The Crow King's Wife(162)

“We would last longer than most.” Arjuna answered proudly.

“However you would still fall.” Zachary Dark observed and nodded once to Jala. “I see what you are saying Lady Merrodin. Individually we have no chance as we are but one great power amongst a land of mostly common soldiers, however if we stand together now we are many great powers assembled against and army of lesser creatures.”

“Exactly!” Jala said with a wide smile then looked at the High Lords once more. “Lord Dark has the right of it. We are all High Lords and they will not expect us to take a stand. If we work together we can save the people of Sanctuary and defeat our enemies at the same time.” She announced loudly.

Movement at the back of the crowd drew Neph’s attention and he gently nudged Jala with his elbow and nodded his head toward the retreating figure of the Empress. Jala’s jaw dropped slightly and she took a step toward the retreating forms of Symphony and her guards.

“Your Grace!” Jala called after Symphony in obvious dismay. The Empress paused and turned to look at her with wide eyes as Jala took another step toward her. “Empress Symphony will you not take command of your High Lords in defense of your city? We stand ready to fight on your behalf.” Jala called loudly and Neph could see how much she was struggling to keep the anger from her voice.

For the course of the entire war the lords assembled around him had fought to give Symphony her throne, and she had rewarded them with disappointment after disappointment at every turn. With every given opportunity to lead Symphony had failed, and now she was not only failing she was proving herself a coward as well as far as Neph saw it.

Faramir whispered into the Empress’s ear once more and Symphony nodded before turning her attention back to Jala. “I give you the honor of protecting my city Lady Merrodin. I know I will not be disappointed by your efforts on my behalf.” Symphony called before turning on her heels to retreat further into the palace.

“The Empress is much too valuable to risk in such an endeavor Lady Merrodin, it was wrong of you to suggest she might place herself in harm’s way.” Faramir scolded and glared at Jala before turning to hurry after Symphony.

“Far be it for us to suggest our leader should lead.” Neph said dryly as he glanced at Jala before turning back to gaze up that the sky once more. “Well do we fight?” he asked softly.

“We have no choice but to fight.” Jala returned firmly. “If we do not fight we are damned. We must face them together or die alone in our own lands when they come for us.”

“So we fight.” Madren said with a nod as he moved forward to stand beside Jala. The witches that had accompanied him as his entourage spread themselves into a semi-circle behind their lord and Madren smiled confidently. “So we win.” He amended and gave Jala a firm nod.

“We win.” Jala repeated and her eyes narrowed as she struggled to gauge the distance of the approaching forces.

“But first we send the ones too young to fight to safety.” Valor pointed out with a smile as he hefted Legacy gently in his arms. The child had been so quiet and well behaved during the council that Neph had almost forgotten he was present until Valor brought attention to him. “I believe Avanti has a son here as well that is too young to fight.”

“You’re mad if you think I will entrust my heir to you.” Truce snapped defiantly.

“Would you entrust him to his Grandfather?” Jala asked as she waved a hand to the crowd near the palace doors and motioned Sovaesh forward. The Assassin moved swiftly to her and bowed before turning to regard Truce.

The High Lord’s face fell in defeat as he nodded to Sovaesh and gave his wife an apologetic look. “I will.” He relented as he gently pushed not only his son, but his wife forward as well. “Please Sovaesh if you would see them to safety I would be grateful.”

“I would rather stand with you!” Nallia Avanti protested and tried in vain to cling to her husband’s arm.

“And I would rather you were safe.” Truce countered as he carefully handed his loved ones over to Sovaesh.

“Take Legacy as well Sovaesh and keep them all safe no matter what the outcome of today is.” Jala commanded softly. Turning back to the sky she gripped the holy symbol around her neck and Neph heard her begin muttering to beginnings of a prayer.

A snort of amusement rose from the crowd behind him and Neph turned to regard one of the priests who had been utterly silent till now chuckling softly as he moved away from his fellows to stand at the edge of the stairs for a better view. Shaking his head Neph tried his best to ignore the man as he began his own silent prayers. With the odds they were about to face they would need all of the Divine intervention they could get.