The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (9 page)

“
I'm still concerned about the Book falling into
the hands of our enemies,” said Selena. “How does this
agreement prevent that?” She walked to the bed and sat beside
Gewey.

“
If I fail to help sway my kin, I will take the
Book and hide it away where it will never be found,” Theopolou
replied. “You have my solemn vow on this.”

“
And just how do you propose to sway them?”
asked Lee.

“
Gewey and Kaylia will accompany me to my home.
There the elders will meet and decide.”

“
Hold on a minute,” said Lee “Do you
really think we would allow Gewey and Kaylia to simply leave with you
and deliver themselves into the hands of people who want nothing more
than their deaths?”

“
They will be under my protection,” replied
Theopolou. “No elf will harm them while I give them sanctuary.
That I return with the Book of Souls will also go far in aiding our
cause.”

“
If you do this, I will go with you.” Lee
planted his fists on his hips.

“
No, Lee,” said Gewey. “It can only be
me and Kaylia. If we have any hope of bringing the elves to our side,
we must show them we can be trusted.”

“
You will not be welcome among us, half-man,”
said Theopolou. “If you come then our efforts will fail.”

“
Find a way to make them bear my presence if you
are so bloody wise.” Lee could barely contain his frustration.

“
Insults are not called for. I have given my word
the boy and Kaylia will not be harmed.”

“
And what of Kaylia?” Dina was careful not
to come to close to Theopolou, afraid he might discover her heritage.
“What if they decide to judge her?”

“
Kaylia will face judgment,” he replied.
“But not at this time. I have granted her my protection, and my
people will honor it.”

“
Let us think on this,” said Selena. “I
will give you my answer tomorrow—in any event, they cannot
travel until they are stronger.”

“
I would like Dina and Lee to stay a while,”
said Gewey. “They've heard my story, and I'd like to hear
theirs.”

Selena smiled. “Only for a short while. You must
regain your strength.” She turned to Theopolou. “I'll
have rooms made ready for you and your escort.”

Theopolou nodded. “Thank you, High Lady. If you
have rooms that are a bit... secluded, it would make our stay more
pleasant for everyone.”

“
That can be arranged.” She showed no sign
of being insulted. “I can have your meals brought to you as
well, if you wish.”

“
That would be fine.”

“
Then, if you will follow me,” she said, and
led Theopolou from the room.

“
You certainly wasted no time in causing me
trouble,” said Lee.

“
I'm sorry,” said Gewey once the door
closed. “But there is no other way.”

“
I didn't say you were wrong. I just don't like
it.”

“
Enough.” said Kaylia. “I want to know
what has happened while I was asleep.”

“
Yes,” agreed Gewey. “So would I.”

“
Fine.” Lee sighed.

Lee recounted the events up until the meeting. Gewey
smiled when he heard about the meeting between Lee and his mother.

“
It's hard to believe,” said Gewey once Lee
had finished. “All this time, and she was living here.”

“
Yes.” Lee chuckled. “The world is
full of surprises.” His eyes grew sad, “Now, if only I
had word from Millet.”

Gewey thought for a moment. “I think I may be able
to find them... with Kaylia's help.”

“
How would you do that?” asked Lee, unable
to contain his excitement.

“
I believe I can touch the mind of Malstisos. With
a healthy dose of jawas tea, and Kaylia lending me her strength―it
may be possible.”

Lee looked at Gewey doubtfully. “They're hundreds
of miles away. How could you do such a thing?”

Gewey smiled wide. “One thing I realized when I
was with the spirits is that time and distance don't amount to much
there. Now that I know the way, I can return.”

Dina became alarmed. “But won't you risk being
trapped again?”

“
Not likely. The spirits will leave me alone now,
and they are the ones who trapped me. Without them in my way, I
should be able to come and go as I please. With Kaylia there to help
me find him, I think I can reach Malstisos no matter how far away he
is.”

“
I still can't ask you to risk it.” Lee
shook his head. “If you're wrong...”

“
He is not wrong,” said Kaylia. “Reaching
out and returning is not the challenge. Finding one particular mind
is. We have an advantage in that Malstisos will probably be the only
elf in the area, and it will be easier to single him out. That's
where I come in. Our bond allows me to travel with Gewey, and my
familiarity with an elf’s mind should increase our chances.”

“
When you say travel...” said Dina.

“
I mean it literally,” replied Kaylia. “It's
different than when one touches the mind of another, the way you or I
would do. The world where we go is as real as this one in a way.”

“
I am familiar with this sort of contact, as you
know,” said Lee. “But it's still difficult to
understand.”

“
As much as I'd like to show you, I'm not sure
what the risks would be,” explained Gewey. “Just imagine
yourself in a dream where anything is possible, only you’re
wide awake.”

“
Sounds wonderful,” said Dina.

“
It is.” Gewey nodded. “But it can be
terrible, too. If it wasn't for Felsafell saving us, we'd probably
still be trapped.”

“
That's probably the most confusing thing about
your tale,” remarked Lee. “Little is known about him, and
if Theopolou is right about his being a part of some ancient race,
then his motives are a mystery. I don't like mysteries.”

“
Whatever he's after, it doesn't seem he means to
harm me,” said Gewey. “Until I can see him again, that
will have to be enough.”

“
But he was the one who freed you,” said
Lee. “What if the spirits decide to keep you there again?”

“
They won't,” said Gewey. “Even if
they did, I think I could escape them if I needed to.”

“
And you really think you can contact Malstisos?”
asked Dina.

“
I do,” Gewey nodded. “Tonight, I will
try.”

Lee nodded reluctantly.

That settled, Kaylia turned to Dina. “I see you
are in full dress.”

“
Indeed I am. While you and Gewey slept, I was
elevated to full cleric. I'm a temple historian now.”

“
That is wonderful,” said Kaylia. “I
know you'll do well.”

“
I'm going to try. The High Lady has put a great
deal of trust in me.”

“
You won't disappoint her,” said Gewey. “I
know it.”

Dina smiled and her cheeks flushed. “I hope you're
right. It's everything I've hoped for. I just didn't think it would
happen so quickly.” She choked back tears of happiness. “But
enough of that. Do you really think you can open the Book of Souls?”

“
I'm not sure,” Gewey admitted. “I do
believe it's the only way to bring the elves over to our side.”

“
I agree that we need them,” said Lee. “But
I'm not sure this is the best way to go about it. Why not leave it to
Linis and the others to sway them?”

“
Do we have that kind of time?” asked Gewey.
“If the Dark Knight moved on us today what would happen? Could
we fight him?”

“
Then perhaps if I can't go with you, Linis can,”
suggested Lee. “We could insist upon it.”

“
We could request,” corrected Kaylia. “But
Linis is an outlaw as well. It may prove difficult. But, I agree that
it's worth a try. Outlaw or no, he is among the greatest of all the
seekers, and his presence carries weight.”

The door open and Selena returned. Lee told her about
their idea of Linis accompanying them.

“
I like it,” said Selena thoughtfully. “I
think if I agree to allow the Book of Souls to return to the elves,
he will agree. I'll approach the subject in the morning.” She
took a long look at Gewey and Kaylia. “I think it's time you
two rested. We can talk more in the morning.”

Gewey protested, but Selena stopped him with one stern
look. Lee and Dina embraced them tightly and bid them goodnight.

“
I'll wake you if I'm successful,” called
Gewey to Lee as he was leaving. Lee nodded and shut the door.

Chapter Six

Malstisos felt a cool breeze caress his cheeks as he
walked between the massive redwoods. The noon sun shone through the
leaves, making the grass sparkle like a million tiny emeralds. The
forest was familiar, but like a distant memory from childhood. He
reached over and touched the almost black bark of a nearby tree. It
should have been hard and coarse, but it wasn't. It was soft, smooth,
and yielded to his touch. He withdrew his hand in amazement. He
reached out again and gently moved his hand over the bark. Light
rippled up the length of the tree and back down again. Malstisos
stood transfixed by the sight.

“
This can't be real,” he whispered.

“
It's real,” a voice called from behind.

Malstisos spun around, but there was no one there. “Who
are you?” There was no answer. He reached for his knife but
found that it was no longer at his side. “Show yourself.”

“
I am here.” This time the voice was softer
and clearly feminine.

“
Why can't I see you?” he asked, straining
his eyes. The forest began to blur and shift. “What's
happening?”

“
Don't be afraid. We are friends.”

“
We?” he said. “Who are you, and what
do you want?”

“
It's Kaylia. I'm here with Gewey.”

“
Kaylia? Why can't I see you? What is this place?”

“
You are at the edge of the spirit realm. Why you
can't see me, I do not know. I suspect that you would in time. But
time is not a luxury we have. We have guided you here, but I do not
know how long you can remain.”

“
How do I know you are who you say you are?”
he challenged. “How do I know this isn't just a vivid dream?”

“
Does it feel like a dream?”

“
Yes... and no,” he said. “I
feel
awake but all this…” He looked out as the forest ebbed
and flowed like a green tide. “It can't be real.”

“
It is real,” said Kaylia. “At least
in the sense that this
is
a real place. This is only our second time here, but I think that it
changes with your thoughts and emotions. I do know that the dangers
here are
very
real.”

“
Dangers,” said Malstisos. “What
dangers?”

“
There is no time to explain. Gewey is struggling
to keep you in this world. Did you succeed in saving Lee’s wife
and son?”

“
His son is with us,” he replied. “But
I'm sad to say that his wife has been taken north to Angrääl.
Millet is taking the boy to Baltria, while I escort Maybell to
Althetas.”

“
I see...” she paused. “Stick to your
plan. Lee will find Millet in Baltria. Gewey and I have our own task,
but you will be met in Althetas. Go to the Frogs Wishbone when you
arrive. An agent from Valshara will contact you there.”

“
How am I to know—” Malstisos began.
The forest turned into a swirl of light and color. He felt as if he
were falling. Then blackness.

Malstisos awoke drenched in sweat, his heart pounding.
For a moment, he didn't know where he was. As his mind cleared, he
heard the sound of Millet, Jacob, and Maybell's deep, regular
breathing. He reached over and shook Millet.

“
What's wrong?” asked Millet groggily.
Malstisos recounted his experience.

“
Do you believe it was them?” Millet asked.

“
I do. How they accomplished it I can't imagine,
but I sensed no deception.”

“
Then we should keep to our plan,” said
Millet. “It's several hours until dawn, so we should try and
sleep. Maybell can be told of this in the morning.”

Malstisos nodded in agreement and drew his blanket
tightly around him. Sleep came slowly and his dreams were troubled.

The morning brought the smell of crisp bacon and fresh
bread. Gerald was busy setting the table and humming.

Millet was first to rise and helped with breakfast. At
first, Gerald protested but soon realized Millet wasn't one to be
deterred. The duo had the table prepared a full ten minutes before
Malstisos and Maybell stirred. Jacob was last to awaken.

“
Things are in order from the smell of it.”
Maybell yawned and stretched. She looked over to Malstisos who was
just waking up. “I always imagined elves to be early risers.”

“
My sleep was troubled... and eventful,” he
replied. “But we'll discuss it after breakfast.”