Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Lee hurriedly packed their gear and helped Dina preparea quick meal of dried meat and fruit. Jacob refused to eat at thesame table and took his meal in the living room. By the time Jansireturned, the party was ready to depart. The sun had been down formore than an hour, and the faint light from the windows of the houseslit the streets. They said farewell to Jansi, and made their way outof the city. The darkness of the streets pleased Lee. The darker thebetter, and he had even planned their exit from Baltria to avoidsections that were lit by lamps.

They wound their way through the streets, Lee leadingthe way and keeping watch for signs that they were being followed. Atfirst, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Then just as theyentered the main avenue leading to the city gates, they noticed asmall group of five people wearing dark cloaks and carrying torches,standing to their right, on the walkway. As they passed the groupfell in behind them.

“The faithful ,I presume,” whispered Millet. “What should we do?”“Nothing,” Lee replied. “Do nothing until they makea move.”

As they continued, more began to emerge and follow. Bythe time the gates were in sight, there were nearly thirty behindthem.

“Be ready,” said Lee. “When I give thesignal, we'll make a run for the gate.” A lone figure steppedin 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 afamiliar face.

“Salmitaya,” Dina hissed. “I shouldhave known you were behind this rabble.”

“You're wrong,” she replied. “I amjust a servant… and a messenger.”

“Then deliver your message.” Lee gripped thehilt of his sword. “I have no patience for the likes of you.”

Salmitaya smiled, amused. “Very well. Reconsideryour present course. Yanti knows you intend to refuse his offer. Healso 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 andwealth. You need not sacrifice any more than you already have. Hepromises this, and more. You could even return to Hazrah as governor,if you wish. You can go home and have the power to protect yourpeople.”

“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 rabblefrightens me?” He sprung from the saddle and turned to the mob.“Many of you know who I am. You know my reputation. So openyour 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 theSea, will kill every last one of you.” He took a long steptoward the faithful .The mob stirred uneasily.

“I await your response,” called Salmitaya.

Lee spun around. “My response is this. Tell thisYanti creature that before this is over, I will bathe my sword in hisblood. If he wants to save his own life, he should run as fast as hecan to Angraal and return my wife to me at once. Then heshould pray to whatever he worships that I decide it is enough for meto spare him.”

Salmitaya bowed her head. “I will convey yourmessage. He will be disappointed, I'm sure.” She snapped herfingers and the mob slowly dispersed. “Farewell Lee Starfinder.I'm afraid we will not meet again.” With that, she vanishedinto a nearby alley.

Lee tensed, awaiting an attack but none came. Finally,he remounted his horse. “I guess they are choosing to strikelater, rather than sooner.” He clicked his tongue to urge hishorse forward.

They passed through the gates unhindered. Lee noticedthe lack of city guards. So did Millet.

“The guards seem to have abandoned their posts,”Millet remarked.

“We just met the keepers of Baltria,” saidLee. “They've taken the city with a force more powerful thanany army. Fear.”

“Perhaps it's time we gave them a taste of theirown medicine,” said Dina. Lee turned and smiled maliciously. “Iintend to.”

They headed north through the delta roads for severalhours. Dozens of small bridges made good spots for an ambush, butthey passed unmolested. From time to time, they would see light fromtorches several hundred yards ahead, but they disappeared before theyreached them.

“They seek to unnerve us,” said Millet.

“They only succeed in angering me.” Leeslowed his horse allowing Jacob to catch up with him. “Are youalright?”

Jacob glanced over, unaffected by their situation. “I'mfine. Worry about yourself.”

Lee tightened his lips and spurred his horse forward toretake the lead position. Millet joined him.

“It will take time, my lord,” said Millet.“He's had many years to form his opinions, but I know you canmake him understand.”

“Thank you, my friend,” he responded. “Ihope I live long enough to do so.”

“You've never failed before,” said Millet.“You will not fail now. You will put your family togetheragain.”

“I have to tell you,” said Lee. “ThisYanti person made a tempting offer. If I wasn't so certain that itwas a lie, I might have taken him up on it.”

Millet nodded with understanding and dropped back withthe others. They rode until it was near dawn, and Lee found a decentplace to rest and eat.

“We rest for three hours,” he said. Heturned to Millet. “Tomorrow night, you'll take Jacob east. I'lltake Dina with me as far as Sharpstone.”

“I really wish you would consult me about thesethings,” said Dina, scowling.

“I can't take you with me,” said Lee. “Thereis a good chance I'm marching to my death, and I won't be responsiblefor yours.”

“I know I can't go with you,” she said. “ButI have no intention of being left in the middle of nowhere. I'm acleric in the Order of Amon Dahl, and I have my own duties. Iwill go with you as far as Sharpstone, but from there I will returnto the temple.”

Lee nodded. “You're right, of course. Iapologize.”

Dina smiled, reached in her belt, and pulled out a smallflask. “Here.” She tossed it to Lee.

Lee opened the flask and the air filled with the scentof plum brandy. “Ahhh!” He smiled, took a sip, and closedhis eyes, savoring the sweet taste. He offered it to Millet whorefused, and then called out to Jacob. Jacob turned and Lee threw theflask to him. Without a word, Jacob took a sip and threw it back.

“Manners, young man,” said Dina.

Jacob glared at Dina for a moment. “Thank you forsharing your flask… Dina.”

Lee kept watch as the others tried to catch a bit ofsleep. As they were preparing to leave, he walked up to Jacob andhanded him a sealed letter.

“What's this?” asked Jacob.

Lee pressed the letter in his hand. “Shouldanything happen to me, or should Millet somehow be unable to fulfillhis promise to tell you everything, I have written it all down. Justplease don't open it until after you've reached Dantary.”

Jacob paused then stuffed the letter into his pocket.“I'll wait.”

They kept to the road north until they reached a fork,then veered to the right, heading northeast. By mid-afternoon theyneared the spot where they planned to split up. Up ahead, Lee spotteda figure standing in the road. Lee scanned the area for signs of anambush, but could sense no one else nearby. When they were less thanone-hundred yards away, Millet sat up straight in his saddle.

“That's Yanti.”

Lee nodded. “I'll deal with him.”

Yanti was dressed in a black shirt and trousers, withblack leather boots. His hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, anda long rapier hung loosely at his side.