From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(105)
“Please,” Valor added as a soft breeze began to build around him. “I have a lot of angst I’d love to release on someone.” Jala could see how tense he was even at the distance he stood from her, though it wasn’t with fear. It was pure anticipation. Every muscle in his body was coiled and begging for release.
“Enough!” The single word cut through the room like a knife and all eyes moved toward the speaker who stood framed in the doorway. Lightning flashed in the sky behind the man as he stepped fully into the room, the massive wooden doors crashing closed behind him. “Back to your duties all of you,” the man snapped and the crowd surrounding them scattered like quail before a hound, aside for a scant few that were brave enough to linger.
“General Kithvaryn,” Jala said with a slight bow of her head. The man was slight and smaller than most in the room. His dark hair was cut short and his clothing was plain and functional. There was, however, no mistaking who he was despite his appearance. While Kithvaryn’s appearance might not be intimidating, his reputation was. This was not a man to bully or bluff and he well deserved the show of respect. In every book at the Academy that mentioned him, Kithvaryn was described as a genius and a brilliant leader. If the text was to be believed, this man had never lost a single battle.
“Lady Merrodin,” Kithvaryn replied, though without the nod of respect and in a much colder voice.
What did I really expect here, tea and crumpets? I should have known I would share the blame for his son’s death and approached with more caution. Jala scolded herself silently and waited for him to continue.
“We will speak, Lady Merrodin, and if I do not like what you say, you will regret coming to this island. I sent no one after your husband despite my son’s death. I was content to allow you to live in peace as long as you kept your distance. Kithkanon was rash and overconfident and while his death was painful to me, it was no true surprise. Your presence here, however, is a surprise, and not a pleasant one.” Kithvaryn’s voice was low and the look in his eyes spoke volumes of his sincerity. “Escort the Lady to my parlor, Kara,” he ordered, then slowly turned to regard Valor. “Have those two thrown in cells.” He paused a moment as the remaining men in the room moved to follow his orders. “Barllen cells,” he added thoughtfully before turning to face Hexian. “I regret our talks will have to wait Lord Hexian. I hope you understand.”
“Of course. I would very much like you to resolve this difficulty first, actually. If the Lady’s words aren’t pleasing to you, Rivana would be very interested in making a deal,” Hexian replied with a smile.
“I will not have my companions imprisoned,” Jala broke in before Kithkara could move her a single step. “I would rather speak than fight General, but I will not have my friends mistreated,” Jala warned and wondered if she had truly gone insane as the expression on every face in the room indicated.
“You are in no position to make demands, Lady Merrodin,” Kithvaryn warned.
“You are making the same mistake as your son did and underestimating an opponent,” Jala countered, the expression on her face unwavering.
Kithvaryn watched her in silence for a long moment and then slowly smiled. Nodding his head ever so slightly he let out a soft chuckle. “That remains to be seen, but I admire your resolve. I’ll tell you what, Lady Merrodin. I’ll offer you this. Your companions may join us in my parlor, but if they make a single sound or movement that offends me I will have them killed. Or they can wait in the cells and make all of the fuss they like and be perfectly safe from harm. Which do you prefer?”
“That they wait with me,” Jala replied without hesitation.
Kithvaryn chuckled again and glanced aside at Valor who stood rigid before the approaching men, his expression as stormy as the weather. “Then his blood is on your hands, Lady.”
Jala nodded her agreement and turned her head to meet Valor’s eyes. Their gazes locked for a long moment as she could see the same resolve in his eyes. If this went poorly, both of their blood would spill. She would fight to the last breath before she allowed herself or her companions to be sold or imprisoned. Smiling faintly, she bowed her head to Valor. Thank you, Valor. I know you are still mad at me and I know I got us all into this mess, and yet you still stand beside me to the last. She whispered the words in his mind through the most subtle link she could form.
Always, Valor’s response was just as faint but filled with the same promise it always held when he spoke that word to her.
A firm hand gripped her upper arm tightly and Jala turned to glance at Kithkara’s face as the older woman led her toward double doors in the back of the hall. “You are either insane or a complete fool,” Kithkara hissed, her anger still apparent in her voice.
“Neither, actually. Reckless perhaps. Confident certainly, but mainly it is simple tenacity. I don’t back down and I don’t give up. You might have won, Kithkara, from sheer numbers, but I would have given you enough fight that you would never forget facing me no matter how long you lived,” Jala replied in a soft voice.
“An overconfident fool,” Kithkara muttered sourly and Jala simply smiled in response.
Chapter 20
Merro
Emily crouched on the edge of the roof and stared hard at the surrounding area. Ravens filled the town, clustered on every roof and in every tree as thick as flies in summer. The noise from the creatures was hideous and almost overwhelming enough for her to retreat back inside. Her eyes moved from creature to creature as she tried to determine exactly what the birds were doing. They didn’t seem to be interested in food or showing any interest in the city beyond the perches they sat upon. It had been like this since the sun had risen and the commoners of the town were beginning to mutter about ill luck.