“Can you do that anywhere?” Neph whispered turning to face Vaze with a raised eyebrow. “I mean just walk right into the middle of anyone’s house?” Neph clarified quickly.
Vaze shrugged and nodded slowly with a faint smile on his face. “For the most part. No one bothers to ward against Shadow magic anymore,” Vaze replied smugly.
“I will,” Neph promised and turned back to Jala shaking his head in disbelief.
“No, you won’t. Vaze is our ally,” Jala corrected as she handed Legacy over to Valor and squared her shoulders a bit. Carefully she propped her staff in the crook of her arm and shook her arms lightly as if loosening up for a fight. Glancing up at Neph she smiled widely. “You are going to love this. I’ve been working on it for days. I call it awe inspiring Sorceress.”
“You really need your hair down for the proper effect,” Valor cut in and Jala frowned and looked at him, her hand going up to touch her carefully braided hair. “Oh please don’t look so wounded. It’s not as if that took a lot of effort to do. I was standing right beside you when you fixed your hair and it took all of thirty seconds and a bit of magic to do that,” Valor’s voice trailed off as he noticed her darkening expression and narrowing eyes. “That beautiful creation to your hair. Honestly, anyone who looked at you would think you spent hours on your hair. Maybe you should just leave it up,” Valor hastily amended.
“So the first two husbands are dead and you neutered the third. If anything happens to Valor there won’t be a line of suitors waiting at your door. I can promise you that,” Shade observed casually.
“Are we really going to just stand here in the hall waiting for a guard patrol while we discuss Jala’s hair?” Madren asked, looking at them all in disbelief.
“He has a point,” Vaze chimed in with a smirk.
“You never know the guards may have a very good opinion on the topic,” Shade offered with a shrug.
Fighting back a snort of laughter Jala shook her head at Shade and flipped her hand casually towards her hair. The magic that bound it in place fell away and her wine red hair cascaded down over her shoulders. “I love you all so much,” she whispered as she took her staff in hand once more and squared her shoulders. Pausing, she cleared her throat and wiped the last remains of a smile from her face as she regarded the doors.
Wind rose behind her as she lifted one hand and pulled on her magic to open the locks that held them in place.
“Really? You are summoning wind for this?” Neph scoffed, looking at Valor who was motioning lightly with one hand toward Jala while carefully balancing Legacy on his hip.
Valor glanced at him and shrugged one shoulder. “It adds to her entrance, Neph,” he explained with a smirk.
Startled oaths rose from within the room as Jala stepped through the door. Moving up behind her, Neph paused in the doorway for a better view. All of the High Lords were assembled around a massive table in the center of the room, and each and every one of them bore an expression of pure shock on their face at the sight of her. Aside from the Lord of Oblivion, Neph noticed with interest. Zachary Dark simply sat in his chair watching her with what almost looked like amusement on his normally expressionless face.
“Did you forget to invite a few people, boys?” Jala asked casually, the wind still stirring her hair as she stopped just beyond the table. She stood with her legs slightly parted and her staff held in front of her as if she was prepared to battle all before her.
“Jala Merrodin is dead and this is a closed meeting. Whoever you are, you have made a wretched mistake with this display,” Lord Faydwer snarled as he started to rise from his chair. Lord Blackwolf and Arjuna were rising as well with matching looks of fury on their faces.
“I figured someone would say something like that,” Jala sighed, her tone far from concerned. “Allow me to set your fears at ease,” she purred and the room darkened as she drew on her magic. Shadows writhed across the floor in front of her and Neph turned to raise an eyebrow at Vaze who was silently wiggling a finger in Jala’s direction. The wind rose once more, stirring her hair as she pointed a slender finger to the floor in front of her. A faint purple glow began to show in the cracks of the marble below her and half of the High Lords lurched from their chairs looking more than ready to fight. “Seth, King of Crows, Herald of Death I summon thee!” Jala’s voice cracked through the room. Even from where he stood Neph could feel the power emanating from her. He had to admit it was an impressive display, awe inspiring sorceress indeed.
The ground before her trembled and the shadows danced wildly as a flock of spectral ravens burst through the marble at her feet. The birds swirled, darkening the air before her as they spiraled upward toward the ceiling. When the air before her cleared, Seth was crouched on the floor, his raven feathered cloak pulled tightly around him. He stood slowly, moving with the grace of a natural hunter and the expression on his face was grim.
Delighted laughter and clapping filled the room and all eyes turned to stare stupidly at Legacy who was grinning from ear to ear. “Yay!” he exclaimed loudly, looking up at Valor and then back to his mother with an expression of utter joy on his small face as he clapped once more. “Hi!” he called loudly, his childish voice almost comical as he waved at Seth with enthusiasm.
Neph stared in disbelief at the child and then looked to Jala who had turned back to stare at her son with wide eyes. Her expression was still serious, but Neph could tell by the light in her eyes it was taking all of her willpower to keep from bursting into laughter.
Seth settled back where he stood and rubbed the back of his neck for a moment. “Well, that moment is gone,” he muttered with a heavy sigh as his posture relaxed. He raised an eyebrow at Jala and smiled faintly. “You called?” he prompted with a faint smile as he waved back at Legacy.
“Oh, by the Divine, that was classic!” Shade exclaimed as he burst out laughing loudly. “Oh kid, I love you. You are my favorite person in the world right now!” he continued as he leaned forward and ruffled Legacy’s hair.
Jala sighed dramatically and slowly turned back to look at the assembled High Lords. She shrugged and smiled sheepishly. “Well, so much for a grand entrance,” she said and waved a hand toward Seth. “He is the servant of Death, directly. No one in Sanctuary knows better than Seth who is dead and who isn’t.”
Seth glanced at Jala, raised an eyebrow, and then looked to the High Lords with a dry expression. “As the fact that she is here speaking to you implies, Jala Merrodin is alive. She was gone for a time, but not dead. That is something I cannot explain beyond telling you that her life essence was not among us for a time. Now it is.”
“Did my Nephew really just applaud and then wave at the man that is supposed to terrify small children with the hellish bedti me stories that are told about him?” Arjuna asked slowly, his eyes flicking from Seth to Jala and then finally to Legacy.
“Well…yes,” Jala answered slowly, her gaze moving from lord to lord as she tried to assess the mood of the room.
“I am oddly proud right now,” Arjuna announced as he dropped lightly back into his chair, a smile on his face. “That is Firym blood there, gentlemen. He is truly fearless.”
“And happy,” Shade added as he stepped fully into the room and leaned against the wall.
“This does not change the fact that they have broken into Lord Arovan’s home and disrupted a very important and private meeting,” Lord Blackwolf’s voice cut through the room like a knife evaporating the smiles on most faces.
“A meeting that I believed I would have been invited to, had you known I lived,” Jala replied sharply, her tone every bit as serious as Blackwolf’s had been.
“Of course you would have been invited had we known,” Arjuna broke in as he scowled at Blackwolf. “You are an ally Jala, you have proven that time and time again,” he assured her.
“If it’s truly Jala Merrodin, where are the Bendazzi that accompany her everywhere?” Lord Faydwer inquired, his expression still filled with doubt.
“They were asleep on my bed when I left, actually,” Jala sighed and looked back toward the doorway. “Vaze, please?” she asked with a frown.
Vaze nodded slowly and the shadows around her darkened once more. Within moments the forms of two Bendazzi could be seen clearly as the shadows faded away. Looking up, Marrow yawned widely and rose to his feet stretching. He scanned the room once with his large yellow eyes and slowly sat back on his haunches beside Jala.
“Satisfied?” Jala asked the room in general.
“Satisfied that you are who you say you are, but that doesn’t explain the company you have brought with you,” Lord Blackwolf replied sharply.
Jala frowned deeper, her eyes moving back to Neph and Madren. Neph could tell by her expression that she was fighting back her own sharp reply. She motioned toward him with a casual wave. “I had thought you would all remember Lord Delvayon as well as Lord Goswin. They were, after all, at the battle that saved Arovan and Glis from Rivasa.”
“Nephon is not lord of Delvay, or so the Empress says,” Blackwolf corrected.
“I’m leaving now before I’m too tempted to take a souvenir back home with me,” Seth informed Jala quietly, his eyes lingering on Nicoli Blackwolf.
“Thank you for answering, Seth,” Jala replied with a nod before turning back to face the High Lord of Glis once more. “Lord Blackwolf, we have never really had a chance to speak before today and this is not getting off to a good start. I want to work with you and I want to make this alliance work, but allow me to speak bluntly in terms you will understand clearly.” Her hand dropped to rest on the top of Marrow’s head and she stared hard at the High Lord. “I have earned the name Lady Bendazzi through more than just the presence of my Familiar. It was given to me to acknowledge my talent for dealing with arrogant assholes that refused to listen to me. So let me ask you this, Lord Blackwolf …” she paused, emphasizing the last of his name as she stepped forward closer to the table. “In a fight between a Bendazzi and a wolf, who wins?” she asked coldly.
A loud noise similar to an angry cat rose from the back of the room and Neph turned to look at Shade as the rogue made a scratching motion with his hand. “Get him, Jala. My money is on her if anyone is taking bets here,” he said loudly as he noticed how many people were watching him.
“Why exactly is he here? He isn’t the current lord of Morcath as I understand,” Arjuna sighed leaning forward on the table for a better look at Jala and motioning toward Shade.
“I’m his advisor, actually,” Shade informed them, pointing directly at Madren who from what Neph could tell looked ready to crawl off into a corner to hide. “See, Madren is competent at leading his own people and incredibly smart, but you bastards intimidate him and, well, I gave up really caring about who says what about me or tries to kill me a while back. I tried being rational and law abiding and was kicked in the nuts for it repeatedly. So now, I advise him for the time being and work as his voice when he needs to address bullies like you guys.”
“You poor bastard,” Neph whispered to Madren who had simply closed his eyes and slumped against the wall as Shade spoke.
“He used to be eloquent and diplomatic,” Madren sighed.
“Not anymore,” Shade announced loudly his eyes moving to the table. “So where do we sit and what did we miss you guys talking about.” “I will not tolerate his antics,” Nicoli announced firmly.
“Aww, and we just got here and you are planning on leaving already? Well, see you next time, then,” Shade said sadly and waved briefly at Nicoli who scowled at him in response. Smiling widely, Shade dropped into a chair beside High Lord Han’shy. He looked up slowly at the lord and his smile faded. “Mind mage, eh?” Shade nodded in greeting and began to look around at the other empty chairs.
“You are amusing me for the moment, boy. Get any more annoying and you might want to find another seat, but for now you are fine,” Jin assured him and motioned Jala forward. “Have a seat. We were discussing the Blight problem, actually.”
“Good. That is a matter I have interest in,” Jala replied with a smile and glanced back toward Madren and Neph. “Come on, gentlemen, it’s going to be a very long night without more delay.”
“Actually, before we continue that discussion I would be very interested in knowing how, exactly, Jala returned.” Lord Arovan’s voice was soft, but all fell silent as he spoke.
Neph studied the man as he sat down at the table. The Lord’s eyes were locked on Jala with an expression that seemed almost desperate.
He wants his son back, Neph realized, and felt a stir of pity for the man. He knew without a doubt there was no bringing Micah Arovan back. It had been the same with Zyi. Both of them had been pure souls and had evaded the judgment of death on that account. Micah’s spirit could have been called back on the day of his death, perhaps, but after this long he would be in the life stream awaiting rebirth and far beyond the call of magic.
Jala was silent in her chair for a long moment as she returned Elijah Arovan’s gaze, but it was sympathy written on her face rather than pity. Slowly she shook her head at him and Neph watched in silence as the desperation that had been on the man’s face faded to poorly concealed grief. “I tried to win Honor as well as Micah back from Death when I returned, Lord Arovan. Seth informed me that they had already returned to the life stream. I’m so sorry, but there is no calling them back now.”
“How, exactly, is it that you are on such good terms with the Herald of Death?” the High Lord of Faydwer cut in sharply.
Jala didn’t bother to turn to look at the man. Her hand rose to her chest and she pulled a necklace from under her dress. She held it up allowing it to swirl in the air inches above the table giving everyone a clear view of the symbol of Death that adorned one side and the symbol of War that covered the other. Her expression softened further and she placed her free hand on Valor’s. “I didn’t know either of them as well as I would have liked to, Lord Arovan, but I had the utmost respect for your son. I cannot help you bring him back, but I can offer you the same comfort that I gave Valor to ease the pain of losing his brother.” She paused and squeezed Valor’s hand giving him a faint smile before she continued. “They are in the life stream now awaiting another life. They died in a world filled with bitterness and pain, but if we truly work together here, we can give them a world filled with peace to return to. They won’t remember us when they return, but we will always remember them. With every moment we spend rebuilding Sanctuary we will think of them and know that wherever they are, they are safe because of what we are doing now.”
“How touching. I believe the question was how did you return, though. I truly hope you don’t expect us all to believe Death simply released you due to the fact that you revere her now,” Nicoli Blackwolf spoke the moment she fell silent and Neph wanted to slap the man for the derision in his voice.
“Death didn’t have to release me. As I said, I wasn’t dead,” Jala replied in a tone filled with irritation. “For those of you who were at the battle, I’m sure you saw the pillar of light I became,” she began in a quieter voice and let out a long breath. Leaning back in her chair she toyed with the holy symbol and shrugged one shoulder. “That pillar of light was raw magic that I called upon. I drew strength from the Barrier itself and it destroyed my body. I knew it would and I fully expected to find myself before Death because of it. I was desperate, though, so I did the only thing I thought would save my people and help Arovan.”
“But you didn’t find yourself before Death?” Jin Han’shy pressed when Jala remained silent for a long moment.
Neph could see the indecision in her eyes as she glanced around the table. She had been rather vague explaining to him about what had actually happened and now she was being cornered on the topic by people she couldn’t simply ignore.
“I was drawn into the Barrier, actually,” Jala began calmly. The holy symbol fell from her hand and she leaned forward on the table with a thoughtful expression on her face. “I don’t truly expec
t any of you to believe me on that account, but that is what happened. At first I was confused, but then when I started to examine my surroundings I realized where I was. The magic had pulled me back to the Barrier and somehow my mind held together,” she shrugged and glanced at Jin. “You may check my mind to verify I am speaking the truth if you wish,” she offered and eyes widened around the table. To offer to let a Mind Mage freely into your head was an act of trust that Neph himself would never contemplate.
“I believe you. While I’d love to see into your mind to learn the knowledge that you hold on the matter, I won’t put you through the pain to sate my own curiosity,” Jin replied with a smile, but his eyes lingered on her with such interest that Neph wondered if the man was reconsidering his words the moment they left his mouth.
“I have a question for you,” Arjuna began politely and waited until Jala had turned to look at him before he continued. “How did you know about this meeting? It’s not that I object to your being here. On the contrary, I’m pleased to see you. It’s just that this meeting was to be kept in the utmost secrecy.” His gaze turned aside from her and settled on Vaze who had propped himself against a back wall and he raised an eyebrow.
“I informed her,” Zachary Dark announced before Jala had a chance to answer the question. He smirked at the expressions of shock on several faces and motioned at Jala. “She needs to be here and we need to discuss matters of more importance than how she is here. We are wasting time with this interrogation.”
“You expect us to simply accept her story. You want me to believe she was in the Barrier? Do I look like a fool to you?” Nicoli Blackwolf snapped.
“I know that question was addressed to Lord Dark, but can I answer it please?” Shade broke in, his hand raised in the air as if he were sitting in class at the Academy.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4 The Blessed Curse Page 10