From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(120)

“North of the Greenwild and Avanti,” Jala answered with a raised eyebrow. She could picture the stretch of water perfectly in her mind from the maps at the Academy. The narrow channel between the Greenwild and the southern shores of Gaelyn was what Marrow had swum to reach Merro.

“That used to be Tevonale. There are islands dotting the Black Sea that to this day cannot support life and the waters there are considered cursed by most. Not even the serpents will swim that channel,” War explained.

They were close enough to the city now to hear the chatter of its citizens. Pausing, Jala watched a brightly gowned woman ride past them on a pale coated horse. The woman never slowed or glanced their way. “They are memories of yours?” Jala asked hesitantly. In the Veyetta dream the city had been abandoned.

“They are only memories now, nothing more. Her name was Alexia. She was a healer. Does she look familiar to you, Jala?” War explained.

Jala kept her gaze on the woman, studying the dark golden hair and the aristocratic features carefully. “Are you about to tell me she is a long lost relative?” she asked.

“Not of yours, but you trained with her sister in Sanctuary,” War chuckled.

“Rose!” Jala exclaimed, her eyes still following the woman as she rode through the gates of the city to disappear into the crowded streets. “Rose is that old?” Jala gasped, her eyes moving quickly to War.

“Older than that, I’m sure. Even I do not know how old she is, exactly. Her family was renowned for healing. It’s in their blood, you might say.” War paused near the gates and looked to her. “And on that subject are you sure you know what you are getting into with Seravae?”

“I’ve thought it through. I have to have this alliance,” Jala said firmly, her lightened mood fading at the mention of reality.

“Spirit mages are dangerous, Jala. They can read your intentions as clearly as a Mind mage reads you thoughts. You can’t deceive them no matter how hard you try. Not to mention they can rip your bloody soul from your body on a whim,” War cautioned.

“Did Seravae do this? Is that why you brought me here to show me how dangerous the Soulreavers are?” Jala asked, her eyes sweeping over the city once more.

War snorted in amusement and shook his head. “Tevonale would have wiped the floor with the Soulreavers. No I brought you here because I like it here.” He sighed and the amusement slowly left his face. Leaning back against the gate post he watched the city for a long moment before glancing back toward her. “Can you at least tell me why it must be Seravae that you ally with? After your approach to Kithvaryn on behalf of Goswin, I can see that you have thought things through, but isn’t there another house that would be more fitting?”

“I need the Spirit mages. Avanti isn’t the only enemy I have,” Jala explained with a sigh, her violet eyes meeting his darker gaze fully. “I’m not too concerned about deceiving Ash, either. I think I can trust him as long as our goals follow the same path.”

“I’m not worried about Ash. I’m more concerned with the other eight to ten thousand you are hoping to bring home. What if they don’t follow Ash’s orders quite as they should? It has been a while since Ash has even been among them. He has been living in self-imposed exile for nearly a decade. I’m sure he has lost most of the political sway he had in that time.”

“I suppose we will see when I arrive,” Jala shrugged as she spoke and watched the ghosts of Tevonale as they continued the charade of a normal day.

“Have you thought of the other side of the coin concerning Seravae? It’s obvious that you didn’t anticipate that Kithvaryn might hesitate at your offer. So I have to ask. Have you considered what you will do if the Seravae lords refuse the marriage offer or find Ash unworthy?” War pressed.

“They need land; they won’t refuse,” Jala replied with confidence. She had spoken with Ash several times about the idea and he assured her that Seravae would accept the offer without difficulty.

“So that’s a no. You haven’t thought it over,” War concluded with a sigh and shook his head slightly. “You have to start looking at the full picture, Jala. You can’t just assume that everyone will play the parts you want them to.”


“Why would they refuse? And how could Ash not be worthy? He has more training than their High Lord has,” Jala countered a bit irritably. She had too much riding on her plans. It was too late for War to pick them apart now. The ball was already in motion.

“And if they do?” War pressed once more.

“Then I will do something else,” Jala snapped, throwing her hands up. “What do you want from me? I have no training in politics. I have no training in intrigue. I’m winging it here, Grandfather, and I’m trying to do my best.”

“Perhaps you should have listened to Vaze’s advice and talked to Valor about your plans. He has training in both of the fields you are professing ignorance of,” War mused. He frowned and fell silent, his gaze on the sky as a deafening clangor filled the city.

“What is that?” Jala asked as she cringed from the noise and covered her ears.

“A knock at your door, Jala. Time to wake up I’m afraid.” War sighed and gave her one last smile as the city around her faded.

“Are you all right, Jala? I knocked but you didn’t answer.” Sovann’s voice was hesitant and from the sound of it he was still at the door.