Blood, Honor and Dreams (The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book T(9)

“Limpy. The twelve year old is scared of her,” Finn said supplying the answer with a charming smile.

“Is the fact that you were drunk, the reason you called me daddy, Cassia? That could explain why he was so irate when he walked in on us. I mean if he was expecting a good ride and I had his pony he would have, of course, been pissed. I’ve always wondered about that. And truly I feel inclined to point out that it was you that brought the bottle of wine to the training yards and I was the virgin in that particular arrangement,” Finn said, his voice trailing off in thought. Looking back up at her he smiled ruefully. “You know, given my first experience, it’s a wonder I didn’t become celibate after that.”

“What?” Nate demanded, his voice cracking as he stared at his sister.

“He is lying!” she wailed and spun on Finn. “You will pay for this Finn!” she screamed, tears beginning to fill her blue eyes.

“Shouldn’t start fights you can’t win, Cassia,” Finn said mildly. He raised an eyebrow at her and smiled. “Drop a coin on me Cass. I’ll be happy to kill another Rivasan for you,” he urged, his, smile taking on a wicked edge.

Barely containing herself, she threw a black coin to land at his feet. “Pick it up, Finn,” she dared him, her expression caught between horror and satisfaction.

Calmly Finn bent and picked up the coin, tossing it in the air and catching it and looked at Cassia with a smile. “A few more marks than the typical Rivasan on this coin. Might actually be worth going to the arena for. Two days from now in the evening. I’m busy until then. I’ll be happy to kill your champion then, though. Drop Madren for now. You beating morons offend Jala.” He motioned idly toward the limp form and Cassia turned to look with a bit of shock on her face. It was apparent she had forgotten all about her former entertainment.

“Let him go,” she snapped to the two men holding Madren up. Wordlessly they dropped him and he fell limply to the ground. Spinning on her heels, she pushed her way through the circle and stormed off toward the school, her brother close behind her and apparently full of questions she didn’t want to answer.

Finn glanced at Jala and then Valor and watched the crowd disperse. His gaze fell on Nigel who was lingering with a doubtful look on his handsome face. Silently, Finn moved off to stand by Nigel and they began to talk too quiet for Jala to overhear.

“What was that?” Jala asked Valor quietly.

“That was him provoking a duel, though I don’t know why,” Valor replied with a shrug. “You always have to worry when he lights a cigarette, he only smokes when he thinks he is about to fight. It’s some Firym custom or something.” Shaking his head he shrugged. “I think they actually take a breath of flames, not sure. I’m not exactly up to date on Firym customs.” He frowned and looked down at Madren. “I think he is going to need healing,” he said after a moment’s examination.

Moving closer Jala knelt down beside the fallen man and surveyed his wounds. Resting a hand gently on his chest she summoned a healing spell and watched Madren’s wounds begin to recede.

His eyes flickered open and after a moment focused on her. “Thank you,” he mumbled.

“Why didn’t you leave with Shade?” she asked quietly.

“I couldn’t. I haven’t learned what I need to know yet,” he mumbled and tried to sit up.

“What is so important for you to learn that it’s worth this, Madren,” Jala asked, leaning back on her heels to watch him. She didn’t think he was fully healed yet but he seemed to be well enough to sit up.

“How to lift the curse on my land,” he whispered.

“Goswin?” Jala asked, and then remembered he had known his way to the Tolanteer because he was from Goswin. “I’ll help you with that, Madren, I need the curse gone there, too,” she offered, trying to reassure him.

With a gasp, Madren wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her chest. “Oh Jala, I knew you cared,” he said, his voice heavily muffled by the fact that he was burrowing his face between her breasts. Frantically, she pushed him back, trying to dislodge him and glanced up quickly at a snarl behind her. Marrow stood nearby, glowering and Finn was quickly approaching with an expression of fury. She wasn’t exactly sure which of them the snarl had come from.

“Valor, stop him while I get Madren off of me,” she pleaded motioning at Finn.

“Mmm, no,” Valor replied with a smile and stepped back to allow Finn to storm past and wrench Madren to his feet.