The God Tattoo: Untold Tales from the Twilight Reign (12 page)

‘You cannot stay in the water, mortal. You will not deny me my prize, not now a bargain has been made.’

‘Really? You should learn to listen, my friend.’

Morghien waded towards the daemon, jingling a handful of tarnished coins and offering them forward for the daemon to see. The act enraged the daemon further, but as much as it slashed and
scraped wildly at the air they both knew it couldn’t enter the river.

Reaching the bank, Morghien held the fistful of coins up and waved them just out of the daemon’s reach.

‘Dead man’s coins, aren’t they?’ he demanded. ‘Coins put in the lips of dead sinners while they’re laid out. Some part o’ the soul is tied to the coin,
staying cool in the water to ease whatever torment awaits them.’

‘They will not escape their fate,’ spat the daemon, ‘no witch’s charm can deny it.’

Morghien smiled. ‘Their last judgement ain’t mine to pronounce, but I see no reason to let the lowest of Ghenna’s creatures hold these souls as currency.’

‘All souls are currency,’ the daemon snarled, ‘and yours will join them as soon as you leave this water.’

‘Sorry, ugly, but I’m not the fool I look,’ Morghien said with a smile. He pointed down at the daemon’s feet. ‘That’s a circle of stones you’re standing
in. My magic may not be up to much, but it’s enough to seal one of those for the night.’

The daemon screamed and raged at the barrier containing it, but to no avail. As hard as it thrashed it could do nothing to break free. Morghien smiled and reached one hand out over the water. A
ghostly white arm rose up from the surface and deposited a handful more coins in his palm before contentedly drifting back down.

‘One of the useful things about being possessed by an Aspect of Vasle,’ Morghien continued, ‘is it’s not hard finding stuff in water. These’ll be coming with me
– I can always make a home for another few spirits. I don’t think the witches of these parts’ll be leaving coins in this stretch of river ever again.’

He stowed the coins in a pocket and dragged his pack from the bank, resting it on one shoulder to keep it well clear of the water he stood in. In the advancing dark he could make out little
detail of the daemon beyond its glowing yellow eyes, but it was enough to see it knew when it was beaten.

‘As for the stones binding you, the witch’ll fetch them in the morning; once the dawn’s light has made that scabby little body of yours melt like mist.’ He gave the
daemon a cheery wave and started making his way towards the opposite bank.

‘Come dusk tomorrow,’ Morghien called over his shoulder, ‘those stones’ll be strung on a chain and hung from a bridge. Since your kind can’t cross water and the
witch has got all the folk round here properly under her thumb, you’ll have to wait for the bridge to collapse or the river to run dry before you’re released. Either way, enjoy your
time in the sun.’

He reached the other side and hauled himself out of the water with a groan. Once on the bank Morghien shook himself like a dog to get the worst of the water off before giving the daemon a
mocking bow. Along the far bank he walked, heading for the village for a beer well-earned, whistling merrily all the way. The daemon could only howl.

Marshal Calath leaned forward in his seat and idly scratched his outstretched leg. It was a hindrance at the best of the times, but when the wind rushed down the chimney and
rain thrashed at the window, the malformed limb caused him even greater discomfort. His host, Magistrate Derran, noticed the movement and raised an eyebrow. Calath waved the unspoken question away,
brushing the trouser down and returning his hand to his lap.

A goblet of brandy nestled there while wisps of cigar smoke drifted past his face. Calath resumed his previous position, head titled to rest slightly against the high side of his armchair,
half-looking into the blazing fire but focused on nothing. There was a sprawl of rugs underfoot, expensive weaves that covered the wood-tiled floor and looked bright and warm in the light of the
room’s three candelabras.

This snug was considerably less impressive than the formal elegance of the rest of the manor, but a welcome place to while away the last hours of the evening. After a cold day and a fine meal,
Calath had even partaken in a small cigar himself as suitable accompaniment to the brandy, much to his friend’s approval.

‘I thought we might make to join the hunt over at Alscap Hall tomorrow,’ said Magistrate Derran, every syllable rounded with hearty vigour.

Calath looked up through fragile eyes, his nervous features cautiously approaching a laugh until he realised the man was serious. ‘Derran, somehow I think my leg will scarcely have healed
by then.’

The plump magistrate stared down at Calath’s leg through the warm confusion of brandy, then realisation caught hold and he threw back his head in laughter.

‘Hah! Too true my friend, but I hardly would have suggested riding with the hunt. What a fine pair we’d make; yourself with that leg caught in the stirrups and me fretting about
breaking the back of the poor beast I was riding!’

The marshal smiled weakly at the idea. For all the humour Ves Derran found in it, Calath could only imagine the prickling horror of being once more the comical centrepiece. He reached absently
down to stroke the wolfhound dozing between their two chairs. The rough mess of grey fur shifted slightly at his touch, but the attention soon proved welcome and the dog leaned into Calath’s
thin fingers as he gently scratched the creature’s flank.

‘No, my friend, I meant that we attend in a vastly more civilised capacity. Count Alscap is well known for his hospitality; truly I believe he will take offence if I do not present such an
excellent guest for his pleasure.’

‘Now Derran, you know how I am not that sort of man . . .’ Calath began before a flurry of gestures and friendly heckles drowned out his soft protestations.

‘Bah! None of that, quiet you old woman! Alscap is a fine man, perfectly without the pretensions you work so hard to avoid. I tell you, you will more than enjoy yourself there. I know what
you city folk think of us – simple and insular to name a few of the words I’ve heard used – but some out here are the very best of humanity. And that brings me to my principal
reason for taking you there. There is a certain young lady—’

‘Derran, please! I had thought better of you,’ exclaimed Calath, stiffening his spine to stare down his portly companion. ‘I hoped to spend my time here in blissful absence of
such harpings.’

‘Ah my dear Calath, how could I attempt to imitate such a fine tyrant as your mother? My hands tremble to even contemplate the prospect.’

The magistrate who made such great levity of threats and curses bestowed from the dock, held up his meaty paws and shook them with great pantomime, but it failed to raise a smile. ‘I
demand nothing, nor will I suggest solitary walks and the like as I’ve heard done in the past. I claim no knowledge or ability in arranging the annals of romance. Surely my wife must have
regaled you half-a-dozen times with my bungling attempts to woe her!’

Calath regarded his friend coldly as the magistrate chuckled at the memory, but was soon won over by the infectious noise. Once more the shy, bookish marshal felt great pangs of envy for his
extravagant, expansive friend. The man took such magnificent delight in life and the Land around him, it was impossible to dislike him or remain angry in his presence for long.

Indeed, Ves Derran was renowned as a man incapable of retaining mere acquaintances. The regular traffic of callers and invitations testified to the fact that if you didn’t consider the
magistrate a friend, you couldn’t have met him outside court. There were more than a few who bore him a grudge, for he was a terror for truth and protocol in his own domain, but five minutes
at some gathering or another was easily enough time to secure an invitation to dinner, and reason to accept.

By consequence, it had always mystified the reticent Calath quite why Derran possessed such a fondness for him – but possess it he did, like a blazing torch of goodness that quite shamed
those who looked down on the crippled academic. It was for this buoying reason Calath had accepted the open invitation when his health took a turn for the worse. His physician had prescribed
country air, rest and companionship, and the timing had proved fortuitous. Derran had been delighted at the prospect, having been facing a month alone as his wife went to assist the wedding
preparations of an orphaned niece.

‘As I was about to say,’ continued Derran, wagging a finger in mock admonishment, ‘I feel sure there will be a lady there who will make the onerous task bearable. She is the
daughter of a knight whose brother is no doubt known to you from Narkang—’

Calath raised a hand. ‘Please, save me the credentials. You know I’d rather keep my distance from political families.’

Oh, I know what you’re after,’ replied his friend with a twinkling eye, ignoring the outraged look he received, ‘but I was merely stating that any exacting parent would
approve. Your mother could hardly object to the niece of the king’s first minister, Count Antern, whether or not you like the man yourself. The woman herself is a delightful creature, both in
looks and demeanour—’

‘And I have heard that said before,’ Calath broke in. ‘I know well enough that a lady’s demeanour is a measure of her docile stupidity.’

‘And I swear I shall rap you about the ears with my stick if you interrupt again!’ bellowed Derran in exasperation, his ears turning a curious purple by the force of his cry. Calath
shrank back in his chair; too well acquainted with his friend to fear the man, but now able to believe the reports of how he ruled his court.

‘Is that the end of your interruptions?’ Derran barked imperiously. ‘Yes? Excellent. As I was saying, she is a delightful creature; generous in spirit and deed, in addition to
the intellect the Gods have granted her.’

The magistrate’s face softened, his gentle smile returning. ‘Calath, you forget I’m not your mother – for all I lament a lack of attributes that would have brought me to
the post of High Inquisitor – but a friend who knows you as well as any, I fancy. I tell you this lady will enchant you. She is polite and well presented in all ways, but her parents consider
her intelligence a curse to marriage for she has seen off several suitors with the power of argument.’

Derran’s eyes twinkled. ‘Aha! I thought a mind to complement your own would strike some vein of masculine interest. See how I know your mind better than yourself? Now, I shall say
nothing more on the subject to protect you from any harping, trumpeting or even fluting. I am confident enough in my judgement as it is – a fortunate thing in my profession. Even drunk as a
judge as I may be right now, I know you will be bewitched on the morrow.’

Derran scratched at the thick stubble on his face, pausing to peer curiously at his hand. He waved the stubby paw back and forth, then lowered it and set his goblet on a side table.

‘And now I realise the need to retire. I bid you good night and dreams of the Lady Meranna.’

The magistrate heaved himself to his feet, tree-trunk legs as steady as ever despite the quantities of wine he’d managed since the sun neared the horizon. With a theatrical bow he left the
fireside and stamped to the door, clicking his fingers to the hound that was already at his heel. Derran dragged open the ancient oak door and discovered his servant poised on the other side,
arriving to refill their glasses.

‘Aha, good man, I was wondering where you’d disappeared off to. I’m to bed, as that reprobate by the fire should also do. But fetch him some warmed milk first, and then retire
yourself. Must have you bright and alert for tomorrow, eh Calath?’

Not waiting for an answer, Derran ploughed on past his faithful servant and off to his room. Milk was brought and sipped idly as Calath stared into the fire, a curious anxiety building over the
possibilities of the next day. The flames danced carelessly in a manner he’d often dreamed of – unaware and free, ever graceful and mysterious.

With a malformed leg, Calath had found his entire life a struggle to maintain some form of dignity. A childhood indoors, away from the activity most noble-born boys engaged in, had left him with
a face more thin and pale than handsome. He was painfully glad that there were men who admired his intellect, more every year as Narkang’s prosperity bred a more genteel nobility, but few men
envied a cripple.

Though that admiration and recognition were scant comfort, he reminded himself the flattered dandies and brainless soldiers – all so quick to mock in public and private – would all
find their charms waning as the years passed. By contrast his skills and reputation would only increase in the coming decades. Glory might never be his, but the king was building a nation that
might one day celebrate academics and Calath hoped he might leave a legacy that went beyond battles or petty court intrigues.

The candles burned low and a few eventually extinguished, but since Derran had dismissed the butler for the night Calath found himself amid shadows that grew steadily darker and sharper. The
tall oak bookcases and cabinets, formerly so welcomed by a learned man, grew mysterious and watching. The marshal huddled up against the gloom, suddenly looking about at some perceived noise. Up
behind the chair, into the corners, at the ground beneath the curtains; only once the room was fully inspected did he mutter chastisements for his drunken foolishness.

The dark was no friend of his, however and once unsettled the marshal found himself restless. Calath sighed and realised he should also be abed rather than linger with the embers of the fire.
The room had chilled with the waning light; though still snug enough for a few minutes longer, Calath was glad to stir from the armchair. He hoisted himself upright, leaning heavily on his walking
stick and dragged the guard before the fire. That done he made his way upstairs, all the while listening for dark noises about him though none ever came.