“It is real,” said Kaylia. “At leastin the sense that this isa real place. This is only our second time here, but I think that itchanges with your thoughts and emotions. I do know that the dangershere are very real.”
“Dangers,” said Malstisos. “Whatdangers?”
“There is no time to explain. Gewey is strugglingto keep you in this world. Did you succeed in saving Lee’s wifeand son?”
“His son is with us,” he replied. “ButI'm sad to say that his wife has been taken north to Angraal.Millet is taking the boy to Baltria, while I escort Maybell toAlthetas.”
“I see…” she paused. “Stick to yourplan. Lee will find Millet in Baltria. Gewey and I have our own task,but you will be met in Althetas. Go to the Frogs Wishbone when youarrive. An agent from Valshara will contact you there.”
“How am I to know-” Malstisos began.The forest turned into a swirl of light and color. He felt as if hewere falling. Then blackness.
Malstisos awoke drenched in sweat, his heart pounding.For a moment, he didn't know where he was. As his mind cleared, heheard the sound of Millet, Jacob, and Maybell's deep, regularbreathing. He reached over and shook Millet.
“What's wrong?” asked Millet groggily.Malstisos recounted his experience.
“Do you believe it was them?” Millet asked.
“I do. How they accomplished it I can't imagine,but I sensed no deception.”
“Then we should keep to our plan,” saidMillet. “It's several hours until dawn, so we should try andsleep. Maybell can be told of this in the morning.”
Malstisos nodded in agreement and drew his blankettightly around him. Sleep came slowly and his dreams were troubled.
The morning brought the smell of crisp bacon and freshbread. Gerald was busy setting the table and humming.
Millet was first to rise and helped with breakfast. Atfirst, Gerald protested but soon realized Millet wasn't one to bedeterred. The duo had the table prepared a full ten minutes beforeMalstisos and Maybell stirred. Jacob was last to awaken.
“Things are in order from the smell of it.”Maybell yawned and stretched. She looked over to Malstisos who wasjust waking up. “I always imagined elves to be early risers.”
“My sleep was troubled… and eventful,” hereplied. “But we'll discuss it after breakfast.”
About halfway through their meal, Gerald excused himselfand left them alone at the table. Malstisos informed Maybell andJacob of his dream experience.
“Amazing,” remarked Maybell. “Well,I'm happy that you'll be met in Baltria.”
“I'm not,” Jacob growled. “I have noneed of my father, and have no intention of seeing him.”
“If you intend to go to Baltria, you won't havemuch of a choice,” stated Millet.
“According to Malstisos he will certainlybe there, so you had better get used to the idea.”
Jacob folded his arms. “He had better stay out ofmy way.”
“Calm yourself,” said Malstisos. “Firstyou must arrive at your destination, and that may not be easy.”
“We'll get there,” said Jacob. “If Ihave to kill every soldier I see on the way.”
“Young man, you would do well to take Millet'slead,” said Maybell. “He has seen much more of the worldthan you. If getting to Baltria means saving your mother, then you'ddo well to keep your mouth shut, and your eyes and ears open.”
Jacob glared at Maybell but could find no words toreply.
“I do not think you should take time to speak tothe Oracle when we arrive in Manisalia,” said Malstisos.
Millet nodded. “I agree. In fact, I would have youavoid the city entirely if it's possible.”
“I'm sure I can find a way around if need be,”said Malstisos. “But, I intend to leave you with the remainderof the provisions. Sister Maybell and I will need to resupply onceyou're away. There is no way we can avoid the city, at least for afew hours.”
“Good,” said Maybell. “And I wouldlike to consult the Oracle-if she's still there.”
The front door opened and Gerald entered, smiling. “Isee you've nearly finished. I hope you enjoyed it.”
“Very much.” Maybell returned the smile. Therest nodded in agreement.
“I've readied your horses,” said the boy.“I'll bring them 'round front whenever you'd like.”
“We'll be leaving shortly,” said Millet.“You can bring them now.” Gerald nodded and dashed off.
They gathered their belongings and filed out the frontdoor. As promised, Gerald had saddled their horses and had them linedup a few feet away. Gerald bowed to each in turn, handing them acloth wrapped around a piece of roast lamb and a loaf of bread,thanking them for their kind donation. Maybell embraced the ladtightly and whispered into his ear. Gerald smiled sadly, turned andentered the hospice.
Travel that day was slow and miserable. By noon, thewind howled through the trees and the sky filled with clouds thatpromised snow.
Malstisos stopped periodically to check for signs ofpursuit but found none.
“I think perhaps whatever that creature was, hemust have been alone,” said Malstisos during one of theirstops. “That is not to say that more are not waiting for usahead.”
Millet shivered at the thought. The monster’sdistorted features still burned in his mind.
“Let them come,” boasted Jacob, “Idon't fear them.”
Malstisos snorted loudly. “Then you're a fool.Fear may keep you alive. You are no warrior. That I can clearly see.If you encounter one of them, you should run if you can.”
Jacob leaped from his horse and drew his sword. “Ihave had enough of your insults, elf.”
Malstisos stared down at the boy for a moment, thencasually slipped out of the saddle. “Come then,” he said.“Let us see what you're made of.” He didn't bother todraw his blade.
Jacob's mouth grew into a malevolent grin. In aninstant, he lashed out at the elf, his blade seeking flesh, but itfound only cold, winter air. Though Jacob moved with uncanny speed,he was no match for Malstisos.
“Come now, boy,” Malstisos taunted.“Certainly you can do better.”
This infuriated Jacob and he ran headlong at the elf,slashing maniacally. Malstisos ducked quickly, spun around, andbrought his heel into the back of the boy’s knee. Jacob’sleg collapsed, and he fell hard on his back. Malstisos stepped onJacob's blade, trapping it. Jacob struggled to pull the blade free,but Malstisos bent down, pressing his knee on Jacob’s throat.
“You have passion,” said Malstisos. “Butno discipline.”
Jacob bucked and twisted, but Malstisos only pressedharder. Slowly, Jacob stopped struggling and relaxed. After a moment,Malstisos released him and held out his hand, but Jacob only glared,his eyes filled with hate and anger.
“Take my hand, young one,” said the elf.“The fight is done. You have lost, but there is no shame. Youdid well considering your lack of training.”
Jacob reached up, took Malstisos' hand, and allowed theelf to pull him to his feet. He brushed himself off and retrieved hissword.
“Now if we are done with all this foolishness,”said Maybell. “We have distance to cover.”
“That we do,” agreed Millet. “If wequicken our pace, you and Malstisos should be able to reach Manisaliain three days.”
“As we are no longer followed, that should beeasy,” added Malstisos. He took another look at Jacob, who wasmounting his horse. “It appears you are uninjured.”
“I'm fine,” Jacob grumbled. “It takesmore than that to hurt me.”
“I do not doubt your toughness,” saidMalstisos. “But mind your pride and your anger. It will be yourundoing if you are not careful.”
“That comes from his father,” said Millet.“He was the same way.”
“I'm nothing like him,” said Jacob.
Millet shook his head sadly. “I know you mustthink he abandoned you and your mother. But he only left to protectyou. One day you'll understand.”
“Then explain it to me,” said Jacob indisgust.
“It is not my place,” said Millet. “Yourfather is the only one who can reveal his motives. For me, to do sowould be a betrayal.”
Jacob sniffed and turned his horse. The others followedclose behind.
The rest of the day the group traveled without speaking,and when they made camp, Jacob slept far away from the others. Millettried to convince him to come closer to the fire, but he was met withcold silence.
The next morning snow began to fall. Gently, at first,but by midday it was well on its way to becoming a full-blownblizzard.
Millet shivered. “If this gets much worse, I'mafraid we will freeze to death long before we reach Manisalia.”
Malstisos nodded in agreement and glanced back atMaybell, who was slumped in her saddle with her coat and a blanketwrapped tightly around her.
They trudged on for several hours, until they werevirtually frozen. About an hour before dark Malstisos motioned foreveryone to stop.
“There is a large group of humans ahead,”said Malstisos. “They have many horses and wagons.”
“Could be a merchant caravan,” suggestedMillet.
“Or soldiers,” said Jacob.
Malstisos slid out of his saddle. “Wait here.”With that, he disappeared into the brush.
“I'm hoping for merchants,” said Maybell,rubbing her arms. “We can barter for a place by a fire.”
Millet nodded in agreement.
By the time Malstisos returned, the snow was coming downin earnest. “Merchants,” he announced. “Ten wagonsstrong. And something else…” His face wore a strangeexpression.
“What is it?” asked Millet.
“There are elves among them. I didn't notice theirpresence until I was nearly upon them, but there is no mistake.”
“What difference does that make?” askedJacob. “At least you don't have to hide.”
“You don't understand,” said Malstisos. “Inthe west, there are places we have dealings with humans. But as faras I know, no such alliances exist here.”
“Did they know you were there?” askedMillet.
“I don't think so. But I cannot be certain.”
“What should we do?” asked Maybell.
Malstisos shrugged. “What choice do we have?Winter has come early, and we are not prepared for this type ofweather. If we don't seek shelter we will freeze to death.”
Millet sighed heavily and urged his horse forward. Thecaravan was camped a quarter of a mile away in a large clearing onthe north side of the road. Several large canvas tents stood in asemi-circle, and a half dozen cooking fires flickered in the center.At least three dozen men and women, wrapped in thick coats, were busypreparing the evening meal. As they came closer, two cloaked figureswalked towards them. They were tall, lean, and wrapped in heavy woolblankets.
“Elves,” said Malstisos under his breath,and looked to Jacob. “Do not speak until we know why they arehere.”
Jacob scowled. “I'm not stupid.”
“I did not say you were.” The elf turned hisattention to his approaching kin. He jumped down from his horse andraised his right hand in greeting. The other two elves returned thegesture.
“Greetings brother,” said the elf on theleft. His voice was deep and rough, unlike the elf voices Millet andMaybell had heard before. “I am Grentos and this is Vadnaltis.”
Malstisos took a step forward. “Greetings.”
The two pushed back the blankets from her heads,revealing their features. Both had honey blond hair, pulled tight ina long braid that disappeared into the folds of the wool. Their skinwas ivory pale and flawless.
“I see you are from the Northwestern Steppes,”remarked Malstisos. “I have not seen those of your tribe inmany years. I am Malstisos of the Finsoulos clan. What brings youhere?”
“It has been long since we have had dealings withour southern kin,” said Grentos. “What brings us to thisfrozen land is a discussion to be had over a hot meal and good wine.You must be near death in this frigid cold.”
“We were hoping to take shelter with the caravan,”admitted Malstisos. “But I did not expect to find elves amonghumans.”
“Nor did we expect to see the same.” Grentossmiled broadly. “But you need not fear. The humans here arefrom the shores of the Abyss. Elves are not unknown to them, nor dothey fear us. A tent has been erected to shelter the horses near thetree line. Vadnaltis will show you the way. I'll prepare a meal and aplace for you and your friends to rest.”
Malstisos bowed low. “I thank you.” Hemotioned for the others to dismount. They followed Vadnaltis aroundthe outskirts of the camp to the horse tent. Two boys sat next to afire near the entrance. They sprang to their feet and took theirmounts. Millet gave both boys a copper and their eyes lit up.
“I promise they'll be well tended sir,” saidthe older boy, a dark haired, scraggly youth, barely eleven yearsold.
Once they removed their packs, Vadnaltis led themthrough the heart of the camp to the far end of a large, red tent.Smoke rose from a small opening at the top. A few people had turnedto see the newcomers, but most ignored them. Vadnaltis held open thetent flap and allowed Malstisos and the others to enter.
The interior of the tent was simple. Six bedrollssurrounded a small fire in the center. A small lantern in each cornercombined with the firelight to give the tent a cheery glow. Grentoswas at the far end, pouring hot stew from a large pot into six bowls.
“Please, choose a place to sleep,” saidVadnaltis. His voice was rough compared to his comrade, though justas deep. “It matters not where.”
Grentos passed out the bowls and retrieved a large jugof wine and cups from his pack. “First we eat,” announcedGrentos. “Then we talk.”
Malstisos and the others gratefully accepted the foodand wine, but as Grentos and Vadnaltis did not speak, the others keptsilent while they ate. The stew was unlike anything Millet, Maybell,or Jacob had ever tasted. Each smiled with delight after their firstbite. Malstisos seemed to be more accustomed to the taste and gave noreaction other than a slight nod of approval. Once their meal wascomplete, Vadnaltis collected the dishes and left the tent. The coldair chilled them when the flap opened, and a wisp of snow blew insideto remind them how close to death they had come.
“I hope you are satisfied with our poor fare,”said Grentos.
“It was the best stew I've ever tasted,”said Millet.
Maybell and Jacob agreed enthusiastically.
Grentos smiled and bowed his head. “You are tookind. But now that we have eaten, I believe you have questions… asdo we.”
“Should we wait for Vadnaltis?” askedMaybell.
“That will not be necessary,” Grentosreplied. “As your host, I will have you ask of me what youwill. I expect he shall return before you are finished.”
“In that case I'll be direct,” Malstisosbegan. “How is it you are here, and in the company of humans? Iwas not aware your tribe had started relations with them.”
“Only a few of us have,” said Grentos. “Wehave heard of the progress made in the coastal cities with elf/humanrelations, and it has inspired some of us to do the same. We realizethe world is getting smaller. We need to learn to live in this worldalongside mankind or face destruction. The old hatreds must be leftin the past.”
“I agree,” said Malstisos thoughtfully. “Butthat does not explain your presence here.”
“We are here to gain intelligence on the gatheringpower in Angraal,” said Grentos. “Unfortunatelywe were only able to get as far as Hazrah. We were unable to find aclear way further north, at least not one we could pass unnoticed.They have every inch of ground well-guarded. We gained passage withthis caravan in Althetas, so that we might travel without drawingattention.”
“So you are returning home?” askedMalstisos.
“Yes,” he replied. “We will stay withthe humans until we reach the Western Abyss. Then we head north backto our people.”
“Have you learned anything?” asked Millet.
“Sadly, no.” Grentos sighed. “At leastnoth
ing we didn't already know. The armies of the north aregathering. For what purpose, we can only guess.”
“Don't be a fool,” said Jacob. “Youknow why they gather.”
“Young one,” said Grentos. “I can seeyou are of this land, and dismayed that it has been conquered, so Iwill overlook your insult. But you know nothing.” He reachedover and took the jug of wine. “Armies gather. Still… motivesmay not be known. We have no way to be certain they intend to marchfurther. They may not have the strength for such a campaign.”
“I think they have the strength,” saidMillet. “And I think they intend to keep marching. It's whenthat troubles me.”
“You may be right, Millet,” said Malstisos.“But I know my brethren. They will not come to arms easily.Without proof of a threat, they will be content to do nothing.”
Grentos nodded. “Without proof, I can do nothingto persuade them.”
Jacob jumped to his feet. “Proof?” heshouted. “They've invaded the north and practically enslaved mypeople. What more do you need?”
“Calm yourself,” said Grentos. “I didnot say that I disagreed with you, only that I cannot convince mypeople without more evidence.”
Jacob glared at the elf, then marched out of the tentinto the bitter cold.
“That one needs to govern his passions.”Grentos took a long drink from the jug.
“He's young,” said Millet. “And hisland is invaded. I share his frustration. I too am from here, and itpains me to see what has become of my home.”
“I am sorry,” said Grentos. “I willtry and be a bit more… delicate.”
“Perhaps we should address more practical issues,”suggested Malstisos. “The road splits about twenty miles west.If you are headed west, I assume you will take the northwestern roadthrough Manisalia.”
“Indeed,” Grentos affirmed. “It's thebest way.”
“Millet and Jacob will be taking the southwesternroad,” said Malstisos. “Sister Maybell and I would liketo accompany you, at least through Manisalia, once they leave us.”
Grentos smiled broadly. “We would be pleased tohave your company. You may stay with us as long as you wish.”
Malstisos nodded. “Thank you, brother. I amgrateful.”
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