“The Fionaveir used to be outlaws.” Shade pointed out lamely but he could tell there was no point of pressing the conversation further. Grim’s logic was sound and he knew it. “I just don’t like the idea of causing a riot.” He muttered as he paced across the hall once more.
“There is a very good chance you are going to wear a path if you don’t try to sit still for a bit. Calm down and trust me. This will work.” Grim said with a sigh as he shifted his position against the wall to stretch his legs. “Smoke a cigarette or something.” He suggested with a smirk.
“I’m out.” Shade returned glumly but forced himself to stop his pacing and returned to sit across from Grim. “I’d just rather it was over with.” He admitted and ran a hand through his hopelessly tousled hair.
“That much is obvious.” Grim observed dryly as he tossed the object he had been working on toward Shade. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lose that.” He said as Shade caught the leather cord and stared down at the black amulet attached to it.
“What is it?” he asked as he turned it over in his hands and studied the twisting wires that wrapped around the black stone fastening it securely to the leather cord. He could see tiny runes etched in the stone, but didn’t recognize the magic enough to tell what their purpose was.
“It’s a Bloodstone and given the fact that it is fashioned with my blood I will be in a world of misery if you lose it. You seem so paranoid about being tricked by Myth that I figured you would like a bit of reassurance. It’s the same as the bracelet I have fashioned with your blood, and it serves no other purpose than to let you know when I am nearby. The stone will be warm when I’m present. If you see me and it’s not warm kill whatever is imitating me.” Grim explained.
“What if there is Barllen nearby that is causing the amulet to malfunction and I actually kill you rather than an imposter.” Shade asked as he tied the amulet around his neck and tucked it safely under his shirt.
A snort of amusement burst from Grim’s lips then he noticed Shade’s dry expression and dissolved into a fit of laughter that lasted for several minutes. Shade continued to glare at him until Grim managed to get himself back under control. Still chuckling faintly Grim wiped a hand across his face and beamed a smile at Shade. “Thank you for that.” He said then shook his head at Shade as he rose to his feet. “Kill the real me.” He mumbled and shook his head again still smiling widely.
“You know I did drop you to the stones in Delvay.” Shade reminded him and struggled to keep the petulant tone from his voice.
“Yes you did.” Grim agreed in a placating voice and smiled indulgently down at Shade as if he were a child. “And it will never ever happen again.” He added with a wink.
“I’m not a complete bitch!” Shade protested as he rose to his feet as well.
“I know you aren’t.” Grim agreed pleasantly as he began to walk slowly toward the end of the hall.
“I wasn’t done arguing that point.” Shade called after him.
“I know you weren’t.” Grim returned in amusement.
“You really are an ass you know.” Shade muttered grumpily as he stared after Grim and tried to figure out what exactly the man was doing without having to ask him.
“Yes I am.” Grim agreed as he paused beside one of the cell doors and glanced back at Shade. “The council meeting has started.” He said as the Shadows faded abruptly away and the hall around them erupted into the loud rumble of thousands of disgruntled prisoners. Without any warning whatsoever Grim had dumped them both back into the world without any regard to stealth.
“Shit!” Shade snarled as the shouts of guards echoed down the hall toward him. A loud crack tore through the air drawing Shade’s attention back to Grim as the priest calmly tore the iron door from the first cell. Turning casually Grim threw the massive piece of metal toward the rapidly approaching guards barely missing Shade as he ducked to the side and flattened himself against the wall. Another crack sounded as the second door was ripped from its frame and Shade scrambled down the hall toward Grim before the priest had a chance to throw it.
“You could have warned me what you were doing!” Shade snarled as he slid to a stop beside Grim.
“We’ve discussed the plan six times. I thought you had it down by now.” Grim returned dryly as he hurled the second door. The shouts of more guards were echoing from further inside the prison and Shade knew they were working on limited time.
“I’m going to get Charm.” Shade announced as the priest moved toward the next cell door.
“Good you do know the plan then.” Grim replied with a faint chuckle as his hands locked around the iron bars. “Stand back please I don’t want any of you to get hurt by metal shards.” He warned the prisoners as they pressed themselves closer to the door in their eagerness to escape.
“Bastard.” Shade muttered as he turned away leaving the common prisoners in Grim’s capable hands. He had two doors between him and Charm and at least six cells to open. He sincerely doubted it would be as simple as tearing the doors free. The doors restraining the Elder Blood prisoners would be layered with magic and using Grim’s method of tearing them off the hinges would likely result in an explosion of wards that would level part of the prison.
“Black Bastard.” Grim corrected pleasantly from behind him and Shade had to smile in response.
“Black Bastard.” Shade repeated as he pushed open the first door and silently prayed any patrolling guards would run into Grim first. He would need all of his attention to disable to the magical wards and didn’t want the distraction of a fight to interfere with his rescue.