Of Gods and Elves - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,72

said Lee bowing his head.

Yanti laughed softly. “Being that you are in no position to bargain, I cannot help but be amused. Still, you have shown courage. A quality my master values greatly... as do I. Still, I am not foolish enough to simply kill you and allow your companions to roam free.”

Lee tensed, ready for another assault. “Then we end this.”

“Indeed we do,” Yanti agreed.

In a flash Yanti raced forward. Lee attempted to side step and counter, but Yanti was too fast. His own blade had barely moved when he felt Yanti's blow strike home on the back of his skull. He fell to his knees with a grunt and his sword flew from his hand. Lee's head swam, as he looked up to see Dina weeping and Millet in silent prayer. He marveled that he still lived. His head should have been split in two. Then he realized that Yanti had hit him with the hilt of his sword and not the blade.

“You fought well.” Yanti's voice sounded far away. Then he felt his entire body jar as Yanti delivered one final blow. His last thoughts before darkness took him were of his wife. He had failed her.

Chapter Twenty-One

Consciousness came slowly... and painfully. The world around Lee spun violently. Realization washed over him. Feeling anything at all meant he was still alive. Yanti must have spared him. But why?

He opened his eyes and let the light filter in. The wound on the back of his head throbbed, but he knew he had to sit up. He had to find out if Millet and Dina still lived. He took a deep breath and struggled to his knees. As his vision cleared, he saw that the horses had been tied to a fallen log and their gear neatly placed beside them. Millet and Dina were tied and blindfolded just off the road. Jacob was bound and blindfolded just like the others, only judging from the bruises on his face, he had been beaten.

“Millet... Dina,” called Lee. “Are you hurt?” He struggled to his feet and stumbled towards them.

“We are both fine, my lord,” said Millet. “Yanti decided to leave us unharmed.” Lee was about to search for a knife in the gear, but saw that his weapons had been placed beside Millet. He cut their bonds and helped them to their feet. Dina immediately noticed Jacob and ran over, seething with fury. She stood over him momentarily, then spat on the ground.

“If he wasn't your son,” said Dina. “I'd slit his throat here and now.”

“I wouldn't blame you,” admitted Lee, gingerly touching the back of his head. “But his fate is in my hands, and I alone must decide what to do with him.”

“Well, that can wait,” said Millet. “First I must treat your injuries.” Lee didn't protest and allowed Millet to examine his wounds.

“Your skull is made of stone to have taken such a blow,” Millet muttered. He retrieved some medicine and bandages from their gear and finished the dressings.

“What happen after I was knocked out?” asked Lee.

Millet's face twisted in anger then relaxed as he regained his composure. “He told Jacob to bind and blindfold us. After that I heard Jacob arguing with him that he should kill us all and be done with it. But Yanti just laughed at him. Next thing I heard was a thump and what sounded like a body hitting the ground. I can only assume it was Jacob. After that, he must have tied off our horses and searched through our gear. Before he left, he told us that you were still alive and once you woke up there would be a gift waiting for us. I suppose he was referring to Jacob.”

“How could your own son betray you like that?” asked Dina, still furious. “And his own mother...”

“I know,” snapped Lee. “I know,” he repeated, this time more calmly. Millet placed his hand gently on Lee's shoulder. “What will you do?”

“I'll keep my word,” Lee replied. “I will save my wife.” His eyes fell on Jacob. “And he will go with me.”

“You can't be serious,” Millet protested.

Lee never took his eyes off his son. “I've never been more serious. Yanti knew what he was doing, leaving me alive.”

“What do you mean?” asked Dina.

Lee glanced sideways her. “He wants me to go north, and wants me out of the fight. If I am captured attempting to rescue my wife, then they will try to turn me. If the Dark One was able