Fragile Empire

by Christopher Mitchell

  ‘Afternoon, ma’am,’ said one as Nyane entered the compound, Karalyn at her side.

  She pointed over to their right, at a large dry dock where the hulls of three ships were being constructed. Behind it, in a great basin, floated at least a score more ships, tied up to a long jetty that extended out into the middle of the river.

  ‘The imperial fleet,’ Nyane said. ‘Well, part of it. The rest is mostly at Rainsby along with the army.’

  She watched as Karalyn gazed at the tall vessels berthed in the imperial harbour. A thought occurred to her.

  ‘Do you think,’ she said to the young woman, ‘that you could find a person for me? I mean, see if they are currently in the harbour area?’

  ‘Maybe,’ Karalyn said. ‘Who?’

  ‘A Rakanese mage I’ve been wishing to visit. She often works here.’

  ‘Think of her now.’

  Nyane focussed on an image of the woman in her mind.

  ‘Alright,’ Karalyn said. ‘Got it. Now give me a moment.’

  Nyane watched as her eyes dulled over slightly. She wondered if she would get into trouble if the Empress discovered she had asked Karalyn to use her powers to help her, but she was feeling in a defiant mood, and was starting to like the young woman, despite what she had put her through.

  ‘She’s here.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Nyane said. ‘Where?’

  ‘Other end of the harbour,’ Karalyn said.

  They began walking back the way they had come, passing through the iron gates and re-entering the commercial docks.

  ‘You should know something,’ Karalyn said as they walked. ‘When I got her image from your mind, your reasons for wanting to find her were clear to read. I didn’t intend to, but it happened anyway.’

  ‘Really?’ Nyane said. ‘What do you think? About the idea of combining mage powers?’

  Karalyn shrugged. ‘If it’s for making stronger bricks, then that seems fine to me. What intrigued me more were the papers you got from Dean. May I read them?’

  Nyane halted.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Karalyn said.

  ‘I apologise,’ said the Rahain woman. ‘It’s just, this is hard. You know every last thing about me, and whether you mean to or not, it doesn’t really matter. It’s disconcerting. I find myself rather at a loss, second guessing myself at every turn.’

  ‘I only went into your head because you asked me to help you.’

  ‘Yes, that is correct. You’re right. I shall soldier on.’

  They began walking again.

  ‘The papers?’ Karalyn said.

  ‘Ah yes. I suppose I should ask Dean. He is their custodian after all.’

  ‘I could always ask him myself.’

  ‘He’s a bit wary about meeting you, to be honest.’

  ‘He’s scared I’ll mess with his head?’

  ‘No, he doesn’t appear to understand the extent of your powers. The truth is, he’s a shy man. A bit like you, he doesn’t make friends easily. It took a lot of time and patience to win him over, but once I got there it was worth it.’

  ‘You really do love him.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘It’s a pity about your father.’

  Nyane frowned. ‘So you know about that, eh? Yes, it is rather a shame. He’s not a bad man, however he cannot hide his anger and disappointment at my choice of mate. He yearns for grandchildren, and well obviously it goes beyond nature’s laws that I will ever conceive with Dean. No, it falls to the Holdings and Kellach Brigdomin alone who can cross-breed, and you are living proof.’

  ‘Not just me,’ said Karalyn, ‘I have two brothers and a sister as well.’

  ‘There are four Holdfast children? I didn’t know that. Your mother was always fiercely protective of her family, that much is known. Do they have the same powers as you?’

  ‘No, I’m the only one. The others were spared that.’

  Nyane glanced at her. ‘I can’t even imagine what it was like growing up with those powers.’

  ‘Awful. I spent more years away from my family than I did living with them. I did a lot of bad things. My mother hasn’t forgiven me for some of them.’

  ‘And now you’re eighteen.’

  ‘And I still make stupid decisions, like I did with you this morning.’

  ‘It’s alright,’ Nyane said. ‘I think I’m beginning to understand why you might have acted in the way you did.’

  Karalyn pointed. ‘The Rakanese mage is in that office.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  They passed through the crowds to a line of warehouses and offices built into the side of the harbour wall. Nyane gazed up at the sign over the door – Mannoro Shipping Line, and they entered. Everyone inside was Rakanese except for her and Karalyn, who towered over them.

  ‘Chief Engineer,’ said one of the Rakanese, ‘we are honoured. How can we assist you?’

  ‘I’m looking for Mage Seda Happonawa. Is she around today?’

  ‘Certainly, ma’am, I’ll fetch her for you now. Tea?’

  ‘Yes, thank you.’

  ‘Please, take a seat.’

  Nyane and Karalyn took chairs by the window, and a young Rakanese man served them hot, sweet black tea. A woman approached. She looked to be around the same age as Nyane, and was dressed in long sapphire robes.

  ‘Good afternoon, Chief Engineer,’ she said, bowing before taking a seat beside them. ‘What brings you here?’

  ‘An idea,’ said Nyane. ‘Not mine, I hasten to add, but the young man who suggested it to me met with a most unfortunate accident some time ago.’

  Seda raised an eyebrow.

  ‘His idea,’ Nyane went on, ‘was to combine our mage crafts. Your clay powers, and my stone skills, put together to create a much stronger substance than we are presently able to achieve. Imagine, a stone core, surrounded by clay, acted on by two mages simultaneously.’

  ‘It seems obvious,’ Seda said. ‘Has no one thought to try it before?’

  ‘Not that I know of. Have you heard of any such attempt?’

  ‘No, it hadn’t occurred to me until you mentioned it.’

  Nyane smiled. ‘Think of the possibilities.’

  ‘Oh, be assured, I am.’

  Seda took a sip from her teacup, and was silent for a moment. Nyane glanced at Karalyn, who smiled back at her.

  Seda is more than interested. Her head is whirling with ideas. She’s already working out a contract in her mind. She’s honest, and won’t go below a halfway split.

  ‘We would of course,’ Nyane said, ‘divide ownership equally. Me and you. As chief engineer of the empire, you know my influence with the Empress.’

  ‘This could make us very rich,’ Seda said. ‘If it works.’

  ‘Let’s find out. Draw up something I can read and sign, and we’ll meet at the university. I have rooms there where we can experiment.’

  Seda stuck her hand out. ‘Deal.’

  Nyane shook it.

  ‘You haven’t introduced me to your friend,’ said Seda.

  Nyane gestured to the young woman beside her. ‘This is Karalyn Holdfast, daughter of the First Holder.’

  Seda bowed. ‘An honour to meet you.’ She winked at Nyane. ‘You’re keeping lofty company.’

  ‘Giving her a tour of the city. She’ll be working for the Empress.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll do very well.’

  Nyane stood. ‘Send word to the university when you are ready to proceed.’

  Seda chuckled. ‘Don’t worry about that, I most certainly shall. Good day.’

  Nyane and Karalyn made their farewells and left the office.

  ‘Time for a break,’ Nyane said. ‘Would you like to join me for some lunch?’

  ‘Aye,’ said Karalyn.

  ‘What you did in there,’ Nyane said, ‘you spoke inside my head.’

  ‘Aye. I thought it might help.’

  Nyane shook her head. ‘Oh my. The Empress is going to find uses for you, young lady. As will the Chief of Intel
ligence. Listen, dear. You seem like a strong, capable woman, but you must watch out. There will be those who may try to abuse your powers. Be careful whom you trust.’

  ‘And risk turning them away, like I almost did with you?’

  ‘Don’t worry about that. What’s done is done.’

  Karalyn smiled and they walked back along the wide quay. Nearby, a large ship was being unloaded, and passengers were descending a gangway. At their head a young woman was striding, a look of pure fury on her face.

  ‘Look,’ Nyane whispered. ‘Someone’s none too happy.’

  They watched as the woman reached the quay. She appeared to be from the Holdings, although her skin was a shade paler than most who hailed from that land. She was dressed in expensive fur robes, and had a small cluster of maids and servants gathered round her, their eyes lowered. Her voice was carrying over the harbour, as she shouted at her staff.

  Nyane chuckled. ‘Do you recognise her?’ she said to Karalyn. ‘Is she Holdings aristocracy?’

  ‘Give me a moment.’

  Nyane glanced at Karalyn, as her eyes hazed over for a second. She shook her head in surprise.

  ‘Is something wrong?’ Nyane asked.

  ‘I can’t see inside her head,’ the young woman said.

  ‘Why not? Is she using powers to prevent you?’

  ‘No, this is something different. Her eyes are… shielded somehow.’

  Nyane frowned. ‘Tell me, would this shielding block normal vision mages as well?’

  ‘I think so. Yes, it would.’

  Nyane glanced back at the fur-robed woman, but she had disappeared into the crowds on the quayside. She nodded to Karalyn, and began heading towards the ship the woman had disembarked from. A Holdings naval officer was standing at the foot of the gangway, chatting to the passengers as they walked onto the quay.

  Nyane greeted him. ‘Good afternoon.’

  ‘Ma’am,’ he nodded.

  ‘Could I bother you for a moment, please?’ she said. ‘Who was that young woman that got off the ship a minute or two ago? The one with the servants. She was wearing a long fur robe.’

  The officer nodded. ‘That would be Lady Belinda of Fell Grange, ma’am.’

  ‘She seemed to be in an awful temper.’

  The officer raised an eyebrow at her.

  ‘It must sound like I’m prying, but I would like to know how I could find her.’

  ‘She told me that she would be presenting herself to her Imperial Majesty, ma’am. If I were you, I’d make enquiries at the palace.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Nyane turned and walked back to Karalyn.

  ‘Lady Belinda,’ she said.

  ‘Aye?’ said Karalyn.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You don’t trust her?’

  ‘Do you?’

  Karalyn shrugged. ‘I don’t trust anyone I can’t read.’

  Nyane nodded, and realised that Karalyn trusted her. She had looked inside her mind, seen every secret she had to hide, and trusted her. She smiled at the young woman.

  You know,’ she said. ‘I was wrong before. I think we could be friends.’

  Chapter 13

  The Good Life

  Liberton, Rahain Republic – 18th Day, Second Third Spring 524

  The wind buffeted the carriage as it soared through the air, pulled along by four great winged gaien. The rain was pounding down onto the wooden frame inches above the soldiers’ heads as they sat buckled to the benches on either side of the interior. Through a small window Lennox watched the damp, grey landscape flit past, the straps keeping him attached to the seat digging into his leather armour and chain mail. The officer at the head of the carriage turned and signalled to them, and the two squads pulled on their helmets. Sixteen soldiers in all, the Fifth and the Sixth, had been selected. They had assembled that morning near the village where the Fifth were based, and had jumped aboard the carriage while it hovered a foot above the ground, while the four flying beasts kept it steady.

  ‘Get ready!’ Logie cried out to them. ‘Unbuckle!’

  The soldiers ripped off the straps and stood, hanging on to knotted ropes dangling from the centre of the curved ceiling. The carriage lurched, and the soldiers swayed, but none fell.

  The officer nodded to Logie.

  ‘Jump from the left!’ the squad leader shouted. ‘The left!’

  He yanked on a long lever embedded into the side of the carriage, and the entire left hand wall fell back, hinged at the bottom. A gust of freezing wind swept through the carriage, flinging cold rain into their faces. Below, the grassy flank of a hillside lay a few feet away.

  ‘Go!’ yelled Logie, and the Fifth went first, letting go of the ropes and jumping clear of the swinging hatch. Lennox hit the ground, his crossbow armed and ready, and sprinted forwards, taking up a position by the face of a cliff. The others in the squad fanned out, covering the Sixth as they also jumped. As soon as the soldiers were on the ground, the carriage began to rise, its hatch winched back into position. Keeping low, the four flying gaien flew away, the carriage only just clearing the tops of the trees belonging to a nearby wood.

  The soldiers waited on the hillside while the two squad leaders glanced at a map. Lennox turned to Darine on his left. The rain was streaming down her helmet and breastplate as she crouched by the cliff. Lennox could feel the cold water seep between the layers of his clothes and the gaps in his armour. It wasn’t too bad. They had suffered much worse in training.

  Logie signalled to the squads, the rain too loud for him to use his voice. The soldiers stood, and began to follow him across the flank of the hill. They entered a stand of spruce trees, and got out of the worst of the weather.

  ‘Cave is this way,’ Logie said, pointing up the hill as the soldiers gathered round. ‘Fifth up first. Sixth will cover them and watch the flanks. Keep your crossbows dry on the climb. Let’s go.’

  Lennox adjusted the safety lever and swung the bow under his cloak where his shield would keep most of the water off it. Logie was already moving, and the squad followed, ascending the slope as it steepened. The trees thinned out and they clambered up over slippery rocks and boulders slick with saturated moss, the noise of their armour drowned out by the incessant rain.

  He saw a dark opening in the hillside and pointed. Logie noticed him, and halted. He made a gesture, and the squad readied their bows. As one, they charged up the slope, Lennox’s feet slipping as he kept his aim on the cave opening. Together, they reached the entrance, and peered inside, eight crossbows covering every angle. Logie nodded at Lennox and Darine and the two went in. Each took the opposite side, and edged forwards, their bows ready. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, Lennox glanced around. The cave looked deep, and it widened out after a few yards.

  Kallek came forward with a lantern, and shone it into the cavern. The floor was littered with detritus from old fires, broken equipment and the scorched bones of animals.

  ‘No one here, boss,’ Kallek cried.

  Logie barged his way past them and strode into the cavern.

  ‘Shit,’ he said. ‘Shit. How the fuck did the bastards know we were coming?’

  Lennox walked into the cavern, lowering his bow as the rest of the squad piled in out of the rain.

  ‘Not been here for a couple of days, at least,’ Darine said as she rooted through the scattered remains.

  Logie kicked the skull of a pig across the cavern and it hit the wall with a crash, splintering into a hundred fragments.

  ‘Rebel bastards,’ he growled. He turned to Loryn. ‘Do something useful and get a fire started. I’m fucking freezing.’

  The Fifth pulled further into the cavern as the Sixth joined them. The two squad leaders withdrew to a dark corner to talk.

  ‘Look at him,’ Libby said to Lennox. ‘Having another temper tantrum.’

  Lennox said nothing, his gaze on the enraged look on Logie’s face.

  ‘Another false alarm,’ Cain said, crouching down beside them. ‘Col
d and wet for nothing.’

  ‘At least we got out of the village for a bit,’ Libby said. ‘That place is doing my head in.’ She glanced at Lennox. ‘I’d swap roles with you in a shot. You get to go out on patrol every other day. And you get to get drunk on your days off.’

  ‘Do you think I enjoy being stuck up a mountain with Darine for days on end?’

  Libby and Cain looked at each other. ‘Aye,’ they said.

  He smiled.

  ‘Right,’ Logie said, coming over to them. ‘You and Darine. Get back outside, climb the hill, and signal to the officer in the flying carriage. Get them to come back for us.’

  Lennox suppressed a groan and got to his feet. ‘Are you sure you’d swap?’ he muttered to Libby.

  He found Darine, and they re-emerged back into the driving rain. She grunted, and began scrambling up the side of the slope. He followed, and they trudged to the summit in silence as the wind swirled around them.

  ‘Do you see it?’ she yelled as they reached the top.

  Lennox squinted, a hand shielding his eyes from the rain. He gazed out across the sky, knowing that the gaien would take the carriage up out of bow range. He pointed. ‘There.’

  ‘Right,’ she said. ‘Hold still.’

  She moved round to his back, and pulled out the red flag from the pack. They each took an end and held it up.

  ‘Do they see us?’ she cried.

  ‘How the fuck should I know?’ he laughed, the raining falling down his face.

  ‘Wave it a bit more!’

  ‘I’m trying to. I’m doing my best.’

  She smiled and looked him in the eye. ‘Is it better to do your best without love in your heart, or have a heart full of love but remain inactive?’

  He squinted at her. ‘What?’

  Something that almost looked like fear passed over Darine’s face, and she turned away.

  ‘Nothing,’ she said.

  He frowned, then noticed the small, black specks in the sky draw closer.

  ‘They’ve seen us!’ he yelled.

  Darine remained quiet on the return journey, as sixteen sodden soldiers strapped themselves back into the carriage. Logie paced up and down the interior walkway casting grim glances at any that caught his eye.