Chapter 47 Shade
Shade
Ireally hated spectacles.
It was all rather dramatic, the way the king’s men marched in as though they were going to battle.
They were, I supposed.
This was the most action the realm had seen in hundreds of years. Thousands, maybe.
I considered how easy it would be to take them out. To snuff the flames of their lives out with my shadows. It would be as though they never existed at all.
I tucked my hands behind my back and curled my fingers into fists.
Not today.
Ten knights on horseback marched through the Barren Lands. They were armored from toe to skull, not an inch of flesh left exposed.
They didn’t know that their armor would be no match for my shadows.
I curled my fists even tighter. My blunt fingernails bit into my palms in a welcome distraction.
I squashed the urge to kill.
I rooted myself in place. If they wanted me to come with them, they would have to take me themselves.
I noted there wasn’t an extra horse, or even a carriage. How did they plan on transporting me?
Dead, sprawled across the back of a horse, most likely.
It seemed the entire town was emerging to witness the ordeal. Folk gathered in clusters, peeked around corners, stared blatantly.
They chattered, whispered amongst themselves, but I didn’t bother to listen. It didn’t matter what they had to say.
Tommins was the only one to approach.
He stepped up beside me, briefly meeting my gaze.
To my surprise, his expression was pained, his brows furrowed.
He planted himself beside me, mimicking my tense posture, tucking his hands behind his back as well.
He didn’t know I was containing my shadows, but I didn't mention it. I appreciated the strange gesture of solidarity, no matter how small.
One horse stepped in front of the others. It was large, grey, adorned in armor across its neck and haunches.
The rider lifted the front of their helmet.
Surprisingly, the knight was human, or at least looked that way. I didn’t stretch my shadows out to verify.
The brave human dismounted and landed with a heavy clank. He approached, halting a few paces away.
For long, tense seconds, nobody spoke.
I examined the knights.
There was nothing impressive about them. They stank of stale magic, sweat, and fear.
Not noticing an immediate threat, the knight dropped his hand from his sword.
His voice broke the silence. “You have summoned the King’s Men,” he boomed. “Do not fear. We have arrived. We will keep you safe.”
“Safe?” a female voice snorted from somewhere behind me, followed by another voice shushing.
Tommins cleared his throat. “We did not receive much information. Care to explain before we proceed?”
The soldier glanced at Tommins before his gaze jumped to me. He stiffened. “Is this the one?” he asked nobody in particular.
My mouth curled in a threatening smile.
Tommins stepped in front of me, hiding me from the man’s view.
What the fuck?
“There might be some sort of misunderstanding,” Tommins said, voice flat. “What does the King intend to do?”
The fingers returned to the sword hilt and tightened. “That is no concern of yours. Who are you to question His Majesty?”
“With all due respect, the King stays out of our business, and we stay out of his. He hasn’t set foot in this town in years, since I’ve been Mayor. What right does he have to step in now?”
“Watch yourself, sir. You’re the one who contacted us.”
“Like I said—a misunderstanding.”
Another knight stepped out of line. “I can smell him.” He pointed in my direction and shuddered dramatically. “It’s that one.”
The folk could smell me? I wasn’t sure if that was annoying or… convenient.
“I don’t think so—”
“Step aside, Mayor.”
The watching crowd broke into anxious murmurs.
A hiss of metal screeching against metal signified that at least one sword was drawn.
A quiet inhale of breath behind me snagged my attention. Ginger.
I risked a glance in her direction. She was a few paces behind me. She had stepped out of the crowd, her friends not far behind her, looking like she was going to somehow intervene.
Not that that was possible at this point.
Her gaze was zeroed in on that drawn sword.
Tommins didn’t move. “I think it’s time for you folk to leave.”
Why was the man defending me? Did he sense the ominous vibes too, notice the lack of adequate transport? Was he feeling guilty?
“I’ll say it again. Step. Aside. Mayor.”
The horses spread, the knights forming a blockade.
Bracing for an attack.
My clenched fingers trembled, my shadows begging to be free.
Tommins shifted to step forward, but I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll go,” I said, my voice ringing true.
An outraged sound echoed behind me.
Tommins met my gaze. His jaw clenched. “Are you sure?” he asked, hesitant.
I nodded once.
He watched my face for a long moment. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
I nodded again. “You did what you had to do to protect your town.”
“If I would have known—”
I cut him off. “What’s done is done. Don’t put your people at risk. I will leave without a fight.”
He looked around the crowd, at the drawn swords. “As you wish. I do hope the King is fair to you. And if he intends to kill you…” he trailed off, glancing at me meaningfully.
I nodded. “I do not intend to let him take me out.”
“Good. Perhaps we will cross paths again.”
“Let it be so.”
I stepped forward.
“Halt!” the knight yelled, thrusting his sword in my direction.
I took another step. I held my hands out, palms forward. A threat or a supplication, they could decide. “I’m coming willingly,” I shouted.
The Kings men coalesced around me, surrounding me with men and horses.
Shouting ensued. My arms were grabbed and wrenched behind my back. And then a puff of bitter smelling powder was blown in my face, snuffing out my senses.
The last thing I heard was the sweet sound of Ginger shouting my name.