Gewey found the trail just south of the city wall. The trees were sparse 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 competition. 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 damned 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.
They hadn’t gone more than a few feet when Dina and Ertik came running from the house. They gingerly lifted Gewey from the wagon and rushed him inside. As soon as Martin saw what they were doing, he directed them to a nearby study where they laid Gewey down on a couch. Kaylia knelt down beside him, holding his hand.
“Get me something to make bandages,” she cried. “I must stop the bleeding.”
Martin went to a closet and retrieved a linen sheet. Kaylia began to tear it into strips and bind Gewey’s wounds.
“I’ll fetch a healer right away,” Martin said, bolting from the room.
“What happened?” Dina asked. “Who did this?”
“It was Harlondo,” Kaylia told her. “He is an agent of the Dark Knight.”
“Where is he now?”
“Dead,” Kaylia answered.
“Are you sure?” Ertik asked.
Kaylia shot to her feet, suddenly noticing the new face among them. “Who are you?’ she demanded.
“It’s alright,” Dina assured her. “He’s a member of my order. He’s here to help.”
Kaylia looked at him for a moment. “Do you have skills as a healer?”
“No. But if we can get him to Valshara, there are those that can help him. We have the best healers that have ever lived.”
“How far is it?” Kaylia asked as she knelt back beside Gewey.
“We can be there in two days,” Ertik replied.
“We leave as soon as the local healer arrives. Go get the carriage ready.”
“We should wait until he’s been treated,” Ertik advised. “That will take time.”
“No need,” Kaylia replied. “Whoever Martin brings will be coming with us.” She brushed back Gewey’s hair. “She can treat him on the way.”
“Kaylia,” Dina said. “We should-”
“I said get the carriage ready,” Kaylia yelled, cutting her off. “Now.”
Dina nodded and left the room. Ertik followed.
A few minutes later, Lee came running in. He saw Kaylia kneeling down at Gewey’s side, her eyes closed. “How is he?” he asked softly.
“He lives,” Kaylia answered. “But not for long if he doesn’t get help.”
“Dina said a healer is coming. She also told me you plan to take him to Valshara tonight.”
Kaylia nodded.
Lee stood there for a long moment, considering. “You need to tell me exactly what happened. I’m sorry, but I need to know before we leave.”
Kaylia recounted what happened. She was unable to hold back her tears when she told him of the fight between Gewey and Harlondo.
“Then I should make ready,” Lee said once she finished. “Harlondo may be dead, but there’s no guarantee he’s alone. I’ll gather your things as well. Don’t worry, he’s strong. He’ll make it.”
“Thank you,” Kaylia said, wiping her tears. When the healer arrived, she told everyone to get out.
Kaylia resisted, but Lee assured her it was for the best.
“I need to treat his wounds before he is moved,” the healer explained. “Otherwise, the wounds may open on the road and he’ll bleed to death. How he’s alive now, I have no idea, but don’t worry- I won’t leave him until he is stable.”
“Then you will accompany us,” Kaylia said flatly. “We leave in two hours.”
“You’re joking of course,” she said, not amused.
Lee reached into his belt and pulled out a pouch. “This should compensate you adequately,” he said, handing her four gold coins.
The woman stared at Lee and then the gold. “Well then. My name is Ezmerial, from the temple of Helenasia, goddess of Healing and Knowledge, and I am at your service.” She bowed. “Now get out.”
Lee, Dina, and Kaylia waited just outside while Ezmerial went to work. Ertik left for his home to gather his belongings.
“It must have taken great strength to carry him to the city gates,” Lee remarked. “Let me find you a chair, you must be exhausted.”
“I don’t need to sit,” Kaylia said, as she anxiously paced back and forth.
“Please,” Dina said, grabbing Kaylia’s hands. Kaylia winced in pain. Dina saw the burns made by Gewey’s sword.
“It’s nothing,” Kaylia said sharply, shaking herself free of Dina’s grip “I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not nothing,” Dina replied, then turned toward Martin. “Please, bring us some water so that we can get her cleaned up.”
Lee brought a chair from the next room, and Dina sat Kaylia down to clean the dirt and grime from her burns.
“How will you be traveling, my lord?” Martin inquired. “Should I ready your horses?”
Lee thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. Gewey, Sister Ezmerial, and I will ride in the carriage. Ertik can take my horse for now. The one remaining will stay here until it can be sent back to Lord Broin.”
Martin nodded curtly and left.
“How were you captured?” Lee asked Kaylia.
Kaylia scowled. “She must have had something on her gloves; she took my hand just before she led me outside. By the time I got to the door, I could barely stand. The next thing I remember is lying on the ground, bound and gagged, in a clearing.”
Lee nodded and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s not your fault. It could have easily been Dina or me. You couldn’t have seen this coming.”
“I should have,” she spat, shrugging off his hand. “The bond between Gewey and me has blinded me.”
“That bond is what gave you the strength to save him,” Lee said. “While I don’t understand elf ways, I do know that with injuries like those, Gewey should be dead right now. And if it wasn’t for you … he wouldn’t have made it.”
“If it wasn’t for me, he would have never been there in the first place,” Kaylia shot back. “They used me to get to him.”
“Don’t be foolish,” Lee scolded. “They would have found another way. We are lucky that you were there to help him. If he had been alone, he would still be out there…probably dead by now.”
Kaylia looked up. “It won’t happen again,” she said with determination. “He will never have to fight alone ever again.”
“I understand,” Lee said. “But still you must not blame yourself for what happened. What’s done is done. All we can do now is hope he’ll recover.”
Dina finished cleaning Kaylia’s wounds. “Please, don’t get up. We need you strong if we’re leaving tonight.”
“No doubt,” Lee agreed. “If Harlondo wasn’t alone, we may have another fight ahead of us.”
Hours ticked by as Ezmerial tended to Gewey. Kaylia checked on her progress several times, but the woman kept telling her to leave her alone to work.
Finally, the door opened. The healer stood in the doorway and sighed heavily.
“How he still lives, I can’t imagine,” she said. “I’ve never seen a man as injured as that, who didn’t bleed to death.”
“Will he live?” asked Lee.
“I don’t think so,” she replied somberly. “He’s beyond my skills to heal. I would say that I managed to stop the bleeding, but I don’t see how he has any blood left. I’m sorry.”
“We’re moving him to the carriage,” Kaylia instructed. “Now! You will ride with him, healer.”
“My dear,” Ezmerial said gently. “There is no hope. It’s just a matter of time now.”
Kaylia stepped menacingly toward the woman. “I said now.”
“As you wish,” the healer replied. “I will try my best to help him.”
“Is Ertik back?” Lee asked.
“I am,” Ertik replied as he walked in. “I was just getting the horses ready. All our things are packed.”
Lee gave Martin a letter. “Give this to Lord Ganflin,” he said. “It will explain everything. I will send his carriage back as soon as possible.”
Martin nodded and put the letter in his pocket. “May the gods keep you-especially your young friend.” They carefully lifted Gewey and brought him to the waiting carriage. His skin was pale, and he looked as though life had already left him. Lee climbed into the driver’s seat and took the reins.
“If anything happens, stay close,” Lee advised the group. “We will not stop until morning. Ertik will take the lead once we’re outside the gates.”
Without another word, Lee snapped the reigns and the horses bolted forward.
The gate was still open when they approached. They ignored the guards that were motioning them to halt, nearly running them down as they passed. Screams of alarm faded as Ertik led them west toward the Abyss.
“By the gods!” screamed Ezmerial. “You’ll get us killed.”
Lee ignored her and pushed the horses to move faster. Time was running out. Somehow, he could feel it. If they didn’t get to Valshara soon, all would be lost.