Crypt of the shadowking - Mark Anthony [100]
Suddenly his hand froze.
After a moment he sighed, his hand dropping away from the concealed knife. Ravendas turned and handed him a goblet of the deep red wine. The moment for vengeance had passed.
Why didn't you kill her? a part of his mind screamed at him, but he pushed the question aside. He knew the answer.
Ravendas's death was exactly what Snake wanted.
He forced himself to remember that Snake was the greater danger now, not Ravendas. Perhaps he should use this opportunity to warn her. If anyone had the power to defeat Snake, it was she. At least he had to try.
Forgive me, Kera, he whispered inwardly.
"Come, Breldurn, speak a toast to me," Ravendas said in a lilting voice, lifting her glass.
I can't believe I'm going to do this, Caledan snarled to himself. This must be the Harper's bad influence on me.
"To you, Ravendas," he said as he lifted his goblet, the words dripping like poison from his tongue.
He flipped up his visor.
Shock flickered in her azure gaze for only a second. Then a dangerous smile coiled about her red lips.
"It has been some time, Caledan Caldorien," she said, her voice as cold as steel. Swiftly, before he could react, she snaked out a hand and reached deftly inside his right boot. She drew out the small knife concealed there.
"Right where you always kept it," she said with a smile that would have been enchanting had it not been so devoid of warmth. "If nothing else, you were always predictable, Caledan."
"Do you mean to say you were expecting me, Ravendas?" He made no effort to hide the revulsion in his voice. He pulled off the hot, uncomfortable helm.
She stood and moved to the window, gazing out for a long moment. She sipped her wine delicately. "No, but I should have known my lord steward would fail once again in his efforts to capture you." She moved to a chair opposite him and sat, arranging her gown precisely.
"So who was this 'Captain Breldurn'?" Caledan asked casually, emphasizing the past tense. The meaning was not lost on Ravendas. "How did he compare with Maderon?" Caledan allowed himself a vicious smile. Maderon was the nobleman who had intended to murder Cormik years ago. He had also been Ravendas's lover. "You know, I never would have taken Maderon for a screamer. You should nave heard the way he begged for mercy on the end of my sword before he died. Shameful."
Caledan saw the briefest ripple of annoyance flicker across Ravendas's placid visage. He had struck home with that one.
"Ah, yes. Maderon," Ravendas said frostily, recovering her perfect composure. "He was an entertaining toy. Pretty but stupid. I was growing weary of him, however. I should thank you for disposing of him."
"My pleasure."
"Did you enjoy your little journey to the Fields of the Dead?" Ravendas asked, quickly changing the subject. "I trust you weren't disappointed when you arrived at the valley near Asher. There must be ten thousand barrows there. You're a clever man. I'm sure you realized that finding Talembar's tomb is an impossibility."
"Did you journey there yourself?"
"Of course," she replied calmly. "I've been far ahead of you from the beginning, Caledan. Don't you see? It is pointless to struggle against me." Her expression darkened. "You know," she went on, "stealing my jewels from the countinghouse made me very… angry."
"I hope you're not expecting me to apologize," Caledan said, refilling his wine glass.
Ravendas regarded him for a long moment, absently fidgeting with the strand of pearls about her throat. "All right, Caledan, what is it you want?" she demanded flatly.
"I've come to warn you, Ravendas," Caledan said simply. "Your lord steward is planning to betray you. While I don't know who he is, I do know that Snake serves another master, a powerful one." He went on in a dire tone. "What Snake and his master are planning, I can't really say, but I think it involves the Nightstone. At any rate, he's gone to great lengths to kill everyone who possesses the shadow magic. You're in grave danger, Ravendas. We all are. What are you going to do about it?"