The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(173)

It hadn’t been until the rain had started that she had finally abandoned the veil once more. There was nothing to ruin a good mood quite like being slapped in the face with wet silk every time your horse took a step. Fortunately, her energy was strong enough once more that a quick healing had eliminated the possibility of problems.

“We will attack today. I don’t want to risk their getting reinforcements while we wait for the weather to improve,” Jexon announced as he stopped his horse beside her own. “My Soulblades will be useless afoot on this ground for the first engagement, as will the Archers. Valor, you will get a chance to prove your name today. Take the hill and hold it until our remaining forces can join the battle,” Jexon said with a smile.

“You want him to lead a mounted charge up a muddy hill?” Badger demanded, sounding as furious as Jala felt.

Valor shifted in his saddle and looked at the hill before glancing back at Jala. His eyes met hers for a long moment before shifting back to Jexon. “I don’t follow your orders, Spook,” he said softly then looked back to Jala once more. “Do you want the hill, Jala?” he asked.

Jala searched Valor’s face for any sign of doubt before shrugging lightly. “I don’t have much use for a hill, Valor. I would like their commander and their banner though,” she said with a confidence she didn’t feel at all.

“Didn’t you just say the footing alone would guarantee a defeat?” Neph asked dryly.

“For Jexon. Not me,” Valor returned with a smile and dismounted. Tossing his reins lightly to Badger he pulled his signet ring off his finger and dropped it down into the muddy ground. “Valorous, come,” he commanded and the air above the signet began to coalesce at once.

The last time Jala had seen the Arovanni, his coat had been the grey of snow clouds. This time when the horse formed, his coat was as dark as the spring storm clouds above them. Snorting loudly, Valorous danced back as Valor retrieved his signet from the ground. Standing once more he bowed his head to Jala.

“One banner and commander coming up, Milady,” Valor said as he swung into his saddle and turned his horse toward his waiting knights.

Jala watched him ride off and then turned to Jexon, her eyes locked on his face. She kept her expression neutral, though the hatred she felt at the sight of him was difficult to hide. “Once again you manage to avoid fighting. How exactly did you attain your position as Lord Reaver?” Her voice was as cold as the rain.

“By leadership,” Jexon replied sharply and gave her a disgusted look. “A General does not fight among the commons. He leads from the back where he can see every move that must be made.”

“A good General doesn’t send a cavalry charge uphill on muddy ground,” Badger growled behind her and Jala smiled at her father’s words.

“That could go both ways. Perhaps I was testing Valor’s leadership to see how foolhardy he is,” Jexon began, a cold smile forming on his lips. “I’m afraid you won’t have your knight to hide behind much longer,” he added in a softer voice as the Arovan cavalry turned toward the hill and the waiting Avanti.

“Can I kill him now, please, Jala?” Neph asked, his gaze locked on Jexon. “If you let me, I swear I will be nice for the rest of the year. Consider it an early name day gift.”

Shaking her head slowly, Jala smiled and turned back to watch the knights as their horses broke into a slow gallop with Valor at the lead. “Valor will take the hill and I will have the banner as well as the commander within the hour,” she said smugly.

“You are just a big a fool as he is if you believe that,” Jexon said with a shake of his head and then fell silent as Valor’s company of knights divided into two columns. Bridgette led the division that turned to the east while Foster seemed to be in command of the western riders. Valor himself remained in the center, his Arovanni dancing under him as his riders took their positions.

“What the hell is he doing?” Neph muttered beside her.

Jala shook her head slowly but remained silent as she watched Valor lift one hand toward the sky. The steady rain began to slacken as the wind grew stronger and the sky above darkened. To the east, Jala could see several of Bridgette’s riders holding hands outstretched toward the distant hill while in the west Foster and several of his knights mirrored them.

Lightning cracked through the sky as the wind above the hill began to increase. She could see tents breaking loose from their stakes and horse lines scattering as the animals panicked. Valorous rose on his heels, slashing at the air with his front hooves. A cry of challenge burst from the Arovanni’s throat as Valor increased his magic, urging the wind to greater speeds. The clouds above the hill continued to swirl faster until the barest tip of a funnel could be seen dropping from the sky. Magic surged from the knights on the east and west and the entire hill trembled as they sent their magic into the earth itself. Lightning flashed again, illuminating the massive wind funnel as it settled to earth directly in the center of the Avanti camp. The sheer destruction of the storm was awe inspiring and Jala sat in mute fascination as horses, men and wagons were all ripped from the earth to disappear into the tornado Valor had called down. The faint echo of screams could barely be heard over the roar of the wind. Another loud crack shook the air, but this time it wasn’t thunder. Once more the hill trembled, as cracks in the earth broke open around the encampment.