“And if I fail,” Lee added. “Then youare free to do as you will.”
Jacob glared at Lee, then at Millet. “I'll do asyou ask. But know that if you fail, I will kill you.”
“If I fail,” Lee replied. “I will bedead already.” He held out his hand, but Jacob turned his back.
“I need to check my gear,” Jacob said, andwalked toward the front door.
Millet placed his hand on Lee's shoulder. “I'llwatch over him. I swear it.”
Lee bowed his head. “I don't blame him for hatingme. I hate myself for leaving him.”
“You did what you had to do,” said Millet.“You did not choose this.”
Lee pretended not to hear. “Do you have mounts?”he asked.
“No, my lord,” Millet replied. “Wesold them.”
Lee reached in his pouch, retrieved several gold coins,and handed them to Millet. “Have Jansi purchase horses andsaddles for you and Jacob.” He began to walk toward his room.“We leave as soon as he returns.”
Chapter Nineteen
Maybell inconspicuously readied their gear for a quickgetaway. They would be in Farmington in less than an hour and she didher best to remain calm. She had spoken to Malstisos several timesabout the exact route and timetable, but still, she knew howdangerous the elves could be. One mistake could cost both of themtheir lives. Malstisos was scouting the surrounding area with Grentosand Vadnaltis. Maybell feared that the elves would suspect that theywere on to them, but so far they had shown no indication of it.
She rode in the wagon with the family of a silvermerchant from Althetas. Both her and Malstisos' horses had been tiedto the rear. She passed the time by playing a card game with Lilly,the merchant’s wife and their two children, Anna, who was sixyears old and Beth, who had just turned eight.
They were among her favorite people in the caravan.Lilly was kind and cheerful, and in spite of a life of travel andraising two children, was always well groomed. Maybell enjoyedspending time in their tent when they camped. Lilly kept it much likea home. She even took the time to display personal keepsakes.
“It makes me not miss Althetas as much,”Lilly had explained. “And the children are reminded that thereis a home waiting for them.”
Her husband Gaylan, though not as cheerful as Lilly, wasa good and decent man. Tall and thin, with narrow eyes andwind-burned skin, he was not particularly handsome, yet Maybell couldsee why Lilly, who was very fetching, loved him dearly. He always didhis best to make his family comfortable. Though well off, he was notrich, but still he provided the best that money could buy when itcame to comforts. They had goose down mattresses and cotton sheets tosleep on, though he admitted that they were a burden to carry along,and their clothes were of the finest quality. When it was time formeals, Gaylan wouldn't touch a bite until Lilly sat down to join him.Clearly, he loved her very much.
Before long, Malstisos returned and joined her in thewagon. The children cheered with glee when they saw him. They lovedthe elf and couldn't get enough of touching his ears. One of thefavorite activities of the children in the caravan, had becomelistening to Malstisos tell stories at night. In fact, on the nightswhen there were no stories you could hear the wail of crying childrenthroughout the camp.
“Will you join us, master elf?” asked Lilly.“I am afraid Anna keeps getting the best cards.”
Malstisos smiled. “No. I'm afraid I cannot. Wewill be stopping in a matter of minutes, and Maybell and I mustventure into town to resupply.”
“Nonsense,” said Lilly. “My husband isgoing into town. He can pick up whatever you need.”
“I’m afraid I must go myself,” saidMalstisos. “I often don't know what I need until I see it.”
“Yes,” said Maybell. “And there is amatter I must attend to personally.”
Lilly frowned. “Very well. But you must join ustonight for supper.”
Maybell reached over and hugged the woman then thechildren in turn. “If we are back in time, we will.” Shehated misleading them.
Soon the caravan halted and began to make camp. Aftersetting up their tents, Maybell and Malstisos detached their horsesfrom the wagon and headed in the direction of Farmington. They hadn'ttraveled half of a mile when they heard a voice call from behindthem.
“Wait” It was Grentos. Vadnaltis was justbehind. Both carried their long knives at their side, and Vadnaltishad a bow slung across his back.
“I was afraid we'd miss you,” said Grentos.
“I wasn't aware you intended to go to town,”said Malstisos, trying not to sound alarmed.
“We noticed you were leaving and thought we'd keepyou company,” said Grentos.
“I thank you,” said Maybell. “But ourday will be tedious and long. I would not want you to waste your timeon such trivialities.”
“You are kind,” said Grentos. “But wedon't mind… do we?” Vadnaltis was expressionless. His eyeswere fixed on the road ahead. “You carry a bow, I see,”Malstisos remarked.
“Yes,” Grentos replied. “We thoughtwe'd do a bit of hunting, later. I'd ask you to join us but as youhave no bow… ”
“That's quite alright,” said Malstisos. “Thegame here is small and sparse. And I have no need for food orclothing, and such a hunt requires greatskill.”
Maybell noticed a sudden change in the elves’ walkand movements.
“I see,” muttered Grentos. “Then wewere correct.”
“About what?” asked Maybell.
“We had suspected you had found us out,Malstisos,” Grentos continued. “But we couldn't becertain. Seekers are not as adept at reading people as an elf such asyou. Luckily, those dull humans believe whatever they are told.”
“What is your intent?” asked Malstisos. Ifhe were afraid, it did not show.
“That has been a thing much debated betweenVadnaltis and me,” Grentos replied. “I would not have youescape to the temples.” He glanced over at Maybell. “Ican only assume that is what you were planning. Nor can I simply killyou. That would not sit well with Vadnaltis.”
“What's your solution?” asked Malstisos.
“You will face my challenge,” Grentosanswered, sounding pleased with himself. Malstisos reigned in hishorse. “You cannot be serious.”
Grentos backed away a few steps. “I am. Do youaccept?”
Malstisos slid from the saddle but made no move to drawhis weapon. “You have no right to do this.”
“Don't I?” scoffed Grentos. “I think Ihave every right to call out a traitor.”
“What's going on here?” Maybell demanded.“What challenge?”
“If I were a seeker and broke their code, or hadrefused judgment of the elders,” Malstisos explained. “Grentoswould have the right to challenge me to single combat. But as neitheris the case, he has decided to take matters into his own hands.”
Vadnaltis placed his hand on Grentos' shoulder. “Heis right, brother. You cannot do this. Call him to face judgmentinstead. You have that right.”
“He will not honor it,” Grentos countered.“He's just like the rest of our kin who have taken up with thehumans.”
“Perhaps,” said Vadnaltis. “But thenhe shows his dishonor, and can be put to death. As it is, you have noauthority. The elders have not given any such edict, and our lawsforbid it.”
“We have already been through this,” Grentoslet out with frustration. “The elders already ordered the deathof a traitor without judgment. What is the difference?”
“They were wrong to do so,” said Vadnaltis.“And the difference is, we are from the steppes,and we hold to the laws that have guided our people for thousands ofyears. Would you behave as the rebels, and throw away the lawsbecause they are inconvenient?”
Grentos shook off Vadnaltis' hand and turned his back.“We've been over this. I will not be swayed.”
“And if Malstisos refuses the challenge?” heasked. “What then?”
“Then not only will he die,” Grentos replieddarkly. “But his human pet will die with him. As it stands, I'mwilling to let her go in peace.”
Sadness washed over Vadnaltis' face. “I will askyou, one more time, to reconsider.”