The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 2 Blood Honor and Dreams (60 page)

Valor stopped beside her and lowered his own
bag to the ground and turned in a slow circle staring at the
leafless trees and snow covered hills. “I’ve never actually been
here before, but I thought you couldn’t use magic to travel here,”
he said quietly.

“That’s what I heard, too. Guess they were
wrong,” Jala replied with a shrug.

He stared hard at her for a moment and then
chuckled. “Well then, we will chock that one up as idle rumor
instead of fact. Good of you to test the theory though.”

“I was afraid to try to get us too close to
the witches. Shade says the fluxes are stronger the deeper you go
into Goswin,” Jala said and motioned to the distant forest. “We
need to be there by nightfall, though, so it will be quick walking
for us.”

Valor shook his head slowly and carefully
removed his signet ring from his finger. Setting it down on the
ground before him he stepped back a few feet and held a hand out
toward it. “Valorous, come,” he whispered.

Jala looked from him to the ring in confusion
but stepped back as the wind around them began to rise. Reaching
up, she hastily pulled her hood up on her cloak as the snow began
to swirl faster and rose into the air. “What?” she began as the
earth trembled slightly beneath her boots.

The wind picked up again and the clouds above
began to swirl taking on the deep grey of a winter storm. As she
watched in astonishment the clouds billowed and funneled down into
the swirling air above the signet ring and seemed to grow thicker.
Valor stood frozen in the same spot his hand still held out before
him as the clouds shifted and coalesced into the shape of a horse.
Within moments, the wind died down, the snow falling back to the
ground near the massive hooves of the creature. It was the steel
grey of the winter sky with eyes the color of onyx. Barding of dark
metal covered its neck and flanks, creaking as it stamped its
massive hooves.

“By the gods, it makes Vanguard look like a
pony. What is it?” she breathed as she studied the animal in
fascination.

“An Arovanni. His name is Valorous. Should be
easy enough to remember,” Valor replied with a smile and moved
forward to place a hand on the horse’s muzzle. It snorted, pushing
gently against his hand. He smiled and turned back to her. “I’m an
Arovan Horse Lord. You didn’t really expect me to walk did you?” he
asked with amusement and he bent to pick up his signet ring from
the snow.

“I thought you were a Stormlord?” she replied
in confusion.

He laughed lightly. “No there is only one
Stormlord. That is my father. The true knights of Arovan were
called Horse lords beyond the barrier. We are more civilized now,
though, and call ourselves knights,” he corrected with a grin and
motioned for her to approach.

She moved forward and reached a hand out
hesitantly to touch the animal, expecting the skin to be icy. Warm
flesh shifted beneath her palm and she looked up to Valor in
amazement. “I thought he was an elemental of some kind,” she said
in quiet awe.

“He is, in a fashion. It’s complicated and
lengthy to explain. For now let’s find the witches and see if your
theory about them being able to open a gate is correct,” he replied
and lifted her into the saddle. He climbed up behind her and took
up the reins. “I hope you can keep up, Marrow,” he said with a
smile then handed the reins to her. “Guide him, you know where we
are going.”

The leather was warm beneath her hands and
she felt a fragile link form with the horse through the contact. It
seemed to hesitate at her touch at first and then relaxed, awaiting
her command. She could feel the intelligence of the creature as
well as its courage and strength. This was by far one of the most
impressive uses of magic she had ever seen. “Will you explain this
to me better when we have time?” she asked softly, glancing over
her shoulder to look at Valor.

Amusement filled his blue eyes and he nodded.
“When we have time. He is waiting for your command now,
though.”

She nodded slowly and turned the horse toward
the Tolanteer. Tapping her heels lightly she urged him forward. The
horse surged forward so quickly she almost lost her seat. Valor
chuckled lightly as he righted her in the saddle and relaxed his
grip. The scenery rushed by them at an alarming pace and she looked
over her shoulder to see Marrow bounding after them through the
snow running full out.

You could have warned me
, Marrow said
in mild accusation.

I had no idea he would be so fast
! she
replied, her heart pounding at the speed. She glanced over her
shoulder to Valor and then back to the snow covered landscape.
“Should I slow him? I don’t know where the rocks are here,” she
asked loudly hoping he could hear her over the wind.

“No, he is fine and you don’t have to yell I
can hear you when you speak normal,” Valor replied with a
chuckle.

“Stormlord’s son, right,” she said a bit
sheepish and turned back in the saddle. Valorous surged beneath
them again as he leaped across a frozen stream and charged up the
next hill, his speed never slowing. “Amazing,” she breathed,
settling back in the saddle with a firm grip. She barely had to
move the reins. The horse seemed to sense what she wanted simply
through the contact. At this speed they would reach Anthe well
before dark. If she was correct and the witches were willing to
help, they would be in the Darklands by morning.

* * *

Anthe stood waiting for them as they neared
the cabin. She wore the same pale robes she had the last time Jala
had seen her. The falcon that served as her eyes rested comfortably
on her shoulders. The witch smiled as Valorous slowed to a stop in
the clearing. They had taken the forest paths much slower than the
snow covered hills but still the animal’s speed was
astonishing.

Valor dismounted silently and helped her
down, keeping a hand on her arm till she was steady.

She let out a quiet laugh at her shaky legs
and patted the horse on the side. “Very impressive,” she whispered
and moved forward to greet the witch. Bowing low to the woman, she
offered a faint smile. “It’s good to see you again, Anthe,” she
said as she stood straight again.

“And you, little sister,” Anthe replied and
cocked her head in the direction of Valor and his horse. “An
Arovanni, very impressive. He honors you greatly by sharing such a
creature with you.” She bowed her head slightly to Valor. “Well
met, Son of Troyelle. It has been long since one of your people has
graced my lands.”

“Thank you for the welcome, Lady Anthe,”
Valor said politely and nodded with respect. Tossing the reins back
over the saddle, he moved to stand at Jala’s side and looked around
the grove in curiosity.

“You seemed to know I was coming. Do you know
why I am here as well?” Jala asked.

Anthe nodded slowly and leaned back a bit on
her heels. “You wish a gate made,” she said quietly. Her ruined
eyes seemed to meet Jala’s for a moment and she wondered again if
the witch was truly blind.

“Is it possible?” Jala asked. She had
searched her mind for any magic capable of opening a doorway to the
Darklands and had finally decided that Anthe would be the best to
ask. She had been a High Mage in life and now locked between life
and death she knew more about the Darklands than any other Jala
could think of.

“It is possible. I’m not sure that it is
wise, however,” Anthe replied carefully. “Come inside and we will
talk more on this,” she said and turned back to the cabin.

“If she doesn’t help us, I see no other way,”
Jala told Valor softly and followed after the witch.

“Then we will convince her,” Valor replied as
he fell into step beside her.

I sense fear on her. Your request
frightens her. Perhaps she is afraid of the Dark lady’s wrath
,
Marrow offered.

Jala nodded to the Bendazzi and stepped into
the warm light of the cabin. The house was as tidy as it had been
her last visit with the comforting scent of herbs thick in the air.
Anthe was setting a tea set down on the table as they entered and
she motioned for Valor to shut the door. She raised her hands as he
did and a pulse of magic filled the room.

“It is best to not speak of such things in
the open where any may hear,” Anthe said as she lowered her hands.
“There are many who would see this trip as opportunity. Let’s not
tell them anymore than they already know.” She poured tea and
motioned for them to sit.

Moving forward quietly, Jala took one of the
chairs and nodded her thanks to Anthe. “Do you think I’m a fool for
attempting this?” she asked quietly and blew on her tea.

Anthe sat across from her and seemed to
consider the question. After a long moment she shook her head, “No.
If any other suggested this venture I would think them a fool or
mad. You, I believe have a chance to succeed where others would
fail, though. You have come a long way since the last time I saw
you. The power you hold is more than any High Lord I know.”

“The healing built my strength. I think.
Healing is draining on me and I’ve been focusing on it for the past
few months. You said outside that you didn’t think it was wise,
does that mean you won’t help?” Jala spoke quietly and had to fight
from holding her breath as she awaited Anthe’s reply.

“I will help you on three conditions,” Anthe
said, lowering her tea cup back to the table gently. She held up a
hand before Jala could speak and smiled. “Listen to my terms and
then speak,” she said. Holding up one finger she continued. “The
first condition, your Bendazzi must remain with me. Before you
object listen to my reason. The Darklands is not simply another
country. It is another place entirely. An echo of our own world in
a fashion. You will need an anchor here to find your way home. Your
familiar is the only link that is strong enough to guide you.”

I do not like this at all
, Marrow
growled, the hair on his back rising as he rose to pace the
floor.

Anthe cocked her head in his direction and
sighed. Holding up a second finger she looked back to Jala. “The
second condition is that you allow my sisters and I to place spells
of protection upon your unborn child. The land of the dead is no
place for such a tender young life and if you must go he must be
protected.”

“It’s a boy? I hadn’t checked,” Jala
breathed, and rested a hand against her still flat stomach in
wonder. So far, the Witch’s terms were more than fair and while she
didn’t like the idea of leaving Marrow behind she understood fully
why she must.

“Three,” Anthe began holding up the last
finger and Jala fell silent, her attention fully on the Witch’s
words again. “You will swear a blood oath to me that even if you
cannot retrieve the spirit you seek, you will return to this land
to lift the curse as you promised. Time is limited here and it is
not wise for you to linger in the land of the dead, so we will set
the limit at three moons.” She paused, letting Jala consider her
words and lifted her tea to her lips once more. “Do you agree to my
terms, Jala?”

Jala exchanged a look with Valor and then
nodded. “I do accept your terms,” she said quietly.

You cannot leave me here
! Marrow
objected. He paced back to her, growling.

I have to, Marrow. You heard her. I need
an anchor here
, she explained and placed one hand one each side
of the Bendazzi’s muzzle.
Please, Marrow, I need you to stay
here so I can find my way home.

And what if you need me there? You have
never faced a true fight without me beside you
, Marrow pressed,
his tone almost pleading.

I don’t like the thought of being
separated any more than you do Marrow
, she said, lowering her
forehead to rest on top of his head.

If you don’t return
…, Marrow’s voice
trailed off and she could feel the fear through their link.

I
will. I promise you as much as I promise
Anthe. I will return within three moons.

Anthe nodded and offered her a silver pin.
“Prick your finger and swear the blood oath,” she told her.

Jala regarded the pin for a breath and
pricked her finger. A large drop of gold blood welled and then ran
down the side of the pin. “I swear by my own blood that I will
return to lift the curse on Goswin within three moons of this
night,” she said softly and watched as the blood disappeared into
the pin. She handed it back to Anthe carefully and the Witch smiled
with approval.

“Drink your tea then and rest. I will call my
sisters so that we can prepare,” Anthe said as she carefully tucked
the pin into her sleeve and rose from the table.

Lifting the tea cup to her lips once more,
Jala took a sip and savored the rich flavor of mint and honey.
There was something else there as well that she didn’t quite
recognize. “What kind of tea is this Anthe?” she asked, fighting
back a yawn.

“The kind to make you rest, Jala. I can see
the wear on you, you haven’t slept in days. You will now, though,”
Anthe replied and motioned a pale hand toward Valor. Looking over,
Jala blinked in amazement at the sleeping knight. He had been quiet
but she hadn’t noticed he had fallen asleep. Another yawn pulled at
her and she blinked her eyes. It was growing almost impossible to
keep them open. She turned back to Anthe as the witch was leaving
the cabin.

“You drugged us,” she mumbled, her mind too
foggy for clear thought.

“I did, and you would be wise to find a place
to lie down before it fully takes effect,” Anthe replied sweetly
and stepped from the doorway.

I hope she is truly on our side
,
Marrow said, his voice distant in her mind as sleep pulled heavily
at her.

“Valor,” Jala mumbled and shook the knight.
He mumbled slightly but didn’t stir beyond that. “Valor,” she
repeated, trying to force her voice louder. Another yawn tore at
her and she slumped forward, shaking her head. Blinking she
staggered to her feet and managed a few steps before the darkness
overwhelmed her. She had the faint sense of falling before all
thoughts faded away.