The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(101)

“But when I twist it back,” Jala began as she twisted the staff once more to show the gold runes. “You can’t sense any Barllen on it at all. It must have lead lining in it,” she finished as she stood and lifted the staff, testing its weight. “And it’s really not that heavy at all,” she said after a moment, looking to Jail with delight on her face. “This is truly amazing, Jail. I can see runes of protection all over this thing. Sovann and Valor must have worked day and night to finish it so quickly.”

“Then you should probably thank them, and be sure and let Sovann know that you don’t want him to avoid you while you are at it,” Jail returned with a faint smile.

Jala nodded her agreement and started to speak but fell silent as a flash of light through the window caught her eye. Frowning she moved closer and peered in the direction she had seen it. A long moment passed before she caught it again, the gleam of sunlight on metal.

“Is something wrong?” Jail asked softly as he rose, his eyes flicking from her face to the window.

“There is a Spell Hawk approaching and it’s coming from the north. The only Sky ports in that direction are Brannaford which no one uses,” Jala said, her voice trailing off as the Spell Hawk grew closer. There was no doubt that it was headed for this town. There was simply nothing else in this direction.

“And Avanti,” Jail finished for her. “Well this should prove interesting. Perhaps they are bringing you a welcome back home gift,” Jail said dryly as he turned toward the door.

“Marrow, Emily, watch Legacy please,” Jala ordered as she quickly followed after Jail.

No one will get in here that doesn’t belong, Emily promised, her voice holding only a hint of drowsiness to show that the Blight had been resting. As far as Jala could tell, today was the first day that Emily had actually allowed herself to rest since the baby was born.

“I suppose it’s a good thing you decided to actually get dressed and fix your hair today. That, combined with the staff and you truly look like High Lady Merrodin,” Jail teased as they made their way quickly down the stairs.

“Bloody hell,” Neph snarled from the open door. Glancing back over his shoulder he spotted Jala and Jail as they descended the last few stairs. “Avanti approaching. Do you want to allow them to land?” Neph asked, his expression showing clearly that allowing them landing was the last thing he wanted.

“A single ship?” Jala asked as she approached the door, glancing once more at Neph and taking note of the specialized glasses he wore. They were identical to the ones he had left in her room that allowed the wearer to see Blights. If he was wearing them now then he must be expecting Blights to be on the Avanti ship. I probably should have thought of that myself and worn mine, Jala scolded herself mentally as she turned her attention back their approaching enemies.

“Their flag ship. That will be the High Lord himself or one of his sons,” Neph replied as he stepped back to allow her past him.

Jala nodded faintly and moved out onto the porch of the house her gaze locked on the circling Spell Hawk. “They have a flag of parlay up. Allow them landing,” Jala ordered, her gaze moving quickly from the ship to sweep over the crowded streets. Everyone had stopped work to watch the approaching ship and it was clear whatever Avanti had come to say, they would have an audience for it.

“I don’t think you quite heard me. That ship has their High Lord on it. This is a golden opportunity. The bastards have served themselves up,” Neph growled softly, his fingers twitching slightly with the urge to cast magic.

Jala smiled grimly and glanced over at him. Reaching up slowly she patted his cheek and sighed. “And no one wants to kill them more than I do, Neph, I promise you, but they are flying a flag of parley.”

“Fine,” Neph grumbled and stepped quickly from the porch to clear room in the crowded streets for the Spell Hawk.

“Why do you think they are here?” Jala asked softly as she heard Jail approach her from behind.

The Mind mage paused just beside her and glanced down. “Because we are weak and they want to try to spook us into submission,” Jail offered with a shrug to show he was simply guessing.

“I’d rather die than submit to them,” Jala hissed. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the ship slowly descend toward her city.

“Be sure of that before you speak to High Lord Avanti. They have us outnumbered and out-equipped. It may be prudent to listen to whatever they have come to say and then make a choice,” Jail warned softly.