Old Man's Ghosts Read online

  ‘There’s only one thing I’m sure of in this life,’ Irato said with rare assertiveness, ‘and that is that I was a murderer and a thief of souls, and I don’t wish to be that man again. I may not remember my crimes, but I know I could do more harm to the world without a guiding light I can trust.’

  ‘That’s another thing, young lady,’ Teike said, ignoring most of what they had said, ‘no more of this cursing when you’re under my roof. You used to be a pious girl, remember? Now you only mention the Gods when you’re cursing.’

  Kesh scowled. ‘I wasn’t exactly won over when I met one, remember? These days I think I’d prefer to trust the demons that visit Irato more than any Ascendant god.’

  ‘Don’t even get me started on bloody demons possessing him any hour of the night,’ Teike said, pointing an accusing finger at Irato. ‘Dragging him out into the dark to do Gods know what. Do they follow your moral guidance too? Last month one came during dinner, remember? Soon it’ll start costing us paying customers!’

  ‘I will go and earn a wage if you would prefer me to keep clear of your guests,’ Irato joined, but then shrank back from the furious looks he received from both women.

  ‘I’m sure you could command a good fee yes, given how good you seem to be at killing folk,’ Teike snapped.

  ‘That’s really not helping! Irato,’ Kesh said, ‘get out, will you?’

  This time her mother made no objection and the big man slunk outside, closing the door behind him.

  ‘How can you treat the man like a guard dog,’ Teike said as she watched the door shut, ‘and still keep him here out of some strange sympathy? Don’t you dare tell me the sight of him doesn’t sometimes sicken you, I see it in your face as clearly as I feel it in my heart. ’

  ‘It’s my memories that hurt, not the sight of him,’ Kesh said in a subdued voice. ‘Might be I’d remember Emari less without him around, but I’m not ready to leave go of her memory yet. I don’t know if this is forever, but it is what it is for the moment.’

  Teike took her daughter’s hands in her own. ‘But it’s a burden you don’t need to take on. Oh my beautiful girl, you’ve always been strong, but that doesn’t mean you need to assume the burdens of others. I’m not talking about Irato here, either. I may like Narin and Enchei more than your guard dog, but they’re men who attract trouble. Without them, you wouldn’t need to practise knife work.’

  To Teike’s surprise, Kesh gave a small laugh and hugged her. ‘Honestly, Mother, you disapprove of my friends? Can I not go out and play once I’ve done all my chores?’

  ‘You’re not so grown up I can’t put you over my knee, young lady,’ Teike replied, a sad smile on her face. ‘But seriously, Kesh – you’ve been through so much this last year. Not just losing a sister, but being beaten and almost killed several times, then those inquiries by the Imperial Court, interrogations from House Dragon. And all the work you did here. It hardly seems as though life has returned to normal, because when you’re not here working you’re over at the Crowsnest overseeing the rebuilding.’

  ‘What else can I do? It’s tiring, yes, but we need to get everything done.’ She gestured around at the house they stood in. ‘This Shure the Imperial inquiry loaned us was in no fit state to rent to anyone and winter’s only going to make it worse.’

  ‘Exactly, my girl! There’s more work to do than I can reasonably ask of you, but you make time to train at street-fighting with Irato and now you might be away from home for a few days?’

  Kesh ducked her head in acknowledgement. ‘I know, but I can’t just pretend my friends don’t need my help. We’ve got money to hire in someone to help you here while I’m away. Spend it, please – labourers, a maid, whatever we need to keep the guests happy over winter.’

  ‘Away doing what, though?’ Teike insisted. ‘Why won’t you tell me that? “Enchei will be calling me away soon” isn’t much of an explanation!’

  ‘It’s best you don’t know any more. In case things get nasty. I don’t want you anywhere near it.’

  ‘Is that why you’re brawling with Irato these days? You’re getting ready for the nastiness to catch up with you?’

  ‘If it happens, I’m going to be ready for it, that’s all,’ Kesh said firmly. ‘I’m leaving the violence to others, I’m no fool, but if someone grabs me in the street like that bastard goshe did in the summer, I want to be ready for whatever gets thrown my way.’ She took a long breath and forced a smile. ‘You have to trust me, this isn’t like the summer. There’s no Empire-wide conspiracy, unnatural soldiers or demons involved – at least, not on their side! This is simply a friend in a jam and we’re taking no chances.’ She hesitated, her face falling. ‘Mother, I have to do this. Not just because Enchei or Narin asks it, but … well, it’s not just them involved.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Kesh bit her lip before replying. ‘There’s a little girl whose life is also at stake – a little girl, younger than Emari, who’s caught up in all this. It might not make sense, but I can’t stand aside. I can’t avoid getting involved if I can help at all. It might be playing nursemaid’s all I’m needed for, but whatever needs to be done, I must do it.’

  In her gut Kesh felt a bitter heat at the half-lie. It was told far more to explain the impossibility of her changing her mind than to sway her mother, but the voice of a cynic at the back of her mind chastised her for just that. She had no idea whether Kine would be giving birth to a boy or a girl, but in her heart she knew it didn’t matter.

  A baby in need was enough – it should be enough to anyone, and would certainly be for her mother, but in the privacy of her own head Kesh had been thinking of the child as a little girl. Lady Kine was a Wyvern so any child of hers and Narin’s would be little darker than Kesh’s adopted sister, Emari. The combination of the two was such a powerful compulsion, Kesh hadn’t even had to think when Enchei outlined his plan to her.

  Before Teike could respond, Irato ducked his head back through the door. ‘Kesh, there’s some kid here with a message.’

  ‘From Enchei?’

  ‘Some weird old man is what she says. “The egg’s hatched and she’s learned to fly.”’

  Kesh nodded, a nervous lurch in her stomach for all she’d been expecting this moment. She steeled herself and looked up at her mother. Teike managed to give her a smile and kissed her daughter on the cheek.

  ‘Go. Do everything a big sister would.’

  There were tears in both their eyes as Kesh ran to fetch her bag and coat, but with the anger between them diffused the burden on her heart was a fraction lighter.

  CHAPTER 6

  From the Harbour Warranty it was a short journey to the tavern in neighbouring Tale where Narin’s closest friend, Enchei Jen, lived. The aging veteran-turned-tattooist proved to not be at home, according to the maid who answered the door and gave Narin her prettiest smile as she invited him in to wait. Just that small moment of flirtation was enough to send Narin’s mood spiralling down and he gave a gruff refusal before heading up to the waters of the Crescent in search of a boat to take him across.

  Elevation to the rank of Lawbringer had brought Narin more than just authority and some of it he could do without. Women who knew him in some small way were suddenly interested in him, more than a year after the day Narin stopped trying to bring such a thing about. Even ambitious minor officials attempted to cultivate his friendship now the Emperor himself had learned, however briefly, Narin’s name and deeds during the summer.

  A brisk breeze skipped off the Crescent as he reached its shore and found a boat to take him across. Narin pulled the collar of his white jacket as high as he could against the chill and watched the other traffic on the wide body of water that surrounded the Imperial Island.

  The high prows of House Dragon barges surrounded him, starkly red and black against the dull colours of winter, while a handful of merchant ships were dotted amongst the main traffic of Crescent boatmen who transported most of the city’s goods. On every
berth post the constellations of Lady Sailor or Lady Navigator were carved, the largest hung with offerings of broken oars and worn-out tools.

  Narin’s thoughts returned to Kine and the knot of anxiety behind his eyes tightened a fraction further. She was so close to her due time – it could be any day, Enchei had told him – but still they’d been unable to extract her from the palazzo that had become a prison for her in recent months.

  I know he’s as good as his word, Narin reminded himself privately, while the young boatman behind him sang out disjointed bursts of prayers and songs that they all used to warn each other of their presence. He hardly noticed the babble of voices, having lived in the city all his life, but still found it hard to concentrate on either of his problems for any length of time.

  Enchei’s as good as his word, Narin repeated over the cacophony of fears and questions in his mind. He promised he would do this and he’s as good as his word.

  It was hard to doubt anything Enchei said nowadays. Narin remained in awe of his grey-haired friend, who’d proved his Astaren background as he repeatedly saved Narin from the goshe. The old warrior had promised he would effect Kine’s escape from the Vanden family palazzo, but nothing had been possible until Lord Cail Vanden had retired for the winter to his estate with the bulk of his warrior caste attendants.

  As they arrived on the far bank, Narin tossed the boatman a coin and was on his way before the man had caught it. One benefit of his elevation had been the increase in pay, of course – Lawbringers often needed to be able to support a family, and bribery or corruption among public officials was a capital offence. Like many Investigators and Lawbringers, Narin had found little time for interests beyond his work, however, let alone vices, so barely knew where to spend the money.

  In the end, Enchei had done that for him – helping himself to a large chunk of what Narin had managed to save with only a few vague promises in explanation. Narin’s only objection had been that he wasn’t party to Enchei’s plans, but the tattooist was determined to insulate his friend from whatever was going to happen.

  Perhaps was happening tonight Narin realised with a jolt – his heart lightening at the idea even as he felt a pang of fear at what might go wrong. Lord Vanden left the city two days ago – Enchei must be about to put his plans into motion.

  He crossed the Strandway that skirted the island shore, studded with great blackened lamp-posts that loomed threateningly in the grey morning light, and headed in to the interior. Up ahead the vast unreal walls of the Imperial Palace dominated the entire island – situated on a low hill and far bigger than the varied palazzos and towers that skirted it.

  Narin wound his way towards the palace, cutting confidently through the narrow streets of the low-caste areas that sat like a tangle of threads on the fringe of the more ordered streets. Within a hundred yards his surroundings had graduated from servant housing to merchant dwellings, with the homes of the nobility visible behind. Before long, he found himself at a sprawling network of workshops and offices where much of the city’s administration was housed, one corner of which was occupied by the Imperial tattooists.

  Here the carvings on posts became the quill constellation of Lord Scholar, adornments subtly added to gates and flagpoles bearing the Emperor’s sun device. It was an ancient practice, co-opted from their pagan past if Enchei was to be believed, with trades invoking their patron Ascendants. Narin knew it was frowned upon at the Palace of Law, but the novices did it all the same and he instinctively tapped the symbol as he entered the tattooists’ courtyard.

  Before he could reach the door, the principal administrator had spotted Narin’s approach and emerged to greet him in typical fawning fashion. The man was of the religious caste, a black collarless robe hanging from his shoulders, but he still bowed low to Narin, who returned the greeting in similar fashion. Perhaps ten years older than Narin, the administrator was a paunchy local who waddled like a lord around his small domain.

  ‘Lawbringer Narin, am I correct?’

  ‘You are. Administrator Serril, is it?’ He received another bow at that and continued. ‘My friend Enchei has spoken of you often.’ Albeit never in favourable tones.

  ‘And a fine tattooist he is, despite his eccentricities.’

  Narin smiled at that. ‘Well, he cannot help being a damned heathen I suppose – is he here?’

  ‘I’m afraid not,’ Serril said, with a shake of his near-hairless head. ‘He was scheduled to work today, but has not seen fit to make an appearance.’

  That brought Narin up short, words catching in his throat for a moment. ‘Not appeared?’ he said with a cough. ‘Then that might be my fault, I’m afraid. I’d asked a favour of him and it may be he’s already engaged on the task at hand.’

  ‘I understand, Lawbringer, but he fails to show due consideration for his duties,’ Serril chided. ‘If he is out on business of yours, you might remind him he is not employed by the Lawbringers.’

  Narin had already known that Serril was a humourless man, but hearing his tone now it was clear Enchei would never be too encumbered by duty shifts. He could barely muster the required deference for the legendary Lawbringer Rhe himself – a self-important minor official would be beyond his powers.

  ‘I will instruct him to be more mindful,’ Narin said smoothly, recently-learned habits of diplomacy serving him in good stead as his mind raced down another path. ‘Thank you for your time, Administrator.’

  He bowed low and turned his back, as desperate to be away as he was not to watch Serril preen at the respect he’d offered. Narin was only craftsman caste, but now he was a Lawbringer he carried some ghost of the Emperor’s own authority in his wake. It was a strange combination – he was expected to be servile, but officials treated such due deference as a currency all of its own.

  Today, however, Narin didn’t care. Not with the news that Enchei was absent from work. As disrespectful as the man was, he wouldn’t offer Serril an easy opportunity to exert his modest authority – not without good reason anyway.

  Is it today? Has it happened already? Where should I go, home? No, the Palace of Law – if Enchei is looking for me he’ll leave a message there. Stars in Heaven, all this time and still I’m not prepared for what’s coming.

  As the north wind blew hard over the city and the morning continued grey and cold, Narin forced himself not to run down the handful of streets that took him to Lawbringer Square. Over the whistle of wind a temple bell tolled distant and dismal – a deep rolling tone that gave Narin some idea of the hour as he crossed the busy paved expanse and raced up the steps to the Palace of Law.

  As he entered, he caught sight of a grave-looking Investigator loitering near the front. The young woman jerked as she saw him and started forward, but not before a broad figure detached from the shadows to one side and approached Narin. In his keyed-up state Narin almost drew his sword – his hand was on the hilt before he recognised the man looming forward and realised this wasn’t some poorly-timed vengeance, but a killer with a message.

  ‘Irato!’ Narin gasped, releasing his sword. ‘Are you looking for me?’

  Behind the former goshe, the Investigator stiffened and Narin made a placating gesture. He didn’t know her well, but she was a highly-strung warrior caste who wouldn’t have taken kindly to one such as Irato loitering.

  ‘Thank you, Investigator, he’s with me. You can go now.’

  ‘As you wish, Lawbringer Narin.’ She gave a curt bow and, with one final look of suspicion at Irato, left them alone.

  The palace’s enormous entrance hall was bustling now the morning was well advanced, so despite his desperation to hear what Irato had to say Narin hustled the man back out into the chill air of the square. While there were still plenty of people around, they were all intent on their destination and it was simple enough to find space to talk.

  ‘Enchei sent you,’ Narin stated, seeing Irato’s poise of readiness and focus.

  The former goshe was rarely animated without a set task to
perform. The fact that he looked ready for a fight, his brawler’s build accentuated by a thick fur coat that hung down to his knees, meant something had happened.

  Irato nodded. ‘She’s out.’

  ‘Out? She’s safe? Where is she?’

  ‘I’ll take you.’

  Narin nodded. ‘Wait, is she with Enchei? Rhe’s expecting me to find him this morning and report back.’

  ‘Was there when I left, tending to Dov.’

  ‘Dov? Who in Pity’s name is Dov?’

  Irato cocked his head at Narin as though he was an idiot. ‘The baby.’

  The man’s words stuck Narin like a punch. ‘The baby?’ he gasped. ‘She’s given birth?’

  ‘He was going to grab her last night – got it all set up – but the baby started coming before he could move.’

  ‘Monk’s mercy! Is she all right? Are they both all right?’

  ‘S’pose so, they’re alive at any rate.’

  Narin fought the urge to grab Irato round the throat and shake him. It wasn’t his fault, Narin knew that as well as anyone, but at times such as this his lack of interest in the world around him was infuriating. It wasn’t self-absorption, just a disconnect in his mind after the accident. The man he’d once been was gone – and good riddance by all accounts, including those of some goshe they’d interrogated – but there wasn’t quite a complete one left in his place.

  ‘Where are they?’

  ‘Harbour Warranty – I’ll take you.’

  Irato didn’t wait for a response from Narin, he simply went around the Lawbringer and started walking toward the south end of the square. Narin stood there, gaping and dumbstruck for a long moment at Irato’s careless delivery of the news.

  A voice inside told Narin he should be shouting for joy, but all he felt was disbelief at the news, that the day had finally come and he was so far behind the times. He stared after Irato, the former goshe entirely oblivious as he strode off, and at last Narin trotted after him.