“I intend to protect my people, witch,”snarled Lee. “Perhaps I should begin by taking your head.”His sword sang as he pulled it from it sheath.
“That would be unwise,” said Salmitaya,pointing to the group of the faithfulbehind them.
Lee let out a hearty laugh. “You think that rabblefrightens me?” He sprung from the saddle and turned to the mob.“Many of you know who I am. You know my reputation. So openyour wretched ears and know this. I swear that should you attack me,or any of my friends that I, Lee Starfinder, son of Saraf, God of theSea, will kill every last one of you.” He took a long steptoward the faithful.The mob stirred uneasily.
“I await your response,” called Salmitaya.
Lee spun around. “My response is this. Tell thisYanti creature that before this is over, I will bathe my sword in hisblood. If he wants to save his own life, he should run as fast as hecan to Angraal and return my wife to me at once. Then heshould pray to whatever he worships that I decide it is enough for meto spare him.”
Salmitaya bowed her head. “I will convey yourmessage. He will be disappointed, I'm sure.” She snapped herfingers and the mob slowly dispersed. “Farewell Lee Starfinder.I'm afraid we will not meet again.” With that, she vanishedinto a nearby alley.
Lee tensed, awaiting an attack but none came. Finally,he remounted his horse. “I guess they are choosing to strikelater, rather than sooner.” He clicked his tongue to urge hishorse forward.
They passed through the gates unhindered. Lee noticedthe lack of city guards. So did Millet.
“The guards seem to have abandoned their posts,”Millet remarked.
“We just met the keepers of Baltria,” saidLee. “They've taken the city with a force more powerful thanany army. Fear.”
“Perhaps it's time we gave them a taste of theirown medicine,” said Dina. Lee turned and smiled maliciously. “Iintend to.”
They headed north through the delta roads for severalhours. Dozens of small bridges made good spots for an ambush, butthey passed unmolested. From time to time, they would see light fromtorches several hundred yards ahead, but they disappeared before theyreached them.
“They seek to unnerve us,” said Millet.
“They only succeed in angering me.” Leeslowed his horse allowing Jacob to catch up with him. “Are youalright?”
Jacob glanced over, unaffected by their situation. “I'mfine. Worry about yourself.”
Lee tightened his lips and spurred his horse forward toretake the lead position. Millet joined him.
“It will take time, my lord,” said Millet.“He's had many years to form his opinions, but I know you canmake him understand.”
“Thank you, my friend,” he responded. “Ihope I live long enough to do so.”
“You've never failed before,” said Millet.“You will not fail now. You will put your family togetheragain.”
“I have to tell you,” said Lee. “ThisYanti person made a tempting offer. If I wasn't so certain that itwas a lie, I might have taken him up on it.”
Millet nodded with understanding and dropped back withthe others. They rode until it was near dawn, and Lee found a decentplace to rest and eat.
“We rest for three hours,” he said. Heturned to Millet. “Tomorrow night, you'll take Jacob east. I'lltake Dina with me as far as Sharpstone.”
“I really wish you would consult me about thesethings,” said Dina, scowling.
“I can't take you with me,” said Lee. “Thereis a good chance I'm marching to my death, and I won't be responsiblefor yours.”
“I know I can't go with you,” she said. “ButI have no intention of being left in the middle of nowhere. I'm acleric in the Order of Amon Dahl, and I have my own duties. Iwill go with you as far as Sharpstone, but from there I will returnto the temple.”
Lee nodded. “You're right, of course. Iapologize.”
Dina smiled, reached in her belt, and pulled out a smallflask. “Here.” She tossed it to Lee.
Lee opened the flask and the air filled with the scentof plum brandy. “Ahhh!” He smiled, took a sip, and closedhis eyes, savoring the sweet taste. He offered it to Millet whorefused, and then called out to Jacob. Jacob turned and Lee threw theflask to him. Without a word, Jacob took a sip and threw it back.
“Manners, young man,” said Dina.
Jacob glared at Dina for a moment. “Thank you forsharing your flask… Dina.”
Lee kept watch as the others tried to catch a bit ofsleep. As they were preparing to leave, he walked up to Jacob andhanded him a sealed letter.
“What's this?” asked Jacob.
Lee pressed the letter in his hand. “Shouldanything happen to me, or should Millet somehow be unable to fulfillhis promise to tell you everything, I have written it all down. Justplease don't open it until after you've reached Dantary.”
Jacob paused then stuffed the letter into his pocket.“I'll wait.”
They kept to the road north until they reached a fork,then veered to the right, heading northeast. By mid-afternoon theyneared the spot where they planned to split up. Up ahead, Lee spotteda figure standing in the road. Lee scanned the area for signs of anambush, but could sense no one else nearby. When they were less thanone-hundred yards away, Millet sat up straight in his saddle.
“That's Yanti.”
Lee nodded. “I'll deal with him.”
Yanti was dressed in a black shirt and trousers, withblack leather boots. His hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, anda long rapier hung loosely at his side.
Lee halted his horse and slid from the saddle. “Yanti,I presume.” His tone was dark and vicious. “Unless youare here to tell me that you're on your way to retrieve my wife,you've signed your own death warrant.”
Yanti smiled, unconcerned. “Lord Starfinder. Atlast we meet. I've looked forward to this for quite some time.”He tapped the hilt of his sword with his index finger.
“I am saddened that you have chosen to refuse myoffer. Unwise.”
Lee slowly drew his weapon.
Yanti cocked his head. “I see you are in no moodfor idle talk. Still, I would be remiss if I didn't give you one morechance to abandon this course of action.”
Lee turned to the others. “Should this go badly,ride hard. Follow Millet. He knows where to go.”
“What say you, Jacob,” called Yanti. “Willyou follow Millet?”
“Leave my son alone,” Lee roared. “You…”He stopped short as Jacob walked past, holding the letter he hadgiven him.
“He gave me this,” said Jacob, handing Yantithe letter. “Probably no more than sentimental drivel, butthere might be something useful.”
“What is this?” Lee demanded.
“I'm sorry,” said Yanti. “Jacob and Iare old friends. He's been quite helpful to our cause. Without him,Hazrah would have been much more difficult to subdue.”
“Jacob… you can't do this?” Lee appealed.“Your mother-”
“Is weak,” said Jacob cutting him off. “Ifshe had her way, Hazrah would still be under the yoke of thetemples.” Hatred poured from his eyes. “You know, shenever stopped believing you would return one day. She probably stillthinks you're going to save her. But she is as big a fool as youare.”
“As you can see,” said Yanti. “Thethings you fight for are in fact fighting against you. By now yourdear wife has joined us and as you see, your son has been with us allalong.”
“She would never betray her people.” Lee’sface burned with fury. “And whatever you've done to my son tomake him this way… for that, I swear you'll pay with your life.”
Yanti drew his weapon and took a step back. “Comethen. Let us see if your reputation is deserved.”
Lee sprang forward, slashing through the air in a widearc, attempting to end the fight in a single blow. But Yanti spun tohis left with speed Lee had never encountered. If not for Lee'straining and physical power, his momentum would have sent himsprawling.