Showl

  Most of the messaged that flitted in and out of his office from the Order came in a bundle so when a single letter fluttered onto his desk Showl was at the very least cautious. When he opened it though he stared at the request.

  They had only just finished discussing a negotiation of a union. It seemed that as soon as he gave the bit they jumped on the first person they saw.

  Nerezza. Showl couldn’t say she hadn’t intrigued him. Being simply something he’d never expected to see close enough to reach out and touch. Talking like a mystery with only one name and none other he could find no matter what network he used. Yet her mystery wasn’t for a lack of information he could find. It seemed the order had an entire file system dedicated to her and things she’d done.

  Half of it seemed like reasons to recruit her and the other half seemed like a list of condemning crimes.

  Her past life was well known to be known by her though who she was, was just speculation. And she had a habit of cleaning up messes. Messes he’d not been informed of before looking into her often involving the Order.

  Showl looked over the words again. Showl couldn’t claim she was the worst choice they could have picked. He’d planned on accepting anyone they sent in s strictly legal sense at least. Showl had set up a property he planned on offering to his bride agreeing to live separately if they so desired.

  Now though that plan didn’t seem as simple and clean cut.

  Shadow magic was not only difficult because of the risk to one’s sanity but also because with shadows as strong as his having a child with anyone without any shadow magic was a near death sentence for the child. And not many were able to awaken shadow magic even less were willing.

  And yet Nerezza had a Shadow magic that might even be stronger then his own. With no tied to any providence. That opened many doors to things he hadn’t thought of for a long time.

  Not to mention the way his youngest had watched her with awe and asked about her frequently even talking her up to his brother’s so they’d help try to convince Showl to invite her for a visit. It wasn’t often that his sons looked so interested in anything. And yet he couldn’t find a direct line for Nerezza to even ask if she would be willing to visit the children.

  “What is it?” Housh his second hand and confidant asked.

  “It seems the Order has chosen who they wish for me to consider.” Showl offered. With the words spoken out loud he had to go farther and admit he could write a scenario in his head where he had something more then just an arrangement with the Mysterious Nerezza. As if summoned by his thoughts another line swooshed in. This one was opened and resealed it shown gold with swirls of shadow along it.

  That was something he remembered from his research. Nerezza was known for her swift and to the point responses. He opened the letter.

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  On the account of the request for the consideration of a union between I, Nerezza and the Guardian Showl. I will have to refuse any offer that is made by someone outside of a potential union.

  The letter was signed in script that despite finding it on other documents as her signature or a baffled attempt a decoding had not meaning.

  Disappointment that was sharp and unwilling settled through him. Reading it over again thought he wondered if he asked and not the Order if her response would be different.

  Showl shook his head. He’d never planned on forming a union of his own accord. It was one of those expected things in the role of Guardian that he’d pushed off hoping to never have to deal with it. Like producing and heir.

  For so long he’d never planned on having children. He’d never planned on becoming like his father overly focused on succession. He wasn’t the type to want a child. He smirked at the thought. That crumbled away when they took down a fighting ring and they opened a cage to let the stolen children out and none of them moved frozen in fear. With the exception of one small boy who came out as agile as a cat with a sharpened stone. Garion who at the time had only been maybe five or six tried to stab Showl. The Order had tried to explain that they were their to help and Garion had roared in a little squeak.

  ‘I’m the Guardian here.’

  Showl had taken those words to heart letting the boy be actually involved in finding and placing his friends in good, solid safe places. Then when only Garion was left, Showl was so attached to the little boy he’d held him looking over a map of what was considered his Guardian territory. He explained the vastness.

  “I am the guardian of everything you see here.” He had explained and the boy had looked wide eyes and amazed. “This a lot for someone as little as you but one day after we’ve made sure you’ve grown up I would like to give you my title of Guardian.” He explained. “Would you be alright with that?” He’d asked Garion. The little boy had looked at him with a wonder that he’d sworn he’d never take for granite.

  And he had a son. And he learned what that meant and how much he wanted it. The Order had been horrified, the Guardian’s less so. The Order hated it more when he brought in Reem who was drowning in the cruelest and darkest forms of Showl’s magic and Zephon a boy who lived his entire life without a name. His boys were special. And it wasn’t until he’d seen them that he’d wanted what they meant.

  Knew he was willing to handle the hard times, the scars, the fear, the tears knowing that there security and hope was worth it all.

  Showl shouldn’t think that it was the same with Nerezza but he had a sinking feeling that he was starting to see the appeal of a Union. Of a relationship. And he could see scars enough to result in an awakening as a child. Something that hadn’t even been thrust upon Reem despite all that was done to him.

  The thought of Reem had his mind flicking to another issue. He turned to Housh.

  “I need to find another new instructor.” He admitted and the man grimaced. What was it about people who were meant to teach pushing Zephon past his comfort and ignoring Reem’s enthusiasm? It had happened so often that Showl assigned Order guards simply to keep an eye on the lessons.

  Even with the guards though… Before the thought finished the door clicked open and the little face finished it. Reem grinned innocently and danced his way into the room heading straight for him. Showl obliged pulling Reem up into his lap.

  “Papa.” He breathed a sweet mischievous tone to his voice. Showl sighed.

  “Yes Reem?” He asked affectionately. Reem looked at him and kicked his feet happily.

  “Can we invite Madam over yet?” He asked. Showl dropped his face into his son’s hair chuckling. Now of all times. Showl then relegalized that with the letter even with it being a sort of denial he knew how to send something back through the line that could reach her.

  “Not tonight but I will see what I can do.” He promised Reem who lit up.

  With the light Showl knew he’d offer her anything if she’d just consider the union.