She didn’t want to be near the festival. She said putting so much food in one place was too much temptation, Marrow replied in an amused voice that clearly said the Blight hadn’t been speaking of the well laden tables.
Nodding, Jala searched the crowd again and her frown deepened. “Find Neph for me,” she said to Marrow and then turned back to Sovann. “Do try to not molest Wisp in that particular form. I know you two are growing more attached to each other but if you feel the need, please change your appearance.” Sovann’s face grew hot with the suggestion and he quickly looked away with a nod.
Marrow was already pacing through the crowd, his nose and ears twitching as he sought any sign of Neph in the mass of people. Jala followed after him, ignoring the few curious glances she got from individuals, and simply smiled in return as if all was well in the world.
The Bendazzi led her through the thickest of the festival and toward a small fountain. As the crowds thinned around her she spotted Neph leaning back against the side of the fountain using one of the festival lamps as a light to read by. He looked up at their approach and gave her a questioning look.
“I had guessed you would be half-drunk and dancing with your husband by this late in the night,” he said calmly and closed the book. He was dressed in noble’s clothes rather than his typical black leathers. Jala smirked at him, raising an eyebrow at the finery and nodded her quiet approval. His expression darkened a bit and he stood, looking down at her. “What?” he demanded, brushing at his tunic as if to smooth it.
She snickered and shook her head slightly, then glanced back toward Sovann before speaking quietly to him. “That’s not Finn. That is Sovann, pretending to be Finn. Finn is apparently off doing something dangerous somewhere without telling me.”
“Finn is being an idiot and water is wet. What’s your point?” Neph said dryly, though he was studying Sovann’s impersonation from across the square now. He gave a grudging nod in that direction and looked back at her with an almost bored expression.
“My point is, I need you to locate him, so I know where he is being an idiot at,” Jala snapped. “You are more discreet with scrying than I am and I don’t want to give him away with my heavy handed use of magic,” she added in a calmer voice.
A pulse of magic washed over the city in a wave as she fell silent. Jala looked around slowly trying to figure out what had just happened, and then followed Neph’s gaze upwards. They both stared in wonder as the sky cleared of the crimson clouds. Above them twinkled thousands of stars that they hadn’t seen in well over a month. Her eyes widened as the truth of the sight fully dawned on her. The Barrier was down. They were free to leave the city. A loud explosion from the inner city sounded and she snapped her head in the direction in time to see a wave of flames crest high in the air.
“Offhand, I’d say he is in that direction,” Neph said sarcastically, pointing a finger toward the flames. “When Finn is involved it’s always easiest just to look for dead people or fighting and you will find him.”
“Thanks Neph,” she muttered sourly and heard excited whispers ripple through the crowd. Turning back, she saw Sovann standing by the portal stone and casting a spell. All eyes in the crowd were on him as he worked the magic. He was back in his own form now Jala realized with relief. The people crowded closer to him, their attention divided between his obvious use of magic before them, and the magic being used in the inner city.
Wisp stepped up beside the mage as he closed his eyes in concentration. She raised her hands to silence the people. Her green eyes were shining like a cat’s in the lantern glow. “The Barrier is down for now, but there is no way of telling how long it will stay down. If you wish freedom and safety step through this portal Sovann is creating. It will take you out of the city. The land there does not look like much now but I promise you it will very soon,” she said loudly in a voice pitched to carry across the square.
“That should have been me speaking with them,” Jala muttered, feeling guilty that she hadn’t moved and Wisp had been forced to.
“Really, did you not know what was coming?” Neph asked.
“Well no, not until he began the spell,” Jala replied. A tug on her sleeve brought her attention away from Wisp and she looked down to see a small ragged boy standing before her. He was the typical street orphan with unkempt dark hair and eyes that seemed too large for his small face. “Yes?” she asked with a smile, trying to reassure him. Most of the orphans were terrified of Lords and Ladies and she was surprised that this one had approached her at all.
With a grubby hand he placed a small leather pouch in her hand and backed away. She looked from him down to the parcel curiously and when she looked back up the child was gone. Frowning, she studied the bag more closely. It was pale grey and made of a leather so fine it was like silk to the touch. Small black leaves were embroidered along its sides.
“It could be a trap,” Neph warned, staring at the bag with suspicion.
She nodded slowly and cast a quick spell to seek harmful magic on it. Satisfied that there were no magical traps waiting for her she untied it and dumped its contents into her hand. A single vial fell out of it. It was filled with a gold liquid and sealed with wax, and was all too familiar. As long as I hold the vial of blood Finn Sovaesh shall live, Hemlock’s words rang in her mind so loudly, it was as if he stood beside her.
“Oh Fortune, no,” she gasped, clutching the vial in her hand.
“What?” Neph asked, his confusion written clearly on his face. “Jala, what is that and what is going on?” he demanded, trying to grab her before she could turn.
“I don’t have time to explain, Neph. Finn is in serious danger. For once it’s not just my paranoia,” she called over she shoulder, not slowing her steps in the least.
“What?” Neph asked, his tone bewildered. No doubt she had confused him. She knew he would figure out the vial soon enough when he actually bent his mind to it and she didn’t have time for the lecture that would result from it.
More explosions ripped through the inner city and her heart pounded painfully against her ribs. By the sounds of it there was a war raging beyond her walls and in the midst of it was Finn. She gripped the vial tighter, walking quickly for the stables. As long as she could still feel the link between them, Finn lived.
She would have used magical transport if she dared. That wasn’t an option, however, with no way of knowing which parts of the inner city were under attack. If she chose her destination poorly she could end up in the middle of a battle, or worse on the end of a sword. The idea of contacting Finn mentally had been tempting as well, but if he was in a delicate situation right now, the distraction could mean his life.
The smell of clean straw and horses greeted her as she opened the door to the stable. It appeared to be empty, aside from the shuffling of horses. Pausing in the darkened entrance, she let her eyes adjust before entering fully. With the threat of the Blights she had learned to use caution whenever alone. Once she was certain nothing more than horses awaited inside she moved quickly to her gelding’s stall and started to lead him out.
“Not him, you look as though you are in a hurry. He is steady but he isn’t fast,” Valor said as he moved past her. So much for my sense of caution, she mused sourly. She hadn’t even heard him approaching, and he was wearing armor. Without asking why she wanted a fast horse, he led his chestnut mare from her stall. He took her saddle from its rack calmly and placed it on the mare’s back. “I’ll take Finn’s grey and you can explain what we are doing once we are finished here,” he said as he handed her the bridle for the mare.
He turned away from her and went to the grey mare’s stall leaving her staring after him blankly. She hadn’t realized Valor had been paying attention to anything tonight. From what she had seen of him, he had been lost in thought for most of the evening. The grey danced at the end of her tether as he led her out of the stall. The sounds of the distant explosions already had the mare on edge.
“That isn’t Finn
outside,” she began as she recovered.
“It’s Sovann,” Valor said, cutting in with no surprise in his voice at all. “Finn I would guess is at the middle of the attack in the inner city. That really isn’t unusual for him. My question is why are we riding into that mess? You know he can take care of himself.” He spoke quietly with no hint of what emotion he was feeling.
Jala hesitated on answering and pretended that bridling the chestnut required all of her attention. She knew how Valor felt about Hemlock and actually admitting she had made a deal with the man wasn’t a topic she wanted to broach. “I have good reason to believe he is in danger,” she said at last, as she finished with the last buckle on the headstall.
“Given the explosions, I think anyone that realizes he isn’t here has good reason to believe that. You will have to do better Jala,” Valor replied patiently. By the way he was watching her, she guessed he knew she was hiding something.
“All right, I’ve let Wisp and Sovann know we are going to be delayed on joining them, and Jail and the rest will meet us at the gate. So explain why we are going to be delayed and what they are meeting us for,” Neph said as he walked through the stable doors. He paused mid-step as he realized Valor was there as well. With a quick nod to the knight he began to hastily prepare his own horse.
“Hemlock made a bargain with me while I was imprisoned. In return for one vial of my blood he would not accept any contracts on Finn. As long as he held the blood he said he wouldn’t move against Finn. I even signed a contract on it. He returned the blood to me about ten minutes ago,” she explained, the words pouring out of her.
“You did what?” Neph demanded, almost dropping his saddle as he whirled to face her. “Do you have any idea what he could have done with your blood,” his tone was rising in volume with every word, as was the color of his face. She had never truly seen Neph lose his temper, but thought he was close now.
“Neph, enough. I’m sure she does. By what she says we don’t have time for this. Saddle your horse or be left behind,” Valor said, his voice as firm as any commanders. Neph stared at him in shock for a moment and then silently returned to preparing his horse, though the look on his face said this wasn’t the last she would hear of it.
Valor gave her a faint smile and bowed his head slightly. “My apologies, Jala, for doubting your honor during our talk at the Academy. I’m afraid I misunderstood your purpose in dealing with him. Do you have any idea where Finn might be?”
She shook her head miserably and rubbed her face with a slightly shaking hand. “I’m afraid to try to locate him. If he is in hiding, my magic will give him away. I’m afraid of trying to contact him too. If he is in combat, it could distract him,” she said, her voice almost breaking. Her throat was growing tight as her fear grew.
Valor gave her another faint smile that she guessed was meant to reassure her. “Go ahead and try contacting him. Finn is enough of a professional that a mental link will not throw his fighting off. You contacted him during his fight with Kithkanon, remember?” he spoke softly as if soothing a child.
She nodded slightly and let out a ragged breath as she watched Neph lead his gelding from its stall and nod that he was ready. Closing her eyes she focused on the bond between them to check his emotions before she tried a link. She frowned, unsure what to make of the combination of satisfaction and nervousness. Finn, where are you? She tried to keep her voice calm in the link, but if he focused on the bond as she was doing he would know the truth.
Ahh. So that explains why I’m getting so much fear from you. You had me nervous, Vezradesh. Don’t worry about me. I will be with you soon. Go through the portal that Sovann is making, I’ll meet you in Merro. A surge of relief came through the bond as he answered her and she wondered if she was over-reacting yet again. Finn had always pulled through, no matter the odds.
Finn, Hemlock returned the vial to me, the vial I gave him to ensure your safety. I think he is planning to kill you. Please tell me where you are, Jala explained as calmly as she could. Neph and Valor were mounted now and both watched her silently for any sign of what was coming.
I can handle Hemlock, Jala. Follow Sovann, please, Finn replied, sounding amused by her concern.
Finn I’m not leaving this city without you and if you don’t tell me where you are I will go building to building in the inner city until I find you, Jala pressed, her patience worn through by her frustration and fear.
I don’t want you involved in this, Jala, but I see you aren’t going to give me a choice. I’m at the Hall of Justice. If you absolutely must come into the inner city, then ride in this direction and I’ll meet you on the way. Do not come alone though. The streets are in chaos right now. Irritation was clear in his voice as he responded.
Neph and Valor are with me. We will meet you there, she replied and swung into her own saddle. “He is at the Hall of Justice. He says he will meet us enroute there,” she explained to her two companions and guided her mount out the door.
“Lovely. That is bound to be the center of the fighting,” Neph said dryly as he followed.
“Yes it is,” Valor agreed with a note of satisfaction in his voice. Jala didn’t need to ask what he was thinking. It was clear that he was hoping to find vengeance against those who killed his sister as well as Finn. For his sake as well as Chastity’s spirit, she sincerely hoped he did.
* * *
They rode through the nearly vacant streets at a canter. As they drew closer to the sealed gate, the sound of combat on the other side grew louder. She could hear the clashing of swords mingled with screams and the occasional explosion. Jail sat on his horse to the left of the gate waiting patiently. She hadn’t even realized that he was back in her district. No one had told her of his return until Neph had mentioned he would be waiting for them. To her shock, Madren sat waiting to his right looking more at ease than she had ever seen him.
I am here as well. Jail has been helping me with some problems. I am sorry for being so distant lately, Emily’s voice rang clearly in her mind and she felt a wave a relief. Knowing the Blight was with them as well, was a trump card that she dearly needed right now.
Thank you Emily. I feel better knowing you are here. You will have to explain your problems to me later. Once we have Finn back, that is. I didn’t know there was anything wrong, Jala replied as Madren and Jail rode to her side.
“It will take time to remove the wards from the gate,” Neph warned as he raised his hands to begin casting.
“We don’t have time Neph,” Jala snapped, her attention turning fully to the mage. She had kept constant vigil on her link with Finn and the frustration and anger she was feeling from him was setting her nerves on edge.
“It doesn’t matter if we have it or not, Jala, it will take time to do,” Neph snapped back, a spark of his earlier anger showing again.
Frowning at his back, Jala eyed the gate and then shook her head defiantly. It might take time to do this neatly, but she didn’t have time for neatness. Summoning her power she leaned back in the saddle. With a deep breath she activated the stones in her palms that Sovann had given her as a wedding gift. She had never actually used them before. It was a secret she had been saving for when she needed extra strength. Right now, she needed the extra strength. Faint light began to emanate from the stones, showing through her skin in subdued colors. With a snarl she unleashed the summoned power in a wave of raw magic. The stone of the gate cracked and grated violently as her magic washed over it like a storm fueled tide. Pulling on her reserves again she summoned a force bolt and used the activated stones to amplify the spell.
“Jala, what the hell are you doing?” Neph demanded loudly.
She ignored him completely as she cast the bolt toward the gate. Fragments of stone and dust exploded outward as the wards surrendered to her assault. Kicking her mare in the sides she rode into the dust cloud, trusting that the others would follow.
The streets beyond her district were a war zone. Everywhere she looked there wa
s fighting. In the distance she could see flames rising from the market district. Yells sounded at her appearance, but she didn’t spare a glance to see who it was. The fighting grew thicker as she drew closer to the Halls of Justice and still there was no sign of Finn. Through the bond she could feel his frustration and anger and prayed to Fortune that it was from being delayed.
“Jala, we can’t get the horses through that,” Valor said as they turned down another street to find the way blocked by the thickest fighting yet.
Jala snarled in frustration as she scanned the streets frantically for another way. Even Marrow wouldn’t be able to get this crowd to clear. The bloodlust was up too high for them to see the Bendazzi as anything other than something else to kill. From the press of things she couldn’t even tell who was fighting. The Justicars were easy enough to locate with their stark white cloaks but the rest looked no more than a common mob.
“Send the horses with Jail. We will take the alleys and try to avoid most of this,” Neph said after a long moment and Valor nodded his silent agreement.
She had to fight back the urge to argue. They were right and she knew it. She dismounted and handed the reins up to Jail.
“Good luck,” he whispered to her.
“We will meet you near the arena, I doubt there is much fighting there,” Neph told the Mind mage as he handed his reins over as well.
“Don’t worry about this one. She will just cause you trouble. If she follows you, good. If not I’ll buy Finn another horse,” Valor said as he turned the grey mare loose and headed for the nearest alley.
Jala watched the mare bolt and gave Jail once last look. “Good luck to you, too,” she said quietly and turned to follow Valor.
The alleys were filled with trash and bodies but blessedly free of fighting. She stayed close behind Valor, her urgency pressing him to keep a quick pace. Finn’s frustration was bleeding through into her own mind and she found herself snarling and grumbling at every snag or delay.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 2 Blood Honor and Dreams Page 40
