by Erme Lander
Eventually Belindros emerged in a vile temper, his joints aching. The servants and guards pandered to him, coaxing him to eat and sit out of the way as the camp was packed swiftly. Mika watched the gentle affection they showed for him and the acerbic comments he passed back.
Gavin grinned at her as he grabbed their saddlebags, “Ready to go?”
Mika nodded, then disappeared back into the bushes, despite not feeling as though anything else could happen.
Belindros smirked as she reappeared, “Better not slow me down boy, and keep washing your hands, nobody here loves you enough to want to catch it.”
The last thing she wanted to do was to ride. Mika groaned as she pulled herself up and clung on, pleased for once it was a quiet horse. They set off at a gentle pace, punctuated by her scrambling down for the bushes. Gavin held her horse and waited. He helped her up, kept her drinking and told tales of worse dysentery until she snapped at him to shut up. He laughed and let her suffer in silence.
After a swift lunch, Belindros had a nap under a hastily erected shelter and was coaxed back onto his horse. She noticed that despite his age he sat well, his mare was well trained and responded to his movements with a light rein. He was stubborn and remained in the saddle until she could see it pained him and he had to be helped down for the day. The servants worked quietly around him, fussing.
The camp was set up and Mika’s insides began to behave themselves. Belindros ordered her to attend him. She sat, waiting while he ate. Took his bowls and napkins and answered questions about her knowledge. She soon discovered he expected her to think through ideas and give reasons for answers, even if she wasn’t sure. He asked her about the Cassai culture, the possibilities of war between Cassai and Ackbarr, although to her relief, he steered away from questions about her parents. She became fascinated by the depth of his knowledge and jumped when she heard Gavin’s deep voice ask a question next to her. She turned to discover Gavin and a few other guards listening in.
She helped Belindros into his tent, turning him over to the servant’s competent hands. The guards drew lots for the night watches, an easy camaraderie between them. The sky had grown dark and the fire was dying down, sending the tree shadows soaring. Mika had to remind herself that it was only a few nights ago that she’d been trapped within four walls, staring out at the life in the streets below.
Mika joined in with the packing the next day, helping Belindros without being asked and listened to the teasing, thinking how lucky she’d been. The day followed the same pattern as the previous and her stomach was feeling normal enough to panic when she saw the men on horseback coming from behind. Gavin loosened his sword and called the wagon to the side of the road.
The soldiers swirled to a stop around them and the Commander came out to talk. Mika watched Belindros carefully move his gentle mare out to greet them. They made a study of contrasts, the aged man, neatly dressed in plain robes, and the tall Commander in his flashy uniform. After the first exchange of words it was clear who had the upper hand. The Commander had made the mistake of demanding information and Mika had a ringside viewing of Belindros’ temper when riled. He refused to let the Commander get a word in, a gleam of dislike in his eye as he used every trick to confound him.
The Commander’s gaze fell on Mika, and flustered, he used a gap in the Belindros’ barrage of words to grab her. “Where’s this boy from? We’re looking for a Cassai, he’s got the right colouring for one.” Mika froze, unable to work out which way to run. Gavin stood close by, outwardly relaxed, though his hand rested casually near the hilt of his sword. She winced, remembering her hair was pale as her father’s, marking her out as different.
“That boy is my apprentice.” Belindros’ voice cut crisply through her thoughts. Mika’s insides quailed as the Commander looked sceptical. Why would Belindros shield her?
“How long have you had him?”
“Long enough to know that he is lazy and stupid, like any boy of that age. His parents foisted him on me, waste of fucking time if you ask me.” Belindros’ voice flicked out dismissively. Mika gaped, he thought she was stupid?
The Commander turned to her, “Seen any other Cassai around boy?” She shook her head, still stung by the comments. He muttered under his breath.
“Why are you looking for a Cassai, Commander?”
“A trader’s been killed in Fenin. Large animal mauled all his family. A contingent of Cassai visited them a few months before. They’ve been seen sneaking around at other points too. Other places have reported a large animal savaging livestock.”
“And you believe the Cassai are responsible?” Belindros’ voice was soft and cutting.
“You know the rumours about Cassai.” Under pressure from Belindros’ withering stare the Commander was reduced to spluttering, “I’ve heard them, about the King’s Advisor.”
“If I was given a copper penny for half the rumours I’ve heard about the Cassai, Commander, then I’d be rich and have a harem of big breasted women fighting over me every night of the week.”
The Commander’s face was a picture. Mika could see him struggling to suppress the image conjured up by Belindros. He shrugged, starting to lose interest as he gave up. “I’ve had my orders, round up any Cassai for justice.”
“Justice!” Belindros snorted, “Listen Commander, the boy is part of my retinue. A fifteen year old boy, doing what they do best – which is as little as possible. As Court Medici, I am answerable to the King only. Do you wish to speak to the King about my choice in apprentices?”
The Commander backed down, bowing his head in defeat, “Medici.” He turned back to his soldiers shouting, “Let’s keep moving. Maybe we’ll find something further on.” A clatter of hooves and they were gone.
Mika breathed out in relief as Belindros looked after the soldiers in disgust.
“Let’s move on while there’s daylight left. I want to be away from here and somewhere more secluded for a camp tonight.” Gavin’s tone allowed for no arguments.
Belindros nodded and turned to Mika, noting her face, “Cheer up boy, you’re not as bad as I made out. Would you rather be riding with that Commander, to face his justice?”
That evening Gavin pointed out a deeper shadow on the mountainside ahead. “There’s Ackbarr.”
Mika gaped, it looked huge, she could just pick out the shape of a city in the mountain’s curve. “We will get there tomorrow?”
Gavin shook his head, “It’ll take a few more days. A courier changing horses could get there faster.” He gestured to Belindros being helped down, muttering at his joints. “We have other concerns.” Mika nodded and went to help.
Chapter 8
Mika watched the city come closer as they were slowly hauled across the wide river. Cries from fishermen and traders in the thin air greeted her. The wagon and horses came across in two journeys, the ferrymen yelling curses at the other boats shooting past.
Ackbarr, the place she’d heard of all her life and a place she’d never expected to see. Ranks of houses reared up in regiments in a crescent of the mountain. Series of high walls marched between them. No slums here, the houses continued almost to the neat docks down by the river. Sewers carried away filth to the river and she heard rather than saw the livestock markets to the side of them.
Coming into Ackbarr from the bottom gate, they climbed constantly through the cobbled streets. Children ran after them and shouted for the delight of having Belindros eloquently comment back. The walls of the houses were dark granite, the shade deep and streets narrowed by traders crying their wares. It had the look of a city built for war, despite the people bustling around.
Gavin pointed out public buildings, libraries and temples. Teased her about being a country boy. How could she have mistaken Fenin for Ackbarr? She rode with her mouth open and wondered what her brother had thought, if he’d managed to ride in with his normal disdain for anything foreign.
People of all colours walked the streets, a few as blonde as herself, some closer
to Gavin’s polished ebony. Most had swarthy skin and flat features, dark eyes that flashed as they made deals, haggling on the steps and in the side alleys of Ackbarr. A large keep towered over the city. They rode close by and turned into a side street. There, the group stopped and Belindros was helped down. She slid off, keeping hold of her horse, still trying to see everything.
Belindros made his way towards her. “Take this and go get yourself a proper haircut boy. Quick, before I mistake you for a girl and bugger you silly.” Belindros sighed at the startled look on her face, mistaking it for shock. “You country boys, take everything so seriously. Run along, go and enjoy yourself, explore for a bit. Make sure you find your way back here before sundown, otherwise someone will be buggering you and it won’t be me.” She nodded, accepting the small coins he gave her.
Mika took note of the street in relation to the keep and wandered down the shady streets, tucking the coins into the purse inside her shirt. Old men sat in the dark openings to the houses, boasting to friends and drinking. Women bustled past, scolding and forcing them to give way with a dignified grumble. As she walked down the hill, the crowds grew. Children chased each other in complicated games of tag, shrieking and yelling. Stalls sprang up on each side, trinkets laid out on blankets. The street opened out onto a large square and she stopped close by a house wall to watch. So many people, shoving, talking, traders crying wares. The smell of bodies in the afternoon sun, rotting fruit, dogs sniffing. Overwhelmed, she stared, trying to work out where she could get her hair cut.
A tug at her sleeve, “Need a guide?” A child, no higher than her shoulder, with a gaping grin. His bright eyes reminded her of Belindros.
“Yes, can you help? I need a haircut.”
“Best barber in town, come on.” He led her through into the cool side streets, Mika kept an eye on the stalls closest to orientate herself and followed. Her guide kept up a chatter the entire way, waving to people, traders, he appeared to be known by everyone. Many gave her an amused look, passing on good natured advice to her or curses to her guide. He stopped by an undistinguished doorway, stuck his head through and piped something. A roar greeted him and he skipped away as a large man lurched out.
“Needs a haircut.” Butter now wouldn’t melt as he pointed at Mika.
The man stumbled to a stop when he saw they had company. Mika looked on with dismay. He was foul. Bleary eyed, the fumes from drinking obvious and his image wasn’t helped by the long razor he held. At the sight of her, he drew himself upright with an unsteady dignity and disappeared back inside. Mika looked at the boy in confusion and jumped when a tall stool thumped on the ground.
“Sit. And you, sit somewhere else, out of my way.” He pointed at the boy who grinned and curled himself against the wall, pointed chin resting on his knees.
The barber took her chin and inspected her, “Don’t need a shave, too young.” He sagged a little, then went behind her and ran his fingers through her hair. He still held the razor, making her twitch. The haircut was swift and efficient, he used the razor to slice through, chopping her hair into the shaggy cut she’d seen on many others.
She paid him the price he grunted and asked, “Do you have anything to bleach hair?”
He gave her an odd look and shuffled inside, coming out with a paper package. “Don’t use too much, you’ll end up with no hair.” She thanked him and nodded to her guide. They walked down the alleyway.
“Where now?” he asked.
Mika looked at his skinny frame and grubby face and said, “I think we’ll visit a pie shop, I can see I have a friend that likes them.” He grinned in reply.
They passed market traders who called out to her to buy their wares and shouted mock threats at her companion. His name was Jon, she found out. His mother had died several years back, his father spent most of his time drunk or indulging in shady dealing. He told this in a flat voice, scanning the marketplace as he spoke. He was younger than Petron, her little brother. She saw plenty of other children watching by the walls in the shade, their eyes dark with experience. Mika wondered how he’d missed out becoming like them.
They spent the remains of the afternoon walking round the market. Jon showed her the old city walls and they sat, legs dangling while they ate. Mika found that Jon’s stomach was bottomless, she ended up giving him most of her pie when she saw him eyeing it.
The view from high up on the walls was incredible. The easiest way through the mountains was by boat, Jon told her and Ackbarr blocked any trade unless the tariffs were paid. The immense cliffs behind the city were impassable and the river cut through the mountains, flowing below the city. Well fortified docks on each shore and catapults for those traders who refused to pay. The river here was wide and lazy, no chance of a merchant shooting through. Ackbarr had grown rich on its taxes, enabling it to pay for subjugating the neighbouring provinces. Now it had turned its eyes on Cassai. Mika shuddered.
She could see the tiered ranks of houses had shallow roof pitches for standing on and firing at enemies, archways between buildings for defenders to run along. The streets were a confusing maze leading to the huge black fortress in the centre. The entire city had been built for defence, yet the people appeared open and friendly to foreigners like herself. She traced her journey on the road as far as she could see and wasn’t sure she would ever get used to the wide open spaces beyond the city.
Jon nagged at her to talk about herself so she invented a brief tale about being apprenticed to Mekhi and finding him dead. Jon assured her that she’d done the right thing by running. Cassai were tolerated in Ackbarr city, but not so much elsewhere. She nearly laughed at his straight face and worldly knowledge, packaged in the skinny body of a street child.
The sun was beginning to go down when Jon finally brought her back to her street. He refused her coins, patting his stomach in appreciation. “I’ll find you on your next day off.” He scampered away leaving her smiling at his confidence. She didn’t expect to have days off.
The door was large and sturdy, none of the usual rubbish left close by. A simple plate stated Medici, no name. She knocked and a woman older than her mother opened the door. With calm eyes, she accepted Mika’s stumbling explanation of who she was. The woman introduced herself as Marta, Belindros’ housekeeper. Mika was shown around the house, the kitchen, outhouses and various examination rooms. Marta waved a hand at Belindros’ study and private rooms as they passed. They climbed the stairs to the top of the house.
“This level will be yours.” Two curtained alcoves were next to the door in the corridor, one held a privy, the other enough room for a bed. “This will be for your boy, when you have one.”
The room for her was small, not much bigger than the cubby holes outside. A bed and a chest fought for space, there were hangings on the walls and shutters at the windows. White plastered walls, dark beams above, with nails for hanging clothes.
“We don’t have much space for apprentices. Lin has access to rooms in the palace, but he prefers to be here, it’s quieter.” Mika nodded, gazing at the tiny room. Marta hesitated, “Lin will expect you up early for lessons and you will probably have other tutors too. I haven’t heard about his ideas for you yet.”
“That’s fine, I like learning.”
Marta relaxed a little, “You don’t mind the size? The last apprentice was constantly complaining.”
Mika shrugged, “It’s good for me.” The woman smiled and left. It got better when Mika realised the door had a lock. She opened the shutters and leaned out of the windows, peering down at the street below, listening to the cries of the traders. A good feeling welled up inside her. The house felt peaceful, someone was singing while they worked downstairs. She smiled, it couldn’t get much better.
Chapter 9
Mika woke to the sound of a bell in the courtyard. She gazed at the rafters and grinned. Learning, lessons, all she had to do was pass as a boy, couldn’t be difficult could it? A knock at her door and she jumped out of bed to answer it, aware of onl
y being in her shirt.
Marta stood there, “I don’t normally come up, but you will need to be downstairs ready to eat when the bell goes. Lin hates to be kept waiting and you’ll end up with no breakfast otherwise.” Mika nodded and dressed hurriedly, splashing her face with water.
She slid into the kitchen. The guards, including Gavin, were seated at a large table, laughing and joking. Gavin shifted over to give her space and introduced her to the rest. Mika sat in his shadow and listened. The banter was good humoured and mostly to do with teasing the youngest over his new girl. The kitchen staff waited on them, passing more food and drink as it was finished.
Marta caught Mika’s eye when a small bell rang and nodded to her, “He’ll be in the study, through to the hall, second door on the right.”
The doors in this part of the house were imposing, richly carved to impress clients. Mika brushed her knuckles across the wood, then built up her courage and knocked harder. She pushed open the door at the invitation and stared. Books, specimen jars and bones covered the shelves. A complicated water clock dripped quietly in the corner. The morning sunlight drifted in through the window, with a view to the courtyard garden. Belindros sat at his desk, he wore his Medici robes this morning, making his ropey frame more imposing. He suited the room, a vast fount of knowledge resting in his eyes. A partially finished breakfast tray sat in front of him.
“Well boy?” She jumped and he smirked. “What do you think? Can you learn all this?” He waved a hand lazily at the room.
Unsure of the answer he wanted, she said “I can try.”