Northern Storm ac-2

by Juliet E. McKenna

  ‘Janne Daish.’ Kheda drew a short, sharp breath before waving her backwards and stalking through the door to the warlord’s private sitting room.

  Janne retreated, stopped and wiggled her toes. ‘I do like these floors of wooden blocks,’ she remarked. ‘So much warmer and easier on the feet than tiles.’ She moved towards a thick silk carpet of palest blue piled high with soft sea-green cushions embroidered with clams and sea stars bordered by swaying sea grasses.

  ‘Through here, if you please, Janne Daish.’ Kheda waited in the arch between this inner chamber and the warlord’s anteroom where chests of ebony and ironwood stood in the corners between low tables set with alabaster vases bright with fresh flowers. There was a vivid white and gold carpet but no cushions for waiting visitors. He inclined his head, stopping well short of a bow. ‘To what do I owe this unexpected visit?’

  Unexpected and unwelcome. What do you want?

  She smiled with amiable tolerance for the edge in his voice as she strolled into the anteroom. ‘After everything Rekha said about how splendidly Itrac has restored these residences, I had to come and see for myself.’

  ‘Forgive me.’ Kheda smiled thinly. ‘I didn’t mean your visit to the domain. I meant your appearing here, in my apartments. You and Rekha seem to have become very casual about etiquette of late.’ Janne looked sharply at Dev, who was waiting in the archway to the inner chamber, head bowed, every measure the attentive slave. ‘You may leave us.’

  ‘My lord?’ Dev looked at Kheda, his Aldabreshin accent note perfect.

  ‘Wait outside.’ Kheda nodded. ‘You’re looking well,’ he continued neutrally as Dev obediently closed the outer door behind him. ‘And wholly first lady of Daish by virtue of being the warlord’s mother rather than his wife. You look ten years older than you did as my consort.’

  ‘It’s such a relief, for me and Birut.’ Janne smiled, untroubled. ‘You never did appreciate how much work it took to make you the envy of every other warlord, and me the despair of their wives.’ The grey in Janne Daish’s hair was no longer concealed by the crimson and indigo dyes she had been wont to use. Her long tresses were coiled into a crystal-studded net of plaited white silk held back behind her ears by a silver crescent headdress. The effect was subtly unflattering, revealing the years bluning her jawline and the wrinkled skin of her neck. No effort had been made to hide her years with cosmetics; she wore the minimum of frosted silver around her eyes, lips merely glossed with a purple the same shade as her gown. The high-necked dress of red-shot silk was cut to conceal, not to enhance, the charms of her voluptuous bosom. The wide white sash embroidered with red and purple flowers emphasised that her waist was thickened with child-bearing, while the full skirts hid her elegant legs. All the same, I would still embrace you, draw your head upon my shoulder. You were all the wife I ever wanted. And you know it.

  ‘I see you’re weary.’ Kheda regarded her with a hint of pity. ‘The voyage must have been tiring for a woman of your years.’

  If you want to play the matriarch, let’s see how you like being treated as if you were twenty years my senior instead of merely nine.

  ‘I’m curious about your new body slave.’ Janne looked after Dev. ‘A barbarian, isn’t he? Were none of our neighbours willing to trade you a better trained slave after all you’d done for Chazen?’

  What are you expecting me to tell you? That I dared not approach Redigal or Ritsem, Aedis or Sarem, for fear of them refusing to send a slave to a domain stained with magic? If only it were that simple.

  ‘He’s of barbarian stock.’ Kheda shrugged at the irrelevance. ‘I found him when I was searching for lore in the north.’

  ‘Is he zamorin or beardless by choice?’ Janne’s long sleeve fell back as she adjusted her headdress with fingers heavy with silver rings set with amethyst. ‘A lover of men?’ she elaborated unnecessarily. More violet stones circled her wrist.

  ‘That’s a remarkably impertinent question, even for one who was once my wife.’ There was no warmth in Kheda’s voice. ‘And I owe you no answers, since you decided I was no longer wanted as your husband. I’ve questions of my own, mind you. What brings you here fnstead of Rekha? What are you looking for, besides pearls to conceal how scant the Daish harvest has been?’

  You wear amethysts to calm anger and promote humility, so you’re serious about whatever negotiations brought you here. The heavenly Amethyst rides in the arc of honour and status, along with the Hoe that is the symbol of a man’s hard work in service of the domain, whatever his rank. Do you expect me to keep calm, to put my duty as Chazen warlord above my own feelings?

  Now it was Janne who shrugged. ‘You can’t blame me for being curious about that voyage, not when it brought such changes to all of our lives.’

  Kheda ignored the barb. ‘He belonged to a trader in the central domains. I needed someone to help me sail a boat south. Dev was willing to trade his service for a place in my household.’

  ‘When he didn’t even know you had a household to return to, much less a domain,’ Janne observed, sceptical. ‘What did this trader want in return?’

  ‘That’s between me and him.’ Kheda realised that Janne’s own faithful shadow was nowhere to be seen. ‘Where’s Birut?’

  You don’t want him privy to this conversation. Why might that be?

  ‘He’s spending some time with Itrac’s Jevin,’ Janne replied easily. ‘I don’t want to see her embarrassed when more demanding guests visit—the Aedis wives, for instance. The boy’s willing but Rekha said he lacks the experience to be serving a first wife. Birut will show him a few things.’

  ‘You chose Jevin for Itrac,’ Kheda recalled, ‘when we already knew she was the only Chazen wife still living.’

  ‘We suspected,’ Janne corrected him. ‘We didn’t know for certain that Sekni was dead.’ She held his gaze, eyes dark and impenetrable, her face expressionless even without the concealment of cosmetics. ‘One acts differently when one only suspects, rather than knowing something beyond all doubt. The most important thing was having her guarded, so that no one like Ulla Safar could force her into marriage and claim this domain along with her body’ She paused. ‘So much has happened since then, and so much that was unforeseen.’

  ‘Foretelling is a warlord’s prerogative,’ said Kheda sharply. ‘You’d better not be interfering with Sirket’s interpretations of the omens.’

  ‘I do not interfere,’ retorted Janne, piqued. ‘I offer support. I strive for the domain’s good above all else, in the light of whatever Sirket reacts in the earthly or heavenly compasses.’

  ‘As I strive to see the best path for Chazen, since Daish is closed to me now.’ Kheda pictured the charts of the shifting constellations and heavenly jewels that he’d been drawing all afternoon.

  The Spear’s in the arc of marriage now, token of male potency and call to arms, along with the Ruby, talisman for courage. Is that a warning for me, when the heavenly Pearl that is a symbol of Daish rides with the Winged Snake that is symbol of male and female intertwined? They are in the arc where the Emerald talisman of peace and growth presides over omens of good health and a peaceful future. What am Ito make of that?

  ‘I had so hoped to see Chazen prosper.’ Janne sounded deeply regretful, tracing the silver-edged flowers embroidered on her sleeve with one long-nailed finger. But ill luck seems to stalk this domain.’

  ‘I take it you’re referring to this dragon?’ challenged Kheda.

  Janne took a sudden pace closer, lifting her face towards him, eyes hard, her voice low. ‘Such a portent of evil and coming less than a year after those wild men wrought havoc with their savage sorcery. See what you started, when you brought whatever magic it was you found in the north to defeat the invaders. Did your father teach you nothing? Did you think your actions, alone of all men, wouldn’t have consequences to echo through the days and years to come? You were never so foolish as ruler of Daish, not until you were touched by the corruption of magic. I wish you’d never sailed to Ch
azen’s aid when the beacons first told of his misfortunes. I hate to think what calamity will befall you next, or these hapless people, all on your account.’

  ‘At least you made sure none of this misfortune can fall on Daish,’ interrupted Kheda sarcastically, ‘refusing to let Sirket relinquish rule to me, driving me out as you did. You were never a fool, Janne, so why are you talking like one now? What would have become of Daish if I hadn’t found such lore and sailed south with it? Do you think Chazen Saril would have halted the wild men? Don’t you see they’d have swept north to plunder Daish as well?’ He shook his head vehemently. No, Janne, I don’t regret anything I have done. Can you say the same? You saw that Chazen Saril was destroyed by grief and fear but you didn’t help him. You decided to put his life to trial instead. Do you wonder if it was his death in Daish waters that’s blighted your pearl harvest?’

  ‘I have no doubts that I was right to put Chazen Saril to the ultimate trial,’ Janne said resolutely, folding her arms. ‘I wagered my own life as well as his and yours.’

  ‘And we’re still standing, so you must have been right?’ Kheda waved an airy hand. ‘I wouldn’t be so confident in your interpretations, Janne. This dragon is an evil, granted, but for the present it’s eating as many of those savages still hiding out in the western isles as it can find. That’s doing Chazen no harm. Would you like to see the dispatches from our triremes confirming that? As for Chazen’s better fortunes,

  I think it’s all to their good that I’ve mastered my unreasoning fear of magic and sent an envoy to the north to find out all about this new foe. That barbarian slave of mine recalls tales of such beasts being defeated in the far north. That’s another stroke of luck, isn’t it? You can take some comfort in the fact that my rule will protect Chazen better than Saril’s would have done in the present circumstances.’

  ‘What have you learned about this dragon?’ Janne demanded.

  ‘That’s Chazen business and none of Daish’s concern.’ Kheda smiled.

  ‘You don’t think we’re entitled to worry that the beast will come north?’ queried Janne with mock surprise. ‘When you tell me these wild men would have done just that without your boldness in suborning whatever magic brought them down? Don’t lecture me about shameful deeds, Kheda.’ She turned away to walk slowly around the anteroom, ostensibly studying the ebony and iron-wood corner chests. You could always tell when I was shading the truth, but that was when I seldom lied to you and trusted you with my life. Let’s see how much that has changed along with everything else.

  Kheda deliberately smiled more broadly when Janne’s path brought her around to face him once more. ‘I’ll tell you this much: we already know how to contain it, once it has rid us of the savages. We’re seeking a way to kill it. I imagine that’ll be expiation enough to satisfy all our neighbours that the wild men’s magic has been cleansed from Chazen. Blood has always been the ultimate purification for such evil. Who’s to say this dragon isn’t to lead to better things for Chazen in the long run?’

  ‘You think you can kill it?’ Janne asked, honestly incredulous.

  “ You certainly didn’t expect to hear this, did you? What were you expecting?

  ‘As I said, unforeseen good still follows on from my voyage to the northern domains.’ Kheda leaned back against the wall, hands folded behind him. ‘That slave, Dev, tells of barbarians killing dragons in the unbroken lands. You must have heard that a poet came south with me last year? She’s seeking out such lore.’ He gestured towards the unseen north. ‘We expect her back around the breaking of the rains. The storms can wash the beast’s blood into the seas and Chazen will be set fair for a new beginning.’

  ‘Yes, I’d heard some poet girl was deep in your confidences. What does Itrac make of that?’ Janne asked with sweet spitefulness. She took a moment, pretending to consider the silver cranes engraved on an alabaster vase. ‘I imagine your poet will find that word of this dragon has gone before her, though. Ill news flies faster than the fleetest courier dove.’

  ‘And so?’ Kheda prompted coolly. Janne raised her finely shaped eyebrows, disingenuous. Whoever has that lore will look to trade it to best advantage. We both know that.’

  ‘Then you will be pleased to hear that Chazen is celebrating an abundant pearl harvest,’ Kheda responded blithely. ‘Which is more than merely fortunate—it’s a significant omen; a positive token that we will restore this domain to its former peace and happiness.’

  ‘And you’re seeking to trade pearls for gems.’ Janne nodded approval. ‘A wise precaution, when you don’t know who you’ll be trading with for this lore. There are always some who prefer jewels. Pearls have their vulnerabilities, not least their finite life.’

  / know that serene smile of old, Janne. You think you’ve got the upper hand here.

  ‘We’re looking to trade for many things.’ Kheda fashioned a puzzled look. ‘Metals, finished wares of all kinds ‘

  ‘But you need gems most of all, for some overriding necessity.’ Janne laced her hands together, studying her scarlet nail polish. ‘I paid my compliments to Itrac Chazen before I came looking for you, naturally. The girl seemed very anxious to set out her negotiating position.’

  Leaving you confident that you’ll get everything you want from such an inexperienced girl. A confidence that’s hardly misplaced, let’s be honest.

  ‘It’s hardly polite for us to discuss your trades with

  Chazen in Itrac’s absence. In fact,’ Kheda continued, harsher, ‘it’s hardly appropriate for you to be visiting me in my private chambers before my lady wife and I have welcomed you to our domain with fitting ceremony. You make us look ill-mannered, Janne Daish.’

  ‘Shall we stop these games?’ Janne folded her arms again, amethyst bracelets rattling. ‘Itrac isn’t up to playing against me—or Rekha, come to that—and well you know it. This isn’t about pots and pans and cloth to cover your people’s nakedness. You need gems, presumably to pay off whatever barbarian has this lore you seek to kill this dragon. I don’t suppose those northerners have the wit to appreciate the true value of pearls.’

  She looked at him, face unforgiving. ‘You’re playing the same dangerous game as before, aren’t you? You’ve done it once and you seem to have got away with it. All the same, you don’t want anyone enquiring too closely into just where you might be getting this lore, or whatever it might be that you’re contemplating using against the beast. You certainly don’t want anyone suspecting that you might suborn sorcery against it, not when there are still questions whispered about your unexpected victory against those invaders last year. Not everyone’s convinced by your tale of secret herbs and spices stupefying the savages’ wizards so that you, your slave and your poet could bring them down with poisoned arrows. Don’t worry,’ she assured him pleasantly, ‘I keep my own counsel on all that happened, on all that you admitted to me.’

  ‘Because all that I did, I did as Daish and you’d be condemned along with me if the truth were known,’ Kheda inten-upted. You’ll continue to keep silent, will you? Just as long as we hand over an abundance of pearls in exchange for some meagre gleanings from the Daish treasury? If you don’t want to play games, Janne, don’t try threatening me.’

  ‘You misunderstand me, Kheda.’ She looked hurt. Don’t blame me if your guilt pricks you.’

  ‘What guilt?’ he retorted. ‘I showed Ritsem Caid and Aedis Harl the concoction that we used against the savage mages. I still keep the remains of it in my physic chest. I explained how I learned the secret from Shek Kul in the north, under his seal of secrecy. No one can deny that the northernmost domains have been plagued by wizards from the unbroken lands in the past. It’s not so difficult to believe that they would have found some way to defend themselves. The wild wizards’ bodies were found pierced with arrows and they were most assuredly poisoned.’

  ‘What set them all fighting among themselves so conveniently?’ countered Janne angrily. ‘So that you and these unattested northerners could pick t
hem off?’

  No one knows,’ Kheda shot back at her. ‘And who’s to tell, since they’re all dead? You could spread your suspicions that I somehow inveigled a barbarian mage into their midst, Janne, but you’ve no hope of prooving it since his body was burned to ash with the rest of them. The only way you can condemn me is by admitting your own foreknowledge, with all the grief that would bring down on Daish. No, Janne, your threats are empty and you know it.’

  Just as long as you don’t get suspicious about Dev. I really must keep him away from you and Birut. ‘What about this poet of yours?’ Janne challenged. ‘What does she know?’

  Nothing, and if she comes to any harm at Daish hands, you’ll regret it for as long as you live.’ Kheda took a pace towards Janne and she saw something in his face that made her shrink back, coming up hard against an ironwood chest. ‘You’re right. Let’s stop these games. What brings you here, so anxious to trade for our pearls, so anxious you’re not even prepared to leave it to Rekha?’

  ‘I thought I’d do Itrac the honour of dealing with her, first wife to first wife,’ Janne shot back. ‘I thought I’d do this domain the favour of showing all the others that we Daish women consider that the danger of magic has faded. That has to be worth a good deal to you.’

  ‘That stinks worse than ten-day-old fish.’ Kheda laughed with open disbelief. ‘Rekha must be busy placating Moth Redigal. That’s it, isn’t it? Moth must be agitating for her share in your pearl harvest by now.’ He took another step and leaned over Janne. ‘Every day you delay, the greater the risk that the truth will come out, that everyone will find out that the Daish reefs are barren this year.’

  ‘Have you told Itrac about the deal with Moth?’ Janne thrust at his chest with a forceful hand. ‘You’ve no qualms about betraying Daish trade secrets to your new wife?’

  ‘I must do my best for Chazen.’ Kheda allowed himself to be pushed back. You laid that duty upon me.’