The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) (36 page)

This did little to ease Gewey’s mind. “Please
release your hold on my bond with her.”

“
You could do this on your own, I
suspect.” She sighed and nodded. “But very well. I will do as you
ask.”

Suddenly, Gewey could feel the barrier being
lifted. Instinctively, he reached out for Kaylia. She was there.
Joy and rapture rushed through him, as they became one. The longing
was over. He was with her.

Aaliyah was almost unable to shake him out of
his communion before they arrived at their destination. Weila led
them back to the surface. The sun was just going down and Gewey
could taste the salty sea air. Three hours later they were back at
their boat. Gewey and Aaliyah said a heartfelt farewell to Weila,
then made their way back to the ship. The crew cheered wildly as
they climbed on deck.

“
Tales will have to wait until
tomorrow,” announced Aaliyah. “We are both weary from
travel.”

That night Gewey washed and slid into bed,
excited that he could contact Kaylia once again.

“
I envy her fortune,” said Aaliyah, as
she lay down and pulled the blanket tightly around her.

Gewey looked over. “I am the fortunate one.
And not only because of Kaylia.”

Chapter 22

Kaylia ran through the halls of Valshara,
nearly knocking over several people as she passed. When she reached
the healing chamber, she threw open the door. Nehrutu was treating
a wounded soldier who had been hurt building the gallows.

“
You look happy,” remarked Nehrutu,
offhandedly. “Has something happened?”

“
Aaliyah released her hold on Gewey,”
she replied, speaking and laughing at once.

“
That is good,” said Nehrutu. “Were
they successful?”

“
They were,” she replied. “They are
returning as we speak. Better still, Aaliyah has given up her quest
for Gewey's heart.”

Nehrutu nodded. “Then you have won. You
should be pleased.”

“
I am.” She knelt beside Nehrutu. “This
means you can be with Aaliyah again.”

“
Perhaps,” he replied, skeptically. “I
would first like to know what happened to sway her. She does not
give up easily. That she abandoned her aspirations for Gewey does
not mean she wishes to return to me.”

The door opened and Selena entered. Her face
was dark with worry. “I have received a message from the one called
Yanti.”

“
What does it say?” asked
Kaylia.

“
He is demanding the release of his
soldiers,” she replied. “He claims that he occupied Valshara by
order of King Halmara. He says that Valshara rests within the
borders of his kingdom and not that of King Lousis.”

“
Do you think there is any truth to
this?” asked Nehrutu.

“
I don't know,” she replied. “But if
there is, King Lousis may be in danger. We must warn him. The
council will be meeting any day now.”

“
Yanti may be trying to draw you out
into the open,” Nehrutu suggested. “If you leave these walls you
will be vulnerable.”

“
I agree.” She furled her brow. “I have
already sent a messenger. But if what Salmitaya says is true, Yanti
is powerful. If he defeated my son, he will be able to stop a
messenger from getting through easily enough.”

“
There is nothing to do but wait and
see,” said Nehrutu.

The door flew open and Matrus, one of
Selena's personal guards entered, looking pale and anxious. “High
Lady. There is someone requesting your presence at the gate. He
says his name is Yanti.”

Selena's eyes shot wide. “I want archers on
the wall at once. Tell them to not let him out of their sight.”

“
A bold move,” Nehrutu mused. “Or he
does not fear us. Will you speak to him?”

Selena thought for a moment. “I will.”

“
But high lady—” objected
Matrus.

“
Don't worry,” said Selena, smiling.
“If this Yanti fellow makes a move to harm me, it will be his last.
No, I think if assassination was his goal he wouldn't simply walk
up to the gates.”

“
Still,” Nehrutu interjected, “you
should keep your distance. I will accompany you.”

“
As will I,” added Kaylia, thumbing her
knife.

“
Now, go,” Selena said to Matrus. “I
want archers on the wall in five minutes.”

Matrus spun around and sped off.

Selena allowed enough time for the archers to
get into position, then made her way to the front gate. A few yards
from the entrance stood Yanti. He was dressed in an elegant, red
shirt, black trousers, and a black, satin jacket with polished gold
buttons. A red, leather belt, held a beautifully crafted gold
hilted rapier. His brown, curly hair was oiled and pushed back in
true noble fashion. As they approached he flashed a broad smile and
bowed low.

“
Thank you for seeing me, high lady,”
said Yanti.

“
What is it you want, Yanti?” asked
Selena, trying to contain her anger.

“
As my message said,” he replied, “I
want my men. Oh, and Salmitaya, if you please.” He spoke her name
as if it were an afterthought.

“
Your men are to be hanged,” said
Selena. “And you will never see Salmitaya again.”

Yanti laughed and wagged his finger. “There
is no reason to hang my men. They are not criminals. And as for
dear, sweet Salmitaya...what possible use would you have for her?
She has no information useful to you.”

“
Your men are criminals,” she shot
back. “They broke into my home and slaughtered my people. This is
the act of thugs, not soldiers. And they will be treated as
such.”

“
They acted on orders of the lord of
this land, my love,” said Yanti. “Your temple's very existence is
in clear violation of the laws of King Halmara, and the city of
Skalhalis. I simply carried out the will of a trusted ally. Your
quarrel is with him, not me, not my men, and certainly not poor
Salmitaya. If you release them to me, we can all put this
unpleasant business behind us.”

“
You waste your breath,” barked Selena.
“And my time. You think you can come here after what you have done
and dictate to me what I must do?”

Yanti sighed and shook his head. “I thought
you would want to prevent further bloodshed, my love. I shudder to
think what King Halmara will do when he learns what has happened
here. Especially, if you were to execute my men.” He glanced up at
the archer on the wall. “And please do not think to harm me. Should
anything happen to me, the consequences to King Lousis would
be...severe.” His smiled widened. “And you should know that your
message to the King was not received, though I assure you that your
messenger is unharmed...for now.”

Selena face turned red with fury. “If you
harm him—“

Yanti held up his hand. “Fear not, my love. I
am not an animal. I only take life when I must. After all, I did
leave your beloved son alive, did I not? I’m sure Salmitaya told
you of our little scuffle.”

It was all Selena could do not to order the
archers to fill Yanti with arrows. “You should be glad you did. Or
I swear your false king would hear you scream all the way in
Angrääl.”

“
I admire your passion,” said Yanti.
“It is a shame you have chosen to be an enemy of the Reborn King.
Your fall will cause me great sadness.”

“
We shall see who falls,” she said,
clenching her jaw. “If there is nothing more, you should leave,
before I decide to do something...rash.”

“
I will leave when the matter of my men
is settled,” said Yanti. “Release them by sundown and I will send
word to Althetas to allow King Lousis to live. Do it not, and he
will surely die.” He bowed again. “I will await your favorable
reply.” He turned and strode off.

“
Do you think he is telling the truth?”
asked Kaylia. “Do you think he has the means to assassinate the
king?”

Selena watched as Yanti disappeared around a
bend. “I don't know. But I don’t think I can take that risk.”

“
And what of Salmitaya?” asked
Nehrutu.

“
No matter what happens, she will
remain here,” Selena replied, with determination. “I gave my word
that she would not be returned to that brute, and I will keep it.”
The words stuck in her throat. She knew what must be done, and it
stabbed at her heart. “Prepare the prisoners for release. But see
to it they leave with nothing more than their underclothes. Pile
their possessions in the center of the yard and burn
them.”

Selena went to her quarters and sent for
Salmitaya. A few minutes passed and a guard arrived, with Salmitaya
in shackles.

“
You can remove those,” Selena
ordered.

Salmitaya sat across from Selena, her face
expressionless, hands folded in her lap.

Selena told her about Yanti. “I told you I
would not allow you to be taken, and I will keep my word. But I
need to know—”

“
You need to know if he has someone
near King Lousis,” said Salmitaya. “I would think he does. In fact,
I'm certain of it. And if he says he is allied with King Halmara, I
would think that is true as well. Yanti lies, but he mixes lies
with truth. I also know that if you do not do as he requests, he
will make good on his threats.”

“
I will release his men,” said Selena,
sternly. “But I will not turn you over.”

Salmitaya shook head and chuckled softly. “If
you do not, he will make good his threat. Lousis will die.”

“
He may do that regardless,” Selena
countered.

“
No,” said Salmitaya, “He will hold to
his agreement. At least until his men are away. By then you may be
able to warn the king.”

“
Why would he care about a few hundred
soldiers?” she asked.

“
Who knows?” Salmitaya bowed her head.
“It is not out of a sense of responsibility to them, that much is
certain. Whatever the reason he is not one to bluff. If he says he
will kill Lousis, you can count on it.”

Selena stood up and poured two cups of wine.
Offering one to Salmitaya, she stared thoughtfully into the woman's
eyes.

Salmitaya held the cup under her nose,
savoring the sweet scent. She closed her eyes as the wine passed
over her tongue. “I remember when I was a novice, I would sneak
away to the tavern to drink wine and listen to the musicians with
my friends. We were always so afraid we’d get caught…but it just
made it that much more fun.” Her body relaxed. She could almost
hear the songs, and the laughter of her fellow novices. “Things
were so much simpler then.” Her eyes grew heavy, as the sound of
breaking glass seemed distant. So very far away. Yes, that's what
she wanted. To be far away.

Selena called the guard. “Have her body
wrapped in linen and given to the captives when they are released.”
She leaned down and pushed the hair from Salmitaya's face. “I'm
sorry.”

Chapter 23

For six days, the kings and queens of the
twelve city states had been arriving. Only King Halmara was still
absent. The presence of elves had caused more than a few nervous
stares. King Lousis had made a point to greet each new arrival with
Theopolou and Ertik at his side. Co-existence with elves was common
in most of the twelve cities, but only in certain areas. And never
as welcome guests in the house of the king. But even the elves
didn't cause as much of a stir as Ertik, a representative from the
High Lady of Valshara. Speculation ran wild as for his reason for
attending.

Theopolou spent his time exploring the king’s
library, reading about the history of the twelve cities. Mohanisi
spent most of his time with Linis, who was busy preparing to
journey to Sharpstone. From time to time Theopolou would be
approached by the kings and queens, and asked about the goings on
of the elves. Word had already spread about the battle in Valshara.
Most could scarcely believe human and elf had fought side by side.
Theopolou politely answered their questions.

By the seventh day, it had been decided to
proceed without King Halmara. That night there would be a banquet,
then in the morning the council would meet.

A few hours before the banquet, Theopolou
returned to his quarters. The flood of questions had steadily
increased until the very thought of another conversation caused him
to cringe. As he settled into a plush chair and opened a book,
there was a soft rap at the door.

He sighed and closed the book. “Come.”

It was Linis. “I want to speak to you before
I leave for Sharpstone. Mohanisi is still exploring the city and
says he will not be joining you for the banquet.”

“
Your company is welcome,” said
Theopolou, smiling. “I wish my presence was not required or I would
join Mohanisi. Have you spoken to Lord Ganflin?”

“
I have,” he replied, taking a seat
beside Theopolou. “He is providing me with two dozen men and ten
thousand gold, to aid Millet and Dina. He has already sent word to
Lord Broin, and I hope to get his help as well.”

Theopolou nodded approvingly. “That is good.
You should have enough to raise a sizable force.”

“
I hope to send for elves soon,” said
Linis. “But I think it best to prepare the people of Sharpstone
first. Most people along the Goodbranch have never seen an elf, and
only have heard stories of the Great War to form their
opinions.”

“
I am certain you can ease their
fears,” said Theopolou. “When the time comes, send word, and I will
send as many as can be spared.” He could see Linis’ expression
darken. “What is it?”