by Tom Lloyd
The afternoon had turned cool and grey, muting the city’s colours and promising another night of fog in the Imperial City. As they reached the end of the winding alleyway, Kesh stopped and at last lifted her head to the view ahead of them. Past the pale stone buildings of the Imperial District, rising high atop a stark outcrop of rock thirty yards above the roofs below, was the Imperial Palace.
This close, Kesh felt its presence like a strong wind blowing into her face and she took a pace back at the sight. The Palace was a vast building, built long before the first Gods had ascended to the stars, that she knew, but up close – barely a hundred yards from the nearest of its cold white columns and curved roofs – it became an entirely different prospect.
More than a mile long and seven oversized storeys high in the central block, the Palace complex appeared to be carved entirely of ice by the hands of giants. The adornments that hung from its huge pillared flanks seemed mere foolishness – a vain attempt to stamp man’s authority on a creation the world of man had inherited from a dead race. There was an organic sweep to its lines, the pillars reaching up like trees, the stepped roofs all gently curved.
‘I’ve never been so close to it before,’ she muttered. ‘Gods – look at it !’
Narin hurried back to her, impatience in his face as he followed her gaze. ‘The Palace ? Haven’t you lived here all your life ?’
Kesh nodded, swallowing as she did so and unable to tear her attention from the gigantic, unnatural edifice. ‘Never come to this part though.’
‘Why not ? Weren’t you even curious as a child ?’
‘Of course, but …’ She gestured towards the Palace, then at the grand granite buildings skirting the outcrop of rock ahead. ‘Look at them, this half of the district’s not for the likes of me. You don’t get much of a sight of it from the west, the streets are too narrow, and Crescent-side it’s sheer cliffs with little to see. We were scared to come this close, didn’t think we were even allowed east of the Knight’s Path Avenue. A few of the older boys claimed they’d gone up to the Gate of the Sun or one of the grand temples, but no one ever believed them. And once I was older … well, I’m just servant caste. These streets aren’t for my sort.’
‘Because of your caste ?’ Narin said in a strangely stern way, as though she’d committed some breach of etiquette.
Kesh nodded, suddenly wary of him. The Investigator radiated anger and disapproval. For a moment she found herself wanting to put her fingers around the grip of her knife, but then he turned away.
‘Come on,’ Narin snapped, ‘we need to keep moving. You can marvel at your betters another day.’
Rounding the sprawl of the Palace of Law they avoided the busy streets where shops and stalls were established, keeping to side-streets that ran in parallel. The Investigator set a brisk pace but it was one Kesh was happy to match, every casual glance from passersby enough to send a jolt of panic through her chest. Unbidden, her thoughts returned to Emari – the little girl’s face as it had been in her arms, asleep but indefinably less her sister than when she’d watched the girl sleep before.
Thin tears began to trickle down her face, but Kesh angrily wiped them away before the glowering Investigator noticed them – knowing it would draw unwelcome attention and not wanting to show the whole Empire her pain. That was a private thing, something to be jealously guarded until she could be with her mother again ; the only one who could feel the same loss that ate at Kesh’s heart.
It didn’t take them long to leave behind the towering grey stone buildings of the Imperial administration and noble families. Abruptly, they came to a rougher district – still smart by the standards of the Harbour Warrant, but lacking the ornamentation of the various palaces and lesser palazzos on the eastern half of the island. The buildings were stone and wood now, fenced compounds with pitch-sealed overhanging roofs that met their neighbours at the corners to create arches at the end of each side-street.
The people were more normal too, dressed to work rather than compete with their peers and walking with purpose instead of slow, haughty indifference. Kesh followed Narin closely, the man walking with the assurance of someone who knew those streets well, of someone close to home. She was just about to relax as they turned a corner and Narin headed for an open compound gate, when a voice called out across the street towards them.
‘Investigator !’
They both stopped, Kesh’s hand diving for her knife even as she turned. Narin had moved even faster, whipping his stave from his back and bringing it up to guard position in a heartbeat. But no attack came, only an amused sound.
Kesh narrowed her eyes on a man leaning against the wall of the compound across the street, local-born by his face. He wasn’t a goshe – no, he wasn’t dressed like a goshe – but even she had to admit it was a strange disguise for a goshe agent to adopt. The stranger was not much older than Narin, she guessed, but slim and wearing a grey sleeved cape over an expensive-looking tunic, britches and tall patterned boots. The cape looked like an academic’s robe, but the rest screamed high-caste, however muted the dark green tunic was compared to what some noblemen wore. The man shifted position slightly and just inside his robe she glimpsed the ornate handle of a rapier – noble caste then, unless he was a strangely traditional-minded warrior caste.
‘Investigator,’ the man repeated. He pushed himself off the wall and offered them a small bow. ‘Might I have a word ?’
Narin was frozen to the spot for a moment, then recovered himself and lowered his stave. He bowed low, watching the man carefully, as Kesh belatedly knelt, head dipped enough that her chin touched the hand that refused to release the knife inside her coat. Both glanced behind them as though this was a ruse of some sort, but no assassins appeared and reluctantly Narin advanced towards the speaker.
‘My apologies, sir, but I am on urgent Lawbringer business.’
‘Oh come now, make an exception,’ the man said cheerfully. ‘I’m here in friendship and I’ll only take up a moment of your time.’
Narin glanced back at Kesh and gestured for her to keep close. ‘Sir, do I know you ?’
‘Not yet, but you will.’ The man tilted his head, making a show of looking at Kesh. ‘I think we’d both appreciate this word to be in private however.’
‘She does not leave my side,’ Narin warned, fingers tightening on his stave. ‘If this is a private matter, it must wait.’
‘Doesn’t leave your side, eh ?’ the man inquired with a small smile. ‘Now that’s curious. I’d have not said she was really your type.’
Kesh glanced at Narin, confused, but saw in his frown the Investigator was similarly puzzled.
‘I assure you, sir, it is nothing of the sort.’
The man shrugged. ‘Didn’t think so. A bit pale for your tastes, eh ?’
To Kesh’s surprise the comment seemed to make Narin flinch as though he’d been stung by a hornet. Her gaze drifted naturally down to the stave he held and something told her Narin was struggling not to strike out at the man, high-born or not.
‘Your meaning, sir ?’ Narin demanded coldly.
The smile remained on the man’s face. He was handsome in an aristocratic sort of way ; clean-shaven, with pronounced cheekbones and narrow nose that gave him a delicate air, but there was a hard edge that stopped him from looking some court fop.
‘My meaning being that it is a personal matter we have to discuss.’ He pulled a silver cigar case from inside his cape and brandished it like a declaration of peace. ‘But I’m in no rush. Please, see to your young lady first – I would not want to interfere with official Lawbringer business after all. I’ll just wait here and enjoy a smoke, come out any time.’
Narin’s face darkened more, but he was caught in indecision and had no response to the man’s words. Kesh shifted her feet and he turned sharply, stave still raised, before catching himself and lowering the weapon.
‘Very well,’ he muttered sourly. ‘Come on.’
With one final look at the s
tranger he ushered Kesh inside the compound and dragged the gate shut behind him.
‘What was that all about ?’ Kesh said as Narin checked around at the empty courtyard. A pair of speckled chickens scratched at the ground at the far end, but there was nothing more to see there.
‘I’ve no idea,’ he said distractedly, ‘but the last thing we need is a scene of any sort.’
He looked up to the right just as a middle-aged woman emerged from one of the rooms onto the walkway overlooking the courtyard. Relief flooded across his face. ‘Mistress Sheti, is all well ?’
The woman nodded, fixing Kesh with a hard stare before she replied. ‘All well,’ she declared. ‘Patient’s awake, but more’n a bit confused.’
‘Awake ?’ demanded both Kesh and Narin in the same breath. He shot her a look and reluctantly Kesh closed her mouth again.
‘He’s awake ?’ Narin repeated. ‘Good, maybe we’ll get some answers. Is Enchei up there ?’
Mistress Sheti sniffed. ‘They’re talking now ; Enchei’s performing some heathen magic on him, it looks.’
‘Right – Kesh, please go with Sheti. Enchei is a friend of mine ; he knows as much as I do and he’s not as feeble as he looks. You’ll be safe around him while I deal with whoever it is out there. Okay ?’
‘Wait here ?’ she asked in surprise. ‘What sort of protection is that supposed to be ?’ Panic at being left with strangers flared briefly inside her, but then she remembered who else was in his rooms and hate quickly supplanted it.
‘Enchei is as good as me,’ Narin assured her, ‘and it’ll only be for a few minutes, I promise. You are quite safe. Half of the quarters here belong to Investigators.’
‘Fine, if you say so,’ Kesh said, hand still on her knife.
‘Thank you. Sheti, no one is to stab anyone – especially her,’ Narin ordered, pointing at Kesh. The woman on the walkway gave a start at that, but nodded readily enough. ‘Good. Kesh, I don’t know what’s going on in there ; I don’t know how he’ll react when he sees you, but please – don’t do anything without me, okay ?’
The young woman found herself biting down on her lip at the thought, but she nodded in agreement. The knife would stay close at hand in case the goshe tried anything, but she didn’t want any sort of commotion to draw his friends.
‘Thank you.’ He looked back at the gate, where the nobleman was waiting. ‘Now let’s find out what this fool wants.’
Narin closed the gate behind him and spent a long while checking the street beyond. There were a few people within sight, but only the strange nobleman looked out of place and eventually he crossed the narrow street to face the man again.
‘Who are you ? What do you want with me ?’ Narin demanded, forgetting any semblance of protocol as the man’s words came back to haunt him – a bit pale for your tastes.
He kept his stave in his hand, unsure what sort of threat was coming but not wanting to face it unarmed. Does he know ? Narin wondered as cold dread filled his gut. How could he have found out ?
‘Now then, Investigator,’ the man said sternly, ‘this might be a private matter, but there’s no need to be rude.’
Narin bit back his reply, remembering Lawbringer Rhe’s words earlier that day. With an effort he swallowed his anger and inclined his head respectfully. ‘My apologies, sir. You’ve caught me at a difficult time, a delicate and dangerous matter.’
‘In which case I shall not delay you long. The young lady is a witness ?’
‘Something like that.’
The man nodded. ‘Very well – my name is Ayel Sorote of the House of the Sun.’
He paused to let his words sink in and Narin felt the dread in his stomach increase. Technically, Narin could describe himself the same way ; he was born into the legal domain of the House of the Sun and remained a lifelong inhabitant of the Imperial quarter, but only high-caste people would do so. Master Sorote was either noble or Imperial caste and as a result, could doubtlessly destroy Narin’s life with a word.
‘My Lord Sun,’ Narin said hoarsely, belatedly dropping to one knee.
‘No need for that. On your feet, Investigator. Prince Sorote will suffice.’
Screaming hells ! Prince ? Narin thought as he obeyed. He’s not a nobleman, he’s royal family ! The bastard’s Imperial caste, blood-relation to the Emperor himself !
‘How can I serve you, Prince Sorote ?’
Sorote watched Narin’s face with a faint smile, affecting a thoughtful air. ‘How indeed ?’
‘I … I don’t understand.’
‘Tell me about Lawbringer Rhe.’
Narin frowned. This was about Rhe ? ‘He, ah – he’s the most devoted servant of the Emperor’s law I’ve ever met. All the Lawbringers are dedicated, but Rhe is more than that – there is no place in his heart for anything else.’
‘A hard man to please ?’
‘I suppose so,’ Narin said awkwardly, desperately trying to work out what was going on. ‘He is exacting in all he does and demands perfection from those around him. He’s difficult to please, certainly, but doesn’t refuse to praise and when it is given, you know it is properly earned. My dream has always to be a Lawbringer, to serve the Emperor, and Rhe makes me better in all I do.’
‘Does he indeed ?’ mused Sorote, ‘That is good to hear.’
‘My Lord, might I ask why you’re asking me this ?’
The man shrugged. ‘I was curious to hear how you spoke of him – rather formally, it appears. I’ve heard good things about you, Investigator Narin, interesting things.’
‘I don’t understand, sir,’ Narin said quietly, suppressing the urge to grab the man by the collar and shake him like a rat.
‘You have friends in high places, you have an interesting future ahead of you – a protégé of Lawbringer Rhe is not destined to walk the streets for the rest of his career, certainly not one with political connections.’
‘Lord Vanden Wyvern,’ Narin said dully. Clearly there was rumour of his patronage in higher circles than Narin had imagined.
‘A generous man, so I hear,’ Sorote continued, ‘with a beautiful young wife. The man must have hidden depths ; one must assume so, to have found a bride such as her.’
‘Lady Kine is from a minor warrior caste family, I believe,’ Narin said through gritted teeth. ‘And Lord Vanden is my friend.’
‘Of course, my apologies,’ the high nobleman said soothingly, ‘I did not mean to demean him. You saved his life, I believe ?’
Narin nodded. Hating the lie, the false heroism, he tried not to speak it himself whenever possible.
‘And still modest with it I see – seven men dead by your hand, wasn’t it ?’
He shook his head. ‘The guards had killed several before they died.’
‘It remains impressive none the less,’ Sorote countered, ‘marking you as a man with a future – an ideal man to pair with Lawbringer Rhe.’
‘Rhe’s abilities far outstrip my own,’ Narin said. ‘I have improved under his tuition, but it was luck I survived that ambush on Lord Vanden, while Rhe is an astonishing fighter. With a sword in hand I doubt there are many in the Empire who could stand against him.’
‘And what’s the count of those who’ve failed to ? Thirty ? Forty ? Some are starting to wonder if men of the warrior caste are committing crimes just to test themselves against him.’
‘I have not kept a count, but I doubt it is so high. As for criminals in the higher castes, it’s not my place to comment there. I do my duty by the Emperor’s law.’
‘Of course, my friend, just idle gossip. So, you are a loyal friend of Lord Vanden. The Wyverns are a powerful House, prideful but good to their friends. I’m glad a man of your skills has earned such patronage, the doors it opens for you will be significant.’
‘I want only the chance to earn my position,’ Narin said firmly. ‘Lord Vanden asked for me to be assigned to Lawbringer Rhe, it is true, he told me so himself, but I made it clear to him I wanted to earn my badge alone. I
convinced him that the prestige of being apprenticed to Rhe was reward enough.’
‘Most honourable,’ Sorote said smoothly, ‘given how I’m sure Lord Vanden was willing to share everything he possessed with you.’
Narin’s hands tightened. ‘He was more than generous to me.’
‘Indeed he was !’ The nobleman beamed abruptly. ‘However, I have observed that House officials are fickle in their generosity. Sometimes they can wake up of a morning, look over at their wife beside them, and suddenly decide to make an enemy of their friends. Stranger things have happened in this life. It is a treacherous world we live in, Investigator Narin.’
‘I don’t follow you, sir.’
Sorote raised his hands in a gesture of submission. ‘Nowhere to follow ; just a man idly thinking aloud. But I do see a great future for you, given the right assistance, and I am also a man of influence. If you find yourself looking elsewhere for patronage, there are others who admire your devotion to the Emperor. They might be willing to assist one also working for the betterment of the House of the Sun. Certainly, such a man’s loyalty is not for sale, I realise, but we are all prone to our fancies. If the day comes when you find life amid the teahouses of Dragon District not to your liking, do remember you have an acquaintance at the Office of the Catacombs – a modest, but ancient corner of the Imperial household.’
Narin tried not to gape at the man, just as he fought the urges to crack his smirking skull or flee for his life. The teahouses of Dragon District ? There had been enough insinuations up to that point already, but that had sealed the deal. This man knew about his relationship with Kine. This man could destroy his life without even trying.
Whether he wanted access to Lawbringer Rhe – a man who could one day lead the Vanguard, ruling council of the Lawbringers – or something entirely different, he’d followed Narin. The Gods alone knew how many times, how long it had been, but he knew enough.