“What do you want with us?” Millet demanded.
“To help. You’re here to retrieve the Nal’Thain family, and I’m here to see that you accomplish your task.”
Millet looked warily at Brandis. “So we can simply take them and leave?”
“Certainly,” he said. “Jacob Nal’Thain is a troublemaker we would be happy to be rid of. As for Lady Penelope, you have a choice.”
“What might that be?” asked Millet.
“She has traveled north to the court of the Reborn King,” said Brandis. “It will take several weeks for her to return. You may wait, or you may take young Jacob and leave immediately.”
“If you are being truthful, then have Jacob brought here,” said Millet. “Now.”
“I see your suspicions abound.” Brandis chuckled. “As you wish. But I must ask that you remain here until he can be brought.” He turned to leave. “Oh, I nearly forgot. You must surrender your weapons first, of course.”
Millet made no move to comply.
“Come now,” said Brandis. “They will be returned when you leave. A small thing to ask, all things considered.”
Millet nodded and went back down to the basement. Malstisos was still standing in front of Maybell with his knife drawn.
“I could hear your conversation,” said Malstisos. He handed Millet his knife. “We have little choice.”
“I’m sorry for this,” said Millet. “Clearly Markus is no longer the man I knew.”
“You are not at fault,” he replied. “There was no way for you to know.”
“If you would all join me,” called Brandis from upstairs.
Millet led Maybell and Malstisos up and handed their weapons to him.
“Thank you,” said Brandis. “Very wise choice.”
“What happens now?” asked Millet.
“Now we wait,” he answered. “One of my men is on his way to bring young Jacob. Then you may leave. That is, unless you choose to wait for the Lady Nal’Thain.”
“If she still lives?” said Millet.
“As I told you,” said Brandis. “She is at the court of Angrääl. I have no reason to lie.” He looked at Malstisos. “I am honored to have an elf among us.”
Malstisos said nothing.
“No reason for apprehension,” continued Brandis. “My Lord holds your kind in high regard. Certainly you know of our offer of friendship.”
“I know of the lies your master has told,” said Malstisos. “Empty promises of glory made to a generation that still clings to the past. You will find that I am not so easily swayed as some.”
“Not empty promises,” replied Brandis. “Soon we will spread our message of hope throughout the land. And when that happens, those who have seen the wisdom of our cause will benefit the most.”
“Your cause?” snapped Maybell. “You’ve destroyed temples and murdered their followers.”
“Ah, the priestess.” Brandis sneered. “I had almost forgotten about you.”
Malstisos moved his body between Maybell and Brandis.
“There’s no reason to be alarmed. I have no intention of harming any of you.”
Maybell seethed with rage. “You've killed innocent priestesses and monks. You are an abomination.”
Brandis laughed and shook his head. “I haven’t murdered anyone. Your own people betrayed you. Not me, and not my master. All we have done is told people the truth.”
“And what truth is that?” asked Millet.
“That the gods are as corrupt as the people who serve them. Your elf friend will certainly agree with this. They have caused nothing but harm to man and elf. They are greedy and petty, and now thanks to the Reborn King, they are gone.”
“You assume that all elves believe the old tales,” said Malstisos. “Not all of us blame the gods for the split.”
“You are wise,” said Brandis. “You do not take what you are told at face value. Sadly, in this case, you are wrong. It was the gods that cursed the elves. But what you do not understand is that they cursed man as well. They turned us into slaves. We were sent on a path of endless destruction without guidance. However, that horrible chapter of history is coming to an end. Soon the world will be at peace, and both elf and human will be able to live as they were meant to - in peace.”
Maybell sneered. “You speak of peace and freedom, and yet here you stand, conquerors and invaders.”
Brandis laughed. “We have taken Hazrah without spilling blood. When before in history has that happened? We allow you and your friends to leave in peace, even though you have sworn to destroy us. We give you Lee Nal’Thain’s family as a token of goodwill, and still you accuse.”
“You tried to have us killed,” replied Millet. “You’ve destroyed temples, and only the gods know what you’ve done to the clergy. Whatever your motivations are for letting us go, I suspect they are part of some grander design. You allow us to leave because it serves your needs to do so, though I don’t yet know what those needs are.”
“The attempts on the lives of you and your friends were unfortunate,” he said. “The people responsible have been dealt with. Of course, I don’t expect you to believe that. And frankly, it doesn’t matter. You will think my master is your enemy until the very end. But when that end comes, you will see the truth.”
“I see the truth now,” Millet shot back. “And unless you force me to do so, I will hear no more of your lies.”
“As you wish,” said Brandis. “My soldiers and I will wait outside.” He spun on his heels and left the house. Markus and the soldiers followed close behind.
“Do you think they actually intend to let us just walk out of here?” asked Maybell.
“Millet was correct,” said Malstisos. “If it serves their objectives, they will. This may well be a deception, but I cannot divine the purpose. If they want us, they have us.”
“We’ll know soon enough,” said Millet.
Two hours later the door opened and Brandis entered. Behind him was a tall, thin youth, aged no more than twenty, with light brown hair that fell in loose curls to his shoulders. He was dressed in tan leathers and boots, and carried a pack over his shoulders. Apart from being a bit more rounded at the chin and having eyes that were deep green and wider set, his face was strikingly like Lee’s.
“I give you Jacob Nal’Thain,” said Brandis.
Millet looked Jacob over for several moments. “How do we know this is Jacob?”
“Who else would I be?” Jacob sneered. “And who are you?”
“I am Millet Gristall, the personal assistant to Lee Nal’Thain.”
“My father?” said Jacob. “So this is what you brought me here for? You drag me from my cell for this?”
Millet cocked his head. “Your cell?”
“Young Jacob has been somewhat of a troublemaker,” Brandis explained. “We have had to lock him away for the good of the city.”
“I see,” said Millet. He turned to Jacob. “Where is your mother?”
Jacob glared. “This dog knows where she is. In Angrääl, where they took her.”
“How many times must you be told?” said Brandis. “She went there of her own free will.”
“I’ll never believe that. And if you expect me to go willingly with these people just so they can kill me when we're out of sight, then you’re mistaken. Kill me now, for all to see.”
Brandis sighed. “For the last time, if we wanted to kill you we would have done so long before now. You will either go with these people or leave on your own. Either way, I tire of you and will no longer tolerate your presence.”
“You will come with us,” said Millet. “I was sent to retrieve you and your mother. Being that your mother is not here, I will at least retrieve you.”
“Why should I believe you?” asked Jacob. “What’s to prevent you from killing me the moment we’re out of sight?”
“As much as I hate to admit it,” replied Millet, “Brandis is correct. If they wanted you dead, they wouldn’t need such an elab
orate deception. In fact, we are in more danger from you, than you are from us.”
Jacob thought for a moment. “Very well, I will go with you. For now.”
“Good decision,” said Brandis. “I’ll leave you to it then.” He started to the door. “Please tell Lord Nal’Thain that we will allow him to see his wife any time he wishes. And as for Gewey Stedding, the Reborn King still wants his friendship. Please convey the message to both of them, if you would.”
“I’ll tell them,” replied Millet.
“Good,” he said. “You will not be hindered when you leave. I’ll wait outside until you’re ready.” He turned and left.
“I’m not sure what your game is,” said Jacob. “But if you wish me harm, even your friend the elf may find that difficult.”
Malstisos stepped forward. “If I wanted you dead, I would have killed you the second that door closed. It is not we who need prove our intentions.”
“I agree,” said Millet. “You look like my lord, but I have no way of knowing for sure.”
“What do we do?” said Maybell. “Certainly we cannot trust that this is not a deception.”
“We won’t,” said Millet. “There is one way of finding the truth. But in order to do so I must contact Lord Starfinder.”
“I’ve heard that name before,” said Jacob.
“Of course you have,” he replied. “That was the name of your father before you were born, and it is the name he goes by now. I’m sure your mother has mentioned it.”
“No,” he said. “I heard it when I was in prison. The Dark One wants him. They mean to kill him.”
“They’ve already tried,” said Millet with a wicked smile. “So far they’ve failed miserably.”
“Enough talk,” said Malstisos. “We need to leave while we still can.”
“Agreed,” said Millet. “We’ll head west for now.”
“Then what?” asked Maybell. “We can’t bring him back with us. At least, not until we know with certainty that he is who he claims to be.”
“I have no intention of being taken anywhere,” said Jacob. “As soon as I’m able, I’ll be going my own way.”
Millet looked irritably at the boy. “I suggest you accept our company for the time being. At least until we’re away from here.”
Jacob looked disgusted and walked to the door. “I’ll be outside when you’re ready.” He slammed the door behind him.
Chapter 2
Millet, Maybell and Malstisos gathered their gear and left the house. Jacob was sat on the front steps fiddling with a small knife. Their horses were ready and waiting. Brandis stood a few feet away along with two guards.
“Here are your weapons,” said Brandis. He motioned to one of the guards who handed them over. “I trust you will not need them any time soon. And we have provided young Jacob with a sword as well as a mount. If you wish an escort, one can be provided. But I suspect you do not.”
“No escort is necessary,” replied Millet. “We know the way.”
“In that case, I wish you a safe journey,” said Brandis. He nodded to the guards, who followed him as he headed off down the street.
Millet led them through the village to the west road. The street was conspicuously empty.
“Do you think they plan to ambush us?” asked Maybell as they mounted their horses.
“I doubt it,” answered Millet. “They could have killed us already if they wanted to. Malstisos is the only one who might have escaped. No, whatever their plan is, it involves us removing Jacob from Hazrah.” He looked suspiciously at the boy.
They continued until dusk and made camp along the road. While on their way earlier they had passed a patrol, but the soldiers simply ignored them.
“It would seem that Brandis intends to let us leave without incident,” said Malstisos.
Millet stared at the fire and rubbed his hands together. “So it would seem.” He watched as Jacob checked his horse and unpacked his gear. “We must find a way to contact Lee without giving away his location. Until then, I’m afraid we have no way to trust the lad.”
“I have exceptional hearing,” said Jacob. “From my father’s side of the family, I assume. Contact him if you must. As for me, I’m headed for Baltria once we’re safely away from here.”
“You intend to abandon your mother?” asked Millet.
Jacob glowered. “There’s nothing I can do for her.” He placed his blanket near the fire. “They won’t send for her, I don’t care what they told you. I doubt she’s even alive.”
“They let you live, didn’t they?” said Malstisos.
“That may be. But I’m in Hazrah, and my mother is not. The house Nal’Thain still has a good name among the people. To kill me without scandal or reprisal, they would need to do it away from the city.”
“We were told that you helped Angrääl take control,” said Maybell, huddled close to the fire and sipping elf brandy.
“That’s a lie,” spat Jacob. “I did everything I could to stop them.”
“That may be,” said Maybell. “But if the people believe it, I doubt your death would cause much of a scandal.”
Jacob pulled his blanket close and stared into the fire.
“What did happen?” asked Malstisos. “From what we have seen, it didn’t take much of an effort for Angrääl to seize control.”
Jacob scowled. “It was the King,” he muttered in disgust. “He sold us out.”
“You’re not making sense,” said Millet. “Even the King couldn’t simply hand over control of the land to a foreign power without resistance from the nobles.”
“That’s not what happened,” replied Jacob. “They were far more subtle than that. A year ago an ambassador arrived at court with a message of friendship. He said he was from a kingdom in the north and desired to establish relations and trade. Naturally, the lords were skeptical. All the old tales of the northern kingdoms are of terror and war, but the ambassador assured us of his good intentions and suggested that we send an envoy to meet with his lord. After much deliberation, the King agreed. I wanted to be the one to go, but mother wouldn’t allow it.”
“Wise woman,” said Millet.
“In this case, she was.” Jacob nodded in agreement. “The King sent his second cousin to gauge the truth of matters. Sadly, though loved dearly by the King, he has no skill with diplomacy. He returned two months later accompanied by a full entourage of representatives from Angrääl, enough to occupy a proper diplomatic embassy. At first the King protested, but his cousin convinced him that relations and trade would be in the best interest for the kingdom. Before long they had bought a building close to the palace and had established themselves as the embassy of the “Reborn King of Angrääl.”
“Didn’t that send up warning flags?” asked Millet. “The ‘Reborn King’ can only be referring to the Demon King, Rätsterfel. Surely the temples intervened when they heard this?” He retrieved a loaf of bread and dried meat from his pack and passed it around.
“I believe the temples had been infiltrated long before the arrival of the ambassador,” replied Jacob.
“Why would you think that?” asked Maybell, trying to contain her irritation.
“From the moment they arrived they showed their contempt for the gods. They refused to have their embassy blessed, and turned away any offer of friendship the temples made. On the streets they openly mocked the gods, and said that anyone who trusted in them was a fool. A few of the temples were even vandalized. Everyone knew who did it, but there was no proof. More than that, the temples did little to stop it.”
“All this, and the King still did nothing?” said Millet.
“There was nothing to do,” said Jacob. “The temples made no complaint. Not to the King, nor anyone else. In fact, it was widely known that many of the high priestesses and senior monks had dealings with them on a regular basis. I myself saw the chief librarian of the Temple of Gerath riding with the ambassador, talking and laughing as friends.”
“That means no
thing,” said Maybell. “You can’t know why they were speaking.”
“True,” he answered. “But the next day the library was robbed and nearly every important text stolen. The culprits were never found, despite the fact that I told the magistrate what I had seen. Naturally, after that life became more difficult for my mother and me. Several of our trade caravans were attacked, and our interests in the copper mine were suddenly audited. I went to the magistrate to complain, but I fear he had already been bought. The chief finance minister manufactured reasons for our mining assets to be stripped away. Of course, they were sold to an unknown party - and by unknown, I mean Angrääl.”
“Was anyone else attacked like this?” asked Millet.
“Oh, yes, I was not the only Lord of Hazrah with the courage to stand up to these interlopers. But our resistance was short lived. With the King and the temples against us, we were reduced to simple acts of defiance and petty acts of vandalism. Unfortunately, in my case they found my weakness.”
“And what might that have been?” asked Malstisos.
“My mother. As I became more brazen in my resistance, they threatened to kill her if I didn’t fall in line. My first reaction was to send her away. We have friends in Baltria, and I thought she’d be safe there. But they got to her before I could make the arrangements. I was told that she had volunteered to attend court in Angrääl as the personal representative of the King, but the truth is they were using her as leverage against me. It was a week after she left when the first Angrääl troops arrived. The King announced that there was a growing threat from the southern kingdoms, and that they were only there to assist in our defense. But it was soon clear that it was an occupation.”
“It’s difficult to imagine all this,” said Millet. “The people of Hazrah would have risen up and fought in my day.”
“Some tried,” he said. “But any who actually took up arms were slaughtered and called a traitor to the throne. Most were arrested and sent north before they could organize properly.”
“Is that how you ended up in prison?” asked Maybell.
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