She Who Has No Name tlt-2

by Michael Foster

  Ghant seemed like a mighty anthill, ready to erupt with troops at a moment’s notice,and Samuel found it no small wonder that the place had such a reputation for being unconquerable. A gateway was open in the eastward wall via which the civilians were entering. Samuel caught sight of the mountains and the crossing between the people as they hurried through.

  ‘The stream of those seeking haven is almost endless,’ their guide announced. ‘They come day and night, fearing the Paatin. Many are fleeing this way for the haven of the inner Empire. We try to move them on as quickly as possible. As you can see, this is not a place in which they can afford to linger.’

  ‘There have been many spies in Cintar. Have you had any problems here?’ Tudor asked.

  ‘We started by capturing all the traders from the east that came by. We asked them some direct questions, but they had little to say. We threw a few into the chasm, but it did little to loosen their tongues. Now, very few attempt to come this way; whether any were spies or not, I cannot say. They are a confounded lot. We always ignored them before.’

  Their guide led them into the solid block of dark stone that formed the central tower of the citadel. That, too, was a labyrinth of passages, but they finally came to a parting of the corridors where a couple of civilian servants were waiting expectantly.

  ‘These two will escort your ladies and their companions to their rooms,’ the guide announced. ‘General Mar has asked that the rest of you meet him upon arrival.’

  Grand Master Tudor briefly explained to the Koians what was happening.They seemed relieved to hear they were going to rest and followed the servants eagerly.

  The magicians, Captain Orrell and Sir Ferse,then followed their spry guide along another tour of the fortress, eventually leading to what must have been the highest point, for they found themselves climbing stairway after spiralling stairway, each leading to a floor somewhat smaller than the last as the tower narrowed.

  Finally,they ran out of stairsand entered a room that had a sweeping view of the ravine and the mountains opposite. There was space for about thirty men to stand comfortably inside, butatpresent there were only a half-dozen. Their guide left them at the doorway and whispered in the ear of the one who was presumably General Mar: a tall and firm looking man, not great of girth, but well-muscled. He had a brutal scar across his forehead that split one of his eyebrows in two, and his hair, streaked with grey, was tied back firmly.

  After the guide had departed, the general beckoned them over. Captain Orrell gave the stiff Turian salute, which General Mar returned with equal Turian vigour.

  ‘Welcome, Captain Orrell and Lords of the Order,’ the general said. ‘This is Captain Ravenshood and Captain Yarn,’ at which the two officers flanking him also saluted. Yarn was a tubby, red-bearded fellow with a gruff demeanour, while Ravenshood seemed much too young for his position, bearing boyish looks and appearing too lean for any kind of serious warfare. ‘Obviously, I have been expecting you. At the command of General Ruardin himself,I have been asked to grant you every resource possible and meet your every request. It is quite an unusual circumstance, I must admit, to see such champions of the Order at my door,’ and the sturdy fellow eyed each of the young magicians,as if weighing their merits. ‘I understand you have also come with mixed and unusual company.’

  ‘Thank you, General,’ Grand Master Tudor responded. ‘Yes, we bring a party of KoianOutlanders with us to assist with our task. They are civilians and we will try to keep them quiet and out of your way. I must assume from your lack ofreference to her, that the Empress has not been found. Where is Lord Lomar?’

  Mar shifted uncomfortably. ‘Unfortunately, it seems her kidnappers have slipped through our grasp. Lomar left just days ago. He wanted to await your arrival, but it had become evident that we had either missed the Empress, or they had not come this way. He said he was going ahead to a place called Tosah, although I am not familiar with the name.’

  Tudor sighed. ‘I know of it. It is far from here. How disappointing. Now, our search will be made all the more difficult. We have been long upon the road, General, but I hope we can call upon your hospitality for the night. Then, we will continueeastat first light.’ The old magician then peered out the wide-open windows towards the craggy terrain of the chasm. ‘Captain Orrell will speak with you about what things we need for our supplies, but otherwise, I hope you can lend us a pillow each and a decent mattress.’

  Samuel also took the chance to peek out the window, seeing the great rift of the chasm stretching below, and the many levels of the fortress huddled along its edge with people moving about on every piece of flat rock.

  ‘You plan to continue east, then?’ Mar asked with concern.

  ‘We must, General.’

  The tall Turian shook his head solemnly. ‘Then I have more unfortunate news for you. We will be withdrawing the crossing before dawn. A Paatin host approaches through the mountains. They have already taken Kalid, the nearest town across the pass, this third day past. Lomar must have made it through just in time or he would have returned by now. The path through the mountains will be slow for them but,once the Paatin army reaches here, they will have no way to reach us. However, there will also be no way for anyone here to travel to the far side.’

  ‘They may have thought of that, General,’ Tudor told him. ‘The Paatin have proved highly resourceful and may already have plans. I doubt they would come here depending only on their luck.’

  ‘Once the bridge is lowered, there is no way across for months in every direction. Ghant guards the only pass through these mountains, and they run ragged and cruel, as you can see. No army has every crossed here without our permission and none ever will. The desert-men will be forced to turn back if they want to enter Turia and they will have to round the mountains as best they can. Any other route will lead them up above the snowline and their losses would be severe. It would take them weeks to cross with that many men. No sane commander would risk it. Even so, I will not underestimate the enemy. I have also heard strange tales of their warfare and they seem wellprepared in everything they do. I am sure their spies have been through here many times and they know the lay of the land well. I believe they will come here with a plan, as you say, but we will be ready for anything they can throw against us. I am a stubborn old goat at times, but I will not underestimate my foe, whether they bear magic or not. We will give the Paatin a greeting they will not forget.’

  ‘It sounds like you know your job well, General. I will not interfere.’

  ‘Are you expecting them to bring magicians?’ Goodfellow asked, for his ears had picked up at mention of magic.

  ‘I hear they call their spell-casterswizards, but I have no mind for such words, except that it means that they wield magic. I would expect anything. We have not seen or heard of them using magic yet in these parts, but that may mean nothing. Magic seems to have become the bread and butter of war these days, although I still do not understand its workings. I will not leave anything to surprise. Now, I suggest you get as much rest as you can and depart early. I am sorry you had to waste your time coming this way.’

  ‘What do you mean, General?’ old Tudor asked with puzzlement.

  ‘You cannot cross the mountains. The way is blocked by a horde of desert-men. Surely, you will be turning back.’

  ‘That is not possible, General. We will not return without the Empress and her son. You mentioned other ways through the mountains, across the high paths?’

  ‘That is madness, My Lord,’ he retorted, incredulous at the notion, before recovering his sober demeanour. ‘I beg your pardon, My Lord. Please excuse my surprise. The high paths are treacherous at the best of times and,at this time of year,it is suicide to venture so high. If you took a hundred men through, perhaps five might survive.’

  ‘Bethatas it may, General, we are magicians and we cannot turn back. We will leave our Imperial escort behindif need beand proceed on foot,’ to which Captain Orrell nodded his agreement.

  ‘I
s it wise to abandon our escort?’ Goodfellow asked worriedly.

  ‘I understand your concerns, Master Goodfellow,’ Tudor responded over his shoulder, raising a finger of calm, ‘but it would not be wise for Captain Orrell and his men to accompany us. We could not protect so many. They would only be a hindrance.’

  ‘It does sound ratherrisky,’ Samuel added.

  ‘You forget yourself, Lord Samuel,’ Tudor replied, his patience wearing thin. ‘We are not oafs fumbling around in the darkness. I am a Lion of Cintar, and you three are Magicians of the Order. We will cross the mountainstogether.’

  Samuel felt Turian stubbornness affecting the Grand Master’s decision, but he could say no more.

  ‘Then so be it,’ General Mar agreed. ‘I can provide you with a guide who knows the mountains well. When it is time for you to leave, I will summon him.’

  They were taken to small, yet comfortably furnished, rooms to retire for the evening-tiny cellssculptedinto the outer walls of the tower. As night fell, Samuel closed his tiny window tightly shut for,with the sun’s setting,the already brisk air now carried a frigid bite. Goodfellow’sbunksharedthe tiny roomwith him,leavingbarely walking space between them, andGoodfellowhad slipped out to fetch their dinner.

  Samuel was just sitting on the side of his bed, scratching his chin and making some notes in his journal,when there was an insistent tapping on the door. At first,he thought it was Goodfellow returned, but the energy of the person on the other side was not his, although familiar. Samuel pulled open the door to find Lady River facing him. She brushed past him at once and swept into his room.

  ‘Close the door, Magician,’ she told him. ‘We must be quick.’ Samuel did as he was told, not quite sure what to expect. ‘I have much to tell you, and I am watched closely. I can tell Lady Leaf I became lost in the halls, which is not far from the truth, but I can only make excuses for so long. This may be thelastchance I have to speak with you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘These people, my countrymen, have been sent here to achieve some secret purpose. They have sacrificed countless lives to reach your lands and will stop at nothing.’

  ‘What do you mean? To what end?’

  ‘I don’t know, but everything Canyon has told you isalie. He belongs to a secret group that holds great power. They have stolen our god from her temple and set her on this accursed voyage. There is some reason why they have brought her all the way here, but I don’t know what it is. All I can say is that it must be of extreme importance to them, and of extreme evil. Whatever their plan, I am sure it has something to do with this place, for otherwise Canyon would never have agreed to come.’

  ‘You know nothing about his plans?’

  ‘No. But please be careful. He is without conscience and I know he has already met other members of his brethren here. I had no idea they had infiltrated even so far away from Koia as here.’

  ‘The Circle of Eyes,’ Samuel said.

  Her eyes went wide, revealing the whites around her brown coronas. ‘How did you know? Are you with them?’ and she stepped back against the wall.

  ‘No, I am not with them. They exist here, too, and I learned of their ways long ago. I have not heard from them in a long time, but that means little. They are always up to no good, as you say.’

  The explanation seemed to placate her fears. ‘They must be stopped. I am sure they plan to use our god in unspeakable ways.’

  ‘What ways?’

  ‘She does not want to do bad things, but Canyon can make her. He knows how to make people do things they don’t want to do and our god does not know the common ways of people. She has been cared for in the temple all her life and does not know when people lie to her. She can do terrible things, Magician. More horrible than you could imagine.’

  ‘What things? I don’t understand.’

  ‘Do you know what happened to all the people on our ship? Some died of starvation and some died of other things, but most of them were sacrificed to keep her strong, or to remove them from Canyon’s way. Anyone who threatened his plans soon disappeared. I heard them screaming, Magician, and the sounds haunt me to this day.’

  The girl sobbed into her cupped hands and looked set to collapse, so Samuel stepped towards her and held her by the arms. She was trembling with fright,a tiny frail thing looking at him with a pleading expression.

  ‘What do you mean? What did she do to them?’

  ‘She is a god, Magician. She did what gods do to us mortals when they are finished with us. She ate them.’

  Samuel did not know if he should believe her. The girl seemed sincere, but her story was incredible.

  ‘Please,’ she continued, stepping out of his grasp and attempting to collect herself. ‘You must help me to stop them. I cannot do it by myself. There is only one way to halt their plans, whatever they may be.’

  ‘What is that?’ Samuel asked.

  ‘You must kill her. Listen to me. The men guarding her are deadly and must be avoided. They will protect her with their lives. She must be stabbed through the heart or head or crushed beyond recognition-and it must be done quickly, before she can realise what is happening or she will have time to defend herself. She only has to reach for you. Her touch is death!’

  Samuel shook his head. ‘I will not kill her.’

  ‘You must!’ the girl pleaded, again stepping close to him and grasping his shirtfront. ‘Or at least promise me this-if at last you see what they are doing with her, dothe deedthen, before it is too late. I don’t know what they plan, but they have crossed half the world to achieve something and she is crucial to whatever it may be. Do nothesitate onour god’s behalf. I know she appears helpless, but her spirit is eternal. The moment you smite her, she will be freed from her body and reborn once again. There is nothing to fear from her death, but she should never have been brought to this land. It is Canyon’s doing.’

  ‘Lady River,’ he told her. ‘I will heed your words, but I will need to speak with the others. It sounds quite fantastic.’

  ‘Do not!’ she gasped. ‘Do not trust anyone. If they suspect me of anything at all, they will kill me. I came to you, Magician, because I have heard you are also in their plans. I know you can be trusted. No doubt, they have some evil intention for you, too. I only hope I have not brought more danger upon you by coming to you, but I don’t know whom else I can trust. I am the only one left.’

  ‘You can trust me, Lady,’ Samuel said, trying to placate her fears. ‘I will keep your secret, but I will not kill her either. I cannot kill an innocent woman, no matter what sheis capable ofdoing. I will wait, and gather more information. But,if the time arrives as you say, I will act accordingly. You can be assured.’

  With that, she nodded thoughtfully and pulled away from him. ‘I only hope you can act in time. Then good night,’ she said, and slipped back out the door, with Samuel popping his head out to follow her departure.

  She had barely disappeared around the corner before Goodfellow came along the othercorridorwith two plates piledhighfull of steaming food. ‘What are you doing with your head out in the hallway?’ he asked, but Samuel would not say. They went inside to eat their meals, with Samuel’s mind set fairly on all the girl had told him.

  His dreams that night were of a city in flames. A black-cloaked figure stood overlooking the ruin, watching on in the flickering light. Within the shadow of his hood,the figure bore a look of contentment, and the face within that cowl wasSamuel’sown. Wails and screams filled the air, but he did nothing to stop it, for everything as such was wonderful. As he held out his hand and clenched his fist shut, the land before him turned black as ashes and all the lives were extinguished as one.

  He knew he should feel guilty, but the promise of such terrible power was truly thrilling and it was only a dream, after all. As the clouds of his dream churned and boiled, he set himself into them willingly, searching for more such beautiful destruction.

  The morning was freezing and Samuel had to trot across the
narrow tiled floor intheirroom, making for the haven of the one small rug. He washedfroma bowl of hot water and dressed-thankful for his thick Order robes. More than once during the night, he had been woken from his dreams and damned himself for being so reliant on the Argum Stone. It would only have taken a trickle of power to warm his icy bones, but a trickle of power was something the relic could not offer him. It was a weapon of all or nothing,and his attempts to control the object had still met such limited success.

  He had half-expected the Paatin to attack while he slept, but no one had come to wake him in the night. He vaguely remembered Goodfellow getting up earlier and leaving him to sleep in. His stomach was grumbling and so he hurried from his room and began following the directions to the dining room that Goodfellow had given him in a lacklustre fashion the night before. He could feel Grand Master Tudor and Master Celios not far away and so,between his magician’s senses and the occasional directions given by passing soldiers, he finally managed to find breakfast. In the last few turns, the smells that wafted along the halls were all he needed to guide his way.

  The room was warm and full of steaming goodness-bacon, sausages, eggs and the like-and the others were sitting together, already most of the way through their meal. Goodfellow waved to Samuel as he neared. Sir Ferse, as expected, was sitting tightly next to Master Celios and the Koian men were even dining at the table beside. Only the Koian women were absent and Samuel assumed they would be eating privately in their rooms. Soldiers were champing at their meals at the dozens of other tables; the room was full of the clattering and chattering noises of men and their breakfasting.

  ‘As you can see, the Paatin are yet to attack,’ said Grand Master Tudor as Samuel stepped over the bench and sat himself down. ‘I presume you had a decent night’s rest.’

  ‘Indeed,’ Samuel replied, as a busy servingwoman dumped a plate, piled high with foodstuff, before him. There were a couple of other plates sitting abandoned at the end of the table, but the lady seemed happy to let the half-finished breakfasts clutter up the table.