The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) by Brian D. Anderson Read Free Book Online

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.”

Chapter 4
     
    The lanterns burned brightly in the front of
Starfinder manor that night, as they did every night. The sound of
restless horses in the nearby stables carried on the chill night
air, masking the rustle of the approaching footfalls of two cloaked
figures. One was tall and thin, the other shorter and portly. They
made their way around the edge of the yard, then to the back of the
house.
    “ Are you certain he's inside?”
whispered the short man.
    The other brought his finger to the side of
his nose and scanned the area. He pointed to the second window from
the corner of the house. The short man nodded, then slowly pushed
it open. The soft sound of the well-crafted window sliding upward
caused both men to wince. They paused and waited to see if they had
been heard, but to their relief, no one inside stirred.
    The tall man peered inside. Blackness stared
back at him. After a minute his eyes began to adjust and he could
see that the window led to a small pantry. Shelves filled with cans
and jars lined the walls; herbs and dried meats hung from small
hooks on the ceiling. He looked back to his companion and nodded
sharply. Carefully, he pulled himself inside and gently placed his
moccasin-covered feet on the floor. The slight squeak of wood
against wood was like a thunderclap, but he ignored it and went
on.
    He crept to the door at the far end and
cracked it open. He could see no one. He glanced behind him to make
sure his companion was following, but to his dismay, he was still
alone. The tall man hissed, but there was no response.
    “ Devon,” he whispered, angrily. “Get in
here.” But Devon was silent. His lip curled with anger. He drew his
knife and crept to the window. Devon was nowhere to be seen.
Coward, he thought. I'll have his hide for this. Devon had been far
from his first choice to go with him on this mission. He was fat,
clumsy, and not very bright. But his father was rich, and had
largely funded the efforts of the faithful in Sharpstone. However,
rich or not, the faithful would not tolerate a coward.
    He tip-toed back to the door. Going on alone
was a risk, even if Starfinder wasn't in the house,