The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3

by Brian D. Anderson

  Lee reached down and helped Salmitaya to her feet. “My dear,” he said calmly, “it’s that kind of lie that will earn you some private time with my elf friend. I promised that you would not be harmed, but as you’ve seen, stopping Kaylia could prove to be quite difficult. And I’ve heard elven interrogation methods can be rather…unpleasant.”

  “You wouldn’t,” she cried.

  Lee’s tone turned dangerous. “You kidnapped my friend and tried to have me murdered,” he fumed. “It is all I can do, not to kill you myself.”

  Kaylia returned holding a set of iron shackles. “Someone freed him and took him into the forest,” she said, throwing the shackles at Salmitaya’s feet. “I examined the guard. He was poisoned with a stylus needle.”

  Lee raised an eyebrow. “Elf poison? Why would an elf want to save Gewey?”

  “If it was the same girl we saw entering the tent, she was no elf,” Kaylia noted. “But clearly she’s familiar with elf tactics.”

  “In that case, I hope she turns out to be on our side,” Lee said, his concern showing in his voice. “Do you think you can track them?”

  “Perhaps,” she said. “The guards in the woods will slow me down, but I should be able to tell which direction they ran. That is, unless this girl hides like an elf as well.”

  “I’ll gather three of their horses and meet you two miles east of here,” said Lee. “Find out what you can.” Kaylia started off towards the woods.

  “Kaylia,” called Lee.

  She paused, and turned her head slightly.

  “Try not to kill all the guards,” he said.

  Kaylia smiled and disappeared into the night.

  “She’ll kill every one of them,” Salmitaya said, her words dripping with contempt. “Elves only understand blood.”

  “And yet, you live,” Lee pointed out. He saddled three horses, then chased off the others so that the guards could not follow. He mounted one horse and signaled for Salmitaya to mount another.

  “If you try to escape,” he warned, “I swear, I’ll hog tie you and carry you over my saddle.”

  Salmitaya glared angrily.

  They rode east for two miles before hiding in the woods next to the road. “Now that I have you alone,” said Lee, “you’ll answer a few more questions for me.”

  Salmitaya lowered her eyes, looking defeated.

  “How long have you served the Dark Knight?” he asked.

  “The Dark Knight?” she scoffed. “I serve the power of Angrääl that seeks to release us from slavery. The Dark Knight is merely an instrument.”

  “You’ll find that I’m not easily distracted,” said Lee. “How long?”

  “Eight years,” she replied.

  “How many others are there?” he asked.

  Salmitaya laughed. “How should I know? We are not told the identity of others. No knowledge - no betrayal.”

  Lee pressed the matter further. “Of course. But surely you’ve run into others from time to time.”

  “I have,” she admitted. “But never the same person twice, and not for more than for a few moments. If you want me to give you names, I can’t. Torture me all you want, I don’t know.”

  “Is there a way you recognize others like you?” asked Lee. “A signal, or some sort of clothing?”

  “The only way I can tell is if a person bears the seal of the Great Lord himself,” she explained. “It’s a hand holding broken scales. I’ve seen it many times, but we all have orders to destroy it right away once received. That’s the only way I know.” She turned away and faced the darkness of the forest. “Ask me nothing more. I have no knowledge of plans or strategy. I know nothing that can help you.”

  “Perhaps,” Lee said. “But you still have to convince one more person.”

  “The bloody elf? She would cut my throat before listening to me.”

  “It’s not the elf you need to convince,” Lee chuckled. “Your fate rests in the hands of Sister Maybell.”

  Salmitaya’s eyes widened. “You brought her with you? Where is she?”

  “She’s safe,” he answered. “Waiting for us to return this very moment, in fact.”

  “She’s a fool,” spat Salmitaya. “A blind old fool.”

  “I spared your life because of a promise I made to that blind old fool,” Lee warned. “You had better pray she holds me to it.”

  Lee could sense her sudden fear.

  Kaylia showed up with a look of concern and confusion on her face. Lee walked with her out of earshot of Salmitaya.

  “Whoever this woman is, she’s clever, and moves with great speed,” Kaylia whispered. “It would take me two days to catch them if I persisted, so I doubt the guards have any chance at all.”

  “That would be good news if we knew who she was,” Lee said.

  “Could you tell where they’re going?”

  “I think they’re heading into the Spirit Hills,” she replied. “Any other direction would take them back to the road. I doubt they’ll risk exposure until they’re well away from here.”

  “There’s a village on the southwest slopes that they’ll likely stop at for supplies,” said Lee. “Even at a dead run, it would take them three days to make their way through such rough terrain. On horseback, we can reach the village ahead of them if we take the road and go around. Unless they sprout wings and learn to fly, we should be able to head them off.”

  “What of the woman?” Kaylia asked. “You don’t intend to leave her here, do you?”

  “We’ll ride to Fair Harvest first,” Lee responded. “I promised to deliver her to Sister Maybell. A delay, I know, but we should still be able to beat Gewey and this mystery woman by a full day.”

  “Very well,” said Kaylia. “I don’t like delays, but I would like to see this reunion.” A sinister smile crept over her face.

  Lee threw his head back in laughter. “No doubt Maybell will be quite put out.” He paused, struck by a sudden thought. “By the way, did you leave any of the guards alive?”

  “Yes,” answered Kaylia. “But I doubt they’ll venture into the forest after dark again.”

  Lee smiled. “We’re off, then.”

  The three mounted their horses and headed east until they reached a crossroads, where they turned south toward Fair Harvest.

  It took them until mid-morning to arrive, and by that time their horses were spent. Lee knew he would have to purchase replacements if they expected to catch Gewey.

  Fair Harvest was little more than a large camp supported by a few local farmers and traders. The town had only one road, with a few small shops and dwellings scattered on either side; the inn at the southwest corner of the village was by far the largest building. Seeing the state of things, Lee grew concerned that he wouldn’t be able to find decent horses. They approached the inn, tied their mounts to the hitching post, and led Salmitaya inside.

  The interior of the inn was even less impressive than the exterior. Three tables and a small bar was the grand sum of the common room.

  Two locals sat in the corner drinking ale while the barmaid leaned against the wall, playing with her hair.

  The innkeeper, who had been rummaging around behind the bar, rose to his feet as they approached. “Can I help you?” he asked, staring at the hooded figure of Kaylia.

  “We have two friends staying here,” said Lee. “Could you tell someone to get them for me?”

  “Indeed, sir,” said the innkeeper. “They’re here all right. You’ll be taking them along with you I trust?”

  “Why do you ask?” Lee said warily. “Has there been trouble?”

  “Not so much trouble,” he replied, “but I swear that woman could drive a nitfly mad. I mean, look around. Does this look like a palace to you?” The man gestured to the meager décor. “You’d think she was the Queen herself by the way she makes demands.”

  Lee smiled. “Could you go get them please?” he asked, tossing the man a copper.

  “Yes sir,” said the innkeeper. “Right away.” He disa
ppeared up the stairs.

  Seconds later, Millet came running downstairs and pulled Lee into a tight embrace. “Thank the gods you’re here; that woman is driving me mad.” Releasing his grip on Lee, Millet noticed Salmitaya.

  “I see you have her, but what about the boy?”

  “Let’s go upstairs where we can talk,” said Lee. “Where’s Maybell?”

  “In her room,” said Millet sourly, leading them upstairs. “She refuses to come out until she gets a proper bath. The wash basin isn’t to her liking.”

  “Well, she can get one back in Kaltinor if she wants,” Lee quipped, slapping Millet on the shoulder.

  “Indeed,” Millet huffed.

  “We’ll take care of this one first,” Lee instructed, holding Salmitaya by the arm. “Show us to Maybell’s room.”

  Millet knocked on the old woman’s door.

  “Unless you’re here with a proper bathtub and hot water, go away!” Maybell called from behind the door.

  “Open up,” Lee said sternly.

  They heard the woman scuffling around, and then the door swung open.

  “We have someone here to see you,” Lee said, pushing Salmitaya inside.

  Maybell immediately noticed the blood on Salmitaya’s dress. “You said she wouldn’t be harmed!”

  “And she hasn’t been,” said Lee. “That’s not her blood.”

  Maybell looked in horror at the bloodstained dress. “Then whose blood is it?”

  “Before I get to that,” said Lee, looking at Salmitaya. “I think Her Holiness has a few things she’d like to tell you. The deal is that she lives so long as she tells the truth.”

  Salmitaya glared at Lee. “Very well,” she said, then turned toward Maybell. “What I am going to tell you is the complete truth. Once you’ve heard it, you are to decide my fate. On the head of Ayliazarah and the essence of my soul, I swear that my words are not false.”

  Salmitaya proceeded to tell Maybell how she had conspired with the governor to close the temples. She told her about the murders and deceptions she had been a part of. Maybell listened carefully, but her face betrayed no emotion - not even when Salmitaya confessed to serving Angrääl and kidnapping Gewey for the Dark Knight.

  When she was finished, Maybell stood up tall and straight. She looked directly into Salmitaya’s eyes.

  “I cast you out,” said Maybell, her voice quiet and calm. “The eyes of the temple will no longer see you. Your name will be stricken from the Book of the Eternal Light and shall not be spoken again. I give you your life, only so that you may see the day when you and your master suffer as you have made others suffer.” She paused, still locking eyes with Salmitaya. “Now, leave from my sight before I forget myself and kill you where you stand.”

  “Put her in your room, Millet,” said Lee. He then looked over to Kaylia. “Give her some jawas tea and leave her there. She can make her way back to Kaltinor, or wherever else she wants to go, when she wakes up.”

  As soon as the door closed, Maybell sat on the bed and wept.

  “Millet will see that you get safely back to Kaltinor,” Lee said, placing his hand gently on Maybell’s shoulder. “If, of course, that’s where you want to go.”

  Maybell wiped her tears and said, “I can’t go back. No matter what I said, that woman has power enough to keep herself safely locked away in the temple. She could crush an old woman like me.”

  “Then where do you want to go?” Lee asked. Maybell opened her mouth to reply, but Kaylia and Millet returned before she could give her answer.

  “Kaylia and I need to leave as soon as we’re able,” Lee explained. “Millet, you’ll take the wagon south to the Old Road of Santismal, then continue west. Whoever freed Gewey is likely to pass through Vine Run on the southwest slope of the Spirit Hills. Kaylia and I will try to cut them off while you follow behind.”

  “You never told me what happened to Gewey,” said Millet. “Where is he?”

  Lee related the events of the past day and explained their plan.

  “I will see to the horses now,” said Millet. “You should eat and rest for a bit.”

  “One more thing,” Lee said, turning toward Maybell. “Sister, if you wish, you can accompany Millet until you either reach another temple or figure out where it is you want to go.”

  Millet froze. “But My Lord…” he began.

  “Thank you,” Maybell interrupted. “That is very kind. I’m sure Millet and I will become fast friends.”

  Millet looked pained as he turned and left. Kaylia said nothing, but Lee could tell she was not happy.

  “If you’ll excuse us, Sister,” Lee said, motioning for Kaylia to join him in the hall.

  “She will slow us down,” Kaylia asserted. “You should leave her.”

  “You’re right,” Lee acknowledged. “But I won’t. She’s a lady of worth and honor, and I will not abandon such a person.”

  “Answer me this, half-man,” she countered. “When you came upon me in the forest, was it you who decided to come to my aid?”

  Lee had no answer.

  “I see,” she said.

  “The fact is, I was wrong and Gewey was right,” Lee said, finally. “Given the same choice again, I would help you.”

  “You misunderstand,” she replied. “Helping me was foolish. You were right to want to leave me. And know this: given the same choice today, I would leave you.”

  Lee chuckled.

  “Something amuses you?” asked Kaylia.

  “It’s just, that is the first thing I’ve heard you say that I don’t believe,” said Lee. “Come, let’s eat.”

  Chapter 14

  It was well into the afternoon when Gewey and Celandine reached the foot of the Spirit Hills. Though they had stopped running, Gewey was beginning to feel the fatigue in his legs as they walked onward.

  “I don’t think we’re being followed,” said Celandine. “All the same, we should be well into the hills before we stop.”

  “Where are you from?” Gewey asked, trying to make conversation.

  “Baltria,” she answered. “But I haven’t been there since I was a child.”

  “Do you remember what it was like?”

  “Vaguely. Mostly just flashes of memory. I do remember the smell of the salt air coming in off the bay. My father would take me to see the ships, and that smell always told me when we were close. What about you? Where are you from?”

  “Nowhere you would have heard of,” said Gewey, not wanting to give away too much about himself.

  “Don’t worry,” she said, sensing his trepidation. “While I’d love to know why you’re deemed to be so important, I’m not going to force it out of you.”

  “What do you know about me?” Gewey inquired.

  “I was given your description and name, and was told that if I found you, I should keep you safe until you could be delivered to the temple.”

  Gewey looked puzzled. “Why would your temple care about me?”

  “We have spies among the Dark Knight’s followers, and when we learned that he was after you, we knew we had to get to you first,” Celandine answered. “Other than that, I don’t know much.”

  “What’s your temple like?” Gewey asked.

  “It’s a place of training and worship,” she explained. “Only a few of us are permitted to go there, and I must admit I’m curious why a farm boy is worth this journey.”

  “Me too,” Gewey said.

  Celandine laughed. Her laugh sounded like a song to Gewey, and it made him have thoughts that caused him to blush.

  “How old are you?” she asked.

  “Why?” Gewey replied. “How old do I look?”

  “Your size says a grown man in his twenties,” she remarked. “But your eyes tell a different story.”

  “I’m seventeen,” he announced. “But I’ve been my own man for two years.”

  Celandine smiled sweetly and looked closely at him. “You are very young, but I have no doubt that you are your own man. I meant no
offense.”

  “It’s just that Lee and the others treat me like a child,” he admitted. “Back home, I have my own land and run a farm by myself. Here, I feel like I’m growing up all over again.”

  “But when it comes to the world, you are,” Celandine replied.

  “Your friends only want to protect you, as do I.”

  “I don’t need protecting,” Gewey said bitterly. “I can take care of myself.”

  “I could tell,” she teased. “Salmitaya must have been terrified.”

  “I would have escaped sooner or later!” Gewey protested. “I didn’t need rescuing.”

  “Be that as it may,” she said sternly, “I did rescue you, and I would think you would show a little appreciation.”

  Gewey felt ashamed. “I’m sorry. I do appreciate your help, Celandine. I really do. I just get sick of feeling so bloody helpless.”

  “I understand,” she said sympathetically. “I know what it’s like to feel helpless, but trust me, once you get to the temple, you’ll never have to feel that way again.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Gewey replied, earnestly.

  “One more thing,” said Celandine. “My friends call me Dina - or at least, they did when I had friends.”

  Gewey smiled. “Dina, then.”

  By the time the sun went down, they were well into the interior of the Spirit Hills. They built a small fire at the base of one of the hills and split a loaf of flatbread Dina had brought.

  After they ate, Gewey lay down on the grass to rest, using his journey pack as a pillow. The stars were obscured by the constant overcast clouds, and he felt the chill of the damp night air creep into his clothing.

  Lee’s words about the coming of a hard winter echoed in his head, and suddenly his mind went to thoughts of the villagers in Sharpstone. They had seen too many hard winters - too many deaths.

  Somehow, he would find a way to make things right.

  Dina was huddled close to the fire, already asleep. Gewey watched the firelight as it danced across her face. He wanted to go to her and feel the softness of her cheek against his hand. She stirred for a moment, and Gewey felt himself blush with embarrassment. He rolled over and tried to sleep, but he couldn’t take his mind off her.