Lee and Kaylia ran west along the road, at a pace no normal human could match. Lee worried about being noticed, but he knew they had to risk it if they wanted to catch up with Salmitaya. Each time they came to a crossroads, they were forced to stop and make sure their quarry hadn’t turned. Fortunately, a carriage with a ten-guard escort left an easy trail to follow.
As the hours passed, Lee worried that Kaylia’s strength would give out. He could run a full day without tiring, but he had no experience with the stamina of elves, and he couldn’t afford to leave her behind. With a good plan of attack, he was sure he could kill ten city guards, but it would only take one to get to Gewey and cut his throat.
He needed the elf to ensure that didn’t happen.
“Do you need to stop?” Lee asked at one of the crossroads.
“Elves are stronger than you know,” she replied. “We do not tire easily.”
Lee nodded and took off west. Just as the sun was going down, Kaylia grabbed Lee’s arm, stopping him.
“They’re one mile ahead,” said Kaylia. “I can smell them.”
They waited until it was fully dark before approaching the camp. Two tents had been erected twenty yards off the road, in a small clearing. A carriage pulled by a team of six horses had been pulled just to the side. As they’d been told, ten guards were busy about the camp, building fires and cooking meals. They didn’t see Gewey anywhere.
“Looks like they’ve been here for more than an hour,” Lee noted.
“Gewey’s probably in one of the tents.”
“But which one?” Kaylia asked. “We shouldn’t move until we know.”
“Agreed,” he said. “I’ll keep watch from here. You go around through the woods and check from there. Be back here in an hour.”
Kaylia nodded and took off through brush.
Lee watched as Salmitaya wandered through the camp, her head held high as she shouted orders to her men. She walked in and out of both tents, but gave no indication as to where Gewey was being held.
An hour later, Kaylia returned.
“These guards should be easy to deal with,” she said. “They have no idea how to secure a camp; the entire perimeter is left unwatched. They’ll be bunched together near the fires in two groups. Once we know where Gewey is, we can take them out.”
Lee nodded, watching as a guard carried a bowl and cup into one of the tents. A little while later, Salmitaya emerged from that tent and went into the other.
“He’s in there,” said Lee, pointing to the tent Salmitaya had exited. “I count nine men by the fires, so that leaves only one guarding Gewey.”
“We should wait until they’re sleeping before we strike,” Kaylia proposed. “If one of them raises the alarm, the guard in the tent could kill the boy before we can get to him.”
Lee nodded in agreement. They settled in, never taking their eyes off the camp. Lee watched as the guard inside the tent was relieved, careful to take note of the length of time it took for him to return to the fire. It was then they saw a woman in novice robes enter where Gewey was being held.
“How did she get here?” Lee asked anxiously. “Did you see her before?”
Kaylia shook her head. “I think we have a new player in this game. We’ll need to move soon.”
Lee went over the plan with Kaylia. She was to enter the tent holding Gewey and take out the guard, while Lee took care of the guards by the fire nearest the tent. If the alarm were raised, then Lee would fall back and join Kaylia and finish off the remaining guards as they approached. If there were no alarm, then Kaylia would wait with Gewey, while Lee took out the rest of the guards on his own.
“The important thing is that once we have Gewey, we don’t lose sight of him,” said Lee. “They may be clumsy fools, but it only takes one to cause us to fail.”
“A good plan,” she said. “But you should be the one to free the boy. I can kill the other guards more quietly than you.”
“Probably,” Lee replied. “And it’s why you’ll be the first in the tent. Slaughtering city guards in their sleep may not be honorable, but it should be easy. If the tent guard is awake, I need him down fast.”
“I think you don’t like the idea of an elf killing humans in their sleep,” she said.
“And I think you like the idea far too much,” Lee retorted.
It was then they saw a guard rise from his bedroll and walk towards the tent, holding a flask. Lee and Kaylia lay silent. A second later, the man bolted out, yelling at the top of his lungs, instantly causing the camp to erupt into a beehive of activity. Salmitaya came out of her tent and sprinted to where they were holding Gewey.
“We should pull back before they see us,” Kaylia suggested.
“I can hide in shadows too,” said Lee, sounding insulted. “If they come near, we’ll move-but not until then.”
Salmitaya left the tent, while two guards carried a third man next to the fire, and threw him roughly to the ground. The remaining guards gathered around the High Priestess to receive their orders. They then headed for the nearby forest in small groups, leaving only the two guards with Salmitaya.
“It would seem our young friend has escaped,” Kaylia observed.
“And unless I’m wrong, the novice had something to do with it.”
“We’ll wait a few minutes, then go down and see for ourselves,” said Lee.“I’ll take the near guard; you take the one walking toward Salmitaya.”
The elf smiled ominously and sprung to her feet, rushing toward the camp. Lee chased after her, but it was too late. Kaylia had killed the first guard and had the second on the ground before he could get close. Lee turned toward Salmitaya, hoping to reach the woman before Kaylia did. He made it just in time.
“Enough,” said Lee, standing in front of the terrified woman. “I gave my word she would not be harmed.”
“I gave no such word,” Kaylia replied, holding her bloody knife.
“If you harm her, I’ll kill you,” warned Lee. “Please don’t make me do that.”
Kaylia walked over to the shaking woman. “She deserves to die, Lee. You know it.”
“Yes, she does,” he agreed. “Nonetheless, I ask you to preserve my honor, and let her live.”
Kaylia studied Lee for a long moment. “I would not want to dishonor you. And I would not want to kill you, either.” She locked eyes with Salmitaya, cleaning her knife on the High Priestess’ dress. “But should we meet again, woman, my blade will send you to the Father.”
Salmitaya collapsed to the ground, weeping.
“Check the tents,” Lee said. “See what you can find out.” Kaylia took one more look at Salmitaya and obeyed.
Lee turned to the High Priestess. “Calm yourself,” he snapped.
“That demon wants to kill me!” Salmitaya cried.
“True,” Lee acknowledged. “And I may yet let her if you’ve harmed my friend. Where is he?”
“I don’t know,” she answered. “He escaped.”
“I guessed as much. I wonder how Angraal will reward your failure.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied. “I serve the temple.”
Lee reached down and helped Salmitaya to her feet. “My dear,” he said calmly, “it’s that kind of lie that will earn you some private time with my elf friend. I promised you would not be harmed, but as you’ve seen, stopping Kaylia could prove to be quite difficult-and I’ve heard elven interrogation methods can be rather…unpleasant.”
“You wouldn’t,” she cried.
Lee’s tone turned dangerous. “You kidnapped my friend and tried to have me murdered,” he fumed. “It is all I can do to not kill you myself.”
Kaylia returned holding a set of iron shackles. “Someone freed him and took him into the forest,” she said, throwing the shackles at Salmitaya’s feet. “I examined the guard. He was poisoned with a stylus needle.”
Lee raised an eyebrow. “Elf poison? Why would an elf want to save Gewey?”
“If it was the same girl we saw entering the tent, she was no elf,” Kaylia noted. “But clearly she’s familiar with elf tactics.”
“In that case, I hope she turns out to be on our side,” Lee said, his concern showing in his voice. “Do you think you can track them?”
“Perhaps,” she said. “The guards in the woods will slow me down, but I should be able to tell the direction they ran. That is, unless this girl hides like an elf as well.”
“I’ll gather three of their horses and meet you two miles east of here,” said Lee. “Find out what you can.” Kaylia started off towards the woods.
“Kaylia,” called Lee.
She paused, and turned her head slightly.
“Try not to kill all the guards,” he said.
Kaylia smiled and disappeared into the night.
“She’ll kill every one of them,” Salmitaya said contemptuously.
“Elves only understand blood.”
“And yet you live,” Lee pointed out. He saddled three horses and chased off the others so the guards couldn’t follow. He mounted one horse, and signaled for Salmitaya to mount another.
“If you try to escape,” he warned, “I swear, I’ll hog tie you and carry you over my saddle.”
Salmitaya glared angrily.
They rode east for two miles, then hid in the woods next to the road.
“Now that I have you alone,” said Lee, “you’ll answer a few more questions for me.”
Salmitaya lowered her eyes, looking defeated.
“How long have you served the Dark Knight?” he asked.
“The Dark Knight?” she scoffed. “I serve the power of Angraal that seeks to release us from slavery. The Dark Knight is merely an instrument.”
“You’ll find that I’m not easily distracted,” said Lee. “How long?”
“Eight years,” she replied.
“How many others are there?” he asked.
Salmitaya laughed. “How should I know? We are not told the identity of others. No knowledge, no betrayal.”
Lee pressed the matter further. “Of course. But surely you’ve ran into others from time to time.”
“I have,” she admitted. “But never the same person twice, and not for more than for a few moments. If you want me to give you names, I can’t. Torture me all you want, I don’t know.”
“Is there a way you recognize others like you?” asked Lee. “A signal, or some sort of clothing?”
“The only way I can tell is if a person bares the seal of the Great Lord himself,” she explained. “It’s a hand holding broken scales. I’ve seen it many times, but we all have orders to destroy it right away once received. That’s the only way I know.” She turned away and faced the darkness of the forest. “Ask me nothing more. I have no knowledge of plans or strategy. I know nothing that can help you.”
“Perhaps,” Lee said. “But you still have to convince one more person.”
“The bloody elf? She would cut my throat before listening to me.”
“It’s not the elf you need to convince,” Lee chuckled. “Your fate rests in the hands of Sister Maybell.”
Salmitaya’s eyes widened. “You brought her with you? Where is she?”
“She’s safe,” he answered. “Waiting for us to return this very moment, in fact.”
“She’s a fool,” spat Salmitaya. “A blind old fool.”
“I spared your life because of a promise I made to that blind old fool,” Lee warned. “You had better pray she holds me to it.”
Lee could sense her sudden fear.
Kaylia showed up with a look of concern and confusion on her face. Lee walked with her out of earshot of Salmitaya.
“Whoever this woman is, she’s clever, and moves with great speed,” Kaylia whispered. “It would take me two days to catch them if I persisted, so I doubt the guards have any chance at all.”
“That would be good news if we knew who she was,” Lee said.
“Could you tell where they’re going?”
“I think they’re heading into the Spirit Hills,” she replied. “Any other direction would take them back to the road. I doubt they’ll risk exposure until they’re well away from here.”
“There’s a village on the southwest slopes that they’ll likely stop at for supplies,” said Lee. “Even at a dead run, it would take them three days to make their way through such rough terrain. On horseback, we can reach the village ahead of them, if we take the road and go around. Unless they sprout wings and learn to fly, we should be able to head them off."
“What of the woman?” Kaylia asked. “You don’t intend to leave her here, do you?”
“We’ll ride to Fair Harvest first,” Lee responded. “I promised to deliver her to Sister Maybell. A delay, I know, but we should still be able to beat Gewey and this mystery woman by a full day.”
“Very well,” said Kaylia. “I don’t like delays, but I would like to see this reunion.” A sinister smile crept over her face.
Lee threw his head back in laughter. “No doubt Maybell will be quite put out.” He paused, struck by a sudden thought. “By the way, did you leave any of the guards alive?”
“Yes,” answered Kaylia. “But I doubt they’ll venture into the forest after dark again.”
Lee smiled. “We’re off, then.”
The three mounted their horses and headed east until they reached a crossroads where they turned south, toward Fair Harvest.
It took them until mid-morning to arrive, and by that time their horses were spent. Lee knew he would have to purchase others if they expected to catch Gewey.
Fair Harvest was little more than a large camp, supported by a few local farmers and traders. The town had only one road, with a few small shops and dwellings scattered on either side; the inn at the southwest corner of the village was by far the largest building. Seeing the state of things, Lee grew concerned that he wouldn’t be able to find decent horses. They approached the inn, tied their mounts to the hitching post, and led Salmitaya inside.
The interior of the inn was even less impressive than the exterior. Three tables and a small bar was the grand sum of the common room.
Two locals sat in the corner drinking ale while the barmaid leaned against the wall, playing with her hair.
The innkeeper, who had been rummaging around behind the bar, rose to his feet as they approached. “Can I help you?” he asked, staring at the hooded figure of Kaylia.
“We have two friends staying here,” said Lee. “Could you tell someone to get them for me?”
“Indeed, sir,” said the innkeeper. “They’re here all right. You’ll be taking them along with you I trust?”
“Why do you ask?” Lee said warily. “Has there been trouble?”
“Not so much trouble,” he replied, “but I swear that woman could drive a nitfly mad. I mean, look around. Does this look like a palace to you?” The man gestured to the meager decor. “You’d think she was the Queen herself the way she makes demands.”
Lee smiled. “Could you go get them please?” he asked, tossing the man a copper.
“Yes sir,” said the innkeeper. “Right away.” He disappeared up the stairs.
Seconds later, Millet came running downstairs and pulled Lee into a tight embrace. “Thank the Gods you’re here; that woman is driving me mad.” Releasing his grip on Lee, Millet noticed Salmitaya.
“I see you have her, but what about the boy?”
“Let’s go upstairs where we can talk,” said Lee. “Where’s Maybell?”
“In her room,” said Millet sourly, leading them upstairs. “She refuses to come out until she gets a proper bath. The wash basin isn’t to her liking.”
“Well, she can get one back in Kaltinor if she wants,” Lee quipped, slapping Millet on the shoulder.
“Indeed,” Millet huffed.
“We’ll take care of this one first,” Lee instructed, holding Salmitaya by the arm. “Show us to Maybell’s room.”
Millet knocked on the old woman’s door.
“Unless you’re here with a proper bathtub and hot water, go away!” Maybell called from behind the door.
“Open up,” Lee said sternly.
They heard the woman scuffling around, and then the door swung open.
“We have someone here to see you,” Lee said, pushing Salmitaya inside.
Maybell immediately noticed the blood on her dress. “You said she wouldn’t be harmed!”
“And she hasn’t,” said Lee. “That’s not her blood.”
Maybell looked in horror at the blood-stained dress. “Then whose blood is it?”
“Before I get to that,” said Lee, looking at Salmitaya. “I think Her Holiness has a few things she’d like to tell you. The deal is she lives so long as she tells the truth.”
Salmitaya glared at Lee. “Very well,” she said, then turned toward Maybell. “What I am going to tell you is the complete truth. Once you’ve heard it, you are to decide my fate. On the head of Ayliazarah and the essence of my soul, I swear that my words are not false.”
Salmitaya proceeded to tell Maybell how she had conspired with the governor to close the temples. She told her about the murders and deceptions she had been part of. Maybell listened carefully, but her face betrayed no emotion-not even when Salmitaya confessed to serving Angraal and kidnapping Gewey for the Dark Knight.
When she was finished, Maybell stood up tall and straight and looked into Salmitaya’s eyes.
“I cast you out,” said Maybell, her voice quiet and calm. “The eyes of the temple will no longer see you. Your name will be stricken from the Book of the Eternal Light and shall not be spoken again.
I give you your life only so that you may see the day when you and your master suffer as you have made others suffer.” She paused, locking eyes with Salmitaya. “Now leave from my sight, before I forget myself and kill you where you stand.”
“Put her in your room, Millet,” said Lee, and then looked over to Kaylia. “Give her some jawas tea and leave her there. She can make her way back to Kaltinor, or wherever else she wants, when she wakes up.”
As soon as the door closed, Maybell sat on the bed and wept.
“Millet will see that you get safely back to Kaltinor,” Lee said, placing his hand gently on Maybell’s shoulder. “If that’s where you want to go.”
Maybell wiped her tears and said, “I can’t go back. No matter what I said, that woman has power enough to keep herself safely locked away in the temple. She could crush an old woman like me.”
“Then where do you want to go?” Lee asked. Maybell opened her mouth to reply, but Kaylia and Millet returned before she could give her answer.
“Kaylia and I need to leave as soon as we’re able,” Lee explained. “Millet, you’ll take the wagon south to the Old Road of Santismal, then continue west. Whoever freed Gewey is likely to pass through Vine Run on the southwest slope of the Spirit Hills. Kaylia and I will try to cut them off, while you follow behind.”
“You never said what happened to Gewey,” said Millet. “Where is he?”
Lee told them about the events of the past day and explained their plan.
“I will see to the horses now,” said Millet. “You should eat and rest for a bit.”
“One more thing,” Lee said, turning toward Maybell. “Sister, if you wish, you can accompany Millet until you either reach another temple or figure out where you want to go.”
Millet froze. “But my lord…” he started.
“Thank you,” Maybell interrupted. “That is very kind. I’m sure Millet and I will become fast friends.”
Millet looked pained as he turned and left. Kaylia said nothing, but Lee could tell she was not happy.
“If you’ll excuse us, Sister,” Lee said, motioning for Kaylia to join him in the hall.
“She will slow us down,” Kaylia asserted. “You should leave her.”
“You’re right,” Lee acknowledged. “But I won’t. She’s a lady of worth and honor, and I will not abandon such a person.”
“Answer me this, half-man,” she countered. “When you came upon me in the forest, was it you who decided to come to my aid?”
Lee had no answer.
“I see,” she said.
“The fact is, I was wrong and Gewey was right,” Lee said, finally.
“Given the same choice again, I would help you.”
“You misunderstand,” she replied. “Helping me was foolish. You were right to want to leave me. And know this: given the same choice today, I would leave you.”
Lee chuckled.
“Something amuses you?” asked Kaylia.
“It’s just that is the first thing I’ve heard you say that I don’t believe,” said Lee. “Come, let’s eat.”