From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(158)

The man smiled faintly and his form shifted, the armor fading into clothing as his body grew leaner. In moments a tawny haired man in a black trench coat sat where Valor had a breath before. He watched her with dark green eyes just visible over the black half mask he wore. “I wanted to see how you treated the Arovan. There were rumors of course. I just wanted the truth of it,” Sovaesh said calmly with an apologetic shrug.

“With respect and kindness,” Jala informed him, her eyes still narrowed. She had only seen the man once before, but she knew his reputation well. Finn had spoken of his father often, and of course there were the rumors in Sanctuary about the Avanti’s pet Assassin as well.

“So I see,” Sovaesh agreed with a slight nod. “May I see him? You don’t have to allow me to hold him, but would you bring him closer,” he asked hesitantly as he motioned toward Legacy.

“If you will tell me why you are here,” Jala said calmly as she reached down to pick her son up once more.

“As far as my master knows, I am here to kill you. That is, after all, what he sent me from the city to do. I’m pleased to inform you, however, that you are going to manage to thwart my attempt. That shouldn’t be difficult to believe, though. By our reports you never seem to stay dead,” Sovaesh said as he pulled his mask down and lifted the glass of Firewater to his lips. “In truth, the only reason I left the city was to see my grandson and speak with you.”

Jala nodded and looked down at the Bendazzi that crouched at her feet. “Marrow, sit on his left. Emily, on his right. If he moves from that chair rip his throat out,” she said calmly and waited until the Bendazzi had taken their positions before looking up at him once more. “Forgive me for not trusting,” Jala said coldly as she approached the table just enough for him to get a good look at his Grandson.

Sovaesh smiled in understanding and leaned forward in his chair, his expression softening as he watched Legacy. “I love all of my children, but Finn was special to me,” he said softly. “I was so relieved when he turned his back on Avanti and so proud of what he accomplished on his own. It wasn’t an honorable life he led, but it was his own. He didn’t answer to anyone but himself. When I heard he had married, I thought he had finally found his peace in life.”

“He would have, if not for the Avanti and Hemlock,” Jala said, her voice level despite the emotions warring inside her. She wanted to trust the man. She wanted to believe the sincerity he was showing, but he was an Assassin and he served her enemy. “Did you come here to speak of Finn?”

“No, actually I came here in hopes of making a bargain with you,” Sovaesh said with a heavy sigh.

“What kind of bargain?” Jala asked cautiously.

“I will kill Donrey Avanti and tell you how to breach the city if you will spare his son’s life,” Sovaesh answered, his eyes on her now rather than her son.

“Nathan?” Jala asked, the memory of the man beating Madren rising at the mention of his name.

“No, Truce. The eldest son. He is married to my daughter. You may remember him from your wedding. He isn’t like the rest of them, Jala. He has a kind heart as Dashara did,” Sovaesh explained quickly.

Jala frowned and moved around the table to sit in her own chair once more, balancing Legacy carefully on one leg. “I remember him. I remember him from his father’s visit to my lands as well,” she said slowly. Shaking her head she sighed. “I won’t promise you I will spare him, Sovaesh. I will give my word that I will offer him terms though. That is more than I had intended to do when I reached the city.”


“Then I will be grateful that you are willing to do that much,” Sovaesh said bowing his head to her. His gaze moved to the Bendazzi as he slowly slid his hand into his coat pocket and pulled a folded piece of paper from it. He held it up for Jala and the two cats to see before setting it down on the table and sliding it toward her. “That is a map of the city and an accurate accounting of its defenses,” Sovaesh explained as he lowered his hands to his lap once more.

Jala reached across the table with one hand and unfolded the map, glancing down at the writing before looking back up at him. “How do I know this isn’t a trap?” she asked cautiously.

“Because I hate the High Lord of Avanti as much as you do, Jala. The bastard killed my son. I give you the information freely in return for your mercy to Truce. The decision on whether or not to use the information is solely yours. Regardless of what you decide, I will kill Donrey Avanti the moment I see your army at the gates,” Sovaesh said, his gaze dropping to the Bendazzi once more. “With your permission, I would go. I have been away from the city too long as it is.”

Jala nodded slowly and motioned for the Bendazzi to back down. “Your other son is in my camp, you know,” she said as she watched him rise from the chair.

“And has less desire to see me than you did, I assure you. Sovann despises me for my work and I respect that and keep my distance,” Sovaesh said with a note of sadness in his voice. Bowing to her once more he pulled his mask up and then paused at the tent door. “For future reference, when dealing with my ilk, Lady Merrodin, there are contact poisons that can be placed on paper that will soak through your skin and kill you within minutes. Gloves will protect you from such poisons,” Sovaesh said before stepping out into the night.

Jala dropped the map she had been holding and let out a sigh. If the paper had been poisoned she would likely already be dead. Just to be on the safe side however she cast a quick healing spell to cleanse her body of toxins. She had already been poisoned once this month. She had no desire to make it twice.