The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (28 page)

“
There is nothing
to
do,” the old elf answered. “We must allow this to play
out. If Bellisia and her allies plan to join with Angrääl,
we must call them out in front of the others. I will send word ahead
to the elders who chose not to attend here today. They will not
ignore a summons to the Chamber of the Maker.”

“
I thought all the elders were already here,”
remarked Gewey.

“
No,” said Theopolou. “The seven
elders here, including myself, are chief's among our people, and can
speak for our tribes in the absence of the others.”

“
Will they have time to get there?” asked
Kaylia.

“
I hope so,” said Theopolou. “I should
be able to get word to them quickly enough for most to arrive ahead
of us, though the northern tribes will never get there in time.”
Theopolou walked them to the front door and left them just outside.

“
I'm worried,” said Kaylia, as they made
their way around to their rooms. “I have never seen my kind
behave with such malice and deceit toward one another. Linis was
right all along. The second split is inevitable.”

“
Does that mean you will change your mind about
facing judgment?” asked Gewey.

Kaylia smiled and touched his hand. “I don't know.
At least not yet.”

“
Whatever happens, I'll be there beside you,”
said Gewey, with grim determination.

“
That reminds me,” said Kaylia. “I
have decided we shall complete the ritual of bonding once we arrive
at the Chamber of the Maker.” She glanced sideways at Gewey.
“That is if you are agreeable.”

“
I...” he stuttered. “That is...”
he stopped short and cleared his throat. “Of course, I am.”

“
Good,” said Kaylia. “Linis will
instruct you on the ceremony along the way. Also, you need
instruction in our customs if you are to be mine. I will see to that
personally.”

Gewey's heart raced with excitement and fear.
If
the Village Mothers could see me now
. They
had tried to be matchmaker for him more times than he cared to
remember.

Once in his room, Gewey packed his gear and changed into
his tan, leather pants and thin, wool shirt. As he strapped on his
sword he heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”

The door opened and in walked Akakios and three
grim-looking elves. All were wearing hard, leather armor, a long
knife, and a bow and quiver across their backs.

Gewey bowed. “I take it you are my guards.”

“
We are,” Akakios affirmed. “These
three are from the personal escort of Lady Bellisia. They wish me to
tell you that they have no desire to speak with you, and any
questions should be directed to me.”

Gewey couldn't help but be amused and laughed softly.
This brought angry stares from the three elves and a smile from
Akakios.

“
You are not permitted to carry your weapon,”
said Akakios. “I will carry it for you, if you wish.”

“
That's fine,” said Gewey, unbuckling his
sword. “But take care not to touch anything but the scabbard,
or you will be burned.”

Akakios looked in wonder at the sword as Gewey handed it
over. He couldn't help but test what Gewey had told him and touched
the blade. Immediately he withdrew his hand, wincing in pain.

“
I have never heard of such a weapon,”
marveled Akakios. “How did you come by it?”

“
Perhaps I'll tell you along the way.” He
couldn't help but get in a quip, designed to get under the other
elves’ skin. “That is, if I have time. Linis is to
instruct me in the bonding ceremony and Kaylia is to teach me more
about elf ways and customs.”

The three elves stirred uneasily, but said nothing.
Gewey smiled with satisfaction. Akakios closed his eyes and shook his
head with a groan.

Gewey grabbed his gear and allowed himself to be led
from the room to the front of the house. At least thirty elves
awaited him. Theopolou and the six other elders, along with their
armed escorts, stood near the base of the statue. Kaylia and Linis
stood a few feet away from them, talking quietly. Gewey began to
approach Linis and Kaylia, but Akakios stopped him.

“
You must remain with us until we make camp,”
said Akakios, almost apologetically. “You are free to speak to
whomever you wish then. But, as we travel you are to stay silent.”

This irritated Gewey, but he saw no other choice but to
concede. It was then Linis walked straight up to him and slapped him
on the back. At first it seemed like the guards would try to stop
him, but one glance from Linis and it was clear that he would not be
hindered.

“
They have no jurisdiction over me, Gewey,”
said Linis. “I'll walk with you.” He noticed Gewey
looking at Kaylia. “She'll walk with her uncle and his
escort... for now.”

This satisfied Gewey. He could see that Linis had
unnerved the elders, but they did nothing to stop him.

The elders and escorts led the way through the front
gate, followed by Gewey, Linis, and Gewey's guards. Gewey spent the
day listening to Linis tell stories about his exploits and
adventures.

For such a large group, they covered ground swiftly.
They didn't stop to rest until it was time to make camp, by which
time they had covered nearly forty miles. Akakios and the other three
elves set up their bedrolls a few feet away from Gewey and Linis.
Kaylia stayed near Theopolou while the others settled in, but soon
joined Gewey and Linis, as they retrieved some bread and dried fruit
from their packs. Linis had warned Gewey that they would not be
building a fire for cooking along the way. Linis explained that
elders intended to travel swiftly and unnoticed. At first, the lack
of a fire worried Gewey. He only had the provisions he had arrived
with, and some required cooking, but Linis assured him that there
would be enough dried meat and fruit to go around.

“
Have you gone over the ceremony with Gewey?”
Kaylia asked Linis.

“
I will tomorrow,” he replied. “I do
not think the others are comfortable with the idea, so I thought it
best to wait a day or two.”

“
You don't have to worry about that,” said
Gewey with a mischievous grin. He told them about the remark he had
made at Theopolou's house in front of his guards.

“
You should not provoke them,” Linis warned.
“Bellisia is one of Theopolou's main opponents, and they serve
her.”

“
It’s not like it's a secret that Kaylia and
I are bonded,” Gewey argued. “Besides, they deserved it.
I mean really. Akakios isn’t in favor of human-elf relations,
but he still manages to act decently towards me. They have refused to
even address me properly.”

Linis couldn't help but smile. “It would have been
amusing to see them squirm. But still, they could be dangerous, and
now you are unarmed.”

“
I may be unarmed,” said Gewey, “But,
I am far from defenseless.”

“
A fact we don't want them to know,” added
Kaylia. “Some of them probably suspect you of being a half-man,
and that's bad enough. But at least it explains your ability to
channel the powers of the earth. If you unleashed those powers upon
them, and were forced to defend yourself, we would be faced with a
whole new set of problems.” She reached over and touched
Gewey's arm, causing him to blush. “After we complete the
bonding, there will nothing they can say or do.”

“
Which brings a question,” said Linis. “Who
shall preside over the ceremony?”

“
Theopolou would do it, if I asked,” replied
Kaylia. “but I fear it would jeopardize his position among the
others. I was hoping you might do us the honor. As a seeker, it is
within your right.”

Linis bowed his head. “I would be honored to do
so. But, I still think you should speak to your uncle about this. He
has done nothing to oppose your union with Gewey, though I am certain
he is not happy about it. In fact, he has pressed you to follow
through with it, if I am not mistaken.”

“
You are right, of course,” said Kaylia. “I
will speak to him tomorrow.”

“
Do you think Theopolou is really in danger?”
asked Gewey.

“
I do,” answered Linis. “But from who,
I cannot say.”

“
Bellisia seems the most likely candidate,”
said Gewey. “She all but threatened to have me killed.”

Linis furled his brow and shook his head. “I would
not be so quick to pass judgment on Lady Bellisia. Her hatred is
limited to humans and well... the Gods. She opposes Theopolou, but it
is hard for me to imagine her conspiring with humans for any reason.
Even if it meant regaining our kingdoms and lands.”

“
Who then?” asked Kaylia. “Certainly
not Lord Chiron. He has been as a brother to Theopolou since they
were children. Lord Aneili is the only other elder that wanted
Theopolou called to judgment, but it's hard to imagine him doing
anything so dishonest. The rest are Theopolou's allies.”

“
Are they?” asked Linis, “I'm not so
sure. You cannot be betrayed by your enemies, only your friends.”

“
Are you sure there is a plot?” asked Gewey.

Linis shook his head. “You hit upon it, my friend.
I suspect there is. I feel there is. But I do not know it. Everything
I have predicted would happen, and needed to happen, has happened.
Theopolou is exposed, and you are unprotected... at least they think
you are.” Linis leaned in and whispered. “My seekers are
near, should we be attacked or should someone attempt to follow us.”

This comforted Gewey, and he could feel Kaylia's mood
lift as well. “How long until we arrive?” he asked.

“
Normally, it would take more than a week,”
Linis replied with amusement. “But they seek to exhaust you by
maintaining a pace no human could endure for very long. At this rate
we will be there in five days, maybe less.”

Gewey smiled. “I'll try and look tired.”

“
I will rejoin Theopolou,” said Kaylia. “I
suggest you use this time to prepare for our ceremony.” She
rose to her feet and walked off in the direction of the others.

“
She's right,” said Linis. “You would
not wish to anger your
unorem
on your first day of bonding.”

“
Unorem
?” asked
Gewey.

Linis laughed. “Wife is how you would say it. But
partner might be more accurate.”

Gewey blushed and whispered. “
Unorem
...”
He looked up at Linis. “I hope I'm ready for this.”

“
You're ready,” assured Linis. “And if
you are not, then you soon will be. In fact, I envy you. It takes
courage to enter into the
bonding
.
To share that much of oneself is not a matter to be taken lightly,
yet I cannot help but wonder what it would be like.”

“
Do you have an...
unorem
?”
asked Gewey.

“
No,” Linis replied. “I loved once.
But my life as a seeker kept me ever from her. In time she chose
another.”

“
And now,” he asked. “Is there
anyone?”

Linis paused for a long moment. “There is someone
I desire. And I believe she desires me. But, I fear I will never have
the chance to find out.”

“
Who is it?” Gewey pressed. “Tell me.”

Linis smiled dolefully. “It is not in our custom
to ask such questions.”

“
I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “But it's not
like I would know her. The only elves I know are mostly here with
us.”

“
And what makes you think she is an elf?”
asked Linis.

“
You mean she's human?” exclaimed Gewey.
Akakios and the other guards looked up for a second, then returned to
their meal.

“
You must learn discretion,” Linis scolded.
“I did not say she was human. I did not say anything.” He
sighed. “I will tell you. But you must keep this knowledge to
yourself.”

“
I swear.” Gewey leaned forward.

“
Celandine,” said Linis.

“
Dina?” Gewey laughed as quietly as he could
manage.

“
Is it in your custom to make sport of a friend’s
emotions?” he said.

Gewey calmed himself. “I'm sorry. Really. It's
just unexpected. When did this happen?”

“
I knew I felt something for her the moment we
met,” said Linis. “Though at the time I thought she was
fully human. Then, it was easy enough to dismiss. I would live
hundreds of years, and she would grow old and die. I would not court
her only to watch her slip away. But when I touched her hand for the
first time and felt the elf blood coursing through her veins, it
became clear to me that I could not simply ignore what I felt.”

“
And you say she feels the same way?” asked
Gewey.

Linis shrugged. “I can tell she feels something.
But what, I don't know. If we both live through this adventure, I
intend to find out.”

Gewey slapped him on the shoulder. “We'll live
through this. And when we do, I just know it will work out for you.”