The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (38 page)

Felsafell grinned impishly. “I know much. I tell
much. But do not tell all, as I do not know all. Find your road
child
of heaven
. I'll meet you alongside.” As
he walked passed Gewey and Linis, he stopped and pressed a small key
into Gewey's hand. It was gold, and bore no markings.

“
What's this for?” Gewey asked.

“
What is a key for, you ask.” Felsafell
laughed. “You know this already. Oh, yes, you do. And now I say
farewell.” He continued until he was out of sight. Gewey shoved
the key in his pocket and looked at Linis, who only shrugged.

“
I suppose it's just another one of his
mysteries,” said Gewey. “If I live through this, maybe
I'll solve it.”

The moment he and Linis entered the Chamber fell silent.
He peered down to the Chamber floor. There stood Theopolou, Eftichis,
and another elf he assumed was Eftichis' second. Eftichis was dressed
as he had been the night before, a long knife hanging loosely from
his belt.

As Gewey approached, his eyes met with his opponent’s.
Their gazes locked for what seemed like an eternity. Gewey knew that
soon those eyes would be dull and lifeless by his hand. He pushed the
thought from his mind and turned his attention to Theopolou.

Theopolou addressed Eftichis. “I ask you one last
time to withdraw from this challenge.”

Eftichis drew his weapon slowly and leveled his gaze. “I
will not.” His voice was even more determined and commanding
than the previous night. “This... human, shall either flee,
never to return, or die.”

Gewey drew his weapon, allowing it to draw in the
flow
.
The power within him grew until the very foundation of the Chamber
trembled. The world around him seemed to grow small and
insignificant. The elves before him, as well as those in the gallery,
were as children to his eyes. The Chamber of the Maker itself was at
his command. He had never felt so much of the
flow
pass through him before.

Then it occurred to him. The building itself was made by
channeling such power. Inside this structure, it was as if a river
with the power of the earth became a raging hurricane. He took
another look at Eftichis. The elf was frightened, though he tried to
mask it.

“
I ask you one last time,” Gewey's voice
boomed, causing the others to wince. “Do not do this.”

“
What are you?” screamed a voice from the
crowd.

“
Demon,” cried another.

“
I am no demon,” Gewey said to the crowd.
“You will find out soon enough what I am.” He turned back
to Eftichis. “Do you still wish to fight me?” He tried to
lessen his hold on the
flow
but an aching sadness replaced it, along with a yearning for its
return. Still after a few moments, he managed to release it.

“
Now more than ever.” The elf was grim,
though shaken. “I would not have one of my kin bonded to such a
creature, nor would I have my people follow you to their doom.”
Gewey was taken aback.

“
Oh, yes,” Eftichis continued. “I know
why you are here. We all do. And I would spit my last breath in your
face before standing by your side.” This brought cheers from
several throughout the gallery.

“
Give me your knife,” Gewey said to Linis,
as he sheathed his sword.

Linis did as he was asked. “What are you doing?”

“
Only what I have to,” Gewey whispered, then
turned back to Eftichis. “Linis shall hold my blade and I shall
fight with his.” He removed his sword and gave it to Linis.
Linis opened his mouth to protest, but a quick glance from Gewey
stopped him short.

“
What is this?” Eftichis demanded. “You
think to mock me?”

Gewey examined the knife, then looked up. “I am
not mocking you. If I use that sword, you will die without a fight. I
would not see you come to such an end. If I have to kill you, you
will die with honor.”

Eftichis could only stare in amazement. “Are you
certain?” asked Theopolou.

Gewey nodded and stepped forward. “Linis has
trained me well, as has Kaylia, my future
unorem
.
I will not have our union tainted by dishonor.”

Eftichis removed his long knife and took a dagger from
his second. “Then we shall face one another as equals.”

Gewey felt the flow enter his opponent, and he smiled.
Though it was far less than he himself could channel, it was nearly
as much as Linis, or even Theopolou.

Theopolou, Linis, and Eftichis' second backed away to
the edge of the platform.

“
Are you ready?” Eftichis’ voice
dripped with menace.

Gewey crouched low and allowed the power to rush through
him. “I'm ready.” This time the
flow
was much less than before. And though he could feel the power held
within the Chamber, he could no longer use it. He waited for Eftichis
to lunge.

He didn't have to wait long. The elf rushed at Gewey
with blinding speed, fast enough to rival even Lee, but instead of
striking directly, the elf rolled left and slashed at Gewey's right
thigh. Gewey was only just able to avoid the cut, as he spun away.

Eftichis smiled with satisfaction. “You have been
well trained, I see.” The dagger shifted in his grasp. “That
is good.”

Again the elf charged, but this time he did not strike.
Instead he whirled around and pushed Gewey's shoulder hard with his
empty hand. Gewey nearly lost his balance and took a step back.
Eftichis pressed his attack, attempting to drive his knife into
Gewey's stomach and barely missing.

Gewey knew what he needed to do. He stepped back,
allowing his blade to hang loosely in his hand.
Bring
him close
.

Once again Eftichis charged, but this time Gewey was
ready. Eftichis feigned left, then thrust underneath Gewey's guard.
Gewey caught the arm of his attacker and heaved upward, sending the
elf sprawling.

Gewey did not hesitate. He sprang after his opponent and
slashed the hand that wielded the knife. To Gewey's surprise, the elf
regained his footing and flipped the dagger into his other hand.
Blood gushed from the open wound and poured onto the pristine floor.

“
Well struck.” Eftichis grimaced in pain.
“But this fight is far from over.” In a flash Eftichis
was on Gewey again, twisting, and thrusting... driving Gewey back.
Gewey tried to counter, but the elf's skill was astounding. Even with
the power flowing through him, he was only barely able to avoid being
slashed to ribbons. Finally, Gewey saw an opening. The elf dodged
left, attempting to get behind him, but he stepped just a hair too
far. Instead of bringing down his blade, Gewey’s left hand came
across, his fist smashing hard into the temple of Eftichis. The elf
staggered and fell to one knee. Gewey raced in grabbing the elf's
wrist and with one twist, the knife slid across the floor. He pushed
hard, pinning Eftichis.

“
You must yield to me,” Gewey demanded.

Eftichis' eyes were aflame with fury. “We do not
yield, human! Finish it and be done.”

“
You would have me end your life?” asked
Gewey. He released the elf and got to his feet. “As you would
end mine?” He turned his back.

Eftichis glanced at his dagger, several feet away but
made no move to retrieve it. “I would. It is our way.”

Gewey spun around and tossed his dagger to Eftichis.
“Then kill me.”

Eftichis reached down and picked up Gewey's weapon. He
stared at it for a long moment, then rose to his feet.

Gewey walked up to Eftichis and placed his hand on the
elf's shoulder. Eftichis tried to back away, but Gewey held him fast.

“
What are you doing?” Eftichis cried. “This
is not—”

“
Not what?” said Gewey. “You want me
dead. You think my bond with Kaylia is wrong. Kill me.”

Their eyes met.

“
Do it,” Gewey whispered. “Or yield.”

Eftichis pressed the knife to Gewey's chest. The gallery
was silent. Then, the sound of metal against stone as the dagger fell
to the floor. Eftichis dropped to his knees and bowed his head. “I
yield.” He raised his head and looked to Theopolou. “I
release my claim and yield to the mercy of my adversary.”

Theopolou stood silent for a moment, then stepped
forward. “Gewey Stedding. The life and honor of this elf is
yours. What shall you do with it?”

“
Eftichis is master of his own life,”
replied Gewey. His voice echoed throughout the Chamber. “As for
his honor... in my eyes, it is without question.”

Theopolou bowed his head slowly. “Then the
pudnaris
is at an
end.”

The twang of a bow sounded. Gewey, still awash in the
flow, saw the arrow coming, and twisted his body just as it reached
him. It tore through his shirt and he felt a sharp pain as it cut
across his chest.

A voice cried from the entrance. “We are
attacked!”

The entrance flooded with sword-wielding elves, clad in
black leather armor. The gallery erupted. Elves drew their swords,
trying to make their way into the fray, while the attackers cut down
all who stood in their way.

“
Gewey!” Linis tossed Gewey his sword, and
drew his long knife. Gewey turned to Theopolou. “Get behind
me.”

Another arrow whizzed through the air, striking
Eftichis' second in the chest. The elf fell, desperately grasping the
shaft.

Gewey drew his sword, holding the scabbard in his left
hand. The
flow
raged
inside him. The sound of clashing steel rang throughout the Chamber,
as Gewey lowered his eyes, drawing in more and more power. The
building shook violently, throwing many of the combatants off their
feet. Gewey's eyes snapped open and the world in front of him became
chaos as the very air appeared to contract, then explode. Bodies of
the attackers and the members of the gallery alike, were thrown aside
like paper dolls, leaving a clear path to the entrance.

“
With me,” shouted Gewey, as he started up.

Linis, Theopolou, and Eftichis filed in behind. By the
time they reached the top, several of the attackers had recovered and
moved in to cut them off. Gewey cleaved the first nearly in two.
Linis took down the second. This gave the others pause, allowing
their escape.

Gewey surveyed the camp as they exited the Chamber.
Fires had erupted everywhere, and the screams of the dying sent a
chill to the pit of his stomach. “Kaylia!” screamed
Gewey, and took off in the direction of Theopolou's tent.

The sights of battle were a blur as Gewey ran straight
through the camp. One of the attackers tried to stand in his way, but
Gewey cut him down without even pausing. Finally, he reached the
tent. It was untouched.

“
Kaylia!” shouted Gewey, as he burst inside,
ripping the flap to shreds, but there was no answer. He rushed to her
room, only to find that she was not there. From room to room he
searched, but could not find her. Linis and the others finally
arrived.

“
Where's Kaylia?” Linis exclaimed.

“
She's gone!” cried Gewey and started off,
but Theopolou stood in his way.

“
Think, Gewey,” said Theopolou. “The
camp is too big and the battle still rages. You will not find her
that way.”

“
Out of my way,” Gewey commanded, his eyes
dark with rage.

“
Use your bond,” Theopolou continued. “Use
it to find her.”

Gewey lowered his head. His chest trembled with each
breath. He tried to calm his mind and reach out to her. At first,
there was nothing. Then, like a faint light, he found her. “She's
alive,” exclaimed Gewey, unable to contain his joy. “But
I can't find where she is. It's like there’s a shroud around
her.”

“
It would take someone powerful to accomplish
this,” said Theopolou. “I was only able to do so in my
own home.”

“
How do we find her?” asked Linis.

Gewey's jaw tightened “I know how.” He
walked to the entrance. “Wait here.”

Linis stepped forward, but Gewey’s eyes stopped
him short. “Be careful,” was all he could say as Gewey
disappeared from view.

“
What is he doing?” asked Eftichis.

“
Getting a prisoner,” Linis replied. “And
woe be unto him, if he does not tell Gewey what he wants to know.”

“
Should we not help the others?” said
Eftichis. “The elders—”

“
One of whom stands before you,” shot Linis.
“The others are well protected. I doubt that whoever attacked
us could pass their guards. Until we know what has happened, we
protect Lord Theopolou.”

Minutes seemed like hours as the party waited for
Gewey's return.

As the sounds of battle filtered in, Eftichis grew
unsettled.

“
I can wait no longer,” he roared. “Our
kin are dying.”

The body of a black-clad elf flew through the door and
slid onto the table. Gewey entered just behind, his face and clothes
covered in blood. The elf groaned and rolled onto his back. Linis
rushed in and held his blade to the elf's neck.