‘Aye, but you can’t get too wasted; you’re going to have to do the test again tomorrow.’
‘I could do that pish in my sleep,’ Cain smirked. ‘This time, I’ll probably just wait by the edge of the clearing; let the fuckers come to me.’
They had an ale each at the bar, then strode outside into the street. The sky was dark and clear; the seven stars shining like diamonds above them.
‘Where first?’ said Lennox.
‘We could go to the World’s End, I suppose,’ said Cain. ‘The other recruits gave me directions on how to get there.’
‘Is it meant to be good?’
Cain frowned as they began walking down the road. ‘You have heard of it, haven’t you?’
‘No.’
‘It’s famous, or so the locals claim. Fire Mage Keira once lived there.’
‘Keira kill-kill?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘Aye,’ said Lennox. ‘Let’s go.’
They reached the end of the street and turned right along the main road, heading towards the cliffs, where the road began to descend by the steep, switchback road. Cain took a narrow street to the left, and Lennox followed him. They passed a few more taverns, their doors closed and windows shuttered against the chill wind, and reached an old weather-worn building, its large bulk perched by the edge of the cliffside. A sign was hanging in front of the entrance, its paint peeling and blistered.
‘Here it is,’ said Cain.
Lennox strode up to the door and opened it. The inside of the tavern was half-full with patrons sitting at tables near a large fire that was burning against a wall. He and Cain stepped into the room and closed the door. To their right, a woman was speaking to the customers from behind a table, and Lennox’s mouth opened.
‘Do you see who it is?’ he muttered to Cain as they walked to the bar.
Cain turned his head to peer at the woman. ‘Naw… Oh, wait a minute, aye. Now, where the fuck have we seen her before?’
They reached the bar. ‘Liberton,’ Lennox said under his breath. ‘She spoke to us when we were captured by the rebels.’
‘Shit, you’re right,’ said Cain, frowning.
They listened to the woman speak as they waited to be served. She was telling a story about Chief Killop and Mage Keira during their time as resistance fighters against the Rahain invasion over twenty years previously.
‘Lennox!’ cried a voice from the other side of the tavern.
He glanced over. ‘Darine?’
The young woman ran through the room and hurled herself at Lennox, her arms wrapping round his shoulders in a tight embrace.
‘You’re here,’ she said into his shoulder, her voice almost breaking.
‘Aye.’
‘Hello, Darine,’ said Cain, an eyebrow raised.
‘Cain,’ she said, pulling back from Lennox. ‘What are you boys doing here? I thought I was never going to see you again.’
An old woman approached, a slight frown on her lips. She glanced at Darine. ‘Do you know these men?’
‘Old friends,’ she said. ‘Old army friends.’ She turned back to Lennox, her hands still gripping his arms. ‘This is Kelpie. She owns the place. Kelpie, this is Lennox and Cain.’
‘Do you work here?’ said Cain to Darine.
‘Aye.’
Lennox laughed, his eyes taking in every detail of her. He realised he still had feelings for Darine, but they had changed. ‘I can’t believe we’ve met here, of all places.’
‘And why not?’ said Kelpie. ‘The World’s End has seen all types of chance meetings over the years. Everyone passes through these doors; we even had the Empress stay here once, as well as…’
‘The fire mage,’ said Lennox.
‘So, ye have heard of us,’ said Kelpie. She smiled at Darine. ‘Take the rest of the night off, hen. Catch up with your old friends.’
‘Thanks, Kelpie,’ said Darine.
The old woman leaned behind the bar and picked up a bottle of whisky.
‘On the house,’ she said to Lennox, handing it to him. ‘Any friend of Darine’s is welcome here.’
He gave a slight bow.
‘Thanks,’ said Cain.
Darine led the two men over to a quiet booth by the shuttered window. She ordered some ale and water for the table, and they sat.
‘Have you just arrived in Kellach Brigdomin, then?’ she said, as Cain poured the whisky.
‘No,’ said Lennox. ‘We spent the whole winter in Domm, down at Severton.’
‘I’d love to go there,’ she said. ‘What’s it like?’
‘Cold.’
‘Well, it was winter, and it’s right next to the ocean. I’ve been here nearly a year and a half.’ She nodded over in the direction of the woman who was speaking about Chief Killop to the customers. ‘Koreen helped me get out of Rahain and brought me here.’
‘Koreen,’ said Lennox. ‘That’s her name. I knew I recognised her.’
‘And I’m happier now than I’ve ever been. Kelpie’s a good boss, and Koreen’s like family to me.’
‘I’m glad you made it here,’ said Lennox.
‘I only wish I had the twins with me, then everything would be perfect.’
‘At least you know they’re safe,’ he said. ‘Liberton will care for them.’
‘Aye, and turn them into future soldiers for the Army of Pyre.’
‘Not if they lose this war. If the empire defeats Rahain, then Liberton will be freed.’
She glanced at him. ‘You’ve certainly changed. I take it the war taught you what the Army of Pyre was really like, and that’s why you deserted? I assume you deserted?’
‘Aye, after the imperials re-took Stretton Sands last summer.’
‘Good,’ she said. ‘You’re well out of it.’
A man at the bar called over to her.
‘Just a second, Kendrie,’ she said, standing. She glanced down at Lennox. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
He watched her as she walked away.
‘Rekindling the old flame?’ said Cain, smirking at him.
Lennox shook his head. ‘No.’
‘Why the fuck not?’ said Cain. ‘Think of the chances of you meeting her again; it’s fate. You loved her more than anyone, and she got away. It’s not often an opportunity like this comes along; you’ve got to grab it.’
‘I did love her, but I accepted long ago that she didn’t feel the same, and I moved on.’ He caught Cain’s gaze. ‘I loved Libby too.’
Cain grunted.
‘It’ll be good to have a friend here,’ Lennox went on; ‘someone who knows us; and we can come and see her whenever we’re here.’
Darine walked back from the bar and sat down at the table. She picked up her glass of whisky.
‘What are your plans then, boys?’ she said. ‘You looking for work?’
‘We might have found some already,’ said Lennox.
‘Aye? Here in Westgate?’
‘Aye, though Pyre knows where we’ll end up going. We’re enlisting in the Iron Brigade.’
‘What?’ said Darine, frowning. ‘Those mercenaries that have set up camp at the Doughton Farm? What are you thinking, getting mixed up with them?’
‘Good pay,’ said Cain.
‘I miss being a soldier,’ said Lennox.
Darine laughed. ‘You can’t bullshit me, Lennox; I always knew when you were lying.’
‘I’m no good at anything else.’
‘And who will you be fighting?’
‘I spoke to the two Holdings who are running the whole thing,’ he said. ‘I asked them that very question. They wouldn’t say.’
‘And yet you’re still going to sign up?’
‘They swore to me that they wouldn’t be fighting the empire, and I believe them.’
‘Fine,’ said Darine. ‘It’s your life. I’ll miss you though; I was hoping you’d be staying. It’s nice to have a friend around.’
‘We’ll be here for a while yet,’ he said. ‘
The brigade are not halfway through filling their numbers, and I reckon we’ll be at the farm for at least another third or so. Hopefully, we’ll be able to come down to see you a few times before we finally move out.’
‘Fair enough,’ she said, sipping her whisky. ‘Maybe by then I’ll have persuaded you to desert again.’
Chapter 29
Shroud over Rainsby
Rainsby, Imperial Plateau – 18th Day, First Third Spring 526
Keir sat smoking by the window, gazing out over Rainsby as the dawn sunlight reflected off the tiled roofs of the town. Behind him, Thorn’s bedroom was a mess; scattered clothes were strewn across the floor, and the bed was unmade. Glasses, mugs and full ashtrays crowded the surface of the table, along with empty bottles. For nineteen days, ever since the first sighting of Agatha and Witten’s army, the mood in the town had grown more desperate and sullen. Civilians had taken to going to the harbour each day, to see if any reinforcements or supplies had arrived from the rest of the empire, despite Keir knowing that the imperial fleet was yet to depart from Plateau City. He had used his vision powers sparingly, aware that Agatha’s skills far outmatched his own.
To the south, the Rahain army had rolled its way towards Rainsby. It resembled a moving city, with thousands of wagons accompanying the marching soldiers, along with several dozen large stone-throwing machines. Winged gaien were also transporting soldiers to the eastern and western approaches to the town, sealing Rainsby off from the outside world.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and lips brushed his cheek.
‘It’s done,’ said Thorn. ‘The evacuation has begun.’
‘Are we doing the right thing?’
‘We’re out-numbered forty-to-one,’ she said. ‘Any civilian that stays here once the fighting starts will be killed.’
‘Then shouldn’t we leave, too?’
‘You can if you wish.’
He frowned at her.
‘We’ve boasted for thirds that we can defend Rainsby,’ she said. ‘How would it look if we ran away before the Rahain even get here?’
‘You’re worried about how it looks? Two hundred thousand fucking Rahain are a few hours away. They’ll be here by noon, led by Agatha and Witten. By this time tomorrow, we won’t have the luxury of caring how it looks; we’ll be dead.’
‘Maybe,’ she said, lighting a cigarette and gazing out of the window, ‘but if we kill enough of them first, we could be doing a great service to the empire. Our sacrifice could mean their victory.’
He stared at her. ‘I’ve no intention of becoming a martyr; and neither should you. If we escape, then we can fight again another time.’
‘No. We fight now. You are free to choose your own path, Stormwitch, but I’ll not be leaving Rainsby, not until Agatha’s soldiers lie piled in heaps.’
‘I told you I’d stay with you, and I meant it,’ he said, scowling. ‘I’ll never leave you. It’s just that I’d hoped to be spending years by your side, not days; it’s such a waste.’
She smiled. ‘We’re not dead yet, but even if we were to fall, some things are bigger than us. From everything Belinda’s told me, a world ruled by Agatha is not one I’d wish for; if we can help prevent that then our deaths would not be in vain.’
Keir disagreed, but said nothing.
‘We haven’t got long before we have to get ready to go,’ she said, taking his hand in hers.
He gazed at her, his heart filled with yearning. Her close presence intoxicated him, and her touch felt like the fulfilment of his life’s desire. They kissed, and she pulled him over to the bed.
‘But is there a chance,’ said Captain Greenhold, ‘that the Rahain will simply place the town under siege, like they did before?’
‘I’m afraid not,’ said Commander Nykka, glancing at the officers assembled round a large table, on which several large maps had been laid. ‘The enemy cannot afford to wait. With every day that passes, their army will consume a tremendous amount of supplies, while increasing the chances that we shall be reinforced from the sea.’
‘If only we had another ten thousand troopers or marines,’ said Colonel Falstead. ‘With five thousand we can’t even defend the outer ramparts, let alone the rest of the city.’
‘How is the evacuation going?’ said Thorn.
‘The ships are filling up nicely,’ said the commander. ‘If we continue throughout the coming day and night, we should be finished by dawn.’
‘Their safety is our priority,’ Thorn said. ‘All troopers should be assigned to the Old Town, to slow down the Rahain advance long enough for everyone to get away.’
‘And will you be there with them, ma’am?’
‘No. I shall be in the Outer City to meet the invaders.’
‘As will I,’ said Keir.
‘I will order all troopers to the Old Town as you command,’ said Nykka, ‘but we cannot leave our mages undefended. I will have the remaining marines stationed with you, to protect your flanks and cover your retreat, if necessary.’
‘Volunteers only,’ said Thorn.
‘That means all of them, ma’am,’ said the commander. ‘Not one would refuse to stand by you.’
Keir saw Thorn’s mask of calm almost crack. She was scared, he knew it; and so was he. In front of the officers though, neither of them would show it; they had sworn that their fears would only be shared with each other.
‘Thank you,’ she said, her composure flawless.
‘I’ll be there too,’ said Belinda, ‘watching your back.’
The older officers glanced at each other, a few looking uncomfortable.
‘This seems wrong,’ said Captain Greenhold; ‘allowing ones so young to put themselves into such positions to save the rest of us. It sits ill with me.’
‘If it were only soldiers advancing,’ Thorn said, ‘then I would agree. However, the power of Agatha and Witten can only be opposed by myself and the Stormwitch.’
‘Can they really be so powerful?’ said Greenhold. ‘None of us here have ever seen them use the powers they are reputed to have.’
‘I’ve seen them,’ said Belinda. ‘Agatha possesses every mage power; I watched her use them. It was only the strength of Karalyn Holdfast that saved our lives that day. If she were here now…’
‘But she’s not,’ said Keir, ‘so you’ll have to make do with me and Thorn instead.’
Belinda glared at him.
‘We will do everything we can to stop them,’ said Thorn. ‘If it suffices, we will obliterate them and their army; if not, then we’ll kill as many of them as we are able, and you will take the remainder of the imperial forces to Stretton Sands, ready to continue the resistance.’
The chamber fell into silence, the only noise coming from the logs crackling in the fireplace. Keir tried to quell the anxiety burning a hole in his stomach. An hour before, he had been lying in Thorn’s arms, their bodies pressed together, and it had been enough to make him forget the approaching Rahain army. He wished with all his being that he could be transported back to her bed and into the safety of her embrace. He didn’t care about the empire, or the war; all he wanted was to be with Thorn.
‘Everyone to their positions,’ said Thorn, ‘and good luck.’
The officers dispersed, leaving Keir, Thorn, Belinda and Sergeant Demi in the large chamber. Keir looked down at a map.
‘Which side do you want?’ he said to Thorn.
She glanced downwards, frowning. ‘If you hold the eastern half of the Outer City,’ she said, her finger tracing a line across the map, ‘I could base myself here, close to the cavalry grounds. If you can funnel the attackers towards me…’
He nodded. ‘And the marines?’
‘May I?’ said the sergeant. ‘I’d suggest we position them in a staggered line to your rear, covering your flanks and plugging the gaps. We can deploy them to the redoubts that Ravi built; those that aren’t fighting can operate the catapults.’
‘Alright,’ said Keir. ‘Shall we?’
; They left the chamber, and walked down the grand hallways of the fortress, soldiers on either side saluting as they passed. They descended to the ground floor and went outside to the bastion’s courtyard, where carriages and a marine escort were waiting. Demi spoke to the marine officers present, relaying their orders; and Belinda looked away as Keir and Thorn embraced.
‘Stay alive,’ she whispered in his ear.
They kissed, and Keir’s felt his heart lurch. For a moment his fingers refused to let go of her, and he held her close.
‘Keep a marine close by,’ he said, ‘in case I need to communicate with you.’
She nodded, and they separated.
‘I love you, Soulwitch.’
She smiled. ‘Good.’
He stood in silence as Thorn and Belinda boarded a carriage and the doors were closed. A driver cracked a whip, and the carriage pulled away, its wheels rumbling over the cobbles.
The sergeant walked over to where he was standing. ‘Looks like it’s just me and you again.’
Keir said nothing, his eyes on the space where Thorn’s carriage had been.
‘She’ll be fine,’ Demi said. ‘Belinda will look after her, and she’s a healer; almost nothing can kill her.’
‘It’s the “almost” part I’m worried about.’
They walked to their carriage and climbed aboard. The side door was closed and the carriage moved off, crossing the courtyard in the direction of the Outer City. Keir stared out of the window as they passed the huge walls surrounding the fortress and came into the streets of the Old Town. The sun was halfway up the eastern sky ahead of him, and there were no clouds. No chance of a storm, he thought, his bowels filling with dread.
‘You look as shit-scared now as you did last time,’ the sergeant said. ‘Proves that the cocky-bastard routine is at least partly an act, I suppose.’
‘If it was just soldiers coming I think I’d be fine. I was hardly scared at Anamindhari at all, but this? I felt Agatha’s power.’ He shuddered. ‘I felt her in my head.’
‘She was messing with you,’ said the sergeant. ‘If she was in your head, and had a chance to kill you, or hurt you worse than she did, she would have taken it.’ She clicked her fingers. ‘Like that; you’d have been dead.’
The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7) Page 43