The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) (40 page)

Lousis dismissed the guards and walked
carefully to the table and eased into a chair. Ertik took the seat
opposite him.

“
The southern rulers are not as bad as
they seem,” said Lousis. “They fear for their people, should trade
cease. None of them would admit it, but the Reborn King has already
forced many of them to trade exclusively with Angrääl. His
stranglehold on Baltria has forced them in to it.”

“
If that is the case, then what will
you do?” asked Ertik.

“
First, I will deal with Halmara. Then
I will see to Baltria.”

“
You intend to make war with Baltria?”
asked Ertik.

“
I hope not,” he replied. “But it very
well may come to that. This war may begin here, but it will spread
to all nations. We must find other allies. Baltria may not be as
lost as we think. My understanding is that Angrääl has influenced
the nobles and merchants. If we can break that hold, then war will
not be necessary. Of course, if Baltria is already under military
control, then we will be forced to liberate it.”

“
Do you have enough men?” asked
Ertik.

“
Alas, no,” admitted Lousis. “Even with
all twelve kingdoms united we would be hard-pressed. The elves will
be of great help, but we will need even more of them.”

“
Then let us hope there are more rulers
such as you, who are not afraid to stand against the Reborn
King.”

Lousis smiled. “Make no mistake, I am afraid.
But I fear even more what would happen to my people should we
fail.”

There was a knock at the door and Prince
Loniel entered.

“
I hope your highness doesn't mind,”
said the Prince. “I grew tired of listening to the nobles bicker.
My mind was set the moment you were poisoned.”

Lousis offered him a seat, which he
gratefully accepted.

“
How are things faring,” asked
Lousis.

“
As one might expect,” he replied, with
a shrug. “They speak of peaceful resolutions and fear of war. But I
think most are more afraid to stand alone. And in light of recent
events, they fear what Angrääl may do to them.”

“
So you think they will side with
Althetas?” asked Ertik.

“
I do,” Loniel replied. “At least they
will give what support they can. Most cities do not have the wealth
of Althetas, and could raise no more than a few thousand soldiers
at best.”

“
It will be enough,” said Lousis. “It
will have to be.”

A few minutes later the other kings and
queens began to arrive. With only a few minutes until the hour was
up, only King Victis had not yet arrived.

“
It will be a blow to lose the
Tarvansia Peninsula,” remarked Loniel.

“
Being that it has the most direct
route to Baltria, it will make thing’s far more difficult,” agreed
Lousis.

Just then, the door opened and King Victis
entered, looking very unhappy. “I am loathed to use force against
King Halmara. But as the will of the council is against me...”

Queen Illirial spoke. “King Lousis. As you
know, none of our kingdoms possess the wealth of Althetas, and this
shall cut off our trade with Baltria. What can you do to ensure our
people don't starve?”

“
If I must, I will empty my treasury,”
Lousis replied, allowing his gaze to meet each of them. “There are
already lords and ladies in my city that are struggling against
this growing threat. We will enlist their help as well. Once we
deal with Halmara, we will address Baltria.”

“
So you will expand this war to include
Baltria?” asked Victis, scowling.

“
I will try other means first,” said
Lousis. “But we cannot allow a port of that size to be under
Angrääl’s control. But these are things to be discussed once we
have settled with Halmara. In the meantime, we must discover what
is happening in Skalhalis. I will ask Ertik to send elf scouts to
see if they have armed for war.”

“
I will do so at once,” said Ertik.
“And I would suggest you send more men to Valshara. One hundred can
hold off a siege for a long time, but not indefinitely.”

“
I agree,” said Lousis. “I intend to
make Valshara our staging point.” He got to his feet. “I know that
some of you do not have many soldiers to offer. So all cities south
of Althetas should keep what you must in your land to keep order,
and send the rest to Tarvansia. If Angrääl sends forces from
Baltria, that is where they will strike first. The rest will join
my forces in Valshara. Agreed?”

Gradually, all nodded in agreement.

For the next several hours, they mapped out
plans for troops and supplies. It was late in the afternoon before
they decided to adjourn for the day. Lousis asked Victis to remain
in his chambers once the others had left.

“
Thank you, my friend,” said Lousis. “I
know how difficult it was for you to make this
decision.”

“
King Halmara is my cousin,” Victis
replied. “But in the end, there is no denying that you are right.
He is not fit to rule. I have worried about the future of my land
for some time, and I am not blind to what Angrääl has done. I can
see what will become of us. But I still do not think we can
prevail.”

“
Then why did you join us?” asked
Lousis.

Victis held his head high. “Because I am King
of Tarvansia. My people will remain free for as long as I draw
breath.” He moved to the door. “But I am tired, and I believe we
have several more days of planning ahead of us.” He pulled open the
door. Just as he left he paused. “I thank you for excluding me in
the campaign against my cousin.”

Lousis smiled as the door closed. He changed
into his robe and slipped into bed. His body ached and his head was
swimming. The battle of Valshara entered his thoughts. The sights
and sounds of the dead and dying were still fresh in his memory.
This would get worse. Much worse. He looked up at the picture of
his father, King Hersal, which hung on the wall. Hersal had ruled
for fifty-two years. In all that time, there had been only one
border dispute, and a few bands of marauding raiders had been run
out of the kingdom.

“
What I would give to trade places,” he
muttered, then let himself drift off to sleep.

Chapter 27

For six days, Lee had been chained, hands
above his head, to a cold stone wall. At least, that’s how long he
thought it had been. No food or water had been offered, and even
with the strength of Saraf running through his veins, he was
beginning to weaken. He occasionally heard someone enter the small
cell where he had been taken, but a blindfold had been kept tight
over his eyes, and he could not tell who it was. He did his best to
concentrate and hear what was going on nearby, but there was only
the sound of various rodents scurrying about, and the stomping of
hard boots on stone floors.

His mind wandered to thoughts of Jacob. He
refused to believe that he had been betrayed, though his captors
had clearly wanted him to believe so. He would not fall prey to
doubt and despair. In all probability, his life would end soon, and
he would need more than innuendo for his last moments to be filled
with anger.

The door opened. The footfalls were light and
graceful, not the clumsy, plodding of a soldier. The scent of
lilacs filled the air.

“
So they have sent a woman to attend
me,” said Lee. His mouth was so dry, each word was an effort. “You
can tell your master his efforts to break me will fail. It is just
as well that he kill me and be done with it.”

He felt a cup touch his dry cracked lips. The
water poured down his throat. He moaned with relief in spite of
himself.

“
So what is it you intend to do?” he
asked, contemptuously. “Keep me alive so you can watch me suffer?”
There was no response. “You fear to speak? It's just as well. Your
words would be lies.”

“
I don't know what to say.” The voice
was a soft whisper.

“
Then say nothing,” he shot back.
“Better next time they send a mute fool.”

There was a long silence, then he felt a cool
rag gently cleaning the grime from his face.

He shook his head violently. “Do not touch
me, unless it is a blade you carry.”

“
Are you so anxious to die?” she
asked.

The voice was familiar. “Another trick,” he
thought.

“
Yes, my love.” She spoke as if she
knew his thoughts. “It is me.” She lifted the cup to his lips
again, but Lee turned his head.

“
Then remove my blindfold,” he
commanded.

“
I am forbidden,” she replied. “It was
the only way they would allow me to see you.”

“
I know you are lying. Penelope would
not act with such cruelty.”

“
I will remove your blindfold,” she
offered. “But know that if I do I will be taken from here at once
and not be allowed to return. You will learn I speak truth, but we
will not speak again...ever.”

Lee's heart ached. “Then leave me blind. But
know that I will tell you nothing the Dark Knight may want to
know.”

“
That is best,” she said. “There is
much that has happened of which you are unaware.”

“
And Jacob,” he asked. “What has
happened to him?”

“
He has escaped,” she replied. “He did
not betray you, Lee. He was recognized by a recruit from
Hazrah.”

“
That is good to hear,” he replied.
This lifted a great weight from his heart. “But if the Dark Knight
intends to break me, why tell me this.”

She continued to clean his face. “The Reborn
King does not need to leave you in despair to break you, my love.
You will understand once you are in his presence.”

“
He may find it more difficult than he
imagines.”

“
He is aware of your strength,” she
said. “It is why he has waited. He wishes you intact. Should he
force his will upon you, your spirit could shatter.”

“
And how is it you know this,” asked
Lee.

“
I have been in the presence of the
Reborn King,” she replied, sadly. “I have witnessed his power. No
one can resist him. Not even you, my love.”

“
Did you come here to warn me, or
prepare me,” he asked, angrily. “Penelope would never say these
things.”

“
I only tell you the truth,” she
replied. “I wish things were different. I am Penelope Nal'Thain,
but no longer the woman you knew. The king has changed
me.”

“
Then help me,” said Lee. “I will undo
what he has done.”

“
If only that were possible,” Her voice
was filled with sorrow and longing. “But I am lost. Even if I
helped you escape, I would betray you. I wouldn't be able to help
myself. You can't know what it means to be under the king’s
power.”

He could hear her weeping softly. “Please. I
can help you. I swear it. I can break the hold he has over
you.”

“
I must go.” She lifted the cup to his
lips once more. “I will try to return tomorrow. Soon you will be
brought before the king.” Lee heard the door creak open. “I would
speak to you again before you become his.”

The door slammed shut. A tear fell down his
cheek. He didn't want to believe it was Penelope, but he knew it
was. Rage and frustration swelled in his chest. He jerked the
chains that bound his wrists with all his might, but even with his
immense strength they were far too thick.

He knew he must escape, somehow. He would
find a way to free Penelope. He would take her away from this
wretched place. His thoughts turned to Jacob. He had escaped. But
would he run? He doubted it. Jacob had too much of his father in
him, which meant he would likely end up being killed or captured.
There must be a way to escape before it was too late. If what
Penelope said was true, the Dark Knight had the power to break him,
then soon he may be helpless to do anything. He wished he could
have seen her, if only for a moment.

He thought back to the last time they were
together; her eyes filled with tears, her voice hot with anger. She
cursed him for leaving.

The door opened again. His heart jumped, but
the sound of boots told him that it was not Penelope. A fist
slammed into his abdomen, nearly causing him to lose his
breath.

“
You know what you cost me,
Starfinder?” It was Captain Lanmore. “Because of your deception, I
have lost everything.”

“
And you expect me to feel guilt?” Lee
scoffed. “You are the servant of my enemy and the enemy of all free
people.” This brought a fist crashing to his jaw. The taste of
blood filled his mouth, and he spat. “I'm surprised they allowed
you to live, after they realized your stupidity and
incompetence.”

He whispered in Lee's ear. “I should kill you
now. But perhaps I'll kill your son, instead...while you watch.
Yes. He's stupid enough to think he can rescue you. When he's
caught, I'll skin him alive.”

Lee laughed. “Those are the words I would
expect from a coward. You are truly bold when faced with a man in
chains. Were I free, you would run like the scared dog that you
are.”

“
You think me a fool?” He grabbed Lee's
face and squeezed. “I am not ignorant to what you are, Lee
Nal'Thain, Starfinder, or whatever you call yourself...son of
Saraf. You think my king sends us to war ill-informed. I know what
you are capable of. So if you think to goad me into releasing you,
then you waste your breath.”