Millet and Jacob disembarked from the river craft. The heat in Baltria was causing no small amount of discomfort for the two, and both were sweating profusely.
“I'll never understand how people live in this wretched heat,” said Jacob.
Millet had never been around someone so contrary and ill-tempered in his life. Though he tried to be understanding that the boy's mother was in captivity and his entire life had been stripped away, he couldn't help but become irritated. On more than one occasion, he marveled that this ill-mannered youth could be the son of Lee Nal’Thain.
“You had better be grateful that they do,” remarked Millet. “Most trade goods in Hazrah come through here. Without Baltria and its port, most of the world would starve.”
“Hazrah is starving,” snapped Jacob.
For once Millet felt as Jacob did. The thought of the people of Hazrah suffering caused anger to swell inside him. “You said you have friends here?”
“Yes,” Jacob replied. “But I'll need to visit them alone. They do not enjoy meeting new people.”
“I assure you that I can fit in,” said Millet. He didn't like the idea of Jacob venturing into Baltria alone. “I know this city very well. I think you'd be better off—”
“I said I'm going alone,” he growled. “Besides, don't you need to find my... father?” The word “father” dripped with hatred.
“Your father will find us,” said Millet. “You can count on that.”
“If you say so.” Jacob shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. “I don't care. You wait for him, and I'll do what I have to do.”
Millet led them through the city, into the tavern district, to the Green Barnacle Inn. Lee had stayed there for a month when they had first come to Baltria many years ago. He would often return to see the jugglers or musicians and relax. Lee had always enjoyed less sophisticated company. Millet had considered the Malt and Mane, another of Lee's old haunts, but Millet had never cared for the place. If Lee were there, he would look for them at the Green Barnacle, too.
Millet still had a considerable amount of money on him. He had plenty left from the trip and more still from the sale of their horses. He decided to spring for some new attire after they checked in. His clothes were dirty and worn from travel. He smiled, thinking of the many trips and hardships he had endured in his travels with Lee, and despite the boy’s ill temper, he was pleased to have had the experience with his son.
Millet and Jacob stowed their belongings in their rooms, and took time to eat a modest meal of roast pork and wine. As they ate, Millet began to regret filling his stomach the moment he remembered the seafood stew at the Plank Walker's Cafe. If Lee were already here, he would have made it one of his first stops.
Once he was finished, Jacob stood from the table and moved toward the door. “When should I expect you to return?” asked Millet.
“When my business is done,” he shot back, without turning around. With that, he left. Millet spent the next few hours wandering the city, buying odds and ends, including a new set of clothes. Once finished, he had a messenger deliver his goods to the inn and headed off to the Malt and Mane.
As he sat listening to a bard spin a tale to the music of a lute, he scanned the common room for signs of Lee but to his disappointment there were none. He knew that there was the possibility he had arrived ahead of him. The river was swift and the vessel had only made two stops before arriving in Baltria, and those were only to offload a small portion of their cargo and take on fresh water.
Just as he was about to give up and head back, the barmaid handed him a folded slip of parchment. He glanced around but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Slowly he opened the paper. Meet me for the best seafood stew you've ever tasted. There was no signature.
Millet left the inn and made his way to The Plank Walker’s Café. Once there, he scanned the place for a familiar face but saw none. He took a table near the edge of the deck so he could see people as they approached, and ordered a bowl of seafood stew.
A few minutes went by when a tall, slender man with dark, shoulder-length curls that fell about his shoulders, walked to the table. His sharp, angular features and soft, white, cotton outfit, spoke of wealth and breeding. A small dagger sheathed in a jeweled scabbard hung from his belt and he carried a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Millet, I presume,” said the man. His voice was deep and masculine, yet smooth and pleasing. “May I join you?”
Millet tensed but held out his hand, motioning for him to sit. “And you are?”
“You may call me Yanti,” he replied, bowing his head. “It was I that sent you the note at the Malt and Mane.”
“How do you know me?” Millet shifted in his seat.
Yanti smiled “My good man. I'm the enemy... so to speak.” Millet started to rise.
“Don't fret,” said Yanti. “You are in no danger... yet. But that could change should you leave before I've had a conversation with you.”
Millet slowly sat back down. “What do you want?”
“From you, nothing,” said Yanti. “Lord Starfinder, however... from him I want a great deal.”
“You waste your breath, Yanti,” said Millet. “I have no idea where he is. Even if I did, I would not tell you.”
Yanti covered his mouth, laughing quietly. “My good man. I would not presume to think you would betray your master. No. I only want to convey my deepest respect and admiration, in the hopes that we can come to an agreement.”
Millet's face hardened. “If you think Lee Starfinder will come to terms with you or any servant of the Dark One, you're mistaken.”
“That may be,” said Yanti. “But I would have you deliver my message none-the-less. And to show you my good will, I will make no move against you or his son... Jacob, I believe his name is.”
This sent chills down Millet's spine. “If I were you, I would leave Lord Starfinder and his family alone.”
“I know how formidable Starfinder is,” Yanti responded, with a tinge of amusement. “But, rest assured, I mean his family no harm. In fact, I wish to reunite them, if only he can be reasonable.”
“Then deliver your message and be gone,” said Millet, his fear turning into anger.
Yanti laughed softly, unimpressed with Millet's display. “Simply tell him that should he decide that his wife and son are more important to him than a race of Gods that have long abandoned this world, he can leave this conflict behind. We promise to allow him and his family to live in peace. They can even return to his home in Hazrah, if that's what he would like. In fact, we can ensure that his remaining years are quite rewarding.”
“Is that all?” asked Millet.
“One more thing,” Yanti continued. “Should he consider an unwise course, remind him that his wife resides in the court of the Reborn King.”
“I will see to it he receives your message,” said Millet. He tossed a couple of coppers on the table and rose to his feet. “You'll pardon me. I've lost my appetite.”
Yanti smiled and nodded. “It was a pleasure.”
Millet's face was stone as he turned and headed back to the inn.
Yanti watched him as he disappeared into the distance. He waved for the serving girl to bring more wine. Just then, Salmitaya walked up and took a seat.
“Did it go as you'd hoped?” she asked.
“It went as I expected,” Yanti replied. “And I expect you will do your part as instructed, my love.”
“You can depend on me, my lord,” she replied.
“Considering the dangers involved, you seem at ease. You aren't thinking about betrayal, are you?” His eyes darkened.
“I will do exactly as you have told me,” she said. “You have no need to worry about my loyalty to you, or my commitment to our cause.”
“That's good to hear. I would hate to think of you sharing the fate of Lord Starfinder.”
“What fate is that?” she asked.
Yanti flashed an angry look. “You know perfectly well not to ask
these questions.” Salmitaya lowered her eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
Millet struggled not to break out into a dead run. His conversation with Yanti unnerved him to the core. All of their attempts to go unnoticed had failed. It seemed that no matter where they went, The Dark One wasn't far behind. In fact, most of the time it was as if he were ahead of them... waiting.
He hoped to find Jacob waiting for him, but was disappointed to find he had not returned. He decided there was nothing he could do but hope that Lee would contact him soon. He waited in the common room, staring at the door, hoping for Jacob's return. If this Yanti fellow was smart (and Millet thought he probably was), he wouldn't move on Jacob until after he had found Lee. It was clear that he hadn't, or at least he didn't want Millet to know he had, and he couldn't think of why he would do such a thing in view of the message he was to deliver.
The door opened and Millet straightened, hoping to see Jacob. Instead, he saw another familiar face. It was Jansi, long time servant of Lord Lanson Brimm. Jansi scanned the room until he spotted Millet, then strode over to the table.
Jansi was of medium build and average height, with pale skin, and short cropped gray hair. He wore light green cotton shirt and trousers. Millet noticed how much he had aged since he had last seen him. He stood up, smiling and embraced the man warmly.
“It is certainly good to see you, Jansi.”
“And you, Millet,” Jansi replied. “Though I wish it were on more pleasant circumstances.”
“Then you know what I'm doing in Baltria?” asked Millet, trying to hide his anxiety.
“My Lord filled me in,” he said. “At least to the extent I need to know. He wants you to know that Lord Starfinder is in Baltria. He and a young woman named Celandine are staying at his property near the merchant district.”
Millet nodded. He was familiar with the house. “I require your help. My presence is known to our enemies. I was approached by an agent of Angrääl earlier, and they know where and who I am.”
Jansi's eyes widened. “Do they know where Lord Starfinder is?” he asked.
“No,” replied Millet. “As least he didn't seem to. He asked me to give him a message when I found him.”
“Good.” Jansi sighed. “It would not do for Lord Lanson to get mixed up with those people.”
Millet looked confused. “What people?”
Jansi lowered his voice. “The ones from Angrääl. They're everywhere these days—you didn't know?”
Millet shook his head. “I have only just arrived in the city.”
“I see.” He took a deep breath. He proceeded to inform Millet about the faithful and the ambassador, along with recent events regarding the assaults on the temples.
Millet was dumbfounded. “You must take me to Lord Starfinder. But, I must get there without being seen.”
“I have a carriage waiting just outside,” said Jansi. “If you leave through the kitchen you can get to it through the alley. I'll meet you there.”
Millet nodded and got to his feet. “I'll be there in a moment.” He watched as Jansi left and made his way to the kitchen. He slipped the innkeeper a gold coin and instructed him to tell anyone who asked, that he had gone to his room feeling ill, and to tell Jacob to wait for him there.
He was relieved to find no one at the rear entrance as he made his way around the back of the inn, then around the side through the alleyway. He could see the carriage. Jansi was in the driver’s seat and the door was open. Millet raced inside and slammed the door shut.
Jansi expertly navigated the streets until they reached their destination. The sun was sinking over the horizon and Millet looked out the windows for signs of pursuit. To his great relief only a few people were about and none seemed to take notice of them. He slowly crept from the carriage and walked to the front door.
Lee opened the door just as Millet was about to knock. He pulled him inside... Jansi quickly followed.
Lee embraced Millet so tightly he could hardly breathe. “It’s so good to see you, my old friend.”
“It's good to see you too, my lord,” Millet grunted through the embrace.
Lee released him and walked him to living room. Dina awaited them on the couch, a cup of wine in her hand, and wearing her wool traveling clothes. When she saw Millet, she sprang from her seat and flung her arms around him.
“I knew you'd make it,” she said.
“Indeed,” said Millet, smiling. “And I'm pleased your trip was uneventful.”
“We moved too fast to have any adventures.” Dina laughed. “People scarcely knew we had passed.”
Millet's face turned grave. “They know now, I'm afraid.”
“Sit,” said Lee. “We can tell our tales later. I must know where my son is.”
Millet and the others took their seats, Millet just beside Lee. Jansi excused himself and went outside to the carriage.
“Your son is safe,” said Millet. “By now he's probably back at the inn. But now that I've found you, we should leave the city immediately.” He recounted the conversation with Yanti.
Lee lowered his head, deep in thought. “I want you to take Jacob to Dantary in the eastern desert,” he said finally. “He'll be safe there.”
“That might be a problem, my lord,” replied Millet. “Why is that?” asked Lee.
Millet took a deep breath before he spoke. “Your son is a bit... stubborn. I don't think you will be able to talk him into leaving. He's quite determined to rescue his mother.”
Lee nodded with understanding. He knew what Millet meant by stubborn.
“Then I'll have to convince him. I'm sure he holds no love for me, but I'll not have him die needlessly.” Lee got to his feet. “If this Yanti person knows you're here, he may very well know where I am. If so, it's likely he's waiting to strike until we're all at the same place at the same time.” He walked to the window and peered out.
“If that's the case,” said Dina. “We should split up and leave the city in different directions.”
Lee shook his head. “I'll not let any of you out of my sight.” There was no hint of compromise in his tone. His hand slid to the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.
“If the Dark One thinks I'll bend to his will, then he's a bigger fool than I thought.
And as far as this Yanti... if he's stupid enough to hinder us, I'll make him regret the day he was born.”
“What about these people that call themselves the faithful?” asked Millet. “Even you cannot fight a hundred men at once.”
“We'll move with speed,” said Lee. “We won't give them a chance to do anything about it. It takes time to organize enough men to stop the likes of me, and if Yanti has the same intelligence as Harlando, then he'll know what I am.”
“But what if he's like you,” said Dina. “You know... a half-man.”
Lee flashed an evil grin. “Then I'll kill him first and slaughter his followers last. It's more than my blood that makes me formidable. I have trained under the greatest warriors the world has ever known. Unless he has done likewise, it is he that should fear me.”
“Still, it may not be so easy to convince Jacob to leave Baltria,” said Millet. “His... dislike for you is quite strong. I think we should overcome that obstacle first, don't you?”
“No doubt,” Lee agreed. “Go back to the inn and bring him here. If you're not back in an hour, I'll know something is wrong.”
“You don't mean to send Millet out alone, do you?” Dina protested.
“If they wanted to harm Millet, they would have already done so,” said Lee. “No. It's me they want.” He turned to Millet. “Still, be careful.”
Millet nodded and left. The streets were busy and it took Jansi nearly twenty minutes to get back to the inn. Millet didn't bother to try to hide his presence. If they see me, they see me, he thought. As soon as he was inside, he saw Jacob seated at a long table, playing dice with two other patrons and draining a large jug of wine. Millet walked straight up to him and pulled him by the
arm.
“What do you think you're doing?” Jacob protested.
“We need to leave,” said Millet as quietly as he could manage. “Now.”
Jacob pulled himself from Millet's grasp. “Let me go, old man,” he bellowed. “I've only just arrived. And I've yet to have my fill.”
Millet leaned down and whispered into the boy's ear. “You will have your fill when agents from Angrääl get here. Now get up, and gather your things.”
Jacob glared at Millet but he relented. “I’m sorry, fellows,” he announced. “I must be off.” This was met with jeers and boos. He got up and followed Millet to their rooms.
“There's a carriage out front,” said Millet when they stood at Jacob's door. “Meet me there.”
“Wait,” said Jacob, catching Millet's wrist. “Where are we going?”
Millet twisted himself loose and simply said, “Where it is safe.” He turned and entered his own room.
Minutes later, he waited at the carriage. Jacob followed shortly, carrying his gear and looking none too happy. Millet opened the door and Jacob entered, tossing his pack carelessly aside.
“Now, tell me what's going on,” Jacob demanded, once they were underway.
Millet explained the encounter with Yanti, leaving out the message the man had for Lee. Jacob's face twisted. “I take it you plan for us to run like cowards.”
Millet said nothing. He didn't want to mention Lee until they arrived at Lanson's house.
“Well?” pressed Jacob. “Is that it, or not?” He sniffed with disgust. “I'm not running. I'm not finished with my business, so you should let me out right here.”
Millet sighed. “If you're worried that your mother will be left in the hands of the Dark One, let me assure you, she will not.”
“What? Are you going to save her?” Realization washed over his face. “I see. My father—that's where we're going. You found him and thought to bring me to him without my knowledge. And I suppose he intends to save her.”
Millet's mouth tightened. “He has not told me what he is planning. But I would wager that is part of his plan.”
“Don't worry, old man.” Jacob laughed. “I'll speak to the dog. But don't think that this will change anything.”
The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves Page 16