The Shadow Of What Was Lost (Book 1)

by James Islington

  "Not your fault." Wirr stared at the floor, his brow furrowed as he said the words. "My uncle is very sick; I'm sure it would have come out eventually." He rubbed his face. "Word's already spreading, though, and I have no idea what the consequences are going to be. I can't stay around here for long."

  "Neither can I, Dav." Asha looked torn as she said the words. "You have no idea how much I want to sit down with you, tell you everything that's been happening... but Wirr caught me just as I was leaving. There are things I need to do before the Blind get here. Important things. I've only got a few minutes." She gave him a rueful smile.

  "She never believed you were gone." A guilty expression spread across Wirr's face. "I shouldn't have, either... I never would have left you in Deilannis, but Taeris lost his connection with your Shackle, and...."

  "It's okay, Wirr," Davian reassured him. "There was nothing you could have done. Believe me." His gaze returned to Asha, head spinning. "So if you're alive.... is everyone else...?"

  Asha's face twisted. "No," she said gently. "Just me."

  Davian nodded; there was the momentary pain of having that flicker of hope crushed so quickly, but the joy of seeing Asha again was stronger by far. "It's still a miracle," he said, unable to wipe the smile from his face.

  Wirr gripped him by the shoulder, as if testing to see if he was truly there. "So what happened? Where have you been?" He hesitated. "Is Nihim with you?"

  "No." It was Davian's turn to grimace. "He died in Deilannis. As to the rest, it's difficult to explain quickly. If you really have to go..."

  Wirr nodded, looking frustrated. "I really do."

  Davian sighed; he understood the need, but this reunion with his friends was going to be all too brief. "Any ideas as to what I should be doing next, then? This was as far ahead as I'd thought," he admitted. "I have control of some of my Augur powers, now. There must be some way I can help."

  Wirr and Asha exchanged glances. "You can Read people?" asked Asha.

  "Yes. Why?" Davian smiled slightly at the odd expression on his friends' faces. "Don't worry. I'm not going to Read either of you."

  Wirr shook his head, remaining serious. "It's not that, Dav." He hesitated. "It's Ilseth Tenvar."

  Davian felt his expression twist in sudden anger at the name. "Where is he?"

  "Locked up in Tol Athian," supplied Asha. "But he's not talking."

  "Asha and I were discussing this a few days ago," continued Wirr. "That box for Caeden, the attacks to find me... we know it's all connected to this invasion."

  "And if I Read Tenvar, there's a chance we might find out something useful about the Blind," finished Davian, unable to keep the reluctance from his tone. He rubbed his forehead, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He badly wanted Ilseth to answer for what he'd done, but suddenly, the thought of facing him made Davian queasy. "Caeden didn't get his memory back then, I take it?"

  "The Council refused to help him," said Wirr. "I don't know the details, but I think Taeris is still trying to convince them."

  Davian was silent for a moment as he processed the information. "And Tenvar's said nothing?"

  "So far as we've been told," said Asha, a little bitterly.

  Wirr grimaced, nodding. "Things have been... strained between the palace and the Tol, as you can probably imagine if you've heard anything about how my uncle's been acting. The Council have all but cut off communications now; we asked to see Tenvar the other day and they refused us entry. As is their right under the Treaty, unfortunately."

  Davian gave a thoughtful nod. "So you can't get me in," he said. "If I want to see Tenvar, I'll probably have to tell them that I'm an Augur." He rolled back his sleeve, revealing the smooth skin where his Mark had once been. "They're going to take some convincing if I don't."

  Wirr and Asha both stared in silence for a few seconds.

  "Fates," murmured Wirr. "How...." Then he shook his head, looking frustrated. "No time; you'll just have to tell us everything when all this is over. But you're right - you are going to have to tell them you're an Augur. That's one of the reasons we haven't sent any of ours yet."

  Davian gave him a puzzled look. "Our what?"

  "Augurs." Asha grinned at Davian's expression, which he felt turn from bemusement to outright disbelief as he stared at her. "A long story. Only one of them can really Read people though, and he's too valuable at the palace at the moment. If we expose him to Athian, it would be too risky for him to come back and assume no-one from here will find out."

  Davian was silent for a long few moments as he digested what Asha had said. "Tenvar managed to lie to me. He knows how to shield himself. I'm not sure there's any use sending anyone to Read him, to be honest," he said eventually, a little dazed.

  "We know, Dav. The chances of getting anything useful are slim - we just thought it might be worth trying." Asha laid a reassuring hand on his arm. "If you don't think it is, though, I'm sure there are other ways you can help." To her side, Wirr nodded his agreement.

  Davian thought for several more seconds, then shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "I'll do it. If there's even a slight possibility we can get answers from him, then we should try."

  Wirr quickly related how to get to the Tol and then glanced at the door, clearly anxious to leave. "I hate to go so soon, Dav, but I need to get away from here before an Administrator finds me. The El-cursed Fourth Tenet is an awfully dangerous thing right now," he said, looking nervous. "I'm going to head to Fedris Idri until my father sends word that everything is under control; it's unlikely Administration will try anything while I'm surrounded by my uncle's soldiers. Find me there if you discover anything important." He embraced Davian. "Fates, it's good to have you back. When this is all over, we'll celebrate your return from the dead. Properly."

  "I'd expect nothing less." Davian turned to Asha, and they both hesitated for a second. Then she wrapped him in a long, tight hug, her cheek against his.

  "Be careful," she said softly. "We have some things to talk about when this is all over."

  Davian gave her a gentle squeeze. "I know. You too, Asha."

  Wirr was standing impatiently by the door. "You can find your own way out?"

  Davian nodded. "As long as the guards at the gate won't stop me."

  "They won't," Wirr promised. "Give me five minutes to speak to them, then head out."

  With that, he left. Asha paused in the doorway, giving him one last, brilliant smile over her shoulder before she followed suit.

  Davian sat, still trying to comprehend everything that had just taken place. Asha was alive. It didn't seem possible, was too good to be true. After all he'd endured over the past few months, this was a ray of hope, of happiness, he'd not dared to think was possible.

  Suddenly the door was opening again, and Davian leapt up warily.

  "Davian?" A scarred face peered into the room.

  "Taeris!" Davian relaxed again, smiling. He gave a soft laugh of relief. "Is everyone I know at the palace today? How did you know I was here?"

  "A friend mentioned it." Taeris made a face. "Word tends to get around when the man we're depending on to defend us goes completely mad."

  "Ah. Yes." Davian crossed the room, embracing the older man. "It's good to see you again."

  "You too, lad. Fates, you too." Taeris smiled, and Davian suddenly noticed a long, pink scar across his cheek, overlaid on some of the others. It looked fresher, newly healed.

  "Where's Caeden?" Davian's heart suddenly dropped. "Is he okay?"

  "He's fine," Taeris rushed to assure him.

  "And his memories?"

  Taeris took a deep breath. "Nothing so far - but given how close the Blind are getting, I'm going to see if we can do something about that in a few hours." He outlined his plan to break into Tol Athian using the Travel Stones.

  Davian gave a thoughtful nod once he was finished. "I'm about to go there myself," he said. "If there's any way I can help keep them off your backs, I will."

  "I appreciate that
, lad." Taeris smiled. "So. Where have you been?"

  Davian opened his mouth to reply, then hesitated. He didn't believe what Driscin had told him, and yet.... the man from Tol Shen hadn't lied.

  "I'll explain in a moment, but first I need to know something. When was the first time you saw me?”

  Taeris blinked, surprised by the question. “The day you were attacked, of course,” he said, looking puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

  Davian stiffened. It was faint, but it was there - pain in his temples.

  Taeris was lying, and trying to mask it.

  "I see." He was silent for a moment, trying to contain his suddenly roiling emotions. “Tell me... did you plan it? When I got this.” He raised his head, pointing to his scar. “Did you get those men to rough me up so that I would get scared, be forced to find my powers? Was it all a plan that went horribly wrong? Is that why you saved me?”

  Taeris paled. “Of course not,” he said hurriedly. “Who has been telling you this? I’d never….” He trailed off as he saw Davian’s expression.

  Once again, that faint but insistent throbbing. Another lie.

  Davian couldn’t take it any more, couldn’t stand to be in the same room as this man.

  "I have to go, Taeris," he said softly, hurt and disbelief making his voice tight. "Just... don't follow me."

  He walked out without another word, blocking out whatever Taeris called after him, emotions churning. He hadn't found the allies he'd expected at the palace, but at least he had somewhere to go now. Something to do.

  It was time to get some answers from Ilseth Tenvar.

  - Chapter 48 -

  Asha walked through the silent city streets as dawn broke, a smile plastered across her face despite the task that lay before her.

  Davian was alive. She'd known it, but it still hadn't truly felt real until she'd seen him, felt his arms around her. It had been hard to leave him again so soon, but she knew she couldn't afford to delay in trying to contact the Shadraehin. The Blind were on the march, and could be at the city within a couple of days - maybe earlier. There would be time for a proper reunion once all of this was over.

  Her smile faded. There would be time, if they survived.

  The empty streets and hurriedly boarded-up stores around her were a stark reminder of what was coming. Last night's news had travelled fast; nearly everything was closed, silent, and the few civilians walking the streets looked nervous and spoke to each other only in hushed tones. Even to Asha, who had only been out in the city a few times, the scene was surreal. There was a heaviness, a deep sense of impending doom hanging over everything like a thundercloud.

  She headed towards the Silver Talon, one of the smaller taverns in the Middle District, and the only name she remembered from the note she'd burned a month or so ago. It was hardly a foolproof plan, but she didn't know her way to the Sanctuary. This was the only place she could think of to contact the Shadraehin.

  She soon arrived outside the tavern, a two-story brick building that, like everything else in the street, was closed and empty. After a minute of peering vainly through windows into the murky interior, Asha gave up and settled down on the doorstep.

  It was a half-hour later when crunching footsteps indicated someone's approach.

  She looked up to see a thin, distinguished-looking man striding towards her, the black lines on his face stark against his pale skin.

  "Ashalia Chaedris?"

  She nodded.

  "Come with me."

  Asha scrambled to her feet, giving a silent sigh of relief. She followed the man through a series of desolate back streets, the echo of their footsteps often the only sound. Her guide ignored her for the most part, swivelling his head occasionally to make sure she was keeping up, but otherwise keeping his eyes fixed on the way ahead.

  They made their way into the residential section of the Middle District, and before long the Shadow came to a halt outside one of the smaller houses. He opened the door, gesturing for Asha to enter.

  Inside was dim, the curtains drawn, but Asha could see Scyner reclining in a chair near the window. He was flanked by two huge Shadows, who both gave her suspicious stares. Scyner gestured cheerfully for her to sit.

  "Ashalia!" he exclaimed. "Very clever, asking half the Shadows in the palace directions to the Silver Talon. I had three separate reports saying you were on your way there."

  "I assumed you probably had someone following me anyway, but I wanted to be sure," said Asha, trying to keep the bitterness from her tone.

  "Indeed," said Scyner. He leaned forward. "I want to begin by saying that I had no knowledge of Teran's and Pyl's actions until after the event. It was... unfortunate."

  "I think they would agree," said Asha quietly, forcing down the twist of fear in her stomach.

  Scyner stared at her for a moment, then chuckled. "I suppose they would." He straightened. "So. It seems like an odd time to be delivering information, but I take it you have news?"

  "No. Not about the Northwarden, anyway."

  Scyner watched her for a few seconds, silent. "Teran insisted that you never meant to tell us anything," he said eventually. "He was telling the truth, wasn't he."

  "Yes," said Asha. "Once I found out the truth about you."

  Scyner's eyebrows raised a fraction. "Honesty. Surprising, but I can respect that." He scratched his head. "However it leaves me in something of a quandary. We made a deal, Ashalia. You have broken it, and you know what happens to those who break deals with me. Why not just lie?"

  "Because I don't have time for lies," said Asha grimly. "And I have something you're going to want more."

  Scyner sighed, shaking his head. "Maybe so, but I think I'd prefer to keep you restrained for now. At least until I hear what it is you have to say." He nodded to the two men standing either side of him, who started forward.

  Asha stretched out her hand.

  There was the briefest moment of Scyner staring at her in puzzlement. Then his two bodyguards, already halfway across the room, flew backwards and slammed into the wall, one shattering the window as his flailing arm hit it.

  Both men collapsed to the floor, unconscious, as Scyner scrambled up from where his chair had been overturned by the powerful gust, his eyes wide.

  "Now," said Asha, trying to keep her voice from shaking, " I would like to talk to the real Shadraehin, please. There's something I need to discuss with her."

  ***

  Only a few minutes had passed when the door opened again.

  The woman who entered was a Shadow, and yet somehow she was also startlingly beautiful, even the black lines on her face seeming to accentuate rather than mar her soft features. She was young - older than Asha, but only by a few years. Even so, she moved with confidence and grace as she swept inside, taking in the crumpled forms of Scyner's bodyguards with an amused glance before turning to face Asha.

  "Ashalia Chaedris," she said, a slight, lilting accent evident even in Asha's name. "It seems you are full of surprises today."

  Asha stared at her. "You're the Shadraehin?"

  "I am. Do not bother asking for proof. You will not get it."

  Asha inclined her head; though the woman was certainly young, something about her bearing had convinced Asha the moment she had entered the room. She took a deep breath. "I've come to ask the Shadows to join the fight against the Blind."

  The Shadraehin raised an eyebrow in amusement. "It would be safer by far to flee," she observed, her odd inflection making the cadence of the words sound almost musical. Whatever the accent was, Asha didn't recognise it. "I take it from what Scyner just told me, you do not wish for us to simply take up swords?" Her eyes flicked to the ring on Asha's finger, then back again.

  Asha bit her lip. "Shadows can use Vessels," she explained, feeling a sense of dread as she said the words. It was out, now, and no turning back. "I have access to Administration's stockpile. For each Shadow you can gather, I can have a powerful weapon in their hands by nightfall."

 
; The Shadraehin studied her for a long moment, and Asha flushed under her cool gaze.

  "I am interested," said the other woman eventually. "Once you give us these weapons, though, what is to keep us from simply leaving?"

  "Nothing, I suppose," said Asha. "Except that the Sanctuary is here, and as little as you may like the way things are run above ground, this is your home." She took a deep breath. "And you don't strike me as the type to run. Or to break deals, for that matter."

  The Shadraehin gave a slow nod. "True enough." She tapped at her teeth, looking thoughtful. "And after the battle is over? Assuming we hold the city?"

  Asha grimaced. "To an extent, that is going to be up to you. Administration are going to want you to return the Vessels, of course. If you don't... I have no idea what their reaction will be."

  "But regardless, they are going to see Shadows as a real danger - all Shadows, not just my people. And we will be defenceless if we return the Vessels," noted the other woman.

  Asha nodded. "I know," she said softly. "And I will not blame you if the Vessels are not returned. I want your word on one thing, though. You'll only ever use the Vessels for self-defence. No going after Administrators, no killing. There's no point having you defend the city if you're just going to tear it apart afterward."

  The Shadraehin was silent for a long moment. "You would take my word?"

  "Do I have reason not to?"

  The other woman gave her the slightest of smiles. "No. And you have it. I cannot make promises for every Shadow who has a Vessel, of course, but for my part, I will insist that their use is for self-defence only." She touched two fingers to her heart, then the same two fingers to Asha's forehead. "Let it be so known. We have a covenant," she said formally.

  Asha inclined her head, letting out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. She wasn't sure how far the Shadraehin's word could really be trusted, but it was the best she could have hoped for.