The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(100)
“Ahh, Neph. Welcome to Sanctuary,” A musical voice rose from the behind the guards. More people shuffled out of the way as Victory Faydwer stepped into view. Sunlight glinted off his polished plate mail as he stopped in front of Neph and smiled. His green eyes danced with amusement as he regarded Neph and it was obvious from his expression he was trying not to chuckle. He shook his head once and let out a long sigh. Glancing over to the two Fionaveir guards he rolled his eyes. “Arrest Lord Delvayon and escort him to the holding cells,” he ordered in an amused voice. Glancing back at Neph, Victory smiled ruefully. “I will send word to House Merrodin of your arrest,” he informed him politely.
“What exactly is the penalty for insulting the Empress’s half-ass job of ruling?” Neph asked as the guards clamped manacles over his wrists.
“It varies depending on the severity. Yours will be monetary I’m sure. You haven’t actually threatened Empress Symphony’s life, so it should be a trivial matter,” Victory answered with a shrug.
“So there is a fine for speaking the truth. That’s cute. It sounds like something Avanti or Morcaillo would think up. Is the Empress using either of those houses as Advisors?” Neph asked in an overly polite voice.
“I hope you have a lot of money, Neph. I have a feeling your fine will be increasing the entire way to the holding cells,” Victory sighed. “I hope you have really impressive holding cells if you expect them to contain me,” Neph replied coldly.
Victory blinked a moment and shook his head slowly as he sighed. “On second thought, I will escort Lord Delvayon personally. Return to your posts,” he informed the guards with a mild look of annoyance on his pale face.
“You’ve got balls, Victory, if you think you can stop me by yourself. I have business in the Merro district. If not for your stupid security check I would already be done here and back home. As I recall, the districts belong to the houses and you should have no jurisdiction over me there,” Neph growled as he pushed his way through the crowd toward the gates.
“You haven’t been in the city since the changes were made, have you?” Victory asked quietly. Neph glared at him and Victory shook his head once more. “Neph, the old laws no longer apply in the city. Symphony deemed that the citizens of Sanctuary would be safer if she held power over all districts. They have been cleaning the city for the past three weeks and arresting anyone that is considered a threat.”
“Well that solves all of my problems, then. See, I was concerned about a certain Assassins guild in Sanctuary, but from the sound of it, your Empress has already taken care of the Nightblades so I shouldn’t have to worry,” Neph said with sarcasm dripping off his every word. “Oh, wait, we had Nightblades in our country two days ago. So I guess that means that rather than bothering with something as harmless as Assassins, the Fionaveir have been focusing on people being mean and saying nasty things about your Empress.”
“You are such an ass, Neph. Be sure and inform Jala that she owes me for helping you today,” Victory sighed. “We haven’t been able to locate the Nightblade guild house yet. We have managed to eliminate four thieves guilds, six slavers and at least thirty illegal gambling and fighting establishments.”
“Gee, I feel so much safer,” Neph responded dryly.
“Look, Symphony is doing the best she can considering the forces she has. It’s not as if we have an army to turn to. The entire Fionaveir barely equal one regiment of the Rivasan forces, and if we lose the city, we lose our power,” Victory explained in a level tone.
“You were there in Arovan so I can forgive you, Victory. You are an exception among the Fionaveir. What I want to know is this, though.
What is Symphony going to do when everyone that supported her dies? With her current leadership, everyone that she considers ally is losing, and when the dust settles she is going to be surrounded by enemies.”
Victory slowed his pace and shook his head slowly. He glanced around them examining the crowds and then looked to Neph and shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. That point has been raised several times, and every time we have been told we have to hold this city. If I could be out there fighting right now, I would be. So would a lot of the others. Hell, Havoc never came back to Sanctuary after the battle in Arovan. As far as I know he is still fighting the Blights.” His voice was quieter and it was obvious that he didn’t want anyone to overhear their conversation. “Look, I won’t repeat anything that you have said to me in private, but I can’t promise we aren’t being overheard. So please, Neph, watch your words. I know you are a close friend of Jala and I really don’t want you in deeper trouble than you are already in because of that.”
“So, everything Shade said about the Fionaveir was accurate,” Neph surmised with a nod.
“Don’t mention his name in the city, especially not in the holding cells, Neph. Shade has become the scapegoat for just about everything that has gone wrong for the past year. If you even hint that you might know where he is, not even Jail will be able to get you released before questioning, and the questioning is not pleasant even for an Elder Blood,” Victory warned in a hushed voice.
“Do you believe it, Victory? Do you think Shade turned on the Fionaveir?” Neph asked coolly, but kept his voice low enough for only Victory to hear.
“What I think matters very little, Neph. It’s what others think that is listened to,” Victory replied quietly and glanced toward the looming palace in the distance. “Maybe things will get sorted out at the council. That’s what we are all praying for anyway.” “The council is still two months away,” Neph pointed out.