The Sword of Truth

itself to yours, bonding you together.”

“You mean I forced this on her?” Gewey cried.

“Absolutely not. She wanted it, even if she didn’t know it at the time.” He chuckled and shook his head. “If not, the bonding would have failed. As young as she is, I’m sure it came as a great shock.”

Gewey remembered the terrified expression on Kaylia’s face when he had spoken the words.

“After a year, the bond will break if the joining is not made,” Drantolis continued. “But it is disastrous when the bond is broken-more so when the bond is as strong as yours seems to be. If the joining is not made, you will lose a part of your spirit. She wouldn’t be able to look upon you because it would tear her apart. But should you complete the joining, you would be bound together forever-even in death.”

“What?” Gewey exclaimed. “You mean…”

“I mean if one should die, the other would soon follow,” Drantolis told him somberly. “This is why the bonding is no longer done; the Great War caused many deaths, and their mates died along with them, leaving thousands of orphans. What troubles me, is that when the bond is too strong and the joining not completed it can tear the spirit to shreds, leaving one empty and desolate. For an elf, such a fate is worse than death.”

Gewey put his head in his hands, his mind spinning. Drantolis reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “Take heart,” he said. “She is a fine elf, beautiful and fierce. Anyone, elf or human, would be fortunate to have such a mate.”

Just then, Harlondo rejoined them by the fire. “Are you alright?” he asked Gewey.

“I’m fine,” he replied weakly.

“Come then,” Harlondo beckoned. “I have something you must see.”

“If you will excuse me,” Gewey said, rising from his seat on the couch.

“Return soon, young human,” said Drantolis. “I have enjoyed your company.”

“I will,” Gewey promised, then followed Harlondo through the crowd to the corner of the room.

“A man gave me this a moment ago, with instruction to give it to you,” Harlondo said, handing Gewey an envelope. “Who knows you’re here?”

Gewey felt a chill. “No one,” he said as he opened it and removed a small note from within.

‘I have your elf woman. Meet me one mile south of the city wall.

There is a path. Follow it until you see a clearing. I will be waiting.

Come alone or the last thing she will feel is my knife sliding across her throat.’

“Kaylia!” Gewey gasped.

“I saw her leave with Lady Fritzina a little while ago. She seemed well at the time, though not very happy.”

“Did you see what direction they went?” Gewey cried, grabbing him roughly by the shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I only saw that they walked out together.”

Gewey ran to the door, sending unwary patrons flying as he passed. The street was busy as Gewey searched the crowd, hoping to see Kaylia.

“What has happened?” It was Drantolis’ voice, coming from behind. He stood with his two companions, long knifes drawn. ”Where’s Kaylia?”

Gewey knew he had to think fast. The note said to come alone, and he wouldn’t risk the elves insisting on coming with him. “She left with Lady Zina,” he said, trying to sound calm. “I think I upset her earlier.” Drantolis looked hard at Gewey, and then sheathed his blade.

“Find her, then. There is nothing worse than an angry elven woman.” The others laughed heartily and turned back to the tavern.

Gewey sighed with relief. He checked his sword and bolted toward the city gate.

Chapter 29

Lee and Dina’s coach had just entered city square, when Dina called for the driver to stop.

“Wait here,” she told Lee. “One of my people is near.”

“How can you tell?”

“When we bond to the medallion, it gives us the ability to sense others of the order when they’re close by. So long as they’re also wearing their medallion,” she answered. “Give me a few minutes.”

Lee waited, watching the people of Althetas through the window.

It pleased him to see that the darkness had not spread so far as to kill the spirit of such a great a city. He thought of his childhood, when his father had brought him here for the first time. His home village was only a five- day ride to the south. Once a year, his father made the journey to Althetas to attend the annual meeting of the fisherman’s guild. It was the month before he died that he took Lee along. His mother had said she wasn’t up to the trip, and at first he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to go, but his father looked at him and said, “A promise is a promise. Just you be sure to do as you’re told.” Lee could remember how excited he had been-just him and his dad for the first time.

His father had taken him on a walking tour of the city, even talking their way into one of the tall buildings, so that they could look out on the city from the balcony. He’d asked his father if they could come live in the city. His father had simply smiled and mussed his hair. It was the best time Lee could remember.

Lee’s musings were interrupted as the door to the coach opened, and Dina got in, followed by a gray-haired man in a plain tan shirt and trousers.

“This is Ertik,” Dina said in introduction. “One of my Order. He needs to speak with you.”

Lee held out his hand, but Ertik simply scowled and sniffed.

“We know who you are, Starfinder,” he said briskly. “And your presence is unwanted.”

“That may be,” Lee replied, withdrawing his hand. “But it’s necessary. The Dark One moves, and I have with me the only hope for victory.”

“You think that being the child of Saraf will save us?” he scoffed.

Lee was taken aback.

“Yes,” Ertik laughed. “We know all about you. We’ve followed your progress for years.”

“Then why haven’t you contacted me?” Lee asked with irritation. “Angraal is on the move. I would think you would gather allies where you can.”

“I suppose you think that being half-god would be a boon to us, but you put us in danger simply by being here; the Dark Knight can sense your kind. If I bring you to the temple, it would endanger the lives of more than a hundred men and women, not to mention risk the destruction of the one safe haven we still have.”

“Safe haven?” Lee retorted. “There are no safe havens anymore. The evil is spreading as his power grows. He already has agents openly dwelling in the northern kingdoms, and it won’t be long before they come under his rule. The dead rise from the earth, their souls forced into decaying bodies. His agents and soldiers have assaulted us less than seven days east of here. All this, and you dare speak of safe havens? How long do you think it will be before he finds your precious Valshara?”

“We know all of this,” Ertik replied calmly. “If you think we have been idle, you’re wrong. We haven’t the power to face him openly. If you expose us too soon, then the last hope of regaining the sword will die with our destruction.”

“You are not the last hope,” Lee countered. “I have brought the last hope. And he is the only reason I have sought you out.”

“Not another half-god,” Ertik sneered. “Even a thousand of your kind would not be able to defeat the Dark Knight; you truly don’t understand the power he wields.”

“No, not another half-god,” Lee replied sarcastically. He glanced at Dina, who nodded slowly. “I have brought the only child born from the union of two gods.”

Ertik laughed at first, then stopped. “You’re not serious. There is no such creature. We would have known.”

“We did know,” Dina said. “Or at least, we knew there was something the Dark Knight was after-something