“I was in poor condition when I returned from the Darklands, so I used magic on my son to insure that he survived,” Jala explained, leaving out as many of the details of the event as she could. There was no reason for anyone other than her friends to know what bad condition she had been in.
“I see,” the general responded in a tone that suggested he didn’t want to hear all of the details any more than she wanted to speak them. Exhaling heavily, he leaned back farther into the cushions of his chair, resting his elbows comfortably on the arm rests. “I’ve considered your offer and I have a counter for you. As it turns out, I didn’t care much for Hexian’s offer and we couldn’t reach terms that we both agreed on. As for Morcaillo, I don’t like nor trust the man so I don’t plan to take contract there either. That leaves you. If we can reach terms that is.”
Jala struggled to keep the look of hope from her face and nodded slowly. “What is your counter, General?” she asked in a reserved voice.
“First, my company will keep any spoils of war that are gained in defending Goswin. That is the full and complete spoils. Goswin will not get a share regardless of whether they fight beside us or not,” Kithvaryn began in a formal tone. “Second, my son’s soul is to be returned to me before we move our troops to Goswin. If there is any deceit in that transaction, the contract between the two of us will be void. If it is not truly my son that I raise, I will not only void the contract I will remove the leash from Kithkara that is keeping her on such remarkably good behavior.”
“Understood and agreed upon,” Jala said with another nod when he fell silent once more. She had expected his terms to be much worse, but so far he had said nothing that she couldn’t live with.
“I’m not finished,” Kithvaryn said firmly and cleared his throat. “Third, you and I will exchange blood for safe keeping. If at any time you should move against me, I will not hesitate to use the blood against you. You will have a vial of my own blood as well, should I fail in the contract.”
“You are out of your mind,” Valor snapped, cutting Kithvaryn off before he could finish.
“Valor, please,” Jala pleaded and gave Kithvaryn an apologetic look. “Forgive him please. It is his duty to protect me and I fear I’ve made that a rather difficult chore for him. His nerves are on edge, which doubtless caused that outburst.”
“I would guess it has quite a lot to do with the Soulreaver waiting at my port for your company,” Kithvaryn said dryly before casting Valor a withering look. “The blood is not negotiable, Lady Merrodin. We will exchange vials and hold them until the end of the contract or there will be no contract. At the end of our contract, which will be the end of the war by your request, we will once again exchange the vials. Which, if we have both kept faith, should still be sealed. The fourth and final condition of the term is that you pay for the three goats your damned Bendazzi ate while you have been in my Fortress. I have not seen the hell-spawned creature myself but I know enough about you to know what it is preying on my livestock.”
You ate three goats! Jala exclaimed through a mental link with the Bendazzi while she nodded politely to Kithvaryn. “I apologize for my familiar. I expected him to be on better behavior.”
Kithvaryn glanced over his shoulder at Kithkara and nodded faintly with a tight smile. “How well do I know that pain. We always expect the best behavior of those we trust.”
They only counted three? Perhaps you shouldn’t deal with these people if that is as high as they can count. You will end up purchasing the services of six thousand troops and only getting three, Marrow returned in an amused tone.
How many did you bloody well eat? Jala demanded while keeping her expression as neutral as she could.
Four goats, one calf and a dog, Marrow replied, sounding quite pleased with himself.
It’s only been one bloody day Marrow! Jala fairly yelled the words back to him before smiling at the General as sweetly as she could. “I agree to your terms General with one exception.”
“And that would be?” Kithvaryn asked his tone growing colder.
“That you change three goats to four goats, one calf, and a dog and allow me to make restitution for the updated list of snacks,” Jala said quietly, wishing she could have simply left it at three goats which was bad enough as far as she was concerned.
“I can’t imagine the feed bill you must get monthly for that creature if he reaped that much damage here in one night,” Kithvaryn said as he shook his head slowly in amazement. “I accept the terms and if all is settled I will write the contract up and we can both turn our attention to other duties.” Jala nodded in agreement and watched the General rise from his chair. “I will return shortly with the paperwork, then. Feel free to have a drink while you wait. I will have the servants send up breakfast now.”
“Thank you, General,” Jala said with a faint smile as she watched him and Kithkara leave the room. Turning in her seat she looked up at Valor and found him glowering down at her.
“Guarding a child with a hatchet,” Valor grumbled shaking his head in disgust.
“I have to agree with Valor here, Jala. I don’t like the idea of you giving your blood to anyone,” Sovann said quietly.
“Everything has a price, Sovann. Kithvaryn’s was lower than I thought it was going to be after the initial meeting. I count myself fortunate that he is willing to exchange vials rather than simply demanding one from me,” Jala sighed and watched with a growing frown as Valor poured himself a large tumbler of whiskey. He had been doing so well at avoiding drinking, and she knew it was her actions that were pushing him back toward the bottle. There was hardly anything she could say to make it better now, though. Not with Seravae looming so close in their future.
Chapter 25
Delvay