“Anything else would be idiotic. Have you actually seen how those creatures behave? Did you honestly expect them to govern themselves?” Shade asked mockingly and shook his head in rebuke. “Don’t be an idealistic fool, Jala. We are right on the brink of success and you are all hung up on the sale of cattle.”
“They were human beings!” Neph roared in response. Zoelyn could see the dim glow of magic forming around her Brother’s hand and tried not to imagine what spell he was preparing. With the level of anger Neph was feeling she sincerely doubted it would be a simple disabling when it hit Shade. She would bet solid money it was something intended to be fatal. She knew her Brother hadn’t cared much for Shade even before today’s upset.
“They were culls and guttertrash. Even the Arovan girls had been turned into whores. One of them offered herself to me for food.” Shade returned loudly. “You are better off with them gone, and I have the funds to repair my ship now. You should both be thanking me rather than acting like fools. Do you realize how many times I’ve used my Spell Hawk to run favors for you?”
“Shade.” Valor spoke his name like a plea and Shade turned to look at him with annoyance. “Shade this has to be a wretched joke. I can’t believe after everything you have done in the past that you would do this. Please speak the truth before this charade damages things beyond repair.” Valor’s words seemed to dampen Jala’s anger and the High Lady bowed her head and turned away from Shade with disgust on her pale face.
“Do you want a joke, Valor? How about examining what I’ve done for you all without a fraction of the gratitude that I deserve. If I were actually thinking of myself I would be on the other side. If you haven’t noticed they happen to be winning. They have lost a few battles, but a good deal of that was due to my intervention. I sabotaged the Spell Hawks of Morcath. If not for me they would have taken to the air at the Last stand in Arovan and none of you would be alive today.” Shade paused and shook his head at everyone in the room. “You say that Delvay doesn’t believe in slavery? What have I been doing aside from being a slave? I run everyone’s errands and risk my life for you ungrateful bastards daily. I sold cattle and somehow that sin erases every time I have saved your pathetic honorable lives. Fine. Try to finish this without me. I wish you luck of it.” His hand dove into his pocket with his last words and Shade threw two storage stones to the floor in front of Jala. “Those are the bodies of Derrick Rivasa and Grace Morcaillo. I wish you luck finding peace with the Blights without me to control them, you will need it. They are little more than animals.” He snarled as he dropped down from the dais and headed for the door. “Do not seek me out for anything in the future. This will be the last time I speak with any of you without violence.” Shade warned as he pulled the doors open and stepped from the room.
Neph started to move but Jala placed a hand firmly on his arm. “Let him go. He has done enough for us in the past to allow him escape now. If we see him in the future we will deal with his crimes then, but for now we let him go.” Anger edged her voice as well as grief and Zoelyn could see the glassiness of Jala’s eyes. The High Lady was using considerable willpower to keep her tears at bay.
Moving quickly Zoelyn slipped from the room and started after Shade before anyone but Dray could notice she had even been present. She broke into a run once she was far enough away from the Great Hall and even with her haste she barely caught up to Shade before he reached the main gates of the city. “Shade wait!” she yelled before he could step out into the bright sunlit day.
He paused and turned back to look at her with the same sad smile he had worn in Grim’s room. “You shouldn’t have chased me down Zoey.” He chided her as she drew closer.
“I don’t understand.” Zoelyn began, but fell silent as his hand clamped down firmly on her wrist. She could feel her curse draining his magic and life force, but he didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned. Clenching her teeth she fought the curse back under control and felt a moment’s regret that she hadn’t remembered to put her gloves back on after tending to Grim. Only the difficulty of removing the quills and stitching his wounds shut with gloves on had prompted her to remove them at all.
“Let it drain please.” Shade said softly and stared pointedly down at her hand. Despite her confusion Zoelyn nodded slowly and released her hold on her curse. Shade winced slightly but smiled in response. “My father is scrying on that signet ring. I’ve felt his magic since the moment I touched the ring. I wanted him to see what I said in the throne room. I have a feeling I don’t want him to see what you are about to say however.”
“But wouldn’t what you said in Grim’s room contradict what you just displayed to him?” Zoelyn stammered.
“I wasn’t wearing it then. I’ve been careful to only let him see pieces. He will assume there were stronger wards on the sickroom and they caused the scry to fail.” Shade explained with a sigh.