Vengeance ttr-1

by Ian Irvine

  ‘What if they take you away?’ the girl whispered. ‘Who’ll look after me?’

  ‘Go!’ Tali hissed, and turned to face them.

  The man with the black hair was far bigger than any Pale man, the other fellow more normal-sized. Both wore swords and looked as though they knew how to use them. Both were richly dressed, and therefore noble or wealthy. Tali knew that not all Hightspallers could be trusted but they did not look like hard men. She swallowed and turned towards them. They were her people. Surely they would help her. But first she had to convince them that she was also noble …

  ‘Hello?’ she said, trying to smile.

  They came through the bushes. What was she to say? How could she prove herself to them? Tali wasn’t used to meeting new people. In Cython she had known most of the slaves she worked with all her life. What if these men wouldn’t listen?

  Her smile felt odd. The muscles had not been used in a long time. She needed their help but must also appear proud and confident, for she was a lady now and would never act like a cringing slave again. Did ladies go barefoot out of doors? She suppressed her anxiety — surely a lady was a lady no matter how she was dressed.

  As the black-haired man stepped into the clearing, Tali moved back involuntarily. His face was flushed — he looked as though he had been arguing. And he was even bigger than Tinyhead; she had never seen any man like him. Most Pale men were small and thin, their skin mottled with bruises and scars. Many had teeth missing and feet misshapen from rock falls in the mines.

  This fellow was handsome, appeared well fed and looked as though he owned the world, yet there was something soft, almost melting in his eyes. Some trouble that made him seem vulnerable, that made her warm to him, though … no, the thought was gone.

  ‘I’m Rix, of House Ricinus,’ he said, holding his hands up to show that they were empty. ‘Don’t be afraid.’

  Tali did not realise how engagingly the damp gown clung to her. Having lived her life among female slaves, where no one wore more than a loincloth and male visits to the mated women were doled out even more meagrely than dinner rations, she was ignorant of the effect her figure might have on the opposite sex. Nonetheless, she found him disturbing. His eyes kept drifting towards her, then flicking away as if he did not want to look at her.

  ‘I’m not afraid. I’m home now.’

  Even the baked lands of the Seethings were part of Hightspall. It still did not seem possible that she could be here, and free. Had her legs not been so sore, she would have danced for joy.

  ‘My friend is Tobry Lagger,’ said Rix, indicating the man behind him. ‘Who are you?’

  ‘I am Thalalie of House vi Torgrist,’ said Tali, formally, for that was how she imagined a lady would speak. She bowed; she was determined to put the life of a slave behind her forever. She paused so Rix would have the opportunity to recognise her noble name, then added, to be friendly, ‘But you may call me Tali.’

  Now he would help her, and the Cythonians would hardly dare to take him on.

  Tobry chuckled. Unlike Rix, he was not at all handsome, especially with those bruised and blistered eye sockets, though he had a pleasantly craggy face. His arms and legs were scratched, and through a tear in his shirt she saw that his left shoulder was bandaged. Both men looked as though they had been in a fight and she wondered about that.

  Rix’s brow wrinkled and he turned to Tobry, murmuring, vi Torgrist? Tobry said something that Tali did not catch and Rix turned back to her.

  ‘Ta-lee.’ He might have been tasting her name with his tongue.

  ‘I can see that you are gentlemen. Would you be so kind as to escort me to my family’s manor?’ Tali did not mention Rannilt; first, she had to be sure it was safe for her to come out.

  Rix choked. ‘Gentlemen!’

  Tobry laughed ironically. Rix glowered at him.

  ‘I beg your pardon,’ said Tali. Had she unwittingly offended them? ‘Is something the matter?’

  ‘My friend is noble,’ said Tobry, and the mischievous humour in his eyes made her smile. ‘Rix is heir to the vast wealth and endless estates of House Ricinus.’ He pronounced the name with weighty import. ‘One day he will be Lord Ricinus, one of the most powerful men in all Hightspall. Therefore he finds the term gentleman a trifle … er, vulgar.’

  Tali went through the list of ancient noble houses her mother had made her memorise as a child. ‘House Ricinus?’ she said, frowning. ‘Is that a new House?’

  Rix’s jaw tightened and his eyes went flinty. ‘How can you not know of House Ricinus? For a hundred years — ’

  He broke off, breathing heavily, but regained control of himself and forced a smile. His gaze passed down her gown to her bare feet, up again, but flicked away once more. What was the matter with him?

  ‘I have urgent business elsewhere and cannot escort you to your home,’ he said, ‘wherever that is. However I will provide you with silver enough to outfit yourself respectably.’

  He did not call her lady, nor even use her name. Clearly, she had angered him, though Tali had no idea how. However, his offer of coin to outfit herself respectably was an insult. House vi Torgrist did not ask for charity. She had to make it clear who she was without antagonising him further. She needed his help, for Rannilt’s sake as well as her own.

  ‘House vi Torgrist is not wealthy, nor powerful,’ she said with cool dignity, ‘yet our line extends unbroken back to the Second Fleet and the founders of Hightspall.’

  ‘Why only the Second Fleet?’ Rix said mockingly. ‘Why not claim the First?’

  ‘Only Herovians came on the First Fleet. Clearly, I am not descended from those big, black-haired, brawling buffoons.’ Her eyes raked his huge frame, his black hair, then, remembering her manners, she said coolly, ‘Thank you for your offer, but we do not accept pennies from strangers.’

  ‘Pennies!’ cried Rix. ‘Are you suggesting that I’m cheap?’

  Tali’s self-restraint foundered. ‘How dare you insult me by offering charity, sir!’ she snapped. ‘Has House Ricinus no nobility at all?’

  His face flushed and he strode towards her.

  ‘Rix!’ Tobry called, warningly.

  Rix stopped, his massive chest rising and falling. ‘I show you more respect than a scallyscragging impostor deserves,’ he cried, still keeping his eyes averted.

  She did not know what the word scallyscragging meant, though it must have been an insult. ‘I am not an impostor,’ she said coldly, drawing herself up to her full, meagre height. ‘Every word I’ve said — ’

  ‘My lady Tali?’ said Tobry.

  Was he mocking her? No, all she saw in his eyes was a bittersweet amusement. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I know every noble house in Hightspall. House vi Torgrist was wiped out in the Fester Plague seven centuries ago, along with one-third of the other First Families. So, who are you?’

  Tobry’s words were like a sunstone imploding inside her — burning heat followed by shards of ice, then a sickening dizziness. She sagged, clutching her stomach. Her house wiped out? It could not be.

  She studied him from under her lashes. He had the air of a man stating facts that were well known to all, so it must be true. Yet again she had allowed her expectations to run away from reality. What was she to do now? Without the aid of her people, how could she hope to complete her quest? The cellar where Iusia had died might have been anywhere and she had no idea where to begin.

  ‘I am Tali vi Torgrist,’ she said, raising her chin and looking him in the eye.

  ‘It’s a crime to pretend you’re noble when you are not,’ said Rix, still smouldering. ‘You can be stoned for that.’

  Tali, proud lady that she was determined to be, could take no more. ‘I can recite the names of every one of my ancestors back to the Second Fleet. Can you do the same, sir?’

  His fists knotted and red waves flooded his face. ‘I’ve had enough of this — ’

  Tali fought an urge to scream and bolt. He might be twice her size but he was not
going to dominate her. She had to take control, and there was only one way to do that — with calm, clear logic.

  After taking several breaths, she said gently, ‘I understand that you feel inferior because your House is newly risen, but there’s no need to get angry. It’s the way things are, and if you’ll just — ’

  At Rix’s bellow of rage, she yelped and took an involuntary leap backwards.

  Tobry caught Rix by the arm and dragged him off for several yards. ‘Given your vow of a few minutes ago,’ Tobry said savagely, ‘I’d have thought you’d treat a girl down on her luck more honourably.’

  Rix might have been smacked in the mouth with an eel. He jerked free and turned away, clenching and unclenching his fists, then snapped, ‘Thank you for reminding me. Despite her insults, I will take her to her house. If she has one.’

  Tobry said softly, ‘What about the portrait?’

  ‘Damn it! And Mother, too. And damn you to hell, Tobry Lagger.’

  Stalking back towards Tali, he bowed and said stiffly, ‘Forgive me, Lady Tali. My manners do my house no credit. I will personally escort you wherever you wish to go.’

  She bowed back, her mind racing. If her house had fallen centuries ago, where could she go? She knew the names of the other noble houses but why would any of them help her? Tali looked up at Rix, gnawing her lip, his sheer physicality intimidating her. Despite his bad temper, she did not think he had any ill intentions towards her. Even so, there was something about him she could not read. And also, now that he was close, something vaguely familiar about the eyes …

  Unconsciously, Tali ran her fingers through her hair. She had to have food and somewhere safe to stay; and clothing and boots. Without help, her quest would fail. Besides, with Rannilt to look after and the enemy hunting her, there was no choice but to go with them. But go where?

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, bowing again.

  His sword rattled in its sheath and shivers ran in waves along her arms. He struck the hilt an angry blow with his fist and the rattling stopped, though her unease did not go away. A darkness lay on him, or within him, something she had not sensed before.

  ‘Does Torgrist Manor still stand?’ said Tali.

  ‘More or less,’ said Tobry. ‘It’s a plague house. The whole of House vi Torgrist died there, and most of their servants. There are terrible stories — ’

  ‘What kind of stories?’

  ‘The townsfolk wouldn’t let them out the gates, nor let any food in. The survivors were starving and the Lady vi Torgrist tried to escape underground with her children to the palace down the hill …’ Tobry went still for a moment. ‘Some say they were walled up in the tunnels, others that they were massacred there. No one ever got out and the plague house has lain empty ever since.’

  ‘Where is it?’

  ‘Not far from Palace Ricinus, as it happens.’

  She raked her hair again. ‘I’ll go to my house. I’m not afraid of some ancient plague.’

  Rix’s eyes narrowed. He was staring at her shoulders, exposed where the loose sleeves had slipped down when she raised her arms.

  ‘Your arms are black and blue,’ he said. ‘Have you been beaten?’

  They were the bruises that Mimoy’s wire-like fingers had made last night. Tali dropped her arms. ‘It’s nothing.’

  Rix took her left arm, and she was almost overpowered by his physical presence. He was a handsome man … and yet, there was something about him that made her uneasy, that she could not fathom.

  A deep, inflamed gash ran the length of his left forearm, as if he had been clawed by some large beast. Without thinking, she reached inside herself for a healing charm. No, what was she thinking? Always hide your gift. Revealing it to a stranger could be fatal.

  ‘Who did this to you?’ said Rix.

  ‘It doesn’t matter.’ She jerked her arm free. ‘Let me go.’

  He held her, pushed the sleeve up, then drew a sharp breath.

  He was staring at the scar on her left shoulder, at the complicated pattern that was both her slave mark and the symbol of her nobility — the unique and instantly recognisable seal of House vi Torgrist. Now he would believe her. Now he would know that she was as noble as anyone in Hightspall …

  ‘You came from the Rat Hole!’ he cried.

  Tali did not know what he was talking about.

  He thrust her away so hard that she tripped and fell backwards onto a tussock. Rix’s eyes were ablaze, his mouth curled down in disgust.

  ‘You’re no lady, you’re a lying, stinking Pale!’ he cried. ‘An enemy collaborator. How dare you try to inveigle me?’

  He stalked away, but had only gone a few steps when he clutched at his stomach, doubled over and, with a moan like an animal in pain, vomited onto the ground.

  He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. ‘Run, little Tali,’ he said savagely. ‘Run back to the Rat Hole where you belong. If anyone catches you spying on the land your people betrayed, you’re dead.’

  CHAPTER 35

  Tali watched Rix’s great horse career away, feeling worse than she had after the encounter with Tinyhead in the subsistery. As a slave, she was used to domination and humiliation, but Rix’s reaction was an attack on her very identity.

  Tobry was staring after him, shaking his head. He lifted her to her feet then stepped away, hands rigidly at his sides as if to prove that his intentions were honourable.

  It was not enough. She should not have trusted Rix and she wasn’t going to make that mistake twice. Why had Tobry stayed behind? What did he want? She wanted to be rid of him. But if he went, how would she escape the enemy who must be coming closer by the minute? How could she protect Rannilt when just the sight of the open sky drove her into a panic?

  Why had Rix said those foul things about her? The Pale were more noble than he was. They had come from the highest families in the land, ancient, respected houses. The hostage children hadn’t betrayed anyone — they were the ones who had been betrayed.

  ‘May I see?’ said Tobry.

  She wanted to scream out her anguish. Not even in Cython had she been treated as foully as this. Mutely, she drew up her sleeve.

  He studied the scar, frowning. ‘I’ve seen that before …’

  ‘It’s made by my family seal.’ Tali showed it to him. ‘I spring from Eulala vi Torgrist, one of the child hostages Hightspall gave Cython to end the Ten Day War.’

  ‘What child hostages?’ said Tobry, clearly perplexed.

  Her fury flared. ‘How can you not know? There were a hundred and forty-four of them, all children, all from noble families. All of us Pale come from them, because they were never ransomed.’

  ‘We were taught that the Pale willingly went over to the enemy and serve them to this day,’ said Tobry. ‘I’ve never heard your tale before.’

  ‘It’s not a tale,’ she snapped. Her voice rose. ‘For a thousand years we’ve been their SLAVES!’

  Tobry raised his hands. ‘I believe you.’

  ‘It’s Hightspall’s greatest shame. And now you tell me we’re blamed? Seen as traitors.’ She advanced on him, wanting to thump him.

  ‘I never called you that,’ said Tobry.

  ‘Your friend did. The sight of me made him vomit.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Tobry was clenching his fists by his sides again.

  ‘Yesterday my dearest friend was beheaded because she used magery to save herself from a flogging.’ Tali looked sideways, wondering where Rannilt was hiding. ‘They would have killed Rannilt — ’ She broke off, cursing herself.

  ‘Ah, yes,’ said Tobry. ‘Where is the child?’

  ‘Promise you won’t hurt her?’ Tali said desperately.

  ‘What do you take me for?’

  ‘All my life I’ve dreamed about coming home, about being welcomed home.’ Tears were forming in her eyes and she dashed them away, furiously. She had to be strong. ‘I don’t know my own country. I don’t know my people.’ She glared at Tobry. ‘And I certainly don’t know you.�
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  ‘I’m a simple man. What you see is all there is to me.’

  ‘Ha!’

  She studied the craggy face, the blistered eyes and the claw marks on his arms. Tali also sensed something buried deep in him, a hurt he had carefully concealed. ‘I suppose you’re all right,’ she muttered.

  He grinned. ‘Thank you for that ringing endorsement of my character. You were saying about the girl?’

  The warmth of his smile made her feel better. Could she tell him? Trust no one. But she had no choice — without help, she and Rannilt would be killed within hours.

  Besides, magery wasn’t a crime in Hightspall; it was a valued gift. ‘Something set off a gift for magery Rannilt didn’t know she had, and the enemy would have killed her for it. I had to bring her with me.’

  She told him, briefly, about their escape.

  ‘They kill little children because they can do magery?’ cried Tobry.

  ‘Anyone who has the gift must die. That’s the lot of the Pale in Cython.’ She glared at him as though he was responsible for all their suffering, daring him to deny it.

  ‘I believe you,’ he repeated. ‘And I’ll get to the truth, too.’ He turned away to the pool and washed his face, drank deeply and came back, rubbing a bristly jaw. ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve nowhere to go.’ She thought for a while. ‘Eulala was the only child of House vi Torgrist, and I think I’m her only descendant among the Pale.’

  ‘Then you’re the heir,’ said Tobry, and bowed. ‘Lady vi Torgrist.’

  ‘Lady vi Torgrist,’ Tali repeated. Her mother had said that she would be Lady Tali one day.

  Barefoot Lady Tali, a despised Pale with not a brass chalt to her name. How was she to survive?

  ‘Why did Rix throw up at the sight of me?’ she said plaintively, feeling like a little slave girl again, in trouble for no fault of her own.

  ‘House Ricinus is conservative and full of prejudices,’ said Tobry. ‘Rix isn’t a bad man … not really. Bastard!’ he said under his breath.