to speak.” Millet started to rise.
“Don't fret,” said Yanti. “You are in no danger... yet. But that could change should you leave before I've had a conversation with you.”
Millet slowly sat back down. “What do you want?”
“From you, nothing,” said Yanti. “Lord Starfinder, however... from him I want a great deal.”
“You waste your breath, Yanti,” said Millet. “I have no idea where he is. Even if I did, I would not tell you.”
Yanti covered his mouth, laughing quietly. “My good man. I would not presume to think you would betray your master. No. I only want to convey my deepest respect and admiration, in the hopes that we can come to an agreement.”
Millet's face hardened. “If you think Lee Starfinder will come to terms with you or any servant of the Dark One, you're mistaken.”
“That may be,” said Yanti. “But I would have you deliver my message none-the-less. And to show you my good will, I will make no move against you or his son... Jacob, I believe his name is.”
This sent chills down Millet's spine. “If I were you, I would leave Lord Starfinder and his family alone.”
“I know how formidable Starfinder is,” Yanti responded, with a tinge of amusement. “But, rest assured, I mean his family no harm. In fact, I wish to reunite them, if only he can be reasonable.”
“Then deliver your message and be gone,” said Millet, his fear turning into anger.
Yanti laughed softly, unimpressed with Millet's display. “Simply tell him that should he decide that his wife and son are more important to him than a race of Gods that have long abandoned this world, he can leave this conflict behind. We promise to allow him and his family to live in peace. They can even return to his home in Hazrah, if that's what he would like. In fact, we can ensure that his remaining years are quite rewarding.”
“Is that all?” asked Millet.
“One more thing,” Yanti continued. “Should he consider an unwise course, remind him that his wife resides in the court of the Reborn King.”
“I will see to it he receives your message,” said Millet. He tossed a couple of coppers on the table and rose to his feet. “You'll pardon me. I've lost my appetite.”
Yanti smiled and nodded. “It was a pleasure.”
Millet's face was stone as he turned and headed back to the inn.
Yanti watched him as he disappeared into the distance. He waved for the serving girl to bring more wine. Just then, Salmitaya walked up and took a seat.
“Did it go as you'd hoped?” she asked.
“It went as I expected,” Yanti replied. “And I expect you will do your part as instructed, my love.”
“You can depend on me, my lord,” she replied.
“Considering the dangers involved, you seem at ease. You aren't thinking about betrayal, are you?” His eyes darkened.
“I will do exactly as you have told me,” she said. “You have no need to worry about my loyalty to you, or my commitment to our cause.”
“That's good to hear. I would hate to think of you sharing the fate of Lord Starfinder.”
“What fate is that?” she asked.
Yanti flashed an angry look. “You know perfectly well not to ask these questions.” Salmitaya lowered her eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
Millet struggled not to break out into a dead run. His conversation with Yanti unnerved him to the core. All of their attempts to go unnoticed had failed. It seemed that no matter where they went, The Dark One wasn't far behind. In fact, most of the time it was as if he were ahead of them... waiting.
He hoped to find Jacob waiting for him, but was disappointed to find he had not returned. He decided there was nothing he could do but hope that Lee would contact him soon. He waited in the common room, staring at the door, hoping for Jacob's return. If this Yanti fellow was smart (and Millet thought he probably was), he wouldn't move on Jacob until after he had found Lee. It was clear that he hadn't, or at least he didn't want Millet to know he had, and he couldn't think of why he would do such a thing in view of the message he was to deliver.
The door opened and Millet straightened, hoping to see Jacob. Instead, he saw another familiar face. It was Jansi, long time servant of Lord Lanson Brimm. Jansi scanned the room until he spotted Millet, then strode over to the table.
Jansi was of medium build and average height, with pale skin, and short