The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3

by Brian D. Anderson

  “I will remove your blindfold,” she offered. “But know that if I do, I will be taken from here at once and not be allowed to return. Yes, you will have learned I speak the truth, but we will not see each other again - ever.”

  Lee's heart ached. “Then leave me blind. But know I will tell you nothing the Dark Knight may want to know.”

  “That is best,” she said. “There is much that has happened of which you are unaware.”

  “And Jacob,” he asked. “What has happened to him?”

  “He has escaped,” she replied. “He did not betray you, Lee. He was recognized by a recruit from Hazrah.”

  “That is good to hear,” he replied. He felt a great weight lifting from his heart. “But if the Dark Knight intends to break me, why tell me this?”

  She continued to clean his face. “The Reborn King does not need to leave you in despair to break you, my love. You will understand this once you are in his presence.”

  “He may find it more difficult than he imagines.”

  “He is aware of your strength,” she said. “That is why he has waited. He wishes you intact. Should he force his will upon you, your spirit could shatter.”

  “And how is it that you know all this,” asked Lee.

  “I have been in the presence of the Reborn King,” she replied sadly. “I have witnessed his power. No one can resist him. Not even you, my love.”

  “Did you come here to warn me, or prepare me,” he asked angrily. “Penelope would never say these things.”

  “I only tell you the truth,” she replied. “I wish things were different. I am Penelope Nal'Thain, but no longer the woman you knew. The King has changed me.”

  “Then help me,” said Lee. “I will undo what he has done.”

  “If only that were possible,” Her voice was filled with sorrow and longing. “But I am lost. Even if I helped you to escape, I would betray you eventually. I wouldn't be able to help myself. You can't know what it means to be under the King’s power.”

  He could hear her weeping softly. “Please. I can help you. I swear it. I can break the hold he has over you.”

  “I must go.” She lifted the cup to his lips once more. “I will try to return tomorrow. Soon you will be brought before the King.” Lee heard the door creak open. “I would speak to you again before you become his.”

  The door slammed shut. A tear fell down his cheek. He didn't want to believe that this woman was really Penelope, but he knew in his heart it was. Rage and frustration swelled in his chest. He jerked the chains around his wrists with all his might, but even with his immense strength they were far too thick to break.

  He knew he must escape - somehow. He would find a way to free Penelope and take her away from this wretched place. His thoughts turned to Jacob. He had escaped. But would he run? He doubted it. Jacob had too much of his father in him, which meant he would most likely end up being killed or captured. There had to be a way of escaping before it was too late. If what Penelope had told him was true, and the Dark Knight really did have the power to break him, then soon he may be powerless to do anything at all. How he wished he could have seen her, if only for a moment.

  He thought back to the last time they were together. Her eyes had been filled with tears, but her voice was hot with anger. She’d cursed him for leaving his family.

  The door opened again. His heart jumped, but the sound of boots told him that it was not Penelope returning. The disappointment over this had only just formed when a fist slammed into his abdomen, causing him to gasp out loud.

  “You know what you cost me, Starfinder?” It was Captain Lanmore. “Because of your deception, I have lost everything.”

  “And you expect me to feel guilt?” Lee scoffed. “You are the servant of my enemy, and the enemy of all free people.” A fist crashed into his jaw. The taste of blood filled his mouth, but he spat it out defiantly. “I'm surprised they even allowed you to live after realizing your stupidity and incompetence.”

  Lanmore moved close to whisper in Lee's ear. “I should kill you now. But perhaps I'll kill your son instead while you watch. Yes. He's stupid enough to think he can rescue you. When he's caught, I'll skin him alive.”

  Lee laughed. “Those are the words I would expect from a coward. You are truly bold when faced with a man in chains. Were I free, you would run like the scared dog that you are.”

  “You think me a fool?” He grabbed Lee's face and squeezed. “I am not ignorant to what you are, Lee Nal'Thain, Starfinder, or whatever you call yourself - son of Saraf. Do you imagine my King sends us to war ill-informed? I know what you are capable of. So if you think to goad me into releasing you, then you waste your breath.”

  “Then I suggest you finish your business and leave,” said Lee.

  “I'm finished,” said Lanmore. “And soon, you will be, too.”

  The door slammed hard. Lee couldn't help but feel pity for the captain. A commoner in a world of nobles, clawing his way through the ranks, was admirable. He had felt a genuine kinship with the man. But he was the enemy, nonetheless. Lee had not really imagined he could anger Lanmore sufficiently to release him. But it had been worth a try. Still, there must be another way.

  He slid down the wall, allowing the chain to support him. He needed to rest. He needed to stay strong. When the moment arrived, he would be ready. He fell asleep, his determination as strong as ever.

  The sound of a creaking door shocked him out of his slumber. It was the light footfalls of Penelope, but mixed with the clinking of metal, and scraping of leather. He felt thin, delicate fingers pulling the blindfold from his eyes. At first he squinted painfully at the light from the torches, but as his eyes focused, he saw her.

  Her long, straight, raven hair fell around her shoulders and down her back, framing her sweet features. Her ivory skin and deep blue eyes were staring lovingly at him. She smiled a warm, sad smile as she stepped back. Even in the blue nightgown she wore, she looked graceful. Age had not touched her. She was every inch the woman he remembered.

  “It is you,” he cried, tears forming.

  In her right hand she held a large iron key. A moment later she had unshackled him. Lee nearly collapsed. Struggling to steady himself, he threw his arms around his wife and embraced her tightly.

  “I am here, my love,” she whispered. She pulled back slightly and met his eyes.

  Lee was now weeping openly. He kissed Penelope long and deep, crushing her to his chest. “I prayed for this. Come. We will find Jacob and I will get you away from here.”

  She pointed to a guard’s uniform and sword piled next to the door. “Quickly. Change into this.”

  Lee beamed and quickly donned the uniform. “Are you ready?” he asked.

  Penelope smiled a sad smile before kissing Lee once again. “I cannot go with you.”

  “What do you mean?” he exclaimed. “Of course you can. They will not stop us. If I have to, I will cut my way through every soldier in Angrääl.”

  Penelope suddenly grasped her stomach and doubled over. Lee rushed to her side, supporting her as she slid to the floor.

  “What is wrong?” His voice was desperate.

  “I am saving you the only way I can,” she said weakly. “I told you. I belong to the King now. He has enslaved my spirit. I could only resist him for a short time. But it will be long enough...”

  She winced in pain as she reached inside her robe to pull out a small, empty vial.

  Lee recognized the faint odor of venil root immediately. “Please, no!” he sobbed. “Not this way!”

  “It was the only way I would not betray you,” she explained, smiling. “I could not bear for you to fall under the same curse that now possesses me. The Reborn King is more powerful than you can imagine. He must be stopped. His plans go far beyond the coming war. He wants to watch the world burn. And once he has conquered all, he will destroy the earth - and heaven along with it. Nothing will remain.”

  She tried to push Lee away, but he held her fast. “Now
go,” she pleaded. “Jacob has been spotted three miles south of the garrison. Find him before they do. Please...save our son.” Her eyes closed and with one final gasp, she went limp.

  His tears continued to fall freely as he pulled her body close. How long he held her like this, he couldn’t say. Then, like an echo in his mind, her last words came back to him.

  Save our son.

  He laid her gently on the floor and kissed her lips. “Goodbye, my love,” he said softly. After one final tender look, he wiped his eyes dry. Dark sadness began to boil over into blinding rage.

  He opened the door to his cell; two guards lay dead just outside, one wearing nothing but his underclothes. He dragged the bodies inside and closed the door. Lee thought about the layout of the garrison, hoping that the uniform disguise would be enough to allow him to pass through unnoticed. That was why Penelope had cleaned his face, he thought. She must have known all along what she intended to do. The memory stabbed at him. No. He must push aside despair for now. He recalled how he had been brought there. They had not blindfolded him until after he was put in chains. Their mistake.

  He made his way through the stone corridors of the keep until he reached the main hall leading to the front entrance. His muscles tensed as two guards walked by, but to his relief they didn't even bother to look at him. The bureaucrats had left their desks for the evening, so the path to the door was open.

  Hoping it was now dark, he opened the door and stepped into the yard. Torches burned around the perimeter and along the slate path leading to the gatehouse. The frigid night air swept under his clothes. He shivered for a split second, then walked at a steady pace toward the gate. Two guards were stationed there, but they scarcely seemed to notice his passing.

  The road south was empty. He looked north to Kratis. The city glowed brightly against the background of the dark night sky, its towers looming ominously. The thought of the Dark Knight being so close redoubled his rage. But this was not the right time for such thoughts. Forcing this anger down, he headed south. Once out of sight from the garrison he left the road, darting in and out from behind trees and brushes, stopping every few yards to listen for signs of Jacob. Just as Penelope had said, after three miles, he heard him.

  Lee crept silently until he was only a few yards away from a felled tree. Jacob was crouched behind it ready to spring.

  “Jacob,” whispered Lee. “Come out.”

  Jacob stayed perfectly still. Lee called out again. This time he cautiously climbed over the tree and walked to where his father waited. Lee embraced his son.

  “How did you escape?” asked Jacob.

  The pain of Penelope's death cut deep once again. “We must flee.”

  “But what about mother?” he pressed.

  Before Lee could respond, he heard several men approaching from the road. He spun around, but heard more men coming from the other direction.

  “Don't try to run,” called out the voice of Captain Lanmore. “There is no escape.”

  Lee and Jacob drew their swords.

  “Come closer if you long for death,” responded Lee.

  The men halted their approach.

  “There is no need for this,” Lanmore told him from a few yards away. “My master wishes you returned to him unharmed. You, and your son.”

  “If I return to your master, it will be to end his life,” roared Lee.

  Lanmore laughed. “Even your dear wife knew that was impossible. Why do you think she helped you to escape?”

  Jacob shot Lee an accusing glance.

  “And for that she paid with her life,” Lee replied, hatred spewing from his lips. “My wife lies dead because of your master’s evil. If you imagine, even for one second, that I will simply return with you, then you’re a far bigger fool than I thought.”

  “Do you really think the Reborn King would allow such a noble lady to die?” Lanmore asked. “She could not escape his grasp so easily. No, Lord Nal'Thain. Your wife still lives.”

  “You lie!” he shouted. “I saw her die. I held her in my arms.”

  “I'm sure you did. But the King is powerful. Those whom he wishes to live will do so.” Taking a step forward, Lanmore sheathed his sword. “He knew she would help you to escape, and he knew she would try to take her own life to ensure that she could not betray you. Ask yourself this. How did you escape so easily? How did you manage to walk straight through the front gate? He knew you would try to find your son. Should we have tried to capture him, he would have resisted. And the King does not want his blood. Return with me now and you can be with your family again.”

  “When I run, you follow,” Lee whispered to Jacob.

  “But mother....” he protested.

  “Your mother is dead,” Lee snapped. “And you will not follow her.”

  Lee burst into a dead run heading southeast, Jacob hard on his heels. Both of them shot past the soldiers before they had time to fully react. They gave chase, but Lee and Jacob were much too fast for them.

  Soon they had disappeared completely into the darkness.

  * * * *

  The soldiers returned to Captain Lanmore, scraped, bruised, and out of breath. After ordering them back to the garrison, he remained where he was, staring into the shadows of the forest. He could feel a presence just behind him. Its raw power nearly sent him falling to his knees, but he did not dare to turn around.

  “Such a pity.” said a voice. It was close to a whisper, yet it carried a power that gave the sound an almost physical form.

  “Forgive me, Master,” he said. Fear pierced his heart. “They escaped. My men weren't fast enough.”

  “If I had wanted them captured, I would have sent the Vrykol,” the voice said. It sounded amused. “But it matters not. I have already foreseen the fate of Lee Starfinder.”

  The presence vanished. Lanmore fell to the ground and wept.

  Chapter 28

  Gewey stared over the bow of the ship. Aaliyah had continued with his training, but as they drew closer to their destination he noticed that she would frequently lose focus. After a week she had taken to sleeping on deck. Gewey offered to give her their room to herself, but she told him that she preferred to sleep under the stars and enjoy the scent of ocean air.

  He tried on several occasions to speak with her, hoping to lift her spirits, but she withdrew even further. After the ship rounded the Tarvansia Peninsula, Aaliyah informed him that he would be spending his remaining time on board studying with Drasalisia, the navigator. He tried to object, but Aaliyah would not be swayed, and seemed most relieved when the navigator reluctantly agreed.

  From the onset of the lessons it was clear that Drasalisia intended to be a strict taskmaster. On the very first day he joined her at the bow of the ship, she simply looked at him sideways and handed him a small cup of water. She then had him sit cross-legged on the deck a few feet behind her.

  “You can join me when you learn control,” she said. She held out her hand. Almost immediately a small droplet of water floated up from the cup and hovered in mid-air a few inches above it. The drop then floated down onto the cup’s edge, where it rolled around a few times before sliding back inside.

  She stood up and stared down at Gewey for a moment. “When you can do this, you are ready to continue,” she said. Then, with a huff, she returned to the bow.

  Gewey closed his eyes and allowed the flow of the air to surround the tiny cup, but with no success whatsoever. Time after time, the cup simply spilled over. On every occasion he returned with more water the navigator shot him a disapproving glance. After three hours, he leaped to his feet and let out a frustrated scream.

  “What good is this?” he shouted. “How does this help me?”

  The navigator strode over and picked up the cup. “Hold this in your palm.”

  Without enthusiasm, he obeyed. He watched as another tiny droplet of water floated out and drifted toward the navigator.

  “Not everything requires brute force,” she said quietly.

&nbs
p; Without warning, the droplet flew forward at blinding speed, striking the cup in his hand and shattering it into a hundred pieces. Water and fragments fell to the deck. Gewey stared in amazement.

  “Such a thing could be quite useful, wouldn't you say?” Drasalisia remarked. As she returned to her duties she glanced over her shoulder. “You will need another cup, I think.”

  Excited by what he had seen, Gewey very nearly broke into a run. For six straight hours he continued to try, but was still unsuccessful. The sun was setting and the navigator had just been relieved from duty when she walked over and sat next to him.

  “Show me what you are doing,” she said in her typical, emotionless way. She took hold of Gewey’s hand and brought her spirit close to his.

  Gewey tried once again, and once again failed. He forced the water over the side. The moment it touched the deck he felt the navigator seize the flow and return it into the cup.

  “You must understand the way this power works,” she explained. “Earth, air and water are not different. At least, not in essence. They are all pieces of the same world. But you try to dig and lift the water with air, as a shovel to earth. Or you throw it, as a bale of hay into a wagon.” She reached out and touched the flow of the water, surrounding a tiny drop and pressing it in. “You transition it from one to the other. It is as the left hand touching the right.” The air stirred almost imperceptibly, blending with the droplet. In unison, they rose, the droplet carried on a tiny cushion of air. “Do you see?” The droplet sank gently back into the cup.

  “I understand.” His words were a gasp.

  “Good,” she said, now with a hint of satisfaction. “Return tomorrow and try again. You have done enough for today.”

  In spite of his desire to continue, he knew it was useless to argue. He spent the evening with the crew, learning about the ship and listening to their tales. Aaliyah joined him for dinner, but apart from this brief interlude she remained alone in their cabin until going up on deck to sleep.

  This time however, Gewey was determined to find out what was on her mind. He brought his blanket and pillow and lay down next to her.