The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘Let her go alone,’ she said. ‘Ravi may be a touch forward, but I do not believe him to be a cad. If it turns out that I’m mistaken, then Belinda has her battle-vision. There’s no way he could force her to do anything she didn’t want to do.’

  ‘But he could easily manipulate her,’ said Kelsey.

  ‘Then she gains experience.’

  ‘Stop,’ said Belinda, her voice high. ‘Please stop talking about me as if I weren’t here. I am fully aware of the many things about which I know next to nothing. Kelsey, thank you for trying to protect me, but I can handle myself, especially with Ravi. I shall visit him alone tonight, but I doubt very much I’ll be doing any of the things I saw in Karalyn’s picture-book; but even if I did, frankly it’s none of your business.’

  ‘Just trying to be a friend,’ said Kelsey, her face falling; and for the first time Nyane noticed a little vulnerability in the girl. She was only fifteen after all, and was alone in a strange city, abandoned by her elder brother.

  Their carriage neared the Old Town walls and passed through the fortifications, leaving the Outer City behind. The street narrowed under the shadows of the high tenements on either side, the wheels of the carriage splashing through thick slush. Ahead of them rose the bulk of Madden’s Tower, sitting astride the wall and guarding the entrance to the imperial harbour. A low roar of voices began to increase, and Nyane saw a large crowd blocking the road ahead.

  ‘Looks like trouble,’ said Sergeant Demi, her eyes directed at the street outside.

  ‘What is it?’ said Belinda.

  ‘A crowd has gathered by Madden’s Tower,’ Nyane said. ‘Sergeant, could you please instruct the driver to take another route?’

  The sergeant nodded, and opened the side window. She leaned out, calling to the marines that were flanking the carriage, and they began to slow.

  ‘What do they all want?’ said Belinda, gazing at the crowd of people on the street.

  ‘Remember I was talking about heads on spikes before?’ said Kelsey.

  ‘Shush, girl,’ said Nyane. ‘There’s no need for panic.’

  Sergeant Demi returned to her seat. ‘They’re demanding the marines in Madden’s Tower remove you from power,’ she said to Nyane.

  ‘And will they?’ said Belinda, her eyes narrowing.

  The sergeant said nothing.

  ‘They’ve seen us,’ said Kelsey. ‘This carriage is flying the governor’s pennant. We need to turn around.’

  ‘We can’t,’ said the sergeant, ‘there are too many vehicles behind us.’

  ‘They’re coming,’ cried Belinda.

  There was a thwack against the side of the carriage as the first stone struck it, and the marines outside formed up, their shields outwards.

  ‘Ma’am!’ yelled one through the window. ‘We must leave, now. The area is not safe.’

  The sergeant opened the side door and jumped out, as more stones ricocheted off the carriage. The driver had also climbed down, and was sheltering behind the shields of the marines. The roar from the crowd grew deafening; their raw anger consuming them as they realised that the governor was within their reach.

  Sergeant Demi turned back to the carriage. ‘Come on, we’ll go on foot. Quickly.’

  Stones were raining down as Nyane clambered from the side of the carriage. The marines were drawn up in a tight circle, waiting for the passengers to disembark. Belinda jumped down and drew her sword, then Kelsey emerged, her eyes wide as she glanced at the charging crowd. The first protesters reached the carriage and swarmed round it, but backed off when they saw the ring of shields. Most were unarmed, or had makeshift clubs and spears, but none were close to matching the armour and weapons of the marines.

  ‘There’s the lizard bitch!’ cried a voice from the crowd. ‘Kill her!’

  ‘Towards the alley,’ Demi shouted. ‘Go!’

  The ring of marines edged away from the carriage and the wall of protesters, keeping their circle of shields tight as their boots tramped over the slush and mud-covered cobbles; while stones bounced off their shields and helmets.

  ‘Look,’ cried Kelsey, pointing up at the battlements of Madden’s Tower. ‘The marines up there can see us. Why aren’t they helping? Why aren’t they rescuing us?’

  ‘Never mind them,’ said Nyane, keeping the young Holdfast girl close. ‘Our guards will get us out of here.’

  Rocks began to land in the centre of the ring of shields, and Demi raised her shield high over their heads. They reached the side of the street, where a narrow alleyway led between two shopfronts.

  ‘Alley’s clear!’ yelled a marine guard.

  ‘When we reach it,’ said the sergeant, ‘start running. Head west towards the fortress. Get ready.’

  The din from the crowd increased as the circle came to within a few yards of safety. With a great roar of rage, they charged again, heedless of the weapons of the marines guarding Nyane and the others. The marines kept their swords sheathed, relying on their large shields to hold back the flood of protesters as they rammed into them. Kelsey cried out in fear as the circle contracted under the pressure, with her, Nyane, Belinda and the sergeant squeezed together in the centre.

  One of the marines went down, his shield breaking from the rocks and the crush of the crowd, and Belinda leaped forward, her sword slashing through the air. The blade severed the arm of a protester, and blood sprayed across them. Belinda struck again, stabbing the tip of her sword through the throat of a man who was trying to drag away the fallen marine. Sergeant Demi joined her, covering her with her shield and she lashed out again, disembowelling a peasant wielding a wood axe.

  The guards reached the alleyway, and the circle disintegrated. Nyane kept hold of Kelsey’s arm, and pulled her down the lane, following the running marines. Behind them, Belinda and the sergeant fought on, edging backwards to cover the escape.

  They ran. Nyane’s heart was pounding and her breath was ragged as they burst out of the alleyway and into a wide avenue. Kelsey’s eyes darted back as Belinda and the sergeant raced after them.

  ‘Don’t stop!’ cried the sergeant.

  Nyane nodded, though her legs were aching. She took Kelsey’s hand and ran.

  The small group stood in silence, watching the confrontations in the streets from the heights of the fortress’s tallest tower. The snow had started again, and the grey clouds had long obliterated any sign of the winter sun. Nyane had called out the three hundred marines she had brought from Plateau City as soon as she had returned to the fortress. They had been armed with staves and shields and sent out into the Old Town to restore order, along with units of loyal cavalry. Against this combined force, the rioters had dispersed, fleeing homewards and leaving many of the streets deserted. Smoke was rising from a few locations, but the town’s fire teams were deploying, following the squads of marines as they worked their way through the town.

  To Nyane’s left stood Kelsey and her ever-present bodyguard, while Belinda was on her right, alongside several of the town’s commanders and senior officers.

  ‘A grim day for Rainsby,’ said a major.

  ‘I won’t tolerate public disorder,’ said Nyane. ‘Those familiar with me should know that.’

  ‘The ringleaders have demanded a meeting, ma’am,’ said a cavalry officer. ‘They want to discuss their demands.’

  ‘Which are?’

  ‘They want the new labour schedules scrapped and their old ration levels reintroduced, otherwise they’re threatening a general strike.’

  Nyane nodded. She turned to the quartermaster. ‘Have all food stocks been transferred to secure locations?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘What’s this?’ said a general. ‘You’ve moved the food dumps?’

  ‘Indeed,’ said Nyane. ‘With no ships due until spring, whoever controls the food controls Rainsby. Tell the leaders of the rabble that if they strike, then I’ll close the granaries. Only workers shall be issued rations; strikers get nothing.’ She gazed out over the tow
n. ‘Provide extra rations to all marines and troopers, and everyone else on duty today; I want them to know that their loyalty is appreciated.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ said the quartermaster.

  The cavalry officer coughed. ‘What about the marines in Madden’s Tower, ma’am?’

  ‘What about them?’

  ‘I was led to understand that they refused to assist you earlier, when you and your group were assaulted.’

  ‘Really? I didn’t notice.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘I said I didn’t notice.’

  ‘This could be a mistake, ma’am,’ the cavalry officer said. ‘Disloyalty should not go unpunished.’

  Nyane shook her head. ‘Half of the marines in Madden’s Tower are old, injured, veterans. Can you imagine the reaction among the peasants if I were to haul them through the streets in chains? Or worse, what if they resist? I would have to put the tower under siege. No. This time I forgive. I have no wish to make martyrs of them.’ She turned to Kelsey. ‘As for you, Miss Holdfast, I think it prudent that you remain here in the fortress.’

  Kelsey said nothing for a moment, then nodded. ‘Aye. It broke my heart today, seeing folk I trusted watching from the tower; watching and doing nothing to help us.’

  ‘The mob weren’t after you,’ whispered the sergeant. ‘The marines couldn’t have known you were down there with the governor.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Kelsey. ‘Those animals would have ripped us to pieces if they’d got hold of us.’ She glanced at Nyane. ‘Thanks for the offer. I’ll stay.’

  Nyane nodded. ‘Sergeant, could you please ask your old colleagues in Madden’s Tower if they would kindly send over Miss Holdfast’s things?’

  Demi frowned. ‘Aye.’

  Nyane glanced back out over Rainsby. The town streets were under the firm control of her loyal marines, and the fires were being extinguished. A quiet was falling on the town when, from nowhere, another sound appeared; the sound of cheering. Nyane narrowed her eyes, trying to locate the source as the sound began to spread. People were coming back out onto the streets, not to riot or protest, but to celebrate.

  ‘What’s happening?’ said Belinda.

  Nyane nodded to a junior officer. ‘Send someone to find out.’

  The officer nodded and ran for the stair turret.

  ‘Can we go inside?’ said Kelsey. ‘I’m freezing.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Nyane. ‘We can look out suitable quarters for you and Sergeant Demi.’ She glanced at the glowering marine. ‘I assume you’ll be staying too?’

  ‘Aye, looks like it.’

  They made their way to the stairs and descended into the upper floors of the fortress tower. They continued downwards until they came to a chamber warmed by two large hearths in opposite walls, and they rubbed their hands by the flames.

  ‘I hope Ravi’s alright,’ said Belinda.

  ‘I’ve sent him an escort,’ Nyane said, unbuttoning her thick overcoat. ‘He’ll be fine.’

  ‘He’s going to be overjoyed to hear that I’m moving in,’ said Kelsey. ‘I’ll be keeping my eye on him.’

  The junior officer burst through the door.

  ‘Ma’am,’ he cried, hurrying over to where Nyane and the others stood. ‘News has arrived from the east. A cavalry scout entered the city under an hour ago, bearing word from Keir and Thorn.’

  Nyane’s tongue flickered. ‘Well?’

  ‘Anamindhari has been liberated; the two mages and their forces were victorious.’

  ‘How is the civilian population?’

  ‘Massacred by the occupiers.’

  Nyane lowered her eyes. ‘And the Sons of Sanang?’

  ‘Annihilated, ma’am,’ he said. ‘No prisoners.’

  There was a whoop of joy from one of the officers present in the chamber.

  Nyane nodded. ‘She has her vengeance, then. Tell me, did they state their plans?’

  ‘They intend to remain in Anamindhari for some time,’ the officer said, ‘to rest and resupply.’

  ‘And then?’

  ‘And then, ma’am, they’re coming back to Rainsby.’

  Chapter 20

  Meeting the Family

  Severton, Domm – 10th Day, First Third Winter 525

  It had been the best ten days of Lennox’s life. Since the moment Karalyn had kissed him on the steps of her apartment, he had been living in a dream. For the hours he toiled at work each day, his mind was filled with her, with memories of the previous evening battling anticipation of the evening to come. He had spent each night in her room, and had awoken each morning to find her in his arms; and had then crept out of the tenement, trying not to awaken the members of her family who also lived there, especially her mother.

  ‘Lennox, are you listening to me?’ said Carrie.

  ‘Eh, what?’

  She sighed and shook her head. ‘It was cute at first to see you all doe-eyed, but it’s getting a bit tiresome. Anyway, I was asking if you heard about the new job that Leisha’s been offered.’

  ‘What about it?’

  ‘It’s out by the peatlands,’ she said, passing him a mug of warmed barley tea with honey. She took a sip from her own mug, grimaced, then sat by the kitchen table. They had moved to their own apartment, paid for with the wages from working Winter’s Day. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen and its own toilet; it was small, but luxurious compared to the cold and damp room they had been sharing previously. For all it cost him, Lennox had spent very little time in it, stopping in briefly for breakfast, or using it as somewhere to wash and change after work.

  ‘So?’ he said.

  ‘What do you mean “so”? It’s miles away; she’d have to live out there. We need to stick together. You’ll have to tell her not to accept it.’

  ‘I’m not her squad leader any more. I can try to convince her, but I can’t give her an order.’

  ‘Can you speak to her tonight?’

  ‘Sorry, I’m away out.’

  ‘Again?’

  ‘Aye.’

  Carrie pursed her lips. ‘I’m still amazed you had the balls to ask if you could walk her home.’

  ‘Me too, but thank Pyre I did.’

  ‘Do you ever think of Libby?’

  ‘Aye, of course. I knew her all my life, from when we were bairns in the children’s camp. I knew everything about her, and when she died… it was like part of me died. That day, five thirds ago, changed everything.’

  ‘But you like this new girl, Karalyn?’

  He smiled. ‘Aye.’

  ‘Do you love her?’

  ‘It’s a bit early for that, but maybe.’

  ‘But is this not like a holiday romance for her? Is she and her family not just visiting? Pyre’s arse, Lennox, don’t get too wrapped up in her; she could be gone soon.’

  ‘Her mother’s sick; that buys us some time. But aye, when her mother recovers they’re planning to go back to the Plateau.’

  There was a sound from the hallway of a door opening, and Cain and Leisha walked into the kitchen, their clothes grimy.

  ‘Where’s dinner?’ said Cain, slinging a bag from over his shoulder.

  ‘In the oven,’ said Carrie, her gaze drawn to the trail of mud across the floor. ‘I thought we agreed to take our boots off at the front door.’

  ‘Fucksake,’ said Cain. ‘Stop nagging.’

  ‘How was the late shift?’ said Lennox.

  ‘Fine,’ said Leisha, kneeling to untie her laces. ‘Dommek had us demolishing an old cattle byre.’

  ‘That explains the muck,’ said Carrie.

  ‘Sorry,’ muttered Leisha. She glanced at Lennox. ‘You staying for dinner?’

  ‘No, I’m going round to the Holdfast’s place.’

  ‘What a fucking surprise,’ said Cain. ‘Still, he’s in the first flush of lust; can’t really blame him.’

  ‘Hardly see him these days,’ said Leisha, standing, her muddy boots held in one hand.

  ‘I see you all at work every d
ay,’ he said as she headed back through to the hall to deposit her boots.

  ‘Must be a bit weird,’ Cain said, ‘what with Karalyn’s family all sharing the same house. Does it not get a bit… awkward?’

  ‘You should ask her round here for dinner one night,’ said Carrie. ‘I’ve hardly said a word to her since Winter’s Day.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Leisha, re-entering the kitchen and sitting, ’and then we could check to see if she’s worthy to be dating Lennox. I mean, she might be a chief’s daughter, but is she good enough to be shagging the squad leader of the mighty Fifth?’

  ‘Ha ha,’ he said.

  ‘You are shagging her, though eh?’ said Cain.

  ‘None of your business.’

  ‘We’re your three best friends in the world,’ Leisha said. ‘Of course it’s our business.’

  ‘Leave him alone, guys,’ said Carrie.

  Cain chuckled. ‘Hey, did you ever find out why she has dark skin? Were you right about there being another tribe of Kellach that we’d never heard about?’

  ‘No. Her mother’s Holdings.’

  ‘Aye?’ said Leisha. ‘We can breed with them?’

  ‘Seems so. Her brother’s got fair skin like us, though.’

  ‘So she’s half and half?’ said Carrie.

  Cain frowned, but said nothing.

  ‘Anyone got a problem with that?’ said Lennox, glancing at them.

  ‘No,’ said Carrie.

  ‘It’s a bit unusual,’ said Leisha, ‘but each to their own. Now, if we happen to bump into her in the street, we’ll need to know what we can say. How much have you told her?’

  ‘She’s knows I’m a fire mage.’

  ‘Shit, Lennox,’ said Carrie. ‘I thought that was supposed to be a secret? You haven’t mentioned… Rainsby?’

  He shook his head. ‘Some things should stay buried.’

  ‘Alright,’ said Leisha. ‘So, fire mage, aye; massacring civilians, no.’