“Agreed,” Jala said with a nod before turning to Vaze. “Would you take Neph back to Goswin, please? He will need to gather his people quickly.”
“Gather my people for what?” Neph asked as he quickly took a step back from Vaze before the shadows could even begin to thicken.
Jala blinked and then looked to Neph. “To bring them to Merro, of course. I just said as much in the council room. You are under my protection until we reclaim Delvay Neph. That counts for your people as well,” she explained slowly as if speaking with a particularly slow child.
“Jala, the people of Delvay can be prickly and difficult to deal with,” Neph began cautiously then paused as Valor snorted back laughter and turned away quickly with an expression of pure amusement on his face. Jala was regarding him dryly when he turned back to her.
“You don’t say, Neph. Hmm. I suppose we will all just have to learn to adjust to Delvay assholes, then. It may take a while after dealing with your sweet and sunny nature for so long, though,” Jala said with sarcasm dripping from her every word.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Neph replied sourly and gave a quick nod to Vaze. The sooner he gathered his people the sooner he was back home. He doubted that his people would enjoy the trip, however. In their eyes he would be taking them farther from the mountains and from their goal of reclaiming them. In Neph’s eyes, however, being closer to Jala meant being closer to accomplishing his goals. When Jala was involved, things got done, even when they seemed impossible at the time.
Chapter 4
Arovan
The cool night breeze washed over her and brought the sweet perfume of lilacs and roses wafting up from the flowers below. Zoelyn inhaled deeply and stared wistfully out over the gardens. Her window provided a beautiful view of the night sky as well as the carefully manicured flowers. A clear view of everything beautiful that was just beyond her reach. With a sigh she crossed her arms on the window sill and lightly rested her chin on top.
It had been two weeks since they had brought her here and nearly as long since she had been allowed outside. She couldn’t blame them, though. Someone obviously spent a great deal of effort maintaining the grounds surrounding the house, and it was doubtful that they wanted to risk her killing off the flowers with her presence.
“Why don’t you just run away?” a deep voice whispered beside her ear.
The sound nearly made her jump, but she forced herself to remain still so she didn’t spook him. When she jumped at his voice he would stay silent for days, and he was the only one she had to talk to. Despite the fact that she was the one that usually did the most talking. Still it helped to know someone was actually listening. He was typically silent for most of the day unless she asked him a direct question. He would answer her then, unless she had jumped at the sound of his voice recently.
“Where would I go if I did?” Zoelyn asked softly, though even as she said the words her eyes were traveling to the southeast. Her home with Dominic was in that direction in a small village filled with people that despised her. A rueful smile crossed her lips and she returned her attention to the night sky. The stars were bright tonight and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. It was the perfect night for a walk, only she wasn’t allowed to take walks anymore.
“Away from their walls,” the voice suggested.
Zoelyn frowned and relaxed more in her chair to slump fully against the window. “I hate thinking of you as just him or the Blight. Why won’t you tell me your name? You know mine.”
“I am Undrae, just like you. Call me that.” The Blight’s voice never grew louder than a whisper and there were times she nearly lost his words in the wind.
“I hate that word. I won’t call you that,” Zoelyn replied, her frown deepening. She started to say more but the sound of footsteps in the hall silenced her voice in her throat. Slowly she stood up and turned to face the door, her head cocking to one side as she listened closely for the direction of the sound. “They never come this late,” she whispered more to herself than to the Blight as she realized the footsteps were indeed approaching her door. Her gaze flicked to the half-eaten tray of food on her table and then back to the door once more.
The servants had set schedules that they never strayed from. In the morning a maid would appear with breakfast then tidy her room and take away the dinner from the night before. There would be another servant in the afternoon with lunch, usually a page boy that stared at her with wide eyes and ran the moment he sat the tray down. Then the evening would bring the last of her company in the form of an elderly woman who had yet to even say hello.
“Out the window,” the Blight hissed but the door was opening even as he spoke the words.
Zoelyn froze in place, her heart in her throat, as she watched a guard step into the room. The woman was dressed in the High Lord’s livery and fully armed. The guard glanced around the room with a bit of a puzzled expression and then her eyes settled on Zoelyn. “Were you talking just now?” she asked with a frown.
“To myself,” Zoelyn replied with a shy smile. “It gets lonely in here sometimes. I repeat poetry or stories to keep myself entertained.” The lie seemed to appease the woman and she simply nodded in response, her frown fading to a look of indifference.
“I was sent to fetch you. Lord Arovan says you are to bring your things and come with me at once,” the guard informed her with another quick glance around the room. “Though from the looks of things you don’t have much in the way of things to bring, now do you?”
“Only my coat,” Zoelyn replied as she moved to gather the heavy leather coat from the foot of her bed. “Can I ask where you are taking me?” Her voice was hesitant and the Blight’s suggestion of jumping out the window was sounding better and better.
“Lord Arovan said to bring you, girl. I didn’t question why. Now, follow me,” the guard replied in a sharper tone and Zoelyn found herself moving to follow before she fully registered what she was doing.
“Should have jumped,” the Blight whispered in her ear and Zoelyn smiled in response as she followed the guard down the long stone hallway. While she didn’t know her way around the house well, she was positive they were heading for the entry hall. It was hard to tell, though, the Arovan house was enormous compared to Dominic’s small three room cottage. Still, from the direction they were going it was unlikely that she was being taken to the dungeons, or worse, and honestly she couldn’t think of a single reason Lord Arovan would do either. She had been careful to be on perfect behavior her entire time in his house and had not complained once over anything.
Her curiosity grew stronger as the guard led her through door after door and finally down the long hallway that led to the front doors. There was no longer any doubt in Zoelyn’s mind that they were headed toward the doors. She recognized the suits of armor and paintings of the Arovan ancestors that lined the walls from her arrival at the House.
“Here she is.” Lord Arovan’s voice echoed down the hall and Zoelyn peered around the guard to see who he was speaking with. A woman stood to his side and just the sight of her gave Zoelyn pause. She was radiant in a gown of deep purple and more jewels than Zoelyn had ever glimpsed on anyone. Her deep violet eyes settled on Zoelyn and a faint smile curved her full lips, transforming her from beautiful to breathtaking in less than a moment. A handsome silver haired man stood beside her, dressed in purple and silver armor and it was a long moment before Zoelyn recognized the man. He had been there the night Lord Arovan had taken her from Dominic. In fact, he was the reason that she had been taken at all. Valor Hai’dia. The name formed in her mind as the memories resurfaced. He had been so distraught that night that it was hard to believe the pleasantly smiling man before her was the same person, but she knew without a doubt it was.
“Zoelyn, this is Lady Merrodin. You will be leaving with her,” Lord Arovan informed her calmly and bowed his head to the woman. “If you will excuse me now, Jala, I have a room full of very disgruntled High Lords to attempt to soothe.”
> “I’m sorry for the trouble Elijah. I hope in time you will understand why I did what I felt had to be done,” The woman’s voice was gentle and just the sound of it eased Zoelyn’s mind a bit.
Still the idea that Lord Arovan had offered her the protection of his house and then not even a month later was handing her over to a complete stranger had her nerves so far on edge that she was ready to bolt. “Why am I going with you?” Zoelyn asked cautiously, her gaze flicking to the guard that was already disappearing back down the hallway.
“Because I don’t believe in Undrae by birth as everyone else seems to. Valor explained your plight to me and I think that perhaps I can help you. At the very least I can offer you a home where you won’t get stoned for slipping in a streambed,” Jala explained, as she looked Zoelyn over with a critical eye. Her gaze lingered on the hood of the coat that Zoelyn had pulled up as she always did around strangers. “I can give you a home where you don’t have to hide yourself, either,” Jala added in a softer voice. Jala’s attention was drawn away by a tug at her dress and Zoelyn stared in amazement at the tiny boy that had been standing just behind the High Lady. She hadn’t even noticed the child was present until that moment, but then the two in front of her were an impressive sight and it was hard to look away from either of them. “I know, love, I’m ready to go home, too,” Jala said gently as she picked the child up carefully and wrapped an arm lovingly around him.
“I’m more than ready to be home and out of this armor. It never used to bother me before, but now I can’t wait to get out of it. Too much time on a battlefield I suppose,” Valor sighed as he pushed the door open behind him. His dark blue eyes closed as the night air washed through the hall and he smiled back at Jala. “We need lilacs in Merro. There is nothing that says spring like the smell of lilacs.”
Jala smiled in response and kissed him lightly on the lips as she walked through the doors. Glancing back, Valor raised an eyebrow at Zoelyn who had been watching them in utter silence. “Coming?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Do I have a choice?” Zoelyn asked carefully. They seemed nice, but they were strangers and she didn’t trust so much kindness from anyone, especially strangers.
“At the moment, no. You will soon, though,” Valor replied with a smirk. “What does that mean?” Zoelyn asked in confusion.
“That means if you don’t come along willingly now I will be forced to carry you to the ship which I’d rather not do. It isn’t dignified for either of us. However, once we know each other better, you will be given a choice on staying with us. If you hate our company, once you get to know us, I promise you, Jala will not force you to stay. You aren’t our prisoner right now. Just a slightly unwilling guest,” Valor explained with a grin.
“What exactly is the difference between an unwilling guest and a prisoner?” Zoelyn asked, though she had to admit she was amused by his words.
“Ahh. That all lies in the accommodations and provisions. You see, a prisoner resides in the dungeons and you will receive a room in our house. A prisoner gets bread and water. You will get bread, water, and cheese,” Valor winked at her and she could hear faint laughter from beyond the door.
“Valor, stop teasing her and come on, Shade is waiting on us. Zoelyn, I promise you will get more than bread, water, and cheese,” Jala called back with amusement clear in her voice.
“Well, then, I suppose I’m your unwilling guest. After all, how could I refuse such a generous offer?” Zoelyn sighed and stepped lightly past him and down the stairs. Her eyes wandered to the stables and her chest tightened as she thought of the tall bay mare that she rode to House Arovan. Her horse and she didn’t even know if it was still stabled. They hadn’t let her out of the house to visit the mare once since she had arrived. For all she knew they had sent the animal back to Dominic.
“I recognize that expression and the direction you are looking. Which one is it?” Valor paused beside her as he spoke, his gaze moving to the stables as well.
“I don’t even know if she is there anymore,” Zoelyn replied hesitantly.
“Well, it’s a mare. We have established that much. Want to tell me the rest of the description or would you rather just walk with me to the stable?” Valor pressed.
“I don’t know if she is still mine now,” Zoelyn frowned and glanced back at the house. Valor nodded silently and tapped his fingers on his armored leg as he waited patiently for her to elaborate further. “She was a bay mare fifteen hands at the shoulder at least. Light cavalry in build with white scars on her haunches from claws,” Zoelyn added quietly as she realized he had no intention of leaving without checking the stables.
“Good description. She should be easy to locate. I doubt there are many light built horses with scars in Elijah’s stable. Head on over to the Spell Hawk and I will have a look for her and a chat with the stable master,” He motioned toward the ship with one hand and was already striding away before she had a chance to open her mouth again.
“But I can’t get on a Spell Hawk,” Zoelyn mumbled with a sigh as she turned back to stare at the ship.
“Zoelyn, come on please,” Jala called as she leaned out from the door of the ship and motioned with a delicate hand.
“It’s magic, Lady Merrodin. I can’t touch it,” Zoelyn called back as loudly as she dared. Her eyes scanned the area around them nervously. There had been whispers about her when she had arrived of course, but she didn’t think Lord Arovan had told anyone the complete truth about her condition, and it wasn’t a topic she wanted to yell about.
“Nonsense, come on please,” Jala repeated and motioned for her to approach once more.
“Well you asked for your ship to be destroyed,” Zoelyn muttered under her breath as she nodded and began walking slowly toward the Spell Hawk. She hadn’t seen many of the ships in her lifetime, but this was definitely the plainest of the few she had glimpsed. It didn’t even have paint on it, simply the dull grey of the metal it was forged from.
“Why is she balking at getting on my ship?” a man’s voice echoed from inside the ship as Zoelyn paused near the stairs.
“Consider her living Barllen, Shade. She is afraid of damaging your ship with her presence,” Jala explained with a faint smile down at Zoelyn. “She is wearing lead on her shoes, though. I can see the plates. If she doesn’t touch the metal directly there won’t be a problem will there?” “Hell, I’ve flown with Barllen on the outside of my ship. I don’t see what the problem with it being inside will be. Where did Valor go?” the man grumbled.
“To the stables to see about my horse,” Zoelyn explained softly as she stepped cautiously into the ship. The metal plates on the bottom of her boots clacked loudly against the ship floor and she froze in mid-step. Her eyes searched the floor looking for the quietest path to one of the chairs, but it was hopeless. The entire ship was metal without a single rug or carpet in sight.
“Those boots will have to go,” Jala announced with a faint nod. “They must be horrible to wear with that much lead on the bottom of them. Ten pounds each from the look of them.”
“They aren’t so bad,” Zoelyn replied quietly. wondering how she was going to explain to this woman that without the boots she would leech life from the earth itself. That would have to be a later conversation she decided as she crossed as quickly as she could to one of the corner seats and sat down carefully to avoid the walls.
The child was perched in a seat a few feet away, watching her with enormous violet eyes. He looked quite young, perhaps two years of age, but there was remarkable intelligence showing in his expression. His dark red hair was tousled and her eyes lingered on the streak of white that crossed one temple. He followed the direction of her gaze and his hand rose to the white hair and shrugged one tiny shoulder. Smiling at him, Zoelyn tugged a lock of her own hair from under her hood to show him that it was white too. A wide smile split his face and his hand dropped back to his lap. Leaning out of his seat he peered toward the doorway and then up at his mother who stood balan
ced against the wall leading into the cockpit of the Spell Hawk.
“We are good to go once your husband returns,” Shade announced.
“Before he gets back, Shade, I have another favor to ask of you,” Jala began hesitantly, her eyes flicking to the doorway. “He won’t like it,” she added softly.
“Obviously from the way you are acting,” Shade replied with sarcasm thick in his voice.
“Have you ever heard of Tevonale?” Jala asked, her gaze going to the doorway once more.
Movement in the back of the ship drew Zoelyn’s eyes from the conversation and she watched in silent horror as a Bendazzi the size of a small pony rose from the shadows and paced toward the High Lady. She had no idea how she had missed the creature when she got on the ship, but then the predators were said to be excellent at hiding. Zoelyn’s lips parted and a slight gasp broke from her lips rather than the warning she had meant to call. The child hopped from his seat and moved to stand in front of her shaking his head quickly. The Bendazzi turned to watch them as he passed, his yellow eyes fixated first on her and then the child before pausing beside Jala and shoving her roughly with his massive white head. Zoelyn stared dumbfounded at the massive predator that was the scourge of the Arovan wilds, acting like a tame hound and slowly turned to look back to the little boy.
“Marrow,” the child announced in a high voice as he pointed at the Bendazzi.
“Marrow?” Zoelyn repeated in confusion.
“Stop it, Marrow!” Jala snapped as the Bendazzi pushed against her once more with more force.
“I don’t know, Jala, if your Familiar thinks it’s a bad idea, which he apparently does perhaps we should listen to him,” Shade said, his hesitation clear in his words.
“I can’t, Shade. I swear, I can do it. You saw the way Blackwolf acted in there. We have to have a place for them to go and Tevonale is perfect,” Jala pressed her hand, clenching at her side as she spoke.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4 The Blessed Curse Page 12
