with a wicked smile. “So far they’ve failed miserably.”
“Enough talk,” said Malstisos. “We need to leave while we still can.”
“Agreed,” said Millet. “We’ll head west for now.”
“Then what?” asked Maybell. “We can’t bring him back with us. At least not until we know with certainty he is who he says he is.”
“I have no intention of being taken anywhere,” said Jacob. “As soon as I’m able, I’ll be going my own way.”
Millet looked irritably at the boy. “I suggest you accept our company for the time being. At least until we’re away from here.”
Jacob looked disgusted and walked to the door. “I’ll be outside when you’re ready.” He slammed the door behind him.
Chapter Two
Millet, Maybell and Malstisos gathered their gear and left the house. Jacob sat on the front steps, fiddling with a small knife. Their horses were ready and waiting. Brandis stood a few feet away along with two guards.
“Here are your weapons,” said Brandis. He motioned to one of the guards who handed them over. “I trust you will not need them any time soon. And we have provided young Jacob with a sword as well as a mount. If you wish an escort, one can be provided, but I suspect you do not.”
“No escort is necessary,” replied Millet. “We know the way.”
“In that case I wish you a safe journey,” said Brandis. He nodded to the guards who followed him, and he disappeared down the street.
Millet led them through the village to the west road. The street was conspicuously empty.
“Do you think they plan to ambush us?” asked Maybell as they mounted their horses.
“I doubt it,” answered Millet. “They could have killed us if they wanted. Malstisos was the only one who might have escaped. No, whatever their plan is, it involves us removing Jacob from Hazrah.” He looked suspiciously at the boy.
They continued until dusk and made camp along the road. Along the way, they had passed a patrol, but the soldiers ignored them.
“It would seem that Brandis intends to let us leave without incident,” said Malstisos.
Millet stared at the fire and rubbed his hands together. “So it would seem.” He watched as Jacob checked his horse and unpacked his gear. “We must find a way to contact Lee without giving away his location. Until then, I’m afraid we have no way to trust the lad.”
“I have exceptional hearing,” said Jacob. “From my father’s side of the family, I assume. Contact him if you must. As for me I’m headed for Baltria once we’re safely away from here.”
“You intend to abandon your mother?” asked Millet.
Jacob glowered. “There’s nothing I can do for her.” He placed his blanket near the fire. “They won’t send for her, I don’t care what they told you. I doubt she’s even alive.”
“They let you live, didn’t they?” said Malstisos.
“That may be. But I’m in Hazrah, and my mother is not. The house Nal’Thain still has a good name among the people. To kill me without scandal or reprisal, they would need to do it away from the city.”
“We were told that you helped Angrääl take control,” said Maybell huddled close to the fire, sipping elf brandy.
“That’s a lie,” spat Jacob. “I did everything I could to stop them.”
“That may be,” said Maybell. “But if the people believe it, I doubt your death would cause much of a scandal.”
Jacob pulled his blanket close and stared into the fire.
“What did happen?” asked Malstisos. “From what we have seen it didn’t take much of an effort for Angrääl to seize control.”
Jacob scowled. “It was the King,” he muttered in disgust. “He sold us out.”
“You’re not making sense,” said Millet. “Even the King couldn’t simply hand over control of the land to a foreign power without resistance from the nobles.”
“That’s not what happened,” replied Jacob. “They were far more subtle. A year ago an ambassador arrived at court with a message of friendship. He said he was from a kingdom in the north and desired to establish relations and trade. Naturally, the lords were skeptical. All the old tales of the northern kingdoms are of terror and war, but the ambassador assured us of his good intentions and suggested that we send an envoy to meet with his lord. After much deliberation, the King agreed. I wanted to be the one to go, but mother wouldn’t allow it.”
“Wise woman,” said Millet.
“In this case she was.” Jacob nodded in agreement. “The King sent his second cousin to gauge the truth of matters. Sadly, though loved dearly