“Because I could become a Blight. He and Caspian thought it would be the only way I could get in. They didn’t think the Blights would attack their own kind unless provoked and I had no intention of provoking any of them,” Shade explained. He glanced over to Charm and found the rogue swaying slightly in the seat. “Caspian said to tell you that you are my mentor now. He said we would do well together.”
Charm’s eyes flashed back open and he regarded Shade with a mixture of emotions. To Shade’s relief there was only a bit of displeasure present. “Well, if we are to work together, help me with my first task,” Charm said slowly, his eyes locked on Shade. “Tell me what to do with Emily. I owe her my life but I can’t take her to the Fionahold. She looks too much like her mother and the Fionaveir would resent her for the woman’s death. Not to mention she is a Blight. They would likely lock her up and analyze her to find weaknesses.”
Glancing over his shoulder, he studied the child for a moment and then looked to Charm. “She helped you and guarded you?” he asked cautiously.
“From the moment she saw me,” Charm replied smoothly.
“Do you think she would guard another person?” Shade asked.
“I suppose it depends on the person,” Charm said cautiously. “What are you thinking of?”
“I know someone in Sanctuary we can send her to. If she would be willing to guard her as fiercely as she was guarding you, it would benefit them both,” Shade said hesitantly. “If she stays camouflaged or hides her talons, she could pass as normal there.”
“Who?” Charm asked, his voice bordering on demand.
“Jala. I doubt you know her. She is open-minded, though and she has a good heart. If I write a letter for Emily to give her, Jala will give her a chance,” Shade explained.
A smile broke across the rogue’s face and he nodded slowly. “I hadn’t even thought of that, but you are right. Jala will give her a chance,” He nodded again to Shade with approval. “Perhaps we can work well together.”
“You know Jala?” Shade asked a bit incredulous.
“I guarded her when she first arrived in Sanctuary. I was her shadow,” Charm explained. Leaning out of his chair, he looked back to Emily. “All you will have to tell her is you want to be a lighter shade of grey,” He told the child who looked at him with obvious confusion.
Shade smirked and nodded once. “That will do it. Just show yourself to Jala. Don’t show yourself to her husband. He is an asshole and he won’t listen,” Shade added. He could well imagine how Finn Sovaesh would react to a Blight, be it child or not.
“Husband?” Charm gasped he stared at Shade with widened eyes. “What husband? Who did she marry?” He asked in disbelief.
“Finn Sovaesh. About two weeks ago,” Shade explained, somehow managing to keep the bitterness from his voice. While there was no reason she should have left the city with him, not after he had abandoned her in Rivana, to have her marry Finn was salt in the wounds.
“You will have to catch me up to speed after I’ve slept. Apparently I’ve missed a good deal,” Charm said quietly and Shade couldn’t tell if it was shock or displeasure in his voice.
“Before you go to sleep can I ask a question?” Shade said quickly, noting how the rogue’s eyes were already closing.
“Go for it,” Charm said quietly as he shifted his position, seeking a more comfortable way to rest.
“It’s an abrupt change of topic I know, but I’m wondering if you noticed the same as I did while you were in the city or if I was mistaken.” He paused and watched the rogue’s eyes flicker back open. He hadn’t been sure Charm was still awake.
“Ask, I’m tired,” Charm urged.
“On a basic level did the Blights seem to react like goblins to you? I thought I noticed a lot of similar behavior. We had issues with the goblins in Morcath a few years back and I got to know them better than I ever would have wanted to. When they were afraid, they found the deepest darkest hole to crawl in. They lived in hives there, communities of several dozen. They would fight among themselves but never anything serious, just scrapping. From what I saw of the Blights they seemed to act the same way on a basic level.” He watched Charm for a reaction as he finished and the rogue seemed to be in contemplation.
“I suppose they did, now that you mention it. They do live in hives as you call it, and they do tend to prefer subterranean areas. They are thick under the palace. Why?” Charm said, his grey eyes filled with interest.
“I think I know how to clear out Eldagar,” Shade said quietly, and smiled faintly.
“You know how to clear a massive amount of Blights from a city that has never fallen?” Charm asked skeptically.
Smiling wider Shade nodded. “Yes I do, but go ahead and rest. We can talk it over once you have slept.”
Charm’s eyes narrowed slightly and he seemed on the point of arguing. He was obviously curious but in the end fatigue won out. Nodding his acceptance, he leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes again.
With another smile, Shade turned his attention to the flight ahead and working out the minor details of his plan. It was an unconventional one to be sure, but it would work.
Chapter 3
Sanctuary
Jala tried to focus on the road ahead but her eyes kept trailing back to Valor. His tall bay horse was prancing sideways down the road with every point of it glittering in the sunlight. Bright emeralds flashed from the bridle and saddle, with smaller diamonds sparkling among them. His saddle blanket was heavy black silk with silver thread embroidery and she was positive the bit in the horse’s mouth was solid gold. Between the horse’s regalia and Valor’s own perfectly tailored suit of black and silver she felt like she was riding with royalty.
“You have a beautiful horse, Valor,” she said at last, unable to keep silent about the spectacle any longer. “Is his bit actually gold?”