The Godling Chronicles:Book 05 - Madness of the Fallen

by Brian D. Anderson

  She arrived at the clearing just as Gewey’s body crumpled to the ground. He had lost, but was thankfully still alive. For how much longer though? Melek was kneeling over him with a dagger at his throat, about to finish matters.

  At that critical moment, twenty Vrykol rushed in from the cover of the trees. Unconcerned, Melek merely glanced over his shoulder, a knowing smirk on his lips. Before the Vrykol had taken even half a dozen paces he’d raised his hand and simultaneously ripped out the spirit from each and every one of them.

  Basanti had already drawn her dagger and was running headlong at Melek from the opposite direction. He spun around and was about to tear her spirit out too when an arrow whizzed through the air, striking the Oracle in the right thigh. She stumbled and fell to her knees just in front of Melek’s feet.

  Shaking his head, he sneered at her. “Did you really think you could surprise me?”

  From the tree line strode Aaliyah, bow in hand. Melek nodded in her direction. “Your help was unnecessary. I knew they were coming.”

  “I apologize,” she said, bowing low. She walked up and stood beside Melek. “But when I learned of the plot, I had to act.”

  Ignoring Aaliyah, Melek turned his attention to Basanti. “You are different from the others. Created by one of my children. Though which one, I can’t tell.” He bent down and jerked the arrow from her leg. Basanti cried out in pain. “A pity they didn’t make you stronger. Killing you is no challenge.”

  “Felsafell,” whispered Basanti. “What did you do to him?”

  “Ah, yes.” Melek smiled broadly. “The first born. He is unharmed as of yet. Though I will not be able to tell him the same of you. For now he is locked safely away in the cellar of the king’s manor. But rest assured, I will attend to him soon enough.” He cocked his head and laughed softly. “I must admit that the use of your enemy’s creatures in an attempt to distract me was…creative. For that, I think I will let you die without your lovely head on your shoulders.”

  “Demon,” she spat. “Shagharath was too kind a sentence.”

  Anger flashed across Melek’s face. He nodded to Aaliyah. “Kill her.”

  Aaliyah dropped her bow and unsheathed a long thin sword that hung at her side. She looked down at the Oracle with stone determination and unyielding resolve. Basanti closed her eyes and prepared to die.

  Then, everything changed. In the blink of an eye Aaliyah spun around - her blade, instead of delivering death to Basanti, cut through the air directly at Melek’s throat. But fast as she was, Melek would not be taken off-guard. Swiftly ducking beneath the sword, he struck her savagely on the temple with the hilt of his dagger. Aaliyah stumbled back, clinging desperately to consciousness.

  “I thought you might betray me,” Melek told her. His voice was cold and emotionless. “I should have altered your spirit completely.” He shrugged. “Little matter. I’m tired of these games. It’s time to end this.”

  Even as he spoke, a tall figure rushed from out of the trees and leapt at his back. Basanti knew instantly that it was Felsafell. Melek jumped forward, easily avoiding the attack. He spun around to face Felsafell and gave a mocking laugh. “Did you imagine I would not sense your approach, first born? You are no more of a threat to me than the rest of these fools.”

  He was still laughing when his body abruptly went rigid, as if struck by a thunderbolt. His eyes flew wide apart in a macabre mixture of stunned surprise and horrific realization of the fate about to befall him. For a long moment he remained locked in this position.

  “Now it ends,” said Weila. She was standing directly behind Melek, in her hand the Fangs of Yajna that she had just jabbed into his back.

  All at once, Melek’s limbs collapsed. His body crumpled lifelessly to the ground, only the grotesque expression mirroring his final living thoughts still frozen on his face.

  Weila regarded him briefly with a satisfied smile, then leapt over the body to kneel beside Gewey. Aaliyah quickly joined her and began examining the damage to Gewey’s spirit. He was still in extreme pain and unable to move or speak, but her reassuring glance helped to calm him.

  “There is no permanent damage,” Aaliyah said, brushing back his hair.

  Gewey mouthed Kaylia’s name.

  “Nehrutu, Linis and Dina are watching over her.”

  Gewey smiled weakly and nodded.

  Aaliyah looked back at Basanti. Felsafell was tending the arrow wound in her leg. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But if I hadn’t shot you…”

  Basanti laughed, then winced as Felsafell tightened the bandage. “Yes, I know. I would be dead. You did the right thing. And don’t worry, I’ll heal in no time at all. But I am curious about how you were able to be freed from Melek’s influence.”

  Aaliyah looked at the dead god’s body and scowled. “Melek was unable to understand how the bond between Gewey and myself works. Such things were unknown to him. They didn’t come into existence until after the elves became a race. By then, he was already locked in Shagharath. Gewey merely allowed me to hear their conversation on the night of the banquet. The moment I learned of Melek’s intent, his influence was broken.” She pursed her lips. “I am fortunate that he did not alter me beyond my ability to resist.”

  “And praise the Creator for that,” Weila added. “The plan would have never worked without you.”

  Aaliyah cocked her head. “Me? It was you who held the key to it all. Your rejection of the flow made you invisible to him and allowed the distractions to work.”

  Weila paused, her expression reflective. “It makes me wonder if this is not all a part of the Creator’s design.”

  “Yes, I wonder that too,” agreed Aaliyah.

  Felsafell finished treating Basanti and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Can Gewey be moved?” she asked.

  “He can,” said Aaliyah.

  After helping Basanti to her feet, Felsafell went over to Gewey and lifted him in his arms.

  “I must go on ahead,” said Aaliyah. “I need to be with Kaylia.” She smiled at Gewey. “She will give birth very soon. But you needn’t worry. Her body is strong and her will to live even stronger. All will be well.”

  “A good day,” remarked Weila. “Your baby comes, your wife will survive, and one of your enemies has fallen.”

  Gewey managed a smile.

  “We should keep what has happened to ourselves until after Gewey has healed,” Aaliyah warned. “Melek has influenced many, including the king. For now, we should simply say that we do not know of Melek’s whereabouts.”

  “But how will we explain Felsafell?” asked Weila. “It was hard enough for me to accept what he is. And he won’t exactly blend in.”

  “We will remain hidden,” said Basanti. “Once we near the gates, you must attend to Gewey.”

  Gewey groaned. “I-I think. I-I think…” His voice was muffled, as if he were speaking with his mouth covered.

  Weila laughed. “If that sentence ends with ‘I can walk’, then Melek must have bashed the sense from your head. I may not have the strength of a god, but I can manage your weight long enough to get you home.”

  Aaliyah took her leave and raced toward the city.

  Basanti and Felsafell departed when a quarter mile away from the gates, leaving Weila to heft Gewey over her shoulder. On seeing them approach, the guards quickly procured a wagon to carry him. They eyed Gewey with confusion, but Weila commanded them to remain quiet about what they had seen, and had them accompany her to ensure that they did.

  By the time they reached the manor, though still unable to walk, Gewey was capable of speaking a few words. He ordered the guards to stay at the entrance, reaffirming to them that they should remain silent about his condition. As they moved on inside, Weila was beading with sweat and grunting from the exertion of bearing his not inconsiderable weight. Much to her relief, two soldiers quickly came to their aid and took over in helping Gewey to his chambers.

  Kaylia was still sleeping, though more peacefully than before,
with Aaliyah seated beside the bed holding her hand. Linis and Dina helped Weila to strip Gewey of his clothing, then laid him beside Kaylia.

  “It’s good to see that you live,” said Linis with a friendly smile. “I am beginning to believe that fate is your ally, my friend.” Wrapping his arm around Dina, they stood there together watching as Gewey drifted off to sleep huddled up close to Kaylia.

  * * * * *

  Gewey awoke slowly. The light shining through the window told him that it was late in the afternoon. Kaylia was still beside him, though now awake and smiling sweetly. Her belly was full and round and ready to birth their son.

  She leaned over and kissed him. “Aaliyah says that whatever Melek did, it has not injured our son…or me. But I will give birth within the next day and cannot leave this bed until then.”

  Gewey was relieved beyond measure. “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Only a day,” she replied. “Aaliyah has tended us both, aided considerably by Mohanisi and Nehrutu. They say that the damage to your spirit has already healed - also that Melek’s influence over the people is slowly fading now that he is gone.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  The door opened and Linis stepped inside. He took one look at Gewey and laughed exuberantly. “I see you are feeling better now.”

  Smiling, Gewey slipped from out of the bed. His legs were unsteady at first, causing him to grab hold of the bedpost until able to gain his balance. Once stable, he embraced his friend tightly. “Thank you.”

  Linis raised an eyebrow. “Why thank me? It was not I who faced a mad god and lived to tell the tale.”

  “No,” said Gewey. “But it was you who saved me. You and the others. I assume that was the secret you were all keeping.”

  Linis held out his hands and shrugged his shoulders. “What else could we do? Both the Oracle and High Lady Selena feared that if you were unable to keep our plan from Melek, we would be undone.”

  “She may have been right,” Gewey admitted. “I still have a hard time imagining his power. It was far beyond anything I expected. But what about Aaliyah? I had hoped by allowing her to hear Melek’s plans that she would be able to overcome his influence, but I was never entirely sure if this had been successful.”

  Linis chuckled. “Oh, your plan worked well enough. Once she was free of him she searched the manor and found Felsafell locked away in the basement. I was supposed to break in and rescue him, but she beat me to it. Without her, I don’t think we would have succeeded.”

  Gewey nodded approvingly. “That leaves me with only one question. The Vrykol?”

  Linis’ smile vanished. “I’m afraid you have the Reborn King to thank for that. Apparently, he had no more desire to have Melek walking the earth than we do. He sent word that he would deliver us with enough Vrykol to provide a distraction.”

  “And you accepted?” exclaimed Gewey.

  “We were left with little choice,” explained Linis. “They arrived in Valshara and well…they insisted. They said if they were killed, more would come. They knew of a place within the temple where they could hide from Melek’s sight. As it happened, the Oracle was able to hide there as well. Though I did pity her being forced to stay in such foul company. As it turned out, the room was entirely unknown to the High Lady. A fact that she was none too happy about.”

  Gewey considered this information. The Dark Knight had once been a member of the Order of Amon Dähl, so it was likely that he’d gained this knowledge during that time. He smiled inwardly at the sheer absurdity of the situation.

  “Still,” he said. “It’s amazing that you were able to beat Melek. And fortunate that Weila was among you to strike with the Fangs of Yajna.”

  Linis nodded. “Yes. Without her, I am sure we would have failed.”

  “Gewey!” cried Kaylia.

  Gewey spun around. Kaylia was smiling, but only doing so through a wave of pain.

  “Aaliyah was wrong,” she said, straining through each word. “It won’t be one more day.”

  It took a moment for Gewey to grasp her meaning; his eyes shot wide and his heart began to pound with panic. Before he could think of what to do, the door flew open and Aaliyah raced to the bedside. Her manner was relaxed and her face glowed with joy as she took Gewey’s hand and kissed his cheek. She then turned her attention to Kaylia.

  Linis touched his shoulder. “Come, my friend. We should not be here.” Seeing Gewey hesitating, he added: “She is well tended. Elf men are not welcome during the birthing.”

  “I am no elf,” Gewey pointed out, moving to take up position beside Aaliyah. “And I will not leave her.”

  Kaylia looked at him, her eyes filled with love. Her lips turned up into a sweet smile. “Yes. I want you here.”

  Aaliyah looked over her shoulder at Linis. “You, on the other hand, can go.”

  Linis bowed and gave Gewey’s shoulder a squeeze. “I will be just outside if I am needed.”

  Gewey didn’t hear Linis’ words. His attention was on Kaylia and the life she was about to bring into the world. A life they had created together.

  A life that he would do anything to protect.

  Chapter 29

  Though the room was filled with his friends, Gewey could neither see nor hear them. He was transfixed. The whole of his world rested inside a soft cotton blanket he held in his arms.

  His full head of hair was raven just like Gewey’s, but his skin held the deep bronze tint of his mother. Sleepy ice-blue eyes opened and closed as they gazed at his father.

  Only Kaylia’s touch was able to tear Gewey’s attention away. She looked both exhausted and blissful. Gewey carefully handed their son over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “Do you have a name?” asked Dina.

  Gewey looked up, suddenly aware that Aaliyah, Nehrutu, Mohanisi, Linis, Dina, King Lousis, Weila, and Nahali were all surrounding the bed. Their faces beamed. With a rush, he wished that Lee and Millet were also there.

  Kaylia brushed a finger across the baby’s cheek. “Jayden.” She looked up at Gewey. “It means the light of heaven.”

  “Jayden,” Gewey repeated softly.

  “A fine name,” said Linis.

  “Fit for a god,” added King Lousis.

  Dina stepped close. Tears fell down her cheeks as she gazed at the dozing infant. “He’s perfect,” she whispered. “Just perfect.”

  There was a long silence as everyone watched Gewey and Kaylia holding the baby Jayden. Eventually, Aaliyah stepped forward and demanded the gathering’s attention.

  “Kaylia needs rest,” she stated firmly. “And so do I.”

  Everyone took their turn to congratulate the proud parents, then reluctantly filed out of the room. Aaliyah was the last to leave, pausing to examine both mother and child one final time before departing.

  “You realize this changes things,” said Gewey.

  “I know,” Kaylia replied. “And though I swore that I would never leave your side, I feel I must break my oath. To take Jayden into the jaws of death is beyond comprehension. And that is where you must now go.”

  “I will leave you both well-guarded,” he promised. “I sense that Melek’s hold on King Lousis has nearly disappeared. Mohanisi may have had a hand in that, I suspect - or perhaps Aaliyah. But I can leave you in his charge without fear.”

  “Once you go east, I will not remain in Althetas.”

  “Where then?”

  “I will go to the home of Theopolou,” she said firmly, though recalling the loss of her uncle caused his name to stick for a moment in her throat. “It is well hidden and easily defended. There are those among the elves in Althetas who still serve his house, and they will serve me faithfully too.”

  Gewey thought on this for a time before nodding his agreement. “Very well, but I would want to send more than just Theopolou’s elves. And no one can know where you have gone.”

  “Lord Chiron and Lady Bellisia should be returning from Skalhalis soon,” said Kaylia. �
��They can provide me with any additional help I may need.”

  The idea of being parted brought a huge sadness to Gewey. All of a sudden he wanted to take his wife and child and run, though to where he didn’t know. Only with great effort was he able to push unhappy thoughts from his mind. “That is something we can discuss later,” he said. “For now, let’s just pretend that this moment will last forever.”

  Kaylia tilted her head and smiled. “Yes, let’s do that.”

  * * * * *

  Gewey entered the council chambers. Though sad to be parted even for a moment from Kaylia and Jayden, he knew that he must discuss plans.

  Kaylia was not interested in joining him. Her focus was completely on caring for their child, at least for the time being. Talk of war and darkness could wait for a bit longer.

  Gewey could feel that his bond with Kaylia had now extended to Jayden, though in a different way. It was just as powerful, yet in some respects more distant. He remembered what his father had once told him on one of the anniversaries of his mother’s death. Gewey was only five, and couldn’t understand why his father was sitting in his chair staring at her picture.

  “Did you love her more than me?” Gewey had asked. A silly thing to say - that is, unless you’re a five year-old boy who wants nothing more than his father’s love. And though Harman never withheld his love, on that night every year he was distant and inconsolable.

  “No, son,” he had said, wiping the tears from his face. “But my love for her was different. You are my son and I love you beyond your understanding. From the first moment I saw you I knew you were mine, and that nothing could ever change that. But your mother…”

  He cleared the lump from his throat. “She was not mine. I was hers. From the very first time she looked at me, I was helpless against her power. She chose me above all others, and for that I have always felt unworthy.” His father’s smile was sad, yet it had still comforted Gewey. “Son. One day you will meet someone who captures your heart in ways you never thought possible. You’ll love her beyond reason. And when you are blessed with a child, you’ll do anything to protect it. You would face a horde of demons, and your wife is the one person who would stand by your side while you did it. This bond you will share is stronger than any other. It is a mutual love, joined in a way only parents can understand.”