Mirrorscape by Mike Wilks Read Free Book Online Page A

machines with articulated arms that moved up and down, left and right, in odd, purposeful patterns.
    When he finally found his voice Mel said, ‘I never imagined anything could be so big . Vlam must be very old.’
    â€˜Some say it’s half as old as the world.’
    â€˜Are all cities like Vlam?’
    â€˜I’ve travelled throughout the Seven Kingdoms but I’ve never seen its like.’ Now that they were in sight of home Dirk Tot’s mood had lifted. ‘You see those palaces?’
    â€˜Palaces,’ repeated Mel. He had never dreamed he would ever see a real palace.
    â€˜Those are the three Great Houses. To the west stands the House of Thrones, the palace of the King. You can see his purple banner. And there to the east, crowned with the golden diaglyph, is the House of Spirits. The other one to the north, the biggest of all, is the House of Mysteries.’
    â€˜Who lives in them?’
    â€˜King Spen lives in the House of Thrones and the Maven in the House of Spirits.’
    â€˜What, all on their own ?’
    Dirk Tot laughed. It was a deep, rich sound. ‘No,Mel, not on their own. The King and his entire court and council live within the House of Thrones. The realm doesn’t govern itself. The Maven is the spiritual leader of Nem. He has the Hierarchs, the Fas Major and lots of Fas Minor to keep him company. As for the Mysteries, well, there is a vast bureaucracy needed to keep that House and all its machinations functioning.’
    Mel could make out the five banners of the Mysteries fluttering from a tower so tall it seemed to scrape the underbelly of heaven itself. The topmost banner, bigger than the rest, was scarlet, emblazoned with the same black eye emblem that Adolfus Spute and his men had worn. The three soaring palaces each stood atop a steep hill. From the flanks of these hills the rest of Vlam seemed to tumble down, its headlong fall only checked by the city walls, which seemed to hold it in and prevent it from spilling out into the surrounding countryside.
    Unable to take his eyes from the spectacle, Mel asked, ‘What’re those hills called?’
    â€˜The hills are named after the palaces that stand on them. The Hill of Thrones, the Hill of Spirits and the Hill of Mysteries.’
    As they descended the steep road, Mel’s flood of questions slowed to a trickle and finally ceased, so enthralled was he by the splendour of Vlam.
    By the time they reached the city gates it was evening and lamps were being lit everywhere. The guards at the gates recognised Dirk Tot’s carriage instantly and respectfully ushered him through. The music of the wheels changed as they rumbled over the cobblestones of the city.
    Mel had never seen so many people before in his entire life, and all rushing this way and that as if there was no time to lose. There was not a scrap of tabby to be seen on anyone. All of the streets were lit by lamps that burned within glass globes on top of tall, intricately fashioned posts. He saw buildings with brightly lit lower storeys open to the street.
    â€˜Why haven’t those houses got proper walls?’ he asked, baffled.
    â€˜They’re shops, Mel. You know what shops are? They sell things.’
    â€˜Shops? I’ve never seen shops before. In Kop we make everything ourselves or barter with the othervillagers for what we need. Once a year a tinker visits with pots and pans and stuff. We usually pay him in tabby. The people here must be very rich.’
    â€˜Some are, but not everyone.’
    Mel rapidly became disoriented by their frequent twists and turns. At one point they crossed a wide river, although the bridge was so lined with shops and inns that at first Mel thought it was just another busy street. He saw that the three Great Houses were always visible above the rooftops from anywhere in the city.
    â€˜Mel, come away from the window,’ said Dirk Tot suddenly.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Those men are