Sitting back in her chair, Symphony watched Charm pace the room, and listened once again as he described the nightmare creatures he had been living among for nearly three weeks. How he had managed to survive she couldn’t guess but her respect for the rogue had grown considerably after hearing his tale.
Remedy shifted in his chair and leaned over toward her. “I was in Gaelyn not three days ago. Blackwolf is calling his son back as well as most of his reserve soldiers. Chastity will be in charge of the Glis district until this is over,” he whispered to her. The scent of mint washed over her with every syllable and she smiled. Remedy had a tendency of chewing on the herb to keep down his cravings for tobacco. Every other week he was quitting or starting anew depending on how stressful the current situation was. From what Charm described, she had no doubt Remedy had been smoking like a chimney in Glis.
“Any word of what Arovan is doing?” she asked in equally hushed tones, not wanting to disrupt the discussion on the other side of the room. Having Kiernan Morcaillo’s support was too important to offend him.
“He has sent a few scouts to help in Glis where he can, but his main military is simply not suited for this sort of combat. He controls heavily armored knights for the most part, as well as his navy. Perhaps their elemental magic would be of use if they could find what they were supposed to use it on. Kali has truly out-done herself this time.”
“Do they have any ideas on how to stop these things?” she asked, glancing back to watch the expression on Kiernan’s face as Charm finished his report. As she had expected, he wore the same grim look the Fionaveir council had.
“So far, the best idea I have heard is to burn Gaelyn and that won’t work. The creatures will simply migrate north. Better to keep them in Gaelyn as long as they can,” Remedy replied.
“May I speak?” Shade asked, once Charm had fallen silent. Symphony turned to look at him as did every other person in the room.
“You may,” Caspian said after a considering pause.
“I’m not sure how you will get them out of the wilderness but I can take care of the ones in Eldagar if you can spare a few resources,” Shade said, standing slowly.
“He is insane,” Charm muttered, though there was a grudging respect in his voice.
“I do not have the men to spare to help you and I wouldn’t give you command of them even if I did,” Caspian said flatly and started to turn back to Kiernan.
“I don’t actually need men. It won’t require an army,” Shade pressed, unwilling to be ignored.
“You are going to destroy a hostile force in an impregnable fortress city alone?” Lutheron asked sounding mildly amused.
“Well no, not exactly,” Shade said, pausing, and frowned slightly.
“What resources do you require?” Symphony asked, her curiosity peaked. From the way she saw things any idea was better than none.
Shade tapped his chin thoughtfully and gave her a weak smile. “About two hundred pounds of raw meat, the services of a very good Alchemist, Charm, and Lutheron,” he said, drawing mutters from the room.
“Do you know of this plan?” Caspian asked Charm.
Nodding slowly, the rogue ran a hand through his thick blond hair and gave Caspian a sickly smile. “Yes, and we both agreed to not discuss the details with anyone else so it couldn’t be tampered with if you allowed it. While I think he is insane, the plan does have merit, and very little risk to anyone other than Shade and myself,” Charm said with a sigh.
“I really wish you would stop saying I’m insane,” Shade muttered.
“I really wish I wasn’t endorsing your plan but it’s all we have at this point,” Charm shot back quietly.
“Meat, Alchemy, and me. Interesting. Well, I have to say I’m intrigued,” Lutheron said and glanced at Charm. “Mostly by the fact that this one is scared while Shade is not at all frightened. I say we let them run with it, Caspian. If it works, then we have destroyed a major hive. If it doesn’t, then we can laugh at the two of them if they live, and drink to their courage if they die”
Caspian nodded slowly and glanced at Faramir who nodded as well. Looking over to Symphony’s table Caspian waited for the slow nod from both Vaze and Remedy. With a heavy sigh, he turned his gaze back to Shade. “Very well, we will provide you with all that you ask for and not question the plan, though I will say I have heavy doubts,” he said at last.
“If you knew the plan your doubts would be heavier,” Charm said with a smirk.
“It will work,” Shade said with a smile and nodded his thanks to Caspian before sitting back down.
“Let me know if it does, I’m quite curious about what you are up to, nephew,” Kiernan said quietly and looked back to the Fionaveir council. “I will continue to look for Myth, though I am not hopeful of finding her. For all I know, she is a squirrel wandering through Morcath right now. A changeling in hiding is a very dangerous thing.” He turned to Symphony as he spoke and regarded her with a level stare. “Beware any who try to befriend you now, Symphony. You are in a position to gain much power soon. That will attract Myth’s attention. Be wary of any who seek to get too close to you.”
“I will. Thank you for the warning Kiernan,” she said with a nod. His words rang heavy on her mind and she found herself trying to remember every person she had talked to in the past few weeks and to review those conversations. While it was possible Myth was in the Fionahold, she truly doubted it. To even find the hold, you had to know a Fionaveir and her people were quite paranoid. The only new members they had acquired in the past few months were Shade and his friend Oma and neither of them seemed a likely candidate. Lutheron himself had examined Shade, and Oma seemed too damaged to be dangerous. She would have to keep her eyes on everyone, though. A warning such as the one Kiernan gave shouldn’t be ignored.
Chapter 5
Sanctuary
Leaning back farther against the wall, Jala did her best to remain unnoticed. The bar was crowded to the point that Marrow wouldn’t even come inside. She watched Finn and Valor play the crowd. Finn would brag about how Kithkanon didn’t stand a chance and then Valor would play his own dramatic denial. Judging by the crowd around them the show was entertaining. With a sigh, she lifted her glass and took another sip of the wine. It was proving impossible to get images of the Merro district from her mind. She stared down into her glass and wondered how everyone had let it go for so long. Even if she wasn’t responsible for those people she still would have wanted to help. It didn’t help her mood, either, hearing Finn and Valor talking so much about the coming duel. Just the thought of it brought back to her mind images of Death nodding to Finn and her dread increased.
The harsh grating of a chair being pulled back raised her eyes. Glancing over, she expected to see Finn or maybe even Valor, not the stranger seating himself beside her. He was shrouded completely in a dark grey cloak with no hint of his face visible at all.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to be rude but I’d rather be alone. Surely there are other tables with empty chairs,” she said quietly and frowned as the man reached across to her bottle and lifted it to his lips. “Well, by all means then, no sense in getting a glass or perhaps ordering your own,” she said dryly.
“You know, most seek my permission before they change anything in the city,” his voice was cool and low, barely a whisper in the crowded room.
“I haven’t changed anything in the city. And why would I need your permission? You don’t look like a High Lord to me or even a Justicar,” Jala said, wondering if it was the earlier sights making her so snappish or the wine she had been drinking. She stared down at the glass thoughtfully for a moment, wondering if she should write off drinking completely. She didn’t seem to have much luck with it.
A low chuckle came from under the cloak’s hood and the bottle tilted again. He sat it down on the table with a solid thump and wiped his mouth with the back of a gloved hand. “No, I’m not a High Lord, not even close. But I think perhaps you have heard of me anyway. Hemlock.
Does the name ring a bell?”
She felt the color drain from her face and took a sip of her own wine. As subtly as she could, she glanced over Hemlock’s shoulder in the direction of Finn and Valor hoping that one of them had noticed she was no longer alone.
“Ahh, you have heard of me,” he said sounding amused. Turning slightly in his chair he glanced at Finn. “You know it really isn’t good for him to be drawing so much attention. The both of you have already drawn far too much attention.” Slowly he shifted back to his original position and traced a finger across the table top smearing a bit of spilled wine into a long trail. His head tilted up and she could feel his eyes upon her, though she still could see nothing but shadows from the hood. “Here is a question for you. Should I kill you? I’ve been offered a lot of money to. I’ve also been offered money not to. Sadly, though, you have more enemies than friends right now.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” she replied without hesitation, drawing another chuckle from the Assassin.
“And why is that?” he asked, not sounding the least bit interested in whatever answer she gave.
“You asked if you should, I said ‘no.’ You didn’t ask me to have a reason,” she said dryly and tried desperately to come up quickly with a reason he might actually listen to. “Because if you wait and let me accomplish what I have planned, I’ll be worth a lot more money dead,” she said finally, not really believing that was the only quick reason she could think of.
“Ahh, now, that is one reason I’ve never heard before. So you are saying I shouldn’t kill you now but should kill you when you are worth more money. I’ll have to give that some thought. Do you have a reason I shouldn’t kill your husband? I’ve had more offers for his death than I have yours.” He leaned forward on the table as he spoke and propped himself on his elbows as if to hear her answer better.
“Well, the same reason for me could apply for him as well but you want something new. How about if you kill him I will bring Sanctuary to its knees,” she said with more confidence than she actually felt.
“Will you now? And how exactly would you do that?” He sounded genuinely amused.
“In every possible way that I can,” she replied smoothly and took another sip from her wine, hoping her hand wasn’t shaking visibly.
“I don’t think you would. Too many innocents here. And if you are as kind hearted as Shade says you are, than that isn’t an option for you.” Taking a single finger he twirled the wine bottle slowly and shook his head. “Horrible vintage, by the way. I would have thought Finn would have left something better for his wife while he was busy flirting and pandering to the crowd.”
“He isn’t flirting,” she said defensively and ignored the fact that the majority in the crowd surrounding her husband were women.
“Give him a message for me. Tell him he shouldn’t leave his wife alone. There is no telling who might decide to keep her company,” he said and dipped his head in a slight bow. “You have my permission to change Merro’s district, Milady,” he added as he stood smoothly and left the table.
“Wait. Are you going to take the contracts,” she called after him but he gave no answer. Not that she had really expected him to. The knot in her stomach grew tighter and she downed the rest of her glass in one swallow and considered pouring another. The rumors about Hemlock adding poisons to everything he ate or drank kept her from it.
With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair again and contemplated the odd visit. It didn’t seem typical behavior for an Assassin. Shade had mentioned him asking about her as well. It seemed she held a particular interest for the Assassin and the thought sent cold chills through her. Having Cassia Avanti obsessed was bad enough. She didn’t want Hemlock too interested in her as well. Rubbing her face, she watched Finn and Valor for a while longer and then slowly stood. Quietly she made her way through the crowd surrounding them and moved close to Finn.
“Finally in the mood for company?” he asked and gave her a kiss wrapping one muscular arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. She caught a few glares from the crowd but ignored them. Public opinion of her was quickly becoming a secondary concern.
“No, I’m going home. I just wanted to let you know before I left,” she said quietly and rested her head against his shoulder for a moment. The scent of dozens of liquors was thick on him, mingled with the lighter brushes of perfume. Though she hadn’t seen him approach any of the women in the crowd at least three of them had given him hugs or clung to his arm.
“I’ll go with you,” he offered and started to set his drink down.
“No, you don’t have to. Marrow is just outside and it’s not far. You are enjoying yourself and I don’t want to ruin that,” she said quickly and gave him another kiss.
“Are you saying I wouldn’t be entertained if I went home with my wife?” he asked sounding amused.
“I’m saying I will probably be poor company and I’d rather not ruin your night,” she replied with a halfhearted smile.
“Mmm, there is a possibility that rather than ruin my night I could improve yours.” He spoke quietly, his breath warm on her neck, and she felt her skin tingle in response. “I can take your mind off of everything,” he promised and kissed her neck gently.
“Are we going to get a bar show, Finn, or are you going to go home?” Valor asked playfully and Finn shoved him lightly in response.
“I’m going to go home. Sorry you don’t get to see more of my beautiful wife than you already have Val,” Finn replied, drawing chuckles from a few in the crowd.
“Well, as sad as that is, at least I don’t have to see more of you in the process. Off with you then and put a smile back on her face, she looks so depressed,” Valor responded with a grin and took the half full glass from Finn’s hand. With a wink he downed the drink and sat the empty glass on the bar motioning for the bartender to pour him another.
“Lush,” Finn said with a chuckle and nodded farewell to the crowd. Keeping his arm wrapped tightly around Jala, he guided them both toward the door. “I’m sorry you are having such a miserable night,” he offered as they stepped out into the cool night air.
“It’s nothing you did. It was just seeing all of that suffering and then …” She trailed off, unsure why she had even started to mention it.
“And then what?” he asked, glancing both ways down the street before starting their walk back to the Academy. “I don’t see Marrow do you?” he asked while she was still contemplating if she should tell him about Hemlock. She didn’t like the idea of keeping secrets from him but she was sure it would just upset him.
“He is on the roof, don’t ask me how he got up there but he is,” she said absently waving in the direction of the Bendazzi.
Looking up, Finn nodded a greeting to Marrow who sat quietly watching them and glanced at her again. “And then what?” he prompted again.
Sighing, she linked her fingers with his and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. “And then Hemlock sat down at my table and asked me for a reason he shouldn’t kill me,” she said quietly and felt his fingers squeeze tighter on her hand.
“I didn’t see anyone at your table all night. I kept looking over there, hoping you would join me. If I had known he was there, I wouldn’t have left you alone. I’m sorry,” he said and squeezed her hand again. “What did you tell him?” he asked after a moment’s pause.
She gave a bitter chuckle and shrugged lightly. “I told him if he waited to kill me I’d be worth more money,” she said dryly.
“Uhh, hmm, really?” Finn said, pausing between each sound, and shook his head. “Not the reason I would have given but I’m sure it was a first for him. Most tend to plead for their lives, I would guess.”
“I don’t think I’m exactly the pleading sort, at least not for that,” she replied.
“You won’t plead for your own life? That’s generally the number one thing most would beg for. What would you plead for then?” he asked.
“Yours. He asked me for a reas
on to not kill you as well. And he wanted me to give you a message, though I really don’t want to. I don’t want to keep secrets from you either, though, so I’m still tossing the decision around in my mind. To tell or not to tell.”
“You have to tell now. You mentioned it. You can’t just say something like that and then not tell,” Finn pointed out practically. “It’s cruel and you aren’t cruel, so spill it.”
She cleared her throat and sighed again. “Tell him that he shouldn’t leave his wife alone, there is no telling who might decide to keep her company.” She repeated the words as perfectly as she could and waited for Finn’s response. His mood had darkened. She could feel it through their link but he remained silent. “I think he was trying to anger you and it has apparently worked,” she said after the silence had stretched for several minutes.
“Not at you. Not at him. At myself. He is right, I shouldn’t have left you alone at that table,” Finn said at last. “I know how many enemies we have in this city. I should have stayed by you.”
“I don’t need your constant supervision, Finn. I don’t expect you to stay by me at every moment. I was perfectly fine drinking alone tonight. As I said, I’m not the best of company right now,” she said in what she hoped was a soothing voice.
Her gaze flicked to an alley as Marrow dropped down and paced over to walk by them. His thick white coat stood out against the shadows and his yellow eyes seemed to gleam. Running her hand through his fur she smiled faintly at the Bendazzi. “Did you have a good nap?” she asked quietly.
I didn’t nap. I followed the bastard in the cloak. He went back into Merro to a transport stone and activated a rune near its bottom. One that is very well hidden, Marrow informed her smugly.
“Did he notice?” she asked in a bit of shock.
Marrow growled low at the question and looked up at her with a feline glare. Of course he didn’t notice. I’m a Bendazzi. I am a master of stealth, he grumbled.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 2 Blood Honor and Dreams Page 7