“You are here in perfect time, General Troyelle. Please have a seat and I will inform you of what you have missed,” Lord Faydwer offered, motioning to a seat beside him. “I truly hope your granddaughter is found soon. I assure you if she is still missing when this council ends, the Faydwer will do all they can to assist you in finding her.”
“I appreciate the offer,” General Troyelle replied, finally prying his eyes from Avanti who was doing an excellent job of appearing innocent. Jala watched him cross the room and marveled at how much Valor resembled his father. They had the same powerful build and coloring to hair and eyes and the only true difference she could find was in demeanor. While Valor tended to be smiles and charm, Troyelle reminded her of his namesake, a storm, or a force of nature perhaps. He didn’t seem the sort of man that could easily be ignored.
“How long do we have to wait for this Soulreaver?” Lady Nerathane asked her voice filled with annoyance.
“Until he arrives,” Arjuna replied curtly.
“This is ridiculous, to pander to such nonsense,” Lady Nerathane snapped casting a glare at Arjuna.
“Are you suggesting my Shaman’s spirit magic is ridiculous?” asked Lord Reaver, anger clearly written on his features.
“Yes, actually,” she responded, her pitch black eyes locking firmly with the Lord Reaver’s grey ones.
“Calm down please.” Lord Morcaillo spoke in soothing tones but seemed to be generally ignored by both Lord and Lady, though they both remained silent.
Jala leaned back in her chair enjoying the soft cushions as she watched Lord Faydwer replay an illusion of what Troyelle had missed so far. As the image drew to an end Troyelle looked up and regarded her with interest. She raised an eyebrow at him in question and smiled faintly.
“You intend to summon the spirits of your dead parents?” he asked her quietly.
“I do,” she replied. “Or rather, I intend for Lord Zachary to summon them,” she clarified.
“Will that not be painful for you?” Troyelle pressed.
“Not half so painful as the execution they have planned,” Jala said with a smile, waving a ringed hand in the direction of Avanti and Morcaillo. “If I’m going to be executed, I’d rather be guilty of the crime. I am Jaladene Merrodin and I will prove it through whatever means I must.”
Nodding slowly, Troyelle searched the faces of each lord present and turned back to her. “Kadandelvayan is an honest man. You have the support of Arjuna without a doubt. As well as Zachary, Jaradon, and myself. That’s five votes for you in a council of ten. They can’t execute you without majority. A tie will not suffice.”
“I don’t think they intended for you to arrive in time Lord Troyelle,” she said with a smile.
“I fail to see how any of us can be accused in tampering with Lord Troyelle’s arrival,” Lord Morcaillo spoke up, his tone annoyed.
“Not to break into what I’m sure will be a brilliant tirade, Lord Morcaillo, but I must speak,” Kadandelvayan said, leaning forward in his chair slightly. His gaze shifted from Lord Morcaillo to General Troyelle. “You mention that I’m an honest man, but assume you have my vote, General. While I have no ill wishes toward the girl, I cannot honestly vote for her yet. I do not know she is Merrodin blood. To me she does not look Merrodin at all. The only proof I have that she is Merrodin is from talk that I’ve heard, and I will not vote according to gossip,” he finished and turned his face toward Jala before raising one shoulder in an apologetic shrug.
“That is completely understandable, Lord Kadandelvayan. I take no offense and respect you for your decision,” Jala replied with a bow of her head in the direction of the young lord.
“Damn Delvay, I cannot believe you would consider allying with the likes of them,” Arjuna snapped waving a hand in the direction of her opposition.
“It’s not that I’m siding with them, Lord Arjuna. I am Delvay. We take no side other than our own. You ask me to vote on the girl’s identity without knowing who she is. To me that is unreasonable,” Kadandelvayan protested.
“We could have a monkey sitting in her chair and I’d vote it was Merrodin blood if it pissed Avanti off,” Arjuna grumbled, shaking his head at Kadan in disgust.
“A viper would be more fitting than a monkey for Merrodin blood,” Lord Faydwer added quietly, drawing a few chuckles from the room.
“Perhaps the former Merrodin. I like to think I share nothing of their qualities. I’ll leave the vipers for House Morcaillo. It suits them, I think. I personally prefer the Bendazzi,” Jala said mildly.
I really hope the Soul Reaver gets here soon. It’s taking a lot of willpower to not smack some of these Lords, Emily said in a disgusted voice.
One would think they would have better things to do. I suppose they are worried about another vote being on the council. I guess politically it does change the balance. I prefer Lord Kadan’s way of thinking, though I’m not sure Lord Arjuna has realized that yet, Jala responded, mentally taking care to keep her expression neutral.
The sound of the doors opening once more brought silence to the table and all eyes turned to watch as Ash stepped through the doorway. He wore all white as he had when she had last seen him in Rivana. He eyed the council with curiosity in his pale eyes. Silently, he approached the table with his hands folded behind his back and his expression serene. A faint smile touched his face as his eyes traveled over Jala, but quickly faded as he reached Lord Rivasa.
“You have sent for me?” Ash asked the council at large, seeming unsure as to whom he should direct his words.
“I have,” Jala said, smiling up at him. He turned his gaze back to her and raised a slender white eyebrow in question. “I understand that you have training in spirit magic. Is that correct?” she asked.