The Void of Muirwood

by Jeff Wheeler

“I told you this earlier. Lady Deorwynn, I understand, was the one who hired a kishion and allowed him to enter the realm. He then was the headsman at her own execution. I want him found, Justin. If not for him, my bones would be moldering in an ossuary right now. He will never meet his fate by my hand, but I cannot permit a kishion to defend my throne. He is acting on his own motives, I believe. I would send him away in peace, and with my gratitude, but he needs to go if he will not abide by the laws and rules that govern my life and my reign. I fear it will be difficult to hunt him.” The thought of losing such a staunch ally and friend grieved her, but she was determined to see her purpose through to the end. Of course, exiling such a wily predator would not be easy, and she knew it.

  He frowned, looking at her seriously. “My men are frightened,” he said softly.

  She nodded. “They should be. He is dangerous, but he is only a man.”

  There was movement at the head of the hall as one of the soldiers responded to a knock on the door, and to Maia’s immense relief, her grandmother came striding into the audience chamber. Maia broke away from the mayor and Suzenne and rushed across the hall to pull her grandmother into an embrace.

  “I am so grateful you are here!” Maia said, nearly bursting from joy and relief. “Word arrived that the refugees from Assinica have come to Muirwood. I had hoped to visit you there tonight through the Apse Veil.”

  Sabine clung to her for a long moment before pulling back and tipping Maia’s chin up with her finger and thumb. “You are exhausted.”

  “Sleeping here is dangerous, I have discovered.” Maia shuddered involuntarily. “Suzenne kept me company all night, but it is taking its toll on her.”

  “What about Gideon?”

  Maia winced at the pointed question. “He does not want the people to worry he is controlling me, so he has been giving me room to rule. He is making arrangements to return to Dahomey by ship. There is trouble in his kingdom, incursions by Paeiz and now Mon. We have not seen as much of each other as I would like. He does not stay in the palace at night.”

  Sabine gave her a weighing look. “He is your husband, Maia.”

  She nodded. “I know. You can understand that this entire situation is rather unusual.” She smiled wryly. “My husband holds my heart, but there are so many problems pulling us in opposite directions right now. Would that we could both escape somewhere and spend time alone.”

  Sabine hooked arms and led her back to the bench near the throne, where Suzenne was dozing.

  The mayor stepped back and bowed. “High Seer, greetings. Your arrival was unexpected.” He scratched the little strip of beard on his bottom lip and then snapped his fingers. “I will summon some refreshment for you. Cider and cheese?” He clapped his hands, motioning for a servant lingering in the doorway to approach.

  “Thank you, Lord Mayor. I came to speak to my granddaughter.”

  “Of course,” he said, and excused himself with a gracious bow. Suzenne, who had gathered her wits, rose to greet Sabine, though she seemed uncertain of how formal their greeting should be. They had all been on familiar terms at Muirwood, but it was different at the palace.

  Sabine reached out and took Suzenne’s hands, smiling at her. “Thank you for your loyalty to my granddaughter. Please stay with us.”

  Suzenne returned her smile. “She is my friend, and now she is my queen. She will always have my loyalty.” The three women sat down on the bench for a quiet conversation.

  “Yes, my dear,” Sabine said. “Now what news, Maia? How can I help?”

  Maia shook her head. “Tell me of the refugees? How many are there? Where are they?”

  “I brought them all with me to Muirwood,” Sabine said. “Most of the families were originally from Comoros and Pry-Ree. Some of those with Pry-rian roots are already asking to travel across the Bearden Muir and start for home.”

  “I imagine Jon Tayt has volunteered to guide them, by Cheshu!” She smiled as she thought of the abbey hunter and his pointed beard.

  Sabine smiled. “Of course. There are thousands of refugees, Maia. We knew they were coming, and still we were not prepared for the numbers. There are tents and supplies enough at the abbey to support them for the moment, but they cannot all stay in Muirwood Hundred. As you can imagine, they are nervous and anxious.”

  “How many children? I worry about the little ones. They will not understand what has happened. How can I help them?”

  “I think seeing you would be a blessing, not just for the children but for all of them. It would help calm their disrupted lives a little,” she answered. “I was hoping to persuade you to come back with me for a time.”

  “Yes!” Maia said with a grin. “I would see them. Do they have a ruler?”

  “I was wondering that as well,” Suzenne said with curiosity. “We have been separated for so long. How different are their traditions?”

  “They have no kings or queens or earls. There are no ranks among them. They have Aldermastons, as we do, and they are considered the rulers. The chief among them is a wise Aldermaston named Wyrich.” She paused, and Maia could tell there was more she wished to say.

  “Tell me,” Maia said, taking her grandmother’s hands. “Please.”

  “Aldermaston Wyrich is strong with the Medium,” Sabine said. “I do not know how it will work, but I feel quite impressed that he should be an Aldermaston here in Comoros. The people look up to him and follow his example.” She paused, considering. “I can feel that these people have many Gifts of the Medium, Maia. They have lost everything, yet they do not brood on it. They are anxious to help, asking always for ways they can serve us. They consider themselves indebted to this kingdom for preserving their lives. Such meek people. In all my journeys throughout the realm, I have found few who could equal them. They are a worth more than treasures or ransom.”

  Maia nodded, anxious to meet them herself. “Grandmother, I wish to discuss something with you as well. Actually, several things.” The servants arrived with trays of food, which they arranged in a sumptuous array. Maia nodded to dismiss them once they were finished, and after the throne room doors closed behind them, she quickly related the story of how she had come to Comoros in an attempt to stop Lady Deorwynn’s pending execution. She described the upheaval in the government and the many nobles who had clawed at each other’s throats as their ship sank.

  Sabine’s countenance changed as she shared the story, her look darkening.

  When she was done, Maia said, “I need your counsel. I need the Aldermaston’s counsel! I cannot rule this great realm by myself. From morn to dusk, I am beset by people seeking my direction and approval. I need a chancellor who understands the way I think, one who will act on my behalf and help restore faith in the Medium in Comoros. When my father drove the Dochte Mandar from the realm, he did nothing to fill the void they left. Even the Dochte Mandar believed in the wisdom of the maston tomes. Even though they did not fully understand our ways, they attempted to live by that wisdom and to live by virtue. When that virtue was removed and replaced with the immoral sycophants favored by my father, it drew the Myriad Ones upon us like a plague.” She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Grandmother, I would like Richard Syon to be my chancellor. I know I can trust his guidance and integrity.”

  Suzenne looked shocked by the suggestion. This was not a secret Maia had confided in anyone but Collier. She had wanted to determine her grandmother’s willingness first.

  As ever, Sabine’s expression was more difficult to read. “No Aldermaston has ever been chancellor before, Maia.”

  “I know,” Maia replied. “And no queen has ever ruled Comoros either. I can tell the mayor wants the position. He has not asked for it yet, but every day he assumes more and more authority and seeks to insinuate himself with me. His help has been invaluable, and yet I am not willing to choose him for the job. The chancellor will lead my Privy Council. The only other person I would trust to do it is yourself, and you are the High Seer.”

  Sabin
e smiled at the compliment and cupped Maia’s cheek.

  “Must I persuade you?” Maia said, wringing her hands in her lap. “I truly feel it is the Medium’s will.”

  Sabine looked over at Suzenne, who was listening to them with great interest. “You agree, Suzenne?”

  She nodded vigorously. “I have the utmost respect for Aldermaston Syon and his wife, Joanna. I have secretly mourned the thought of leaving Muirwood to begin my life anew. To have them here at court would be a comfort. And a constant example of honor. The people here would respect them. They have no false humility.”

  Sabine nodded in agreement. “Truly, you could not have named two more capable people. While Richard would be an admirable chancellor, his wife’s counsel would be valuable as well. And since the Ciphers are spread throughout the realm, they are very well informed about the realm and its needs. They are wise without being cunning, and they will be a help to you.” She stroked Maia’s arm. “I have also felt the Medium prompting me. Now I can see why. As you know, Aldermaston Kranmir must be replaced. Augustin will be without a ruler, and it is close to the port city of Doviur, which is one of the greatest centers of commerce in the realm. It is a proud abbey and needs to be chastened with a gentle hand. When I met Wyrich after crossing over to Assinica, I felt strongly that he should become the Aldermaston of Muirwood. There is much unsettled land in the Bearden Muir. It is a swamp that can be drained. Muirwood would remain the seat of the maston order in Comoros, but under Wyrich’s gaze. I would make Richard and Joanna the Aldermastons of Augustin, with Joanna fulfilling the majority of the abbey duties so that Richard could serve you. That abbey is closer to Comoros, and he could travel by Apse Veil between the two places to perform his dual roles. Yes, and there is wisdom in not having your chancellor also be the highest Aldermaston of the realm. While I do not believe Richard is corruptible, it is better not to tempt a man when you can avoid it. He is getting older, so it will be hard on him. But he could at least serve you until you are established.”

  Maia clung to her grandmother again, smiling. “Thank you!”

  “It is the Medium’s will,” Sabine said, nodding. “I can feel it now. Who else do you hope to have on your Privy Council?”

  Maia glanced at Suzenne before returning her attention to her grandmother. “Suzenne and Dodd. I plan to invest Dodd as the Earl of Forshee. The incumbent has fled to the north and must be dealt with in due course. I have promised him a pardon if he surrenders, but word has likely not reached him yet. I was also planning to name my husband as Earl of Dieyre, of course.”

  “Naturally,” Sabine said, nodding in agreement.

  “I seek to reward the Earl of Caspur for his loyalty, and I was also going to name Lord Paget of Bridgestow. He served in my grandfather’s Privy Council, and I knew him when I lived in that city. He was one of my most trusted advisors.”

  Sabine nodded. “I know him well.”

  “And I plan to include the mayor of Comoros. He played a crucial role in supporting me when others sought my death.”

  Sabine smiled. “He is self-serving, to be sure. But it is not unwise to align his interests with yours. Who else?”

  “Anyone you would recommend?” Maia asked. “I am still learning a bit about the existing power structure. I do not intend to strip all of my father’s supporters of power. That would doom me before I start.”

  “It would. You can always make additional selections after your coronation, but you should announce your choice of chancellor after you have spoken to Richard so that word can go out. Let your enemies consider their position before you bring them to heel. And you must set the date of your coronation immediately. Once you are the anointed queen, it will change the nature of their defiance.”

  Maia smiled. “I am so grateful you are here. Will you stay in Comoros?”

  Sabine shook her head sadly. “I cannot. After I make the changes we discussed, I must go to the other realms and continue to open the Apse Veils in those abbeys. I will do what I can to win support for you and help your cause. But you are the ruler of Comoros, Maia. Not I.”

  It made her cringe to think of her grandmother leaving again so soon. She had hoped at least to have her company and guidance for a few months. Having the High Seer as an ally would make all the difference to her rule. Her father had flouted his relationship with the mastons. Maia would need it in order to survive.

  “How much time do I have, Grandmother?” Maia asked.

  Sabine did not need to ask what she meant. “Not long,” she whispered. She took Maia’s hands again, kneading the knuckles with her thumbs. “In a few months, your kingdom will be plunged into war. The Victus will try to unite all the others against you. Pry-Ree will help defend you. Trust that. With Dahomey on your side as well, we have a chance. But if all the other kingdoms do join forces against us, we will fail. If we can persuade one more to join . . . just one, it may help tip the balance.” Her look was grim. “That is what the Victus fear. They have conspired to hold our kingdoms in subjugation. They do so with cunning and wealth. Breaking their grip on our necks will not come without bloodshed. I believe we have years of war ahead of us. You will not have much time to prepare, I am afraid. Even if the other kingdoms learn the truth about Assinica and the fate the Victus has planned for them, they may look only to protect themselves.”

  Maia sighed deeply, and was about to speak, when the main door creaked open. Turning, she noticed Collier pausing in the archway, watching them. He had a grim look on his face. A restless look.

  She reached out her hand to him, inviting him closer.

  Breaking his pose, he rushed to her side as if physically drawn there. Suzenne squeezed Maia’s hand and rose to leave, making room for him.

  “Good morning, Gideon.” Sabine smiled at him, but he did not return her smile.

  “What is it?” Maia asked, staring into his troubled eyes.

  He gave a little bow to Sabine. “I did not expect to find you here, High Seer. You returned from Assinica?”

  She nodded. “I did. The refugees have come.”

  “I will have ships brought to Muirwood if any would like to settle in Dahomey.”

  “That is kind of you. Your kingdom is already constrained in land. Your people would not give it up willingly.”

  “They will if I persuade them,” he replied. “I must return soon. It . . . presses on me.” He looked at Maia, his gaze dark and brooding. “I heard you were up all night.”

  Maia sighed. “I cannot sleep here. But I will return to Muirwood and get some rest. I plan to offer Richard Syon the role we discussed, and I would like to spend some time with the Assinicans.”

  “A wise choice,” Collier said. He fidgeted, which was unusual for him, and looked as if he felt uncomfortable in his own skin.

  “What is it?” Maia asked again, reaching out to touch his arm.

  “You are not safe here,” he whispered curtly. “And though it is not what I want, the Medium tells me to leave you.” His jaw clenched and he stared down at the floor for a moment. “I have Simon inspecting the palace. There are secret doors and hidden passageways throughout. I am surprised the walls themselves do not crumble.” Collier scratched his neck. “The tunnels even lead to your chambers, Maia. You are not safe anywhere in this place.”

  Maia stared at him. “I do not think he intends to harm me,” she said softly, for she knew he spoke of the kishion.

  He pursed his lips. “Oh, I agree. But what does he intend after you become queen? He has brought down his fair share of rulers in this kingdom.”

  “You are shrewd to be concerned,” Sabine said softly, her eyes narrowing. “Maia, the tomes describe people such as the kishion. The records are full of warning. When men hire other men to kill for power, it grieves the Medium. It cannot abide murder, especially when it is done so deliberately. When murderers are permitted to operate within a kingdom, it will always bring a Blight. The tomes warn of this. It will not be easy to . . . evict him.”

 
Maia looked down at the ground. “I do not believe he is working for hire, Grandmother. And he has saved my life more than once. I doubt the Victus—or anyone else, for that matter—control him anymore.”

  She stiffened. “What do you mean?” she asked apprehensively.

  Maia looked at them both, feeling at once confused and anguished. “I think he . . . cares for me.”

  The sun lowered across the horizon, drawing shadows across the pathway ahead as Maia and Collier walked hand in hand down the steps leading into the palace gardens. It was a place where she had sought refuge more than once in her life. Large pots full of flowers and Leerings of various sizes and designs brightened the grounds.

  “I prefer Muirwood,” Collier said, squeezing her hand. “That place has many tender memories. I am afraid my memory of your castle will always be of me wishing that wall would collapse so I could be the one to rescue you. I have to admit I am still bitterly jealous that it was the kishion who saved you.” His frown clashed with a smile, and he shook his head. “I am struggling to cope with it.”

  Maia sighed, swinging his arm as they started down the path into the gardens. She smoothed some hair over her ear. “Do not be angry with him for saving me,” she chided.

  “Not for saving you. I owe him a debt for that. But you are my wife, and it is my privilege to protect you. I would have gladly faced off against Schuyler and Trefew. Five at once, even. It would have been a feat for the minstrels.” There was some levity in his voice, but she could tell his own helplessness in the situation had left a wound.

  “There is a little fountain over there,” Maia said, tugging on his hand. “Follow me.”

  They passed a Leering with a sun-faced visage. She remembered brushing her hand against it on her last visit to the garden. The dusk of night had faded from the area around the light Leering in an instant. After walking a little farther, they reached the circular fountain with the fish Leering spouting water in the middle. The joyful pattering sound helped mask the tumult of the city noises beyond the wall.