Expiation (Shadeward Book 4) Page 9

  Rihanna felt guilt, anger which burned and rolled within her. She gritted her teeth, her lip curling as she thought of the attack on Amar and the loss of so many priestesses.

  Nerina’s responsibility … Nerina’s greed … Nerina’s fault!

  Rihanna had watched as the battle unfolded. Nerina had assured them all that Amar would be defeated easily, but the inhabitants of the island had put up a spirited and effective defence. Where they had expected to overthrow the island in the manner of previous battles, Amar had its own aerial force, a fleet of flying machines from the ancient past they had used to counter the priestesses’ dachs.

  The more traditional weapons of the Taloon army had likewise been thwarted, their ships had been set upon by the metal vessel, many struck down by strange explosions. Even as they approached the harbour of the city, more contraptions rained fire down upon them.

  But it was Lacaille herself that truly turned the battle …

  The sphere above had blazed with fury, almost as if it disapproved of their actions. The ships of Taloon were set ablaze, the priestesses retreating before the flames, far out to sea.

  That will be hard for Nerina to explain! Many truly believe in the goddess Lacaille … Kiri did …

  That brought Rihanna’s thoughts around.

  Nerina had been grooming Kiri, there was no other word for it. Driving her with promises of authority and giving her access to teachings and power; fattening her up for the inevitable tearing. Kiri had even suspected it, taking Rihanna into her confidence.

  Kiri actually trusted me. I saw it on her face … the betrayal. It was only then when she knew I still truly hated her …

  Rihanna smiled, that sweet morsel of vengeance had been a long time in coming.

  Kiri had taken Rihanna’s position as favourite in the eyes of the priestesses. Nerina had been cunning. She knew this, and had reassured Rihanna in private as to her intentions. Kiri was to be allowed to grow her gifts and Rihanna was to deceive Kiri into trusting her, only for Nerina to take her powers from her.

  Nerina should have taken her before, not there, in the midst of battle. But Kiri was weak, hurt, exhausted …

  Rihanna had watched in satisfaction as Kiri was struck down, but as the flare had begun to flame around them, Kiri had run, throwing herself into the sea. There to be drowned.

  So Nerina had assumed. Did she die? If not, the Amarans will have her as a prisoner. Either way she is beyond our reach. Nerina took some of her gift, but not all of it. It is lost to us now. Nerina has what she wants, she is unassailably strong, none will defy her …

  Rihanna turned, sensing a presence behind her. She looked up to see Nerina standing there, her figure silhouetted against the light of Lacaille. She was as pale as ever, perhaps even more so, the light of Lacaille adding no colour to her face; her eyes dark. Only the silver streak in her hair caught the light.

  ‘Dying?’ Nerina asked, the word harsh and cold.

  Rihanna nodded, looking down at the supine priestess alongside her.

  ‘Take her gift,’ Nerina said.

  Rihanna shook her head. ‘No … she’s …’

  ‘Take it,’ Nerina said, her voice chill. ‘We cannot afford to waste it. Do it now.’

  Rihanna swallowed. She turned to the priestess before her. The woman’s eyes were closed, her face pale, her breathing ragged. As Rihanna watched she opened her eyes, hearing Nerina’s words.

  Rihanna sensed the horror and betrayal well up from her.

  She fought for our ideals, for Nerina’s plan and at the end all that matters is …

  Rihanna hesitated, staring at the woman’s face.

  ‘Now!’ Nerina called.

  There is only one path left for me now … loyalty … complete loyalty to Nerina. My choice is made.

  Rihanna dropped the woman’s hand. She cried out before Rihanna’s fingers pushed against her face. Rihanna forced her way into the woman’s mind as she had been taught. The gift, the precious gift, still glowed before her. She reached out, pushing past the horror, the betrayal; the last vestiges of anger and shock were all that was left.

  The gift swirled around Rihanna, lighting her from within, sparking through her mind and body and invigorating her senses. She clenched her eyes shut in ecstasy. Lust flared and Rihanna took the last essence of the woman’s power. Nothing remained.

  Rihanna moaned in delight as the new power shuddered through her body, addictive and engorging.

  When she opened her eyes, the woman’s body was still, the breath had gone from her. She was dead. Rihanna stood up.

  Nerina was looking at her.

  ‘Better,’ Nerina said.

  Rihanna’s gaze was harder, she pushed her remaining doubts aside. There was no place for the weak or the infirm. Strength and power was all that mattered.

  Nerina is right. The gift is the concern! Nothing is as important. We must seek it out everywhere and control it …

  A smile touched the edges of Nerina’s mouth.

  ‘Take whatever else you can from the dying,’ Nerina said. ‘When you are done, we will leave.’

  ‘All of them?’

  ‘Every single one,’ Nerina said. ‘The first reward for your service. Taloon awaits us and I have something for you there.’

  Rihanna nodded.

  * * *

  Vandare heard the bells sound in the city of Airea, ringing from the whitestone parapets of the city. He walked out into the sunshine, squinting in the sudden brightness.

  He could see the guards pointing upwards, his own gaze followed as he joined them. The flying dachs could be seen, circling down towards the city.

  ‘The priestesses return,’ he said, frowning. They had departed on the ships of the fleet along with King Karquesh, but there was no sign of the ships. ‘Something has happened.’

  The dachs dropped, fanning out around the leader as they swept in to land in the courtyard before the royal palace. Vandare summoned the guards and they strode out to meet them. Vandare was counting them as the great beasts settled before him.

  Less than half return … and they return without our people … where is King Karquesh, where is the fleet?

  Vandare gestured to the guards and they fanned out on either side of him, five men each side.

  Before him, the priestesses had dismounted. As they walked towards him, he recognised their leader, the high priestess herself, Nerina. Next to her was another woman, younger, but no less fierce looking. Both carried their familiar metal staffs. He recognised none of the others and there was no sign of the woman that had first come to Taloon on behalf of the priestesses, the one that had killed King Karquesh’s cousin, Taryen.

  Kiri, what has happened to her?

  ‘Vandare of Taloon,’ Nerina said, stepping up to him.

  ‘High priestess, Nerina,’ Vandare said, bowing before her. ‘We did not expect you back so soon, what has transpired?’

  ‘The battle did not go well,’ Nerina said, her voice clipped and short.

  ‘The fleet?’

  ‘All but destroyed.’

  ‘Destroyed?’ Vandare echoed in dismay, hearing the guards about him mutter in agitation. ‘What of our King? What of Karquesh?’

  ‘Slain in the battle,’ Nerina said, looking at him.

  ‘But victory was assured!’ Vandare said, his expression slack. ‘These Amarans were to be defeated easily …’

  ‘And so they would have been,’ Nerina said, interrupting him. ‘They were saved by a flare from Lacaille. Ships were set ablaze before they reached the city, my people burnt from the skies. Without it we would have been victorious.’

  ‘But you are the servants of Lacaille, are you not?’ Vandare asked. ‘Was this not her will …?’

  Vandare caught the worried look the other woman shot Nerina. Nerina’s voice was cool.

  ‘The will of Lacaille is not something to be discussed with men,’ she said. ‘We have returned, my people need care after their travails. Ensure it is done.’

/>   Vandare nodded, licking his lips before speaking. ‘Everything will be done as you desire, High Priestess, but these are ill tidings. King Karquesh left no heir … in such a situation there is little precedent for ceding authority …’ He shook his head. ‘The affairs of state will be complex.’

  ‘On the contrary,’ Nerina said, gesturing to the woman beside her. ‘The situation is simple. Rihanna here will govern Taloon, under my supervision.’

  ‘But,’ Vandare spluttered. ‘We are a sovereign nation, an ally of Drayden. Our treaty …’

  ‘Was with Karquesh,’ Nerina said. ‘The situation has changed. If you must have royalty, then you will have a queen. Rihanna will be that queen.’

  Out of the corner of her eye Nerina saw Rihanna turn to her in surprise.

  ‘This is not acceptable!’ Vandare said. ‘Our laws, our people are governed by …’

  ‘Not acceptable?’ Nerina asked, her eyes narrowing.

  ‘No,’ Vandare said. ‘With the greatest possible respect …’

  He saw Nerina gesture to Rihanna. Rihanna stepped forward, her staff raised.

  ‘Guards!’ he called.

  The men about him drew swords and spread out, flanking him.

  ‘Do not seek to defy me,’ Nerina said, her voice still and quiet as ever.

  ‘I must,’ Vandare replied. ‘I serve Taloon, we are not a vassal of Drayden.’

  ‘You are now,’ Rihanna said. Nerina smiled at her.

  Rihanna held out her hand. One at a time, in rapid succession the men about him yelled out, clutching their heads as agony consumed them. Vandare watched in horror as they collapsed to the floor, blood seeping from their noses and ears. Each one convulsed, their screams cut off, before lying still.

  Rihanna pointed at him. He tried to turn and run, but found he couldn’t move. His legs went out from underneath him and he fell forward on to his knees. Rihanna and Nerina strode around and stood before him, looking down upon him with contempt.

  ‘Swear your loyalty to Queen Rihanna of Taloon,’ Nerina said. ‘Or we will find another who will. Make your choice. I know you understand this, Vandare. You are not a fool.’

  Vandare looked at the bodies of the men about him and then at Rihanna. He swallowed.

  ‘My service,’ he said, taking her hand and planting a kiss on it.

  Nerina nodded at Rihanna.

  ‘You will make such announcements as are necessary,’ Rihanna said. ‘Bring your nobles to me, there is much they must understand.’

  Vandare bowed his head.

  ‘It will be done … my queen.’

  * * *

  The priestesses were accommodated within the palace. The staff within accepted the news without question, ensuring their needs were catered for. Fresh clothes, hot water, food and wine were brought for them.

  ‘Taloon is yours,’ Nerina said to Rihanna. ‘A reward for your service.’

  ‘It is an honour,’ Rihanna replied.

  ‘Take what you will,’ Nerina said. ‘I want the fleet of ships rebuilt to strength as soon as it can be achieved. I will rally our strength in Drayden. We will attack Amar as soon as we are ready, our strategy altered.’

  ‘The people here may revolt,’ Rihanna said.

  ‘Continue to make an example out of them as you have already done,’ Nerina said. ‘They cannot resist our powers, they are our playthings, for us to do with as we wish. Take the women, kill the men. They will quickly learn the new order of things.’

  Rihanna smiled and nodded.

  ‘You will return to Daine?’

  ‘I shall,’ Nerina said. ‘There will be those who doubt my leadership. They must be dealt with too. Drayden, Drem, Scallia, Taloon – all ours. And Amar will fall. All lands will be subject to Drayden.’

  ‘And you will be Empress of Esurio,’ Rihanna said.

  Nerina smiled. ‘Yes, you speak the truth indeed. I will exceed even Elena’s grasp. The priestesses rule will be supreme and we shall have peace at last. Tithes will be sent, our position restored and reinforced. Never again will men defy us, they will know their place. Women will rule, as it was always supposed to be. The elements fulfilled, Lacaille’s will done, the task appointed complete.’

  ‘And Kiri …’ Rihanna added.

  ‘You did well,’ Nerina said. ‘Concealing our intentions from her. Her face when you betrayed her!’

  Rihanna smiled. ‘She trusted me. I felt her pain as she realised the truth. I only wish …’

  Nerina nodded. ‘Her death was unsatisfactory. Yet, I took much of her power. Had she lived she would have been weak and easy to tear, a shame Merrin could not have taken her as a mindless whipping girl. She will have to take her frustrations over Charis out on someone else now.’

  ‘Her powers are what was important.’

  ‘Indeed,’ Nerina said. ‘And those are mine.’

  ‘You’re sure she is dead?’

  ‘I would have sensed her otherwise,’ Nerina said. ‘She is gone; drowned in the waters of Amar. Her body food for the creatures of the sea … or carrion rotting on the shore.’

  ‘Could she have been captured by the Amarans?’

  ‘And would they have saved her?’ Nerina said, shaking her head. ‘More likely they would have made an example out of her. Paraded through their streets before a public execution. A short lived celebration of their supposed victory. No, Kiri is gone, think of her no more.’

  Rihanna nodded.

  ‘You still have doubts?’ Nerina asked. ‘Have you sensed something?’

  ‘No. But Kiri had a way of … staying alive,’ Rihanna replied. ‘No matter what hardship she faced.’

  Nerina smiled.

  ‘I have taken what I wanted from her,’ she replied. ‘If Kiri lives and you find her, take what is left for yourself. Then kill her, or bring her to Drayden so your mother can vent herself upon her. Regardless, she no longer matters, it is the other one that counts now.’

  Rihanna cast her mind back to the battle on the quays of Amar.

  ‘The maid?’

  Nerina nodded.

  ‘Yes … the maid,’ she answered. ‘It was she who fought Kiri to a standstill in Viresia. The same one who defied you in Nireus. Kiri said she met her in Airea too. She was there on the quay, in the flying machine, still strong enough to resist us. She is very much alive and her power is potent. It is her we must seek, the reason we must take Amar.’

  ‘So you can take her,’ Rihanna said.

  Nerina nodded, looking at Rihanna.

  ‘You wish to take her for yourself?’ Nerina asked.

  Rihanna shook her head.

  ‘Oh but you do,’ Nerina said, with a smile. ‘Ambition is not bad thing, Rihanna. I applaud it. If you are strong enough, you will be high priestess … nay, Empress … in time.’

  ‘Succeed you?’ Rihanna asked.

  ‘Why not?’ Nerina asked, with a smile.

  ‘But what of my mother?’

  ‘Merrin?’ Nerina laughed. ‘She has always been capable, both in administration and bearing children with the gift, such as yourself. But she is no leader, strength and spirit is what is required there.’

  ‘But …’

  ‘If you want to stand by my side,’ Nerina said. ‘To take on this mantle at the proper time, you must be strong enough. Prove yourself.’

  ‘Prove myself?’ Rihanna asked. ‘More than I have already?’

  ‘Kiri is dealt with. Taloon will occupy you for now, Queen Rihanna,’ Nerina said with a chuckle. ‘All challenges enough, but when you’re ready a final hurdle remains before you can stand alongside me.’

  Rihanna swallowed.

  ‘Yes,’ Nerina said. ‘Now you understand. The time will come, be ready.’

  * * *

  Nerina was gone the following stretch, returning to Daine with half of the priestesses that had flown in from the attack on Amar. Rihanna was left with the remaining half of their force, with instructions to subdue Taloon and rebuild the fleet. She set to work imm
ediately.

  Vandare had already communicated the news to the nobles of Airea. They had assembled before Rihanna and obsequiously pledged their fealty without complaint. Rihanna smiled at their fawning attempts to win her approval, inwardly despising them.

  ‘I shall be crowned,’ she said to Vandare after she had dismissed them all. ‘Crowned in the manner of your people, with all due ceremony. I expect the people to honour me thusly. It will take place upon the next stretch, all the nobles will swear their loyalty in public.’

  ‘And if any refuse?’ Vandare asked.

  ‘They will answer to me,’ Rihanna said. ‘I will see to them … personally.’

  Hurried arrangements were made. The courtyard before the palace was dressed in ribbons, all manner of traders and workers slaved throughout the stretch to ensure preparations were complete. Within the palace things were just as busy preparing dresses, food, wine and music.

  The chimes of the following stretch rang out across the city.

  The crowds had gathered, but they stood mute behind the ropes that bordered the piazza before the palace.

  Rihanna, flanked by her priestesses, stood at the far end, a red carpet stretching out before them, with the great phaunts lined up each side of them. Trumpets blared and they began to march forward.

  Awaiting them on the steps of the palace, Vandare stood, flanked by the nobles of Airea. All were dressed in their bright flamboyant outfits, with garish colours and enormous hats.

  Rihanna took her time walking down the carpet. She looked straight ahead, flanked by her priestesses, some of their dachs swooping overhead. Triumphal music was playing, but there were no cheers from the crowds of people around them.

  Rihanna arrived at the end of the carpet where Vandare awaited her. The music faded. Vandare spoke, his voice raised.

  ‘King Karquesh is slain,’ he intoned. ‘Taloon fondly remembers our fallen leader, but we now look to the future. Taloon has allied itself with the realm of the priestesses, Drayden. We welcome a new monarch from amongst their ranks. We are blessed by Lacaille herself, for she has seen fit to bring us priestess Rihanna of Daine, here to be crowned our queen.’