Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

“You assume that anyone but the boy will be coming,” Ertik said.

Lee leaned forward. “You will find that the boy’s companions will not abandon him. If your intention is to separate us, then you may as well get out now.”

“Then you would sacrifice the fate of the world for your own selfish desires.”

“Think what you will,” Lee retorted. “But so far you’ve given me no reason to leave the only hope this world has in your hands. All I’ve seen is arrogance and an unwarranted self-important attitude that makes me think coming to you may have been a mistake.”

Ertik glared at Lee. The tension was palpable.

“Ertik,” Dina soothed, trying to calm things down. “Lee has watched over Gewey for seventeen years, sacrificing everything in the process. You can’t think he would just leave him and move on. Besides, I doubt Gewey will go anywhere without his friends; he can be very stubborn.”

Ertik pursed his lips and grunted. “I supposed the elf will want to come as well. That should be interesting.”

“I would watch what you say when you meet Kaylia,” Lee warned. “She has something of a temper.”

“I’m not surprised,” Ertik replied under his breath.

Lee told Ertik and Dina to wait in the carriage when they arrived at the Frog’s Wishbone, and went inside to look for Gewey. The tavern was still crowded as Lee pushed his way through the throngs. He could see no trace of either Gewey or Kaylia. Finally, Lee tracked down the barmaid who had served them during dinner and asked her if she’d seen Gewey.

“Oh yes,” she told him. “He and the elf woman were talking to Drantolis, last I saw.” She pointed to where Drantolis and his two friends were still sitting near the fireplace. Lee thanked her for her help and made his way over to the elf.

“Yes,” Drantolis replied, when Lee asked the group if they had seen Gewey. “Kaylia left with Lady Fritzina. The boy seemed to think she was upset with him and went after her. I haven’t seen them since.”

“Do you know Harlondo?” Lee asked him.

“Yes. He left about the same time as the boy.”

‘Probably went back to the manor,’ Lee thought as he returned to the carriage.

Once back at Lord Ganflin’s manor, Lee and Dina scoured the house, but Gewey was nowhere to be found. Martin informed them that no one had returned since they had all left together.

“Where do you think they are?” Dina asked Lee.

“Harlondo probably offered to show them a bit of the city,” he guessed. “We’ll give them some time before we start to worry.”

“I can see how well protected he is,” Ertik sneered.

“Watch it,” Lee warned. “I’m not beyond throwing you into the street. He may be young, but the boy is very capable.”

Dina frowned, placing her hands on her hips. “I refuse to listen to the two of you squabble,” she said. “We have no choice but to wait, unless you intend to start scouring the city. But if you refuse to be civil, you can both wait in separate rooms-at least that way I won’t have to listen to your childish bickering.”

Lee and Ertik looked like two scolded children.

“Of course, you’re right Sister,” Ertik offered, holding out his hand to Lee. “I apologize.”

“As do I,” Lee said, taking the man’s hand. “Now let’s put this behind us and wait in the parlor. I’ll have Martin bring us some wine.”

Dina showed Ertik upstairs to the parlor. Lee joined them a few minutes later, followed by Martin, who carried a tray of glasses and a bottle of good wine.

“Tell me about Gewey,” Ertik requested. “How old is he?”

“Seventeen,” Lee replied. “But you’d never know by looking at him.”

“Seventeen,” Ertik repeated softly. “So young.”

“Yes, but he has shown great maturity,” Dina pointed out. “It’s easy to forget how young he really is.”

“He has shown discipline during his training as well,” Lee added. “That comes from his father, I suspect. The man who raised him was an exceptional person. It’s why I chose him.”

“Do you know who his real father is?” Ertik asked.

“I have my suspicions,” Lee said. “He draws massive strength from the earth, so I think his father must be Gareth, but I can’t be certain. As for his mother, I don’t have a clue. Maybe someone at your temple will have a way to find out for sure.”

Ertik scratched his chin. “Possibly. It would certainly be helpful if we knew. It’s still hard to imagine-a God, here on Earth.”

“I know,” Lee agreed. “But once you get to know him, you’ll see that he’s in fact very human.”

Ertik opened his mouth to reply, but suddenly, the whole house began to shake violently, as if struck by an earthquake. Pictures fell from the wall, and the sound of breaking glass echoed through the halls. Lee grabbed Dina, protecting her body with his. After a few seconds, the shaking stopped.

“What was that?” Ertik cried.

Lee ran downstairs and out the front door as Dina and Ertik followed closely behind. People on the streets were screaming and crying with fear. The front gate had come loose from its hinges, and the gatekeeper was still crouched down on the walkway.

“It’s Gewey,” Lee said, his voice filled with fear. “I know it. He’s the only one who could cause this.”

“We must find him before he brings down the whole city,” Ertik said in a panic.

“Can you tell where it came from?” Dina asked.

“No,” Lee replied. “But if it’s inside the walls he will be easy to find. Wait here until I return.”

Lee ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. As anxious as he was to find Gewey, he was also afraid of what he might find when he did; if Gewey had let loose that kind of power inside the city, the devastation would be unimaginable.

Gewey found the trail just south of the city wall. The trees were sparse and thin, but the light of the full moon offered ample shadows in which to hide. He unsheathed his sword and made his way south, keeping a few yards off the trail. He tried to stretch out his senses, but the roar of the nearby city drowned everything out. The trail itself provided little help; it was too frequently traveled for him to make out any distinct tracks. As he approached the clearing, he could see the light of several torches burning brightly. ‘No way to approach unseen,’ he thought. ‘Whoever this is either knows I’ve been trained, or they got lucky.’

The clearing was about one hundred feet in diameter, and torches had been placed at its edge in six-foot intervals. In the center, he saw Kaylia, gagged and on her knees, bound at the wrists and ankles. Lady Fritzina stood next to her with a vicious-looking dagger in her hand.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Gewey yelled, stepping into the clearing. Kaylia looked unhurt, though anger burned in her eyes.

“So fierce,” Fritzina laughed. “No wonder the master wants you… taken care of.”

“Release her and I will let you live,” he offered, taking a step forward, with his sword still drawn.

“Stop there, my handsome peasant,” she warned, holding her dagger close to Kaylia’s throat. “Or I might just have to bleed this… elf.” She looked down at Kaylia with contempt. “She loves you, you know.”

“What is it you want?” Gewey asked through his teeth.

“Don’t you want to tell her you love her too?” Fritzina replied, ignoring Gewey’s question. “Just once, before you watch her die?”

“If you hurt her, I swear you’ll beg me to kill you,” he roared. “You don’t think you can run from me, do you?”

“Run?” she repeated, amused. “It is you who should have run.” She pressed the blade against Kaylia’s throat. Gewey saw a trickle of blood fall down her neck.