The interior was clean and well maintained, though the décor was sparse and leaned much in favor of function over fashion. The few paintings and tapestries depicted scenes of the natural world – no gods or heroes like those one would likely see in a temple dedicated to one of the gods.
They finally arrived at a narrow wooden door with a series of interwoven brass rings fastened upon it. Linis knocked, and a moment later Penelope opened it to greet them. Completely ignoring Linis, she pushed her way past him and threw her arms around her brother.
Jayden was a little taken aback. He had never known Penelope to be overly affectionate. Her raven hair was tied back, and her delicate features, like those of her sister, looked far more mature that they should have.
“I am so happy you are here,” she told him. “When we heard what had happened, I feared we wouldn’t reach you in time.”
Jayden returned the embrace. “It’s good to see you too.”
She took a step back, regarding him with approval. “You are quite the man, aren’t you? I imagine every maiden in Sharpstone is battering down our door.”
“Not as many as you think,” he smiled, touching his ear. “Something about elves just doesn’t sit right with some people.”
Penelope sniffed. “I bet they’d soon change their tune if they knew you were the son of a god.”
“So you know about that?”
“Of course, silly.” She took hold of his hand. “I’ve known since before we came here. To be honest, I think I’ve always known.”
Before Jayden could respond, she tugged at his hand and led him through the door into a small parlor. Several chairs and an elegant sofa had been arranged to form a semicircle in front of a brightly lit hearth. Maybell was standing in the far corner beside an open cabinet. She was in conversation with a tall and rather thin elf woman wearing a sleek blue dress cut in an unfamiliar style. Each of them held a glass of wine.
Though twins, Penelope and Maybell looked very different. So too were their personalities. Maybell had always been the emotional one, plainly displaying each feeling regardless of the situation or who was present. By contrast, Penelope was reserved and practical in her thinking.
Maybell smiled warmly on seeing Jayden enter, but the elf woman’s eyes shot wide and her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped a breath.
Maybell looked at her curiously. “Is something wrong?”
She quickly regained her composure. “No. Nothing. Your brother reminds me of someone I know from my homeland, that’s all.” She gestured to the chairs. “Please. We should begin.”
Turning to the cabinet, Maybell took the wine bottle and poured another glass. “I think you’ll need this,” she said, passing it to Jayden and then settling into the chair nearest the fire.
While taking his seat, he was uncomfortably aware that the elf woman was still staring at him. Only when everyone was ready to begin did she finally look away.
“You are Linis?” she asked.
He bowed his head. “I am. And judging from your accent, you are from across the Abyss.”
“I am Sayia,” she told him, nodding her affirmation. “Maybell speaks highly of you. I have also heard of you through my friend Aaliyah.”
Jayden had met Aaliyah once when he was ten years old. He remembered feeling ill at ease around her, not enjoying in the least the way she constantly scrutinized him.
“I haven’t seen her in years,” said Linis. “Is she well?”
“She’s home at present, aiding in the assimilation of the newcomers.”
Linis chuckled. “And how is that going?”
Sayia flicked her wrist absently. “I wouldn’t know. Well enough, is my guess. The elves who have chosen to venture to my homeland do so out of sincere curiosity and a desire to know their kin. Unlike those who choose solitude, they accept the change that’s taking place in the world.”
Her eyes shifted back to Jayden. “And you. What have you to say?”
A hint of irritation flashed through him. “About what? I came to get answers, not answer questions.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Indeed, you are as I suspected.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“Filled with conflict and fury. I can see it in your eyes. It was good that you were not taught to use your power, I think.”
Jayden shot her a hard look, then turned to his sisters. “Mother is sick and Father is missing. That’s why I’m here.”
They lowered their heads in unison.
“We know,” said Penelope. “We felt it through our bond.”
He was somehow not surprised to hear this. “Is there anything you can do?”
Her eyes suddenly burned and she clenched her fists. “If there were, don’t you think we would have already done it?”
Maybell reached over to touch her sister’s hand. “Calm down. Jayden has no idea what’s really happening. There’s no need to be angry with him.”
Penelope nodded. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry, brother. But you cannot know what it feels like to hear mother’s voice calling out in terror every time I close my eyes.”
The bond. Jayden was well aware of the bond. There were times when even he thought he felt one between himself and his parents, though he could never be sure.
“Do you know where Father is?” he asked.
Maybell shook her head. “He has vanished completely. We’ve been trying to reach out to him, but it’s like he’s disappeared from the world.”
“Could he have been killed?”
Sayia laughed. “Darshan? Killed? By whom?”
Rising up, she retrieved the bottle from the cabinet and placed it on the end table. “I can see that this will take some time to explain.” She looked at the sisters. “I thought you told me he knows who your father is.”
“I do know,” Jayden said, frowning. “And I will thank you to speak to me directly.”
Maybell gave him a stern look. “Sayia is here to help. Please show some respect.”
“I give respect to those who earn it,” he shot back.
It was Linis who stepped in to act as the peacemaker. “Perhaps it would be best if we started over,” he suggested.
After a short silence, during which he received assenting nods from everyone, Linis continued.
“So far, Jayden and I have been attacked on the road, abducted, and imprisoned while facing torture and death. All this, and yet still we have no idea as to the reason why. I for one am growing weary of wandering around in the dark. We know that the gods are somehow involved, but that is all.”
“My apologies, seeker,” said Sayia. “I know this must be confusing. As to why you were attacked, it is because the gods seek the death of Darshan’s son. Or to be more accurate, some of them do. They cannot act directly, so they send their followers to do their work for them.”
Jayden shook his head. “I still don’t understand why they would want to kill me.”
“Because of what you might become,” Penelope said. “It’s the same reason you were kept ignorant all these years.”
“What I might become?”
“If I may,” Sayia cut in.
She waited for Maybell and Penelope to nod their approval. “Before you were born, your father was shown a vision, Jayden. It was a choice he had to make. And fortunately for the world, he chose wisely. You see, for all of your father’s power, the Reborn King nearly won their battle. The Sword of Truth gave him such immeasurable strength, not even the might of the gods could prevent his rise. It was only through supreme self-sacrifice that Darshan survived. Had your father’s heart not been pure and his love sincere, all who breathe free air would now be living under the yoke of evil. The elves would be no more, and heaven would be lost.”
“I’ve heard this before,” Jayden said. “What does it have to do with me?”
“Everything. In his vision, Darshan witnessed the fall of the world. But it was not the Reborn King who had brought it about, it was you.”
Jayden stiffened. “Me? Are you insane? How would I destroy the world?”
“It is important for you to understand that you and your sisters are not simply half god and half elf. You are immeasurably more than that. The blood that flows through your veins is in part touched by the Creator herself. That alone makes you powerful enough to threaten the gods. The damage you could do is beyond reason.”
“If this is true, why single me out? My sisters share the same bloodline. Why am I so dangerous?”
“It’s because you’re the first born,” Maybell told him. “Conceived when our parents’ love was at its fiercest...on the very night of their bonding. We can never be as powerful as you.”
“But they are still far more powerful than even Aaliyah,” added Sayia. “Your sisters were also considered a threat to peace at one time. However, it was determined that rather than suppress their abilities, they should be trained to harness them.”
“So why not train me as well?” Jayden demanded. “What’s the difference?”
“Because Father would not have been able to stop you,” Penelope said flatly. “Not without killing you. And that was something he knew he could never do.”
The intensity, already simmering inside Jayden, now made him shoot up from his seat.
“Stop me? Stop me from doing what? Destroying the world? That makes no sense. I would never do such a thing.” He looked to Maybell. “Tell them. I…”
It was only then he realized that everyone in the room was leaning away with startled expressions. At first he didn’t understand why. Then he felt it. The entire room was trembling. An intense heat was racing through his veins. The flow. This was the flow…and it was glorious.
“Be calm,” said Sayia. “You wouldn’t want to accidentally hurt anyone.”
But Jayden did not want it to stop. He allowed the sensation to fill him completely. It was as if the world around him had suddenly become transparent. He could see the smallest detail of every object. Each sound was like music he had never heard before. This was what they had been keeping from him? He felt a cold sensation on his arm and saw that Maybell was standing beside him, a look of deep concern on her face.
“Please,” she whispered. “Let it go.” Her voice, rather than coming from her lips, was from somewhere deep within his mind.
A flash of anger struck him. But this was rapidly overcome by the kindness and love in her tone. She understood what he was feeling. He had never felt so vulnerable, yet he knew he was perfectly safe. Slowly, he allowed the flow to subside.
Linis started laughing softly. “At least you didn’t nearly kill me by mistake like your father did.”
Maybell looked at him with irritation. “This is no laughing matter. The flow is dangerous for Jayden. He has no idea how to control it.”
“Neither did Gewey in the beginning,” Linis pointed out.
As the flow left Jayden completely, he felt a stab of guilt for having frightened everyone. Sayia was trying to mask it, but the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth gave her away. After retaking his seat, he took a long breath.
“I guess you’ll have to teach me,” he told Maybell.
“I’m afraid there might not be enough time,” Sayia pointed out. “Your presence is known, and it will not take long before we are discovered.”
“I would very much like to know how they found out about Jayden’s heritage,” said Linis. “Only a handful of people know that Gewey Stedding is really Darshan, and none of them would have betrayed him.”
“The gods knew,” Sayia said. “And now that Darshan is gone, he is no longer able to conceal this place with his power. They will come…and soon.”
“The gods?” Jayden repeated. “What do they want with me?”
“They fear you. They fear what you are capable of becoming. And they will stop at nothing to destroy you.”
“I’m not a threat to the gods. How could I be?”
“But you are. As your sisters have been trying to tell you, you are special. You were conceived at the height of the bond formed between your parents. As powerful as Penelope and Maybell may be, you have the potential to be far stronger – strong enough to challenge heaven one day. The gods fear another Dark Knight arising. That is why they’re trying to kill you.”
“Then why haven’t they? Why send humans and elves?”
“From what little we know, all is not well in heaven. There are still gods who are loyal to your father. It’s our guess that they have taken measures to prevent any form of direct interference. So, those gods who wish you dead have instead sent their followers to commit the deed. And with your father nowhere to be found, there’s nothing to stop them.”
“Do you have any idea what has happened to Gewey?” Linis asked.
Sayia shook her head. “We only know that there has been treachery. Fortunately, even the combined power of heaven could not have destroyed Darshan. That being so, we assume they must have trapped him or incapacitated him in some way.”
“Why would they do this?” asked Linis. “Gewey saved heaven and freed the gods. Why would they turn on him now?”
“Not all of them have. We know Ayliazarah is still loyal to Darshan. And we think the same is true with Posix, and Dantenos. But the others possibly stand against him. Saraf is his chief rival. That much is clear.”
Jayden furrowed his brow. “What has he done?”
“We are not entirely sure. Most of what we’ve learned comes came our agents living in the temples. The information is incomplete; we only became aware of it a week ago. And it was only thanks to your sisters that we knew something was seriously wrong.”
“One thing we do know is that Father has spent years traveling,” Penelope added. “He’s desperate to quell the violence that has spread since the war ended.”
Jayden took a deep breath. His father...Gewey Stedding...a god. In fact, a god more powerful than any other. Much as he tried to picture him this way, he could still only see him in human form, a kindly smile splayed across his face. “What was he doing to stop the fighting?” he asked.
“We don’t know,” replied Penelope. “He came here a few times, but always refused to speak of exactly how he hoped to make things better. Just that he was working to that end.”
Jayden felt a stab of jealousy that only his sisters had been allowed to know the truth of what their father was.
Sayia spoke again. “All we know for certain is that the other gods are involved somehow. That they have moved against you is both unexpected and deeply troubling. It means they do not fear Darshan’s wrath. And if they do not fear him, then finding him will not be easy.”
“I didn’t think it would be,” Jayden retorted. “But I did hope you might know something that could help me.”
She shrugged. “We know little. We suspect much.”
“Then how about telling me what you suspect?” he snapped back. He was becoming ever more uncomfortable with the curious way she kept looking at him. This, combined with her haughty attitude, was quickly stirring his anger.
“It doesn’t matter,” Maybell said a bit too quickly.
He could see the anxiety in his sister’s expression. “You think it has to do with me, don’t you? All of it. That I’m the sole reason the gods have done something to Father.”
“Not entirely,” said Sayia. “Though you are clearly a large part of it. Especially if they are trying to stop you from realizing the vision your father had.”
Jayden groaned. “That again? You can’t really believe it.”
“Father did,” said Maybell. “He never said so, but I think he was trying to bring peace to the world before you discovered your power. It pained him deeply to keep it from you. He hated the lies.”
Jayden was incredulous. “Am I understanding this right? You think he was afraid that if there wasn’t peace, I would become another Reborn King?”
“Perhaps. He knew you to have a kind heart. But hearts can be twisted. Even yours.”
This st
ruck him hard. That Maybell of all people believed he could do what they were suggesting sent a chill to the pit of his stomach. He almost wished he had never learned the truth.
She saw the pain in his expression. “I’m sorry,” she added. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
There was an extended silence. Jayden cast his gaze down to the stone tiles. “So what do we do?” he asked.
It was Penelope who spoke first. “The last thing I saw through our bond with Father was the desert. But I don’t know if that was where he went. Only that it was in his thoughts.”
Sayia was gripping a silver locket hanging from a thin chain around her neck. “Yes,” she stated. “That is where we should start. I will come with you, Jayden. I can give you instruction along the way.”
Maybell looked at her curiously. “I thought you said you would stay here and protect the temple.”
“Things have changed,” she replied, her eyes still fixed on Jayden.
“And what about Mother?” he asked. “Someone must protect her.”
“Your sisters will be given that task,” she told him. “Linis will accompany them.”
Maybell opened her mouth to object, but Penelope spoke first.
“She’s right. We should be the ones to look after Mother.”
Linis frowned. “I do not like the idea of abandoning you.”
“I’ll be fine. Help my sisters and Mother. They need you more than I do.”
“He will be well guarded, seeker,” Sayia assured. “And now I think we need to consider evacuating the temple. If our location is discovered, they might think to come.”
Both Maybell and Penelope nodded.
Maybell stood. “I’ll tell the others to prepare,” she said, before exiting the room.
“Where will we start?” Jayden asked Sayia as soon as his sister was gone. “The desert is enormous. We can’t just start wandering around and hope we find the right place.”
The Godling Chronicles Page 13
