The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(65)

“Explain that!” Havoc demanded as he whirled to face the rogue once more.

“She fought Death and it is said that she is dying now. The wounds she took were grievous. Vaze did all he could for her, but there was nothing he could do against a Divine’s raw power. I’m sorry, Havoc, I wish that I brought better news, but Jala failed and now she is going to suffer the full extent of her folly. Finn was raised, but Death possessed his body. Vaze had no choice but to send him back to the Darklands in an attempt to soothe Death,” Charm continued, his eyes searching Havoc’s face as he spoke.

Swallowing heavily, Havoc allowed himself to fall back against the wall. His throat grew tight and he bowed his head as he considered the rogues words. Finn was truly dead, then, and the little ragged girl they had found in the ashes of Merro would be soon. He inhaled again and tried to fight back the emotions that were swiftly drowning his anger.

“Victory is waiting for you. He says the two of you buried Badger and it is only fitting that the two of you bury his child. He wanted to tell you himself but getting in here is a bit tricky,” Charm said softly.

“Damn you,” Havoc gasped as he felt the first tear trail down his face. His grief was silenced as the chains fell away from his wrists and clattered loudly to the floor beside him. In complete shock he stared down at his chafed wrists and then up to Charm who was rapidly backing away from him.

“A tear, a single tear. That’s what Lutheron set the penance at. Let the Firym brood in darkness until he can manage a single tear for what he has done,” Charm whispered. “Victory didn’t actually say any of that by the way. He did mention that you would never cry no matter what and that you would rot in this place for the rest of the war. Vaze also said that since Jala survived the initial fight she does in fact stand a chance,” the rogue added as he jumped upwards and nimbly grabbed a rafter. With a slight twist of his nimble body he disappeared into the shadows above.

“You son of a bitch!” Havoc bellowed as he unleashed a torrent of flame after the rogue. White hot fire washed over the ceiling and the building began to fill with smoke. “I am going to gut you, rogue!” Havoc screamed as he turned toward the sealed doors of the warehouse. Drawing his hands back he summoned the fire once more and unleashed it in a blast. The wooden doors exploded with the violence of the flames and Havoc stalked through them, his fury fueling his every step.

“By Fortune’s grace did he actually manage it then?” Victory gasped. The Fae stood leaning against his warhorse and was staring with shock written clearly on his features. Slowly he leaned and looked past Havoc to the burning warehouse. “Damn it, Havoc, you were locked up for burning a building down,” he sighed.

“Where is Charm?” Havoc demanded ignoring the raging flames at his back completely.

“In hiding for a while, I don’t doubt. I can’t believe he managed to get you to cry,” Victory replied with a shrug.

Havoc’s hand snapped up and he pointed a finger at Victory threateningly. “You didn’t just say that and it didn’t happen!” he growled, his eyes scanning for anyone that might have overheard those damning words. Everyone in the area seemed far more interested in the burning building however. Lowering his hand slowly he straightened his shoulders and then slowly began to notice Victory’s appearance. The knight was dressed for cold weather and wore his battle armor rather than the fancy plate he usually favored. His horse was geared fully as well with bags bursting with provisions tied behind the saddle.

“Delvay is marching in force,” Victory explained quietly. “You have friends there don’t you?” he asked as he pushed gently on Avalanche’s chest. The massive white horse backed up revealing the smaller red one that stood behind it.

Havoc smiled at the sight of his flame steed and then looked back to Victory with a questioning look. “You hate the mountains of Delvay,” he reminded the Fae.

“I hate my friend being locked away even more, and I think if I leave you in the same city as Lutheron you will end up in chains again,” Victory said with a shrug and tossed Havoc his reins. “Honestly, I didn’t think Charm could get you out and I thought I was wasting time here. Glad to be wrong on this one occasion.”

“You are wrong far more often than this one occasion,” Havoc muttered as he wrapped his reins around his hand. His horse stepped closer and pushed its nose against his stomach. With a faint smile Havoc ran his hand down Razor’s neck and looked back to Victory. “Did Charm speak the truth on any of it? Is Jala truly lying near death? Did the spell to raise Finn really fail?” he asked cautiously unsure if he truly wanted to hear the answer.