The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘It would help,’ he said, ‘if there were a spot of whisky waiting for me for when I return.’

  A lieutenant nodded. ‘Of course, sir.’

  ‘Thanks. This shouldn’t take too long.’

  Keir stubbed out his cigarette, leaned back into his chair and sent his vision out through the open window of the meeting chamber. He turned south, as he did every day, and shot his sight over the empty valleys and hillsides. The Grey Mountains appeared as a blur on the horizon, then grew in size as he approached, their barren peaks touching the banks of thick cloud that covered the overcast sky. The way was so familiar to him that he had no need to pause to get his bearings, and after only a few minutes he caught sight of the fortress at the northern entrance to the Great Tunnel that led to Rahain.

  Every day when he had checked, he had seen the same; nothing.

  But not that day.

  Thousands of Rahain soldiers were swarming around the base of the tunnel, spilling out through the gates of the fortress, and forming up into large groups in the meadows and fields by the foot of the mountains. He tried to count them but it was useless; all he knew was that there were many more than he had seen in Plateau City, and columns of soldiers were still pouring down the ramp leading from the tunnel. Sprinkled among the mass of troops were dozens of throwing machines, and endless lines of wagons carrying supplies. Gaien, both winged and wingless, were also there in great numbers.

  All of the soldiers were Rahain, he noticed, wondering whether that meant the Army of Pyre had been destroyed, or if it was being sent elsewhere; Stretton Sands perhaps, or Anamindhari. He would need to warn them. His heart sank. Against the overwhelming masses that were assembling by the tunnel, nowhere would be safe.

  As he was about to pull his powers back, he noticed two people standing on top of a raised wooden platform next to the tunnel entrance. The man he recognised immediately. It was Witten, the archmage who had killed first Kelsey, then him. He remembered the slash of the blade as it had ripped through his throat. The man looked different not dressed in a soldier’s uniform, as he had been that night. Like the woman next to him, he was wearing black robes, with a gold band sitting on the crown of his head, a jewel in its centre. The woman looked older than Witten, and wore an expression as dark as her flowing robes.

  Agatha, he thought. It must be.

  The archmages were gazing over the enormous army gathering in the meadows below them, while hundreds more marched by the platform with every minute that passed.

  Agatha’s frown grew deeper. Keir Holdfast, she said in his mind, her power barging its way into his thoughts, pushing them aside with ease.

  He froze, unable to respond.

  My, she went on, this is interesting. I was under the impression that the minds of the Holdfasts were closed to us, but you appear to be using the vision power of the Holdings, rather than the dreamcraft of your sister. And now I see you. I see your thoughts, your plans, your memories; open to me as if you were an ordinary mage. In a way I’m slightly disappointed, as I had amassed this great army thinking that a worthy opponent was facing me. It also makes me wonder why I couldn’t see you before, when you defended the city in the summer. Was your sister there protecting you, perhaps?

  Keir was powerless, held tight in her grasp.

  I will release you now, she said, because I want you to tell the Soulwitch and those in her pathetic army that I am coming to kill them all. None shall be spared. However, if you spy on me again, I will sense it; you are powerless against me. Go now, insect, and despair.

  Agatha severed her ties to him, and flung his vision back to Rainsby. Keir cried out in pain, clutching his face and toppling from his chair. Agony surged through his head, his mind raw and on fire. He heard the concerned voices around him, but paid them no attention; his body writhing on the floor. He convulsed, vomiting at the same time, then felt a hand being placed on his forehead.

  He stilled as the pain was calmed. He gasped in relief, then heard another cry. He opened his eyes from where he lay on the floor, seeing the faces of the officers and officials who were surrounding him. He turned, and saw Thorn. She was sitting next to him with her head bowed, her eyes hollow with exhaustion. He took her hand and she tried to smile, but she looked as though she were about to pass out.

  ‘Give us some space,’ he said, pushing people away with his free hand.

  ‘What happened?’ said Colonel Falstead, as the small crowd drew back. Belinda remained where she was, her arm over Thorn’s shoulder.

  ‘Are you alright?’ said Keir to the Soulwitch.

  Thorn nodded. ‘Just a little tired.’ She started to sway, her face paling, then her eyes closed.

  ‘Will she be alright?’ said Captain Greenhold, his eyes wide. ‘How can we help?’

  ‘We’ll take her to her quarters,’ said Keir. He caught Belinda’s glance and together they lifted Thorn up by the shoulders. ‘Send someone to fetch Acorn, then go back to work,’ Keir said. ‘I’ll speak to you all at the evening briefing.’

  He and Belinda supported Thorn across the chamber and through a short passageway to her rooms. Sergeant Demi followed, and Keir stopped her by the door.

  ‘Let no one in,’ he said.

  ‘What’s going on?’ said the sergeant.

  ‘Thorn just needs to rest.’

  ‘Then why did you send for her sister?’

  ‘Just in case.’

  The sergeant frowned but said nothing, and took up position by the door as Keir and Belinda led Thorn through. They laid her down onto a long, low couch, where she remained motionless, apart from the rise and fall of her chest; her eyes closed.

  ‘Is she sleeping?’ said Belinda, her face distraught.

  ‘I think so, but I’m as blind to her mind as you are.’

  She turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. ‘You did this to her.’

  ‘I didn’t mean to. When she healed me she must have taken the pain into herself.’

  ‘Yes, but she’s healed you dozens of times before and that’s never happened.’

  He looked away, unable to bear Belinda’s glare. ‘It was Agatha. She was in my head.’

  ‘What? You saw Agatha?’

  He nodded. ‘Along with Witten, and the biggest army I’ve ever seen. They’re coming through the tunnel right now. It’s beginning.’

  Acorn arrived at the door to Thorn’s rooms after an anxious twenty minute wait. Sergeant Demi let her in, and she walked straight up to the couch and knelt by her sister.

  ‘Well?’ said Keir, as Acorn placed her hand on Thorn’s arm.

  ‘She’ll be fine,’ the hedgewitch said. ‘She’s just exhausted. Drained, as if she’d been healing all day and night. What happened?’

  ‘Keir came out of a vision trance,’ said Belinda. ‘He was rolling about on the floor screaming, so Thorn touched him. He was fine in a flash, but she passed out a couple of minutes later. Can you fix her?’

  ‘There’s nothing to fix,’ said Acorn, rising. ‘She just needs to sleep it off. Make sure she was plenty to drink and eat when she awakens, to help restore her energy.’ She frowned. ‘I thought you were supposed to have hedgewitch powers, Belinda? That’s what I was told.’

  The young woman lowered her eyes. ‘Yes. Karalyn unblocked healing powers within me so I could save someone who had been hurt. That’s the only time I’ve ever used them, since I don’t understand how they work, and don’t want to make things worse.’

  ‘You’ve never been trained?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why didn’t you ask Thorn?’

  Belinda shrugged. ‘I was too embarrassed.’

  Acorn shook her head. ‘Then I will train you. Starting tomorrow. That’s typical of the empire; they hone your battle-vision skills, and ignore the powers that heal.’ She turned to Keir, eyeing him with suspicion. ‘So, Mister Stormwitch, my sister was healing you at the time, was she?’

  ‘Yes.’

  She stuck out her hand. ‘May I?’


  Keir frowned. ‘Alright.’

  Acorn touched her fingers against the back of his hand. ‘She healed you all right. You’re in perfect health, but whatever hurt was afflicting you, it must have been powerful.’

  He nodded. ‘I was in great pain.’

  ‘And she gave of herself to relieve you of it,’ Acorn said; ‘gave deeply. My sister usually keeps something back for herself, but not with you it seems.’

  Belinda shook her head and looked away.

  ‘I’d better be going back to where I’m needed,’ said Acorn.

  ‘Thanks for coming,’ said Keir.

  ‘She’s my sister; the only one I have left. When the time comes,’ she said, her eyes meeting Keir’s, ‘you’re going to turn the Rahain army into ash, aren’t you?’

  He nodded. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good. I look forward to it.’

  She walked to the entrance and Sergeant Demi let her out, closing the door behind her.

  For hours, Keir and Belinda sat with Thorn in her quarters, ignoring everyone who tried to approach them. Outside the front door, Sergeant Demi remained busy all day, keeping back the concerned officials, and the commanders of the navy, marines and cavalry who came by to get news of the health of the Soulwitch. Throughout it all, Thorn remained still, her breathing soft and low.

  Keir and Belinda spoke little to each other as they waited. He felt certain that she didn’t like him, but as her mind had been permanently shielded by his older sister, he was unable to know for sure. She had taken a chair and moved it next to the couch where Thorn was lying, and had remained there, watching the Soulwitch, while Keir sat by the window, smoking his way through a packet of cigarettes. They ordered food and tea, but ate separately, and in silence.

  Alone with his thoughts, Keir’s mind went over the words of Agatha, and the helplessness he had felt in her grip, until the nerves in his stomach were churning.

  ‘Keir,’ snapped Belinda from her chair. ‘She’s awakening.’

  He rushed over to the couch as Thorn stirred. She opened her eyes and gazed up at the two faces looking down on her. Belinda held a glass of wine to her lips.

  ‘Drink,’ she said.

  Thorn took a sip, then tried to sit up. Belinda helped her, taking her arm and propping cushions around her.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘Was I sleeping long?’

  ‘All day,’ said Belinda. ‘It’s starting to get dark.’

  ‘I’m so hungry.’

  ‘We have food,’ said Belinda, turning and gesturing to Keir.

  He went over to a table and picked up a bowl of thick soup that had been brought not long before.

  ‘This is still warm,’ he said, bringing it over.

  Belinda took it from him, and held the spoon up towards Thorn.

  ‘I can do it,’ the soulwitch said.

  ‘I don’t mind.’

  ‘I know,’ Thorn said, ‘and thanks, but I don’t want you two fussing over me. I’m fine.’

  She took the bowl and started to eat, as Belinda and Keir watched in silence, waiting for her to finish.

  ‘Acorn was here,’ said Keir, as Thorn placed the empty bowl down.

  ‘That was kind of her, but as I mentioned, I’m fine.’

  ‘Do you remember what happened?’

  ‘Yes. I healed you after your sighting, and the pain I removed overwhelmed me a little.’ She met his eyes. ‘What was the cause of it?’

  ‘Agatha.’

  Thorn nodded. ‘Are they coming?’

  ‘Yes. I saw her and Witten, and thousands of soldiers, all gathered by the entrance to the Great Tunnel.’

  ‘And does everyone else know this?’

  ‘No. We brought you here as soon as you fell unconscious. The only people in Rainsby who know are we three in this room.’

  Thorn took another sip of wine. ‘Have you anything to smoke?’

  ‘I have cigarettes.’

  She nodded, so he lit one and passed it to her. ‘We knew they’d come, but I wasn’t expecting it so soon; I thought we had at least another third. But does it matter? We’re as prepared now as we’ll ever be.’ She frowned. ‘But that doesn’t explain the pain.’

  Keir turned to Belinda. ‘I want to speak to Thorn alone.’

  ‘Tough shit.’

  ‘Belinda, please,’ said Thorn.

  The young woman scowled, then got to her feet. ‘I’ll go through to your study, and wait there.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Thorn.

  Keir waited until Belinda had closed the door before turning back to Thorn. ‘We have a problem.’

  She nodded. ‘I guessed so. Fetch a bottle of something first. And more food, if there’s any.’

  Keir stood, and went back to the table, where the there were several plates piled with leftovers from dinner. He filled a tray and brought it over to the couch, laying it down on a small table within Thorn’s reach. He filled two glasses with wine, and sat in the chair where Belinda had been.

  ‘You talk,’ said Thorn; ‘I’ll eat.’

  ‘Agatha was in my mind,’ he said. ‘I’m not protected after all. Worse, she read my memories, and knows everything.’

  ‘Start from the beginning,’ said Thorn, chewing on a slice of pork. ‘How did she get inside your mind in the first place?’

  ‘My vision was looking right at her; she must have sensed it.’

  ‘I thought that they couldn’t sense dream-mages.’

  ‘She told me that I was using regular vision powers, not dream powers. She also said that she couldn’t see me before, but that I was visible to her now.’

  Thorn frowned. ‘But how is that possible?’

  ‘Agatha didn’t know either. She thought that Karalyn must have been with me, to hide me from her.’ A realisation struck him, and he groaned. ‘Kelsey; it must be.’

  ‘But your younger sister has no powers.’

  He took a long sip of wine, feeling its sourness on his tongue. ‘I haven’t been honest with you about some things, Thorn. I’m sorry.’

  She nodded, her expression guarded. ‘Go on.’

  ‘Kelsey does have powers. Not many, I suppose, but they would all be a part of dream powers, I think.’

  ‘What can she do?’

  ‘She can get glimpses of the future, like Karalyn.’

  ‘This would have been very useful to know, Keir.’

  He nodded. ‘I know. I tried to persuade her to tell you about it, but she made me promise a long time ago that I would never tell anyone without her permission; and I’ve kept my word. Until now.’

  ‘Anything else?’

  ‘Yes. She can hear when other mages use their powers. Karalyn can do that too. Also, I can’t read her. The blocks she has on her mind feel to me like the blocks that Karalyn has protecting her. Maybe, just maybe, she was protecting me when she was here, even if she didn’t know she was doing it.’

  ‘And we let her go.’

  ‘She’s fifteen, Thorn. I don’t want her caught up in this.’

  ‘Nevertheless, it’s an advantage we’ve given up; an advantage that could have kept us safe.’ She shook her head. ‘None of this is good, Keir. I don’t blame you for not mentioning it, not if you were under oath to your sister, but I feel we’ve lost something I didn’t even know we had. Do you think Agatha will be able to find you again?’

  ‘Only if I use my vision powers. I was staring right at her when she sensed me, and she warned me that if she caught me doing it again, she’d sense it. But think, we know they’re here; I don’t need to track them any more, and I don’t think she’d be able to find me if I aimed my vision in a different direction. In some ways it changes nothing. It won’t affect my fire powers.’

  ‘That comforts me a little,’ she said. ‘Oh Keir, my Stormwitch, we may well die defending this city, if Agatha’s power is as terrible as I fear.’

  He took her hand. ‘As long as I’m by your side, it would be a privilege, and an honour.’

  Their eyes met and Keir was
lost in her; her lips; her face; her eyes; and his heart pounded as she gazed back at him. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted anyone. He loved her; at that moment he knew it; he loved her with all his being.

  ‘There’s something else I must tell you,’ he said, breaking off the glance. Part of him screamed out in resistance, but he pressed on, knowing he was putting a knife through his dreams.

  ‘Yes?’ she said.

  ‘I have a son.’

  ‘Oh.’

  He kept his gaze down, unable to meet her eyes.

  She withdrew her hand from his.

  ‘His name’s Cole,’ he went on, ‘and I’ve never met him.’

  ‘How old?’

  Keir calculated. ‘About seven and a half thirds.’

  ‘And the mother?’

  ‘A Holdings girl called Jemma. I dated her around the time I turned sixteen.’

  ‘Do you love her?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And your son; do you love him?’

  ‘Like I said, I’ve never even met him.’ He put his head in his hands. ‘I was a coward, and I ran away when she was still pregnant.’

  ‘You deserted them?’

  ‘Yes, I did. What a fool I was. Even though I didn’t love her, I should have stuck by her. No wonder my father was so angry with me. If I had only done what was right, he’d still be alive…’ He paused, as his eyes began to well. ‘So,’ he said, pushing the tears aside, ‘now you know. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier.’

  ‘Belinda already told me.’

  He raised his head. ‘What?’

  ‘She told me the day we got back to Rainsby, while you and Kelsey were being murdered in the next room. I was angry with you, and then I heard the cries, and I saw your body lying on the floor, with blood everywhere. I’m still angry with you; angry that you couldn’t tell me in all the time we’ve spent together.’

  ‘The longer it took, the harder it got. I knew you’d be angry, and I was selfish. I wanted to live as if you might love me, and knowing the truth would destroy the chance of that forever.’

  ‘But, Keir,’ she said, ‘I do love you.’

  He reached out and she took his hand again, their fingers intertwining. He tried to smile, barely believing the words she had spoken. He had told many girls that he had loved them; but none of those times meant anything compared to the feelings he had for Thorn.