“I’m sorry for this,” said Millet.“Clearly Markus is no longer the man I knew.”
“You are not at fault,” he replied. “Therewas no way for you to know.”
“If you would all join me,” called Brandisfrom upstairs.
Millet led Maybell and Malstisos up and handed Brandistheir weapons.
“Thank you,” said Brandis. “Very wisechoice.”
“What happens now?” asked Millet.
“Now we wait,” he answered. “One of mymen is on his way to bring young Jacob. Then you may leave. That isunless you choose to wait for the Lady Nal’Thain.”
“If she still lives,” said Millet.
“As I told you,” said Brandis. “She isat the court of Angraal. I have no reason to lie.” Helooked at Malstisos. “I am honored to have an elf among us.”
Malstisos said nothing.
“No reason for apprehension,” continuedBrandis. “My lord holds your kind in high regard. Certainly youknow of our offer of friendship.”
“I know of the lies your master has told,”said Malstisos. “Empty promises of glory made to a generationthat still clings to the past. You will find that I am not as easilyswayed as some.”
“Not empty promises,” replied Brandis. “Soonwe will spread our message of hope throughout the land, and when thathappens those that have seen the wisdom of our cause will benefitmost.”
“Your cause?” snapped Maybell. “You’vedestroyed temples and murdered their followers.”
“Ah, the priestess.” Brandis sneered. “Ihad almost forgotten about you.”
Malstisos moved his body between Maybell and Brandis.
“There’s no reason to be alarmed. I have nointention of harming any of you.”
Maybell seethed with rage. “You've killed innocentpriestesses and monks. You are an abomination.”
Brandis laughed and shook his head. “I haven’tmurdered anyone. Your own people betrayed you, not me, and not mymaster. All we have done is told people the truth.”
“And what truth is that?” asked Millet.
“The Gods are as corrupt as the people who servethem. Your elf friend will certainly agree with this. They havecaused nothing but harm to man andelf. They are greedy and petty, and now thanks to the Reborn King,they are gone.”
“You assume that all elves believe the old tales,”said Malstisos. “Not all of us blame the Gods for the split.”
“You are wise,” said Brandis. “You donot take what you are told at face value. Sadly, in this case, youare wrong. It was theGods that cursed the elves. But what you do not understand is theycursed man as well. They turned us into slaves. We were sent on apath of endless destruction without guidance. However, that horriblechapter of history is coming to an end. Soon the world will be atpeace, and both elf and human will be able to live as they weremeant, in peace.”
Maybell sneered. “You speak of peace and freedom,and yet here you stand, conquerors and invaders.”
Brandis laughed. “We have taken Hazrah withoutspilling blood. When in history has that happened? We allow you andyour friends to leave in peace, even though you have sworn to destroyus. We give you Lee Nal’Thain’s family as a token of goodwill and still you accuse.”
“You have tried to have us killed,” repliedMillet. “You’ve destroyed temples and the Gods only knowwhat you’ve done to the clergy. Whatever your motivations arefor letting us go, I suspect they are part of some grander design.You allow us to leave because it serves your needs to do so, though,I don’t yet know what they are.”
“The attempts on the lives of you and your friendswere unfortunate,” he said. “The people responsible havebeen dealt with. Of course, I don’t expect you to believe that,and frankly, it doesn’t matter. You will think my master isyour enemy until the very end. But when that end comes, you will seethe truth.”
“I see the truth now,” Millet shot back.“And unless you force me to do so, I will hear no more of yourlies.”
“As you wish,” said Brandis. “Mysoldiers and I will wait outside.” He spun on his heels andleft the house. Markus and the soldiers followed close behind.
“Do you think they actually intend to let us justwalk out of here?” asked Maybell.
“Millet was correct,” said Malstisos. “Ifit serves their objectives they will. This may be a deception, but Icannot divine the purpose. If they want us, they have us.”
“We’ll know soon enough,” said Millet.
Two hours later, the door opened, and Brandis entered.Behind him was a tall, thin youth, no more than twenty, with lightbrown hair that fell in loose curls to his shoulders. He was dressedin tan leathers and boots, and carried a pack over his shoulders. Hisface was strikingly like Lee’s except a bit more rounded at thechin, and his eyes were deep green and more widely set.
“I give you Jacob Nal’Thain,” saidBrandis.
Millet looked Jacob over for several moments. “Howdo we know this is Jacob?”
“Who else would I be?” Jacob sneered. “Andwho are you?”
“I am Millet Gristall, the personal assistant toLee Nal’Thain.”
“My father?” said Jacob. “So this iswhat you brought me here for? You drag me from my cell for this?”
Millet cocked his head. “Your cell?”
“Young Jacob has been somewhat of atrouble-maker,” Brandis explained. “We have had to lockhim away for the good of the city.”
“I see,” said Millet. He turned to Jacob.“Where is your mother?”
Jacob glared. “This dog knows where she is. InAngraal, where they took her.”
“How many times must you be told?” askedBrandis. “She went of her own free will.”
“I’ll never believe that. And if you expectme to go willingly with these people just so they can kill me whenwe're out of sight, then you’re mistaken. Kill me now, for allto see.”
Brandis sighed. “For the last time, if we wantedto kill you we would have done so long before now. You will either gowith these people or leave on your own. Either way, I tire of you andwill no longer tolerate your presence.”
“You will come with us,” said Millet. “Iwas sent to retrieve you and your mother. Being that your mother isnot here, I will at least retrieve you.”
“Why should I believe you?” asked Jacob.“What’s to prevent you from killing me the moment we’reout of sight?”
“As much as I hate to admit it,” repliedMillet. “Brandis is correct. If they wanted you dead, theywouldn’t need such an elaborate deception. In fact, we are inmore danger from you, than you are from us.”
Jacob thought for a moment. “Very well, I will gowith you, for now.”
“Good decision,” said Brandis. “I’llleave you to it then.” He started to the door. “Pleasetell Lord Nal’Thain that we will allow him to see his wife anytime he wishes. And as for Gewey Stedding, the Reborn King stillwants his friendship. Please convey the message to both of them, ifyou would.”
“I’ll tell them,” replied Millet.
“Good,” he said. “You will not behindered when you leave. I’ll wait outside until you’reready.” He turned and left.
“I’m not sure what your game is,” saidJacob. “But if you wish me harm, even your friend the elf mayfind that difficult.”
Malstisos stepped forward. “If I wanted you dead,I would have killed you the second that door closed. It is not wethat need prove our intentions.”
“I agree,” said Millet. “You look likemy lord, but I have no way of knowing for sure.”
“What do we do?” said Maybell. “Certainlywe cannot trust that this is not a deception.”
“We won’t,” said Millet. “Thereis one way of finding the truth. But in order to do so I must contactLord Starfinder.”
“I’ve heard that name before,” saidJacob.
“Of course you have,” he replied. “Thatwas the name of your father before you were born, and it is the namehe goes by now. I’m sure your mother has mentioned it.”
“No,” he said. “I heard it when I wasin prison. The Dark One wants him. They mean to kill him.”
“They’ve already tried,” said Milletwith a wicked smile. “So far they’ve failed miserably.”