The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(4)

War worked his jaw from left to right as he pondered the matter. “Sovann, I believe, is genuine. He has no ties elsewhere that I’ve seen. Valor is disgraced in Arovan and because of that has no ties elsewhere. Jail… Well now, he is a tricky one. Watch him and decide for yourself. Neph, he is Delvay. I can’t believe that he is following you honestly and I highly doubt he is anyone else’s lackey. Wisp, as with Jail, I have suspicions on. Her brother is Fionaveir and her House works with them very closely. Watch her. I don’t like your new addition of Joseph Walker, either. It was rather convenient that he showed up in Sanctuary wasn’t it?”

“Valor is disgraced? Why?” Jala asked, dumbfounded by the thought.

“By his knightly order, not by his family. Suffice it to say that in recent years he has broken more than one of his knightly vows. Drunken debauchery being his most frequent sin. You latched onto that quickly enough. Care to explain why?” War asked as he plucked a flower from behind them and shifted to sit cross-legged on the bench.

“If not for his help in the Darklands, I think I would already be dead. It just doesn’t seem possible that he is disgraced, but I suppose if it is from debauchery, then I understand it. I’ve certainly witnessed enough of that in Sanctuary. I just need someone to trust right now, and Valor is all I have. Without Finn and Marrow I feel lost,” Jala explained, trying to ignore the irony of her words. Even with Valor she was lost, literally. They had been in the Darklands for close to two weeks now and still had no idea of where they needed to go.

“Don’t let it trouble you. It’s Arovan and they have changed quite a bit in their captivity. Beyond the barrier they were Warlords. Here they have become Nobles. You can get disgraced in Arovan by passing wind in the wrong room. Very prickly these days. I think it all started getting worse with the fall of Veir. Arovan apparently decided that someone needed to fill the void of the Holier-than-Thou pricks in plate mail.”

“I have a question for you,” Jala began and watched him until he met her eyes. “What do you want from me? Why are you helping me? I have a hard time believing it’s simply our Blood tie.”

His smile broadened and he nodded to her. “Well, of course I want something. Everyone does. I’ll let you in on a secret, Jala. Life is one big manipulation. From your mother telling you scary stories to get you to behave, to your husband buying flowers to sweeten your mood. It is all individuals out to get what they want from you. However, what I want from you is exactly what you want, so my advice is the only bribe I need offer. I want my namesake, Jala, I want war.”

“You are going to get that regardless. Delvay is already fighting against Rivana. Even if they weren’t, though, how could I possibly provide that for you? I have no armies,” Jala replied in a disgusted voice.

“I didn’t ask for one tomorrow, Jala. Let me tell you how it will happen if you don’t prepare soon. You can trust me on this as well. I know the forces fighting and I can see the broader picture. The Blights are going to pick off Arovan and Glis like Assassins. Nerathane and Rivana will destroy Delvay. The Blights will weaken the Firym and Faydwer enough that Morcaillo and Avanti will crush them. Then Han’shy will surrender and house Morcaillo will step forward as King or Emperor, whichever title he decides he prefers.” He plucked petals from the flower as he spoke casting each down as he listed the falling houses.

“What about Oblivion?” Jala asked.

“They might stir, but let’s look at the full picture there as well. Oblivion is actually worse off than you are. Zachary and Tyber are the only living occupants of the country. Beyond them there is nothing but tainted souls in their population,” War explained and tossed two petals down onto the bench in front of her.

“You didn’t mention house Merrodin in that, at all. Who is going to kill me off, then, if I don’t prepare? Couldn’t I simply surrender like Han’shy?” Jala countered.

“Could you surrender to Avanti?” War asked with a look of amazement on his face.

“No,” Jala hissed and had to calm her emotions once more. Perhaps if he would have named any other house she would have considered it, but she would rather die than bow before an Avanti.

“Well, if you don’t prepare, it will be Avanti that eliminates your house. They have a large enough population to roll across the Greenwild and crush the little settlement that represents all of Merrodin right now,” War explained.

“So how do you suggest I prepare?” Jala asked with a sigh.