“And the Assassination?” Zoelyn pressed. She settled in the chair across from him and watched him closely. He didn’t even flinch at her words, but she knew how Shade felt about killing. From what Jala had told her about the man, he didn’t resort to violence unless he could see no other alternative. Shade was typically the mellowest of the people she knew, and the idea of him going into Rivasa to kill seemed too out of character for him.
Shade sat silent for a long moment before dropping the handful of jerky for the goblin. Turning slowly he folded his hands on the table and leaned forward to meet her gaze. His smile was gone replaced by a look of pure determination. “The man I am going to kill is going to die for the crimes he has already committed. He attacked a defenseless country and killed one of the few individuals I can honestly say I respected. I justify the blood I am spilling on the fact that it will be done for the greater good. Not only will I be ridding the world of a horrible person and avenging Micah Arovan, I will be forging peace for an entire culture of people in the process. I am killing a man that doesn’t deserve to live and I refuse to feel guilt for it.” He lifted his chin as he spoke and his smile slowly returned. “I will kill, Caleb will live, and Sanctuary will have peace. It’s as simple as that. I refuse to allow it to end any other way.” He finished in a voice that held no room for argument.
“Thank you so much for referring to my intentions as an idiotic notion.” Grim said dryly. He sat down at the table finally and pulled his cup of tea closer as he regarded Shade with annoyance.
“I call it as I see it my friend. Life is too precious to waste and friends are too important to lie to.” Shade responded without the faintest hint of apology in his tone. His gaze turned back to Zoey and he grinned again. “So Seth eh?” he asked and she felt her face go red again. He nodded at her reaction and smirked. “Figures. It’s always the ones like him that draw the attention.”
“Seth?” Grim asked seizing the name at once. He stared at Shade expectantly and didn’t even bother to look in her direction.
“Shade please.” Zoelyn begged and to her relief Shade glanced at Grim and then back to her but didn’t elaborate.
“Let it go, Caleb. If I have learned anything in the past year it is the simple fact that no matter how many times you try to tell a woman that the one she adores is not right for her she won’t listen, and as much as I hate to admit it there are times that she is right to ignore you. I was never able to see what Jala saw in Finn, but he gave his life to save her. In that much at least I will admit I was wrong about him. There is a fair chance that I’m wrong about Seth too.” Shade said and rose from his chair without so much as looking at his tea. “Dray is coming with us right Zoey?” he asked as he turned toward the door.
Zoelyn nodded silently and felt her tension ease a bit at the question. He had changed the subject willingly, and it was possible that the mention of Dray would keep Grim’s mind too occupied to press her more.
“Excellent. I have a plan, but I will need his help with it.” Shade announced then paused before stepping into the hall and turned back to look at her a bit abashed. “Um where exactly would I find him? I’m not sure which room is his.”
“He won’t be in his room at this hour. He will be practicing with Vosha somewhere.” Zoelyn answered quietly and rose from her chair.
“Somewhere?” Shade raised an eyebrow at her with the question and she smiled in response.
“The two of them have become rather close friends since we recovered Delvay, and Vosha has decided it’s his duty to ensure Dray knows the appropriate skills for the next battle.” Zoelyn explained with a heavy sigh. “He knows my feelings on violence so he doesn’t include me on their training sessions. I have a general idea of where they go, but honestly it depends on what they are working on. Dray is learning swords, archery, and magic and each one seems to require a different place to practice.”
“So I should wander until I find them?” Shade asked hesitantly.
“Or Zoey could show us where she thinks they might be.” Grim suggested as he rose from his chair and headed for the door that led to the gardens. “I confess I’d like to meet Micah’s son. Valor says he is a mirror image of his father.”
“In appearance they could pass as twins.” Shade informed him with a wide smile and to Zoey’s eyes he looked entirely too pleased with his words.
Grim eyed him for a moment thoughtfully and then slowly nodded his understanding. “So the Rivasans are going to get a visit from a dead man are they?” he said softly.
“Perhaps.” Shade responded as he brushed past Grim and stepped out into the early morning light. He inhaled deeply and smiled as he glanced back at Grim. “It’s going to be a beautiful day.” He declared cheerfully.
*
There was nothing beautiful about the day as far as Zoelyn could see. The sky to the north was dark with promised storms and the humidity of the air made her leather clothes chafe against her skin. Her steps slowed at the edge of the training grounds and she let her gaze sweep across the men that already clustered there. Several were working on swords while still more carried grain and fresh water to the horses stabled nearby. None of them were Dray, but then she hadn’t really expected to find him near so many people. Despite how Jala insisted they were welcome in Merro, both she and Dray found it difficult to openly move amongst crowds. There were only a rare few they felt truly comfortable around, and just the sight of the soldiers in the yard made her want to retreat back to the house.
The grass crunched behind her and she didn’t need to look up to know it was Grim that stood beside her now. Shade’s presence was vibrant and he would have spoken the moment he paused, but Grim studied the training yard in silence before turning his attention to her.