The Core

She wrinkled her nose as the fortress came into view. It was a blocky, walled structure, built more for defence than aesthetics – at least on the outside. The inside was worse in some ways, lavish as a palace in a land struggling to rebuild. Both problems would have to be addressed now that the place was hers.

The great gates of the keep were open, the road lined on either side by the remains of the Wooden Lancers, Thamos’ cavalry. There were barely fifty of them now, the others lost with the count himself in the Battle of Docktown. They were resplendent on their great Angierian mustangs, man and horse equally stone-faced at attention. All were armed and armoured, as if expecting Leesha to command them into battle at any moment.

The courtyard, too, looked mustered as much for a war as a homecoming. To the left, Captain Gamon was mounted with his lieutenants before hundreds of men-at-arms, straight-backed with eyes forward, heavy polearms planted on the ground, points all at precisely the same angle.

Courtyard right, the entire keep’s staff – an army in its own right – lined up no less sharply than the infantry, uniforms clean and pressed.

It will be interesting to see what happens to those perfect ranks if I give birth in the courtyard. The thought was wry, but then the child kicked, and it ceased to amuse.

As Wonda warned, a knot of people stood at the base of the steps to the keep. Lord Arther was at their front, rigid in his dress uniform and spear. Beside him was Tarisa, the count’s childhood nurse who had become lady’s maid to Leesha. Gared was waiting with Rosal, his promised, and Rosal’s mother. With him were Inquisitor Hayes; Gatherers Darsy and Vika; her father, Erny; and … night, even Leesha’s mother, Elona, glaring daggers at Rosal’s back. Leesha prayed the early hour would succour her from that demon, at least, but as usual it went unanswered.

Wonda poked her head in the door. ‘Ready, mistress?’

A fresh contraction ripped through her. She felt hot, sweating even in the cold winter air.

Leesha smiled, showing none of it. Her legs shook as she got to her feet, and she felt the child inch lower. ‘Yes, dear. Swiftly now.’

Gamon dismounted as the carriage arrived. He, Arther, and Gared nearly tripped over one another in the scramble to offer their hands as she stepped down. Leesha ignored them all, clutching Wonda’s arm as she carefully descended the steps. It would not do to fall in front of the entire assembly.

‘Welcome back to the Hollow, Countess Paper,’ Arther said with a courtly bow. ‘It is a great relief to see you well. When we heard of the attack on Angiers, we feared the worst.’

‘Thank you,’ Leesha said as she steadied herself. All around the courtyard, there were bows and curtsies. Leesha kept her back straight, acknowledging it all with a dignified nod that would have done Duchess Araine proud.

Then she began walking. Wonda angled herself to take the lead even as she lent her support. Close behind, two meaty Cutter women followed.

Caught off guard, the men stumbled out of their path, but they recovered swiftly, scurrying after. Gamon was the first to match her pace. ‘My lady, I have prepared a roster of the house guards …’

‘Thank you, Captain Gamon.’ Leesha’s insides were churning. She clenched her thighs, terrified her water might break before she reached the house. ‘Be a dear and give it to Captain Wonda, please.’

Gamon’s eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks. ‘Captain Wonda?’

‘I hereby appoint Wonda Cutter captain of my house guard,’ Leesha said loudly, continuing to walk. ‘A long-overdue promotion.’

Gamon hurried to catch back up. ‘If my command has been in some way unsatisfactory …’

Leesha smiled, wondering if she might vomit. ‘Not at all. Your service was exemplary, and your valour on behalf of the Hollow is without question. You will retain command of the Wooden Soldiers, but my house security will report to Captain Wonda alone. Order the men to fall out and return to their duties. We’re not expecting an attack.’

Gamon looked like he was trying to swallow a stone, but after months in Angiers not knowing if she was captive or guest, Leesha was tired of seeing Wooden Soldiers everywhere. Wonda had already hand-selected Cutters to take over the house guard, and signalled them to secure the entrance and sweep the manse.

Arther moved quickly to take the empty place as Gamon fell back, stunned. ‘The house staff …’

‘… looks crisp and ready to start the day,’ Leesha cut him off. ‘Let’s not keep them.’ She whisked a hand, dismissing the assemblage.

‘Of course, my lady.’ Arther gave a signal, and the crowd began to disperse. He looked ready to say more, but Leesha’s mother pushed her way in front, Erny trailing after. Elona was six months pregnant, though she hid it well with low-cut gowns that masked her belly and drew eyes elsewhere. The men fell back like she was a coreling.

‘My daughter, Countess of the Hollow!’ Elona spread her arms, face glowing with … was that what pride looked like on her? It was terrifying if so.

‘Mother, Father.’ Leesha allowed each a brief embrace, trying to keep from shaking.

Elona sensed it, but she had the decency to drop her voice. ‘You look terrible. What’s wrong?’

‘I just need to get inside and rest.’ Leesha gave Wonda’s arm a squeeze, and they started moving again. Others might fear to impede Elona, but Wonda was implacable as a falling tree. Elona moved to follow, but pulled up as Erny held her back. She glared at him, but like Wonda Cutter, Leesha’s father was always on her side.

‘Welcome home, Countess.’ Rosal dipped a practiced curtsy, her mother following suit.

‘Emelia,’ Leesha said, careful to use the woman’s proper name. ‘Mrs Lacquer. I’m surprised to find you here at such an early hour.’

Gared swept in, the three of them following Leesha up the steps. ‘Count had the ladies staying here in his keep on account of propriety. We can find another place …’

‘Nonsense.’ Leesha winked at Rosal. ‘We’ve plenty of room. How would it look for an upstanding young woman like yourself to move into the baron’s household before the wedding? A scandal!’

Gared blushed. ‘’Preciate it. Got some papers for you to look at when you have time …’

‘Send them over in the morning.’ Leesha was almost to the steps now.

Inquisitor Hayes appeared next, bowing deeply. His acolyte Child Franq, usually inseparable from his master, was conspicuously absent. ‘Countess. Praise be to the Creator that you are well.’

The next carriage in line pulled up and opened its door. Hayes’ eyes widened as Tender Jona stepped out. Vika gave a cry, breaking from the receiving line to hurry down the steps to her husband.

Hayes looked at her in shock, but even shaking with pain, Leesha’s smile was genuine. ‘You’ll be pleased to know, Inquisitor, that your interim assignment to the Hollow has ended. Jona will resume leading services in Hollow County.’

‘Preposterous,’ the Inquisitor sputtered. ‘I’m not going to just hand my cathedral over …’

Leesha raised an eyebrow. ‘Your cathedral, Inquisitor? The one in my county?’ She was still moving. The doors to the keep were closer, but still so far.

Hayes was forced to sacrifice dignity, lifting his robes to scuttle after her. ‘Only Duke Pether can relieve me …’

Leesha cut him off, producing a letter bearing the royal seal. ‘Your inquisition is over.’

‘The inquisition was about more than one heretic Tender,’ Hayes argued. ‘The question of Arlen Bales …’

‘Is one you and the Council of Tenders can debate all you wish back in Angiers,’ Leesha said. ‘Shepherd Jona will minister to the Hollow’s flock.’

Hayes’ gawp was greater even than Gamon’s. ‘Shepherd?!’

‘His Grace gave up the title when he became duke,’ Leesha said, ‘and there are more people in the Hollow than Angiers in any event. The Pact of the Free Cities gives our Tenders the right to form a new order.’

Unsure how to respond, the Inquisitor took the letter and fell back from Leesha’s determined march. The duke’s decree gave her the power to choose the spiritual leader of Hollow County, but she was testing the limits by promoting Jona to Shepherd. It was a declaration of independence that would not please the ivy throne, but there was little they could do to stop it now that Leesha was ensconced in the Hollow once more.

Darsy moved in quickly at a signal from Leesha, the woman’s bulk effectively dismissing the Inquisitor as she moved between them. ‘Creator be praised, it’s good to see you, mistress.’

‘You have no idea.’ Leesha pulled her into an embrace, dropping her voice. ‘Contractions are coming every two minutes. If I’m not inside soon, I’ll be giving birth on these steps. Wonda’s sent women to secure the royal chambers.’

Darsy nodded, not missing a beat. ‘Want me to go on ahead, or walk you?’

Leesha felt a rush of relief. ‘Walk me, please.’

Darsy took her other arm, she and Wonda guiding Leesha along as the next carriage pulled up and Amanvah, Sikvah, and Kendall made their solemn exit. Darsy watched them curiously.