Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Aside from the dropping temperatures and light snow,travel was pleasant. Malstisos was open, friendly, and free with hishumor. Millet couldn’t help being pleased to have him along,and his skill as a hunter came in handy, as did his ability to knowwhen harsh weather was coming.

They had done well avoiding other travelers, and onlyonce had they been forced to seek shelter at a village inn. Malstisosinsisted on accompanying them, stating his desire to see humans fromother parts of the world. At first Millet and Maybell objected, butsoon realized that he could remain unnoticed even in a crowdedtavern.

They were three days outside of Hazrah when theyencountered the first indication that things had changed in the northsince Millet had last been there. Malstisos stopped abruptly and ledMillet and Maybell into the nearby brush.

“Wait here and keep silent,” he whispered,then disappeared into the woods parallel to the road.

Maybell and Millet did their best to stay hidden andkeep the horses calm, but as the minutes passed, the cold set in andMaybell began to shiver uncontrollably. Millet held her close in anattempt to keep her warm. At first, she tried to shake him off, buteventually relented. Thirty minutes later Malstisos returned, hisexpression grave.

“Five soldiers are camped three-hundred yards downthe road,” he said. “They bear a standard I’munfamiliar with, though admittedly I know little of human nations inthe north.”

“What did it look like?” asked Millet.

“Red with a gray background, and it bore the imageof broken scales.”

Millet and Maybell looked at each other. “That’sthe standard of Angraal,” grumbled Millet. “Wemust not let them see us.”

“We should go around then,” said Malstisos.He turned to Maybell, “I’m sorry, but we cannot restyet.”

“I’ll be fine,” said Maybell. “It’snot riding that bothers me, it’s standing still that chills oldbones. Lead on.”

Malstisos led them northeast away from the road andthrough forest. Millet could feel the wind pick up as it howledthrough the bare limbs of the trees. They rode for two hours beforeMalstisos finally called for a halt and built a small fire.

“Rest here,” said Malstisos. “I’llscout ahead.” He pulled a small flask from his pack and handedit to Maybell. “Drink this. It will help you stay warm.”

“What is it?” she asked. “Not jawastea I hope.”

Malstisos smiled warmly. “It’s elf brandy,”he said. “A small sip should take the chill away. I’llreturn before dawn.” He strode off into the woods.

Millet couldn’t help but look worried, watchingMaybell’s hands tremble as she lifted the flask to her lips.

“I’m fine,” said Maybell. “Quitlooking at me like that.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Butplease understand I’m only thinking of your well-being. Even ayoung man couldn’t stand this cold for long.”

“Then worry about yourself,” she said. Thewarm rush of brandy filled her, putting color back in her cheeks. “Imay be an old woman. But, you’re no spring chicken.”

Millet laughed as Maybell passed him the flask. “Pointtaken.”

Neither of them was able to sleep. The fire and thebrandy kept them warm, but soon the howl of wolves mixed with thehowl of the wind.

“How close do you think they are?” askedMaybell, trying her best to hide her fear.

“Not far from the sound of it,” he answered.“But don’t worry. Wolves rarely trouble travelers, andthey won’t come near the fire.”

Malstisos returned just as the sun broke the horizon.“There is a garrison due east of here bearing the same standardas the other soldiers,” he said. “But I found a wayaround that should keep us out of sight.”

“If they have built a garrison this close toHazrah, then it’s likely they’ve already taken the cityitself,” said Millet. “The king would never allow aforeign army to go unchallenged this close to the capital.” Heturned to Maybell. “There is a mining village a day’sride from here. I have a friend there that can shelter us while wegather information and form a plan. I don’t want to marchheadlong into the sights of Angraal unless there is noother choice.”

“If Hazrah has fallen, this trip may have been fornaught,” said Malstisos. “The garrison is organized, andthey are well prepared. Whoever leads them is no fool. Entering thecity unnoticed may be impossible.”

“If getting into the city unnoticed isn’t anoption then we’ll hide in plain sight,” Millet replied.“This is not my first dangerous mission.”

“I may be able to help,” said Maybell. “Ifyour friend can get word to the Hazrah temple then perhaps they canfind us a way in.”

“There may not be a temple to contact,” saidMillet. “Remember what Salmitaya did to the temples inKaltinor?”

Maybell’s heart ached at the thought. “Ishould have killed her when I had the chance.”

“Don’t second guess yourself,” repliedMillet. “Your actions were correct and merciful. I, for one, amglad you spared her. Once her masters discover her failure I’msure they will be less than pleased. I doubt that her comfortablelife in Kaltinor will last much longer.”

“I hope you’re right.” Maybell wiped atear from her cheek.

Millet explained to Malstisos their position relative tothe mining village so that he could scout it for patrols. They wereforced to change direction three times to avoid detection. When theyreached the edge of the village, they hid behind some bushes andwatched for a time. When no soldiers were in sight, Millet toldMaybell and Malstisos to wait while he entered and made contact withhis friend.

“I don’t like you going alone,” saidMaybell.

“Until we know what’s going on we can’trisk being taken together,” he replied. “I'll need totalk to Markus and make sure it’s safe.”

“Don’t worry, Maybell,” saidMalstisos. “If he is taken, I will free him.”

“Fine,” said Maybell, scowling. “Whois this Markus person anyway?”

“He’s the foreman of the Kessel coppermine,” said Millet. “He and I were good friends when wewere young.”

“How do you know you can still trust him?”she asked.

“I don’t. But when we were young he was themost honest and dependable man I knew. Besides, it’s eitherthis, or we ride blindly into danger. I’d rather try to escapefrom here than from the city gates.”

“If you are captured be certain to make enoughnoise so that I know to come get you,” said Malstisos.

“Absolutely,” Millet agreed.

Millet scanned the area one last time, making certain hewasn’t being watched, and then hurried to the nearby street.Malstisos handed Maybell the flask of elf brandy, which shegratefully accepted. An hour later Millet returned.

“I spoke to Markus,” he said. “Heoffers us food and shelter.”

“What news of Hazrah?” asked Malstisos.

“It’s not good,” he replied. “Wecan discuss it at Markus’ house. Keep your hood on until we’reinside. Markus knows you’re with me so there will be no reasonto hide your identity once we get there.”

Millet led them to the street and into the village. Itwas typical of a mining town, mostly single story, wood buildings,built for utility rather than aesthetics. The streets were empty,aside from a few workers on their way home from the mines.

Being the mine foreman, Markus lived in one of thelarger houses in the village, but even so, it was not much biggerthan the average farmhouse. Millet tied the horses to a nearbyhitching post then walked straight up and opened the door. Theinterior was modest yet comfortable. A sturdy dining table wasalready set for the evening meal at the far end of the great room,and a fire crackled in the fireplace just inside the door. A balding,stocky man with deep-set eyes, and a weathered face stood next to thetable, slicing a loaf of fresh bread. He looked up and smiled as theparty entered.