The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  They stood in silence for a while by the side of the wharf.

  Nyane finished her cigarette and stubbed it out beneath her heel. ‘Disgusting habit.’

  ‘Frightful.’

  ‘A cup of tea would be very welcome in this cold,’ Nyane said. ‘Perhaps we…’ She paused, as her eyes caught sight of a small ship entering the harbour. Its two sails were brought in, and they watched as it was rowed towards the nearest pier. Nyane nodded to the soldiers behind her and they set off, crossing to the other side of the wharf and walking up the long pier to where the boat was being steered.

  Two dozen armoured marines were standing on the deck of the ship, mixed in with Rakanese and Holdings sailors. Dock-workers secured the boat’s ropes to the pier as a wooden gangplank was set in place. Nyane walked to its base, her hands clasped behind her back as she waited.

  A Holdings man appeared at the top of the gangplank. He was dressed in a palace uniform, and was carrying a leather bag over his shoulder.

  ‘Greetings, Governor,’ he said as he walked down the gangway.

  ‘Welcome to Rainsby, Captain Mardie,’ she said. ‘I trust your journey from Plateau City wasn’t too taxing?’

  He stepped onto the pier and bowed to Nyane. ‘Dull and cold, thank you.’

  ‘Do you have a message for me?’

  ‘I do. Shall we go somewhere warmer?’

  ‘I’d rather read it right away, if you don’t mind, Captain.’

  Mardie frowned. ‘Of course, ma’am.’

  The officer reached into the leather bag and withdrew a large envelope, marked with the imperial seal. He handed it over to Nyane and bowed again, as a chill wind blew through the quiet harbour.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. She gazed at the envelope for a moment, then cracked open the seal and eased out the letter held within.

  To my Herald, greetings.

  We shall keep this brief, as too much time has already been wasted by your indecision. You were appointed Governor of Rainsby because of the great trust we have in your abilities and in your judgement; and we are at a loss to explain your sudden need to have clearly-given orders confirmed to you.

  Therefore, to repeat those orders: the renegade mages Keir Holdfast and Thorn of Greyfalls Deepen are to be arrested at once and transported without further delay to the Capital of the Empire, where they will be tried before the imperial courts for treason and inciting mutiny.

  Enact our will; for we do not intend to repeat ourselves again.

  Bridget, Holder of the World

  Nyane folded the letter and placed it back into the envelope.

  ‘I assume you are aware of the contents?’ she said to Captain Mardie.

  ‘Indeed, ma’am,’ he said. ‘I memorised the words in case anything were to happen to the letter.’ He turned and gestured to the marines standing up on the deck of the ship. ‘I have brought a small escort for the renegade mages.’

  ‘How kind, thank you,’ said Nyane, slipping the envelope into the folds of her winter robes. ‘Stay here with the ship, Captain. I shall return to the fortress and make preparations to ensure her Majesty’s orders are carried out today.’

  ‘I could be of assistance if I were to accompany you, ma’am.’

  ‘I do not require any assistance from you. Ensure the Harbourmaster re-supplies your ship with everything it needs for the return journey, and be ready to depart by this evening.’

  The captain frowned but said nothing.

  ‘Farewell,’ Nyane said, turning. She walked back down the pier, Kelsey by her side, and her guards following. Nerves in her stomach fought like snakes as she walked back towards where their carriage was located by the harbour walls. She had been foolish to have held any hope that the Empress’s response would be different from what she had ordered Nyane to do thirds before; and all the delay had achieved was to make those orders harder to carry out.

  ‘Have you worked out what you’re going to do yet?’ said Kelsey.

  Nyane glanced at the girl. ‘I assume you’ve guessed what was written in the letter?’

  ‘I think the only person who didn’t was you.’

  Nyane said nothing.

  ‘So?’ said Kelsey.

  ‘You know what I have to do.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Kelsey. ‘Your duty.’

  The fortress was echoing with a nervous anticipation when Nyane returned. Marines, who had previously belonged to the differing sects that had riven the town, were standing together in groups, watching the governor as she stepped down from the carriage in front of the great bastion. Nyane kept her face expressionless as she crossed a bridge over the dry moat into the old building, its stone walls ten-feet thick at its base.

  ‘Where are the witches?’ she said to a staff officer who was waiting for her in the gatehouse.

  ‘Upstairs, ma’am,’ she said, ‘waiting in your study.’

  Without another word, she turned left into a stairwell and started to climb, the way lit by the narrow slit-windows cut through the stone. Kelsey hurried behind her, followed by a squad of guards. The governor’s quarters occupied the upper two floors of the bastion, and they reached a wooden door leading to her study.

  She turned to the guards. ‘All of you, wait outside, please, and send someone to summon mages Ravi and Tabor, and the two hedgewitches.’

  ‘Aye, ma’am,’ said the squad leader.

  Nyane took a breath, opened the door and entered the chamber, Kelsey by her side. On the left, in front of a line of half-empty bookshelves, sat her desk; while on the right, sitting by the fireplace, were Keir, Thorn, Belinda and Sergeant Demi. They glanced up at her as she walked to the hearth and rubbed her hands in front of the fire, feeling the warmth spread up from her cold fingertips.

  ‘Someone should probably say something,’ said Belinda.

  No one spoke.

  ‘I will,’ said Thorn after a moment. ‘By your reaction, Governor, I think I can divine the contents of the message you have received from the Empress in Plateau City. Would I be correct in saying that she has ordered our arrest?’

  Nyane kept her eyes on the flames. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Fuck,’ muttered the sergeant.

  ‘She’s making a mistake,’ said Keir, ‘but Thorn and I have talked it over and come to a decision.’

  ‘Aye?’ said Kelsey. ‘And what would that be?’

  He frowned at his sister. ‘I thought you would know.’

  ‘I do, I just want to hear you say it.’

  ‘Fine. Governor, we…’ Keir paused. ‘Could you please look at me when I’m talking to you?’

  Nyane turned, her face grey and troubled.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘Now, we…’

  ‘Wait,’ said Nyane. ‘I want all of the mages to be present.’

  Keir puffed out his cheeks and stood, lighting a cigarette and walking over to the large window that overlooked the Old Town. There was a knock at the door and it opened.

  ‘Quite a crowd,’ said Ravi, walking in. ‘What’s going on? The atmosphere in the fortress is icier than Belinda’s smile.’

  The young vision mage Tabor came in after him, and the door closed.

  ‘Take a seat,’ said Nyane.

  Ravi glanced around. ‘There aren’t any.’

  ‘Then sit on the edge of the desk,’ she said, sighing.

  ‘Aye,’ said Kelsey, ‘perch on it like it’s a lily-pad in a pond.’

  ‘Too many apes in this room,’ said Ravi, jumping up and sitting on the desk, ‘Kellach, half-Kellach, Holdings, Sanang… and whatever Belinda is. Praise the spirits that Nyane’s here to help balance them out.’

  ‘Why are you picking on me?’ said Belinda.

  Kelsey laughed. ‘Because you didn’t let him do any of those things in Karalyn’s picture book.’

  ‘Please,’ said Nyane. ‘Today is hard enough without this foolishness.’

  ‘Just trying to lighten the mood,’ said Kelsey.

  The door opened again, and a soldier poke
d his head through. ‘Sorry to bother you all, but the hedgewitches are here.’

  ‘Let them in,’ said Nyane.

  The soldier nodded, and held the door open for Acorn and Chestnut to enter. Once they were inside, he closed it again, and the room fell silent.

  ‘Sister,’ said Acorn.

  Thorn nodded.

  ‘Take my seat,’ Keir said to Chestnut, the elderly hedgewitch, who smiled and sat.

  ‘I’ve feeling a bit over-powered,’ said Sergeant Demi, ‘what with eight mages and Kelsey in the room. Should I be here for this?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Nyane. ‘You can represent the marines.’

  The sergeant smirked. ‘I’m not sure many would agree with that, but alright.’

  ‘Thank you all for being here,’ said Nyane, her voice clear. ‘I have received orders from her Imperial Majesty, and I intend to do my duty to the empire. Therefore, as of this moment and in front of you all as witnesses, I hereby resign the governorship of Rainsby. I shall retain the authority of Herald, but will no longer take decisions affecting the governance of this town.’

  Every face in the room stared at her, some with open mouths, though Kelsey, she noticed, looked unsurprised.

  ‘Tonight,’ Nyane went on, ‘I shall be boarding the ship that arrived in the harbour, and I will return to Plateau City to explain myself to the Empress in person.’

  ‘You can’t,’ said Belinda. ‘She’ll punish you for disobeying her. And who’ll run Rainsby?’

  ‘That is for you all to decide. I shall take no part in that decision; you are all free to choose. I do have one demand, however.’

  ‘Yes?’ said Thorn.

  ‘I shall be taking Kelsey back with me to Plateau City when I leave. When the Rahain come, they will do so in overwhelming numbers, and Rainsby will be no place for a girl of fifteen.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Keir. ‘I nearly lost her once. She should go back to Plateau City where she’ll be safe.’

  ‘What am I supposed to do?’ said Ravi.

  ‘Whatever you choose,’ said Thorn, standing. She glanced around the room. ‘The Stormwitch and I will be staying here, to defend Rainsby when the time comes. We will also assist in its government if called upon, and we shall do so in the name of the Empress, though we shall not be accepting any further orders from her Majesty. If you are with us, and are prepared to face both the wrath of the Empress and the hordes of the enemy, then stay, and pledge yourselves. If not, then let us part in respect and peace. There is space on the boat for any in this room who wish to leave.’

  Keir stood by her side. ‘I’m with you, Soulwitch. Together we’ll make this place the graveyard of the Rahain when they come.’

  ‘You will,’ said Kelsey, shaking her head, ‘but I won’t be here for it. I’ll go back with Nyane; not because you all think I should, but because I must. The Empress needs someone to give her a good talking to, and I’m the one to do it.’

  ‘I’ve no doubt you’ll do a good job,’ said Thorn, ‘though I’ll miss you.’

  ‘Yeah,’ said Keir. ‘Me too.’

  He stepped forward and embraced her.

  ‘There’s time for that later,’ she said, pushing him away. ‘I haven’t even packed yet.’

  ‘I want to go back to Plateau City,’ said Tabor. ‘I’m of no use here.’

  ‘You tried your best,’ said Thorn.

  ‘I’m going too,’ said Ravi. ‘I’ve worked my ass off here for the entire fucking winter; I think I’ve earned a break.’

  ‘Your work will not be forgotten,’ said Thorn. ‘Everyone knows the contribution you’ve made to Rainsby’s defences.’ She turned to her sister. ‘Acorn, you have also done more than enough. If you and Chestnut want to return, no one would blame you.’

  ‘Forget it, sister,’ said Acorn. ‘There’s no way I’m missing this. Those bastards drove Clove to her death, and took mother and Bluebell away into slavery. I’m not leaving.’

  Chestnut turned and spoke in Sanangka to Acorn.

  The younger hedgewitch nodded after a few moments. ‘She’s not leaving either.’

  ‘I’m staying,’ said the sergeant. ‘You all knew that, but I’d thought I’d say it anyway. The marines will miss you, Governor, or ex-governor, whatever. You did a fine job, but they’ll rally behind Keir and Thorn, as will the civilians, and the rest of the armed forces.’

  ‘But you’ll get no reinforcements,’ said Ravi, ‘not when the Empress finds out what’s happened.’

  ‘The first ships carrying fresh recruits may very well have departed Plateau City by the time we arrive there,’ said Nyane, ‘and despite everything, the Empress will not wish Rainsby to fall, even if it is being ruled by the two young renegades.’ She turned to Belinda. ‘You are the only one who has not spoken.’

  The young woman raised an eyebrow. ‘Do I have a choice? I thought I was under your command?’

  ‘I am no longer the governor, and as herald I give you permission to decide your own course.’

  Belinda glanced at Thorn, then back at Nyane. ‘I’m going to stay.’

  Nyane quashed the bitter disappointment swelling inside her, determined to retain a shred of dignity amid her downfall.

  Thorn turned to face her. ‘Thank you. By your actions, you have saved Rainsby from civil war, and given us a chance to defeat the Rahain. We won’t forget it.’

  ‘I would be obliged if this were kept secret until our departure,’ Nyane said. ‘Let us carry on as normal, so that the populace remains calm, then I and those electing to return with me can slip away at dusk. I will sign the necessary documents to legitimise my resignation. Now, I think I’ll retire to my quarters and make ready to leave.’ She attempted a smile, but her heart felt defeated. ‘Good luck.’

  A large crowd of marines stood by the quayside at sunset to see the ship off, and to ensure that Captain Mardie did not try to take matters into his own hands. Nyane had relieved him of his duties, and dispersed the marines he had brought among the town’s garrison; taking only a handful of those she deemed most loyal to her, along with the mages who had decided to return.

  Thorn and Keir stood among the crowds, Belinda by their side. The soulwitch had even made a speech, thanking the herald for her service to the town, but Nyane felt hollow, and dreaded her reunion with the Empress.

  ‘You did the right thing,’ said Kelsey, standing to her left by the railings on the deck as they watched the boat slip its moorings. ‘It may not seem so now, but this was the way it had to be.’

  ‘Do you know something that I don’t?’

  Kelsey smiled. ‘Aye.’

  ‘Are you going to tell me?’

  ‘Let’s wait until we’re out at sea,’ Kelsey said, ‘then we can sit down, have a drink, and I tell you everything.’

  Nyane nodded, her eyes watching the lights on the pier as they slowly faded into the distance.

  Chapter 24

  The Morning After

  Severton, Domm – 21st Day, Last Third Winter 525

  The sound of raindrops pattering off the tiled roof of the cottage stirred something in Lennox’s mind and his eyes opened. He yawned in the dim light of the cold room, and stretched his arms.

  Another dawn, he thought, but this day was going to be different. He pulled back the blankets from the bed and swung his legs round, his bare feet touching the icy-cold floorboards. He rubbed his eyes, feeling as he had slept for a third, then opened a shutter, letting in the light from the dull, grey skies. The hills outside were shrouded in mist; their summits invisible. He would miss the view, but he had no time to worry about that.

  The Army of Pyre had taught him how to deal with failure; carry on, move forwards, and if things couldn’t be changed, don’t look back. He had been wrong about Severton, but what did it matter? The world was a big place, and there were plenty of towns and nations he had yet to visit. There was also the war, in which he had been fighting on the wrong side, as he now realised. He was still a soldier though, that would never
change.

  He lit the stove, using up all of the spare stock of cut wood that lay piled to the side. There was no need to save any, as he was never coming back. He waited until the flames took hold, then rummaged through his clothes, selecting his best travelling gear. He dressed, picked up an empty kettle, then opened the front door, taking a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. The burn was a short walk round to the other side of the cottage, and he gazed at the houses of Severton as he filled the kettle, kneeling by the rushing stream. The massive distillery dominated the settlement, which began at the bottom of the slope where the cottage was located. Smoke was rising from many chimneys, signalling the beginning of a new day.

  He carried the full kettle back into the house, poured some into a basin, and put the rest onto the stove to heat. His head was still bleary from sleeping, so he shaved using the cold water, splashing his face in attempt to shake off his morning lethargy. His old pack was under the bed, and he pulled it out, opening it on the floor. He packed quickly, gathering his things from where they lay scattered or folded around the room. Someone else’s clothes were there too, but he ignored them, having no idea to whom they belonged. Maybe they had been left there by the previous occupant of the cottage, and he wondered why he had never tidied them away.

  The kettle whistled and he made himself a bowl of thick, warm porridge, then sat at the table to eat alone, as he had done ever since moving into the cottage. A trickle of self-pity entered his thoughts, but he swept it away. He needed to concentrate on the future; on what he was going to do with his life. It was over ten days to the western end of the Domm Pass on foot; Severton being at the furthest extremity of the peninsula. It would probably be New Year by the time he arrived, and almost summer by the time he reached the Plateau, if that was the direction he chose. At that moment, his life was wide open; unplanned and unstructured; anything could happen, he could choose to be anything he wanted to be.

  He shook his head. He was a soldier.