Mark Newton - Retribution

Leana had worn her smart outfit, a fine fitted black tunic and black britches, while I was happy to give an airing to my finest green cloak and crimson shirt. My brooch was always on display. Sulma Tan was sadly not present; apparently too busy working to join us.

This mellow, warm and sensuous atmosphere was a fine experience indeed. Philosophers, artists, poets, astronomers and physicians were among the guests, and they talked about their own lives and work. The wonders they discussed were fascinating: here was modern thinking, such a display of new theories; at times it was a little overwhelming. The philosophers descended into rhetorical problems, but it was the astronomers who engaged my mind the most — the way they talked about the night sky reinforced my belief that the stars, perhaps forty or fifty miles away from us if we could get to them, were not the domain of the gods, but something to be studied, to provide us with information about the movement of our own land and of the circles of the sun and moon.

This was radical theory indeed, as priests in Detrata — priests of Trymus in particular — would have the stars remain the business of gods and spirits. It was traditionally the domain of priests to read the stars, to discern their movement and understand their purpose in the world. At that point I noted there were in fact no priests or priestesses present. And only three soldiers were here, pacing quietly in the darkness around the edges of the room. I don’t know why I expected there to be more. Perhaps they waited outside the doors. Perhaps they thought philosophers were no threat.

The queen later gestured for us to move forward to sit before her, so we shuffled into her immediate company. It was a position that reminded me of the relationship between a teacher and a young pupil.

‘Please tell me how your investigation is going, Officer Drakenfeld,’ she said matter-of-factly.

In a low voice — little more than a whisper, for I did not want too many people to hear my thoughts — I revealed my findings so far. I was careful not to divulge anything about the ring we had found in the bishop’s room, nor of the body parts that had, supposedly, been moving of their own accord. Eventually I revealed that an arrow had been fired at us.

The queen’s eyes widened at the statement. ‘Astran’s mercy. This is most extraordinary, and quite unbecoming of this prefecture.’

‘It was probably a military arrow,’ Leana said.

A murmur spread through our group. I knew the others had been listening in.

‘You’re quite certain of this?’ the queen’s eunuch replied, a remarkably engaging yet feminine timbre to his voice. The queen looked at him softly, as if a pet had done something charming. Only then did I get a thorough look at him and his striking blue eyes, slender face and tied-back long hair. He wore a red silk robe with beautiful silver ornamentation around his neck. It was interesting to see his confidence in speaking like this before the queen — almost interrupting a conversation — and yet she accepted it perfectly.

‘It is a very strong possibility,’ I continued, more loudly now as it seemed logical to have it well known that the queen wished us protected. ‘We suspect that someone in the army — an archer, or some other warrior perhaps — may be keen to stop us doing our job. Are your soldiers under good discipline? I hope they do not bear some sort of grudge against us.’ The soldiers pacing the edge of the room paused momentarily, but it was too dark to see if they were angry with my words.

‘I will see to it that my senior officers are questioned thoroughly about the matter,’ the queen said firmly.

‘I’d like that,’ I replied. ‘This matter is serious enough as it is without there being an awkward new dimension.’

‘Accusations about army discipline. .’ the eunuch muttered, almost smiling — it was difficult to tell. ‘They won’t appreciate talk of that kind. They’re a sensitive lot.’

‘These are troubling issues,’ I added. ‘Enough to warrant airing them.’

‘Yes indeed,’ she snapped, a sudden sparkle in her eye. ‘This is terrifying news. Two men of good standing have been killed, one of whom was a very dear friend of mine, and it is of absolute importance that the killer be brought to justice. Why, such barbarism could spread through society. Anyone in this room,’ she gestured to the seated crowd, speaking loudly, ‘any of you could be next. Safety to us all is of great importance.’

In the sudden silence the eunuch leaned forward and picked an olive from a tray. ‘You sound like you’ve one of your plans, my lady.’

‘As it happens, Brell, I have.’ She took on an altogether more haughty demeanour. ‘The army has come in larger numbers to the city. It is no secret. It’s also no secret that many of these soldiers are scheduled to move to the borders.’

‘The borders?’ I asked.

‘Sadly, yes. The border with Detrata, if you must know, in the mountains. We hear all sorts of worrying news. Their king is dead. There is talk of war. . In fact, you were there recently, were you not? What do you have to say about it?’

‘The country is simply finding its feet after the loss of its king, is all,’ I said, not entirely believing it myself.

I had left the country knowing full well what might happen. Without a king, or indeed any temporary leader, there would be many plays for power. Before his death, the king, it appeared, had been holding back warmongers in that ancient and proud nation. A nation that would happily reclaim its old imperial ways.

‘That may be the case,’ the queen replied, ‘but it is of concern to other nations. When we do not work together we work against each other. And when we work against each other it leads, naturally, to a loss of life. But it is not merely us who are militarizing the borders. I understand encampments are being placed in Maristan as well as Theran. We are no different. We have interests to protect. But despite the fact that many of our warriors are moving to the border, the recent murders have led me to keep many of them here in the city. I have little choice. They will be patrolling the perimeter of the prefecture, as well as within it. I will ensure the safety of my people.’

Leana gave me a sarcastic look. She was probably thinking how curious it was that the queen did not deem the people outside of this prefecture as her people as well, but now was not the right moment to highlight the issue.

‘I want to talk to the officer and his assistant alone,’ the queen announced.

Without hesitation, as if used to such behaviour, everyone else in the room rose to their feet and shuffled out of the door at the far end. Only her daughter and the eunuch remained.

She waited until the room had emptied.

‘I am not stupid,’ she continued, ‘I know what you’re thinking — that moving soldiers into the area will protect no one.’

‘We are dealing with a clever individual,’ I explained. ‘One who moves within the shadows. . In fact, since the murders have occurred here, whoever is doing this is likely to live within the prefecture.’

‘That may be so,’ the queen said knowingly. ‘But bringing in soldiers will offer reassurance to the people of the prefecture. However. .’ — her gaze settled on Leana — ‘you are Atrewen.’

Leana nodded coolly.

‘I have heard of you. My agents speak of the powerful woman carved from jet. They report that you are a fine warrior and that you rode in the stadium, with some success. And that you were the one who stopped King Licintius from fleeing in his final moments.’

Leana was nonplussed by the praise, though she was probably uncomfortable with the direction it was taking. I was simply impressed at the speed and accuracy of the queen’s informants.