The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(123)

“Actually we were meeting with the Magistrate of Law. As I’m sure you have noticed, all of the former laws of Sanctuary are in the process of being rewritten. It’s only natural of course, and it must be done. Sanctuary was formerly governed by a far different system and the laws must be updated to reflect a monarchy. However, Jail and I both believe that certain stipulations must be made in order for the new government to thrive.” Dresharn paused and gave him a tight smile. “Such as adding a majority clause to the section on council votes so that the High Houses still retain some power. As it is currently written, it won’t matter at all what the High Lords or Ladies think and their council is considered only advisory. Given the limited experience that Symphony has with leadership, I think it is only wise that we ensure the Lady Merrodin has a voice when it is needed. If we are successful in our mission, the new law will give the council of High Lords the power to override a decree by the Empress as long as the majority vote is high enough. I am confident that Jala can rally enough supporters behind her to reach the majority that we suggested.”

“And you think you can get this passed and into the law books without Symphony’s advisors throwing a fit?” Neph asked with a raised eyebrow. By the way Dresharn talked, he certainly seemed convincing, and to anyone that wasn’t trained in politics or diplomacy he would certainly be an influential voice.

“I believe we can, yes,” Dresharn said with a nod then waved a hand dismissively. “I highly doubt this is what brought you to Sanctuary, however, and whatever did bring you is probably a matter that we should discuss before we reach the Merro district.”

Neph nodded and let out a deep breath. “Hemlock was nosing around Vezradesh a few days ago. He seemed to have a great deal of interest in what Jala was up to as well as my presence in Merro. He also asked a good deal of questions about Jala’s new ward. I thought that since he holds power in Sanctuary it was possible that we might have some rumors about what he is doing, but with the street rats all in jail I sincerely doubt we are gathering much gossip from them,” Neph explained and shrugged at Dresharn who nodded with interest.

“As it happens, I do have someone that can look into those matters,” Dresharn began slowly and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “We don’t get much in the way of rumors in the streets anymore, and what we do hear is generally regarding the new laws or who was arrested recently. I have an assistant, however, who is rather adept at details and noticing things that others might overlook. I will have her look into it.”

“An assistant?” Neph asked with an amused smile.

Dresharn returned the smile and nodded. “Typically, she handles trivial matters for me such as filing paperwork or researching laws at the Magistrates office. On occasion, she will handle matters such as delivering documents to the palace. We are required to report our revenues directly to the Palace, of course, for purposes of taxes. She has an amazing eye for details and I have never found her skills lacking,” Dresharn replied with a wink.

Neph grinned in response and nodded with approval at Dresharn’s subtle admission that they were spying on the Empress. It was nice to know that Jala had this kind of support behind her. She had enough to worry about already without losing more sleep over the laws in Sanctuary.

Dresharn glanced up as the carriage slowed and turned a tight corner then looked back to Neph. “We have two more turns before we reach the Merro house. Please humor me and tell me a good story about some devastating crop failure that demands immediate attention in Merro. Make it as boring as you possibly can. Some sort of fungus or something. The more mundane, the better. I can make a few quick arrangements once you have laid it all out for me and you can return with the shipments to Merro while your true purpose here remains obscure.”

“Well we are having a wretched problem with pests and the wheat fields are suffering. I believe Wisp said it was some kind of beetle,”

Neph lied. It was difficult to keep the smile from his face. He now understood fully why Jala had placed Jail and Dresharn in control of Sanctuary. Between the two of them he had no doubt that the people of Merro were well protected in Sanctuary.





Chapter 17





The Darklands





Seth paused on the hillside and stared down at the milling souls in the valley below him. There were thousands mingling on the narrow road leading to judgment before the Lord of Death, and all of them were the recent dead. Between the Blights and the wars raging in the sunlit world above, the Darklands were well over their typical number of dead. Finding the soul he was looking for was going to be about as easy as locating a needle in a haystack. There was no help for it, though. He had already investigated the area where Zoelyn had first been found and the village had been one of the first that was destroyed by the Blights. So that meant he had to locate the dead in order to learn where she had been found, and how.