The Habit of the Kingmaker Read online

  THE HABIT OF

  THE KINGMAKER

  BOOK TWO OF THE HABIT TRILOGY

  JJ MORIARTY

  Copyright © 2018 JJ Moriarty

  All rights reserved.

  The Habit Trilogy

  The Habit of the Sorcerer

  The Habit of the Kingmaker

  The Habit of the Emperor

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  CHAPTER ONE

  Using a gloved hand, Hyzou brushed the clumps of snow off his brow. The watchman looked him up and down and nodded.

  “Archaier Hyzou”, the man said. “It’s a poor night to be out walking.”

  “I was summoned”, Hyzou said.

  The watchman nodded and pointed to the road ahead of him. Hyzou was free to enter.

  Uqing. Hyzou thought.

  When he had first come here, almost five years ago, he was confused by the city’s design. For Hyzou, cities were built with walls and gates, spears and fortresses. Uqing had nothing of the sort. Uqing spread for miles in every direction, large houses on wide streets with individual gardens that most of the year were smothered in snow.

  Uqing was built this way because it didn’t need walls, spears or fortresses. It was built like that because it could defend itself with other tools.

  There was the moat in the forest, a deep trench that could be made impassable in minutes, and there was the mountain. Cold, unforgiving, steep and snowy, any army would struggle to march on it. Then, finally, there were the occupants themselves. The cost in blood of attempting to storm a city of 20,000 Servants of Qi made it unattractive to even the maddest of kings. And so, Uqing had no need for the normal security features of a city.

  Hyzou lived further up the peak than Uqing, in a small village where it was even colder and more barren. All life on the mountain was indoors, none of the open-air markets or theatres of Lamybla. No plazas or canals. Just shut doors, and a cold breeze whistling between the buildings.

  On this cold night, Hyzou knew where he was due. Once he found the heavy oak door among the blizzard, he knocked on it with confidence. He had lived here for two years, after all.

  The half-hatch at the top of the door opened, and a face poked out. Aged and bearded, the familiar face blinked at the cold outside. He couldn’t even see the foot out to where Hyzou was, so severe was the snow.

  “It’s me”, Hyzou said.

  “Oh. Hyzou. Good. Come in”, Sparrow said.

  Sparrow closed the half-hatch, then Hyzou heard the heavy wood slowly creak. Sparrow opened the door just a smidge, enough for Hyzou to slip inside.

  Inside it was still cold, but it was just warm enough for Hyzou to take his sodden moleskin overcoat off. He carried it over towards the fire, where there were a series of hooks built just for drying cloaks like his own. In front of the fire were a few others that Hyzou recognised. They nodded to him, Hyzou nodded back.

  “How is she?” Hyzou asked.

  Sparrow’s mouth tightened.

  “You should come with me”, Sparrow said.

  Hyzou nodded. He kicked the excess snow off his boots, then indicated to Sparrow that he should lead on. Sparrow brought Hyzou with him into the next room over, which was behind yet another heavy door. Inside it was entirely dark, and it was cold too. There was no fire in here, just a bed with heavy blankets.

  “Did you extinguish the fire?” Hyzou asked.

  Sparrow was about to reply, but from the bed a quiet croak came.

  “He did, because I asked him to”, she said.

  Hyzou walked to the bed, then fell to his hunkers beside it.

  “I’ll leave you to it”, Sparrow said.

  Hyzou looked back at his old master and smiled.

  “Thanks”, Hyzou said.

  The door closed. Hyzou leaned over and took Aliya’s hand. She looked at him, and Hyzou thought she smiled.

  “How are you? Master”, Hyzou said.

  “I’m not your master”, Aliya said.

  Hyzou was alarmed at how weak her voice had become.

  “What’s wrong? Sparrow said it was urgent”, Hyzou said.

  “I’m dying”, Aliya said.

  “I know”, Hyzou said.

  The physician had said four months ago that the fester had finally grown to be too much, and that Aliya was soon to die.

  “No, I’m dying tonight”, Aliya said.

  “You can’t know that”, Hyzou said.

  “I do. Because I’ve been hanging on. Hanging on for so long. And finally, this morning, the plan was put into place. Tonight, I’m letting go”, Aliya said.

  Hot tears rushed to Hyzou’s eyes.

  “Then I’ll stay with you until the end”, Hyzou said.

  “No, you won’t”, Aliya said.

  “You were there for me when I needed you, the least I can do is comfort you”, Hyzou’s voice cracked, tears rolled down his cheeks, “as you die.”

  “No. Because you need to leave tomorrow morning”, Aliya said.

  “I do?” Hyzou said.

  “I’m sorry, I wouldn’t ask you to do this, if you weren’t the only one I could trust to do it. The only one able. But you must promise me you’ll do it”, Aliya said.

  “Anything”, Hyzou said.

  “Hyzou, I need you to kill someone”, Aliya said.

  Hyzou’s eyes widened.

  “Kill someone? Why?” Hyzou said.

  “For Uqing, for the world. For peace”, Aliya said.

  “What are you talking about? Have the Archai certified this?” Hyzou asked.

  “No! Hyzou, this must remain unofficial”, Aliya said.

  “This is unlike you”, Hyzou said. “Killing someone when it wasn’t certified would mean breaching my vows.”

  “The only comfort I can give you, for what it’s worth, is that the Archai would certify it. The vote would be won easily. But they can’t vote, they can’t discuss it. Hyzou, we’re being watched”, Aliya said. “Uqing is being watched.”

  Hyzou frowned.

  “I think the fester has moved to your brain”, Hyzou said.

  Aliya coughed.

  “Do you really think I’m insane?”

  Hyzou looked her in the eyes. He shook his head.

  “No”, he said.

  “Good. Because there is a plan”, Aliya said.

  “What’s this plan?” Hyzou asked.

  “The first thing…” Aliya coughed some more. “Is that you must take one of my apprentices.”

  “I’m training a few children in my village at the moment”, Hyzou said. “But I could probably take someone new
on.”

  “Good. I want you to train Safia Min Daborah”, Aliya said.

  “Safia? She’s sixteen! How can I train someone who’s only three years younger than me?” Hyzou asked.

  “You’re the youngest Archaier ever, it shouldn’t be a surprise that you’ll be the same age as your pupils. Just because Sparrow and I were so much older than you, it doesn’t mean that every teacher must be ancient”, Aliya said, and a smile flitted past her lips. “It’s not a requirement.”

  “I don’t know, master”, Hyzou said.

  “I do. Because I’ve already arranged it. She’s your new pupil”, Aliya said.

  “Master, I…” Hyzou began.

  “This isn’t the difficult part, so you had better stop complaining and just listen”, Aliya said. “There’s more. Much more.”

  “Go on”, Hyzou said.

  “Agree to take her as your pupil”, Aliya said.

  Hyzou shrugged.

  “Sure. I agree”, Hyzou said. “I’ll do my best to teach her.”

  “You always do”, Aliya said.

  “Are you in pain? Anything I can get you?” Hyzou asked.

  “There’s no time”, Aliya said.

  “No time?” Hyzou said.

  “I grow weaker”, Aliya said.

  Hyzou began to cry again.

  “Hyzou! You must concentrate. Listen to me”, Aliya said.

  “I’m listening”, Hyzou said.

  “Sparrow knows about the plan, and now I’m going to tell you, and that’s all who can know”, Aliya said. “Safia can find out once you bring her.”

  “Bring her where?” Hyzou asked.

  “You’re going to meet an old friend. For the past number of weeks, while I was bedridden, a kind woman has been bringing me ekstasis, she thinks it will help me sleep”, Aliya said.

  “Does it do that?” Hyzou asked.

  “No. I’ve been taking it because I need it. For the last six months I have been talking to Eanno. Do you remember her Hyzou?” Aliya said.

  A shadow flashed before Hyzou’s eyes.

  “I remember her”, Hyzou said.

  “She hasn’t seen you since you were a slave in Lamybla. She’s looking forward to meeting you”, Aliya said.

  “Meet her?” Hyzou said.

  “That’s the plan”, Aliya said. “Tomorrow, while you have the light with you, you must begin to walk along the Cythet road.”

  The Cythet road was one of the few paths that led from Uqing to even further in the mountains. To the dark valleys where even the Servants didn’t stray alone.

  “No one can take the Cythet road”, Hyzou said.

  “Well that’s the first rule you’ll have to break”, Aliya said. “Follow the road for thirty miles. It’ll not be easy going.”

  “I imagine not”, Hyzou said. “That’ll take me several days.”

  “It’ll take you and Safia several days”, Aliya said.

  “She’s coming?” Hyzou asked.

  “She’s your apprentice. It’s your duty to train her. You must do your duty”, Aliya said.

  “I always do. What’ll I find after thirty miles of walking along the Cythet road?” Hyzou asked.

  “Eanno. She’ll be there, and she’ll tell you the plan. She’ll explain it Hyzou, tell you why it’s so important that you complete your mission. But now, I want you to promise it to me now Hyzou. The name she gives you, you’ll kill that man”, Aliya said.

  “I can’t believe you’d ask me to do that, without knowing who first”, Hyzou said.

  “As I said, Uqing is being watched. We can’t speak about it here. Eanno will explain, but I need your promise!” Aliya said.

  “I promise, but only because it’s you”, Hyzou said.

  Aliya fell deeper into her pillow, sunk into her blankets. She had lost a lot of weight these past few months, and now the bed seemed to dominate her, as if she were a small ship in a huge ocean.

  “You don’t know how much peace it gives me, as I pass on. To know that you’ll be here, taking care of this most pressing problem. You’ll solve it Hyzou, I know you will”, Aliya said. “You’ve always been a talented pupil.”

  “Don’t go”, Hyzou said.

  “But I must. There’s no life left in me anymore, and I held on for as long as I could. My time has come, just as yours will someday too”, Aliya said.

  “I wish I’d known you sooner Aliya. I don’t know what I’d have done without you. You saved my life. When I was nothing but a slave, poor and unwanted”, Hyzou said.

  Aliya’s breaths were shorter now, getting caught in the folds of her throat.

  “I love you Aliya”, Hyzou said. “You’re like a mother to me.”

  “And you’re the son I never had”, Aliya said.

  Aliya’s breathing had almost stopped, her eyes looked shiny, like she couldn’t see.

  “Please, Aliya. Please”, Hyzou said, unable to think of what to say.

  “When I see your father, I’ll tell him you think of him”, Aliya said.

  Hyzou touched her brow, but there was nothing he could do. She was dead.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The room was thick with people, but Hyzou didn’t bother to try and sense out who they were. He didn’t pay them any attention, until a strong set of fingers dug into his shoulder and began to pull him away from Aliya’s bed. Hyzou reached out with his Qi and felt a familiar soul brush against his.

  “Come, Hyzou”, Sparrow said.

  Hyzou’s face was lined with tears, fresh ones falling with every second.

  “Come along. We must talk”, Sparrow whispered.

  And the old man steered him out of the room with a force only the old sorcerer could have.

  “What’s wrong?” Hyzou asked, once they had left the bedchamber.

  “Upstairs”, Sparrow said.

  Hyzou felt his anger flare.

  Doesn’t he know she died? Hyzou thought.

  Sparrow led Hyzou up a set of steps so steep as to almost be a ladder, which led to a rafter that took up one whole side of the house’s roof. This was Sparrow’s quarters, where he slept and had his own personal study.

  “What’s going on?” Hyzou said.

  “Speak softly”, Sparrow said.

  “What’s going on?” Hyzou whispered this time.

  “You must return home. You’ve to go straight to sleep”, Sparrow said.

  “Go home? I’m here to mourn for Aliya”, Hyzou said.

  “So how about you adhere to her dying wishes?” Sparrow said.

  Hyzou froze. He had forgotten completely about them. The death itself had wiped his brain clean.

  “Oh. Sorry”, Hyzou said.

  “That’s ok. I know it’s hard on you. It’s hard on me too. But she thought this was important, very important. Bigger than us”, Sparrow said.

  “Yes. She did”, Hyzou said.

  “Sit Hyzou”, Sparrow said.

  Hyzou sat on a wicker chair, Sparrow did the same.

  “Tomorrow morning at the break of light, Safia Min Daborah will be waiting for you outside the buttery. I’ll see to it that there are supplies there waiting for you two too. Eat breakfast between you, then set off along the Cythet road”, Sparrow said.

  “You arranged all of this?” Hyzou said.

  “I’ve arranged so that people think I’ve sent the two of you into the mountains to search for eclectic herbs”, Sparrow said. “They won’t question that you’re gone. Not for long anyway.”

  “How long will we be gone for?” Hyzou said.

  “Who knows? That depends on the task you are set. Although that was what I wanted to talk to you about”, Sparrow said.

  “What was?” Hyzou asked.

  “When you’ve completed this venture”, Sparrow said. “What will you do once you’re back here?”

  “Do we have to talk about this now?” Hyzou asked.

  “This is the last time I’ll see you before you leave. You’ve been here for four and a half years, three of which
you were my pupil. You haven’t left Uqing since then, this is our last chance to talk”, Sparrow said.

  “You’re right, master. I wasn’t thinking”, Hyzou said.

  “Four and a half years ago, I first saw you by the banks of a stream”, Sparrow said.

  “I remember”, Hyzou said.

  “I knew you were powerful then, but your progress has been remarkable”, Sparrow said.

  “I couldn’t have done it without you. You know that”, Hyzou said.

  “The youngest Archaier in history, or at least in the records we have. You know, of course, that Archaiers serve, usually, in one way or another”, Sparrow said.

  “Yes. They work for Uqing”, Hyzou said.

  “And you have your job lined up?” Sparrow said.

  “I want to join the mercenary corps”, Hyzou said.

  Sparrow smiled

  “Yes, that would make some people around Uqing very happy”, Sparrow said.

  “It would?” Hyzou asked.

  “Your power scares them - if you join the mercenary corps you’ll be far from Uqing, you may even leave the Crown Cities”, Sparrow said. “There’s a comfort there for the traditionalists.”

  “Sudgata”, Hyzou said. “I know he doesn’t like me much.”

  Hyzou, despite being elevated to their ranks a year ago, knew remarkably little about some of the other Archaiers.

  “Sudgata doesn’t, no. But others too. They trained for decades to join the Archai, that you’re only nineteen and are already a member disgusts them. They feel that the wisdom of a long life is necessary to lead”, Sparrow said.

  “And my decision to join the mercenary corps makes them feel better?” Hyzou said.

  “Because those in the mercenary corps don’t lead, they fight”, Sparrow said.

  Hyzou frowned.

  “What’s that supposed to mean? There’s a lot of leading to be done on a battlefield”, Hyzou said.

  Sparrow glared at him, then he sighed and rubbed his fingers through what remained of his thin hair.

  “I’ve held many positions in my life in the Servants, but for the last fifty years I’ve been training pupils from this very house. I trained your father. His brothers”, Sparrow said.

  “I know”, Hyzou said.

  “You know them. Luan, the greatest warrior I’ve ever trained. Brutal and violent and deadly. Orman, charming and attractive, he was loved by all. Then there was Mygst, your father was born to be a leader. He would have been the Protakyrios had he not died”, Sparrow said.