The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘Thank you, squad-leader,’ said Lennox, taking the sheet. On it was inscribed that day’s date and below, in small, neat script were itemised the company’s tallies, recording their equipment, supplies and number of active recruits, along with their stages of training. He slipped it onto the pile of other papers he had stacked on his desk. ‘Anything else happening?’

  ‘No, sir. A quiet night so far, sir.’

  Lennox nodded. ‘Dismissed.’

  The squad-leader saluted and walked away, and Lennox got back to work. He had been in the Iron Brigade for a total of thirteen days, and in that time had been promoted above many who had been signed up for longer; his Army of Pyre experience making him stand out over the raw recruits from the villages of Domm and the Domm Pass. He was in charge of eighty trainee soldiers, and more would be added to his company as recruitment continued. The brigade’s employers had also promised to expand his staff, but at that moment he had only Cain, who, while good at running messages and enforcing discipline, was useless at paperwork.

  His head swam with lists of figures and his attention drifted. The Iron Brigade may have restored his sense of purpose and entrusted him with responsibilities, but he still hated clerical work.

  ‘I knew you’d be here,’ said a voice.

  ‘Hi, Cain,’ said Lennox, not raising his head.

  ‘It’s nearly midnight; you should be putting your feet up with an ale.’

  ‘I’m on duty tonight.’

  Cain laughed as he sat. ‘On duty? What does that even mean out here? It’s not like anyone’s going to attack us.’

  ‘Somebody needs to be ready,’ Lennox said.

  ‘Aye, but there’s “being ready”, and there’s sitting about doing paperwork. One ale won’t hurt.’

  Lennox put down the document he had been holding.

  ‘I know you’re a captain now,’ said Cain, ‘but you don’t need to keep on trying to impress anyone; you’re already the golden boy. Shit, our bosses aren’t even here to see your heroic levels of work.’

  ‘What do you mean they’re not here? Where did they go?’

  Cain shrugged. ‘Into the village. In that direction, anyway; a couple of hours ago.’

  ‘Did they take guards? I didn’t know this.’

  ‘They left on their own,’ Cain said. ‘Perhaps they just went for a drink. Look, don’t worry about it. As you said, they’re mages; I’m sure they know what they’re doing.’

  Lennox frowned as he glanced at the remaining pile of paperwork.

  ‘Fine,’ he muttered. ‘I’ll finish this in the morning. Just the one ale, though.’

  Cain grinned. ‘Now we’re talking. Excellent decision, Captain.’

  They stood, and Lennox slid his unfinished work inside one of the desk’s drawers. They passed through the quiet upper level of the barn, and went down the wooden steps to the ground floor. There was a small common area where a bar had been set up, with a few barrels next to a long table and benches. Their employers had made sure the brigade was well-supplied with ale, though whisky had been banned within the compound. A few soldiers were lounging by the table, drinking from large pewter mugs.

  ‘I reckon we’ll be here for Summer’s Day at this rate,’ said Cain as they found space at the end of the bench. ‘They should send out recruiters into the lowlands, instead of just waiting here for them to pass through.’

  ‘But everyone passes through Westgate,’ said Lennox. ‘It’s perfectly positioned between the pass and the lowlands, and all traffic goes through it.’

  ‘You’re just saying that because you’re happy to stay here as long as possible. And I know why.’

  Lennox shook his head. ‘You’re dreaming again, Cain. It’s never going to happen.’

  ‘But why not? You and Darine are well suited, and I know she fancies you.’

  ‘You probably think I’m being stupid, and I know Darine’s good-looking, and clever, and I know she likes me, but… I can’t explain it, but I feel like I’ve just come out of a long relationship, one that went badly wrong, and I know that doesn’t make any sense, and I’ve not seen anyone since Libby; but, well that’s how I feel.’

  Cain squinted at him for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak; then shook his head.

  ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘You are being stupid. Half of me would be happy for you to go with Darine, while the other half wants us to get out of here as quickly as possible; but I’m just looking out for you, mate. I always have.’

  A junior recruit brought over ales on a tray for them. Lennox nodded and picked up his mug. He thought back to when he had been in love with Darine; about how he had dreamed about her day and night, despite knowing deep-down that she would never love him in return. It felt a long time ago. He had changed since then; his time on the Seablade had changed him; and Libby, and what he had done in Rainsby. And Severton? What felt like a gap in his memories was beginning to trouble him, and that, combined with the inexplicable sense of loss he felt, was enough to deter him from pursuing Darine. He had enough on his mind without trying to spark up any kind of romantic relationship with her, and he had come to value her friendship; looking forward to the times when he could visit her in the World’s End. She made him laugh, and reminded him of the old days in a good way, when they had felt like a family.

  ‘I wonder what’s going on in the rest of the world,’ said Cain, taking a long swig of ale.

  ‘Who knows? The war could have ended thirds ago, and we still wouldn’t have heard about it down here. The Army of Pyre is finished, I guess, unless the Rahain have scoured the teenagers of Liberton for recruits.’

  ‘There are probably a few that got away from Stretton Sands,’ said Cain. ‘There’s bound to be. The northern gate was open the whole time, and I saw whole squads running for it; just like the Sons of Sanang were streaming out of the eastern gate. Nah, I reckon the war’s still going on.’

  ‘Any regrets?’

  ‘What, about deserting? Aye, if I’m being honest. We were the best army in the world for a while. The training was a nightmare, but look what it made us into; we were fucking unbeatable.’

  ‘Until we were beaten.’

  Cain shrugged. ‘Only by those bastard marines. And they basically copied us.’

  A loud bang sounded by the doors to the barn and Lennox turned, his nerves jangling. He relaxed as he saw it was only Racine and Gorman slamming the doors as they came in out of the wind. His relief dissipated as he saw the furious expressions on their faces.

  ‘Who’s on duty tonight?’ cried Gorman, striding forwards into the barn.

  Lennox stood. ‘I am, sir.’

  Gorman turned and blinked. ‘You?’ He nodded. ‘Good. Captain Lennox, please organise a squad… no, make that two, and have them assemble here ready to go within the next thirty minutes.’

  ‘Aye, sir,’ said Lennox, suppressing a frown. ‘Ready to go where?’

  Racine approached her brother, her white hair gleaming in the light from the fire.

  ‘Captain Lennox,’ she said, ‘perhaps a briefing would be useful. Please come with us once you have issued your orders.’

  Lennox narrowed his eyes, then turned to Cain. ‘Gather the first and second squads, and get them equipped and ready to move out.’

  ‘Aye, sir,’ Cain said, jumping to his feet and running off into the interior of the barn, where the squad barracks were hidden behind wooden partition walls. Racine nodded to Lennox and turned, setting off for the main doors. He paused for a moment, then followed, catching up with Gorman as he walked behind his sister. They went outside and crossed the yard to the farmhouse.

  ‘We need to be quick,’ said Gorman as they entered the house. ‘We should be going back there right now.’

  ‘Have a little patience, brother,’ Racine said. ‘A moment’s reflection will do us well here.’

  They went into a small meeting room and Racine lit a lamp on the table, while Gorman stood to her right.

  ‘Something occ
urred this evening,’ she said, ‘that requires our immediate attention.’ She glanced at Lennox. ‘You are aware we have mage powers, Captain?’

  ‘Aye, ma’am.’

  ‘One of those powers allows us to sense if other mages are operating close by,’ she said, ‘or if a mage triggers the powers held within an object.’

  Lennox frowned.

  ‘A few hours ago,’ Racine went on, ‘and quite unexpectedly, my brother and I sensed someone activate a device; a device that belongs to myself and my friends. We knew that the device had been stolen, but had no idea it was here. Now that we do, it is imperative that we recover it.’

  ‘What kind of device, ma’am?’

  ‘That’s not important. What is important is that my brother and I take back the property that belongs to us.’

  ‘And the thief is another mage?’

  ‘Thieves, Captain; two of whom have battle-vision. You are aware of this power, yes?’

  ‘Aye, ma’am. I faced imperial soldiers possessing battle-vision when I was serving with the Army of Pyre.’

  ‘Then you’ll understand why we need to deploy the squads.’ Racine said. ‘By bringing overwhelming strength to the confrontation, we hope to avoid a fight. If the thieves realise they are hopelessly out-numbered, then we feel it more likely that they will hand over the stolen property without the need for violence.’

  ‘Do you have descriptions of them, ma’am?’

  ‘One older woman,’ Racine said, ‘and two younger. Two boys also; one a teenager, the other a baby.’

  Lennox said nothing.

  ‘Something troubling you, Captain?’ said Gorman.

  ‘May I speak freely?’

  ‘You may,’ said Racine. ‘You are one of our most promising young officers, Captain Lennox; I wish to know your mind on this.’

  ‘The thieves, ma’am,’ he said; ‘they sound more like a family.’

  ‘You are right,’ she said. ‘They are. This is why I’m glad you will be in charge of the operation, Captain, as our object is to recover the goods without spilling a drop of blood; the last thing I want is for us to go charging in with maces drawn. However, the older woman is a notorious fighter; a killer with an extremely violent past, and she is likely to resist. I need you to isolate the rest of her family, in order to protect them, especially the child and his young mother, while we restrain the fighter.’

  ‘You said there were two with battle-vision, ma’am. Who is the other?’

  ‘The teenage boy. He will need careful supervision, but must not be harmed in any way.’

  Lennox frowned. ‘Should we not… I don’t know, inform the village wardens that this family has stolen from you?’

  ‘The timing is critical, Captain. The battle-vision mage would make short work of the two wardens that reside in Westgate, and it would take time to summon others. More importantly, the device they have stolen is rather dangerous, and they could do untold damage with it while we wait for the local constabulary to take action.’ She glanced into Lennox’s eyes. ‘Circumstances have ordained that this shall be the first operation of the Iron Brigade, and we need you to lead it.’

  ‘Aye, ma’am,’ he said. ‘Where is the family?’

  ‘Residing in the World’s End. They arrived today. Remember, your fire powers will not be necessary; we don’t want any casualties. The tavern’s staff and other guests will have to be guarded, but none must be harmed. We recover our property, then we leave.’

  He nodded.

  ‘Are we done?’ said Gorman. ‘Can we get on with it now?’

  ‘I’m ready, sir,’ Lennox said.

  ‘Dismissed,’ said Racine. ‘Please brief the squads and report in front of the farmhouse in fifteen minutes.’

  Lennox saluted and walked from the room. He left the building and glanced up at the clear, dark sky, trying to suppress his misgivings. The more Racine had insisted that she wanted no violence, the more uneasy he had grown, and he had a feeling that some of her words had been partly aimed at her brother. The mission made Lennox uncomfortable, but he was a soldier, and had pledged his word to the brigade. Maybe it was a test, he thought, to check his loyalty, and that of the squads. If he refused to go, he would have to leave the brigade, and the mission would be entrusted to another. Better, he thought, to lead it himself, and so ensure that what Racine had promised came to pass.

  Soldiers were forming up in front of the barn, and Cain noticed Lennox approach.

  ‘Boss,’ he said. ‘Do we have orders?’

  ‘Aye,’ he said, as the squads turned to gaze at him. ‘We’re going to raid the World’s End.’

  Fifteen minutes later, Racine and Gorman emerged from the farmhouse dressed in black, with swords strapped to their waists. Behind them walked two recruits, carrying a large crate. They set it down in front of the two squads that had formed up in the yard.

  Racine nodded to Lennox. ‘Captain,’ she said, gesturing to the crate, ‘please have these helmets distributed to the soldiers.’

  He glanced at Cain, who walked over to the crate. He picked up a steel helmet from within and threw it to Lennox, then delved back in.

  ‘Form a queue,’ Cain said to the soldiers, who lined up by the crate.

  Lennox glanced at the helmet. From the rear and sides it looked normal, but the front had a steel mask that would cover most of his face, and the eye-holes were covered by a thin, wire mesh.

  ‘Put them on,’ said Racine. ‘Let your eyes grow accustomed.’

  Lennox and the others pulled the helmets over their heads, and Lennox’s sight dimmed, the gauze limiting his vision.

  ‘Soldiers of the Iron Brigade,’ said Racine, ‘the captain will have briefed you on tonight’s mission, but there is another detail we will now share with you. Two of the family within the World’s End are also vision mages, who have the power to see into the minds of others. These helmets have been specially designed to counter this. The mesh will hinder their ability to penetrate your thoughts, and are worth the slight loss of visibility. Keep them on at all times.’

  ‘Ma’am?’ said Cain, his helmet on, the mask grim and forbidding.

  ‘Yes, Lieutenant?’

  ‘Are you not wearing them too?’

  Racine shook her head. ‘My brother and I have no need of them.’

  ‘Let’s go,’ said Gorman.

  ‘Patience,’ said Racine, taking a paper from her leather hauberk and unfolding it. She held it out for Lennox and Cain to see. ‘This is a plan of the World’s End. I have located the targets. They are in three rooms, all on the second floor. Unfortunately, I don’t know where the object is; it could be in any of their rooms. The older woman is most likely in charge, so it may well be with her, here.’ She pointed to a room on the plan. ‘My brother and I will tackle her.’ She moved her finger. ‘This room over here contains the teenage boy, and this last room has the two young women and the child. Captain?’

  ‘I’ll lead the first squad upstairs and secure the women and children, while Cain occupies the ground floor and the doors. Any staff get up, we’ll herd them into the main tavern to keep an eye on them.’

  ‘Very well.’

  Lennox turned to the squads. ‘Cloaks on.’

  The soldiers pulled their long, thick cloaks over their armour and helmets. Lennox raised a hand, and they set off.

  Lennox took the path to the village, and they left the compound behind them as they ran down the hillside. The town was dark and quiet before them, its streetlamps lighting up the main roads. Lennox kept to the side streets, knowing the layout well, and selecting a route that didn’t take them by any well-lit area. The soldiers behind him were trying to keep quiet, but they were like lumbering oafs compared to how the Army of Pyre had been. Lennox had been on many night-time raids, and the Fifth had prided itself on its stealth. The two squads he had chosen were made up of the best recruits in the brigade, but they were raw. He would have to look out for them, as well as making sure the civilians were kept safe. He t
hought about Darine, and how she would be asleep in her room in the tavern. He prayed that she didn’t awaken, and that the raid would go quietly and quickly.

  As they approached the large tavern by the cliff’s edge, Lennox signalled to Cain, who took his squad to the right, towards the main doors. Lennox carried on to the left, leading the first squad with Racine and Gorman running alongside him. They fanned out along the alleyway, keeping to the shadows; the heavy helmet making the world seem even darker than it was. Lennox and another soldier reached the far corner of the tavern and paused. Ahead of them was a covered porch, and the side door, which led to the stairs. Lennox glanced around, but the village was still. He ran forwards, and drew his mace as he approached the door. He rammed the butt down onto the lock, breaking it off in one blow, then pushed the door open. He went through into a dark hallway. The main tavern was to his left, and the stairs to his right. He signalled to the squad, and they raced up the steps just as Lennox heard the front door of the tavern being forced open.

  On the first floor landing, an old man peered out from a door, dressed in a nightgown.

  ‘Get back in your room,’ said Lennox, still holding the mace, ‘and stay there.’

  The old man gulped and closed the door.

  The soldiers ran up the next flight to the second floor, and Lennox gestured for them to split up. Racine and Gorman headed down a passageway to the left, and Lennox instructed four soldiers to the door where the teenage boy slept. He then ran to the right, leading the other soldiers, their boots thudding off the floorboards. They reached the end of the corridor and Lennox barged a door down. A lamp was burning in the corner of the room, next to two beds, but no one was there.

  ‘Shit,’ he muttered beneath the mask.

  As soldiers were checking under the beds, the sounds of a struggle came from the corridor, and Lennox rushed back out. A teenage boy was being carried by his arms and legs towards the stairs. A hood had been placed over the boy’s head, and no noise was coming from his mouth as he struggled, his limbs writhing in the grasp of the four soldiers.