The Kings Man

by Rowena Cory Daniells

  After that no one spoke.

  An argument arose up near the first cart. From what Garzik could overhear it seemed, despite their delayed arrival, Lord Travany’s ship was still anchored, waiting its turn to load at the wharves.

  Master Cialon marched towards them, meeting up with his two servants at the middle cart. ‘I’m going to sort this out. Grufyd, stay here and watch over our cargo.’ He beckoned the other burly servant. ‘You come with me.’

  He went to stride off.

  ‘Here, wait up,’ the oldest carter protested. ‘While me carts are sittin’ here, I’m losin’ coin. There’s loads aplenty on the lakeside-wharves.’

  After some negotiation, Master Cialon paid for the hire of the carts until midday. As he stalked off in a foul mood, Garzik pitied the harbour master. But the wharves were packed with Merofynian lords and their self-important servants loading spoils of war. Master Cialon would just be one more disgruntled Merofynian.

  The moment he was out of sight, the carters retreated to the closest tavern, leaving Grufyd to watch the three carts. With a curse, Grufyd settled himself on the seat outside the tavern and demanded a pot of ale.

  This meant he was about three body lengths away, directly facing the second of the three carts.

  ‘Try the catch,’ someone urged, not far from Garzik.

  Of course! The busy wharf was a perfect opportunity to run. Garzik’s heart raced, and the captives went very quiet. He heard rattling, then a curse.

  ‘Can’t budge it. Freezing Sylion!’

  ‘Here, let me try. I’m a cabinet-maker.’ Someone on the far side of the cart shuffled through.

  Silence followed as they waited for the cabinet-maker to force the gate. ‘No luck. If I had my tools –’

  ‘Well you don’t, so shut up about it,’ Feo snapped.

  After that no one spoke.

  Garzik was hungrier than he had ever been. None of them had been fed last night or this morning.

  Mitrovan shifted, bumping a youth behind him. ‘Sorry.’

  The other gave a glum nod.

  ‘I’m a scribe,’ Mitrovan offered. ‘What did you do before –’

  ‘Baker’s boy. Final year of my apprenticeship. I specialised in fancy pastries for the merchant markizes.’

  ‘You’ll end up in Travany’s kitchen,’ Mitrovan predicted.

  Garzik thought the youth looked like he’d been sampling too many of his wares. At least he had some padding. Garzik had always been small and thin. He’d been hoping he would have a growth spurt soon, but if he didn’t get enough to eat...

  Whispered conversations began amongst the captives. No one spoke to Feo.

  ‘Why did that pie seller have to set up her stall right across from us?’ Mitrovan whispered, shifting his weight on the bare boards. The scent of hot pies was torture.

  Garzik had been trying to ignore the mouth-watering smells. Apart from hunger, he felt better than he had since he’d first woken. His head was clear and he could think straight.

  A cart laden with carpets and chests trundled past. Every pier was busy, every berth in use. Cartloads of seven-year-slaves arrived and were loaded aboard ships, along with famed Rolencian red wine and luxurious furs from across the spars, beyond the Dividing Mountains,

  ‘I swear they’re stripping Rolencia bare,’ the scribe whispered. ‘It’ll take a generation for the merchants to recover. Between storms and Utland raiders... they’ll need capital to risk a voyage. They’ll have to borrow from one of Ostron Isle’s five families. Master won’t like having to pay a percentage of his profits to the Ostronites.’

  But Garzik wasn’t interested in the problems of merchants. ‘Look at all those grain sacks. They must’ve emptied every storehouse between here and Rolenton. What’ll our people eat while they wait for this year’s crops to ripen?’

  ‘What will we eat,’ Mitrovan corrected in an under-voice. ‘Only a lord would say what “will our people eat.”’

  Feo pushed his way through the others to their side of the cart. No one dared object. ‘Sod me, those pies smell good. And that pie girl looks as tasty as her pies. Reckon I could get her to spread her thighs, if I wasn’t...’ He gave the bars a shake.

  Garzik ignored him.

  Meanwhile, the pie seller did a great trade, serving hungry Merofynian men-at-arms, lords and their servants.

  ‘Pretty pie girl,’ Feo called out. ‘Yes, you with the saucy smile. Spare a pie for a hungry man?’

  She laughed and shook her head, but she did cast her eye over the cage.

  ‘A crust then? Spare a crust for poor Rolencian men-at-arms,’ he wheedled. ‘Take pity on us, this being our last day in our homeland. Some of us might never see Rolencia again.’

  The girl shook her head, but Garzik could see she was moved.

  Their cart seemed forgotten. The day stretched. Still no food. Master Cialon’s other servant came back, spoke with Grufyd and went into the tavern.

  ‘What’s happening?’ someone asked from the rear of the packed cart.

  ‘Grufyd’s ordered a meal,’ Mitrovan supplied.

  ‘May Sylion freeze his balls!’ Feo muttered.

  For once, Garzik agreed with him.

  It was the utter helplessness of it. He was faint with hunger, and he was bored to boot.

  Mid afternoon, the pie girl passed them with her empty cart.

  ‘Going home for the day, pretty puss?’ Feo asked. ‘Can you take a look and see if there’s a crust or two for us, for the fighting men of Rolencia?’

  She shook her head and glanced significantly over her shoulder. That was when Garzik noticed a bald, barrel-chested man with a cudgel tucked under one arm. He followed about a body length behind the pie cart.

  With the king dead, the rule of law had broken down. Every man was out for himself and even a pie girl needed protection.

  A little later she returned, her cart freshly stocked, and trade was brisk once more, so the war was not all bad for everyone.

  Resentment coalesced in Garzik’s empty belly.

  Late in the day, as night closed in, the pie seller closed up her cart. Garzik was no longer hungry; now he felt chilled and lethargic. As the sun set, painting the distant headlands a brilliant pink, the cold closed in.

  ‘They can’t mean to leave us here overnight?’ Mitrovan muttered. ‘We’ll catch our death.’

  The pie girl approached with her cart. She paused at the tavern door. ‘Grab a tankard, Ozig. I won’t tell.’

  He ducked his head and darted inside. At that moment, Grufyd happened to be leaning through the open window, chatting to those inside.

  Or maybe it was not a coincidence, maybe she’d picked her time, for the moment both men were distracted the girl opened her cart, swept broken pie crusts into her apron and came over to them.

  ‘Halcyon’s blessings on you!’ Feo told her. ‘May you find a strong husband to give you a dozen children and may they never go hungry!’

  ‘Fat chance of that, with the Merofynians stealing everything that isn’t tied down,’ she said. ‘The pie shop used to belong to me Ma, now there’s a Merofynian waiting at home to count the coppers we earn!’

  Hands thrust past Garzik, demanding their share. Feo ignored them, but Garzik and Mitrovan passed crust backwards to those behind. The girl filled her apron again.

  This time Garzik could not hold back. Stomach cramping with pain, he stuffed broken crusts into his mouth, stuffed them in without thought as to whether the fillings were sweet or savoury. Pie crusts had never tasted so good.

  Chewing the last mouthful, he leant up against the cage bars. Meanwhile, the girl dusted off her hands, looking pleased, and turned to go.

  ‘Wait,’ Garzik pleaded thickly. He swallowed. ‘Do you have any news? I know the castle fell, but surely one of the king’s sons is rallying the people?’

  She glanced over her shoulder to the tavern door and Grufyd, who was still distracted. ‘I heard the Merofynian say that Lence Kingsheir is dead. B
ut there’s a reward for the king’s other two sons, so we still have hope, even if Halcyon Abbey has fallen.’

  ‘They desecrated the abbey?’ he repeated, but he shouldn’t be surprised. The Merofynian king had proven he was without honour. Lence dead... He expected to feel grief, yet felt only relief, which was odd. But if the Merofynians were searching for two king’s sons it meant both Fyn and Byren lived. If Byren lived, then he could hold out hope for Orrade and Elina.

  If Byren was free, he could hold out hope for Rolencia.

  ‘Here.’ Feo leant up against the bars. ‘Give us a kiss before we sail. Give us a kiss and I’ll die happy.’

  The girl flushed, but caught his face through the bars and kissed his bruised cheek.

  Garzik shook his head. He’d never behave so brazenly.

  Which was why he’d never been kissed. Now he probably never would, for what girl wanted a seven-year-slave?

  But he wasn’t going to remain a slave. He’d escape.

  Byren lived!

  Garzik’s mind raced. Somehow, he had to make his way to Byren and make up for failing him. Orrade would be with Byren. Only death would stop him. Orrie was smart. He’d lead Byren into the foothills of the Dividing Mountains. Amongst those steep ridges, caves and forests you could hide a thousand warriors. All Garzik had to do was escape.

  Just then the pie girl’s protector returned.

  ‘Here, get away from them,’ he yelled.

  She hurried over to where the goat waited patiently in the cart’s shafts. Not satisfied with her ready compliance, the man clipped her over the ear with his open hand. She staggered, but didn’t fall. Without a word of protest, she took the goat’s halter and led him off. Back to the pie shop, her mother and the Merofynian who had installed himself in their home.

  Garzik bristled, but there was nothing he could do.

  ‘This looks hopeful,’ Feo muttered.

  Garzik followed the direction he indicated. Master Cialon’s other servant had joined Grufyd, and now the carters came out of the tavern. Garzik’s heart raced. This was it. Soon they’d open the cart and lead them to the ship. Soon he’d get his chance to escape. If he could walk.

  His body was cramped from being packed into the crowded cart.

  ‘What’s happening, Grufyd?’ Feo called as the burly servant came towards them.

  ‘We’re going home, that’s what happening,’ Grufyd said. ‘An’ about time. Even the ale tastes wrong here.’

  In the few moments it took for the carters to climb onto their seats and gather up the traces, Garzik rubbed his feet and hands, to encourage circulation. Curse the thief who took his boots.

  As they trundled along the curve of the wharf, he watched the side streets, recognised one and retraced the memory of his brief visit to Port Marchand the previous spring, when they’d visited a merchant markiz. He thought he remembered how to get to the markiz’s house.

  Even though the lamplighters were taking their ladders from pole to pole, plenty of people were still coming and going. With no sign of the loading slowing down for the night, he could blend in when he got away.

  At the far end of the wharf they came to the last pier, presumably where Lord Travany’s ship waited. The cart travelled along the pier until it was opposite the ship.

  Stores stood stacked, waiting to be loaded. Lanterns hung on posts, casting haloes of light in the cold air. It was harder to get away here, with the ship’s captain and sailors, and Master Cialon and his servants.

  Garzik watched the gathering mist, willing it to grow thicker. It didn’t oblige. While they waited, around fifty captured Rolencian men-at-arms were herded onto the ship and down the hatch. More unlucky seven-year-slaves.

  When they were all safely belowdecks, Grufyd opened the cart’s door and they clambered out, stumbling and moaning as circulation returned to numb legs and aching backs. By lantern light, breath misting in the cold, Grufyd drove them across the pier, up the gang plank, onto deck and down the hatch to a cabin below.

  It was all over so quickly, Garzik had no chance to slip out of line, no chance to go over the ship’s side.

  Mind you, with the cold, he’d be risking death in that sea.

  Garzik cursed himself, furious. He should have taken the chance afforded on the sled-ship, when Grufyd belted Feo. They’d all been watching the by-play. It would have been easy to slip over the side and make his way off the ice.

  Why hadn’t he used his wits? Orrade would have been on alert. Orrade would never have gotten himself in this position. His brother had never failed Byren.

  Feeling sick, Garzik blinked as they were herded into the cabin. No chance to escape here. No windows. One narrow bunk, a fold-up table and a fold-up chair hanging from a hook. The fifteen injured captives shuffled in, filling the narrow space. A sailor threw some blankets and a bucket after them and shut the door, leaving them in the dark. Being last in line, Garzik heard the bolt shoot home.

  As good as blind, the others scrambled for blankets.

  ‘What, no dinner?’ the baker’s apprentice muttered.

  ‘Be thankful we’re not spending the night in the cart,’ the cabinet-maker answered.

  ‘I heard what you said to the pie girl,’ Mitrovan whispered to Garzik. ‘Is she a spy, too?’

  For a heartbeat, Garzik was tempted to say yes. Mitrovan had gotten it into his head the pair of them were part of a big adventure, spying for Rolencia, and Garzik wished it was true. ‘No. But King Rolen’s youngest two sons still live, so –’

  ‘Who’s talking of King Rolen?’ the cabinet-maker asked.

  Garzik said nothing and Mitrovan took his cue from this.

  ‘Goddess bless King Rolen.’ The cabinet-maker was undeterred. ‘They were Halcyon’s days under his reign. Thirty years of good harvests and peace.’

  ‘May Goddess Halcyon bless King Rolen,’ several others echoed.

  ‘My old gaffer said we won’t see the like again,’ the baker’s apprentice offered.

  ‘You wouldn’t be so quick to praise King Rolen if you saw your family’s farm confiscated because your father had Affinity,’ Feo snapped. ‘I bet you never saw your mam forced onto the streets to feed you and your brother, never saw your little brother take the Goddess Halcyon’s service because it was that or banishment?’

  Silence greeted this outburst.

  ‘Don’t talk to me of good King Rolen.’ Feo made a disgusted sound.

  ‘King Rolen only issued the Affinity decrees to protect us. Those touched by Affinity must serve the church or risk becoming channels for evil,’ the cabinet-maker stated.

  ‘Affinity is a tool, like fire,’ Feo said. ‘Evil lies in the hand that wields it and the heart and mind that directs the hand.’

  An uncomfortable silence greeted this sacrilege.

  ‘If your father and brother had Affinity, perhaps you also have it?’ a new dry voice suggested. ‘Maybe you’ll be right at home, amongst the ungodly Merofynians.’

  Feo surprised them by laughing bitterly at this insult. ‘D’you think if I had one skerrick of power of my own, I’d be here locked up with you lot of sorry-faced gimps?’

  No one answered.

  ‘Fools,’ Feo spat.

  There was silence for a bit.

  ‘I’ve never been on a ship. Never left Rolenton,’ the baker’s apprentice muttered. ‘You hear tell of storms and Utland raiders and wyvern attacks and –’

  ‘It’s a quick voyage to Merofynia,’ Mitrovan spoke up. ‘Usually between five and eight days, depending on the winds. My master’s ships used to make the trip all the time.’

  ‘And how many of those ships foundered on spar rocks?’ Feo asked.

  That was the problem. Thanks to Queen Myrella’s tutelage, Garzik could visualise the rival kingdoms of Rolencia and Merofynia. He could still hear her voice describing the two as horse-shoe islands. Rolencia faced north and Merofynia south. From the mountains that formed the outer curve of the horse shoes, long fingers of land stretched
out like the spokes of a wheel, the spars.

  ‘A captain must make a choice,’ Mitrovan said. ‘Either he makes his way through the broken tips of the spars and risks the rocks, or he plots his course wide –’

  ‘And risks Utland raiders,’ Feo finished for him. ‘Either way our goose is cooked.’

  ‘We sail in convoy with sea-hounds to protect us.’

  ‘Great. So we’ll reach Merofynia safely to serve out our seven years of slavery!’ Feo made a disgusted noise. ‘Wish I’d made it over the side back in Port Marchand.’

  ‘We all wish that,’ the dry voice muttered.

  There were some surprised chuckles.

  ‘Everyone wants to go home,’ Mitrovan said quickly before Feo could retaliate.

  The captives grumbled some more, but Garzik ignored them.

  Leaning his head against the cabin wall, he weighed up his chances. If Grufyd let them out while the ship was still in port, he would slip over the side into the sea and make a swim for it, cold or not. But that was a big ‘if.’

  Eventually, the others settled down.

  A sliver of light came under the door. As his eyes adjusted, Garzik saw that three of the injured now shared the single bunk, while the rest stretched out across the floor. They were packed like fish in a net, for the cabin was only as wide as Garzik was tall.

  Through the cabin walls, he heard shouts, creaks and thumps as the Lord Travany’s stolen riches were loaded aboard. His stomach cramped. Instead of filling him, the pie crusts seem to have made him hungrier.

  Despite his discomfort, he must have slept, because some time later the door opened, throwing a shaft of light into the crowded cabin. He winced, protecting his eyes.

  Someone shoved a pot of hot soup in, along with a basket of bread stubs.

  Garzik squinted to see a lad of about his age in the doorway. With Grufyd behind him there was no chance of slipping past. He turned back to find the others all crouched around the pot. Garzik’s stomach knotted with hunger, but...

  ‘Where’s our bowls?’ he asked the lad.

  The lad and Grufyd looked at him, then at each other. As one they burst out laughing.

  Mitrovan shoved a heel of bread in Garzik’s hand. ‘Scoop out the soup with this. And be quick about it, or you’ll miss out.’