He sighed and forced a smile. “But you didn’t come here to speak to an old man about his troubles, did you?”
“You’re wrong,” said Gewey. “I do need to know your troubles. The elves leave Baltria for Althetas in two weeks. Once their ships are ready I’ll have to decide what my next move is to be. When they’re gone there will be nothing to stop Angrääl re-taking the city, and both Bevaris and Tristan are convinced that’s exactly what they will do.”
“And you?” asked Lee. “Will you go west with them?”
“That’s what I’m trying to decide. The point of taking Baltria was to draw out the Dark Knight; to let him know that the only way for him to win this war is to face me directly. I must do everything I can to make him come to me.”
“And if he doesn’t take the bait?” asked Lee. “What then?”
“Then I’m left with only one choice,” Gewey replied somberly. “I will be forced to march an army into the heart of his power.”
“And you want me to lead that army, I suppose?” Lee chuckled. “There was no need for you to have wondered my response, or worry that I can no longer fight. My friend is dead, as is my wife....” The mention of his wife made him pause for a moment to clear his throat. “And yes, my heart grows heavier by the day. But I am not yet done. You have my word on that.”
Gewey nodded and squeezed Lee’s shoulder. “I promise that you will have peace when this is over, my friend. And if I can save your wife, I will.”
A pained expression washed over Lee’s face. “I fear that she is beyond even your power. I ask only that you release her, so that when my time comes our spirits can be reunited.”
“I swear it,” said Gewey earnestly. “But there is also the question of your son. I want him to go to Valshara to be with your mother. He’ll be much safer there if Baltria is attacked.”
“You’ll have to convince him,” said Lee. “But I wouldn’t object. In fact, I would be grateful.”
“I don’t intend to leave him with a choice,” explained Gewey. “But I wanted to have your permission first. I figured it better for him to hate me rather than you for forcing him to leave.”
“He’s no fool,” said Lee. “He’ll know I am aware of it. But the thought is still appreciated.” He rose to his feet and stretched his limbs. “I have sat for too long. I noticed The Plank Walker’s Café is still open. Come. Let’s continue this over the best seafood stew you’ve ever tasted.”
Gewey slapped his knees and hopped up. “An excellent idea.”
He followed Lee through the labyrinth of city streets until they reached the Café. Once settled at a table they spent the next few hours talking on a variety of matters. At first they went over plans for the city defenses and how to best secure supply lines to the west. Most of the proposals they discussed had originally come from either Jansi or Bevaris, both of who had greater experience than them in such matters. After agreement on Baltria’s immediate future, the conversation soon drifted on to more relaxing topics.
That evening Gewey and Kaylia retired early. Jansi had been more than happy to provide them with a room that came complete with a private shower and small dining area.
The elves were already voicing a desire to leave for the west; the cold there seemed to bother them far less than the extreme humidity of the deltas. Linis at first objected quite strongly when Gewey told him to go with them to Althetas, but Dina, understanding the danger that Baltria would soon be facing, helped to convince him. Millet, on the other hand, would not be easily moved. Lee planned to use the fact that they were also sending Jacob to persuade him. Gewey hoped this would be effective.
“You know,” said Kaylia as they lay in bed. “It may not be any safer in Althetas than it is here.”
“That's true,” said Gewey. “But with their supply line cut, Angrääl will be hard pressed to hold land that is not their own. And once elf reinforcements arrive, the enemy will be over matched.” He pulled her close. “At least, that’s my hope. Both Linis and Bevaris agree with me.”
There was a soft knock at their door. Grumbling, Kayla grabbed her robe to answer it. She found Millet standing there, a mixture of excitement and confusion on his face. She ushered him inside and turned up the lamp.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” Millet told them, “but a fauna bird has just delivered some amazing news.” He paused. “Angrääl is defeated in the west.”
Gewey leapt from the bed. “Defeated? How?”
“Their commander sent a message to the temple of the faithful, not knowing that the city has fallen,” Millet explained. He hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “They think you are responsible.”
“Me!” Gewey exclaimed. “How could they think that?”
“It says Darshan has descended upon them and is slaughtering them by the thousands. They say they cannot escape and are begging for help.”
Gewey was astonished. “That doesn’t make sense. What could have happened?”
“It could be a deception meant to lure you away from Baltria,” suggested Kaylia.
“I thought that as well,” said Millet. “I sent a message to Althetas just before I came here. If it is a ploy, we may not know for as long as two weeks.”
Gewey nodded and rubbed his chin. “I will contact Aaliyah. Perhaps she can shed some light on all of this. Who else knows about the message?”
“Just Lee and Linis,” replied Millet. “They were with me when I received the parchment.”
“Did anyone else read it?” he pressed.
Millet shook his head. “No. Only Jansi, Bevaris and I are permitted to see the faithful’s correspondence. No need for rumors to spread.”
“Good,” said Gewey. “Tell as few people as possible for now.”
Millet nodded and showed himself out, bowing goodnight as he reached the door.
“There is another possibility,” said Kaylia.
Gewey knew exactly what she was thinking. “It couldn’t be,” he said. “Melek is trapped in Shagharath. There is no way for him to get out. Only Maybell has the power, and she certainly wouldn’t allow him to escape.”
Kaylia gave Gewey a worried look.
He climbed into bed and pulled her close beside him. “I’ll contact Aaliyah. I’m sure there is nothing to worry about. More than likely it’s just as you said before - a ploy.”
He closed his eyes to concentrate on the bond. It always felt a little odd whenever he became consciously aware of it; their link existed mostly in the back of his mind. When he reached out this time however, he was met by a new and strange sensation. It was as if a cloud had settled between them. He could feel Aaliyah’s presence, but was unable to capture her form. The veil still remained even when Kaylia added her power to his.
“Are you there?” Gewey called out.
“Come back to Althetas,” a distant voice responded. It sounded something like Aaliyah, but different in a way he could not grasp.
“What has happened?” asked Gewey.
“You are needed,” the voice told him. “Come back.”
Gewey broke the connection. His eyes snapped open. “Something is very wrong. She should not be able to block me like that.” He could feel fear rushing through Kaylia and gently took her by the shoulders. “What is it?”
“I felt something,” she whispered. “When she spoke, there was a power surrounding her. It reached out for me.”
Gewey furled his brow in confusion. “I felt nothing. What was it like?”
“I have felt only one thing like it before,” she told him. “You. Only your spirit can compare.”
Gewey’s concern deepened. “Then perhaps Melek did escape after all,” he said. The idea was terrifying. To think that a monster to rival the Reborn King in malice and power walked the earth was beyond comprehension. Three warring gods would rip the world apart like wet parchment.
Sensing his sudden fear, Kaylia used her most soothing tone. “What will you do?” she asked.
Gewey shook his
head slowly. “I don’t know.” He closed his eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. “I can’t leave though. Not until I know for sure.”
For the next two weeks Gewey was on constant edge, spending most of his time either on the Lanson estate grounds or inside his room. Elves relayed regular updates on preparations for their ships’ departure, as well as news of any messages received by fauna bird. Though there were none of these birds living in the desert, the elves were most impressed with the ingenuity of using them in such a manner. It wasn’t long before there was chatter about using one of their own native species, but no agreement could yet be reached as to which one would be best suited to the task.
The Baltrian citizens were wary of the elves at first, but life under the rule of the Reborn King, which at first seemed like a boon, had turned into a nightmare. This went a long way to easing fears and misgivings. For their part, the elves went to great lengths to reassure the people that they meant them no harm, regularly treating the sick and seeing that food and supplies withheld by Angrääl were distributed to all those in need. Millet had mentioned that people were now even smiling at the newcomers as they passed them in the street.
Lee was equally concerned about the possibility of a mad god rampaging in the west and made a point of taking at least one meal every day with Gewey.
“You can’t send the elves to Althetas if this Melek is there,” he said during a particularly early breakfast. Kaylia was with Dina exploring the city, so they were alone in the parlor.
“If he is there,” said Gewey, “then remaining in Baltria is not a refuge. He will come eventually.”
This brought about several minutes of unsettling silence, broken only by the rapid footfalls of a young messenger. Finding the door ajar, he entered and bowed. Before Gewey could ask, the boy handed him a folded parchment and ran out.
Gewey read the message with a look of amazement. He gave a short laugh. “Apparently, a Vrykol awaits me at the city gates bearing a banner of truce.”
Lee leaned back in his chair and cocked his head. Gewey handed him the note. After reading it for himself, he spread his hands. “What do you want to do?”
Gewey hopped to his feet, smirking. “Let’s see what it wants.”
As they made their way to the gates, Kaylia appeared from around a corner and fell into step. Gewey took her hand. It never ceased to amaze him how in tune she was to his thoughts.
“A single Vrykol?” she asked with mild amusement.
“You should still be cautious,” warned Lee.
“I won’t allow him to get near enough to harm us,” said Gewey. “I’ll rip his spirit to shreds before he can lift a finger.”
When they arrived at the gates they found them shut and barred. The fury of the elves guarding them was obvious, as was the fear of the humans who were scattered amongst them. The gates cracked opened just sufficiently to allow the three of them to slip through.
Standing twenty feet away was a lone figure in the now all too familiar black cloak. It held the truce banner high, and there was no weapon apparent. Gewey reached out and touched its vile mind. It did not resist.
“As far as I can tell, it only wants to talk,” he told the others. “And I sense no one else nearby.” He took a step forward. “Speak, beast,” he commanded.
“My master sends a message to the mighty Darshan,” it said in the all too familiar foul hiss. “You have taken what was once his. He now offers that you keep it.”
Gewey burst into laughter. “He’s very generous. What else that I have taken from him does he offer me?” He could feel the malice bearing down on him from beneath the shadow of the Vrykol’s hood.
“My master has an army of one hundred thousand men ready to march from Kratis,” the creature continued. “These are not the weak townsfolk and farmers you have battled before. These are barbarians from the frozen wastes of Angrääl. They will burn every city to the ground and slaughter all that breathes air if you do not take his…kind offer.”
Gewey was no longer amused. “So what does he want in return?”
“My master wishes for you to return to the west,” it replied. “A new threat has arisen. One that requires your personal attention.”
“And what do you know about this?” Gewey demanded.
“I am but a servant and know nothing. But I have been instructed to tell you that he will not move against you until the matter is resolved. On that you have his word.”
Gewey stared hard at the creature for more than a minute. “And how do I know your master will keep his…word?”
Thin laughter seeped out of the Vrykol. “You don’t. But you do know that your beloved home, and every inhabitant of every city, town and village from here to my master’s doorstep will perish if you ignore him. Your attempt to draw him from his fortress has failed. He will remain in Angrääl until he chooses to do otherwise. He offers you the lives of those you love and a short time of peace so that you can deal with this matter.”
Gewey looked to Kaylia and Lee, but they offered nothing. “I will consider it,” he said.
“Do not take too long to decide,” the creature told him before turning and walking away with slow, even strides.
Gewey shouted after it. “And how will I deliver my answer?”
“There is no need,” it hissed without glancing back or pausing. “He will know what you decide.” Moments later, it disappeared from view.
“Do you think it’s telling the truth?” asked Lee.
Gewey rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “I don’t know. But if there is really an army of one hundred thousand more soldiers ready to march, I have to take it seriously.”
“And if they are truly native Angrääl barbarians,” added Lee, “it is a force to be much feared. I’ve encountered these people before, but only in small groups. Even then they were formidable. A raiding party of twenty could sack a small city if it was unprepared. Should the Dark Knight have organized them into an army…” He did not need to elaborate any further.
“Tell Millet, Linis and Bevaris to join me at the manor,” Gewey told Lee. “I’ll find Lyrial. It looks like Jacob will be staying here after all.”
Lee nodded and headed off toward the temple of the faithful. At this time of day Millet was sure to be going through their records, hoping to uncover anything that could give them an advantage. The bolt that Lee had thrown inside, as well as claiming many lives, had also done considerable damage to the temple’s main interior. Fortunately though, the deep vault where all of the faithful’s records were stored had been virtually untouched by the blast and subsequent fire. The thousands of papers discovered there all needed to be thoroughly checked. If there really was anything of great value amongst them, Millet was determined to find it.
Lyrial was at the docks watching the ships being prepared. She spent as much time as possible studying the workings of the strange vessels, and had a seemingly endless number of questions for the crews. At the same time, Weila and the other sand masters were working mostly in conjunction with Bevaris, Tristan, and a small human force formed from those former city guards who had chosen not to join the Angrääl army. Only a lucky few of these had escaped being killed following the murder of the royal family.
Lyrial was reluctant to leave the dockside, but the seriousness of Gewey and Kaylia’s expressions silenced any complaint that might have been forming.
By the time they reached the manor, everyone apart from Bevaris was gathered in a small study just down the hall from the main dining room. A serving girl brought them each a crystal goblet of sweet wine as they settled down around a mahogany table opposite an elaborately carved marble fireplace.
No one spoke to relieve the somber mood until Bevaris finally arrived. Gewey then told the group of the Reborn King’s offer, as well as his suspicions regarding Melek.
Millet was the first to speak after he had finished. “Assuming the Vrykol is telling the truth, I would guess that you intend to return to Althetas.”
Lyrial frowned. “You may need us if Melek is as powerful as you say.”
“If he really is there,” countered Gewey, “then there is nothing you can do to aid me. The fight will be between the two of us. There will be no battles. But if the enemy is being deceptive, you will be needed to hold this city until my return.”
“This will not sit well with my people,” she said. “But we will do as you ask. However, I would request that you at least allow Weila to go with you as a representative of the desert.”
“Agreed,” he replied, then looked to Lee. “You and your son will remain here as well.”
Lee nodded in compliance but said nothing.
“I hope you do not think I will be left behind too,” said Linis. His voice was commanding and serious. “My home is in the west. If a mad god threatens my kin–”
Gewey held up his hand. “That is precisely why I would not suggest you stay. And as for Dina...I would not dare ask her to stay either.”
He turned to Bevaris. “I would like you here to aid in strengthening the defenses. I will deliver any message you may have for Valshara.”
Bevaris simply nodded.
Gewey sighed. “That covers just about everything. I’ll leave with the supply ships the moment they’re ready to depart.”
With that, everyone stood and left. Only Kaylia and Linis lingered.
“Why leave Lee behind?” asked Linis. “Surely he could be of better use where we’re going?”
Gewey sat back down and drained the wine left in his glass. “Melek is powerful. How powerful, I’m not sure. But I do know that if he were to somehow ensnare Lee in the same way that the Dark Knight has done to others…”
The Godling Chronicles:Book 05 - Madness of the Fallen Page 23
