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    The voice startled him awake. If his groggy mind was to be believed, it hadn’t come from very far away. Looking around, he remembered where he was as he saw the lifeless eyes of Stewart Cantel staring back at him.


    Well, that’s a hell of a thing to see, a voice said, making him look around again. Relax Victor, it’s just me.


    I know this is a weird situation and all, but shouldn’t we probably hide just in case whoever is looking for the bodies isn’t friendly? the facsimile of the High Commander said.


    Right. He thought back and scurried up the middle tree, being sure to avoid the dried blood that ran down the trunks of the outer trees.


    Blood Mage, Stewart Cantel snarled.


    Yeah, figured that one out on my own, the boy shot back.


    Princess Tatiana.


    Ok, that one I didn’t know.


    The Princess had started crying when she saw the carnage with the body of Stewart Cantel lying in the midst of it. It wasn’t a loud or annoying crying, just the tears of a girl who had lost her last hope of escape.


    Be careful of that one, Stewart Cantel said, and the boy resisted an urge to nod in agreement.


    Well shit. Cantel summed up the situation rather well, he thought.


    Oh, nicely played, Cantel said with a bit of mirth.


    This guy is smooth, Cantel said. I don’t think he’s lying, though.


    Yeah, me either, the boy replied. Should I go with him?


    It is definitely a way you can stay near the Princess.


    “I don’t have one,” he said hopping down from the tree. “It was taken from me by one of your kind.”


    Second thing he ever said to you and he decides to use it as a name. It does fit though.


    Shade, huh? I can live with that for now.


    Oh shit, Stewart Cantel said.


    I’m guessing that’s a big deal?


    Yeah, he’s one of the guys in charge. You have just stepped into the Grim’le’s nest, my young friend.


    Well, that sounds about right.


    Well shit. Shade thought as he realized that Cyrian Dreadmeir had not been fooled by his story about the trees.


    Great, I’m already a bad influence, Stewart Cantel said as Shade reached for the manacle pieces.