Shadaya: Out of Darkness (Gemstone Royals) Read online

  "You called Master?"

  Markus nodded. Looking into Cad's dark eyes and demeanor of servitude no one would doubt his loyalty to his master. Markus admired his dedication to the role.

  "Yes Cad," he said, "I have some terrible news."

  Cad's eyes met the old woman's, who smiled politely at him. His height and the timbre of his voice was enough to garner anyone's respect.

  "The old caretaker, you remember him?"

  Cad frowned, "From yesterday?"

  "Yes. This is his widow."

  Cad's frown deepened, "What happened?"

  "Someone attacked him on his way home last night," Markus replied.

  The old woman nodded, "they found his body early this morning. I knew something was wrong when he was not yet home at midnight. So, I sent a friend out to find him."

  The woman turned and gestured to a sullen looking man sitting in the far corner of the room, watching their exchanges with a suspicious frown. He claimed to be an innkeeper, but the way he held himself showed him to be a man more than capable of handling himself in a fight. It made sense that such a man would volunteer to roam the peasants’ village at night in search of a neighbor, armed with nothing but a dagger in his belt. Markus gestured to the man to join them.

  The man stood and walked toward Cad, he was a lot older than Cad, the lines between his brow, crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes and betraying greys peeking out from his long locks, were sure signs of a man that had seen much in his lifetime.

  He nodded toward Cad, "my name's Stiller," he said.

  "Does anyone have an idea of who might have done it?" Cad asked.

  Stiller shrugged, "no one saw it happen, but whoever did it must have known what he carried and where he had placed it on his person. His pockets were undisturbed, though they held a few silver coins and his tunic was pulled open.”

  As the man named Stiller spoke, Markus kept his eyes trained on him, looking at him as if seeing him for the first time. A question had begun forming in his mind the moment he heard his name.

  Stiller continued, “I only learned that he was carrying jewels on him when Lord Cort here, told us."

  Cad narrowed his eyes at him, "and you were the only one who found him?" he asked accusingly.

  Stiller's gaze hardened, "no, I had his eldest son with me. Even if I was, I wouldn't dare take a poor man's earnings, especially one that would capture so much attention."

  Markus cleared his throat and stepped between the two men, who stood glaring at each other like they were about to duel.

  "None of that," he said, "I have arranged to have the caretaker's wife escorted back home safely, with due compensation for her husband's work and her loss."

  Cad frowned, "you are giving them more?"

  Markus shrugged, "it is only fair."

  “Due compensation,” Stiller growled “you people really think tossing around your sacks of coin is all it takes to solve problems.”

  Markus arched a brow at the man’s audacity.

  “Did you not expect this to happen?” Stiller continued, “this is Dravia, Arduway of all places, you might as well have signed his death warrant when you gave him those jewels.”

  Markus felt an instant stab of guilt at the man’s bold accusation. Stiller was right. He truly had not thought that through. He had just assumed that for people living in poverty money would always work out for their good.

  “You’re right,” Markus said, earning him a disapproving grunt from Cad.

  “I did not think about that at all,” he turned to the widow, “I am sorry. My actions were thoughtless.”

  He did not miss the look of confusion that had crossed Stiller’s face. He guessed that apologizing was not a very noble like thing to do.

  "A word my lord," Cad stepped away from the two strangers and Markus excused himself. Allowing the gruff man to return to the corner of the room where he was initially sitting.

  "How do you know they didn't kill him themselves, expecting compensation from the kind nobleman? Markus you have a reputation to build here."

  Markus shrugged, "it is the right thing to do Cad. That is the kind of reputation I want to build. Don’t you forget our primary mission here? Besides look at them, I can see they are genuine people. The woman clearly loved her husband."

  Cad snorted, "and I suppose you expect me to escort her back to the peasants’ village."

  The way he spat the words 'peasants’ village' earned him a frown of disapproval from Markus. He didn't like the way he was acting towards the villagers. If he did not know any better, he would think Cad was beginning to take his role a bit too seriously, at the expense of their reason for being here in the first place.

  "If we are going to make our presence in this place worthwhile, we are going to need the support of the villagers. Our purpose for being here is not to get distracted by the comforts which nobility affords. We have a job to do. My aunt and uncle had a reputation for being kind and supportive to the citizens of Arduway. It will serve us well to gain their trust by continuing what they started. We have spoken about this before."

  "Some good it did them," Cad growled, "I know what your mission is Markus. But as your friend my mission is to protect you. This isn’t the back woods of Armen."

  Markus sighed, "I know you are worried for me, I appreciate it. But I can take care of myself..."

  "No, you can't..." Cad interjected.

  "...Not as well as you can I admit, but sufficiently..." Markus continued, tossing a look over his shoulder at his guests.

  Cad rolled his eyes.

  "And yes, you will be escorting the old woman to the village but not by yourself. I've already ordered two of the new guards to join you. It would be good for them to shadow you a bit. They're a bit green."

  "New guards?"

  Markus nodded proudly, "I know you said you would take care of it, but I'd spoken to two men yesterday about working for me. They came by last night."

  "Markus!" Cad growled.

  Markus lifted a hand, "I am the lord of this estate remember. Trust my instincts Cad."

  "Fine my lord."

  "In the meantime, fetch me a satchel for the widow and ensure she safely returns home with it. Hopefully she is wiser than her deceased husband."

  Markus turned back to his guests, who were politely ignoring his exchange with his right-hand man.

  "Oh yes, we'll have you home safely ma'am. As for you Mister Stiller, a word in private?"

  The man frowned as seemed to be his way but arose from his seat and followed Markus to his incomplete study.

  Markus watched Stiller’s practiced eyes peruse the room he had designated for his work space. A partially empty book shelf filled the left wall, with chests yet to be unpacked lined up in front of it. Markus went around his desk and sat down. Stiller’s eyes returned to him curiously.

  “You’re wondering why I invited you in here.”

  Stiller continued to look at him suspiciously, his eyes boldly resting on his ear. Markus was used to those curious looks when he was outside of Ilksvard, he knew his physical features was an attention grabber for most.

  “That may be the best place to start,” Stiller replied.

  Markus nodded, “when I heard your name it aroused in me an interest.”

  Stiller narrowed his eyes at him threateningly, “why?” he asked gruffly.

  “Is your full name Stiller Valen… were you ever an Aldorian Knight?”

  The man’s frown deepened, his previously unreadable expression barely masking the worry in his eyes. This gave Markus hope that he was the person he had suspected him to be.

  “No need to worry if you are.”

  “A man should never be ashamed of his name to the point of denying it.”

  “So, you don’t deny it.”

  “Never. I am Stiller Valen, and yes, I used to serve with the Aldorian Knights. But those days are long behind me. What is it to you?”

  “Your reputation precedes you Stiller. An
d to think I was worrying myself with the matter of locating you, when tragedy has brought you right to my door.”

  Markus reached into the drawer of his desk and withdrew a sealed letter, then hesitantly tapped it against his palm, as he looked up at Stiller.

  “If you are Stiller Valen, then this should bring you some ease. However, at the moment, handing it to you makes me quite nervous.”

  Stiller narrowed his eyes at him and took a step toward him. Markus had to admit his frame and demeanor was quite intimidating to a slimly built, young man of twenty-eight. Who up until a couple months ago lived simply, in a cottage near the woods and was now living in luxury, wielding power that came from acquiring a title.

  “What are you getting at?” Stiller growled.

  “You are a follower of the light. Your work here is well known, it gives other communities faith in the cause.”

  Stiller hesitated, then he seemed to decide to take the risk with him, “what do you know about the light?”

  “As much as a follower of it should,” Markus replied, his own eyes showing that he too understood the extent of the risk he was taking.

  When Stiller continued to stare at him with doubt in his eyes, he sighed and extended the letter towards him. Stiller took it and broke the seal.

  Markus watched as the man read, trying to read his expressions but failing terribly. Finally, Stiller looked up.

  “You are from the community in Armen? But how? You are a noble… and of Ilksvard. I have never heard of any nobles joining the way, especially ones who are Ilks, they are the most godless people among us.”

  Markus smiled, despite the pang of sorrow, Stiller’s last word wrought in him.

  “Well now you have. Although my other noble counterparts might disagree. My uncle, whom you may have heard of, was the duke of Cort, one of the Pillar families of Dravia. When he married my aunt, a Riboni woman, who many Dravians see as good for nothing but slavery, he made many enemies in Dravian court. Many felt he was defying the very gods. But his association with my father earned him some relief. After my mother died, my father… changed or rather he reverted to who he was before, distant and emotionless. He knew he could not give me… what I needed, so he sent me away. Since then I have lived with a Riboni woman, whom my father thought made a worthy replacement for my mother. But she held very different persuasions to my father. She taught me about a new way, about El and the source of light. I believed and the light of El stirred up within me a passion for the cause… much like you.”

  Stiller lifted his chin on a sigh, “and your… purpose here?”

  “As you have read in the letter, I have been sanctioned by Waylord Henders, as a true member of the community in Armen. I came here a two months ago to alert the king of an impending threat and the king saw an opportunity. I have solid information regarding… the element.”

  “I haven’t heard about that since my days as a knight, serving beyond the borders in Penzu. What about it?”

  “It was here.”

  “In Dravia?” Stiller asked in disbelief.

  “The council of Ilksvard, who played a major role in securing it in the first place, believe that the king had it moved, and that he brought it back here. This we believe has resulted in an imbalance in this part of our world. This was further confirmed when I came to the king. Turns out he didn’t want to use the element, he wanted to keep it safe. He got word that it was under threat, now I’m wondering if it was all part of a larger plan. When I arrived, he thought it was the work of the gods, because he needed my help to secure it again. He extended an invitation to me to take up my uncle’s title and work with him.”

  “You worked with the king,” the blatant disgust on Stiller’s face made Markus uncomfortable.

  “I know, it was… not ideal for me personally. But it was for a greater cause. Now I have inside information on a matter that is of great importance to us all.”

  Stiller looked thoughtful, “If the king intended to use it, he wouldn’t be dead, and his favored son lost.”

  “Exactly. He only wanted to safeguard the element with my help, he was afraid of something, deeply afraid.

  “So where is it now?”

  “This is why I want to work with you… for us to work with each other. Before the king died, we had found an ideal location to place the element… he wanted time to put together a team to send out. I never spoke to him again, I don’t know if the element is still here, or if he managed to get rid of it. I need to know. You are the Waylord in the community in Arduway, your numbers are larger than many communities across Dravia. I am about to start wading in a deep sea of evil heartless and powerful people and I need men I can trust.”

  Stiller lifted his chin, “we are not like the rebels in the villagers’ stories. We do not start fires and kill mercilessly. So, if you are looking for an army…”

  “I am not,” Markus interjected, “I am looking for support. I am in this alone, with my friend Cad. I know I cannot gather information on this on my own. What I want from you is to give me an opportunity to connect with my brothers and sisters in the community here. The people know more than we give them credit for. Also, I have been away from a gathering for so long, that I am growing restless, my heart feels dim from neglect.”

  “I see. I have read your letter and you raise a valid concern for all of us but do understand, that I still do not trust you.”

  “I do understand but I am asking you to anyway. Join my detail. My uncle’s estate gives me substantial resources. But I want to be surrounded by people I trust. Believing what we believe in a place like Dravia is a dangerous thing. Work with me and see for yourself that my heart is true to El. And if we are wrong about the element and the king had indeed secured it, then we can forge ahead having formed another connection among our small group of believers.”

  Stiller nodded, seeming to relent, “I understand,” he said softly, “But I need to think about it.”

  Chapter 7

  By the next day, Shadaya had every crack and chisel of the fireplace memorized. Now she had resigned to her father's chair, it gave her comfort to sit where he sat, her fingers steepled beneath her chin much like she had seen him doing when she was a child.

  She was satisfied now that there were no more secrets lurking in her father’s study. Now one concern remained; getting Reeva back. Unfortunately, her efforts at thought were proving fruitless, she still had no plan that would help her avoid seeing Haddin altogether. The thought of facing the self-absorbed man made her uneasy, more so now that she knew that her father was indeed involved in treasonous activities. She wondered what about the rebellion drew him to it.

  Since Haddin had come of age, he had promoted and implemented the cruelest forms of recreation and punishment, most of which resulted in the degradation and mistreatment of women. Shadaya harbored a deep hatred for men who maltreated women. Who used their masculine privileges to abuse those who could not stand up against it.

  The door to the study swung open then and Eunice marched in. Only she had the boldness to disturb Shadaya when she was in here. Not even her mother ventured to invade her quiet time, to be sure, Lidelia had not stepped foot into her late husband's study since he was executed.

  "Mi lady," Eunice placed a platter with a cup and pot on the center table and poured Shadaya a steaming cup of tea. Her favorite; Corin bark. Healers often used it in blends to make a sort of sedative, but on its own it was a calming tea with a tolerable flavor that Shadaya found helped her think clearer. Her father had often drunk it as well, he said it made him a better fighter and more focused when he was out on his trips. Now Shadaya could not help wondering what those trips really entailed.

  Shadaya took the offered cup from her maid servant and took a sip, drawing up her legs beneath her in the most unladylike manner.

  "I do not know what to do Eunice. I wish I did not have to face that horrible man."

  Eunice nodded, "but you cannot do nothing. It is not in your nature."


  Shadaya nodded, "and I promised Reeva she would be safe. I have to keep my word."

  "Promises like that should not be made in this kingdom," Eunice said solemnly, the look in her eyes showing her own hopelessness. She was preparing herself to never see Reeva again.

  Shadaya sighed, "I leave in an hour to go to the city."

  Eunice nodded, "may El be with you."

  Shadaya lifted her eyes to Eunice, "you pray to the God of Aldor now?"

  Eunice sighed, "the God of Aldor is not our God, it has never been that way. But for you to find favor in the eyes of the prince and have him return Reeva to us, you will need the greatest of all gods. And I hear the God of Aldor is just that... the greatest."

  “The greatest at alienation is what I hear. You are Dravian Eunice, the God of Aldor does not hear the prayers of the likes of us.”

  Eunice chuckled, “and the gods of Dravia require more blood sacrifices than flows through our veins, yet they are slow to move on our behalf. Seems like we are truly doomed my dear.”

  Shadaya took a sip of the tea and her eyes went to the fire place again, within it she knew her father's secrets rested, carefully wrapped in the cloth that up until yesterday must have only been handled by her long-lost father. What Eunice said about their gods truly resonated with her, but she dared not let her know that.

  "What would father do?" she whispered.

  Though she asked it out loud, deep within her, her own heart rebelled. He had thought her ideals that he did not hold for himself and now she wondered if she even valued them anymore. Turning a blind eye and doing only minimum now seemed like a valid though selfish exercise.

  Eunice looked down at her with motherly compassion and said firmly, "he would fight for the weak. It is what he did until the very end."

  Shadaya nodded, "he would."

  She looked up at Eunice who was now looking solemnly up at the painting with her family over the mantle.

  “What do you know of his… activities? They said he was guilty of treason, but my father was so loyal to this kingdom, I cannot even begin to imagine what he could have done.”