“The last report placed him in Morcath along the southern coast. All Charm said was that they were stopped for modifications on the ship. I’m not sure if word has reached him about Oma leaving yet,” Symphony explained and rubbed her face. “I’m not really sure how to tell him she is gone if he doesn’t know. I wish our scouts had managed to pick up some trace of her.”
“She used magic to leave, that is a certainty. There is not much that our scouts could have done to track magical travel,” Caspian said. “About the most foolish thing the child could have done, given the current times. She was safer here than she would have been anywhere else.”
“People make poor choices all the time. Take Delvay and Rivana, for example. Blights threaten all of us and they are about to fight each other,” Symphony said with disgust and stared down at the map once more. “I wish there was some way I could talk sense into them. I don’t think either would listen to me, though, not yet anyway.”
“There is a possibility Rivana would listen to Morcaillo or Avanti, but we can’t negotiate with them and they would most likely urge the war on. Delvay is one of the thorns in their side, much as Veirasha was.” Caspian tapped his fingers on the table as he spoke and stared hard at the country of Delvay. “I can’t think of anyone they would listen to,” he admitted sadly.
“Bloodless. I wanted this to be bloodless,” Symphony said quietly as she propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands.
“What you want and what you are going to get appear to be two very different things, Symphony. I think it’s best if we prepare for what is coming,” Faramir said gravely.
“How far do you think it will spread?” Symphony asked.
“That depends on if Nerathane joins the fight,” Caspian replied. “If Rivana has to fight alone it will be the typical border skirmishes that we see every few years. If Nerathane joins, Delvay will fall unless others rise to help them, and at this point I don’t think there is anyone that will rise. They are all too worried about the Blights to make a move toward war.”
“So Delvay will fall if the dragons fly. What I need to figure out is how to keep Nerathane out of the fight,” Symphony said, her eyes glued to the map once more. “How do you reason with dragons?” she murmured to herself and began to pore over all knowledge of Nerathane that she had learned so far. It seemed a hopeless endeavor, though. If anyone had ever known how to reason with dragons they likely kept it as a trade secret.
“There is a slim chance …,” Caspian began, his eyes still on the map.
“What? A slim chance is better than none,” Symphony said, her hope rising a bit.
“Well, Lord Rivasa has a brother in the northern territories who controls a third of the Rivana military. They do not get along at all. If we could get an agent to the brother we might be able to sabotage the war before it begins,” Caspian said cautiously.
“Hexian?” Faramir asked in disbelief. “The man is an arrogant ass and virtually impossible to deal with, from what I’ve heard.”
“Then you’ve heard more than I have about him,” Caspian said calmly and looked up to Symphony. “If you care to gamble I’ll send someone to speak with him.”
“Given that Fortune himself is on his side I’d say I’m willing to gamble,” Symphony replied with a smile. “Who do you intend to send to negotiate?” she asked, though in her gut she already knew the answer. This would take finesse and charm and she could think of only one man who had ample supplies of that.
“Remedy. I hate risking a council member, but with his mental skills as well as his charm he has the best chance of success,” Caspian replied.
“I’ll let him know then,” Symphony said quietly. “I had plans to go riding with him this afternoon. Better that he heads to Rivana as soon as possible, I think, though, if we are going to have any chance at all of stopping this.
Caspian nodded and watched her rise from her chair. “If we get any new reports I’ll have you summoned. I expect Lutheron will send me word by evening about the spell hawk.”
“Thank you Caspian,” she said with a smile and turned to Faramir. “Sword practice later then, since my ride is apparently getting cancelled?” she asked hoping Faramir would say yes. With Vaze out of the compound Faramir was the only one with close enough skill to spar with aside from Caspian himself. And Caspian was always far too busy.
“I should be able to, unless something comes up,” Faramir said, a bit distracted.
“Is everything OK, Faramir?” Symphony asked with concern, pausing on her way to the door.
“Yes, of course. Well, as right as it can be, given the situation. I was just concentrating on this mess and trying to figure out how to set things right,” Faramir assured her, and waved her toward the door. “Better get Remedy on his way. We are short of time on stopping this war and with how dangerous travel is right now, he will need all the extra time you can give him to arrive safely.”
“It’s Remedy. I have no doubt he will arrive there safely. I’m sure he will be able to talk them out of war as well. I’ve never seen Remedy fail at persuasion,” Symphony replied with a smile and gave them a final nod before leaving the room.
Chapter 14
Sanctuary
Night had fully fallen by the time she walked from the council room. Pausing on the steps, Jala glanced back at the Hall of Justice and sighed. Her mind was churning with a hundred thoughts as she made her way down the stairs and up to the fountain of Caspian.
“I was beginning to think they had changed their minds and decided to keep you.” Finn’s voice broke through her thoughts and she spun around, her eyes finding him instantly as he approached.
“I don’t know if I want to slap you or kiss you,” she said quietly, her attention fixed on his chest where a sword had been lodged the last time she had glimpsed him.
“Slap, then kiss,” he suggested. “If you kiss and then slap, passersby will get the wrong impression about me,” he added with a charming smile.
“How did you live?” she whispered, moving forward to wrap her arms around him. “Was it the dragon blood?” she asked looking up at him.
“Dragon blood?” he repeated in confusion and met her eyes.
“You turned into a dragon in Rivana, remember?” she prompted, unsure why he seemed so confused.
“Shit, Shade didn’t tell you anything did he?” he asked, and shook his head in disgust. “Come on, I’ll explain, but not here. Let’s get you home before Marrow paces a hole in the carpet.” Wrapping his arm around her waist he began to guide their steps back toward the Academy. “I suppose we can speak of other things while we walk, though. I’m sure you are curious about Isador.”
“She is awake then, and talking?” Jala asked hopefully. It was by far the best news she had in the past twenty four hours, aside from the knowledge that Finn had won his duel.
Finn nodded slightly. “It turns out she was waiting there to talk to Sovann. We aren’t really sure if the creature followed her or it was waiting for Sovann ,as well,” Finn explained.
“What did she want to see Sovann about?” Jala asked curiously.
“To leave a message for you, actually, but it isn’t a good one,” he warned and let out a long sigh. “The temple you grew up at in Bliss is gone. We aren’t entirely sure who did it but everyone there is gone …” His voice trailed off and he glanced at her again.
“Gone, as in dead?” she asked, though she wasn’t sure why she bothered. In her heart she already knew the answer.
“Yes, they are dead. Isador came to warn you because she believed they had been killed in an attempt to gain your true identity. Not that it matters now.” His hand squeezed a bit tighter around her waist and he kissed her on the top of the head. “I’m sorry, Vezradesh. I do have brighter news for you, though. The boy you kept me from killing is safe and staying with Sovann now. He has agreed to help as much as he is able and is rather impatient to see you.”
“Joseph. His name is Joseph Walker. He c
ouldn’t have been much older than I when Merro fell. Did he happen to explain how he survived?” Mentally she could see him as he once was - a tousle-headed boy with hair the color of straw and bright brown eyes. He had been one of the only Walker children she had enjoyed playing with. He had never teased her or called her names.
“He apparently went with an older brother and sister to Brannaford. By the sounds of it his family had more children than the Merro district has gutter rats,” Finn replied and pushed open the gates to the Academy for her.
Smiling she stepped through and nodded her agreement. “I’m not sure if there were quite that many but it was close. Ten boys, I think it was, and seven girls. Mrs. Walker always acted like Mother was an invalid because she only had two children. As if it were a crime to keep a small family.”
Wrapping one hand around a gate post he partially swung his way through the gate and kicked it shut behind them. “And what about you, Lady Merrodin? Large family or small?” he asked with a raised eyebrow as he fell into step beside her once more.
Pursing her lips, she looked upwards as she walked, eyes flicking from star to star and then shrugged, looking over at him. “I really don’t think I would want seventeen children like Mrs. Walker had. I can remember several occasions when Mr. Walker couldn’t remember his children’s names. I think a small family is better. My Father never once forgot my name.”
“I really don’t think I would want to provide for seventeen children,” Finn said with an amused snort. “Let alone try to think up seventeen names,” he added with a shake of his head.
“In all honesty I doubt the high lords intend to allow me any family,” Jala said quietly and looped her arm through his.
“I hadn’t intended on asking their permission,” Finn said with a smirk. “And considering how much Marrow and I ran our asses off to help certain high lords today I believe we will have support from at least a few of them.”
“What do you mean?” Jala asked puzzled.
“Well, Val received word early this morning that Devony was missing, so we headed to that district. After Troyelle explained what was going on, I made a bargain with him that if he would go to the council, your charming Bendazzi and I would find Devony,” he explained.
“And did you?” she asked, hoping the answer was yes.
He nodded in reply and plucked a strand of grass from the side of the path. “Fortunately, those that had taken her knew better than to harm her so other than being rather terrified she was fine.” He rolled the grass stem between his fingers as he spoke and began slowly tearing it into smaller strands. “So after we found Devony, I began to wonder what exactly was keeping the other lords away so we went to the Han’shy district in time to see him execute several of his officials, a few that I recognized. I, of course told him where I had seen them before and he gave thanks before rushing off to give you a much needed vote. I didn’t see any sign of Micah. I think he has already left for Arovan.” He frowned at the thought and tossed one of the grass strands aside. “The worst part of the day was dealing with Neph. He was livid when his brother arrived this morning and has been in a foul mood since. Just out of curiosity, did Kadan cast his vote for you?”
“It wasn’t needed. When Lord Han’shy arrived there were too many in favor of me and they didn’t even bother calling a formal vote,” she replied and rested her head on his arm. “No one is around Finn,” she pointed out.
“Well I suppose we could stop for a tumble in the trees but our room isn’t far and I’d rather not risk a rash from poisonous plants,” Finn replied with a smile.
Pinching his arm she glared up at him. “Not what I was getting at, and you know it,” she grumbled and let out a heavy sigh. “Tell me how you survived. I was … I was so sure I had lost you. I just wanted to collapse at the sight of that. It was horrible Finn. I never want to see you do anything like that again,” she said in a hoarse whisper, the image of Finn staggering and blood streaming from his mouth flooded her mind. Closing her eyes tightly she shook her head and felt her eyes go glassy once more. “Never, Finn,” she repeated, adding more emphasis on the words.
“Do you remember at the Pits when I was breathing so heavy and you thought I was wounded?” he asked quietly.
“I do, and I still don’t understand it,” Jala replied.
“It was part of my plan, the part I had to test. I can’t believe Shade didn’t tell you any of this,” he sighed.
“What does Shade have to do with your stamina being off?” she asked completely confused.
“Well the talent comes from his side of the family and he is much better at it than I am. It’s not dragon’s blood Jala. It’s Changeling blood,” he explained.
“You mean like the creature from The Wicked Child?” she asked, her eyebrows rising. The story had been one of her favorites by the fire. No matter how many times Father had recited the story she had always curled up under her blankets afterwards, convinced a changeling was going to come and steal her place.
Finn regarded her dryly for a moment and nodded slowly. “Yes, I suppose, but I feel inclined to point out that I didn’t steal this life to get into mischief. I am truly Finn Sovaesh.”
“So you don’t scare cows to spoil their milk?” she asked in a teasing voice.
“Well, of course, but that has nothing at all to do with being a changeling,” Finn replied with a bit of a twinkle in his green eyes. “Seriously though, the Changeling blood comes from the Morcaillo line. I’m weak in that Bloodline so I’m weak in the power. Taking a dragon form is incredibly difficult for me.”
“But you switched so fast in Rivana that I didn’t even realize you were the dragon until Wisp explained,” Jala broke in.
“Incredibly difficult, not incredibly slow. There is a difference. It’s very draining for me to do and sometimes when I attempt it, it doesn’t work,” he clarified. “Changing my body however is easier. Increasing my hearing for example, or honing my reflexes, or in the case of the duel, rearranging how everything fits inside,” he winked at her and shrugged a shoulder. “I studied all of the duels fought in the Arena. Every last one of them including all of Kithkanon’s. He had fought a total of thirty-two duels before he faced me. In thirty-one of them he killed his opponent the same way he tried to kill me, with a sword driven up through the chest and into the heart. So I moved things around a bit internally, which is what messed up my stamina. My lungs couldn’t draw as much air and my heart was having difficulty as well.”
Remaining silent, Jala considered his words and nodded slowly. “What did you put in your mouth before you went to fight?” she asked.
“You caught that?” he asked with a grin and chuckled lightly. “It was a prop I had Sovann make for me, basically a liquid filled ball that would resemble blood when I broke it between my teeth,” he explained. “It was cherry flavored and tasted good enough that I really didn’t want to spit it at him. Showmanship though,” he shrugged and grinned again. “If you ever find the need to fake your own death I highly recommend using one. They are like candy.”
She rolled her eyes at him and sighed. “I was devastated and lost in despair and you were enjoying candy,” she grumbled.
“Well, to be truthful, the sword through the chest rather ruined most of the enjoyment. See, I thought through moving the innards around. I, however, did not consider dulling the nerves. I really should have. It was rather excruciating. I thought Val was going to vomit on me when he had to draw it back out. Honestly, for a knight to be so squeamish is just wrong,” he said and glanced around them as they made their way up the stairs to their hall. “Is Emily with you?” he asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
“I should claw your wound back open for making her cry like you did,” Emily hissed from the shadows.
“Well there is my answer,” Finn said dryly and flicked his gaze in the direction of the voice.
“Why do you want to know?” Emily asked from another location, suspicion thick in her voice.
&nb
sp; “Because it’s nice to know when I’m alone with my wife,” Finn replied and then looked to Jala with confusion. “Why, exactly, does she hate me so much?” he asked.
“Because she scanned Shade’s mind and he hates you I suppose,” Jala replied with a shrug. “Honestly, I don’t know but I think she will realize you are a friend soon.”
Shaking his head Finn led the way up into their hall and paused by the doorway watching her. She glanced at him raising an eyebrow at the grin on his face and then looked around the entry way in confusion. “What?” she asked at last.
Shaking his head, he motioned ahead toward their rooms with that same smile on his face.
“Infuriating at times, you know,” she muttered and began walking again. Her steps slowed a bit as they neared Valor’s door and she noticed it was wide open. She had lived with the knight long enough to know that could be a recipe for embarrassment. One never knew when a half-naked woman would stagger out, or Valor himself for that matter. Silence loomed from the doorway as she drew closer and she glanced inside. The room was bare, with not even a curtain still remaining. Confused, she looked back to Finn who was smiling wider and still silent. With a dark look to express how much she appreciated his silence she continued on and noticed as she progressed down the hall that each of her companions’ rooms were empty and all of the doors were open.
“Did they reconsider their allegiance?” she asked at last when she reached Neph’s door. Seeing his room empty was like a punch to the gut. While she considered all of her companions trusted friends, Neph had grown closer than that during their daily training.
Finn shrugged wordlessly and she had to repress the urge to slap him again. Taking her arm gently he tugged her toward their room and pushed the door open. It was empty, aside from her trunks that sat near the doorway. “The last to be moved,” he explained quietly.
“Moved where?” she asked, her eyes flicking between him and the trunks.
“To your hall, Lady Merrodin,” Finn replied calmly.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 2 Blood Honor and Dreams Page 22