“I told you she was difficult to deal with,” a familiar voice drawled behind her. She heard Valor utter a curse and turned to watch the grey cloaked figure slowly cross the room to stand by Death’s throne. “It took me so many visits to get her to be willing for barter and still she was a bit of a bitch about it, despite how good a deal I made her.” There was no mistaking Hemlock’s voice, no matter how much Jala wished she could forget the sound of it.
“You bastard,” Jala hissed, her power already rising for a spell.
“Tut, tut. Let’s not be hasty there, Jala. Do you really want to end the conversation that way?” Hemlock shook a finger at her, a smile barely showing beneath the grey hood of his cloak. “How about this, Death. In honor of Jala’s former reverence for Fortune, how about you offer her a wager? Perhaps a duel. That would honor Finn as well, given his former occupation.”
“Mmm. That could prove interesting,” Death agreed and leaned back in her throne once more. “Your champion versus mine. If you win, you get Finn and I allow you to leave my domain. If I win, I get the Arovan and the child and I still allow you to leave. That’s more than fair, I think.”
“Leave the child out of it and you have a deal,” Valor said from behind her.
Jala whirled and stared at Valor, an expression of disbelief on her face. He lifted his visor and met her eyes. There wasn’t a trace of doubt on his face. “Valor, you can’t…” she began but he shook his head slightly.
“I remember my promise and I fully intend to keep it, Jala. I am not going to sacrifice myself in this fight, I promise you. I’d love a chance to kill that bastard.” Valor assured her, his gaze moving past her to settle on Hemlock.
“The child remains in the bargain. Take it or leave here with nothing,” Death pressed, her tone sounding annoyed.
“Done,” Jala agreed before Valor had a chance to speak again.
“Jala!” Valor gasped in objection.
“You said you intended to keep your promise. Now you have more incentive to do so. My trust and faith are fully with you, Valor. I know you will not fail me,” Jala spoke softly. Turning back to Death she squared her shoulders once more. “Show me Finn before we pursue this. I will know that you truly hold his soul before we continue,” she demanded.
“Difficult to deal with indeed,” Death muttered and motioned a clawed hand toward the pillar of dark flame beside her. The black fires receded, revealing the limp dark skinned form that hung suspended beneath them. His arms and legs were already showing the scaled skin of the Darklands demons, but there was no mistaking Finn.
“Finn,” Jala gasped, her eyes locked on the closed eyes willing them to open.
“Murderers and rapists. Really, Jala with the taste you have in men, we should get along much better. Judging by the standards you have, I may be your ideal man,” Hemlock chuckled.
Jala heard Valor shift behind her and looked back as he closed his visor. She only saw a glimpse of his face before the helm closed but his expression was pained, not outraged as she had expected. “I’d rather fight you than continue this conversation,” Valor growled as he moved forward a few steps and leveled his sword in a defensive position.
“I recall saying my champion versus yours. I do not recall saying Hemlock was my champion, however,” Death said with a rasping chuckle. “No, Hemlock is no warrior and we all know that. He serves me in other ways. I had a bit more of an equal fight in mind for you, Valor Hai’dia.” Death motioned toward the back of the room and the air shimmered as a form began materialize. Details began to take shape and Jala caught her breath as she recognized the long silver hair and delicate build of Chastity Hai’dia, Valor’s sister. With the exception of the blood stain on the front of the woman’s dress, she looked as lifelike as she had the last time Jala had seen her on the stairs of the Justicar’s hall.
“Valor! What are you doing here?” Chastity demanded, her tone filled with concern. Her eyes flicked across the other occupants of the room briefly then back to her brother.
“Chastity.” Valor gasped as he pulled his helmet free and stared in dismay at his sister.
“Touching, so very touching,” Death said, her voice void of any emotion at all. “Chastity Hai’dia, your husband lies on my very doorstep. He clings to life by the barest thread in the sunlit world. He took a poisoned arrow in the last engagement he fought in and no healers remain to save his life. I, however, have the power to spare him if I choose.”
Chastity turned toward Death, her expression one of desperation. Her eyes flicked back to Valor and then Jala in confusion. “Why do you tell me this? What can I do to save him?” Chastity asked in a cautious tone.
“Your brother is here to save Finn Sovaesh. I have offered him a duel in return for Finn’s spirit. I name you my champion. Defeat your brother, and your husband lives. Fail me, and your child is an orphan,” Death answered, her voice still calm but holding a hint of amusement.
“This is sadistic,” Jala breathed, her eyes locked on Death.
“Valor, would you truly let Sebastian die for Finn after all I have done for you? Would you leave my child an orphan to save an exile?” Chastity asked, her gaze fully on her brother now. She took a step closer, her eyes searching Valor for her answer.
Valor inhaled deeply, his head bowed. Slowly he turned to face Jala, his dark blue eyes filled with pain. “I will honor my word and my promise to you,” he said quietly before turning back to face his sister. He exhaled slowly and stood straighter, squaring his shoulders before meeting Chastity’s accusing stare. “I would not let Sebastian die for Finn, Chas. I will, for Jala’s son, however. I’m sorry Chas, I truly am. If it were only my life at stake, my answer would be different.” He spoke quietly, his voice hoarse.