The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves by Brian D. Anderson

groggily.
Malstisos recounted his experience.
    “ Do you believe it was them?” Millet asked.
    “ I do. How they accomplished it I can't imagine,
but I sensed no deception.”
    “ Then we should keep to our plan,” said
Millet. “It's several hours until dawn, so we should try and
sleep. Maybell can be told of this in the morning.”
    Malstisos nodded in agreement and drew his blanket
tightly around him. Sleep came slowly and his dreams were troubled.
    The morning brought the smell of crisp bacon and fresh
bread. Gerald was busy setting the table and humming.
    Millet was first to rise and helped with breakfast. At
first, Gerald protested but soon realized Millet wasn't one to be
deterred. The duo had the table prepared a full ten minutes before
Malstisos and Maybell stirred. Jacob was last to awaken.
    “ Things are in order from the smell of it.”
Maybell yawned and stretched. She looked over to Malstisos who was
just waking up. “I always imagined elves to be early risers.”
    “ My sleep was troubled... and eventful,” he
replied. “But we'll discuss it after breakfast.”
    About halfway through their meal, Gerald excused himself
and left them alone at the table. Malstisos informed Maybell and
Jacob of his dream experience.
    “ Amazing,” remarked Maybell. “Well,
I'm happy that you'll be met in Baltria.”
    “ I'm not,” Jacob growled. “I have no
need of my father, and have no intention of seeing him.”
    “ If you intend to go to Baltria, you won't have
much of a choice,” stated Millet.
    “ According to Malstisos he will certainly be there, so you had better get used to the idea.”
    Jacob folded his arms. “He had better stay out of
my way.”
    “ Calm yourself,” said Malstisos. “First
you must arrive at your destination, and that may not be easy.”
    “ We'll get there,” said Jacob. “If I
have to kill every soldier I see on the way.”
    “ Young man, you would do well to take Millet's
lead,” said Maybell. “He has seen much more of the world
than you. If getting to Baltria means saving your mother, then you'd
do well to keep your mouth shut, and your eyes and ears open.”
    Jacob glared at Maybell but could find no words to
reply.
    “ I do not think you should take time to speak to
the Oracle when we arrive in Manisalia,” said Malstisos.
    Millet nodded. “I agree. In fact, I would have you
avoid the city entirely if it's possible.”
    “ I'm sure I can find a way around if need be,”
said Malstisos. “But, I intend to leave you with the remainder
of the provisions. Sister Maybell and I will need to resupply once
you're away. There is no way we can avoid the city, at least for a
few hours.”
    “ Good,” said Maybell. “And I would like to consult the Oracle--if she's still there.”
    The front door opened and Gerald entered, smiling. “I
see you've nearly finished. I hope you enjoyed it.”
    “ Very much.” Maybell returned the smile. The
rest nodded in agreement.
    “ I've readied your horses,” said the boy.
“I'll bring them 'round front whenever you'd like.”
    “ We'll be leaving shortly,” said Millet.
“You can bring them now.” Gerald nodded and dashed off.
    They gathered their belongings and filed out the front
door. As promised, Gerald had saddled their horses and had them lined
up a few feet away. Gerald bowed to each in turn, handing them a
cloth wrapped around a piece of roast lamb and a loaf of bread,
thanking them for their kind donation. Maybell embraced the lad
tightly and whispered into his ear. Gerald smiled sadly, turned and
entered the hospice.
    Travel that day was slow and miserable. By noon, the
wind howled through the trees and the sky filled with clouds that
promised snow.
    Malstisos stopped periodically to check for signs of
pursuit but found none.
    “ I think perhaps whatever that creature was, he
must have been alone,” said Malstisos during one of their
stops. “That is not to say that more are not waiting for us
ahead.”
    Millet