From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(27)

The mists parted revealing hundreds of forms. Most were ghostly and translucent, but some held the solid form as Axis himself did. They moved forward quickly swarming around the horse and all began speaking at once in a range of voices from yells to harsh whispers.

“I hope you are really inventive with names,” Valor whispered as he shifted again in the saddle.

“Me too,” Jala replied quietly. She had never expected there to be so many. The sight both impressed and saddened her. To have so many to help them breach Death’s city would be more than she had possibly hoped for, but to know so many had been utterly forgotten by everyone was incredibly depressing. “One at a time please, I cannot understand you all at once.” She spoke loudly as she carefully swung down from the horse. Valor dismounted quickly as well and stood by her shoulder, keeping a close watch on the dead surrounding them. She wasn’t sure what exactly he planned to do against so many, but she knew if any of the Forgotten moved against her, he would fight.

The dead grew silent and then all began speaking at once again. With a sigh, Jala held up a hand for silence and the air grew still once more. “You, tell me your story. Not all of it, mind you. Tell me what you remember best about the sunlit world,” she said as she pointed to the blond haired girl with the cold blue eyes.

“I remember pain. I remember yelling. I remember cold, hunger, and dark rooms,” the child hissed, her gaze unwavering on Jala.

Bloody hell Jala thought as the child stared up at her with those hate filled eyes. There was no good name for such memories so she chose the first one that came to mind from the child’s words. “I name you Misery for your suffering in the world above and thus I will remember you,” she promised and hoped she would never have to remember another child in such a fashion again. “You. Tell me what you remember best,” Jala said motioning to a slender woman with dark hair and darker eyes. It was going to be a very long night. Of that there was no question.





Chapter 5





Merro





Sunlight filtered down through the clouds granting feeble warmth to the day. Emily moved to sit on the edge of the flat roof and watched the people below scurry about their errands. The town itself had grown considerably in the short time they had been here, but still there was so much to be done before the snow fell. With a silent sigh Emily turned her gaze toward the northern road, hoping, but not truly expecting to see Jala returning. Sunlight flashed on the hillside and she froze, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her, showing her what she wished to see. Valor’s armor flashed like that in sunlight. Leaning farther over the edge she focused her vision, willing to see the flash of light once more.

“Well this pair doesn’t work,” Sovann said with a disgusted sigh behind her. There was the sound of him sorting through his bag and more mumbling.

Emily ignored him and continued staring hopefully toward the distant trees. Another flash came followed by several more. Faint shapes were visible now, just coming down out of the trees. Far too many to be Jala returning, her hopes sank even as her curiosity grew. “Sovann,” she called quietly.

There was a heavy sigh behind her. “Well this pair doesn’t work either apparently. Unless you are no longer on the roof, that is.” Sovann grumbled followed by the sound of him shuffling through his possessions once more.

“Sovann,” Emily called a bit louder, her eyes still intent on the approaching soldiers. There were more visible now and judging by the speed they were progressing they were mounted, though they were still too far away to tell for sure.

“Well at least you are still here,” Sovann said with a sigh. “Two more pairs to go and then it’s back to drawing board for both of us.

Emily turned with a disgusted sigh to stare at the mage as he pulled a pair of goggles on. The lenses were shaded so dark she doubted he could see the sun if he stared right at it. The lenses themselves were not the project however, the runes carved into them were. Those combined with his magic and her blood had been what they had spent countless days attempting to perfect. “Sovann!” Emily snapped loudly, attempting once again to get his attention. When he was focused on his work it was like talking with a wall.

“Emily! They work!” Sovann crowed happily, still oblivious to her attempts at gaining his attention. “I see you perfectly. You are right on the ledge. Well not perfectly, per say, but I do see you! Emily, why are you not wearing clothing?” Sovann’s voice trailed off into puzzlement with the last but he was still staring right at her.

“Sovann! If you can see me then look at what I’m pointing to!” Emily snapped and whipped her arm in the direction of the approaching soldiers that were close enough now to tell that it was far more than a patrol.

“Actually I can’t see anything other than you. I made the lenses dark enough that I wouldn’t be distracted by others while attempting to see you. You didn’t answer my question however. Where in the bloody hell are your clothes?” Sovann said, his voice holding more distress than she thought was actually called for over such a trivial thing as clothing.

“Jail said I should be comfortable and I am, but Sovann take off the damned glasses and look at the northern road,” Emily said in exasperation as she turned back to scan the town for Neph. By the calm mood on the streets no one else had noticed the approach yet.