The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (33 page)

“
We are talking in circles,” said Theopolou.
“We either allow Felsafell to continue with us, or we ask him
to depart.” He looked at Gewey. “You say that you will
not go without him?”

Gewey nodded. “As long as he wants to come with
me, I will have him.”

Theopolou turned to the others. “There you have
it. As Gewey is called before you to give testimony, you must make
your decision. Do you withdraw your invitation?”

The elders looked at each other, but none said a word.

“
Very well,” Theopolou continued, with
satisfaction. “Felsafell will be welcome among us.” He
turned to Gewey. “Watch over our new guest. I will be with you
in a moment.”

Gewey bowed and walked back to where Felsafell was still
fast asleep, Linis and Kaylia close behind.

“
Sometimes I can't tell the difference between an
elf and a human,” muttered Gewey.

“
What do you mean?” asked Linis.

Gewey had not meant his words to be heard. “I'm
sorry. I meant no offense. It’s just that since I've met the
elders, I've seen nothing but petty squabbling and disagreements. The
council back home in Sharpstone gets along better.”

“
You are not wrong to say so,” Linis agreed.
“Once we were a noble people, with honor and understanding. Our
forefathers would be disgusted with us now. It is as if a veil of
mistrust has been brought down upon us, and we do not know how to
lift it.”

“
My father thought that the generation that fought
in the war would have to leave this world before we are healed,”
added Kaylia. “He believed that the bitterness it caused
prevents us from regaining what we have lost.”

Linis nodded. “I think he may have been right. It
is a new way of thinking we need. Our race must find how to exist in
a new world.”

“
Where does he fit in?” asked Gewey,
motioning to the sleeping Felsafell. “What is he? He’s
certainly not an elf. He looks human, but... he isn't.”

“
What am I?” said Felsafell, popping to his
feet. “I am the oldest, I am. The most withered.”

“
I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “We didn't
mean to wake you.”

Felsafell smiled cheerfully, stretching his arms. “I
wake myself. Sleep I did. Sleep well. Sleep soundly. Sleep plenty.”

“
But you've only just lay down,” said Linis.
“Even an elf needs more rest than that.”

“
An elf I am not,” said Felsafell. “And
the
child of heaven
is
right. I am not human.”

“
Then what are you?” asked Kaylia.

“
I am the first,” he replied. “But not
the last. No. I shall soon fade. But before I do I must rescue my
kin. Rescue my past.”

“
I don't understand,” said Gewey.

“
All will be clear,” Felsafell assured.
“Clear as glass. But not now. Now with enemies about, we must
be swift and silent.”

“
Enemies?” said Gewey

“
Don't fret,” said Felsafell. “No
swords or arrows will hinder us. A clear path we have. But enemies
don't always carry swords. Be silent and still and all will be well.”

The party gathered and continued toward the Chamber of
the Maker. Felsafell walked just behind Gewey and Kaylia, while Linis
ventured a few yards ahead of everyone, scouting for signs of an
ambush.

As the day progressed, elves began to approach
Felsafell, requesting a private talk. Felsafell’s wisdom was
legendary among the elves, and they did not want to miss a chance to
benefit from it. True to his word, Felsafell was more than willing to
speak to all comers. Some walked away smiling, others angry, and
others in tears. Gewey wondered what he had told them, remembering
the words the strange little man had for him on his porch in the
Spirit Hills and how they had upset him.

They stopped once for the midday meal, and Gewey
listened for signs of pursuit, but to his relief, all he could hear
was the sound of the wind and various small animals. Even though he
informed Linis of this, he still insisted on searching the area. He
enjoyed that while Linis could remain invisible to the others, he,
Gewey, could still hear exactly where he was.

“
Your power grows,” said Felsafell, munching
on a bit of bread. “No longer weak. No longer frail.”

“
How do you know what I am?” asked Gewey.

“
I am old, not blind.”

Gewey stared into Felsafell's watery, gray eyes.
Something was there, deep inside. Something different. Something
unfamiliar. “You're really not human, are you?”

“
Human?” he laughed. “No, no, no. I am
too old for that. I am the first, yet I will not be the last.”

“
You said that before,” said Gewey. “But
what does it mean?”

“
Me and kin wandered the hill and valleys, we
did.” said Felsafell. “Happy and free. Before the elves
and their ways. Before humans and their wars.”

Gewey raised an eyebrow. “So you're saying your
people were here first? Where are they now, and why haven't I heard
of them?”

“
We are all gone.” A tinge of sorrow filled
Felsafell’s voice. “All but me. Poor Felsafell. Gone
before the humans gathered, were we. We saw the coming of elves. But
too small the world became. Too prideful were we to remain. Deep in
silence we escaped until only our voices were left.”

“
So your people were here before the elves,”
said Gewey. “But what about the Gods?”

“
Oh, how wonderful they were,” said
Felsafell. “We loved them so. We love them still. But in time,
we lost our way and our will. Spirits we became... companions to your
mother and father.”

“
Do you know who my real mother is?” asked
Gewey. “I've guessed that my father is Gerath. But who is my
mother?”

“
I tell what I know,” he replied. “But
I speak of only what I know... and this I do not. Perhaps the Book of
Souls has what you seek.”

“
You know about that?” said Gewey in a
hushed tone.

“
Oh, yes,” said Felsafell. “I was
there. I saw the Book. I hear its cry. It longs to be opened. But
beware... a bell that is sounded cannot be un-rung.”

“
What's in it?” asked Gewey.

“
Many things,” he replied. “Some I
know and others I do not. But now is not the time for telling these
secrets. Soon enough... yes... soon enough.”

Kaylia walked up and took a seat beside Gewey. “You
have caused quite a stir. The entire party can't stop talking about
you.”

Felsafell smiled. “I have not left home in the
lives of many an elf. It is good to see the world. Better to know I'm
remembered.”

“
I've noticed your speech has changed a bit,”
said Gewey.

Felsafell cocked his head “Has it? I guess living
in the world does that... oh yes. Practicing with the living makes it
easy. Spirits have no need for speech, and elves rarely visit.”

“
What about humans?” asked Kaylia. “Do
they ever seek you out?”

“
No, no,” he answered. “They know
nothing of me. They think me a ghost. A rumor. But time for more talk
will come later. Now we must march.”

The elves had already begun to gather their packs and
gear, and soon they were on the move once again. The day was warm and
the sun shone bright in the sky. Traveling with Felsafell was
enjoyable for Gewey. He never tired of the old hermit’s
stories, though he understood very little at times, and had never
heard of most of the people and places mentioned. Before he realized
it, they had walked thirty miles and it was time to stop for the
night.

The following days were much the same, though Gewey was
becoming increasingly apprehensive as they neared their destination.
The night before they were to arrive, Theopolou asked Gewey to
accompany him, away from the others.

“
Are you prepared?” asked Theopolou.

“
I'm not sure,” Gewey admitted. “I
really have no idea what I'm going to say to convince them.”

Theopolou looked at Gewey thoughtfully. “The
appearance of Felsafell should help with that. Word will spread fast
that he is with us. That you have such an ancient wisdom as your ally
will go far to sway the doubters. The main thing you must remember is
not to allow yourself to get angry. Your opponents will try to twist
your words. If you show anger they will see it as a sign of weakness
and you will lose support quickly.”

“
I'll do my best.” Gewey sighed. He tried to
imagine just what would be said to anger him but came up with
nothing.

When he returned to camp, Gewey tried to take his mind
off the thought of the day ahead by listening to Felsafell sing songs
in an ancient forgotten tongue. Though he couldn't understand the
words, he imagined an epic battle between good and evil being waged
across time. He wondered what the song was really about but didn't
bother to ask. Once the song was done, Gewey shut his eyes and
listened to the music of the forest until he felt the dawn approach.

Linus kneeled beside him. “Today is the day.”

Gewey opened his eyes and smiled. “I'm ready.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

It was mid-morning when Gewey noticed the terrain around
him change. The woods became thicker. So dense, in fact, that even
when he used his power to listen, the sound bounced straight back,
startling him. The party funneled into a narrow trail, causing their
progress to slow. No sound could be heard at all, not even the
footfalls of the party. Gewey nestled himself between Felsafell and
Linis as Felsafell began to whistle. The sound pierced the dead
silence of the woods, making some of the elves uneasy.

“
We're nearly there,” whispered Linis.

“
Nearly there indeed,” said Felsafell.
“There and back we go. Once more and again.”

Gewey couldn’t help but smile at Felsafell's
words, though most times they made no sense to him.

After about an hour, they came to a narrow stream,
spanned by an elegant, wooden bridge. Theopolou motioned for everyone
to halt.

“
We come in brotherhood and friendship,”
called Theopolou.

There was a long pause before a voice called back from
the other side of the bridge. “Then enter and be welcome.”

Theopolou and the other elders slowly led the rest over
the bridge. On the other side, the landscape opened up into a grassy
meadow, covered with soft grass, and dotted with multicolored
wildflowers. Tents lined the far end and Gewey could see elves
walking among them. Far beyond the tents, a white, vaulted roof
peeked out. A group of three elf women, dressed in tan leather shirts
and trousers, each with a long knife at her side, approached from
among the tents. Theopolou raised his hand in greeting, but the women
made no reply. When they were a few feet away, Theopolou stopped and
bowed.

“
Matrons of the Creator,” said Theopolou,
without looking up. “I offer you my friendship. As the eldest
among my party, I claim the right to beg entry for all.”

The matrons examined the group, only pausing for a
second when their eyes passed Gewey and Felsafell. They looked at
each other and nodded.

“
Be welcome,” said the elf in the middle.
“But be warned. You bring two humans with you and will be
responsible for their well-being, and answerable for their actions.”

“
I understand,” he replied, lifting his
head. “We need to be shown our quarters at once. There is much
to do.”

“
You, along with the other elders, have already
been seen to,” said the matron on the left. “Your tents
and provisions had been made ready and await you.” Her gaze
fell on Gewey and Felsafell. “However, we did not expect to
accommodate... humans.”

“
They need no special consideration,” said
Theopolou. “They will lodge with me and mine.”

“
Very well,” said the matron on the right.
“I assume you know your way.” With that, they turned and
walked back in the direction of the tents.

Theopolou waved Gewey over. “Stay with me.”
He turned to the others. “Farewell for now.”

The other elders and their escorts bowed in turn and
headed off in different directions, Gewey guessed to their tents.
Theopolou led Gewey, Linis, Kaylia, Felsafel and his own escort to
the left, towards the western edge of the encampment. Gewey glanced
several times at the domed roof, hoping to get a better look, but to
his disappointment, as they neared the tents, the roof disappeared.
From the far end of the meadow, Gewey couldn't tell how many tents
had been erected and was surprised to see that they numbered in the
hundreds, once they were among them. Elves were everywhere. Most were
dressed in plain leather or linen, but some were attired in fine
silks and adorned with exquisite jewelry.

“
I never thought to see this many of your people
at the same time,” whispered Gewey to Linis.

“
I'm shocked as well,” said Linis. “I
thought to see less than half this many. It seems Theopolou's call
has caused quite a stir.”

“
All the more reason to be cautious,” Kaylia
interjected over her shoulder.