The Magelands Epic: Soulwitch Rises (Book 7)

by Christopher Mitchell

  He nodded, and they set off. Belinda took them through the open gates of the bastion and over the dry moat into the battered streets of the Old Town. She kept to the left, close to the vicinity of the deserted cavalry grounds, and avoiding the main routes and the largest fires. Keir’s knees ached and his thighs felt like they were wading through thick mud as he kept pace with the marines, Thorn at his side. He glanced up at Belinda out in front, her eyes scanning the route ahead; and he wondered if anything had the power to disturb her calm demeanour. She was one of them, he had to remember; even if Karalyn had scoured every last memory out of her.

  He heard a noise rising above the sounds of the fire and missiles, and turned to see a mass of Rahain soldiers charging down a side street towards them.

  ‘Look out!’ he cried as the first crossbow bolts were loosed at them. Three marines were struck before they had time to position their shields, while bolts clattered off the cobbles and flew over their heads.

  ‘Keep going to the harbour,’ Belinda shouted at the remaining marines. ‘Keep the mages safe!’

  As the marines closed round Keir and Thorn and began to move them off, Belinda raised her sword and ran into the charging Rahain, her speed a blur to Keir’s eyes. He tried to watch as she ducked and slashed at the soldiers, but the marines shoved him down the road.

  ‘We can’t leave her,’ said Thorn.

  ‘You’re our priority, ma’am,’ said a marine as they ran, the sound of fighting fading in the distance. The walls of the harbour came into view. A dozen pillars of smoke were rising from the quays and wharves beyond, and Keir almost gave up hope at the sight. Were they too late?

  They reached the central gate, and troopers on duty let them pass.

  ‘Are you the last?’ cried one of them. ‘We’ve been ordered to lock these gates up.’

  ‘Not yet,’ said Thorn, holding onto Keir’s arms as she panted. ‘Belinda’s still out there.’

  The trooper peered through the doorway into the Outer City, anxiety shot through his expression. His eyes widened and he pointed. ‘There!’

  Keir turned to see Belinda race down the street, bolts skittering off the walls and cobbles around her. She had wounds to her shoulder and side, and blood was gleaming on her face, and on the blade of her sword. Behind her the street was filled with charging Rahain soldiers. The troopers behind the gate cleared a path, and Belinda leapt through as the stout doors were closed and barred. She turned, her wounds healing before their eyes.

  ‘To the ships,’ she said. ‘That gate won’t hold them for long.’

  Keir nodded. ‘You heard her. Everyone, to the boats!’

  The marines and troopers moved off, flanking the mages while Belinda led. They passed between rows of warehouses, dodging the piles of abandoned luggage, crates and supplies that littered the long wharf. Flames rose ahead of them as they burst out onto the quayside. The basin was almost empty, but four large vessels were burning on the calm waters, their hulls tilting as they sank; their masts and decks alight with fire. One ship remained at the quayside; a large merchant galleon. Sailors on board the crowded deck were untying the ropes holding them to the wharf, while a small group remained at the base of the gangplank.

  Belinda increased her speed and sprinted towards the ship, tearing over the flagstones.

  ‘Wait!’ she cried.

  Sailors began shouting and pointing as Keir and Thorn approached, pausing their work to allow them to reach the side of the ship.

  ‘The Rahain are right behind us,’ Belinda said as she reached the small group. ‘We must leave immediately.’

  ‘Aye, ma’am,’ said one of the ship’s officers by the base of the gangplank.

  The troopers and marines boarded, followed by Keir and Thorn, who were bundled onto the crowded deck. Belinda and the officer were last to ascend the gangplank, and brought it up with them as the ropes were cast off. Keir and Thorn found a space by the side railings and watched the harbour as the ship drew away from the wharf.

  He put his arm round her shoulder.

  ‘We lost,’ she said. ‘We lost Rainsby.’

  A company of Rahain soldiers burst from an alley between warehouses, and cries echoed up from them as they saw the departing ship.

  Keir raised his left arm. ‘They might have captured Rainsby,’ he said, ‘but they’re not getting us.’

  He sent his powers out to the fires burning along the quayside, and urged them to grow; to join and rage; and they obeyed. He moved his hand to the side, and a huge swathe of fire followed; incinerating the streets and warehouses of the harbour, and engulfing hundreds of Rahain soldiers. When the entire harbour front was ablaze, Keir staggered, exhaustion sapping his strength.

  Belinda glanced at him as he bowed his head. ‘Can you do more?’

  Keir turned. The crowd of troopers, marines and civilians on deck were all staring at the fires he had started; watching the harbour buildings burn. He glanced at Thorn. Her eyes were on the town, her face glowing in the reflected light of the inferno.

  He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’

  They watched the fires as the ship passed through the harbour entrance, where the two long, enclosing piers almost met; and the wind picked up as they reached the open sea. Belinda extended a finger and touched Keir’s arm, and he felt a surge of energy flood him. She gasped, and pulled her finger away, swaying on her feet. Keir and Thorn caught her as she started to fall.

  ‘What did you do?’ he said.

  Belinda stared at him. ‘I care. Now, burn the town. Burn it to the ground.’

  Thorn gazed up at him. ‘Do it, Stormwitch. Leave them nothing.’

  Keir turned back to the town. The fires along the harbour front were still raging as they devoured the warehouses. He smiled and raised his arms, feeling the energy that Belinda had gifted him surge through his nerves. He joined his will to the fires on the wharves and they responded. He raised them up, creating a long, thick wall of flame that towered over the buildings of the harbour.

  He paused, thinking again of the death he was about to unleash. How had it fallen to him to be the one to destroy so many lives; to create so much misery?

  He pushed his doubts aside, and flung the wall of flame into the town of Rainsby. He drove it back, forcing it onwards as it ripped through the tenements and courtyards of the Old Town. The conflagration reached Madden’s Tower in the east, and then the Great Fortress in the west. From the streets between rose the death cry of thousands; their skin, hair and clothes burning, their bones rendered to ash and smoke.

  The crowds on the boat watched open-mouthed as Rainsby was devoured from end to end; a cauldron of fire enclosed by its walls, with nothing remaining within. Overhead, the night sky was lit up as if it were day; the flames belching up in twisted spirals to form a thick cloud above.

  Keir lowered his hands, and stepped back, his head dizzy as he stared at what he had done.

  He turned to Belinda. ‘Enough?’

  She nodded. ‘You did well, storm-boy. We’ll have to start planning for Stretton Sands, but first I’m going to get some sleep.’

  ‘It was your power that did this.’

  She smiled. ‘Our power.’

  Keir and Thorn watched as Belinda walked off in the direction of the lower decks, then they turned back to face the burning town of Rainsby as it grew smaller in the distance. The sails were full, and a cold breeze whipped over them as the ship ploughed through the dark waters.

  ‘Did we do the right thing?’ she said.

  He took her hand. ‘I don’t know. How many did we kill today?’

  ‘Too many,’ she said, ‘and at the same time, not enough.’

  He gazed at her. ‘Are we monsters?’

  She shook her head, and placed a hand on his face. ‘We’re witches.’

  He reached for her, and they kissed.

  Chapter 34

  A Small Act of Mercy

  Westgate, Domm Pass – 19th Day, First Third Spring 526

>   Karalyn winced, tasting blood in her mouth. Someone was shouting, the voice drifting in and out of her attention as she lay on the floor in pain, her hands bound behind her. She opened her eyes.

  Her mother was tied to a chair a few yards away, in the middle of the tavern. The staff had been herded over to her left, and armoured soldiers were guarding them, and every other inch of the large room. One of the archmages, Gorman, the man who had attacked her outside their rooms, approached her mother, a sword in his hand. Karalyn struggled against the cords that bound her wrists, and managed to get onto her side in time to see a soldier bring his mace swinging down. It smashed into the back of Gorman’s head, and he toppled to the ground.

  Karalyn gasped. Had a soldier just saved her mother? He was the one in charge, the one she had seen leading the assault on the World’s End; the one who had broken down the door of the tavern. Like the rest of them, he was wearing a steel mask that covered his face, and the eye-pieces had a fine mesh that her powers were unable to penetrate.

  The soldier pulled out a knife and walked to the back of her mother’s chair.

  ‘What the fuck are you doing?’ cried another soldier. ‘You just killed Gorman.’

  ‘I don’t want any part of this bullshit,’ the soldier said, cutting the ropes that tied her mother’s hands.

  Daphne stood at once, her right fist raised, while she pulled her crippled left arm in close to her body. Karalyn paid her no attention, her gaze on the soldier with the knife. As soon as he had spoken she had recognised the voice.

  ‘I guess I’m the new captain, then,’ said Cain, drawing his mace. He glanced round at the other soldiers. ‘I’m assuming command. This man has betrayed the Iron Brigade. Take him down.’

  Daphne glanced at Lennox. ‘Give me your knife.’

  He threw it to her, then gripped his mace in both hands.

  ‘I’ve seen you fight, Lennox,’ she said, brandishing the knife in her right hand.

  ‘How do you know me?’ he said.

  ‘Never mind that. There might only be two of us, but I think we stand a good chance against this rabble.’

  ‘You’ve got me as well,’ said a voice from the other side of the tavern. Karalyn turned, and saw Darine emerge from the kitchen where she had been hiding, a sword in her hand. ‘If that really is you, Lennox?’

  ‘It is,’ he said. ‘I’ve fucked up badly. I’m sorry.’

  ‘You’re making amends now, son,’ said Daphne.

  ‘I said “take them”!’ Cain cried again.

  Some of the soldiers responded, moving into a line beside Cain as he faced Lennox and Daphne, while others remained where they were, their crossbows pointed at the captive staff, or at Jemma and Cole huddled in the corner of an alcove.

  Daphne struck.

  She leapt forward, her right arm raised, and with a slash and turn, two soldiers fell dead. Lennox jumped to her side, his mace delivering a powerful blow to the chest of a soldier, crushing his ribs and sending him flying against the stone wall of the tavern. Cain lifted his own mace to bring down Lennox, but Darine stepped behind him and thrust her sword through his back. Lennox dropped his mace and caught Cain as he fell; the rest of the soldiers backing off as Daphne moved forward to shield him.

  Darine stared at the blood on the end of her sword. ‘I had to.’

  ‘I know,’ said Lennox, gazing down at his old friend. He pulled Cain’s helmet off and set him down on the floor.

  Cain reached up with a hand and grasped Lennox’s shoulder.

  ‘Brother,’ he whispered, his voice a low gasp. ‘I regret nothing.’

  His head lolled. Lennox placed his fingers on his friend’s face and closed his eyes. Next to him, Darine quietly sobbed.

  ‘Out,’ Daphne commanded the other soldiers, and Karalyn glanced up to see the rest of the Iron Brigade squads retreat towards the main doors of the tavern. Daphne shepherded them to the exit, then closed the door after the last had left. Gorman groaned on the floor as she walked back, and she leaned over and slid her sword through his throat. She placed a foot on his right forearm and swung her blade down, severing the hand, and kicking it away. Karalyn’s eyes widened as she did the same to Gorman’s left hand.

  ‘Mother,’ she cried. ‘Stop.’

  ‘Good, you’re awake,’ said Daphne, wiping her sword and walking over. ‘We’ll need your powers when we question Gorman.’

  She cut Karalyn’s bonds with her sword, and helped her daughter to her feet.

  Karalyn glanced around. ‘Where’s Corthie?’

  ‘Racine took him.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘They found the damn Quadrant, and Racine used it to take Corthie away.’

  ‘Where?’

  Daphne pointed at Gorman, rage burning in her eyes. ‘What do you think I’m keeping that bastard alive for?’

  Kelpie walked over to where they were standing. ‘Koreen will be raging in the morning; she slept through the whole thing.’

  ‘Are you alright?’ said Karalyn.

  ‘Aye. We should call the town wardens. Is anyone else hurt?’

  ‘You should all go to your rooms,’ said Daphne. ‘You might not want to see what else I’m going to do to this man.’

  Kelpie glanced at the blood pooling by Gorman’s severed wrists. ‘Aye. Good idea. Come on, everyone, let’s leave the Holdfasts to it.’ She nodded to Daphne. ‘Help yourself to the whisky, hen. You look like you could do with some.’

  The old woman cajoled the rest of the staff into leaving for the stairs, but she paused by Darine.

  The young Domm woman shook her head. ‘I’m staying here.’

  Kelpie nodded, then followed the others out of the room. Jemma brought Cole down from the alcove. The baby was sleeping in her arms despite the noise, and Daphne kissed his forehead as Jemma sat at the table closest to them.

  ‘Right,’ said Daphne. ‘We need to tie Gorman’s legs. I’ll take care of his eyes.’

  She crouched by the still body and lifted the knife over his face.

  ‘What are you doing?’ said Karalyn.

  Daphne shrugged. ‘He won’t be able to get into our heads if he hasn’t got any eyes. That’s why I cut his hands off; in case he has any other powers.’

  Karalyn grimaced. ‘No.’

  Daphne frowned. ‘Do you have a better idea?’

  ‘Aye; for once I do, mother,’ she said, walking over and crouching by Gorman. ‘He’s using those eye coverings, like Belinda and the rest of them wear. Just remove them, and I’ll take control of his mind.’

  Daphne frowned. ‘You’re right, that is a better idea. I’ll be standing close by with a sword though; to knock off his head if needs be.’

  ‘What the fuck is going on?’ said Lennox, turning from the body of Cain and rising to his feet, his bloodied mace still gripped in his hand. ‘Who are you people? You’re just as bad as Gorman. I’m starting to think I should have let him kill you.’

  ‘I know them,’ said Darine. ‘They’re the Holdfasts.’

  ‘That name means nothing to me.’

  Karalyn stood, and walked up to him. ‘You don’t remember me, do you?’

  ‘No. Should I?’

  ‘Take off your helmet.’

  ‘What, so you can control my mind too?’

  ‘No, so I can replace what I shouldn’t have taken.’

  He turned to Darine, and Karalyn’s heart skipped. They were just friends, she told herself, hoping it was true.

  ‘Should I trust her?’ he said.

  Darine bit her lip for a moment, and Karalyn resisted the urge to use her powers to persuade her to use the words she wanted to hear.

  ‘The boy needs his memories back,’ said her mother from where she was securing a rope round Gorman’s ankles.

  Lennox frowned. ‘My memories?’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ said Darine.

  ‘I took them,’ said Karalyn. ‘The reason he can’t remember me is because I stole every memory of Severton from his m
ind after we broke up, so that he would leave.’

  Darine stared at her. ‘You two were in a relationship?’

  ‘He’s the father of the twins I’m carrying.’

  Lennox blinked, and she knew that he wouldn’t have understood her last words. The blocks she had placed in his mind were powerful and intricate, sealing him from every mention of her or the twins.

  ‘Take your helmet off,’ said Darine. ‘You can’t live without knowing who you are.’

  Lennox paused for a moment, then lifted the steel helmet from his face. The moment his eyes were visible, Karalyn shot her powers into his mind, in case he had second thoughts. With a stroke, she dismantled her blocks, and swept away all traces of her tampering.

  Lennox dropped the helmet, and gripped his face, falling to his knees.

  Darine shook her head at Karalyn. ‘That was a fucked-up thing to do. Do you love him?’

  Karalyn gazed down at the soldier. ‘Aye. I shouldn’t, but I do.’

  She knelt down by Lennox and put a hand on his shoulder.

  ‘Why?’ he whispered.

  ‘You know why.’

  ‘Rainsby?’

  ‘Aye.’

  ‘I’m sorry I lied to you. I knew I’d lose you if you found out.’

  ‘I’m sorry I wiped your mind.’

  Lennox turned his head towards the body on the floor. ‘Was it Cain? Did he tell you?’

  ‘Aye.’

  Lennox nodded. ‘Where does this leave us? I want to be a father to the twins, and I love you, again.’

  ‘Is this really the time for that?’ said Daphne. ‘Gorman’s stirring again.’

  Karalyn rose, grateful for the distraction, as she had no answer for Lennox. She wanted him, but felt ashamed for feeling that way, as if his actions had polluted him and everything he touched. Did that mean the twins were polluted too? She felt their powers flutter in her womb, a gentle murmur within, and knew she didn’t believe that.

  ‘Come on,’ Daphne said; ‘he’s waking up.’

  Karalyn rushed over and crouched down on the other side of Gorman from her mother, who was smoking a cigarette.

  ‘Did you take the eye-coverings out?’ Karalyn said.