Jacob glanced over, unaffected by their situation. “I'mfine. Worry about yourself.”
Lee tightened his lips and spurred his horse forward toretake the lead position. Millet joined him.
“It will take time, my lord,” said Millet.“He's had many years to form his opinions, but I know you canmake him understand.”
“Thank you, my friend,” he responded. “Ihope I live long enough to do so.”
“You've never failed before,” said Millet.“You will not fail now. You will put your family togetheragain.”
“I have to tell you,” said Lee. “ThisYanti person made a tempting offer. If I wasn't so certain that itwas a lie, I might have taken him up on it.”
Millet nodded with understanding and dropped back withthe others. They rode until it was near dawn, and Lee found a decentplace to rest and eat.
“We rest for three hours,” he said. Heturned to Millet. “Tomorrow night, you'll take Jacob east. I'lltake Dina with me as far as Sharpstone.”
“I really wish you would consult me about thesethings,” said Dina, scowling.
“I can't take you with me,” said Lee. “Thereis a good chance I'm marching to my death, and I won't be responsiblefor yours.”
“I know I can't go with you,” she said. “ButI have no intention of being left in the middle of nowhere. I'm acleric in the Order of Amon Dahl, and I have my own duties. Iwill go with you as far as Sharpstone, but from there I will returnto the temple.”
Lee nodded. “You're right, of course. Iapologize.”
Dina smiled, reached in her belt, and pulled out a smallflask. “Here.” She tossed it to Lee.
Lee opened the flask and the air filled with the scentof plum brandy. “Ahhh!” He smiled, took a sip, and closedhis eyes, savoring the sweet taste. He offered it to Millet whorefused, and then called out to Jacob. Jacob turned and Lee threw theflask to him. Without a word, Jacob took a sip and threw it back.
“Manners, young man,” said Dina.
Jacob glared at Dina for a moment. “Thank you forsharing your flask… Dina.”
Lee kept watch as the others tried to catch a bit ofsleep. As they were preparing to leave, he walked up to Jacob andhanded him a sealed letter.
“What's this?” asked Jacob.
Lee pressed the letter in his hand. “Shouldanything happen to me, or should Millet somehow be unable to fulfillhis promise to tell you everything, I have written it all down. Justplease don't open it until after you've reached Dantary.”
Jacob paused then stuffed the letter into his pocket.“I'll wait.”
They kept to the road north until they reached a fork,then veered to the right, heading northeast. By mid-afternoon theyneared the spot where they planned to split up. Up ahead, Lee spotteda figure standing in the road. Lee scanned the area for signs of anambush, but could sense no one else nearby. When they were less thanone-hundred yards away, Millet sat up straight in his saddle.
“That's Yanti.”
Lee nodded. “I'll deal with him.”
Yanti was dressed in a black shirt and trousers, withblack leather boots. His hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, anda long rapier hung loosely at his side.
Lee halted his horse and slid from the saddle. “Yanti,I presume.” His tone was dark and vicious. “Unless youare here to tell me that you're on your way to retrieve my wife,you've signed your own death warrant.”
Yanti smiled, unconcerned. “Lord Starfinder. Atlast we meet. I've looked forward to this for quite some time.”He tapped the hilt of his sword with his index finger.
“I am saddened that you have chosen to refuse myoffer. Unwise.”
Lee slowly drew his weapon.
Yanti cocked his head. “I see you are in no moodfor idle talk. Still, I would be remiss if I didn't give you one morechance to abandon this course of action.”
Lee turned to the others. “Should this go badly,ride hard. Follow Millet. He knows where to go.”
“What say you, Jacob,” called Yanti. “Willyou follow Millet?”
“Leave my son alone,” Lee roared. “You…”He stopped short as Jacob walked past, holding the letter he hadgiven him.
“He gave me this,” said Jacob, handing Yantithe letter. “Probably no more than sentimental drivel, butthere might be something useful.”
“What is this?” Lee demanded.
“I'm sorry,” said Yanti. “Jacob and Iare old friends. He's been quite helpful to our cause. Without him,Hazrah would have been much more difficult to subdue.”
“Jacob… you can't do this?” Lee appealed.“Your mother-”
“Is weak,” said Jacob cutting him off. “Ifshe had her way, Hazrah would still be under the yoke of thetemples.” Hatred poured from his eyes. “You know, shenever stopped believing you would return one day. She probably stillthinks you're going to save her. But she is as big a fool as youare.”
“As you can see,” said Yanti. “Thethings you fight for are in fact fighting against you. By now yourdear wife has joined us and as you see, your son has been with us allalong.”
“She would never betray her people.” Lee’sface burned with fury. “And whatever you've done to my son tomake him this way… for that, I swear you'll pay with your life.”
Yanti drew his weapon and took a step back. “Comethen. Let us see if your reputation is deserved.”
Lee sprang forward, slashing through the air in a widearc, attempting to end the fight in a single blow. But Yanti spun tohis left with speed Lee had never encountered. If not for Lee'straining and physical power, his momentum would have sent himsprawling.
“Hasty, Starfinder,” taunted Yanti. “Mindthe things you have learned.” But he made no move to counter.
Lee cursed himself for such an arrogant and foolhardyattack. Yanti was no ordinary opponent. He should have suspected asmuch.
This time Lee attacked with more caution and finesse.Short, powerful strokes rained down on Yanti, as he attempted tothrow him off balance, but to Lee's dismay, Yanti parried each bloweasily. Lee became concerned by Yanti's lack of aggression. The manhad not made a single move to attack, seeming to be content to fightoff Lee's onslaught.
“You're trained well,” admitted Lee, takinga step back. “But if you think to tire me out, you'll find thatwill not happen.”
“No, no,” replied Yanti, still smiling. “Ionly wish to admire your skill. You have indeed been well educated inthe art of the sword. It is a pity you won't allow my master to makeyou even more powerful… as he has done for me.”
With those words, Yanti charged, bringing his sword downon Lee’s. A deafening clang of metal on metal shot through theair, causing a flash of sparks to fly. Lee was only barely able toraise his sword in time. The second blow whizzed by his ear and hewas forced back, nearly losing his footing.
Now Yanti began to toy with him, slashing and feigning.Lee tried to regain advantage, but Yanti kept forcing him back andback, until finally, Lee dropped to one knee from the force one ofYanti's blows. Lee pushed with all his strength and gained his feet,but he knew Yanti could finish him at any time. He glanced over longenough to see Dina and Millet still on their horses, staring inhorror.
“Ride, you fools,” he shouted. “Beforeit's too late.”
“It is already too late, Lord Starfinder,”said Yanti, pointing to Jacob, who had a bow drawn and pointed atDina's head. “At that range he won't miss.”
“If you let them go, I will do what you ask,”said Lee bowing his head.
Yanti laughed softly. “Being that you are in noposition to bargain, I cannot help but be amused. Still, you haveshown courage. A quality my master values greatly… as do I. Still,I am not foolish enough to simply kill you and allow your companionsto roam free.”
Lee tensed, ready for another assault. “Then weend this.”
“Indeed we do,” Yanti agreed.
In a flash Yanti raced forward. Lee attempted to sidestep and counter, but Yanti was too fast. His own blade had barelymoved when he felt Yanti's blow st
rike home on the back of his skull.He fell to his knees with a grunt and his sword flew from his hand.Lee's head swam, as he looked up to see Dina weeping and Millet insilent prayer. He marveled that he still lived. His head should havebeen split in two. Then he realized that Yanti had hit him with thehilt of his sword and not the blade.
“You fought well.” Yanti's voice sounded faraway. Then he felt his entire body jar as Yanti delivered one finalblow. His last thoughts before darkness took him were of his wife. Hehad failed her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Consciousness came slowly… and painfully. The worldaround Lee spun violently. Realization washed over him. Feelinganything at all meant he was still alive. Yanti must have spared him.But why?
He opened his eyes and let the light filter in. Thewound on the back of his head throbbed, but he knew he had to sit up.He had to find out if Millet and Dina still lived. He took a deepbreath and struggled to his knees. As his vision cleared, he saw thatthe horses had been tied to a fallen log and their gear neatly placedbeside them. Millet and Dina were tied and blindfolded just off theroad. Jacob was bound and blindfolded just like the others, onlyjudging from the bruises on his face, he had been beaten.
“Millet… Dina,” called Lee. “Are youhurt?” He struggled to his feet and stumbled towards them.
“We are both fine, my lord,” said Millet.“Yanti decided to leave us unharmed.” Lee was about tosearch for a knife in the gear, but saw that his weapons had beenplaced beside Millet. He cut their bonds and helped them to theirfeet. Dina immediately noticed Jacob and ran over, seething withfury. She stood over him momentarily, then spat on the ground.
“If he wasn't your son,” said Dina. “I'dslit his throat here and now.”
“I wouldn't blame you,” admitted Lee,gingerly touching the back of his head. “But his fate is in myhands, and I alone must decide what to do with him.”
“Well, that can wait,” said Millet. “FirstI must treat your injuries.” Lee didn't protest and allowedMillet to examine his wounds.
“Your skull is made of stone to have taken such ablow,” Millet muttered. He retrieved some medicine and bandagesfrom their gear and finished the dressings.
“What happen after I was knocked out?” askedLee.
Millet's face twisted in anger then relaxed as heregained his composure. “He told Jacob to bind and blindfoldus. After that I heard Jacob arguing with him that he should kill usall and be done with it. But Yanti just laughed at him. Next thing Iheard was a thump and what sounded like a body hitting the ground. Ican only assume it was Jacob. After that, he must have tied off ourhorses and searched through our gear. Before he left, he told us thatyou were still alive and once you woke up there would be a giftwaiting for us. I suppose he was referring to Jacob.”
“How could your own son betray you like that?”asked Dina, still furious. “And his own mother…”
“I know,” snappedLee. “I know,” he repeated, this time more calmly. Milletplaced his hand gently on Lee's shoulder. “What will you do?”
“I'll keep my word,” Lee replied. “Iwill save my wife.” His eyes fell on Jacob. “And he willgo with me.”
“You can't be serious,” Millet protested.
Lee never took his eyes off his son. “I've neverbeen more serious. Yanti knew what he was doing, leaving me alive.”
“What do you mean?” asked Dina.
Lee glanced sideways her. “He wants me to gonorth, and wants me out of the fight. If I am captured attempting torescue my wife, then they will try to turn me. If the Dark One wasable to empower Yanti so much as to make short work of me, his ownpower must be unfathomable. If I went with him willingly, he wouldworry about treachery along the way. This way I deliver myself intotheir hands. And he knew exactly what he was doing by leaving Jacobbehind.”
“I still don't follow,” said Dina.
“By doing so,” Lee explained. “Heleaves me with an impossible choice. If I decide to return to Gewey,and continue aiding him, I will be forced to kill my own son. Icannot trust Jacob, therefore I cannot take him with me. Nor can Isimply let him go.”
“Why not?” argued Dina. “He clearlywants you dead. Why not just leave him to return to his masters?”
Lee looked at Dina angrily. “He's my son.He is what he is because I abandoned him. I'll not simply leave himto his fate. No. If I can save him, I will. And if we are killed,we'll die together.”
“And I will go with you,” said Millet.
Lee smiled at the man with intense affection. “No,my friend. You must continue what I cannot. You must return and aidGewey, as best you can.”
Millet opened his mouth to protest, but Lee held up hishand, silencing him.
“You must do this,” pleaded Lee, his eyeswelled with tears. “I have never given you a command, dearfriend… until now. I must break the oath I made to Gewey, so youmust have more honor than I. You must keep the word of the houseNal’Thain, as you are bound to do. But you will not do so as myservant.” He walked over to his pack and retrieved a sealedparchment. “From this moment on you shall be known as MilletNal’Thain. I empower you with the rank and privileges of Lordand Patriarch of my family. I officially step down from all titlesand pass them to you.” He held out the parchment.
Millet took a step back. “My Lord,” hecried. “You cannot do this. I am your servant, and shall remainso. I refuse this.”
Lee smiled and pressed the letter into Millet's hand.“You cannot refuse. As the Lord Nal’Thain, it is my rightto choose my successor. You are the only man I can trust with thechallenges that lie ahead. And I am sorry. I leave to you a brokenhouse of a broken land, and it will be up to you to heal them andrestore our honor. I likely ride to my death and even should Isurvive, I cannot return to my former life. I beg you to do thisservice.”
By this time, Millet was weeping openly. “I cannotrestore your honor. I could only maintain it. The honor of Nal’Thainis embodied in you. I will not fail you, my lor-” He took astep back and bowed. “Lee.”
Lee smiled, then bowed low. “I know you won't, mylord.” Jacob began to stir. “You must leave before hewakes,” said Lee. “I don't want him to see what directionyou are going.”
“What about Yanti?” asked Dina. “Doyou think he will follow us?”
“I doubt it,” Lee replied. “He doesn'tconsider you a threat. The only reason he left you alive was toconfuse and hinder me, making my choice more difficult. If he hadplans for you, he would have taken you with him. No doubt, he has themeans to transport you north or have you imprisoned here. Still Isuggest you ride hard until you can take rest within a temple.”
Jacob groaned.
“Now go,” Lee commanded. He embraced themboth and helped them repack their mounts. Millet glanced back onelast time before they spurred their horses to a run. “Goodluck, old friend,” Lee whispered.
“Wh..what's happening?” Jacob moaned,struggling with his bonds.
Lee took a deep breath and knelt down beside his son.“What's happening is that you've been abandoned, left in thehands of your foes. Lucky for you, that foe is also your father.”
Jacob stiffened. “Yanti… that dog. I will killhim for this.”
“Shut your mouth, boy!” barked Lee. “Youhave much to answer for… both of us do. If you choose, I will giveyou a chance for redemption.”
“Just kill me and get it over with,” Jacobgrumbled.
“Why do you think you deserve such a kindness? Youhave betrayed your mother, you have betrayed your father, and youhave dishonored your family name.” He cut Jacob's bonds.
Jacob pulled down his blindfold and rubbed his wrists.“And what have you done, Father? What crimes have youcommitted? How are you any better than me?”
“I have committed crimes I can scarcely describe.And for those crimes I suffer, and will continue to suffer.”Lee stood and offered his hand.
Jacob stared at Lee, and then sneered. “You shouldkill me now. If you don't, I willkill you.”
“And in who
se name will you kill me?” Leeasked. “Will you kill me for the Dark Knight, the Reborn Kingof Angraal? The one who just left you behind, now that yourusefulness is over? Or perhaps you will kill me in the name of yourmother? Or do you mean for her to die? Do you? Has the Dark Oneblackened your heart so much that you turn your back on the one wholoves you the most?”
“Loves me?” he roared. “She lovesyou… not me. She never loved me!”
“Of course she does,” said Lee, withdrawinghis hand. “I have never known her to love anything more thanyou, and if you don't see that, then you are as blind as you arefoolish. You think she wept for me?” He paused. “She weptbecause she knew you had to grow up without a father. She weptbecause of my absence in your life. She weptbecause I had stolen something precious from the true love of herlife. Did she love me? Yes. And I love her still. But you do not knowthe depths of your mother as I do. The moment you came into thisworld you became her reason for living. It was I who was second inher heart, not you.” He re-extended his hand. “Come withme to Angraal, and I'll prove it.”
Jacob hesitated a moment, then allow Lee to pull him tohis feet. “I'll go with you,” said Jacob. “If onlyto take my revenge.”
“That's good enough for now,” said Lee. “Ifyou can refrain from killing me, at least for the time being, I mayeven be able to show you a thing or two about the power that flows inyour veins.”
“As I said,” he replied. “I'll go withyou. I promise nothing else.”
“I suppose that will do,” said Lee. “Perhapstogether we will both find retribution and redemption.”
They loaded the horses and began making their way north.Lee whistled a traditional Hazrian travel song. Jacob did not join inat first, but after a time started to hum along.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gewey's heart pounded as he passed through the massivedouble doors. Kaylia followed close behind, and though she didn'tshow it, he knew she was nervous. Once inside, Gewey was amazed tosee a room that looked like a theater. On either side of the room,rows of marble benches curved along the walls, forming a semi-circlethat met at the back of a raised, stone platform. The ceiling wasvaulted and covered with the familiar orbs that lit the room sobrightly; it took Gewey's vision a moment to adjust. Standing acrossthe stage, tall and proud, a group of six elves stood, arms crossedand hoods drawn. Theopolou was already atop the stage, and had takenhis place beside the other elders. Gewey and Kaylia walked down thenarrow center isle until they were only a few feet away.
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