The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (29 page)

“
Perhaps,” he said. “But that is a
question only the future can answer. For now, we must concern
ourselves with more immediate issues.”

Linis spent the next few hours going over the ceremony
with Gewey, having him repeat it back to him over and over. Once
Linis was satisfied they had covered as much as they could, the two
of them lay down to sleep for what little time remained. Gewey could
feel Kaylia through their bond and was tempted to reach out, but
decided not to risk trouble with the elders. He still wasn't sure of
the extent of their abilities and didn't want to stir things up until
he had to.

Chapter Twenty-Three

An hour before sunrise they were underway again. Linis
spent the first few hours picking up where they had left off the
night before. The bonding ceremony wasn't very complex, but Linis had
made it clear to Gewey that each part held great significance, and it
was very important to get it right.

“
I have never seen the bonding performed,”
he said. “And I don't really understand the bonding in the same
way that Theopolou would. But, as you are connected with Kaylia's
spirit already, I don't think it will be difficult for you.”

“
I hope not,” said Gewey.

Linis threw his arm around Gewey's neck. “Don't
worry. Things will go as planned. Besides, you are about to become
the envy of many an elf.”

They went over the ceremony a few more times, then let
their conversation drift to lighter subjects. Gewey's guards kept
their distance, but by midday Akakios joined in. He had heard of
Linis and held him in high regard, despite the fact that he had been
named a traitor.

They covered another forty miles before they stopped.
Gewey noticed the elves occasionally glancing over at him to see if
he were tiring. Gewey knew it would be wise to feign fatigue, but his
pride wouldn't let him. Every time he caught one their eyes he would
smile happily and whistle. This brought fierce stares and chatter
among the elders. All except, of course, Theopolou.

Once camped, Kaylia joined them again. She looked
burdened with worry. “What’s wrong?” asked Gewey.

“
Theopolou,” she replied. “He doesn't
seem well.”

“
You mean he's ill?” asked Gewey.

Kaylia shook her head. “Not ill. It’s like
he is... drained, weary.”

Linis smiled sympathetically. “Theopolou is very
old, Kaylia. Perhaps this trip, and our quick pace, is too much for
him.”

Kaylia shook her head. “I know, but it's more than
that. It's as if his spirit is being drained from him.”

“
I might be able to help,” offered Gewey.

“
How do you mean?” asked Linis.

“
I could... give him part of what I have”
said Gewey. Then he shook his head. “No. That's not what I
mean. I... I can't describe it, but I think I can
put
power from the earth inside him.”

Linis looked at Gewey in wonder for a moment. “How
did you learn to do such a thing? Only the greatest of elf sages have
ever been able to do this.”

“
I don't know,” he admitted. “I don't
really know that I can. I just feel that I can. Ever since I
journeyed to the spirit world, the first time, I keep getting
these... impressions. It's like I know I can do a thing, but I don't
know what it is.” He rubbed his chin. “I don't understand
it, but I think I can help Theopolou... if he'll let me.”

“
I'll ask him,” said Kaylia and rose to
speak to her uncle. She paused and looked down at Gewey and smiled.
“Thank you.” With that, she walked off to speak to
Theopolou.

A short time later Kaylia returned, accompanied by
Theopolou. The old elf sat next to Gewey, though he did not look at
him.

“
Kaylia says you have the ability to transfer the
flow
from yourself to
another,” Theopolou remarked.

“
I think so,” said Gewey.

Theopolou turned to Kaylia then to Gewey. “Then
you are not certain?”

“
Not entirely,” Gewey admitted. “But
like I told Linis and Kaylia, when I woke up from being in the spirit
world, I felt like I knew things... without really knowing them. I
know I can do this. And if you're ill you should let me try.”

Theopolou scrutinized Gewey for a long moment. “I'm
neither ill nor tired as Kaylia might think, but something is wrong.”
He stood up slowly. “I feel as if the energy of the earth is
somehow being drained from me.”

“
Drained how?” asked Linis.

“
I don't know. I have never encountered this
before. I have attempted to track down the source, but so far
unsuccessfully.”

“
Could it be one of the elders?” asked
Gewey.

“
I don't think so,” said Theopolou. “Of
all the elders and other elves here, only Chiron has a stronger
connection than I... and perhaps Linis. Neither could do this.
Actually, you are the only one here with such ability.”

“
I swear—” Gewey began to protest, but
Theopolou held up his hand.

“
I did not mean to suggest that you had anything
to do with it,” said Theopolou. “Only that you are the
only one I am aware of that could. It is possible another has somehow
gained this ability. And it may not be anyone. It just may be an
anomaly.” His eyes grew sad. “Our people have lost so
much knowledge. Even the wisest of us are mere children compared to
our ancestors. They had such vast knowledge in matters of the
flow
,
it is said they could trace it to its source.”

Linis joined Theopolou in his melancholy. “Yes.
The seekers of old were said to have been able to out run a deer, and
hear the heartbeat of a rabbit from one-hundred yards away.”

“
I do not think it is wise for you to give me your
flow
,” said
Theopolou. “But I would ask that Linis help me track down the
culprit, if there is one.” Then as if a wave had hit him, he
staggered.

Gewey jumped up and placed his hand on Theopolou's
shoulder. He could feel the elf tense at the unfamiliar contact, so
he withdrew and took a step back. “Are you…”

Theopolou waved him off. “I'm fine.”

“
No, you're not,” argued Kaylia. “You
should let Gewey try to help you.” Linis nodded in agreement.
“I...”

Suddenly he looked up to see that Akakios, standing a
few feet away, eyes ablaze, his bow drawn and pointed at Gewey. Linis
reached for his dagger, but it was too late. The arrow loosed. Time
stood still as it flew through the air and Kaylia tried desperately
to throw herself in its path. But instead of piercing Gewey’s
flesh, it flew past him, missing his throat by a hair’s
breadth, and buried itself into the chest of an elf wielding a
vicious looking dagger, just a few feet behind them. He gasped,
clutched at the arrow, and fell to his knees. Kaylia and Linis were
already running towards him, while Gewey threw his arms around
Theopolou and pressed him towards the guards.

“
Unhand me, boy,” boomed Theopolou.

Gewey ignored his protests. When he was in range of the
guards, he shoved Theopolou in their direction. “Protect him,”
Gewey commanded. The elves obeyed without question, surrounding the
elder.

Gewey ran to Akakios' pack and retrieved his sword. It
sang as he pulled it free from its scabbard, and he could feel the
warm throb of the earth rush through him. By this time, Kaylia and
Linis had reached the assassin, and were trying to remove the arrow.

“
To arms,” yelled Gewey, alerting the
others, who by this time knew something was wrong and had begun
forming a protective circle around the elders.

Gewey ran to Kaylia and Linis. The wounded elf was
struggling against them, trying to reach into his belt. Gewey dropped
to the ground, and with all his strength, grabbed the elf's wrists
and pinned them to the ground. The assassin’s eyes shot wide
when he felt the power in Gewey's grasp. Realizing he was far
outmatched, the elf relaxed. Still, Linis, Kaylia, and Gewey did not
release their hold.

“
Who are you?” roared Linis.

The wounded elf said nothing and turned his head.

Gewey could hear the camp organizing a search of the
nearby forest. He looked at the elf carefully. Then he closed his
eyes, allowing the power of the earth to flow like a relentless tide
and reach every fiber of this being.

“
Gewey,” whispered Kayla. “What are
you doing?”

Gewey took a deep breath. “I am going to get some
answers.” Releasing his wrists, he placed his hands on the
wounded elf's chest.

The ground hummed for a moment as Gewey let the power
flow from him around the elf's body. “You can let him go,”
he said to Linis and Kaylia. “He cannot move.”

Slowly Linis and Kaylia relaxed. They marveled at the
sight they beheld. Gewey smiled as he also removed his hands. Still
the wounded elf could not move.

“
What have you done to him?” gasped Linis.

“
Nothing,” Gewey replied. “I am just
using the same power you do. Only I'm using it to hold the elf down.”

“
Amazing,” said Linis, half smiling.

Gewey nodded then turned his attention back to his
prisoner. “You will tell me what I need to know.” His
voiced was grim and intimidating. “Who sent you?”

The elf glared with hatred and fear. “Curse you
and all of your kind,” he hissed, and looked at Kaylia. “And
you...”

“
Careful,” Gewey warned, then let the power
squeeze in tightly. The elf gasped. “Traitor,” he managed
to say.

Gewey could hear some of the elves making their way
toward them. In a flash, Theopolou appeared with his knife in hand
and slit the elf's throat. Blood soaked the elf's shirt and spilled
onto the ground. Gewey immediately released his hold on him, but it
was too late. His eyes met Gewey's for one final moment before death
overcame him. Pure hatred was the only thing Gewey could see. Then
the blank stare of oblivion. He heard a thud, as the knife hit the
ground beside the slain captive’s head.

Theopolou turned to the others who were still a few feet
away. “He is dead. I have killed him.”

Chiron walked up to the body and examined it carefully.
“He has no markings and his clothes could be from anywhere. The
dagger is common as well. The stains and scrapes on his boots suggest
that he has traveled through the mountains.” He turned to the
others. “Does anyone recognize him?”

Each elf in turn examined the body, but none could place
his face or guess at his origin. Even Linis could not find a clue.
After it was clear that no one could solve the puzzle, the elders
gathered in a small circle to decide their next move. They invited
Linis to join them, but made it clear that Gewey and Kaylia were to
remain with Akakios and the other three guards. Akakios looked as if
he wanted to ask for Gewey's sword, but did not.

The elders talked for about an hour then split up to
tell their plan to the others. Linis approached Gewey, his eyes
aflame.

“
Fools,” spat Linis. “Bloody fools!”
“What is it?” asked Gewey.

Akakios and the three guards had joined them.

“
They want to press on even faster,” he
replied, in disgust. “And they still will not allow my seekers
to join us.”

“
You told them they were near?” asked
Kaylia.

“
I had no choice. Whoever the assassin was, he had
the skills to slip past my people. If there are more out there, we
won't be able to notice them if we travel too fast. And if they
allowed my seekers to come among us, we could move at speed
and
avoid a trap.” He checked his weapon. “I need to speak to
my comrades. I'll return soon.” He dashed off into the woods
and disappeared.

“
Your weapon,” came Bellisia's voice from
behind them.

Gewey turned to her as she walked toward them
accompanied by two escorts, long knives drawn.

“
If there is someone seeking to kill him,”
said Theopolou. “He should be allowed to keep it.”

“
You misunderstand,” she corrected. “I
only wish to know where he acquired it.”

“
It was a gift,” said Gewey.

“
And such a gift it is,” she said. Her eyes
locked with Gewey's. “I will not ask you to give it up, and I
suspect that forcing it from you may prove more difficult than we
would have originally suspected. Because of that, I think that you
shall be dealt with first. Theopolou's judgment must wait.” She
turned to Theopolou. “Once we arrive, be prepared to present
your arguments in favor of this boy, and inform him of his rights.”

“
You cannot do this,” said Theopolou.

“
I can and will,” Bellisia shot back. “Do
you think me blind? Did you think he could use that much of the
flow
and it would escape my notice?” She stepped toward Gewey,
looking him up and down. “Whatever you are, I will get to the
truth of it. And if you are a danger to my people, we need to know.
That
gives me the
right.” She spun on her heels and strode off.