Of Gods and Elves

chapter Twenty


Lee hurriedly packed their gear and helped Dina prepare a quick meal of dried meat and fruit. Jacob refused to eat at the same table and took his meal in the living room. By the time Jansi returned, the party was ready to depart. The sun had been down for more than an hour, and the faint light from the windows of the houses lit the streets. They said farewell to Jansi, and made their way out of the city. The darkness of the streets pleased Lee. The darker the better, and he had even planned their exit from Baltria to avoid sections that were lit by lamps.

They wound their way through the streets, Lee leading the way and keeping watch for signs that they were being followed. At first, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Then just as they entered the main avenue leading to the city gates, they noticed a small group of five people wearing dark cloaks and carrying torches, standing to their right, on the walkway. As they passed the group fell in behind them.

“The faithful, I presume,” whispered Millet. “What should we do?” “Nothing,” Lee replied. “Do nothing until they make a move.”

As they continued, more began to emerge and follow. By the time the gates were in sight, there were nearly thirty behind them.

“Be ready,” said Lee. “When I give the signal, we'll make a run for the gate.” A lone figure stepped in front of them, barring their path.

“Move aside,” Lee commanded.

“Peace, Lord Starfinder,” said the figure, in a distinctly feminine voice. She pushed back her hood revealing a familiar face.

“Salmitaya,” Dina hissed. “I should have known you were behind this rabble.”

“You're wrong,” she replied. “I am just a servant... and a messenger.”

“Then deliver your message.” Lee gripped the hilt of his sword. “I have no patience for the likes of you.”

Salmitaya smiled, amused. “Very well. Reconsider your present course. Yanti knows you intend to refuse his offer. He also assumes you intend to attempt to free your wife. This will fail, and you and your family will die.” She took a step forward. “Yanti begs you to reconsider. You could live in peace and wealth. You need not sacrifice any more than you already have. He promises this, and more. You could even return to Hazrah as governor, if you wish. You can go home and have the power to protect your people.”

“I intend to protect my people, witch,” snarled Lee. “Perhaps I should begin by taking your head.” His sword sang as he pulled it from it sheath.

“That would be unwise,” said Salmitaya, pointing to the group of the faithful behind them.

Lee let out a hearty laugh. “You think that rabble frightens me?” He sprung from the saddle and turned to the mob. “Many of you know who I am. You know my reputation. So open your wretched ears and know this. I swear that should you attack me, or any of my friends that I, Lee Starfinder, son of Saraf, God of the Sea, will kill every last one of you.” He took a long step toward the faithful. The mob stirred uneasily.

“I await your response,” called Salmitaya.

Lee spun around. “My response is this. Tell this Yanti creature that before this is over, I will bathe my sword in his blood. If he wants to save his own life, he should run as fast as he can to Angrääl and return my wife to me at once. Then he should pray to whatever he worships that I decide it is enough for me to spare him.”

Salmitaya bowed her head. “I will convey your message. He will be disappointed, I'm sure.” She snapped her fingers and the mob slowly dispersed. “Farewell Lee Starfinder. I'm afraid we will not meet again.” With that, she vanished into a nearby alley.

Lee tensed, awaiting an attack but none came. Finally, he remounted his horse. “I guess they are choosing to strike later, rather than sooner.” He clicked his tongue to urge his horse forward.

They passed through the gates unhindered. Lee noticed the lack of city guards. So did Millet.

“The guards seem to have abandoned their posts,” Millet remarked.

“We just met the keepers of Baltria,” said Lee. “They've taken the city with a force more powerful than any army. Fear.”

“Perhaps it's time we gave them a taste of their own medicine,” said Dina. Lee turned and smiled maliciously. “I intend to.”

They headed north through the delta roads for several hours. Dozens of small bridges made good spots for an ambush, but they passed unmolested. From time to time, they would see light from torches several hundred yards ahead, but they disappeared before they reached them.

“They seek to unnerve us,” said Millet.

“They only succeed in angering me.” Lee slowed his horse allowing Jacob to catch up with him. “Are you alright?”

Jacob glanced over, unaffected by their situation. “I'm fine. Worry about yourself.”

Lee tightened his lips and spurred his horse forward to retake 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 can make him understand.”

“Thank you, my friend,” he responded. “I hope I live long enough to do so.”

“You've never failed before,” said Millet. “You will not fail now. You will put your family together again.”

“I have to tell you,” said Lee. “This Yanti person made a tempting offer. If I wasn't so certain that it was a lie, I might have taken him up on it.”

Millet nodded with understanding and dropped back with the others. They rode until it was near dawn, and Lee found a decent place to rest and eat.

“We rest for three hours,” he said. He turned to Millet. “Tomorrow night, you'll take Jacob east. I'll take Dina with me as far as Sharpstone.”

“I really wish you would consult me about these things,” said Dina, scowling.

“I can't take you with me,” said Lee. “There is a good chance I'm marching to my death, and I won't be responsible for yours.”

“I know I can't go with you,” she said. “But I have no intention of being left in the middle of nowhere. I'm a cleric in the Order of Amon Dähl, and I have my own duties. I will go with you as far as Sharpstone, but from there I will return to the temple.”

Lee nodded. “You're right, of course. I apologize.”

Dina smiled, reached in her belt, and pulled out a small flask. “Here.” She tossed it to Lee.

Lee opened the flask and the air filled with the scent of plum brandy. “Ahhh!” He smiled, took a sip, and closed his eyes, savoring the sweet taste. He offered it to Millet who refused, and then called out to Jacob. Jacob turned and Lee threw the flask 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 for sharing your flask... Dina.”

Lee kept watch as the others tried to catch a bit of sleep. As they were preparing to leave, he walked up to Jacob and handed him a sealed letter.

“What's this?” asked Jacob.

Lee pressed the letter in his hand. “Should anything happen to me, or should Millet somehow be unable to fulfill his promise to tell you everything, I have written it all down. Just please 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 they neared the spot where they planned to split up. Up ahead, Lee spotted a figure standing in the road. Lee scanned the area for signs of an ambush, but could sense no one else nearby. When they were less than one-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, with black leather boots. His hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, and a 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 you are 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. At last 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 my offer. Unwise.”

Lee slowly drew his weapon.

Yanti cocked his head. “I see you are in no mood for idle talk. Still, I would be remiss if I didn't give you one more chance 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. “Will you follow Millet?”

“Leave my son alone,” Lee roared. “You...” He stopped short as Jacob walked past, holding the letter he had given him.

“He gave me this,” said Jacob, handing Yanti the letter. “Probably no more than sentimental drivel, but there might be something useful.”

“What is this?” Lee demanded.

“I'm sorry,” said Yanti. “Jacob and I are 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. “If she had her way, Hazrah would still be under the yoke of the temples.” Hatred poured from his eyes. “You know, she never stopped believing you would return one day. She probably still thinks you're going to save her. But she is as big a fool as you are.”

“As you can see,” said Yanti. “The things you fight for are in fact fighting against you. By now your dear wife has joined us and as you see, your son has been with us all along.”

“She would never betray her people.” Lee’s face burned with fury. “And whatever you've done to my son to make him this way... for that, I swear you'll pay with your life.”

Yanti drew his weapon and took a step back. “Come then. Let us see if your reputation is deserved.”

Lee sprang forward, slashing through the air in a wide arc, attempting to end the fight in a single blow. But Yanti spun to his left with speed Lee had never encountered. If not for Lee's training and physical power, his momentum would have sent him sprawling.

“Hasty, Starfinder,” taunted Yanti. “Mind the things you have learned.” But he made no move to counter.

Lee cursed himself for such an arrogant and foolhardy attack. Yanti was no ordinary opponent. He should have suspected as much.

This time Lee attacked with more caution and finesse. Short, powerful strokes rained down on Yanti, as he attempted to throw him off balance, but to Lee's dismay, Yanti parried each blow easily. Lee became concerned by Yanti's lack of aggression. The man had not made a single move to attack, seeming to be content to fight off Lee's onslaught.

“You're trained well,” admitted Lee, taking a step back. “But if you think to tire me out, you'll find that will not happen.”

“No, no,” replied Yanti, still smiling. “I only wish to admire your skill. You have indeed been well educated in the art of the sword. It is a pity you won't allow my master to make you even more powerful... as he has done for me.”

With those words, Yanti charged, bringing his sword down on Lee’s. A deafening clang of metal on metal shot through the air, causing a flash of sparks to fly. Lee was only barely able to raise his sword in time. The second blow whizzed by his ear and he was 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 and back, until finally, Lee dropped to one knee from the force one of Yanti'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 long enough to see Dina and Millet still on their horses, staring in horror.

“Ride, you fools,” he shouted. “Before it's too late.”

“It is already too late, Lord Starfinder,” said Yanti, pointing to Jacob, who had a bow drawn and pointed at Dina'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 no position to bargain, I cannot help but be amused. Still, you have shown courage. A quality my master values greatly... as do I. Still, I am not foolish enough to simply kill you and allow your companions to roam free.”

Lee tensed, ready for another assault. “Then we end this.”

“Indeed we do,” Yanti agreed.

In a flash Yanti raced forward. Lee attempted to side step and counter, but Yanti was too fast. His own blade had barely moved when he felt Yanti's blow strike 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 in silent prayer. He marveled that he still lived. His head should have been split in two. Then he realized that Yanti had hit him with the hilt of his sword and not the blade.

“You fought well.” Yanti's voice sounded far away. Then he felt his entire body jar as Yanti delivered one final blow. His last thoughts before darkness took him were of his wife. He had failed her.