The Crow King's Wife(48)

“No.” Fortune said flatly with a mildly irritated expression. “The Avanti use people as tools. What I’m suggesting is more of helping a friend. Caleb intends to die in Rivasa. You can prevent that if you assist him in his vengeance and you won’t have to leave your city to do so. He is strong enough to function as a conduit for your magic, as long as you don’t use the Forbidden sort he won’t suffer from it.”

“I don’t even know how to begin using someone as a conduit. It isn’t something I’ve ever attempted.” Neph objected with a heavy sigh. The thought of using anyone in the fashion Fortune was suggesting seemed a coward’s approach to him. It was as much as saying he was too frightened to go to Rivasa himself.

“Neph, you killed the dragon Nerath single-handedly during the last stand in Arovan. You are terrifying to most and many would rather agree than face an argument with you. You have powerful allies from several different lands, and you have more training in intrigue and politics than any other Delvay alive can claim. Your people need you. No one can replace you or even come close to replacing you. You are as important to the future of Sanctuary as Jala is.” Cora said quietly, but her voice was laced with conviction. She truly believed the words she was speaking and it showed in her voice as well as her expression.

“So I should just tell Caleb that my life is more valuable than his and he should shoulder all of the risk then.” Neph grumbled as he sank back in his chair.

“No Neph, you should tell him that you are going to help him get his daughter back despite the fact that your responsibilities in Delvay may require the power you will be loaning him.” Fortune corrected gently.

Neph looked up sharply and locked eyes on Fortune. “His daughter is there?”

Fortune nodded and glanced at Cora before speaking. “She is six and she has been a captive since Amdany fell. She is pure Elder Blood, and already showing potential in magic. I believe you knew her mother Evanell Khalia.”

Neph nodded as the memory of the slender dark haired Fae surfaced in his mind. He had never spoken directly to Evanell at the Academy, but he had seen her several times. She had been the sort that was difficult to miss in a crowd and even harder to forget. Evanell had possessed an otherworldly beauty and a serene grace that left most men begging for her company. Neph had never begged, but he had to admit he had taken every opportunity to watch her when she was around him. “She took healing and Alchemy classes at the Academy, neither were interests of mine so I wasn’t in her company much.” Neph mumbled as he considered how the Rivasan’s would treat a child of those lines. There was no doubt that Evanell’s daughter would have inherited her mother’s beauty, and with her genetics the child would become a breeder if she wasn’t rescued.

“I see by your expression that you know what future the child has if her Father fails.” Fortune said softly. His expression was grim as he leaned back from the table. He muttered something under his breath and two large leather sacks appeared before him.

From what Neph could tell they appeared to be grain sacks, and by the looks of them they were as full as they could be without bursting. They only held his attention for a moment however, and then his mind was focused once more upon the Rivasan captives. “I fail to see how my understanding of her danger should temper my desire to go to Rivasa. If my own people are captive there as well it’s more reason for me to go fight beside him rather than hide in the city while he attempts suicide in a very colorful way. Why exactly is he attempting suicide if his daughter still lives?”

“He didn’t know she still lived when he declared Kevala’drin.” Cora answered sadly.

“Neph, listen closely. I have secrets that will save Delvay, but I will not share them with any beyond you and your sister. I’m waiting for her to arrive before I speak on that particular topic, and if you depart for Rivasa there is no guarantee you will return to hear my words.” Fortune paused and shoved the bags toward Neph. “These will give Caleb the edge he needs and it’s more help than he is expecting. Those combined with your gift of magic should be enough to see him through alive without risking your life. If you die, Delvay dies. It is as simple as that. No one else can hold the city, and I won’t help the rest of them.” Fortune’s voice held an edge that seemed very out of character from what Neph had seen of the man so far, and for the few moments he spoke Neph could see the Delvay blood the Fortune claimed to have.

“What are those?” Neph asked as he prodded at one of the bags.