Of Gods and Elves

chapter Eighteen


Millet struggled not to break out 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 hoped to find Jacob waiting for him, but was disappointed to find he had not returned. He decided there was nothing he could do but hope that Lee would contact him soon. He waited in the common room, staring at the door, hoping for Jacob's return. If this Yanti fellow was smart (and Millet thought he probably was), he wouldn't move on Jacob until after he had found Lee. It was clear that he hadn't, or at least he didn't want Millet to know he had, and he couldn't think of why he would do such a thing in view of the message he was 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 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 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. “At least to the extent I need to know. He wants you to know 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 found 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. He proceeded to inform Millet about the faithful and the 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.”

“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.” He watched as Jansi left and made his way to the kitchen. He slipped the innkeeper a gold coin and instructed him to tell anyone who asked, that he had gone to his room feeling ill, and to tell Jacob to wait for him there.

He was relieved to find no one at the rear entrance as he made his way around the back of the inn, then around the side through 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 and Millet looked out the windows for signs of pursuit. To his great relief only a few people were about and none seemed to take notice of them. He slowly 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,” Millet grunted through the embrace.

Lee released him and walked him to living room. Dina awaited them on the couch, a cup of wine in her hand, and 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 fast 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. I must know where my son is.”

Millet and the others 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. He knew what Millet meant by stubborn.

“Then I'll have to convince him. 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. If so, it's likely he's waiting to strike until we're all at the same place at the same time.” 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 far as this Yanti... if he's stupid enough to hinder us, I'll make him regret the day he was born.”

“What about these people that 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 in 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.”

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 to try to hide his presence. If they see me, they see me, he thought. As soon as he was inside, he saw Jacob seated at a long table, 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 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 he relented. “I’m sorry, fellows,” he announced. “I must be off.” This was met with jeers and boos. He got up 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, carrying his gear and looking none too happy. Millet opened the door and Jacob entered, tossing his pack carelessly aside.

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

Millet explained the encounter with Yanti, leaving out the message the man had for Lee. Jacob's face twisted. “I take it you plan for us to run like cowards.”

Millet said nothing. 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.”

“What? Are you going to save her?” Realization washed over his face. “I see. My father—that's where we're going. You 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 and walked 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 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 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 have what he wants, and would 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. “If you expect to free your mother...” Jacob tried to free himself from Lee's grasp, but Lee held him firmly. “I know that you think you can find a way to do this alone,” Lee continued. Jacob relaxed and sat back down. “But you can't. “

“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 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,” Jacob boomed. “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 do what must be done. I must protect you first, so I can focus on my task.”

“It's too late to start trying to protect me,” said Jacob. “And forgive me if I don't trust that you'll follow through with anything you say. 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, 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.”