was coming down hard enough to soak through clothing. He saw a stray hat fly by – caught by the wind and lifted from its owner’s brow.
House after house was securing shutters. At least the people knew a storm when they felt it and were doing their best to prepare. They just had no idea how powerful this one was going to be. Most of the city was made of stone – it wouldn’t wash away. Alador’s concern was the wave he felt, and one he saw in Renamaum’s memory. It could strip the tiers of anything not nailed down – maybe even things that were.
The young mage could part water into waves, but could he stop a behemoth even dragons feared?
Chapter Four
Luthian sent a runner ordering General Levielle to attend him immediately. While he waited, he met with the head scryer and gave detailed instruction to send messages to the other cities in danger. The rain, driven by the wind, drew his attention to the window. It struck the panes so hard it sounded like pebbles rather than water. Luthian walked closer to see if the rain had turned to hail even though the temperature was not low enough to warrant that option.
The guard opened the High Minister’s door and announced, “The General has arrived, milord.”
Luthian turned, nodded and beckoned the man forward. “General, thank you for coming so quickly. We have matters of some urgency to discuss.”
The man’s face was red from the wind and rain, and despite the probable use of a cloak he was still quite sodden. Luthian moved away from the window, leading the General to the small map room. He did not look back, expecting the man to follow him.
As they entered, Luthian beckoned him forward to the table. The map laying on it was one Levielle had seen before. He moved up beside Luthian, hands clasped behind his back and eyes darting about with interest.
“What matters are concerning you, High Minister?” His tone was soft and inquisitive.
“I have been informed that we are about to be hit by a storm of never-before-seen size and strength. My nephew, the storm mage, has told me there will be an enormous wall of water when it comes ashore.” He indicated the two markers that Alador put down for the minimum impact on the coastal communities. “It will affect the coast from here… to here. The strongest part of it will be directly centered on Silverport.” Luthian looked at him with genuine concern. “I have called you here because your men are bivouacked in tents, and tents will not withstand this gale.”
The General leaned over the map, his eyes taking in the breadth of the storm’s impact. “Really that large? If it is of that magnitude, a good portion of the island will be hit.” Levielle looked up at Luthian with a bit of fear in his eyes. “We have to evacuate the lower tiers. There will be flooding, and I will need to get my men to safety.” He returned to studying the board intently, looking for a means of escape.
“My nephew suggested the lee of the city, where the wind will be less.” Luthian looked over at Levielle.
The General nodded in agreement, still not looking up from the map.
Luthian cleared his throat in order to draw the man’s attention back to him. When the General looked up he said, “I have no intentions of evacuating the lower tiers. In fact, I would like a contingent of guards on each tier ensuring order and preventing a mass push upwards.”
A flash of confusion and concern appeared on Levielle’s face. “Well, you could send bronze mages down to the trenches to raise a wall up between the city and the port. That way, the water and wind will break against it, minimizing the possibility of damage and injury to the trench and lower tiers.” Levielle stroked his beard idly, then looked for a city map nearby. “That way you won’t need to evacuate.”
There was a city map on the wall to his left. The General moved toward it. Luthian followed the man’s gaze. “I have mages down there assisting the Trench Lord and sealing the storehouses as we speak. However, I cannot put a wall up between the port and the trench. Where would the water go that drains down from the upper tiers?” Luthian’s voice was even. “To let them all move up will cause panic. Each must stay upon their assigned tier. Your men will see to it.”
Levielle turned to look at Luthian. “My men will be unable to block that many people from trying to move up the tiers.” He pinned the High Minister with a steady military gaze that must have put fear in his troops. “Have you ever seen a mob before, High Minister?” he asked coolly.
The gaze did absolutely nothing to deter Luthian from the plan he was about to unfold. “I have… Is that not why your men have swords, to enforce the law and order of this country?” Luthian stared him down. “They will block and hold each tier,” Luthian commanded a bit more formally. “With force, if they must.”
“You expect me to command my men to kill friends and loved ones to protect the upper tiers?” Levielle repeated in a low, shocked tone. “If the storm is as mighty as you have been told it will be, they too will be swept away.”
“Sometimes harsh choices must be made to secure order.” Luthian stated with just as low a voice. “And they won’t be swept away unless they are down in the trench itself. It has been some time since such a thorough cleansing has been done.”
“Am I to understand this is not a matter of cleaning the city, but of the people?” Levielle looked at the map on the wall and pointed to the trench. “You are speaking about half the population of the city, plus all of my encampment and men outside the city.” He stared at Luthian levelly, “These are lives we are talking about: Men, women, and children!”
“You exaggerate, Sir. The trench is hardly half the city. It houses those not in service to the upper tiers; maybe a quarter of the city’s population, at most.” He looked to where Levielle was pointing. “Mostly vagabonds, whores and thieves, and well you know it. The mages will close the mines, so we will not lose good men who know how to dig the city’s fortunes.” He tapped his lip thoughtfully with one finger “You have maybe an hour to get your men inland or into the lee of the city. If you wish, you can attempt to shelter a good portion in the testing ring.”.
The General stood quietly, studying the map and thinking. The High Minister gave him a moment to mull over his orders. The room grew silent except for the sound of rain striking the window.
Eventually, Levielle spoke. “We could move all of them to the first tier. I will have my men guarding the shops and the gate to the second tier. It’ll get close, but at least we will save those that can help and assist.” His eyes met Luthian’s. “If the storm is as bad as you and Alador think it will be, you’ll need all the laborers you can get, High Minister.”
Luthian looked at him for a long moment. He studied the map where the rocky hook of land guarded the harbor. Alador had stated that most likely the first tier would be hit, as well; however, the boy had not told anyone else as far as Luthian knew.
The High Minister finally nodded. “You are wise. See it done.” He stated firmly. He turned and walked back into his office and the General followed in his wake. “Get supplies into your permanent buildings or the ring. I will have the test master raise a dome to protect it. I would raise it for the whole city, but to be honest, I do not think the mages could hold it for long at such a size.”
“Thank you, High Minister. I will see that all preparations are made post-haste.” Levielle’s relief was almost palatable. “The trench may be destroyed, but we can rebuild it quickly. Perhaps with the assistance of those bronze mages being used to protect the goods.” His tone was one of request and inner thought.
Luthian’s answer rang of dismissal. “Yes, that would be the plan. I have sent similar orders to have the storehouses sealed in other coastal cities.” Luthian looked over at Levielle. “I have done what I can to warn
the small outlying fishing villages, but I fear the lexitals may already be pushed to the limit by the wind as it is.” He moved back to the desk. “See yourself out General, time is of the essence.” Luthian did not look up.
“Of course, High Minister.” The General saluted. “It seems I’ll need to get my hands dirty in the trench again.” He smirked and stepped to the door, his hand on the knob.
“General…” Luthian called a halt to Levielle’s hasty exit. “I want you to remain with your men in the garrison or the testing ring; it would not do for my main commander to be hit in the head by flying debris. Send one of your other commanders to see to the tiers and trench.” This time, there was no room for discussion in his voice.
After a brief but tense silence, Levielle nodded. “Of course, High Minister, I will see it done.”
Luthian sat back with a frustrated exhale of breath as the door closed. He knew Levielle was the most efficient man he had in the service, but the man’s damn honor was so high that it was sometimes frustrating to work around him. It was good that he was expecting another to see the storage areas sealed. If you could not hit a problem directly, you always had the option to see it done subversively.
He moved to the bell pull, a cold smile playing across his lips as he considered what he was about to do. It would make a few enemies, but if it played out as he had formulated, his hands would be clean. While others would suspect, none would be able to tie him directly to the matter. A servant appeared within seconds of the peal of the bell.
“Yes, High Minister? What service may I provide?” The man bowed low and waited his master’s order.
“Lady Caterine is expected. Check the receiving room, and if she has arrived, escort her to me immediately.” Luthian turned and walked back to his desk.
By the time he sat down, the servant was gone; he had not heard the man’s affirming whisper, but he had no doubt there had been one. He pulled over Sordith’s last report. The number of people in the trench could never be more than estimated; people came into and left the city on a daily basis. Those that had no status were limited to the trench access unless they had coin and business on an upper tier.
He looked up as the door opened. The lady was on time, and he could not have been more pleased to see her.
She was not an unattractive woman, but there was also nothing striking about her. Her matronly curves were slight, but like most high tier mages, her hair was white. Today she had it piled up on her head, with small curls escaping around her face. The shade of brown she wore to signify her sphere seemed to wash her face of further color.
Luthian rose and moved around his desk to her as she came forward. The servant bowed and exited, shutting the door securely behind him. Luthian took Caterine’s hand and laid his lips gently upon it. He was pleased to see a flush of color brighten her cheeks.
Luthian indicated a chair by the fire. “I am pleased you could attend me so quickly. My nephew has informed me that we are in for quite the storm; as the leader of the stone mages, I need you to send people down to seal our storehouses.” He waited until she sat down to continue.
She frowned, her placid face worsened with the grimace. “Of course, I am fully aware that our staples are stored beneath the city, but we have had storms before. The water has never breached the storehouses, High Minister.”
“Please, we are alone… call me Luthian.” He smiled, but it was more because the calculated familiarity had its desired effect. The lady smiled demurely and dropped her gaze, her cheeks taking on the rosy coloring again. “Alador has warned me that there will be a wave of an unusual height. I also know that it will land when the tide is at its highest.” He sighed with a bit of forced distress. “I would rather be safe for our people than regret a lack of action. We have little time.”
Caterine rose immediately. “Then I had best be off to see the task done.” She turned to head for the door.
Luthian caught her arm. “One moment, I think we might have an opportunity that would profit us both.” He paused until she turned back to look at him, her face full of her confusion. “Do you still have ill will toward our Trench Lord?”
Caterine’s face hardened at the mention of Sordith’s title. With Luthian’s order to assist in the covering of the trench, she had been insulted to find herself working under the Trench Lord’s direction.
“He is not in my favor,” she admitted, her voice hoarse with distaste.
“And those in the trench? Your thoughts on them?” Luthian pressed.
“It is filthy and contains a forsaken lot who are barely more than animals.” Her fingers brushed across her robe as though the mere thought of the trench and its inhabitants made her feel dirty.
Luthian nodded gravely as she played into his hands. “I feel much the same. May I suggest a little foul play?” He dipped his head in acknowledgement as a conniving look flashed in her eyes. He had chosen his mage correctly.
“What did you have in mind?” she practically cooed.
“Send your troublesome mages, those you have concerns over, into the trench to seal the storehouses against the weather; that truly does need doing. Once they are fully occupied, you seal the trench from the first tier.”
“I fail to see what good this will do either of us?” She eyed him a bit warily.
“I have been told the wave will fully engulf the trench. The falling rain…” he indicated the window, “needs an outlet as it drains down the tiers, so sealing it against this wave is not an option.”
“You plan to drown them?” She considered the idea.
“It is such a fine opportunity, don’t you agree? I can assure you that no mages will interfere. General Levielle is even now giving the order that there is to be no movement between the tiers.” Luthian’s voice was soft and suggestive.
Luthian could tell that her calculating mind was already lining up as she realized what would occur. “I merely point out an opportunity for us both to rid ourselves of… What did you call them… a filthy and forsaken lot of animals? The level of crime moving up the tiers is increasing. It is time we cleansed ourselves of those that do not have enough skill to be of use to the upper tiers.” He waved his hands in dismissal, as though changing his mind. He lightened his tone. “What am I thinking? No… We should not. Why people might hold you accountable for such an act.” He shook his head. “I fear I fell into a bit of whimsical fantasy. It is hardly a proper plan.” He sighed with exasperation. “I just don’t know when another chance might present itself…”
“I can seal them without detection,” Lady Caterine offered.
“Could you?” He looked a bit amazed, but inwardly he felt like the angler setting his hook. “I don’t know… It would have to be our secret.” He tapped his lip thoughtfully.
She moved to him, a bit of hopeful familiarity emerging as she laid a hand upon his robe. “I can keep secrets, Luthian,” she murmured.
She gazed up at him for a long hopeful minute. Luthian sighed inwardly. Some sacrifices had to be made when one was attempting to keep one’s hands clean. He bent his head to let his lips hover just above hers.
“Then let me send you on your way,” his soft words for her ears alone. He laid his lips against hers, revolted at the cold, fish -like kiss she attempted to return. “I will see you as soon as you have finished. We can… share other secrets,” he promised.
She nodded happily and turned, hurrying from the room to order her least favorite mages sent to seal the storehouse.
Luthian wiped his mouth on the back of his hand as soon as the door shut. Thankfully, he would not be keeping that promise. The woman kissed worse than a virgin.
He turned back toward his desk, seeing Severent step from the side door. “Is the plan still as we discussed, milord?” He was dressed in drab grays and browns. Luthian knew that if he walked the lower tiers, he would likely never notice the man. Here in his office filled with rich tones, he stood out.
“Yes, all is in place as we discussed. The occupants
of the trench will have only one way out. Through panic or storm, we should see the population diminish greatly.” Luthian chuckled. “And the current level of dedication in our Trench Lord means I will likely lose him as well. Pity… the man had a head for business.”
Severent nodded and glanced at the door, then back at Luthian. “And the woman?”
Luthian did not hesitate. “As soon as the last wall is in place… kill her.”
Chapter Five
Levielle moved quickly down the tier. The driving rain pelted him, already beginning to soak through his cloak. He was not a sea goer - his military experience was on land. However, he had seen the worried looks as the naval officers left earlier to move the fleet to a more secure harbor. He had known by their hushed tones that there was something different about this storm; now he had the High Minister’s confirmation. Shaking his head, he concentrated on the mission ahead. High Minister be damned, he was going to get people out of the trench.
Deeper puddles soaked his boots as he splashed through them near the third tier. What orders could he give now? The men would have some family on some of the tiers, including the trench. Apparently, he thought, the High Minister must have also seen an uprising from troops in order to place them in harm’s way.
Grimacing at his own internal thoughts, he pushed his way through groups that were helping each other on the fifth tier. Everyone seemed to sense that this storm was going to be one of unforeseen power. Servants were actually nailing their shutters closed in addition to merely closing them. Everyone was scrambling to gather in any lose objects to protect them from the rain as well as the increasing wind.
He almost started barking orders at some of the people in the tiers. Many were set to the tasks they needed to complete, but others wandered, trying to find a place in the chaos. Nevertheless, he had his own orders from the High Minister, and his idea of what needed to be accomplished quickly. Therefore, he shook his head in dismay and prayed for the best.
Fallen Tiers Page 4