The Crow King's Wife Read online

  “Jealousy?” Lutheron demanded in an incredulous tone. By the expression on his face Finn knew his words had struck home.

  “They say in Sanctuary that we were nearly equals. I would imagine that would get under your skin a bit.” Finn pressed with an arrogant smile on his face. He was skilled enough at taunting that he knew Lutheron would fall into the trap he had set. If life in Sanctuary and his time in the arena had taught him anything, it was how to talk shit. An angry opponent never fought well, unless they were Firym or Delvay of course, and Lutheron was neither.

  “There is no comparison between the two of us boy.” Lutheron snarled. His posture had stiffened and one hand had dropped to his sword.

  “Exactly what I said when I heard the gossip, but the people of Sanctuary still insist that had you been just a bit faster you could have been my equal. I thought it was rubbish personally and I’m glad to hear you agree.” Finn finished with a wider smile. People with arrogance were so easy to bait, and Lutheron was his equal in that regard at least. With luck he could finish this fiasco with a quick duel against Lutheron and the matter would be resolved. That was of course under the theory that the Divine had trial by combat as the Elder Blood did. Finn’s smile faded a bit and he glanced back at Fiona. I really should have asked her about that point before I started down this path he realized belatedly.

  “Do you think this is just a game boy?” Lutheron snarled as he started down the stairs toward Finn. “Do you think this is like your days in the Arena and those assembled as simply your crowd to amuse?” he continued speaking his voice dropping in low tones as he took each stair with a methodical pace. “Do you not realize the very real danger you have created for your fellow Divine and Aspects with your careless actions?” Lutheron shook his head in disgust and his gaze trailed over the crowd. “My brothers and sisters did not gather to listen to your flippancy. They gathered to determine your fate boy, and with every word you bring yourself closer to death.”

  “Well there is some irony considering my current role in life.” Finn responded dryly and snorted with amusement. “It’s pretty obvious you are the one that wants me dead Lutheron.” Finn began as he stepped to the ledge of the sand pit. “So why don’t we settle this between the two of us? If you win I’m dead and you are apparently happy. If I win you shut the hell up and spend your free time sticking your nose up someone else’s ass.” Finn finished as he dropped lightly down to the sand landing with a cat-like grace. He flipped his cigarette to the side as he locked his gaze fully on Lutheron. More murmurs had broken out through the crowd, but this time they were filled with confusion and amazement rather than anger.

  “Wait!” A new voice called from the crowd before Lutheron had a chance to respond. The crowd shifted as the man moved forward quickly. He was dressed in dark leather with a heavy cloak covering most of his face, and Finn couldn’t remember seeing him in the crowd until now. More muttering rose as the man weaved his way through benches and dropped lightly to the sand beside Finn.

  The hood on his cloak fell back as he landed giving everyone a full view of his well-tanned face and sandy hair. Rings lined both of his ears and another was pierced through his left nostril. That combined with the sandy stubble of beard and dark clothes gave the newcomer the perfect image of the bard’s tale rogue. Finn could very easily picture the man as the highway man that swept naïve young women off their feet, but he really didn’t look the hero sort which made his current actions rather confusing.

  “Who in the hell are you?” Finn murmured softly as the man raised his hands to silence the crowd.

  The man winked at him, but turned back to the crowd without giving answer. “My Lady would speak before this progresses any further.” The man called loudly and the noise of the crowd turned to a positive rumble of shock.

  Even Lutheron seemed taken aback by the words and Finn turned his attention slowly back to his newest ally. “Who exactly do you serve?” he asked in bewilderment. By the reactions of the assembled gods it must be someone terrifying, and yet the man beside him didn’t seem threatening at all. He wasn’t even armed as far as Finn could tell.

  “He serves me.” A soft voice answered from behind him and Finn turned at the sound of it. The woman was small, barely coming to his chest in height. She was dressed in dark blue silks that seemed to cling to her delicate form with matching streaks of the color lacing her short dark hair. Rings glittered from every finger and tiny silver hoops adorned her ears, but other than that she seemed to carry no other metal. There was no sign of sword or daggers and by her appearance she looked even less dangerous than the man that served her. She smiled at Finn impishly and bowed slightly in his direction with a flourish that belonged in a noble’s court. Standing once more she locked her blue eyes on him before slowly trailing past him to the waiting crowd. “I rarely come to these gatherings. I do hope you all remember who I am.” She began in a voice that seemed almost musical to Finn’s ears.

  “What do you want?” Lutheron demanded and there was a trace of unease in his voice. It wasn’t fear, but there was definite uncertainty in his expression and tone.

  “Ahh I see you remember me at least.” The woman chuckled and shrugged her slender shoulders. “I want to intervene before you do something stupid Lutheron. Your plots and schemes are so important to you that sometimes you fail to look at the grander picture. For example if you happen to kill sweet Finn here, do you have someone to take his place as the Keeper of souls? Is there someone waiting on the sidelines to take up the mantle of Death that I’m not seeing?” She cocked her head in question and slowly turned a full circle as if searching the crowd for her answer. Clicking her tongue quietly in thought she slowly shook her head and turned her attention back to Lutheron. “It’s an important role you know, especially now with everyone in the sunlit world killing as quickly as they can.” She added with a sad little smile.

  “Death can easily be replaced and no doubt with someone more competent than Finn Sovaesh.” Lutheron replied coldly.

  “Really?” The woman asked in sheer astonishment. “I doubt that.” She added and waved a hand lightly to her right. The air shimmered for a moment and then cleared revealing Seth’s dark clad form. The demon’s eyes narrowed as he took in his current surroundings and he looked to Finn with questioning eyes. “Seth Avanti you have served Death for longer than most of us have held power. Tell me in your honest words does Finn Sovaesh do his duties well? We all know you for the creature you are, and we all know you will speak bluntly, especially now that you have lost your gift with Charm magic.”

  Seth hesitated and it was obvious from the expression on his face that he had thought Finn had turned him over for his crimes. His posture slowly relaxed as he regarded the woman who had summoned him and he nodded slowly. “At first he was confused by his new role as anyone would be, but since he has mastered his powers he has done more to help the fallen than his predecessor ever did, and Finn is not showing favoritism in his judgments as she did.” Seth began and sighed heavily with a glance of apology at Finn before he continued. “With the exception of Jala Merrodin that is, aside from that however Finn has done his duty well. More souls have been returned to the lifestream under his watch than I have seen return in the past three hundred years, and they are from all countries not simply the ones he favors. While Finn Sovaesh may personally hate the Rivasans he does not allow his feelings for them to mar his judgment of their souls. Penance is delivered fairly and is not abused as it has been in the past.” Seth finished and bowed his head to Finn.

  “Do you believe the Domain of Death would do better with another master?” The woman asked with a smile.

  “Place another in Finn’s place and I will kill them and take the mantle myself. I will only serve Finn Sovaesh. I will not accept another master. Make your peace with him, or deal with me, your choice.” Seth answered coldly.

  “Thank you Seth.” The woman murmured happily and waved her hand once more. The demon vanished from the pit a
lmost instantly and her eyes rose to Lutheron once more. “Seth would be much more complicated to deal with I think. He knows you personally Lutheron and he doesn’t like you much as I recall.”

  “I can’t say that I blame him.” Finn muttered sourly. Things had definitely taken a turn in an unexpected direction and he wasn’t sure what to think of his ally. She had seemed charming right up until she had summoned Seth. That action in itself had annoyed him far more than Finn cared to admit. She was helping him of course, but he hadn’t asked for the help, and she had no right to summon his people.

  “You have heard my case and the valid points I have to make. Now let me tell you the outcome of this.” The woman turned in her circle once more smiling at the assembled Aspects. “Regardless of what you decide you will not kill Finn Sovaesh today. He has my protection and there is nothing any of you can do against my powers. I am taking him home now, and you can all piss and fume till you turn blue for all I care. This is done and the verdict is not guilty.”

  The sand beneath Finn’s feet rocked as her voice fell silent and the entire room faded from his vision as vertigo washed over him. He was standing in his own throne room when his vision cleared. His benefactor was seated comfortably in his throne while her servant reclined comfortably on the steps before her. She smiled at him and winked.

  “You owe me, Finn.” She said sweetly.

  “I didn’t ask for your help, and I’m not even sure that was truly helpful. I think you may have pissed them off even more than I did.” Finn snapped as he searched the room quickly for Fiona. The last thing he wanted was one of his own left behind at that assembly.

  “She is safe in the Darklands, but not in here. I didn’t want to listen to her. Fiona has such a sour disposition these days.” The woman sighed and sat up straighter in the throne. “I may have pissed them off, but I gave them plenty to think about, and with me at your back they won’t be so quick to trouble you again.”

  “Who are you?” Finn demanded in exasperation. Everything had moved so quickly since she had arrived he felt like the room was still spinning. He really couldn’t say what he thought of the entire situation, but he was fairly certain it wasn’t good.

  “Exodus. Forgive me for not introducing myself. I thought beginning my act with introductions would steal a bit of my thunder, and I needed my presentation to leave them spinning in their seats.” Exodus smiled apologetically and shrugged at him.

  “Exodus.” Finn repeated dumbly as he tried frantically to determine what Aspect the woman must represent. “Why did you help me and what do you want in return?” he asked in a calmer voice.

  “I helped you so you would help me. As to what I want…” her voice trailed off and for the first time since she had arrived in the sand pit she seemed unsure. A slight frown creased her full lips and she rose from the throne. “I have power amongst the Aspects, but as far as my followers go… Well they are not powerful in a worldly sense, but more of a personal sense. They are capable individuals, but no one of significance in the grand scheme of things. You however have very powerful allies in the sunlit world.”

  “Jala.” Finn concluded with a frown. He didn’t like where this was going at all. With a sigh he nodded for her to continue, but he doubted he would like what she had to say.

  “Jala and Nephondelvayon, and others.” Exodus agreed with a quick nod. “You see the problem is this. I have many of my followers locked away and they pray to me to save them, and I can’t, I’ve tried.” Her voice cracked with genuine pain and she shook her head quickly fighting back tears. “Each prayer from them is like a knife in my gut and I have tried everything I can to save them short of a personal rescue, and you saw how the Aspects react when we get personally involved in mortal affairs.” She waved a hand toward the man still sitting on the stairs and stared at Finn with a look of pleading on her face. “Nix is the finest of my servants and he is the most capable sneak I know and even he hasn’t been able to free them. He has tried half a dozen times to answer their prayers and I’m afraid if he continues trying I will lose him. You must understand, Finn, Nix is my Seth, I cannot part with him. I would be utterly lost.”

  “And you think Jala or Neph can succeed where he has failed?” Finn asked in confusion. Neither of his friends were the least bit sneaky and the thought of sending Jala into danger was not one he would even consider. She lived with enough danger in her life and Finn wouldn’t ask her to endure more.

  “I believe they have enough political power to pull strings in the mortal world. I am truly desperate here or I would never even consider resorting to something as distasteful as the legal approach.” Exodus explained. She rubbed her face and turned away from him as she paced toward one of the walls. “Close to a dozen of my most devoted and one of my most powerful followers are rotting away in chains and with every day that passes their faith in me diminishes. If you cannot help me with this I will go myself and to hell with the Aspects opinion on the matter. I’m not even sure how much longer Charm will last in captivity. He has been there so long and his prayers are so weak now. If I delay much longer he may be in your domain soon.”

  “Charm?” Finn repeated and the image of the wiry little Fionaveir sprang to his mind almost instantly. A faint smile creased his lips as he realized what Exodus was asking was something he could help her with, but she was requesting the help of the wrong people. Shade Morcaillo was the ideal person for the job. He was friends with Charm and he owed Finn whether he realized it yet or not. “It’s amazing how everything seems to just fall into perfect place at times.” He murmured as he relaxed against one of the pillars lining the room. “Let me make sure I have this perfectly straight before I go any further with this. You are the Aspect of Thieves and you have a dozen or so cut purses locked in a prison that you can’t breach. You want me to send one of my friends in to rescue them. Am I correct in what I have deciphered from your words?”

  Exodus nodded slowly. “More or less I suppose. I am the Aspect of Elusion, the Patron of the rogues and the Mistress of the clean escape, but most consider me just as you have by only one of my virtues. And yes, you have understood me perfectly.”

  Finn smiled at her and nodded once. “Just so we are clear for the future. You didn’t need to bother with the theatrics. Had you simply asked for help I most likely would have helped you.” He paused and his smile grew wider. “And I will help you with your problem, but it’s not my friends you need for this job. The one this requires is most certainly not my friend, but he owes me.” He snorted with amusement and shook his head. “A favor to repay a favor to repay a favor. What a complicated mess.” Finn added with a sigh. “Give me time to settle things in my domain and I will see that your people are freed. Just one thing Exodus.”

  “What’s that?” Exodus asked in a brighter voice. It was obvious his words had done wonders to lift her spirits.

  “I will consider you an ally for now, but if you ever summon one of my personal servants again without my permission I will become your worst enemy.” Finn warned in a firm voice that left no room for doubt. His smile had faded and her expression grew wary in response.

  “I’m sorry for that. I should have thought better on it and I understand your anger completely. Had another god summoned Nix I would have been furious.” Exodus admitted with chagrin. She bowed her head once more to him in respect. “Please forgive my transgression. Much like Lutheron, I don’t always consider the consequences of my plans. It seemed like a very good idea in my mind, but I see what a poor choice it was now.”

  “Then we’re good.” Finn agreed with a hint of his former smile. “As long as we know where we each stand there is little chance of offending each other in the future.”

  Chapter 2

  Glis

  Sweat trickled down Shade’s forehead as he focused every ounce of will he had remaining on his mangled leg. The flesh around the wound was the color of a corpse and felt like leather under his hand. Swallowing heavily he redoubled his effort to force hi
s body to shift, silently pleading that his Changeling gifts could return his strength to the limb. As it was walking was nearly impossible and fighting was something he wouldn’t even contemplate. Agility had been his strong point, and now he needed Caleb’s help just to cross the room without falling.

  The sound of the door latch broke his concentration and Shade collapsed back onto his pallet breathing in ragged gasps as Caleb entered their shared prison. The Arovan was trussed so tightly in chains that his steps were mincing. The Blights that had been acting as escorts for the knight pushed him the rest of the way into the room silently and the thick door thudded shut behind him followed by the clicking of several bolts being thrown into place.

  Even with the chains the Blights didn’t trust Caleb to stay where they put him. Shade knew for a fact their security measures weren’t meant for him. Every one of the guards knew how poorly he moved now and that escape simply wasn’t an option. If he was going to get out of here, it would have to be from Onvalla’s release.

  He watched Caleb expectantly waiting for the man to speak first. The Knight had been trying to secure a meeting with Onvalla on his behalf, but by his expression it didn’t look positive. Caleb was typically mellow from what Shade had seen, but at the moment the man looked like he was barely containing fury.

  The silence between them stretched as Caleb slowly crossed the room his expression growing darker with each chain rattling step. Wordlessly he sat down a few feet from Shade and stared hard at the thick iron chains around his ankles. His breathing slowed and the muscles in his shoulders relaxed as he visibly forced his temper back down. After another long moment he looked over at Shade and nodded his head faintly. “You have your meeting.” He announced quietly in a voice laced with disgust.