The Crow King's Wife(109)

Swallowing heavily Shade watched as Caleb reclaimed his sword and moved toward the boy. Wisps of Shadow rose from him as the illusion faded from his skin and clothes. The dull grey of the chainmail turned to polished black and Shade stared hard at the outline of skulls engraved across the chest. Nestled in the center of it all emblazoned in polished silver was the symbol for the Divine of fear. Shade was likely considered a heathen by most religious orders, but even he knew what the skulls on the armor represented. For a follower of Fear each skull was a symbol of a conquered fear, and by the number of skulls on Caleb’s armor he had to be a fully anointed priest.

“So Zoey was wrong about the druidic path I see.” Shade mumbled as he met Caleb’s gaze. The man’s features had sharpened beyond what Shade was accustomed to with high cheek bones and canted eyes that seemed more catlike than human. Small black runes dotted the pale flesh across his cheekbones and seemed to writhe just under the skin when Shade tried to examine them closer. The man before him had the same white-tipped grey hair and pale grey eyes of Caleb Faulklin, but overall he was as different from what Shade knew of his friend as the previous illusion had been. This man seemed beyond Elder Blood. He looked like more like one of the Divine.

The thunder of hoof beats was rising outside. Derrick was here and Shade knew they didn’t have much time left to talk. Caleb glanced once toward the door and then smiled at Shade. “When you describe yourself do you simply use the word Pilot or are there other details about you that should be mentioned as well?” Caleb asked and even his voice seemed to have changed. It was still low and even but it held a bit of music to it such as Shade had come to expect from the Fae.

“Many more, but I somehow doubt I hold as many cards as you do my friend.” Shade whispered trying to keep the awe from his voice. “Is this another illusion Caleb?” he asked as he watched Caleb lift the sobbing boy gently from his mother’s corpse. Part of him was praying it was illusion and that Caleb had just chosen it to unnerve Derrick. The other part was silently hoping the man really did have Divine blood, maybe then he would have a chance of surviving.

“This is me in all of my unholy glory, Shade.” Caleb returned quietly and bowed his head respectfully to Shade before turning for the door. “I will send Syrah in to you. Hide her and stick to the plan.” He ordered as he pulled the door open.

Bright sunlight poured into the store and seemed to settle on the dead woman by his feet. Shade stared at her for barely a breath and then moved as quickly as he could to the window. The street beyond was filled with armored men and horses. Near the center of the group was a finely dressed man mounted on a blue grey horse that seemed to tower over the other animals present. It didn’t take much for Shade to guess his identity. Only Derrick Rivasa would show up to face the Bloody Huntsman without a trace of armor on. The presence of the furiously glaring little girl seated before him confirmed his suspicion and Shade found himself studying the child more than the man. She was delicate in build with grey eyes that looked too large for her fragile face. Her long hair seemed black until the sun glinted off of it, then it took on a deep blue hue. The dress she wore was barely worthy of the title dress and looked to be little more than rags from what Shade could tell, but the child sat as proudly as any queen. The scowl faded from her face as her eyes found Caleb and a smile tugged at her lips. It was the last reaction Shade had expected to see from the child. According to Finn the girl was barely six, any other child of that age would have been wailing for their father to save them. Syrah Faulklin didn’t look the slightest bit inclined to wail however. Her chin tilted upward and her smile slowly widened into a look of pure satisfaction. With more dignity than most adults could muster in a situation such as hers Syrah nodded to her father and remained silent.

“I looked for you at Amdany.” Derrick Rivasa announced loudly and his horse danced under him at the raised voice. With a frown he yanked on the reins and pressed Syrah closer to him. “They all said the Blights had done for you, but I didn’t believe it. To believe you dead I will have to see it. I’m so pleased you made that particular experience so convenient for me.”

“Release my daughter and once she is safely to my side you may have your son.” Caleb called loudly ignoring the man’s taunt.

“So you can teleport away? I don’t think so. You murdered my wife and mother if my guard is to be believed. You will have to die for that of course.” Derrick returned in a voice that held no remorse whatsoever.

“I have no intention of running. I declare Kevala’drin on you and all who follow you. Amdany and all who fell there will be avenged.” Caleb’s voice rang clearly throughout the street without a trace of hesitation. Several of the guards laughed at his words, but to Shade’s ears the laughter was edged with nerves.