feet. “If this Yanti person knows you're here, he may very well know where I am. If so, it's likely he's waiting to strike until we're all at the same place at the same time.” He walked to the window and peered out.
“If that's the case,” said Dina. “We should split up and leave the city in different directions.”
Lee shook his head. “I'll not let any of you out of my sight.” There was no hint of compromise in his tone. His hand slid to the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.
“If the Dark One thinks I'll bend to his will, then he's a bigger fool than I thought.
And as far as this Yanti... if he's stupid enough to hinder us, I'll make him regret the day he was born.”
“What about these people that call themselves the faithful?” asked Millet. “Even you cannot fight a hundred men at once.”
“We'll move with speed,” said Lee. “We won't give them a chance to do anything about it. It takes time to organize enough men to stop the likes of me, and if Yanti has the same intelligence as Harlando, then he'll know what I am.”
“But what if he's like you,” said Dina. “You know... a half-man.”
Lee flashed an evil grin. “Then I'll kill him first and slaughter his followers last. It's more than my blood that makes me formidable. I have trained under the greatest warriors the world has ever known. Unless he has done likewise, it is he that should fear me.”
“Still, it may not be so easy to convince Jacob to leave Baltria,” said Millet. “His... dislike for you is quite strong. I think we should overcome that obstacle first, don't you?”
“No doubt,” Lee agreed. “Go back to the inn and bring him here. If you're not back in an hour, I'll know something is wrong.”
“You don't mean to send Millet out alone, do you?” Dina protested.
“If they wanted to harm Millet, they would have already done so,” said Lee. “No. It's me they want.” He turned to Millet. “Still, be careful.”
Millet nodded and left. The streets were busy and it took Jansi nearly twenty minutes to get back to the inn. Millet didn't bother to try to hide his presence. If they see me, they see me, he thought. As soon as he was inside, he saw Jacob seated at a long table, playing dice with two other patrons and draining a large jug of wine. Millet walked straight up to him and pulled him by the arm.
“What do you think you're doing?” Jacob protested.
“We need to leave,” said Millet as quietly as he could manage. “Now.”
Jacob pulled himself from Millet's grasp. “Let me go, old man,” he bellowed. “I've only just arrived. And I've yet to have my fill.”
Millet leaned down and whispered into the boy's ear. “You will have your fill when agents from Angrääl get here. Now get up, and gather your things.”
Jacob glared at Millet but he relented. “I’m sorry, fellows,” he announced. “I must be off.” This was met with jeers and boos. He got up and followed Millet to their rooms.
“There's a carriage out front,” said Millet when they stood at Jacob's door. “Meet me there.”
“Wait,” said Jacob, catching Millet's wrist. “Where are we going?”
Millet twisted himself loose and simply said, “Where it is safe.” He turned and entered his own room.
Minutes later, he waited at the carriage. Jacob followed shortly, carrying his gear and looking none too happy. Millet opened the door and Jacob entered, tossing his pack carelessly aside.
“Now, tell me what's going on,” Jacob demanded, once they were underway.
Millet explained the encounter with Yanti, leaving out the message the man had for Lee. Jacob's face twisted. “I take it you plan for us to run like cowards.”
Millet said nothing. He didn't want to mention Lee until they arrived at Lanson's house.
“Well?” pressed Jacob. “Is that it, or not?” He sniffed with disgust. “I'm not running. I'm not finished with my business, so you should let me out right here.”
Millet sighed. “If you're worried that your mother will be left in the hands of the Dark One, let me assure you, she will not.”
“What? Are you going to save her?” Realization washed over his face. “I see. My father—that's where we're going. You found him and thought to bring me to him without my knowledge. And I suppose he intends to save her.”
Millet's mouth tightened. “He has not told me what he is planning. But I would wager that is