‘You’re Holder Fast,’ he said. ‘You must be in the running.’
She frowned. ‘Do you want me to? ’
‘No,’ he said, ‘but maybe you should. You’d be a great leader. It’s probably the right thing to do.’
‘I’m sick of doing the right thing,’ she said. ‘I just want to be with you and Karalyn, and leave the world to its troubles. I long for a normal life.’
‘Sure you wouldn’t get bored?’
‘After all this?’ she said, lighting a cigarette. ‘I crave boredom.’
He gazed at her.
‘There is something Bridget can do,’ he said. ‘Come on.’
They got up, and walked to where the new Empress sat.
‘Your Majesty,’ Killop said.
‘Oh, for fucksake,’ Bridget said, wincing, ‘please don’t do that.’
‘I need a favour.’
‘Aye?’
‘I need you to overturn a law.’
‘Which one?’
‘The one that says folk from different races can’t get married.’
Bridget laughed. ‘Aye, sure. Consider it revoked.’
‘Thanks.’
‘What the fuck,’ said Bridget. ‘If I’m Empress, then I proclaim you both married, as of this moment. Congratulations.’
Daphne blinked.
‘I knew I’d get ye married some day,’ Bridget smirked. ‘Sorry it took so long.’
Shella laughed. ‘I’m not sure that was the wedding they were hoping for.’
Daphne turned to Killop. ‘Lord Holdfast.’
He smiled. ‘Holder Fast.’
They kissed. Bridget and Shella pretended to vomit, while Laodoc smiled.
A Kellach woman approached.
Killop drew back, and saw it was Kallie. Daphne glanced up at the tall red-haired woman .
‘Sorry for interrupting,’ said Kallie. ‘I’ve got something I want to give to Karalyn.’
‘Aye?’ said Killop.
‘Aye,’ she said. ‘It used to be yours, so I hope you don’t mind, it’s just that I think Keira would want her to have it.’
She dug into her pack and took out a small wooden toy, then crouched down to Karalyn’s eye-level as Killop and Daphne watched in silence.
‘Yer Auntie Keira made this long ago,’ she said, holding out the wooden bear. ‘It’s travelled halfway round the world, and now it’s yours.’
Karalyn took it from her hands.
Killop frowned. ‘Keira made it?’
‘Aye, after she broke the one yer da made for ye.’
Killop gazed down at his daughter as she held on to the old toy, running her fingers over the teeth and claws.
She smiled. ‘Wee bear.’
‘Thanks, Kallie,’ said Daphne. ‘What do you think you’ll do now?’
The Kell woman stood. ‘Go back to Kell, I suppose.’
‘Whatever you do,’ she said, ‘good luck.’
Kallie nodded. ‘You too.’
An armed civilian approached, stopping before Bridget.
‘The pyres are ready, your Majesty.’
Bridget rose, and the others quietened. Killop glanced over at the two huge mounds of wood. On one lay his sister, while on the other was the headless body of the Creator.
The Empress strode forwards, flanked by her mages and friends. A tall Kellach man in armour handed her a lit torch, and she approached the first pyre. She gazed up at the black armour of the Creator and without a word, she touched the end of the torch to the pyre, keeping it there as flames took hold of the wood. She stepped back, and the crowd watched as the fire spread. The breeze helped fan it, and the flames rose, licking the black armour. No one spoke as the fire began to lash the Creator’s body, the flames and thick, dark smoke rising into the sky.
Bridget glanced at Killop, holding out the torch .
He shook his head, and turned to Dean.
‘Come with me, mage.’
The boy looked up at him.
‘I can’t,’ he said.
Killop held out his hand. Dean swallowed, his eyes red. He stepped forwards, and they walked to the foot of the pyre where his sister lay.
Killop knelt before the boy.
‘I’ll spark,’ he said. ‘You throw.’
‘What if I fail?’
‘You won’t.’
The boy raised his hand, and stared at it for a moment. Killop lifted his hands, and focussed. An arc of white fire leapt across the gap between his fingers, and Dean pushed out with his hand. Killop felt the boy’s strength pull the energy from him, and a burst of flames flew out from the sparks, setting the pyre alight.
Killop stared at the flames.
Bridget approached, putting her hand on Dean’s shoulder. Killop got to his feet, Daphne taking his hand, while Karalyn hugged his leg.
The crowd on the roof watched as the flames rose higher and higher, the fire spiralling up through the heaps of wood, sending smoke rising into the bright sky, and consuming the body of Keira.
Killop went over all the things he wished he could say to her, how proud he was of her, and how much he loved her. Tears fell down his face.
Karalyn gazed up at him and smiled.
‘Don’t be sad, daddy. Wee bear will look after you.’
This concludes Sacrifice
Want more?
Find out what happened to Daphne in the forests of Sanang and see Killop & Keira fighting together in two full length origin stories. The Trials of Daphne Holdfast and Retreat of the Kell are available together in The Magelands Origins .
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The Magelands Origins
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Author’s Notes
June 2019
Thank you for reaching the end of The Magelands .
The last ten chapters were the toughest to write of the whole series. In some ways I didn’t want it to finish but after two and a half years of writing I was determined to give it the best ending I could. I hope you enjoyed it.
… and if you’re not finished with The Magelands and want more, look out for the two book–length Origin Stories. One (The Trials of Daphne Holdfast ) relates to Captain Daphne Holdfast’s adventures in the Sanang forest where she meets Agang and B-Dang for the first time. The second (Retreat of the Kell ) follows the Rahain invasion of Kellach Brigdomin from the point of view of Killop, and includes a lot more Keira.
There is also a novella-length book, From the Ashes , featuring the exploits of the fire mage just before the opening of The Queen’s Executioner .
About the Author
Christopher Mitchell is the author of the Magelands epic fantasy series.
For more information:
www.christophermitchellbooks.com
[email protected]
The Magelands Series
From the Ashes
The Queen’s Executioner
The Severed City
Needs of the Empire
Sacrifice
The Magelands Origins
(The Trials of Daphne Holdfast &
Retreat of the Kell)
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Sacrifice Page 59