Blood, Honor and Dreams (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #2)

“Paperwork bleeds in your district?” Troyelle asked, flicking his hand in the direction of his ruined tunic.

Jin shook his head slowly and dropped into a chair beside Jala. “No, paperwork doesn’t, the corrupt official that brought it to me does, however. I took care to send him back to Morcaillo’s district for burial. As far as I see it, if he was his in life, the man should be his in death,” he smiled as he spoke and glanced sideways at Jala. “Congratulations on your freedom Lady Merrodin. Will you be taking over your own district now?”

“I will. I’ve already begun rebuilding,” she replied and searched the faces of everyone at the table. She couldn’t decide if she should warn them of the Blights in the city. In all fairness, they had come to her rescue and most of them had children in the city. With a sigh she folded her hands on the table. “I have had some delays, however, as there seems to be a minor infestation of creatures in the city,” she paused and turned her gaze to General Troyelle. “The same creatures that are infecting Gaelyn as it happens. My Bendazzi has already slain one of them as has Finn. I’m unsure how many more there are,”

“Then it would seem the problem we thought we had is much more dangerous than any of us knew,” Lord Arjuna said quietly and glanced around the table to his fellows. “Let us debate this issue a bit before we leave and try to find a solution to this problem,” he suggested.

“How did your Bendazzi, or Finn for that matter, manage to find them to kill?” General Troyelle asked, leaning forward in his seat. It was obvious the man was desperate for any knowledge that could help his own land with the Blights.

“I believe both of them used nothing more than predator instincts,” Jala replied softly, wishing she had more to give the man.

“I see,” Troyelle replied, the flicker of hope completely drained from his voice. “Let us debate then and see what we can find,” he said with a nod of agreement to Arjuna.

Jala watched them for a moment then turned sharply as she noticed Ash heading for the door. “Ash, wait a moment please,” she called softly, not wanting to interfere with her fellow lords. Rising quickly she nodded to them and crossed the room to the Soulreaver. “I don’t even know what I owe you for helping me today,” she whispered.

“I have already received my payment,” Ash said, smiling down at her. He chuckled lightly at her look of confusion and motioned toward where Jexon had been sitting. “Did you see the look of bitter irritation on his face when I agreed to help you?” he asked. She shook her head slowly and he shrugged. “Well I did, and that is all that matters. That expression on the Lord Reaver’s face was worth more than gold to me. I consider it adequate payment for the little I did for you,” he explained.

“Are you sure?” she asked in disbelief.

“Positive. I must go for now, but when you are ready to break the curse, I will find you once more,” he said, bowing his head to her with respect.

“How did you know?” she asked, watching him as he began moving once more for the door.

“The dead speak loudly of it, Lady Merrodin, loudly and joyously,” he replied.

“Then how did my mother not know of it?” she asked puzzled.

Ash shifted his gaze to Zachary for the barest of moments and she saw a glimpse of anger. “The dead in Oblivion are cut off from the natural cycle. The shadows that cling to your mother’s soul are traces of the corruption from Oblivion. They do not see or hear as a pure soul would. They see only what Oblivion allows,” he explained and bowed his head to her once more. “I will see you again soon, Lady Merrodin. We will speak more then,” he promised before stepping through the doorway without another glance back.

She stared at the door for a moment and then moved back to her seat, her mind whirling. If the dead spoke to him of it, how many others must know? She wasn’t entirely sure how many Spiritcallers there were, or whose side they were on, for that matter.





Chapter 13





Fionahold





Symphony stared down at the map in front of her in dismay. It was among the latest reports of movements the Fionaveir had gathered. Not only had Arovan and Glis mobilized their forces, it showed movement from Rivana troops as well as Delvay. The northern armies were, of course, mobilizing to deal with the Blight infestation, but the Southern movements could only mean war between nations. As far as their intelligence showed, the Blights were primarily in Gaelyn at this time. Looking up, she eyed Caspian with concern. “Is there anything we can do to stop this before it starts?” she asked quietly.

“Delvay is not a land that listens to my council. As far as I know they don’t listen to any council other than their own. Rivana, on the other hand, see us as outlaws and should I attempt negotiations with them they would have me hanged,” he explained with a frown. “It’s going to come to blood, Symphony, there is nothing we can do to stop it.”

“What of Nerathane?” she asked, her eyes automatically flicking to the lower section of that continent where the dragons’ land rested.

“So far we have no news of movement. The dragons don’t have to mobilize though. If they do decide to send forces it will be done by the time we get word,” Caspian replied.

“Another question you should be asking is why Delvay chose to send Kadan to Sanctuary for the trial. Politically, that could be important in the future. Nephondelvayon was in Sanctuary and could have sat as proxy for his lord father, but instead they chose to send Kadan. To send Kadan to Sanctuary while they are mobilizing troops is risky. Why do you suppose they did it?” Faramir asked, moving closer to the table.

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