State of Sorrow (Untitled #1)(105)

“We need a coach,” Sorrow said. “Now, please.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to leave, Miss Ventaxis. I’m sorry.” In his defence, the guard barring her way did look sorry, but Sorrow didn’t care.

“Can’t allow me?” She met his gaze with her own steady one. “Why not?”

“The vice chancellor’s orders, miss. For your safety.”

“So I’m a prisoner?”

“No, miss.”

“If I’m not a prisoner, I can leave.” Sorrow took another step and the guard raised his spear a little higher. “Get out of my—”

“Am I a prisoner too?” Irris moved forward, resting a hand on Sorrow’s shoulder in warning.

“No one is a prisoner, Lady Day. Miss Ventaxis is being guarded for her own safety.”

“And it’s you who is charged with keeping her safe?” Irris said.

“That’s right, my lady.”

“Then you can come with us. Bring some friends. There’s no point in arguing.” She held up a finger to silence any protest the guard had been about to make. “Your job is to guard Miss Ventaxis, and so you will. Wherever she goes. And you know Miss Ventaxis is running for the chancellorship. I would have thought remaining on her good side might be a priority.”

The guard swallowed.

“So I suggest you gather together four or five of your most trusted fellows, and meet us back here in ten minutes. I’ll order a coach.” Irris spoke with the authority of someone used to representing a district on the Jedenvat, of someone accustomed to being heard, and obeyed. The guard’s resistance crumbled, and he nodded, turning on his heel and walking away. He looked back twice, and Sorrow didn’t know if it was to check they were truly waiting, or because he was preparing to disobey, but in the end he disappeared around a corner. They waited in silence, and after ten minutes he returned with four other soldiers, all of whom seemed bewildered.

“Let me handle this,” Irris said under her breath, and Sorrow gave a swift, discreet nod. “Excellent,” Irris said firmly as the men approached, not giving them time to speak. “Now, because this visit is impromptu, and in the open, we don’t anticipate any attempts to harm Miss Ventaxis, as no one knows where we’re going; however, that doesn’t mean you can relax. Two of you will sit in the coach with us, two of you will accompany the driver, and the last of you can sit on the roof.”

“Where are we going?” the first soldier asked.

“To the mines. Miss Ventaxis is going to address the miners. We should be back here in good time for supper.”

Irris turned on her heel and opened the door, and Sorrow quickly followed, leaving the men scrambling in their wake.


They arrived at the mines an hour later, the coach arriving into the grounds near the main building, Sorrow’s stomach churning. She made for the door the moment the coach rolled to a halt, only for the soldier to bar her way, peering out of the window before he slipped through the door. A moment later he opened it, and nodded at her.

The courtyard was teeming with men, some covered in thick white dust from the mines, some clean before they started their shift, and they all turned as one to Sorrow as she stepped out of the coach. She faltered then, under their scrutiny, but most of them lost interest in her within seconds, and carried on with what they were doing.

“We need to find a foreman.” Irris appeared beside her.

“And do what?”

“Ask if you can go down and see the mine.”

Sorrow paused. “I thought I was going to do a speech to the union.”

“Do you have a speech?”

Sorrow shook her head.

“Well, then.”

“What am I supposed to do down there?”

“Watch. Learn. Talk. Be.”

“Can I help you?” Sorrow didn’t need to find a foreman; one had found her, and he didn’t look too happy with his discovery. He drew himself up to his full height, bringing him eye level with Sorrow. “This facility isn’t open to the public.”

“Hello, I’m Sorrow Ventaxis.” She held out a hand, and the man reluctantly shook it. “We wrote, saying we’d like to visit, and find out a little more about how I can help you and your men when I’m chancellor.”

“We thought you were your brother,” the foreman said bluntly.

“I hope you can see now that you were mistaken,” Sorrow joked. The foreman didn’t smile. “So,” she continued. “What I’d really like to do is see the mine.”

“You want to see the mine?”

“Yes,” Sorrow lied. “I’ve spent my entire life in Rhannish buildings made of Rhannish bricks. I want to see where it comes from, and meet the men who raise it.”

“I don’t know if that’s possible.” The foreman scratched his ear, frowning. “We’re not set up for visitors.”

“I don’t want a tour,” Sorrow improvised. “I want to go down into the mine and see it in action. Maybe have a go myself.”

“You want to—”

“I really do.” Sorrow cut him off. “So, do I need any protective gear?”

A bark of something like laughter from behind her made her turn.