The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(115)

Anthe visibly relaxed and smiled warmly at Jala. “I had thought to hear different words from you when you spoke of a price. This is something that we would have done even had you not named it as the cost,” the witch replied with such obvious relief that Jala wondered what she had been expecting instead.

“There is more, Anthe,” Jala warned and the witch nodded once more though she seemed less cautious than she had, been “I’m giving you back your land at a time when war is breaking out across the entire world. I don’t know how capable your people will be at defending Goswin in the beginning and I have no intention of working so hard to see things set right only to watch Rivana destroy my efforts. When I leave here, I travel to see Kithvaryn. I intend to make contract with him on behalf of Goswin. You must work with them if I succeed in making the arrangements. Do you agree to my terms?”

“We are doing what?” Valor hissed beside her and Jala glanced at him in apology. She hadn’t mentioned that part of the plan either, but it was necessary. Goswin would be just as vulnerable as Merro was until it had time to rebuild.

“I accept your terms willingly and with gratitude,” Anthe replied without hesitation.

“Have you ever actually met Kithvaryn?” Zachary asked quietly, his voice still utterly emotionless.

Jala shook her head slightly and smiled. “No, but he will deal with me on this,” she assured him.

“What makes you so certain? Neither Merrodin or Goswin are wealthy nations, and the mercenaries will want to work for the highest bidder during these struggles,” Zachary pressed.

“I have something no other nation can offer him. I may not have a never-ending gold supply, but I have his son’s soul. If he wants his only child back, he will deal with me,” Jala answered and the area around her grew silent with her words.

“Be careful how you deal with that one. Kithvaryn is as clever as a fox and as cruel as a cat. You may tempt him with the offer of his son, but he will want more than simply a soul to do as you wish,” Zachary said after a long pause but the look he gave her was one of respect.

“We all want more than we can have, Lord Dark. I’ll give him what it takes to get what I want and not an ounce more,” Jala said softly, her gaze once again on the spirits.

“I don’t like the thought of dealing with mercenaries. They can’t be trusted,” Valor objected with a sigh.

If I only dealt with those I trusted, my arrangements would be limited to you, Neph, Marrow, and Sovann. I’m not asking you to trust Kithvaryn in this, Valor. I’m asking you to trust me. Jala sent the thought directly to Valor’s mind and she saw his expression shift with her words.

“Always,” Valor replied simply and moved back to give her room to work her magic, though not so far that he couldn’t be at her side in an instant if the situation demanded it.





Chapter 18





The Darklands





“That son of a bitch,” Finn railed as the scry faded before him. Fiona stepped quickly back from him as his full temper seized him. Snarling, Finn kicked the table back from his path and barely noticed as the wood shattered against the wall. “Did you see the earring he wears now? Do you know what that signifies in Arovan?” he demanded as he whirled to face Fiona.

“It is a Widow’s ring, as they are called. It represents your son and his devotion to the child and its mother,” Fiona answered simply, her pale gold eyes watching him as he paced the room.

“He cut his hair too. Only married men in Arovan cut their hair,” Finn added in a growl.

“And you are mad at him, why? What has he done to raise this fury?” Fiona pressed.

“She is my wife. That is my son, and he…” Finn began, his voice a dangerous snarl then fading as he stopped his pacing to glower at Fiona. “And he is doing exactly what I asked of him and caring for them as if they were his own. He doesn’t have to be enjoying it though, damn it,” he finished, his voice filled with his frustration. Angrily he kicked a chair from his way and searched the room for anything else he could vent his anger on. It was empty of everything aside from Fiona who simply stood watching him with an expression that suggested he was an utter fool. “I don’t bloody well want this. I want to go home,” he said lamely and felt his temper cooling far quicker than he wanted. At least with his anger he could ignore the loneliness and depression that plagued him constantly. “I took them all for granted when I had them. I would give anything for a lecture from Sovann right now. I would sell my soul a thousand times over to simply be near Jala,” Finn began and then sighed heavily. “I want to hold my son, Fiona. I want to see the sunlight again. I don’t want to be alone in this damned black hole attempting to learn magic. I am a swordsman not a god damned mage. I am not the right man for this job.”