The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (8 page)

“
This location is not as secret as you think. My
people have known of it since it was first built. It would not be
difficult for the spies of Angrääl to find it, if they have
not already done so.”

“
You assume the Book would be kept here,”
said Selena with a wry smile.

“
I
assume
you have summoned me to return it.”

“
Let's not play games. You know why I summoned you
here.”

“
I saw Kaylia and her young friend,” said
Theopolou. “I told you there is nothing I can do for them. They
are beyond my reach.”

“
We had hoped that you would know a way to open
the Book,” said Selena. “Perhaps within its pages we
could find a way to help them.”

Theopolou shook his head. “I cannot. My family has
been the Book’s keeper and guardian, but we have no knowledge
of how to open it or what is truly inside. Even if I knew, I
wouldn't? It is not meant for me, or any but the Emancipator.”

“
Perhaps not,” said Lee. “But the
thought of handing over a potential weapon to a people who have such
deep hatred of humans does not sit well with me.”

“
I understand,” Theopolou replied
thoughtfully. “As I have given my word, we will not take it by
force. But you must know that once word of this reaches my people,
they will not suffer you or anyone else to possess it. They
will
come for it.”

“
Any attempt to attack this temple will fail,”
warned Lee. “And many will die in the attempt.”

“
All the more reason for you to return it,”
he replied. “I have no desire for bloodshed, but I cannot
prevent it from happening. My kin will take back the Book of Souls.
Of this I am certain.”

“
As the High Lady of Valshara, I will tell you
this.” Selena’s voice was commanding and firm. “Any
attempt to take the Book of Souls by force will fail. You may know of
the location of this temple, but you do not know its secrets. Even
should you succeed to breach our walls, you will never find the Book.
It will be lost forever.” She slowly rose to her feet. “I
promise you the moment a single elf steps inside without invitation,
will be the last moment the Book of Souls will see the light of the
sun. I will cast it where no one will ever find it again.”

“
This is getting us nowhere.” Theopolou’s
frustration bled through in his voice. “What will make you see
reason?”

The door to the hall flew open, and Sister Wileminia ran
straight to the High Lady and whispered in her ear. Selena's eyes
widened.

“
We must resume this later,” Selena
announced. “Lee, Dina and Lord Theopolou, I need you to come
with me at once.”

“
What's happened?” asked Dina.

“
Gewey and Kaylia are awake. Sister Wileminia,
will you see that Theopolou's companions are fed?”

Wileminia gave a quick nod and Selena rushed out of the
room. Lee, Theopolou, and Dina trailed behind.

Chapter Five

When they arrived at the healing chamber, they found it
nearly empty. A healer mixed herbs with a stone pestle in the corner,
and Gewey and Kaylia were sitting up in their beds, talking quietly.
Their faces lit up when they saw Lee and Dina, but Kaylia's
expression quickly changed to concern when Theopolou entered.

“
It's about time you two woke up.” Lee
laughed.

“
It's good to see you, too,” said Gewey. His
voice was weak and cracked.

“
They mustn't speak too much,” said Selena.
“At least not until they've had a few days to regain their
strength. We've kept them alive with herbal mixtures, but that's not
a replacement for a good hot meal.”

“
We're both fine,” said Gewey. “Although
I wouldn't turn down a bit of food.”

“
I've already sent word to the kitchen, High
Lady,” said the healer in the corner. “It should be here
shortly.”

Theopolou walked next to Kaylia's bed, ignoring the
others. “It is good to see you well.”

Kaylia nodded. “I am pleased to see you, uncle. I
am confused, though. How did you come to be here?”

“
Your... friends sent for me. They hoped I could
heal you, and this one.” He motioned, indicating Gewey. “But
as it seems, it was unnecessary.”

“
Healing me cannot be the only reason you have
come,” said Kaylia. “I am to be killed on sight. Am I
not?”

“
That is not of my doing,” replied
Theopolou. “I have opposed it from the beginning. I despise
what you are doing, but I would never see you put to death without
judgment.”

“
But you would see me put to death,” she
shot back.

“
Have you not broken the law? Are you not in the
company of humans? Have you not chosen to travel with them openly?”

“
And why should that be a crime?”

“
You should know better than most.”

Kaylia fumed, but Gewey reached out and took her hand.

“
I thank you for coming,” said Gewey. “But
as you can see, neither of us is in need of help.”

Theopolou stared at Gewey holding the hand of his niece
for a long moment. “I see,” he said finally. “Then
you have committed yourself to treason, and there is nothing more I
can do for you.”

“
Treason?” Kaylia scoffed. “Then what
have the elders who sent assassins to hunt me down committed?”

“
I agree,” said Theopolou. “But that
changes nothing. If you come home I might be able to persuade the
elders to let you live, but the look in your eyes tells me that will
not happen.”

“
You're wrong, uncle. I have given my word that I
will face judgment, and I will do so. But not until my task is
finished.”

“
And what task is that? What business could you
have with these people?”

“
That is not for me to say. At least, not yet.”

Theopolou sighed heavily. “Then if you no longer
are in need of aid that only leaves one final matter.” He
looked over to Selena. “The Book of Souls.”

“
That can wait,” said Lee. “I would
speak to Gewey and Kaylia first. There is much I have to tell them
and much I would like to know.”

“
Very well,” said Theopolou. “I too
would hear their account. They have journeyed where no elf has gone.
How this could have happened has weighed on my mind.”

“
Forgive me,” said Gewey to Theopolou. “But
there are things you cannot know.”

“
Then please omit any details you feel necessary,”
he replied. “I already know that you are not what you appear to
be. That your spirit traveled beyond my reach or understanding tells
me as much. And that Kaylia was able to join you tells me even more.”

Gewey looked at Lee who just shook his head and
shrugged. “Fine,” said Gewey. “But only if Kaylia
allows it.”

Kaylia stared hard at her uncle. “He is wise and
will learn the truth if he stays no matter what you leave out.”

“
You know me well,” stated Theopolou with a
hint of pride. “But I already know that you have bonded your
soul to the boy. That is clear. And the places his spirit traveled
say that he is either one of Felsafell's race or something... else.”

Silence fell over the room for a moment. Hearing
Felsafell's name caused Gewey's chest to tighten.

“
What do you know about him?” asked Gewey.

“
I know that he is neither human nor elf. And that
he is ancient. His people were here before humans walked the earth.
Some believe that they were here before the elves, but there is no
way to know. Perhaps you could ask Felsafell if he allows you to find
him. I know that his race was able to project themselves into places
unreachable by any, save the Gods. ”

“
I have met him,” admitted Gewey. “I
spent the night in his home, and I saw him again just before I woke.”

Theopolou looked at Gewey in wonder. “Then I think
I would hear your tale now.”

Gewey nodded and recounted the experience he and Kaylia
had had in the spirit world.

When he had finished Lee doubled over in laughter. “You
are a wonder. Just when I think I’ve heard everything you tell
us this.”

“
You are a wonder indeed,” agreed Theopolou.
“And the only one of your kind, unless I am mistaken.”

Lee tensed. “Whatever you may think, I'm sure you
are
mistaken.”

Theopolou raised his eyebrow and smirked. “I see
that you believe I shall reveal his secret. Perhaps I would if
circumstances were different. But, as my niece has bonded with him, I
will not. Besides, if I did, I would be put to judgment for not
killing a God when given the chance. Even my own guards would turn on
me.”

Hearing Gewey's true nature said aloud brought a wave of
anxiety throughout the room.

“
How long have you known?” asked Selena.

“
I suspected from the moment I discovered where
his spirit had traveled,” he replied. “But when I heard
about your experience with Felsafell there was no question in my
mind. And it does explain Angrääl's sudden mobilization in
the north, and their pursuit of a young boy.”

“
What do you mean?” asked Lee. His thoughts
turned to his wife and son.

“
Our seekers tell us that his armies gather. He
will be ready to march by spring at the latest.”

“
When did you learn this?” asked Lee.

“
Just before I came here. The information can be
no more than a week old.”

“
How is it we have heard nothing of this?”
Selena’s eyes flashed with anger.

“
If you have sent spies north, they would not
likely have made it far enough to have seen anything,” replied
Theopolou. “The way is well guarded. Even my people have
difficulty moving undetected.”

“
We need to start building alliances here,”
said Lee. “As the elves will not join us, we should finish our
business and move on.”

“
Quite right,” Theopolou agreed. “But
as we are at an impasse I do not see what is left to say.”

“
What business?” asked Gewey.

Lee told Gewey about the meeting. Gewey sat up straight
in bed and rubbed his chin. “I would like to speak to Kaylia
and Theopolou alone.”

Lee and the others paused for a moment then obeyed.

“
What do you suppose they're talking about?”
wondered Dina.

Lee shook his head. “If I know Gewey, he's doing
something foolish.”

“
Give him some credit,” said Dina. “He's
managed to do pretty well so far.” Lee grunted and crossed his
arms.

Selena place her hand lightly on Lee's shoulder. “It
will be fine,” she said softly. “If what you've told me
about the boy is true, his heart will guide him well.”

For over an hour they waited, the only interruption a
healer who brought Gewey and Kaylia a bowl of stew and some apple
juice. Lee was just about to lose his patience when Theopolou came to
the door and invited them inside.

“
We have come to an agreement,” said Gewey.
“But, I don't think you're going to like it.”

“
No doubt,” remarked Lee.

“
Don't worry,” interjected Theopolou. “It's
conditional on the approval the High Lady and you, of course.”

What is it?” asked Selena.

“
I have agreed to allow Theopolou to possess the
Book of Souls,” said Gewey. “In return, he will help me
persuade the elves to join us.”

“
Assuming I agree,” said Selena. “How
do you propose to do that?”

“
I will open the Book of Souls.”

“
You'll what?” exclaimed Lee. “How?”

“
If the boy truly is a God, he possesses the power
of heaven,” Theopolou explained. “With that power he may
be able to open it. If he can, it will go a long way toward swaying
my people, if not in joining you, at least not to oppose you.”

“
And when they find out what he is?” argued
Lee. “What then? Even elves that befriend humans hold no love
for the Gods.”

“
Nor do I,” said Theopolou. “But I do
not subscribe to the notion that it was the Gods that caused the
Split. I was there.” He turned to Kaylia. “As was your
father. I saw no evidence of divine intervention.”

“
Then what do you think really happened?”
asked Lee.

“
That is not a thing I would discuss here. It is
the business of the elves. I only say this much to set your mind at
ease regarding my intentions toward Gewey. I may not wish to befriend
humans, but as Gewey is not human, I bear him no ill will.”

“
I wish you could let go of the old hatred,
uncle,” said Kaylia. “They’re not as we have been
told. At least not the ones I call friend.”

“
You did not suffer through the Great War, or the
Split. I watched the humans take advantage of our weakness and
decimate our people. I could never trust them, and without trust,
there can be
no
friendship. If I can help Gewey convince my people to help your
cause, it is only to fight a greater threat. I do not believe the
promises made by the Dark One. Once he has defeated his human
enemies, he will turn on us and destroy us.”