Captain Hesk leveled hard eyes on the man standing at attention before him, he could feel the fear radiating from him and it made him sick. He hated any signs of weakness among his men. At the guard’s feet lay his colleague, the blood from his wound was already pouring out onto the stone floor of Hesk’s chambers. The man coughed and tried to stifle a groan.
He encircled the other soldier holding his sword out to his side.
“Can you give me one good reason why I should spare you? Why you should escape a similar fate to your partner here?”
The man swallowed hard, “Please captain,” the man started, “we are sorry for… for disgracing the Dravian guard. But surely you can spare us for we have retrieved the prince’s payment as we were assigned.”
Hesk arched an eyebrow, “but you also attempted to go above the call of duty, or rather beneath the call of duty by trying to abduct a poor village girl from her parents. I do not know which is worse, that you attempted such a deed, or that you failed.”
“Forgive me Lord Hesk, I was only trying to please the prince.”
“The king has assigned times and seasons for such activities, until a new king reigns the king’s law stands. We are to uphold those seasons, or else the people will fall out of line. How many times do I need to explain this to you, your understanding is beneath your rank and for this you shall be punished!”
“Captain please, what if I can… if I can help you find the shadow?”
Hesk swallowed his annoyance and stopped to look the sweating man in the eyes.
“Did you see his face?”
Another hard swallow, Hesk’s grip on his sword tightened as he attempted to restrain himself.
“No captain but… I have only ever seen one person fight the way he did.”
“Go on. Who does his style remind you of? Speak quickly, your friend here is running out of time.”
The man’s eyes finally found his, “You, captain.”
Hesk froze.
“He fights like you.”
The captain took a step back as he considered what the man was saying. His style of fighting was an ancient art form that very few had been able to master. Only a select few were ever trained and even fewer were equipped to teach it.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes captain, if I had not been privy to your personal training myself, I would not believe anyone capable of moving the way he did.”
The captain nodded slowly, that bit of information did narrow things down for him. Immediately he knew where to start. When it came to the lost art of Zutai, there was only one place to start. The master himself, the one who had taught him. He turned around thoughtfully, could he have trained someone effectively enough to take his place before his death? If there had been such a person, he would have known, wouldn’t he?
Hesk turned around and sighed, “take your useless partner and go.”
The soldier hesitated.
“Should I change my mind?” he bellowed.
Instantly the man jerked into action, leaning down to scoop up his wounded colleague. Hesk barely saw them leave the room. He continued to stare into the distance.
“Leave it up to Mervin to find a way to haunt me from the grave,” he muttered.
He looked down at the sword in his hand, turning over the blade to the engraving just below the hilt.
“I guess I do deserve it old friend.”
Prince Haddin was not known to keep his word, unless it was a promise of punishment. Shadaya wasn't sure if she was more upset at the fact that he had lied to her or that she had believed him.
She stood in the hallway of the mansion and stared up at the gold face resting on an oval plate, with curly tendrils extending from a four-point crown. Hanging high on the wall as though overlooking all who came and went with its hollow eyes, was the carved representation of the god Rad. Shadaya sighed. Rad was the highest of all Dravian gods. Pillar families all had their individual gods, gods that were passed down from generation to generation. They were supposedly connected to the god through bloodlines. Though everyone paid homage to Rad, the prosperity of the rich was said to be hinged on their service to their family god. There was Idre the rain god, Panu, the forest god, Dahc the earth god and the highest of them all was Rad, god of sky and sea. A once mortal man bestowed with the power of a god. How? Well that remained to be understood. Shadaya had never been very dedicated to Rad, mostly because her father never taught her to. There was a time in her life when she remembered him burning his offerings to Rad in the temple and he would shine and polish their home representation himself. But eventually that stopped and the image of Rad became as every other ornament in their dwelling. Her mother served Rad as well, but she had a close connection with a lesser god, Mestek, who was considered the god of art. Her mother paid homage to her passionately, believing that it was Mestek who gave her the ability to act. As for Shadaya, she had never seen the value of it for her own life, she did not religiously pay homage to Rad, nor had she acquired a personal lesser god. Even as a child questions arose in her mind, for example, if Rad was once a man, who was able to tap into a magic so rich it made him into a god, where did this magic come from. And if he was a god, why did he not still reign over them as king, instead of in images they had carved themselves.
She sighed deeply, feeling another wave of anger over the recent turn of events.
“My lady, do you have orders?”
She had almost forgotten that two of her men were standing behind her awaiting her instructions.
She turned around and walked calmly to her father’s study. Away from the hollow, yet unnerving stare of Rad. The guards followed.
"I should have known," she said as one of the men closed the door to the study behind them.
“Haddin was never going to let Reeva go. He probably kept her just to be cruel, knowing how much we want her back."
The guards stood with uncomfortable frowns as she paced from one end of the room to another. When they had returned earlier that evening with the news that they were kept from seeing Reeva, Shadaya had hurried back to the castle with them. Hoping to once again have an audience with the prince and remind him of his promise to her. But to her dismay she too was turned away, brushed aside like a commoner. The captain of the guard was the one who had come out to see her, he was the man she had seen leaving her mother's theatre. He was in his element this time and was strict and unmovable, regarding Reeva’s release. With an unreadable expression, he had informed her that Reeva had been added to a shipment at the very last minute when one of the girls had to be "removed" because of sickness.
"Lady Shadaya, Lady Shadaya!"
Shadaya turned around from her angry pacing to see Bertrand burst through the study door, he had never dared step foot in the private quarters of the manor like this. But she could not fault him, she could not imagine being able to think straight were she in his situation.
She motioned for her guards to let him pass and reached for him, holding his shoulders and looking remorsefully into his mournful eyes.
"I am sorry Bertrand," she shook her head, "we were too late."
His eyes widened, "Too late?"
"Reeva's been... she's been sold."
"When? how? I thought..." His voice trailed off as Shadaya shook her head remorsefully.
She turned to her guards "What can we do?" She asked.
"I am afraid that at this point my lady, it is out of our hands," Kimmel answered somberly, "we do not even know when they shipped her out, where she is headed. Even if we did, we dare not consider hijacking the king’s men, we will surely be captured."
"Which is highly likely, for you know the stories of the prince having eyes in unlikely places," Flinton interjected, he was a younger manor guard and always quite the pessimist.
Shadaya waved her hand, halting their discussion as an idea flooded her mind. She looked up at the expectant man and shook her head, "leave me," she commanded.
The guards stepped out as asked, taki
ng a flustered Bertrand with them. Shadaya could not bear to look at him for much longer. As soon as the doors shut, she turned to the fireplace, a frightening but familiar rage burning within her. She reached up and touched the necklace around her neck, her father was brave. He fought for the helpless even to his own death, as she thought, her fingers traced the markings on the stone pendant, the Quadin crest.
Her father’s kindness to people like Reeva had earned him many enemies. A part of her believed his kindness had a part to play in his unfortunate end. In his decision to go against his own king and join the rebels. Even though they took his life the cause remained. People like Reeva was that cause. She thought of people like Stacia and the rebels and what they sacrificed for a cause that they thought was worth dying for. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, when she opened them again her eyes were alight with determination. She charged toward her locked closet. Once she got the doors open, she withdrew the sheathed sword. She drew it from the scabbard and the strong blade glinted in the light from the fireplace. It was a beautiful weapon, that captivated her every time; her father’s sword. Embedded in the blade just below the silver hilt, was an engraving in the shape of a Z. She had never been able to look at it so closely when her father was alive, it was always carefully put away, or strapped to his hip. She tested the weight of it, stepped back and swung it skillfully.
“I’m coming Reeva. I have a plan.”
The only obstacle to Shadaya’s plan was the prince’s ball. Despite her burning hatred for him, she knew that she had to show up. She was stubborn and strong willed, but she was not ignorant to the limitations of her estate. Especially with the Quadin reputation at Dravian court tarnished by her father’s disgraceful death.
But there was no getting around it, if she was to rescue Reeva, she had to do something now and that meant on the very night of the prince’s ball. Henry had managed to get some information for her regarding the next shipment and it turned out that was happening tonight.
“So, what are you plotting and what part do I get the pleasure of playing?”
Shadaya cringed at the sound of Eril Hatherbee’s voice so close to her ear. She had forgotten that he was sitting right next to her per her invitation. She didn’t like the man, he was materialistic, a charmer, very self-absorbed and she knew that he pursued her more for her money than her personality. This is what made him the perfect candidate for this phase of her plan.
Shadaya turned to him and rolled her eyes, he had shifted uncomfortably close to her on the bench they shared.
“What makes you think I am plotting anything?”
“Why else would you call on me. Remember Lord Tallis’ party,” he said with a wink.
“I’m okay with being used, as long as it’s by you.”
Shadaya stifled a gag and almost laughed at Pit, who sitting a way off, had buried his head beneath his paw. Even her dog had more shame than the man.
“Here let me show you something.”
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small whistle. He blew it but no sound was heard, then he looked at her with a wide grin.
Shadaya arched a brow, “I don’t hear anything.”
“Wait,” he said, as he lifted a hand out.
Suddenly, a small bird descended from somewhere and perched on his arm.
“You have a bird?” Shadaya said in annoyance.
“Not just any bird, this is a charmed Jay. He gives me a heads up. It’s how I knew you would call on me. It’s also been a great help with my business dealings. Its magic, see.”
The bird opened its beak and leaned its head and to Shadaya’s surprise she heard her own voice, sounding as if it was coming from the bottom of a well.
“You have a bird?” she heard herself ask.
“Not just any bird, this is a charmed Jay…”
The bird closed its beak and there was silence.
Pit was staring uneasily at the bird and so was Shadaya.
“This makes me uncomfortable.”
“You should get Pit charmed.”
“Never!”
Eril was shaking his head, “I see you continue to look down on the very thing keeping Dravia on the map.”
Shadaya shrugged, “the cost of magic is too great to spend on trivial things, or ruin what is already good,” with that she patted Pit’s head affectionately. She would never put her dog through that, she thought charming animals was a cruel practice.
Eril shrugged, “it is the way of Saharia Shadaya. Every kingdom must do what it can to survive. Tyattar has their dragons, Aldor their stones… Dravia thrives on magic. It is protected and feared because of it. Our magicians are the very best… they keep us from getting our hands dirty with the cost of wielding such power. How can you be Dravian and that not be enough for you?”
“If you want to compare Dravia to kingdoms like Aldor, why is it that Aldor continues to thrive without demanding the lives and souls of its people?”
“You know the answer to that.”
“Oh please, that ridiculous myth about the boundary, about our world being separated by an invisible boundary marked out with the finger of an unnamed power and separating light from darkness? So, then we are doomed to live in darkness, to be cruel and murderous, sacrificing our people… how convenient that it is only our children and our women who are sacrificed on the altars of gods erected by uncaring magicians.”
Eril sighed and looked away, his gaze travelling to the serene expanse of her lawn. She had insisted on meeting with him in her garden, to avoid too much curious eyes and ears. But it seemed he had seen it as a sign of the progression of their relationship.
“Look Eril, let’s not make this an argument. I actually called you here about tonight,” she said.
“Tell me.”
“First, get rid of that.” She gestured to the bird.
Eril rolled his eyes but then nodded his head at his bird, it immediately flew away.
“Alright, so I would like for you to accompany me to the ball tonight?”
“Of course. Shall I send a carriage to collect you?”
She ignored his eagerness and pressed forward.
“No no, I have plenty of carriages that will do just fine. Besides I do not want to be held back when I do decide to sneak out of what I am sure will be a scandalous and uncomfortable affair.”
“Even if I am there?”
Shadaya looked at him with narrowed eyes, “Look you are only accompanying me to keep the prince’s attentions away. You know since his father’s death he has been trying to find a wife. I don’t want to be considered a viable option.”
“I see. I am honored you have chosen me. What must I do?”
Chapter 12
Markus turned in his chair at the sound of his door being pushed open.
“Are you ready?” Cad asked, those deep ridges between his eyes telling Markus that Cad still thought going to the prince’s ball was a bad idea.
“I am. Are you?”
“What does that mean?”
Markus got to his feet and looked directly at his old friend and sighed.
“Can I trust you to control yourself tonight?”
Cad’s eyes grew hard, “please, is it your superior ability to not feel emotions that makes you think that all of us are driven senseless by it?”
Markus frowned at Cad’s demeanor. He had always been a bit rough around the edges but there was something not quite right with his attitude towards him, these days.
“You know that is not the case. I simply want to ensure that we do not jeopardize the mission. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the community. And you know I feel emotions just fine…”
“Right,” Cad said. Markus frowned, was that sarcasm? He hated that.
“Your carriage is ready my Lord,” Cad said, ignoring his look of confusion.
Markus shook his head as he proceeded towards the door, “if you are growing weary of your role Cad, you only need to tell me.”
“I g
row weary of this place,” Cad growled, “the air stinks constantly of burnt flesh.”
Markus grimaced, “the temple of Rad is not very far from here, that would be that signature Dravian incense.”
“Come on let’s get this done and get out of this place.”
The carriage lurched to a halt, throwing Markus forward. He reached out and grabbed the velvet lined insides of the extravagant carriage. Cad had thought the carriage to be more appropriate for his entrance into the noble society of Dravia. If they were not already so late when he had seen it, he would have demanded another.
“Why are we stopping?” he shouted.
He felt annoyed. If he were to be driven in such an unnecessary display of pride, the least Cad could do was drive him gently.
“Sorry my Lord,” Cad called back.
Markus climbed onto the seat on the other side and pulled aside the curtains so he could speak to Cad through the small window of the carriage.
“Is something wrong?”
“I hope not. Look sharp you have a visitor.”
Suddenly a cloaked figure ducked into Markus’ carriage and settled on the seat he had just vacated. Markus turned around with a frown.
Stiller’s large frame made the carriage appear to shrink, but space limitations were the least of Markus’ concerns now. Not when he saw the expression on Stiller’s face.
“What are you doing?” he hissed.
“You know we cannot risk being seen together.”
Stiller nodded, “I know, but it’s urgent.”
Markus gestured for him to proceed.
Immediately, Stiller extended his hand and opened his fist. Lying in his palm was a silver pin with a small piece of black cloth still attached to it. Markus squinted then reached out and picked it up, holding it up to the lantern hanging between them.
“That’s the Cort crest,” Markus said, he looked up at Stiller with confusion in his eyes.
“We got it from the caretaker’s wife.”
Markus’ eyes widened.
Stiller continued, “the undertaker found it stuck along the lining of his pocket. It seemed that he had stuck it there in his last moments… possibly directing us to his killer.”
Shadaya: Out of Darkness (Gemstone Royals) Page 12