The Crow King's Wife(4)

“Antidote?” Onvalla echoed in confusion.

“Yes Antidote. Did you not happen to glean that particular detail when you were scanning minds? Nearly every poison has an antidote and the one for Tevrae is fairly simple. Let me out of this hole and I’ll be happy to show it to you.” Caleb spoke in a carefully measured voice, but Shade could still hear the seething anger in the man’s words.

“So you can escape? I don’t think so Caleb. I can’t have you running back to your people with the knowledge you have. It’s only for Micah’s memory that I have let you live this long. I know he loved you like a little brother, but don’t make the mistake of believing I share Micah’s sentiments. You were the one that tracked my people down. If not for you hundreds of Blights would still be alive. No one else can track us like you do, and until I find out how you tracked us you are my prisoner.” Onvalla’s voice grew colder with each word.

“And once you find out how I am what? Dinner?” Caleb snapped back. “If you don’t get him the antidote he will die and he could very well be the answer to your problems with the Morcaillo. If he takes control of his house he can call back his people and end their demands on your kind.”

Shade had to suppress a smile at the words. There was of course no way that was the truth. He had about as much chance of gaining control of House Morcaillo as Caleb had of convincing Onvalla to save his life. Now didn’t seem the prudent time to speak however. So he contented himself with staring up at the shadowed ceiling and silently wishing someone would cut his mangled leg off. With the pain coursing through it right now there was no way an amputation could hurt any worse.

“And why would he? Why would he relinquish power over the Blights?” Onvalla demanded. There was a trace of hope in her voice though, it was barely perceptible but it was there. She wanted Caleb to answer her with something she could believe.

Shade wanted him too as well. He hadn’t actually expected the Blight to be persuaded, but from the sounds of it she was. If Caleb could spin a good enough tale there was a chance he could get both of them out of this mess.

“Because unlike most of us in this wretched world Shade Morcaillo is a good man. I’ve heard his views on the world and they mirrored Micah’s. He isn’t like the rest of the Morcaillo and Micah respected him for it. You heard Micah talking about what needed to change in Sanctuary and I know you heard him say Shade Morcaillo was one of the changes. Put your prejudice aside and think with an open mind, Onvalla. Your savior is dying before your eyes and you are doing nothing.” Caleb’s voice rose with emotion as he spoke.

The room fell silent for several breaths and Shade wished fervently that he could see the look on either of their faces. His body wouldn’t respond though and he knew it without even trying, he was simply too weak. He wanted to know if Onvalla was truly considering what Caleb had said, but most of all he wanted to know if Caleb had truly meant his words. Shade had spent his entire life being judged by the name Morcaillo, and now finally when he was a breath from dying someone was judging him by his own merits, and comparing him with a hero. Micah Arovan had been a good man; no one could deny that, not even his enemies. To be considered his equal in anything was more compliment than Shade had ever received from anyone aside from Jala.

“Tell me what you need to save his wretched life and I’ll have my people gather it. I promise you though Caleb, if this is a trick you will both suffer for it and I will see you dead for wasting my time.” Onvalla spoke the words grudgingly with suspicion lacing every word.

“Doing the right thing is never a waste of time. You were Micah’s wife, Onvalla. I would have thought you would have learned that. If the rest of Sanctuary would just learn that lesson we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in right now.” Caleb sighed.

“Jala’s road.” Shade whispered as he allowed his eye to close once more with a faint smile on his lips. He had only met Caleb once before and yet the knight had saved his life. There was hope for Sanctuary yet. If they could find more people like Caleb Faulklin Jala would have all of the support she needed to finish her quest.





*





“I doubt you will ever walk without a limp again, and I think running is completely out of the question.” Caleb observed as he leaned back from examining the scars on Shade’s leg. The knight had a gaunt look to him from his time in captivity, but still appeared to be in fighting shape. His clothes were tattered and his hair was tangled and matted with filth, but despite it all he still had the bearing of nobility about him. Most would have given up by now, but Shade saw no signs of surrender in Caleb’s dark eyes.