The Crow King's Wife (The Elder Blood Chronicles #5)(40)
“The next bit I think you have already gotten a hint of. There is more to it than what you have seen however.” Fortune paused and summoned and illusion of the map table with the focal point on Oblivion. He waved a hand toward the image and smiled at Neph. “You noticed that the living have returned to Oblivion. The part you were unable to see is that every last person that Zachary and Jala have returned from the grave is a trained soldier. They didn’t bring back a single soul that couldn’t fight. Oblivion is preparing for an attack on someone and I’m not sure who yet. I would be willing to concede that they might be there for defense if Oblivion had anything left to defend.” Fortune’s voice rose a bit as he spoke, and his eyes were locked on the illusion he had summoned. This last bit of information seemed to hold his interest more than anything else he had spoken of so far.
“Zachary might have brought them back to support Arovan.” Neph suggested with a weak shrug.
Fortune nodded slowly but didn’t look convinced in the slightest. “Jala might do something of that nature, but I don’t think Zachary Dark would.” He objected.
“It’s possible that he would for the Firym or Faydwer though. Those two lands were staunch allies of Veir before the fall.” Cora offered quietly.
Fortune sighed and dismissed the illusion with a frown. “This would have been Tyber’s call not Zachary, but no one has seen Tyber since the fall of Veir. I couldn’t even guess what the High Lord of Oblivion is about. There is simply no way of knowing with the information we have so far. We will simply have to wait for them to show a card. For now it is good to know, but not something we can do much with.”
“It’s a waiting game as Fortune says.” Cora agreed then smiled faintly and looked at her son with a meaningful expression. “We are almost to the end of our talk for now, but the next few things are going to make you want to act rashly. You cannot Neph, you are desperately needed here and you have to consider that fully before anything else.” She paused and waited for him to nod his agreement though he wasn’t sure he actually wanted to agree. “Rivasa is holding captives in several of their cities. Most are children, and some are Delvay. They likely intend to use them as slaves or breeders if their blood is strong enough.”
Neph’s expression darkened with her words and despite his agreement to not act rashly his mind was already flooding with possible ways to retrieve his people. Most were slim hopes, but a few of the fragmented plans had potential. He could feel both of their eyes upon him and decided it was best to remain silent for the time being. It wouldn’t do for either of them to believe he was going to blatantly ignore their advice and Cora was right, now was the time for rational thought. Knowing that his people were in the hands of the Rivasans wasn’t making it easy to think rationally however. The entire world knew stories and rumors about the Rivasan slave farms, and none of them were pleasant.
“Which brings us to the last bit of information I’m going to tell you today and it is the reason I want you to hold off on your plan of attack. You have visitors coming to Delvay Neph, and one of them happens to be the Black Bastard. He has declared Kevala’drin against Rivasa and it seems to me that it would be easier for you to kill two birds with one stone in this case. He wants them dead and so do you, so help him kill them and keep your hands clean in the process.” Fortune kept his voice low as if there was a possibility that they might be over heard despite the fact that the entire house was empty.
“So use Caleb as a tool then?” Neph asked without much enthusiasm. There were few people he liked or respected and while Caleb wasn’t a friend, he had earned Neph’s respect.
“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?”