“So you guys had a great time,” Jail said clearly amused.
“We hid out with Chastity for a while and then made our way here,” Valor finished and looked around the room. His gaze fell on an empty chair and he crossed to it and dropped down into the cushions with another sigh. “I had to leave Vanguard with Chastity for fear of being recognized on him,” he added, sounding miserable.
“I could really use a drink, Sovann,” Finn said and dropped cross-legged to the floor.
His brother nodded quietly and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll get one for you too, Valor,” he said, earning a grateful nod from the knight.
Jala moved from the window and sat down on the floor beside Finn, looking up into his face with concern. “Are you sure you are OK?” she asked as she wiped some of the soot from his cheek.
“Fine,” he assured her, leaning back on his arms. His gaze fell on her shortened hair again and he glared at Neph once more. “I can’t believe you set her on fire,” he grumbled.
“I’m OK, Finn. It was an accident,” she cut in before Neph could reply. “Thank you for getting Madren,” she said and gave him a light kiss on his freshly cleaned cheek.
“You are fixing whatever is broken in that bastard’s head, Jail,” Finn said looking over to the Mind mage.
“Only if he is willing,” Jail countered.
Finn’s head snapped around to Madren and his eyes narrowed. “You are willing or I will kill you,” he warned.
“It doesn’t work like that, Finn. He has to be truly willing, not simply terrified,” Jail said with a faint chuckle.
“He is willing Jail. I’m not dealing with his mental issues as well as everything else that’s going on,” Finn pressed his tone firm.
“I’m willing,” Madren choked out, his eyes locked on Finn. His fear was written clearly on his face.
“You don’t have to be scared, Madren, Finn won’t hurt you,” Jala said calmly, then elbowed Finn roughly as she noticed him nodding to Madren. “He won’t,” she assured him, turning to glare up at Finn.
“I will,” Valor muttered. “Cowardly little bastard,” he added shaking his head.
“Valor!” Jala snapped.
Valor looked away from Madren and toward her. “We lost a good horse because of him, Jala,” he said quietly with fury in his voice.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to,” she replied.
“No, he didn’t mean to, Jala, it happened because he doesn’t have enough spine to stand up to his own shadow. He is a waste of air and space,” Valor shot back, his anger building.
“Val,” Finn said quietly, and the knight fell silent and leaned back in his chair.
“Not everyone is brave,” Jala said quietly and offered Madren a faint smile.
The kitchen door opened and Sovann returned with the drinks. He handed Valor a glass and then Finn before setting a tray of tea down on the table. With steady hands he poured a steaming cup and offered it to Jala.
“Thank you, Sovann,” she said taking the cup. The scent of mint and chamomile rose in the steam and she inhaled deeply. Both were herbs meant to relax and as tired as she was now it was possible Sovann would have her snoring on the floor before the cup was empty.
“I suggest we all get some rest and then have a bit of a meeting to discuss what we are going to do. Isador and Joseph are both sleeping now so they should be able to keep guard while the rest of us sleep,” Sovann said as he poured himself a cup.
“Do you actually have space for everyone to sleep here?” Neph asked skeptically and looked around the warehouse.
“The entire basement has been made into guest rooms. I had a feeling I might need more space before long,” Sovann said. He blew on his tea lightly and frowned. “Although, I must admit I never thought it would be for this reason.”
“I don’t think anyone saw this coming,” Wisp said sadly. “I hope my Father’s quarter of the city is OK.” Her gaze traveled to the window as she spoke and she sighed.
“Has anyone seen Emily?” Jala asked, looking around the room.
Jail snorted in amusement and smiled. “Does anyone ever see Emily?” he asked.
She frowned at him and blew out her breath loudly. “You know what I mean, Jail,” she grumbled.
“I’m here, I followed the idiots until they made it safely here,” Emily’s voice came quietly from the doorway.
Jala let out a sigh of relief and smiled in the direction of the voice. “I wish I could have contacted you, I’ve been worried about you all day.”
“I will stay here while you sleep and help them keep guard. I promise I won’t go anywhere until you wake. We really need to talk,” Emily said, her tone dead serious.
Jala nodded slowly and glanced to Finn who shrugged. “We’ve told you everything that happened to us. I’m not sure what happened to her. I don’t even know when she started following us,” he said quietly.
“I’m not sure if I like how she always refers to Finn and me as the idiots,” Valor remarked to no one in particular.
“Get used to it. I doubt my opinion will change anytime soon,” Emily said, her voice coming from closer to the window.
“I doubt it as well. Mine still hasn’t and I’ve known them for years,” Neph said with a smile.
“And our opinion of you will likely always stay the same, as well Neph,” Valor replied dryly. Tilting his glass back he finished off the last of his drink and looked to Sovann. “The rooms downstairs have baths?” he asked, rising from his seat.
Sovann nodded in response. “I designed them along the lines of the Academy. Really it shouldn’t be too different for any of you.”
“You have my thanks, Sovann, and I bid the rest of you good day. I am in dire need of a bath and several hours of sleep,” Valor said as he headed for the stairs.
“Go ahead and go you two, I’ll keep an eye on things,” Sovann said, waving to Jala and Finn.