Anna Stephens - Godblind

‘Queen Marisa is with the Gods of Light now, Prince Rivil,’ Hallos murmured. ‘Be at peace knowing that. There is no more suffering for her.’

‘Fuck the gods. I have prayed to the Dancer and the Fox God both, asking them to bring her killers to justice, and yet my father still suffers. They still remain free,’ Rivil said, sullen with anger. ‘My brother suffers. I—’ His voice broke and he looked away, biting off the words.

Galtas glanced back, watched Hallos and Janis pause, awkward in the face of Rivil’s grief.

‘I have found a sleeping draught aids the king. Restful sleep does much to restore his strength. If you would like …?’ asked Hallos delicately.

Rivil looked up and wiped at his eye with his thumb. He scrubbed his fingers through his dark gold hair. ‘Thank you, but please, save all your efforts for my father. I fear our enemies may seek to take advantage of his illness soon.’

Janis frowned. ‘Rivil, this is not the time.’

Rivil’s eyes darkened, but Janis didn’t notice. Janis never did. Galtas saw it, though, oh yes. Galtas always noticed.

Rivil focused on Hallos. ‘And the visitations?’

‘At present I have been unable to stem their flow. If anything, they are increasing in number and severity. It may be your father’s way of coping, or working through his grief. In time I believe they will cease.’

‘So you don’t really think he sees my mother’s spirit?’ Rivil asked and Janis coughed, closing his eyes. Rivil ignored him again.

‘I think he wishes to see her, wants it so hard that his brain tells him she’s there,’ Hallos said. He spread his hands. ‘And yet her soul rests in the Dancer’s Light now. Souls do not return from that.’

Janis pushed up out of his chair and Hallos and Rivil rose to their feet. Galtas pushed away from the wall and put away his knife. ‘I think that’s enough for now. Thank you, Master Hallos. We won’t keep you any longer. Rivil, a moment, if you will. Galtas, you stay too.’

Galtas exhaled a deep breath, knowing what was coming. He stayed by the window, unwilling to attract Janis’s attention more than necessary.

‘What was that nonsense about spirits? I need you to grow up, Rivil. You cannot avoid your responsibilities – or the real world – forever. You may be the younger son, but you are also a prince of the blood with duties to Rilpor and the throne. So I’m asking you to act accordingly.’ Janis stared at Rivil, lips pursed. ‘Don’t make me make it an order,’ he added, and Galtas’s eyebrows rose.

A muscle flexed in Rivil’s jaw as he nodded, nostrils flared. ‘You are right, of course, Janis. I forget myself.’ He sounded sincere, at least.

I, on the other hand, forget nothing, Galtas said to himself, glaring at Janis’s back.

‘I know Mother’s death hit you harder than you care to admit, brother. But it’s taken something from all of us, don’t forget. And yet we must keep going, stay strong. While the northern and southern borders are secure, General Koridam’s latest report from the west indicates increased movement from the Mireces. They’ve made a couple of late raids, later than we would expect. The folk of the Cattle Lands and the Western Plain are afraid. They need strong direction from the throne, messages of support. You can aid in that.’

He clapped Rivil on the back while Galtas stifled a yawn. Still in love with the sound of your own pompous voice echoing out of your arsehole. I’ve done farts that had more substance.

‘We cannot afford to fail, Rivil. We must make a responsible adult out of you,’ Janis said and grinned to lighten the mood.

‘Gods, I hope not.’ Rivil laughed. ‘I quite like being the rebellious prince.’

‘A part you often play a little too well,’ Janis said.

Rivil inclined his head. ‘The burden of kingship will fall to you, not me. I can afford to have a little fun—’

Janis’s face was hard. ‘No, Rivil, you can’t,’ he interrupted, souring the mood once more. ‘Not now, with Father so ill. Maybe not ever again, not in the way you mean. Understand that. Accept it. Royalty is a privilege and a burden, not a game.’

‘You act as though you are already king,’ Rivil said hotly. ‘Our father still lives.’

‘At least one of us is taking responsibility for his duties,’ Janis said. He bit off whatever he was going to say next and strove for calm. ‘Whatever the reports say, I do not believe our borders are as safe as we would like. We must be ready. We must—’

‘I’m well aware of the monsters at our door, Your Highness ,’ Rivil said with icy formality. ‘There’s no need to keep reminding me all the time. I do my duty, and will continue to do it.’

‘I know you will,’ Janis said, and Galtas was surprised he couldn’t hear the anger in Rivil’s voice. Or maybe he just dismissed it. ‘Which is why I need to you sit in the plains court this week. Galtas, keep an eye on him. The court, not the tavern, you hear?’ Galtas inclined his head. ‘Good. Then I’ll see you for supper.’

They stood for a few seconds longer, but Janis was already at his desk and shuffling through reports. And so easily are we dismissed, like boys to our rooms for a misdemeanour.

Galtas followed Rivil into the corridor and closed the door with a gentle click. ‘He does not—’ he began with a hiss.

Rivil waved him to silence, but his face was white with anger. ‘He is the heir. So he does. I must accept it.’

Galtas looked both ways along the corridor. ‘You would make a better heir than him.’

Rivil held up his hand again. ‘Don’t.’ He stretched the tension out of his shoulders. ‘I’m to the plains court, then. I’ll see you tonight.’

Galtas watched him walk away, and then stared hard at the door to Janis’s study, fingers tapping on the pommel of his sword. Eventually, he left.

They’d climbed out of the forests cloaking the foothills and into snow and ice, isolated copses of stunted firs and pines providing scant but welcome cover. There was nothing to stop the wind up here and its constant keening set Dom’s nerves on edge, kept the pain in his head thrumming. It would help if he knew what he was looking for, but that hadn’t been made any clearer over the last day.

The scout camp was perched just above the Final Falls on the River Gil, a shelter cleverly disguised with snow and rock so it was invisible from above. If the Mireces ventured down the treacherous Gil-beside Road, the scouts would spot them and run ahead to the village with the warning. It was a miserable posting, but there hadn’t been a surprise attack in the years since they’d implemented it.

They were met with enthusiasm and Dom was grateful for the distraction. Lim and Sarilla were soon absorbed into the group and it took little effort to slip out when everyone was occupied. Ash had the forward post, sitting a hundred strides further upriver, and Dom slapped his fur-covered shoulder as he passed.

‘Where are you going?’ Ash asked.

‘Crossing over and a bit of a wander,’ Dom said.

Ash stood up. ‘On your own?’

‘On my own,’ Dom confirmed. ‘Had a knowing. Said to come looking.’

Ash chewed his lip. ‘That’s not the best idea, and I’ve heard you come up with pretty bad ones over the years.’ He hefted his bow. ‘Let me come?’

Dom looked up at the white and black of the mountain. ‘I’ll only be a few hours,’ he said. ‘If I’m not back by then, come looking, all right? And keep an eye on the path,’ he added as something tugged inside him.