The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  Thorn glanced at her. ‘Hello.’ She leaned forwards and kissed Kelsey on the cheek. ‘That’s all four of the Holdfast children I’ve now met.’

  The governor coughed.

  Thorn turned to him and smiled. ‘Good morning, governor.’

  He stared at her, his contempt undisguised. He raised a hand in the air and addressed the crowds.

  ‘With the authority granted me by her Imperial Majesty,’ he cried, ‘I hereby officially welcome the hedgewitch of Sanang known as Thorn to Rainsby.’

  The crowd roared, drowning out his words.

  ‘There,’ he muttered to Thorn; ‘will that do? Can we get on with our jobs now?’

  She ignored him and stepped forwards. The crowd chanted her name for several minutes as she stood in silence, waiting for them to quieten. She pointed at the warehouse where the old hospital had been, and the noise from the crowd died away.

  ‘The last time I was here,’ she said, her voice clear, ‘I was working there, before our enemies came. They carried out a massacre that day, one which will never be forgiven. I come back to you today, to find Rainsby safe in the keeping of the stormwitch.’ The crowd roared again as she gestured at Keir. ‘But the war is not over. To the south lies the army of Rahain, laying waste to the lands of the Plateau; your lands, while to the east the vile Sons of Sanang bespoil the beautiful town and vineyards of Anamindhari. I have seen the pitiful refugees arrive from that place, bringing with them tales of the atrocities carried out by those beasts. It shames me that they come from my own homeland.’ She paused, as if keeping her tears in check as the vast crowd stared at her in silence. ‘It is fitting, therefore, that it shall be I who rids the world of them.’

  She raised her hands. ‘I pledge myself to you, the people of the empire, and swear that I shall purge this land of its enemies and bring peace back to the Plateau.’

  She turned to Keir. ‘Are you with me, stormwitch?’

  He glanced at her, then at the waiting crowd, their collective breath held as they stared up at the platform.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, stepping forwards.

  The crowd erupted into a roar of noise as thousands screamed and cried in joy. The governor turned and stormed from the platform, while Kelsey muttered something incomprehensible under her breath.

  Keir watched his sister silently fume in the carriage as they made their way back to Madden’s Tower.

  ‘What was I supposed to do?’ he said. ‘She put me on the spot. The crowd would have lynched me if I’d said no.’

  ‘She owns you now,’ Kelsey said, her eyes narrow. ‘You agreed to follow her when we’ve no idea what she’s planning, except for a homicidal threat to “purge” her enemies.’

  ‘But maybe she’s right, perhaps we should be taking the fight to them.’

  ‘So you’re just going to disobey the Empress’s orders? Right.’

  ‘I’m sure it won’t come to that.’

  ‘Oh, brother, you’re so naïve at times. I could see it when you looked at her; when you kissed her hand. You’ve got it bad, but she’s only using you.’

  He turned away, frowning. Was his sister right? The dominant feature of his relationships had been that he was in control. He had decided whom to date, and when it would end. If a girl didn’t like him, it didn’t matter, because there were always plenty who did. But with all of those other girls, he had been able to know what they were thinking, and had chosen the ones most likely to let him do as he pleased; ones he could easily bully. But with Thorn he had no way of knowing if she actually liked him, or was just tolerating him to get what she wanted.

  ‘Shit,’ he muttered.

  ‘Is it finally sinking in, brother?’

  ‘Shut up.’

  ‘Better now than never, I suppose. Just stay clear of her for a while, and whatever you do, don’t make her any more promises.’

  The carriage stilled and the side door was open.

  ‘Well,’ said the sergeant as they disembarked, ‘that was entertaining.’

  ‘Glad someone found it amusing,’ said Kelsey. ‘That’s quite enough of Thorn for one day.’

  The sergeant laughed. ‘You mean you haven’t heard?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘She’s coming here,’ said Demi, ‘to Madden’s Tower. She’ll be staying in her old rooms.’

  Keir and Kelsey stared at her.

  ‘Pyre’s sake, both of you look terrified.’

  ‘I’m not scared,’ said Keir. ‘It’s just, I thought she’d be living in the Governor’s residence while she’s in Rainsby.’

  ‘That’s what he thought too. Apparently he had a whole wing of the mansion prepared for her, but then she says that she intends to stay in the tower. Said she wants to be among the marines.’

  ‘Well, that’s great,’ said Kelsey, her mouth tight. ‘Absolutely great.’

  ‘It’ll be fine,’ muttered Keir, as they walked up the wide steps towards the entrance to the tower. They went through the gatehouse and started to ascend the steps to the upper floors. The hallways and corridors were busy with marines.

  ‘Quite a few of her personal guards are moving in as well,’ the sergeant said as they passed a group carrying luggage.

  ‘You mean marines,’ said Kelsey. ‘They’re not “her” guards.’

  ‘I think that line’s gotten a little hazy, if I’m honest,’ said the sergeant. ‘Some of the marines from Stretton Sands seem to have forgotten the difference.’

  They reached their apartments and Kelsey went off to change out of her dress as Keir kicked off his boots and lounged on a couch. He lit a cigarette and put his feet up onto the low table, thinking through what had happened that morning. He needed a way to show Thorn that he wasn’t a pushover but without his vision powers he didn’t know where to start. He remembered the way she had spoken to the crowd; she seemed confident and assured, but was she really? Keir had often been able to peer behind the confident façade that someone was putting on to see the nerves and stress that lay hidden from most people. In fact, many who appeared sure of themselves were only pretending, so it might be a reasonable bet that Thorn was the same. But if he got it wrong, he would look foolish in front of her, and more than anything else, he wanted to avoid that again.

  He sighed. There was nothing he could do but get to know her, and learn the hard way like everyone else.

  The door opened and Kelsey walked through, looking scruffier but visibly more comfortable.

  ‘That’s better,’ she said, sitting. ‘So, what are your plans, birthday boy?’

  ‘Shush,’ he hissed at her, glancing around. ‘The guards might hear.’

  ‘This is ridiculous.’

  ‘I don’t care. If someone overhears you then it’ll make its way to Thorn.’

  ‘So what are you going to say if she just come out and asks you how old you are?’

  He shrugged. ‘Nineteen.’

  She laughed. ‘I hope you’re not expecting me to back you up on that.’

  ‘Look, I don’t know what it’s like in Sanang, but Holdings girls her age never go with boys who are over a year younger than them.’

  She stared at him. ‘So you do want to go with her, even though she’s using you? I thought you didn’t like her?’

  ‘I don’t. I didn’t mean… I meant they don’t respect younger boys, and I want Thorn to respect me. As a fellow high mage, that’s all.’

  ‘Just a slip of the tongue, then?’ she smirked. ‘You meant to say “respect”, but it came out as “go with”? Hmm.’

  ‘Shut up. You’re really starting to annoy me.’

  ‘Only starting to? Shit, I’ve not been doing my job properly.’

  There was a knock at the door and the sergeant poked her head through.

  ‘Hey, you two,’ she said. ‘Visitor.’

  She moved aside and Acorn entered their apartment.

  ‘Take a seat,’ said Kelsey.

  ‘Thanks,’ said Acorn, choosing an armchair.

  ‘Quit
e a morning.’

  ‘Yes, you could say that.’

  ‘Must be strange,’ Kelsey went on, ‘seeing your sister… you know, worshipped.’

  ‘She always told us she would be, one day,’ Acorn said, ‘and we laughed at her. To some people it might seem like she’s changed, but I know she’s the same. Today was just step three of her fifty-step plan for taking over the universe.’

  Kelsey laughed. ‘Did you know she was going to ask my brother to offer himself up like that?’

  Acorn shook her head. ‘No. She hasn’t told me any of her plans. She probably thinks I wouldn’t understand them.’

  Keir grunted. ‘Does she know you talk about her like that behind her back?’

  ‘Everything I say to you, I’ve already said in blunter terms to her.’

  Keir glanced away.

  ‘Never mind him,’ Kelsey said. ‘Now, I would very much like to discover what your sister is thinking.’

  ‘That’s why I’m here. She wants to invite you to her rooms tonight for a few drinks. She says you have a lot to talk about.’

  ‘Me?’ Keir blurted out.

  Acorn smiled. ‘Both of you.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Kelsey, ‘alright.’

  ‘It’ll just be the three of you. No guards.’

  ‘We’ll be there,’ Keir said.

  ‘I’m not wearing a dress again,’ said Kelsey.

  ‘My sister said it would be informal. Oh, one more thing; don’t wear blue.’

  Keir spent the afternoon at the regimental cavalry grounds on the western side of the Outer City, putting Monty through some gentle exercises to limber him up after the long trip from the imperial capital. Keir had often spent hours there, even before his own mount had arrived, as he enjoyed being around the horses. He was a good rider, and had practised on several borrowed mounts over the thirds he had lived in Rainsby; getting to know the cavalry officers and troopers at the same time.

  He returned with the sergeant to Madden’s Tower as the sun was setting, to find a larger-than-usual presence of guards at the main entrance.

  ‘I assume Thorn has arrived, sir?’ the sergeant said to a lieutenant on duty outside the gates.

  ‘Aye,’ he said. ‘About two hours ago.’

  The sergeant nodded her thanks and she and Keir ascended the steps to the tower.

  ‘How long will she be staying, do you think?’ said Keir.

  ‘I got the impression it won’t be for too long,’ she said. ‘I guess as soon as her business is done.’

  They went up to the apartment he shared with his sister and he grabbed something to eat then took a bath, washing off the dust and sweat from the cavalry grounds. Once he was clean, he laid out a selection of clothes onto his bed, and rubbed his chin. What should he wear? The uniform? No, Acorn said informal. However that didn’t mean he shouldn’t make an effort. He wanted to impress Thorn, but without making it look as though he was trying. Her face came into his mind; her eyes; her smile, and he sat down onto the bed.

  He wanted her.

  She annoyed him, she was using him, she probably thought of him as a boy; yet he couldn’t deny it to himself. He wanted her.

  There was a soft rap at the door. ‘Are you decent?’

  ‘No,’ he yelled back at his sister. He grabbed the nearest clothes and began to pull them on. ‘Just a minute.’

  He finished dressing and walked over to the door. He opened it, to see Kelsey standing out in the hallway, looking as scruffy as she had at noon.

  ‘You might have brushed your hair,’ he said, letting her in.

  ‘Speak for yourself.’

  ‘I’m just out of the bath.’

  ‘Well you’d better hurry. We’re meant to be there in five minutes.’

  ‘Shit,’ he said, sitting at his dressing table and picking up a brush. ‘I’m nowhere near ready.’

  She shrugged. ‘Informal.’

  ‘Yeah, but there’s informal, and there’s looking like a vagrant.’

  He ran the brush through his wet hair a few times, then leant over and pulled his riding boots back on.

  ‘That’ll have to do,’ he said. ‘No way we’re going to be late.’

  He headed out of the room, Kelsey running behind him. They left their apartment, and the sergeant nodded to them from where she was posted by the door.

  ‘Well,’ she said, eyeing them. ‘You two look all dressed up. I can see you’ve gone to a lot of trouble.’

  She escorted them down the hallway, and up a flight of stairs to where Acorn and the other hedgewitch, Chestnut, lived. Several huge marines were lining the passageway at the top of the stairs, and a few glared at Keir as he passed.

  ‘Sergeant Demi,’ said Bryda by the entrance to the hedgewitches’ quarters. ‘I see you’ve brought our guests.’

  ‘Aye,’ said the sergeant, ‘and I’d like them back in one piece.’

  ‘Which one?’ said Bryda.

  ‘A toe’ll do, I’m not fussy.’

  ‘We’ll leave you here, then,’ said Kelsey. ‘Behave yourselves.’

  Bryda smiled and opened the door. Keir and Kelsey entered, and the door was closed behind them.

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ said Thorn.

  They turned, and saw her standing by the side of a fire blazing in the hearth. Her hair was down, and she was holding a glass of wine in her hand. Keir tried to look away, but his eyes were snared by the sight of her.

  ‘Thanks for asking,’ said Kelsey.

  ‘Come in, take a seat,’ said Thorn, gesturing to a long couch. ‘Would you like a drink? Smoke?’

  ‘An ale, please, if you have any,’ said Keir, sitting.

  ‘I’d like some wine,’ said Kelsey, ‘but you should know that I’m only fifteen, if that changes your opinion.’

  ‘It does,’ said Thorn, ‘but you’re the only fifteen year old I’ve met who would admit their age; and by that I judge you’re old enough to drink.’ She shrugged. ‘I was getting drunk in my village at fourteen. There wasn’t all that much else to do.’

  She went over to a cabinet and collected the drinks onto a tray.

  ‘Do you want a hand?’ said Keir.

  ‘No, you’re my guests.’

  She brought the tray over and placed it onto the table, her every movement and gesture bewitching Keir’s mind. She sat and opened a pouch, then took out a weedstick and lit it. ‘You don’t mind if I smoke?’

  Kelsey laughed. ‘Go for it. You got a spare one?’

  Thorn handed Kelsey the pouch.

  ‘I think I’ll have a cigarette for now,’ said Keir.

  He lit one, then picked up his ale and took a sip.

  ‘There are several reasons why I asked you here tonight,’ said Thorn, ‘but first, I owe you an apology, Keir.’

  He glanced up at her.

  ‘I put you in an awful position this morning, when I was addressing the crowds. Please know that it wasn’t planned; it just came out, and I would take it back if I could. Having said that though, thank you for saying yes.’

  ‘What else was he supposed to say?’ said Kelsey. ‘You knew what you were doing.’

  ‘No, It just came out. I was planning on asking Keir during the meeting with the governor tomorrow.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Keir. He caught Thorn’s eye. ‘I accept your apology. At the same time, I also accept that I said “yes” in front of ten thousand people today, who will be expecting me to keep my word. But what exactly did I promise?’

  Kelsey squinted at him, a weedstick balanced in her fingers. ‘Remarkably cogent of you, brother.’

  ‘It’s a good question,’ said Thorn, her eyes on Keir, ‘and one that deserves an answer. With your help, I want to destroy the remnants of the Rahain forces in the Plateau, but more than that, I want to annihilate the Sons of Sanang. We estimate that about six thousand civilians are still living in occupied Anamindhari, if “living” is an accurate term for the nightmare that those savages bring
with them wherever they go.’

  ‘You sound like a desire for revenge has possessed you,’ said Kelsey. ‘Are you sure it’s not affecting your judgement?’

  ‘It is,’ she said. ‘It’s made me more determined; more focussed, more patient. If this passion had overcome me, then I would not have spent the last two thirds in Stretton Sands quietly planning and organising.’ She paused, glancing at Keir’s sister. ‘I like you. I like your questions. I need someone like you who won’t hesitate to question and criticise.’

  ‘I’ll not be your court jester.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want one.’

  Kelsey took a long drag from the weedstick, and Thorn turned back to Keir.

  ‘I saw you in uniform today. It suited you, but I didn’t know you were a soldier.’

  ‘I’m not,’ he said. ‘I borrowed the clothes from an officer I know.’

  ‘He does have an honorary rank,’ Kelsey said, ‘given after he saved the town.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Keir said. ‘Captain, or something.’

  ‘So, like me,’ said Thorn, ‘you don’t have a military background?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘I’ve read lots, but I admit that I’m not experienced in battles, tactics and things like that. I also admit that I was hoping you were. I do have the vague outlines of a plan, you see, but I need someone with proper experience to guide me.’

  ‘We’re not completely ignorant,’ said Kelsey. ‘Our parents were both commanders in battles, and fought in wars, and our father in particular used to go on in some detail about every fight he’d been in. And Keir’s been in one battle.’

  ‘As have I,’ said Thorn, ‘but both took place in towns, whereas my plan involves crossing half of the southern Plateau.’

  Kelsey nodded. ‘Can we take a look?’

  Thorn nodded and got to her feet. She went over to a desk and rummaged through a large bag, withdrawing a rolled-up sheet of parchment. She brought it to where Keir and Kelsey were sitting and spread it out onto the low table.

  ‘Marine scouts made this for me in Stretton Sands,’ she said, weighing down each corner.

  The two Holdfasts moved closer, each peering down at the map.

  ‘You see this river?’ Thorn said. ‘It flows through Anamindhari all the way to Stretton Sands. Boats carrying wine and brandy used to come down it, before the war.’