Heroes' Reward (16 page)

“Many years ago,
an agreement was made between Empress Egana and the Triple S.”

He didn’t
mention Holder Sylva Westphal. She’d been the first one to realise Sources and
Shields were being born, were able to channel events, but no one ever
remembered the merchants.

“The agreement
stipulated that the Triple S would serve everyone who needed it, in exchange
for the financial support of the Crown and all of you. We have met our
obligations. Have they?”

“No!”

Hell. He was
starting to convince people.

“We have tried
to be reasonable. There have been years of negotiations. We have reminded them
of their responsibilities, pleaded with them to meet their obligations, offered
them more and more, but nothing would move them. And you know this.”

I was sure this
hadn’t happened. I would have heard of such negotiations, and I didn’t believe
the Emperor would engage in any collaborative discussions. Demands, yes. Honest
discourse, no.

“We have come to
the disheartening decision that we must – ” the Emperor breathed a huge sigh
that could probably be seen for at least the first few rows “ – that we must go
to Shidonee’s Gap, all of us, and remind them that we are mightier than they.
That they are to serve us. That they have enjoyed our support for generations,
and that if they should persist in neglecting their duty, they must be brought
under the direct control of the Crown, the Crown representing the interests of
us all.”

People started
applauding.

Gifford acknowledged
the tribute with a nod, then resumed. “We have collected brave young people who
believe in protecting your homes and families and livelihoods. These young
people will travel with us to demonstrate the power of all of us, to remind the
Triple S that they are meant to serve us.”

Actual cheering.
It was frightening.

“This encounter
might not proceed as We wish. There may be some danger. But we must take
whatever stance necessary, no matter how distasteful, how dangerous, or what
sacrifices we must make, to end this treacherous domination that has been
forced upon us.”

This time the
applause was thunderous. What was wrong with these people? Didn’t they
understand what the Emperor was saying? He was talking about a battle. He was
talking about people killing each other.

“Any
apprehension on your part is completely understandable. Don’t feel yourselves
cowards for your moment of hesitation.”

But more than a
moment of hesitation meant you were a cowering, disloyal insect.

“But We assure
you, We have spent years preparing for these very events. You can see the
masses of personnel who will risk their lives in defence of your freedoms and
rights.”

Yes, masses. It
was chilling.

“We have been
forced, unfortunately, to bend Our own laws in order to protect Our people. We
have gathered to Us the finest casters in the world.”

Ah ha! He was
admitting casting actually existed. I wondered if the books had been adjusted
to reflect the new legal status.

“This was done
solely due to the need to protect us all against the Triple S’s heinous
practice of training their own in the same perversion.”

Did he plan on
changing the laws back once this whole thing – whatever it turned out to be –
was over? And what would happen to the casters when their abilities were once
more illegal?

“We have with us
some brave Pairs who recognize the betrayal perpetrated by their own trainers.”

Why weren’t
those
Pairs being put on display on the platform?

“Given the cache
of assets We have at Our disposal, subduing the Triple S will require little
effort beyond the march to Shidonee’s Gap. The danger will be minimal. The
residents of Shidonee’s Gap will not oppose us, and the cowardly members of the
Triple S will likely comply to Our authority once they see Us.”

I thought that
was a possibility. Look at all of those Guards.

“Our state of
readiness and the turning of the seasons make this the perfect time to initiate
Our essential plan. This initiative will begin in seven days.”

The applause
became louder again.

“Between now and
then, every family with members between the ages of fifteen and forty will have
at least one member report to Captain Linette Presta to join Our fighting
forces.”

The applause
died out. No one liked that order.

“We look forward
to witnessing your dedication as We embark on this most noble task. Good day.”

Good day. What a
banal ending to a grandiose spewing of rhetoric. I almost laughed. I suspected
I was a little hysterical.

The Emperor and
Green left the platform. Once they were out of sight, the huge crowd began
dispersing. This time people were prepared to speak, and the noise created by
their words was almost deafening. There was some unease, but there was also
some excitement, because people could be stupid.

This was really
happening. Despite all of the idiocy I’d been forced to perform and witness, I
hadn’t been able to truly believe this insanity would actually come about.

This was going
to be a nightmare.

Chapter Twenty

Taro raised an
eyebrow at the Imperial Guard standing before him. “And what,” he asked with
his most aristocratic drawl, “do you expect me to do with that?”

The Guard was
holding a sword out to him, hilt first. “What do you think?” he asked
scornfully.

“Stab myself in
the stomach.”

“Everyone wears
a blade.”

“It’s stupid to
give someone a weapon they don’t know how to use.”

“You’ll be
learning on the way. It’s not like you’ll be in the first line, but you’ll be
grateful for it if things get bad.”

The two men
stared at each other for a while.

With a grimace,
Taro took the weapon in an awkward grip. Probably just to get rid of the prat,
with the intention of ditching the sword somewhere.

The Guard
scowled. “You’re left-handed.”

“All my life.”

“Give it back.”

“This is a
right-handed sword?”

“Left handers
are the most arrogant cretins on ground.”

All right. I
hadn’t heard that one before.

“I don’t need to
be left-handed to be arrogant,” said Taro.

“And I don’t
need to be trying to train the likes of you. Your sort get everything
backwards. I’ve got more important things to do. Hand it over.”

Taro shrugged
and let him have it.

The Guard eyed
me. “You left-handed, too?”

No. “I’m Bonded
to him, aren’t I?”

“What’s that got
to do with anything? We have other Pairs.”

“The
right-handed always bond with the right-handed, and the left-handed always bond
with the left-handed.”

That was
probably the weakest argument I’d ever delivered to anyone about anything ever,
but the Guard seemed to believe it.

“Freaks,” he
muttered as he stomped away.

“He’s got no
idea,” Taro whispered.

I rolled my
eyes. “We’re not that interesting.”

“I know. We’re
getting old.”

It was departure
day, and we had been gathered with thousands of others outside the wall
surrounding Erstwhile. There were hundreds of horses and dozens of wagons. I
understood that it was all organized in some way, but it looked like one huge
mess to me, people wandering about with no discernable pattern and a lot of
orders being shouted that I wasn’t sure anyone was actually following.

Noise. Painful
levels of noise.

We were heading
to Shidonee’s Gap. All of us. To attack people and try to kill them.

Gifford and
Green were going, too. I could see the huge, unwieldy carriages at the far
back, where they would be travelling. I wondered who was staying in Erstwhile
to make sure Gifford’s ridiculous laws were enforced.

Taro and I were
ordered into a wagon, which we would be sharing with Ogawa and Tenneson and
Casters Hallstrom, Rau, Jadah, and Laing. Despite the fact that everyone had
been reminded of our position as the Erstwhile Pair, Taro and I were still to
be watched by Imperial Guards every moment of every day and every night.

Maybe we’d have
an opportunity to escape once we were on the move, but standing there,
surrounded by thousands of people, I couldn’t imagine how that was possible.

We shouldn’t
have stayed in Erstwhile. We shouldn’t have come at all.

None of the
others had escorts. Ogawa found this offensive. “Aren’t you special?” she
jeered. “The Emperor has given you your own little army.”

I was in no mood
for Ogawa’s trash. “Seriously, shut up.”

“You’re in no
position to give me any orders.”

“Fine. Natter
on. Drive everyone else to madness with your infantile complaints. Maybe
someone will stab you and do us all a favour.”

Every single one
of the others had a sword, either sitting awkwardly with it worn through their
belts or holding it with the tip stuck into the floor while they fiddled with
the hilt. “Do you know how to use that thing?” I demanded of Ogawa.

She glared back
at me. “We’ll be learning on the way.”

Which was such
an excellent plan.

“The rest of us
haven’t been so fortunate as to have Guards assigned to protect us,” she added
in a bitter tone.

Taro and I often
received unique treatment. Lucky us.

Shrill whistles
were blown, and slowly the caravan started moving.

We rode for
hours. Sitting on the hard wooden bench left every part of my body ringing with
pain. I supposed that it was better than walking, but I would have liked to
have the opportunity to test that, to be able to move around.

Eventually a
stop was called to allow the soldiers some rest. All of the casters and Pairs
were gathered together in a tiny patch of brown grass, their swords ineptly
clutched in their hands. It appeared they were to have their first lesson,
stiff and tired though they were.

Taro and I
lingered to watch the lesson. It was a painful exhibition. They didn’t know how
to hold the swords, to stand, to move. The Guard chosen to teach them had no
patience, nor any skill as an instructor. Often his orders weren’t clear, and
sometimes he contradicted himself.

Two students
ended up getting sliced in the hands because, of course, none of them were
wearing gloves.

After the
lesson, we were fed slices of cold meat, a boiled egg each, a piece of fruit,
and some water. Then we were rounded up and herded back to the wagons.

We were driven to
Patlach. Some of the supply wagons and Guards turned off at the farms leading
up to the proper city limits. The wagons carrying the Pairs and the casters
were lead to the town square, which had the same tall platforms most town
squares seemed to have. There were crowds of people crammed into the streets,
watching, talking. Some seemed excited, others apprehensive.

There were
ribbons and flowers draped over everything, as though in preparation for a
festival. It was likely they had organized such displays in anticipation of
Gifford’s arrival. No doubt someone had been sent ahead to let the residents
know he was coming.

After a short
while, trumpets announced Gifford’s approach. He was escorted by Imperial
Guards down the small wooden path and then up to the platform. He looked
terrible. It seemed to me that the Guards on either side of him were supporting
him as he moved.

Green followed
him.

I knew what was
coming. More speeches.

The crowds grew
silent.

“It’s Our
honour,” the Emperor said in a weak voice that I was sure almost no one would
be able to hear, “to introduce to you Our future consort, Lady Willa Green.”

No one reacted
because his words didn’t reach them.

“We present to
you,” the nearest Guard shouted, “the future consort to our Emperor, Lady Willa
Green.”

There was a lot
of applause, as required.

Then Green
stepped up. “My good people,” she began in a voice much stronger than
Gifford’s.

Her
good people? Since when?

“You know why we
are here. It was important to all of us that you, the people of Patlach, our
closest and most admired friends, be the first to know of our significant
events and pursuits, and be advised of our intentions immediately. We are
honoured by your reception.”

Applause,
cheers, yes yes yes.

“As you are all
aware, the Triple S has, for years – ”

Oh, Zaire, I
couldn’t listen to any more. It was in my best interests to hear every word
said, in case there were changes, but I couldn’t make myself pay attention to
the same old trash.

Then, all of a
sudden, Taro was holding my arm and urging me to stand.

“As you can
see,” Green was saying, “even members of the Triple S have come to agree that
their own council, which has raised them, clothed them, fed them and trained
them, have grievously abused our trust in them.”

I realised that
all of the Sources and Shields were standing in the wagons.

“Please don’t
think ill of them for their choices,” Green continued. “It was an extremely
difficult decision for them to make. That is normal and understandable. But
they simply feel there is no other option they could honourably take, given the
horrific treason committed by their own people. They are to be commended.”

People stared at
us. They applauded.

It was horrible.
I hated knowing people believed I was betraying the Triple S.

“They have
sacrificed everything to act in the name of good,” Green claimed. “The rest of
us can do no less. Given our great need, we ask you all to give what you can,
to aid us in our great adventure.”

Great adventure.
If I weren’t still standing, I would have rolled my eyes.

“Members of the
Guard will be visiting your homes, your shops, and your farms to collect
essential supplies.”

Hadn’t the
residents already made their contribution to this mess by paying taxes? A lot
of taxes? And the caravan included dozens of wagons filled with food and
materials. Why did Gifford need more?

Green wasn’t
finished. “All families with able-bodied members between the ages of fifteen
and forty are to have at least one person report to Captain Linette Presta for
duty by sundown three days from now.”

The applause
came to an abrupt halt.

Green pretended
not to notice. “We appreciate your full cooperation. You may go.”

Trying to compel
people to do something by thanking them in advance was one of the many
underhanded character traits that irked me.

That night, Taro
and I slept in a moderately priced inn with two of Guards standing in the hall
at our door. We were told only the Pairs, the casters, Gifford and Green, and
the small collection of Imperial Guards of sufficient rank had been so accommodated.
Everyone else had to get through the night of harsh cold rain in tiny tents
that were easily blown apart.

We lingered in
Patlach for four days. The numbers of soldiers swelled, but it looked to me
like most of them didn’t have the uniforms of the Imperial Guards, or any kind
of protective gear at all. Or weapons.

Early on the
final morning, we were all piled into our wagons and everyone else was
organized into units I didn’t understand. Under a bright sun, the Emperor’s
forces resumed the long march to Shidonee’s Gap.

No one talked to
us much, so it was three more days before I learned that everyone in Patlach
had been stripped of nearly everything they owned.