Nodding slightly, she handed it back to him and yawned. “I’m in fine form for it,” she muttered and examined the bars of the cell. Sleep had returned most of her magic to her but she didn’t want to go into the council missing a drop of her power. The bars should hold more than enough to refill her, though, after Hemlock’s time magic earlier this morning.
Pulling on her magic she used a quick cleaning spell on herself and then altered her clothing to a dress finer than any she had ever worn. Glancing down at herself she nodded with approval at the dark purple silks. The low cut bodice was lined with gems and the skirts were cut high on the sides in the Firym fashion. With another yawn, she altered her shoes and created a long silver jacket similar to the one Fortune had gifted her, only sleeveless. Pausing, she looked around the room for anything she could use as a mirror. Finding nothing even remotely reflective she let out a disgusted grumble and used her magic to create one on the far wall.
“You’ve gotten rather good at the mage craft since the last time we saw you,” Havoc said quietly as he watched her creating jewelry.
“I practice a lot,” she replied with a shrug. “Hair up or down?” she asked.
“Up,” Victory responded at the same time Havoc said “Down,”
“Loads of help,” she muttered.
“Up with jewels like you wore on your wedding. The ones that sparkled with light,” Jail said from across the room.
“Up it is with sparkly jewels,” Jala said with a nod and began the process of fixing her hair as Jail suggested. “Who is here so far?” she asked quietly.
“Arjuna, of course. Zachary, Kadandelvayan, and Jaradon Faydwer on our side so far,” Havoc replied.
“We don’t know Kadan is on our side. We were banking on Neph sitting on the council today,” Victory corrected him.
“What about Micah and Chastity?’ Jala asked glancing over her shoulder.
“They aren’t here yet,” Victory replied quietly.
“Who is here against me?” Jala asked.
Silence filled the room. “Avanti, Morcaillo, Rivasa, Nerathane, and Seravae are here as well, though we don’t know what side he stands on,” Jail answered at last.
“So it’s an even vote if the Lord Reaver doesn’t vote and I lose if he votes against me,” Jala concluded with a sinking feeling.
“He arrived here in the company of Myth Morcaillo,” Victory said, his tone somber.
“What about Han’shy?” Jala asked. Yesterday they had all assured her that Jin Han’shy would support her.
“My father hasn’t arrived yet. I’m not sure why he isn’t here,” Jail replied.
“I suspect our missing lords may have had unforeseen difficulties,” Victory said with a sigh. “It would be a typical Avanti ploy to sabotage a vote.”
“The only thing that might alter things now would be rock solid evidence as to who you are,” Jail added quietly.
“I see no way we can arrange that,” Havoc muttered.
“Give me a minute to think,” Jala said, gazing at her reflection in the mirror as she began to brainstorm. Naturally, it was too much to ask that not all of the high lords show up for her trial. For, being as powerless as she was, she certainly seemed to attract a lot of attention. Slowly she turned from the mirror and began to pace the cell, her gaze on the floor as her mind worked.
The sound of the door opening drew her attention back and she watched the High Commander of the Justicars enter the room in his full regalia. While Kellis himself was not a handsome man, his shining armor and plush white fur cloak lent him a regal quality. “They are ready for the prisoner,” Kellis declared, putting extra emphasis on the word prisoner.
Nodding, Jala moved to the cell door and rested a hand on one of the bars while she waited for him to unlock it. With a faint smile she pulled on the magic stored in the Barllen and refilled her reserves. Kellis glanced at her hand several times as he searched for the proper key and seemed rather irritated at her touching the metal without suffering. Finding the key at last, he pulled the door open and motioned her out with a snap of his hand. Smiling as if he had just held the door for her at a fine restaurant, Jala stepped out and nodded respectfully to him, which seemed to increase his irritation.
“Are you ready?” Havoc asked quietly as he and Victory fell into step behind her.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Jala replied and prayed to Fortune her plan worked. It was hastily made to be sure, but if she played her cards right, the gamble might pay off.
* * *
The council room was brightly lit with a large marble table carefully placed in the center of the room. There were twenty chairs total but only nine were occupied. Scanning the faces Jala picked out the ones she knew by their colors and placed names to the ones she didn’t. Nodding respectfully to them, she moved to the closest chair and sat.
“The prisoner should remain standing,” Lord Morcaillo said in the slow drawl common to his country.
“The High Lady of Merrodin prefers to sit,” Jala countered, eyeing him coldly. “I have just spent a very uncomfortable night in a jail cell due to this nonsense and I have no desire to stand while you try to sort out the obvious,” she added, curtly drawing silent stares from all assembled.
“This matter is far from obvious. Do you have proof of who you claim to be?” Lord Avanti asked and by his expression he expected her to say no.
“Actually I do. Several witnesses in fact,” Jala responded without hesitation earning another stunned silence. With a smile, she regarded all of the lords in attendance and then turned her attention to Lord Dark. “Lord Zachary, is it true that you retained all of the souls from my lands when they were destroyed?” she asked.
Smirking, Zachary nodded slowly. “It is true, we gave nothing to Death.” He spoke quietly, the Oblivion he held made his voice pure monotone.
“Invalid witness. The spirits will be corrupted and controlled by Oblivion,” Lord Avanti protested, shaking his head at her. “I’m not sure what you are playing at, girl, but you will not win this vote with cheap parlor tricks.”
“I don’t expect any of this to come cheaply,” Jala replied, barely sparing a glance to him. She turned her attention instead to the Lord Reaver of Seravae. “Lord Reaver, is it true that the shamans of your land can compel spirits to do as they wish?” she asked.
“It is,” Jexon replied, his eyes narrowing.
“Well then I suppose one of your shamans could compel a spirit to tell the truth and could identify if it were in fact the correct spirit?” She spoke with confidence, her gaze never wavering from his face.
“Easily, are you expecting me to perform this service for you?” he asked and by his expression she knew what his answer would be, had she intended to do that.
“No, as you are a voting council member I would not ask that of you,” she said and turned her gaze to Lord Rivasa. “I believe you had a Soulreaver in your employ the last time I was unfortunate enough to visit your lands. Is that man still in your employ?” she asked sweetly.
“No, I’m afraid he isn’t,” Rivasa answered coolly.
“Excellent. I was hoping not. I would like his services for the questioning of the spirit. He can serve as a neutral party. As I do not even know his name and the only time I have ever met him, he was on the side that was attacking me, I scarcely think anyone can accuse him of showing favoritism in this matter,” Jala said, her eyes moving to each Lord for any sign of objection. “That is, if Lord Dark would be willing to summon the individual spirits here for the time it takes to question them,” she added, letting her gaze pause on Zachary.
“I would,” Zachary agreed with what she thought was a note of approval in his voice.
“Then if Lord Rivasa would be so kind as to supply the name we can arrange to have the Soulreaver summoned,” Jala said, looking back to Lord Rivasa expectantly.
Well played, Arjuna’s voice broke into her thoughts and she had to fight back the urge to look at him.
Thank y
ou. Let’s hope this Soulreaver is the man I believe him to be, she replied without so much as flicking a finger to give indication of her use of magic.
“His name is Ash,” Rivasa replied with obvious reluctance and Jala noticed the Lord Reaver stiffen slightly in his seat. That had to be a good sign she decided.
“I will have my guards see to summoning the Soulreaver then,” Arjuna said with a curt nod in the direction of Havoc and Victory who stood quietly by the door.
“Perhaps while we wait you could explain why it is just now that you claim to be of Merrodin blood,” Lord Morcaillo spoke with so much venom in his voice she half expected him to throw something at her.
Raising an eyebrow at him she smiled coldly. “Tell me, Lord Morcaillo did you summon the people of the city and announce your arrival this morning?” she asked.
“Of course not,” he snapped his eyes narrowing.
“Then by what right should you expect me to announce my presence to everyone?” she asked. “I inform those I deem need to know. I’m terribly afraid your name was not on that list,” she finished, raising her chin slightly and looking away.
“It perhaps would have been wise to inform some of the council of who you were,” Lady Nerathane snapped in a high pitched voice that seemed comical for a dragon to possess.
“I know who she is. I above all else should know if a Merrodin lives. My father did kill most of them off,” Zachary said, his attention fully on the Lady of Nerathane.
Silence fell once again as the door of the council room slammed open and a tall man strode through the door. He was dressed in dark grey plate mail with pauldrons in the shape of upturned taloned hands adorning each shoulder. Small flashes of lightning danced from talon to talon as he moved, leaving no question to who he was. The General of Arovan, better known as the Lord of Storms, was a difficult man to mistake. Kicking the door shut behind him, he regarded the council coldly. Anger flashed in his dark blue eyes as his gaze trailed across Lord Avanti. “I truly hope I’m not too late. There were minor difficulties for me to attend to this morning. It would seem my granddaughter Devony has gone missing in the night,” he said, his voice nearly a snarl. “I have no doubt she will be found soon though,” he added, his gaze still locked on Avanti.
“You are here in perfect time, General Troyelle. Please have a seat and I will inform you of what you have missed,” Lord Faydwer offered, motioning to a seat beside him. “I truly hope your granddaughter is found soon. I assure you if she is still missing when this council ends, the Faydwer will do all they can to assist you in finding her.”
“I appreciate the offer,” General Troyelle replied, finally prying his eyes from Avanti who was doing an excellent job of appearing innocent. Jala watched him cross the room and marveled at how much Valor resembled his father. They had the same powerful build and coloring to hair and eyes and the only true difference she could find was in demeanor. While Valor tended to be smiles and charm, Troyelle reminded her of his namesake, a storm, or a force of nature perhaps. He didn’t seem the sort of man that could easily be ignored.
“How long do we have to wait for this Soulreaver?” Lady Nerathane asked her voice filled with annoyance.
“Until he arrives,” Arjuna replied curtly.
“This is ridiculous, to pander to such nonsense,” Lady Nerathane snapped casting a glare at Arjuna.
“Are you suggesting my Shaman’s spirit magic is ridiculous?” asked Lord Reaver, anger clearly written on his features.
“Yes, actually,” she responded, her pitch black eyes locking firmly with the Lord Reaver’s grey ones.
“Calm down please.” Lord Morcaillo spoke in soothing tones but seemed to be generally ignored by both Lord and Lady, though they both remained silent.
Jala leaned back in her chair enjoying the soft cushions as she watched Lord Faydwer replay an illusion of what Troyelle had missed so far. As the image drew to an end Troyelle looked up and regarded her with interest. She raised an eyebrow at him in question and smiled faintly.
“You intend to summon the spirits of your dead parents?” he asked her quietly.
“I do,” she replied. “Or rather, I intend for Lord Zachary to summon them,” she clarified.
“Will that not be painful for you?” Troyelle pressed.
“Not half so painful as the execution they have planned,” Jala said with a smile, waving a ringed hand in the direction of Avanti and Morcaillo. “If I’m going to be executed, I’d rather be guilty of the crime. I am Jaladene Merrodin and I will prove it through whatever means I must.”
Nodding slowly, Troyelle searched the faces of each lord present and turned back to her. “Kadandelvayan is an honest man. You have the support of Arjuna without a doubt. As well as Zachary, Jaradon, and myself. That’s five votes for you in a council of ten. They can’t execute you without majority. A tie will not suffice.”
“I don’t think they intended for you to arrive in time Lord Troyelle,” she said with a smile.
“I fail to see how any of us can be accused in tampering with Lord Troyelle’s arrival,” Lord Morcaillo spoke up, his tone annoyed.
“Not to break into what I’m sure will be a brilliant tirade, Lord Morcaillo, but I must speak,” Kadandelvayan said, leaning forward in his chair slightly. His gaze shifted from Lord Morcaillo to General Troyelle. “You mention that I’m an honest man, but assume you have my vote, General. While I have no ill wishes toward the girl, I cannot honestly vote for her yet. I do not know she is Merrodin blood. To me she does not look Merrodin at all. The only proof I have that she is Merrodin is from talk that I’ve heard, and I will not vote according to gossip,” he finished and turned his face toward Jala before raising one shoulder in an apologetic shrug.
“That is completely understandable, Lord Kadandelvayan. I take no offense and respect you for your decision,” Jala replied with a bow of her head in the direction of the young lord.
“Damn Delvay, I cannot believe you would consider allying with the likes of them,” Arjuna snapped waving a hand in the direction of her opposition.
“It’s not that I’m siding with them, Lord Arjuna. I am Delvay. We take no side other than our own. You ask me to vote on the girl’s identity without knowing who she is. To me that is unreasonable,” Kadandelvayan protested.
“We could have a monkey sitting in her chair and I’d vote it was Merrodin blood if it pissed Avanti off,” Arjuna grumbled, shaking his head at Kadan in disgust.
“A viper would be more fitting than a monkey for Merrodin blood,” Lord Faydwer added quietly, drawing a few chuckles from the room.
“Perhaps the former Merrodin. I like to think I share nothing of their qualities. I’ll leave the vipers for House Morcaillo. It suits them, I think. I personally prefer the Bendazzi,” Jala said mildly.
I really hope the Soul Reaver gets here soon. It’s taking a lot of willpower to not smack some of these Lords, Emily said in a disgusted voice.
One would think they would have better things to do. I suppose they are worried about another vote being on the council. I guess politically it does change the balance. I prefer Lord Kadan’s way of thinking, though I’m not sure Lord Arjuna has realized that yet, Jala responded, mentally taking care to keep her expression neutral.
The sound of the doors opening once more brought silence to the table and all eyes turned to watch as Ash stepped through the doorway. He wore all white as he had when she had last seen him in Rivana. He eyed the council with curiosity in his pale eyes. Silently, he approached the table with his hands folded behind his back and his expression serene. A faint smile touched his face as his eyes traveled over Jala, but quickly faded as he reached Lord Rivasa.
“You have sent for me?” Ash asked the council at large, seeming unsure as to whom he should direct his words.
“I have,” Jala said, smiling up at him. He turned his gaze back to her and raised a slender white eyebrow in question. “I understand that you have training in spirit magic. Is that correct?�
� she asked.
“Ahh, you do not know much of the Reavers, do you?” Ash asked. Somewhat confused by the question, Jala simply shook her head in response. He smiled faintly once more and nodded. “The more contact with spirits, the paler a Spiritcaller becomes, as the touch of death drains away all colors of life. I am tenth circle Spiritcaller and thus my coloring,” he explained, motioning toward himself with pale ivory hands to emphasize his words.
“I didn’t know. Please forgive my ignorance,” Jala replied with a slight bow of her head.
“Ignorance should never require forgiveness. There is no offense taken. My people are secretive, so such details are often unknown,” he responded, the smile still showing. “Perhaps, though, you could tell me what need you have of a Spiritcaller?”
“I need a neutral party to question spirits and verify that the answer given is the truth. Would you be willing to perform this service?” Jala kept her tone respectful and tried to choose her words with as much care as possible. From her point of view, Ash deserved more respect than most sitting at the council table, simply from the way he conducted himself.
“Possibly, if you would explain to me why I would be disturbing the dead, I could answer yes or no,” Ash replied without hesitation.
“To verify that I am who I claim to be. I need the truth from the spirits so this council does not find me guilty of a crime I’m not committing,” she explained.
Ash looked from her to the council and then back to her. “Any life mage could tell who you are by testing your blood. A mage with training in time magic could look back through the timeline to determine your origins. Why have you chosen the path of spirits?” he spoke softly and it seemed simple curiosity that fueled his questions.
“Oh, for the love of all of the Aspects, just summon the dead and get this over with,” Lady Nerathane protested, rolling her eyes and flopping heavily back into her chair.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 2 Blood Honor and Dreams Page 20