The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 2 Blood Honor and Dreams

by Melissa Myers

  “I will remove them Lord Delvayon,” the Justicar by the wall spoke quietly and removed a set of keys from his belt. “Just please calm down. We have treated her fairly and we are only following regulations,” he added, his voice level.

  “Don’t just stand there, then, remove the damn chains,” Neph ordered, pointing meaningfully at Jala. “Now!” he bellowed and the Justicar moved quickly to her cell.

  “Just hold your hands up by the bars Lady Sovaesh,” he said as he reached through with the key and quickly unclasped the manacles. With a hand that was shaking only slightly he gathered the chains and backed away from the cell.

  “Now get out! I want to speak with her privately,” Neph ordered, pointing at the door and glaring at both men.

  “Sir we can’t leave you alone with the prisoner,” the Justicar holding the chains protested.

  Jail let out a low sigh and shook his head at the man. “I really wouldn’t have objected there if I were you,” he said quietly.

  Staring coldly, Neph began to slowly approach the Justicars. The muscles of his back rigid. “You have two choices and I really don’t care which one you choose.” He paused, eyes flicking from one to the other. “You can both leave this room and allow me privacy, or I can kill you both and achieve the same. I don’t mind killing you at all so if you don’t move in the next few seconds I’m going to assume that’s the choice you have made and slaughter you both like pigs.” He spoke each word clearly and paused a few feet from the men glowering.

  Without further hesitation, both men left the room, closing the door behind them with a solid bang. Turning slowly Neph looked at Jail and let out a snort of laughter, then turned fully to Jala. “I leave you for one hour and you get arrested,” he said with a dramatic sigh.

  “I didn’t know what else to do,” she said with a weak shrug.

  “Wisp explained it all to me. You did what you had to,” Neph assured her, all trace of fury gone from him.

  Glancing at Jail and then at Neph, she raised an eyebrow. “All of that about Delvay tempers was a lie?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Oh no, that was truthful, it’s just Neph wasn’t truly that pissed off. He was just trying to spook them. With a gentle nudge of Mind magic it worked fairly well,” Jail explained.

  Neph looked over at him sharply and let out a disgusted snort. “Naturally you would assume it was your magic, you arrogant ass. That was all natural intimidation,” he said, rolling his eyes and looking back at Jala. “Listen, Jala, they are going to try to make you fray as much as possible. Everyone in the city knew Finn was dueling today and they are using your worry for him against you. They want you scared and upset when you see the council. You can’t be, though,”

  “Neph is right. If you look like a scared little girl the council will run over the top of you, even the ones you might consider allies. They won’t support a child,” Jail said as he stepped from his cell once more and righted the chair Neph had kicked at the Justicar. With a smile at her he dropped lightly into the chair and shrugged. “As Sovann says, nine tenths of power is the appearance of power. Walk into that room looking powerful. At the very least, if you show you aren’t intimidated or scared, you will give them pause. They will wonder what you are hiding, since any person of sound mind would be terrified in your position.”

  “I’m not terrified for myself. I can survive this. I’m worried about Finn,” Jala said miserably and dropped back onto the floor once more. “I should be there. I didn’t realize this would take days.”

  “It won’t,” Neph said, his tone confident. Shaking his head he waved his hand lightly toward her. “By now, every high lord has heard of this and they will be here soon. Your Bloodline is the first to return from the grave and they will all want to know if it’s true and you really are Merrodin. With the exception of Nerathane and Seravae of course. I doubt they will care.”

  “Tomorrow at the latest,” Jail agreed with a slight nod. “Arjuna will likely be here tonight and my father won’t be long after that. He was impressed with you at the meeting in Firym and he will support you,” Jail assured her.

  “I can’t say what Kadan will do, honestly, but if he isn’t here by the time the rest of the lords are I will take his place on the council and you know you have my full support,” Neph said, his expression thoughtful. “I wonder if I can keep him from showing up …,” he began and trailed off, quietly looking deeper in thought.

  “Sabotage your brother? That’s sweet of you Neph,” Jail said dryly.

  Shaking his head absently, Neph frowned. “No, Kadan hates councils and I’m sure he would let me field this one if I can convince my father, who happens to hate me, so that makes it a bit tricky,” he said quietly.

  “Family politics. Aren’t they great?” Jail said with a sigh and smiled at Jala. “Lucky you, your birth family is dead and your new family is much easier to deal with.” He chuckled at her confusion and grinned wider. “Do you not realize you have a new family, Jala? Did you not just witness a big brother storming in to rescue you?” he asked quietly.

  Jala looked over to Neph thoughtfully, who was in turn glaring at Jail. “No I hadn’t realized it,” she replied softly. “I like the idea of it though,” she added, drawing a mild glare from Neph.

  A commotion from below drew their attention and all eyes shifted to the door. Neph raised an eyebrow calmly and looked to Jail. Standing slowly, Jail paced closer to the door and listened closer. A loud whoosh sounded from below followed by a concussive blast.

  “Arjuna,” Jail said with a nod and stepped back away from the door.

  “What was that noise?” Jala asked as she stood once more and paced closer to the bars.

  “A fire blast hitting something,” Neph explained calmly, his attention still focused on the doors. “Possibly a Justicar, if we are lucky,” he mumbled and glanced back at Jala. “Welcome to basic high lord politics. In this course you will learn how to bully, threaten and kill if needed, as it suits your mood,”

  “Normal laws do not apply to ruling high lords,” Jail explained with a smirk and moved closer to her cell as another whoosh resounded closer, the resulting blast rattling the door. “Damn, I hope he doesn’t roast us by mistake,” he grumbled, eyeing the door cautiously.

  “He won’t. High Lord Arjuna is quite precise,” Neph assured them. “Well, if he is already in the city your father shouldn’t be too far behind. The only ones lagging will be Seravae and Nerathane if they even choose to send a representative.”

  “I really would prefer if they don’t. We won’t need a full council to get this done. Just over half would work and it’s doubtful that we would have votes from either of those countries. We need Han’shy, Firym, and Glis. I wonder if Sebastian is still in the city?” Jail paused and looked to Neph in question.

  “If he isn’t, Chastity will take his place. I’m sure and we can count on her vote from Valor’s influence alone. I don’t know if Micah is still here either, but his vote would be assured. Let’s see, that gives us four so far. Throw in Faydwer and that’s five,” Neph said, tapping a finger on his chin lightly. He glanced at the door and then back to Jail. “He really should have been up here by now. How long until Finn’s duel?”

  “Less than an hour,” Jala answered quietly and paced her cell once more. “Why do we need votes to prove I’m who I say I am? I’m telling the truth so why do they have to vote?”

  “Because there is no definite proof to your claim. You don’t even look like a Merrodin. The last Merrodin high lord was swarthy with black hair and dark eyes. The council will have to determine if you are lying or not,” Jail explained.

  “Oh, bugger. What about Oblivion, then, will they show up?” she asked, realizing if she needed seven out of twelve votes she would need everyone she had met in Firym to attend.

  Jail shook his head slowly. “The Darks never leave their land. We can’t count on them for a vote,” he replied with a frown. “Still if Nerathane and Seravae don’t show that brings th
e total votes down to ten, and if Neph sits in for Kadan we have six out of ten votes,” he said hopefully.

  “That’s if Micah is still in the city. If Arovan doesn’t vote, we only have five,” Neph countered and moved to the door, cracking it open to look down the stairs. The sounds of angry voices rose from below and Neph nodded slightly closing the door once again.

  “What about Valor. Can he sit in?” Jail asked, eyeing Neph.

  “No, he isn’t a direct line of the ruling house. His father is a proxy council member. General Hai’dia could sit in but not his son. Honestly, I don’t think the General will show for this. With the Blights infesting their lands he will stay in Arovan. We need Micah.”

  “What about a Truthfinder?” Jail asked slowly and raised an eyebrow at Neph.

  “Do you know one that you trust with Jala’s life?” Neph asked.

  “No,” Jail said with a resigned sigh. “An Oathkeeper?” he asked sounding hopeful once more.

  “Won’t work. Oathkeepers hold power with temples and most high lords do not recognize their authority,” Neph said and leaned back against a wall, eyes distant.

  “What if Nerathane and Seravae do show up?” Jala asked quietly drawing the eyes of both men.

  “Then we break you out of jail and get you out of the city. It is extremely doubtful that we will have either of their votes and if the council votes that you are not a Merrodin they will execute you,” Neph answered with a frown.

  “Wonderful,” Jala grumbled and began to pace once more.

  “Avanti will be against us, there is no question of that,” Jail said with a sigh. “Morcaillo and Rivana along with them. But that is only three that I know for certain Neph, this could go our way.”

  “I don’t like this situation at all,” Neph spoke quietly and stared up at the ceiling in frustration.

  Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind them and the door opened a moment later as Arjuna stepped into the room followed by two guards and a figure in black steel plate. Glancing briefly at Jail and then Neph, Arjuna crossed to Jala’s cell.

  Jala watched him approach but her gaze was drawn back to Zachary Dark who was pale with rage, his expression stony. “High Lord Arjuna, Lord Zachary, how good to see you both,” she said with a faintly rueful smile.

  “We will have you out of here shortly, child. This is ridiculous. I can’t believe they have you locked away like a common criminal,” Arjuna assured her, his expression looking disgusted.

  “I had thought it was agreed that your identity would be concealed until you attained proper strength. Have you achieved proper strength in the two short weeks it has been since I saw you last?” Zachary asked as he approached.

  “I didn’t have much choice in the matter, Lord Dark,” Jala responded and managed to keep most of the bite from her words. “They were rather intent on killing my Familiar and possibly my Faydwer companion as well,” she added and turned her attention back to Arjuna. “Finn is dueling Kithkanon in less than an hour. I’m worried sick for him,” she said her voice quieter.

  Nodding grimly, Arjuna let out a long sigh. “I heard as much. I wanted to check on your welfare, though. Dueling is nothing new to Finn. I’m sure imprisonment is new to you. I see that Nephondelvayon has things in order here, however.” He nodded respectfully to Neph as he spoke and turned his attention back to her. “I will see that the council meets tomorrow morning. By afternoon you will either be free or the Hall of Justice will be rubble.”

  “Just curious, Neph. When you were in trouble as a child, did you mother use your full name to yell at you?” Jail asked quietly.

  Rolling his eyes at Jail, Neph moved closer to the two high lords. “The sooner we get the vote called the better. If we can have the council tomorrow as you say we should have the votes to clear her name. If it takes too long others might find interest in this,”

  “The exact conclusion I had reached. You have been studying politics,” Arjuna replied with a smile and nod.

  “Someone in my family should. It’s obvious my father hasn’t,” Neph grumbled. Turning his attention to Jala, he nodded toward the two lords. “The fact that Lord Dark is here changes things, Jala. We will have the vote and you will be out of here tomorrow. I’ll do what I can to make sure Kadan doesn’t return. With luck, my father doesn’t even know what is going on yet and the council will be over by the time he does.”

  She nodded her understanding. She watched the lords as they continued to discuss the council for a moment, and then moved back away from the bars. With a deep breath she opened a small scry on the Arena and watched as Finn lit a cigarette his gaze focused on the sandy ground. His expression looked calm and confident but she could see worry in his deep green eyes. Glancing up from the sand he gazed around the area his eyes searching. His eyes flicked back behind him as Valor approached. Slowly Finn stood stretching his muscles. “Any sign of her?” he asked.

  “You aren’t going to like this,” Valor said slowly and leaned against the wall beside Finn.

  “Don’t tell him now. Valor shut up. Don’t tell him,” Jala whispered urgently to the scry though she knew they couldn’t hear her.

  “What?” Finn asked, his expression growing concerned. He stood slowly, eyes locked on Valor.

  “She has been arrested for impersonating a high lady,” Valor explained. Cursing, Jala almost lost the scry as she slammed a hand into the wall in frustration. With a deep breath she regained her composure and glanced at the nearby lords. Zachary was regarding her with interest but Neph and Arjuna were still deep in conversation.

  “He will be fine Jala,” Jail assured her, though his tone didn’t hold as much confidence as she would have liked.

  Nodding slightly, she remained silent and returned to the scry of her husband.

  “Is someone with her?” Finn was asking, his expression a bit sickened. “I can’t go there right now, Val. I have to fight him.”

  “Jail and Neph are with her right now. Is your honor really more important than your wife Finn?” Valor demanded, irritation bleeding through into his voice.

  “I can’t explain, Val. Not right now,” Finn muttered and swallowed heavily. “Here, take this, in the event that all of the Aspects are against me today, open it. If I live don’t bother,” Finn said quietly handing a sealed letter over to Valor.

  “You said you always win. What do you mean if you live?” Jala hissed at the scry wishing she could reach through and slap him.

  Valor looked down at the letter and then back up to Finn slowly. “Finn, you said this was guaranteed. You promised me you could beat him,” he said, his voice taking on an edge of anger.

  “Get him Val, drag him out of there. He told me the same damn thing,” Jala urged quietly.

  Smirking, Finn shrugged at him. “Is anything in life really guaranteed, Val?” he asked sweetly.

  “It’s guaranteed that if you win, I’m going to kick your ass for this,” Valor growled back angrily.

  “What, no celebrating my victory?” Finn asked sarcastically and tossed his cigarette butt to the side. “And it’s show time,” he said pushing off the wall slowly as Kithkanon made his way into the Arena. Grinning at Valor, Finn removed his vest and tossed it to him lightly.

  “I really wish you would wear armor,” Valor protested.

  “Can’t disappoint the crowds now can I? They all expect me to fight unprotected as usual,” Finn replied with a wink, motioning to the packed stands above. Already the roar of the crowd was rising in volume with just the appearance of one of the duelists.

  “Bloodthirsty bastards,” Jala said quietly and shifted her scry for a better look at Kithkanon. He stood taller than Finn by a couple of inches and was of slight build with dark hair that was pulled back. “He looks quick,” she muttered with disgust. Speed was one of Finn’s strong points. If Kithkanon was his equal, this would be much more difficult for her husband. Her eyes roved over Kithkanon’s polished chain armor and gleaming swords. “Why do you have to be such a stub
born ass, Finn. Listen to Valor. Put on some armor,” she whispered.

  “He is wearing armor,” Valor pointed out motioning to Kithkanon.

  “He is a bitch, then,” Finn replied and grinned at Valor. “See ya after the show,” he said with a wink and popped something in his mouth. Frowning, Jala watched him for some sign of what he had just taken but saw none. With his usual grace Finn crossed the Arena floor and drew his swords holding them up for the crowds as he mockingly bowed. The volume of the roar increased again. Turning back to Kithkanon, Finn nodded his head so slightly the move was barely perceptible.

  “Ready to live up to your name, Sovaesh?” Kithkanon asked coldly.

  Finn shrugged in response but remained silent, his attention turned to the Arena judge as he approached, and he listened to the traditional words with a smirk.

  “Jail, what does Sovaesh mean?” Jala called quietly not taking her eyes from the scry.

  “As with most Firym words it has several meanings. Death, exile, ending, really it isn’t a very positive word at all,” Jail replied.

  “Wonderful, and I’m just learning this now because …,” she said dryly letting the words trail off. All thoughts of conversation dwindled as the Arena judge stepped back from the two duelists and motioned for the fight to begin. Her breath caught in her throat as Kithkanon moved in for the first strike with unbelievable speed. Finn twisted back away from the blow at the last second, dodging most of the strike, but a thin trail of blood showed where he had been grazed.

  Breaking back away from the man, Finn began circling. His eyes flicked to the cut on his side momentarily and then back to Kithkanon. “Tevrae on the sword eh?” he asked with a smirk. “Are you afraid you can’t kill me without bleeding me first?” he added his tone mocking.

  “No, I know I can kill you. I just want to give the crowd a good show first,” Kithkanon shot back his expression icy.

  “Jail, what is Tevrae?” Jala called over her shoulder as she watched Finn move in for an attack. “Kill him baby, kill him quick,” she whispered, not really believing she was wanting someone dead as badly as she did.