The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4 The Blessed Curse (15 page)

“Both of you sit down. You are in my home and
you will not behave like hot headed fools while you are here,”
Elijah Arovan commanded and Nicoli had the grace to look at least a
little chagrined.

“You have my sincere apologies,” Jala said
with a bow of her head to Elijah before she once again took her
seat. “Emily is under my protection as much as I am under hers. I
asked her to reveal herself and I will not allow her to be hurt
because of it.”

“May I ask exactly what you want from us on
the account of the Blights, Jala?” Arjuna spoke up before Nicoli
had a chance to open his mouth again.

“I ask that this council grant me thirty days
to make contact with them and attempt to reach a compromise. I
don’t ask for any help on this matter. I simply ask that you do not
attack them during this time,” Jala explained. “Out of the
question,” Nicoli snapped.

“I’m afraid I agree with Nicoli on the
matter. We have limited time to retake Glis before the council in
Sanctuary is held, and Nicoli must have his position as High Lord
back before then. We cannot wait for a peace that might not come,”
Elijah added with a frown.

“They are in Faydwer as well and I will not
even consider hesitating on their removal. They are a threat to my
people that must be dealt with quickly,” Lord Faydwer chimed
in.

“I am content to allow Jala her attempt,” Jin
Han’shy announced as he leaned back in his chair. His gaze flicked
to Nicoli Blackwolf and a small smile played across his lips as he
regarded his fellow High Lord’s outrage.

Neph watched them both for a long moment and
stored the knowledge away. He hadn’t realized there was enmity
between the two men, but it was knowledge that could be useful
later.

“That’s because your own lands aren’t in
jeopardy!” Lord Faydwer stormed, his bright green eyes narrowing
with anger.

“Even if we save them now, at the rate they
reproduce and grow they will be a threat in the future. My vote is
to burn them out while we can,” Arjuna sighed, with an apologetic
shrug to Jala.

“That leaves Delvay, Oblivion, and Goswin to
vote. At the present we have four to two,” Elijah regarded the
remaining Lords as he spoke and raised an eyebrow in question.

“The Blights are no threat to my lands, but I
respect the danger my allies are in. Thirty days is a very long
time to wait when people may die from your delay Lady Merrodin.”
Zachary Dark spoke softly and slowly shook his head. “I won’t ask
my allies to wait thirty days.”

“The matter is settled then. Even with the
remaining two votes, you lose,” Lord Faydwer announced with a
smirk.

Jala watched them silently and sighed
heavily. “I will ask again for the Lords present to please
reconsider their votes. Slaughtering them for simply existing, is
wrong.” She watched everyone at the table for a long moment and
then nodded sadly. “I see. Well then, the other approach that I
didn’t want to use…” She turned to Neph and he could see the
question in her eyes.
Are you with me
? He smiled and nodded
in return and she closed her eyes for a moment before looking back
to Elijah. “Before I continue there is another matter I would speak
with you about.”

Elijah frowned with an expression of doubt on
his face and nodded slowly. “If you feel it is important enough to
bring up at the present moment, then please speak.”

“It is along the same topic. Monsters or
innocents and all,” Jala said with a faint shrug. “You have a girl
in your keeping. Her name is Zoelyn, I believe. I want her.”

“You what?” Elijah stammered, glancing from
Jala to Nicoli as if trying to determine if he had heard her
correctly.

“She is called
Undrae
in your lands,
from what Valor tells me. In mine she would simply be Zoelyn. I
want a chance to help her. Lord Arovan will you allow me to return
to Merrodin with her,” Jala explained further.

“I’m not sure you understand the problems
that this girl has, Lady Merrodin. She is cursed and for one such
as yourself, she is very dangerous,” Lord Arovan objected.

“I understand quite well the events that led
to her being taken as your ward. It was explained to me by Valor as
well as one of his knights. I accept that there could be danger
involved, but I am still inclined to help her. Will you allow me to
return to Merrodin with her?” Jala pressed.

“If you truly wish to take on such a burden,
I honestly cannot deny your request. If not for you, Arovan would
likely be ashes. I owe you too much to refuse you,” Elijah
sighed.

“Good. Now remember those words after what I
say next,” Jala sighed as she stood from her chair and carefully
pushed it back under the table. She stood just behind it and
carefully crossed her arms across the back as they all watched her.
“The balance of power has shifted considerably during the war. High
Lords that were once the most powerful are now dependent on their
allies for shelter. From what I have seen in the aftermath of the
war, Firym and Merrodin are the most powerful houses in this room.
I asked you to allow me the thirty days and now I’m telling you I
am taking the thirty days. The only one with enough military
strength to stand in my way is Firym, unless you all band together
against me. Which leaves you all open to Rivasa who, as I
understand, still holds a decent amount of power even after their
losses. There is, of course, Nerathane to consider as well.”

“You arrogant bitch!” Nicoli raged.

“I will be sending my dragons to watch the
border of Glis to prevent military movements into that region. My
envoy will work swiftly to settle this and with luck on our side it
will be resolved well within thirty days,” Jala continued, ignoring
the outburst completely.

“Who exactly do you intend to send as an
envoy?” Madren asked, his voice barely audible through the
grumblings of the other lords.

Jala smiled and raised a finger to point
directly at Shade. “He is going,” she announced and by the
expression on Shade’s face, Neph could tell he hadn’t been informed
of her choice at all.

“What?” Shade choked, his eyes locked on Jala
in an expression of disbelief.

“You are already in hiding Shade. You have
been declared outlaw in the city of Sanctuary. You have experience
dealing with Blights and you are clever with your words. Most
importantly, though, you are likely the only one in this room that
truly believes this is the right thing to do. Even Valor has his
doubts about my plan, but I know you understand. You are the
perfect envoy.” Jala smiled at him, but it was a bittersweet
expression to Neph’s eyes. She hated the path she was on and he
knew it.

“You could have given me a bit of warning,”
Shade sighed. He rubbed his face for a moment and nodded slowly.
“You are right, though, and I am the best choice for an envoy.
Everyone else seems to be plagued with common sense.”

“And if I attack Merrodin in response to your
actions?” Arjuna asked, though there was no malice in his voice it
was simply a question.

“Then I will weep for you at your funeral,
Arjuna, and mourn the loss of a man I considered my friend,” Jala
answered without hesitation or concern.

“Chances are your armies would never find
Merrodin anyway. As I said, I support Merrodin in this and the
Han’shy lands can be very confusing to navigate. Unless of course
you intend to cross the distance through flames which I’m sure
would be equally hazardous. There is no telling what Lady Merrodin
keeps around her fires in Merro,” Lord Han’shy mused with a
smile.

“As far as I am concerned, the matter is
settled on the Blights, so, on to the final matter I have to attend
to here,” Jala began once more and didn’t bother to pause long
enough for anyone to object. “NephDelvayon has charges against him
on the matter of the magics he used in the final battle. If you
will all notice he wears the ring of Merrodin on his finger and has
sworn his fealty to me. Any crime that he commits on my behalf is
my crime. He fought for me, so if you have grievance with him, then
direct it at me.” Jala paused again and summoned a large white book
to her hand. Gilding flashed along the edges of the pale leather as
she set it carefully on the table. “This is a book of law from
Merro. If any of you care to look inside it, you will discover that
no magic is forbidden in my land. Actions are judged, not methods.
What Neph did was for the greater good of Merro as well as Arovan
regardless of what power he used to do it. Until Delvay is
reclaimed, Neph is under my rule and judged by my laws. If you wish
to press the matter, Elijah, I understand and I will answer for the
crimes. Neph, however, is to remain out of the matter entirely.
Until the time I believe I have likely worn out my welcome in your
hall, I will be in contact with you once the matter of the Blights
is resolved.” Jala pushed away from the chair as she finished and
waited for her comrades to rise before turning for the door.

“I will summon guards to fetch the girl, Lady
Merrodin,” Elijah announced as he rose slowly from his chair.

“You can’t seriously mean to allow her to
leave this room after her threats,” Nicoli’s voice was filled with
utter disbelief as he stared at each of the High Lords in turn.

“I am in her debt, Nicoli. What would you
have me do?” Elijah asked in a voice that sounded more weary than
angry. “Kill her. Capture her. Anything but simply bow down before
her like a groveling pup.” Nicoli’s voice rose as he spoke.

“My Nephew is betrothed to her, if he hasn’t
already married her. Her child is present and if that isn’t reason
enough for you, and you hadn’t thought to count numbers, Nicoli, I
will do it for you. With the people she brought with her, and Jin
on her side, she has us outnumbered in this room. Leave off with
it, Nicoli. She has us on this one and I won’t allow her to be
harmed in my home.” Elijah sighed and turned back to Jala.

“This way, Lady Merrodin,” he urged as he
started off for the doors.

“I truly regret that things had to take this
path,” Jala informed the Lords and bowed her head in respect as she
turned for the door.

“I truly regret that you took my crime as
your own,” Neph whispered to her as he fell in step beside her. He
hadn’t thought to press the matter when she had told him she would
take care of his problems, but in hindsight he should have. Given
how the council meeting had gone Jala had enough to worry about
without adding his difficulties to her own.

“I regret that it was considered a crime at
all. If you hadn’t acted, think of how many would be dead now. It
will all work out, Neph. I’ve given this more thought than I care
to admit and this is the way things had to go,” Jala replied with a
faint smile. “Silly me. I thought all the work was done and I had
nothing but happily ever after to look forward to. It was just a
respite, though. Happily ever after is still a long way off, I’m
afraid,” Her smile faded as she glanced back into the council room
and then looked to Shade in confusion. “Madren isn’t leaving with
us?” She asked softly.

“Guess not,” Shade replied with a shrug
looking equally puzzled.

“Maybe I didn’t have his support as firmly as
I thought I did,” Jala murmured absently. She exhaled slowly and
shrugged as if it didn’t truly matter, but Neph could tell how much
it did matter just from the look in her eyes. To Jala, friends were
everything. She had done so much to help Madren that she thought it
safe to call him friend and ally. “Shade would you be willing to
give us a ride back to Merrodin in your ship? From what I
understand of this girl I won’t be able to transport her with a
spell,” Jala asked meekly.

“I should say no just for the sole reason
that you assumed I would give you a ride home as much as you
assumed I would be your envoy,”

Shade grumbled, and then nodded to her and
rolled his eyes. “I will be outside getting the ship ready. From
the expression on Blackwolf’s face when we left the room, I think
we should bail from here as quickly as possible.”

“Agreed,” Jala said with a nod before turning
to Vaze. “Would you take Neph back to Goswin, please? He will need
to gather his people quickly.”

“Gather my people for what?” Neph asked as he
quickly took a step back from Vaze before the shadows could even
begin to thicken.

Jala blinked and then looked to Neph. “To
bring them to Merro, of course. I just said as much in the council
room. You are under my protection until we reclaim Delvay Neph.
That counts for your people as well,” she explained slowly as if
speaking with a particularly slow child.

“Jala, the people of Delvay can be prickly
and difficult to deal with,” Neph began cautiously then paused as
Valor snorted back laughter and turned away quickly with an
expression of pure amusement on his face. Jala was regarding him
dryly when he turned back to her.

“You don’t say, Neph. Hmm. I suppose we will
all just have to learn to adjust to Delvay assholes, then. It may
take a while after dealing with your sweet and sunny nature for so
long, though,” Jala said with sarcasm dripping from her every
word.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Neph replied
sourly and gave a quick nod to Vaze. The sooner he gathered his
people the sooner he was back home. He doubted that his people
would enjoy the trip, however. In their eyes he would be taking
them farther from the mountains and from their goal of reclaiming
them. In Neph’s eyes, however, being closer to Jala meant being
closer to accomplishing his goals. When Jala was involved, things
got done, even when they seemed impossible at the time.

Arovan

The cool night breeze washed over her and
brought the sweet perfume of lilacs and roses wafting up from the
flowers below. Zoelyn inhaled deeply and stared wistfully out over
the gardens. Her window provided a beautiful view of the night sky
as well as the carefully manicured flowers. A clear view of
everything beautiful that was just beyond her reach. With a sigh
she crossed her arms on the window sill and lightly rested her chin
on top.