The Shadow's heir

When she was out of the room, it took a strong effort not to run. She did her best to look as calm as possible and walked rapidly away back up the corridor the way she’d come.

She reached the top of the tower again without any trouble. By now, the feast was starting to wind down; most of the food was gone, and the guests along with it. Laela walked rapidly toward the other edge of the tower, looking for Arenadd.

But Skandar wasn’t there, and she knew that Arenadd would be with him. Laela swung around and went back toward the trapdoor, her heart pattering frantically.

“Laela!” The cry came from above, and something big rushed straight at her.

Laela screamed.

“Laela! Laela! Do not do that!”

“Oeka!” Laela clutched at her chest. “Don’t ever do that again!”

“Sorry.” Oeka dipped her head briefly. “I was looking for you. Where have you been?”

“I went inside,” said Laela. “Did yeh see where Arenadd went?”

“The Mighty Skandar has gone back to his nest, and his human with him,” said Oeka.

“Then that’s where we’re goin’.”

“Why?” Oeka complained. “I am tired, and I have eaten too much; I want to sleep.”

“Later,” said Laela. “This is important.”

“What is it?” said Oeka.

Laela was already going inside. “I’ve got somethin’ to tell Arenadd, an’ I need you with me.”

“Of course I will stay with you,” said Oeka.

Arenadd’s chambers were directly below the feast. Laela went into the audience chamber, noting the lack of any guards. At the far end of it, she knocked on Arenadd’s door.

No-one answered.

She knocked again, harder. “Arenadd! Arenadd, it’s me!”

The door opened, and there he was, still dressed and looking slightly surprised. “Laela. What’s wrong?”

She pushed past him and into the bedchamber. “Are yeh alone?”

“Aside from Skandar. He’s probably asleep right now. Laela, what’s going on? You look frantic.”

Laela pulled herself together. “Arenadd, it’s yer cousin. I heard her, with Penllyn an’ their griffins.”

“What?” Oeka pushed in. “What is this, Laela?”

“Saeddryn’s plottin’ against yeh, Arenadd,” said Laela. “Plannin’ t’kill yeh! She’s-”

“-not even slightly surprised,” said a voice.

Laela turned. “You!”

Saeddryn stood in the doorway, her arms folded. “See, this is what I told ye from the start, Sire. Never trust a half-breed. They’re half one way an’ half another. Which half are ye going to trust?”

“Yeh followed me here!” Laela accused.

“Of course. Ye didn’t think I was going t’trust ye that easily, did ye?”

“Well, it’s too late,” said Laela. “Arenadd knows now, an’ you’re dead.” She glanced at Arenadd, to see how he was taking it.

Arenadd watched as Saeddryn stood aside and Aenae came in after her. Quickly, he crossed the room and took something from his desk. He stuffed it into his robe, and then turned to face his cousin. “Well,” he said. “You finally decided to make your move, did you, Saeddryn?”

Saeddryn froze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Arenadd sighed. “You really thought I didn’t know what you were up to, didn’t you? After all these years, you still underestimate me.”

“I don’t know what ye’re talking about,” said Saeddryn.

Arenadd stood very still in the firelight, seeming to grow taller every moment. “No-one can creep up on the Shadow That Walks. No-one can kill him. No-one can withstand him. Did you really think you could outmanouevre me, Saeddryn? Defeat me? You, a mortal?”

“I’ve seen ye defeated before, Sire,” said Saeddryn.

“And you’ve seen me outlast and destroy everyone who ever did,” said Arenadd. “Haven’t you?”

Saeddryn drew herself up. “Tara needs a new ruler, Arenadd,” she said. “It has done for years.”

Arenadd paused. “I agree.”

Penllyn appeared, coming to join Saeddryn. “Then ye’ll step down?” he said.

“Yes.”

“No!” Laela went to Arenadd, taking him by the arm. “Arenadd, no!”

Arenadd grinned horribly at Saeddryn. “If you want this Kingdom so badly, cousin, then have it. But listen to me and remember this forever: I will never leave this land again. One day you’ll die. Every day your death comes closer. But I will be here until the end of time.”

“I know,” said Saeddryn. “An’ that’s why we have to do this. I’m sorry.” She stood aside, and Aenae charged, straight at him.

Laela screamed.

But Arenadd only laughed. He put his arm around Laela, holding her tightly to his chest, and stepped sideways, into the shadows.

Aenae’s charge came up short. He ran into the fireplace and stumbled backward, shaking his head and snorting. Saeddryn ran forward to the spot where Arenadd had been and thrust an arm into the shadows, trying to find him.

There was no sign of him anywhere.

Saeddryn screamed. “Damn him! Penllyn, get out of here! Alert everyone. I want him found. We have to finish this, now.”

Aenae rubbed his head against his flank, cleaning off the ashes. “Do what you choose,” he hissed, rising again and stepping toward the archway into Skandar’s nest. “I will finish my own battle tonight.”

A small brown shape stepped in front of him.

Aenae paused. “Move, little griffin, or die.”

Oeka hissed softly. “You will not hurt my human, or her master.”

Aenae said nothing. He lifted one huge forepaw, and brought it down on Oeka’s head.

Oeka closed her eyes. An instant later, her entire body went rigid.

Laela was terrified. She didn’t know where she was or what was happening. Everything around her had plunged into icy blackness, as if she’d gone blind. All she could feel was Arenadd’s arms, holding her tightly to his chest. Laela struggled, but a terrible strength had filled the King’s body. His chest felt as hard and cold as stone, and when she pushed against his arms, they didn’t move even slightly. She was utterly helpless.

The darkness seemed to rush past them, full of cold wind and howling voices. Laela didn’t know where they were, but she knew they were travelling. Somewhere.

Then, as quickly as it had begun it was over. The darkness disappeared, fading into ordinary night. Arenadd let go of her, and she staggered away, gasping.

“What was that? What happened? Where is this?”

It took her a few moments to calm down enough to realise they were in a perfectly ordinary alleyway. It looked as if it was somewhere in the city.

Arenadd leaned against a wall and looked up at the sky. “Relax,” he said. “We’re safe.”

The moon still felt unnaturally bright. Laela could see Arenadd perfectly. “Where’s Oeka?”

“I don’t know. But don’t worry; she can look after herself.”

“What was that?” said Laela. “That. . darkness.”

Arenadd shrugged. “I took you through the shadows,” he said. “It was the best way to escape. We’re in the city.”

“The shadows? Is that yer power?” Laela was shaken.

“Yes,” said Arenadd. “I’ve got it back now, it seems.” He breathed deeply. “Gods, that felt good. No-stop!” Laela had started to walk toward the end of the alley.

“Don’t go out there,” said Arenadd. “Just stay here for a bit. We can’t risk being seen.”

“Why are we here?” said Laela. “Saeddryn’s-why did we leave? Why ain’t we goin’ back? She’s a traitor; she