Sacrifice

by Christopher Mitchell

Shella frowned. ‘Why all the subterfuge? I mean why would you keep being a healer secret anyway?’

  ‘I’m not just a healer.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I can do more than just heal wounds.’

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘I can bring people back from death.’

  ‘No way.’

  ‘Have you heard of soulwitches?’ Laodoc said.

  ‘Nope, and I’ve never heard of any mage skill that can beat death.’

  ‘It’s kept secret by the Sanang,’ Agang said. ‘We don’t speak of it to outsiders.’

  ‘Bullshit.’

  ‘I’m telling the truth,’ Agang said, his face reddening.

  ‘Oh yeah?’ Shella smirked. ‘And has anyone ever seen you do it?’

  Bridget coughed. Shella turned to face her, and the Brig woman nodded.

  ‘You? You’ve seen him bring someone back from the dead?’

  ‘No,’ said Bridget. ‘I was the one he brought back.’

  ‘I witnessed it happen,’ said Laodoc, ‘as did Dyam, Dean and Lola.’

  Shella’s mouth opened.

  ‘It doesn’t make sense,’ she said. ‘What about Bedig? You told me he was killed. Why didn’t you bring him back?’

  The others sat in silence .

  ‘I knew the red-headed oaf when he lived with Daphne in Plateau City,’ Shella went on, her voice rising. ‘He was at the birth of her child, for fuck’s sake. He was our friend, and you just let him die?’

  ‘It’s a little more complicated than that,’ Laodoc half-whispered, ‘and the wounds are still raw.’

  Shella glowered at them. ‘Explain it to me.’

  ‘Agang had been seriously wounded,’ Laodoc said, ‘and he needed to heal himself first.’

  Agang nodded. ‘I didn’t have enough strength to bring back both Bridget and Bedig. I wish I had, but I didn’t. I hope you understand.’

  ‘Oh, I get it alright. You chose her over Bedig. Over my friend.’

  Bridget got to her feet, her face grey, and stumbled towards the door.

  ‘Wait,’ said Laodoc, ‘Bridget, please.’

  ‘I can’t do this,’ she cried, and rushed from the room.

  Laodoc felt his temper rise. He turned to Shella.

  ‘I think you should go,’ he said, ‘before I say something I’ll regret.’

  Shella tutted. ‘Get over yourself, you lying old bastard. I’m not the one at fault here. Perhaps if you’d told me the truth in the first place…’

  Laodoc exploded. ‘Have you any idea of the pain that young woman’s gone through? She didn’t choose to be raised from the dead, she loved Bedig, do you understand? The guilt she’s been carrying would crack granite. Today I saw her smile for the first time since Bedig died, and then you go and open your foolish mouth, and say the cruellest, most stupid thing you can think of, just to hurt us. Well it’s Bridget you hurt, and I’m not sure I can forgive you.’

  Shella sat back in her seat. ‘You finished?’

  ‘I am,’ said Laodoc, his heart racing.

  She nodded. ‘You’re right. I’ll apologise to Bridget. She’s not to blame, you two assholes are. She’s just another victim of your bullshit. You dragged her halfway across the world, getting Bedig killed in the process, and for what?’

  ‘To persuade you to come with us,’ said Agang, ‘to leave Silverstream, and help us rid the world of the Emperor.’

  ‘No chance,’ she said. ‘I’ve seen the Emperor. ’

  ‘So have I,’ said Agang. ‘I stood before the walls of the imperial capital while he annihilated a hundred thousand warriors.’

  ‘And you still want to fight him?’

  ‘I must.’

  She shook her head. ‘All that proves is that you’re more stupid than I am.’

  ‘The Emperor may be powerful,’ Agang said, ‘but we can still beat him, if we can unite the strongest mages against him. You and Keira would be formidable together.’

  ‘I’m sure we would, if I didn’t just kill her on sight,’ Shella said. ‘But you’re wrong. We can’t beat the Emperor.’ She sighed. ‘Look, if it’s time for trading secrets, then there’s something you should know, if you’re truly crazy enough to believe you can beat him.’

  The others leaned in, listening.

  ‘I was there when Guilliam, when the Emperor… received his powers. I saw it all.’

  Laodoc gasped. ‘What happened?’

  ‘It was a fucked-up ritual, a bloodbath, but that doesn’t matter. What’s important is that it’s not Guilliam in there any more.’

  ‘In where?’

  ‘In his body. The spirit of the Creator came down and took possession of it. It’s him in there now.’

  ‘The Holdings god?’ said Agang.

  ‘Exactly, and I ain’t fighting a fucking god.’

  ‘You’re sure?’ said Laodoc.

  ‘Yeah, and Kalayne confirmed it was true. That mad old bastard had a plan to beat him, but he died and well, that’s that.’

  ‘He had a plan?’

  ‘Yeah. Don’t know the details, but it hinged on Kalayne. He had a weird power, where he could make himself almost invisible, so people wouldn’t see him.’

  ‘I saw him do it once,’ said Agang.

  ‘He said it worked on the Creator too, that he could get close without being seen, and hide others next to him, so they were invisible as well. That was the only way the old bastard could see us beating him, and like I said, he’s dead.’

  Agang frowned. ‘Shit.’

  ‘You said it, death-raiser.’ She smirked. ‘So tell me, how many people have you brought back?’

  ‘Not many,’ he said. ‘I kept my powers hidden.’

  ‘He raised Keira,’ Laodoc said, ‘after the Emperor killed her.’

  ‘No shit?’ Shella said. ‘Well, good for her. She slaughters half the world, and when she finally pays the price, she’s rewarded with a new life.’

  ‘Kalayne said she was essential,’ said Agang, ‘that she would save the world.’

  ‘What?’ Shella laughed. ‘There’ll be peace because she’s killed everyone? She’s a homicidal bitch, why you guys think I’ll ever want to meet her, let alone work with her, is beyond me. You said you went to Akhanawarah City, you saw what she did?’

  ‘We saw,’ said Laodoc.

  ‘She was doing the same to Plateau City when the Emperor stopped her,’ she said. ‘Of course, that time I happened to agree with her, but it doesn’t mean I want to help her, or be in any way involved with her. And anyway, if she wants to meet me so badly, why didn’t she come in person?’

  Laodoc glanced at Agang.

  ‘Let me guess,’ she said. ‘You asked her, and she told you to fuck off. Not having much luck getting us together, are you?’

  ‘It would appear not,’ Laodoc said, ‘but I still have hope we can persuade you.’

  ‘Go on then,’ Shella smiled, ‘give it another try. I’m all ears.’

  Laodoc opened his mouth, then frowned. What else could he say that would make any difference? He and Agang had attempted several times to convince her, but nothing had come close to working.

  ‘No,’ he said. ‘I need to think about what we’ve learned. The Emperor being possessed by the Creator changes less for me than you might imagine. Whoever it is, he remains absurdly powerful, and will be difficult to defeat. What troubles me more is the failure of Kalayne’s plan. I think I’m only now beginning to understand what his loss means.’

  ‘It means we’re fucked,’ Shella said, ‘but only if we go looking for trouble. We stay here, we’re safe.’

  ‘My dear Shella,’ Laodoc said. ‘Are you inviting us to stay?’

  ‘No, I was being rhetorical. Nice try, but I still want you all on your way, once Agang’s put in some work at the clinic.’

  ‘Then you can go back to hiding?’ Agang said.

  ‘Pretty much.’

  She stood. ‘It’s been a lovely chat, boys, but I should go and say sorry to
Bridget.’

  ‘One moment,’ Laodoc said. ‘When you came in, you said you had some good news for us.’

  ‘Oh yeah. After Bridget’s speech, the town voted to host a welcoming party for you all, tonight.’

  ‘Is that what the cheer was for?’

  ‘Yeah,’ she smirked, ‘any excuse for a party. You’re all expected to attend, so be in the town square for sunset.’

  ‘We’re being allowed out?’ said Agang.

  ‘Yeah. They also voted to give you the freedom to walk the streets of Silverstream.’

  ‘What about me?’ Laodoc said. ‘Should I go? I mean, my leg…?’

  Shella smiled. ‘You’re coming, but I want you on crutches all night, hobbling around as if you’re in pain. And I want a good performance.’

  ‘I suppose so,’ Laodoc said. ‘I wouldn’t want the town knowing we’d lied to them.’

  ‘Indeed,’ she said, ‘and it’ll be funny.’

  The six strangers washed and put on their cleanest clothes as the sun fell beyond the mountains to the west. Laodoc had wondered if anyone would refuse to go, but they were so sick of being stuck inside the house that even Dean didn’t complain.

  He noticed Bridget come out of her room and enter their small communal hall, where they were waiting.

  ‘Did you speak to Shella?’ he asked, as the others got ready to go.

  ‘Aye,’ she said, her breath strong with Rakanese spirits. ‘Said she was sorry, in her own sort of way.’

  ‘She’s always been one to speak without thinking,’ Laodoc said, putting on his coat. He picked up the two crutches, and placed them under his shoulders.

  Bridget shook her head. ‘Just walk, for pyre’s sake. Shella’s having ye on. No one in the town even knows ye were injured, or maybe at most they heard ye had a sore leg. Just tell then ye sprained yer ankle, and let’s see Shella’s face when she realises.’

  Laodoc smiled. He glanced at Agang.

  ‘Do it,’ he said. He turned to the others. ‘Listen. If anyone asks, Laodoc had a sprained ankle, and he’s all better now. Nobody mention broken bones, and nobody mention anything about me being a mage.’

  Dyam sighed. ‘We know, ye’ve fucking told us often enough.’

  ‘Just making sure,’ he said. ‘Shella knows, but that’s it.’

  They nodded.

  Agang stepped forward and put his hand on the entrance door. He glanced at the others, then turned the handle. It opened. He smiled, and stepped outside, the others following. Laodoc watched them, then gazed back at the crutches.

  ‘Getting cold feet?’ Bridget said.

  He placed the crutches back against the wall, and took his walking stick instead. They went outside, and Laodoc got his first proper look at his surroundings. Wooden and brick-built houses were raised on stilts, with low walkways connecting them, creating streets through the town. Lamps were being lit as the sun set, and trees lined the avenues. Beneath the houses and walkways, the waters of the river reflected the lamplight. The Rakanese had breached its banks, and inundated the area to create a large freshwater marsh. Insects buzzed about the lamps, and birds nested on the wide rooftops.

  Laodoc shook his head. ‘All this time, I had no idea we were above water. We’ll have to get all the shutters in the house opened up, I feel like we’ve been living underground.’

  ‘Ye should have felt at home, then,’ Bridget said. She took a swig from a hipflask, and gazed around. A small crowd had gathered, gawking at the strangers. A couple stepped forward.

  ‘Good evening,’ said one in Rahain. ‘We’re here to escort you to the town hall for the celebrations.’

  Agang bowed to them, much to the amusement of the crowd. ‘My thanks,’ he said, ignoring the laughter.

  ‘Come on,’ Bridget said, and they set off, a path clearing before them. The escorts led them along several wide avenues, the trees leafless and bare. A chill wind was blowing down from the mountains, and most of the locals were wrapped up warm. They came to a square, fronted on all sides by the tallest buildings in the town. Ahead was the largest, a wooden-framed brick edifice, with its great doors wide open.

  ‘The town hall,’ Bridget muttered before their escorts could speak.

  ‘I heard your speech there today,’ said one. ‘It was very moving.’

  Bridget nodded and glanced away.

  The escort turned. ‘This way, please.’

  They crossed the square and entered the hall. They passed through an entrance lobby, and went into a large, high-ceilinged chamber, where great fires burned at either end. Tables had been laid out and hundreds of Rakanese were already sitting. They hushed when they saw the strangers. Shella stood, and stepped forward.

  She opened her mouth to speak, then noticed Laodoc and frowned. She turned to face the Rakanese.

  ‘These are our guests,’ she said, ‘and we’re holding this dinner to welcome them to Silverstream, and to acknowledge Miss Bridget’s gracious apology, made before the town council earlier today.’

  There was a smattering of applause, and a few banged their cups on the tables .

  ‘So, without further ado,’ she went on, ‘let’s get them seated, and dinner can begin.’

  She led them to a table at the end of the room, where several Rakanese were sitting. Laodoc sat next to Shella, with Dyam on his right, and Agang and Bridget opposite. In front of them were jugs of water and the clear spirit alcohol that the locals drank. The Brig woman filled her mug.

  Laodoc smiled out of politeness as servers placed a great variety of small dishes onto their table.

  ‘Help yourselves,’ Shella said, picking up a spoon and scooping a portion of something with tentacles from a bowl.

  Laodoc spotted a dish of rice and vegetables, and heaped some onto his plate. It came in a thick sauce that scorched the back of his mouth, and he poured himself a large water.

  ‘Your people’s range of foods,’ said Agang, glancing at Shella, ‘is unique.’

  Bridget snorted. ‘That’s one way to put it. Insects and slugs, and things with too many eyes.’

  ‘You seem to be enjoying it,’ Shella said, nodding at Bridget’s heaped plate.

  ‘The rice is good,’ she said. ‘It’s the rest of it I’m not touching. I’ve put up with worse than a spicy grasshopper, but never through choice.’

  ‘Your loss,’ Shella said, biting the head off a long fried stick insect.

  The plates were replenished as soon as they ran low, and dozens of new dishes appeared. Laodoc found a bowl of plain rice, and pulled it towards him. Bridget laughed, and emptied her mug. He watched as she refilled it.

  ‘Thirsty tonight?’ he said across the table, his voice lowered.

  ‘Aye, so?’

  ‘We can drink back at the house later,’ he said. ‘Maybe we should rein it in a little while we’re here?’

  She shrugged. Laodoc looked across to Agang for support, but the Sanang was chatting to a Rakanese man on his left.

  Dyam nudged him. ‘This reminds me of the parties we used to have in Slateford. Do you remember Killop’s birthday party, when Bridget went mental and trashed half the dance-floor?’

  ‘I think I missed that one,’ Laodoc said.

  ‘Maybe it was before you got there,’ she said.

  Shella nudged him from the other side.

  He turned.

  ‘What was that?’ Shella said. ‘Something about a birthday?’

  ‘Aye,’ said Dyam. ‘Last year.’

  ‘Whose did you say it was?’

  ‘Our chief’s. Killop.’

  ‘Chief Killop?’ Shella said, frowning. ‘Wait. All this time you’ve been here, no one mentioned that you were in Chief Killop’s clan, or tribe? Whatever it’s called.’

  ‘Clan,’ said Bridget. ‘The Severed Clan.’

  ‘Right,’ Shella said. ‘Laodoc, you didn’t think this was important?’

  ‘Is it?’ he said. ‘I admit, it never came up, so I didn’t think it worth mentioning.’
r />   ‘But what about Daphne, you dozy old lizard?’ Shella said. ‘This is Daphne’s Killop we’re talking about, right? You didn’t think I’d want to hear about my best friend?’

  ‘Sorry.’

  ‘She did make it there, didn’t she? She must have done, if Bedig made it.’ She groaned. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t put it together myself.’

  ‘She made it to Slateford,’ Dyam said, ‘with Bedig and her daughter.’

  Bridget snorted.

  Shella frowned at her, then turned to Laodoc and Dyam.

  ‘So, how was old Daffers? When did you last see her?’

  Laodoc’s tongue flickered.

  ‘Not always a good sign,’ Shella said, ‘but go on.’

  ‘Daphne Holdfast was happy in Slateford, with Killop and the baby. They lived a good life there, from what I saw. Daphne was at her usual best. She rescued me from the Rahain Capital when the rebels took over the government.’ He paused.

  ‘Ha,’ laughed Shella. ‘Good old Daffers. ’

  ‘When we parted,’ he went on, ‘she was on her way to settle an old debt.’

  ‘Aye,’ grunted Bridget, ‘and tell her what happened next.’

  Shella glanced across the table, frowning.

  Laodoc swallowed. ‘Killop left the clan and went after her.’

  Bridget shook her head and mumbled something.

  ‘What was that?’ snapped Shella.

  The Brig woman looked up. ‘I said I hate that cow.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Daphne fucking Holdfast,’ Bridget muttered. ‘All that time I thought she was my friend, I was fucking fooling myself. She was never my friend. She didn’t give a shit about anybody but Killop and Karalyn.’ She swayed, and put a hand on the table to steady herself, as the others stared.

  ‘I wish she’d stayed the fuck away,’ Bridget went on, ‘then Killop would never have left. That girl fucked with his mind.’

  ‘Love does that,’ Shella said.

  Bridget stared at her. ‘Not Daphne, ya fucking idiot, Karalyn. She fucked with Killop’s mind.’ She gazed around the table, her heavy eyes narrowing. ‘None of you know, eh? Not one of ye knows.’

  ‘Knows what?’ said Shella.

  ‘About Daphne’s daughter. About what she can do.’

  Laodoc frowned. ‘And what can she do?’