“How do you know me?” Millet shifted in hisseat.
Yanti smiled “My good man. I'm the enemy… so tospeak.” Millet started to rise.
“Don't fret,” said Yanti. “You are inno danger… yet. But that could change should you leave before I'vehad a conversation with you.”
Millet slowly sat back down. “What do you want?”
“From you, nothing,” said Yanti. “LordStarfinder, however… from him I want a great deal.”
“You waste your breath, Yanti,” said Millet.“I have no idea where he is. Even if I did, I would not tellyou.”
Yanti covered his mouth, laughing quietly. “Mygood man. I would not presume to think you would betray your master.No. I only want to convey my deepest respect and admiration, in thehopes that we can come to an agreement.”
Millet's face hardened. “If you think LeeStarfinder will come to terms with you or any servant of the DarkOne, you're mistaken.”
“That may be,” said Yanti. “But Iwould have you deliver my message none-the-less. And to show you mygood will, I will make no move against you or his son… Jacob, Ibelieve his name is.”
This sent chills down Millet's spine. “If I wereyou, I would leave Lord Starfinder and his family alone.”
“I know how formidable Starfinder is,” Yantiresponded, with a tinge of amusement. “But, rest assured, Imean his family no harm. In fact, I wish to reunite them, if only hecan be reasonable.”
“Then deliver your message and be gone,”said Millet, his fear turning into anger.
Yanti laughed softly, unimpressed with Millet's display.“Simply tell him that should he decide that his wife and sonare more important to him than a race of Gods that have longabandoned this world, he can leave this conflict behind. We promiseto allow him and his family to live in peace. They can even return tohis home in Hazrah, if that's what he would like. In fact, we canensure that his remaining years are quite rewarding.”
“Is that all?” asked Millet.
“One more thing,” Yanti continued. “Shouldhe consider an unwise course, remind him that his wife resides in thecourt of the Reborn King.”
“I will see to it he receives your message,”said Millet. He tossed a couple of coppers on the table and rose tohis feet. “You'll pardon me. I've lost my appetite.”
Yanti smiled and nodded. “It was a pleasure.”
Millet's face was stone as he turned and headed back tothe inn.
Yanti watched him as he disappeared into the distance.He waved for the serving girl to bring more wine. Just then,Salmitaya walked up and took a seat.
“Did it go as you'd hoped?” she asked.
“It went as I expected,” Yanti replied. “AndI expect you will do your part as instructed, my love.”
“You can depend on me, my lord,” shereplied.
“Considering the dangers involved, you seem atease. You aren't thinking about betrayal, are you?” His eyesdarkened.
“I will do exactly as you have told me,” shesaid. “You have no need to worry about my loyalty to you, or mycommitment to our cause.”
“That's good to hear. I would hate to think of yousharing the fate of Lord Starfinder.”
“What fate is that?” she asked.
Yanti flashed an angry look. “You know perfectlywell not to ask these questions.” Salmitaya lowered her eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
Millet struggled not to break out into a dead run. Hisconversation with Yanti unnerved him to the core. All of theirattempts to go unnoticed had failed. It seemed that no matter wherethey went, The Dark One wasn't far behind. In fact, most of the timeit was as if he were ahead of them… waiting.
He hoped to find Jacob waiting for him, but wasdisappointed to find he had not returned. He decided there wasnothing he could do but hope that Lee would contact him soon. Hewaited in the common room, staring at the door, hoping for Jacob'sreturn. If this Yanti fellow was smart (and Millet thought heprobably was), he wouldn't move on Jacob until after he had foundLee. It was clear that he hadn't, or at least he didn't want Milletto know he had, and he couldn't think of why he would do such a thingin view of the message he was to deliver.
The door opened and Millet straightened, hoping to seeJacob. Instead, he saw another familiar face. It was Jansi, long timeservant of Lord Lanson Brimm. Jansi scanned the room until he spottedMillet, then strode over to the table.
Jansi was of medium build and average height, with paleskin, and short cropped gray hair. He wore light green cotton shirtand trousers. Millet noticed how much he had aged since he had lastseen him. He stood up, smiling and embraced the man warmly.
“It is certainly good to see you, Jansi.”
“And you, Millet,” Jansi replied. “ThoughI wish it were on more pleasant circumstances.”
“Then you know what I'm doing in Baltria?”asked Millet, trying to hide his anxiety.
“My Lord filled me in,” he said. “Atleast to the extent I need to know. He wants you to know that LordStarfinder is in Baltria. He and a young woman named Celandine arestaying at his property near the merchant district.”
Millet nodded. He was familiar with the house. “Irequire your help. My presence is known to our enemies. I wasapproached by an agent of Angraal earlier, and they knowwhere and who I am.”
Jansi's eyes widened. “Do they know where LordStarfinder is?” he asked.
“No,” replied Millet. “As least hedidn't seem to. He asked me to give him a message when I found him.”
“Good.” Jansi sighed. “It would not dofor Lord Lanson to get mixed up with those people.”
Millet looked confused. “What people?”
Jansi lowered his voice. “The ones from Angraal.They're everywhere these days-you didn't know?”
Millet shook his head. “I have only just arrivedin the city.”
“I see.” He took a deep breath. He proceededto inform Millet about the faithfuland the ambassador, along with recent events regarding the assaultson the temples.
Millet was dumbfounded. “You must take me to LordStarfinder. But, I must get there without being seen.”
“I have a carriage waiting just outside,”said Jansi. “If you leave through the kitchen you can get to itthrough the alley. I'll meet you there.”
Millet nodded and got to his feet. “I'll be therein a moment.” He watched as Jansi left and made his way to thekitchen. He slipped the innkeeper a gold coin and instructed him totell anyone who asked, that he had gone to his room feeling ill, andto tell Jacob to wait for him there.
He was relieved to find no one at the rear entrance ashe made his way around the back of the inn, then around the sidethrough the alleyway. He could see the carriage. Jansi was in thedriver’s seat and the door was open. Millet raced inside andslammed the door shut.
Jansi expertly navigated the streets until they reachedtheir destination. The sun was sinking over the horizon and Milletlooked out the windows for signs of pursuit. To his great relief onlya few people were about and none seemed to take notice of them. Heslowly crept from the carriage and walked to the front door.
Lee opened the door just as Millet was about to knock.He pulled him inside… Jansi quickly followed.
Lee embraced Millet so tightly he could hardly breathe.“It’s so good to see you, my old friend.”
“It's good to see you too, my lord,” Milletgrunted through the embrace.
Lee released him and walked him to living room. Dinaawaited them on the couch, a cup of wine in her hand, and wearing herwool traveling clothes. When she saw Millet, she sprang from her seatand flung her arms around him.
“I knew you'd make it,” she said.
“Indeed,” said Millet, smiling. “AndI'm pleased your trip was uneventful.”
“We moved too fast to have any adventures.”Dina laughed. “People scarcely knew we had passed.”
Millet's face turned grave. “They know now, I'mafraid.”
“Sit,” said Lee. “We can tell ourtales later. I must know where my s
on is.”
Millet and the others took their seats, Millet justbeside Lee. Jansi excused himself and went outside to the carriage.
“Your son is safe,” said Millet. “Bynow he's probably back at the inn. But now that I've found you, weshould leave the city immediately.” He recounted theconversation with Yanti.
Lee lowered his head, deep in thought. “I want youto take Jacob to Dantary in the eastern desert,” he saidfinally. “He'll be safe there.”
“That might be a problem, my lord,” repliedMillet. “Why is that?” asked Lee.
Millet took a deep breath before he spoke. “Yourson is a bit… stubborn. I don't think you will be able to talk himinto leaving. He's quite determined to rescue his mother.”
Lee nodded with understanding. He knew what Millet meantby stubborn.
“Then I'll have to convince him. I'm sure he holdsno love for me, but I'll not have him die needlessly.” Lee gotto his feet. “If this Yanti person knows you're here, he mayvery well know where I am. If so, it's likely he's waiting to strikeuntil we're all at the same place at the same time.” He walkedto the window and peered out.
“If that's the case,” said Dina. “Weshould split up and leave the city in different directions.”
Lee shook his head. “I'll not let any of you outof my sight.” There was no hint of compromise in his tone. Hishand slid to the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.
“If the Dark One thinks I'll bend to his will,then he's a bigger fool than I thought.
And as far as this Yanti…if he's stupid enough to hinder us, I'll make him regret the day hewas born.”
“What about these people that call themselves thefaithful?” asked Millet. “Evenyou cannot fight a hundred men at once.”
“We'll move with speed,” said Lee. “Wewon't give them a chance to do anything about it. It takes time toorganize enough men to stop the likes of me, and if Yanti has thesame intelligence as Harlando, then he'll know what I am.”
“But what if he's like you,”said Dina. “You know… a half-man.”
Lee flashed an evil grin. “Then I'll kill himfirst and slaughter his followers last. It's more than my blood thatmakes me formidable. I have trained under the greatest warriors theworld has ever known. Unless he has done likewise, it is hethat should fear me.”
“Still, it may not be so easy to convince Jacob toleave Baltria,” said Millet. “His… dislike for you isquite strong. I think we should overcome that obstacle first, don'tyou?”
“No doubt,” Lee agreed. “Go back tothe inn and bring him here. If you're not back in an hour, I'll knowsomething is wrong.”
“You don't mean to send Millet out alone, do you?”Dina protested.
“If they wanted to harm Millet, they would havealready done so,” said Lee. “No. It's me they want.”He turned to Millet. “Still, be careful.”
Millet nodded and left. The streets were busy and ittook Jansi nearly twenty minutes to get back to the inn. Milletdidn't bother to try to hide his presence. Ifthey see me, they see me, he thought. As soonas he was inside, he saw Jacob seated at a long table, playing dicewith two other patrons and draining a large jug of wine. Milletwalked straight up to him and pulled him by the arm.
“What do you think you're doing?” Jacobprotested.
“We need to leave,” said Millet as quietlyas he could manage. “Now.”
Jacob pulled himself from Millet's grasp. “Let mego, old man,” he bellowed. “I've only just arrived. AndI've yet to have my fill.”
Millet leaned down and whispered into the boy's ear.“You will have your fill when agents from Angraal gethere. Now get up, and gather your things.”
Jacob glared at Millet but he relented. “I’msorry, fellows,” he announced. “I must be off.”This was met with jeers and boos. He got up and followed Millet totheir rooms.
“There's a carriage out front,” said Milletwhen they stood at Jacob's door. “Meet me there.”
“Wait,” said Jacob, catching Millet's wrist.“Where are we going?”
Millet twisted himself loose and simply said, “Whereit is safe.” He turned and entered his own room.
Minutes later, he waited at the carriage. Jacob followedshortly, carrying his gear and looking none too happy. Millet openedthe door and Jacob entered, tossing his pack carelessly aside.
“Now, tell me what's going on,” Jacobdemanded, once they were underway.
Millet explained the encounter with Yanti, leaving outthe message the man had for Lee. Jacob's face twisted. “I takeit you plan for us to run like cowards.”
Millet said nothing. He didn't want to mention Lee untilthey arrived at Lanson's house.
“Well?” pressed Jacob. “Is that it, ornot?” He sniffed with disgust. “I'm not running. I'm notfinished with my business, so you should let me out right here.”
Millet sighed. “If you're worried that your motherwill be left in the hands of the Dark One, let me assure you, shewill not.”
“What? Are you going to save her?”Realization washed over his face. “I see. My father-that'swhere we're going. You found him and thought to bring me to himwithout my knowledge. And I suppose he intends to save her.”
Millet's mouth tightened. “He has not told me whathe is planning. But I would wager that is part of his plan.”
“Don't worry, old man.” Jacob laughed. “I'llspeak to the dog. But don't think that this will change anything.”
“I wouldn't presume,” Millet muttered.
Lee was waiting at the door when the carriage arrived.Millet could see the nervousness in Lee’s posture as heshifted, uncharacteristically, from side to side.
Jacob leaped from the carriage first and walked straightpast his father, and into the house, without so much as a word.Millet shrugged at Lee and helped Jansi with the gear. Lee wentinside and found Jacob had already taken a seat in the living room.Dina was on the couch, her eyes moving from Lee to Jacob. Lee draggedthe other chair directly in front of the boy and sat down. Millet putthe packs and other gear near the door and asked Jansi to waitoutside.
“So you're Lee Nal’Thain,” said Jacob.“I hope you're not expecting a warm reunion.”
Lee rubbed his hands together. “I know you mustnot think much of me,” he began.
“I don't think about you at all… Father,”said Jacob, anger seeping into his voice. “As far as I'mconcerned I have no reason to thinkanything… or feelanything either.”
Lee lowered his eyes. “I truly am sorry for what Ihad to do. But please understand, it had to be this way. I was tryingto protect you and your mother.”
“Good job,” he spat. “I've been forcedto leave my home, and my mother is imprisoned in Angraal.We're so lucky you were watching out for us.”
“You may not believe this, son,” said Lee.“But if I had stayed, things would have been much worse. TheDark Knight would have what he wants, and would have no further needto keep you or your mother alive.”
“And just what does he want?” Jacob leanedback in his chair. “What is it that is more important than yourfamily? I would really like to know.”
“I can't tell you,” Lee replied. “Atleast not yet. But know that it was the only thing that could forceme to make such a choice. And know that you and your mother neverleft my thoughts… not for a minute.”
Jacob's mouth tightened. “I see. You abandon yourfamily, start a new life, and when I ask you why, you can't tell me?I listened to my mother cry herself to sleep for years, and you can'ttell me why? I watched as my home was invaded and my people murdered,and you can't tell me why?”
“I'm sorry,” said Lee. “I will tellyou soon. I promise.”
“Keep your promises,” he growled. “Idon't need them… or you.” He moved to get up, but Lee caughthis shoulder.
“You doneed me,” said Lee, sternly. “If you expect to free yourmother…” Jacob tried to free himself from Lee's grasp, butLee held him firmly. “I know that you think you can find a wayto do this alone,” Lee continued. Jacob relaxed and
sat backdown. “But you can't. “
“And youcan? Just because you have the blood of Saraf coursing through yourveins, you think you can take on the armies of Angraal byyourself? At least I did not inherit your stupidity.”
“You have a plan, then?” Lee asked.
Jacob hesitated. “No. But, I'm forming one. I havefriends in the city, and I've already contacted some of them.”
“Then you've almost certainly let the agents ofAngraal know you plan to save your mother,” said Lee.“They have eyes and ears everywhere in Baltria. Even among thenobility.”
“Then what do you think you can do?” askedJacob.
“First I can keep you safe. I want to you go withMillet to the oasis of Dantary.”
This time Lee was unable to stop Jacob from rising. “Youdon't tell me what to do,” Jacob boomed. “I'll not beshipped off to the desert.”
Lee heaved a sigh. “I need to know that you'resafe if I'm to save your mother. As long as you're in danger, I can'tdo what must be done. I must protect you first, so I can focus on mytask.”
“It's too late to start trying to protect me,”said Jacob. “And forgive me if I don't trust that you'll followthrough with anything you say. No. I think I'll do things my ownway.”
“Listen to me,” said Lee. His tone was darkand intimidating. “If you ever want to see your mother alive,you'll forget your hatred for me and do as I tell you.”
Jacob opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
“If I may, my lord,” interjected Millet. Leenodded his approval. “Jacob, let me take you to Dantary. Ipromise that I will reveal everything once we get there. I have beenwith your father through it all. There is nothing he could tell youthat I don't already know.”
“And if I fail,” Lee added. “Then youare free to do as you will.”
Jacob glared at Lee, then at Millet. “I'll do asyou ask. But know that if you fail, I will kill you.”
“If I fail,” Lee replied. “I will bedead already.” He held out his hand, but Jacob turned his back.
“I need to check my gear,” Jacob said, andwalked toward the front door.
Millet placed his hand on Lee's shoulder. “I'llwatch over him. I swear it.”
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