Sacrifice

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘You go first,’ said Keira.

  ‘No way,’ said Kallie. ‘If you drop the girl I want to be here to catch her.’

  ‘Fucksake, I’m not going to drop her,’ she said. ‘Alright, I’ll go first, but only because you have the lamp. Make sure you hold it up for me, I don’t want to be climbing that fucking thing in the dark.’

  She walked to the ladder, her left arm keeping Karalyn close. She reached out with her right hand and grabbed hold of the rope, pulling herself up to the first rung. Kallie came close, and her lamp shone up. Keira swore, gazing at the height she was going to have to climb one-handed. Karalyn had been awake when they had descended the rope earlier that day, and had clambered down it easily.

  ‘Get a move on,’ said Kallie. ‘My arm’s getting sore holding the lamp.’

  ‘You are fucking hilarious,’ Keira said, climbing the ladder. Each time she got her feet up onto the next rung, she had to grab the rope higher up, while keeping Karalyn steady. She kept going, losing her temper and patience as she went, until they reached the top. She emerged into another earth-walled cavern, and sat, her left arm aching, and waited for Kallie.

  ‘You look knackered,’ she said, lifting the lamp clear of the tunnel, and climbing up next to Keira. ‘Are ye still sure it’s a good idea to go outside carrying the bairn?’

  ‘We’ll be fine,’ Keira said, getting back to her feet. She switched Karalyn to her right hip, and stretched her left arm.

  They set off again, following the tunnel that led from the cavern. She saw the flickering light of lamps ahead, and began to hear voices. The passageway opened onto a much wider tunnel, with booths dug out on either side. Men and women, both Kellach and Holdings, were gathered. Many were busy, pulling on armour or buckling swords to their waists.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Keira asked a small group, who were unloading a crate of crossbows.

  The group glanced at them

  ‘It’s all kicking off in the streets above us,’ said one.

  ‘The Emperor?’

  ‘No sign of him,’ the man said. ‘Apparently he’s locked himself up in the Great Fortress. ’

  ‘This is our best chance,’ said another. ‘If we can keep the garrison busy, we can break out of the city and run for it.’

  ‘What’s he doing?’ said Kallie. ‘The Emperor, I mean.’

  ‘Pyre alone knows,’ said a Kellach woman. ‘His soldiers took over a hundred folk captive, and led them off into the fortress a few hours ago. The Emperor’s not been seen since.’

  ‘You both look fit,’ said the Holdings man. ‘You coming to help?’

  ‘Aye,’ said the Kellach woman. ‘Ye can leave the bairn here with the old folk, she’ll be safe enough.’

  ‘I cannae,’ Keira said. ‘I promised the girl’s mother that I’d stay with her.’

  ‘I can fight,’ said Kallie, tapping her longbow.

  ‘Do ye know how to use that, hen?’ said the Kellach woman.

  ‘Ya cheeky cow,’ said Keira. ‘She’s the best fucking shot around. I can still fight though.’

  ‘Aye?’ said the Kellach woman. ‘With a bairn on yer hip?’

  ‘Aye.’

  ‘How ye going to draw yer sword?’

  Keira frowned. She looked down. Karalyn’s legs were around her waist, covering the hilt on her belt.

  ‘Here,’ said the Holdings man, handing her a long knife. ‘Stick that in yer boot.’

  ‘Cheers.’

  The group moved to the side of the tunnel to allow a dozen armed civilians to pass.

  ‘Come on,’ said the Kellach woman. ‘Let’s go.’

  The group moved off. Keira and Kallie tagged along at the end, and followed them through the tunnels, passing groups of elderly and injured civilians, and stores of food and water.

  ‘Hang on,’ said Keira. She ducked into one of the storeroom booths.

  ‘I need water and food,’ she said to an old woman sitting on a stool by the supplies, ‘for the girl.’

  ‘Staying or going?’

  ‘What does it matter? ’

  The old woman shrugged. ‘If you’re staying down here, I can give you some rations, but if you’re leaving, then you’ll need to trade something for them.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Those are the rules, take it or leave it.’

  Keira glanced at Kallie. ‘Got any money left?’

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘Shit.’ Keira lowered her voice. ‘Do you take weed?’

  The old woman frowned. ‘If you have any dull for the injured, then I’ll take it.’

  Kallie turned round, and Keira opened the pack strapped to her back. She rummaged around and pulled out a small pouch.

  ‘Here ye go,’ she said, handing it to the old woman.

  The woman inspected the contents of the pouch, then reached down and picked up a packed bag.

  ‘Pleasure doing business with you.’

  Keira took the bag, and stuffed it into Kallie’s pack.

  They walked back out into the main tunnel.

  ‘Fucksake,’ Keira muttered. ‘We’ve just been fucking robbed. That was about forty gold’s worth I just gave her, for a wee bag of food and a flask of water.’

  Kallie shrugged. ‘Just as well we still had it.’

  ‘Aye, she said, as they walked down the tunnel. ‘Let’s hope we don’t need it.’ She patted her belt. ‘Still got plenty of keenweed left, but. We’ll not be sleeping tonight.’

  The civilians they had been following were out of sight, so they got in behind another group, and continued through the tunnels for several minutes. It seemed like every surviving civilian from the Kellach quarter was sheltering in the caverns. Small fires were burning in alcoves, and the place was bustling.

  ‘Go get the bastards!’ an old Holdings peasant called out as they passed, and the others around them cheered. Keira felt her back slapped as the peasants crowded the tunnel, offering words of encouragement to the fighters. They squeezed through, and came into another, narrower tunnel, which sloped up on a gentle gradient. At the top was a rope ladder, leading to the surface.

  One by one, the members of the armed group ascended. When the last had gone up, Keira approached the ladder. At its base stood an armed Holdings woman.

  ‘Hey,’ she said. ‘You can’t take that kid up there. It’s too dangerous, there’s fighting in the streets.’

  Keira smiled and walked up to her, a good head taller.

  ‘Aye?’ she said. ‘You going to stop me?’

  The Holdings woman hesitated, then reached out and grabbed hold of Karalyn’s blanket.

  The girl stirred, and Keira snarled.

  Kallie stepped up, and removed the woman’s hand from Karalyn.

  ‘I wouldn’t do that, hen,’ she said. ‘Best if ye just let us go.’

  The Holdings woman cowered back as the two Kell towered over her.

  ‘I have orders,’ she said, her eyes darting around. ‘Only fighters are allowed up.’

  Karalyn opened her eyes, blinked, and looked around.

  ‘Where’s mummy?’ she said.

  ‘That’s where we’re going, wee one,’ Keira said. ‘Just you hush now.’ She glared at the Holdings woman. ‘Ye can go and report us or whatever, it doesnae matter. I’m taking the bairn up there, so get out of my way.’

  The Holdings woman looked terrified, but stood her ground, blocking the rope ladder. ‘You can’t take a little girl up there.’

  Karalyn gazed at the guard. For a second the woman looked back, then her eyes clouded over and she fell to the ground.

  ‘Woah,’ Kallie said, her eyes wide. ‘Either she just fainted, or… or…’

  Keira stared at Karalyn. ‘Was that you?’

  ‘Aye,’ the girl said. ‘Lady sleepy.’

  ‘Good trick,’ Keira smirked. ‘Mind ye never use it on me.’

  She reached up, and grabbed the rope. ‘Here we go again.’

  Ten minutes later, Keira and Kallie stepped out of the
small cottage where the hidden entrance to the tunnel was located. Karalyn was still awake, though she kept yawning and rubbing her eyes. In the distance on their left stood the Great Fortress, and a cacophony of noise was coming from that direction. To their right was the road leading to the gates in the walls of the Kellach quarter. The night sky above was lit by the reflected glow of the huge fires that were burning in other parts of the city.

  Keira scanned down the streets, but no one was in sight. She nodded to Kallie, and headed off to their right.

  ‘No!’ Karalyn cried. ‘Go the other way.’

  ‘Shush,’ Keira said. ‘We’re getting out of here, wee one.’

  ‘Wrong way,’ the girl said, struggling and wriggling in Keira’s arms.

  ‘Stay still,’ Keira said. ‘We cannae go that way, that’s where the crazy Emperor is.’

  She put her foot forwards, and nearly fell over as a pain tore through her head.

  Keira go to fortress , she heard the child’s voice say in her head. Not leave city.

  Keira staggered, while Kallie stared at them.

  ‘Be fucking reasonable, wee one,’ Keira cried, her head splitting. ‘We need to find yer ma and da.’

  Mummy and daddy are in the fortress. Bad man hurting them.

  Keira stopped, and turned to face the towers of the Great Fortress. The pain in her head ceased.

  ‘Are you sure?’ she said.

  ‘Sure about what?’ said Kallie.

  Keira frowned at her. ‘I’m talking to the bairn.’

  Karalyn pointed. ‘Mummy and daddy there.’

  ‘Shit,’ said Kallie, standing next to Keira as they gazed at the fortress.

  Keira glanced at her. ‘Ye don’t have to come,’ she said. ‘I cannae ask ye to do that. But if Killop’s in there, I’m going in to get him. ’

  Kallie said nothing.

  ‘Well?’ said Keira.

  ‘Fucksake,’ Kallie said. ‘I’m not leaving ye now.’ She unslung her pack. ‘But I’m not lugging this with me.’

  She pushed aside the broken door of the nearest building, and placed the pack inside.

  ‘We’ll come back for it later,’ she said.

  Keira frowned. ‘Alright.’ She gazed down at Karalyn. ‘Let’s go rescue yer mummy and daddy.’

  They set off, racing down the street, keeping to the shadows. Ahead the noise grew. They darted down a side street and cut across a series of alleys, trying to work their way around where the fighting was taking place. They came out onto a wider road, and almost ran into a crowd of Rahain soldiers. Keira skidded, and sprinted in the other direction, Karalyn clinging on, her fingers digging into Keira’s neck. Some of the soldiers turned and saw them, but most were occupied with fighting a large group of civilians that were attacking from the other side. One reached for his crossbow, and Kallie put an arrow through his neck, sending him flying.

  Keira barged down another alleyway. Noise was coming from every direction, and she gazed up to get her bearings. Ahead, the tall towers of the fortress loomed. She shifted Karalyn to her left hip, and ran on, rushing across a street where groups of soldiers were engaged in a running battle with armed civilians. Rocks and crossbow bolts sped past them as they charged into a narrow alley on the other side, and kept running.

  The sounds of fighting began to die down as they raced through the tight streets near the walls of the Old Town, and soon it was quiet. They slowed to a walk. Keira’s heart was pounding, and she caught her breath. They walked into a small square, the air heavy with mist. Not a sound of the violence behind them reached their ears.

  ‘This is weird,’ whispered Kallie, glancing around.

  Keira looked up. Above the mist, the high walls of the Great Fortress rose into the night sky. All around was a dull red glow, as the clouds of smoke reflected the huge fires devastating other areas of the city. On the other side of the square was a short street leading to the gates of the fortress. It was close, just thirty yards away, but Keira’s legs felt heavy, and she stopped, and sat down by a low wall. She put Karalyn down next to her, while Kallie crouched close by, her gaze on the square and the fortress gates.

  ‘I want mummy,’ wailed Karalyn.

  ‘I know,’ said Keira. ‘Soon. Just need a rest first.’

  She reached into her pouch and pulled out two sticks of keenweed. She lit them both and handed one to Kallie, who took it. They sat by the wall for a moment, smoking, the mist drifting by.

  ‘Here’s what we’re going to do,’ Keira said. ‘You’re going to stay here with Karalyn, and I’ll go in.’

  Kallie said nothing, chewing her lip.

  ‘No,’ said Karalyn. ‘Me go too.’

  Keira laughed, though it edged into tears. ‘No, wee one, I’m not taking you into that place.’

  ‘Karalyn hide from bad man.’

  Keira frowned. ‘Aye. You hide out here with Auntie Kallie.’

  ‘No, hide with Keira.’

  Keira glanced at Kallie. ‘Look after her.’

  She stood, and was preparing to leap the low wall when a blinding pain ripped through her skull. She fell to her knees, holding her head in her hands.

  ‘No,’ said Karalyn, glaring at her.

  ‘Fucking stop that,’ Keira gasped, and the pain vanished. She fell back against the wall, panting. ‘Pyre’s arsecrack, my fucking head.’

  Kallie stared from her to Karalyn. ‘Did she do that?’

  Keira nodded. She picked up the dropped weedstick and relit it. She turned to Kallie.

  ‘What the fuck are we going to do? She’s not going to let me go in there alone.’

  Kallie shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Wait until she falls asleep? ’

  Keira frowned at her. ‘That’s the most stupid idea I’ve ever heard. That could take hours.’

  Kallie looked away. ‘Fucksake, I was only trying to…’ Her eyes widened.

  Keira turned, and spat out the weedstick. Ten yards away, Karalyn was running through the little square, towards the gates of the fortress. She stopped, turned and gazed at them.

  ‘What the fuck’s she doing?’ Kallie cried, as Keira jumped to her feet. They vaulted the low wall, and sprinted through the mist towards the girl, who laughed and ran away. Keira lowered her head and raced towards her, heedless of the risks. She caught up with her a few yards in front of the gates, and scooped her up in her arms. Her eyes darted around, but no one was about. One door of the gates was lying open, and Karalyn pointed.

  Keira glanced at Kallie, and walked forwards. She peered through the gap into the fortress. Inside, lamps were lighting the walls, and a large group of soldiers were in the hallway. Half were wearing battered armour, and looked exhausted, while the others were fresh, and getting ready to leave. Before Keira could move, a Rahain officer glanced in her direction. She froze, but his gaze passed over her as if he wasn’t there.

  ‘Karalyn hide Keira,’ the girl whispered in her ear.

  Keira stayed still, gazing at the soldiers. Several more looked over at the door, but no one seemed to notice them standing there.

  ‘This is fucked up,’ murmured Kallie from over her shoulder.

  Keira said nothing, and put a foot up onto the threshold of the gate. She squeezed through the gap in the doorway, and entered the fortress, Kallie at her back. They stood there a moment, as the soldiers went about their business. The fresher infantry was beginning to line up, an officer at their head. Keira stepped to the side, and they watched the soldiers march out past them.

  Keira smirked, her confidence returning.

  They strode up the passageway, ignored by the exhausted soldiers resting by the walls. Karalyn pointed again, and they followed her lead, coming to a tight set of spiral stairs leading upwards .

  ‘At least it’s not a fucking rope ladder,’ Keira said, as Karalyn raised her finger.

  They entered the stairwell, and climbed the steps, up past other floors, unseen by any of the soldiers stationed there. Twice Keira paused, certain that she could h
ear someone following them, but each time she decided she was hearing the echo their boots were making on the iron steps.

  Their pace slowed as they passed a fifth level. Keira’s calves were aching, but her pain was overshadowed by the pressure of mage energy coming from above. It felt like a barrier of sheer power, and moving was like trying to trudge through knee-deep mud.

  ‘What is that?’ Kallie gasped.

  Keira said nothing, her strength focussed on climbing the last steps. She reached the top of the stairwell, and peered over the edge, Kallie joining her. Karalyn scrambled down and the three of them stared out onto the roof.

  In the centre was the Emperor, his hands raised, while above the sky was burning. The clouds swirled round in a blur, the wind howling, almost deafening her. On the roof, surrounding the Emperor, were five figures, chained to posts. Daphne was there, her head bowed, along with Agang, Dean and Laodoc, who sat slumped against their posts, and a Rakanese woman she didn’t recognise.

  ‘Mummy,’ cried Karalyn. ‘Daddy.’

  Keira’s eyes went to the ground by the Emperor’s feet. On the stone slabs lay another figure.

  ‘Wee brother,’ whispered Keira. ‘Oh fuck.’

  She lifted her right hand, and tried to draw upon the closest fire raging in the city, but nothing happened. She looked within herself, her heart racing, but found an absence where her mage power should be.

  ‘Fucking bastards,’ she groaned, her will almost breaking.

  ‘He’s killing them,’ Kallie said.

  Keira gazed at Karalyn, but the girl was in near hysterics, weeping and staring onto the roof. Keira loosened her scabbard. She kissed Karalyn on the head, drew her sword, and climbed up onto the roof. She stood there for a moment, feeling the power of the Emperor gust around her like a warm wind, the eddies swirling against her face.

  She stepped forwards.

  ‘Get away from my wee brother,’ she yelled.

  The Emperor didn’t move, his gaze remaining upwards as the energy surging over the roof grew in intensity. She struggled forwards, fighting the waves of power rippling through the air.

  ‘I said,’ she screamed. ‘Get away from ma brother, ya fucked up maniac!’