“We will meet again Morcaillo, and I will remember this. I never forget.” Ryvenken hissed through Caleb’s lips as he staggered forward. The pitch black of his eyes faded almost instantly and agony filled his face as his left hand grew black. Moving quickly Shade caught Caleb as his knees began to buckle and held him upright. The ring of metal on stone sounded as a black dagger fell from Caleb’s hand and bounced across the cobbles toward Syrah.
“Don’t touch that!” Shade warned quickly as Syrah stared down at the dagger then took a hasty step back at his words. Caleb shifted in his arms and tried to pull himself upright. “Easy, I’ve got you. Let’s get you to the ship.” Shade murmured as he turned on his heels but Caleb tugged weakly against him.
“Ryvenken.” Caleb gasped and reached one hand toward the dagger in a vain attempt of reaching it.
“You don’t seriously want that thing back do you?” Shade demanded incredulously.
“It’s a curse when you are bonded with it, but it’s a much more dangerous curse when your enemy bonds with it.” Caleb whispered in a hoarse voice and reluctantly Shade helped him kneel to pick up the Shadowsteel blade. “Thank you Shade.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Shade murmured as he half-carried Caleb toward his ruined ship. His gaze fell on Grace’s body as they grew closer and he felt his throat go dry in response. “No one will thank me by the time this day is over with.” He added softly. There was still so much he had to do before the night was over, but by the time he was done everyone would be safe, and everyone would hate him.
*
Thick vines choked the outer walls and Zoelyn hesitated as she watched another stone tumble from the crumbling building. The entire Fortress was ensconced in the Stonevines Grim had summoned and from what she could tell they were the only thing holding the building upright. Her eyes moved to what remained of the doorway and her unease increased. Zachary stood a few feet away examining the fallen stones clogging the door and seemed to be trying his best to ignore Havoc’s impatient glare.
“I have an overwhelming feeling this is one of those moments that Victory would call us both idiots and suggest another plan.” Zachary said cautiously. His dark blue eyes moved from the blocked door to settle on Havoc and he slowly shook his head. “I think the vines are the only things holding the walls up, and this slide of rocks seems to be one of the pressure points. If we clear here it might bring the rest of the ceiling down.”
“I’d like to know what else we are supposed to do. We have already circled this building once and this is the only opening where we can get through the bloody vines. We are searching for prisoners from Delvay and Arovan. They will be in the main keep. No one would keep slaves or captives that were that valuable anywhere else. I suppose I could just set fire to the vines and hope we find another weak point in the stones, but I don’t think that would end well for anyone.” Havoc snapped as he waved his hand for Zachary to move from the doorway.
“I’m not sure this is going to end well either. This part of the fortress doesn’t look sound at all.” Zoelyn began but fell silent as Havoc’s annoyed glare snapped to her. Frowning she shuffled back a few steps from the two men to stand beside Dray.
“He is going to melt the rocks at the door which will weaken the structure further and five minutes inside that wreck the entire place is going to fall on our heads.” Dray predicted grimly with a shake of his head.
“I think that is what Zach is predicting too.” Zoelyn agreed with a sigh.
“I’m almost certain that if I were holding Oblivion right now I would call you a fool and walk away from this. Sentiment fades before logic when I’m holding Oblivion and I’m rather certain no logical person would walk inside this building.” Zachary pointed out calmly before letting out a heavy breath and stepping back from the door. “Please be careful.” He added as Havoc stepped into position with a smile lighting his tanned face.
“Oh of course, careful, always, and by the way, that logic crap is one of the main reasons I hate talking to you while you are holding Oblivion.” Havoc muttered as he drew his hands back and inhaled deeply. The air around him began to glow faintly and with a grunt of effort the Firym threw his hands forward sending a fireball the size of a hay wagon into the rock strewn doorway. Shards of stone exploded from the crumbling doorway and the entire Fortress gave a low shuddering groan as the rock slide melted. With a wider smile Havoc winked at Zachary and waved his hand to clear the foul smelling smoke from the air before him. “See there is a way inside now and the ceiling didn’t collapse.” He pointed happily toward the still molten stone and started forward apparently oblivious to the creaking noises the structure was still making.
“I do believe I said be careful. What part of careful involved a fireball of that size?” Zachary sighed as he stepped closer then seemed to think better of walking into the still glowing stone that was slowly cooling on the floor.
“The part where it was only that size and not bigger.” Havoc responded from somewhere inside. If the Firym had any concerns about the building coming down on him it didn’t show in his voice. He almost sounded as if he were enjoying himself.
“Is he legally insane amongst his people or is this normal behavior for a Firym?” Dray asked dryly as he moved closer to Zachary.
The Blight’s expression was so doubtful that Zoelyn wasn’t even sure he would enter the building once the stone cooled. She could see his muscles tense every time the building made the faintest creak.
Zachary frowned for a breath and then looked to Dray with an amused smile. “Havoc waited for me to move before using fire. That makes him quite rational amongst the Firym, almost too cautious by their standards.” He replied in obvious amusement.