a long rapier hung loosely at his side.
Lee halted his horse and slid from the saddle. “Yanti, I presume.” His tone was dark and vicious. “Unless you are here to tell me that you're on your way to retrieve my wife, you've signed your own death warrant.”
Yanti smiled, unconcerned. “Lord Starfinder. At last we meet. I've looked forward to this for quite some time.” He tapped the hilt of his sword with his index finger.
“I am saddened that you have chosen to refuse my offer. Unwise.”
Lee slowly drew his weapon.
Yanti cocked his head. “I see you are in no mood for idle talk. Still, I would be remiss if I didn't give you one more chance to abandon this course of action.”
Lee turned to the others. “Should this go badly, ride hard. Follow Millet. He knows where to go.”
“What say you, Jacob,” called Yanti. “Will you follow Millet?”
“Leave my son alone,” Lee roared. “You...” He stopped short as Jacob walked past, holding the letter he had given him.
“He gave me this,” said Jacob, handing Yanti the letter. “Probably no more than sentimental drivel, but there might be something useful.”
“What is this?” Lee demanded.
“I'm sorry,” said Yanti. “Jacob and I are old friends. He's been quite helpful to our cause. Without him, Hazrah would have been much more difficult to subdue.”
“Jacob... you can't do this?” Lee appealed. “Your mother—”
“Is weak,” said Jacob cutting him off. “If she had her way, Hazrah would still be under the yoke of the temples.” Hatred poured from his eyes. “You know, she never stopped believing you would return one day. She probably still thinks you're going to save her. But she is as big a fool as you are.”
“As you can see,” said Yanti. “The things you fight for are in fact fighting against you. By now your dear wife has joined us and as you see, your son has been with us all along.”
“She would never betray her people.” Lee’s face burned with fury. “And whatever you've done to my son to make him this way... for that, I swear you'll pay with your life.”
Yanti drew his weapon and took a step back. “Come then. Let us see if your reputation is deserved.”
Lee sprang forward, slashing through the air in a wide arc, attempting to end the fight in a single blow. But Yanti spun to his left with speed Lee had never encountered. If not for Lee's training and physical power, his momentum would have sent him sprawling.
“Hasty, Starfinder,” taunted Yanti. “Mind the things you have learned.” But he made no move to counter.
Lee cursed himself for such an arrogant and foolhardy attack. Yanti was no ordinary opponent. He should have suspected as much.
This time Lee attacked with more caution and finesse. Short, powerful strokes rained down on Yanti, as he attempted to throw him off balance, but to Lee's dismay, Yanti parried each blow easily. Lee became concerned by Yanti's lack of aggression. The man had not made a single move to attack, seeming to be content to fight off Lee's onslaught.
“You're trained well,” admitted Lee, taking a step back. “But if you think to tire me out, you'll find that will not happen.”
“No, no,” replied Yanti, still smiling. “I only wish to admire your skill. You have indeed been well educated in the art of the sword. It is a pity you won't allow my master to make you even more powerful... as he has done for me.”
With those words, Yanti charged, bringing his sword down on Lee’s. A deafening clang of metal on metal shot through the air, causing a flash of sparks to fly. Lee was only barely able to raise his sword in time. The second blow whizzed by his ear and he was forced back, nearly losing his footing.
Now Yanti began to toy with him, slashing and feigning. Lee tried to regain advantage, but Yanti kept forcing him back and back, until finally, Lee dropped to one knee from the force one of Yanti's blows. Lee pushed with all his strength and gained his feet, but he knew Yanti could finish him at any time. He glanced over long enough to see Dina and Millet still on their horses, staring in horror.
“Ride, you fools,” he shouted. “Before it's too late.”
“It is already too late, Lord Starfinder,” said Yanti, pointing to Jacob, who had a bow drawn and pointed at Dina's head. “At that range he won't miss.”
“If you let them go, I will do what you ask,”