Amber and Blood - Margaret Weis [95]
He cleared his throat and added stiffly, “I was told by Sargas to say that the Horned God wants to bring the two of you together, that you may resolve your differences.”
Valthonis smiled wryly at this, and Galdar, embarrassed, kept on rubbing his muzzle. Sargas had no intention the two should resolve their differences. Galdar had no love for any elf, but he scorned to lie to this one. He had his orders, however, and so he said what he’d been told to say, though he was making it clear he wasn’t the one to say it.
The two were interrupted by one of the Faithful, who called out, “You have no need to parlay with this brute, sir. We can and will fight to defend you—”
“No blood will be shed because of me,” said Valthonis sharply. He cast a stern glance at the Faithful. “Have you walked the road with me all this time and listened to me speak of peace and brotherhood and yet heard nothing I have said to you?”
His voice rasped, and his followers were abashed. They did not know where to look to avoid his angry gaze, and so averted their faces or stared at the ground. Only Elspeth did not look away. Only she met his gaze. He smiled at her in reassurance and then turned back to Galdar.
“I will accompany you on the condition that my companions be allowed to leave unharmed.”
“Those are my orders,” said Galdar. He raised his voice so that all could hear. “Sargas wants peace. He does not want to see blood spilled.”
One of the elves sneered at this, and one of the minotaurs growled, and the two leaped at each other. Galdar flung himself at the minotaur and socked him in the jaw. Elspeth grasped the sword arm of the elven warrior and pulled him back. Startled, the warrior immediately lowered his weapon.
“If you will walk with us, sir,” Galdar said, shaking out his bruised knuckles, “we will act as your escort. Give me your vow that you will not try to escape, and I will not chain you.”
“You have my word,” said Valthonis. “I will not escape. I go with you of my own free will.”
He bade goodbye to the Faithful, giving his hand to each and asking the gods to bless them.
“Do not fear, sir,” said one softly, speaking Silvanesti elven, “we will rescue you.”
“I have given my word,” said Valthonis. “I will not break it.”
“But, sir—”
The Walking God shook his head and turned away, only to find Elspeth blocking him. It seemed she longed to speak, for her jaw trembled and low, animal sounds came from her throat.
Valthonis touched her cheek with his hand. “You need say nothing, child. I understand.”
Elspeth grasped hold of his hand and pressed it to her cheek.
“Take care of her,” Valthonis ordered the Faithful.
He gently freed his hand from her grasp and walked to where Galdar and the minotaur guard stood waiting for him.
“You have my word. And I have yours,” said Valthonis. “My friends depart unharmed.”
“May Sargas take my other arm if I break my oath,” said Galdar. He entered the forest, and Valthonis followed. The minotaur guard closed in around them both.
The Faithful stood on the path amidst the gathering gloom, watching their leader depart. Their elven sight allowed them to keep track of Valthonis for a long while and, then, when they could not see him, they could hear the minotaur crashing and hacking their way through the brush. The Faithful looked at one another. The minotaur had left a trail a blind gully dwarf could follow. They would be easy to track.
One started after them. The silent Elspeth stopped him.
“He gave his word,” she said, using signs, touching her hand to her mouth, then to her heart. “He made his choice.”
Grieving, the Faithful began to trace their steps, returning the way they had come. It was some time before any of them realized that Elspeth was not with them. Mindful of their promise, they began to search for her and at last they found her trail. She walked the same path the Walking God had been traveling—the road to Neraka. She refused to turn aside, and mindful of their promise to care for her, the Faithful accompanied her.
hys was dreaming that he was being watched