The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (31 page)

“
Then why not join me?” asked Gewey.

Her eyes locked with Gewey's. “Because I am not
willing to sacrifice our souls in order to survive. Whatever you are,
your heart is human. To join you is to join them. That I cannot do.”

“
What would you have me do?” asked Gewey.
“You said it yourself. Angrääl will not leave you in
peace. The Dark One will march over the land like a plague, and both
our peoples will suffer. Our only hope is to cooperate, even if it's
only for a little while.”

“
That may be,” she admitted. “And you
may be able to convince the others. But my mind is set. I have seen
what the humans do. I will not be a part of it.” She took a
small step back. “I have said what I came to say. Think on my
words. Speak to Kaylia if you wish. But know that I have not lied to
you.”

“
What would you do if you were me?” he
asked, just as she turned to walk away.

Bellisia paused and turned her head. “I would run.
I would take Kaylia and run.” With that she left.

Gewey stared at Theopolou and Kaylia for a time, then
walked over, unsure what to think. One thing he knew. He had to speak
to Kaylia. He had to know what they were walking into.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gewey approached Theopolou and Kaylia and took Kaylia by
the hand. He excused himself from the old elf, and led her far enough
away so they would not be overheard. Kaylia sat thoughtfully for
several minutes after Gewey told her what Bellisia had said.

“
Do you think she's telling the truth?” he
asked.

“
I think she believes it,” she replied. “But
do I think Theopolou means to break our bond and assassinate you? I
honestly don't know. I wish I could dismiss it, but it does fit. He
was the one who killed the assassin, and it was his friend who
suggested we wait until we reach the Chamber of the Maker. Still, I
have never known him to be dishonest.”

“
He deceived his own elves about me,” he
reminded her. “And only told them after Kaphalos revealed our
bond to the rest.”

“
True.
And
it was to his advantage to do so. But I think the assassin would have
told us nothing, regardless of what we did to him, and Theopolou
would have known that. And we still are not certain that
you
were the target. Besides, it was Akakios that shot him, and Akakios
serves my uncle. No... even if what Bellisia said is true, I don't
think he had anything to do with that.”

“
We could just ask him, I suppose,” Gewey
suggested. “I don't like feeling like I'm being manipulated,
and whether it's Bellisia, Theopolou, or anyone else, I want it to
stop.”

“
Yes,” she agreed. “I feel that
confrontation is best. I want to know his motives before we get
there. And if Bellisia is trying to drive a wedge between us, then we
should know that too.”

Kaylia and Gewey found Theopolou talking with three of
his escorts.

“
Can we speak?” asked Gewey.

Theopolou nodded and dismissed the elves. Kaylia
recounted Gewey's words and waited for a response. At first,
Theopolou was expressionless, then he began to laugh.

“
Crafty,” said Theopolou. “Very
crafty. And correct.”

“
What?” cried Kaylia. “She was telling
truth?”

“
Of course, she was,” said Theopolou. “At
least from her perspective. I do not wish you to bond with Gewey. And
yes, if there were a way, I would seek to break it. But Bellisia is
wrong to suggest that I believe I can. The bond is unbreakable...
even by the two of you. I certainly couldn't force it to break, and
even if I could, it would likely kill you. As she said, I act out of
love for you. That
is
my motivation.” He turned to Gewey. “She told you I was
no friend to you, and she is correct. But I am an ally. I need not be
both.”

“
What do you think she was trying to do?”
asked Gewey.

Theopolou smiled. “I think she was being honest.
And I am glad for it. I had suspected her of many things until now.”

“
In what way does this rest your mind, uncle?”
asked Kaylia.

“
Bellisia has been an opponent to me for quite
some time,” he explained. “Even in better times she and I
have rarely seen eye to eye. But her actions have usually been to
protect our people... even her opposition of me. That she would open
her mind to a human, knowing I would likely hear of it, tells me
much. And her words have merit, though not in the way you might
think.” He placed his hands on Kaylia's shoulders. “I
swear to you that I mean your suitor no harm. Though this is not a
bond I would have chosen for you, I know I must accept it. If you
wish I will perform the rites here and now, if that will prove my
intentions to you.”

Kaylia smiled warmly and hugged Theopolou. “I
believe you.”

Theopolou turned to Gewey. “I
am
your ally. But you must be mine in return.” His eyes fell
lovingly on Kaylia. “You must protect her.”

“
I swear,” said Gewey. “But something
Bellisia said still bothers me. She said that the Dark One will try
to kill Kaylia to get to me.”

“
She is right,” said Theopolou. “But
they could do that now. Were either of you to die, it would rip you
apart... even without completing the bond. You would be useless
shells, unable to fight. In fact, death would be kinder. But I think
it is more likely that the Dark One would wish to capture Kaylia and
use her to control you. Were that to happen you could be made into a
powerful weapon.”

Gewey nodded. “What will you do now?”

“
I shall speak with Bellisia,” he replied.
“Now that I feel I can trust her, I should like her council.”

Theopolou embraced Kaylia once more and walked away to
find Bellisia. “Do you believe him?” asked Gewey.

“
Yes,” she replied. “He is not
plotting against us.”

The elders announced that they were to remain where they
were for a few hours, then start out again before daybreak. Kaylia,
Gewey, and Linis went off a few yards from the others while Theopolou
spoke privately with Bellisia.

Chiron approached. Gewey and the others stood and bowed.
Chiron bowed in return. He looked different than Theopolou. Though he
was the same age, he seemed younger and less careworn of spirit. His
hair still held its deep brown color, and he walked with a light
spring in his step.

“
You have courage, Gewey Stedding,” said
Chiron, once he reached them. “To face the council of elders
within the Chamber of the Maker, and do so after bonding with one of
our own kind...” he laughed softly. “Truly remarkable.”

“
Are you here to convince me not to go through
with it?” asked Gewey.

“
Not at all,” Chiron replied. “Besides,
what can be done now? Your spirits are already joined. You have very
little choice in the matter. That is, unless you intend to allow your
souls to rend asunder.”

“
You are friend to my uncle,” said Kaylia.

“
I am,” he replied. “For many years we
have been as brothers.”

“
Then I am a friend to you,” she said.

Chiron smiled, then his eyes fell on Gewey. “And
what of you? Shall you be a friend to me as well?”

“
If you would like,” Gewey replied. “I
am eager to befriend the people of my future
unorem
.”

Chiron cocked his head. “I see you have been
learning our customs. In that case, allow me to educate you further.”
He took a seat on the grass. Gewey and the others did likewise. “Has
anyone told you of the rite of
pudnaris
?”

Gewey shook his head.

Chiron glanced to Kaylia then Linis. “Then your
friends have been neglectful of your education.”

“
I...” began Linis. But one look from Chiron
silenced him.

“
Let me explain,” said Chiron. “
Pudnaris
is when a suitor is challenged for his right to join with his
intended mate. This challenge can be made by anyone, as long as they
can give valid cause.”

“
Who could have cause?” asked Kaylia. “I
have accepted no other suitor.”

“
True,” said Chiron. “But there are
other arguments to be made to support the
pudnaris
besides a potential rival.”

“
Like what?” asked Gewey.

“
In this case, anything,” he replied.

“
Why are you telling me this?” asked Gewey.

“
I tell you because you have the right to know.
Many will oppose this. Perhaps enough to risk their lives to stop
you.” He scrutinized Gewey for a moment. “We know that
you control great power, and open battle with you is a risk. We also
know of your fight with the Vrykol. If Theopolou is correct and that
is what they truly were, the fact that you defeated it tells us what
we need to know about your skill.” He pointed at Gewey's sword
that hung at his side. “And to face
that
weapon is to face death, in the hands of someone who can use the
flow
to gain strength.”

“
You know something about my sword?” asked
Gewey.

“
I know a little,” Chiron replied. “It
was made during a time when elves first walked the earth, and our
knowledge was vast. The art of its construction has been lost in
time, but the legends remain. Only small objects can be made now and
with limited uses. Whoever gave you that sword had no idea what they
possessed, or they would have never given it away. It was said that
such weapons could make someone powerful beyond measure.”

Gewey looked down at his sword, and thought about the
first time he used it when he fought Salmitaya's soldiers. “Do
you think someone will challenge me?”

“
Who can say?” the elf replied. “I
tell you only to warn you.” He rose to his feet. “I will
inform you if I hear anything.” He spun about and strode off
before Gewey could utter another word.

Gewey watched Chiron as he walked away. “I don't
trust him,” he said quietly.

“
He is Theopolou's friend,” said Kaylia.
“And my uncle trusts him.”

“
Gewey's right,” Linis interjected. “I
get the same feeling. He seems all too willing to accept you. It may
be nothing, but I feel something is amiss.” He rubbed his chin
in thought. “Still, if Theopolou trusts him, I suppose we
should as well.”

“
Did you know about this
pudnaris
?”
Gewey asked, looking to both Kaylia and Linis.

Kaylia nodded. “Yes, but I did not think it
important. As an elf facing judgment and my well-known relationships
with humans, I could not imagine why anyone would call for it. Not to
mention that we are already bonded. That should be enough to deter
any potential rivals.”

“
True,” said Linis. “But if someone
thought to use it to prevent your union with Gewey, things could get
complicated.” He looked at Gewey with a grave expression. “If
it happens, you will be exposed. The amount of
flow
you will need to channel, in order to defeat a determined elf will be
immense. I remember when I saw you holding the power within you for
the first time.”

“
But you didn't guess what I was,” said
Gewey.

“
No,” said Linis. “But I knew you
were... something different. And remember, I am not as versed in such
matters as the elders. And there will be many of them at the Chamber
when we arrive. You can bet they will figure it out. The only reason
they have not as of yet, is that the idea of a God in human form is
beyond most of our understanding or imagination.”

Gewey thought for a minute. “I don't see anything
I can do about it,” he said finally. “They'll know about
me one way or another, in time.”

“
You have a point,” Linis agreed. “But
it would be better if they found out by watching you open the Book of
Souls. If Theopolou has not deceived us, you may get the chance to do
so.” He reached out and placed his hand on Gewey's shoulder.
“Whatever happens, Kaylia and I will stand by you. Until then,
we should keep our wits about us and look for signs of trouble.”

“
You still suspect Theopolou?” asked Gewey.

“
I suspect that there are plans set in motion
against us. This much is clear. I have not heard anything thus far
that eases my suspicions.” Linis glanced over at Theopolou,
then Bellisia. “Of course, our true enemy may still be
revealed. Mistrust can be a powerful weapon.”

Gewey thumbed the hilt of his sword. “I want to
trust Theopolou. My heart tells me to. I suppose we’ll know
soon enough, won’t we?”

Linis nodded. “That we will.”

Kaylia was oddly silent, but her eyes never left her
uncle.

The rest of the evening was uneventful. Gewey and Kaylia
sat a few yards away from the others, talking, while Linis rejoined
the elders and discussed their route. The two elves that had been
sent into the forest to bury the assassin returned about an hour
before it was time to depart. Their faces were somber when they
rejoined their companions and they did not want to speak.