The Crow King's Wife(85)

“We have an understanding between us now.” Madren replied casually. All trace of command was gone from his voice and posture now that the guards were no longer in sight. Madren glanced back at Grim as he walked then looked to Shade. “Caleb Faulklin?” he asked apparently deciding that Shade was the friendlier of the two considering Grim’s continued scowl.

“Old prison buddy of mine.” Shade offered with a boyish grin.

Madren’s steps faltered, but he quickly regained his composure and glanced once more back at Grim. “The Sanctuary prison?” he asked hesitantly.

“Aspects no.” Shade shook his head quickly. “Glis. I paid a social call to the Blights and as it turns out they aren’t too social. They decided to keep me as an ornament in an old barn, and Caleb had the good fortune to be my roommate there.”

“I see. Perhaps we should wait until we are with Neph to discuss this further then. If it involves the Blights it involves Delvay as well.” Madren said and his pace seemed to quicken with his words.

As both men fell silent she found her attention straying to the city and some of her tension eased. The guards had been strangers, and the outer city had been recently rebuilt, but the area she walked through now was as familiar as an old friend. This was the oldest part of Valemuir and she doubted the Rivasans could have destroyed it even if they had wanted to. When the original city had been built her people had used the mountains themselves as the foundation. Each of the massive buildings around her was carved into the stone itself. Only the outward facing walls were mortared stones. The rest of the structures were raw stone walls that had been smoothed and shaped to fit the Delvay needs. To bring down one of the buildings would collapse part of the mountain itself. Valemuir was as solid as the people that built it, and just as enduring.

A smile formed on her lips as the sigil of Delvayon loomed before them carved deeply into the walls of the city itself. Two more turns down the wide stone hall and she would be standing before the door to her home. Her heart fluttered a bit at the thought and she closed her eyes for a moment trusting her memories to keep her from bumping into the walls as she walked.

“Are you ok?” Dray’s voice broke the silence with a whisper that was barely audible and she nodded silently in response. “You haven’t spoken a word since we entered the city.” He pressed.

“It’s like walking through a dream.” Zoelyn said after a long moment. “I know it all, and yet it isn’t me that knows it.” She kept her voice low and there was hesitation to her words. It wasn’t really a good explanation for what she was feeling, but it was the best she could manage without speaking the truth where Madren might over hear. He seemed like a nice person, but she didn’t know him, and she had a hard enough time trusting people she did know.

Madren’s steps had slowed as they drew closer to the door to House Delvay. The High lord rubbed the back of his neck and then glanced to Shade. “I’m not sure what kind of mood he will be in. He has been distracted for days. I believe Zoelyn’s presence will improve his mood drastically, but I can’t promise that.”

Zoelyn blinked in surprise and stared at the man. She had been concerned about him discovering who she truly was, but with what he had just said it was obvious he already knew. A twinge rose in her chest as she realized there was only one way he could know. “Neph told you?” her voice was soft but carried easily through the quiet hall.

Madren nodded once and gave her a faint smile. “There are only a few that he can trust his secrets with, but I believe I am the only one in the city that knows this particular secret.”

She nodded slowly and watched him with new found interest as he turned back to the door and slowly pushed it open. Neph liked people even less than she did, and if he found this man trustworthy it would likely be in her interest to learn more of him. The world was filled with enemies. It was allies that were in short supply.

“Neph, are you busy? Shade has arrived and he brought Zoelyn.” Madren called in a cautious voice. He peeked around the edge of the door, but seemed unwilling to actually enter the house without Neph’s permission.

“Damn Madren are you still scared of him?” Shade sighed as he brushed past Madren and pushed the door open fully. “Neph! I am short on time and we need to talk.” He called in a louder voice as he disappeared inside the room.

Zoelyn hung back as Grim followed Shade in and glanced at Madren who was still eyeing the door skeptically. “What has he been distracted with?” She asked calmly.