The Core

Most of those baronies were formed of refugees from the Krasians, a steady flow over the last year. The Hollow had grown exponentially to accommodate them, printing klats to start their economies and providing structure and materials to rebuild their lives.

‘All of ’em are sendin’ folk to join the Cutters,’ Gared noted. ‘Got recruits comin’ in every day, which is good. Demons are getting pushed out by the greatwards, but it ent thinnin’ their ranks. Anythin’, it’s gettin’ worse.’

‘We’re using moulds and stencils to ward their weapons and shields,’ Erny said. ‘Not as effective as those warded by hand, but it’s allowed us to keep up with demand. We’re working on bolts of cloth, as well, to mass-produce Cloaks of Unsight.’

Leesha nodded. ‘What are we doing to rebuild the cavalry?’

‘Jon Stallion has more horses coming,’ Smitt said. ‘The Wooden Lancers …’

‘Hollow Lancers,’ Leesha said, looking at Gamon.

‘Eh?’ Smitt asked.

‘The Wooden Soldiers are dissolved as of today,’ Leesha said. ‘Any who wish to join the Hollow Soldiers shall be automatically enrolled and keep their rank and pay, upon oath of allegiance to the Hollow. The rest …’

Gamon held up a hand. He and Arther had already discussed this. ‘I have spoken to the men, mistress. There are none who wish to return to Angiers.’

Leesha gave a nod. ‘We will see them back to strength soon, Captain.’

She looked to Jona, sitting with the rigid Inquisitor Hayes. ‘And your Tenders, Shepherd?’

‘It will be some time before they are returned to strength,’ Jona said. ‘The Krasian invaders executed Tender and Child alike, whenever they found them. We have only a handful to minister to many. I wish your blessing to appoint Inquisitor Hayes to speak for the Hollow’s first Council of Tenders.’

Leesha and the inquisitor eyed each other. He, too, had worn spectacles to the meeting. Leesha could see wardlight dance across them, and knew he was watching her aura as she did his.

This, too, had been agreed in advance. A way for both of them to keep face as they followed their script before the council.

‘How do you think Duke Pether will react,’ Leesha asked, ‘if you renounce the Church of Angiers and swear oath to an independent Church of the Hollow, with Jona as Shepherd?’

Hayes sketched a quick warding in the air. Leesha could see the script ripple across the ambient magic, impressed at his skill. His own eyes were drawn to it as well.

Leesha smiled at the dawning understanding in his aura. The Tenders have more power than they know.

Hayes shook off his surprise. ‘I trained Pether. He will take this as a personal betrayal. The Church of Angiers will declare me a heretic and likely issue a warrant for me to be burned alive if I set foot on Angierian soil ever again.’

‘And still you wish to do this?’ Leesha asked.

‘I was sent here to quell heresy,’ Inquisitor Hayes said. ‘To bring the Hollow back under the control of Shepherd Pether and the Church of Angiers. But in the months I have served here, I have seen people of tremendous faith and courage, and witnessed things the Angierian Council of Tenders can only imagine.

‘I do not pretend to know the Creator’s Plan, but I know that He put me here for a reason, to stand between these people and the Core. To let them know the Creator is watching, and He is proud.’

His aura shone with conviction, and Leesha gave a bow of her head to Jona. ‘You do not need my blessing, Shepherd, but you have it.’

‘Thank you, mistress,’ Jona said. ‘We will begin promoting Tenders and bringing in new Children, but it may be years before our ranks are secure.’

‘Of course,’ Leesha said. ‘Perhaps it is time to promote Child Franq?’

The auras of both men coloured. They cast nervous glances at each other, and Gared. Slowly the colour rippled around the table, until it was clear everyone else knew something Leesha did not. Even Darsy.

‘What?’ she demanded.

‘Franq’s a small part of a bigger problem,’ Darsy said. ‘One growin’ like chokeweed in the middle of the Hollow.’

‘The Painted Children,’ Leesha said.

‘Can’t tell ’em anythin’ any more!’ Gared slapped one of his giant hands on the table, and the whole thing shook, rattling everyone’s tea. ‘Don’t show up to muster, don’t listen to anyone but their own.’

‘They live in the Gatherers’ Wood,’ Smitt said. ‘They refuse to sleep inside walls.’

‘Like they ent folk any more,’ Gared said. ‘Becomin’ … somethin’ else.’

It was Leesha’s turn to slap the table. ‘Enough of that, Baron. These are not demons we’re talking about. These are brothers, sisters, and children of the Hollow. We’re talking about Evin and Brianne’s son Callen.’ She looked to Smitt. ‘Your son Keet and granddaughter, Stela.’

‘Callen broke Yon Gray’s arm,’ Gared said.

‘I caught Keet and Stela stealing from one of my warehouses,’ Smitt said. ‘Food, weapons, tools. My own son knocked me down when I tried to stop them. I put a new lock on the warehouse, and the next time they came they kicked in the six-inch goldwood door like it was kindling.’

‘What does all this have to do with Child Franq?’ Leesha asked.

‘It came to my attention that the Children had begun to self-train, forming their own rituals,’ Hayes said. ‘Fearing a growing risk of heresy, I sent Franq to minister to them. Reports indicated they were hungry to learn warding, and Franq is a skilled Warder. He used it to gain access.’

‘And?’ Leesha asked.

Hayes blew out a breath. ‘He has … joined them, mistress.’

Leesha blinked. ‘You’re telling me that Child Franq, a man made entirely of starch, has joined the Painted Children?’

Hayes nodded grimly. ‘The last time I saw him, mistress, he had taken to wearing a simple brown robe.’

‘That isn’t unusual,’ Leesha said.

‘His sleeves were cut away to show the wards tattooed on his arms,’ Hayes said. ‘And he stank of sweat and ichor.’

‘I’ll need to meet with them,’ Leesha said. ‘And soon.’

‘Ent a good idea, mistress,’ Wonda said.

‘She’s right, Leesh,’ Gared said. ‘Children’re dangerous.’

‘I trained ’em,’ Wonda said. ‘Listen to me. Know they will.’

Leesha shook her head. ‘I need to see for myself. I assure you, we will go prepared and do nothing to provoke them until we have their measure.’

‘Must be someone you can send,’ Wonda said, ‘just to feel things out.’

‘Normally that would be a job for my herald,’ Leesha said, ‘but with Rojer gone, that position is empty.’ She looked to Kendall. ‘The job is yours, Kendall, if you want it.’

Kendall blinked. ‘Me, mistress? Ent much more’n an apprentice …’