Northern Storm

Chapter Ten

Concentrate on the omens. This is your first arrival here as warlord of this domain. Will there be portents to offer some clue as to Chazen’s future? As to your future?

Kheda stood on the bow platform of the Gossamer Shark and surveyed the bustle in the anchorage sheltered by the great green bulk of the island of Esabir. The vessel stood out from the shore, flanked by the Dancing Snake and the Brittle Crab, all on guard as the three great galleys that had brought the warlord’s household north were unloaded. Small boats ferried coffers, bundles and crates ashore or brought food and water to the grateful crews of the heavy triremes. Low conversations in the belly of the boat behind Kheda were punctuated by the rattle of bowls as freshly steamed sailer grain mixed with shreds of meat and green herbs was dished out to the oarsmen.

He resolutely ignored the disturbances, concentrating on the vista before him. The little boats filled the bay so densely that the dark-blue waters were barely visible.

Itrac could almost walk ashore dry-shod over their decks. Could an enemy make an assault so easily? The steeply shelving beach allowed ships to anchor close in to this shore, a boon to the domain’s galleys when the rainy season storms wracked the seas. Under other stars, an enemy might exploit such a vulnerability, so a formidable embankment had been built along the edge of the beach, topped with a thick wall of pale-grey stone. The wall zigged and zagged so that arrows from every bastion could defend its neighbours. Massive catapults squatted on the forward-thrusting platforms to secure a commanding view of any approaching ships.

This residence had never fallen to attack. That was your boast, Chazen Saril. Much good it did you. The wild men’s wizards reduced your mighty catapults to burned wood and melted metal. Redigal Coron’s warriors found the fortress empty, doors standing wide for anyone to walk through.

Well, you abandoned your people, Saril. They were hardly going to make a stand and die for your sake. A steady stream of laden servants and slaves trudged through the black wooden gate set into a deep recess flanked by angular towers striped with arrow slits. Warriors patrolled the wall, swordsmen and archers, the sun bright on their mail and helmets as they kept watch not only north out to sea but also to east and west where the encroaching forest was kept ruthlessly in check with shears and scythes.

A fortress to defy any assault, never mind it’s a rainy season residence and we all agree that no wise lord makes war when swords rust in their scabbards and armour rusts on a warrior’s back, when bows break in an archer’s hands, glue and sinew fatally dampened. We all agree, but the histories tell of warlords now and again who have defied such wisdom. Some lost but some won, so we build our towers and ramparts.

What hindrance will they be to a dragon? Have we gained anything by this unseasonal move, trading the cooling breezes of the south to spend the worst of the dry season heat so hemmed in by trees and hills? Will we end up at each other’s throats as tempers fray when the temperature rises?

The still air already hung around as hot and heavy as a smothering blanket. He looked about for water and was startled to find Dev at his elbow, proffering a silver cup with a slice of black fig floating in it. ‘You’re right, my lord,’ the barbarian commented, studiedly casual. We can keep a far better guard on the sea lanes from here, just in case any greedy eyes are turned to our pearl harvest.’

Nice by, Dev, reminding all the listening ears that we’ve had good fortune to balance the unprecedented evil of the dragon’s arrival. But there’s nothing to be gained by running from an unpalatable truth.

‘And we can escape the beast in the forests and hills if it dares to come here,’ Kheda added. ‘If it comes before we have the trick of defeating it, my lord,’ Dev countered dutifully.

Kheda looked up beyond the towers of the residence to the steep mountains running east to west and dividing this third largest of the domain’s islands. With the morning mist long since burned off by the fierce sun, the ragged uplands were a daunting prospect, sheer heights thrust through the trees shrouded by an all-concealing cloak of vines. Here and there pale rock clawed through to the open air, pitted and stained and sheltering hollows of black mystery. At the water’s edge, the high ground broke apart in two distinct ridges falling into sluggish seas sheltered from the southern winds by the bulk of the island. The residence was set in the fan of flat land between them, the beach defences running the full length of the shore between the shattered headlands. There were no paths, no tracks over the heights to give any aid to an enemy trying to attack from the landward side of the island.

The warlord sniffed as the fickle breeze brought a faint reminder of the fetid, humid, swamp-choked islands spreading to the north and east.

That must be where the people hereabouts fled from the wild men’s invasion. There must be provision for keeping a hidden boat somewhere, a fast galley for the warlord and his family.

‘The people of this island and the residence saved themselves and much of Chazen’s wealth from the trials of last year,’ he observed to Dev and for the benefit of the listening oarsmen. ‘Make sure you bring me the names of all those who deserve rewarding.’ Do you understand me? Firstly, let’s remind these people that they lived through such terrifying trials once. Secondly, let’s find out exactly how they did it, in case we need to flee a worse foe. ‘Indeed, my lord.’ Dev bowed smoothly. ‘Are you ready to go ashore?’

Kheda nodded and they walked back towards the stern platform, past the heavy trireme’s warriors sitting cross-legged on the side decks. Kheda noted the resolution on their faces as they scoured imperfections from swords and daggers with oil and whetstone or buffed mail to brilliant silver with dampened cloths dipped in harsh sand. He beckoned to Shipmaster Mezai as they reached the helmsman, who was sitting with hands resting lightly on his twin steering oars.

‘As soon as you’re resupplied, patrol the waters hereabouts. Tell the local villages’ fishermen to keep a good watch on the lesser sea lanes as well, just in case someone thinks all our attention will be on the south and west and they can sneak through while our backs are turned.’

‘Yes, my lord.’ Mezai nodded, then hesitated. ‘And what—’

Kheda snapped his fingers and Dev knelt to open a sturdy coffer waiting to go ashore along with the warlord’s physic chest. ‘The dragon’s shown no inclination to attack any sizeable vessels, but if it shows any undue interest in you, see if you can distract it with these.’ Dev handed Kheda a soft leather pouch, which he passed straight to Mezai. ‘The beast seems to crave gems. I doubt you’d get it to quench its own fires by diving for them, so have your best archers shoot them on to some shore, then make a run for it.’ Kheda shrugged. Not that I imagine it will show itself this far north. It still seems more interested in pursuing the last of the savages in the west.’

‘Evil bringing its own fate down on itself, my lord.’ Dev secured the jewel chest and stood up. ‘We’ll hope that holds true, my lord.’ Mezai sounded more hopeful than certain, though.

‘There’s no disgrace in running from a dragon.’ Dev grinned. Do you think there’s any ship in any domain that wouldn’t do the same?’

Kheda gripped Mezai’s shoulder, looking him in the eye. ‘I’ll want you and your ship ready when the Green Turtle gets back. Then we’ll pursue the beast with whatever lore they might have in the north for driving such predators away.’

‘Can’t be that difficult, if barbarians can do it.’ Mezai made a valiant attempt at a joke but there was suspicion in his eyes as he glanced at Dev.

‘Let’s be thankful we had a barbarian to hand to remind us they’re plagued with dragons in the north, along with their wizards,’ said Kheda with casual indifference. ‘And since there are still barbarian kings and princes uneaten to trade with the northern Archipelago, they must have some means to stop the beasts laying waste to their lands.’

‘There haven’t been dragons around the Cape of Winds in three generations, my lord,’ Dev assured him obsequiously. Not since the last of them was hunted down and killed.’

‘And since barbarians can never resist bragging, doubtless there’ll be some record of such events in one or other of the domains that touch on the barbarian waters.’ Mezai looked around to make sure his crew weren’t forgetting that.

‘Indeed.’ Kheda paused, as if a thought had just occurred to him. ‘Of course, we’ll keep the beast’s lust for gems to ourselves. If it chases any other domain’s ships and they don’t know how to distract it, that will serve them right for encroaching on our waters, won’t it?’

‘Yes, my lord.’ There was some distaste in Mezai’s assent.

Kheda took one last discreet look at the trireme’s crew as he turned to climb down the ladder to a waiting rowing boat. There were some unfriendly eyes following Dev as the supposed slave waited near the stern ladder.

Are you all reassured by my apparent confidence or wondering if I am an utter fool to rely on a barbarian slave’s word? I certainly don’t know what we’ll do if the dragon turns up to prey on Chazen’s more densely populated islands. How many jewels does it take to buy a life from the beast? Will pandering to it just encourage it to stay where there are such easy pickings?

‘We’ll go to the courier-dove lofts as soon as we’re ashore,’ he said briefly to Dev as the barbarian climbed carefully into the boat. ‘I want to know exactly what’s happening in the west. There should be dispatches from the Mist Dove by now.’

‘Indeed, my lord.’ Dev waited as the jewel coffer and physic chest were lowered from the trireme and stowed them safely beneath the little boat’s stern thwart. Kheda shifted his feet and glanced at the two youths side by side on the central thwart.

Are you reassured to see me in silks, apparently confident that I don t need armour here in the heart of my domain? Or have you heard that I lost my hauberk thanks to the dragon?

Kheda carefully drew the fronts of his sleeveless mantle of midnight-blue gossamer across the knees of his emerald silk trousers. The overgarment was sewn with pale-green feathers around the shoulders and hem, matching the panels of embroidery on the front and back of his round-necked tunic, where azure roundels of feathers each framed a hawk’s head.

I remember this mantle. So now I’ve taken Saril’s clothes as well as his domain, his residences and his remaining wife. And my erstwhile wife took his life. Are the people here going to look me in the eye or spit in it?

‘Let’s get your lord ashore,’ Dev said breezily to the rowers.

The two youths shared a dubious glance before leaning into their oars, keeping their eyes on their own feet as they rowed.

Kheda felt Dev stir beside him and saw the barbarian open his mouth, a glower cutting a deep line between his angular black brows. Kheda silenced him with an unceremonious elbow to the ribs. One of the rowers looked up only to drop his gaze immediately as he caught the warlord’s mildly questioning gaze.

Noise all around pressed in on their tense silence.

Crewmen from the great galleys shouted instructions to the islanders down in their little boats. Warning calls rang out as unwieldy loads were manhandled down the steep stairs fixed on either side of the massive ships’ sterns.

Muffled hammering floated out of the oar ports as the ever-toiling carpenters laboured in the hidden holds.

Above decks, rowers were making good wear and tear sustained by rowlocks and oar sleeves.

There were small open galleys with just a single bank of oars and fishing skiffs everywhere. More had followed in their wake from every village the warlord’s fleet had passed on the voyage to Esabir.

Are you hoping my presence will somehow protect you from the dragon? I’ll do all I can, but are there enough jewels in the domain to turn its attention from so much easy meat?

‘Looks like life got back to normal hereabouts pretty swiftly’ Dev was watching the local fishermen vying for space on the beach, eager to sell their loads of crab and lobster to Itrac’s household cooks. ‘This was one of the last islands taken by the savages,’ Kheda said neutrally. ‘And one of the first to be relieved by Redigal Coron’s ships.’

‘We’re not going to go hungry, are we?’ Dev watched flat-bottomed boats rowed by local women in gaily patterned gowns bringing baskets piled high with all manner of leafy greens or succulent roots brushed carefully free of soil. Other boats carried crates of ducks or village fowl blinking balefully at trussed braces of silver jungle birds, their heads hanging limply from deftly wrung necks. ‘Look, my lord,’ he said fervently. ‘Red meat.’ He pointed to the motionless dappled flank of a hill deer still tied to the pole some hunting party had used to carry it out of the forest.

‘It was an honour to serve you, my lord.’ As the rowing boat grounded on the steep beach, the two boys hastily drew their oars inboard and leapt out to drag the unwieldy vessel ashore as far as they could. ‘Thank you.’ Kheda walked carefully up the boat to climb over the prow. Dev.’

Hearls turned on all sides, conversations fading away. Kheda nodded and smiled to islanders and residence servants who stopped in their tracks to bow low. He glanced back to see Dev loftily rewarding the two boys with a few tokens from the pearl harvest before recovering the warlord’s jewel and physic chests.

‘What now?’ Dev hurried to catch up, the twin coffers balanced on his muscular shoulders.

‘We accept our welcome with all the pleasure we can muster.’ Kheda continued smiling to all sides as they gathered an eager train of islanders and children wide-eyed with excitement. We want these people as pleased to see us as we are to see them.’

These people who served Chazen Saril long and loyally, who haven’t seen me for more than a day at a time because

/ still feel such an interloper here. Am Ito try buying their loyalty with pearls just as I try to buy that dragon s forbearance with gems?

They passed beneath the vicious maw of the sea gate where three separate portcullises hung ready to slice down through the arching vault pierced with holes promising a rain of death by spears, boiling water or worse for any enemy caught between them. The compound beyond the beach wall was thronged with activity as newly arrived servants and those who remained here year round scurried to make everything fit for the warlord and his lady. Bows were rapid, even perfunctory, and no one paused to trail after Kheda. Goats tethered here and there to keep the grass cropped short watched all the activity with slant-eyed indifference.

‘Is there a back way out of this rat trap?’ Dev glanced uneasily at the fortifications ahead and behind. ‘There must be. Chazen Saril may have sought peace but his forefathers didn’t overmuch.’ Kheda looked ahead to the residence. ‘That’s something you need to find out. And you had better make sure you know your way around by nightfall, for both our sakes. I won’t inspire much confidence if I get lost in my own residence.’

‘You’ve been here before, haven’t you?’ Dev objected.

Not recently and never for very long,’ Kheda admitted ruefully. ‘And then I always had Telouet to show me where to go.’

‘Yes, he was everyone’s friend, was Telouet,’ said Dev, a trifle sourly. ‘Let’s hope they’re willing to let me in on their secrets.’

‘You’re my personal slave, whatever else you may be,’ Kheda said crisply. ‘Remind them of that, if need be, but keep yourself in check.’

It’s bad enough that preparing the ground for Risak’s return with tales of banishing dragons from the wizard—

plagued north has reminded everyone that you’re a barbarian in their midst. We cannot have anyone suspecting that you’re anything more.

Are we far enough away from the fire mountains in the centre of Esabir, in case the dragon does appear and you lose control of your magic again? If it does, and you do, you’ll lose your head and hide for it, do you realise that?

‘Maybe I should grow a beard,’ Dev muttered. ‘Show them all I’m properly tamed.’

‘It’s probably better if they carry on thinking you’re zamorin,” Kheda said frankly.

‘You don’t think they’ll wonder why you trust your safety to some castrated lapdog?’ the barbarian said softly, mocking. ‘Maybe there’ll be a maidservant here who I can bed to put paid to that worry—with your permission, naturally, my lord. Saedrin knows, I wouldn’t mind easing the ache in my stones.’

Not unless you can swear to me you don’t talk in your sleep,’ Kheda shot back as they strode across the greensward.

‘It’s all right for you; you can take that prize piece to bed any time you choose.’ Dev slid the chests he was carrying down to the ground with a sigh of relief and bowed low. Kheda ignored the barbarian’s insolence as Itrac emerged from the main gate of the residence. Servants scattered in all directions as she hurried towards them, something white clutched in one hand.

‘My lady.’ Kheda hurried to meet her, a chill running through him despite the heat of the day. ‘Is there some news from the west? From the Mist Dove?’

‘What? Oh, no.’ Itrac was dressed in all the elegance befitting a domain’s first wife. Her trousers of green silk were patterned with intricate flowers of blue and gold, a tunic of the same cloth fitted close to her body, emphasising her slenderness. The neckline plunged to her breastbone, cloth caught with golden clasps, emphasising the swell of her modest breasts. Strings of sapphires and emeralds swathed her elegant neck, her eyes vivid with sapphire and emerald cosmetics.

The sun struck blue and green fire from her rings as she brushed at her intricately braided hair.

For all her finery, she looks no more than a child, and a child caught in some mischief not of her making. ‘What is it?’ Kheda held out his hands. ‘My beloved wife,’ he added for the benefit of slaves and servants frozen in their bustle on all sides.

‘I find an unlooked-for letter from Daish awaiting us.’ Itrac crushed the reed paper with an audible crackle. At her heels, Jevin was scowling openly.

‘Concerning our invitation?’ Kheda raised his voice a little. ‘That Rekha Daish join us at the Equinox, so she might take word of the auguries in this domain back to her lord, that he might compare them with the fortunes written in Daish skies?’

‘When I would have the household prepared to welcome her properly.’ Itrac’s hand trembled and Kheda saw a torrid confusion of emotion in her eyes. When I would have refreshed my memory as to Chazen’s various trading accounts with Daish. But it seems we are to expect their beloved lady tonight.’

‘Are we?’ Kheda managed to keep his tone light. ‘What an unexpected pleasure.’ He didn’t mind anyone hearing the cynicism in his voice.

‘More unexpected than you know, my lord.’ Emboldened by Kheda’s reaction, Itrac let slip a hint of irritation. ‘We are to entertain that domain’s first lady, Janne Daish, not Rekha. We had better make haste to make ready.’

No, we’ll make ready as and when we see fit.’ Kheda resolutely avoided looking at the household servants and slaves as Itrac’s mouth opened with surprise. ‘Our household has worked hard with this unexpected move from the south. I’m not inclined to repay their efforts with yet more demands. He shrugged with unconcern. ‘If we’re not ready to receive Janne Daish when she arrives, she can stay aboard her galley. It’s her choice to arrive earlier than invited.’

A deliberate choice, I’ve no doubt, to throw Itrac off balance, on to the back foot with mortified apologies for shortcomings in her hospitality.

‘You’re right, my husband.’ Itrac lifted her chin, face serene. ‘Our people serve us well and deserve our consideration. Chazen concerns outweigh those of Daish.’ Behind her, Jevin was now grinning widely.

Kheda hid his qualms as Itrac’s bold statement prompted whispers all across the open ground. ‘It’s a hot day, my wife. Let’s take some refreshment before we continue about our own duties. It’s time everyone had a break.’

As he gave a lordly wave of his hand, maids and men-servants alike promptly set down their loads and abandoned their errands. Some dropped to the grass; others headed for a stone spring house where water barrels were being filled. Those carrying provisions up from the shore “shared out fruit and cloud bread.

Kheda drew Itrac to him, tucking her hand through his arm as they walked towards the main gate of the residence. The outer wall constructed of Esabir’s pale, gritty rock towered over them. It was set with angular towers banded with different stone, dark as shadow. Here and there, dark smudges were mute testament to the magical fires of the invaders. Kheda acknowledged the salutes of the warriors standing on the wall-walk

‘Each contingent has its own tower, my lord,’ Jevin explained from the rear, ‘where they eat and sleep and keep their armoury.’

‘Most impressive,’ Kheda said approvingly. Do they keep as alert a watch on what goes on inside the walls? Where will their loyalties lie if Dev and I need to get in and out without arousing suspicion when Risala returns? Kheda led the way into the inner compound through a gatehouse easily the equal of the one in the beach defences. Here springs bubbled up from fissures in the riven grey rocks and had been channelled into a lattice of rivulets enclosing delightful arbours, songbirds busy among the bright blossoms. Miniature waterfalls tumbled into pools with splashes of glee. As they passed, white and silver dart fish hid among swollen green spears soon to bear scarlet flagflowers or the sprawling, rumpled leaves of azure lilies now fading from their first magnificence. ‘I wouldn’t fancy trying to mount an attack along these dainty little paths,’ Dev observed to Jevin.

‘Try running through the water and you’ll find pits and beds of spikes.’ The younger slave pointed to shadows beneath the ruffled surface of a pool.

Not that anything stopped the wild men, by all accounts,’ Itrac said tightly.

I’m not the only one who hasn’t wanted to come here. You’ve made restoring the southern dry season residence your excuse for avoiding all the memories lying in wait for you here, haven t you?

Not here, perhaps, but we stopped them eventually,’ Kheda reminded her. ‘Chazen and our allies.’ Will leading that rescue be enough to see me accepted here’/ He looked up at the heart of the complex. A solid fortification of banded stone barred their way, outer wall pierced only by small windows at the very top. The single access was through a substantial forebuilding boasting octagonal towers at each corner. Colonnades ringed the walls at ground level, providing shade and benches for those who had come to call on their lord. The benches were full of men and women scrambling to their feet, faces hopeful as they bowed low. Warriors looked down from the heights of the battlements above.

‘My lord!’ Beyau, the steward, hurried out of the shadows of the colonnade. ‘Please forgive the disorder.’

‘We’ve barely unloaded the galleys,’ Kheda said mildly. ‘I’ll give you till sunset before I have you flogged for an incompetent.’

After an instant of wide-eyed startlement, Beyau guffawed. Kheda grinned and squeezed Itrac’s arm. ‘We’ll look at the gardens. Come and find us when there’s some lunch ready.’

Beyau fell into step beside Dev and Jevin as Kheda led the way through the bowing throng to an archway leading into a garden. The forebuilding was a hollow square, its inner face similarly ringed with colonnades. As yet no suppliants had been admitted and the benches stood empty on the intricate lattices of blue and brown tile underfoot, still gleaming here and there with the fast-fading dampness of a mop. One stretch was bright with new tile.

Kheda nodded towards it. ‘What happened there?’

‘The savages made a fire with the roses.’ Beyau scowled. ‘They’re recovering, I see.’ Kheda glanced at Itrac with a smile.

The rosebushes no longer filled the garden at the centre of the courtyard but those that had survived were making a valiant effort, just coming into bud, their flourishing leaves glossy and green.

‘Let’s take that as an omen,’ she said with brittle brightness. ‘Did you see any other portents as you landed, my lord?’

Kheda realised belatedly. A flash of sunlight caught his eye and he looked up to see that the topmost level of the rear tower to the east of the forebuilding was enclosed with glass panes whose angles did not match those of the octagonal walls.

Twelve facets. Chazen Saril’s observatory. My observatory now that this is my domain. What will I see there?

Gates opened from this outer courtyard into the main residence, paired guards ready at each one. Itrac unobtrusively steered Kheda towards the eastern entrance, through the anteroom beyond and out into another, considerably larger, secluded garden.

‘If you’ll excuse me, my lord.’ Beyau slid past as Kheda halted beneath the shade of another colonnade. ‘I’ll see to your refreshments.’ He hurried away towards the doors on the eastern edge of the garden. The inner face of the fortification’s boundary wall was lined with sleeping quarters and workrooms for servants and slaves, resident or visiting. The warlord’s accommodations were a complex of courtyards framed by single-storey buildings of the local grey stone, topped with ochre-tiled roofs with skylights here and there catching the sun.

‘Is that upper servants’ accommodation?’ Kheda hazarded, glancing at Itrac. ‘Or the kitchens?’

Itrac didn’t hear him. Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked at the garden in the heart of this first courtyard. ‘Chazen Saril’s .’ She corrected herself hurriedly. ‘The Chazen warlord’s physic garden.’

‘And his audience halls beyond,’ Kheda said thoughtfully.

Where I will be expected to sit in judgement as lawgiver for the domain when I’m not out here doing my duty as healer and teacher of healers. Which I must do, if I’m to reassure these people. They have to believe all is well, or at least as well as can be expected. But how can all be well if I can’t find a way to slip out of here unnoticed to save them all with whatever abhorrent magic Risala brings back from the north?

How can all be well if I’m only making a sham of being this domain’s warlord?

A faint sound turned Kheda’s head. He saw Dev idly tracing the intricate tiles with a dusty toe, his expression bored. Jevin was watching him, indignation and something colder shading his face. The younger slave realised that Kheda was looking at him and his face darkened with a blush of embarrassment as he dropped his gaze.

‘The audience halls are through there, Dev.’ Kheda pointed abruptly to the wide arch at the southern end of the garden leading into a formidably large building. ‘Three of them in succession. Just keep going till you hit the great reception room and turn west. The warlord’s apartments run all along the back wall of this fortress. Go and make sure everything is as it should be.’

Dev shifted the coffers he was canying on his shoulders and sauntered away. ‘As you wish, my lord.’ Kheda released Itrac’s silk-draped arm from the crook of his own and took her hand. ‘I remember when this was Chazen Saril’s garden,’ he said softly. Gentle yet insistent, he left the colonnade for the white sand paths threaded through the carefully chosen arrangements of herbs. Jevin hesitated before staying leaning on a pillar, following Itrac with his gaze.

Purple poppy to dull pain mingled with red lance to cleanse the blood, bringing the bees to both. Firefew to ease the chest planted with mossy pepper, so effective against parasites of all kinds and incidentally keeping yellow mites away from the firefew. All shaded by carefully trained wax-flower trees offering up their leaves for wound washes and their trunks to support white vines, so insignificant in themselves yet valuable with such potent roots. Potent yet perilous, so barberry bushes keep anyone from incautiously digging those up.

‘I’m glad to see the household here still honouring Chazen Saril with their care of this place.’ Kheda surveyed the herb beds. No impertinent weeds marred the rich, black soil raked smooth between the myriad plants. The only sign that unfriendly hands had ever been at work here were scorch marks on the papery bark of the wax-flower trees.

‘He loved this place.’ A single tear trickled slowly down Itrac’s cheek, leaving a faint trail of golden face paint. ‘That’s where we met, in my father’s physic garden. We all liked flowers, me and Olkai and Sekni . .’ Distress choked her and she looked away, stricken.

‘I know.’ Kheda squeezed her hand with sympathy. ‘For every book of herb lore I studied out of duty, Saril must have read ten or more, for sheer love of plants and their properties.’

He wasn’t brave or overly astute, but he was content in his modest domain, with his wives drawn from lesser daughters, all charmed by his amiable adoration for them. Will I ever be so content here, without bonds of blood or affection to tie me to Chazen?

Other warlords may have mocked Chazen Saril as one who was ruled with a silken whip, but there were plenty who envied him his quiet life. How I miss the sound of the gates shutting on the Daish residences, knowing Janne would unbend from her wifely dignity within those walls and Rekha might even set aside her intricate tally of trades.

But my man-iages as Daish Kheda are as dead as Chazen Saril. And how much more Itrac has lost, barely older than my own eldest daughter. At least my children know I am still alive, even if I am lost to them in all other ways.

‘It’s so strange to be here without them.’ The desolation in Itrac’s voice cut Kheda more deeply than her tears. ‘Saril and your sisters in marriage still share in this domain, as long as the gardens you planted still flourish.’ Kheda put his arm around Itrac’s shoulders and drew her close. ‘Sekni’s benevolence will lend virtue to the tinc—

tures made with these herbs. Olkai’s goodness will sweeten the perfumes made from her flowers.’

I had better take care that these gardens do flourish. Their failure to thrive would be an omen everyone in Esabir could

‘You’re right.’ Itrac wriggled free of his embrace and wiped a tear from her eye with a careful fingertip. ‘What’s done cannot be undone. The chances that led us both here have been stranger and harder than we could ever have imagined but we must believe they are for the best. What’s happened just proves that you were right to claim this domain,’ she pressed on resolutely. ‘There’s the omen of the pearl harvest, and what hope would we have of driving out this dragon without your slave’s recollections of such beasts in the north being defeated? Chazen Saril was a good man in times of peace but he could not meet such trials.’ Her voice wobbled despite her determination.

‘We none of us know what we can bear till we’re tested,’ Kheda said distantly.

If Chazen Saril failed the trials of magic and invasion, that still didn’t entitle Janne Daish to put him to a trial of his life, not on her judgement alone. I lived with her half my life, shared my bed and my blood with her in our children, and I never knew she could be so ruthless. Now she comes here, doubtless with the same unshakeable confidence in her own interpretation of what must be done.

‘Where are you going to accommodate Janne Daish?’ he asked briskly.

‘The guest apartments are between the other gardens.’ Itrac turned towards an arched passageway ending in a gate leading towards another green oasis. She looked uncertainly at Kheda. ‘Olkai Chazen always invited the wives of the domain’s allies to share her own apartments but I don’t think I want to do that.’

‘I think that’s probably wise,’ he agreed with a twinge of shame that Daish was no longer trusted. He followed Itrac, Jevin falling in step behind them. This next garden was flanked to the north by accommodation for lesser guests. To the south, doors opened on to a labyrinth of playrooms and nurseries that had been the riotous province of the domain’s children. ‘This was Sekni’s garden.’ Itrac pointed at dark-green glossy fans of leaves sprouting from low woody trunks. ‘See, she planted pitral to catch the rains. She loved the sound.’

Kheda glanced at her.

You’re hearing the lost voices of Sekni and Olkai’s children, just as I hear the echo of the sons and daughters Janne and Rekha have taken from me.

‘Olkai’s garden was through here.’ Itrac led the way through another shady passage separating more luxurious guest suites. ‘Where we grew the perfume flowers and kept the aviaries.’

White augury doves looked out of their intricate cages, cooing softly amid the irresistibly soothing fragrances of the brightly coloured garden. Dun quail bathed in the dust or preened themselves, oblivious to the presence of warlord or lady.

‘So those are now your quarters as first wife of the domain and you’re entitled to your privacy.’ Kheda looked to the south where wide doors opened on to an audience room, the faintest of breezes stirring the light drapes within. ‘I’m sure Janne and her entourage will be entirely comfortable in any of these other apartments.’

Sounds of activity within prompted Jevin towards the first wife’s suite. ‘With your permission, my lady?’ Itrac nodded and crushed Janne’s letter, still in her hand, still further. ‘Tell the maids to make the ash-flower suite ready for my lady of Daish.’

‘Only once they’ve seen to my lady of Chazen’s comforts,’ Kheda said pointedly. ‘You should take your time to bathe and eat and satisfy yourself as to the standing of our trade with Daish. It’s been a long voyage and a busy day and it’s barely half-over.’ Itrac glanced around to be sure they weren’t being observed. ‘And when Janne Daish arrives?’ She looked at him, beseeching.

‘If-’ Kheda emphasised the word ‘-you’re ready to receive her, do so. If not?’ He shrugged. ‘Don’t. I think it entirely possible that I will be occupied until at least the early evening,’ he mused. ‘So Jevin can take word to Birut that we’re both occupied with affairs of our domain and that Janne Daish can take her time to recover from the rigours of her journey. She’s not so young as she was, after all.’

‘I don’t think Jevin had better take that message to Birut,’ Itrac said with a faint smile.

‘We don’t want to make an enemy of her,’ Kheda agreed frankly, but it won’t hurt to remind her that you’re first wife of Chazen, with all the status that entails and the respect it requires.’

Itrac’s smile widened. ‘All the same, we won’t keep her waiting too long.’

No, but just long enough.’ Kheda looked around the garden. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and see if Dev’s got himself lost or found his way to my apartments.’

Itrac laid a hand on his arm after another furtive glance around. When we’ve put all this upheaval behind us,’ she said hesitantly, ‘might you look for a personal slave with blood ties to the Archipelago? Let him go back to his northern barbarian lands?’

‘That’s something I shall be happy to do,’ Kheda promised fervently. He hesitated. ‘I can get to the central corridor through your audience hall, can’t I?’

‘Yes, my lord.’ Itrac very nearly laughed.

Jevin appeared at the doorway to her personal apartments. ‘My lady, are you ready to eat?’

‘I should check the omens from the observatory first.’

Kheda kissed Itrac lightly on the forehead. ‘You go ahead.’

The audience hall opening off the garden was cool with lengths of muslin shading the arched windows. Blue and golden flowers painted into posies on the white-tiled floor surrounded a fountain whispering in a central marble basin. Carpets at either end of the room drew the eye with their vivid pattern of white and blue vine flowers worked on a golden ground. The patterns were echoed in the painted walls where climbing roses coiled elegantly around fretwork trellises. Banks of yellow cushions were piled ready for those invited to sit with the domain’s lady; silver trays on side tables were set ready with ewers and goblets.

The household slaves certainly managed to hide a good deal from the wild men. I wonder how. I wonder if they managed to save Chazen Saril’s store of talisman gems as well as the fabrics and furniture.

Kheda went through a central arch to a smaller square reception room with doors on either side leading to the private apartments that Chazen Saril’s other wives had shared. An arch opposite opened on to the broad corridor that he recognised as separating the women’s quarters from the warlord’s preserve. He strode down the long passage past paired ironwood doors opening on to identical suites ready to welcome visiting warlords invited to some council or other.

Not that the other warlords of these southern domains ever came to sit at Saril’s feet and receive his wisdom. Am I the one to raise Chazen to such status? If I get rid of this dragon, they’ll sit up and take notice, that much is certain. Even Vila Safar. Janne Daish can chew on that till it chokes her.

He passed through a reception room luxurious with furnishings of brocaded silks, soft carpet beneath his feet and the wall hangings painted with hunting scenes suitable for a warlord’s dignity.

‘There you are,’ said Dev with relief, appearing through a door leading to some indeterminate hallway. ‘Are you eating your lunch with Itrac or should I try to find a maid to send to the kitchens?’

‘I want to visit the observatory,’ Kheda said briefly. He paused. ‘I think it’s this way.’

He opened another door to find a lesser reception room furnished with carpets whose bold scarlet pattern of interlocking canthira leaves on a rich brown ground was relieved with a white lattice of sashflowers. Low tables of rich russet fora wood bore broad brass bowls of scented petals. There wasn’t a speck of dust to be seen anywhere; two maids clutching polishing rags bowed as they disappeared through a far door.

Kheda waited until the door was closed. ‘You’re going to have to play a much more convincing slave here than you did in the southern residence,’ he warned Dev in a low tone. ‘A lot more of these people lived here before. They had time and warning to flee the invaders, not to get caught and killed.’

‘I’ll bow and scrape like a good lackey,’ promised Dev ^•with an unpleasant curl to his lip.

‘There’s a lot more to it than that,’ Kheda told him as they passed swiftly through another hall. ‘I need you to find out as many of these servants’ names as you can. I need to know slaves from free islanders. If they’re slaves, I need to know where they came from and how they came to be bonded. I need to know who can be trusted, who can be bribed, who will do their duty and no more and who would take a knife in the chest for their lord. Not that I suppose there are many that loyal to me. I also need to know who’s particularly loyal to Itrac.’

/ need Telouet, not you, you blunt-witted barbarian.

‘If I can win them over, especially the older retainers, that’ll colour the attitude of the whole household,’ Kheda continued. ‘It wouldn’t hurt to know exactly how they saved themselves from the invaders, either, where they fled to and how many were lost. And you’ll sleep on a slave’s pallet at my door,’ he added. No arguments, Dev, otherwise the whole household will be wondering about you.’

‘We barbarians always say that you Aldabreshi treat your slaves like dogs,’ Dev muttered with contempt. ‘Are you going to put a collar and leash on me?’

‘Don’t tempt me,’ Kheda said tartly. ‘There are warlords who would, and have you eat from a plate on the floor till you learned some proper humility.’

The warlord halted as he found himself on the threshold of Chazen’s great audience chamber. Its simplicity came as a stark contrast to the rest of the residence’s luxuries. Here the floor was plain white tile, the walls unadorned plaster. The centre of the roof had been raised with a clerestory whose windows were a marvel of the glazier’s art. Glass in jewel colours wove intricate designs that captured the sunlight to spill it to the floor below in dazzling patterns.

Patterns that change with every cloud crossing the sky, different with the suns rising and setting every day. Did Chazen Saril see omens in those colours? I know nothing of such lore.

There were no carpets, no cushions: those coming before their lord would stand and be grateful for the privilege. A beam carved and sheathed in bronze like the prow of a trireme projected from the far wall, drapes of white silk making a canopy. A backless, cross-framed chair of gilded wood stood there. ‘So you get to sit in judgement but you don’t get to slouch.’ Dev grinned.

Kheda made a sudden decision. ‘There’ll be time enough to sit in judgement over this domain when I’ve secured it. I need guidance from the omens and I need news from the outlying isles if I’m not going to lose it to this ravaging dragon. I’ll be getting dispatches from the Mist Dove, but you need to make friends with the mariners down in the anchorage, especially those from the dispatch galleys who’ll be taking the courier doves here and there. You’ll be surprised what they pick up.’

‘I’m supposed to do this while keeping my head down and not reminding anyone that I’m some god-cursed barbarian from the magic-plagued north?’ Dev asked quizzically. ‘And hoping they won’t ask awkward questions about just how you and I managed to kill off the invaders’ wizards with just Risala along to give us an uplifting poem or two?’

‘You keep telling me how clever you are.’ Turning his back on the canopied chair, Kheda left the audience chamber and walked through three successive reception rooms with luxurious furnishings and vigorous wall paintings in bold colours until he reached the physic garden.

Dev grinned. ‘I’ve already found out something useful. Beyau showed me the back way out of this warren, on account of me being your trusted slave, even if I am a strange barbarian. A tunnel runs right along the foundations of the back wall and there are several ways in from your apartments and from one of the lesser reception rooms. It goes all the way out past the eastern headland and into some caves. There’s caves all under that high ground, apparently. That’s where the household stashed all the loot before taking to the boats and running away from the wild men.’ Dev’s grin turned into a chuckle. ‘Beyau’s looking forward to showing Janne that the residence is quite restored to its former glory, thank you very much. He took exception to a few things Rekha had to say, apparently.’

‘Keep well clear of Birut, Janne’s body slave,’ Kheda warned sharply. ‘He’ll suspect you on principle and he’s shrewd enough to notice things Jevin doesn’t. And tenacious, if he gets a scent of something awry. Walk carefully round him; I don’t want Janne contriving anything she might use against us.’

‘I don’t imagine she’ll surpass her last exploit,’ Dev said, more thoughtful than mocking. ‘So where is this, observatory? And the courier-dove loft?’

‘The courier doves are housed in the forebuilding.’ Kheda gestured towards its towers rising high in defence of the residence where swordsmen and archers maintained their unceasing watch.

‘All the warriors in the domain will be cursed small use if that dragon turns up,’ Dev said with faint malice. Since there was nothing to say to that, Kheda led the way across the physic garden to a flight of stairs leading up to the fourth, glass-crowned tower of the forebuilding. ‘The observatory’s up here.’ Opening the door, he was startled to find a grey-haired servant looking back at him, equally surprised. ‘My lord.’ The man bowed, clutching a sizeable tome bound in brown leather to his dun tunic. ‘Who might you be?’ Kheda asked, once his heart had slowed a little.

‘Tasu, my lord.’ The man stayed bent low. ‘The keeper of the books here.’

‘Then show us what you’ve kept safe for Chazen,’ Kheda invited briskly.

The two of them followed the old man up more stairs to a room taking up the whole width of the tower below the glass-walled observatory. It was shelved from floor to ceiling with books packed tight on all sides. A broad table of black wood polished by years of use stood in the middle of the room, reading slopes scattered haphazardly across it, stools pushed tidily beneath.

Kheda surveyed the shelves with pleasure. ‘I’m delighted to see so much of the Chazen library intact. I was afraid the invaders would have burned the books to warm their naked arses.’

‘They did, my lord, those that they found.’ Tasu hid a smile with a wrinkled hand, ostensibly smoothing his grizzled beard. ‘Which were copies or books of little value. When the beacons told us we were invaded, we had sufficient time to get the important books to the caves along with the bulk of the residence’s treasures. We left some furnishings, mostly worn or discarded. We hoped they’d think they had taken a domain of little substance. We left enough food to see them on their way, not sufficient to encourage them to stay.’ His smile faded. ‘Then we sealed the caves with the bravest of the swordsmen inside, in case they should need to fight in last defence of Chazen’s learning and wealth. We lost ourselves in the depths of the forest, those of us who were able to flee. The warriors and the slaves drew lots to see who should stay to hold the forebuilding to give us time to escape, so that whoever was attacking wouldn’t just come hunting the rest of us.’ He looked at Kheda, dark-brown eyes beseeching. ‘We didn’t know we were facing magic, not then. They died, my lord, at wizards’ hands.’

No one knew, not then,’ Kheda told him firmly. ‘And if you stayed, you risked a foul death or a worse captivity.’

‘We thought we were safe when Redigal ships arrived with word that Daish Kheda was not dead as we’d heard but alive, and bringing the means to foil the wild magics. We were most relieved to hear you were claiming the domain since it was Chazen Saril who had died.’ His voice faltered. Now a dragon has come. I’ll tell you honestly, my lord, and you can have me flogged if you wish, but there are some asking if all our efforts have been worth the pains.’

‘I’d never flog an honest man for asking a fair question,’ Kheda assured him.

‘How do we foil a dragon?’ Tasu looked helplessly around at the bookshelves rather than risk Kheda’s gaze.

‘It seems the barbarians of the far north know how,’

Kheda said carefully. ‘I’ve sent Chazen’s fastest trireme to see if any northerly Aldabreshin domain holds some clue as to how we might kill the foul beast or at very least drive it out. While we wait, since it seems happy to devour the remaining invaders, I’m inclined to let it. If it moves against

Chazen people, we’ll do all we can to contain it while we wait for the means to defeat it more permanently.’ He looked up at the plaster ceiling, which was studded with facsimiles of the shells of curious sea creatures for no readily apparent reason. While we wait, I’ll study the earthly and the heavenly compasses and all the lore you can offer me, so we’ll be able to pick the best of all possible times to attack it. I don’t know if all that effort will be worth my pains or yours, but if I’m warlord of this domain,

I must do all I can to save it or die in the attempt.’

Which will show me, one way or the other, whether I’ve been right to associate myself with magic to fight magic.

Kheda changed the subject briskly. ‘Are you known to the courier-dove keepers?’

‘Yes, my lord.’ Tasu was too bemused to bow. ‘I shall want all messages from the fleet keeping watch on the western isles brought up to the observatory.’ Kheda crossed the room to a far stair leading up to the topmost level. ‘Could you do that for me?’

‘Yes, my lord.’ The old man nodded obediently. ‘Could you go and see if any news has arrived since this morning?’ Kheda asked courteously.

‘Of course, my lord.’ Tasu made his way to the stairs and began a cautious descent.

Dev followed Kheda up to the glass-walled observatory. ‘You’re not needing those messages before sunset, then?’

‘He won’t take that long.’ Kheda blinked in the sunlight pouring painfully bright through the twelve panes of glass. Earl was engraved with a reminder of the nature of portents to be found in that reach of the earth and sky. The black wooden pillars separating each window bore carvings of the augury stars that progressed around the compass, inlaid with white ivory and bright gold. Vivid enamel depicted the heavenly jewels here and there; Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz, Ruby, Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl and Opal. With the sun beating down on the black wooden roof above, it was stiflingly hot.

Dev went to look at the enamelled jewels. ‘These positions must mark when this observatory was built. We could work out when that was with a bit of thought and one of Sari’s star circles.’

‘I thought you said all Aldabreshih stargazing was just so much nonsense.’ Kheda tried to shake off the oppressive sensation of the still, stuffy air. ‘Open a window.’

Dev studied the catches for a moment, then threw open the little casements at the top of each window. ‘All your guessing and gazing after portents is nonsense,’ he convected. ‘Your measuring of the passing years is second to none for accuracy. So, are we hiding up here to avoid Janne Daish and, if so, for how long, because we still haven’t had anything to eat and it’s past noon.’

‘You can eat after you’ve found something to use for your speaking spell and discovered how your friend’s search for lore we can use against the dragon is going,’ Kheda ordered. ‘And quickly, before Tasu gets back.’

‘What will you be doing when he gets back?’ Dev started opening drawers in the twelve-sided table engraved to match the rest of the room.

‘As I told Tasu, finding the best days for attacking the beast.’ Kheda pulled up a stool and reached for one of the star circles in the centre. ‘Casting the heavens for all the possible days when Risala could arrive. Calculating how long it’ll take to reach the westernmost islands after that. Factoring in possible delay in finding the beast, and on account of the weather. The rains will be all but on us, if they haven’t actually started’

‘A fat lot of use that will all be,’ commented Dev as he took a brass base plate from a dismantled star circle out of a drawer and set a reed pen alight with a casual brush of a finger.

‘Only if you can’t come up with the means to defeat the dragon,’ challenged Kheda as he concentrated on aligning the star circle. ‘Where’s this woman of yours now?”She’ll blister your ears if you call her that when she gets here,’ Dev said absently. ‘And I don’t just mean she’s got a sharp tongue on her. Ah, there she is, asleep, isn’t that sweet?’ He chuckled.

‘Wake her.’ Kheda looked up, hearing the door at the bottom of the stairs opening. ‘As quick as you can.

Crossing the intricate floor carvings, he hurried down the stairs to find Tasu standing with one hand pressed to his bony chest, catching his breath. Kheda forced approval rather than irritation into his voice. ‘That was quick.’

‘Yes, my lord.’ Tasu took a deep breath and held out a handful of small silver cylinders. ‘One of the lads ran up to the lofts for me, my lord.’

‘Make sure he makes himself known to me.’ Kheda unscrewed the tops of the message cylinders with deft fingers and pulled out the frail slips of paper. ‘Let’s read these in here.’ He ushered the old man inexorably into the book-lined lower room.

‘May I ask what news, my lord?’ Tasu looked drawn and anxious.

‘Good news,’ Kheda said slowly, holding up the fine paper to read the tiny writing, ‘from the Mist Dove, at least. They’ve only seen the dragon once in the last ten days and it was killing the invaders. Since then our warriors have been clearing the westernmost isles of the vermin without its interference.’

‘Good news indeed, my lord,’ the old man echoed.

Kheda looked around the book-lined walls. ‘I want to be ready to deal with this beast if it shows its face around here, and when we can make a plan to kill it. Can you find me all the most recent records of portents that proved particularly significant for the domain? And anything from longer ago that you think might have some relevance to the days ahead. And there was a curious omen when we were out at the pearl reefs, an infant shark found alive inside its mother. Do you have any lore on sharks here?’

‘I can look, my lord.’ Tasu’s eyes brightened.

‘And could you do me one more service?’ Kheda smiled. ‘Could you go and find someone to take a message to Beyau, and to my lady Itrac. I’ve decided I’ll take my lunch up here.’

‘Very good, my lord,’ said Tasu dutifully, turning to go back down the stairs.

Kheda reached out and took a book from a shelf, apparently absorbed in it as the old man departed. As soon as he heard the door at the bottom of the stairs close, he ran up to the observatory, taking two steps at a time.

I should just have time to find out what news Dev’s got from this woman of his.