by Emma Miles
A complex series of emotions swept across the girl’s face and out of the corner of her eye she saw Rosa look from Catya to her and back again. The older woman had a sharp mind and Kesta couldn’t help but think Queen Ayline had been a fool to undervalue her.
‘I can ride,’ Rosa said. ‘And since the horse Jorrun has purchased for you is not yet here perhaps we could start with knife fighting?’
‘Very well.’ Kesta smiled. ‘Fetch me the paper and inks and see if you can pick up a couple of knives.’
Rosa nodded and stood to leave; Catya also got up but Kesta raised her hand. ‘You stay, Catya, Rosa can manage on her own.’
The girl sat back down reluctantly and Kesta studied her until Rosa had left the room.
‘Who are your parents?’
‘Dead,’ Catya murmured.
‘Who is your guardian?’
‘Jorrun, now.’
‘And before?’
Catya hesitated and Kesta didn’t need to be a walker to feel the anger building against the girl’s emotional wall.
‘Uncle. He is dead now too.’
There was satisfaction in that statement.
‘So where do you live?’ For a moment Kesta thought that the girl might say that she lived in the tower.
‘Kitchen storeroom.’
Kesta sat back. ‘Well, that won’t do. Go and fetch your things; you will have the room above this one.’
Catya stared at her wide-eyed.
‘Well get going!’
Catya got up and scampered to the door not even pausing to close it. Kesta stood slowly and went to the window to gaze up at the Raven Tower. Just who was the Dark Man?
***
Catya was patient at first while Kesta and Rosa drew out their plans, first using slate and chalk and then transferring everything onto parchment. The girl scowled over the letters that Kesta made her shape on the slate but Kesta was pleased to see that the girl had not been entirely neglected in her learning. When Kesta put her plans aside and stood to stretch, Catya followed her avidly with her eyes.
‘Well, we have been cooped up long enough!’ Kesta declared. ‘Help me move this table and we’ll make a start. Now; there are lots of things to consider about each situation as to how you approach and where you attack.’ They moved the table aside and Kesta handed an eating knife to both Rosa and Catya. ‘Hold out your knives as though you’re defending yourselves.’
Kesta smiled as both of them extended their arms and held the knives out toward her.
‘Well, waving a knife about at full stretch might put some people off attacking you but there will be little strength in any slash you make, and you certainly can’t stab anyone like that unless they stand still and let you run at them!’
They looked at each other and Kesta laughed. ‘Let me show you. You need to bend your elbow and pull your arm back a little to give yourself some power and thrust …’
They were still practising when Trella and the children that assisted her brought up their evening meal; Catya retreated almost to the corner as they put the table back and laid out their meal. Trella’s expression changed from shock to disapproval but Kesta ignored it and dismissed her civilly from the tower.
‘Pour us all some wine and then sit and join us,’ Kesta instructed Catya.
Rosa chatted away, changing subjects rapidly and trying to involve Catya; she showed not the least offense when the girl didn’t speak. Kesta took the opportunity to learn all she could about life in Elden from the older woman and was happy to listen. She wasn’t surprised, but was slightly annoyed, when Jorrun appeared in the doorway. With a loud sigh she sat back from the table and stood.
‘Excuse me, ladies.’ She picked up her plans and followed the Dark Man up to her room, noting that he had only one glass in his hand with the bottle of wine. He placed both on the table next to the glass that had survived the previous night.
‘I will be sending a reply to Bractius tomorrow, would you like to include something for your family?’ he asked as he poured the wine.
Not the King, but Bractius, she noted. ‘I would be grateful. Just let them know that I am well and glad to hear that my mother and uncle survived the attack.’
He looked at her and then sat slowly as though faced by a snake that was unnaturally friendly. She sighed and after pulling out another chair with a scrape, sat heavily in it.
‘You probably know what I’ve been doing today.’ She pushed the plans toward him across the table. ‘I should have spoken to you first, I see that, but I’m used to commanding and just getting on with things.’ It was as close to an apology as she could allow herself; after all the man had forced her to be here against her will. ‘This is what I was hoping to achieve. What do you think?’
Jorrun studied her for a while before looking down at the parchment and flattening it out. He regarded it in silence and Kesta dearly wanted to call up her knowing, but she didn’t want him to catch her prying.
‘You would have made a great Queen for Elden,’ he said, picking up his glass and taking a sip. ‘Or Icante for the Fulmers; but bringing you here was more important than you know.’
‘We could have made an alliance without this.’ She burst out angrily.
Jorrun regarded her with his ice eyes and then pointed at her plans. ‘This will be very good for Northold. I’ve left the place to itself for too long while I tended to my work. I’m happy for you to continue and trust that I’ll not have to intervene. You may face resistance from some of the men; how will you handle it?’
The change of direction and question left her floundering; her emotions still high but unable to continue displaying her anger without coming across as childish. It made her seethe all the more. She gritted her teeth.
‘I am aware that women do not rule or command in Elden. However; I have no intention of doing anything other than show my authority. If you’re not happy with that then you shouldn’t have married a woman of the Fulmers.’
The slightest of smiles pulled at his lips but vanished quickly. ‘How do you find Catya?’
Kesta took a long swallow of wine while she considered her answer. ‘She is difficult; but I believe there will be good reason for that, so I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve found out who she really is inside. Is she your daughter?’
Amusement danced in his eyes and momentarily they didn’t seem so cold. ‘No, she is not.’
Kesta sat back and dared to study his face. Every muscle was relaxed, no smile, no frown, no tightness to his jaw. The way his eyes never left hers made her feel intensely self-conscious, and she looked away, shifting in her chair. ‘Is there any more news on what’s happening in the Borrows or Chem?’ she asked, eventually.
Jorrun’s chest rose in a silent sigh that gave away his frustration. ‘Nothing as yet but it’s hard to get news from over the sea from countries with which we do not trade. I begin to wonder if the fact no Borrowman has escaped your warriors is because they are instructed to fight to the death rather than be captured and give away information. And, of course, the dead sent by the Chemman necromancer can tell us nothing.’
‘I hadn’t thought of that.’ Kesta sat up straight. ‘We must let my mother know it’s imperative to try to catch someone alive if they attack again.’
‘I’ve already sent word to that effect. How far can you walk?’
‘I can just reach the edge of the Borrows from Fulmer Ilse and reached the Fulmers from Taurmaline.’
‘That far?’ Jorrun raised an eyebrow.
‘My mother is stronger.’ Kesta admitted. ‘I can’t walk those distances without blacking out after a few minutes.’
Jorrun rubbed at his closely trimmed beard and then got to his feet. ‘There might be something I can do to help you with that. I must get back to work; we will speak again tomorrow.’
‘What is your work?’ Kesta sprang up also and stood between the Dark Man and the door. Her heart was pounding, and she expected anger or even a physical blow.
Inst
ead Jorrun paused and put his glass carefully down. ‘Kesta, I will never lie to you but at times there will be things that I will not tell you. I realise that’s a poor way to win your trust, but my reasons are good.’
He moved around her and left without waiting for a response; however, she heard his steps pause, and she wondered if he were waiting for the sound of smashing glass. She was tempted to yank open the door and say, ‘Well?’ But she found she didn’t dare. The muscles of her stomach and chest itched as though wanting her to laugh at the same time as pressure built behind her eyes and nose. She sat down and drank her wine.
Chapter Seven
Kesta: Kingdom of Elden
Kesta surveyed the group that had gathered to work. It was mostly women and children although a few craftsmen had joined them. Merkis Tantony stood a little way off with a cluster of warriors; no more than a dozen. Rosa shifted at her side but Kesta didn’t hesitate.
‘Thank you for coming. We’ll start by clearing the ward and cutting trees ready to make fencing.’ She looked around to see what tools they had and was in time to see one of the warriors spit.
‘Farmer’s work,’ the man grumbled.
‘No, not farmer’s work.’ Kesta put her hands on her hips and called up her knowing, not to feel, but to emphasise her words with the conviction of her emotions. ‘Strengthening this stronghold is the work of a warrior! Do you want feeding when you finish your watch on the walls? Do you want healing when you return from battle bloodied but victorious? Do you want to go away on campaign and know your families will be waiting safely for your return to celebrate your valour? The honour and protection of this stronghold is a warrior’s work. Making your families safe and providing for them is a man’s work!’
‘Aye!’ Tantony said and stepped forward to grab up an axe.
Most of the women and tradesmen and a few of the warriors also called out their assent and taking their cue from the Merkis took up their tools.
‘I’ll start marking out the trees for cutting; then we have to get back to the boathouse,’ one of the young craftsmen told her and from his appearance she guessed it was Kurghan’s son.
‘Thank you. I’d like the tree line taken back quite a bit, but you’ll know better than I which will suit you best for timber.’
‘We’ll do the cutting and trimming.’ Tantony indicated the other warriors and very quickly all the others offered up what they were willing to do.
Rosa was startled when Kesta picked up a scythe and headed toward a stand of brambles. ‘You are not just supervising?’
‘I can’t expect others to do all my work for me.’ She gripped the scythe and then stopped to look Rosa up and down.
‘I’m really going to have to get some boots and trousers.’ Rosa frowned.
Kesta grinned at her. ‘I tell you what; you can be my supervisor and keep an eye on everything. Could you bring water from the well with a cup or ladle out to us now and then?’
‘Of course!’
Kesta turned back to the bramble and swung the scythe with precision.
***
By midday Kesta had bound her hands against blisters and switched from cutting to piling up all the debris ready to burn later. Rosa not only brought them water but also organised lunch to be taken out to them and the men working on the edge of the stronghold’s clearing. They sat together in companionable silence as they ate, Kesta surveying the progress they’d made. Everything had been cut back from around the keep and a large swathe had been cleared almost to the defensive wall on one side. She turned to look up at the Raven Tower, realising she was almost in its shadow. One raven circled it to land and was greeted with a harsh chorus from its roost.
‘You must be the new lady of the stronghold.’
She turned around to see a warrior addressing Rosa. He had blonde curling hair and short stubble rather than a beard. His eyes were dark brown, and his mouth was curled up in a friendly smile.
‘Oh no!’ Rosa stood and brushed down her dress. ‘This is Lady Kesta.’
Kesta stood more slowly, holding the man’s eyes and calling up her knowing. He continued to smile but there was an underlying tension about him; he was like a predator deciding whether she was a victim or a threat.
‘I never expected the Thane to marry, let alone such a useful woman; beautiful too. Such lovely dark skin.’
He reached out a hand toward her cheek and she flinched back; but instead of touching her face he pulled a twig free from her hair.
‘I am from the Fulmers,’ she said.
‘So, I hear. Perhaps I should follow my Thane’s example and look there for a wife.’ He continued to smile charmingly and Kesta gritted her teeth, not allowing herself to feel flattered. He really was a handsome man, but she knew instinctively that he was dangerous too. ‘Has he told you what he does all day up in that tower? All night too from what I hear. Such a shame to neglect a new bride.’
‘Have you come to help or just stand there and chatter?’ Despite her best efforts he’d flustered her, and he knew it.
‘I just got back from my mission, so my men and I will be taking a well-deserved break. Find me work worthy of a strong man and we might consider helping you tomorrow; after all I would be delighted to have more of your company, my Lady.’
Kesta drew herself up straighter. ‘Prove yourself a strong man and I will find you plenty of work; reward it too. Be here tomorrow morning and if you can clear more land than me by the end of the day, there will be a keg of dark beer in it for you.’
‘I can think of better prizes.’ He raised an eyebrow.
‘That is the one that’s on offer.’
‘Well I can’t turn down a challenge! I’ll see you tomorrow.’ He turned away with a wink and strode off.
‘Be careful there.’ Rosa touched her arm.
‘I know.’ She waved a hand dismissively. ‘I have us extra workers tomorrow and I have a feeling some of the other warriors will follow him; that’s the main thing.’
But her heart was pounding faster, and she watched him walk away.
***
That evening they hauled up water to heat so that they could all take a hot bath. Catya was disappointed that they’d left no time for lessons, but she’d worked as hard as Kesta during the day and was almost asleep in her plate when Jorrun walked up the tower steps. Instead of wine he held a small package in his hand.
‘My apologies; you were working late, and I should have given you more time.’
‘No, it’s fine.’ Kesta stood and ascended the three flights to her room. Her muscles ached, and she knew she would regret how hard she’d worked in the morning. ‘How is your work going?’ She glanced over her shoulder in time to catch a smile on his face. She was so startled she nearly tripped. When she looked again, he was perfectly composed and emotionless; she decided she must have imagined it.
‘Frustrating actually,’ he confessed. ‘But I found the incense recipe I recalled might help you. I keep a large store of ingredients in the tower.’ He placed the package on the table. ‘Burn it in the fireplace and it should stave off the worst of any pain you might be subjected to in walking. There is a side effect though; it can bring vivid dreams.’
She touched the string that held the waxed linen closed and sat down. ‘So, you have no more news from Chem or the Fulmers?’
‘Not none, just nothing of use.’ He sat down opposite her and rubbed at his bearded chin with one finger as he watched her. She waited, wondering if he were deciding what he could tell her. ‘I saw the work you’ve done down in the ward; you made a lot of progress in one day. I haven’t had a chance to speak to Tantony yet; how did the warriors take to it?’
She winced. ‘Not that well at first but I think I’ve won some reluctantly over. I’m expecting more to join us tomorrow.’
‘How is Catya doing?’
‘She works hard. Talks little. I wondered if she might be from Chem, like you, but she’s so pale.’
‘She is from Elden; the natives
of Chem are as pale as the people of Elden.’
‘But …’
‘I am of mixed blood. On my mother’s side.’
‘How do you know it’s on your mother’s side? I thought you were a baby when you were found in the sea; that you were alone?’
He sat back in his chair and for a moment it seemed he would refuse to answer. ‘It is not common knowledge and has been kept quiet for good reason. I was eight years old when I escaped from Chem and I remember a great deal of the place in which I was born.’
‘Escaped?’
‘Yes. I escaped.’
‘Will you tell me more?’
‘I imagine so.’ There it was, that ghost of a smile. ‘But not yet.’
She didn’t bother to hide her annoyance. ‘You know I’ll just try to guess and make up all sorts of things.’
‘But I trust you not to tell those things to others. Bractius knows everything if that reassures you?’
‘Not really. Does he know what you do in the tower?’
‘Yes.’
‘Has he ever been in the tower?’
‘Yes.’
She sighed loudly and picked at the knot on the parcel. ‘Is there anywhere in particular you would like me to try to walk tonight?’
‘Chem or the Borrows would be good; but I understand if you need to look at the Fulmers or check on your father’s progress.’
‘I could try Chem.’ She sat back in her chair and drew in a deep breath. ‘But I think it will be too far and often the flame will take me where it wills and not where I want if I stretch too far.’
‘Really?’ He leant forward and looked at her with renewed interest. ‘I’ve studied Fulmer magic but there is nothing written by the walkers of the isles themselves. Tell me in your own words what the flame is to you.’
She hesitated. The ways of the Fire-Walker were a closely guarded secret that wasn’t shared with outsiders and much not even with those of the Fulmers who could not walk. She’d sworn a vow to keep those secrets, but even had she not, she was reluctant to share anything with this man who hid so much.
‘Fire is one of the Great Spirits,’ he said. She found she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his. ‘Like Earth, Wind, and Water. The Earth is one, Water is one, and the Wind is all one. Only fire can be made by man, but it all comes from one Great Spirit. You would think that the woman of the Fulmers would be closer to the Earth, like the women of Elden once were. Or living on an island you would expect a connection with the sea and Water to be their choice in magic. To walk it would make more sense to harness and travel the winds to see afar – but no; it is Fire that they choose. Or perhaps Fire chose them. You call the sorcerers of Chem ‘Necromancers’ but in truth they are masters of elemental magic like you. Necromancy is the province of a particular sect, a powerful clan who use the once forbidden blood magic. At the moment they rule Chem.’