Jala nodded once and smiled. “I promise not to run till my heart bursts Rose. Thank you for the warning. I push myself, I admit that freely, but I don’t ask more of myself than I see others demand of themselves. Every morning, Finn trains with his swords as Valor does with his lances. Neph and Sovann practice daily with their magics and Wisp is always working to improve her archery. With the exception of Sovann, all of them attend the Academy as well. The only difference between them and me is that my training is more diverse.”
“And that they are older horses,” Rose added with an ironic smile. “They have run this race for years, Jala. Do not believe for a minute that the rest of them left the gate with the speed you are running. They gradually built themselves up to the routine they now follow.”
Jala sighed and nodded her reluctant agreement. “Well said. Rose. I’ll try to pace myself better. It’s just …” She trailed off and shrugged, looking to Rose and wondering if the woman would understand.
“It’s just that you have so much weight on your shoulders now and no idea of knowing how much time you have been given, Lady Merrodin,” Rose finished for her with a slight frown. “I do understand, Jala, but I still worry.”
Jala smiled and gave the woman another light hug. “I will never be able to thank Sovann enough for arranging these lessons with you, Rose. Between the wisdom you offer and the healing you’ve taught me this time has been invaluable to me.” She spoke quietly with sincerity thick in her voice.
“May we have many more lessons, but for now, you had best go. If I’m not mistaken, that’s your husband I see waiting below on the street,” Rose said, motioning toward the window.
Jala’s eyes immediately flew to the window and Rose chuckled in response to her speed. It took her only a moment to pick Finn out in the crowded street below. He was seated at a bench across the street, arms folded across his stomach and legs stretched out comfortably before him. Her first thought had been that something was wrong and that Finn had come to fetch her, but he didn’t look upset or agitated. Still watching him closely, she focused on the link between them and received only patience and contentment back from him.
“Nothing says true love like a smile such as yours,” Rose said, her tone a bit wistful.
Jala flicked her gaze back to the healer and shook her head, her grin widening. “I hadn’t even realized I was smiling,” she admitted.
“That’s what makes it magical, Jala,” Rose said and motioned her once again toward the door. “I’ll see you two days from now. Try to find out more about the Merrodin gifts before then if you can. Perhaps if we both work at research we can determine why healing is so draining on you.”
“I’ll speak with Sovann tomorrow,” Jala promised and quickly pushed out the door. As usual, Marrow waited on the roof above and dropped down lightly beside her on the stairs as she exited. “How long has Finn been here?” she asked as she began to make her way down the stairs a bit quicker than normal.
“Twenty minutes or so,” Emily answered, her voice barely above a whisper. The Blight child’s voice was different to her ears and Jala flicked a glance in the direction of it.
“Are you well, Emily?” she asked, unsure what it was about the voice that had sounded off. Perhaps the child was simply tired. Her nightly hunting might be catching up with her.
“I’m well. Worry about why he is here, not me,” Emily replied quietly.
Jala nodded to herself, deciding to let the issue rest for now. In truth, she was rather curious of Finn’s appearance. She reached the bottom of the stairs as he was crossing the street and leaned back against the rail, watching him approach. Even when he wasn’t fighting, Finn moved with a fluid grace. She felt the smile returning to her face and let out a sigh. It still amazed her how just the sight of him could lift her spirits so much.
“Must have been a good session, you look pleased,” he said, stopping beside her. He returned her smile and she felt a surge of affection through their link. Leaning over he gave her a light kiss and nodded toward the Academy. “If we don’t start walking now you are going to be late to first hour,” he warned.
Nodding slightly, she took his arm and began walking toward the Academy. She glanced up at him with open curiosity and raised an eyebrow. “Is there a special occasion?” she asked.
He shrugged, pursed his lips, and slowly shook his head. “No, that is if you mean am I here for a special reason.” He shrugged and returned her look with another charming smile. “I hardly get to see you, so I changed things a bit to see you more. That, and I have a duel tonight so I won’t see you until late, most likely. If I’m lucky it will be done before you are finished training with Neph, but I’m not going to count on it.”
She frowned at his words and sighed. “What are you dueling for?” she asked, hoping it wasn’t another insult to her. It was nerve wracking to have Finn constantly risking his life to protect her reputation. He didn’t seem to realize that he meant far more to her than her reputation did.
“There was a get together last night in the Rivasa district. At some point in the night a couple people got together closer than they should have and now I’m fighting on the behalf of one of their betrothed,” he looked at her and smirked. “Now ask me the best part,” he urged.
“What’s the best part?” she asked cautiously.
“I’m dueling for the honor of an Avanti lady against our friend Devron Rivasa. I get to kill the little bastard again,” he grinned at her like a gleeful child.
“Not Cassia?” she gasped, trying desperately to think of another Avanti lady.
“Oh gods, no,” he laughed, shaking his head at her. “No, Cassia, as far as I know is still in Avanti. This one is a lesser lady of one of the smaller houses. Her name is Mevana. I knew her when I was a child. She isn’t my sort but she isn’t a Cassia,” he explained, still seeming highly amused.
“I didn’t think you would defend Cassia’s …”She paused and cleared her throat. “Uhh, honor, if she actually does have honor.”