From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(50)

Jala looked back up to the road and she watched in confusion as several armored knights approached. The lead rider swung down as they pulled to a halt and the woman advanced quickly, her eyes barely glancing across Jala and Vaze as she stopped in front of Valor. She stared up at his face for a long moment, her expression unreadable to Jala.

I don’t think she even saw me. I’m getting rather sick of that reaction. Bendazzi are to be feared, not ignored. I think it’s the white fur. It makes me look peaceful. When I had black fur even you feared me, Marrow complained, shifting his position for a better look at the horses who most certainly noticed him. Their restless shuffle and nervous whickers seemed to soothe him and he settled back farther against her leg. At least the animals have proper respect, he grumbled.

“My Lord Valor,” the lady knight said in a voice that was near breathless. Dropping down to a knee before him she bowed her head deeply. “I am here to serve,” she said with such a fervent tone that both Vaze and Jala turned to stare at Valor.

“Bridgette,” Valor said in a stunned voice, looking down at the woman with an expression of shock on his face. “Bridgette, by all of the Aspects, what are you doing here? Get up. I have no time for dramatics,” he said as he shifted back from her, looking rather uncomfortable. His gaze rose to the remaining knights who seemed amused by the display.

“I’ve come with your regiment. I’ve been Commanding officer in your absence, Lord Valor. I have reports for you, of course,” Bridgette said quickly as she rose to her feet and brushed the dust from her armor. She seemed to notice their disheveled state then, her eyes locking on Valor’s torn clothing and utter lack of armor, then moving slowly to Jala who stood huddled beside him wrapped in the torn filthy cloak Valor had loaned her. By the woman’s expression, though, she didn’t notice the dirt and blood at all. Her attention seemed focused instead on the black and silver color of the cloak, the colors of house Hai’dia.

“No time for reports at the present, Bridgette. Where can I find Neph?” Valor said impatiently. He still seemed uneasy in the woman’s presence and Jala noticed his eyes flick to the waiting knights more than once as he spoke.

“Not sure why you would want to find him, but if you truly do, he is near the center of town at the big house with the purple doors,” one of the knights offered with a smile.

“Thank you, Foster.” Placing a hand carefully on Jala’s back he urged her forward. “Come on, Neph will know where Ash is,” he said gently, his other arm moving quickly to steady her. Glancing over his shoulder, Valor nodded to the knights. “Allow me time to see to Lady Merrodin’s needs and I will find you for the reports, Bridgette,” Valor said in a louder voice.

“Well that could be interpreted several ways,” one of the men behind them mumbled and there was a round of muffled laughter.

Jala felt Valor tense beside her but he remained silent. She fought back the urge to look up at him. Her feet were too unsteady. It was better to simply focus on the ground and moving as quickly as she could. With her good hand braced solidly on Marrow’s powerful neck and Valor’s support at her side, she urged her feet to move faster and ignored the stumbling.

She could feel Vaze’s eyes on her as she walked, but didn’t spare time to glance at him, either. There was only one thing she wanted to see right now and that was a large house with purple doors.

“People are already muttering, Jala. You aren’t making a very good impression as the returning High Lady,” Vaze whispered beside her.

“Bugger their gossip,” Jala muttered, her eyes moving from building to building desperate to see the color purple.

“I’m afraid there is going to be quite a bit of gossip after my unfortunate choice of words,” Valor sighed beside her.

“Bugger that gossip too,” Jala muttered once more. There was a time when words had cut her to the bone. Cassia’s scathing remarks had hurt then. Now, however, it seemed laughable. She knew what true pain was, now. Words were nothing when compared to having someone you love die in your arms while you sat helpless to save him. Insults seemed pathetic compared to watching a friend agonize as Valor had when faced with the fight in Death’s hall. They could gossip all they wanted, as long as she had Finn and her friends safely beside her.

“There it is, not much farther,” Valor assured her quietly. She nodded as they drew closer to the house and nearly sagged with relief as the purple door swung open and Neph stepped out.

“Neph,” Jala gasped, her eyes growing glassy. The pain in her stomach and hand had become a steady, unbearable pulse. “Neph, I need Ash, please,” she added frantically as the big mage rushed down the stairs toward them.

“Jala!” Neph cried, his expression filled with panic as he took in their appearance. “What the hell happened to her, Valor?” Neph demanded in a tone filled with accusation.

“She fought Death. Be glad she still lives,” Vaze answered before Valor had time to reply. “She also insists on raising Finn before she is healed because she is a stubborn ass. So could you please locate the missing Soulreaver before your High Lady falls over from blood loss?”

“I have no idea where he is. I haven’t seen him since you left Merro,” Neph answered with apology clear in his voice.

I smell him now. The Soulreaver. The scent is coming from the house, Marrow cut in, his head tilting toward the open door behind Neph.