She smiled. ‘I think I’ve had enough to be getting on with.’

‘There might be a bit more before we’re through.’

‘Oh?’

‘You were in such a state when you found me at the inn, you didn’t even ask where I’d be taking you.’

‘No, I didn’t, did I? I suppose I was just relieved to be getting away from here.’

‘My first thought was the Diamond Isle. Seemed fitting, given your, er, line of business.’ He eyed the children. ‘But when you mentioned kids I knew that wouldn’t have been right.’

‘You can say that again. So where are we heading?’

‘Bhealfa.’

‘But that’s Gath Tampoorian territory!’

‘It is these days. And they wouldn’t take kindly to a Rintarahian vessel sailing into one of their ports, that’s for sure. But that’s not how we’re going to do it. I’ve arranged to have you transferred to another ship, when we’re off the coast. I’ve dealt with the skipper before and he can be trusted. And as he’s a Bhealfan he shouldn’t have too much trouble getting you all ashore. But there are dangers, I won’t pretend there aren’t.’

‘You have dealings with the enemy?’

‘I deal with men in the same trade as me. They just happen to be on the other side of a divide because the politicians, the warmongers, say so. And before you ask what dealings I have, let me tell you it’s smuggling. It’s not what I’d choose to do, but these are hard times for fishermen, what with all the trouble in the fishing grounds up north.’

‘Why? What’s happening there?’

‘Zerreiss.’

‘What?’

‘Who.’

The captain smiled wryly. ‘Sometimes I forget how little the government lets you land-dwellers know. Whereas out here, on the ocean, and in other climes, we hear things, see things… Zerreiss is a warlord, and he’s been making some impressive conquests in the barbarous regions.’

‘I thought there were many warlords in that part of the world.’

‘Yes, there are. But there’s something different about this one. Something out of the ordinary.’ He took in the faces of his passengers. ‘But I’m being a bad host. You look as though you could do with food and drink, and some rest.’

‘Thank you, we could.’

‘After that, you can tell me why you’re fleeing Rintarah, if you’re inclined. And I’ll tell you what I know about Zerreiss, and why his followers call him the man who fell from the Sun.’

15

By law and convention, Bhealfa’s capital was deemed to be wherever the Prince resided. Practicality meant that the old capital, Valdarr, which Melyobar had effectively abandoned, actually fulfilled this role.

The city housed a provisional senate, to handle the day-to-day running of the state. Many regarded it as no more than a sop to the mob and dissident professional classes. Real power resided not with the senate, the Prince, or his puppet Council of Elders, but in the hands of Gath Tampoorian overseers. Most of these were based in Valdarr as well.

At the city’s core, the four pillars of Bhealfa’s social structure – monarchy, law, religion, magic – flaunted their status in lofty and impressive architectural statements. But under Gath Tampoor, it was whispered, the buildings were more splendid than some of the institutions they represented: the monarchy was mired in insane farce; law enabled repression; religion doled out calmatives. And magic did what magic did.

From the tallest central towers to the coarsest outlying shacks, Valdarr, like any community of any size anywhere, bathed in the glow of sorcery.

A storm was brewing. The sky above the horizon was black and there were flashes of lightning in the distance, followed by dull thunder.

‘What do you think of it?’ Caldason said.

‘Well, it’s…

big

,’ Kutch replied, a little daunted.

‘It’s a fair-sized city. Nothing compared to Merakasa or Jecellam though, or even some of the other colonial capitals.’

‘This is enough for me for the time being, thanks, Reeth.’ He looked to the storm. There were more fingers of lightning, far off, and echoing thunder. ‘I think it’s coming our way.’

‘Another good reason for us to get down there.’

Caldason turned and strode to the wagon, standing near the edge of the hill’s flat summit. The horses had their heads down, munching grass. Karr sat on the driver’s board, watching the sky.

‘Still waiting for your sign, Patrician?’

‘Yes, but not for much longer, I hope.’

‘How will your people know you’re here to be signalled?’ Kutch wondered.

‘They have a rough date for my return, within a few days either way. Assuming I was going to get back at all, that is. Chances are they’ve sent the herald to this spot several times already. It’ll be back.’

Caldason sighed. ‘So we have to cool our heels. More delay.’

‘It’s important, Reeth. There’s been a concerted effort to kill me. We need word that it’s safe for us to approach my house.’

Karr resumed scanning the clouds. Kutch and Reeth left him to it and ambled away.

After a few moments staring down at Valdarr, Kutch said, ‘You promised to show me some swordsmanship, Reeth. Why not now?’

‘Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt you to know some basics.’

‘I don’t like violence, you know that. But I am interested. Show me a few tricks and I’ll swap you some magic.’

‘Hardly tricks,’ Caldason informed him tightly. ‘And you can keep the magic.’ Tone lightening, he added, ‘So, what do you want to know?’

‘Why do you carry two swords?’

‘It’s a question of the right tool for the job.’ He unsheathed the sword at his belt. ‘A rapier. Thin, rounded blade, very fine tip. The perfect fencing weapon, providing you’re up against an opponent also using a rapier. It

can

be used against an opponent with a broadsword, which is more of a hacking weapon. In fact in some instances it’ll give you an advantage.’

‘How?’

‘There’s an old saying among swordsmen: the tip is surer than the edge.’ He described a pattern in the air that ended with a blurringly fast thrust. ‘Often it’s the tip of a blade that can prove decisive in a fight. Here, take it.’ He offered the hilt to Kutch.

The boy accepted it gingerly. He waved the sword about a bit. ‘It’s quite light.’

‘Yes, and see how flexible it is? Here.’ He took it again, then bent the blade so its tip touched the hilt, making an O. When he let go, the blade immediately snapped back to its original shape. ‘A rapier’s like a surgeon’s knife. It’s a precision tool, relying on its point rather than its edge.’ He plunged the rapier into the earth and left it there quivering. ‘On the other hand…’ He reached up and unsheathed the sword strapped to his back. ‘This is a broadsword. Its blade’s flat and it has a sharpened edge as well as a point. Take it.’

Kutch grasped the hilt in both hands and backed a step. The blade thudded to the ground. ‘Gods, how do you fight with this thing? I can hardly lift it.’

‘The strength needed to wield that kind of blade is why fights often turn on who has most stamina.’ He jerked the rapier free, then took the broadsword from Kutch. He held them both up as though they were light as feathers. ‘Worked in unison, they can be formidable.’

‘Yes, I’ve seen. You know, this would have interested my brother. He was always martial-minded.’

‘You’d do well to follow his example, at least enough to defend yourself.’

‘I believe disputes can be resolved by reason and – you’re laughing!’

‘No, no I’m not. It’s just… Reason’s a good thing, and it should always come first. It’s what rational people use to settle their differences. But not everybody out there

is

rational, Kutch. And when you’re up against someone who only wants to spill your guts, reason’s a poor weapon.’

‘Then the Craft’s going to be my defence.’

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but you haven’t mastered that well enough yet.’ While that sunk in, he added, ‘Were you to use a weapon, I’d suggest the rapier. Its lightness would suit somebody of your build.’