The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves Read Online Free Page B

invaders.”
    Brandis laughed. “We have taken Hazrah without
spilling blood. When in history has that happened? We allow you and
your friends to leave in peace, even though you have sworn to destroy
us. We give you Lee Nal’Thain’s family as a token of good
will and still you accuse.”
    “ You have tried to have us killed,” replied
Millet. “You’ve destroyed temples and the Gods only know
what you’ve done to the clergy. Whatever your motivations are
for 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 friends
were unfortunate,” he said. “The people responsible have
been dealt with. Of course, I don’t expect you to believe that,
and frankly, it doesn’t matter. You will think my master is
your enemy until the very end. But when that end comes, you will see
the truth.”
    “ I see the truth now,” Millet shot back.
“And unless you force me to do so, I will hear no more of your
lies.”
    “ As you wish,” said Brandis. “My
soldiers and I will wait outside.” He spun on his heels and
left the house. Markus and the soldiers followed close behind.
    “ Do you think they actually intend to let us just
walk out of here?” asked Maybell.
    “ Millet was correct,” said Malstisos. “If
it serves their objectives they will. This may be a deception, but I
cannot 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 light
brown hair that fell in loose curls to his shoulders. He was dressed
in tan leathers and boots, and carried a pack over his shoulders. His
face was strikingly like Lee’s except a bit more rounded at the
chin, and his eyes were deep green and more widely set.
    “ I give you Jacob Nal’Thain,” said
Brandis.
    Millet looked Jacob over for several moments. “How
do we know this is Jacob?”
    “ Who else would I be?” Jacob sneered. “And
who are you?”
    “ I am Millet Gristall, the personal assistant to
Lee Nal’Thain.”
    “ My father?” said Jacob. “So this is
what 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 a
trouble-maker,” Brandis explained. “We have had to lock
him 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. In
Angrääl, where they took her.”
    “ How many times must you be told?” asked
Brandis. “She went of her own free will.”
    “ I’ll never believe that. And if you expect
me to go willingly with these people just so they can kill me when
we're out of sight, then you’re mistaken. Kill me now, for all
to see.”
    Brandis sighed. “For the last time, if we wanted
to kill you we would have done so long before now. You will either go
with these people or leave on your own. Either way, I tire of you and
will no longer tolerate your presence.”
    “ You will come with us,” said Millet. “I
was sent to retrieve you and your mother. Being that your mother is
not 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’re
out of sight?”
    “ As much as I hate to admit it,” replied
Millet. “Brandis is correct. If they wanted you dead, they
wouldn’t need such an elaborate deception. In fact, we are in
more danger from you, than you are from us.”
    Jacob thought for a moment. “Very well, I will go
with you, for now.”
    “ Good decision,” said Brandis. “I’ll
leave you to it then.” He started to the door. “Please
tell Lord Nal’Thain that we will allow him to see his wife any
time he wishes. And as for Gewey Stedding,