“Powerful spirits can take on a physical form similar to my own. These are by no means powerful spirits, but Finn lends them power for the rare occasions he calls upon them. Today is meant as entertainment for Legacy so it should be especially good. By the looks of the room, he summoned every entertainer in the Darklands for this,” Seth explained quietly.
Silence fell over the throne room as the double doors opened and all eyes locked onto the Lord of Death as he entered. Finn regarded the crowd with a wide grin, and then looked to Legacy with eyes sparkling. “What will it be? A play? Music? Maybe the acrobats?” he asked cheerfully and Zoelyn couldn’t help but smile in response. Finn was quite possibly the last person she could imagine being the Lord of Death. He was always kind to her and seemed so vibrant. She didn’t know the full story of how he had attained his status, but she knew better than to ask him. It was obvious from her few conversations that it wasn’t a topic he favored, and she enjoyed his company too much to intentionally make him uncomfortable.
“A play and then the acrobats while they play music,” Legacy replied happily as he rose to hug his father.
Seth snorted in amusement and nodded his approval at the answer. “When Legacy is older the High Lords are doomed. The child has wit and he will have the knowledge and skills to support it. When he wants something, he will get it,” he whispered to her.
“You heard my son. A play and then Acrobats and music. It better be good entertainment too, or I’ll have you singing to Fiona for the rest of the week,” Finn called loudly as he dropped into his throne and lifted Legacy onto his lap. Leaning over the side he glanced back at Zoey and Seth and grinned. “Glad he brought you for the entertainment, Zoey. I hope you enjoy,” he said quietly.
“Who is Fiona? I’ve heard him threaten you with her before,” Zoelyn asked softly.
Seth snorted again and shook his head at her. “Someone I hope you never meet, but if you do, I pray I’m there to buffer for you. She is Finn’s advisor and she is a very bitter creature.”
“Why would Finn choose someone like that as an Advisor,” Zoelyn glanced up at him in confusion.
“It’s Hell, Zoey. Not even the Lord of Death gets things exactly like he wants them. We all suffer here,” Seth replied wryly.
The lights in the throne room flickered and dimmed as several spirits moved forward. They bowed to Finn and the lights above them strengthened as their costumes shifted and the wall behind them took on the illusion of a sunlit meadow.
“A comedy, then, to lighten the heart of the young Lord,” a woman proclaimed as she curtsied to Legacy and smiled. “Listen, young Lord, and we will tell you the tale of how the first Shifter came to be.”
Zoelyn grinned and settled back against the wall as the actors began their penance. She had never seen an acting troupe before, and even if these were spirits, it was still impressive to behold. She glanced up at Seth and leaned her head against his arm as she returned her attention to the actors. He tensed for a breath then settled back once more and she could feel his eyes on her. A faint smile touched her lips as she kept her gaze firmly on the play. She didn’t need to see the look on his face. She knew it would be a faint smile to match her own.
Chapter 18
Merro
“I can’t believe you released him from his cell,” Neph grumbled as he dropped heavily into a corner chair and watched Jala. She looked exhausted, and from the state of her armor the trip hadn’t been nearly as easy as she had implied it would be. Her bright shining chain mail was battered and torn and the leather pieces of her armor still bore scorch marks.
Jala sighed and unbuckled her bracers, dropping them onto the table with a loud clatter. “Valor is devising punishment for him and I’m sure Noble will suffer from it,” Jala replied quietly. She rubbed her wrists for a moment and glanced over at him. “If it’s any consolation, Vaze agreed with you and was voting we hang him.” She smiled faintly and shook her head sadly. “Noble is a good man and I don’t think the thought of treason ever crossed his mind. He has poor judgment, as he clearly displayed with this incident, but he isn’t a traitor.”
“The Assassin spoke of killing your son and rather than act on that, his mind was occupied with sex,” Neph growled.
“That was arrogance, not compliance. If Noble truly believed Legacy was in danger, he would have sacrificed his own life to save my son,” Jala replied as she lowered herself slowly to a chair across from him. “He thought he had her and could have his cake and eat it too. We are all guilty of arrogance from time to time, Neph.”
“You are too soft,” Neph grumbled shaking his head at her.
“And you are too hard so we are both at fault,” Jala countered with a faint smile. With a sigh she crossed her arms on the table and laid her head down gently, still watching him. “I hate dragons,” she murmured, her eyes half-closing.
“Nigel and Dresharn will be very displeased to hear that,” Neph responded dryly.
“I hate their dragons. I love mine,” Jala amended softly. “What did Jail say when you visited him?”
“I didn’t actually get a chance to speak with Jail, but Dresharn said he would investigate the matter. It was a wise choice sending Dresharn to assist in Sanctuary. He seems to know a great deal about politics and subterfuge,” Neph replied calmly. She looked ready to fall asleep at the table and he wondered if he should leave her be. He hated the thought of her being alone when she was obviously so weak, though. Even if Hemlock wasn’t planning to move against her, there were plenty of others that would, and the incident with the spy had proved clearly how the security in Merro was lacking.
“He should know politics. He was Lady Nerathane’s advisor for decades,” Jala said through a yawn. Blinking several times, she sat up slowly and rubbed her face. “I can’t remember the last time I was this tired,” she admitted with a faint smile.