The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (24 page)

“
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.”

Chapter Nineteen

Maybell inconspicuously readied their gear for a quick
getaway. They would be in Farmington in less than an hour and she did
her best to remain calm. She had spoken to Malstisos several times
about the exact route and timetable, but still, she knew how
dangerous the elves could be. One mistake could cost both of them
their lives. Malstisos was scouting the surrounding area with Grentos
and Vadnaltis. Maybell feared that the elves would suspect that they
were on to them, but so far they had shown no indication of it.

She rode in the 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 Lilly,
the merchant’s wife 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 of travel and
raising two children, 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 makes me not miss Althetas as 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 always did
his best to make his family comfortable. Though well off, he was not
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 that they 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 sat down to join him.
Clearly, he loved her very much.

Before long, Malstisos returned and joined her 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 of the children in the caravan, had become
listening to Malstisos tell stories at night. 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 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 often 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 half of a mile when they heard a voice call from behind
them.

“
Wait” It was Grentos. Vadnaltis was just
behind. Both carried their long knives at their side, and Vadnaltis
had a bow slung across his back.

“
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... do we?” Vadnaltis was expressionless. His eyes
were 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, and 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 had 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 were afraid, it did not show.