Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Millet took a deep breath before he spoke. “Yourson is a bit… stubborn. I don't think you will be able to talk himinto leaving. He's quite determined to rescue his mother.”

Lee nodded with understanding. He knew what Millet meantby stubborn.

“Then I'll have to convince him. I'm sure he holdsno love for me, but I'll not have him die needlessly.” Lee gotto his feet. “If this Yanti person knows you're here, he mayvery well know where I am. If so, it's likely he's waiting to strikeuntil we're all at the same place at the same time.” He walkedto the window and peered out.

“If that's the case,” said Dina. “Weshould split up and leave the city in different directions.”

Lee shook his head. “I'll not let any of you outof my sight.” There was no hint of compromise in his tone. Hishand slid to the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.

“If the Dark One thinks I'll bend to his will,then he's a bigger fool than I thought.

And as far as this Yanti …if he's stupid enough to hinder us, I'll make him regret the day hewas born.”

“What about these people that call themselves thefaithful ?” asked Millet. “Evenyou cannot fight a hundred men at once.”

“We'll move with speed,” said Lee. “Wewon't give them a chance to do anything about it. It takes time toorganize enough men to stop the likes of me, and if Yanti has thesame intelligence as Harlando, then he'll know what I am.”

“But what if he's like you ,”said Dina. “You know… a half-man.”

Lee flashed an evil grin. “Then I'll kill himfirst and slaughter his followers last. It's more than my blood thatmakes me formidable. I have trained under the greatest warriors theworld has ever known. Unless he has done likewise, it is he that should fear me .”

“Still, it may not be so easy to convince Jacob toleave Baltria,” said Millet. “His… dislike for you isquite strong. I think we should overcome that obstacle first, don'tyou?”

“No doubt,” Lee agreed. “Go back tothe inn and bring him here. If you're not back in an hour, I'll knowsomething is wrong.”

“You don't mean to send Millet out alone, do you?”Dina protested.

“If they wanted to harm Millet, they would havealready done so,” said Lee. “No. It's me they want.”He turned to Millet. “Still, be careful.”

Millet nodded and left. The streets were busy and ittook Jansi nearly twenty minutes to get back to the inn. Milletdidn't bother to try to hide his presence. Ifthey see me, they see me , he thought. As soonas he was inside, he saw Jacob seated at a long table, playing dicewith two other patrons and draining a large jug of wine. Milletwalked straight up to him and pulled him by the arm.

“What do you think you're doing?” Jacobprotested.

“We need to leave,” said Millet as quietlyas he could manage. “Now.”

Jacob pulled himself from Millet's grasp. “Let mego, old man,” he bellowed. “I've only just arrived. AndI've yet to have my fill.”

Millet leaned down and whispered into the boy's ear.“You will have your fill when agents from Angraal gethere. Now get up, and gather your things.”

Jacob glared at Millet but he relented. “I’msorry, fellows,” he announced. “I must be off.”This was met with jeers and boos. He got up and followed Millet totheir rooms.

“There's a carriage out front,” said Milletwhen 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, “Whereit is safe.” He turned and entered his own room.

Minutes later, he waited at the carriage. Jacob followedshortly, carrying his gear and looking none too happy. Millet openedthe door and Jacob entered, tossing his pack carelessly aside.

“Now, tell me what's going on,” Jacobdemanded, once they were underway.

Millet explained the encounter with Yanti, leaving outthe message the man had for Lee. Jacob's face twisted. “I takeit you plan for us to run like cowards.”

Millet said nothing. He didn't want to mention Lee untilthey arrived at Lanson's house.

“Well?” pressed Jacob. “Is that it, ornot?” He sniffed with disgust. “I'm not running. I'm notfinished with my business, so you should let me out right here.”

Millet sighed. “If you're worried that your motherwill be left in the hands of the Dark One, let me assure you, shewill not.”

“What? Are you going to save her?”Realization washed over his face. “I see. My father-that'swhere we're going. You found him and thought to bring me to himwithout 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'llspeak 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 heshifted, uncharacteristically, from side to side.

Jacob leaped from the carriage first and walked straightpast his father, and into the house, without so much as a word.Millet shrugged at Lee and helped Jansi with the gear. Lee wentinside 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 draggedthe other chair directly in front of the boy and sat down. Millet putthe packs and other gear near the door and asked Jansi to waitoutside.

“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 mustnot 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'mconcerned I have no reason to think anything… or feel anything either.”

Lee lowered his eyes. “I truly am sorry for what Ihad to do. But please understand, it had to be this way. I was tryingto protect you and your mother.”

“Good job,” he spat. “I've been forcedto leave my home, and my mother is imprisoned in Angraal.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. TheDark Knight would have what he wants, and would have no further needto keep you or your mother alive.”

“And just what does he want?” Jacob leanedback in his chair. “What is it that is more important than yourfamily? I would really like to know.”

“I can't tell you,” Lee replied. “Atleast not yet. But know that it was the only thing that could forceme to make such a choice. And know that you and your mother neverleft my thoughts… not for a minute.”

Jacob's mouth tightened. “I see. You abandon yourfamily, 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'ttell 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 tellyou soon. I promise.”

“Keep your promises,” he growled. “Idon't need them… or you.” He moved to get up, but Lee caughthis shoulder.

“You do need me,” said Lee, sternly. “If you expect to free yourmother…” Jacob tried to free himself from Lee's grasp, butLee held him firmly. “I know that you think you can find a wayto do this alone,” Lee continued. Jacob relaxed and sat backdown. “But you can't. “

“And you can? Just because you have the blood of Saraf coursing through yourveins, you think you can take on the armies of Angraal byyourself? At least I did not inherit your stupidity.”