“That actually works better when you form it into a spell before you release it.” Myth informed him dryly. His form slowly shifted back to the image of Faramir as he walked casually toward Shade and he smiled honey sweet stopping just inches from his son. “This is how it is Shade. You have three options. You can waste your energy fighting me and I can have the amusement of killing you. You can use the power you have gathered to flee this city before it’s destroyed and I can have the entertainment of hunting you down later. Or last but not least, you can go join your friends in their pathetic last stand and I can enjoy watching you all die horribly in your vain attempts to be heroes. Whatever option you choose, you lose.”
“I like option four.” Shade returned with a smile as Grim’s sword sank deeply into Myth’s back. Lunging forward Shade slammed his fist into Myth’s face and felt the satisfying crunch of bones beneath his hand as Myth’s spell dissolved and time snapped back into motion. Symphony’s scream shattered the air behind him as Shade delivered another savage blow to Myth’s jaw and was rewarded with a spray of bright blood. Faramir’s slighter form was not suited to brawling and both blows he had landed had done grievous damage.
“You should have stayed in your own form. It would have held up better.” Shade hissed as he drew back for another blow. Myth ducked away under the blow tearing himself free of Grim’s sword as the air around them crackled with magic and bright white light exploded from where Myth was standing. Staggering back blindly Shade did his best to avoid the several drawn swords held by the advancing Fionaveir guards. The smell of ozone filled the air as he slowly blinked his eyes back into focus and with renewed fury he realized Myth was gone. The entire fight had taken only a breath, and Shade knew his father had been injured badly, yet somehow Myth had managed to focus enough to cast a spell to escape.
“What did you do to Faramir!” Symphony demanded in a nearly hysterical screech. “Seize him now!” She screamed to her guards as she shoved one of them toward Shade.
“Symphony no!” Remedy’s voice broke through the chaos and Shade glanced quickly toward the approaching man silently thanking whatever god had sent this blessing. If the Empress would listen to reason from anyone, it was Remedy. “Leave Shade be. That was not truly Faramir!” Remedy added quickly as he drew to a stop several feet from Symphony with a look of pleading on his face.
Symphony glanced between the two of them seeming unsure of what to do and Shade shook his head at both of them then glanced toward the north. Turning he found Grim standing just behind him with his sword held at the ready and pale grey eyes set on the guards as if daring them to move.
“Keep them off me please.” Shade said softly as he stepped back from the unfolding drama and stared up at the rapidly approaching dragons. Myth was right. His friends wouldn’t have time to prepare. He was wrong about the options though. There was one more that might buy Jala enough time to secure the city, but the price was high. His eyes moved from the dragons to the frantic people that were rushing to find shelter from the approaching violence and he felt calmness settle over him. The price was high, but the end result was worth it. If he bought Jala enough time she could save thousands. One life for thousands. Shade mused as he pulled the storage gem containing his Spell Hawk from the pocket of his coat.
Shade could feel Grim’s eyes on him as he broke the gem then stepped back quickly as the bulk of his Spell Hawk filled the narrow street. Glancing back he found the Priest watching him rather than the Fionaveir guards he was supposed to be holding at bay.
“Is that for our escape or is this one of those times when you are giving too much without regard to reason?” Grim asked evenly.
“Giving just enough.” Shade corrected quietly. He turned away from Grim and stepped onto his ship to swiftly rummage through one of the compartments. With a faint smile he seized a small container from his collection of ammunition and tucked it under the arm as he exited the ship once more. He could feel several sets of eyes on him now as he opened the box and pulled a glass sphere from inside it, no one was moving to stop him however. Without pausing to think about what he was doing Shade slammed the sphere on the ground shattering the glass to reveal the tiny orb of dull grey metal. It was difficult to say which was worth more, the protection on his ship or the ammunition he was destroying. The Barllen rounds would tear through Spell Hawk or dragon alike with no regard for wards of protection.
“Barllen?” Grim asked quizzically as Shade rapidly shattered three more of the spheres and stood with the small orbs of metal clutched tightly in his hands. Nodding absently Shade moved to the front of his ship and hastily wired the first orb of Barllen to the broken bracket that had once held rails of the metal before Vaze had ripped them from his ship.
“Can I ask what you are doing?” Grim’s voice was more curious than anything else as he watched Shade move from bracket to bracket attaching the orbs.
“It’s not much in the way of defense, but it’s enough to keep some spells off my Hawk.” Shade explained as he gave Grim a wistful smile. “It’s been a pleasure my friend.” He said and bowed his head to Grim in farewell before turning back to his ship. He paused as he reached the steps and gazed in the direction he had left Lex then frowned as he noticed Charm staggering toward him. He had intended to say farewell, but at the sight of the rogue moving toward him the words died on his lips.
“I’m going with you.” Charm informed him mentally in the same elegant voice that Shade could remember the rogue using time and time again while they were partnered together in the Fionaveir. Despite the fact that his body was so broken that he could barely stumble the look on Charm’s face and the voice he used in Shade’s mind was firm with resolve.