Markus pushed the coin back shaking his head. “Idon’t need the money, my friend. It's food we lack here. Mostof what we have is sent north to feed the armies of Angraal.I’m one of the lucky ones. As foreman I’m given extraprovisions.”
“So the Dark Knight hastaken Hazrah,” said Malstisos.
Markus stared down at the table. “He has. And he’sbrought misery with him. Of course, they call him the Reborn King andnot the Dark Knight.”
“How long ago did his armies arrive?” askedMalstisos.
“Three months ago. But his agents were here longbefore that. They negotiated our surrender. We didn’t even putup a fight.”
“Why not?” asked Millet. “The King’sarmy could have held out for years. The city walls have never beenbreached.”
“I don’t know,” said Markus. “Thosekinds of questions land you in prison these days. As far as theKing’s army, most have been sent north to Angraal.Some have returned carrying the banner of our conquerors. It’slike The Dark One is trying to eat the world and we're theappetizer.”
“What of Lady Nal’Thain?” askedMillet. “Is she well?”
“If that’s why you’ve come, you’vewasted your time,” replied Markus. “No one has seen orheard from the house of Nal’Thain for weeks. The rumor is thatthe Lady has been sent north, but I don’t know how much truththere is in that.”
Millet lowered his head. “What of her son?”
“I’m afraid that I have no news of Jacob’swhereabouts. There are whispers that he was the one who convinced theKing to surrender. After that, he seems to have vanished.”
“I don’t believe it,” cried Millet.“The son of Lee Nal’Thain would not betray his people.”
“I only know what I hear,” said Markus.“Whether there is truth in this… who knows?”
“We must find them,” said Millet. “Canyou get us inside the city?”
“I doubt it. They check everyone coming in or out,but I may be able to help. I make monthly production reports to thecity clerk and the next one is due in two days. I could try andcontact them for you.”
“What about the temples?” asked Maybell. “Icould claim to be sent from Baltria. Certainly they wouldn’tstop a priestess.”
“I hate to be the one to tell you this,”said Markus, unable to meet Maybell's eyes. “But the templeshave been shut down. They house Angraal’s soldiersnow.”
“What?” she cried. “Foul beasts!”
“I’m sorry,” said Markus. “Worshipof the Gods is forbidden now. Most of the priestesses and monks weresent north for re-educationa week after the soldiers arrived.”
“I still can’t believe the King has donenothing to stop this!” said Millet.
“The time is long past for the King to takeaction,” said Markus.
“Is there no resistance?” asked Malstisos.
“There was at first. But Angraal crushedit. I know you won’t want to hear this, Millet, but it wasJacob Nal’Thain who helped them rout out the resistance. This Isaw with my own eyes.”
Millet shook his head, rubbing his temples. “Itdoesn’t matter,” he said, finally. “I was sent toretrieve my lord’s family, and I will do as he has commandedme.”
Markus sighed. “Very well. Tonight you and yourfriends will sleep in the basement. I will leave in the morning. ButI cannot promise that I will succeed.”
“I thank you for your help, old friend,”said Millet. “I know how much you’re risking by aidingus. You can come with us if you wish. We can offer you sanctuary.”
“My place is here with my men. I cannot abandonthem.”
“I understand,” said Millet.
After their meal, Millet retrieved their packs from thehorses which were then put in a small stable behind the house. Markusgave each of them extra bedding and led them into the basement.“Please keep as quiet as possible,” he said. “Thesoldiers rarely check my house, but a little extra caution won’thurt.” He walked up the stairs and closed the door. The clankof the latch echoed through the basement.
“I don’t like being trapped,” saidMalstisos. “If we are discovered, there is only one way out.”
“I don’t like it either,” agreedMaybell.
“What choice is there?” said Millet. “Weare asking Markus to take a huge risk. If he says we should stayhere, I must trust him.”
“I hope your trust is justified,” remarkedMalstisos. “Hardship can do strange things to a person’sloyalty.”
“I don’t like what you’re implying,”said Millet. “I’ve known Markus for more than fortyyears. He is as solid and honest a man as I’ve ever known.”
“We shall see,” said Malstisos.
They set up their bedding and went to sleep. Bad dreamstroubled Millet and he woke up several times. Eventually he decidedto forgo sleep and spent the rest of the night huddled in a corner.After a few hours, he heard the door slowly creak open. Malstisoswoke immediately and drew his knife. Maybell stood up and movedbehind him.
“What?” Millet asked in dismay.
“There are a dozen soldiers upstairs,”Marcus announced as he descended the steps. “If you don’tdisarm they’ll burn you alive down here.”
“Traitor,” shouted Millet. His hand shot outand his fist landed solidly on Markus’ jaw. Markus stumbledback and fell to the ground.
“It’s not my fault,” said Markus,rubbing his jaw. “You were seen coming here by one of theirspies. Please understand, if I didn’t do this they would havekilled me along with half my men.”
Malstisos glared furiously at the door. “I say wefight our way out.”
“No,” said Millet. “Let me speak tothem first.” He looked down at Markus. “Lead meupstairs.”
Without a word, Markus got up and led Millet up thestairs and through the door. He entered the main part of the houseand immediately saw twelve soldiers in full armor, swords drawn.
With them was a man in a dark blue velvet suit, carryinga white ash walking stick. He had long, dark blond hair and fairskin. He smiled as Millet entered.
“You must be Millet,” he said. “Myname is Brandis. I am here to escort you and your companions toHazrah if you wish.”
“We will not be used as hostages,” saidMillet. “If that is your intent you might as well kill us now.”
Brandis laughed. “No, no, no, you are not mycaptives, you’re my guests.”
“And if I decide not to accept your hospitality,”said Millet. “What then?”
“Leave if you wish,” he said. “But Ibelieve you are here at the direction of the former Lord Nal’Thain.Is this not so?”
Millet remained expressionless and silent.
“No need to answer,” said Brandis. “Ialready know. Markus was kind enough to fill me in. It’s a goodthing he did. Otherwise, you may have been foolish and tried to sneakinto the city. Naturally, you would have been caught. Heaven knowswhat may have happened before I could get to you.”
“What do you want with us?” Millet demanded.
“To help. You’re here to retrieve theNal’Thain family, and I’m here to see that you accomplishyour task.”
Millet looked warily at Brandis. “So we can simplytake them and leave?”
“Certainly,” he said. “Jacob Nal’Thainis a troublemaker we would be happy to be rid of. As for LadyPenelope, you have a choice.”
“What might that be?” asked Millet.
“She has traveled north to the court of the RebornKing,” said Brandis. “It will take several weeks for herto return. You may wait, or you may take young Jacob and leave.”
“If you are being truthful, then have Jacobbrought here,” said Millet. “Now.”
“I see your suspicions abound.” He chuckled.“As you wish. But I must ask that you remain here until he canbe brought.” He turned to leave. “Oh, I nearly forgot.You must surrender your weapons first, of course.”
Millet made no move to comply.
“Come now,” said Brandis. “They willbe returned when you leave. A small thing to ask all thingsconsidered.”
Millet nodded and went back down to the basement.Malstisos was still standing in front of Maybell with his knifedrawn.
“I could hear your conversation,” saidMalstisos. He handed Millet his knife. “We have little choice.”