“I’m his advisor, actually,” Shade informed them, pointing directly at Madren who from what Neph could tell looked ready to crawl off into a corner to hide. “See, Madren is competent at leading his own people and incredibly smart, but you bastards intimidate him and, well, I gave up really caring about who says what about me or tries to kill me a while back. I tried being rational and law abiding and was kicked in the nuts for it repeatedly. So now, I advise him for the time being and work as his voice when he needs to address bullies like you guys.”
“You poor bastard,” Neph whispered to Madren who had simply closed his eyes and slumped against the wall as Shade spoke.
“He used to be eloquent and diplomatic,” Madren sighed.
“Not anymore,” Shade announced loudly his eyes moving to the table. “So where do we sit and what did we miss you guys talking about.” “I will not tolerate his antics,” Nicoli announced firmly.
“Aww, and we just got here and you are planning on leaving already? Well, see you next time, then,” Shade said sadly and waved briefly at Nicoli who scowled at him in response. Smiling widely, Shade dropped into a chair beside High Lord Han’shy. He looked up slowly at the lord and his smile faded. “Mind mage, eh?” Shade nodded in greeting and began to look around at the other empty chairs.
“You are amusing me for the moment, boy. Get any more annoying and you might want to find another seat, but for now you are fine,” Jin assured him and motioned Jala forward. “Have a seat. We were discussing the Blight problem, actually.”
“Good. That is a matter I have interest in,” Jala replied with a smile and glanced back toward Madren and Neph. “Come on, gentlemen, it’s going to be a very long night without more delay.”
“Actually, before we continue that discussion I would be very interested in knowing how, exactly, Jala returned.” Lord Arovan’s voice was soft, but all fell silent as he spoke.
Neph studied the man as he sat down at the table. The Lord’s eyes were locked on Jala with an expression that seemed almost desperate.
He wants his son back, Neph realized, and felt a stir of pity for the man. He knew without a doubt there was no bringing Micah Arovan back. It had been the same with Zyi. Both of them had been pure souls and had evaded the judgment of death on that account. Micah’s spirit could have been called back on the day of his death, perhaps, but after this long he would be in the life stream awaiting rebirth and far beyond the call of magic.
Jala was silent in her chair for a long moment as she returned Elijah Arovan’s gaze, but it was sympathy written on her face rather than pity. Slowly she shook her head at him and Neph watched in silence as the desperation that had been on the man’s face faded to poorly concealed grief. “I tried to win Honor as well as Micah back from Death when I returned, Lord Arovan. Seth informed me that they had already returned to the life stream. I’m so sorry, but there is no calling them back now.”
“How, exactly, is it that you are on such good terms with the Herald of Death?” the High Lord of Faydwer cut in sharply.
Jala didn’t bother to turn to look at the man. Her hand rose to her chest and she pulled a necklace from under her dress. She held it up allowing it to swirl in the air inches above the table giving everyone a clear view of the symbol of Death that adorned one side and the symbol of War that covered the other. Her expression softened further and she placed her free hand on Valor’s. “I didn’t know either of them as well as I would have liked to, Lord Arovan, but I had the utmost respect for your son. I cannot help you bring him back, but I can offer you the same comfort that I gave Valor to ease the pain of losing his brother.” She paused and squeezed Valor’s hand giving him a faint smile before she continued. “They are in the life stream now awaiting another life. They died in a world filled with bitterness and pain, but if we truly work together here, we can give them a world filled with peace to return to. They won’t remember us when they return, but we will always remember them. With every moment we spend rebuilding Sanctuary we will think of them and know that wherever they are, they are safe because of what we are doing now.”
“How touching. I believe the question was how did you return, though. I truly hope you don’t expect us all to believe Death simply released you due to the fact that you revere her now,” Nicoli Blackwolf spoke the moment she fell silent and Neph wanted to slap the man for the derision in his voice.
“Death didn’t have to release me. As I said, I wasn’t dead,” Jala replied in a tone filled with irritation. “For those of you who were at the battle, I’m sure you saw the pillar of light I became,” she began in a quieter voice and let out a long breath. Leaning back in her chair she toyed with the holy symbol and shrugged one shoulder. “That pillar of light was raw magic that I called upon. I drew strength from the Barrier itself and it destroyed my body. I knew it would and I fully expected to find myself before Death because of it. I was desperate, though, so I did the only thing I thought would save my people and help Arovan.”
“But you didn’t find yourself before Death?” Jin Han’shy pressed when Jala remained silent for a long moment.
Neph could see the indecision in her eyes as she glanced around the table. She had been rather vague explaining to him about what had actually happened and now she was being cornered on the topic by people she couldn’t simply ignore.