Linis threw his arm around Gewey's neck. “Don't worry. Things will go as planned. Besides, you are about to become the envy of many an elf.”
They went over the ceremony a few more times, then let their conversation drift to lighter subjects. Gewey's guards kept their distance, but by midday Akakios joined in. He had heard of Linis and held him in high regard, despite the fact that he had been named a traitor.
They covered another forty miles before they stopped. Gewey noticed the elves occasionally glancing over at him to see if he were tiring yet. He knew it would be wise to feign fatigue, but his pride simply wouldn't allow this. Every time he caught one of their eyes he just smiled happily and whistled a bright tune. This brought fierce stares and chatter among the elders - all except Theopolou, of course.
Once camped, Kaylia joined them again. She looked burdened with worry. “What’s wrong?” asked Gewey.
“Theopolou,” she replied. “He doesn't seem well.”
“You mean he's ill?” asked Gewey.
Kaylia shook her head. “Not ill exactly. It’s more like he is slowly being drained of all energy.”
Linis smiled sympathetically. “Theopolou is very old, Kaylia. Perhaps this trip, and our quick pace, is too much for him.”
Kaylia shook her head. “I know, but it's more than that. It's as if his very spirit is being gradually taken away from him.”
“I might be able to help,” offered Gewey.
“How do you mean?” asked Linis.
“I could give him part of what I have,” Gewey said. Then he shook his head. “No. That's not what I mean. I can't really describe it, but I think I can put power from the earth inside him.”
Linis looked at Gewey in wonder for a moment. “How did you learn to do such a thing? Only the greatest of elf sages have ever been able to do this.”
“I don't know,” he admitted. “I don't even know that I can do it for sure. I just feel that I can. Ever since I journeyed to the spirit world for the first time I keep getting these...impressions. It's like I know I can do a thing, but I don't know what it is.” He rubbed his chin. “I don't understand it, but I still think I can help Theopolou - if he'll let me.”
“I'll ask him,” said Kaylia, rising to her feet. She paused and looked down at Gewey, smiling. “Thank you,” she said. With that, she walked off to speak to Theopolou.
A short time later she returned, accompanied by her uncle. The old elf sat next to Gewey, though he did not look directly at him. “Kaylia says you have the ability to transfer the flow from yourself to another,” he remarked.
“I think so,” said Gewey.
Theopolou turned to Kaylia, then to Gewey. “But you are not certain?”
“Not entirely,” Gewey admitted. “As I told Linis and Kaylia, after I woke up from being in the spirit world I felt as if I knew things - but without really knowing them. I know I can do this. And if you're ill, you really should let me try.”
Theopolou scrutinized Gewey for a long moment. “I'm neither ill nor tired as Kaylia might think, but something is wrong.” He stood up slowly. “I feel as if the energy of the earth is somehow being drained from me.”
“Drained how?” asked Linis.
“I don't know. I have never encountered this before. I have attempted to track down the source, but so far unsuccessfully.”
“Could it be one of the elders?” asked Gewey.
“I don't think so,” said Theopolou. “Of all the elders and other elves here, only Chiron, and perhaps Linis, have a stronger connection than I. Neither of them could do this.”
He looked straight at Gewey. “Actually, you are the only one here with such ability.”
“I swear...” Gewey began to protest, but Theopolou held up his hand.
“I did not mean to suggest that you had anything to do with this,” he said. “Just that you are the only one here I am aware of who has such power. Of course, it is possible that another has also somehow gained this ability. And then again, it may not be anyone. It just may be an anomaly.” Theopolou’s eyes grew sad. “Our people have lost so much knowledge. Even the wisest of us are mere children compared to our ancestors. They had such vast knowledge in matters of the flow, it is said they could trace it to its source.”
Linis joined Theopolou in his melancholy. “Yes. The seekers of old were said to have been able to outrun a deer, and hear the heartbeat of a rabbit from one hundred yards away.”
“I do not think it is wise for you to give me your flow,” said Theopolou. “But I would ask that Linis help me track down the culprit, if there is one.” Then, as if a wave had hit him, he staggered.
Gewey jumped up and placed his hand on Theopolou's shoulder. He could feel the elf tense at the unfamiliar contact, so he withdrew and took a step back. “Are you…”
Theopolou waved him off. “I'm fine.”
“No, you're not,” argued Kaylia. “You should let Gewey try to help you.”
Linis nodded in agreement. “I...”
Suddenly, he looked up to see Akakios standing a few feet away, eyes ablaze, his bow drawn and pointing at Gewey. Linis reached for his dagger, but it was too late. The arrow loosed.
Time stood still as it flew through the air and Kaylia tried desperately to throw herself into its path. But instead of piercing Gewey’s flesh, the shaft flew past him, missing his throat by a hair’s breadth and burying itself into the chest of an elf wielding a vicious looking dagger just a few feet further back. The attacker gasped and clutched at the arrow before falling to his knees. Kaylia and Linis were already running towards him, while Gewey threw his arms around Theopolou and pressed him towards the guards.
“Unhand me, boy,” boomed Theopolou.
Gewey ignored his protests. When he was in range of the guards he shoved Theopolou in their direction. “Protect him,” Gewey commanded. The elves obeyed without question, surrounding the elder.
Gewey ran to Akakios' pack and retrieved his sword. It sang as he pulled it free from its scabbard, and he could feel the warm throb of the earth rush through him. By this time, Kaylia and Linis had reached the assassin and were trying to remove the arrow.
“To arms,” yelled Gewey, alerting the others, who by this time knew something was wrong and had begun forming a protective circle around the elders.
Gewey ran to Kaylia and Linis. The wounded elf was struggling against them, trying to reach into his belt. Gewey dropped to the ground, and with all his strength, grabbed the elf's wrists and pinned them to the ground. The assassin’s eyes shot wide as he felt the power in Gewey's grasp. Realizing that he was far outmatched, the elf ceased resisting. Even so, Linis, Kaylia, and Gewey did not release their holds.
“Who are you?” roared Linis.
The wounded elf said nothing, instead simply turning his head away.
Gewey could hear the camp organizing a search of the nearby forest. He looked at the wounded elf carefully. Then he closed his eyes, allowing the power of the earth to flow like a relentless tide and reach every fiber of this being.
“Gewey,” whispered Kayla. “What are you doing?”
Gewey took a deep breath. “I am going to get some answers.” Releasing the elf’s wrists, he instead placed his hands on the captive’s chest.
The ground hummed for a moment as Gewey let the power flow from him, into and around the elf's body. “You can let him go,” he said to Linis and Kaylia. “He cannot move.”
Slowly the other two relaxed. They marveled at the sight they beheld. Gewey smiled as he also removed his hands. Still the wounded elf could not move.
“What have you done to him?” gasped Linis.
“Nothing,” Gewey replied. “I am just using the same power that you do. Only I'm using it to hold the elf down.”
“Amazing,” said Linis, half smiling.
Gewey nodded, then turned his attention back to his prisoner. “You will tell me what I need to know.” His voiced was grim and intimidating. “Who sent you?”
The elf
glared with hatred and fear. “Curse you, and all of your kind,” he hissed. He shifted his gaze to Kaylia. “And you...”
“Careful,” Gewey warned, then let the power squeeze in tightly.
The elf gasped. “Traitor,” he managed to say.
Gewey could hear some of the other elves making their way quickly toward them. In a flash, Theopolou appeared with a knife in hand and slit the wounded assassin’s throat. Blood soaked the elf's shirt and spilled onto the ground. Gewey immediately released his hold on him, but it was too late. His eyes met Gewey's for one final moment before death overcame him. Pure hatred was the only thing Gewey could see. Then came the blank stare of oblivion. He heard a thud as the knife hit the ground beside the slain captive’s head.
Theopolou turned to the others who were still a few feet away. “He is dead. I have killed him.”
Chiron walked up to the body and examined it carefully. “He has no markings and his clothes could be from anywhere. The dagger is common as well. The stains and scrapes on his boots suggest that he has traveled through the mountains.” He turned to the others. “Does anyone recognize him?”
Each elf in turn examined the body, but none could place his face or guess at his origin. Even Linis could not find a clue. After it was clear that no one could solve the puzzle, the elders gathered in a small circle to decide their next move. They invited Linis to join them, but made it clear that Gewey and Kaylia were to remain with Akakios and the other three guards. Akakios looked as if he wanted to ask for Gewey's sword, but he did not.
The elders talked for about an hour before splitting up to tell their plan to the others. Linis approached Gewey, his eyes aflame.
“Fools,” spat Linis. “Bloody fools!”
“What is it?” asked Gewey.
“They want to press on even faster,” Linus replied in disgust. “And still they will not allow my seekers to join us.”
“You told them they are near?” asked Kaylia.
“I had no choice. Whoever that assassin was, he possessed the skills to slip past my people. If there are more like him out there, we won't be able to notice them if we travel too fast. But if the elders were to allow my seekers to come amongst us, we could move at speed and avoid a trap.” He checked his weapon. “I need to speak to my comrades. I'll return soon.” He dashed off into the woods and disappeared.
“Your weapon,” came Bellisia's voice from behind them.
Gewey turned to her as she approached, accompanied by two escorts with long knives drawn.
“If there is someone seeking to kill him,” said Theopolou. “He should be allowed to keep it.”
“You misunderstand,” she corrected. “I only wish to know where he acquired that sword.”
“It was a gift,” said Gewey.
“And such a gift it is,” she said. Her eyes locked with Gewey's. “I will not ask you to give it up, and I suspect that forcing it from you may prove to be more difficult than we would have originally suspected. Because of that, I think that you shall be dealt with first. Theopolou's judgment must wait.” She turned to Theopolou. “Once we arrive, be prepared to present your arguments in favor of this boy and inform him of his rights.”
“You cannot do this,” said Theopolou.
“I can and will,” Bellisia shot back. “Do you think me blind? Did you think he could use that much of the flow and it would escape my notice?” She stepped toward Gewey, looking him up and down. “Whatever you are, I will get to the truth of it. And if you are a danger to my people, we need to know. That gives me the right.” She spun on her heels and strode off.
“I am sorry, Gewey,” said Theopolou in a half whisper. “I fear this trip may go ill for you.”
“I don't understand,” said Gewey. “What just happened?”
“Bellisia is calling you to appear before the council to determine if you are a danger to our race. If they decide that you are, then they will kill you - and me, for bringing you among us.”
Gewey tightened his jaw and re-sheathed his sword. “They may find that more difficult than they think.”
“Then you will be forced to slaughter your allies,” said Theopolou. “We will fall and the Dark One will triumph.”
“If he allows himself to be killed, all is lost anyway,” said Kaylia.
Theopolou nodded. “The only hope is for you to convince them to spare you. You must show them that you are not a threat.”
“I need to do more than that,” said Gewey. “I need to convince them to join me. That's why I came to begin with.”
“True,” said Theopolou. “But I fear you will have little success. The only way is to gain the support of the majority of the elders. The others will fall in line to avoid a second split.”
“How should we proceed?” asked Kaylia.
“My way is usually one of caution,” replied Theopolou. “But now is a time for bold action.” He turned and took a few steps. “Face each other. Do it quickly.” He turned back around. Gewey and Kaylia stood motionless for a moment, then obeyed.
“Are you still sure you wish to be bonded?” the old elf asked. His voice was soft and melodic.
Kaylia didn't hesitate. “I am.”
Gewey was speechless but still managed a short nod.
“But won't this anger the others?” asked Kaylia. “How can Gewey convince them if they're too incensed to listen?”
“Anger will fade,” he explained. “You have chosen this...man. And he you. If you expect to touch the reason of the elders, you must make them face their fears and see what is possible. Talk is not enough. Though you may be right; this may be a mistake.”
“It is no mistake,” said Kaylia, smiling. “If Gewey faces death, I will face it with him. I would have the bond completed before our fate finds us and it is too late.” She turned to Theopolou. “Now is the time.”
“Then prepare yourselves,” said Theopolou. “I will gather the witnesses.”
They watched as Theopolou walked away into the fading light toward the elders. Gewey was shocked. “They will be our witnesses?” he laughed.
“They cannot refuse,” Kaylia explained. “The bonding ceremony is one of our most sacred rituals. It strikes at our core beliefs. They would not dare say no, regardless of who is being bonded.”
“What do I need to do?”
Kaylia suppressed a laugh. “If you still have the clothes Theopolou gave you, you should put them on. They are a bit more appropriate.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “As for me, I should change as well.” With that, she danced off, leaving Gewey reeling with emotions that flowed between their connections.
If this is what it's like now, Gewey thought. What must it be like when it's completed? He shook his head vigorously in an effort to steady his nerves, and went to his pack to retrieve his elf clothing.
“Gewey,” called Akakios. He came trotting over holding a tiny flask in his hand. “There is a stream nearby where you can wash. I've sent the other three ahead to make sure it's safe.” He slapped Gewey on the back. “Come. Let’s get you ready.”
Gewey paused and extended his hand. “I didn't thank you for saving my life.”
Akakios looked thoughtful. “I'm not sure I did. Anyway, you might not have been the target.”
“What have they done with the body?” Gewey asked, noticing that it had been removed.
“Two of my kin have taken it to the forest to perform the funeral rites,” he replied. “Assassin or no, he was an elf, and should pass from this life as one.”
“Of course,” said Gewey.
“But enough of that,” said Akakios. “You need to get ready, and I will not face Theopolou for failing to have you back on time.” He threw his arm around Gewey, pulling him along.
Gewey allowed himself to be led into the surrounding dense forest. About half a mile in, he heard the light trickle of a stream. The three guards were waiting there; they did not smile.
Akakios halted. “You'll find the stream just a few feet through that
brush.” He handed him the flask. “Essence of the star lily. It is a tradition among us to perfume ourselves during high rituals, and it does not get more lofty than this.”
Gewey opened the flask and the air filled with a sweetness he had never experienced. “Thank you,” he said gratefully before heading to the stream.
“Just see that you give it back,” Akakios called after him. “I need some for myself as well.”
Gewey washed and dressed. He wished he had a mirror. The stream moved too swiftly to see his reflection.
“Gewey,” called a voice a few yards away, just beyond the brush.
Gewey glanced over to see Linis striding toward him. A smile beamed across his face.
“How do I look?” asked Gewey.
Linis examined him carefully, then said: “Presentable - all things considered. How do you feel?”
Gewey took a deep breath. “A bit nervous, but excited too.” He took another breath. “Mostly nervous.”
“Just remember what I told you and you’ll do fine,” Linis reassured. “However, if you'd like, we can go over the ceremony once again.”
“Yes, I would like that,” admitted Gewey. “But tell me. Did you speak to your brethren?”
“I did,” he replied, with a brief flash of anger. “I am not pleased that they let someone through. It will not happen again.”
His smile then returned. “I can't wait to see the look on the elders’ faces.” He began to laugh. “Their own arrogance has forced them to witness their worst fear.”
“I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “But I don't think it's very funny.”
Linis forced back his laughter. “Forgive me, my friend. I forget myself. This is a joyous occasion, not to be tainted by the petty squabbles between me and the elders.”
As they returned to the camp, Gewey and Linis went over the ceremony one last time. Upon arrival, Gewey could see that the elders had gathered. All of their eyes were fixed upon him.
“This should be interesting,” muttered Gewey as he approached the group. The grim expressions on their faces told him that they were none too pleased.
“Gewey Stedding,” said Lord Chiron. “As you probably know, we are not in favor of this union.”
The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3 Page 56
