The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(98)

“Steward,” Neph repeated coolly. “Please continue, this is getting better and better.” He waved his hand as he spoke, then crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the knight. The knowledge that a spy had been in Merro was important, but he had a feeling he was going to kill Noble by the end of his story.

“Hmm,” Noble murmured and took another step back from the desk. “Well, I sort of told her that Jala was preparing for an attack on Arovan proper and was on her way to Seravae to ally with the Reaver faction and that’s why she didn’t take Ash. She knew Ash would support his mother. As for Zoelyn, well…” he paused again and glared at Foster. “I told her that she was a Rivasan Magebreaker and that we were secretly allied with her against Avanti. She wanted to know if Zoey could kill with a touch and I assured her it only worked on plants, which is why we recruited her to our side,” he paused again and rubbed the back of his neck as he took another hesitant step back from Neph’s desk. “I didn’t want her causing trouble for Zoey so I kind of elaborated a lot on her.”

“How so?” Neph demanded. He narrowed his eyes as Noble took another step back glancing once more at the door. “I fail to see why a Rivasan plant killer has you ready to bolt, Noble,” he added dryly, his gaze flicking to Foster who had a grim expression.

“Well, she probably didn’t believe me. At that point I was acting pretty drunk,” Noble began with a nervous smile. “I told her Jala had plans to collapse the Avanti economy by wiping out their crops with Zoey and that in return for her work she was offering Zoey citizenship in Merro and a marriage.” Noble swallowed heavily and grinned sheepishly at Neph. “To you,” he added softly.

“What?” Neph snarled. “Are you a flaming moron? The Rivasans destroyed my homeland. Do you actually think the spy believed I was going to marry one of the bastards?” His voice rose as he half stood from his chair and glared at Noble. “Did it ever once cross your mind that maybe you should have arrested her and brought her to Valor rather than feeding her full of your bullshit? We could have questioned her and figured out who she was serving.”

“He did question her,” Foster broke in loudly as he glared down at Noble once more. By his posture the knight looked ready to fight, but Neph wasn’t sure if he was ready to attack him or Noble.

“I did,” Noble agreed with a quick nod. “See, I was drinking with her the entire time we talked and I made sure she was downing the fortified wine. It’s a trick I use at the gambling tables so I’ve gotten pretty good at slipping things into drinks.” “Why exactly do they call you Noble?” Neph snapped with a disgusted shake of his head.

“Kind of like calling a giant Tiny, I suppose,” Noble said with a shrug and exhaled slowly. “She answered my questions pretty easily and I think some of them she answered truthfully.” He paused and rubbed his neck again frowning. “Actually she spent more time bitching, once I got her talking than she actually did answering questions. She was pretty peeved with her boss.” “Who did she work for?” Neph prompted.

“Hemlock,” Noble answered softly. He stepped back as Neph’s glower intensified and Foster shoved him forward once more. “She, uh, was pretty upset that Hemlock was favoring her rival on their mission in Merro. Apparently the guy was a half-blood Soulreaver and had been spirit riding a scout during Valor’s briefing that morning in the garden. So he likely knows the truth about everything, but I didn’t realize that when I was spinning lies for her.”

“Bloody buggering hell. So Hemlock knows Jala is in Seravae with just Valor as back up,” Neph mumbled as he leaned back and rubbed his face.

“By the way she talked, I don’t think Hemlock wants Jala dead. She said Hemlock didn’t show her partner favor until she asked why they weren’t killing Legacy, and then she bitched because Hemlock wanted to keep Jala happy,” Noble spoke the words with obvious hesitation and by his expression Neph knew the man was feeling extremely guilty.

“So, of course, you arrested her after she admitted wanting to kill the Heir of Merro,” Neph said in a cold voice.

“I had intended to arrest her in the morning,” Noble admitted quietly. “She was pretty drunk and I didn’t see any way she would wake up before me,” he added.

“So you chose bedding the spy over arresting the spy,” Neph surmised with a faint nod.

“She was fit,” Noble sighed in remorse.

“Arrest him and take him to the cells, Foster. Vaze or Valor can deal with him when they return,” Neph ordered as he stood from his chair and carefully folded the map he had been examining.

“What?” Noble gasped his eyes widening. It was obvious the man knew he had screwed up, but he apparently didn’t realize how badly. “I’m not really sure what Jala will call your actions, but in Delvay what you did is called treason. Until they return, you will be treated accordingly,” Neph informed the knight coldly as he headed for the door. “If he isn’t imprisoned by the time I return, Foster, I will consider you guilty as well.”

“He will be in the cells, Lord Delvay,” Foster informed him coolly. “Are you going to support Lady Merrodin in Seravae, Sir?” he asked before Neph could close the door behind him.

“No, I am going to speak with Jail and see what we can discover about Hemlock’s motives. I believe the part about Hemlock wanting to keep Jala happy. If he had any other plans he would have acted on them while he was here. So Jala is safe enough for now. I’m not sure about the rest of us, though,” Neph answered with a shake of his head. He glared at Noble and shook his head with disgust before closing the door and turning down the hall. He would never understand people no matter how long he was forced to deal with their stupidity.