Chapter 77 - Benefaction - Pt.2

Xiana stared at her in sudden understanding.

“Without a second thought she was ready to rid the world of you, to not take chances. I told her we are better off with the devil we know, rather than Groumangand returning to Dekkarsmann and taking it for himself. And I am sure, just the thought alone of that bastard or any of the others you were once allied with taking your throne would be enough to make you roll in a shallow grave.” said Sian calmly, her voice almost inside Xiana’s head as she spoke.

“At least you get a second chance, Dark Empress of thieves, you will return to your den of disrepute with more power and influence than you have ever known. I think that Toth would be the perfect benefactor to suit one such as yourself.”

Xiana stared at Sian momentarily before whipping around to Antrandis.

“You put a leash on me?” she said, her narrowed eyes on him, “I am now permanently allied to you and the dragon?” her voice cracking.

“What do you think would happen if one of the Three were to have taken your cause? The same? No. Toth values you as you are.” said Sian from close behind her.

Xiana turned, looking up into her eyes, “Who are you really?” she said with a sharp voice.

Sian chuckled lightly, “I can show you.”

Xiana winced again, the twist of her dagger drawing her thoughts back to the present. She narrowed her eyes, watching as two valkyries walked into the camp, immediately meeting with Antrandis and pointing toward the river. Xiana frowned, a woman that looked strangely familiar met with them, her dark, almost-black hair shining with rich copper highlights in the sun. Xiana’s frown deepened, the woman looked at her and spoke to Antrandis before he nodded. She watched as the woman approached. Xiana jerked, wincing as she twisted her grip again. She narrowed her eyes as the woman slipped into the shadows under the trees, her eyes on her. Xiana’s eyebrows almost touched as the woman’s copper eyes watched her.

“Stabbing yourself repeatedly will not help you, Xiana of Toth.”

Xiana stared at her, “It reminds me that I missed my chance.”

“To kill yourself? I will admit that watching your little display earlier was interesting; useless, but entertaining.” Winter said, a strange, but twisted smile on her lips.

Xiana pulled the dagger from her thigh and sheathed it, an unimpressed expression on her face, “You are wearing a different guise, Handmaiden of Lumos. Where are your wings? I will ask the same of you as I asked her, what are you really?”

Winter smiled, the copper in her eyes growing more prominent as she tilted her head, “I am the consort of Antrandis and Sian.”

Xiana watched the expression, unease creeping up her spine, her sight unable to penetrate Winter’s guise or even see beyond the elven woman who physically stood before her, “No, what are you? You are not the same as last night. You are not the same as the winged reaper in Sian’s memories. I can’t read you.”

Winter smiled, her eyes now glowering with faint copper flames, “I am your worst nightmare.”

Xiana glared at her, her lips pulling into sharp lines, “Talk like that does not intimidate me, Handmaiden.”

“I only answered your question, Xiana of Toth. Your fear of the rift and the war that consumed his daughter lead you to a realisation, did it not?”

Xiana’s eyes widened, “How?”

“That fear, deep inside. When your sight does not reveal the truth or deceptions around you. When the trappings of the old world leech into the new, obscured from your view.”

Winter met her eyes, “I am not hiding from you, Xiana of Toth. You just can not comprehend what is before those remarkable eyes of yours.”

Xiana stiffened, “How did you?” she said, the sensation that Winter was inside her head unseen, tore at her.

“I do have a measure of gratitude that I wish to express for returning those items, they would not have been easy to procure, given the state you have been in recently.” said Winter, her fingers gently playing with the pendant.

Xiana watched Winter, curiosity getting the better of her, “What are they? What are they to Antrandis? He mentioned that they were trophies.”

Winter looked at her, “Telios did not tell you? They were not just important to Antrandis, they were important to both Sian and I also. Even to Silvast.” she looked back to Antrandis as he was discussing something with one of the Nameless, her expression saddened.

“The pendant was Reilena’s, a gift he had made for her before they were wed. It went missing the night she was murdered.” Winter watched Xiana’s eyes as they followed the pendant.

“Aletalia.” she met Winter’s eyes, “The lock of hair was from their daughter?”

Winter nodded, her eyes slightly hollow, “Yes.”

Xiana looked back to Antrandis, watching him moving around the camp, her eyes narrowing as she shook her head.

“That was a long time ago, I am sure you did not come to make small talk, Winter.”

Again she felt Winter’s predatory glance, the Handmaiden’s shift in demeanour almost giving her whiplash.

“Xiana of Toth, there is someone you are forgetting, I have heard he has been pacing the far shore for most of the night. A grey wolf, my beloved informed me goes by the name of Rolf.”

Xiana’s eyes widened, “Gods, Rolf? I didn’t, damn. He was, meant to...”

She suddenly stood and walked past Winter, heading for the wrecked road with Winter following a few steps behind. She strode beside the remains of the bridge, shaking her head as she noted the destruction of the night before. Reaching the bank of the river, she shielded her eyes, almost immediately catching sight of Rolf on the far bank.

“What is the wolf to you, Xiana?” said Winter with a strange smile on her face, “A pet?”

Xiana ignored Winter’s sarcasm, “Yes, I raised him and Celes since they were pups. Celes sacrificed herself to protect the children.”

“You speak of them like they are people.”

Xiana did not bother turning, “They are.”

Winter watched Xiana, as she moved along the bank. Agitation clear in her movements.

“Come.” Winter said simply, striding back into the shadows of the trees.

Xiana followed her, looking over her shoulder at Rolf pacing anxiously beyond the flow of the river. She turned, surprised that Winter stood in the shadows with her arm extended, offering her hand.

“Are you going to fly me over there?” Xiana asked.

“No. Just don’t let go of my hand. I don’t feel like fishing you out of the river.’ said Winter.

“Then how are we going…?” Xiana’s question trailed off as everything shifted around them.

The shadows became more defined and the world around them darkened. Xiana’s eyes widened, her skin prickling with goose-flesh.

“Where?” she said, her own voice dampened.

“We walk the shadows. Do not let go, do not hesitate.” came Winter’s voice, sharp and clear in her ears.

Winter brought Xiana’s hand up between them and laced her fingers into Xiana’s, clamping her grip until Xiana winced. Winter guided her under the trees, pulling her along, stepping in the path made purely of the shadows of early morning.

“Are we in the shadow realm? You can just walk it so easily? What are you?”

Winter smiled as she directed her along, her lengthened incisors showing slightly as they walked past the remains of the bridge and further down river. To Xiana’s surprise, Winter walked out onto the water, the shade of the trees creating a stable bridge for them to walk on. Xiana looked below her feet to see the water rushing past. Her feet touching the ripples of the waves but not getting wet as they traversed the shadows over the river. She glanced at Winter as she was guided along, the valkyrie a step ahead, her eyes on the shifting shadows. The light was strange, as if the world around them was tinted with a layer of darkness. The moment they reached the opposing bank, Winter released Xiana’s hand and the world returned to normal.

Xiana immediately stopped, staring at Winter, “Who are you? You can just walk the shadow realm like it is dusk, how?”

“Knowledge like that comes at a cost, Xiana. A cost that you can not afford.” Winter said, the copper in her eyes flashing, “Go, see to Rolf, then we return to the camp.”

Xiana picked up her pace and called out to Rolf. Within moments he was before her. Winter watched in surprise as he transformed, standing before Xiana as a man, nuzzling her hair and neck as he whimpered and whined. Winter looked at him curiously.

“He is a Were, no, he was born a Were? From a she-wolf? Now that is a truly strange proposition.” she said under her breath, leaning against a tree as she watched their exchange.

Xiana glared at her, Rolf turning to stare at Winter, “Not strange, many of us there are.”

“Rolf, I want you to return to Dekkersmann, ahead of me.” Xiana said, her hand on his chest, drawing his attention.

He looked Xiana in the eyes, “Celes?”

“I know. Have you?” she asked, her voice quiet and serious.

Rolf nodded, handing her a leather pouch.

Xiana smiled sadly, “Rolf, I am sorry, I couldn’t.”

He nodded, “Mistress, I don’t want, go home. Stay, with you.”

Xiana glanced at Winter.

“Lord Antrandis of Meliandra offers his condolences on the death of your mate. He has requested that you act as escort to Lady Xiana of Toth for the duration of her stay in Meliandra.” Winter said.

Rolf looked to Xiana, “Mistress?”

Xiana frowned, looking back to Winter, “Winter?”

“It would be safer that he remains at your side and escorts you back to Dekkarsmann when it is time.” Winter gestured to the both of them, “We must get back.”

Shadow of the Eclipse: Chapter Timeline

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