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

by Brian D. Anderson

  “I have a carriage waiting just outside,” said Jansi. “If you leave through the kitchen you can get to it through the alley. I'll meet you there.”

  Millet nodded and got to his feet. “I'll be there in a moment.”

  As soon as Jansi had departed, he made his way to the kitchen. He slipped the innkeeper a gold coin and instructed him to tell anyone who might ask that he was feeling unwell and had retired to his room. Also, to tell Jacob on his return to stay there and wait for him.

  He was relieved to find no one at the rear entrance as he made his way around the back of the inn, and then along the alleyway. He could see the carriage. Jansi was in the driver’s seat and the door was open. Millet raced inside and slammed the door shut.

  Jansi expertly navigated the streets until they reached their destination. The sun was sinking over the horizon when Millet looked out of the windows for signs of pursuit. To his great relief only a few people were about, and none seemed to be taking any notice of them. He jumped from the carriage and moved rapidly to the front entrance.

  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,” Millet grunted through the embrace.

  Lee released him and together they walked to the living room. Dina awaited them on the couch, a cup of wine in her hand. She was wearing her wool traveling clothes. When she saw Millet she sprang from her seat and flung her arms around him.

  “I knew you'd make it,” she said.

  “Indeed,” said Millet, smiling. “And I'm pleased your trip was uneventful.”

  “We moved too quickly to have any adventures.” Dina laughed. “People scarcely knew we had passed.”

  Millet's face turned grave. “They know now, I'm afraid.”

  “Sit,” said Lee. “We can tell our tales later. First, I must know where my son is.”

  Millet and Dina took their seats, Millet just beside Lee. Jansi excused himself and went outside to the carriage.

  “Your son is safe,” said Millet. “By now he's probably back at the inn. But now that I've found you, we should leave the city immediately.” He recounted the conversation with Yanti.

  Lee lowered his head, deep in thought. “I want you to take Jacob to Dantary in the eastern desert,” he said finally. “He'll be safe there.”

  “That might be a problem, My Lord,” replied Millet. “Why is that?” asked Lee.

  Millet took a deep breath before he spoke. “Your son is a bit...stubborn. I don't think you will be able to talk him into leaving. He's quite determined to rescue his mother.”

  Lee nodded with understanding. His suppositions about his wife’s temporary safety and the boy’s intentions had both been proved correct. And he knew full well what Millet meant by Jacob being stubborn.

  “Then I'll have to convince him,” he said. “I'm sure he holds no love for me, but I'll not have him die needlessly.”

  Lee got to his feet. “If this Yanti person knows you're here, he may very well know where I am too. If so, it's likely he's waiting until we're all it the same place at the same time before striking.” He walked to the window and peered out.

  “If that's the case,” said Dina. “We should split up and leave the city in different directions.”

  Lee shook his head. “I'll not let any of you out of my sight.” There was no hint of compromise in his tone. His hand 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 for this Yanti - if he's stupid enough to hinder us, I'll make him regret the day he was born.”

  “What about these people who call themselves the faithful?” asked Millet. “Even you cannot fight a hundred men at once.”

  “We'll move with speed,” said Lee. “We won't give them a chance to do anything about it. It takes time to organize enough men to stop the likes of me, and if Yanti has the same 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 him first and slaughter his followers last. It's more than my blood that makes me formidable. I have trained under the greatest warriors the world has ever known. Unless he has done likewise, it is he that should fear me.”

  “Still, it may not be so easy to convince Jacob to leave Baltria,” said Millet. “His dislike for you is quite strong. I think we should overcome that obstacle first, don't you?”

  “No doubt,” Lee agreed. “Go back to the inn and bring him here. If you're not back within an hour, I'll know something is wrong.”

  “You don't mean to send Millet out alone, do you?” Dina protested.

  “If they wanted to harm Millet, they would have already done so,” said Lee. “No. It's me they want.” He turned to Millet. “Still, be careful all the same.”

  Millet nodded and left. The streets were busy and it took Jansi nearly twenty minutes to get back to the inn. Millet didn't bother trying hiding his presence. If they see me, they see me, he thought. As soon as he was inside he spotted Jacob sitting at a long table. The boy was playing dice with two other patrons and draining a large jug of wine. Millet walked straight up to him and pulled him by the arm.

  “What do you think you're doing?” Jacob protested.

  “We need to leave,” said Millet as quietly as he could manage. “Now.”

  Jacob pulled himself free from Millet's grasp. “Let me go, old man,” he bellowed. “I've only just arrived. And I've yet to have my fill.”

  Millet leaned down and whispered into the boy's ear. “You will have your fill when agents from Angrääl get here. Now get up and gather your things.”

  Jacob glared at Millet, but eventually relented. “I’m sorry, fellows,” he announced. “I must be off.” Jeers and boos sounded as he rose to his feet and followed Millet to their rooms.

  “There's a carriage out front,” said Millet when 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, “Where it is safe.” He turned and entered his own room.

  Minutes later, he waited at the carriage. Jacob followed shortly after carrying his gear and looking none too happy. Millet opened the door and the boy entered, tossing his pack carelessly aside.

  “Now tell me what's going on,” Jacob demanded once they were underway.

  Millet explained his encounter with Yanti, but said nothing of the message the man wanted passing on to Lee.

  Jacob's face twisted. “I take it you plan for us to run like cowards.”

  Millet remained silent. He didn't want to mention Lee until they arrived at Lanson's house.

  “Well?” pressed Jacob. “Is that it, or not?” He sniffed with disgust. “I'm not running. I'm not finished with my business, so you should let me out right here.”

  Millet sighed. “If you're worried that your mother will be left in the hands of the Dark One, let me assure you, she will not be.”

  “What? Are you going to rescue her? You joke, of course.”

  Realization then washed over Jacob’s face. “Oh I see now. My father - that's where we're going. You’ve found him and thought to bring me to him without my knowledge. And I suppose he intends to save her.”

  Millet's mouth tightened. “He has not told me what he is planning. But I would wager that is part of his plan.”

  “Don't worry, old man.” Jacob laughed. “I'll speak 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 he shifted uncharacteristically from side to side.

  Jacob leaped from the carriage
first, striding straight past his father and into the house without so much as a word. Millet shrugged at Lee and helped Jansi with the gear. Lee went inside and found that Jacob had already taken a seat in the living room. Dina was on the couch, her eyes moving from Lee to Jacob. Lee dragged the other chair directly in front of the boy and sat down. Millet put the packs and other gear near to the door and asked Jansi to wait outside.

  “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 must not 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'm concerned I have no reason to think anything - or feel anything either.”

  Lee lowered his eyes. “I truly am sorry for what I had to do. But please understand, it had to be this way. I was trying to protect you and your mother.”

  “Good job,” he spat. “I've been forced to leave my home, and my mother is imprisoned in Angrääl. 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. The Dark Knight would already have what he wants, and he’d have no further need to keep you or your mother alive.”

  “And just what does he want?” Jacob leaned back in his chair. “What is it that is more important than your family? I would really like to know.”

  “I can't tell you,” Lee replied. “At least, not yet. But know that it was the only thing that could force me to make such a choice. And know that you and your mother never left my thoughts - not for a minute.”

  Jacob's mouth tightened. “I see. You abandon your family, 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't tell 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 tell you soon. I promise.”

  “Keep your promises,” he growled. “I don't need them - or you.” He moved to get up, but Lee caught his shoulder.

  “You do need me,” said Lee sternly. “That is, if you expect to free your mother.”

  Jacob tried to free himself from Lee's grasp, but Lee held him firmly. “I know you think you can find a way to do this alone,” Lee continued. “But you can't.”

  Jacob ceased resisting and reluctantly sat back down. “And you can? Just because you have the blood of Saraf coursing through your veins, you think you can take on the armies of Angrääl by yourself? At least I did not inherit your stupidity.”

  “You have a plan then?” Lee asked.

  Jacob hesitated. “No. But I'm forming one. I have friends in the city, and I've already contacted some of them.”

  “Then you've almost certainly let the agents of Angrääl know that you plan to save your mother,” said Lee. “They have eyes and ears everywhere in Baltria. Even among the nobility.”

  “Then what do you think you can do?” asked Jacob.

  “First, I can keep you safe. I want to you go with Millet to the oasis of Dantary.”

  This time Lee was unable to stop Jacob from rising. “You don't tell me what to do,” his son shouted. “I'll not be shipped off to the desert.”

  Lee heaved a sigh. “I need to know that you're safe if I'm to save your mother. As long as you're in danger, I can't focus on what needs to be done. I must protect you first.”

  “It's too late to start trying to protect me now,” said Jacob. “And forgive me if I don't trust that you'll follow through with anything you promise. No. I think I'll do things my own way.”

  “Listen to me,” said Lee. His tone was dark and intimidating. “If you ever want to see your mother alive again, 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. Lee nodded his approval. “Jacob, let me take you to Dantary. I promise that I will reveal everything once we get there. I have been with your father through it all. There is nothing he could tell you that I don't already know.”

  “And if I fail,” Lee added. “Then you are free to do as you will.”

  Jacob glared at Lee, then at Millet. “I'll do as you ask. But know that if you fail, I will kill you.”

  “If I fail,” Lee replied. “I will be dead already.” He held out his hand, but Jacob turned his back.

  “I need to check my gear,” Jacob said, and walked toward the front door.

  Millet placed his hand on Lee's shoulder. “I'll watch over him. I swear it.”

  Lee bowed his head. “I don't blame him for hating me. I hate myself for leaving him.”

  “You did what you had to do,” said Millet. “You did not choose this.”

  Lee pretended not to hear. “Do you have mounts?” he asked.

  “No, my lord,” Millet replied. “We sold them.”

  Lee reached in his pouch, retrieved several gold coins, and handed them to Millet. “Have Jansi purchase horses and saddles for you and Jacob.”

  He began to walk toward his room. “We leave as soon as he returns.”

  Chapter 19

  Maybell had inconspicuously made ready their gear for a quick getaway - they would be in Farmington in less than an hour. Meanwhile, she was doing her best to remain calm. She had spoken to Malstisos several times about their exact route and timetable, but she knew how dangerous the two other elves could be. One mistake might cost both of them their lives. Right now, Malstisos was out scouting the surrounding area with Grentos and Vadnaltis. Maybell feared that the seeker elves would suspect that they were on to them, but so far they had shown no indication of knowing this.

  She was riding in a wagon with the family of a silver merchant from Althetas. Both her and Malstisos' horses had been tied to the rear. She passed the time by playing a card game with the merchant’s wife, Lilly, and their two children - Anna, who was six years old, and Beth, who had just turned eight.

  They were among her favorite people in the caravan. Lilly was kind and cheerful, and in spite of a life spent traveling and raising two children, she was always well groomed. Maybell enjoyed spending time in their tent when they camped. Lilly kept it much like a home. She even took the time to display personal keepsakes.

  “It helps me not to miss Althetas so much,” Lilly had explained. “And the children are reminded that there is a home waiting for them.”

  Her husband, Gaylan, though not as cheerful as Lilly, was a good and decent man. Tall and thin, with narrow eyes and wind-burned skin, he was not particularly handsome, yet Maybell could see why Lilly, who was very fetching, loved him dearly. He was a man who would always do his best to make his family comfortable. Though reasonably well off, he was not exactly rich, but still he provided the best that money could buy when it came to comforts. They had goose down mattresses and cotton sheets to sleep on, though he admitted these were a burden to carry along, and their clothes were of the finest quality. When it was time for meals, Gaylan wouldn't touch a bite until Lilly had sat down to join him. Clearly, he loved her very much.

  Before long, Malstisos returned and joined Maybell in the wagon. The children cheered with glee when they saw him. They loved the elf, and couldn't get enough of touching his ears. One of the favorite activities for all the children in the caravan had become listening to Malstisos telling stories at bedtime. In fact, on the nights when there were no stories, you could hear the wail of crying children throughout the camp.

  “Will you join us, master elf?” asked Lilly. “I am afraid Anna keeps getting all the best cards.”

  Malstisos smiled. “No. I'm afraid I cannot. We will be stopping in a matter of minutes, and Maybell and I must venture into town to resupply.”

  “Nonsense,” said Lilly. “My husband is going into town. He can pick up whatever you need.”

  “I’m afraid I must go myself,” said Malstisos. “I oft
en don't know what I need until I see it.”

  “Yes,” said Maybell. “And there is a matter I must attend to personally.”

  Lilly frowned. “Very well. But you must join us tonight for supper.”

  Maybell reached over and hugged the woman then the children in turn. “If we are back in time, we will.” She hated misleading them.

  Soon the caravan halted and began to make camp. After setting up their tents, Maybell and Malstisos detached their horses from the wagon and headed in the direction of Farmington. They hadn't traveled even half a mile when they heard a voice calling out to them from behind.

  “Wait” It was Grentos. Vadnaltis was just behind him. Both carried their long knives at their side and had bows slung across their backs.

  “I was afraid we'd miss you,” said Grentos.

  “I wasn't aware you intended to go to town,” said Malstisos, trying not to sound alarmed.

  “We noticed you were leaving and thought we'd keep you company,” said Grentos.

  “I thank you,” said Maybell. “But our day will be tedious and long. I would not want you to waste your time on such trivialities.”

  “You are kind,” said Grentos. “But we don't mind.” He turned to Vadnaltis. “Do we?” Vadnaltis did not reply. His face was expressionless, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

  “You carry a bow, I see,” Malstisos remarked.

  “Yes,” Grentos replied. “We thought we'd do a bit of hunting later. I'd ask you to join us, but as you have no bow... ”

  “That's quite alright,” said Malstisos. “The game here is small and sparse, and I have no need for food or clothing. Besides, such a hunt requires great skill.”

  Maybell noticed a sudden change in the elves’ walk and movements.

  “I see,” muttered Grentos. “Then we were correct.”

  “About what?” asked Maybell.

  “We suspected you had found us out, Malstisos,” Grentos continued. “But we couldn't be certain. Seekers are not as adept at reading people as an elf such as you. Luckily, those dull humans believe whatever they are told.”

  “What is your intent?” asked Malstisos. If he was afraid, it did not show.