“I’m not amused,” Neph grumbled, his gaze shifting past them to where Jexon and his officers were discussing the pending attack on the Avanti. “Think he is actually going to fight this time?” Neph asked with a sigh, his gaze slowly moving to the hillside where the Avanti waited.
“In this weather, I doubt he attacks today. Only a fool would rush uphill in a rain storm to attack enemy forces. The footing alone would guarantee defeat,” Valor said with a sigh.
“Maybe you could do something about the weather then!” Neph snapped, a bit sharper this time.
“It’s not a weather spell I can simply break, Neph. This is a natural storm. If I alter the weather it is going to be a major casting on my part and I’d rather not waste the energy until we know what is going to happen with the Avanti,” Valor replied with a sigh.
“It looks like they’ve finally decided something,” her father said from behind her and Jala looked up to see Jexon riding toward their group.
“He is smiling. That isn’t a good sign,” Jala muttered sourly. She had done her best to avoid Jexon over the past few days, but in the evenings it was impossible. For the first few days after the battle she couldn’t even bluff him with a threat of magic. Everyone in the entire army knew how drained she was after raising the dead. It had taken her wearing the veil once more to hide the bruises and keep her friends from killing the bastard. She couldn’t afford for Jexon to die now though. She needed his soldiers and she wasn’t sure if Ash had strong enough loyalty to take control of the forces entirely.
It hadn’t been until the rain had started that she had finally abandoned the veil once more. There was nothing to ruin a good mood quite like being slapped in the face with wet silk every time your horse took a step. Fortunately, her energy was strong enough once more that a quick healing had eliminated the possibility of problems.
“We will attack today. I don’t want to risk their getting reinforcements while we wait for the weather to improve,” Jexon announced as he stopped his horse beside her own. “My Soulblades will be useless afoot on this ground for the first engagement, as will the Archers. Valor, you will get a chance to prove your name today. Take the hill and hold it until our remaining forces can join the battle,” Jexon said with a smile.
“You want him to lead a mounted charge up a muddy hill?” Badger demanded, sounding as furious as Jala felt.
Valor shifted in his saddle and looked at the hill before glancing back at Jala. His eyes met hers for a long moment before shifting back to Jexon. “I don’t follow your orders, Spook,” he said softly then looked back to Jala once more. “Do you want the hill, Jala?” he asked.
Jala searched Valor’s face for any sign of doubt before shrugging lightly. “I don’t have much use for a hill, Valor. I would like their commander and their banner though,” she said with a confidence she didn’t feel at all.
“Didn’t you just say the footing alone would guarantee a defeat?” Neph asked dryly.
“For Jexon. Not me,” Valor returned with a smile and dismounted. Tossing his reins lightly to Badger he pulled his signet ring off his finger and dropped it down into the muddy ground. “Valorous, come,” he commanded and the air above the signet began to coalesce at once.
The last time Jala had seen the Arovanni, his coat had been the grey of snow clouds. This time when the horse formed, his coat was as dark as the spring storm clouds above them. Snorting loudly, Valorous danced back as Valor retrieved his signet from the ground. Standing once more he bowed his head to Jala.
“One banner and commander coming up, Milady,” Valor said as he swung into his saddle and turned his horse toward his waiting knights.
Jala watched him ride off and then turned to Jexon, her eyes locked on his face. She kept her expression neutral, though the hatred she felt at the sight of him was difficult to hide. “Once again you manage to avoid fighting. How exactly did you attain your position as Lord Reaver?” Her voice was as cold as the rain.
“By leadership,” Jexon replied sharply and gave her a disgusted look. “A General does not fight among the commons. He leads from the back where he can see every move that must be made.”
“A good General doesn’t send a cavalry charge uphill on muddy ground,” Badger growled behind her and Jala smiled at her father’s words.
“That could go both ways. Perhaps I was testing Valor’s leadership to see how foolhardy he is,” Jexon began, a cold smile forming on his lips. “I’m afraid you won’t have your knight to hide behind much longer,” he added in a softer voice as the Arovan cavalry turned toward the hill and the waiting Avanti.
“Can I kill him now, please, Jala?” Neph asked, his gaze locked on Jexon. “If you let me, I swear I will be nice for the rest of the year. Consider it an early name day gift.”
Shaking her head slowly, Jala smiled and turned back to watch the knights as their horses broke into a slow gallop with Valor at the lead. “Valor will take the hill and I will have the banner as well as the commander within the hour,” she said smugly.
“You are just a big a fool as he is if you believe that,” Jexon said with a shake of his head and then fell silent as Valor’s company of knights divided into two columns. Bridgette led the division that turned to the east while Foster seemed to be in command of the western riders. Valor himself remained in the center, his Arovanni dancing under him as his riders took their positions.
“What the hell is he doing?” Neph muttered beside her.
Jala shook her head slowly but remained silent as she watched Valor lift one hand toward the sky. The steady rain began to slacken as the wind grew stronger and the sky above darkened. To the east, Jala could see several of Bridgette’s riders holding hands outstretched toward the distant hill while in the west Foster and several of his knights mirrored them.
Lightning cracked through the sky as the wind above the hill began to increase. She could see tents breaking loose from their stakes and horse lines scattering as the animals panicked. Valorous rose on his heels, slashing at the air with his front hooves. A cry of challenge burst from the Arovanni’s throat as Valor increased his magic, urging the wind to greater speeds. The clouds above the hill continued to swirl faster until the barest tip of a funnel could be seen dropping from the sky. Magic surged from the knights on the east and west and the entire hill trembled as they sent their magic into the earth itself. Lightning flashed again, illuminating the massive wind funnel as it settled to earth directly in the center of the Avanti camp. The sheer destruction of the storm was awe inspiring and Jala sat in mute fascination as horses, men and wagons were all ripped from the earth to disappear into the tornado Valor had called down. The faint echo of screams could barely be heard over the roar of the wind. Another loud crack shook the air, but this time it wasn’t thunder. Once more the hill trembled, as cracks in the earth broke open around the encampment.
With the combined efforts Valor had effectively cut off all means of retreat the Avanti had. They were left with only two options. Face the wind or the chasm below them. Unless, of course they had mages among them, and if they did Jala had seen no evidence of their magic. As far as she could tell they had eliminated all of the mages from the Avanti forces in their first conflict. There had been no Blights at the first battle so Wisp had used her archers to good effect on anyone that even attempted a spell.
The entire assault lasted only minutes, but when Valor finally allowed his arm to drop the hilltop was clear of anything living. Turning his horse, Valor rode back to her, stopping just before he reached her. With a faint smile he held his hand up above his head and Jala watched in amazement as the Avanti banner fluttered down to his waiting grasp. She could just imagine the sort of control it required to guide the wind currents of a storm such as he had summoned enough to carry a banner to an exact location. Lowering his arm he held pushed his horse forward another two steps and held the banner out to her.
Jala stared at him with a smile and slowly shook her head. To everyone watching, Valor looked as fresh as he h
ad before the fight, but she could see the exhaustion in his eyes. She knew exactly how much the display had cost him. Closing her hand she summoned a mage stone filling it with her own power as she took the banner in her other hand. Leaning forward she grasped his hand in thanks and as subtly as she could she slipped the mage stone into his palm. “Thank you, Valor,” Jala said as she sat back in her saddle once more, the Avanti banner resting across her leg.
“I’ll have what is left of the commander delivered if you like. You never specified you wanted him alive,” Valor said with a smile.
“No that’s quite all right. I’ll have Ash find his soul and see what we can gain that way,” Jala said, quickly shaking her head at the suggestion. Above them the clouds were beginning to clear as the storm clouds dispersed.
“There you go, Neph the rain is gone,” Valor said with a faint smile and glanced back to his knights. “I have to see to my men, Jala. I will catch up with you soon,” he said as he turned to rejoin the Knights of Arovan.
I told you that you didn’t need Seravae’s help, Marrow said smugly. Glancing down, Jala shrugged at the Bendazzi and smiled.
I need them to keep the spirits of our dead from crossing to the Darklands, Jala reminded him.
Let Valor lead every battle and we won’t have any dead, Marrow pointed out, a feline grin on his face.
“Jala, I need to speak with you,” Wisp called from closer to the main force.
Turning in her saddle, Jala raised an eyebrow at the Fae and then turned her horse to ride back to her. “What’s wrong?” Jala asked as she grew closer. The last she knew Wisp had been with her family among the camp followers.
“Legacy is fine I promise. This is just something I think that requires your attention and I don’t want Jexon there,” Wisp assured her quietly.
Jala nodded, her body relaxing once more. Silently she followed the Fae through the mass of the army to the outskirts where the camp followers had settled the supply wagons and were already beginning to set up tents in the rain soaked grass. Wisp dismounted and nodded for Jala to do the same. Still without a single word of explanation, Wisp began winding through the wagons, her path leading toward the small stand of trees beyond.
I don’t like this, Emily objected, her golden eyes scanning the forest ahead.
It smells like Wisp but I have to agree with Emily. This isn’t right, Marrow said cautiously as he moved closer to Jala’s side.
Wisp paused beside a large oak and looked back at Jala. Her dark hair was plastered to her head from the rain and her green eyes were wide. “We captured him trying to approach the camp. I haven’t let him anywhere near the main army until you had a chance to speak with him. He claims he knows you, Jala, but I don’t see how he could. He is from Nerathane,” Wisp said quietly as she nodded for Jala to continue into the trees.
Silently Emily pressed ahead with Marrow close behind her and the two Bendazzi led Jala toward the secluded camp the scouts had set up to hold their prisoner. Jala recognized two of the three men seated at the sputtering campfire as rangers that Wisp had trained over the winter. The third took longer for her to place. He was dressed finely in a knee length Black coat with gold trim and a matching vest. Mud was splattered across his knee high boots as well as his dark trousers and it was obvious he had been traveling in the weather for a while. His dark hair was pulled back from his face revealing the high cheekbones of noble blood. He turned to look at her, a few rain spots showing on the dark glasses he wore.
“I doubt you remember me, Lady Merrodin. We only met once and I’m sure your mind was occupied on other things at that time.” The man’s voice was smooth with no trace of accent to it at all.
I remember him. He was the one that placed the bet with Finn outside the Academy, Marrow said slowly, confusion in his voice.
The man carefully sat the bowl of stew he had been eating on the ground and stood bowing to her. “My name is Nigel. I regret it taking me so long to arrive,” he said as he stood once more.
Jala blinked in confusion and shook her head slowly at him. “Why would you apologize and why are you even here?” she said in complete bewilderment.
Nigel laughed and a wide smile appeared on his handsome face. “Finn never told you?” he asked through his continued chuckling.
“Told me what?” Jala asked still utterly confused.
“About our bet. You recall I bet against him in the duel with Kithkanon. That day when you saved the Goswin boy from Cassia,” Nigel began and sighed when she nodded. “I should have known to always back Finn, but Kithkanon was formidable. Finn didn’t wager money with me Lady Merrodin. It was a much larger wager than that.”
“What do you mean?” Jala asked with hesitation.
“If he lost you were to be mine. At that time everyone had a price on your head and there was the gold blood to consider as well,” Both Bendazzi stiffened at his words and Emily dropped into a low crouch ready to attack. Nigel held up both hands in a peaceful gesture though surprisingly he didn’t look the least bit worried about the two Bendazzi. Most people would have been terrified at the sight. “If he won, I was to support you if the conflicts went to war. He won, Lady Merrodin. I am here to fulfill my debt. It took me a bit of time to gather the ones that I could to help, hence my delayed arrival.”
“You’ve brought soldiers with you?” Jala asked, her hopes rising. If she had another army backing her she didn’t need Jexon quite as desperately as she thought she had. All she truly needed was the shamans and she knew many of them followed Ash.
“I’ve brought five with me,” Nigel said with a smile.
“Five? I scarcely see how five soldiers will help me. I’m sorry that you have come all of this way,” Jala said with a sigh and started to turn back toward the army.
“I think you misunderstand Lady Merrodin,” Nigel began as he stepped in front of her once more and dropped his glasses down forcing her to meet his eyes. Jala paused in mid-turn and stared directly into the man’s dark eyes. There were no whites showing at all and the pupils were shaped like that of a serpent rather than a human. “I’ve brought five dragons, Lady Merrodin, not soldiers,” Nigel continued, once he was sure that he had her attention once more.
“Dragons,” Jala mumbled, her gaze dropping to the bowl of stew he had been eating. Her mind flew back to the first battle and the decision she had given the Arovan knights. She didn’t even know which they had chosen to harvest meat from, the dragon or the horses. Now didn’t seem to be a good time to mention it though.
“One of which is Dresharn, formerly known as Dresharn the wise. He was at one time High Lady Wilameir’s advisor. He is known as Dresharn the traitor now since he turned his back on Nerathane,” Nigel continued, seemingly oblivious to her distress. “I’ve brought rations as well. Meat, medicines, grain, and the like. The standard fare for an army of this size,” Nigel added as he relaxed back against one of the smaller trees and crossed his arms over his chest. “I have only one request, Milady,” he added as Jala continued to marvel over this turn of events.
“What’s that?” Jala asked finding her voice once more.
“That we keep quiet the fact that your new arrivals are dragons. I do not trust the man you have married and I’d rather he did not know what we are. I lived as a merchant in Sanctuary as you recall. Let him believe that my retainers and I are simply here to handle the supply issue for now,” Nigel said cautiously as if he was afraid of offending her.
“Of course. I would prefer that as well,” Jala agreed with a quick nod. “Finn truly bet me?” Jala asked not sure how she felt about that knowledge.
“He had to, for what he asked. He had nothing else that would equal the value of my assistance,” Nigel answered with a smile, then cocked his head meeting her eyes once more. “Did you watch the fight, Lady Merrodin?” he asked softly.
“I did,” Jala admitted. She could still picture the awful moment when Kithkanon’s sword had plunged through Finn’s chest.
“I was a
frequent guest at the Arena. I believe I watched nearly every fight Finn ever fought. Never before had I seen such tenacity in him. Within the first few blows of his sword I knew my bet was lost. Finn was phenomenal with swords on any given day, but not even the Divine of War himself could have bested him that day. He had too much riding on the bet to lose,” Nigel said with a smile. Standing straight once more Nigel adjusted his coat and bowed his head to her. “If you will permit me, I will gather my companions and see that the supplies are distributed to your army.”
“Of course. We are running low and I would greatly appreciate it as would my men,” Jala said with a smile.
“I’m sure they would,” Nigel said as he glanced back down at the bowl and looked up at her with another smile. “Dragon meat tastes terrible,” he said with a wink as he turned to walk off.
“Those are not slaves in armor,” Neph said quietly as they drew to a stop. They had crossed the border into Avanti days ago, though it had taken quite a bit of convincing to get Jexon to continue on with his men. After the last victory in the Greenwild, Jexon had considered the war over. It had been Jala’s insistence that if they didn’t break the Avanti completely they would simply be riding north again in another month.
“Those are Elites,” Badger drawled as he leaned back in his saddle, the broken end of a grass stem protruding from his teeth. He glanced over at Jala and smiled. “I hate Avanti Elite,” he said with a slight shake of his head.
“We can expect Serpent teeth from them so we should have the healers on standby,” Valor said in disgust. Vanguard shifted beneath him and Valor dropped a hand to the horse’s neck to calm him. The horse could sense the coming fight and he was already working himself up for it.
“Why did they choose here?” Jala asked. The field before them was flat and level leaving a perfect path for a cavalry charge. From what she could tell there was no terrain advantage to the Avanti forces at all. There weren’t even trees for them to fall back to.
“Arrogance,” Jexon said as he rode up. Jala glanced over her shoulder to watch her husband, her disgust rising at just the sight of him. “These are trained soldiers, Jala. They don’t expect any difficulty from you at all,” Jexon continued, his voice oddly polite.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 3 From the Ashes Page 45
