The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (13 page)

“
Are you injured?” cried Gewey, relieved to
see his friend alive.

“
I will live.” Linis panted. “But as
for this... thing, it has seen better days.”

Gewey moved closer. He eyes shot wide as he realized the
beast still lived. The ground was covered with the creature’s
thick, black blood, and its limbs were hacked and scattered about the
ground. Still the thing snarled and growled, its eyes fixed on Linis.
Linis stared in return.

Gewey touched Linis' shoulder. The elf looked up at
Gewey and forced a smile. Blood soaked Linis' shirt... elf blood.

“
We must tend to your wounds,” said Gewey.
“Stintos was hurt as well.”

“
Is he seriously injured?” asked Linis.

“
I don't think so. He was on his feet when I left
him.”

“
Good.” Linis sighed. “As for me... I
am fine. Thanks to your warning it is only a scratch.”

Gewey's eyes turned to the creature. “How does it
still live?”

“
I don't know,” said Linis in a whisper.
“How do you live, beast!” His voice boomed, startling
Gewey.

“
I was never alive,” hissed the creature.
Its voice was like the wheezing of a dying man, sick and labored.

“
It speaks,” gasped Gewey.

“
So it does,” remarked Linis.

“
You shall all fall by the hands of my brothers,”
spat the creature. “The master will see that it is so.”

“
You mean the Dark Knight, don't you?” said
Gewey.

The creature let out a gurgling laugh. “I know
you. The God who will die like a man. The master will see to you soon
enough.”

“
What manner of beast are you?” demanded
Linis.

“
We are the Vrykol. We are the instrument of your
demise.”

Linis stood, gripping his long knife so hard his
knuckles turned white. “We shall see.” His blade flew
down, cutting off the Vrykol's head.

“
Are you alright?” called Kaylia’s
voice from behind.

Gewey turned to see Kaylia, Theopolou, Haldrontis, and
three other elves running up with weapons in hand. When they saw the
mangled body of the Vrykol strewn about the ground, they stopped
short.

“
What is this... thing?” gasped Kaylia in
horror.

“
It's a creature of Angrääl,” said
Linis. “It called itself a Vrykol.” He turned to
Theopolou. “Have you heard of them?”

“
I have. But they are supposed to exist only in
legend. They are said to be damned souls, forced from paradise to
walk the earth. But I have never heard of them as physical beings,
only spirits.”

“
They're physical beings for sure,” said
Gewey. “They almost killed us.”

“
So you spoke to it before it died,” said
Kaylia. “What did it say?”

Linis described his encounter and the short conversation
with the Vrykol.

“
You should have waited until I had a chance to
interrogate it,” said Theopolou.

“
It wouldn't have told you anything,” said
Gewey.

Theopolou shot a glance at Gewey. “You know very
little, young one. I may have been able to discover more than you
could guess.” He paused. “But there is no use belaboring
the point. As it stands, we know they are intelligent and resilient.
Whether or not they are in fact Vrykol, or just use the name, matters
not. They are on our trail.”

“
How fairs Stintos?” asked Linis.

“
His wounds are being tended,” Theopolou
answered. “But he will slow us considerably. I'm sending him
back to Valshara with Haldrontis until he can travel.”
Theopolou noticed Linis' wound. “Are you able to travel?”

“
I am,” replied Linis, seeming to just
notice the wound on his arm. “Thanks to Gewey's warning, the
Vrykol's blade did not bite deeply.”

“
Still, it needs to be dressed,” said
Kaylia. “Come. I have salve and bandages in my pack.”

The group started toward to the trail, but Theopolou
paused. “Bring the head,” said the old elf.

Linis nodded and picked up the head by its grimy hair. A
wave of nausea washed over Gewey as more of the black blood poured
onto the ground.

When they got back to the trail Gewey saw Stintos,
leaning against a nearby tree. Two elves treated the wound on his
ribs. Linis unpacked a spare cloak and wrapped the head inside.
Stintos noticed Gewey's approach and motioned for him to come near.
Gewey reluctantly obeyed.

“
You saved my life, human,” said Stintos. He
winced as an elf rubbed salve in the deep cut. “I owe you a
debt.”

“
Forget it,” said Gewey. “I didn't do
anything you wouldn't have done in my place, I'm sure.”

Stintos smiled. “That you think an elf would come
to your aid is remarkable, and speaks to your character. However, I
don't understand how you knew to come. I was far out of sight or
earshot. Only an elf seeker could have heard them coming, and even a
seeker would have difficulty.”

Gewey was unsure what to say. “I...” he
stammered. “Well, Kaylia and Linis have been instructing me.”

Stintos look at Gewey skeptically. “I see. Then
training has heightened your senses. I was not aware that humans
could gain such abilities.” His eyes fixed on the boy, then his
smile returned. “It matters not. You saved my life, and for
that you have gained my friendship.”

“
I value it,” said Gewey, bowing his head.

“
Gewey,” called Linis.

Gewey turned to see Linis standing near the packs.
Kaylia dressed a cut on his left arm. He took his leave from Stintos.

“
We leave at once,” said Linis. “Theopolou
says we should arrive at his home in six days if we press our pace. I
disagree with moving at too great a speed. With these so-called
Vrykol about, I would not risk being taken by surprise. I would ask
you to keep extra vigilant. You can hear what I cannot, it would
seem.”

“
I'll do my best,” said Gewey. “But I
heard the Vrykol because I channeled the power of the earth. I've
never done it more than a few minutes. To do it for six days...”

“
You must try,” said Linis. “Our lives
may depend on it.”

Gewey’s stomach knotted at the thought of so many
lives depending on him.

“
I will not have him put his life at risk,”
said Kaylia, fiercely.

“
I doubt it will harm him,” said Linis.
“Seekers use the same power at times. I have used the
flow
,
as we call it, for two straight days and it did me no harm.”

“
He's
not
an elf,” countered Kaylia. “Or have you forgotten?”

“
I have not forgotten,” Linis shot back.
“But we both know what he is, don't we?”

“
Mind your tongue,” hissed Kaylia, looking
around for prying ears. “Would you have Gewey exposed?”
She jerked tight Linis' bandage, causing him to wince. “I
thought Lee confiding in you might be a mistake.”

“
It was not a mistake, child,” chided Linis.
“Lord Starfinder thought that I should know what is at stake.
Out of friendship and trust he confided in me. I will
not
expose Gewey, and I will
not
be scolded by you. I am a
seeker
.”

Gewey had never heard anyone speak to Kaylia as if she
were a mere child. He could see the fury in her eyes, but she managed
to contain her rage.

“
You are correct, of course,” growled
Kaylia. “My apologies...
seeker
.”

Linis' face softened. “I know you love him. But
remember, I have named him friend and care for him as kin. I only ask
of him what I must.”

“
I know,” replied Kaylia weakly. “I
just want to keep him safe. The bond we share can be maddening at
times.”

“
You are young to have done such a thing,”
said Linis. “But it seems to have been the right thing to do.”
He bent and flexed his arm as Kayla finished dressing the wound.
“Gewey, if you feel any ill effects from the
flow
,
release it at once and consult me.”

“
I will,” said Gewey.

Theopolou approached, his pack already on his back. “We
must depart. Gather your things.”

Once everyone had donned their gear, they said farewell
to Haldrontis and Stintos and continued down the trail. Gewey allowed
the flow of the earth to saturate his body, and took great care to
listen for anything out of the ordinary.

After an hour they left the trail and headed south
across country. The ground was level and the trees still sparse.
Gewey was relieved to hear the return of the birds and small animals.
The
flow
was difficult
to maintain at first, but after an hour or so it felt more natural.
By the time they halted to make camp, he couldn't imagine what it
would feel like without it. Kaylia and Linis had been keeping a close
eye on him, constantly asking how he was. Kaylia was clearly relieved
that he had shown no sign that it was hurting him. Linis, on the
other hand, maintained a look of deep concern.

Once they made camp, Theopolou sat next to Gewey and
handed him a cup of honeyed wine and a small loaf of bread.

“
How much rest do you need?” asked
Theopolou.

“
None,” answered Gewey. “I am ready
now, if you'd like.”

Theopolou raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Well,
you must at least appear to rest. The
flow
has made you strong, but it would raise suspicions among my guard if
you didn't look a bit fatigued. I would have them in the dark for
now.” He looked more closely as Gewey. “Why do you still
use the power? There is no danger near.”

Gewey’s features were hard and determined. “So
I'll know if it approaches.”

“
Linis has asked you to do this, I take it.”
Theopolou shook his head. “You should not. Even a seeker such
as Linis cannot hold on to it indefinitely. It can be... dangerous.”

“
What do you mean?” Gewey's eye wandered to
Kaylia, who was a few yards away changing Linis' bandages.

“
Linis is a worthy seeker, likely the best that
still lives, but he does not know all. Seekers learn to use the
flow
from a very young age, but they are too busy with other training to
learn the nature of the power that fuels them.”

“
And you know these things?” asked Gewey.

Theopolou laughed softly. “More than most. I know
that to hold the power of the earth for too long can break the mind.
Seekers are taught to use it when they must and rarely hold it for
more than a day, so they are in no danger.”

“
In danger of what?” Gewey demanded. “Linis
said he held it for two days and he was fine.”

“
Linis is strong,” Theopolou replied. “His
mind and spirit are resilient. He is counting on your... heritage, to
keep you safe. But I'm not as certain. I would not see you
possessed.”

“
Possessed?” laughed Gewey. “Possessed
by what? The earth?”

“
Precisely. The power you use can become
addictive. In time you will not be able to release it without great
pain.”

Gewey shrugged. “So what? I'm stronger, faster. I
can hear and see better, and more importantly, I'm better able to
keep those I love safe.”

“
All true,” said the elf. “But, in
time it will burn your mind and drive you mad. You will endanger
everyone near to you... even the ones you love.”

“
Has this ever happened to an elf?” asked
Gewey.

“
Long ago. It is why elves are taught to use it
sparingly. And there's something else. You can use many times the
amount of the
flow
than any elf. It may accelerate any adverse effects.”

“
It doesn't change the fact that we need to know
if more of those creatures are about,” insisted Gewey.

“
True,” admitted Theopolou. “But I
will not have a mad godling roaming the earth. Be mindful.”

“
I will,” said Gewey, aware of Theopolou's
implied threat.

Theopolou got to his feet. “We will rest for two
hours. That should be enough time to eliminate any suspicions about
you.” With that, he walked away in the direction of three of
his guards, who were talking near the fire.

Kaylia and Linis sat next to Gewey a few moments later.
“What did he say?” asked Kaylia.

“
Nothing important. He just wanted to know if I
was tired.”

“
I see,” said Kaylia, clearly not believing
him. “I would rather you say nothing at all than tell me a lie.
Even if it's to spare me worry or hurt.”

“
I'm sorry.” Gewey sighed. “I
sometimes forget I cannot fool you.”

“
I think I know what Theopolou wanted,” said
Linis. “He was concerned about you using your power for too
long. Am I right?”