The Godling Chronicles: The Sword Of Truth Part 37

"An elf woman we are traveling with," Dina explained.

Ertik rolled his eyes. "Just how many of you are there?"

"Four now," she answered. "There were six when we began, but two are off on an important errand. They will be joining us as soon as they are able."

"You a.s.sume that anyone but the boy will be coming," Ertik said.

Lee leaned forward. "You will find that the boy's companions will not abandon him. If your intention is to separate us, then you may as well get out now."

"Then you would sacrifice the fate of the world for your own selfish desires."

"Think what you will," Lee retorted. "But so far you've given me no reason to leave the only hope this world has in your hands. All I've seen is arrogance and an unwarranted self-important att.i.tude that makes me think coming to you may have been a mistake."

Ertik glared at Lee. The tension was palpable.

"Ertik," Dina soothed, trying to calm things down. "Lee has watched over Gewey for seventeen years, sacrificing everything in the process. You can't think he would just leave him and move on. Besides, I doubt Gewey will go anywhere without his friends; he can be very stubborn."

Ertik pursed his lips and grunted. "I supposed the elf will want to come as well. That should be interesting."

"I would watch what you say when you meet Kaylia," Lee warned. "She has something of a temper."

"I'm not surprised," Ertik replied under his breath.

Lee told Ertik and Dina to wait in the carriage when they arrived at the Frog's Wishbone, and went inside to look for Gewey. The tavern was still crowded as Lee pushed his way through the throngs. He could see no trace of either Gewey or Kaylia. Finally, Lee tracked down the barmaid who had served them during dinner and asked her if she'd seen Gewey.

"Oh yes," she told him. "He and the elf woman were talking to Drantolis, last I saw." She pointed to where Drantolis and his two friends were still sitting near the fireplace. Lee thanked her for her help and made his way over to the elf.

"Yes," Drantolis replied, when Lee asked the group if they had seen Gewey. "Kaylia left with Lady Fritzina. The boy seemed to think she was upset with him and went after her. I haven't seen them since."

"Do you know Harlondo?" Lee asked him.

"Yes. He left about the same time as the boy."

'Probably went back to the manor,' Lee thought as he returned to the carriage.

Once back at Lord Ganflin's manor, Lee and Dina scoured the house, but Gewey was nowhere to be found. Martin informed them that no one had returned since they had all left together.

"Where do you think they are?" Dina asked Lee.

"Harlondo probably offered to show them a bit of the city," he guessed. "We'll give them some time before we start to worry."

"I can see how well protected he is," Ertik sneered.

"Watch it," Lee warned. "I'm not beyond throwing you into the street. He may be young, but the boy is very capable."

Dina frowned, placing her hands on her hips. "I refuse to listen to the two of you squabble," she said. "We have no choice but to wait, unless you intend to start scouring the city. But if you refuse to be civil, you can both wait in separate rooms-at least that way I won't have to listen to your childish bickering."

Lee and Ertik looked like two scolded children.

"Of course, you're right Sister," Ertik offered, holding out his hand to Lee. "I apologize."

"As do I," Lee said, taking the man's hand. "Now let's put this behind us and wait in the parlor. I'll have Martin bring us some wine."

Dina showed Ertik upstairs to the parlor. Lee joined them a few minutes later, followed by Martin, who carried a tray of gla.s.ses and a bottle of good wine.

"Tell me about Gewey," Ertik requested. "How old is he?"

"Seventeen," Lee replied. "But you'd never know by looking at him."

"Seventeen," Ertik repeated softly. "So young."

"Yes, but he has shown great maturity," Dina pointed out. "It's easy to forget how young he really is."

"He has shown discipline during his training as well," Lee added. "That comes from his father, I suspect. The man who raised him was an exceptional person. It's why I chose him."

"Do you know who his real father is?" Ertik asked.

"I have my suspicions," Lee said. "He draws ma.s.sive strength from the earth, so I think his father must be Gareth, but I can't be certain. As for his mother, I don't have a clue. Maybe someone at your temple will have a way to find out for sure."

Ertik scratched his chin. "Possibly. It would certainly be helpful if we knew. It's still hard to imagine-a G.o.d, here on Earth."

"I know," Lee agreed. "But once you get to know him, you'll see that he's in fact very human."

Ertik opened his mouth to reply, but suddenly, the whole house began to shake violently, as if struck by an earthquake. Pictures fell from the wall, and the sound of breaking gla.s.s echoed through the halls. Lee grabbed Dina, protecting her body with his. After a few seconds, the shaking stopped.

"What was that?" Ertik cried.

Lee ran downstairs and out the front door as Dina and Ertik followed closely behind. People on the streets were screaming and crying with fear. The front gate had come loose from its hinges, and the gatekeeper was still crouched down on the walkway.

"It's Gewey," Lee said, his voice filled with fear. "I know it. He's the only one who could cause this."

"We must find him before he brings down the whole city," Ertik said in a panic.

"Can you tell where it came from?" Dina asked.

"No," Lee replied. "But if it's inside the walls he will be easy to find. Wait here until I return."

Lee ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. As anxious as he was to find Gewey, he was also afraid of what he might find when he did; if Gewey had let loose that kind of power inside the city, the devastation would be unimaginable.

Chapter 30.

Gewey found the trail just south of the city wall. The trees were spa.r.s.e and thin, but the light of the full moon offered ample shadows in which to hide. He unsheathed his sword and made his way south, keeping a few yards off the trail. He tried to stretch out his senses, but the roar of the nearby city drowned everything out. The trail itself provided little help; it was too frequently traveled for him to make out any distinct tracks. As he approached the clearing, he could see the light of several torches burning brightly. 'No way to approach unseen,' he thought. 'Whoever this is either knows I've been trained, or they got lucky.'

The clearing was about one hundred feet in diameter, and torches had been placed at its edge in six-foot intervals. In the center, he saw Kaylia, gagged and on her knees, bound at the wrists and ankles. Lady Fritzina stood next to her with a vicious-looking dagger in her hand.

"What's the meaning of this?" Gewey yelled, stepping into the clearing. Kaylia looked unhurt, though anger burned in her eyes.

"So fierce," Fritzina laughed. "No wonder the master wants you... taken care of."

"Release her and I will let you live," he offered, taking a step forward, with his sword still drawn.

"Stop there, my handsome peasant," she warned, holding her dagger close to Kaylia's throat. "Or I might just have to bleed this... elf." She looked down at Kaylia with contempt. "She loves you, you know."

"What is it you want?" Gewey asked through his teeth.

"Don't you want to tell her you love her too?" Fritzina replied, ignoring Gewey's question. "Just once, before you watch her die?"

"If you hurt her, I swear you'll beg me to kill you," he roared. "You don't think you can run from me, do you?"

"Run?" she repeated, amused. "It is you who should have run." She pressed the blade against Kaylia's throat. Gewey saw a trickle of blood fall down her neck.

"Wait," Gewey cried. "Just tell me what you want."

"Lady Fritzina," came a voice from just beyond the clearing. "Enough."

Gewey turned toward the voice. "You?" he said, his voice a mixture of confusion and rage.

Harlondo stepped from the shadows. His voice was now deep and menacing, rather than high and feminine, and he held a curved saber on his hand.

"Take the elf just outside the clearing," he commanded Lady Fritzina. "Do nothing until this is over. Then," he said, waving his hand carelessly, "you may do whatever you like with her."

Lady Fritzina grinned fiendishly. She grabbed Kaylia by her hair and pulled her across the clearing to its edge. Gewey jumped forward in response, but the dagger in the woman's hand held him at bay. He wouldn't risk it-at least, not yet.

"I see you're every bit as stupid as I'd hoped," Harlondo said. "It's a marvel you've made it this far, even with that idiot Starfinder helping you."

"Why are you doing this?" Gewey asked. Gripping his sword tightly, he could feel it coming alive in his hand, drawing in the power of the earth around him.

"Why?" he replied scornfully. "Because you weren't wise enough to join the master when you had a chance-not that I ever thought it was a good idea to let you in the first place."

"Let Kaylia go, and I'll come with you."

Harlondo laughed. "It's far too late for that. Besides, I'd rather you were dead; the last thing I want is more compet.i.tion. We don't need your help to win. The master is nearly at his full strength, and with you gone, there will be no one nearly powerful enough to challenge us."

"If you hurt her, I swear you'll pay with your life," Gewey warned, his tone dark. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"She will not be harmed until after I've killed you," Harlondo promised. "Actually, you have Lady Fritzina to thank for that. She wants her to watch you die."

Gewey grinned wickedly as he allowed the power of the earth to flow through him. "I look forward to gutting you. Then her. Then Lord Ganflin, just for good measure."

"Ganflin?" He chuckled. "That fool knows nothing about this. We have agents in key positions everywhere, even in your beloved Sharpstone. Ganflin provides access for me, nothing more; he's too d.a.m.ned thick to serve the master. In fact, I think I may make him my slave as a reward for killing you."

He stepped forward menacingly.

"Speaking of which," Harlondo's left hand shot out. Gewey barely had time to react as a small knife whizzed by his head.

"Not bad," Harlondo said with approval. "I was afraid this would be too easy to be proud of."

Gewey let the pulse of the earth flow through him even more until it was like a raging river. Time began to slow, just as it had when he had fought the soldiers. He leapt forward, slashing down at Harlondo's head, but the man moved easily away. Gewey stared at him in shock for a moment, then attacked again. Over and over, his sword found empty air as Harlondo countered with virtually no effort. Gewey had seen only one man move like that.

"You're a..."

"Yes," Harlondo interrupted, smiling. "You didn't think Lee Starfinder was the only one, did you? But it's worse than that, boy. The master has empowered me with energy from the Sword of Truth itself."

Gewey felt his confidence drain.

"Don't feel too bad, you're not the first to underestimate me. Once I'm finished with you, I'll find the rest of your friends and make sure you're not the last."

Gewey filled with rage at the thought of his friends falling to this demon. He ran headlong at Harlondo and thrust his sword at his belly, but Harlondo twisted and stepped away, bringing his own sword down. Gewey felt searing pain as the blade cut deep across the back of his shoulder. He spun around, sword extended, Harlondo ducked and again his blade found Gewey's flesh, this time slashing open his upper thigh. Gewey backed away as Harlondo pressed the attack. He tried to block the onslaught, but Harlondo was too fast. Again and again, Harlondo's sword cut deep, opening new wounds. Blood soaked Gewey's clothes, and the wounds on his arms and shoulder made his sword feel heavy and awkward. His legs throbbed and shook with pain. He felt weak with blood loss, and could hardly hold onto his sword, as Harlondo came in for another attack. This time, Gewey was barely able to duck in time to keep his head on his shoulders. The blade sliced the top of his scalp, sending him tumbling to the ground. He rolled back, then stumbled to his feet.

"Why prolong the inevitable?" Harlondo asked. "You have fought well. Let me end your pain."

Gewey glared at Harlondo and squared his shoulders. He looked to the edge of the clearing and saw Kaylia, tears streaming down her face. 'I'm sorry,' he thought. Kaylia eyes filled with sadness as though she had heard him.

"Still some fight in you, eh?" Harlondo laughed. "Good."

In a flash, he was on Gewey again. This time Gewey was able to fend off the blade, but Harlondo closed in and smashed the hilt into the side of Gewey's head. Gewey fell to the ground, dazed, blood pouring into his eyes and mouth. His surroundings began to feel dull and distant, and he wondered if this could really be the end. He attempted to stand up, but Harlondo merely laughed and kicked him back to the ground.

Harlondo stood over him with a satisfied smile. "And so ends the only child of heaven," he mocked. "I'll send your regards to your friends, starting with that one over there."

'Don't give up.' Gewey could suddenly hear Kaylia's voice, clear as day, in his mind. 'Don't make me watch you die.'

Pain and desperation filled Gewey's heart, as Harlondo raised his sword for the final stroke. Suddenly, the earth erupted and the ground shook violently. Harlondo's eyes shot wide as the ground exploded, sending both men flying.

The last thing Gewey saw, before darkness took him, was the ravaged body of his enemy lying next to him. 'This is a good death,' he thought as the world around him faded to black. Gewey smiled with relief and let himself fade into the darkness.

Lady Fritzina struggled to her feet. In front of her was a crater ten feet wide and three feet deep. The mangled body of Harlondo lay a few feet away from her, alongside a pale and lifeless Gewey. She stared at the scene in horror. Kaylia lay on the ground next to her, struggling against her bonds. She picked up her dagger and pulled Kaylia to her knees.

"I could kill you," Fritzina warned. Her voice trembled with fear and shock. "But if you promise that your friends will leave me alone, I will let you live." She pulled off Kaylia's gag. "Swear to it!"

"I swear none of my companions will touch you," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

Lady Fritzina slowly backed away, then took off into the night.

Kaylia struggled to her feet and hopped to where Gewey's sword lay, working the rope that held her against the blade. Once her bonds were cut, she ran to where Gewey lay. She put her hands on his face and closed her eyes. His life force was faint and fading. She put his sword in its sheath and attached it to her belt, ignoring the searing pain it caused as it touched her skin. Tears fell down her cheeks as she pulled his body upright. Using all of her strength, she threw him over her shoulder. The mile-long walk back to the city gate seemed to take a lifetime as she felt Gewey getting weaker. By the time she arrived, he was barely breathing.

The city was in turmoil. The guard post was empty and the gate had been left open. Kaylia found an abandoned wagon and put Gewey in the back. Panic in the streets made it difficult to maneuver, but eventually she arrived at Lord Ganflin's manor. The gatekeeper was trying to fix the broken gate when Kaylia jumped from the wagon.

"Help me!" she commanded.

The gatekeeper looked in the wagon and gasped. "Was he hurt in the earthquake?"

"Are you deaf?" she screamed. "I said help me." The gatekeeper flinched, but obeyed.