“That may be,” Lee replied, withdrawing his hand. “But it’s necessary. The Dark One moves, and I have with me the only hope for victory.”
“You think that being the child of Saraf will save us?” he scoffed.
Lee was taken aback.
“Yes,” Ertik laughed. “We know all about you. We’ve followed your progress for years.”
“Then why haven’t you contacted me?” Lee asked with irritation. “Angrääl is on the move. I would think you would gather allies where you can.”
“I suppose you think that being a half-god would be a boon to us, but you put us in danger simply by being here; the Dark Knight can sense your kind. If I bring you to the temple it would endanger the lives of more than a hundred men and women, not to mention risk the destruction of the one safe haven we still have.”
“Safe haven?” Lee retorted. “There are no safe havens any more. The evil is spreading as his power grows. He already has agents openly dwelling in the northern kingdoms, and it won’t be long before they come under his rule. The dead rise from the earth, their souls forced into decaying bodies. His agents and soldiers assaulted us less than seven days east of here. All this, and you dare speak of safe havens? How long do you think it will be before he finds your precious Valshara?”
“We know all of this,” Ertik replied calmly. “If you think we have been idle, you’re wrong. We haven’t the power to face him openly. If you expose us too soon, then the last hope of regaining the sword will die with our destruction.”
“You are not the last hope,” Lee countered. “I have brought the last hope. And he is the only reason I have sought you out.”
“Not another half-god,” Ertik sneered. “Even a thousand of your kind would not be able to defeat the Dark Knight; you truly don’t understand the power he wields.”
“No, not another half-god,” Lee replied sarcastically. He glanced at Dina, who nodded slowly. “I have brought the only child born from the union of two gods.”
Ertik laughed at first, then stopped. “You’re not serious. There is no such creature. We would have known.”
“We did know,” Dina said. “Or at least, we knew there was something the Dark Knight was after - something he would do anything to get his hands on. Why else would the High Lady have sent word to be on the lookout for them?”
“She has her reasons, I’m sure,” Ertik maintained. “But if you expect me to believe that you travel with a god…”
He hesitated. “You have proof of this?”
“I have all the proof I need,” Lee answered. “My kind can recognize each other by touch. I know what he is.”
“Do you think the Dark Knight would go to all this trouble just to kill a half-god and his companions?” Dina asked flatly. “The Dark One is aware this god exists, and if he succeeds in killing him, then all hope is truly lost.”
“If he is a god...” Ertik began, “and I’m not saying he is...but if he is, then death cannot touch him.”
“He was bound to earth when he was a baby,” Lee revealed. “How and why is still unknown, but it makes him very human in many ways. He is only now discovering his power. If The Dark Knight finds him before he’s ready, then he’ll kill him - or worse, capture him and break his mind.”
Ertik looked hard at Lee, then got out of the coach.
“Is that how you expected it to go?” Lee asked.
“I was hoping for a bit better,” Dina admitted, forcing a smile.
A moment later, Ertik returned. “Take me to him,” he demanded.
Lee told the driver to take them back to the Frog’s Wishbone.
“How did you discover all this?” Ertik inquired. Lee recounted the events leading up to the night when the Oracle’s messenger entrusted him with Gewey as an infant. He also told Ertik about his subsequent move to Sharpstone, and Gewey’s upbringing in the Stedding household.
“I assume you’ve been training the lad?”
“I have,” Lee replied. “Along with Kaylia.”
“Kaylia?”
“An elf woman we are traveling with,” Dina explained.
Ertik rolled his eyes. “Just how many of you are there?”
“Four now,” she answered. “There were six when we began, but two are off on an important errand. They will be joining us as soon as they are able.”
“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 big 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 suppose 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.
When they arrived at the Frog’s Wishbone, Lee told Ertik and Dina to wait in the carriage while he 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, he 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 over to where Drantolis and his two friends were still sitting near to the fireplace. Lee thanked her for her help and made his way over to the elf.
“Yes,” Drantolis replied when Lee asked him about 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. “Unless you intend to start scouring the city, we have no choice other than to wait. 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 that 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. That’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 of the front door. 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 very 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.
Chapter 30
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, they either know I’ve been trained, or they got lucky.
The clearing was about one hundred feet in diameter, and torches had been placed around 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.
“Wait,” Gewey cried. “Just tell me what you want.”
“Lady Fritzina,” came a voice from just beyond the clearing. “Enough.”
Gewey turned toward the voice. “You?” he said, his voice a mixture of confusion and rage.
Harlondo stepped from the shadows. His voice was now deep and menacing, rather than high and feminine. He held a curved saber on his hand.
“Take the elf just outside the clearing,” he commanded Lady Fritzina. “Do nothing until this is over. Then,” he said, waving his hand carelessly, “you may do whatever you like with her.”
Lady Fritzina grinned fiendishly. She grabbed Kaylia by her hair and pulled her across the clearing to its edge. Gewey jumped forward in response, but the dagger in the woman’s hand held him at bay. He couldn’t risk it - at least, not yet.
“I see you’re every bit as stupid as I’d hoped,” Harlondo said. “It’s a marvel you’ve made it this far, even with that idiot Starfinder helping you.”
“Why are you doing this?” Gewey asked. Gripping his sword tightly, he could feel it starting to come alive in his hand, drawing in the power of the earth around him.
“Why?” he replied scornfully. “Because you weren’t wise enough to join the master when you had the chance - not that I ever thought it was a good idea to let you join us in the first place.”
“Let Kaylia go, and I’ll come with you.”
Harlondo laughed. “It’s far too late for that. Besides, I’d rather you were dead; the last thing I want is more competition. We don’t need your help to win. The master is nearly at his full strength, and with you gone, there will be no one else nearly powerful enough to challenge us.”
“If you hurt her, I swear you’ll pay for it with your life,” Gewey warned, his tone dark. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
“She will not be harmed until after I’ve killed you,” Harlondo promised. “Actually, you have Lady Fritzina to thank for that. She wants her to watch you die.”
Gewey grinned wickedly as the power of the earth flowing through him increased. “I look forward to gutting you. Then her. Then Lord Ganflin, just for good measure.”
“Ganflin?” Harlondo chuckled. “That fool knows nothing about this. We have agents in key positions everywhere, even in your beloved Sharpstone. Ganflin provides access for me, nothing more. He’s too damned thick to serve the master. In fact, I think I may make him my slave as a reward for killing you.”
He stepped forward menacingly. “Speaking of which.”
Harlondo’s left hand shot out. Gewey barely had time to react as a small knife whizzed past his head.
“Not bad,” Harlondo said with approval. “I was afraid this would be too easy to be proud of.”
By now, the power of the earth flowing through Gewey was like a raging river. Time began to slow, just as it had done when he’d fought the soldiers. He leapt forward, slashing down at Harlondo’s head, but the man moved easily away. Gewey stared at him in shock for a moment, then attacked again. Over and over, his sword found empty air as Harlondo countered with virtually no effort. Gewey had seen only one man move like that.
“You’re a…”
“Yes,” Harlondo interrupted, smiling. “You didn’t think Lee Starfinder was the only one, did you? But it’s worse than that, boy. The master has empowered me with energy from the Sword of Truth itself.”
Gewey felt his confidence drain.
“Don’t feel too bad, you’re not the first to underestimate me. Once I’m finished with you, I’ll find the rest of your friends and make sure you’re not the last.”
Gewey filled with rage at the thought of his friends falling to this demon. He ran headlong at Harlondo, thrusting his sword at his opponent’s belly. But Harlondo merely twisted and stepped away before bringing his own s
word down. Gewey felt searing pain as the blade cut deep across the back of his shoulder. He spun around, sword extended. Harlondo ducked, and again his blade found Gewey’s flesh, this time slashing open his upper thigh. Gewey backed away as Harlondo pressed the attack. He tried to block the onslaught, but Harlondo was too fast. Again and again, Harlondo’s sword cut deep, opening new wounds. Blood soaked Gewey’s clothes, and the wounds on his arms and shoulder made his sword feel heavy and awkward. His legs throbbed and shook with pain. He felt weak with blood loss and could hardly hold onto his sword as Harlondo came in for another attack. This time, Gewey was barely able to duck quickly enough to keep his head on his shoulders. The blade sliced the top of his scalp, sending him tumbling to the ground. He rolled back, then stumbled to his feet.
“Why prolong the inevitable?” Harlondo asked. “You have fought well. Let me end your pain.”
Gewey glared at Harlondo and squared his shoulders. He looked to the edge of the clearing and saw Kaylia, tears streaming down her face. ‘I’m sorry,’ he thought. Kaylia eyes filled with sadness, as though she had heard him.
“Still some fight in you, eh?” Harlondo laughed. “Good.”
In a flash, he was on Gewey again. This time Gewey was able to fend off the blade, but Harlondo closed in and smashed the hilt into the side of Gewey’s head. Gewey fell to the ground, dazed and with blood pouring into his eyes and mouth. His surroundings began to feel dull and distant. He wondered if this could really be the end. He attempted to stand up, but Harlondo merely laughed and kicked him back to the ground.
Harlondo stood over him with a satisfied smile. “And so ends the only child of heaven,” he mocked. “I’ll send your regards to your friends, starting with that one over there.”
‘Don’t give up.’ Gewey could suddenly hear Kaylia’s voice. It was as clear as day in his mind. ‘Please don’t make me watch you die.’ Pain and desperation filled Gewey’s heart as Harlondo raised his sword for the final stroke.
But the final stroke never came. Suddenly, the earth rumbled and the ground began to shake violently. A moment later Harlondo’s eyes shot wide as the forest floor beneath his feet literally exploded. Both men were sent flying. The last thing Gewey saw before darkness took him was the ravaged body of his enemy lying next to him. Gewey smiled with relief. This is a good death, he thought, as the world around him faded to black.
The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3 Page 32