The Traitor Queen

They had just crested a long, low hill. Before them, the road stretched in a nearly straight line and was busy with people and carts – even the occasional fancy carriage. At first she had wondered what reason the former slaves had for roaming about, other than to exercise their newfound freedom to go where they wanted. Surely it made sense to take over the estates they had worked on, so that they would have food and shelter.

Then they’d witnessed the reunion between two women, one older and one younger, and realised they were mother and daughter. A young woman cried out with joy as she was handed a baby by a man. Two young men hurried to meet each other, calling out “brother!” Couples of all ages embraced, walked and talked with each other.

Their masters may have forbidden them to marry, she thought. They may have bred them like domestic animals, but they could not stop them from feeling the bonds of love and family, despite slavery existing here for more than a thousand years.

“I always believed slavery was wrong and was proud Kyralia ended it as soon as we were free to,” Regin said. “But that happened centuries ago. We Kyralians never really comprehended it, because we never saw it for ourselves.”

Sonea nodded. Looking at Regin, she felt an unexpected affection. If the Traitors lose, then at least I got the chance to see the compassion and humility in him.

“Perhaps that’s why we failed to end it,” he continued, “when we conquered Sachaka. It had been too long since we’d endured it ourselves.”

Sonea shook her head. “But it had only been a few hundred years since Kyralia and Elyne regained their independence and ended slavery.”

“Enough time for those who knew what it was like to die of old age, and the concept to become an abstract idea to their descendants.”

“And yet we still have an aversion to it, passed down for a further seven hundred years.”

“Only because it is something we associated with Sachakans.”

Sonea chuckled darkly. “Ah, yes. Because that made them hateful, which made us morally superior. Never underestimate the pleasure of seeing faults in others.”

Regin turned to frown at her. “You don’t think slavery is—”

“Of course not. I just wish we’d done this when we had the chance.” She gestured to the people before them. “And that the Allied Lands had accepted the Traitors’ invitation.”

“You’d have us go to war, when most of us are too weak to make a difference?”

“Yes. But in our own way.”

Regin looked at her, then his eyes widened. “By the Guild giving you and Kallen all our power.”

“Which I have taken already. All we had to do was prepare and send for Kallen.”

“Or Lilia?” Regin frowned. “No... she is too young.”

“Not much younger than I was when I fought in my first war, but yes, I wouldn’t wish that on her and we shouldn’t risk losing all magicians with knowledge of black magic.”

Regin smiled. “Though it appears it can be learned from a book, after all.”

“Yes.” Sonea sighed. “I suspect the Guild will lose its battle against black magic soon. If the Traitors win it’ll be even harder to...” She paused as she saw a couple on horseback riding toward them. They wore Traitor garb, and looked familiar. The pair were looking at her and Regin. “Those two look like they’re coming to meet us.”

Regin squinted against the bright sunlight. “And they don’t look surprised to see us either. I expect someone has told them we didn’t go home.”

They watched as the pair drew closer. A man and a woman, Sonea noted. Is she the magician and he a source of power? she wondered. Or did the Traitors train their men to use magic so they could fight? A few strides away, the couple turned their horses to block Sonea’s path.

“Black Magician Sonea,” the woman said. “Lord Regin. I am Saral, this is Temi. Queen Savara asks why you have not returned home.”

Sonea paused as if to consider her answer. She had expected the question, but didn’t want her answer to seem too well rehearsed.

“The Guild is obliged to ensure its members will be safe, when in other lands,” she told them. “I am here to ensure our Healers will not be in danger.”

The woman’s eyes went blank, then focused on Sonea again. “We will make sure all Guild magicians entering Sachaka are unharmed.”

“So you have the time to patrol the roads, and have Traitors free to act as guards and escorts, at the same time as fighting the Ashaki? I would rather you put your resources into achieving your aims.” Sonea stepped forward until she was looking up at Saral, addressing the woman she knew was watching her through the ring Saral was wearing. “Not the least because you have my son with you,” she added, lowering and hardening her tone. “Do you really expect me to go home? I am one magician, and no threat to you or your people, Queen Savara.” She smiled. “Whether you have Lorkin with you or not.”

Saral’s chin lifted, then her gaze flickered away again and she scowled. Her face fell and she looked down at Sonea.

“You may continue to Arvice,” she said. “On the condition that you do not enter the city before we do, and you do not side with the Ashaki. I can’t guarantee your safety if you get in the way, and if you or your lover influence the battle against us you will both be killed.”

Sonea inclined her head. “I give you my word that we will keep to these conditions.”

Saral’s lips thinned and her shoulders slumped. “Temi and I will escort you,” she said. Beside her, Temi made a small noise of protest.

Sonea nodded again. “Thank you. For the sake of avoiding embarrassment, I should point out that you are wrong in one matter.”

“What?” Saral’s eyes narrowed.

“Lord Regin is not my lover.”

The woman’s eyebrows rose into a disbelieving expression. She said nothing in reply, instead turning her horse so that it faced the way she had come. Temi did the same, smirking as he moved to take a position on the other side of Sonea. Regin stepped forward to stand beside Sonea. He met her eyes briefly.

“Traitors like gossip as much as everyone else,” he murmured, smiling.

Sonea shrugged and started walking. Such gossip could be dangerous. An enemy, thinking they were a couple, might try to harm Regin in order to blackmail her. But, as she’d hinted to Savara through Saral, if the Traitors wanted to blackmail her, they already had Lorkin. Still... Regin would be a better target, if Tyvara cares for Lorkin and Savara cares about Tyvara’s feelings.

She looked at Regin, and he turned to meet her gaze. If he was worried, he was keeping it well hidden. His eyebrows rose in question, then his mouth twitched into a small, secretive smile. She looked away. Anyone watching him would think we were a couple. She looked back at the days they’d spent together since leaving Imardin. It had been a relief to find they got along with each other. That she didn’t mind his company, and he didn’t seem to mind hers. But what was it that others saw to make them think more was going on? I’m not doing anything, she thought. Is it Regin, then? Surely...

She shook her head. No. He’s not in love with me. Don’t be ridiculous.

But what if he was? She thought back. Tried to remember everything he’d said. Tried to recall how he’d spoken to her, behaved around her, looked at her. She remembered how she had started to ask herself the same question before, in the carriage after leaving the Fort. What had he said to make her wonder? That he had admired her for years.

Was he trying to tell me more? She shook her head again. Does it only seem that way now that I’m wondering about it?

She couldn’t ask him, because the Traitors would hear. But if an opportunity came to talk with Regin privately... The thought of it made her throat close up. I can’t do that. What if I’m wrong? It would be embarrassing for the both of us. Or would it be worse if I’m right? At least I’m sure I’m not in love with him.

A tangle of contradictory feelings and thoughts followed. It took all her self-control to keep her steps regular