The Crow King's Wife (The Elder Blood Chronicles #5)(12)
The rattle of chains behind him drew his attention and he watched in silence as Caleb was led from the barn by four Blights. Two stood behind the man holding chains attached to his ankles while the two on each side of him had a firm grip on the arm chains. Shade shook his head slowly and silently noted the wary expressions on the Blight’s faces. Even with the measures they had taken against the man, Caleb still unnerved them. He made a silent note to ask the Arovan what exactly he had done to earn their respect so thoroughly, but that seemed a topic better kept in private. He doubted the Blights would appreciate that particular line of conversation.
“Start walking Morcaillo.” One of the Blights ordered roughly and pointed toward the tree lined path. She was a stout woman with broad shoulders that were thickly corded in muscles and Shade knew without a doubt she would have been a tough fight for him when he was in his prime. In his present state he would be nothing more than a minor annoyance for her if it came to a fight.
With a slight nod he studied the dirt path leading further into the village and silently cursed the tangled tree roots that crisscrossed it as far as he could see. Letting out a slow breath he began hobbling in the indicated direction. Within two steps his foot tangled in a root and it took everything he had to remain on his feet. Biting back several colorful words Shade steadied himself once more and began walking again, trying desperately to ignore the muffled laughter behind him. He could feel the blush on his face and knew if they could see his humiliation it would only increase their amusement. The only choice he had was to ignore it and continue on if he wanted to keep any of his dignity.
“And you wonder why I call you monsters.” Caleb snarled behind him with genuine fury in his voice. “Remove my chains and allow me to help him. You know I’m not going to run. I set this damn meeting up, why would I run from it?”
“Not on your bloody life bastard.” One of the Blights hissed and all sounds of amusement behind him faded away.
Shade smiled faintly and silently thanked Caleb. Once again his voice had silenced tormentors. It seemed to be a talent the Arovan held. “I’m fine Caleb. I can do this.” Shade assured him quietly as he continued on. Though in truth he wasn’t entirely sure that he was fine, each step wrenched at the scars on his back and leg painfully. He knew the exercise was good for him. The wounds were too far healed for the movement to help much, but maybe it would grant a bit more mobility if he was lucky.
Noise to the side of the path caught his attention and Shade watched in amazement as a Blight moved a small herd of goats past them. The simple sight of a Blight caring for animals rather than devouring them was enough to keep his attention riveted on the spectacle rather than the trail and it cost him dearly. His foot caught in another root and the muscles in his back screamed in protest as he went down hard on one knee.
Cursing himself for a fool Shade remained frozen in place as he inventoried his newest pain. His knee was split open he could tell that without looking and the muscle in his back was torn again. Slowly he drew himself back up and stretched his back to its fullest despite the flare of pain it brought.
This could be a blessing in disguise he realized with a faint smile. He didn’t have Tevrae in his blood anymore and it was possible that his regeneration would heal the muscles in his back to a point that walking would be easier. He would still be lame in his leg, but without the added burden of his back wound it would have to be better. It was almost worth the renewed laughter behind him, and if his suspicion about his back was correct it might be the answer to their escape. If Onvalla didn’t listen to them, he could possibly improve the condition of his leg, with a bit of self-mutilation and regeneration. The thought sickened him, but it was an option he had to keep an open mind about. If Caleb had to carry him from Glis their chances were slim, but if they could both run there was a chance that escape was possible.
“May you all rot in the Darklands.” Caleb snarled and his words were punctuated by the snapping of chains. Within a Breath Caleb was at his side and his arm was bracing him. Broken chains dangled from his wrists and ankles and the expression on his face was positively murderous. “Bloody heartless bastards.” Caleb muttered as he ducked low enough for Shade to get an arm over his shoulder.
Once again the laughter behind him had died and Shade glanced over his shoulder to the Blights and then back to Caleb. All four of the guards wore nervous expressions, and none of them seemed inclined to recapture Caleb. “You mean you could have broken your chains at any point and yet you are still their prisoner?” Shade whispered.
“How far do you think I could have made it with the forest this infested with Blights with no provisions or weapons?” Caleb asked quietly as he half-carried Shade down the trail.
“Valid point.” Shade murmured his gaze dropping once more to the ground. Twice was enough, he wasn’t about to let another tree make a fool of him.
“Two hundred miles in case you were genuinely curious on that point. I’ve escaped three times so far, and that is likely the only reason you are alive currently. If Granger hadn’t been hunting me down, he never would have stumbled across you. That’s the reason I wasn’t in the prison the night you were brought in. Your arrival bought me extra time and I was five miles from the Arovan border before he caught me that time. That was the two hundred mile jaunt, the other two times I barely made it fifty miles. Three escapes and all three times it was Granger that caught me.” Caleb said with a smirk.