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

shivered at the thought. The monster’s
distorted features still burned in his mind.
    “ Let them come,” boasted Jacob, “I
don't fear them.”
    Malstisos snorted loudly. “Then you're a fool.
Fear may keep you alive. You are no warrior. That I can clearly see.
If you encounter one of them, you should run if you can.”
    Jacob leaped from his horse and drew his sword. “I
have had enough of your insults, elf .”
    Malstisos stared down at the boy for a moment, then
casually slipped out of the saddle. “Come then,” he said.
“Let us see what you're made of.” He didn't bother to
draw his blade.
    Jacob's mouth grew into a malevolent grin. In an
instant, he lashed out at the elf, his blade seeking flesh, but it
found only cold, winter air. Though Jacob moved with uncanny speed,
he was no match for Malstisos.
    “ Come now, boy,” Malstisos taunted.
“Certainly you can do better.”
    This infuriated Jacob and he ran headlong at the elf,
slashing maniacally. Malstisos ducked quickly, spun around, and
brought his heel into the back of the boy’s knee. Jacob’s
leg collapsed, and he fell hard on his back. Malstisos stepped on
Jacob's blade, trapping it. Jacob struggled to pull the blade free,
but Malstisos bent down, pressing his knee on Jacob’s throat.
    “ You have passion,” said Malstisos. “But
no discipline.”
    Jacob bucked and twisted, but Malstisos only pressed
harder. Slowly, Jacob stopped struggling and relaxed. After a moment,
Malstisos released him and held out his hand, but Jacob only glared,
his eyes filled with hate and anger.
    “ Take my hand, young one,” said the elf.
“The fight is done. You have lost, but there is no shame. You
did well considering your lack of training.”
    Jacob reached up, took Malstisos' hand, and allowed the
elf to pull him to his feet. He brushed himself off and retrieved his
sword.
    “ Now if we are done with all this foolishness,”
said Maybell. “We have distance to cover.”
    “ That we do,” agreed Millet. “If we
quicken our pace, you and Malstisos should be able to reach Manisalia
in three days.”
    “ As we are no longer followed, that should be
easy,” added Malstisos. He took another look at Jacob, who was
mounting his horse. “It appears you are uninjured.”
    “ I'm fine,” Jacob grumbled. “It takes
more than that to hurt me.”
    “ I do not doubt your toughness,” said
Malstisos. “But mind your pride and your anger. It will be your
undoing if you are not careful.”
    “ That comes from his father,” said Millet.
“He was the same way.”
    “ I'm nothing like him,” said Jacob.
    Millet shook his head sadly. “I know you must
think he abandoned you and your mother. But he only left to protect
you. One day you'll understand.”
    “ Then explain it to me,” said Jacob in
disgust.
    “ It is not my place,” said Millet. “Your
father is the only one who can reveal his motives. For me, to do so
would be a betrayal.”
    Jacob sniffed and turned his horse. The others followed
close behind.
    The rest of the day the group traveled without speaking,
and when they made camp, Jacob slept far away from the others. Millet
tried to convince him to come closer to the fire, but he was met with
cold silence.
    The next morning snow began to fall. Gently, at first,
but by midday it was well on its way to becoming a full-blown
blizzard.
    Millet shivered. “If this gets much worse, I'm
afraid we will freeze to death long before we reach Manisalia.”
    Malstisos nodded in agreement and glanced back at
Maybell, who was slumped in her saddle with her coat and a blanket
wrapped tightly around her.
    They trudged on for several hours, until they were
virtually frozen. About an hour before dark Malstisos motioned for
everyone to stop.
    “ There is a large group of humans ahead,”
said Malstisos. “They have many horses and wagons.”
    “ Could be a merchant caravan,” suggested
Millet.
    “ Or soldiers,” said Jacob.
    Malstisos slid out of his saddle.