From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(166)

Jala watched them leave and slowly looked back to Truce, her expression deadly. “I hate to repeat myself, Truce. I will just this once, though. Bring me Sovaesh,” she said in a low voice her eyes locked on his.

“Bring Sovaesh here now!” Truce barked to his guards then looked back to Jala with an expression of caution. Obviously he had expected to speak with the same meek girl he had met in Firym during her wedding.

“What’s wrong, Truce? Not sure what to think of me now? You have your family to thank for what I have become,” Jala spoke in a hushed voice her eyes narrowed. Moving forward toward the desk she smiled coldly and dropped down into the empty chair across from him. “Sit and listen. You will agree to what I say or you will die, understood? I have no time for negotiating and Avanti is in no position to demand negotiating. Your gates are open and my Army holds your city.”

Slowly, Truce sat and nodded for her to continue. His gaze flickered to the Bendazzi once but he remained silent. Apparently he was wiser than his other two siblings.

“The Greenwild is mine, now. I claim the entire country for Merro and from this day forward it is to be considered under my protection.” Jala heard Valor and Neph mutter in shock behind her but ignored them as she continued. “The only border crossing I will allow from your country to mine will be in the purpose of trade or commoners who have family there. If a government official or soldier of your house is found on my land I will take it as an act of hostility and if I have to go to war again, Truce, there will be no mercy.”

“You understand that my House has frequent dealings in the land of the Greenwild?” Truce asked hesitantly.

“Are you asking if I am aware that you harvest most of your slaves from those lands? Yes, I am aware of that. If you are asking if I am aware that your soldiers go there for entertainment in the forms of rape and murder, yes, I am aware of that as well. If you have other dealings there I don’t care about them. If it meets my guidelines, then we have no problem. If it doesn’t I will kill you,” Jala returned her voice still icy.

“I see. Well then I will make what changes I must with my people to ensure that they do not cross the borders,” Truce said with a faint nod. His expression was starting to sour with her words. It was doubtful that anyone had ever spoken like this to him before, except perhaps his father. Donrey Avanti had not shown anyone respect from what Jala had seen.

“You will surrender half of the Avanti treasury to me as well as submit to my Soulreaver’s truth-find to verify that you have been honest about the amount of coin. This is nonnegotiable,” Jala paused and shook her head slowly as his expression changed. “I can see the look of dismay on your face. You are showing more pain about giving me gold than you did at the mention of your father’s death,” Jala said with disgust in her voice.

“He loves gold far more than he ever loved his father.” Sovaesh’s voice brought her attention to the doorway and Jala nodded to him.

“Sovaesh,” Jala said in greeting before turning back to Truce. “You will also surrender Sovaesh and his family into my care,” she announced with a tight smile.

“What?” Truce gasped his eyes going to the Assassin.

“If I have your pet Assassin, I don’t need to take your son to ensure your good behavior,” Jala said and watched him blanch at the thought. She had guessed his family would be his weak point. It was with most.

Truce looked to Sovaesh and let out a long sigh. Turning back to her, he nodded his head in agreement. “I would prefer that more than being forced to punish him for a crime I condoned,” he said with resignation. “Do you have further demands, Lady Merrodin?” he asked in a neutral voice.

“One last demand,” Jala said, pausing until he met her gaze once more. “Within one week of my leaving this city, you will travel to Sanctuary and pledge your oath of peace to Symphony.”

“I don’t even know if they will let me into the city, Lady Merrodin,” Truce objected gently.

“They will,” Jala assured him. Standing slowly, Jala looked to Sovaesh. “You have one hour to gather your family and whatever items you wish to take to Merro,” she informed him firmly then looked back to Truce. “You also have one hour to gather my gold from your treasury,” she added.

“Milady, do you have any idea how much money that is? It will take far longer than one hour to do,” Truce objected.

“One hour and then I start killing household or family for each additional hour it takes. That should be proper motivation Truce,” Jala snarled as she nodded her head back toward the door. “You will bring me the gold to my camp and sign the terms of surrender that I have waiting. If you fail to arrive in my camp I will raze the city,” she said as she turned for the door.

“Your definition of mercy is interesting,” Sovaesh said in an amused voice.

“At least I have a definition of mercy. The Avanti certainly don’t or I would still have my husband,” Jala snapped as she left the room.

“It’s moments like this that make me love you so much, Jala,” Neph said with a smile as he fell into step behind her. “You are almost mean enough to be adopted by the Delvay formally.”

Valor frowned and gave Jala a look of dismay. “Please, by all the gods, say something sweet and caring so he gets that notion out of his head,” Valor pleaded.