“Hello sweets. So very nice to finally meet you.” The man’s voice was low and filled with amusement as he stepped from the room and into the hall. “Lord Dark I wouldn’t draw that sword if I were you.” He warned as his head tilted to look past her.
Swallowing heavily Zoelyn drew on the healing magic stored within her and used the faintest touch to seal the flesh at Havoc’s throat. She would need to examine the wound closer to know how much healing he truly needed, but she couldn’t leave him bleeding as she drug him along, and she had to get him out of range of the approaching man.
Something brushed against her side and she glanced up to see Dray stepping in front of her with a determined look on his face. “You will not harm her.” Dray growled as his hand dropped to his own dagger. He seemed a pitiful guardian considering how quickly the man had dropped Havoc, but Zoelyn forced herself to keep silent. There was a small chance that Dray would give the man enough pause for her to get Havoc to safety just with his presence. Nearly everyone in Sanctuary knew of the Blight’s now, and there weren’t many that were willing to fight one of the creatures. Of course most Blight’s had a bloodthirsty nature and the instinct to kill, Dray had neither from what she had seen.
“Stand down Dray! Did you see how quickly he dropped Havoc? Did you somehow miss how the wood hung in the air like that? That is Hemlock before you and that was time magic he used to cheat Havoc.” Zachary barked the words like a field commander and Zoelyn watched mutely as Dray’s shoulders slumped a fraction, but the Blight didn’t budge from where he stood.
“I would die to protect Zoey.” Dray proclaimed in a voice that only shook slightly.
“Then you are a fool, because once he has finished with you he will continue after her. Don’t throw your life away, Dray.” Zachary snapped as he pushed past the Blight to stand before Hemlock with one hand on his sword hilt. “What do you want here Hemlock? As far as I knew the Rivasan’s don’t hire your kind. It’s considered too dishonorable even for their tastes as I understand it.”
“I am here for my own reasons Lord Dark.” Hemlock drawled as he slowed to a stop and leaned back on his heels to regard the taller man. “You know that knife I used on Havoc was rather well poisoned. It was the same mixture I used to kill Finn in Sanctuary. I doubt the girl has the skill to heal it, but Jala likely does. I’d say the Firym has about fifteen minutes of life remaining with the dosage I used, so that leaves us with a bit of a quandary. Do you waste his remaining time dying beside him or do you escape and attempt to get him healed?”
“I will not leave here without the children.” Zachary declared firmly.
“Noble to the marrow aren’t you? Well fine then. Let’s make a deal. I will allow you to take Havoc, the Blight, as well as the children and flee without giving you the slightest trouble for your efforts.” Hemlock spread his hands before him and cocked his head to one side as he presented his offer then tilted his blood stained dagger toward Zachary. “Or I kill you, the Blight, and then the girl and still have time to watch Havoc die slowly and painfully before I sell the children at the first slave market I can find. Which would you prefer?”
“You are here for Zoey?” Zachary asked incredulously.
“The more honorable they are the thicker their skulls I think.” A woman purred from inside the room. Slow measured steps echoed through the room as the speaker moved to the doorway and leaned against the frame. From her vantage behind the others Zoelyn could tell little about the newcomer beyond her pale hair and white clothing, but she remembered enough of what Neph had said to guess who the woman was.
“Kali too.” Zachary observed grimly and his hand tightened on his sword hilt. “Zoelyn we have a problem. I will have to draw on Oblivion to face these two at once. Hemlock I might have been able to handle without drawing on more power, but not both of them.” He said in a tightly controlled voice. She couldn’t see the expression on his face, but his knuckles were white on his sword hilt and the set of his shoulders spoke of pure fury.
“And Oblivion destroys sentiment, so when I make the same offer to an Oblivion soaked Lord Dark he will leave you here with me without a second glance.” Hemlock finished with a faint chuckle.
“Unfortunately that is correct. Without personal grievance toward me I won’t fight them once I hold enough Oblivion to win against them, and I promise you they won’t provoke a fight with me once I draw on my power.” Zachary agreed sounding thoroughly disgusted with himself.
“Take Havoc and Dray to find the children then. I don’t want anyone to die on my behalf.” Zoelyn said in the calmest voice she could muster as she gently laid Havoc against the wall and straightened were she stood. Summoning what she hoped was a confident look to her face she drew her other glove off and tucked it into her belt. “Kali won’t be a problem for me, and neither will his time magic. I will manage on my own.” She added with forced bravado.
“It’s the only option you have.” Kali offered lightly and pushed a wooden box through the doorway. “Look I’ve already packaged the brats up for you nice and neat Lord Dark. Shrunk just like you pretty shiny knights transport your horses.”
“Take them and go Zachary. I would be satisfied just to know that the children of Delvay are safe.” Zoelyn urged quietly.
The faint rustle of feathers rose behind her and her thundering heart froze in her chest as a warm hand gently moved her aside. Seth’s gold eyes met hers for a breath and a faint smile creased his lips as he continued past her to stand beside Zachary. “Your third option would be allowing me the honor of killing them while you leave with Zoelyn.” Seth’s voice was low and far too casual for what he was suggesting. She had seen the illusions of the last fight between Seth and Hemlock and she didn’t want to even think of Seth kneeling on the floor in a pool of his own blood again.
Hemlock sighed heavily as he twirled his dagger lazily in one hand. “It’s amazing how we find ourselves repeating history isn’t it, Seth? Me with children as hostages and you about to watch the woman you love die, again. Really this story is getting old.” He snarled as he kicked the wooden box toward Zachary. “Go ahead Lord Dark scamper away now.” He snapped then pointed down the hallway directly at her. “I’ll see you very soon sweets, and I’ll leave his blood on my daggers just for you.” He added in a sickeningly sweet voice.
“I am in your debt, Seth.” Zachary said stiffly as he gingerly picked up the box and backed away from Hemlock. Kneeling quickly he pulled Havoc to his feet and looked to Dray. “Bring Zoelyn. We need to be away from here now!” he ordered with anger layered thick in every syllable.
“We can’t just leave him here to face them alone!” Zoelyn protested and tried to pull away as Dray’s hand locked firmly on her arm.
“We can and we must.” Zachary returned firmly as he started down the hall at a brisk pace with Havoc hanging limply from his arm.
“He is right Zoey.” Dray murmured and pulled her along quickly on Zachary’s heels. She tugged at his hand and tried to pull away but his grip tightened as the first ring of steel filled the shadows behind them.
“Seth.” Zoelyn gasped and felt tears welling in her eyes as the tempo of fighting increased behind them while Dray pulled her further away with every step.
The Blight slowed as they caught up with Zachary and the Lord nodded impatiently toward the closed door before him. “I can’t open it with Havoc and the children, and climbing back out isn’t an option so batter it down any way you can Dray and we will pray we are heading for an exit. I’m not sure how much time Seth can buy us, but I don’t plan to waste a second of it.”
Dray nodded and his grip on Zoelyn’s arm loosed for just a breath as he moved for the door. Twisting quickly Zoelyn pulled her arm free of his and backed quickly away from them shaking her head. “I can’t do it.” She gasped as the first few tears poured down her cheeks. “I can’t leave him to die for me.” She added hoarsely and turned back the way they had come at a quick run.
“Let her go and get the d
oor open. You can’t save someone who doesn’t wish to be saved and Havoc is dying as we speak.” Zachary snapped.
She didn’t bother to listen for pursuit as she stumbled blindly toward the sound of fighting. Even before she closed on them she could feel the magic in the air. Slowing her steps she flattened herself to a wall and forced her breathing to calm. It took all of her will to move with what little stealth she could summon, but she knew it would only make matters worse if she ran headlong into the fighting.
Kali had moved further into the hall and stood with her back to Zoelyn. For a moment Zoelyn was torn on whether she should try to sneak up on the mage or simply rush her, and then Kali unleashed a spell on Seth causing the demon to stagger forward off balance and the decision was made. With anger burning away all trace of logic Zoelyn sprinted toward the mage and slammed a hand down hard on her bare shoulder. The curse drained deeply as Zoelyn spun Kali around to face her and slammed her fist hard into the stunned woman’s face.
The mage reeled under the blow and staggered back against the wall with her eyes rolling back in her head before sliding slowly down to the floor.
With a snarl Zoelyn shook her stinging hand and turned back to the fight in time to see Hemlock’s dagger sink deeply into Seth’s side. The demon shuddered and one of his swords fell from his limp grasp. As he turned toward her she could see the damage Kali’s spells had wrought and her throat tightened at the sight of his blackened skin. She hadn’t seen any fire light the hallway but his entire right side looked burnt and she could see he was barely managing to keep his feet.
“Seth!” Zoelyn screamed as Hemlock casually slashed the dagger across Seth’s face splitting his cheek open to the bone.
“Just like old times eh, Seth?” Hemlock murmured as he took as step back and smiled widely.
“With the exception of one thing.” Finn’s voice rose over Seth’s rasping breaths as his sword plunged through Hemlock just under the Assassin’s ribcage. “He serves a Master who cares about his well-being now.” Finn added coolly as he withdrew the sword slowly.
Blood bubbled on Hemlock’s lips as he staggered forward wheezing in an attempt to regain his balance. The look on his face was one of absolute incredulity as Finn stepped casually around the Assassin slowly wiping a cloth down his sword blade and studying the blood covered cloth with a faint smirk.
Finn raised his eyebrows at Hemlock and his smirk widened to a grin. “My sword was rather well poisoned by the way. It was not quite the same mixture you used on me in Sanctuary though. I’d say Havoc has a much better chance at living than you do unless you can somehow manage to stumble over to Kali and rouse her quickly. I’d highly suggest you leave here before you attempt to wake her though. Zoelyn looks ready to kill you and I know Seth would like nothing more than to bury his knife in your throat.” Finn spoke calmly as he replaced his sword in its scabbard and made a point of tucking the blood soaked cloth into an inside pocket of his cloak.
“You are a Divine.” Hemlock coughed and shook his head at Finn in disbelief. “You can’t involve yourself personally in this.” He said with accusation thick in his voice.
Finn raised one eyebrow and cocked his head at Hemlock. “I can’t?” he asked in mock innocence then gave an exaggerated frown. “But I just did.” He pointed out calmly and motioned toward Hemlock’s blood soaked tunic. “And if you don’t get that tended soon you are going to be the first victim of the Elder pox in over two thousand years. That particular disease died out a while back you know, but I do so hate to let fascinating things fall by the wayside. I’ve heard it’s a rather gruesome way to die. What happened to the Veirasha is supposed to be a pale facsimile of the true pox.”
Hemlock’s already pale face seemed to lose another shade or two as he stumbled toward Kali and slid down to the floor beside her leaving a bloody smear across the stone wall in his wake. “The Divine may not interfere in the actions of the mortal world.” Hemlock insisted as his hand locked around Kali’s wrist.
“Don’t just let him go.” Seth snarled, but even as he spoke Hemlock was beginning the casting of a teleportation spell with more than a little panic showing in his expression. Apparently Finn’s mention of the pox was more than enough incentive to get him to leave.
“I have your blood Hemlock. Remember that before you think to move against Zoelyn again.” Finn warned as the Assassin finished his spell and faded from the room with Kali. Finn gave a weary sigh and looked at Seth’s ragged form. “I’d explain why I let him live, but in your current state I think you’d be dead before I got to the second sentence. We need to get you back to the Darklands where you can heal.” Glancing up he offered a hand to Zoelyn and smiled. “Come along Zoey. Let’s get you some place safer.”
Zoelyn started to move forward then shook her head slowly and stepped away from both of them. “I’m not going with you Finn. I only came back to help Seth, but I know he will be fine in your hands.” She murmured as she took another step back and turned to go.
“Zoey, the others won’t realize you are here. You will be left in Rivana.” Finn called after her with a hint of concern lacing his voice.
“I can’t go with you, Finn.” Zoelyn returned as she quickened her pace. She couldn’t allow herself to look back at them. She didn’t want to see Seth in such a pitiful state, and it was taking all of her willpower to walk away from him. She knew if she went with them to the Darklands that she would lose all desire to turn away from Seth, and she didn’t want to be caught by his Charm again. Being tricked once was bad enough. She wouldn’t allow it to happen a second time.
“Zoelyn wait!” Seth called after her in a pain filled voice and her walk turned to a run as her willpower crumbled. She had to get far away from him before it faded completely or she knew she was lost.
* * *
The sound of faint footsteps drew her gaze upward and Zoelyn stared listlessly toward the doorway. She had no idea what part of the ruined keep she was in, and she knew her friends were long gone by now. Whoever was approaching was most likely Rivasan, and she knew she should get to her feet, but she couldn’t muster the energy for it. She had run until her tears blurred her vision too much to continue then collapsed by one of the walls and hadn’t bothered to move again.
There was no point to moving. Her friends were gone, Finn was gone, and she was lost. She couldn’t even summon magic to transport herself home. A bitter smile curved her lips at the thought, there was no escaping Rivasa, and she couldn’t even count on Seth showing up to save her. He’d already shown up once and nearly died for it, but she couldn’t honestly say if he had shown up to save her, or simply to attempt to kill Hemlock. She knew how much Seth hated Hemlock, and doubted he would miss any opportunity to kill the Assassin.
The door pushed open and she startled at the sight of Shade standing in the doorway. His auburn hair was tousled badly and his leather armor was torn and bloodstained, but he didn’t appear to be injured, not in body anyway, by the look on his face she couldn’t say the same about his spirit. His face was drawn and pale with an expression of utter defeat covering his features. His blue eyes swept the room once then fixed on her.
“They said Seth came for you, but I didn’t want to leave until I made sure you were safe.” His words were soft with more weariness than she had ever heard in his voice before.
“Thank you.” She murmured as she forced herself to her feet. Her head throbbed from crying and she knew her voice was hoarse from her raw throat. I must sound as bad as he looks she realized glumly.
“The ship is loaded if you are willing to leave here.” Shade informed her and rubbed the back of his neck as he looked her over. “I think the two of us might possibly be the most depressed victors history has ever seen before.” He observed with a bitter smile.
“I think you may be right.” Zoelyn agreed as she slowly crossed the room and peered through the door he had entered from. “I’m depressed and lost. Do you remember the way out?” she asked hesitantly.
Doggedly Zoelyn followed after him silently grateful that Shade didn’t seem to want to hear any details about Seth’s rescue. It wasn’t something she was ready to talk about, and from the look on his face she knew better than to ask any questions of him. By the way he was acting Grim must be dead, she couldn’t think of anything else that would dampen Shade’s spirits so thoroughly.
Within ten minutes of walking Shade led her out into the bright sunlit day and Zoelyn shook her head at how close she had been to escape when she had given up. A few more turns and she would have found her own way out of the fortress. Of course the odds were good that Shade wouldn’t have located her had she been wandering aimlessly through the city so it was likely for the best that she had given in to her sobs and collapsed.
Shade halted a few feet from the fortress and drew a battered silver case from inside his armor. His face was devoid of all expression as he pulled a cigarette from it and calmly lifted it to his lips and lit it while his eyes roved over the battered city. Stonevines wrapped every building she could see and there was no sign of anything living beyond a few stray horses that milled in the streets far below. Shade inhaled deeply and exhaled a stream of smoke from his nostrils as he seemed to consider things then pointed absently to his right.
“My ship is just over there. Go ahead and climb aboard. Syrah could probably use a hand with her Father and I have one more thing to do.” His voice was monotone as he spoke and he didn’t even bother to glance back at her. His gaze seemed riveted on the city with an intensity that kept her frozen where she was. “Suit yourself.” Shade murmured as he took another drag from the cigarette and raised a hand toward the sky. His eyes closed tightly and magic began to roil off of him as the sky above darkened.
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