Death and the Emperor

Book 3 Chapter XXII: In the Blood

That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day. -- Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Kilan saw Death everywhere. Not as he had when he was barely more than a boy and searching frantically for any sign of her, whether she was there or not. Now she was definitely there, a movement in the shadows or a face in the crowd almost everywhere he went. Sometimes she moved closer to whisper a sarcastic observation in his ear while some boring dignitary was rambling through a speech. Other times she walked beside him through historic buildings, telling him about their history and making it sound much more interesting than any of the guide books did.

Qihadal knew she was there. Kilan had seen the brief frown that crossed her face when Death appeared. But she said nothing, and he wasn't about to broach the subject.

Today, almost two weeks into the royal tour, there were no speeches to make, no dinners to prepare for, and no events to attend. Kilan felt as if he had spent the last few days with a weight on his shoulders, and only realised it was there when it was removed. These days with nothing but sightseeing to do were few and far between. They had been Gialma's idea, strangely enough.

"No one can spend an entire month travelling without any rest," the prince had said, and the other Counsellors had shrugged and added days marked 'no events' to the itinerary.

Kilan had never thought he'd be grateful to his cousin for anything. But he had to admit that in this matter at least, Gialma had more sense than he had thought.

The fortress city of Nirurashou had been built on an island many centuries ago. In the years since then it had gradually expanded until it was too big for the island. Now the banks of the river surrounding it were covered with streets and buildings and houses, while the historic city centre was the home of the most expensive shops and most well-to-do people. Two bridges on either side of the island connected the city centre with its outskirts. And built on the highest part of the island was the old guard tower.

Years ago guards had been stationed in this tower all the time. From its top they had been able to see for miles around. No enemies could escape being seen, whether they came over the land or on the water. From the lower windows guards could look down on the city and be sure that all was well. Its streets were laid out in a regular pattern, all leading to the guard tower, so the guards could see all the way down to the wharves without having to patrol the city.

Now new and improved guard towers had been built on the outskirts of the city, and the old tower had become only a museum and tourist attraction. Kilan wandered around it that afternoon, looking at the old weapons and artifacts on display. Death walked beside him, occasionally pointing out something of interest.

"That's the old kyolam[1]," Death said, pointing to a massive metal horn, now cracked and rusted, standing in a display case on its own. "It could be heard for ten miles around. It took years for any enemies to reach the city without being frightened away by that horn."

Once Nirurashou had been the capital of a small kingdom separate from Carann. Kilan knew only some of its history. But he suspected that the majority of the enemies trying to get into the city had been the armies of his ancestors.

"How did someone eventually get in without the guards raising the alarm?" he asked, looking out the window. They were two floors and several flights of stairs away from the top of the tower, but he could still see far into the distance.