The Crow King's Wife(20)

“Once you leave here I have no guarantee you will return even if you say you are going on the mission. If I allow you to take Caleb it’s almost assured you won’t return. I’m better off keeping him as hostage. You seem to have grown fond of each other in your captivity. ” Onvalla argued and Shade nodded once in agreement.

“So send one of your people with us for assurance. Send Granger, he seems capable enough.” Shade offered.

“So you can have Granger killed once you are back with your own people?” Onvalla snarled and shook her head at him with anger growing in her eyes once more.

“Then send twenty of your bloody people with us. Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Shade snapped in frustration. “The point I’m trying to make is if you agree to my one request. I kill the damn Rivasan for you, and I will tell you where to find your son. All I ask is that you allow Caleb to help me, because I quite obviously can’t do it alone in the current state I’m in.” Shade pushed his crippled leg forward to emphasis the point and stared hard at her. “It’s the only way you will get anything you want. I will sit here prisoner and wait for Arovan to destroy you before I leave here without Caleb. He saved my life as you well know, and I won’t leave him to rot here.”

Onvalla glared at him for a long moment before turning back to the window. The silence in the room stretched for long moments before her shoulders slumped in resignation. “Give me your word that you will return here Caleb. I don’t know the Morcaillo enough to trust him, but I know you keep your word.” Her voice was so low the words barely carried across the room.

“I give you my word that Morcaillo will return Onvalla, I can’t promise more than that and you know it.” Caleb replied softly.

Onvalla nodded slowly and turned from her window. Her gaze moved across the room to rest beside a small table in what had seemed like a vacant corner. “Granger fetch the gear we took from them as well as the goblin. Our guests will be leaving today.” She ordered in a voice that was filled with trepidation. Her eyes returned once more to Caleb and her expression was somber. “I was a fool to lie to him Caleb, and I will be the first to admit it. Fear can make many people into fools though, and no matter how much I regret it I can’t take it back. I kept you prisoner here for the same reason, because I feared you, and as you say it is likely my fault they are dead because of that.”

“If you are truly going to lead here Onvalla you can’t be governed by fear.” Caleb spoke calmly and for the first time since he had entered the room there was no anger in his voice.

“Hatred and anger are my counselors now. Fear is an old friend that has been put aside. Make them bleed Caleb, not for any love you have for me, but to salve our mutual pain. Rivasa must fall. It was my intention to move against Rivasa myself, but I can’t with the Morcaillo still dominating my people. I have to break the hold they have over us first, and then I will finish what you start.” Onvalla’s words rang with promise and she smiled bitterly. “It’s the whole reason I fought so hard for leadership here. I never intended to attack Arovan, and I had to ensure my people didn’t either. Their bloodlust will be channeled to the ones that deserve the pain. First Rivasa, and then whatever remains of Morcaillo.”

“Please don’t take any steps down that path until after we speak again Lady Onvalla. I understand your pain and hatred, but revenge is a one way path. You are leading your people. You have to look at the broader picture if they are going to have any future at all.” Shade said with a note of pleading in his voice. If the Blights attacked Rivasa all hell would break loose again, and the world was in too delicate of a balance to risk that.

“I make no promises of that. I have people hunting the Morcaillo now and if they finish before you return I will move against my enemies.” Onvalla replied coldly. She let out a deep breath as her eyes locked onto his. “Now tell me where to find my son if you truly know where he is.”

“The last time I spoke with him he was living safely with High Lady Jala Merrodin. I will warn you though she has another Blight living with her as well. If you send your people there to take your son back with force, they will be found and they will likely die. If you want to speak with the boy I would highly suggest you approach Jala directly and politely rather than attempt to trick her. She has a temper to match your own Lady Onvalla, and she holds grudges for a very long time.” Shade answered with a faint smile.

He could feel Caleb’s eyes on him as well and he knew by the expression on the man’s face his words had held just as much interest for Caleb as they had for Onvalla. He just wasn’t certain what interest Caleb held in the boy though. It was possible he had just endangered Dray’s life with his words. There was a chance Caleb would want Dray dead to ensure Micah’s secret remained buried, but he didn’t think that was the sort of man Caleb was, and he was praying he was right on that matter.