The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (41 page)

“
This one is mine,” thundered Gewey.

Just as he took a step forward, the Vrykol burst into
flames. A blinding light flashed, knocking Gewey off his feet. Then
darkness.

When he regained his senses he opened his eyes, but
there was only blackness.

Blind
, he thought. He
struggled to stand but something was wrong. He couldn't feel his
limbs. He shouted for Linis and was relieved to hear his own voice.
But Linis didn't answer.

“
Linis cannot hear you, boy,” came a voice
from the darkness.

Gewey recognized it at once. He had heard it once
before... the night his adventures first began. “That's right,”
said the voice. “I am here. You know me, don't you?”

“
What do you want?” demanded Gewey. “Why
have you brought me here? Wherever here is.”

The Dark Knight laughed softly. “Where you are is
not important. As for why... I think you know.”

“
Why can't I see you?” asked Gewey,
straining to pierce the blackness.

“
Do you want to see me?” he asked, amused.

“
No,” replied Gewey. “I don't. We will
see each other soon enough.”

“
Indeed we will, little God. But until then I
would make you an offer.” The Dark Knight's voice grew deep and
menacing.

“
I am not interested in anything you have to say,”
said Gewey.

“
I have gone to a great deal of trouble bringing
you here,” he said. “I will not release you until I have
said what I have to say. You
will
hear me.”

“
You cannot hold me forever,” argued Gewey.
“I am not the naïve boy you tried to trick the last time
you spoke to me.”

“
No?” he mocked. “If that fool of a
half-man hadn't filled your head with lies and convinced you to flee,
you might see things differently. You continue to challenge me, yet
you still do not understand that I am not your enemy.”

This time it was Gewey's turn to laugh. “Is that
so? How many people have you sent to kill me? How many more will
come? You're a liar. You're nothing more than a deceiver with a
sword. Release me now.”

“
I have sent none to kill you,” he replied.
“I have only wished for you to join me. Those I have sent could
do you no lasting harm. If you used your mind, you would see that.
You cannot stop me, regardless of what you have been told by anyone.
And once my labors are competed, you will be the last of your kind.
Though I do despise the Gods, I do not see you as one of them. Don't
you see what we could accomplish if you joined me? ”

“
Accomplish? You mean destroy, don't you? You
think that I don't see what you mean to do to the elves?”

“
I mean the elves no harm. Why should I? They can
go about hiding from the world until the stars fade, for all I care.
They do not concern me.”

“
Again a lie,” said Gewey. “If they
don't concern you then why attack them?”

“
I have not attacked the elves,” he said.
“Though I hear they attack each other.”

Gewey thought on this for a moment. What if Angrääl
really wasn't responsible for the attack? He would have drawn them
into a war based on a lie. “You expect me to believe that?”

“
I expect you to do what you know you must,”
he replied. “And that will lead you to me.”

“
That it will,” said Gewey. “But it
will be on my terms, not yours.”

The Dark Knight let out a deep, thundering laugh. “That
is where you are wrong. You will come to me now... before you are
able to do more harm. The half-man and his son are on their way here
as we speak. They think to rescue his wife. They will fail. And my
Vrykol have taken your elf mate from her captors.” The air
stirred. “As you can see, I have all that you hold dear in my
hands. And though it would pain me, I will flay them alive if you
continue to oppose me. You may be willing to sacrifice Starfinder,
but I doubt you would be so willing to allow your dearest Kaylia to
suffer.”

Fear struck Gewey's heart. “If you harm her…”

“
You will do what?” he boomed. “Kill
me? I think not. You will do as you are told, or the ones you love
will
suffer for your
lack of wisdom.”

The darkness pressed in. Gewey thought back to that
first night, back in Sharpstone. This time Lee would not be coming.

“
Gewey?” It was the voice of Linis.

The darkness faded as light from the waning day crept
in. “Gewey?” Linis repeated.

Gewey groaned as he tried to sit up. “Stay still,”
said Linis.

Gewey ignored him and forced himself up. “There is
no time. We must catch up with Kaylia.” He tried to reach out
to her but couldn't focus his mind. “What happened?”

“
The Vrykol just burst into flames,” Linis
answered, shaking his head. “Then you fell. Other than that, I
don't know.”

Gewey struggled to his feet. “How long was I out?”

“
Less than a minute,” replied Linis.
“There's nothing left of the Vrykol.” He pointed to a
smoldering pile of ashes several yards away. “Tell me what you
saw.”

Gewey gathered his wits and recounted what happened.

“
If the elves are in league with the Vrykol, it
would explain why they move with such speed,” said Linis.

“
Unless the Dark One is telling the truth,”
Gewey offered. “What if Angrääl had nothing to do
with this?”

“
I doubt that,” said Linis. “But even
so, it changes nothing. Even if what you were told is true, his
armies will march across the land very soon, and I do not believe he
will just leave us in peace.”

Gewey reached out again. This time he touched Kaylia's
mind... though only for a moment. “She still lives.” He
checked his pack and unsheathed his sword. “I'm ready. And I
will
get her back.”
His eyes narrowed as he drew in the
flow
until the ground shook.

Linis nodded. “Then let our quarry despair.”

End Book Two

Special Thanks

George Panagos- Kitty Bullard (GMTA Publishing)- Gerald
and Donna Anderson- Vincentine Williams- Hunter and Sarah Anderson-
Hector and Athena Ramos (I didn't forget Deserae, Raquel, and Nataly
aka. Stormageddon)- Alex, Cassy, Ariel (of course Mia and Malaki),
and Kyle DiBastista- Richie and Katie Gnyp- Jacob, Elizabeth and
Jennie Bunton- Tara Ramerez-Tom Riddell (one of the first people to
give me a shot)- Lilly Jean- Laura Will- Lisanne Cooper-(for the
amazing editing job). Jen Frith Couch- Miklos Bartha-
Christopher Martyn Smith- The folks from my home town (too many to
name but I love you all)- Helenic Classical Charter School-
All my new fans in India, the U.K. and Germany (thanks for
reading)- And all the fans and supporters who have made this
possible...

You're the best!!!

Authors Brian D. Anderson and Jonathan Anderson

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Brian D. Anderson was born in 1971, and grew up in the
small town of Spanish Fort, AL. He attended Fairhope High, then later
Springhill College where his love for fantasy grew into a lifelong
obsession. His hobbies include chess, history, and spending time with
his son.

Jonathan Anderson was born in March of 2003. His
creative spirit became evident by the age of three when he told
his first original story. In 2010 he came up with the concept for The
Godling Chronicles. It grew into an exciting collaboration between
father and son. Jonathan enjoys sports, chess, music, games, and of
course, telling stories.