“Yes?”
“Did you leave your parents in this room?”
The girl giggled with amusement at her own game and shook her head.
Supressing a sigh was a challenge. Then again, a lost child did present a very good opportunity to explore the fortress. “Where were you before you came in here?”
Mia pointed towards the entrance to a corridor. Two burly guards stood before it, clearly blocking anyone’s passage through. Raia had no reason to believe that her new friend was telling the truth, but another one of Mia’s smiles was enough of a convincer.
“Let’s try in there then.” A plan was already starting to form in her mind for distracting the guards, and she strode towards her new target, taking care to remain hidden behind the crowds of drinkers. “I need you to play a trick on some of those silly people near the guards. Do you think you could do that?”
The girl nodded rapidly.
Raia crouched down to speak to her more quietly. “You see that man over there? His trousers have no belt. And that woman – she’s so drunk she can barely hold the glass in her hand. We need to embarrass them, but we mustn’t be seen ourselves. As we go past them, I want you to give the legs of his trousers a short, sharp tug and then turn away as if it’s nothing to do with you. Got it?”
“Yep!”
“Good.” They took a wide swing around the group, making sure that the direction of their approach would be the most advantageous, and then it was time for the pass. The drinkers were even more oblivious to their environment than Raia could have hoped for, their eyes glazed and shoulders swaying. Mia launched straight for the poor man’s trousers without a single prompt, and succeeded in divesting him with appreciable efficiency. In the same moment, Raia gave the bottom of his female companion a sharp pinch, and proceeded to walk smoothly away. A full two seconds passed before the revellers took notice of what had happened to them, and when they did, the couple launched into a tumultuous argument. It soon descended into a rather physical fight, and the two guards were forced to intervene. “Let’s go, Mia.”
Taking the child’s small hand, Raia strode confidently into the corridor as if it was just another of Colobrin’s halls, and even allowed herself to hum a small tune. She had no idea of its origins, of course, it was just another unidentifiable relic from her past. “You did well, Mia.”
The girl grinned wildly at her, causing Raia to laugh.
“But be careful, though. You can’t play that trick on anyone. It’s not a nice thing to do to good people.”
“Alright,” Mia said sweetly.
A long, red-patterned runner ran the length of the corridor, its centre worn by a great many years of footfall. The rest of the hallway was an arched construction of buff stone with golden gas lamps and brass rails. It was rather pleasant and warm after the bleak nature of the black stone that clung to every other surface of this place. The sound of her feet was soft upon the boards beneath, and no other person was present. “Where are you from, Mia?”
“Pangaea.”
Well, that limited it to one planet, at least. “I think it is safe to say many of the people here are from Pangaea. I meant: which city.”
“Gharnast.”
Relief washed over Raia. At least it meant this girl’s parents wouldn’t be travelling far when the party was over. Perhaps they could even locate the child’s house, if necessary. “Oh, so you know this place well then?”
“The best!” Mia announced.
“I see.” The corridor stretched on for quite some distance, occasionally a dull, studded and metal door adding some variance to the scene. Just how far down this endless channel was Mia claiming to have ventured alone? “Where do we go next?”
“There’s a door… not here…but…” The child’s eyes wandered. There was something odd about those eyes, something that Raia could not quite identify. “This one!” Mia broke free and ran for the door, before leaning against it with her rather insignificant weight.
“Are you sure you know what’s behind here?”
“The roof!”
Raia pursed her lips. Was this a good idea? Ah, snows of blood! She was quick enough on her feet if Mia decided to get herself into trouble. She reached for the handle and pressed down hard upon it, adding her weight to the door. It squeaked, groaned and finally gave way to the darkness beyond. The loud hiss of rainfall surged forth to engulf their ears, its sound amplified by the metal of the flat roof beyond. And it was warm, very warm; warmer than the insides of the fortress.
The child sprang forward into the downpour, yelling with delight at the weather. She completed a single circuit around a peculiarly shaped antenna, and then said, “You can’t catch me!”
Oh really? This little girl was no match for a seasoned snow runner. Raia launched herself into the tumult, feeling the soft, warm rain over her bare arms and face. A smile took control of her lips, and she began to give chase. Overhead the clouds roiled with their thunder and flashes of lightning, momentarily shedding their illuminations on the two of them.
Mia was giggling wildly, her hair soon straggles of black around her grinning face. “I’m faster than you!”
“We’ll see about that!” Raia had already resolved to extend their play chase to keep the girl happy. In spite of herself, she found she was enjoying behaving like a fool more than she had ever expected. “I’m going to catch you!” She closed the gap ever so slightly, splashing hard through the inch of water that had gathered on the roofing.
“Nooo!”
“Yes!” With that Raia leaned forward and grabbed the errant child, snatched her out of an even deeper puddle and placed her on one hip. The girl was utterly soaked. They both were. But Mia did not seem the least bit unhappy about it, and nor was Raia.
“Mia!” A male voice boomed across the dark roof from the hallway’s glow. His silhouette was sharp against the light, and he looked… tall, angry.
Raia immediately set the girl down and watched as she ran to the man, who was presumably her father.
“What have you been doing? Where have you been? Look at the state of you,” the man hissed in harsh tones at Mia. He started removing his cloak.
It was time to step forward and take whatever abuse this man would have for a woman who had wandered off with his girl. Raia strode slowly towards him, taking care to keep her shoulders square. She took a deep breath. “Don’t be angry with her. I brought her out here. She was bored, and we couldn’t find you.”
The man paused in the middle of wrapping Mia with his cloak; he remained silent.
“I’m sorry… It was so warm out here, and the roof has high walls… I thought it would be safe.” Cada’shan! Nervousness swept up her legs and into her spine.
He straightened slowly, lifting the girl in his arms. His face was difficult to make out with the hall’s light behind him, but his hair looked as dark as the child’s.
“I tried to find you,” Raia reiterated.
“Have you come to take her away?”
“What? No!”
He returned to silence, and the only sound was the rain hitting Raia’s already-sopping clothing. Another bolt of lightning arced overhead, momentarily lighting up his face. It was just as grim as his voice sounded. His clothing had the look of a nobleman, and given his daughter’s knowledge of the fortress, it probably meant he held some position in this place. “Then what brought you here?” he asked softly.
“That I can explain, but it would be better if I did so indoors. Would you mind?”
He nodded with the faintest of grunts, and motioned for her to walk past. Once inside, Raia was able to see more of the man who might kill her. He had the same strange eyes as the girl; something about their hue. And he was younger than she had expected, certainly not beyond his mid-thirties. His face lacked smiles, but was not entirely displeasing.
She reached inside the top of her dress and pulled out the doctor’s letter. It had become just as saturated as the rest of her, and when she opened it up she
found to her dismay that most of the ink had run. She offered it to the man, and he took it with his free hand. Mia appeared to be dozing on his shoulder. “Ah, I’m afraid it’s…”
“It’s alright, I can read it.” He frowned in concentration over the document, and once done, folded it up with a sigh. “Your name is Raia, is it?”
“Yes.”
He stepped forward and placed his fingers around the lurchcaw tooth at her neck. “An ingenious story for getting past the guards, though I must say I’d have expected you to use other methods to get in here. But why continue this pretence with me?”
“It’s no pretence, and really there’s no other reason why I’d be here.”
His brow furrowed and he released the tooth. “No reason,” he echoed softly.
“None. I owe the doctor my life. I came here for him, and to explore, perhaps. I know virtually nothing outside of the Western Mounts.”
An expression of even deeper confusion swept across his features. “Stop this, Neri.”
“Neri? Wait, you know me?” Excitement blossomed in her mind… and fear, fear of what she could find out. Neri. She turned the name over in her mind. It did seem to resonate with something.
“Of course. Would you stop this stupid game!?” The anger in his voice caused Mia to rouse momentarily.
“It’s not a game. I’m sorry I do not remember you, but that is what happened to me. Four years ago I was injured in a battle. I recall nothing that happened before it: nothing except for the snow. I think I used to live near snow. But Neri – that’s my name? Really?”
He tilted his head and studied her, not even bothering to confirm. “Do you remember the battle at the compound?”
“No. All I know is that I was cut to pieces and beaten once or twice. A man helped me out of there – he carried me to safety. I don’t recall it, but that is what must have happened.”
Mia’s father looked at the floor in thought.
“If you knew me, then perhaps you knew the man. He had a ring, and it had-”
“Daemar Ihurade,” he said.
“The general? Couldn’t it have been one of his family? This man was no older than for-”
“He was young for his rank and he had no family. I take it he’s dead, then? Pity.”
Saved by a general. Whatever had she done to earn that sort of service? “Yes. Could you tell me… could you say what sort of relationship I had with him?”
The dark-haired man shifted his weight between his feet and took a deep breath. “Come with me, and I’ll explain what I can.” He turned before she had an opportunity to respond, and she trailed behind diligently.
A thought occurred to her as they walked. “Wait.”
He spun around, eyes intent upon her. It seemed a rather aggressive turn but, rather than withdrawing any sort of blade, he waited for her to speak.
“I, ah – I would like it if you could try to prompt my memories rather than ah, tell me the details of what happened.”
The man grunted and recommenced his pacing down the corridor. She didn’t even know his name. And Raia - or perhaps Neri - knew noblemen were rarely recruited to the rebel cause, which meant they had probably been enemies at one time. That at least explained his cold nature. She watched the way he walked along the soft carpets. There was something of a swagger to his motion, though it was graceful, measured and quiet. She was not entirely sure how she knew it, but this man was undoubtedly trained as a fighter.
They progressed through an increasingly complex series of hallways and winding chambers, each entirely silent and devoid of people. It was strange that this centre of unimaginable power was so empty, though perhaps its rulers were revelling in the main hall with the guests. Raia – no, Neri – would do as much if she had the same responsibilities. Neri, Neri, Neri. She had to get used to that name again!
“Please.” Mia’s father motioned for her to enter a darkened room full of settees. A large fire burned in the hearth, shedding the only light there. Neri sat as close to the hearth as possible; her wet dress had grown very cold against her skin.
The man set down his now-sleeping daughter on a nearby cushion and proceeded to dispense with a second layer of clothing. “Have this.” He placed his very expensive, black silk coat around her shoulders. What, precisely, were his intentions? “How much do you want to know about Ihurade?” he said as he returned to the chair behind him.
“I want to know… what he was to me.”
“You were lovers.”
Her heart sank within her ribs. It was what she had feared hearing; it meant that she had not mourned him appropriately, and it meant that someone she had cared for was gone. But as hard as she tried, she could not summon the right feelings for him. “And-” her voice wavered, “-how long was I with him?”
Mia’s father rubbed at his chin. “I don’t know, precisely. But you met him when you were sixteen. You didn’t tell me much more than that, and I’m afraid I knew you too briefly to guess. I knew him well enough, though. He was quite taken by you.”
Neri moved back in her seat and drew her knees up. She had done nothing to warrant such a man’s affection. Questions were beginning to pile up in her mind. “Where am I from?”
“You need only look in the mirror to know that.”
“But I remember snow. The Šona lived in warmth.”
He pursed his lips. “After they were-” He cleared his throat. “-when they were gone, you went to live in The Snowlands. Do you want to know what you did there?”
Snowlands. Yes… Snowlands and lurchcaws. Home. She had loved the snows, blizzards and the ice. And the broad valleys and plains so covered in blinding white. “No. Not yet. But, why did you think I would take your daughter?”
“Because you have many reasons to dislike me.”
And what were those reasons? What could he have done? Fought her in a battle? Had this man been responsible for her near-death, and the death of Daemar? “Where is her mother?”
There was no hesitation. “She died when Mia was born.”
“Oh… I’m sorry, I meant… I’m sorry.” She had expected an answer closer to: she’s in the next room; or: she went to another city for a day. How typical for her to make such a blunder.
“Don’t worry. It was some years ago now.”
She clenched her fists out of view. “I don’t even know your name.”
A small smile touched his lips. “Valyar. Pleased to meet you. Again.”
Sighter Valyar? The Emperor? Seducer of a thousand women and merciless ruler of The Fortress? And she was wearing his coat. She spluttered a response instead of talking, which prompted a laugh from the man.
“Many people say that.”
A figure appeared at the doorway. The silhouette looked quite familiar.
The emperor followed her line of sight. “Zanda. Could you take my daughter to her room and see that she is put into some dry clothing? It seems you were right about our guest.”
“It is her? Well, that’s a result.”
“Indeed it is.” Valyar smiled at her again. Strange, so many people had told her that he never smiled. And why had these two men been talking about her? Zanda trotted in, gave her a wink and grasped the sleeping child in his arms before striding from the room. Who’d have guessed the man was friends with royalty? Who’d have guessed that she was?
“I want you to stay here tonight,” the emperor announced. He made it sound as if Neri had little choice in the matter. The story of the thousand women bounced around in her mind. What if this was how he operated? After all, he was in a position to simply take whatever he wanted.
“I should go back to the inn…”
“No. I can help you remember, but I need you to stay here. And it will be safer for you if you do.”
His last words sounded worryingly like a threat. Another realisation forced its way into her thoughts. What if she had been one of his many conquests? There was no way of knowing. “Alright,” she squeaked.
“Good. Now
, I have a very long list of awards to distribute and many drunken guests to entertain. We’d better get you to your room in good time.”
“But the doctor’s award…”
Valyar grinned. “You’re in no state to appear in public. Not unless you enjoy displaying your underwear. I’ll see that he receives his prize.”
Neri’s eye’s bulged. Surely it was not that visible?
He stood and offered a hand to help her up. She took it tentatively.
“All these years you lived with him?”
“Yes.”
The emperor shook his head in apparent disbelief.
When they reached her intended place of stay, Valyar came to stand very close to her. He placed his hand against the door post and loomed as much as it was possible for a man to loom. Neri was forced to crane her neck to look directly at him.
“I’ll have your things brought here from the inn,” he said in a soft voice.
“Thank you.” She could smell his aftershave this close. There was something vaguely familiar about it. “Ah, I suppose you would like your coat back.”
“Keep it for now. I’ll see you later, Neri.” Something flashed in his eyes, and it was paired with another warm smile. Whatever it was made her feel dreadfully uncomfortable.
“Goodbye…ah, your –ah – highness,” she said as he turned.
“Valyar!” he called back, striding away.
First-name terms. How odd. She moved away to explore the room, which appeared to be nothing short of luxurious. Gold silk lined the walls, while satins and foils gilded the foam of the bed. Jet wood and lacquered metal framed the corners of the chamber, and mood-adjusting censers dangled in short sprays of crystal. Even the quietness was an expensive sort of silence. It was an indulgence for the senses. Neri felt her fears draining as she extracted the emperor’s coat and removed her wet clothing, probably as a result of the chemicals in the air around her. She’d found her first experience with the censers rather disturbing when she’d noticed them in Holbash. On arriving in the city she had been quite naturally agitated and angry at the inefficiency of its slow, ambling pedestrians. But then her irritation had vanished, and reappeared, and vanished once more for no reason. Only later did she realise that each change in emotion had been dictated by the censers, their airs and their eyes. There would be a switch for the ones in this room somewhere…
Snowlands Page 4