“This is nothing more than mage magic. Shadows and light molded into the silhouette of flesh,” Galen adds. “Mages have tried to merge their magic with creatures before; the fools never learn. They are as stubborn and persistent as humans.”
“Mage magic or not, these creatures are strong. One can take out four vampires and over two dozen humans.” Adrian’s eyes hold mine.
“I told you,” Galen grabs his goblet, smirking at his reflection in the glass, “let some other kingdom deal with this. I have enough to worry about.”
“I have brought the body of the creature here and a witness,” Adrian states.
The room erupts with cries of excitement. I keep my features carefully blank.
“I want to see!”
“I don’t!”
“Come on, let’s see.”
The ceiling captures Galen’s unfocused attention. The cost of such a sheer scale of artwork could feed a town for a year. I don’t know what’s grander, the art or the white-gold gilded frames that are fighting for the viewers’ affection.
It’s so overwhelming I look down at my worn clothing to remind me what the reality of the majority of the people in this kingdom face.
“Let’s see this body and interrogate the witness,” Galen groans.
“The witness is just a child.”
“I do not care. Bring them.”
Adrian hesitates, then lifts a shoulder. Air draws in, followed by a shrug, causing more air to hit the entrance. The soldiers outside open at his signal. “Bring them,” Adrian orders.
“This had better be worth my time, Adrian,” the king says snidely.
“I trust my king knows what holds value when it comes to protecting his people,” Adrian retorts.
Moments later, four men appear, carrying what appears to be the small shape of a body covered in tattered blankets.
Why are there no bloodstains?
Wait, if this beast is dead, where is the smell of rotting flesh? I smell… nothing.
The men make to toss the sack on the table, but Galen shouts, “Not on my table, you fools! There, on the floor will do.”
We all move around for a better view; Galen sits as he watches.
They drop the sack. “Why was there no sound?” I wonder, furrowing my brows.
“These creatures have weight, but they make no sound. That’s how they are so successful in ambushing. I am told that when they grab a hold of their prey, the victim can make no sound either,” Adrian informs me. “Gossip has reveal they are called Shades.”
“Do not give them a name, Adrian,” Galen barks.
Adrian dips his chin, then motions for his men to remove the cloth. Some nobles gasp. Others stand dumbfounded, like me. Air presses into the metal of my sword as I unsheathe it a few inches.
I lean closer to study it. It’s just shadows, lumped and grouped into the shape of a figure that resembles a human form. It should not exist, yet it’s before my eyes, like waves tucking into ocean waters. No longer moving, but you feel their strength and know any second they can rise again.
“It looks like a shadow,” one of the nobles claims.
Galen moves for the first time, planting his elbow on his knee. “You,” he points to the noble wearing the purple velvet, “touch it.”
“Touch?” The man shudders and fearfully stumbles forward.
“I’ll do it.” I step forward. I don’t want to, but this man is about to piss himself.
