“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.