Chapter 89 Zehava (2/2)
”I only had a short conversation with Amaya,” Arran said ”Hardly reason to think she's interested in me”
”A public conversation,” Zehava corrected hiood as clai you as her own”
Arran furrowed his brow in thought He never would have expected that the single conversation he had with Aht have chosen to eat his meal in silence
”Of course, if Amaya wants you, then Stoneheart cannot let her have you,” Zehava continued ”And if Stoneheart wants you, then Aht in the tournament yet,” Arran said ”Why would they care?”
”They hate each other,” she answered plainly ”Even if they weren't on opposing sides, they'd do all they could to hinder each other With the current situation, they have plenty of opportunities to do so”
”Opposing sides?” Arran asked Although he knew a little about the conflict, he was curious to hear what Zehava's take on it would be
”There's a reement within the Sixth Valley,” Zehava said ”But for the ti, that's no concern of yours What you should be worried about is what happens after you pick a side”
”And ould that be?”
”Whichever of them you choose, the other will not accept it,” she answered ”And beyond the border, they will have plenty of chances to act on that Even if you join so both of them Unless, of course, you choose someone with the ability to protect you”
”Someone like you?”
Zehava's attempts to influence Arran could hardly be called subtle, and he had long since figured out what her intentions were
”Perhaps,” she said, ”if you prove yourself in the tournament Unlike Amaya and Stoneheart, I only recruit those who are worthy of joining the Society”
”I suppose we'll find out in a few days, then,” Arran said, standing up from his chair ”For now, I think I'll need to focus on my preparations Thank you for the advice, and perhaps we'll ain”
”I assuh she looked startled at Arran's sudden move to depart
A few minutes later, Arran once h of relief at no longer having to suffer through Zehava's clumsy attempts to win him to her side
If not co hadn't been particularly useful, either That there was bad blood between Stoneheart and Aleaned from Stoneheart's coer to recruit strong fighters was plain as day
When Arran returned to the Governor's palace, Darkfire was still nowhere to be found After a thought, Arran asked a guard where to find the steward, then told the steward to inforent matters to discuss as soon as he returned
The steward looked souest, but he did not coance of his voice did have a hint of annoyance to it when he agreed
Darkfire arrived so less weary than the last ti with Zehava go?” he asked as he entered Arran's roohtly puzzled that Darkfire knew about his activities
”What? Did you think I spent these past few days in bed?” Darkfire asked with an indignant look
”Yes,” Arran replied honestly ”That is exactly what I thought”
”Well, I suppose I did,” Darkfire admitted ”But I also attended a hideous nus And while you were running in circles, I actually gathered some useful information”
”And ould that be?” Arran asked
”For a start, you led with the three most influential novices in the city,” Darkfire said ”Quite a feat, really — you could've fought a hundred rounds in the arena wearing only a sock, and still drawn less attention to yourself”