The Godling Chronicles : Of Gods and Elves (Book Two)

by Brian D. Anderson

  Lee nodded. “He's a good man. But I still hate that he goes along with what's happening here.”

  Dina mounted her horse. “What would you have him do? Besides, from what you said, Angrääl isn't acting aggressively. He has no reason to suspect their true intentions.”

  “That's just it,” Lee countered. “They're not a bunch of uneducated fools. They know what's going on. Some even welcome it. So long as they stay rich, they'll go along with anything.”

  “But you thought that might be the case,” said Dina. “Why are you so angry?”

  “I'm angry because we have been lazy,” said Lee. “We've allowed The Dark One to spread his lies unchallenged. Now, who knows if he can be dislodged? He'll conquer the world one city at a time before even one battle is fought.”

  “What can we do?”

  “We can play his game better. The moment I've secured Millet and my son, Valshara must be told what is happening here. In fact, when you visit the temples tonight, I'll have you send a message to Althetas.”

  They wound their way through the streets to Lanson's rental house. Lee remembered Lanson using it to rendezvous with his mistresses in years past. The man had had a bit of a wild side and a reputation with the ladies. But it seemed his friend must have settled down these days if he was now renting the house out. It was a modest, single story dwelling typical of the merchant class. Its solid brick walls and tan tile roof were well built and suited for the climate. The yard was small but well kept, and a wrought iron fence surrounded the property.

  Lee led them to the rear of the house and put the horses in a small stable at the back. They entered through the back door and he set about lighting lamps. The interior was well decorated and deceptively spacious. The main living room was equipped with a small fireplace, a plush suede couch, and two matching chairs. With the local hot climate usually preventing any need for a fire, the fireplace was more for decoration than anything else. Elsewhere in the house, the three bedrooms were each big enough to accommodate a married couple comfortably, and the beds had thick, goose down mattresses.

  There was a bathing room that had running water and a tub heated by coals placed in a compartment beneath its base. Lee and Dina each picked a bedroom and washed and changed in turn. Once dressed, they relaxed in the living room.

  “I'll go out later for food and drink,” said Lee. “There's an eatery a few blocks from here that serves wonderful mince pies.”

  Dina smiled, trying to hide her apprehension. “I should go with you,” she said. “I don't think I like the idea of either of us venturing out alone.”

  Lee nodded. “I'll walk you to the temple and we'll pick something up on the way back.”

  There was a knock at the door. Lee drew his dagger and peered out of the window. Lanson stood uneasily outside. Lee opened and let him in.

  “I see you're prepared,” said Lanson, glancing at the dagger. “Good.”

  “Has something happened?” asked Lee.

  Lanson eyed Dina. “Such matters can wait until after we've made proper introductions.” Dina smiled and got to her feet.

  “Lanson,” said Lee. “This is my dear friend Celandine....”

  He paused and looked at Dina, embarrassed. “I'm afraid I don't know your last name.”

  “Such things have not come up,” Dina replied. “Lord Lanson Brimm I presume.” She curtsied, elegantly. “I am Celandine Selborne.”

  Lanson took her hand and kissed it lightly. “My dear, it is an honor.” He tilted his head. “Do I detect a Baltrian accent?”

  “I lived here in my youth,” she said. “That is to say, when I was a little girl.”

  “Indeed,” said Lanson. “Well, our city has certainly missed your beauty.”

  Lee slapped him on the shoulder. “And here I was thinking that you've settled down.”

  “Me?” Lanson smiled mischievously. “Never.” He made his way to the couch and sat down while Lee and Dina took the chairs. “I thought you might want to know that I was told to be on the lookout for you just after we parted company.”

  “By whom?” asked Lee, leaning forward.

  “One of those blasted faithful,” he replied. “I think they must know you're in the city. And it's no secret that we are friends.”

  “Isn't it dangerous for you to come here?” asked Dina.

  Lanson smiled. “It will be after today. I had only walked a few blocks from the cafe before they stopped me. I'm afraid I can't risk returning here until you've left Baltria.”

  “Did anyone see us together?” asked Lee.

  “I don't think so,” said Lanson. “I followed them after they spoke to me, and they gave me no indication that they knew anything. They spoke to three other nobles, then went to the governor’s mansion.” He held up his hand. “And before you ask, I wasn't followed.”

  “We should leave,” said Dina. “I wouldn't want to put you in danger.”

  “My dear,” Lanson replied. “I may not be the hero that Lee is. But I do not abandon a friend - especially one who has saved my life. Besides, no one will think to look here, even if they suspect me of helping you. As far as anyone knows, this house is still occupied. The last tenants only moved away a week ago.” His face was grim with resolve. “I'm having food and supplies brought for you within the hour.”

  “We had planned to visit the temples,” said Dina.

  “Don't,” Lanson objected. “All the temples are being watched by the faithful. They like to know who comes and goes. There's no way for you to enter unnoticed.”

  Dina crossed her arms in disappointment.

  “How will you communicate with us?” asked Lee.

  “Do you remember my servant Jansi?”

  Lee nodded.

  “He'll bring you any word of Millet.” Lanson stood up. “I wish I could say I'll see you soon but...”

  Lee and Dina got to their feet. Lee embraced Lanson tightly. “Thank you,” he said, smiling. “I think we're even now.”

  Lanson laughed and turned to Dina. “My dear, I only wish I could behold your loveliness once more - but alas.”

  Dina kissed Lanson's cheek. “Thank you for your kindness.”

  Lanson put his hand over his heart and walked to the door. He turned just before he crossed the threshold. “I know you were upset by my attitude regarding Angrääl. But I think that attitude is changing.” He bowed and left.

  Soon after his departure, a young boy showed up with a wagonload of food, wine, and other essentials. Dina and Lee busied themselves putting things away, then prepared the evening meal. Dina tried to convince Lee they should attempt to get into the temples, despite Lanson's warning, but Lee wouldn't allow it.

  That night Lee slept in one of the chairs in the living room, his sword across his lap.

  Chapter 17

  Millet and Jacob disembarked from the river craft. The heat in Baltria was causing no small amount of discomfort, and both were sweating profusely.

  “I'll never understand how people live in this wretched heat,” said Jacob.

  Millet had never been around anyone so contrary and bad tempered in his life. Even though he’d tried to be understanding over the boy's situation – that his mother was in captivity, and that his entire life had been stripped away from him - Millet still couldn't help but be irritated by his behavior. On more than one occasion he marveled at how this ill-mannered youth could possibly be the son of Lee Nal’Thain.

  “You had better be grateful that they do,” remarked Millet. “Most trade goods in Hazrah arrive through here. Without Baltria and its port, most of the world would starve.”

  “Hazrah is starving,” snapped Jacob.

  Just for once, Millet felt as Jacob did. The thought of Hazrah’s people suffering caused anger to swell inside him. He quickly changed the subject. “You said you have friends here?”

  “Yes,” Jacob replied. “But I'll need to visit them alone. They do not enjoy meeting new people.”

  “I assure you that I can fit i
n,” said Millet. He didn't like the idea of Jacob venturing into Baltria alone. “I know this city very well. I think you'd be better off...”

  “I said I'm going alone,” he growled. “Besides, don't you need to find my father?” The word ‘father’ dripped with hatred.

  “Your father will find us,” said Millet. “You can count on that.”

  “If you say so.” Jacob shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. “I don't care. You wait for him, and I'll do what I have to do.”

  Millet led them through the city into the tavern district, and then directly to the Green Barnacle Inn. He knew that Lee had stayed at the Green Barnacle for a month when they’d first come to Baltria many years ago, and he would often return there to see the jugglers or musicians and relax. Lee had always enjoyed less sophisticated company. Millet also considered the Malt and Mane, another of Lee's old haunts, but Millet had never cared much for the place. If Lee were staying there instead, he would know to look out for them at the Green Barnacle too.

  Millet was carrying a considerable amount of money on him. He had plenty left over from the trip, and more still from the sale of their horses. His clothes were dirty and worn from travel, so he decided to spend out on some new attire after they had checked in. He smiled, thinking of the many trips and hardships he had endured in his travels with Lee, and, despite the boy’s ill temper, he was pleased to have had this experience with his son.

  Millet and Jacob stowed their belongings in their rooms, and then took time to eat a modest meal of roast pork and wine. As they ate, Millet remembered the seafood stew at the Plank Walker's Cafe and began to regret filling his stomach. If Lee were already in Baltria, he would have made that place one of his first stops.

  Once he was finished, Jacob stood from the table and moved toward the door. “When should I expect you to return?” asked Millet.

  “When my business is done,” he shot back, without turning around. With that, he left.

  Millet spent the next few hours wandering the city, buying the new set of clothes he had promised himself, plus a few other odds and ends. Once finished, he had a messenger deliver his goods to the inn and headed off to the Malt and Mane.

  As he sat listening to a bard spin a tale to the music of a lute, he scanned the common room for signs of Lee. Disappointingly, there were none. He knew there was the possibility that he had arrived ahead of his master; the river was swift and the vessel had only made two stops before arriving in Baltria, and those had only been for a brief time to offload a small portion of their cargo and take on fresh water.

  Just as he was about to give up and head back, the barmaid handed him a folded slip of parchment. He glanced around, but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Slowly he opened the paper. Meet me for the best seafood stew you've ever tasted. There was no signature.

  Millet left the inn and made his way to The Plank Walker’s Café. Once there, he scanned the dining area for a familiar face but could see none. He took a table near to the edge of the deck so that he could see people as they approached and ordered a bowl of seafood stew.

  After a few minutes had passed by, a tall, slender man with dark, shoulder-length curls that fell about his shoulders approached Millet’s table. His sharp, angular features and soft, white cotton outfit spoke of wealth and breeding. A small dagger sheathed in a jeweled scabbard hung from his belt, and he was carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  “Millet, I presume,” said the man. His voice was deep and masculine, yet smooth and pleasing. “May I join you?”

  Millet tensed but held out his hand, motioning for him to sit. “And you are?”

  “You may call me Yanti,” he replied, bowing his head. “It was I who sent you the note at the Malt and Mane.”

  “How do you know me?” Millet shifted in his seat.

  Yanti smiled “My good man. I'm the enemy, so to speak.”

  Millet started to rise.

  “Don't fret,” said Yanti. “You are in no danger just yet. But that could change should you leave before I've had a conversation with you.”

  Millet slowly sat back down. “What do you want?”

  “From you, nothing,” said Yanti. “From Lord Starfinder, however - from him I want a great deal.”

  “You waste your breath, Yanti,” said Millet. “I have no idea where he is. And even if I did, I would not tell you.”

  Yanti covered his mouth, laughing quietly. “My good man. I would not presume to think you would betray your master. No. I only want to convey my deepest respect and admiration in the hope that we can come to an agreement.”

  Millet's face hardened. “If you think Lee Starfinder will come to terms with you, or any servant of the Dark One, you're mistaken.”

  “That may be,” said Yanti. “But I would have you deliver my message nonetheless. And to show you my goodwill, I will make no move against you, or his son - Jacob, I believe his name is.”

  His final words sent a chill down Millet's spine. “If I were you, I would leave Lord Starfinder and his family alone.”

  “I know how formidable Starfinder is,” Yanti responded, with a tinge of amusement. “But rest assured, I mean his family no harm. In fact, I wish to reunite them if only he can 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 son are more important to him than a race of gods that have long since abandoned this world, he can leave this conflict behind. We promise to allow him and his family to live in peace. They can even return to his home in Hazrah, if that's what he would like. In fact, we can ensure that his remaining years are quite rewarding.”

  “Is that all?” asked Millet.

  “One more thing,” Yanti continued. “Should he consider an unwise course, remind him that his wife resides in the court of the Reborn King.”

  “I will see to it that he receives your message,” said Millet. He tossed a couple of coppers on the table and rose to his 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 toward the inn.

  Yanti watched him disappear into the distance. He waved for the serving girl to bring more wine. As he waited for this to come, Salmitaya walked up and took a seat.

  “Did it go as you hoped?” she asked.

  “It went as I expected,” Yanti replied. “And I expect you to do your part as instructed, my love.”

  “You can depend on me, My Lord,” she replied.

  “Considering the dangers involved, you seem remarkably at ease. You aren't thinking about betrayal, are you?” His eyes darkened.

  “I will do exactly as you have told me,” she said. “You have no need to worry about my loyalty to you, or my commitment to our cause.”

  “That's good to hear. I would hate to think of you sharing the fate of Lord Starfinder.”

  “What fate is that?” she asked.

  Yanti flashed an angry look. “You know perfectly well not to ask such questions.”

  Salmitaya lowered her eyes.

  Chapter 18

  Millet struggled not to break into a dead run. His conversation with Yanti unnerved him to the core. All of their attempts to go unnoticed had failed. It seemed that no matter where they went, The Dark One wasn't far behind. In fact, most of the time it was as if he were ahead of them - waiting.

  He was hoping to find Jacob already back at the inn, but was disappointed to find that the boy had not yet returned. Millet decided there was nothing he could do but hope Lee would contact him soon. He sat in the common room, staring at the door, waiting for Jacob's return. If this Yanti fellow was as smart as he suspected, he was unlikely to make a move on Jacob until he’d first of all found Lee. And so far, it seemed as if he hadn't managed to do this. Or, if Yanti had, he obviously didn't want Millet to know
about it. But Millet couldn't think of any reason at all why Yanti would bother pretending such a thing in view of the message he was asking him to deliver.

  The door opened and Millet straightened, hoping to see Jacob. Instead, he saw another familiar face. It was Jansi, long time servant of Lord Lanson Brimm. Jansi scanned the room until he spotted Millet, then strode over to the table.

  Jansi was of medium build and average height, with pale skin and short cropped gray hair. He wore a light green cotton shirt and trousers. Millet noticed how much he had aged since he had last seen him. He stood up, smiling, and embraced the man warmly.

  “It is certainly good to see you, Jansi.”

  “And you, Millet,” Jansi replied. “Though I wish it were in 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. “At least to the extent I need to know. He wants you informed that Lord Starfinder is in Baltria. He and a young woman named Celandine are staying at his property near the merchant district.”

  Millet nodded. He was familiar with the house. “I require your help. My presence is known to our enemies. I was approached by an agent of Angrääl earlier, and they know where and who I am.”

  Jansi's eyes widened. “Do they know where Lord Starfinder is?” he asked.

  “No,” replied Millet. “As least he didn't seem to. He asked me to give him a message when I find him.”

  “Good.” Jansi sighed. “It would not do for Lord Lanson to get mixed up with those people.”

  Millet looked confused. “What people?”

  Jansi lowered his voice. “The ones from Angrääl. They're everywhere these days - you didn't know?”

  Millet shook his head. “I have only just arrived in the city.”

  “I see.” He took a deep breath and proceeded to inform Millet about the faithful and the Angrääl ambassador, along with recent events regarding the assaults on the temples.

  Millet was dumbfounded. “You must take me to Lord Starfinder. But I must get there without being seen.”