Aaliyah was almost unable to shake him out of his communion before they arrived at their destination. Weila led them back to the surface. The sun was just going down and Gewey could taste the salty sea air. Three hours later they were back at their boat. Gewey and Aaliyah said a heartfelt farewell to Weila, then made their way back to the ship. The crew cheered wildly as they climbed on deck.
“Tales will have to wait until tomorrow,” announced Aaliyah. “We are both weary from travel.”
That night Gewey washed and slid into bed, excited that he could contact Kaylia once again.
“I envy her fortune,” said Aaliyah, as she lay down and pulled the blanket tightly around her.
Gewey looked over. “I am the fortunate one. And not only because of Kaylia.”
Chapter 22
Kaylia ran through the halls of Valshara, nearly knocking over several people as she passed. When she reached the healing chamber, she threw open the door. Nehrutu was treating a wounded soldier who had been hurt building the gallows.
“You look happy,” remarked Nehrutu, offhandedly. “Has something happened?”
“Aaliyah released her hold on Gewey,” she replied, speaking and laughing at once.
“That is good,” said Nehrutu. “Were they successful?”
“They were,” she replied. “They are returning as we speak. Better still, Aaliyah has given up her quest for Gewey's heart.”
Nehrutu nodded. “Then you have won. You should be pleased.”
“I am.” She knelt beside Nehrutu. “This means you can be with Aaliyah again.”
“Perhaps,” he replied, skeptically. “I would first like to know what happened to sway her. She does not give up easily. That she abandoned her aspirations for Gewey does not mean she wishes to return to me.”
The door opened and Selena entered. Her face was dark with worry. “I have received a message from the one called Yanti.”
“What does it say?” asked Kaylia.
“He is demanding the release of his soldiers,” she replied. “He claims that he occupied Valshara by order of King Halmara. He says that Valshara rests within the borders of his kingdom and not that of King Lousis.”
“Do you think there is any truth to this?” asked Nehrutu.
“I don't know,” she replied. “But if there is, King Lousis may be in danger. We must warn him. The council will be meeting any day now.”
“Yanti may be trying to draw you out into the open,” Nehrutu suggested. “If you leave these walls you will be vulnerable.”
“I agree.” She furled her brow. “I have already sent a messenger. But if what Salmitaya says is true, Yanti is powerful. If he defeated my son, he will be able to stop a messenger from getting through easily enough.”
“There is nothing to do but wait and see,” said Nehrutu.
The door flew open and Matrus, one of Selena's personal guards entered, looking pale and anxious. “High Lady. There is someone requesting your presence at the gate. He says his name is Yanti.”
Selena's eyes shot wide. “I want archers on the wall at once. Tell them to not let him out of their sight.”
“A bold move,” Nehrutu mused. “Or he does not fear us. Will you speak to him?”
Selena thought for a moment. “I will.”
“But high lady-” objected Matrus.
“Don't worry,” said Selena, smiling. “If this Yanti fellow makes a move to harm me, it will be his last. No, I think if assassination was his goal he wouldn't simply walk up to the gates.”
“Still,” Nehrutu interjected, “you should keep your distance. I will accompany you.”
“As will I,” added Kaylia, thumbing her knife.
“Now, go,” Selena said to Matrus. “I want archers on the wall in five minutes.”
Matrus spun around and sped off.
Selena allowed enough time for the archers to get into position, then made her way to the front gate. A few yards from the entrance stood Yanti. He was dressed in an elegant, red shirt, black trousers, and a black, satin jacket with polished gold buttons. A red, leather belt, held a beautifully crafted gold hilted rapier. His brown, curly hair was oiled and pushed back in true noble fashion. As they approached he flashed a broad smile and bowed low.
“Thank you for seeing me, high lady,” said Yanti.
“What is it you want, Yanti?” asked Selena, trying to contain her anger.
“As my message said,” he replied, “I want my men. Oh, and Salmitaya, if you please.” He spoke her name as if it were an afterthought.
“Your men are to be hanged,” said Selena. “And you will never see Salmitaya again.”
Yanti laughed and wagged his finger. “There is no reason to hang my men. They are not criminals. And as for dear, sweet Salmitaya…what possible use would you have for her? She has no information useful to you.”
“Your men are criminals,” she shot back. “They broke into my home and slaughtered my people. This is the act of thugs, not soldiers. And they will be treated as such.”
“They acted on orders of the lord of this land, my love,” said Yanti. “Your temple's very existence is in clear violation of the laws of King Halmara, and the city of Skalhalis. I simply carried out the will of a trusted ally. Your quarrel is with him, not me, not my men, and certainly not poor Salmitaya. If you release them to me, we can all put this unpleasant business behind us.”
“You waste your breath,” barked Selena. “And my time. You think you can come here after what you have done and dictate to me what I must do?”
Yanti sighed and shook his head. “I thought you would want to prevent further bloodshed, my love. I shudder to think what King Halmara will do when he learns what has happened here. Especially, if you were to execute my men.” He glanced up at the archer on the wall. “And please do not think to harm me. Should anything happen to me, the consequences to King Lousis would be…severe.” His smiled widened. “And you should know that your message to the King was not received, though I assure you that your messenger is unharmed…for now.”
Selena face turned red with fury. “If you harm him-“
Yanti held up his hand. “Fear not, my love. I am not an animal. I only take life when I must. After all, I did leave your beloved son alive, did I not? I’m sure Salmitaya told you of our little scuffle.”
It was all Selena could do not to order the archers to fill Yanti with arrows. “You should be glad you did. Or I swear your false king would hear you scream all the way in Angraal.”
“I admire your passion,” said Yanti. “It is a shame you have chosen to be an enemy of the Reborn King. Your fall will cause me great sadness.”
“We shall see who falls,” she said, clenching her jaw. “If there is nothing more, you should leave, before I decide to do something…rash.”
“I will leave when the matter of my men is settled,” said Yanti. “Release them by sundown and I will send word to Althetas to allow King Lousis to live. Do it not, and he will surely die.” He bowed again. “I will await your favorable reply.” He turned and strode off.
“Do you think he is telling the truth?” asked Kaylia. “Do you think he has the means to assassinate the king?”
Selena watched as Yanti disappeared around a bend. “I don't know. But I don’t think I can take that risk.”
“And what of Salmitaya?” asked Nehrutu.
“No matter what happens, she will remain here,” Selena replied, with determination. “I gave my word that she would not be returned to that brute, and I will keep it.” The words stuck in her throat. She knew what must be done, and it stabbed at her heart. “Prepare the prisoners for release. But see to it they leave with nothing more than their underclothes. Pile their possessions in the center of the yard and burn them.”
Selena went to her quarters and sent for Salmitaya. A few minutes passed and a guard arrived, with Salmitaya in shackles.
“You can remove those,” Selena ordered.