From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(115)
“He did and that is why I chose this one. The rooms here are nearly as good and it is farther from the common hall as well as the officers’ quarters,” Vaze said aloud at the same time he spoke in Jala’s mind. Third door. Open it slowly and leave your companions outside when you enter. I can see through the shadows here and I know what awaits you. Looking back at Valor and Sovann he smiled widely and motioned toward the first two doors. “Your rooms, gentlemen. I will take the one on the far side of Jala’s. That should keep her safe for the night.”
What are you sending me into Vaze? Jala tried to keep her voice calm, but her emotions were running too high.
Nothing that you can’t handle, Jala, Vaze assured her.
Jala sighed and searched her mind for Marrow. She would have given a lot to have the Bendazzi beside her tonight. He was better off where he was however. If things went poorly in the morning he could possibly be a trump card in her favor, or at the very least he would be safe from whatever fate she suffered. Smiling calmly at Valor and Sovann, she walked slowly toward the third door. “Goodnight, guys. I will see you in the morning,” she said, letting the brunt of her exhaustion fill her voice.
“I should check your room first,” Valor objected and started to move toward her door.
Jala shook her head softly and laughed. “Val, we both know Vaze sees through the shadows. If there was anything dangerous lurking in there waiting for me he would know it,” she said in a light voice and hated herself for every syllable. It was close to lying in her mind, but Vaze had said to enter alone. Still it was hard to trust the man after what he had done in Merro. Turning back toward the door, she started to push it open and then paused, her teeth clenched. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t deceive Valor again no matter what Vaze said. Her hand flat on the door she turned her gaze back toward Valor and met his eyes fully. Something is waiting inside for me Val and I don’t know who or what it is. Vaze says it is something I should face alone but I won’t pretend the room is empty to you.
Then let me go in first, Valor demanded the irritation plain on his face.
Vaze says it is nothing I can’t handle alone, but I didn’t want to lie to you. Just go ahead and go into your room. If I need you, I will call, I promise, Jala assured him as she slowly turned the knob to the door and stepped inside the dark room. She closed the door without turning her back on the darkness as she held a hand up and summoned a pale mage light.
Soft violet illuminated the room outlining the large bed and dresser as well as the man seated in the only chair the room offered. He was slight of build with jet black hair and features that reminded her of Wisp. Smiling softly he pulled back the edge of his black feathered cloak revealing a small blanket wrapped bundle nestled in one of his arms. “Your son missed you, Lady Merrodin,” he said in a low voice as he beckoned her closer.
“Who are you and why do you have Legacy?” Jala demanded, her eyes locked on the bundle in his arms. Every instinct in her body screamed for her to run and snatch the blanket from his arms, but she held herself back. There was no guarantee that this wasn’t a trap. Legacy should have been safe in Merro with her friends.
“My name is Seth, and I have your son because he was in danger. The Nightblades came for him earlier tonight. Your friends live, though they were unable to protect your son properly,” Seth explained as he rose slowly from the chair and walked toward the bed. He kept his gaze on her as he moved slowly to set the bundle down. “You are wise to be cautious, Lady Merrodin. I respect you for that. Let me assure you that I mean no harm to you or your child, though.” Seth spoke softly as he unwrapped the blankets to reveal the child sleeping soundly within. He stepped back as slowly as he had approached the bed and kept both of his hands upraised and well away from the weapons that lined his belt. “This is a lesson for you, Lady Merrodin. Never leave something you love behind. Your enemies will use love against you at every opportunity, and there won’t always be someone there to stop them.”
Jala stared at her son in disbelief and started toward the bed, but froze before she had taken more than three steps. It took all of her willpower to keep from rushing to Legacy, but she forced herself to call on her magic instead. As quickly as she could she poured through every spell Sovann and Neph had taught her to examine the child. “It’s really him,” she gasped as the truth of the matter was proven with magic. Rushing forward she leaned over her son searching for even the slightest bruise on his tender skin.
“He is in perfect health. I promise you that. Though he will likely be hungry very soon,” Seth said quietly.
“Why would you help my son? I don’t know you. I don’t even know who you serve,” Jala whispered, her eyes searching the man for any emblem that might give her some clue of his origin. His dark leather armor was of simple fashion without even the slightest embellishment and the long feathered cloak had no ornamentation other than the feathers themselves.
“Memories. I helped him for the sake of memories. You didn’t know me, but you do now, Lady Merrodin, and as to who I serve… Well he prefers to be anonymous, though I promise you he is not your enemy or affiliated with any of your enemies,” Seth answered, his words so cryptic that they didn’t even begin to answer her questions. Smiling faintly Seth bowed to her and pulled his cloak back around himself once more. “Do you know why Dashara failed, Lady Merrodin?” he asked as he stepped back from her toward the room’s only window.