The Raven Tower

by Emma Miles

  ‘By “resources” I assume you mean …’ Osun gestured toward the front of the inn with his head.

  ‘Yes.’ Gulden’s nose wrinkled in distaste. ‘And the ships. Those heathens won’t know what’s hit them.’

  ‘They are certainly in for a shock. How come they didn’t send all of those … things?’

  ‘I asked the guards that very question myself! We weren’t best pleased to hear they were being left here that’s for sure! Apparently, it’s to do with how many of them a lord can control and who made them. This lot belong to Lord Adelphy Dunham. He’s making his way up to Arkoom to take credit for the conquering of the Borrows and enjoy his moment of glory. The guards say he’s coming back for this lot and sailing with the second fleet.’

  ‘Second fleet?’ Osun couldn’t hide his shock, but Gulden didn’t see anything untoward in his reaction.

  ‘Yes; you didn’t visit Parsiphay this winter then?’

  Osun shook his head.

  ‘They’ve been building war ships there. The first attack on Elden is to secure the coast. The second will be to invade and conquer. Adelphy gets the honour of leading the second attack.’

  Osun cursed himself for not having discovered what was happening in Parsiphay; the small town was several miles east of his usual trading route and one of the furthest points away from Elden on the south coast of Chem. ‘So, who led out the first fleet? Lord Dryn? Relta?’

  ‘Ha! No!’ Gulden slapped the table. ‘Lord Dryn won’t leave the Seats unguarded for someone to slip in behind his back. As for Relta, rumour has it he never came back from his attack on the Fulmers.’

  ‘He attacked the Fulmers?’ Osun feigned surprise.

  ‘Yes, and they gave us a bloody nose by all accounts.’

  ‘Gods, I bet the Seats didn’t take that well! I’m surprised they haven’t sent both fleets straight back out there to smash those spirit worshippers into the next world!’

  ‘You would think.’ Gulden nodded, taking another gulp of brandy. ‘But I haven’t heard that that’s so. Mind you, I’m just an innkeeper. It’s Karinna Dunham leading the first attack.’

  Osun clenched his teeth and felt the temperature of his blood rise at mention of that name.

  ‘Saw him myself parading down to the wharves,’ Gulden went on. ‘It was an inspiring sight, watching our warriors sail out. Just wish they’d hurry up and take the rest of these dead men with them.’

  ‘Any idea how much longer you’ll have to endure them?’

  Gulden shook his head and swigged back the rest of his brandy. ‘Nah, guards just tell me to clear off every time I ask them.’

  ‘I don’t envy them their job.’ Osun shuddered. ‘I imagine they need a brandy or two at the end of their shift themselves. Actually … that gives me an idea. Since your inn is empty, perhaps you could offer them a small discount for a drink or two; maybe the odd free brandy for doing a good job – if you know what I mean. Get them onside and one might let slip to you when you expect to have them gone.’

  ‘I can see you’re a shrewd man, master Osun.’ Gulden raised his empty glass toward him. ‘Ordinarily I wouldn’t want their sort in here, but times are hard. If you don’t mind them, then I’ll think about it.’

  ‘Hey, you might even help me out. Looks like I’ll struggle to set up a stall anywhere, but I have things to trade. Local guardsmen might be able to point me in the right direction or make a bit of space for me somewhere.’

  ‘That’s good thinking.’ Gulden nodded.

  ‘And if I get a stall, I’ll be sure to let people know how safe and comfortable it is here in the Narwhale.’

  ‘Well, that’s very good of you, master.’ He poured Osun another brandy.

  ***

  Gods, that’s not good! Osun thought to himself as he finished his meal and followed a young servant up to his room. He had some great information, that was true, but the fact that he’d not known of a fleet of warships being built all winter would not go down well with his master. He was relieved to find that the room he’d been given was at the back of the inn and didn’t look out over the marketplace. Milaiya jumped as he opened the door. He could hardly blame her.

  ‘You looked outside?’ he asked her.

  ‘Yes, master.’ She hung her head so that he couldn’t see her eyes. ‘I was curious.’

  ‘That is a bad trait in a slave.’ Osun chastised. ‘You’re all right?’

  She looked up in surprise. ‘Yes, master.’

  ‘Good. I’m going to take a walk about the city and see if I can find anywhere to trade and what the situation regarding stalls is. I’ll send someone up to collect my laundry; I think you had best stay in here.’

  ‘Yes, master.’

  ***

  The smell of the undead warriors had pervaded the inn, but it hit Osun anew as he opened the door to the stable area. He gagged and put his sleeve over his face. He needed to stay in the city, so he could let his master know when Adelphy showed up, but he didn’t think he would be able to stomach staying here much longer. There might be somewhere on the harbour where he could watch for ships. He could hear the bulls grumbling and shifting miserably and couldn’t help feeling a little sympathy.

  Only one man was present in the stable area, a paid servant who at once offered his assistance.

  ‘I’m just going to check over my inventory, then I’m off to see if there is anywhere to trade. My bulls have been fed and watered?’

  ‘Yes, master.’ The man bowed.

  Osun flicked his fingers toward him in dismissal and the man went back to his stool in the corner, holding a piece of ineffective cloth over his face.

  Osun fetched some fresh water from the pump and, checking that the servant had not moved, took out his scrying bowl. He tried to call his master, but there was no response. He waited for half an hour and then gave up, feeling concerned but trying to dismiss it as nothing.

  The smell of the market seemed to follow him at first as he made his way through the city, but as he neared the wharves, the smell of seaweed and briny water was blown toward him on an icy wind. He took in several, deep, welcome breaths. As the innkeeper had warned him, a few stalls had set up along the narrow wharves, but there was little room among the fishermen, net menders and permanent waterfront traders. He asked at a few of the waterfront inns, but all of those with any good repute were booked up. Reluctantly he headed back to the marketplace. The pen of silent dead men was even more unnerving as the light faded. How could the guards stand it? He headed straight for his wagon and called his master. He waited. Outside the wagon the darkness thickened. He could hear the restless bulls and the click of a gate as the servant went about his business. He waited. His master didn’t answer.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kesta: Kingdom of Elden

  Kesta pushed the earth around the stem of a small rosemary bush and standing up brushed the dirt from the knees of her trousers. She looked around at the herb bed; Catya and Rosa were just finishing watering everything they’d planted. The sun was low and her shadow long across the ground. Tantony had left them some time ago to get on with his own work and most of the other women had gone in to see to the evening meal. Ricer and Kine, along with three warriors, were constructing a fence around the herb beds.

  ‘Well, that’s everything.’ Rosa put down her water bucket and stretched with both hands pressed to the small of her back.

  ‘Let’s finish for today and start drawing water for a bath,’ Kesta suggested.

  Catya groaned.

  ‘It will be worth hauling the water when you’re soaking in it,’ Kesta said. She looked up at the Raven Tower. The birds were settled and from where she stood she couldn’t see the window that faced toward her own tower. The candle had been removed soon after she’d taken up Jorrun’s food. He hadn’t stirred, so she’d placed the small cauldron of stew before the fire and left him in peace.

  They went up to their rooms and after their baths changed for dinner. Kesta checked again before
going down to eat and the candle was still absent although warm light pressed against the glass of the window.

  ‘Did you take the food tray?’ she asked Catya as she joined the other women at their table.

  The young girl nodded. ‘And he’d left the empty stew pot, so I think he’s been eating.’

  ‘Will you go back into the Tower?’ Rosa asked.

  Kesta itched to do so. ‘No, I’ll wait until he asks me.’

  ‘You think he will?’

  Kesta shrugged and selected some food to move onto her plate. ‘I’ll have to wait and see. So; tomorrow we plant what vegetable we have. It is a little late for most seeds, but we’ll do what we can.’

  ‘Can we do some more lessons?’ Catya asked.

  ‘I don’t imagine you mean learning your letters!’ Rosa laughed.

  Catya pursed her lips and dipped her head to hide behind her hair. ‘No, not letters, I mean daggers and useful stuff.’

  Kesta had to bite her tongue as Rosa admonished, ‘Letters are useful stuff!’

  ‘We’ll find time for you to learn a few more things tomorrow.’ Kesta smiled. They’d talked of the uses of each herb they’d planted, and the young girl had taken in the information hungrily.

  They heard the door close below.

  ‘Surely that can’t be the Thane,’ Rosa said as they all paused to listen.

  Kesta called up her knowing and the absence of any presence told her at once who it was. She sprang up and went to the stairs.

  ‘What on earth are you doing climbing up and down towers?’ she called down.

  ‘Last I heard I was Thane and could go where I wanted on my own lands.’ He stepped around the curve of the wall.

  ‘Have you eaten?’

  ‘Have I married a nag?’

  He smiled to belie the insult and continued up to join her. She was startled when Catya ran past her to fling her arms around Jorrun in a hug. Jorrun put one arm about the girl, his face colouring slightly.

  ‘I am well, Catya, don’t fret.’

  Catya stepped back, looking embarrassed and glancing at both Kesta and Rosa as if expecting a scolding.

  ‘Would you like to join us?’ Kesta asked.

  Jorrun’s eyes widened, and he looked from her to the stairway, and then at the receiving room. He swallowed but didn’t speak. She decided for him.

  ‘Catya could you please take the wine and that tray of pastries up to my room.’ She didn’t insult him by asking if he could even make it up three more flights of stairs.

  Catya hurried to obey, Kesta and Jorrun followed more slowly.

  ‘Are you well?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘Well enough,’ he replied.

  ‘I could have come to you.’

  They waited until Catya had left and then sat in their usual seats at the table. ‘I’ve come to invite both you and Tantony to meet me in the Tower tomorrow.’

  For a moment, the thought crossed her mind that they were being invited to the Tower to be disposed of or punished for breaking the Dark Man’s rules. His face was once again composed and hard to read but for the shadows beneath his eyes. He looked down at the table, his long fingers playing with the stem of the wine glass that Catya had set there. ‘Bractius and his father are the only ones I’ve ever spoken to of what I do and who I am. I … I will, to an extent, be defying my king and my friend; but I’ve realised I can’t do this alone anymore.’ He looked up, and she swallowed as his stunning eyes met hers. ‘This battle will be fought with warriors, but it’s controlled by sorcerers. I am alone. I need the Fulmers and I need you.’

  ‘Well you could have just asked for our help rather than marry me and be all secretive.’ She sat back in her chair and took a sip of wine, biting back her annoyance. Despite her anger her heart pulsed rapidly with excitement.

  ‘We didn’t know we could trust you and we weren’t fully aware of the gravity of the situation back then. Osun had regrettably not been privy to the plans to conquer the Borrows nor the intention to strike further at us. It was only your warning that showed us how bad things were and the political alliance made sense. We had to keep our need for your magic quiet and with the Fulmers having little trade benefit a marriage was the most obvious way to cement diplomatic ties so we could justify aid.’

  She gave a quick shake of her head and scowled. ‘Stop making excuses for Bractius. We could have just helped each other.’

  ‘To keep ahead of the Seats of Arkoom, we need to be as secretive as possible and act quickly. They know now I exist, but they don’t know what I can do.’

  ‘Neither do I.’ She looked up at him from under her lashes.

  ‘And I will correct that; tomorrow. What I will tell you, you must not even tell Rosa or your family. I hope to speak to your mother as soon as I can persuade Bractius to allow it as there is information she really must know. It will change everything for Walkers.’

  Kesta narrowed her eyes; this clearly affected her people deeply, so she was reluctant to make any promises that might betray them.

  ‘Trust me just a little longer; please.’

  ‘You assume that I trust you at all!’

  ‘Even without your knowing you’re very astute at judging people, Kesta. I had thought that perhaps Adrin had won you over as he seems very skilled at doing so; but you saw through him.’

  Had he been jealous? Surely not, more likely concerned at how it would reflect on him or at the very best maybe a little worried for her welfare.

  ‘I hated you when I met you.’

  ‘No, you hated me before you met me based on the tales that are told of Elden. There is a good reason for those tales.’

  She gritted her teeth in annoyance; she couldn’t deny it.

  ‘If you will excuse me, I must get back to my work.’

  ‘Work! You’re not working! You are barely on your feet! The only thing you should be doing tonight is sleeping.’

  ‘I can’t afford to miss anythin—’

  ‘For one night you can! Or do you want me to find you on the floor again tomorrow? Don’t be a stubborn fool, you’ll be no use dead. Please just rest tonight.’ She touched the back of his hand and instinctively used her knowing to push her concern and growing affection toward him. His eyes widened, and he looked at her for a long time before his shoulders sagged in defeat.

  ‘Very well, just for tonight. Come with Tantony tomorrow morning after you have eaten.’ He finished the wine and with a forced, polite smile, went to the door. ‘Good night, Kesta; thank you.’

  She waited for a while after he left before going to the window. She watched as he walked across to the tower, his stride strong and purposeful. Nerim came over to meet him and they spoke for a few minutes before shaking hands. The stable master walked back toward the stables and Jorrun went inside the tower. There was already light in the window, but the candle remained unlit. As much as her mind wanted to wander she saw no point in wasting her night speculating and worrying. Even so it was some time until she was able to get to sleep.

  ***

  The first thing she did when she awoke was go to the window. Despite the early morning light striking against the glass of the Tower she could still make out the glow of the candle. She dressed quickly, automatically choosing her trousers and tunic and brushing her dark hair to a gleam. She went down to the receiving room and found Catya setting out the table.

  ‘Tell Rosa that I am going to the Tower! You’ll have to practise your letters or sewing until I get back.’

  Catya groaned and almost banged her tray down on the table.

  ‘All right,’ Kesta waved a hand and grabbed up a thick slice of cheese. ‘You can start work on the vegetable beds if you and Rosa think you know a pea from a carrot!’

  Catya grinned at her.

  ‘No knives without me though!’ She warned as she went down the stairs.

  She looked for Tantony in the great hall, but he wasn’t there; she found him up in his study. As always, his eyebrows lowered, and his eyes
narrowed when he saw her. He picked up a pen, put it down again and with a shake of his head stood up with a sigh. ‘Well, I suppose we should to go.’

  ‘He isn’t angry,’ she reassured him.

  ‘No, he said as much last night.’

  ‘What did he say?’ she asked curiously.

  ‘He said that you were a hard person to say no to.’ He ushered her from the room and locked it behind them with a small iron key.

  ‘Really?’ she smiled to herself.

  ‘I’m not sure it was a compliment,’ Tantony mumbled.

  She chose to ignore him.

  ***

  The sun was still low, and the Raven Tower cast a long shadow across the ward and its protective wall. Some of the ravens were exploring the recently turned earth and two circled high above. The clouds looked like a ploughed field and held a rosy-red light. She reached out a hand to push open the door, but hesitated, biting her bottom lip and drawing in a deep breath. Ignoring her racing heart, she gave it a shove. Tantony went ahead of her to the stairs; the fingers of his right hand moving as though they longed to be gripping his sword. The old warrior hesitated for only a moment before striding up without looking around at her. Taking in a deep breath, she followed.

  As they came close to the top of the tower, Kesta called up, ‘Jorrun? We are here!’

  ‘Come on up!’

  His quick reply made her jump, and she laughed at herself.

  The room had been tidied, and the table was almost clear. Steam curled upward from the spout of a clay teapot and wood cracked in the fireplace. Jorrun stood waiting with his back rigidly straight and the joints of his fingers white where he gripped the back of a chair. He pulled it out from the table for Kesta and offered them tea.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ Kesta asked him to break the silence.

  ‘Better, thank you.’ He sat down and looked at them both. ‘Tantony, I’m sorry to drag you into this but you also deserve the truth. You’ve had to endure my secrecy and take on the burden of work that should have been mine and have done so with loyalty and faith.’ He paused and looked down at the table. Neither of them dared to interrupt. ‘It is common knowledge that I am from Chem and that I was a baby when I was washed ashore alone in a boat. It is not entirely true.