The Crow King's Wife (The Elder Blood Chronicles #5)(41)
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.
“Seeds.” Fortune answered simply and smiled faintly. “And the Black Bastard will know exactly what to do with them.” He rose from his chair and gazed down at Neph with the smile still playing faintly across his lips. “In the end I cannot order you to remain behind nor would I. This is something you must put serious thought into Neph and decide for yourself. Consider this when you are thinking on it though. The only one left that can lead aside from you is KayDelvayon, and she was too weak to stand up to her brother. Zyi can’t shoulder this burden. Everyone believes she is dead and if they knew she is Undrae now they would kill her for it. The hardest part of being a leader is knowing when you have to stand aside and let others take the risks. Jala Merrodin still hasn’t learned that lesson, and there is a very good chance it will mean her death. Caleb Faulklin and Shade Morcaillo are up to the task of dealing with Rivasa. The only question remaining is can you set your pride aside long enough to realize that, or are you going to follow Jala down the path of destruction?”
“Jala isn’t on a path of destruction. She knows better than anyone else what she is capable of.” Neph grumbled. Valor had already proven how important it was to keep faith in Jala, and Neph wasn’t about to think otherwise on the matter again. He had already been proven wrong on it, and he didn’t need to learn a lesson twice.
“And that is why she has fallen twice already.” Fortune said dryly and shook his head slowly at Neph. “Think on it Neph, set all emotions and pride aside and think with logic.” He suggested in a kinder voice. Fortune straightened his suit jacket and brushed a bit of dirt from his sleeve before looking toward Cora with a raised eyebrow.
Neph glanced toward his mother as she rose from her chair as well. His gaze trailed over her face and the sadness in her eyes and his expression softened. She had risked her heart for a chance to see him, and in return for that he had essentially spit in her face with his attitude. There was no way he could let her leave without attempting to set things right between them. If not for her visit, he might have never learned the truth about what had happened to her. He cleared his throat quietly to catch her attention and held her gaze for a long moment before speaking. “My greatest fault may very well be my pride. It blinds me to many things, and I often assume I know exactly what is going on. I was young when you disappeared, and I should have realized when you arrived today that the circumstances were special. The mother I remember wouldn’t have abandoned her children, and you have my apologies for accusing you of that. I’m sorry I treated you so poorly when you arrived, but it has become my nature to treat everyone poorly I think.”