The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (3 page)

“
Welcome,” said Markus. “Please have a
seat. Supper will be ready shortly.”

“
Thank you, old friend,” said Millet. “This
is Maybell and Malstisos.”

Markus walked over and took Maybell’s hand. “My
lady, you are most welcome. A Priestess of Ayliazarah is sorely
needed here.”

Maybell curtsied. “I cannot tell you how grateful
we are for your hospitality.”

“
It’s my pleasure,” he replied and
turned to Malstisos. “And you must be the elf Millet told me
of. Truly the world is changing.”

Malstisos smiled and bowed low. “I am at your
service and in your debt.”

Markus smiled broadly. “Not at all. Millet is an
old friend and his friends are mine.”

They sat at the table while Markus passed around the
bread and retrieved a small pot of beef stew from the stove. “I’m
sorry that there’s not more, but this is considered a feast in
these dark times.”

Millet reached in his purse and brought out a gold coin.
“Take this.” He pushed the coin to Markus.

Markus pushed the coin back shaking his head. “I
don’t need the money, my friend. It's food we lack here. Most
of what we have is sent north to feed the armies of Angrääl.
I’m one of the lucky ones. As foreman I’m given extra
provisions.”

“
So the Dark Knight
has
taken Hazrah,” said Malstisos.

Markus stared down at the table. “He has. And he’s
brought misery with him. Of course, they call him the Reborn King and
not
the Dark Knight.”

“
How long ago did his armies arrive?” asked
Malstisos.

“
Three months ago. But his agents were here long
before that. They negotiated our surrender. We didn’t even put
up a fight.”

“
Why not?” asked Millet. “The King’s
army could have held out for years. The city walls have never been
breached.”

“
I don’t know,” said Markus. “Those
kinds of questions land you in prison these days. As far as the
King’s army, most have been sent north to Angrääl.
Some have returned carrying the banner of our conquerors. It’s
like The Dark One is trying to eat the world and we're the
appetizer.”

“
What of Lady Nal’Thain?” asked
Millet. “Is she well?”

“
If that’s why you’ve come, you’ve
wasted your time,” replied Markus. “No one has seen or
heard from the house of Nal’Thain for weeks. The rumor is that
the Lady has been sent north, but I don’t know how much truth
there is in that.”

Millet lowered his head. “What of her son?”

“
I’m afraid that I have no news of Jacob’s
whereabouts. There are whispers that he was the one who convinced the
King to surrender. After that, he seems to have vanished.”

“
I don’t believe it,” cried Millet.
“The son of Lee Nal’Thain would not betray his people.”

“
I only know what I hear,” said Markus.
“Whether there is truth in this... who knows?”

“
We must find them,” said Millet. “Can
you get us inside the city?”

“
I doubt it. They check everyone coming in or out,
but I may be able to help. I make monthly production reports to the
city clerk and the next one is due in two days. I could try and
contact them for you.”

“
What about the temples?” asked Maybell. “I
could claim to be sent from Baltria. Certainly they wouldn’t
stop a priestess.”

“
I hate to be the one to tell you this,”
said Markus, unable to meet Maybell's eyes. “But the temples
have been shut down. They house Angrääl’s soldiers
now.”

“
What?” she cried. “Foul beasts!”

“
I’m sorry,” said Markus. “Worship
of the Gods is forbidden now. Most of the priestesses and monks were
sent north for
re-education
a week after the soldiers arrived.”

“
I still can’t believe the King has done
nothing to stop this!” said Millet.

“
The time is long past for the King to take
action,” said Markus.

“
Is there no resistance?” asked Malstisos.

“
There was at first. But Angrääl crushed
it. I know you won’t want to hear this, Millet, but it was
Jacob Nal’Thain who helped them rout out the resistance. This I
saw with my own eyes.”

Millet shook his head, rubbing his temples. “It
doesn’t matter,” he said, finally. “I was sent to
retrieve my lord’s family, and I will do as he has commanded
me.”

Markus sighed. “Very well. Tonight you and your
friends will sleep in the basement. I will leave in the morning. But
I cannot promise that I will succeed.”

“
I thank you for your help, old friend,”
said Millet. “I know how much you’re risking by aiding
us. You can come with us if you wish. We can offer you sanctuary.”

“
My place is here with my men. I cannot abandon
them.”

“
I understand,” said Millet.

After their meal, Millet retrieved their packs from the
horses which were then put in a small stable behind the house. Markus
gave each of them extra bedding and led them into the basement.
“Please keep as quiet as possible,” he said. “The
soldiers rarely check my house, but a little extra caution won’t
hurt.” He walked up the stairs and closed the door. The clank
of the latch echoed through the basement.

“
I don’t like being trapped,” said
Malstisos. “If we are discovered, there is only one way out.”

“
I don’t like it either,” agreed
Maybell.

“
What choice is there?” said Millet. “We
are asking Markus to take a huge risk. If he says we should stay
here, I must trust him.”

“
I hope your trust is justified,” remarked
Malstisos. “Hardship can do strange things to a person’s
loyalty.”

“
I don’t like what you’re implying,”
said Millet. “I’ve known Markus for more than forty
years. He is as solid and honest a man as I’ve ever known.”

“
We shall see,” said Malstisos.

They set up their bedding and went to sleep. Bad dreams
troubled Millet and he woke up several times. Eventually he decided
to forgo sleep and spent the rest of the night huddled in a corner.
After a few hours, he heard the door slowly creak open. Malstisos
woke immediately and drew his knife. Maybell stood up and moved
behind him.

“
What?” Millet asked in dismay.

“
There are a dozen soldiers upstairs,”
Marcus announced as he descended the steps. “If you don’t
disarm they’ll burn you alive down here.”

“
Traitor,” shouted Millet. His hand shot out
and his fist landed solidly on Markus’ jaw. Markus stumbled
back and fell to the ground.

“
It’s not my fault,” said Markus,
rubbing his jaw. “You were seen coming here by one of their
spies. Please understand, if I didn’t do this they would have
killed me along with half my men.”

Malstisos glared furiously at the door. “I say we
fight our way out.”

“
No,” said Millet. “Let me speak to
them first.” He looked down at Markus. “Lead me
upstairs.”

Without a word, Markus got up and led Millet up the
stairs and through the door. He entered the main part of the house
and immediately saw twelve soldiers in full armor, swords drawn.

With them was a man in a dark blue velvet suit, carrying
a white ash walking stick. He had long, dark blond hair and fair
skin. He smiled as Millet entered.

“
You must be Millet,” he said. “My
name is Brandis. I am here to escort you and your companions to
Hazrah if you wish.”

“
We will not be used as hostages,” said
Millet. “If that is your intent you might as well kill us now.”

Brandis laughed. “No, no, no, you are not my
captives, you’re my guests.”

“
And if I decide not to accept your hospitality,”
said Millet. “What then?”

“
Leave if you wish,” he said. “But I
believe you are here at the direction of the former Lord Nal’Thain.
Is this not so?”

Millet remained expressionless and silent.

“
No need to answer,” said Brandis. “I
already know. Markus was kind enough to fill me in. It’s a good
thing he did. Otherwise, you may have been foolish and tried to sneak
into the city. Naturally, you would have been caught. Heaven knows
what may have happened before I could get to you.”

“
What do you want with us?” Millet demanded.

“
To help. You’re here to retrieve the
Nal’Thain family, and I’m here to see that you accomplish
your task.”

Millet looked warily at Brandis. “So we can simply
take them and leave?”

“
Certainly,” he said. “Jacob Nal’Thain
is a troublemaker we would be happy to be rid of. As for Lady
Penelope, you have a choice.”

“
What might that be?” asked Millet.

“
She has traveled north to the court of the Reborn
King,” said Brandis. “It will take several weeks for her
to return. You may wait, or you may take young Jacob and leave.”

“
If you are being truthful, then have Jacob
brought here,” said Millet. “Now.”

“
I see your suspicions abound.” He chuckled.
“As you wish. But I must ask that you remain here until he can
be brought.” He turned to leave. “Oh, I nearly forgot.
You must surrender your weapons first, of course.”

Millet made no move to comply.

“
Come now,” said Brandis. “They will
be returned when you leave. A small thing to ask all things
considered.”

Millet nodded and went back down to the basement.
Malstisos was still standing in front of Maybell with his knife
drawn.

“
I could hear your conversation,” said
Malstisos. He handed Millet his knife. “We have little choice.”

“
I’m sorry for this,” said Millet.
“Clearly Markus is no longer the man I knew.”

“
You are not at fault,” he replied. “There
was no way for you to know.”

“
If you would all join me,” called Brandis
from upstairs.

Millet led Maybell and Malstisos up and handed Brandis
their weapons.

“
Thank you,” said Brandis. “Very wise
choice.”

“
What happens now?” asked Millet.

“
Now we wait,” he answered. “One of my
men is on his way to bring young Jacob. Then you may leave. That is
unless you choose to wait for the Lady Nal’Thain.”

“
If she still lives,” said Millet.

“
As I told you,” said Brandis. “She is
at the court of Angrääl. I have no reason to lie.” He
looked at Malstisos. “I am honored to have an elf among us.”

Malstisos said nothing.

“
No reason for apprehension,” continued
Brandis. “My lord holds your kind in high regard. Certainly you
know of our offer of friendship.”

“
I know of the lies your master has told,”
said Malstisos. “Empty promises of glory made to a generation
that still clings to the past. You will find that I am not as easily
swayed as some.”

“
Not empty promises,” replied Brandis. “Soon
we will spread our message of hope throughout the land, and when that
happens those that have seen the wisdom of our cause will benefit
most.”

“
Your cause?” snapped Maybell. “You’ve
destroyed temples and murdered their followers.”

“
Ah, the priestess.” Brandis sneered. “I
had almost forgotten about you.”

Malstisos moved his body between Maybell and Brandis.

“
There’s no reason to be alarmed. I have no
intention of harming any of you.”

Maybell seethed with rage. “You've killed innocent
priestesses and monks. You are an abomination.”

Brandis laughed and shook his head. “I haven’t
murdered anyone. Your own people betrayed you, not me, and not my
master. All we have done is told people the truth.”

“
And what truth is that?” asked Millet.

“
The Gods are as corrupt as the people who serve
them. Your elf friend will certainly agree with this. They have
caused nothing but harm to man
and
elf. They are greedy and petty, and now thanks to the Reborn King,
they are gone.”

“
You assume that all elves believe the old tales,”
said Malstisos. “Not all of us blame the Gods for the
split
.”

“
You are wise,” said Brandis. “You do
not take what you are told at face value. Sadly, in this case, you
are wrong. It
was
the
Gods that cursed the elves. But what you do not understand is they
cursed man as well. They turned us into slaves. We were sent on a
path of endless destruction without guidance. However, that horrible
chapter of history is coming to an end. Soon the world will be at
peace, and both elf and human will be able to live as they were
meant, in peace.”

Maybell sneered. “You speak of peace and freedom,
and yet here you stand, conquerors and invaders.”

Brandis laughed. “We have taken Hazrah without
spilling blood. When in history has that happened? We allow you and
your friends to leave in peace, even though you have sworn to destroy
us. We give you Lee Nal’Thain’s family as a token of good
will and still you accuse.”