The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (25 page)

“
That has been a thing much debated between
Vadnaltis and me,” Grentos replied. “I would not have you
escape to the temples.” He glanced over at Maybell. “I
can only assume that is what you were planning. Nor can I simply kill
you. That would not sit well with Vadnaltis.”

“
What's your solution?” asked Malstisos.

“
You will face my challenge,” Grentos
answered, sounding pleased with himself. Malstisos reigned in his
horse. “You cannot be serious.”

Grentos backed away a few steps. “I am. Do you
accept?”

Malstisos slid from the saddle but made no move to draw
his weapon. “You have no right to do this.”

“
Don't I?” scoffed Grentos. “I think I
have every right to call out a traitor.”

“
What's going on here?” Maybell demanded.
“What challenge?”

“
If I were a seeker and broke their code, or had
refused judgment of the elders,” Malstisos explained. “Grentos
would have the right to challenge me to single combat. But as neither
is the case, he has decided to take matters into his own hands.”

Vadnaltis placed his hand on Grentos' shoulder. “He
is right, brother. You cannot do this. Call him to face judgment
instead. You have that right.”

“
He will not honor it,” Grentos countered.
“He's just like the rest of our kin who have taken up with the
humans.”

“
Perhaps,” said Vadnaltis. “But then
he shows his dishonor, and can be put to death. As it is, you have no
authority. The elders have not given any such edict, and our laws
forbid it.”

“
We have already been through this,” Grentos
let out with frustration. “The elders already ordered the death
of a traitor without judgment. What is the difference?”

“
They were wrong to do so,” said Vadnaltis.
“And the difference is, we are from the
steppes
,
and we hold to the laws that have guided our people for thousands of
years. Would you behave as the rebels, and throw away the laws
because they are inconvenient?”

Grentos shook off Vadnaltis' hand and turned his back.
“We've been over this. I will not be swayed.”

“
And if Malstisos refuses the challenge?” he
asked. “What then?”

“
Then not only will he die,” Grentos replied
darkly. “But his human pet will die with him. As it stands, I'm
willing to let her go in peace.”

Sadness washed over Vadnaltis' face. “I will ask
you, one more time, to reconsider.”

“
I will not,” Grentos replied, sternly. He
spun around to face Malstisos. “Do you accept or not?”

Malstisos opened his mouth to answer, but Vadnaltis
stepped in front of him.

“
I challenge you, brother,” said Vadnaltis.
His eyes were full of tears. “Do
you
accept?”

“
What is this?” Grentos cried. “You
cannot do this.”

“
I ask again,” he pressed. “Do you
accept?”

“
I...” Grentos stammered. “I... I do.”

The two elves stepped away from the horses and took
opposite positions on the road. Maybell moved close to Malstisos and
grabbed his arm. “What is going on?” she whispered.

Malstisos bowed his head. “A tragedy,” he
said. “And an act of pure honor.”

The two elves put down their bows and quivers, and each
drew their long knives. “Why?” asked Grentos. “Why
do you do this?”

“
Because I love you too much to see you live in
dishonor,” he replied. “Should you strike me down, it is
unlikely you will be able to defeat Malstisos after, even if he is
not a seeker. And as you well know, the challenge made cannot be
withdrawn.”

“
Then I hope I die by your hand, brother.”
Grentos charged.

Vadnaltis stepped aside, narrowly avoiding Grentos'
initial onslaught. Time and again they traded blows, each unable to
gain advantage over the other.

Eventually, it was Grentos that drew first blood, as his
blade cut deep into Vadnaltis' left thigh. Blood soaked the elf's
leather trousers as it poured from the wound. Any human would have
collapsed in agony, but Vadnaltis showed no signs of weakening. He
spun around and brought his blade across the right shoulder of
Grentos. Grentos staggered forward but quickly regained his balance.
Both elves stepped back for a moment, blood dripping from their
blades.

Grentos felt the wound on his shoulder and smiled
sorrowfully. Tears streamed down the face of Vadnaltis.

“
Deep enough,” said Grentos looking at the
blood on his hand. “You have killed me. I beg you... finish
it.” He dropped his weapon and fell to his knees.

Vadnaltis slowly walked over to his comrade and stood in
front of him. “I will join you soon enough, brother.” He
placed his hand on top of Grentos' head and muttered a prayer. “I
send you to the Creator.” With that, he plunged the knife
through Grentos' heart. The elf gasped, then fell to the ground.

Maybell was weeping uncontrollably. Her thoughts went to
the death of Berathis.

Vadnaltis pulled his knife free and cleaned it on his
shirt. “Malstisos of the Finsoulos Clan.” he said without
looking up, “I call you to judgment for crimes against our
people.”

Malstisos took a step forward but did not approach
Vadnaltis. “I am bound to see this woman to safety,” he
replied. “But upon the fulfillment of that duty, I will face
judgment.”

“
Then go in peace,” he said. “I would
perform the rites alone.”

Malstisos bowed low and motioned for Maybell to mount
her horse. They urged their mounts on in the direction of town in
silence. Once they were a few hundred yards away, Malstisos began to
weep. Maybell rode in silence, tears stinging her eyes. They halted
just before they got to town.

“
I know you don't understand what just happened,”
said Malstisos, softly.

“
I think I do,” Maybell replied. “At
least part of it. What I don't understand is why Grentos allowed
himself to be killed.”

“
He was dead either way,” answered
Malstisos. “The fight would have continued for some time, and
Grentos was losing blood. Even if he were victorious, he would have
been so weak that he could not have challenged me successfully. He
chose to die by his brother’s hand, instead.”

“
Seekers and their ways are beyond my
understanding,” said Maybell. “I could never kill a
sister... even that devil Salmitaya.”

“
Yes,” said Malstisos. “But they were
more than just seekers. They were
brothers
.”
“You don't mean...” she gasped.

Malstisos nodded slowly. “I do. They were brothers
by birth.”

“
How do you know?” She reeled at the
thought.

“
He is performing the burial rites alone,”
he replied. “That is only done under two circumstances. If
there are no others to help... or if it is blood kin, killed by your
own hand.”

“
Monstrous,” Maybell cried. “And you
intend to let such people judge you?”

“
They are
my
people!” he yelled, causing Maybell to recoil. He took a breath
and calmed himself. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't expect you to
understand. Forgive me.”

“
There is nothing to forgive,” she assured.
“It's just... I can't...”

“
I don't expect you to understand all of our
ways,” he said. “But know that I am not afraid to face
judgment. In fact, after today, I welcome it. I am tired of the
division within my people. Perhaps this is the only way that we can
heal.” He urged his horse forward.

They spent the rest of the day in utter silence. Maybell
picked up a few supplies, but was in no mood to linger. The only
thing she wanted to do was get back to her tent and sleep. On the
trip home she could smell the funeral pyre, somewhere in the forest,
and she began to weep once again.

Vadnaltis did not return to the camp, not that Maybell
or Malstisos expected him to. When asked, they said that the two went
off hunting, but when they didn't turn up the next day a search party
went to look for them. After a time, it became clear that they were
gone, and the camp divided their belongings, and gave Malstisos a
purse with coin matching the value of the gear and possessions.
Malstisos promised to give it to them should he see them again.

Something had changed in Malstisos. Maybell could sense
it but did not know what it was. As the days passed, the elf became
more withdrawn, sometime disappearing for hours. When she tried to
speak to him, he would just say that he was fine and only needed to
think. But somehow, this didn't ring true. It was as if his spirit
was broken. She prayed to the Gods that she could help him to heal.

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.”