The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (5 page)

“
It’s difficult to imagine all this,”
said Millet. “The people of Hazrah would have risen up and
fought in my day.”

“
Some tried,” he said. “But any who
took up arms were slaughtered and called a traitor to the throne.
Most were arrested before they could organize and be send north.”

“
Is that how you ended up in prison?” asked
Maybell.

Jacob nodded slowly. “At first they said I was
being held for questioning about a raid on a grain shipment. There
was, of course, no such raid. It was clear I was framed to get me out
of the way. They made it seem as if I was cooperating in order to
coerce me into furthering their goals, but I refused. I think the
only reason I’ve kept my head is that my mother has agreed to
work with them.”

“
I can’t believe Lady Nal’Thain would
side with the Dark Knight over her own people,” said Millet.
“She would rather die.”

“
You’re right,” said Jacob. “But
it was my life and not hers she was protecting. That’s what
they do. They use the people you care for against you.”

“
How long have you been in prison?” asked
Maybell.

“
Six months,” he replied. “I was
released once but immediately rearrested. When I was jailed the first
time, troops were just arriving. Now they are at least two-thousand
strong.”

“
What do you intend to do?” asked Millet.
“If you go back you’ll be imprisoned…or worse.”

“
Like I said earlier,” said Jacob. “I’m
heading to Baltria. I have friends there who can help me. Then I’m
going to get my mother out of Angrääl.”

Millet thought for a moment. “I’ll go with
you.” He turned to Malstisos. “You and Maybell go back
and tell Lord Starfinder what has happened.”

“
I don’t need you slowing me down,”
said Jacob.

Millet laughed. “If you are who you say you are
then you will need my help. I traveled with your father for many
years and am far more capable than you might think.”

Malstisos smiled. “You should listen to your
elders, young one. Millet is far more traveled than you. Besides, I
doubt they left you with any coin. How do you intend to eat and
lodge?”

“
I can hunt,” said Jacob stubbornly. “I’ve
learned to survive on my own.”

“
That may be,” said Millet. “But I
serve the house Nal’Thain and have an obligation to see to your
well-being.”

Jacob met Millet’s eyes. “You serve my
father, not the house Nal’Thain. He gave up his right to use
that name when he abandoned us.”

“
You speak from ignorance,” said Millet.
“But now is not for me to enlighten you.” Millet
straightened out his bedroll. “I
am
going with you. We’ll take the road east to Manisalia. There is
a crossroads a few days from the city. We’ll split up there.”

Maybell’s eyes lit up. “Perhaps we should
see the Oracle.”

“
You can try,” said Millet. “But I
would not tarry long. If she will not see you right away you should
move on.”

“
I would relish the chance to see the Oracle,”
said Malstisos. “She is well known to my people.”

“
I think you will be disappointed,” said
Jacob. “The rumor is she has left Manisalia to escape the
armies of Angrääl. I even heard that she is dead.”

“
I hope you’re wrong,” said Maybell,
settling into her blanket. “It would be a great loss to the
world. Her wisdom has helped guide the world away from destruction
for many decades.”

“
Decades?” said Malstisos. “My people
have tales of her that go back before the Great War. I have always
assumed her to be more than one person, the title passed down but
perhaps not.”

“
You think she is that old?” asked Maybell.
“She is human, after all.”

“
Are you so certain of that? Our stories always
describe the same person, always looking the same way. That in itself
means nothing, but I’ve also heard human tales of her. Recent
ones. They are too similar in her description to think it a
coincidence. At least it seems that way to me.”

“
Maybe you can ask her if she is still there.”
Millet pulled his blanket over his chest and yawned. “We still
have a long journey ahead. We can continue this discussion tomorrow.”

Chapter Three

The next day they rode in silence. At mid-day, they
stopped to eat and rest the horses. Several groups of soldiers and a
few local farmers passed, but all ignored their presence. The
temperature had dropped substantially, and a strong north wind cut
straight through the party’s clothing. It wasn’t long
after they were underway again when it became clear that they would
need to risk a town and an inn.

“
No need for us to hide at this point.”
Millet’s voice trembled from the cold. “Whatever their
plan, it’s obvious they do not intend to hinder our departure.”

“
I agree,” said Malstisos. He glanced over
at Maybell who rode in silence, her eyes down. He couldn’t help
but worry. Despite remarkable resilience for a woman of her advanced
years, he knew the elements must be taking their toll. “In fact
I intend to remain in plain sight for as long as possible.”

Jacob chuckled and slowly shook his head. “It
would do no good to run. They have trackers from Angrääl
following us even now. Of that, I have no doubt. Where we go, they
will follow.”

Millet grunted with displeasure. “When we split up
they may have a harder time of it. I have a feeling that it is you
and I they will be following, and my skills in evasion should not be
underestimated.”

Jacob sniggered.

“
You should not let your eyes always be your
judge, child,” scolded Malstisos. “Your father has great
confidence in Millet. And thus far he has shown his worth more than
once since I've traveled with him. I daresay his skills and
usefulness outweigh yours.”

Jacob suddenly halted his horse, his face twisted in
anger. “Mind your tongue, elf.” His hand slid to his
sword.

“
Don’t be foolish.” Malstisos’
voice became low and dangerous. “I will not be threatened, no
matter who your father is.”

The two stared as each other intensely for what seemed
like an eternity.

“
Enough of this!” Maybell’s voice
echoed over the trees. The ferocity of the woman’s tone
startled the others.

Malstisos bowed his head. “I am deeply sorry,
sister. I know you must be cold and tired.” He turned to Jacob.
“I’m certain we can conduct ourselves with better
manners.”

Jacob continued to fume but nodded sharply. “For
now,” he grumbled.

Maybell snorted in disgust at the scene. “How much
farther to the next village?” she asked Millet.

“
Two days,” he replied. “But there’s
a hostel we could reach before sundown if we keep our next rest
short.”

“
Good,” said Maybell, trying to hide her
relief.

Malstisos stiffened his back, and he drew his long
knife.

“
What is it?” whispered Millet.

“
Something follows.” The elf dismounted.

“
I told you” scoffed Jacob. “They have
sent trackers. Weren’t you paying attention?”

Malstisos shook his head. “This is no tracker.
Whatever it is… it smells wrong.” He closed his eyes for
a moment and sniffed the air. “Stay here.” He placed his
hand on Millet's shoulder. “If I do not return in one hour,
flee as fast as you can.”

“
Where should we go?” asked Millet, alarmed.

“
Stick with your plan,” the elf replied,
then turned to Maybell and smiled. “Don't worry. I may only be
chasing shadows.” He disappeared into the nearby trees, leaving
the group behind.

Many minutes passed before anyone dared to move.
Finally, Millet reached into his pack and retrieved a loaf of bread
and passed it out to the rest. Maybell reluctantly took a piece and
found a spot a few yards from Millet and Jacob to sit by herself and
nibble.

“
What do we do if he doesn't return?” asked
Jacob through a mouthful of bread.

Millet met Jacobs’s eyes. “We'll do as
Malstisos said and continue to Baltria. There I will contact your
father. Now if you don't mind, I would rather not speak until
Malstisos returns.”

“
If he returns,” muttered Jacob.

Millet shot a furious glance and stormed away.

Minutes seemed like hours as the group stared into the
surrounding forest, hoping to see Malstisos return. Finally, just as
Millet was about to tell the others it was time to leave, he caught
sight of the elf, head bowed low, holding what appeared to be a
severed head in one hand and his long knife in the other. Maybell
gasped. Millet and Jacob stared in horror as the elf tossed the head
to the ground beside the horses. The elf's knife and hands were
covered with thick, black ooze, and the stench of rotting flesh
filled the air. The head resembled a human man, but its features were
distorted and grotesque, as if burned by fire, its hair tangled,
stringy, and covered in filth.

“
What is that thing?” whispered Maybell with
a shudder.

Malstisos looked at Jacob. “I was hoping our young
friend here might be able to enlighten us.”

Jacob’s eyes went wide. “Me? How should I
know? I've never seen such a creature.”

Malstisos studied Jacob then looked down at the remains.
“I found it about half a mile behind us. It was clearly
following our trail. I tried to approach unseen, but it must have had
a keen sense of smell because it knew I was there the moment I saw
it. I am no seeker, but no human I have ever encountered, save
perhaps Lord Starfinder, could have heard my approach. When I knew I
was discovered, I decided to withdraw, but the thing was on me in an
instant. It moved as quickly as any elf, though not as graceful. It
struck at me with bare hands, but with power beyond human strength.
As it was unarmed, I had the advantage and buried my knife in its
heart.”

“
Then why cut off its head?” interrupted
Jacob. “And why bring this disgusting thing here?”

“
Like I said,” Malstisos responded in a low
tone. “I was hoping you could help identify it. You have been
here throughout the entire occupation. Have you never heard of such a
creature? But that's not the only reason.” He reached into his
saddlebag, retrieved a flask and a small cloth and began cleaning his
hands and knife. “I have the creature’s head because it
was the only way I could kill it. My blow through its heart served
only to enrage the beast. As I pulled my blade loose, it charged in
with a ferocity I have never encountered. Again and again it charged.
I was only barely able to avoid its blows. I slashed away at every
part of it and watched in horror as it had no effect. It wasn't long
before I knew I had to either kill it or flee, so I waited for it to
charge one last time and brought my blade across its neck. To my
great relief my stroke fell true and the creature died.”

“
What should we do now?” asked Millet. “If
there are more of these things we don't stand a chance.”

Malstisos dried his hands and wiped his knife with oil.
“If there are more, then we are in mortal danger.” He
checked his pack and sheathed his knife. “I cannot protect
everyone at once. Still, I don't see that we have any other choice
but to continue with our plan. If we are lucky, there are no more of
those things about. If not, then I'll do my best to kill them before
they are upon us. Now that I know how to kill it, one will pose me
little danger and with only Maybell at my side, I should be able to
keep her safe.”

“
It's settled.” Millet mounted his horse.
“The crossroads, then we will part ways. By then we should know
if there are more of these... creatures.”

The party rode on through the rest of the day in
silence. It was nearly sunset when they arrived at the hospice. It
was little more than a small cabin with a small adjoining stable, but
the smoke from the chimney and the aroma of roast pork filled their
hearts with joy. Millet dismounted and motioned for the others to
wait. “I'll see to our accommodations,” he said. “I
won't be but a moment.”

The interior was as he expected. The single room was
large enough to hold a dozen beds and a roughly made dining table. A
fire crackled in the hearth and was the sole source of light, giving
it a comfortable, albeit dim, atmosphere. A thin young man sat at the
table carving a piece of roast pork. His blond hair and fine features
indicated that he had not seen many winters. He looked up as Millet
opened the door and frowned.

“
If you're here to rob me, I have nothing to take
but some roast pork and a half bottle of wine.”

Millet stopped and bowed low. “I am not here to
rob you, young man. My companions and I seek a bed for the night.”
He scanned the room for signs of other people but saw none. “Are
you master here?”

“
I am,” the boy replied. “At least
until my uncle returns.” The boy stood, wiping his hands on his
trousers. “I'm Gerald. And you are welcome here, though I have
little to offer.” He walked to the hearth and stirred the fire.
“How many are you?”