Shadowborn

by Joseph DeVeau

  “Don’t know. Don’t rightly care neither. If he returns he ain’t getting his job back.” Mat tried to turn to leave.

  Aeryn redoubled her grip. The boy practically wilted.

  “Ok, ok! I’ll tell you what I heard. Just don’t break my arm!”

  Aeryn grinned. So this was what it was like being stronger than everyone. She had a fleeting glimpse of Jins and his gang confronting her. Only this time, she whipped out her knife and fought back, loudly proclaiming that she would never again give him so much as a lump of dirt. The image flicked away as she was on the verge of driving the blade’s tip into Jins’ eye.

  “Well?”

  “Master said he was muttering about Shadows and Shades and Voices and Nameless like he got kicked in the head too hard. Said he walked straight to the Protector’s Gate where Master ain’t able to follow no more. That’s all I know, I swear! Now let me go!” Mat added, twisting around on his knees.

  Giving him a good long look to make sure he was not holding anything back, Aeryn released him. He prompted rubbed his arm and ran away, shooting a poisonous glare over his shoulder as he went. With nothing more to do in the stable, she left for Merek’s, feeling like a rabbit confronted with the choice of a snare and pack of wild dravens on one side, or a fox and sleeping bear on the other.

  “Look, it’s the Lord’s plaything,” said a guard as Aeryn approached the Lord’s Gate. “Come back for another ride?”

  The second guard snickered. “And here you had us thinking you were a ‘courier.’”

  Aeryn dropped her head, intent on streaming by without giving the pair the satisfaction of a response.

  “Oh, she’s a courier alright,” said the first guard. “It’s just that what she is transporting is between her—“

  “You there! Girl!” came a shrill voice.

  Aeryn looked up at the new voice. It came from a carriage she had not noticed approaching, so intent had she been on ignoring the guards’ jabs.

  “Driver, stop that girl!”

  Aeryn twisted her head, looking for a side street to sprint down. None was close enough to affect an escape. She sighed and stayed put. Running would do no good. Not when that voice knew exactly where she was headed. Doubly so considering the trouble that voice had already caused.

  “Good morning, Lady Mareen,” Aeryn said to the bulbous woman perched in her carriage like an overripe tomato.

  Lady Mareen looked out the window at the sky as the carriage slowed to a halt. “I think its afternoon now, dear,” she said. “Would you care for a lift?”

  “No, thanks, I don’t want to be a bother.” Aeryn would rather ride a three-headed snake the size of a horse than be confined in such closed quarters with Lady Mareen. One offhand rumor from the woman at a dinner three weeks ago had turned her into a street whore laying a Lord for his coin. Just the thought of facing the woman’s full ire sent chills down her spine.

  “Oh no bother at all,” Mareen said sweetly. Too sweetly. “I was just on my way back from the markets. It would be an absolute pleasure to have a chance to talk to a doll such as yourself. Driver! Open the door for the poor girl. We’re making a stopover at Lord Merek’s.”

  “Yes, My Lady,” said the driver. He hopped down and shuffled Aeryn inside, pausing three times while he did so to wrinkle his nose and raise an eyebrow.

  Aeryn exhaled loudly. At least he had been more respectful about her lack of hygiene than Reeve ever had been. The carriage lumbered back into motion, swaying slightly as it clattered over the cobblestones. So much for the day improving.

  “I feel your pain,” Mareen said. “It is such an absolute relief to get off your feet. I couldn’t imagine walking all the way from,” she waved her hand in the air, “wherever it is you call home to Lord Merek’s estate.”

  Judging solely by the woman’s size, Aeryn could not imagine the woman even remembered walking. “It’s no problem, really,” Aeryn insisted. “In fact, I much prefer walking to riding in a stale carriage any day. Being out in the fresh air is nice.”

  “Oh I know,” Mareen stretched the word and nodded her head. “The air is so much fresher once you get out of the dreadful press of the markets. It is even better out in the countryside. Why Lord Merek has an estate out there that is to die for.”

  No doubt, the markets Lady Mareen referred to were the upscale shops that displayed gilded baubles behind panes of glass with sellswords stationed at every street corner. Ostensibly, they were there to keep Shadows at bay; the idea was that a hundred sellswords could not fight a Shadow where a lone one would surely die. Aeryn knew better: it was to keep away the riff-raff like her. In any case, it was not as if the nobles ever strayed too far from their own personal guards. From what she had seen, the combined household guards of any three nobles could form an impressive company, while the combined coin of those three could fund a flaming army.

  As for Lord Merek’s country estate, Aeryn figured Lady Mareen had brought that up for no other reason than to show how supremely elevated Lords and Ladies were over a simple street urchin. It hardly needed reminding, what with Lady Mareen riding in a gilded and lacquered carriage.

  “Why,” Mareen went on, “I doubt many of those commoners have washed their bodies this year, much less their clothes.” She glanced at Aeryn and tisked. “Really. I can’t believe Lord Merek hasn’t cleaned and dressed you up yet. It’s not like him to be so rude.”

  Dressed me up? Like I’m some kind of doll? “I like these clothes. They remind me of where I came from,” Aeryn said sharply.

  Lady Mareen affected not to notice. “They certainly do that.” She narrowed her eyes. The carriage rumbled past the low wall surrounding Merek’s estate and into the roundabout built for the purpose. “Ah! Here we are.” They passed a richly decorated carriage, though not so elegant as Lady Mareen’s, who rolled her eyes. “I see that she is here as well. That woman just can’t take a hint. Now girl—“

  “Aeryn.”

  “—right, Aeryn,” Mareen corrected fluidly. “If you need another ride—or anything at all—you be sure to let me know. I’ve helped Merek with more than a few thorns over the years. I would be glad to extend the same courtesy to you. I couldn’t bear to see a doll like you suffer anymore than she has too.”

  The carriage pulled up to the front of Merek’s house. “Thanks but no thanks,” Aeryn said, hand on the latch. “I’m sure I can handle myself.”

  “The offer is always open. All you have to do is ask.”

  Aeryn opened the door and sprung out, both feet landing on the ground before the driver had even dismounted. She quickstepped to the door.

  “Do give my regards to Lord Merek for me. He is such a dear friend,” Lady Mareen called before ordering the driver to hop to.

  Inside the house, Aeryn was actually relieved to find herself face to face with the thunderhead that was Reeve. At least until he opened his mouth.

  “Follow me,” he said stiffly. Starting off, he pulled aside a passing servant. “Find Melanie and her girls. Tell her to meet me in the bath.” The servant bobbed his head and ran off, even as Aeryn came to a stop.

  Aeryn’s mouth dropped open. “A bath?”

  Reeve grabbed her arm and kept her moving down the hall. “Your antics have turned Lord Merek into the gossip of the city. I will not have his reputation soiled further by your. . .” he looked her over from head to toe, “squalor.”

  Before Aeryn knew it, Reeve had left her surrounded by a trio of girls lorded over by a fussy middle-aged woman that would have done the most stringent tavern master’s wife proud. Aeryn recognized a number of the faces from her previous times in the house. One had been Annette, the stiff-backed girl carrying the buckets of wash water that night with Will, the very same girl that, walking with her mother on the third floor, had nearly discovered her. Aeryn had seen the mother—Melanie—later, glaring at Reeve from behind his back before giving her a concerned look. The women set on her like a pack of wolves going in for the kill.


  First, they cut off her clothes. They literally cut them off when they had trouble working the buttons coated in blood and grime. They, along with Aeryn’s belt knife, were then tossed into a heap in the corner. Rough hands at the end of surprisingly strong arms came next, which refused to budge an inch as they bullied her to a large, claw-footed copper tub. The first couple of seconds in the warm water were pleasant and relaxing. That was before rough bristles scoured her skin, combs ripped at her tangled hair, and fresh pails of steaming water scalded her skin bright red. Finally, they vigorously dried her, then immediately sprayed her with perfume that instantly rendered the entire operation pointless. Why couldn’t they have just done that to start with? She wouldn’t have felt so. . .raw. . .if they had.

  “Mistress! It fits you so well,” one of the girls said. The other two back away to examine their work after dressing her in small clothes and buttoning overtop a bright red and yellow silk dress twined with embroidered black roses.

  “Get this straight,” Aeryn said, “I am not a ‘Mistress.’”

  “But—“

  “No. I am not wearing this.” Aeryn snatched up the knife in her right hand and held it point out. With her left, she started undoing the hundred-odd buttons that lined the dress. It was surprisingly hard to do one-handed and without a mirror. She thought she understood why Ladies needed help dressing. The trio of girls squealed and dashed behind Melanie, the older taskmaster.

  “Girls, fetch me that pink one over there,” Melanie said. She pointed to a frilly thing hung with care on the side of the room where the steam couldn’t wreak it.

  “No. Not that either,” Aeryn said.

  “Ok, then that—“

  “No!” Aeryn stomped her foot down. In her fury, she did not hear the door creak open and closed behind her. “I am not leaving this room looking like a clown fish.”

  Melanie tisked. “Then why don’t you tell me which of these you will wear and save us all the trouble of listening to you whine like a child.”

  Aeryn turned toward the pile in the corner.

  “Those will be taken out back and burned,” Melanie said.

  Aeryn sighed. The woman was every bit as stubborn as Reeve. It was no wonder the two did not get along. She glanced over the neatly arranged clothing. One caught her eye, and only because it stood out as the only item not a brightly colored, frilly laced dress.

  “That one there.”

  “Oh,” Melanie said. The woman had a gleam in her eye that Aeryn did not like one bit. “That was Bethany’s favorite. Grab it for me, would you Annette?” The stiff-backed girl jumped to and pulled out the garment.

  Aeryn instantly opened her mouth to protest. The thing had bells—literal bells—sewn into the cuffs and hem. As Annette walked over, the bloody thing sounded like a carnival come to town.

  “You can always cut them off,” whispered a voice in Aeryn’s ear. Aeryn whipped around to find Lady Alys standing over her shoulder. “I promise I won’t tell,” the Lady added with a sly wink. Then a bit louder so everyone else could hear, “I’m sure Lord Merek won’t mind if you skip the powdering and painting.”

  Melanie breathed a sigh of relief. Scurrying about like ants, the trio of girls had her dressed and on her way in no time.

  Chiming with each step, the fifty-foot walk down the hallway with Lady Alys before Aeryn was able to cut off the bells was the longest of her life.

  “Thanks,” Aeryn said once her footfalls sounded normal again. “If it weren’t for you, I’d have been in there for a week straight.”

  Lady Alys, the sparkling, flawless image of what a woman should look like, smiled. If Aeryn had been a boy, that smile would have melted her knees. As it was, she found it hard to stop staring. Especially at the Lady’s ample cleavage.

  “Don’t mention it. I’m sure you would have done the same for me,” Lady Alys said.

  “Is there anything I can do for you? I hadn’t expected to see you today. Though I must say, it’s a relief after being trapped inside a carriage with Lady Mareen.”

  “No need to do anything for me, dear. I’m just happy to have rescued you before it was too late. Between you and me,” Alys leaned down and added quietly, “Lady Mareen is as friendly as a pig with its slop taken away. And about five times the size.” They wound through the corridors toward the upper floor, earning questioning glances as they snickered together behind their hands.

  “Why is she so. . .” Aeryn searched for the right word. Just because Alys had insulted Lady Mareen did not mean Aeryn could and get away with it. She shuddered to think what would happen should word get back to the portly woman.

  “Pig-headed?” Alys supplied.

  Relieved at not having said it herself, Aeryn nodded.

  “Well, it all started not long after Shadows took Lord Merek’s wife and child—“

  “Shadows killed his family?” Aeryn had not even known Merek had had a wife and child, much less that Shadows killed them.

  “Oh my, I thought you knew.”

  Aeryn shook her head vigorously. Now she understood why Merek had been so defensive when she had inferred he preferred boys.

  “Then I’ll start from the beginning. As I was saying, Shadows took Lord Merek’s wife and child,” Alys frowned and looked off into the distance, “ten years ago now? Fifteen? You’ll have to excuse me; I’m not very good with dates.” After a slight chuckle, she went on. “So anyway, the Shadows. . .”

  Talking quietly so no one could overhear, Alys told Aeryn how Shadows had broken in one night. While looting the manse of everything of value, they had stumbled across Merek’s daughter, Bethany, who was sleeping with his wife, Isabel, as they had often done because the young girl was scared of the dark. Both mother and daughter had awoken with the noise. Upon being discovered, the Shadows had slaughtered both where they lay and escaped into the night.

  “. . .and that’s why Lord Merek generously tithes so much of his vast fortune, in hopes that the Voices and their Shades will protect those less fortunate,” Alys finished.

  “How does Lady Mareen fit into that?”

  “I was just getting to that. Lady Mareen’s son, Asher, was betrothed to Merek’s daughter, Bethany. After the murder, he went mad with grief and begged the Voices to take him in. I think he wanted to do what any boy would: get revenge by killing Shadows. Anyway, Mareen wants to step into his son’s place, so to speak, and marry Lord Merek, fusing their two families as they were originally meant. As if it is not plainly obvious she is only doing it to increase her holdings,” Alys added in an offhand manor, “and by his side, become the most powerful woman in Maerilin. Next to Nameless and his disciples, of course.”

  Aeryn whistled softly. It all made sense, right down to the letters on Merek’s dagger. Why there were so many sets of women’s clothing sized for Aeryn. Why Lady Mareen had been so quick to offer Aeryn her services. Even the rumors labeling Aeryn as Merek’s Mistress fit into place; it was exactly the type of thing a woman spurned would do.

  “Actually, come to think of it, there is one thing you could do for me,” Alys said as they reached the landing that housed Merek’s bedroom, as well as the secret windowless alcove no one but Aeryn and Merek seemed to know about.

  “Anything,” Aeryn said. Alys had just given her a treasure trove of useful information. The right information was worth as much as gold. More, sometimes.

  “Could you put in a good word for me with Lord Merek? I came over to dine with him, but. . .” Her face fell. She practically broke into tears. “He’s always so busy that sometimes I feel as if he is avoiding me. I just want to be there for him.”

  “Not a problem,” Aeryn said. It was the least she could do after all Alys had done for her already.

  “Thanks.” Beaming and giving her a little hug, Alys left, hips swaying hypnotically as she walked down the hall and out of sight.

  Aeryn pushed the door open to Merek’s bedroom. She wished they could meet in any other place. Even the center of a mongoose den
in the middle of the night would be preferable. The bedroom was empty, as was the windowless alcove cleverly concealed to the side. With nothing else to do, and not about to go walking about the house in case Reeve or Melanie and her girls spotted her and dragged her off to some other ill-conceived misery, Aeryn sat down in the plush chair at the ornate desk facing the partially-curtained window.

  Merek appeared just as Aeryn was about to doze off. “Good, you’re here,” he said. Hands clasped behind a silk shirt that was itself situated beneath a fine wool coat, he strode and began to undress. Half way across the room, he stopped and frowned. “Take it off.”

  Aeryn was not sure she had heard correctly. “What?”

  He was unbuttoning his shirt after hanging up his coat on a hook when he replied. “Your clothes; take them off.” Shirt finished, he began to work on his boots and trousers.

  “First of all, I’m not your Mistress,” Aeryn said. “Second, if this is about wearing your daughter’s clothes, it wasn’t my idea—“

  Merek froze. He lifted his head. His eyes were blocks of frozen blue ice that could have shattered steel and quenched a volcano. “Who told you that?”

  Suddenly Aeryn wished she had protested the bath more than she had. “Lady Alys. But it wasn’t her fault, Melanie gave—“

  A sound escaped Merek’s throat that resembled Jynx when squaring off against one of the feral dogs that roamed the streets. “That wrenched woman is as bad as a bloody—“ He shook his head. “No. She’ll get what’s coming to her in due time.” All but naked now, his eyes warmed. “Now, like I said, take off your clothes.”

  So it was about her becoming his Mistress. Unlike Jins though, Lord Merek was well, a Lord, and already had all the coin he needed. She doubted very much she could bribe him off by offering to steal a few knickknacks for him.

  Aeryn whipped out the knife, already spotted with rust, that she had filched from the street hawker.. “If you think you can force me into bed with you,” she twirled the plain blade on her palm, “you’ve got another thing coming.”