The Ruthless

by Peter Newman

  ‘Now let’s not embrace our true deaths just yet. All we know for sure is that House Sapphire is gathering at Rochant’s castle, and that he has returned there.’

  Vasin had the sudden urge to smoke some Tack. He could flee to his own castle right now and open up his stash and smoke it all in one glorious session. Oblivion called to him, appealing. But if he lost, Yadavendra wouldn’t just destroy him. Mia, his children, Old Sen, all of those who served him loyally would be cast into the Wild as well. And what will happen to Mother?

  ‘Please, Lady Pari. Explain to me why this isn’t a disaster.’

  ‘Your High Lord still has to answer to the other houses.’

  ‘But Rochant—’

  She cut him off, ‘Still loves me. I don’t believe he’ll turn on me directly, not yet. Not if I make him think that I still love him.’

  Arkav looked up, concerned, but said nothing.

  ‘That’s good for you,’ said Vasin bitterly.

  ‘For you as well. House Sapphire won’t want to air its private business with us around, so you’ll be safe for at least as long as we’re there. And if we succeed, Yadavendra will come with us. We can remove him before he can hurt you.’

  ‘I suppose so,’ he said whilst knowing it would not be nearly as straightforward as she was making out.

  ‘We’re not beaten yet, Lord Vasin. Trust me.’

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  A drop of rain plopped onto the end of Sa-at’s nose, waking him up. It had been quite comfortable in the nook, nestled deep in the soft earth, and tucked away from the winds. They had all taken turns to sleep.

  He looked up at the clouds and frowned. They hung low in the sky, overlapping one another, dark and darker. There was a malevolence to rain clouds that troubled him, and these seemed particularly vicious.

  Tal was already gathering their things. It didn’t take long but by the time he was done, little spots were dampening their clothes. ‘May we carry you, my lord?’

  ‘Yes,’ replied Rochant.

  Between them, they hefted him off the ground and set off. With Sa-at being smaller than Tal, and both of them smaller than Rochant, they made awkward progress. It bothered Sa-at that Rochant’s feet dragged behind them. It will leave a trail for his enemies to follow.

  They sought shelter under the nearest trees, all three of them panting by the time they got there. Moments later, the spots turned to a shower, which then became a deluge. They’d had to put Rochant down, and his feet stuck out past the edge of their cover. Sa-at tried drawing up his knees, but they wouldn’t stay up. He was about to try crossing Rochant’s legs when Tal slapped his arm.

  ‘Ow!’

  ‘What are you doing?’ Tal whispered. For some reason it felt as if he was being told off.

  ‘Getting his feet out of the rain,’ Sa-at whispered back.

  ‘Ask first.’

  Sa-at looked at him blankly.

  ‘They’re his feet, not yours. Ask him for permission.’

  A grumpiness settled on Sa-at’s shoulders. While Tal was talking, Rochant’s feet were getting soaked. He was being nice and Tal had slapped him for it! It didn’t make any sense. ‘Can I move your feet out of the rain?’

  ‘My lord,’ added Tal in a whisper. Sa-at had the impression he was supposed to add those words. He slapped Tal’s arm instead.

  ‘Yes,’ replied Rochant.

  It was boring waiting for the rain to stop. He desperately wanted to hear the next part of the Corpseman’s story and spent most of the time trying to think of an excuse to get Tal to go somewhere else. Then he felt bad for thinking that way about his friend, but it didn’t do anything to lessen his curiosity.

  ‘Do you both have plans for the future?’ asked Rochant.

  Sa-at and Tal looked at each other, and then Tal shrugged.

  ‘I have to find out about the Corpseman,’ said Sa-at.

  ‘And after that?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘It’s time you started making them.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Sa-at.

  ‘Because that is the best way to get what you want. Nobody is just going to hand you the things you desire.’

  ‘Crowflies does.’

  ‘Interesting. Have you ever wondered why that is?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘There will be a reason. You know the Wild perhaps even better than I do. You know how it works. Everything has a cost.’

  ‘Even Crowflies?’

  ‘Especially Crowflies.’

  Tal gave Sa-at a pointed look.

  Crowflies has always looked after me. That’s how it is. Why does there have to be a reason? Why are these thoughts making me feel horrible?

  Rochant turned his attention to Tal. ‘Will you go back to Sagan?’

  ‘I can’t, my lord. They exiled me.’

  ‘What was your crime?’

  Tal hung his head. ‘My ears. They used to be normal but then we went deeper in than we should have and got caught by Spiderkin. When we came back, my ears looked like this. The elders said I couldn’t be trusted but it wasn’t my fault, my lord, I didn’t make any deals, I swear.’

  Sa-at took his hand. ‘He’s with me now. We’re friends.’

  Rochant nodded. ‘If you have no plans, why don’t you both come with me?’

  They looked at each other.

  ‘Where are you going?’ asked Sa-at.

  ‘Home.’ Rochant looked up into the sky, then back to them. ‘Don’t answer yet. Think about it.’ He smiled oddly, a gesture to communicate something other than happiness. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

  Not long after that, he fell asleep.

  Tal settled in next to Sa-at, who was grateful for the warmth. ‘This is brilliant. I’ve always dreamed of seeing a sky castle. It’s never dark there, and nothing of the Wild can get you. It’s safe. I mean all the time! Can you imagine it? We have to go. I’m going to go.’ He assumed a hopeful expression. ‘Will you come with me?’

  Sa-at didn’t think about it for long. ‘Yes.’

  They were both so excited that they hugged to celebrate.

  When Rochant finally woke up, the two of them were sat watching him.

  ‘Yes!’ said Sa-at.

  ‘We’d be honoured to come with you, my lord,’ added Tal.

  ‘Good,’ Rochant replied. ‘But I should warn you, it won’t be easy. My enemies will be watching. To get past them will take cunning and courage. Tal, I need you to get us new clothes. I will die of exposure if I don’t get something better soon, and Sa-at’s clothing is too conspicuous. Can you do that?’

  ‘I don’t know, my lord. I don’t have much to trade with, and if they see my ears …’

  ‘Cunning and courage, Tal. Keep your hood secured and forward, nobody expects a Gatherer to do otherwise. As for the goods, if you can’t trade for them, take them.’

  Tal gasped. ‘Steal?’

  ‘Yes. In desperate times, a servant of the Sapphire does whatever is required to save the house.’

  ‘But stealing is wrong, my lord.’

  He doesn’t understand, thought Sa-at. This is bigger than clothes.

  ‘Make note of the person you take from, and I will see them compensated when I am returned to power. Does that satisfy you?’

  ‘Can’t we just say that you need it, my lord? Any good person would be happy to help you.’

  ‘My enemies will be listening for my name. It is too dangerous. Can you do this for me, Tal? Can you rise above your own concerns to serve your house in its time of need?’

  ‘I— I can, my lord.’

  ‘Good, then go. And go carefully.’

  Tal is a good friend but he is clumsy. He shouldn’t have to go alone. ‘I’ll come with you,’ said Sa-at.

  ‘No,’ replied Rochant. ‘I need one of you to stay with me.’

  ‘I’ll be alright,’ said Tal.

  He does not sound alright.

  He sounds all sad.

  He sounds all scared.

  But S
a-at did not say these things. He sensed that to do so would make it worse for his friend, not better. I must be like Rochant and make my face and feelings say different things. So instead of showing his worry, he said: ‘Yes, you will.’

  Tal nodded to him and bowed to Rochant, and then plunged into the rain. Sa-at watched his hunched form get smaller and smaller, and he wondered if he would ever see him again. To his shame, it only took a minute for him to realize that now he could hear the rest of the story.

  Rochant seemed able to read his thoughts. And when he asked: ‘Shall I continue?’ Sa-at could not help but smile and nod.

  A scene of happy chaos greeted Vasin as he crossed the Bridge of Friends and Fools, and walked through the gates of Lord Rochant’s floating castle. He was late. High Lord Yadavendra would notice. The others would notice too, a mark against him at the worst possible time. There was no sign of judgement in the courtyard however, quite the opposite. It was usual for there to be an air of celebration when a rebirth was successful, but this was something else, jubilation bordering on mania. His arrival, armoured, and with two Deathless from another house, only added to the mix.

  There is such love for Rochant among the people, he thought, not without a little envy.

  He did his best to smooth the way for Lady Pari and Lord Arkav with the guards, and started towards the keep. The crowd parted for him and his appearance did prompt cheering, which lifted his spirits somewhat.

  By the time he reached the Chrysalis Chamber the Gardener-smiths were waiting for him. Each piece of armour was carefully removed and he saw how they had put up temporary dividers to split the room into sections, to give each set of armour its own space.

  As he stepped down from his Sky-legs and into a robe, his knees buckled and only the quick reactions of the staff saved him from a fall. They put him back on his feet without a word while he silently berated himself. This will get back to Yadavendra. Damn it! I cannot afford to show weakness now.

  It was understandable though. Without the support of his sapphire armour, he felt keenly aware of his unbroken flight from House Ruby to Sorn, and then from there to the castle. And that journey came off the back of the hunt! When did I last sleep?

  He allowed himself to be guided to his usual room, grateful for the practised hands that moved him up stairs, down corridors, and into bed.

  The next he knew, a servant was singing for entry.

  He blinked sleepily, then sat up as the smell of smoking Nightweed and cooked meats tickled his nose. Not for the first time, it struck him that Rochant’s staff really were excellent.

  After he’d inhaled a little too much of the Nightweed and devoured most of the food, he noticed the servant had remained in the room. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Are you up to receiving visitors, my lord?’

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘Ah.’ The servant’s face fell.

  Vasin’s quickly mirrored it. ‘Let me guess. My brother, Lord Gada, is already on his way here to speak to me.’

  ‘Just so, my lord.’

  I feel as if I have lived through this moment a thousand times and it never gets any less tedious. ‘As you can see, I am hardly in a state to receive anyone. Tell my beloved brother I will send for him when I am ready, and recommend that he try some of the yellow Birdkin flesh while he waits, it really is excellent.’

  The servant’s face fell yet further. ‘At once, my lord.’

  Yes, he thought, I’ve fallen for Gada’s tricks in the past, but no longer. I will not allow myself to be rushed and caught off guard again, nor will I dance to his beat when I can make him dance to mine. He may be my elder brother, but I have to stop thinking of him that way if I am to be a credible candidate for High Lord.

  Despite this sentiment, he found it hard to be relaxed as servants prepared him for the day. They brushed his long hair, scented his body and then wrapped it in silk. Though his own people would have been better, they also did a credible job of painting his face, and daubing it in gold.

  When he signalled for them to fetch Gada, he felt a flurry of nerves in his stomach. This is worse than the morning of a hunt.

  As expected, Gada was in full regalia, his long-limbed body swathed in flowing blue that further emphasized its length. No matter the lifecycle, his brother’s eyes always communicated a slight disapproval. His smile, only a vague hint of affection.

  Vasin waved him inside and the two clasped arms. Despite their differences, blood and a mutual love of their mother bound them. Each gripped the other firmly, as they had through the ages.

  However, when Gada spoke, his voice was peevish. ‘It is good to see you, at last.’

  ‘I would have been here sooner, had I been aware anything was happening.’

  A bit of genuine surprise crossed Gada’s face before quickly vanishing. ‘Messengers went to every castle, travelling with the High Lord’s seal and a great deal of urgency. Where have you been?’

  ‘With House Ruby.’

  ‘For your sake, I’m going to pretend that you are joking.’

  ‘The situation there is no joke, brother. We need to send aid.’

  Gada put a hesitant hand on Vasin’s arm. ‘But please, not today. Promise me you won’t speak of this until we’ve had a chance to enjoy Lord Rochant’s return. It might even be wise to speak to him first.’

  In another lifecycle, this would be good advice, but Rochant was anything but an ally now. ‘This is too important to wait. The Rubies have no Deathless able to fly, and they’re down to their last hunters.’ He thought of Lord Quasim Peridot’s recklessness and Lord Lakshin Opal’s fear. ‘They need us. This challenge is beyond the minor houses.’

  ‘There are several major houses. Why us?’

  ‘We are closer than House Tanzanite, and they have sent aid.’

  Gada’s eyes narrowed. ‘Is this why you arrived with Tanzanites in tow? If you think the High Lord is going to change his mind because you’ve brought them, you’re sorely mistaken.’

  ‘No, I don’t think that.’

  Gada continued as if he hadn’t spoken. ‘If his own daughter can’t persuade him, you have no hope. The High Lord will see this as a challenge to his authority. He’ll dig in even deeper.’

  ‘I know that,’ Vasin muttered.

  ‘My advice would be to take things slowly. Get Lord Rochant’s support. Better yet, get him to suggest it.’

  Don’t lose your temper, Vasin counselled himself. How would Mother handle this? But when he tried to remember Nidra in court, the only images he could bring to mind was of her in Sorn, broken and incoherent. He gritted his teeth and then held up a hand until Gada stopped talking. ‘They aren’t here for the Rubies. They are here to bring High Lord Sapphire to trial for destroying Mother’s Godpiece, and I intend to support them.’

  Gada’s mouth opened. No words came out. He closed it again.

  ‘Will you stand with me?’

  ‘Oh, Vasin. Mother is gone. Attacking Yadavendra won’t bring her back. He won’t go with the Tanzanites. In fact, they’ll be lucky not to be put between lives. If you stand with them, you’ll die with them too, only you won’t get to come back.’

  This was the moment of crisis. Do I tell him about Mother? She had always said that when the time came, Gada would support them. He was not so sure. If he told his brother about her, he would soon have to tell him about Rochant, which would mean confessing his own crimes against the house. Did he trust his brother with their lives?

  I don’t know.

  His instincts told him to wait. His mother had told him to act. He hesitated, unable to commit to either path.

  I don’t know what to do!

  But when Gada started to speak again, Vasin grabbed him, so sudden and fierce that he saw genuine fear on his brother’s face. ‘Mother is not gone,’ he hissed. ‘She lives. I have seen her and talked with her. Do you understand? She lives! And she deserves justice, not Yadavendra’s madness. We can get rid of Yadavendra, restore the house, and restore her. We ca
n bring her back!’

  For once, Gada had nothing to say.

  ‘Don’t you see?’ continued Vasin, unable to stop now he’d started. ‘We have a chance to put things right. We have to take it, together. Yadva will stand with us, maybe Umed too. It’s going to happen. When the celebrations are over, the Tanzanites will make their decree on behalf of the Council of High Lords. We have to be ready.’

  There was a long pause, and then Gada nodded to himself. He removed Vasin’s left hand from his arm, then his right. ‘We did not have this conversation. Whatever you saw was not our mother. She has been exiled by official decree and is dead to us. Our first loyalty is to our High Lord, not the political games of the other houses. We live and die by his decree, not theirs. We follow his lead in all things, not theirs. We did not have this conversation.’

  Gada nodded to himself again, and walked out, leaving Vasin confused. Did he mean those things or was he saying them in case we were overheard? Was that nod a signal that he did support me?

  He pressed his knuckles against his temples, trying to ease the pressure there. His brother may have just pledged himself to restoring their mother or washed his hands of her. The only thing Vasin knew for certain was that either way, all of the risk would be his and his alone.

  Pari watched the crowd from her window as the staff parked the carriage. Though they were happy to see their lord returned, that happiness was directed away from her, another kind of barrier between the Sapphire and outsiders. Since their arrival, she had seen many such barriers, from physical ones like the bridge, the guards, and the walls themselves, to more subtle ones; the abundance of blue flags, the smiles kept for locals only, the way traders from other houses had been partitioned into a separate area. All were weapons to dishearten non-Sapphire visitors.

  Well, we have weapons of our own.

  ‘I’m not sure I can do this,’ said Arkav.

  ‘I am.’ She took his hand. ‘I’ll be with you all the way.’

  ‘High Lord Tanzanite is using us.’

  ‘Of course she is.’

  ‘She says she wants me to succeed, and I believe her. But in her heart, she expects me to fail. She’s planned for it.’ He looked away. ‘If our words don’t bring High Lord Sapphire to justice, then our blood will … I don’t think we’re coming back from this, Pari.’