The Godling Chronicles The Shadow of God

chapter 3





As Millet and Dina neared Sharpstone, Millet's spirits had noticeably lifted. When they were only a mile from town they spurred their horses to a quick trot. Millet looked to and fro, taking in familiar sights, grinning happily. Martha Tredall, one of the village mothers and the wife of Hallis Tredall, the cooper, was the first person they encountered. Martha was a short, sturdy woman, with shoulder-length, mouse-brown hair and a cheerful demeanor. Millet had many past dealings with her and had built a good rapport with both Martha and her husband, but as soon as she saw the two riding up, her typical good-natured smile turned to a sour stare. He took a quick glance at his dusty, stained shirt and trousers. Once tan, they were blotched with mud, making him look more like a farmer than a lord. Dina fared a bit better. She had chosen a dark brown blouse and matching pants, which hid the dirt from the long road far better.

“And just where have you been, Master Millet?” she asked when they were by her side. “Off making trouble with that Starfinder fellow, I imagine.” She looked back down the road where they had come. “I see he's not with you. So much the better. We have enough troubles without the likes of him around.”

“Mind what you say, Martha Tredall,” said Millet. “Lee Starfinder has never given you reason to speak ill of him. He's given your husband more than his share of business.”

Martha lowered her eyes. “That he has, true enough. But that doesn't excuse him for bringing trouble to our town, now does it?”

“What trouble?” asked Millet, steadying his horse.

Martha looked up at Millet. Her eyes were filled with anger. “Those bloody faithful. They arrived just after you and Lee made off with young Gewey Stedding.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Gewey's not coming back, is he?”

“Why do you ask?”

She stepped close. “Because they keep askin' about him...those faithful, I mean. They've asked everyone in town if they know where he is.”

“And what do you tell them?” asked Millet, suddenly feeling very exposed on the road.

Martha stood up straight and held her head high. “I don't tell them nothin'. I don't care how much gold they throw around. Besides, I don't know nothin' anyway. Last I heard he went north with Lee. Not that I believed a word of it, but that's what we heard from Lee's servants. From what I heard about those faithful, they're from up north. I figure if he went that way for real, they wouldn't be lookin’ for him here.”

Millet thought for a moment. “How many of these faithful are there?”

Martha shrugged. “Not many. Ten or so. But they got lots of gold. They make your master look like a beggar. And they use it, too.

They've practically bought the town. There's not a shop or farm in Sharpstone that isn't caught up with them somehow or other.”

“Where do they stay?” asked Millet.

“They built themselves a big house just north of town. Not far from your master’s place.” She took a step back and glanced at Dina. “You and your friend might want to stay away. They ain't hurt no one yet, but they look like they could.”

Millet's eyes narrowed. “No, my dear. I will not be staying away.” He looked down the road toward town. “And Lee Starfinder is no longer master. I am.” He spurred his horse. Dina followed closely behind.

The way to the manor took them just to the outskirts of town. The few people they passed on the way stopped and stared. Some dashed away. When they arrived at the entrance to one of the many roads that led to the house, Millet slowed his horse to a walk.

“I take it this is not the homecoming you were expecting,” said Dina.

Millet dropped his head and took a deep breath. “I wasn't certain what to expect. I thought Angrääl might be watching Sharpstone being that it was Gewey's hometown, but I didn't expect them to set up a base here.”

“What are you going to do?”

Millet looked up. Anger burned in his eyes. “I'm going to kick them out of my town.”

As they approached the house, Millet caught sight of two servants busy tending the garden. He recognized them as Barty Inglewood and his son, Randson. Lee had hired them on, five years ago. Originally from Gath, they were as stout and dedicated workers as a person could hope to find. Their faces lit up when they saw Millet.

“I thought you'd left us for good,” called Barty. He set down his rake and removed his work gloves, shoving them in his pocket. His son only glanced up and nodded from where he was trimming the hedges, then went back to his work.

“As did I,” said Millet.

“Randson,” called Barty. “Help Millet and...”

“This is Dina,” said Millet. “A friend. This is Barty Inglewood and his son, Randson. They are by far the best gardeners for a hundred miles.”

“A friend of Millet's is mine, as well,” Barty bowed awkwardly. “And where is Lord Starfinder?”

Millet and Dina dismounted and began unpacking their gear. “Lee will not be coming.”

Barty rubbed his chin. “I see. I've never heard you call him Lee before, so I reckon you have news to tell.” He began gathering their things. “You'll be wanting to wash up. I'll get Lydia started on your rooms and a bath. Meal time may have to wait for a couple of hours though. Most everyone is staying down at the Stedding farm now days.”

“Lee instructed for the farm to be cared for,” said Millet. “But I don't think he intended for his entire staff to move there.” He took a quick look around. “Who's left?”

“Me and my boy, of course. Lydia does most of the housework, and Trevor, the old cook Lee hired a couple of years ago, is still here. But he doesn't move around so good anymore, so Lydia helps in the kitchen, too.” He slung a pack over his shoulder. “No one wants to be around now that all those newcomers are about. The rest of the staff comes about once a week to see to repairs and the like, but then they're off again. If Lord Starfinder didn't pay so good they’d all be moved away by now.”

Mention of the newcomers brought tension to Millet's face.

“I see you've already heard about them,” said Barty. He started toward the house. “Well, don't you worry. They don't come calling here anymore. Me and my boy ran them off.”

Millet kept silent and he and Dina followed Barty through the front door. The house was just as Millet remembered. The main hall was just beyond the door and furnished with heavy oak couches and chairs covered with soft, suede upholstery. The walls were decorated with exotic tapestries Lee had acquired during his many travels. A fire crackled in the hearth at the far right end and two silver lamps glowed dimly against the wall behind the couch. Just next to the fireplace was a door that led to the dining hall and sitting room. In the near corner was another that led to Lee's study and bedrooms. The hardwood floors were covered with a large blood red rug, woven with delicate silver patterns. Lee had purchased it in Dantory when he was not much more than a boy.

Millet moved to the wall to avoid stepping on it as he made his way to the rear door. It would be a shame to muddy such a beautiful thing.

“I will take the master suite,” said Millet.

Barty cocked an eyebrow but said nothing.

When he reached the master bedroom, he asked Barty to show Dina to a guest room and went inside. Barty could see that Millet was now in charge, and obeyed at once. Millet took a long look around. The large bed was built from flame maple, polished and stained to a dark brown. The green bed coverings were soft and thick. Millet had often envied Lee such a comfortable sleep. In the corner was a small round table and two chairs where Lee used to take his breakfast. A book of Baltrian poems still sat on the table where it had been left. A large wardrobe in the corner was still ajar from Lee's quick departure and a bookcase against the wall still bore signs of his rummaging through it. Millet took a deep breath and began to unpack. It was his now. All of it. For good or ill, he was lord of the manor.

Randson brought a wash basin and hot water a few minutes later. After he had cleaned and changed, he strode back to the main hall. Dina was already awaiting him, clothed in a blue cotton dress and seated in a chair, thumbing through a small leather-bound book.

“Lee certainly liked books,” said Dina. “There must be fifty in my room alone.”

Millet smiled and took a seat across from her. “He did indeed.” He leaned back and rubbed his neck. “There is much about Lee Starfinder that lives in this house.” He pointed out the tapestries and other various decorations and began telling Dina where they came from and how Lee had acquired them. Dina smiled and listened patiently.

After a time, Lydia entered the room. Dressed in a dark brown skirt that reached all the way to the floor and a white cotton shirt, she was tall, lean, and despite her advancing years, looked as if she could labor alongside any man. Her once-black hair was now streaked with gray and wrapped in a tight bun.

Lydia looked disapprovingly at Millet. “What business do you have in Lord Starfinder's chambers?”

“Fetch Barty, Randson, and Trevor,” ordered Millet. “I have something to tell you.”

“Trevor's cooking supper,” said Lydia.

Millet's faced hardened. “Then tell him to stop.”

Lydia glared at Millet for a moment, then stormed off toward the kitchen. A few minutes later she returned. A thinly built old man wearing a tan shirt and trousers trailed behind, covered from head to toe in flour. The old man beamed when he saw Millet.

“Good to see you, old friend,” said Trevor. He looked at Dina. “I see your taste in company has improved.”

Dina stood and introduced herself. Trevor bowed and started to take a seat on the couch.

“I'll not have you getting flour all over the furniture,” shouted Lydia.

“Calm down woman,” said Trevor. “I'll clean it.”

“You sit, too,” Millet said to Lydia.

The front door opened and Barty and his son entered. Millet motioned for them to sit as well.

Millet retrieved the parchment Lee had given him when they were all seated, and handed it to Lydia. She and the others read it for several minutes then handed it back to Millet.

“I don't know who Lee Nal' Thain is,” said Lydia. “But if you think for one minute that-”

“You know full well who Lee Nal' Thain is,” Millet countered. “As do the rest of you.” He stood. “Lee has given me rights to his lands and titles. That includes this estate.”

Lydia huffed. “And what do you intend to do with these ‘rights,’ might I ask?”

Millet thought he heard a slight quiver in the woman's voice.

“Before I reveal my intentions, tell me about the faithful.”

Lydia took a deep breath. “About a week after you and Lord Starfinder left Sharpstone, three oddly dressed men came to the door inquiring as to your whereabouts, and the whereabouts of master Stedding. They sounded like those folks from Baltria to me, but they wore black cloaks and kept their faces hidden with their hoods. I've never trusted people who won't show their faces. Anyway, I told them you had all left and didn't know where you had gone, or when you'd return. At the time I didn't think much on it. Lord Starfinder has had odd people call on him before, and he's always taken an interest in young Gewey, but when I went to market a few days later, I noticed they were still around, asking questions.

“Still, what could I do? They weren't causing trouble and no one seemed to mind them. All the same I told the staff to keep an eye on them.” She looked at Barty.

“Ah, yes,” said Barty. “When Lydia told me about these characters I made sure I knew what they were up to. I even had my boy follow them a few times. Like Lydia said, at first they didn't do anything other than ask questions. And other than causing rumors to fly, they didn't make trouble. In fact, the way they let their coins pass freely, people actually started to take a liking to them. Especially Mayor Freidly. He had them over at his house almost every night.

“It wasn't long before they started comin' 'round here again.” Barty's lip curled in anger. “This time they were more forceful. They insisted that someone here knew where Lord Starfinder was, and demanded to know.” He puffed out his chest. “Well, my friend, no one bullies me. I snatched up my shovel and ran them off.”

“And you were a fool for it,” snapped Lydia. “You could have gotten yourself killed.”

Barty ignored her comment. “After that, they didn't come back. I'd see them watching people coming in and out, but that was as close as they came. I guess I scared 'em good enough.”

“And it's the reason we don't know anything,” scolded Lydia. She turned to Millet. “If you work for Lord Starfinder, you had just as well be an elf. No one says a word to us anymore.”

“They still talk to me,” said Trevor. “One of the advantages to being an old man.”

Millet smiled. “What do they say?”

“First, you should know what went on after Barty ran those fellows off.” Trevor leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs. “From what I heard, they didn't like it too much and went to the mayor. Not much the fat lout could do about it though. Barty didn't hit them, and they were on Lord Starfinder's property at the time. I guess they decided to find a better way to watch us. It was only a few days later and they bought the land just next to here. They must have spent a fortune, 'cause they had a house built in just over a week. That was about the time their friends started showing up.”

“We ran into Martha Tredall on our way here,” said Millet. “She told us a little about what's going on, and said that there's about ten of them.”

“Sounds about right,” said Trevor. “They said they were here to set up a trading business, but no one really believed it. Especially with all their talk about the Reborn King.”

This caused Millet and Dina to shift in their seats.

Trevor cocked his head. “I see you've heard about him. Well, that's no surprise, if half of what they say is true.”

“And what is that?” asked Millet.

“Mostly that he's coming to free us from the Gods,” said Trevor. “Bring back the old days like before the Great War. Things like that. I thought they were just some new cult. But whatever they are, and whoever this Reborn King is, they sure do have a lot of gold. Not long after the rest of these faithful got here, they paid to have the market rebuilt, and started buying out anyone who'd sell. Even the folks who didn't sell took their gold on loan. Almost everyone in Sharpstone owes them something.”

“We can barely keep our cupboards stocked,” said Lydia. “No one wants to do business with us. They're either working for the faithful, or just too scared to cross them.”

“That's why most of the staff stays out at the Stedding farm,” said Barty. “They leave them alone out there, and they can get supplies. Master Stedding still produces more hay than anyone else in these parts, even if he's not around. People don't have much choice but to sell them what they need.” He leaned forward. “But you can bet they're watching everything at that farm, too. They ask as much about Master Stedding as they do Lord Starfinder.”

Millet bowed his head in thought. “Trevor, I want you to go into town after our meal. Say that I have returned to settle some business for Lord Starfinder.” He looked up and met Trevor's eyes. “Do not say anything else. Only that.” He turned to Barty. “I want you to secure the front door and windows, but leave the back open. Then take Trevor, Lydia, and your son to the Stedding farm. Stay there until I send for you.”

“I'll not be spirited away,” said Lydia, sternly. “If you're fool enough to do what I think you're going to do, then I'll¬”

“You will do as I say,” snapped Millet. “I cannot do what must be done, if I have to worry about your safety.”

“And what is it that must be done?” asked Dina.

“I intend to send the faithful a message,” Millet replied, darkly.

“If that's the case,” said Barty, “then you'll need me and my boy.” He stood up straight and squared his broad shoulders. “Lydia and Trevor may not be much good in a fight, but I can still swing a sword if need be. I've shown my boy how to take care of himself, too. You may be Lord of the Manor, but you ain't no Lee Starfinder. You're gonna need more than just you and a young woman if the faithful come callin'.”

Millet looked at the gardener and his son. Their jaws were tight and their eyes blazed with determination. He sighed. “Very well. But you must do exactly as I say.”

“The faithful may not even come here,” offered Dina.

“They'll come,” said Millet.

“But how can you be sure?” asked Dina.

“If these are the same lot we ran into in Baltria, then they're likely nobles or maybe merchants,” said Millet. “I know how they think. They'll want to dispose of us quickly and quietly, before we can get ready for them or flee. By now they will know who I am, and without Lee here as protection, they will not fear me. They'll either try and take me prisoner, and torture me for information, or just simply kill me.” He shrugged. “Whatever they do, it will not be in the open. They'll come at night.”

After the meal Trevor and Lydia cleaned the dishes, then made their way into town. Millet went over his plan with Dina, then helped Barty and Randson secure the front door and windows, as well as the stables. Dina busied herself with other preparations. Before long, the sun was sinking low in the sky and the chill air made the crackling fire a welcome sight.

“All is ready,” said Barty, as he, Dina and Randson entered.

Millet was sitting in a leather chair by the fire, staring intently at the dancing flames. He glanced up and smiled. “Good.” He stood up from his chair and looked at each of them for a moment. “If you want to go to the Stedding farm, now is the time.” No one replied. “Then I suppose it's time for bed.”