“So you say,” scoffed Bellisia. “Apparently, he has much interest in you. But why now? Why has he appeared just as we are ready to gather? Are you sure you cannot answer this riddle… child of heaven? Can you know that he means us no harm? Perhaps he means you no harm.”
“I’m certain he is who he says he is,” replied Gewey, trying to ignore Bellisia’s repeated reference. “As for anything else, I was not alone when I met him, and Felsafell made no move to harm my companion. In fact, he did what he could to make sure the spirits left both us in peace.”
Bellisia scowled “That proves nothing. There is something you are not telling us. No one shows as much trust as you show Felsafell without good reason.”
“Perhaps Gewey is not as jaded as some,” said Chiron, an obvious dig at Bellisia.
“We are talking in circles,” said Theopolou. “We either allow Felsafell to continue with us, or we ask him to depart.” He looked at Gewey. “You say that you will not go without him?”
Gewey nodded. “As long as he wants to come with me, I will have him.”
Theopolou turned to the others. “There you have it. As Gewey is called before you to give testimony, you must make your decision. Do you withdraw your invitation?”
The elders looked at each other, but none said a word.
“Very well,” Theopolou continued, with satisfaction. “Felsafell will be welcome among us.” He turned to Gewey. “Watch over our new guest. I will be with you in a moment.”
Gewey bowed and walked back to where Felsafell was still fast asleep, Linis and Kaylia close behind.
“Sometimes I can't tell the difference between an elf and a human,” muttered Gewey.
“What do you mean?” asked Linis.
Gewey had not meant his words to be heard. “I'm sorry. I meant no offense. It’s just that since I've met the elders, I've seen nothing but petty squabbling and disagreements. The council back home in Sharpstone gets along better.”
“You are not wrong to say so,” Linis agreed. “Once we were a noble people, with honor and understanding. Our forefathers would be disgusted with us now. It is as if a veil of mistrust has been brought down upon us, and we do not know how to lift it.”
“My father thought that the generation that fought in the war would have to leave this world before we are healed,” added Kaylia. “He believed that the bitterness it caused prevents us from regaining what we have lost.”
Linis nodded. “I think he may have been right. It is a new way of thinking we need. Our race must find how to exist in a new world.”
“Where does he fit in?” asked Gewey, motioning to the sleeping Felsafell. “What is he? He’s certainly not an elf. He looks human, but... he isn't.”
“What am I?” said Felsafell, popping to his feet. “I am the oldest, I am. The most withered.”
“I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “We didn't mean to wake you.”
Felsafell smiled cheerfully, stretching his arms. “I wake myself. Sleep I did. Sleep well. Sleep soundly. Sleep plenty.”
“But you've only just lay down,” said Linis. “Even an elf needs more rest than that.”
“An elf I am not,” said Felsafell. “And the child of heaven is right. I am not human.”
“Then what are you?” asked Kaylia.
“I am the first,” he replied. “But not the last. No. I shall soon fade. But before I do I must rescue my kin. Rescue my past.”
“I don't understand,” said Gewey.
“All will be clear,” Felsafell assured. “Clear as glass. But not now. Now with enemies about, we must be swift and silent.”
“Enemies?” said Gewey
“Don't fret,” said Felsafell. “No swords or arrows will hinder us. A clear path we have. But enemies don't always carry swords. Be silent and still and all will be well.”
The party gathered and continued toward the Chamber of the Maker. Felsafell walked just behind Gewey and Kaylia, while Linis ventured a few yards ahead of everyone, scouting for signs of an ambush.
As the day progressed, elves began to approach Felsafell, requesting a private talk. Felsafell’s wisdom was legendary among the elves, and they did not want to miss a chance to benefit from it. True to his word, Felsafell was more than willing to speak to all comers. Some walked away smiling, others angry, and others in tears. Gewey wondered what he had told them, remembering the words the strange little man had for him on his porch in the Spirit Hills and how they had upset him.
They stopped once for the midday meal, and Gewey listened for signs of pursuit, but to his relief, all he could hear was the sound of the wind and various small animals. Even though he informed Linis of this, he still insisted on searching the area. He enjoyed that while Linis could remain invisible to the others, he, Gewey, could still hear exactly where he was.
“Your power grows,” said Felsafell, munching on a bit of bread. “No longer weak. No longer frail.”
“How do you know what I am?” asked Gewey.
“I am old, not blind.”
Gewey stared into Felsafell's watery, gray eyes. Something was there, deep inside. Something different. Something unfamiliar. “You're really not human, are you?”
“Human?” he laughed. “No, no, no. I am too old for that. I am the first, yet I will not be the last.”
“You said that before,” said Gewey. “But what does it mean?”
“Me and kin wandered the hill and valleys, we did.” said Felsafell. “Happy and free. Before the elves and their ways. Before humans and their wars.”
Gewey raised an eyebrow. “So you're saying your people were here first? Where are they now, and why haven't I heard of them?”
“We are all gone.” A tinge of sorrow filled Felsafell’s voice. “All but me. Poor Felsafell. Gone before the humans gathered, were we. We saw the coming of elves. But too small the world became. Too prideful were we to remain. Deep in silence we escaped until only our voices were left.”
“So your people were here before the elves,” said Gewey. “But what about the Gods?”
“Oh, how wonderful they were,” said Felsafell. “We loved them so. We love them still. But in time, we lost our way and our will. Spirits we became... companions to your mother and father.”
“Do you know who my real mother is?” asked Gewey. “I've guessed that my father is Gerath. But who is my mother?”
“I tell what I know,” he replied. “But I speak of only what I know... and this I do not. Perhaps the Book of Souls has what you seek.”
“You know about that?” said Gewey in a hushed tone.
“Oh, yes,” said Felsafell. “I was there. I saw the Book. I hear its cry. It longs to be opened. But beware... a bell that is sounded cannot be un-rung.”
“What's in it?” asked Gewey.
“Many things,” he replied. “Some I know and others I do not. But now is not the time for telling these secrets. Soon enough... yes... soon enough.”
Kaylia walked up and took a seat beside Gewey. “You have caused quite a stir. The entire party can't stop talking about you.”
Felsafell smiled. “I have not left home in the lives of many an elf. It is good to see the world. Better to know I'm remembered.”
“I've noticed your speech has changed a bit,” said Gewey.
Felsafell cocked his head “Has it? I guess living in the world does that... oh yes. Practicing with the living makes it easy. Spirits have no need for speech, and elves rarely visit.”
“What about humans?” asked Kaylia. “Do they ever seek you out?”
“No, no,” he answered. “They know nothing of me. They think me a ghost. A rumor. But time for more talk will come later. Now we must march.”
The elves had already begun to gather their packs and gear, and soon they were on the move once again. The day was warm and the sun shone bright in the sky. Traveling with Felsafell was enjoyable for Gewey. He never tired of the old hermit’s stories, though he understood very little at times, and had never heard of most of the p
eople and places mentioned. Before he realized it, they had walked thirty miles and it was time to stop for the night.
The following days were much the same, though Gewey was becoming increasingly apprehensive as they neared their destination. The night before they were to arrive, Theopolou asked Gewey to accompany him, away from the others.
“Are you prepared?” asked Theopolou.
“I'm not sure,” Gewey admitted. “I really have no idea what I'm going to say to convince them.”
Theopolou looked at Gewey thoughtfully. “The appearance of Felsafell should help with that. Word will spread fast that he is with us. That you have such an ancient wisdom as your ally will go far to sway the doubters. The main thing you must remember is not to allow yourself to get angry. Your opponents will try to twist your words. If you show anger they will see it as a sign of weakness and you will lose support quickly.”
“I'll do my best.” Gewey sighed. He tried to imagine just what would be said to anger him but came up with nothing.
When he returned to camp, Gewey tried to take his mind off the thought of the day ahead by listening to Felsafell sing songs in an ancient forgotten tongue. Though he couldn't understand the words, he imagined an epic battle between good and evil being waged across time. He wondered what the song was really about but didn't bother to ask. Once the song was done, Gewey shut his eyes and listened to the music of the forest until he felt the dawn approach.
Linus kneeled beside him. “Today is the day.”
Gewey opened his eyes and smiled. “I'm ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
It was mid-morning when Gewey noticed the terrain around him change. The woods became thicker. So dense, in fact, that even when he used his power to listen, the sound bounced straight back, startling him. The party funneled into a narrow trail, causing their progress to slow. No sound could be heard at all, not even the footfalls of the party. Gewey nestled himself between Felsafell and Linis as Felsafell began to whistle. The sound pierced the dead silence of the woods, making some of the elves uneasy.
“We're nearly there,” whispered Linis.
“Nearly there indeed,” said Felsafell. “There and back we go. Once more and again.”
Gewey couldn’t help but smile at Felsafell's words, though most times they made no sense to him.
After about an hour, they came to a narrow stream, spanned by an elegant, wooden bridge. Theopolou motioned for everyone to halt.
“We come in brotherhood and friendship,” called Theopolou.
There was a long pause before a voice called back from the other side of the bridge. “Then enter and be welcome.”
Theopolou and the other elders slowly led the rest over the bridge. On the other side, the landscape opened up into a grassy meadow, covered with soft grass, and dotted with multicolored wildflowers. Tents lined the far end and Gewey could see elves walking among them. Far beyond the tents, a white, vaulted roof peeked out. A group of three elf women, dressed in tan leather shirts and trousers, each with a long knife at her side, approached from among the tents. Theopolou raised his hand in greeting, but the women made no reply. When they were a few feet away, Theopolou stopped and bowed.
“Matrons of the Creator,” said Theopolou, without looking up. “I offer you my friendship. As the eldest among my party, I claim the right to beg entry for all.”
The matrons examined the group, only pausing for a second when their eyes passed Gewey and Felsafell. They looked at each other and nodded.
“Be welcome,” said the elf in the middle. “But be warned. You bring two humans with you and will be responsible for their well-being, and answerable for their actions.”
“I understand,” he replied, lifting his head. “We need to be shown our quarters at once. There is much to do.”
“You, along with the other elders, have already been seen to,” said the matron on the left. “Your tents and provisions had been made ready and await you.” Her gaze fell on Gewey and Felsafell. “However, we did not expect to accommodate... humans.”
“They need no special consideration,” said Theopolou. “They will lodge with me and mine.”
“Very well,” said the matron on the right. “I assume you know your way.” With that, they turned and walked back in the direction of the tents.
Theopolou waved Gewey over. “Stay with me.” He turned to the others. “Farewell for now.”
The other elders and their escorts bowed in turn and headed off in different directions, Gewey guessed to their tents. Theopolou led Gewey, Linis, Kaylia, Felsafel and his own escort to the left, towards the western edge of the encampment. Gewey glanced several times at the domed roof, hoping to get a better look, but to his disappointment, as they neared the tents, the roof disappeared. From the far end of the meadow, Gewey couldn't tell how many tents had been erected and was surprised to see that they numbered in the hundreds, once they were among them. Elves were everywhere. Most were dressed in plain leather or linen, but some were attired in fine silks and adorned with exquisite jewelry.
“I never thought to see this many of your people at the same time,” whispered Gewey to Linis.
“I'm shocked as well,” said Linis. “I thought to see less than half this many. It seems Theopolou's call has caused quite a stir.”
“All the more reason to be cautious,” Kaylia interjected over her shoulder.
They wound their way through the camp until they reached a large silver tent. It was twelve feet tall and at least forty feet across. Gewey figured it could easily house three times the number they had with them.
Theopolou pulled back the tent flap and disappeared inside. Kaylia, Felsafell, and Theopolou's escort followed close behind. Gewey and Linis entered last. Gewey looked around, impressed. The interior resembled a house more than a tent. Just past the entrance was a large open area with a dozen plush chairs lining the walls. In the center, there was a short round table, big enough to accommodate twenty people, with an assortment of cushions underneath. The scent of mint filled the air, emanating from the roasted lamb that had been placed on the table. Along the ceiling hung light orbs, set just dimly enough to give the room a warm feel. The floor was uncovered, but the soft grass was as lush and beautiful as any carpet. At the far left corner another tent flap led to the back areas.
“There are enough rooms for everyone,” said Theopolou, pointing to the rear door. “All the rooms are the same, so choose as you will. Hot water should be waiting for you, unless you prefer to eat before you wash.”
“No, thank you,” said Gewey. “I prefer to be clean when I eat, if I can.”
Theopolou nodded and led the group through the tent flap. A hall lined with several cloth-covered doorways stretched before him. Gewey chose the third and Linis the one just beyond. Kaylia and the others continued around the corner, following Theopolou. Felsafell whistled merrily and winked at Gewey as he rounded the corner.
The room Gewey chose was rather sparse compared to the main dining and lounging area. A small bedroll was placed in the corner, and a wash basin sat in the opposite corner with a cotton towel folded neatly beside it. One light globe hung from the ceiling and a soft, thin, brown area rug covered the floor.
Gewey washed and changed into a cotton shirt and pants, and strapped on his sword. He could still smell the mint lamb and his stomach growled loudly.
“Are you ready?” came Linis' voice from just outside his room.
Gewey threw back the door flap and smiled at the elf. “I'm starving.”
Linis noticed Gewey was wearing his sword. “You will want to take that off at the table. It is considered rude to be armed at the table of your host, and for all intents and purposes this is still the home of Theopolou.”
Gewey removed his sword. “Should I leave it behind?”
“No,” Linis replied. “Keep it with you, but place it on the floor beside you.”
Gewey nodded and followed Linis to the dining hall. Theopolou and a few of his escort were already
seated. Gewey took a seat opposite them and Linis sat on his left. Kaylia was not yet there.
Theopolou nodded at the lamb. “We serve ourselves here. Felsafell will not be joining us. He said he needs to rest.”
One of Theopolou's escort passed them a bottle of wine. Gewey gratefully accepted it, then gave it to Linis.
“I'll wait until we're all here,” said Gewey, noticing that the others’ plates were still empty.
“Only await Kaylia,” said Theopolou. “The rest are running errands.”
“No need to wait any longer,” said Kaylia, as she entered the room.
She was dressed in a soft, loosely fitted, white cotton shirt and trousers and a pair of soft leather shoes. Her hair was tied into a long braid and she carried a long knife in her left hand. After surveying the group, she took a seat on Gewey's right.
Theopolou cut off a portion of lamb then passed it around the table. One of the elves rose from the table, retrieved a basket filled with flat bread, and passed it out to the party. They dined in silence, to Gewey's relief. It was all he could do to maintain his table manners. Not only was he famished, but the lamb was exceedingly tender and juicy.
Once they finished, two elves cleared the table and brought out a decanter of plum brandy. Gewey's mouth twisted when the sweet fragrance fill the room.
“I see you don't care for plum brandy,” Theopolou observed. “I have more wine if you would rather.”
“Brandy will be fine,” said Gewey. “I've never had elf brandy. I would try it before I decide.”
Theopolou smiled slightly and passed the bottle around the table. To Gewey’s relief, though the smell was similar, it was not as sweet as the brandy he had tasted in the past. In fact, it was quite pleasant and a smile crept onto his face as he sipped it.
“Word of you and Felsafell will have begun to spread by now,” said Theopolou. “I have called for a gathering in the Chamber of the Maker this evening for the joining between you and Kaylia.” His eyes darkened. “Do not expect a warm reception.”
The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves Page 23
