“That's far enough, human,” said the elfjust beside Theopolou. Her strong, feminine voice echoed throughoutthe room. She pulled back her hood revealing long, elegant features.Her skin was the same dark bronze as Kaylia's, but her hair was jetblack and wrapped tightly with silver ribbons. She glared down at theduo, not attempting to mask her disgust. “I am Lady Bellisia,Chief Elder of the clan Hastriatis. You know Lord Theopolou. To myleft are Lord Chiron, Lord Endymion, Lord Syranis, Lady Leora, andLord Aneili. We are here to determine whether you are to givetestimony on behalf of Lord Theopolou, who has been called tojudgment, according to our laws.”
“That has already been decided,” correctedTheopolou. “Do not taint my house with deceit.”
Lady Bellisia glared angrily at Theopolou. “It wasnot my intention to deceive,” she said. “I merelymisspoke.” She turned her attention back to Gewey. “I doadmit that some of us were curious to see you.” She glanced atKaylia. “The human who could ensnare one of our people in thebond.”
“I was not ensnared,” barked Kaylia.
“Silence, girl,” Bellisia commanded. “Youhave no right to speak.”
“That’s odd,” said Lord Chiron. “Ithought this was an open forum. Or have the rights of an elfchanged?”
“Just because you support Theopolou and thismadness,” shot Bellisia. “do not think I will tolerateyour insults, even within these walls.”
“I give no insult,” Chiron retorted. “Butas you well know, Kaylia has been invited to these proceedings. Shehas the same right as an elder here… as does the human.”
“I mean no disrespect,” said Gewey. “butI am called Gewey Stedding. You may use my proper name.”
“Indeed,” said Bellisia. “So GeweyStedding, Lord Theopolou has told us that you are quite remarkable,for a human. And he says you saved the life of one of his escorts.”
Gewey nodded. “We were attacked by Vrykol.”
Bellisia laughed. “Yes, I've heard. The ancientevil of the Gods returned to plague the world. What is next? Shallthe Elder Race return to reclaim the world?”
“Once again, you name me a liar,” saidTheopolou. “You have all seen the head.”
“I do not call you a liar,” Bellisiareplied. “I merely say that you have been deceived. Thecreature you showed may or may not be what you claim. Perhaps it isan abomination created by human hands in order to cause fear amongus.”
“And how would they have done such a thing?”Theopolou asked. “Could they create a creature that is as fastas an elf, and will only die when you take its head?”
Bellisia paused. “We are not here to discuss theVrykol.” Her gaze returned to Gewey. “And now that youare in our presence, I have a question. What are you?”
A chill crept into Gewey’s stomach. “I don'tunderstand what you mean.”
“Do you not?” Bellisia pressed. “It'sa simple question. We can all feel the flowthat saturates your being. Humans cannot do this. So I ask again…what are you?”
“You do not have to answer,” said Theopolou,just as Gewey was opening his mouth to speak.
“Do you seek to deceive us, Lord Theopolou?”Bellisia asked. “Do you seek to bring danger among us?”
“The boy is no danger and you know it,” saidTheopolou.
Bellisia crossed her arms. “Is that so? I thinkyou are hiding something, and if he is not a danger, then there is noreason not to reveal his origins.” She looked at the otherelders. “We all know that this Gewey Stedding is no ordinaryhuman. How could he be? Perhaps he is a half-man, or perhapssomething else. Whatever the case, do we not have the right to know?”
“You do not,” announced Gewey. “As Iunderstand it, you are asking me to testify for Theopolou and that'sall. I see no reason to explain myself to you, or anyone else. If youno longer want me to testify, I will respectfully take my leave. Ihave urgent matters to attend to, and time is short. ”
Bellisia raised an eyebrow. “And you think you canjust leave? You think we can allow you to wander the world, bonded toone of our own?”
“Do not threaten my guest,” boomedTheopolou. “I have given them both sanctuary.”
Bellisia smiled innocently. “I make no threat. Andyour offer only extends as far as your domain. Unless you intend tohave them reside here forever.” She waived her handdismissively. “In any case, the boy can keep his secrets… fornow. But he must be guarded if he is to accompany us to the Chamberof the Maker.” She looked down at Gewey. “Do you agree tothis?”
Gewey nodded.
Bellisia looked up and down the group of elders. “Arethere any objections?” She smiled with satisfaction when therewere none. “Good. Then we depart at once.” Theopolouturned and walked off the stage, pushing past Gewey and Kaylia, whofollowed close after him. The other elders lingered until they hadleft the chamber, their eyes following them out.
“She is up to no good,” Theopolou muttered.
“What do you mean?” asked Gewey.
“There was no reason for this meeting in the firstplace,” he explained. “The questions she asked weremeaningless. A guard would have been put on you regardless, and youhad already agreed to come. I thought she simply wanted to see youout of sheer curiosity, but now I suspect she may be hidingsomething.”
“Do you think she knows about Gewey?”whispered Kaylia.
“Perhaps,” Theopolou replied, thoughtfully.“If she does, there is only one way she could have come uponthis knowledge, and that worries me.”
Thoughts of the Dark Knight exploded in Gewey's mind,and he remembered the dream he had the night he left Sharpstone.“What should we do?” he asked.
“There is nothing todo,” the old elf answered. “We must allow this to playout. If Bellisia and her allies plan to join with Angraal,we must call them out in front of the others. I will send word aheadto the elders who chose not to attend here today. They will notignore a summons to the Chamber of the Maker.”
“I thought all the elders were already here,”remarked Gewey.
“No,” said Theopolou. “The sevenelders here, including myself, are chief's among our people, and canspeak for our tribes in the absence of the others.”
“Will they have time to get there?” askedKaylia.
“I hope so,” said Theopolou. “I shouldbe able to get word to them quickly enough for most to arrive aheadof us, though the northern tribes will never get there in time.”Theopolou walked them to the front door and left them just outside.
“I'm worried,” said Kaylia, as they madetheir way around to their rooms. “I have never seen my kindbehave with such malice and deceit toward one another. Linis wasright all along. The second split is inevitable.”
“Does that mean you will change your mind aboutfacing judgment?” asked Gewey.
Kaylia smiled and touched his hand. “I don't know.At least not yet.”
“Whatever happens, I'll be there beside you,”said Gewey, with grim determination.
“That reminds me,” said Kaylia. “Ihave decided we shall complete the ritual of bonding once we arriveat the Chamber of the Maker.” She glanced sideways at Gewey.“That is if you are agreeable.”
“I…” he stuttered. “That is…”he stopped short and cleared his throat. “Of course, I am.”
“Good,” said Kaylia. “Linis willinstruct you on the ceremony along the way. Also, you needinstruction in our customs if you are to be mine. I will see to thatpersonally.”
Gewey's heart raced with excitement and fear. Ifthe Village Mothers could see me now. Theyhad tried to be matchmaker for him more times than he cared toremember.
Once in his room, Gewey packed his gear and changed intohis tan, leather pants and thin, wool shirt. As he strapped on hissword he heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”
The door opened and in walked Akakios and threegrim-looking elves. All were wearing hard, leather armor, a longknife, and a bow and quiver across their backs.
Gewey bowed. “I take it you are my guards.”
“We are,” Ak
akios affirmed. “Thesethree are from the personal escort of Lady Bellisia. They wish me totell you that they have no desire to speak with you, and anyquestions should be directed to me.”
Gewey couldn't help but be amused and laughed softly.This brought angry stares from the three elves and a smile fromAkakios.
“You are not permitted to carry your weapon,”said Akakios. “I will carry it for you, if you wish.”
“That's fine,” said Gewey, unbuckling hissword. “But take care not to touch anything but the scabbard,or you will be burned.”
Akakios looked in wonder at the sword as Gewey handed itover. He couldn't help but test what Gewey had told him and touchedthe blade. Immediately he withdrew his hand, wincing in pain.
“I have never heard of such a weapon,”marveled Akakios. “How did you come by it?”
“Perhaps I'll tell you along the way.” Hecouldn't help but get in a quip, designed to get under the otherelves’ skin. “That is, if I have time. Linis is toinstruct me in the bonding ceremony and Kaylia is to teach me moreabout elf ways and customs.”
The three elves stirred uneasily, but said nothing.Gewey smiled with satisfaction. Akakios closed his eyes and shook hishead with a groan.
Gewey grabbed his gear and allowed himself to be ledfrom the room to the front of the house. At least thirty elvesawaited him. Theopolou and the six other elders, along with theirarmed escorts, stood near the base of the statue. Kaylia and Linisstood a few feet away from them, talking quietly. Gewey began toapproach Linis and Kaylia, but Akakios stopped him.
“You must remain with us until we make camp,”said Akakios, almost apologetically. “You are free to speak towhomever you wish then. But, as we travel you are to stay silent.”
This irritated Gewey, but he saw no other choice but toconcede. It was then Linis walked straight up to him and slapped himon the back. At first it seemed like the guards would try to stophim, but one glance from Linis and it was clear that he would not behindered.
“They have no jurisdiction over me, Gewey,”said Linis. “I'll walk with you.” He noticed Geweylooking at Kaylia. “She'll walk with her uncle and hisescort… for now.”
This satisfied Gewey. He could see that Linis hadunnerved the elders, but they did nothing to stop him.
The elders and escorts led the way through the frontgate, followed by Gewey, Linis, and Gewey's guards. Gewey spent theday listening to Linis tell stories about his exploits andadventures.
For such a large group, they covered ground swiftly.They didn't stop to rest until it was time to make camp, by whichtime they had covered nearly forty miles. Akakios and the other threeelves set up their bedrolls a few feet away from Gewey and Linis.Kaylia stayed near Theopolou while the others settled in, but soonjoined Gewey and Linis, as they retrieved some bread and dried fruitfrom their packs. Linis had warned Gewey that they would not bebuilding a fire for cooking along the way. Linis explained thatelders intended to travel swiftly and unnoticed. At first, the lackof a fire worried Gewey. He only had the provisions he had arrivedwith, and some required cooking, but Linis assured him that therewould be enough dried meat and fruit to go around.
“Have you gone over the ceremony with Gewey?”Kaylia asked Linis.
“I will tomorrow,” he replied. “I donot think the others are comfortable with the idea, so I thought itbest to wait a day or two.”
“You don't have to worry about that,” saidGewey with a mischievous grin. He told them about the remark he hadmade at Theopolou's house in front of his guards.
“You should not provoke them,” Linis warned.“Bellisia is one of Theopolou's main opponents, and they serveher.”
“It’s not like it's a secret that Kaylia andI are bonded,” Gewey argued. “Besides, they deserved it.I mean really. Akakios isn’t in favor of human-elf relations,but he still manages to act decently towards me. They have refused toeven address me properly.”
Linis couldn't help but smile. “It would have beenamusing to see them squirm. But still, they could be dangerous, andnow you are unarmed.”
“I may be unarmed,” said Gewey, “But,I am far from defenseless.”
“A fact we don't want them to know,” addedKaylia. “Some of them probably suspect you of being a half-man,and that's bad enough. But at least it explains your ability tochannel the powers of the earth. If you unleashed those powers uponthem, and were forced to defend yourself, we would be faced with awhole new set of problems.” She reached over and touchedGewey's arm, causing him to blush. “After we complete thebonding, there will nothing they can say or do.”
“Which brings a question,” said Linis. “Whoshall preside over the ceremony?”
“Theopolou would do it, if I asked,” repliedKaylia. “but I fear it would jeopardize his position among theothers. I was hoping you might do us the honor. As a seeker, it iswithin your right.”
Linis bowed his head. “I would be honored to doso. But, I still think you should speak to your uncle about this. Hehas done nothing to oppose your union with Gewey, though I am certainhe is not happy about it. In fact, he has pressed you to followthrough with it, if I am not mistaken.”
“You are right, of course,” said Kaylia. “Iwill speak to him tomorrow.”
“Do you think Theopolou is really in danger?”asked Gewey.
“I do,” answered Linis. “But from who,I cannot say.”
“Bellisia seems the most likely candidate,”said Gewey. “She all but threatened to have me killed.”
Linis furled his brow and shook his head. “I wouldnot be so quick to pass judgment on Lady Bellisia. Her hatred islimited to humans and well… the Gods. She opposes Theopolou, but itis hard for me to imagine her conspiring with humans for any reason.Even if it meant regaining our kingdoms and lands.”
“Who then?” asked Kaylia. “Certainlynot Lord Chiron. He has been as a brother to Theopolou since theywere children. Lord Aneili is the only other elder that wantedTheopolou called to judgment, but it's hard to imagine him doinganything so dishonest. The rest are Theopolou's allies.”
“Are they?” asked Linis, “I'm not sosure. You cannot be betrayed by your enemies, only your friends.”
“Are you sure there is a plot?” asked Gewey.
Linis shook his head. “You hit upon it, my friend.I suspect there is. I feel there is. But I do not know it. EverythingI have predicted would happen, and needed to happen, has happened.Theopolou is exposed, and you are unprotected… at least they thinkyou are.” Linis leaned in and whispered. “My seekers arenear, should we be attacked or should someone attempt to follow us.”
This comforted Gewey, and he could feel Kaylia's moodlift as well. “How long until we arrive?” he asked.
“Normally, it would take more than a week,”Linis replied with amusement. “But they seek to exhaust you bymaintaining a pace no human could endure for very long. At this ratewe will be there in five days, maybe less.”
Gewey smiled. “I'll try and look tired.”
“I will rejoin Theopolou,” said Kaylia. “Isuggest you use this time to prepare for our ceremony.” Sherose to her feet and walked off in the direction of the others.
“She's right,” said Linis. “You wouldnot wish to anger your unoremon your first day of bonding.”
“Unorem?” askedGewey.
Linis laughed. “Wife is how you would say it. Butpartner might be more accurate.”
Gewey blushed and whispered. “Unorem…”He looked up at Linis. “I hope I'm ready for this.”
“You're ready,” assured Linis. “And ifyou are not, then you soon will be. In fact, I envy you. It takescourage to enter into the bonding.To share that much of oneself is not a matter to be taken lightly,yet I cannot help but wonder what it would be like.”
“Do you have an… unorem?”asked Gewey.
“No,” Linis replied. “I loved once.But my life as a seeker kept me ever from her. In time she choseanother.”
“And now,” he asked. “Is thereanyone?”
Linis paused
for a long moment. “There is someoneI desire. And I believe she desires me. But, I fear I will never havethe chance to find out.”
“Who is it?” Gewey pressed. “Tell me.”
Linis smiled dolefully. “It is not in our customto ask such questions.”
“I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “But it's notlike I would know her. The only elves I know are mostly here withus.”
“And what makes you think she is an elf?”asked Linis.
“You mean she's human?” exclaimed Gewey.Akakios and the other guards looked up for a second, then returned totheir meal.
“You must learn discretion,” Linis scolded.“I did not say she was human. I did not say anything.” Hesighed. “I will tell you. But you must keep this knowledge toyourself.”
“I swear.” Gewey leaned forward.
“Celandine,” said Linis.
“Dina?” Gewey laughed as quietly as he couldmanage.
“Is it in your custom to make sport of a friend’semotions?” he said.
Gewey calmed himself. “I'm sorry. Really. It'sjust unexpected. When did this happen?”
“I knew I felt something for her the moment wemet,” said Linis. “Though at the time I thought she wasfully human. Then, it was easy enough to dismiss. I would livehundreds of years, and she would grow old and die. I would not courther only to watch her slip away. But when I touched her hand for thefirst time and felt the elf blood coursing through her veins, itbecame clear to me that I could not simply ignore what I felt.”
“And you say she feels the same way?” askedGewey.
Linis shrugged. “I can tell she feels something.But what, I don't know. If we both live through this adventure, Iintend to find out.”
Of Gods And Elves tgc-2 Page 19
