The Crow King's Wife

by Melissa Myers

  “Do not touch him.” Shade growled as he struggled to his feet. The shock of seeing Myth was wearing off and his anger was returning brighter than ever. Teeth still clenched he forced his broken fingers wide to keep his regeneration from healing his hand into a disfigured claw and nearly fainted from the renewed agony. All but the little finger of his hand straightened and he didn’t spare a thought for the twisted little finger. The bones of the joint had been crushed and he didn’t have time to spare for it now. He would have to break it again later to straighten it. There was no help for it at the present.

  “You never were much for pain. I can still remember you squalling like a dying cat when you scraped a knee as a child. That was around the point when I realized you would likely grow up to be the disappointment you are today.” Myth said with disgust as he purposefully leaned toward Grim and prodded him in the chest. “Have you even bothered to ask this one who he truly serves, Christian?” Myth asked calmly as he examined Grim more closely. “He is obviously more than a Shifter, and you should feel the way he is fighting against my magic as I speak. It’s impressive really. I’d say given time he would break free of my spell which is more credit than I would ever give you.”

  With a deep breath Shade gathered all of his power and focused himself directly on his father. “Step away from him.” He warned and to his amazement his voice was steady and held a note of command that he had never realized he possessed.

  Cocking his head Myth turned to regard him with a hint of interest. “Protective aren’t you. How quaint. You do realize if you try to keep him I will have to kill him. You don’t have much longer to live, but you could learn too much from this one even in the short time you have remaining. I can’t have that. You might actually become a threat…but I doubt it.” Myth’s voice was thoughtful as glanced once more at Grim then turned his full attention back to Shade. “Impressive amount of power you’ve gathered. Before you are foolish enough to use it though let me present the very obvious point you seem to be missing. I’ve already won, Christian. Even if you kill me now I have succeeded in my plans.” Myth continued then motioned toward the sky to the north of the city. “Your friends will not be prepared by the time their enemies arrive. Lady Merrodin is wasting her resources and strengths trying to get the commons to safety.” Myth informed him and laughed at his own words. Rolling his eyes once more he shook his head and smiled brightly at Shade. “The Empress is considered an incompetent fool. Over half of the nations are crippled. Most of the High Lords will die here today, and the rest of the destruction is eminent. I have kept most of my forces in reserves for that very reason. What Rivasa fails to destroy today I will eliminate tomorrow. You lose, I win, your precious world will crumble, the Barrier will fall, and I will be free of this damn prison at last.”

  “You have such a habit of underestimating others.” Shade snarled and allowed some of his gathered power to flow from his body. A nimbus of light gathered around him, and he hoped it would be enough of a distraction to keep Myth’s attention focused on him. He didn’t want his father to notice the slow trickle of shadows that was gathering around Grim’s fingers. Shade wasn’t sure exactly what the display of power meant, but he knew Myth hadn’t realized that Grim wasn’t held in stasis anymore.

  “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.

  “Charm you don’t understand.” Shade began, but Charm cut him off with a sharp gesture and continued toward the ship in a ragged but determined walk.

  “You don’t understand Shade.” Charm said pointedly. “Every secret I have tried to protect has been revealed, and keeping my oath to the Guardians by helping you protect this city is the only left that I might be able to do with what life remains to me. I am going with you. I know how to load the guns, I remember from our previous flights. I can at least be useful in that respect.” Charm’s rang loudly in his mind, and was filled with so much anger that Shade knew there would be no arguing with him. His mind was set and Shade didn’t have the time to try to change it. “It’s better than staying here and being killed by my former comrades for nothing more than being a Guardian.” Charm added bitterly.

  “So be it.” Shade whispered and let out a sigh as he looked toward Lex once more. “Tell Jala I will buy her what time I can. Help her get the people to safety. The Academy would be the best choice the wards there are the strongest in the city.” He called loudly. With a final nod to Grim he stepped upward into his ship and staggered forward as Grim followed him up the stairs and pushed him toward the pilot seat.

  “Grim! What are you doing?” Shade demanded as the priest calmly closed the door to the Spell Hawk and slid his sword back into its scabbard before turning to face Shade.

  “Helping you with every ounce of my power just as we agreed. I will warn you though with what I am doing today Syrah better grow up to be the most well-adjusted and mentally stable woman in all of Sanctuary. That is the only way things will be even between us.” Grim replied coolly as he moved to take a seat in the front of the ship. “Give me control of the guns and explain quickly how they work so you can focus your full attention on flying. I have a feeling you are going to need it.” Grim ordered without bothering to give Shade time to object.

  “You realize what I’m doing is like declaring Kevala’drin on three separate nations at once right? My ship has wards against teleportation on it to protect from others invading it, but that works both ways. It means no one can teleport off of it either. The Barllen on the outside will just increase that. This flight is a one way ticket and this ship won’t be landing Grim, it will be crashing. I can’t win against those odds no matter how good I am. All I can do is slow them down before they reach the city, and hope it gives Jala enough time to evacuate more people to safety.” Shade explained in an overly calm voice. It seemed so strange to be discussing the death of his beloved ship so casually. His ship was really the last thing he could truly say he had, but then if the ship crashed Shade sincerely doubted he would around to mourn its loss.

  “You do recall me saying I wanted every last one of the flame hearted bastards dead right?” Grim returned with a smile. “Now show me how to work these guns and let’s get this over with. Rivasa, Nerathane, and Morcath chose this fight. Let’s be the first to make them regret that decision.”

  “The ammunition on my ship is different than most. I’ve designed all of it. The Morcath Spell Hawks will have some of the same ammo, but not all of it. The Barllen rounds in particular are unique.” Shade began as he realized he wasn’t going to talk Grim out of dying with him either. “Charm will keep the guns loaded in the back so all you will have to worry about is aiming. There is a rune on the control panel in front of you that will link you mentally with the weapon systems or if you prefer you can simply use the view screen. The runes for the separate ammunitions are color coded depending on what it is. The Barllen is the black rune, use it sparingly please.” Shade finished and slowly sank down into his seat.

  Lovingly he ran a hand across the dash of his Spell Hawk and swallowed heavily as he leaned toward the pilot’s controls. “You and I have had some beautiful times, Love, but this is the last dance and this is the one that counts the most. I know you are banged up right now, and I know I have been neglecting you, but for today I need you to ignore that. I need you to fly like the day I built you. There are a lot of bastards up there that are going to believe they can catch you, but I know what you can really do, and I need you to show them no matter what condition you are in. I’m sorry for this, Love, but this city and those people are worth more than both of us.” he spoke the words so softly that he was certain neither of his friends could hear him until he looked up and found Grim watching him with a thoughtful expression.

  “This ship is the center of your world isn’t it?” Grim asked softly as he drew his hands back carefully from the controls and slowly looked around the Spell Hawk as if he were seeing it for the first time.

  Shade nodded slowly and swallowed as he slowly traced a finger over the view screen controls beginning the preflight sequence. “No matter what I did at home it was never the right choice. When it came to the Academy there was always someone slightly better than I was. In every single situation I have ever been in there has always been someone slightly stronger, faster, or more talented in magic, but here in this seat I am king. No one can come close to me here, and this Ship is my heart and soul. I designed her and built her and I know every inch of her better than a mother knows her child. This ship is my life and there is only one thing that I would sacrifice it for.” Shade’s voice was low as he finished the diagnostics and wrapped his fingers tightly around the controls. He felt his magic swell as he linked fully with his Spell Hawk and for the first time in weeks he was king again. He knew this was his last flight, and he had every intention of making sure it was never forgotten. The true battle would be won by Jala and her fellow High Lords, but his flight would be the first shot fired and it would live on in bard’s tales for decades to come. He owed his ship that much for what he was demanding of it.

  “Is Jala really worth what you are sacrificing.” Grim asked quietly.

  Shade smiled sadly and shook his head slowly. “Jala is wonderful, but she wasn’t what I was talking about when I spoke of sacrificing my ship. I’m doing this for Sanctuary. I’m doing this for every single soul down there that isn’t involved in this war and has no magic to protect themselves. I saw how many died when the Fionaveir took this city. So many people I knew suffered because of the pettiness of High Lords. I’m not like the rest of the Elder Blood. I never have been. I despise war and I truly pray this is the last battle fought. There is nothing glorious or honorable about it. War is nothing more than suffering and slaughter and it disgusts me.” He closed his eyes for a moment as his words trailed off then let out a long deep breath as he pulled the controls slowly toward him.

  His ship responded instantly despite its battered condition. His eyes fixed on the view screen as he slid his finger across the rune that activated the mental link that he rarely ever used. A faint hum filled his ears and the view screen faded away replaced instantly by a perfect view of the sky surrounding his ship with no obstructions blocking his view. It had been so long since he had used the linking rune that for a moment he was breathless with the experience. It was a perfect bond with the one thing in the world that he love
d more than anything else, and it only seemed fitting that he and The Shade would be one until the very last moment.

  * * *

  Sunlight glared down on his back and Finn had to resist the urge to push the cowl of his Priest’s robe back and tilt his head upward. Never before had the warmth of pure sunlight filled him with such simple joy and he smiled as he finally realized why the Firym revered the sun. He had lived without it for close to five years and to be standing under it now with a soft breeze filled with the scents of blooming flowers was almost intoxicating.

  “Lord Han’shy can you use your gifts to urge this people off the streets.” Jala’s voice shattered the peace of the moment and Finn let out a quiet sigh as he turned his attention back to the chaos surrounding him.

  “I could, but I won’t. It’s a waste of my strength. If they don’t have the sense to flee the battlefield then they deserve their fate.” Jin Han’shy replied calmly.

  Jala had turned away obviously believing her request would be followed without argument but whirled back around to stare at Jin in open disbelief. She blinked at the High Lord and Finn had to suppress a chuckle at her expression. His little peasant girl had grown arrogant in her time as High Lady Merrodin and it showed clearly. By the way her violet eyes blazed it was obvious that she was trying to decide how best to punish someone with the audacity to deny her.

  “Saving the lives of hundreds of people is not a waste of time.” Jala snapped and Finn could see the angry tirade building just by the way she stood with her shoulders squared.

  “But arguing with my father is.” Jail cut in before the debate could grow more heated. Bowing low to both Jala as well as his father Jail smiled. “I would be happy to do as you ask Lady Merrodin so that my father’s considerable talents can be turned toward the approaching enemies.”

  “Fine, as long as someone is doing it.” Jala replied looking somewhat mollified. “Valor can you slow them with weather?” she asked turning aside from both Han’shy as she continued to try to force order out of the world around her.