-Prologue-

"What is the meaning of this, Reaver?" asked the Shadow Judge in the center of the group. "Our bargain was made years ago. Which bargain do you speak of?"

"For me, perhaps, but I am not here about that," Reaver said. "In case you haven't been keeping up with my day-to-day, I am now married."

"To The Queen of Albion," The Shadow Judge to the left said. "Yes. We know."

"It would be a terrible pity to find a woman worthy of me and simply let her waste away, yes?" Reaver asked, cocking a brow.

"You wish to strike a deal on her behalf?"

"Yes."

"And what would we have to gain from it?" The central Judge asked.

"Name your price," Reaver said.

"Three Sacrifices."

Reaver snorted. "Only three?"

"A sacrifice of blood," Said the middle judge. "Your blood."

"A sacrifice of flesh," said the judge to the right. "Her flesh." It pointed at the girl.

"And a sacrifice of people," said the judge on the left.

"What people?" Reaver questioned. "Why not land as with our bargain?"

"We do not require more land. We require the souls of the people that dwell on it. The folk in the mountains are strong. They will strengthen the shadows. We will only take the strongest, and most worthy of our power."

"The Dwellers." Reaver sounded almost intrigued, but he shook his head. "So be it, though I might ask that you not wipe out the entire colony. They are quite useful to the land. Perhaps spare the women and children so that they may continue on once you've had your fill?"

"We will take the strongest half," The judges said. "Women and children are weak, we do not require them."

Reaver nodded.

"Does your wife know you make this bargain on her behalf?" One of the judges asked.

"She would never," coughed Nathaniel.

Reaver kicked the man in the ribs once more. "Excuse him. He was raised without a father."

"If The Queen is not aware, then you surely must know that the debt will rest squarely on your shoulders," The Central Judge continued. "Any consequences that may come will be yours."
"Yes, yes," Reaver said dismissively, waving his hand. "Now, do we have a deal?"

"Yes," said The Court as one.

"Good," Reaver said. "Now, shall we get things moving?"

He wrapped a handkerchief over the bleeding wound on his hand. It would heal soon enough. His new blue eyes turned down to the wrinkled man that he had pulled outside of the chamber, at The Court's request. He tilted his head up.

"Kill me, please..." The old man rasped. "Have mercy."

"Well, since you asked so very nicely," Reaver said. He pulled the Dragonstomper out from beneath his coat, and he pressed the barrel against Nathaniel's temple. "Do say hello to your mothers for me."
He pulled the trigger, and the deafening boom rang across the marsh. Nathaniel's worn body crumpled face-first into the mud, and Reaver turned, abandoning it where it lay. He replaced his pistol, and he walked into the night toward the edge of the marsh, where the carriage was waiting.

He sighed. The deed was done. Lilyana would now live as long as he would, but he feared what she might say upon discovering this tiny detail. Undoubtedly, she would be upset, but he felt justified in his actions. How could she expect him to watch her die slowly? Every day she was closer to her death, and the very thought of it had filled him with dread.

A/N: Follows, favorites, and reviews are so very appreciated! I hope you enjoy this installment of my Fable series, and if you haven't read my others please do so to get a better history on my characters!