The Broken Kingdom

by Sarah Chapman

‘Fine. Is there any way to make Adila respond quickly?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ he asked.

  ‘There have been times I needed her, but she took a week or more to respond.’

  ‘Of course she can do better, if she feels it necessary. But what you think of as vitally important and requiring attention now, she may not. If I, or another valkar, call her and tell her it is urgent, she will respond.’

  ‘Fine. I have some questions about Andalla and his pot. What do you know of it?’

  ‘Riley, it is best you do not get involved with Andalla.’ Aerlid warned as he put the weapons to the side.

  ‘Aerlid, you are here because you have use to me. If you refuse to tell me, I’ll send you right back to Rose.’

  ‘Well you’ve already gotten yourself involved anyway.’ he paused. He leant back then and his expression changed as he prepared himself for what could be a very long lecture. ‘First Riley, I must give you another warning, though you insist on ignoring them all.’

  Riley observed him coolly and crossed her arms over her chest. She stood while he sat, and she did not stand close.

  ‘Andalla may act like a fool, and you may think you’re playing him very nicely. But consider this Riley, he has gotten something he has always wanted, a daughter of our Queen, a valkar princess as he says, while you are still in a very sorry predicament.’

  She said nothing. He went on, ‘in many ways Andalla is a fool. He believes his own rhetoric. But you’ll find him far more stubborn if you try to trick him into doing something not so obviously in his favour. And should he even suspect that you think you’re fooling him he will destroy you.’ He sighed. ‘And then there are the valkar. They may not kill, Riley, but they are not above vengeance. They have done it before.’

  ‘What about the pot?’

  ‘Andalla’s pot? What exactly do you want to know about it?’

  ‘How does it work, and can anyone use it?’

  ‘I believe so, though getting access to it would be impossible without Andalla’s permission.’ his eyes narrowed. ‘The Andallites will not cross him, Riley. Don’t put your trust in them.’

  ‘Aerlid, I do have other things to do besides stand here and listen to you.’ she said, exasperated.

  ‘Anyone can use it, as for working it, picture very clearly and precisely in your mind what you want to create.’

  Riley nodded curtly, he had confirmed what she already knew. ‘Fine. What about the King, what is he likely to do?’

  ‘Try and ruin things at the most inopportune time.’

  Riley nodded again, more slowly. ‘Alright. What are the rules about courtship that Andalla follows?’

  ‘He draws most extensively from the Azarian culture, they had very funny views about women, but he also picks and chooses whatever pleases him. So Azarian courtship… well, he certainly isn’t following their rules. It was less courtship than selling the woman from one family to another.’

  ‘Tell me what you know of the cultures he is aware of then.’

  ‘He’ll follow the romantics most likely, read her poetry, take her out riding and so on, he’ll probably give her gifts, he may even try to impress her family. It would help if I knew what you were thinking.’

  ‘No. Think hard, Aerlid. I will come and ask you again later. You should also start thinking about how I could get to the Land of the Ehlkrid unassisted.’ and with that Riley stalked off. She noted that Adila was not far away, she had been watching out of earshot the whole time. She felt a little better at that.

  When night came even Vann’s presence did not help Riley. She finally stood, her heart beating erratically, her skin sweaty. She gazed at the fire, the light did not help.

  ‘Riley?’ Vann asked sleepily from behind her.

  ‘I’m ok.’ she said quietly. ‘Go back to sleep.’

  ‘No, you’re not.’

  Riley heard the sounds of movement, then Vann had his arms around her. ‘It’s because he’s here.’ he whispered into her ear.

  Riley nodded, unease thrumming through her. She was wound tight like a wire, the slightest noise made her jump, real or imagined.

  ‘Would it help if Adila was closer?’ he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘I’ll go get her.’ he said, drawing away from her.

  ‘Wait,’ she suddenly cried, the thought of him venturing alone into the unempty darkness petrified her. ‘Please don’t go.’

  He quickly came back. ‘You’re going to have some grumpy gemengs tomorrow.’

  ‘What, why?’

  And suddenly Vann was yelling for Adila. The sound of movement filled the night, grumpy noises, exclamations of surprise.

  Riley couldn’t help but smile.

  Adila was there in seconds. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, not sounding sleepy at all. The Sunsinger shone faintly, lighting the darkness almost as well as the fire did. But she hadn’t been doing that before.

  ‘Can you stay close?’ Vann asked. ‘Aerlid’s presence is upsetting us.’

  Adila paused for a moment, then she said, ‘come with me.’

  Adila led them through the camp to the other side, where Aerlid now lived. It was easy to step over grumbling gemengs with her light.

  Aerlid could soon be spotted by his own glow, softer than Adila’s, not as bright. He was sitting up, very clearly awake.

  ‘Surely you could have just thrown a pillow or something at her, Vann.’ Aerlid murmured dryly.

  Adila pointed her staff at the ground in front of Aerlid. The ground glowed, then the glow spread out, encircling Aerlid. He looked around in wry amusement. ‘What if I want to have a bath?’ he asked.

  ‘Then I will escort you.’ Adila replied. She turned to Riley and said, ‘he cannot cross this line, not unless I allow it. I can stay here and guard him, or I can stay with you. Which would you prefer?’

  Riley breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Can you stay here?’

  Adila nodded. ‘He can’t leave, Riley. He can’t hurt you.’

  Riley nodded. She let Vann lead them back to their spot. It was a bit harder without Adila lighting the way, and some poor gemengs who had only just gotten back to sleep were woken up again.

  They arrived and lay back down. Riley looked over to where she knew Aerlid was. She could see the faint glow from the circle. It was not so dark in the campsite anymore. There was the glow from the shield, from a few fires, and now from Aerlid’s prison.

  She curled up close to Vann. Sleep was still not as easy as before, but at least it came.

  Riley did not get her sword back for several days. It took Aerlid longer to fix this sword than it had taken to make her last one. While the ehlkrid had been coming closer every day, they had not attacked the camp yet; merely the hunting parties.

  At least Riley had gotten used to fighting with her bare hands.

  When Aerlid handed her sword and dagger back Riley inspected them carefully. They looked no different, and yet somehow they felt strange. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

  ‘The weapons will kill. I don’t need to tell you the valkar will be very upset if they find out about this. If the weapons cause you any problems you must tell me.’ Aerlid said somewhat grimly. ‘I’m afraid I have done little work on my other tasks while I was doing this.’

  ‘Fine. Now you can.’ was all she said before leaving, not asking or caring how he had kept his work secret from Adila.

  She tested out her weapons that very day. When she dealt the killing blow to an ehlkrid with sword rather than fist, she smiled.

  Chapter 36

  Vann repeated his instructions calmly and clearly. Once again, the much larger woman grunted at him and crossed her arms.

  ‘Galis,’ Vann repeated patiently, ‘you cannot put the tent there. It’s right in the way of the door.’

  Galis put her hands on her hips, making herself even bigger, ‘Galis the Strong.’ she growled. The little gemeng child at her feet hissed and copied her mov
ements.

  ‘Galis the Strong.’ Vann agreed pleasantly. He was quite sure if he hadn’t come along and tried to move the child’s tent, Galis would have done it as it was clearly a bad place to the put the tent. But now that he’d suggested it be moved, she wanted it to stay where it was.

  ‘Look, if we can’t agree, I’m going to have to go get Riley.’ He hated having to rely on her, but so often (several times a day), he was reduced to using Riley’s name to get anything done.

  Galis narrowed her eyes. She glanced off towards Riley, who was busy having a serious conversation with Aerlid. Riley spent much of her time in the campsite curtly questioning Aerlid on various cultures, the valkar, and what Andalla knew about them. Speaking with Aerlid always put Riley in a bad mood. The gemengs had learnt this quickly.

  ‘Galis, are you trying to tell me you think the tent should go right in front of the door?’

  ‘I’ll handle it, soft one. You go,’ she waved a large, clawed hand, ‘wash clothes, do work for children and weaklings.’

  ‘I’ll go speak to Riley.’ He sighed.

  Galis’ eyes widened. Still, it wasn’t until Vann had taken three steps before she called him back. ‘I move tent. A different tent will go here, boy, take your tent away.’

  The child immediately began packing up. Vann forced a smile. He was quite sure if he left things Galis would not put another tent here, but if he pressed it…

  ‘Thank you. I’m glad we could solve this without bothering Riley.’ Then he turned his back on her and walked away.

  A few moments later Karesh appeared at his side.

  ‘You’ve done me a disservice, Karesh.’ Vann grumbled as he looked up at the Suntree, ignoring the industry happening around him.

  Karesh raised an eyebrow.

  ‘I’d gotten used to you, I thought everyone would be as reasonable as you. I didn’t realise how stubborn the gemengs were.’

  Karesh nodded. ‘You did well though. It is good you showed her your back, showed you were not afraid.’

  Vann sighed. ‘It’s frustrating.’

  Karesh nodded. ‘Galis is a respected warrior in her own right, and she led the gemengs while they were separated from our Master. She will probably challenge me after she has her baby.’

  ‘Challenge you?’ Vann frowned. ‘I don’t think Riley cares if she can beat you in a fight.’

  Karesh shook his head. ‘No, but I must prove I am strong on my own, strength is still important to the tribe.’ Karesh looked at Vann appraisingly. ‘I see why the Master chose you.’

  ‘What?’ Vann frowned.

  ‘You are weak, but you are brave, and she chose you over much stronger men.’ He nodded firmly. ‘It is part of her plan.’

  Vann stared at Karesh. He decided to smile and nod. ‘Sure, that’s it.’ When Karesh left Vann watched him go and sighed. Karesh’s belief in Riley sometimes took Vann aback. He had to remind himself though that Karesh knew he and Riley were not together, and that she was having nightmares. He was more sensitive, and intelligent than he let on. I think he must understand the fears she has that don’t fit with the image of the ‘Master’ she needs to present. I wonder if he has his own concerns he never tells anyone, if he’s just presenting his own not-quite-true image like Riley is…

  Vann shook his head and turned back to the tribe. Time to head back out there and deal with obstinate gemengs who fought him at every turn. Most of them really weren’t that bad. They’d push him and test him, but they’d generally cooperate with him. Mostly, Riley’s influence on them was still apparent. Galis was the one who caused him the most problems. He had a feeling Karesh was right; when she was ready, she would challenge him.

  Chapter 37

  Vann gazed around the campsite, momentarily at a loss for what to do. He glanced over at Riley, she was so often busy during the day, with Aerlid, or Andalla, that he didn’t get to spend much time with her.

  His thoughts were interrupted as Karesh came up to him.

  ‘Karesh.’ Vann greeted him.

  ‘Vann.’ he hesitated a moment.

  Vann smiled. ‘What is it, Karesh?’

  ‘The Master says the tent we made is too big.’ All of the other tents were done now. Even Aerlid had a small one, though his had been provided by the valkar. Only Riley and Vann were still tentless. It was not so bad, the trees provided adequate shelter during the rain.

  ‘And you want me to go tell her she needs a giant tent?’

  ‘Not tell, exactly.’ he said hurriedly.

  ‘I thought she said to use that tent for gatherings. It’s big enough to hold the whole tribe.’

  ‘Not quite.’ Karesh said, sounding almost offended. ‘But the Master needs a big tent, how will you fit if we make her a small one?’

  Vann frowned. ‘I’ll ask what she wants, Karesh.’

  Karesh hesitated.

  ‘What is it?’ Vann prompted.

  ‘Did you like it?’ he finally asked.

  ‘Did I like what?’

  ‘Dirt.’

  Vann’s face fell. ‘You saw that.’

  Karesh nodded, a slow smile curving up his lips.

  Somehow, Vann had been convinced by Riley to try one of her dirt recipes. When the time had come he had asked Riley not to eat the dirt sandwich. He’d explained he didn’t think he could sleep with her if he saw her eat dirt. And so, a very dark look on her face she had refrained. Vann had not.

  ‘It was better than cave mould.’ Vann replied. ‘But she’s letting me teach her to cook normal food now. Without dirt or mud or grass.’ Riley’s biggest complaint was that it tasted nice, and therefore couldn’t possibly be nutritious. It was a view he was slowly trying to change. But how could he be surprised? She had lived for years off cave mould after all. In her mind, if there had been anything available to eat that wasn’t poisonous or disgusting, the Astarians would have been eating that instead of cave mould.

  ‘So it was worth it?’ Karesh asked.

  Vann glowered at him. ‘Goodbye, Karesh.’

  ‘Bye.’ Karesh’s smile spread. As Vann walked off to find Riley he thought he heard laughter.

  When he found her and asked about the tents she was momentarily surprised. He caught sight of Aerlid out of the corner of his eye. He was in his circle, as he was 99% of the time. A group of gemengs were around him, as was Adila. The gemengs were having lessons, they had picked up on Riley’s feelings and avoided him at all other times. Except sometimes Karesh, who occasionally brought him things, or just happened to wander past.

  ‘Two tents.’ she said after a moment. ‘We should probably start sleeping apart, Vann. I need to get over this fear sometime.’

  Vann hesitated a moment. Maybe it would be easier to be around her if he didn’t spend all night cuddled up to her. He had to constantly remind himself she wanted him near because she was afraid, and for no other reason. Besides, he wanted to help her, not stand in the way of her overcoming her fear. But he couldn’t help a twinge of regret as he nodded and headed off to tell Karesh.

  When the wedding was announced a jitter of fear and excitement shivered through Riley. Andalla told them all the news as they gathered some distance away from the gemeng campsite. They had to wait a little while for Rose to arrive. At least she was prompt, and kept Andalla waiting no more than ten minutes.

  ‘No!’ Adila cried. ‘Andalla, you cannot have her!’

  Andalla’s face became stormy and Ralana’s beaming, shy smile faded.

  But it was Riley who responded first. ‘Enough, Adila. You no longer have any say.’

  Adila stared at her in stunned amazement as Andalla smiled.

  ‘I am a Sunsinger.’ Adila said, her voice becoming dangerous. ‘I will always have a say.’

  ‘I see. So you left me to the Ehlkrid King because why then? You have no say, Adila. Accept it, and stop embarrassing yourself.’

  Adila stared at her, speechless.

  Riley looked back to the couple. Her eyes lingered on Ralana for a mo
ment. Andalla showered her with attention and gifts and charm. He honestly seemed quite taken with her. And Ralana seemed to feel the same, or perhaps she only felt what Rose had felt at Vann’s attention. But it didn’t matter if Ralana seemed happy. Andalla would tire of her or anger or something would happen, this brief period of gallantry would not last.

  But she had to tread more carefully now. Her plan had become more of a plan, but it was fragile. She absently brushed a cut on her right hand she’d got while fighting ehlkrid. ‘When will the wedding be?’ she asked Andalla, keeping her tone deferential.

  ‘We have yet to decide. It will be on an auspicious day, and the preparations will be long. It will be the grandest wedding this world has ever seen.’

  ‘Will you follow valkar traditions?’ Riley asked carefully.

  Andalla’s gaze locked on her, interest and sharpness shone in his eyes. ‘Valkar traditions?’ he asked, and Riley knew she must be careful.

  The valkar were all giving her odd looks as well.

  Riley nodded. ‘You do the valkar a great honour by marrying their princess, your magnificence, I imagine they will want to show their gratitude by throwing the wedding.’

  ‘The valkar will organize the wedding?’ he asked, his tone not as eager as Riley needed it to be.

  Riley nodded. ‘Well,’ she said, bowing her head lower, ‘I imagine they’d want to, your magnificence, but whether they are worthy of such an honour… perhaps they could organize a… celebration of the impending nuptials and if you deem it worthy, they may take part in the wedding.’

  ‘Hmm… yes. It would be a great honour to them, but I’m not sure they deserve it.’ He said, fixing Adila with a piercing look. ‘Yes, they shall organize a celebration. Perhaps,’ he said haughtily, ‘they may prove themselves fit to take part in the wedding.’

  ‘We will invite Mother, won’t we?’ Ralana asked him in a soft and earnest voice, ‘and my sister? They must come. They’ll be so sad if they can’t come, A-Andalla.’ and she blushed.

  He patted her hand and smiled, ‘we’ll see.’

  She smiled, ‘oh, thank you!’

  Riley kept her eyes downward, lest anyone see her expression. Andalla and his future wife departed soon after. As soon as they were gone Riley had one furious Sunsinger screaming at her. Rose was silent; Adila was doing enough screaming for their entire race.