Blood, Honor and Dreams (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #2)

Shade balanced himself carefully on top of the cage, the thick bundle of meat tucked precariously under one arm. Taking care to watch his footing, he moved to the center of the thick black bars and examined his prizes below. The trap was a rough one to be sure, but by his count he had captured close to twenty goblins despite that fact.

The creatures milled below him snarling and growling up at him. They were quite possibly the ugliest creatures on Sanctuary he decided. The tallest in the cage stood perhaps three and a half feet tall and was an impressive specimen for the race. It’s muscular body was thick and the ink black skin was slick with oil. The creature paced below him, it’s small black eyes locked on him and glittering with malice. A low growl began to emanate from the goblin as Shade studied it and it gnashed it’s oversized fangs in frustration as it crouched to jump.

“I don’t think so, buddy,” Shade warned, and adjusted himself to a better balance. The creatures were small in size but fierce in nature. If he lost his balance now they would tear him apart before he could even consider using a spell. Lowering the package carefully he balanced it across his knees and unfolded the cloth. It had taken him nearly an hour to prepare the meat with the alchemical surprise inside.

The largest creature caught the scent of blood and began to snarl louder, stretching it’s hands toward the ceiling in a vain attempt to reach him or the package. Shade regarded the talons inches from his foot and frowned at the goblin. “So, patience isn’t a strong virtue. Got it,” he muttered and dropped a large chunk of meat to the creature.

It dove for the morsel as did several others. Within moments, they were locked in combat with one another, little black bodies flailing with talons and fangs flashing. Shaking his head with a sigh he quickly began dropping more meat into the cage hoping they would give up the fight over the first morsel at the sight of more food.

“We have a problem,” Charm’s voice came from beside the ship. Shade glanced up from the fight and regarded the rogue with a raised eyebrow. He hadn’t heard him approach, but then that was nothing new. He never heard Charm approach. “The Rivasans have captured our envoy,” Charm explained, his gaze going briefly to the goblin’s squabble.

“My money is on the little one with the scar down his back. Nasty little bugger,” Shade said and rose slowly. With careful steps he made his way to the edge of the cage and dropped down lightly to the ground. “I’m not sure who they sent to Rivana, but it was a foolish thing to do. There was no way they would listen to a Fionaveir.”

“He was traveling in secret to speak with Lord Hexian,” Charm explained with a sigh.

“Gee, I wonder if the villagers turned him in?” Shade said dryly as he began to wipe the blood from the meat off his hands. “Look, I’m sorry, Charm, but your friend is likely dead. The Rivana law is rather brutal.”

Charm ignored the jibe and continued. “I believe you met the envoy before we left the Fionahold, his name is Remedy,” he said. Shade slowed in his task and dropped the cloth onto the wing of his ship.

“The incredibly nice one with minty breath,” Shade said with a slow nod.

“The incredibly nice councilor with minty breath,” Charm corrected.

“Do you have any indication that he might still be alive?” Shade asked with a hint of hope in his voice. In truth, he had liked the man a great deal. Remedy had been kind and easy to speak to. The more important aspect however was that it had been obvious how much Symphony had liked the man.

“Symphony believes he is,” Charm replied, his eyes once again going to the goblins who were still snarling and tearing at each other.

“No insult meant, Charm, but do you have any reason other than Symphony’s hopes?” Shade asked, his tone filled with sympathy.

Charm nodded slowly and returned his gaze to Shade. “Remedy has value to House Avanti. I don’t think Lord Rivasa would kill him without contacting Avanti first. He was captured recently and I think Avanti will want him alive.”

“Well then, help me get this cage loaded and we’ll see what we can do,” Shade said with a slight nod and opened the cargo hatch to the spell hawk.

“You mean to take them with us?” Charm asked, his tone filled with shock.

“Well I’m not going to go through the trouble of catching them all over again,” Shade replied, shaking his head. “I still need about forty more of them. To release these would be stupid,” he added and glanced toward Charm. Realizing quickly that the rogue had no intention of helping, Shade sighed and with a quick spell levitated the cage.

“I really don’t think we should take them,” Charm objected.

“You don’t have to catch them again if we release them, I do. So we are taking them,” Shade snapped as he maneuvered the cage into the ship. With practiced hands he chained the cage in place and stepped back off the ship, closing the hatch behind him.

Pausing by Charm he considered his ship and then looked to the rogue. “You know Rivana has spell hawks as well. I won’t be able to just fly into the city,” he warned.

“I know, first things first. We need to acquire more information. We don’t even know that he is truly alive beyond my suspicions,” Charm replied.

“OK, so first stop is Kedravon. If we are going to find gossip anywhere it will be in their capital,” Shade agreed and headed for the front of the ship. Charm gave a slight nod and followed. “I know Kedravon decently well. My father was rather close friends with Lord Rivasa when it was convenient to him. I can get us close but we will have to approach the city on foot. It shouldn’t be too hard, though. The last time I was there the guard was light.”

“They are preparing for war with Delvay. Kedravon will be brimming with soldiers,” Charm corrected mildly as they stepped into the ship.

Shade shook his head in disagreement. “No, they will have them at Bladeview,” he said and dropped into his pilot seat.

“Bladeview?” Charm asked.

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