Evenlight
Page 35
Venn grinned. “It could be worse. She could be breathing fire as she runs around like a demon. At least you can rest easy that you birthed a normal child. Nothing strange or unusual about that one.”
Her teasing words — only half in jest — made Jasmine’s eyes crinkle with a proud smile.
“So, is there something I can help you with?” she asked, covering a yawn and slouching in her chair, “or did you just stop by to witness my scatterbrained exhaustion?”
Venn’s smile grew, and she propped her boots up on the edge of the desk. “I’m glad I’m not you, Jax. I would have lost it years ago and killed everyone in the Keep. You’re a better woman than I am. But no, I just wanted to give you an update on today.”
Jasmine smoothed down the stray hairs escaping her long braid, straightened her papers again and sat up, the haggard mother gone and the leader of her people taking over. “What do you have to report? Did everything go well?”
“More than well.” Venn crossed her hands over her stomach. “No losses on our side and only a few small injuries. I think it’s the most successful mission we’ve had since these pissers started showing up. Only six this time, too.”
“Any lead on where they came from?”
Venn slid her hands off her belly and back onto the armrests, picking at the peeling wood on the chair. After years of so many people doing the same, the furniture had begun to look aged and worn.
“Nothing,” she said, pulling her attention away from the splinter poking the pad of her middle finger. She crossed her arms to help her stay focused and caught Jasmine smiling at her obvious restlessness. Trying to do a better job of hiding it, she dropped her feet to the floor. “Everything is exactly the same as all the other times. My opinion? They’re a pain in the ass, but don’t pose a bigger threat that the odd clearing out won’t manage. These bandits aren’t trained, and their armour looks like it’s been pinched from wherever they could get it. Their weapons are usually half-rusted and they hardly know how to wield them. They’re out for easy cash from the weakest people they can find on the road.”
Jasmine tapped her thumb against the back of her hand. “We have reports saying most of them are refugees from Cordelay and the outlying areas.”
Venn frowned, thinking of the damage Cordelay had suffered, the entire country devastated by a tidal wave summoned by a mad sorcerer. She was struck by the coincidence of two references in the same day to events that had occurred five years ago.
“The thought had occurred to me,” she said. “But why now?”
Jasmine threw up a hand and sat up. “The dragon’s gone, the queensguard is finally starting to pull back its presence on the roads, so the way is clear for these refugees to cause all sorts of trouble. We might want to send some troops on a field mission to the ruined cities. If there are people living in the wreckage, maybe we can offer aid and cut down on the attacks.”
Venn heard the subtle request in Jasmine’s words for her to lead at least one of the missions, and sank lower in her chair.
“I’ll start planning tomorrow.”
Jasmine’s lips twitched in amusement at her lack of enthusiasm. “I would have thought you’d appreciate the task. Better than sitting around the Keep all day waiting for them to come to us.”
Venn tapped her toe against the floor. “You know me too well.”
“So what’s the issue?”
As much as she hated the thought of sharing anything so personal with anyone — or admitting that she had anything so personal to share — the frustration she’d felt building up over the last few weeks finally boiled over at the opportunity to vent.
“I’m bored.”
Jasmine’s eyebrow rose. “Didn’t kill enough people today?”
Venn frowned. “You make me sound so evil. I don’t get off on killing people. It’s a fun hobby, but that’s not the point. They’re just too easy to kill, you know? There’s no challenge. Where are the undead wolves or those armoured cougar things? Where are the people who shoot fire from their fingertips?”
Jasmine chuckled, and Venn noticed the way her shoulders drew back and the lines around her eyes smoothed out, as if the reminder of what life had been like back then put today’s troubles in perspective. What was an excitable five year old compared to a fire-breathing dragon and an armoured bear at the gate?
Maybe the dragon would be easier to tame… she thought before Jasmine spoke.
“As much as I can’t bring myself to wish for a return of our troubles just to keep you entertained, I understand what you’re saying. I’ll get someone else to lead the scouts after the bandits. As for you, I might have another opportunity that would at least get you away from the Keep longer than a few nights.”
She reached for one of the papers caught in the ink spill, the top corner of the page lost under the blackness, and held it out towards Venn, who recognised Jayden Feldall’s messy scrawl.
“According to my brother’s latest poor attempt at letter writing, their ambassador in Margolin, Jer Reddington, has gone missing. They’d send one of their own people in to look for him, but tensions with Margolin are running high. Jayden couldn’t say much in his letter, but between the lines, they’re worried. I know you don’t find politics interesting or diplomacy worthwhile,” she said this with a smile, “but there might be a place for you to help.”
Venn pressed her lips together as she perused the letter, considering. A missing diplomat in a sensitive political muddle—lots of potential for intrigue. And it had been a while since she’d mocked Jayden Feldall for anything. It would be nice to see the princess Ariana, too.
Still can’t believe the bastard managed to snag a royal, Venn thought, the idea never ceasing to amuse her.
“All right,” she said, tossing the letter onto the desk and slapping her palms against the armrests. “I like it. If there’s a message or something you want me to bring your brother, leave it in the stables. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.” She stood up to move towards the door, and then paused, running her fingers over the back of the chair. “Thanks.”
Jasmine nodded and pressed her lips together, seemingly caught in some internal debate. Finally, a slow smile spread over her face. “Repeat this to anyone and I’ll have your hide, but some days I miss the old adventures, too.”
***
Venn left Jasmine’s office with a lighter step than when she’d entered it. She felt sorry for the poor guy who’d gone missing, but at least now she had a purpose. Something to plan and achieve. Maybe a few scuffles in the dust along the way.
Stripping down to her smallclothes, she pulled back the sheets and slid into bed, brain already busy plotting out routes for the morning as she leaned over to blow out the candle. The room fell into darkness except for the dim light of the fire at the end of the bed, sending shadows dancing over the covers.
Falling into a partial doze, Venn thought she saw one shadow rise up above the others.
Sleepy brain, she thought as she yawned and turned on her side.
A creak of the bed, and her sleepiness began to ebb. Slowly, so as not to disturb the blankets, Venn slid a hand under her pillow, reaching for the hilt of the blade she always kept close.
Before she could reach it, the shadow let out a yell and lunged.
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About The Author
Known for witty, vivid characters, Krista Walsh never has more fun than getting them into trouble and taking her time getting them out. After publishing a few short stories and novellas in various anthologies, she has now released her own anthology, the serial collection Greylands.
When not writing, she can be found reading, gaming, or watching a film – anythin
g to get lost in a good story. She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
You can connect via:
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Acknowledgments
No book would be complete without a huge thank-you to the people who made it possible. My first and biggest thanks goes to my friend and colleague Colin F. Barnes for his patience, support, and incredible hard work.
More thanks to Sadie Scapillato, my wonderful editor, for strengthening the plots and helping bring my characters further into the real world.
Credit also goes to Megan Faw, Shannon Faucher, Chelsea Miller, and my family, not only for their feedback, but also for being there when I needed to hash out some sticky plot points.
Finally, thanks to my readers who encouraged me to bring the people of Andvell to life. I hope the journey was as fun for you as it was for me, and I hope you’ll continue to join me on the adventures to come.
Other Works by Krista Walsh
The Meratis Trilogy
Evensong
Eventide
Evenlight
The Cadis Trilogy
Bloodlore
Blightlore
Bladelore