The Crow King's Wife(9)

“Well there is some irony considering my current role in life.” Finn responded dryly and snorted with amusement. “It’s pretty obvious you are the one that wants me dead Lutheron.” Finn began as he stepped to the ledge of the sand pit. “So why don’t we settle this between the two of us? If you win I’m dead and you are apparently happy. If I win you shut the hell up and spend your free time sticking your nose up someone else’s ass.” Finn finished as he dropped lightly down to the sand landing with a cat-like grace. He flipped his cigarette to the side as he locked his gaze fully on Lutheron. More murmurs had broken out through the crowd, but this time they were filled with confusion and amazement rather than anger.

“Wait!” A new voice called from the crowd before Lutheron had a chance to respond. The crowd shifted as the man moved forward quickly. He was dressed in dark leather with a heavy cloak covering most of his face, and Finn couldn’t remember seeing him in the crowd until now. More muttering rose as the man weaved his way through benches and dropped lightly to the sand beside Finn.

The hood on his cloak fell back as he landed giving everyone a full view of his well-tanned face and sandy hair. Rings lined both of his ears and another was pierced through his left nostril. That combined with the sandy stubble of beard and dark clothes gave the newcomer the perfect image of the bard’s tale rogue. Finn could very easily picture the man as the highway man that swept na?ve young women off their feet, but he really didn’t look the hero sort which made his current actions rather confusing.

“Who in the hell are you?” Finn murmured softly as the man raised his hands to silence the crowd.

The man winked at him, but turned back to the crowd without giving answer. “My Lady would speak before this progresses any further.” The man called loudly and the noise of the crowd turned to a positive rumble of shock.

Even Lutheron seemed taken aback by the words and Finn turned his attention slowly back to his newest ally. “Who exactly do you serve?” he asked in bewilderment. By the reactions of the assembled gods it must be someone terrifying, and yet the man beside him didn’t seem threatening at all. He wasn’t even armed as far as Finn could tell.

“He serves me.” A soft voice answered from behind him and Finn turned at the sound of it. The woman was small, barely coming to his chest in height. She was dressed in dark blue silks that seemed to cling to her delicate form with matching streaks of the color lacing her short dark hair. Rings glittered from every finger and tiny silver hoops adorned her ears, but other than that she seemed to carry no other metal. There was no sign of sword or daggers and by her appearance she looked even less dangerous than the man that served her. She smiled at Finn impishly and bowed slightly in his direction with a flourish that belonged in a noble’s court. Standing once more she locked her blue eyes on him before slowly trailing past him to the waiting crowd. “I rarely come to these gatherings. I do hope you all remember who I am.” She began in a voice that seemed almost musical to Finn’s ears.

“What do you want?” Lutheron demanded and there was a trace of unease in his voice. It wasn’t fear, but there was definite uncertainty in his expression and tone.

“Ahh I see you remember me at least.” The woman chuckled and shrugged her slender shoulders. “I want to intervene before you do something stupid Lutheron. Your plots and schemes are so important to you that sometimes you fail to look at the grander picture. For example if you happen to kill sweet Finn here, do you have someone to take his place as the Keeper of souls? Is there someone waiting on the sidelines to take up the mantle of Death that I’m not seeing?” She cocked her head in question and slowly turned a full circle as if searching the crowd for her answer. Clicking her tongue quietly in thought she slowly shook her head and turned her attention back to Lutheron. “It’s an important role you know, especially now with everyone in the sunlit world killing as quickly as they can.” She added with a sad little smile.

“Death can easily be replaced and no doubt with someone more competent than Finn Sovaesh.” Lutheron replied coldly.

“Really?” The woman asked in sheer astonishment. “I doubt that.” She added and waved a hand lightly to her right. The air shimmered for a moment and then cleared revealing Seth’s dark clad form. The demon’s eyes narrowed as he took in his current surroundings and he looked to Finn with questioning eyes. “Seth Avanti you have served Death for longer than most of us have held power. Tell me in your honest words does Finn Sovaesh do his duties well? We all know you for the creature you are, and we all know you will speak bluntly, especially now that you have lost your gift with Charm magic.”