Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Lee halted his horse and slid from the saddle. “Yanti,I presume.” His tone was dark and vicious. “Unless youare here to tell me that you're on your way to retrieve my wife,you've signed your own death warrant.”

Yanti smiled, unconcerned. “Lord Starfinder. Atlast we meet. I've looked forward to this for quite some time.”He tapped the hilt of his sword with his index finger.

“I am saddened that you have chosen to refuse myoffer. Unwise.”

Lee slowly drew his weapon.

Yanti cocked his head. “I see you are in no moodfor idle talk. Still, I would be remiss if I didn't give you one morechance to abandon this course of action.”

Lee turned to the others. “Should this go badly,ride hard. Follow Millet. He knows where to go.”

“What say you, Jacob,” called Yanti. “Willyou follow Millet?”

“Leave my son alone,” Lee roared. “You…”He stopped short as Jacob walked past, holding the letter he hadgiven him.

“He gave me this,” said Jacob, handing Yantithe letter. “Probably no more than sentimental drivel, butthere might be something useful.”

“What is this?” Lee demanded.

“I'm sorry,” said Yanti. “Jacob and Iare old friends. He's been quite helpful to our cause. Without him,Hazrah would have been much more difficult to subdue.”

“Jacob… you can't do this?” Lee appealed.“Your mother-”

“Is weak,” said Jacob cutting him off. “Ifshe had her way, Hazrah would still be under the yoke of thetemples.” Hatred poured from his eyes. “You know, shenever stopped believing you would return one day. She probably stillthinks you're going to save her. But she is as big a fool as youare.”

“As you can see,” said Yanti. “Thethings you fight for are in fact fighting against you. By now yourdear wife has joined us and as you see, your son has been with us allalong.”

“She would never betray her people.” Lee’sface burned with fury. “And whatever you've done to my son tomake him this way… for that, I swear you'll pay with your life.”

Yanti drew his weapon and took a step back. “Comethen. Let us see if your reputation is deserved.”

Lee sprang forward, slashing through the air in a widearc, attempting to end the fight in a single blow. But Yanti spun tohis left with speed Lee had never encountered. If not for Lee'straining and physical power, his momentum would have sent himsprawling.

“Hasty, Starfinder,” taunted Yanti. “Mindthe things you have learned.” But he made no move to counter.

Lee cursed himself for such an arrogant and foolhardyattack. Yanti was no ordinary opponent. He should have suspected asmuch.

This time Lee attacked with more caution and finesse.Short, powerful strokes rained down on Yanti, as he attempted tothrow him off balance, but to Lee's dismay, Yanti parried each bloweasily. Lee became concerned by Yanti's lack of aggression. The manhad not made a single move to attack, seeming to be content to fightoff Lee's onslaught.

“You're trained well,” admitted Lee, takinga step back. “But if you think to tire me out, you'll find thatwill not happen.”

“No, no,” replied Yanti, still smiling. “Ionly wish to admire your skill. You have indeed been well educated inthe art of the sword. It is a pity you won't allow my master to makeyou even more powerful… as he has done for me.”

With those words, Yanti charged, bringing his sword downon Lee’s. A deafening clang of metal on metal shot through theair, causing a flash of sparks to fly. Lee was only barely able toraise his sword in time. The second blow whizzed by his ear and hewas forced back, nearly losing his footing.

Now Yanti began to toy with him, slashing and feigning.Lee tried to regain advantage, but Yanti kept forcing him back andback, until finally, Lee dropped to one knee from the force one ofYanti's blows. Lee pushed with all his strength and gained his feet,but he knew Yanti could finish him at any time. He glanced over longenough to see Dina and Millet still on their horses, staring inhorror.

“Ride, you fools,” he shouted. “Beforeit's too late.”

“It is already too late, Lord Starfinder,”said Yanti, pointing to Jacob, who had a bow drawn and pointed atDina's head. “At that range he won't miss.”

“If you let them go, I will do what you ask,”said Lee bowing his head.

Yanti laughed softly. “Being that you are in noposition to bargain, I cannot help but be amused. Still, you haveshown courage. A quality my master values greatly… as do I. Still,I am not foolish enough to simply kill you and allow your companionsto roam free.”

Lee tensed, ready for another assault. “Then weend this.”

“Indeed we do,” Yanti agreed.

In a flash Yanti raced forward. Lee attempted to sidestep and counter, but Yanti was too fast. His own blade had barelymoved when he felt Yanti's blow strike home on the back of his skull.He fell to his knees with a grunt and his sword flew from his hand.Lee's head swam, as he looked up to see Dina weeping and Millet insilent prayer. He marveled that he still lived. His head should havebeen split in two. Then he realized that Yanti had hit him with thehilt of his sword and not the blade.

“You fought well.” Yanti's voice sounded faraway. Then he felt his entire body jar as Yanti delivered one finalblow. His last thoughts before darkness took him were of his wife. Hehad failed her.

Consciousness came slowly… and painfully. The worldaround Lee spun violently. Realization washed over him. Feelinganything at all meant he was still alive. Yanti must have spared him.But why?

He opened his eyes and let the light filter in. Thewound on the back of his head throbbed, but he knew he had to sit up.He had to find out if Millet and Dina still lived. He took a deepbreath and struggled to his knees. As his vision cleared, he saw thatthe horses had been tied to a fallen log and their gear neatly placedbeside them. Millet and Dina were tied and blindfolded just off theroad. Jacob was bound and blindfolded just like the others, onlyjudging from the bruises on his face, he had been beaten.

“Millet… Dina,” called Lee. “Are youhurt?” He struggled to his feet and stumbled towards them.

“We are both fine, my lord,” said Millet.“Yanti decided to leave us unharmed.” Lee was about tosearch for a knife in the gear, but saw that his weapons had beenplaced beside Millet. He cut their bonds and helped them to theirfeet. Dina immediately noticed Jacob and ran over, seething withfury. She stood over him momentarily, then spat on the ground.

“If he wasn't your son,” said Dina. “I'dslit his throat here and now.”

“I wouldn't blame you,” admitted Lee,gingerly touching the back of his head. “But his fate is in myhands, and I alone must decide what to do with him.”

“Well, that can wait,” said Millet. “FirstI must treat your injuries.” Lee didn't protest and allowedMillet to examine his wounds.

“Your skull is made of stone to have taken such ablow,” Millet muttered. He retrieved some medicine and bandagesfrom their gear and finished the dressings.

“What happen after I was knocked out?” askedLee.

Millet's face twisted in anger then relaxed as heregained his composure. “He told Jacob to bind and blindfoldus. After that I heard Jacob arguing with him that he should kill usall and be done with it. But Yanti just laughed at him. Next thing Iheard was a thump and what sounded like a body hitting the ground. Ican only assume it was Jacob. After that, he must have tied off ourhorses and searched through our gear. Before he left, he told us thatyou were still alive and once you woke up there would be a giftwaiting for us. I suppose he was referring to Jacob.”