The Crow King's Wife(169)

“This ship is the center of your world isn’t it?” Grim asked softly as he drew his hands back carefully from the controls and slowly looked around the Spell Hawk as if he were seeing it for the first time.

Shade nodded slowly and swallowed as he slowly traced a finger over the view screen controls beginning the preflight sequence. “No matter what I did at home it was never the right choice. When it came to the Academy there was always someone slightly better than I was. In every single situation I have ever been in there has always been someone slightly stronger, faster, or more talented in magic, but here in this seat I am king. No one can come close to me here, and this Ship is my heart and soul. I designed her and built her and I know every inch of her better than a mother knows her child. This ship is my life and there is only one thing that I would sacrifice it for.” Shade’s voice was low as he finished the diagnostics and wrapped his fingers tightly around the controls. He felt his magic swell as he linked fully with his Spell Hawk and for the first time in weeks he was king again. He knew this was his last flight, and he had every intention of making sure it was never forgotten. The true battle would be won by Jala and her fellow High Lords, but his flight would be the first shot fired and it would live on in bard’s tales for decades to come. He owed his ship that much for what he was demanding of it.

“Is Jala really worth what you are sacrificing.” Grim asked quietly.

Shade smiled sadly and shook his head slowly. “Jala is wonderful, but she wasn’t what I was talking about when I spoke of sacrificing my ship. I’m doing this for Sanctuary. I’m doing this for every single soul down there that isn’t involved in this war and has no magic to protect themselves. I saw how many died when the Fionaveir took this city. So many people I knew suffered because of the pettiness of High Lords. I’m not like the rest of the Elder Blood. I never have been. I despise war and I truly pray this is the last battle fought. There is nothing glorious or honorable about it. War is nothing more than suffering and slaughter and it disgusts me.” He closed his eyes for a moment as his words trailed off then let out a long deep breath as he pulled the controls slowly toward him.

His ship responded instantly despite its battered condition. His eyes fixed on the view screen as he slid his finger across the rune that activated the mental link that he rarely ever used. A faint hum filled his ears and the view screen faded away replaced instantly by a perfect view of the sky surrounding his ship with no obstructions blocking his view. It had been so long since he had used the linking rune that for a moment he was breathless with the experience. It was a perfect bond with the one thing in the world that he loved more than anything else, and it only seemed fitting that he and The Shade would be one until the very last moment.





*





Sunlight glared down on his back and Finn had to resist the urge to push the cowl of his Priest’s robe back and tilt his head upward. Never before had the warmth of pure sunlight filled him with such simple joy and he smiled as he finally realized why the Firym revered the sun. He had lived without it for close to five years and to be standing under it now with a soft breeze filled with the scents of blooming flowers was almost intoxicating.

“Lord Han’shy can you use your gifts to urge this people off the streets.” Jala’s voice shattered the peace of the moment and Finn let out a quiet sigh as he turned his attention back to the chaos surrounding him.

“I could, but I won’t. It’s a waste of my strength. If they don’t have the sense to flee the battlefield then they deserve their fate.” Jin Han’shy replied calmly.

Jala had turned away obviously believing her request would be followed without argument but whirled back around to stare at Jin in open disbelief. She blinked at the High Lord and Finn had to suppress a chuckle at her expression. His little peasant girl had grown arrogant in her time as High Lady Merrodin and it showed clearly. By the way her violet eyes blazed it was obvious that she was trying to decide how best to punish someone with the audacity to deny her.

“Saving the lives of hundreds of people is not a waste of time.” Jala snapped and Finn could see the angry tirade building just by the way she stood with her shoulders squared.

“But arguing with my father is.” Jail cut in before the debate could grow more heated. Bowing low to both Jala as well as his father Jail smiled. “I would be happy to do as you ask Lady Merrodin so that my father’s considerable talents can be turned toward the approaching enemies.”