‘You, a grown-up?’ he said, raising an eyebrow.
‘I was more grown-up at twelve than you’ll ever be, brother dear.’
A door in the hallway opened before Keir could think of anything to say back, and Acorn walked through, a long apron covering her front.
‘I thought I heard cheering,’ she said. ‘Good morning.’
‘Morning, Acorn,’ Kelsey said. ‘You busy?’
‘Not so far,’ the hedgewitch said. ‘This time yesterday, I was dealing with two dozen soldiers that had eaten a batch of bad shellfish. Let me tell you, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Or smell.’
They walked with Acorn into the main ward of the new hospital, where rows of beds lined the whitewashed walls. Most were empty. The other hedgewitch, an older woman named Chestnut, was checking on a couple of patients at the far end of the long room. She glanced up and nodded as the small party followed Acorn to an office. All of the marines except for the sergeant and Bryda, Acorn’s personal guard, waited outside as the others entered.
‘Take a seat,’ Acorn said.
Keir and Kelsey sat as Acorn leant against a desk.
‘Thanks for coming.’
‘We were looking for you in the bar last night,’ Kelsey said. ‘Has something happened?’
‘I received a letter,’ Acorn said. ‘It arrived on a ship yesterday. It was from my sister in Stretton Sands.’
‘What did she say?’ said Kelsey.
Acorn lowered her gaze. ‘Details, mostly. She told me what happened. I mean, we all know what happened, but I learned more about Clove’s death, and Bracken’s, and how exactly my mother managed to be taken away to Rahain, if she and Bluebell are really still alive. She also confirmed the rumours about her mass healing of the marines wounded in the battle for the town.’ Acorn sighed. ‘It seems she really can heal without touching, and kill. I have to accept it; my sister’s a soulwitch.’
Kelsey frowned. ‘You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.’
Acorn nodded, keeping her eyes on the floor.
‘Is it?’
‘In Sanang we kill soulwitches, as soon as they’re discovered.’
‘What?’ said Keir. ‘You murder your own high mages?’
‘They’re deemed too dangerous to be allowed to live,’ Acorn said. ‘It’s not official law or anything like that, but lynchings do happen. It’s been that way for generations, ever since a time when Sanang was ruled by soulwitches, who oppressed our nation for centuries.’
‘Just because they can kill?’ said Keir. ‘Highly ranked Rakanese flow mages can do the same; fire mages too, I guess, but none of them are murdered by their own people.’
‘They can do more than kill.’
Keir frowned. ‘Like what?’
Acorn said nothing, her expression heavy.
‘Don’t do it,’ said Kelsey to her brother. ‘Stay out of her head.’
‘I wasn’t going to do anything.’
‘You were getting your vision ready,’ Kelsey said. ‘I could hear it.’
‘I forgot you could read minds,’ said Acorn.
‘Then why don’t you tell us,’ said Keir, ‘and remove the temptation?’
‘I daren’t,’ Acorn said, ‘but you can ask Thorn herself when she gets here.’
‘She’s coming to Rainsby?’ said Keir. ‘When?’
‘I’m not sure. She mentioned something in her letter about wanting to raise a force to pursue the Sons of Sanang. She wants revenge, and she wants Rainsby to help her.’
‘I assume the Empress has refused,’ said Kelsey.
Acorn nodded. ‘Apparently the recapture of Anamindhari is not a priority in her Majesty’s mind. She told Thorn she has no one to spare.’
‘Yet she’s coming to ask anyway?’
‘Yes. She hopes to persuade the governor in person.’
Kelsey frowned. ‘I’m not sure your sister understands how empires work. The governor won’t disobey the Empress’s orders.’
‘My sister likes to get her own way.’ She glanced up at Keir. ‘She also had a message for you, which is the main reason I asked you here.’
‘Yeah?’ he said. ‘What?’
‘She asked me to congratulate the stormwitch for saving Rainsby.’
‘Stormwitch?’ he said, frowning.
Acorn shrugged. ‘That’s what she called you. She also said that she’s looking forward to meeting you, and hopes you’ll be sympathetic to her cause.’
Keir snorted. ‘I’ll not be leaving Rainsby.’
‘Should I put that in my reply?’
‘There’s no need to mention that,’ said Kelsey. ‘I’m sure the stormwitch can think up something civil and polite to say.’
‘Don’t you start calling me that,’ he said. ‘I’m a mage, not a witch.’
‘It has a nice ring to it,’ said Sergeant Demi, who was standing by the door.
‘Aye,’ said Bryda. ‘I like it.’
Keir scowled at the four young women in the office with him.
‘We should be going,’ said Kelsey. ‘We have a meeting with the governor and army command. Before we leave though, I’m sorry again about your other sister. It couldn’t have been easy to read about it.’
Acorn’s smile faded. ‘Yes. It was like it had just happened. Poor Clove.’
‘I hope she didn’t suffer.’
‘She took her own life,’ Acorn said, her voice low, ‘after being captured by the Sons of Sanang. Can’t really blame her; I might have done the same.’
The room sat in silence for a few moments.
‘Did they ever find the enemy fire mage?’ said Keir. ‘The one from the Army of Pyre?’
Acorn shook her head. ‘Thorn didn’t mention it.’
‘The Army of Pyre had its arse kicked,’ said Bryda. ‘The marines showed those bastards who’s boss. I don’t think many got away.’
‘Thorn did say something about them,’ Acorn said. ‘A few soldiers of theirs actually helped her escape from the Sons of Sanang. Seems that even the Army of Pyre hated them.’
‘They helped her?’ said Keir.
‘Yes. Or at least they tried to. Thorn said that she ended up saving them, and then they fled the town.’
‘Good for them,’ said Demi, rolling her eyes. ‘I hope they were caught and hanged.’
‘So the fire mage might still be out there, ready to strike again?’ said Keir.
‘You hoping to match your skills with him?’ said Bryda. ‘That I’d like to see. From a safe distance if possible; a couple of miles should do.’
‘From a ship out on the Inner Sea,’ said Demi, ‘with a stick of dreamweed and a bottle of Severton whisky.’
The two guards laughed as Kelsey got to her feet.
‘I’ll enjoy beating him,’ said Keir, ‘as much as you’ll enjoy watching it. If he ever comes near me, I’ll incinerate the arse off him.’
‘Come on, stormwitch,’ Kelsey said. ‘Let’s brave your adoring fans again.’
Keir stood. He glanced at Acorn. ‘Tell your sister that the protector of Rainsby sends greetings to the protector of Stretton Sands. Tell her I look forward to her arrival, and that I’d be honoured to save the empire by her side.’
Kelsey frowned. ‘Sounds a little ambitious, brother.’
‘Thorn will appreciate the sentiment, believe me,’ said Acorn. ‘Alright, that’s what I’ll say in my reply. Thanks again for coming to see me.’
‘Drinks tonight after work?’ said Kelsey.
‘Sure,’ said Acorn. ‘I’ll see you at the bar.’
Bryda opened the door, and Keir, Kelsey and Sergeant Demi left the office.
‘See you later,’ Kelsey cried to Chestnut, who was still working at the far end of the ward, attending the few beds with patients.
The old hedgewitch waved back.
‘Imagine having your mother captured,’ said Kelsey to Keir as they walked towards the front entrance of the building.
‘Our mother would never allow herself t
o fall into enemy hands.’
‘I know that,’ said Kelsey, ‘but poor Acorn. She must be so worried.’
‘I got the feeling she’s given her up for dead.’
‘They’ll be alive, I know it,’ said Kelsey. ‘Two old hedgewitches should be safe enough. They’ll be put to use healing injured soldiers most likely.’
‘Either way, I doubt they’ll ever come back. They’re as good as dead.’
They reached the doorway, and their escort formed up round them.
‘Here we go again,’ said the sergeant, as the doors were opened, and the crowd waiting outside roared. She winked at Keir then stepped out onto the street. ‘Make way for the stormwitch!’
Kelsey chuckled as the crowd surged towards the entrance. ‘You’re stuck with it now, brother.’
Keir forced a smile onto his lips, and walked outside.
Chapter 3
Herald of the Empire
Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – 14th Day, First Third Autumn 525
Nyane listened as the university bell tower chimed for dawn. She had been awake for a while, and hadn’t been able to get back to sleep, her mind crammed to bursting. A faint light was filtering through the shutters in Dean’s bedroom, and she could see the shape of his back as he slept next to her. She had planned to spend a relaxing evening with him, but had ended up working late again, and by the time she had taken a carriage to the university Dean was already in bed. She had tried to wake him up, but he hadn’t responded, the smell of whisky on his breath. She was annoyed with him but at the same time understood; the demands of her job were driving them apart, but what could she do?
She was Herald of the Empire, a post she had never imagined would come her way. It wouldn’t have, had Dyam not been killed. She knew that the Empress would have preferred to have Dyam by her side, and no matter how hard she worked, it never felt like it was enough. She felt like a fraud, as if she was impersonating a herald, and lived from day to day wondering when someone would catch on to the fact.
Dean shifted under the covers and she wondered if he was only pretending to be asleep. It had been thirds since they had shared any intimacy; most nights she worked so late that she slept in the Great Fortress, a place Dean detested. He had refused to move in when the Empress had offered him a room, too used to his old familiar habits, and hating the presence of crowds.
She pulled back the covers and put her feet onto the cold floorboards. She glanced over at Dean for a moment, then stood and went to the bathroom. Twenty minutes later she emerged, washed and dressed, and walked to the kitchen, where Dean was making coffee.
‘You’re up,’ she said. ‘I thought you were going to have a lie in this morning.’
‘I can go back to bed if you want,’ he said, keeping his back to her.
Nyane sat at the table, unsure how to respond.
‘I just thought it would be nice, you know,’ he went on, ‘to actually get to speak to you before you go. It’ll probably be another third before you stay over again. It’s like we live in different cities.’
‘Do we have to talk about this now?’
He turned to her, his face dark with anger. ‘When the fuck else are we supposed to talk? You were supposed to be here for dinner last night.’
‘Something came up.’
‘Doesn’t it always? Last time you were over, you promised that you’d speak to the Empress, to make sure you got some time off. How did that work out? Did you even ask her?’
‘No.’
He glared at her. ‘Fine. At least I know where I rank in your list of priorities.’
‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say. You know my position, it’s not like a normal job with sensible hours. If you lived with me in the Great Fortress then we’d see each other every day.’
He turned away again, and finished preparing the cups of coffee. He brought them over to the table and sat, sliding one across the surface to where Nyane was sitting.
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘So, how is your work on the Quadrant going?’
He shrugged.
She sipped the coffee.
‘Why would you say that?’ he said.
‘What?’
‘Bring up the Great Fortress again? I thought we’d been round and round that subject before a hundred times. I can’t live there. You know that, and yet you still insist on bringing it up over and over.’
‘Maybe you could try, just for a few days?’
‘I’m never setting foot in that place again.’
‘It was seventeen years ago, Dean.’
‘I nearly died there. I was beaten, tortured, kept in a dark cell, while the Emperor mocked me.’
Nyane said nothing.
‘You don’t believe me, do you?’ he said. ‘You don’t understand.’
‘I believe that’s what happened to you, but I’m not sure that’s the real reason you won’t go back there.’
‘You saying that I’m a liar?’
‘No.’
‘Then what’s my real reason?’
‘You hate crowds,’ she said. ‘They make you feel uncomfortable and anxious. It might have been caused by what happened to you in the wars, and by your upbringing in the slave camp, but if you don’t work at it, it’ll never get better.’
He shook his head. ‘Why do things have to change? It was perfect before, when you were chief engineer and you lived here in the university. This is the only place where I’ve truly felt at home. I can’t leave.’
‘Then we’re back to the beginning. Neither of us are willing to compromise, because I’m certainly not going to resign my position as herald because you won’t face up to your problems. So we just have to work through it. The war won’t last forever.’
Dean frowned, but remained silent.
‘You do still want to work through it, don’t you?’ she said.
‘Do you?’
‘Yes. We’ve had many good years together, and now we’re going through a bad spell. Do you think that means we should give up? I long ago decided I wanted to grow old by your side; you’re the only man I’ve really loved. I suppose it comes down to whether you’re prepared to wait for me or not. Are you?’
He shrugged.
Nyane stood. ‘Is that all I’m worth to you – a shrug? After everything we’ve been through? I should go, before I say something I won’t be able to take back.’
‘Aye, go. I’m sure the Empress is already wondering where you are.’
She hesitated. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry; she wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Why couldn’t he understand the pressure she was under? Her decisions affected the lives of thousands, and yet he sat there complaining like a child. She tried to clear her thoughts as rage and guilt surged through her in equal measure.
‘All right,’ she said. ‘I’ll check my schedule, and let you know when I’ll next be free to come over.’
Dean didn’t respond, his eyes on the table.
‘I’ll let myself out.’
She walked to the entrance hall of the apartment, picked up her coat and left through the front door. She stood in the corridor for a minute, trying to quell the chaos in her mind. So much was rushing back and forth that she doubted she would be able to concentrate at work. Damn Dean. Maybe she would be better off without him; if he was hindering her work, then perhaps she had no choice. They had been drifting apart ever since she had been appointed herald, and if he couldn’t support her when she needed him then he was just a distraction. No. He was more than that. And it wasn’t his fault that he suffered from anxiety attacks; he couldn’t help it. She frowned. He might try a bit more, though.
She went to the stairs and descended to the university library. It was quiet, with just a handful of students wandering the aisles of bookshelves.
‘Morning, Nyane,’ said a voice she recognised.
‘Ravi,’ she said, stopping by a desk where the Rakanese mage was sitting with a pile of books. ‘Are you here to see Dean
? If so, you’re a bit early. He’ll be another hour, I would imagine.’
‘It was a beautiful morning, and I thought I’d catch up on something I’m supposed to be researching.’ He smiled. ‘Have you just come from Dean’s room, then?’
‘I have, yes.’
His broad grin faded as he glanced at her. ‘Is everything okay with you and him?’
‘I’m afraid that’s none of your business.’
‘You’re a friend, aren’t you?’ he said. ‘Friends should look out for each other.’
Nyane paused for a second, having never imagined that Ravi considered her a friend.
‘Thank you for asking, but everything’s fine.’
Ravi’s eyes narrowed. ‘Has he hurt you?’
She glanced around, hoping no one else could hear their conversation.
‘If he has,’ Ravi said, ‘I’ll go up there and box his ears for him, Kellach Brigdomin or not.’
She sat at the desk. ‘Coming to my rescue again?’
‘Do I need to?’
‘I can look after myself.’
‘Oh, I’m sure you can,’ he said, ‘but everyone needs help from their friends sometimes. Want to talk about it?’
Nyane said nothing for a moment, her gaze on the surface of the desk as her anger started to fade.
‘I see how hard you work,’ said Ravi; ‘the hours you put in. You know more about how the empire works than anyone else alive. You push yourself each day as if you’re trying to prove something, but you don’t need to. Everyone knows how good you are; go easy on yourself now and again.’
Nyane said nothing.
‘When did you last have a day off?’
She half-smiled. ‘Heralds don’t have days off, Ravi. I need to be ready to respond to any emergency. But that’s not the problem. I’m fine with working, it’s just that I don’t think Dean agrees.’ She fell silent, annoyed with herself for giving Ravi details from her private life, but wishing she could tell him more at the same time.
Ravi nodded. ‘I’m not sure I feel like working with Dean today,’ he said. ‘I might lose my temper with him.’
‘And how is your research into the Quadrant going?’ she said, glad for a chance to change the subject.
The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7) Page 4