Jala’s eyes flicked from Marrow to Wisp and she tried to guess where Emily might be. Behind one of the Justicars, no doubt, ready to attack if needed. The situation was growing worse by the second. If she didn’t do something soon, they would all likely be dead or fleeing in exile. Clearing her throat, she stepped forward again and leveled her gaze on the large Justicar. “How dare you threaten my companions in my district. Stand aside now,” she snarled with as much force as she could muster.
“Your district?” the Justicar asked, his tone mocking.
“I am Jaladene Merrodin and this is my district. Stand down now,” Jala commanded, her voice cracking like a whip. Several of the men behind him shifted uncomfortably and looked to their leader with confusion.
“The last Merrodin died ten years ago,” the Commander said smugly. “Do you know what the penalty for impersonating a High Lord is, girl?” he asked, his voice cold and filled with threat.
“Do you have any idea what the penalty for ignoring one is?” Jala shot back, her eyes narrowing.
“Arrest her and kill the Bendazzi,” the Commander snapped, his glare turning to the milling men behind him.
“Actually, we can’t kill the Bendazzi before we determine if she is truly Merrodin.” The voice came from off to the side and both the Commander and Jala turned to regard the speaker. He was dressed as the others in silver plate though his had a bit more engravings on it. His jet black hair was cut short and fashionably tousled. He smiled at the two of them and shrugged. “Per regulations a council must be called to verify her claim, Sir,” he said quietly to his Commander and moved toward Jala with manacles ready.
“What is your name, Justicar?” the Commander demanded, his eyes narrowing.
“Lieutenant Skyler sir,” the man replied and stopped a short distance from Jala. “If you truly are who you say you are, submit and get this over with. It shouldn’t take long,” he said in a quieter voice that seemed oddly familiar.
Nodding slowly, Jala held her wrists out in front of her and looked to Wisp. “Take Marrow back home with you, Wisp, and I’ll meet you there soon,” she said in a level voice.
“No, I’m not leaving you alone with them,” Wisp objected, her hand still clutching her sword.
“Please Wisp I need you to keep Marrow safe,” Jala pressed with a note of pleading in her voice.
I’m not leaving you either so you are wasting your breath, Marrow told her firmly.
I won’t be alone, Emily will be with me. If things go badly she can help me escape. I can’t risk them hurting you, Marrow. We are linked. If something happens to you, not only do I lose my closest friend, I will likely die at the same time. Please, just go with Wisp, she begged praying the Bendazzi would listen to reason. Turning her attention back to Wisp she locked her gaze on the Fae. “Wisp, I gambled a lot here. Please don’t waste it,” she said quietly.
With obvious reluctance, Wisp nodded slowly and looked to Marrow. “Come on Marrow, let’s do what she wants us to. I don’t like it any more than you do.” The Fae spoke with hesitation and looked ready to change her mind at any moment.
“Wisp, I need you to let Neph know what’s going on, but not Finn or Valor. I don’t want them distracted right now,” Jala said slowly, keeping her gaze on Wisp as the Justicar clamped the manacles down on her offered wrists. Waves of cold washed over her and she lowered her gaze to the Barllen restraints. “Is Barllen really necessary? I’m not resisting,” she said softly, already feeling the metal feeding hungrily on her reserves.
“Standard policy. Please come along,” the young man replied with a shrug and gave her a reassuring smile. Once again the feeling of déjà vu washed over her as she watched him and she nodded slowly and began to walk toward the Hall of Justice with him close behind her. The remaining Justicars closed ranks around her, forming a wall of armor and cloaks that made it all but impossible for her to see beyond them.
They walked in silence, the Justicars intent on their duty and her attention focused on the Barllen. She didn’t dare drain power from it in front of them but she was managing to slow its progress on draining her. Her attention barely shifted from the restraints as they climbed the stairs to the Hall and the massive white doors swung open before her.
“I will see her to a high cell sir,” Lieutenant Skyler said with a bow to the Commanding officer and led her toward another narrower flight of stairs carefully.
She climbed steadily, wondering how long it would take before they released her and praying it would be in time for the duel. The thought of not knowing if Finn had won or not tore at her, but she didn’t see that she had been given many options. It was take the action she had or lose Marrow. Swallowing heavily, she glanced up to see a cell door being opened in front of her. Calmly she stepped through the doorway and noticed as the door slammed shut behind her that the bars were made of Barllen as well.
“Well now I believe you owe me a thank you,” the lieutenant said in a low voice barely above a whisper and the tone triggered the reason for the déjà vu.
“Hemlock?” she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Shhh. Not so loud. Do you know you are the only one living in the city that knows what I really look like? In all of Sanctuary there is only one other person that knows my appearance. I’m showing you a great amount of trust,” he said, his tone mocking. Casually he looped his arms through the bars and crossed them, leaning forward to watch her carefully. “I’m afraid you are going to miss the duel but if you talk sweet to me I might open a scry for you,” he said sweetly, his voice still the same quiet tones she remembered from the bar.
“Why are you helping me?” she asked, not daring to approach him.