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.