The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (21 page)

Yanti looked up and smiled, closing the book. “Well,
my love.” His voice was honey. “I see you're back
quickly. A bit too quickly.”

Salmitaya tried to meet his eyes but couldn't. “I
saw Celandine in front of the Malt and Mane.”

“
Celandine?” he remarked, raising and
eyebrow.

“
She was a novice...”

Yanti raised his hand, silencing her. “I know who
she is.” He rose from his chair. “Interesting choice.”

“
I don't understand,” said Salmitaya. “You…”

Yanti shot her a glance and drew close. “My love,
there is much I know that you don't. The sooner you accept that, the
easier your life will be.” He reached out and held her chin,
lifting her head to meet his gaze. “You should stay out of
sight for the time being. I wouldn't want you to come to harm. At
least not yet.”

She began to tremble. Whatever his plans were, she knew
she was disposable to him. She needed to prove her value in order to
stay alive. “Let me help you,” she begged. “I can
watch her without being seen.”

“
I am pleased with your enthusiasm,” he
replied, sounding almost sincere. “And I'm certain you could do
a wonderful job. But I have enough eyes. No. I will restrict your
movements to inside the house for the time being.” He released
her. “You should be happy. It will be a respite from your
normal duties.”

“
Thank you,” she said in her most submissive
voice. Yanti laughed softly. “Get cleaned and get rested.”
Salmitaya bowed her head and turned to leave.

“
I don't want you to worry,” Yanti called
after her. “I will have much for you to do, soon enough.”

A chill ran down her spine, and tears welled in her
eyes. Whatever he had in mind, she knew it wouldn't be good.

Chapter Sixteen

Dina entered the Malt and Mane, carrying a basket of
fresh strawberries. She let the scent fill her nostrils. As a child,
her father would take her into the forest to go strawberry picking.
Most often they would eat half of them before they got home. Dina
hadn't thought of that in many years, and a small smile crept across
her face.

“
You look far away.” Lee sat at the table
next to the kitchen door.

The inn was typical for the area. Two large common rooms
were on either side of the entrance. The one on the left had a dozen
tables, each large enough to accommodate six people, while the other
had a bar on the far side with tables lining the walls and a raised
platform in the middle for entertainment. Just next to the bar were
two doors, one leading to the kitchen and the other to the guest
rooms. Brass lamps hung from the ceiling, and two small fireplaces
were in opposite corners.

Dina joined Lee at the table and handed him a
strawberry, which he took gratefully. “I was just thinking
about when I was a child,” said Dina, still with a faraway look
on her face.

“
Is your father still alive?” asked Lee.

“
No,” she replied. “As you know I'm
older than I look, and I was very young when I found the Order.”

“
I'm sorry.”

“
It's fine,” she said, shaking off her
melancholy. “It just I haven't been home in a very long time.
And I'm still tired.”

Lee and Dina had only just arrived the previous night.
Their trip was uneventful, but their pace had pushed her limits. Lee
figured that Millet would make his way to the Goodbranch River and
sail down. That would certainly cut down their travel time, and Lee
wanted to arrive ahead of them.

“
Perhaps you should rest,” Lee suggested.

“
I think I will.” Dina picked out a large
strawberry. “But not before I enjoy a few of these.” She
popped it in her mouth and sighed with pleasure as she bit down.

“
Good,” said Lee. “In the meantime
I'll check with my contacts here. I should like to get the... feel of
things.”

Dina nodded in agreement. “I can check the temples
this evening,” she said, still chewing.

“
I don't want you going off by yourself. I am
certain there are agents of the north about. Probably informants
among the locals as well.”

“
How would they know who we are or what we're
doing?” she asked, swallowing the remains of the berry.

Lee lowered his tone to a whisper. “They knew
about us from the time we left Sharpstone, and we were followed, at
least for a time, out of Valshara. Clearly they have a more efficient
system for gathering intelligence than we do.” He scowled. “I
intend to change that.”

“
How do you plan to do that?” She picked up
another strawberry.

“
I am very wealthy, my dear,” he stated.
“And so are many of the people we have met, such as Lord Broin
and Lord Ganflin. Information is nothing more than a commodity. If
you have the coin, it's yours.”

“
But won't the informants have already been
bought?”

“
Almost certainly,” he affirmed, smiling.
“But the one dependable thing about scum is that they will
always serve as many masters as can pay. But I won't be contacting
the street dregs directly. I have friends among the nobility. I'll
make the inquiries through them.”

Dina furled her brow. “And what happens if your
friends have been bought as well... or worse, joined our enemies?”

He shrugged. “Then that will tell me what I need
to know. But I doubt they'd betray me openly. Most know me from my
days studying under local sword masters. I had a reputation as a very
skilled swordsman.” He chuckled and shook his head. “The
nobles aren't what you would call courageous, at least not in the way
a soldier is courageous. They wouldn't risk my wrath unless they were
certain they could get away with it.”

Dina recalled watching Lee battle the elf seeker,
Berathis. “I don't imagine any of them would want to upset
you.”

Lee grinned fiendishly. “Not unless they want me
to pay them more than a social call. But, I know one lord I can
trust. I saved his life.”

“
Really, how?”

“
He made the mistake of drinking and gambling at
the wrong tavern,” Lee replied. “And he tends to flash
his money when he's had too much wine. Not something you want to do
in Baltria after dark. I stopped three thieves from killing him for
his foolishness.”

“
Well, I hope that would buy you a bit of
loyalty,” said Dina. She yawned and blinked her eyes. “And
on that note, I need to rest for a bit. Wake me before sunset.”

Lee nodded. “Just don't leave until I return.”

“
And you remember that you are not invulnerable,”
she said, as she got up from her seat, making sure not to forget her
strawberries.

Lee laughed, sprung up and snatched a berry for himself.
“I'll be fine.” He made his way to the door and ventured
out into the city streets.

The sun was still high in the sky, and the heat reminded
Lee how far removed from Sharpstone he was. He had sent a messenger
to his friend early that morning asking him to meet him near the
docks. He couldn't risk being noticed. Dina was right to think that
the nobility could have been bought off. Their entire world revolved
around the acquisition of wealth. In some ways they were no better
than bandits. Then there was the real possibility that they had sided
with Angrääl, which would be worse. Bought loyalty could be
changed but a true believer...

It wasn't long before the houses transitioned from
typical Baltria dwellings into the structures that had been built on
tall pylons. Lee had been in the city during a particularly bad flood
year, when the water had risen enough to cover the high porches. It
was a wonder the entire city wasn't drowned, but Lee discovered that
Baltria was equipped with a system of drains and manual pumps that
could be used to keep the majority of the city dry.

The mold stench of the docks filled the air as Lee
neared. Sailors in brightly colored shirts and hats stumbled
drunkenly through the streets, and merchants shouted their wares to
passers-by. It wasn't long before Lee could see the tall masts of the
ships peeking over the roof tops and sounds of orders being barked
and bells ringing carried on the air. A minute later the massive dock
came into view. It stretched out from east to west as far as the eye
could see. When Lee first saw them, years ago, there were hundreds of
ships coming and going, loading and unloading. But now there were
less than fifty ships in all.

Lee frowned.
The dark times have
struck everywhere.

The Plank Walkers café, where he was to meet his
friend, was located only a few yards from the docks. Mostly
patronized by officers and merchants, Lee knew the place well. It
boasted the best seafood stew in the known world, a claim well
supported by popular opinion. Lee had once tried to get the owner to
give him the recipe but to no avail.

Lee climbed the stairs to the deck where a short, plump,
young woman greeted him. She smiled warmly and showed Lee to a table.

“
And what'll you be havin' today, sir?” she
asked cheerfully, with a thick Baltrian accent.

“
Seafood stew, of course,” Lee replied.

“
Right away.” She spun around heading to the
kitchen.

A few moments later a young, dark haired boy brought him
some bread and a bottle of wine.

“
Careful, Starfinder,” said a voice from the
steps. “That isn't weak northern wine you're drinking.”

“
Lanson Brimm.” Lee laughed. “I don't
think it's my drinking that needs to be monitored.”

Lanson was a tall, slender, middle-aged man. His fine,
sandy blond hair blew carelessly in the sea breeze. He wore a blue
cotton shirt and trousers with white silk embroidery, and a
silver-handled short sword hung from a black leather belt.

Lee stood and embraced the man tightly. “It's good
to see you.” He offered him a chair. “Are you eating?”

“
I'm sorry, my friend,” said Lanson. “I
must leave you soon. Frankly, I was surprised to get your
invitation.”

“
Why is that?” asked Lee.

Lanson shook his head and wagged his finger. “You've
made some powerful enemies. Every noble in the city has been paid for
information on you, and the Gods only know how many street vermin are
on the lookout.”

Lee straightened. “Paid by whom?”

“
Don't be naïve, Starfinder.” He
reached over and took a piece of bread. “The ambassador from
Angrääl started making inquiries months ago.”

“
Ambassador?” Lee exclaimed. “In
Baltria?”

“
I'm afraid so,” said Lanson. “He and
his attendants have set up residence inside the governor’s
mansion.”

Lee suddenly felt exposed. “The King allowed
that?”

“
Allowed?” laughed Lanson. “He gave it
to him.”

“
And the governor?” Lee asked.

“
He moved into his own private home, claiming it
was
his
decision.”
He bit off a piece of bread. “I...” he swallowed. “I
personally think the man is no longer running the city in any
capacity.”

“
Why would you think that?” asked Lee.

Lanson shrugged. “Because crime is down, and in
spite of the empty docks, profits have never been better. Governor
Greenly is a moron. He couldn't manage the city in good times. If he
wasn't the King's nephew, he would never have been appointed in the
first place. No, Angrääl is in charge around here. They're
pumping gold on top of gold into the economy.”

Lee was appalled. “So you want them here?”

Lanson nodded indifferently. “Sure. They're good
for the city. So long as they don't send an army our way, I don't
mind.” He could see Lee's apprehension. “Don't worry. I'm
not one of the
faithful
.
Those people are lunatics.”

“
The
faithful
?”
said Lee. “What in the name of Dantenos are the
faithful
?”

Lanson cocked his head. “You have been gone a long
time, old friend. The
faithful
follow The Reborn King of Angrääl. They claim he's the
reincarnation of King Rätsterfel, and spend most of their time
causing trouble for the temples. Lately, it's become fashionable to
become one of them if you're nobility. But, if you ask me, it's a
bunch of hogwash. None of them really believe it. They just like that
their purses keep getting fatter.”

“
What are the temples doing to stop them?”
asked Lee.

“
What can they do?” Lanson replied. “King
Talminian doesn't seem to care what the
faithful
do, so long as the gold keeps flowing into his coffers. As for me...
I have found it wise to stay out of it.”

“
Talminian has always been a fool,” Lee
grumbled. “And weak.”

“
Dangerous words,” said Lanson. “But
as you're already in danger, I suppose it doesn't matter. Speaking of
which...” He reached in his pocket, pulled out a small key, and
pushed it across the table. “I assume you'll not heed my words
and leave the city at once. You remember my rental house.”