“Please define expediting their return.” Symphony pressed then tilted her head slightly to one side as Faramir whispered into her ear. Nodding Symphony turned her attention back to Jala and raised an eyebrow in impatience.
Clearing her throat Jala nodded and stood straighter meeting Symphony’s eyes directly with no sign of remorse on her face at all. “We bind them hand and foot and place them into a catapult. We aim the catapult back at Avanti’s lands and do our best to hit his Palace with the criminals we are returning to him. Unfortunately we have yet to hit our mark as it lies some distance from our borders, but we hope to one day enjoy success on that endeavor.” Jala replied in a sickeningly sweet voice.
A snort of laughter erupted from High Lord Arjuna and the Firym abruptly turned away from the assembly in an obvious effort to regain control of himself. “Expedited return.” Arjuna chuckled and he shook his head at Jala with a wide smile on his handsome face.
Symphony glared down at the Firym for a long moment then turned back to Jala with a disapproving look. “Does this not seem harsh to you Lady Merrodin?” Sounds of running feet echoed through the hall beyond the door accompanied by muffled shouts and Symphony’s stern expression faded as she turned to Faramir in confusion.
“I will see what the trouble is your, Grace.” Faramir assured her demurely but paused before she had reached the first steps as the double doors burst open and Victory Faydwer stormed in with a frantic look on his face. His gaze swept the room quickly and seized on Symphony. Bowing deeply he stood and Neph could see blood tracing down the side of the Fae’s face as he stood.
“Your Grace the prison has been breached and we have rioting in the streets.” He announced loudly.
“How dare you interrupt such an important council with this. If you cannot handle this matter perhaps you do not deserve the rank you have Commander Faydwer.” Faramir snapped with anger flashing in her dark eyes.
Victory glared at her then turned back to Symphony once more. “Your, Grace I cannot spare the men to contain the rioting as I must turn my attention to the forces heading for our city. It appears as though Rivasa and Nerathane plan to attack Sanctuary itself. Do we defend the city or do we raise the Barrier Milady?” The urgency in his voice brought Neph to his feet.
With a quick glance to Jala Neph braced one hand on the balcony of his dais and swung himself over the side. Landing gracefully he nodded briefly to Victory as he passed him on the way to the doors. “If the answer is raising the Barrier over the city let me know before you do it. I’m not going to be trapped here like a rat while my home is left undefended.” He announced loudly enough for everyone assembled to hear before heading for the door.
A faint scuffle sounded behind him followed by the sharp click of high heels on the stone floors. Glancing back he saw Jala rapidly catching up with him and smiled as he realized the scuffling must have been the High Lady following his example and leaping the rail of her dais like a farm boy.
“If she raises the Barrier we are all damned.” Jala said quietly as they drew to a stop on the outer stairs of the palace.
Gazing up at the sky Neph nodded absently and stared hard at the small dark figures in the distance. “Dragons and Spell Hawks and more than we can fight.” Neph observed with a sigh and glanced at Jala. “The prudent thing to do would be return to our lands and try to manage as best we can.” He said softly as he watched the remaining High Lords approaching.
“If we do that Sanctuary is damned.” Jala announced and her mouth tightened into a determined line. “We cannot let the Barrier go up, and we cannot flee. We need to end this now. We need to fight.” She said in a louder voice.
“Are you bloody mad?” Truce Avanti exclaimed as his gaze moved from the approaching forces to Jala and back again.
“Not in the least Lord Avanti.” Jala replied calmly then turned her attention to the greater assembly. “If we run now we will not have time to muster our forces in our own lands.” She informed them then pointed up to the sky. “They are already mustered and prepared for a fight. If we flee and the Fionaveir raise this Barrier they will divert their course to another target.” She paused and met each High Lord’s eyes individually. “If that hit Arovan could your people hold against it Lord Elijah?” Jala asked pointedly.
Elijah stared up at the sky and shook his head slowly. “You know we cannot Lady Merrodin. Arovan is too weak right now.” He replied bleakly.
“Arjuna could the Firym hold against that?” Jala demanded turning toward the High Lord of Firym in question.
“We would last longer than most.” Arjuna answered proudly.
“However you would still fall.” Zachary Dark observed and nodded once to Jala. “I see what you are saying Lady Merrodin. Individually we have no chance as we are but one great power amongst a land of mostly common soldiers, however if we stand together now we are many great powers assembled against and army of lesser creatures.”
“Exactly!” Jala said with a wide smile then looked at the High Lords once more. “Lord Dark has the right of it. We are all High Lords and they will not expect us to take a stand. If we work together we can save the people of Sanctuary and defeat our enemies at the same time.” She announced loudly.
Movement at the back of the crowd drew Neph’s attention and he gently nudged Jala with his elbow and nodded his head toward the retreating figure of the Empress. Jala’s jaw dropped slightly and she took a step toward the retreating forms of Symphony and her guards.