by Emma Miles
‘Lady!’ he came scampering over. ‘Sorry w—’
‘No need to apologise. You did tell me a horse would be coming, and I didn’t take the time to visit.’
‘I reckon you haven’t had much time for visitin’.’ Nerim came out from a stall wiping his hands on an old cloth which he slung over his shoulder. ‘Your work is coming on fast.’
‘Yes, I have had a lot of help.’ Kesta smiled.
‘You come to see the beast?’
‘I have.’
‘He’s up here, though I’m not sure he is the best purchase the Thane has ever made. Lovely looking horse but a bit on the temperamental side.’
Kesta approached the stall slowly and drew up her knowing. At once she felt a spark of recognition and the horse trotted forward, ears up and blowing excitedly.
‘You!’ She opened the stall door and ignoring Nerim’s shout of alarm went in and threw her arms around the horse’s neck and shoulders. The horse tried to nibble at her hair and snuffled down her back.
‘You know the beast?’ Nerim asked in surprise.
‘This is the horse I rode after my wedding.’ She stepped back to look into her own reflection in its black eyes, revelling in the horse’s excitement and happiness. ‘Jorrun … Jorrun knew I liked him.’
‘Well, he seems to like you too. He tried to kick me twice, and I thought I was good with horses.’
‘He is an intelligent fellow who’s been neglected, he’ll be fine with a bit of patience.’
‘So, you know your horses as well as your herbs,’ Nerim said approvingly.
‘Lady Kesta!’ Tantony called out. ‘The scouts have sighted the king’s ship!’
Moments later a horn was blown. Kesta stroked the horse’s nose. ‘I’ll be back when I can.’
She hurried toward the keep as Tantony headed out toward the small dock. Only moments later Jorrun stepped out of the Raven Tower and made his way toward her with purpose and poise.
‘Thank you for Griffon,’ she said.
‘Griffon?’
‘My horse.’
‘You seemed well suited.’
She glanced at him but caught no expression on his face, neither frown nor smile. ‘You’re not as heartless as you pretend.’ Without thinking, she touched his arm and, for the briefest of moments, the cold wind that always seemed to surround Jorrun paused and she drew in a sharp breath as grief struck her like a kick to her stomach. She bit her lower lip and looked up at him, but his attention was elsewhere. The king walked through the gates to the hold and Jorrun strode forward to clasp his wrist and bow. Kesta sank into a curtsy, her heart still racing.
‘Your Majesty, we are honoured,’ Jorrun said.
‘Yes, I’m sure you are,’ Bractius replied dryly. ‘What’s all this work I see? We passed a supply ship heading this way.’
Jorrun turned to Tantony, and the Merkis hurried off toward the dock with a nod of his head.
‘The work needed doing,’ Jorrun replied. ‘Do you have any more news?’
‘Silene Arrus and our warriors set sail from Burneton yesterday.’ Bractius turned from Jorrun and approached Kesta. ‘And how are you settling in? Does the Raven Tower have an heir yet?’
Kesta’s mouth fell open, and she flushed at the king’s bluntness. Jorrun glared at his friend, his own cheeks reddening, and the muscles of his jaw moved as he clenched his teeth. Bractius laughed at them and put his arm around Jorrun’s shoulder.
‘Come on, let’s talk somewhere more private.’
They headed into the great hall and toward the south-west tower of the keep. The few warriors that were within scrambled to their feet to bow and Bractius waved a hand at them dismissively. Kesta turned to Rosa.
‘Could you arrange for refreshment to be brought to the guest tower?’
Rosa curtseyed and hurried off.
Jorrun opened the tower door and Bractius led them up the stairs and to the receiving room. It was the first time Kesta had ventured into the south-west tower. It was furnished with burgundy and gold fabrics and dark wooden furniture. In the centre was a large round table on which several scrolls and a large open map were strewn; but the king headed for some comfortable looking chairs set close to the fireplace. There were four of them and the two men chose the seats closest to the fire and opposite each other. She wasn’t sure why, but Kesta felt a need to support her unwanted husband and sat in the seat beside him.
‘The ships you saw, tell me everything.’ The king came straight to the point.
Kesta stared into the unlit fireplace and described every detail she could recall as she’d been taught to do as a walker. ‘The salt seemed to be significant,’ she mused. ‘It was as though the Fire was making sure I saw it. It is not unknown for the fire-spirit to make its sentience known to a walker but it’s very rare. Mostly we just walk the flame and see into one source and out of another like a conduit. We … I … surmised that the long boxes contained bodies that were to be preserved for a long voyage.’
‘I can see your logic there.’ Bractius nodded and turned to Jorrun. ‘But why not just send living warriors? Why these … ‘undead?’’
‘There are practical reasons.’ Jorrun shifted in his seat. ‘They do not need to be fed for a start. It also saves your own warriors. The Borrows have just been conquered, and that means a large supply of bodies. Also, there is the fear factor; it’s very hard to kill a man who is already dead.’
‘I guess the more people you kill, the more warriors you gain.’ Bractius chewed at his thumbnail. ‘The odds against you get worse and worse.’
‘There is a limit to how many a necromancer can control,’ Jorrun said.
‘Well, thank the Gods for that at least!’ Bractius exclaimed.
‘How are they controlled?’ Kesta asked.
Jorrun glanced at the king. ‘It is blood magic,’ he told her. ‘A scroll stone is placed within the body and it can be imbued with a simple command, such as “attack the living”, or controlled more completely; like a possession. The more powerful the necromancer the more he can control.’
‘Then it’s not the spirit of the dead that’s raised and enslaved?’
Jorrun shook his head. ‘It is thought … some think that the soul of the dead person might be aware; that if they have not moved on but remained attached to their body, they become trapped. It’s only supposition; no one knows for sure.’
‘But the best way to defeat them would be to take out the necromancers,’ Kesta surmised.
‘Ha!’ Bractius thumped the side of his chair. ‘I like your thinking, woman.’
‘It would be.’ Jorrun nodded. ‘But the necromancers are powerful and can control the dead from a distance.’
‘How big a distance?’ she demanded.
Jorrun glanced at the king again. ‘The books suggest that it can be many miles, limitless even, with a simple command from a blood scroll. For a full possession they would need to be close.’
‘An—’ the king stopped as they heard the door go below and several footsteps coming up the steps.
Rosa came in and directed the woman and three children with her to clear space on the table and set out the food and drink they’d bought.
‘Will there be anything else?’ Rosa asked.
Kesta hesitated; she didn’t want to dismiss Rosa from the room like a servant, but she doubted that Jorrun or the king would want her to remain.
‘No, thank you, Rosa; you may go.’
Rosa curtseyed and left.
The king went straight to the table. He picked up a meat pastry and took a large bite from it. ‘You think they’re heading straight here now rather than taking the Fulmers first?’
Jorrun turned to speak over his shoulder. ‘I can’t be certain of that. We know their plans for the Fulmers are long-term and not urgent.’
‘But it’s still an easier target for a strategic base than Mantu.’
‘Actually n—’
‘Hang on a minute!’ Kesta span in her chair to
look from Bractius to Jorrun. ‘I’m only getting half a story here! What plans for the Fulmers? What do you know?’
The king and Jorrun looked at each other. Kesta sprang to her feet.
‘What?’
‘We suspected, and the Icante’s last message confirmed it,’ Bractius said, ‘they want the Fulmer’s magic.’
‘But that isn’t something you can just steal. You might be able to learn how to use it but unless you’re chosen by the fire to be a walker …’ She stopped, looking at their expressions and calling up her knowing. From Jorrun there was nothing; from the king impatience and secrecy.
‘I’ve told you a little about Chem,’ Jorrun said, although it was the king he looked at as he spoke rather than her. ‘I—’
The king held up his hand to stop him and Kesta almost snarled.
‘Her mother has worked it out, Kesta should know,’ Jorrun said.
Kesta felt the king’s annoyance with her knowing, but he nodded.
‘Sit, please,’ Jorrun invited.
She did so and waited patiently for him to find the words. ‘The Dunhams and their allies came to power slowly and subtly over years by increasing their power. Like fire-walkers the magic of Chem is inherited. Women in Chem can carry the blood of sorcerers but are not allowed to learn to use it; women in Chem are seen as little more than slaves or possessions. They are bought and sold, and wars have even started to steal those of strong blood.’
Kesta’s body tensed and her breathing came faster and deeper. She clamped her teeth together and bid him continue with a small nod.
‘It is usual practice to breed better blood lines, to increase the magical ability of a family. This has included buying or steeling Fulmer captives from the Borrows. A … a Fulmer woman, especially a walker, is incredibly valuable in Chem.’
Kesta managed to loosen her jaw muscles long enough to speak. ‘I see.’
Jorrun opened his mouth to go on, but the king handed Kesta a goblet of wine and said loudly, ‘So you see, the capture of the Fulmers would be more a long-term aim of the Coven of Arkoom. If Dunham is already set for war, then it will be a case of which island gives him the best strategic advantage on his attack of Elden.’
‘Why are they even attacking Elden? You have no magic here, not for many years.’ Kesta followed the king with her eyes as he returned to the table to pick through the food.
‘There is magic still here in Elden,’ Jorrun said before the king could stop him. ‘But it’s inert. Use of magic was made a crime punishable by death long, long ago, before your ancestors arrived by sea to settle the Fulmers. People forgot how to use it. But I doubt that’s the reason behind their attack. It is more likely greed. Greed for land to rule, greed for resources, greed for power.’
‘Too many sorcerers all vying with each other for position and not enough Seats to fill.’ The king nodded. ‘So, how do we discover their plans? If we split our forces too much between the Fulmers and Mantu it will leave both vulnerable.’
‘Not to mention you’ll be leaving the coast open to attack.’ Kesta swirled her wine in her goblet. ‘There is every chance if they want to be cunning they will sail wide of Elden and attack from the south or the east … anywhere.’
‘You will have to put more pressure on Osun,’ Bractius told Jorrun. ‘I’m afraid at this point we have no choice but for him to risk his life and push harder for information. He has not proved as useful as we’d hope—’
‘But he has given much for our servic—’
‘That is my order,’ Bractius said softly.
Kesta froze and dared not meet Jorrun’s eyes.
The muscles of Jorrun’s jaw moved, but he said nothing.
‘For goodness’s sake, eat something!’ Bractius laughed, clapping Jorrun on the back. ‘I bet he hasn’t been looking after himself, has he?’ He grinned at Kesta and she forced a smile back. In truth she knew nothing of Jorrun’s welfare.
Jorrun got up slowly and went to the table, he stood looking at the food but didn’t touch it. ‘I still think our best option is for m—’
‘Jorrun.’ The king shook his head. ‘You are not expendable.’
‘There are things I can do,’ Kesta offered. ‘I can keep walking and hope either I or the fire can find something. I can also try to enlist more help from the creatures of the air and sea to watch for us although I would need to travel to the coast.’
‘The Icante and the other fire-walkers are already doing that; but by all means walk as often as it’s safe for you to do so.’ Bractius scratched at his beard. ‘I think I’ll have no choice but to deploy warriors to the holds on the coast and send most of the remaining fleet to patrol out of Mantu. We have a small advantage in that they don’t know we know they are coming.’
‘Where would you like my warriors to report?’ Jorrun asked.
‘Send half to Taurmouth, the rest should remain to defend Northold should any ships make it up the river.’
Jorrun nodded. ‘I’ll get them on their way tomorrow.’
‘Good. Come, then, let’s have a think about things and we’ll discuss it again later. Kesta, I think it would be good if I ate with the warriors in the hall tonight, stir them up a bit ready to go off and defend the north. Jorrun, let’s go feed those ravens of yours.’
Jorrun looked at her and she knew he was expecting her to protest at being left out, but she had so much to think about that she simply curtseyed and left the room. She hurried down the tower steps and paused with her hand on the door. So much was not as she’d supposed. Even with her knowing she’d got the relationship between the king and his Thane completely wrong. Bractius was very clearly in charge but why did they let it seem otherwise? She bit her lower lip, breathing rapidly. Was the powerful and dreaded Dark Man nothing more than an act?
She stepped out into the hall and found a bustle of activity. Tantony and Rosa were directing some men with crates and barrels. There were also two chests with some scrolls resting on the top. She saw Rosa pick up one scroll and blanch at what she saw.
‘Lady Kesta, these are some of the things you requested for the kitchens and the hold.’ Tantony drew her attention and she walked over to him. ‘One of the chests is apparently for you, from Jorrun. The other contains Rosa’s belongings that Queen Ayline has sent.’
‘The king wishes to eat in the hall with the warriors tonight,’ she told him as she frowned at the chest. ‘Half of you are to be sent to the north coast tomorrow.’
‘I suspected as much.’ Tantony sighed. ‘I’m afraid some of your plans will have to be put on hold.’
‘Of course.’ She bent to pick up the chest but Tantony almost barged her aside.
‘My lady, I’ll have that taken up! Hest!’ he gestured at one of the men. ‘Take these chests up to the receiving room in the south-east tower.’
The man hurried over and Tantony bent to pick up the scrolls; all but the one Rosa clutched to her chest. ‘I’ll tell Reetha what’s happening,’ Tantony said.
‘Thank you.’ Kesta glanced around at the crowded and noisy room, her muscles relaxing a little as her gaze stopped at the doorway to her own quiet tower. As she headed toward it, the door to the south-west tower opened and the king and Jorrun strode through the hall toward the main entrance. Jorrun glanced at her and gave her the briefest of smiles but they didn’t stop. She entered her own tower, holding the door open for Hest who staggered up in front of them. Catya was waiting in the receiving room; Kesta didn’t blame her for staying out of the way. Rosa sat in a chair and looked down at the scroll in her hands before slowly opening it.
As soon as Hest left, Kesta threw open the chest. She lifted away a sheet of linin and found several dresses folded below, all in the simple style of her wedding dress but with flowers or vines embroidered in silver and gold across the bodice. At the bottom she found two pairs of trousers and two long-sleeved tunics. She grinned to herself as she lifted them up.
‘Your doing?’ Kesta asked Rosa.
The old
er woman shook her head. ‘No, Jorrun asked me who had made your wedding dress and must have placed the order.’
Kesta noticed at once how distracted Rosa seemed.
‘Bad news?’ she nodded toward the scroll.
Rosa looked at her, biting her lower lip. ‘The queen has asked me to stay on permanently here with you; or until she recalls me, or you dismiss me.’
‘You don’t want to stay?’ Kesta’s heart sank, she’d hoped that Rosa had begun to feel the same bonds of friendship that she did.
‘Oh, I want to stay!’ Rosa said earnestly. ‘But …’
Kesta waited.
‘The queen wants me to spy on you and report back to her.’
‘Spy on me?’ She shook her head incredulously and laughed. ‘What on earth for?’
‘To see if you’re a threat to her power at court. She’s heard of what you’re doing here and … well, knowing her she is probably livid that she didn’t think of doing something like that first. Her popularity is her influence and power, she will not want you to outshine her.’
‘Outshine her? I’m not a jewel.’
‘No, you’re not; that’s what worries her.’
‘She is queen. No one can take that from her.’
‘Hmm, it would certainly be rare if someone did, but not impossible. Don’t be surprised if the queen produces an heir.’
Kesta shook her head in disbelief.
Rosa shrugged. ‘Women in Elden are allowed little power, she will fight for what she has even against an imagined threat.’
‘I suppose I can understand that.’ Kesta sighed. ‘By all means spy away, Rosa, but make sure she knows all I care about is protecting my people.’
‘Does that mean us?’ Catya asked quickly.
Kesta stood up and walked over to the girl, placing a hand on her thin shoulder. She bent to kiss the top of her head. ‘Yes, Catya, that means you. Now then; let’s get ourselves ready for tonight’s feast with the king. We will all look our absolute best in support of this stronghold. Rosa, as a lady you will be seated at the high table. Catya, you will attend us but I won’t have you standing there hungry, go to the kitchens and get yourself something to eat up here before we go down.’