The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves (16 page)

“
Nor am I,” added Kaylia.

“
It matters not,” Kaphalos said. “It
is unlikely either of you will live long enough to regret it. Angrääl
will march soon and slaughter us all.”

“
Is there nothing I can say to convince you to
come?” asked Theopolou.

“
You know there is not,” Kaphalos replied.
“But you needn't fear. I will not hinder you. There would be no
point.”

Theopolou bowed his head. “Then we will take our
leave.” Linis gathered the Vrykol head.

“
Farewell,” said Kaphalos. “Perhaps we
will meet again before we rejoin the creator. If not, know that I
hold you in high regard... though we do not see eye to eye.”

“
As do I,” said Theopolou.

They left the house and filed back down the walkway.
Once they had reached the beginning of the trail that led to the
house of Kaphalos, Akakios halted.

“
My Lord Theopolou,” said Akakios. “We
must speak... all of us.” The other elves nodded in agreement.

“
And what would you speak about?” Theopolou
asked.

“
I think you know,” replied Akakios. “I
have never questioned you before. But to knowingly protect someone
who has...” He could hardly speak the words. “Bonded with
a human.”

Theopolou crossed his arms. “So you would have me
kill her here and now, I suppose? You would have me break my word?
You ask if I would dishonor myself?”

“
No,” Akakios stammered. “But you help
her to avoid judgment by offering your protection.”

“
I am doing nothing of the kind,” said
Theopolou. “Kaylia has agreed to face judgment according to our
laws, upon the completion of her task and not before. She entered
into this bargain in good faith. You should know that, despite our
laws, her life is sought even now by the very elders whom we are
going to meet.”

“
Before judgment?” gasped Akakios. “Why?”

“
They feel as Kaphalos,” Theopolou
explained. “They harbor hatred from the Great War, and they
fear a mixing of the races will be the end of our kind. I share some
of these fears. But I will not turn my back on our traditions because
I lack the courage to do what is right.”

Akakios bowed his head “You are right, of course.
Forgive me.”

Theopolou smiled kindly. “There is nothing to
forgive. But you should know that there are other things I hold as
secret and have not told you. I will tell you now if you feel you
must know.” His eyes scanned his guard. They look embarrassed
to have questioned their master’s motives.

Gewey snapped to attention. “You cannot,”
pleaded Kaylia.

“
I can,” corrected Theopolou. “And I
will if I must.”

“
Lord,” said Akakios. “If you feel we
should not know, it is enough.”

Theopolou thought for a long moment. “No,”
he said. “You deserve to know what is so important that I would
hide things from my most trusted companions.” He turned to
Gewey. “Step forward.”

Gewey obeyed, keenly aware that Kaylia was at his right
side fingering her knife. Linis slid to his left.

“
You may have wondered how Gewey was able to kill
two Vrykol so easily,” Theopolou began. “Some may have
guessed that he is a half-man.” A few of the elves nodded. “You
are only half right. Before you stands the only being ever born from
the union of two Gods. Before you stands a God who walks the earth as
a human.”

There was dead silence and all eyes fell on Gewey.
Akakios was the first to speak. “This is true?”

“
It is,” Gewey affirmed “But I only
found out a few weeks ago. I've lived my entire life as a human.
Until Lee proved it to me, I didn't know anything.”

“
It is why he is here,” said Theopolou. “We
hope he will be able to open the Book of Souls.”

“
Why would he need it?” asked Akakios.
“Could he not simply go and defeat the Lord of Angrääl?
If he is a God, does he not possess such power?”

“
I don't know much about my power, or what I can
or can't do,” admitted Gewey. “I am only now discovering
my abilities.”

“
But you're a God?” countered Akakios. “A
God!”

“
True,” interjected Linis. “But he is
not all powerful. He can be injured... maybe even killed. It would be
foolish to send him to confront The Dark One until he is ready.”

“
Angrääl is not what concerns me,”
said Akakios. “It was the Gods that split our people. It is our
lives I worry about.”

“
I would never harm you or your people,”
said Gewey. “I swear it. If my kind have hurt you, I am sorry.
But I am not them.”

“
Even so,” said Akakios. “You are one
of them.”

“
I would ask that you trust my judgment in this
matter,” said Theopolou. “Gewey is not to be harmed in
any way. We need him.”

“
I beg that you give us a few moments to consider
what you have revealed,” said Akakios.

Theopolou nodded his consent. Gewey, Kaylia, Linis and
Theopolou watched as the others gathered in a tight circle, speaking
in hushed tones. Minutes ticked by and Gewey's nerves began to
unravel. Kaylia gave his hand a light squeeze and smiled. This calmed
him.

After several more minutes, the elves broke their circle
and slowly walk toward Gewey. “You have done me no harm,”
said Akakios. “And I trust my Lord. We will do nothing against
you as long as Theopolou commands it. That you have bonded with one
of our kind is troubling, but I see nothing that can be done, short
of killing you both. As you are not subject to our laws, I see no
call for that.”

“
I thank you,” said Gewey bowing low. “But
understand that should Kaylia face judgment, I will stand with her.”

“
As her mate, that is your right,” said
Akakios.

“
We have yet to complete the bonding,”
interjected Kaylia. “And should I be sentenced to death I will
not.”

Gewey turned to Kaylia. “What do you mean?”

Kaylia locked eyes with him. “If the bond is
sealed and I die, you die as well. I will not have that.”

“
You would doom his soul?” asked Theopolou.

“
What do you mean?” asked Kaylia. “I
would save his life.”

“
You know as well as I what happens when the bond
is left unsealed for too long,” said Theopolou. “It is
the same if you die. His soul will be torn apart.”

“
Is there nothing to be done?” she asked.

“
To my knowledge, no,” he answered. “You
should have considered this beforehand.” “It wasn't her
fault,” said Gewey. “It wasn't something either of us
planned.”

“
I see,” the old elf muttered. “Then
there is only one thing to be done. You must seal the bond between
you. If your souls reached out without prior knowledge, then there
can be no other choice.”

Kaylia stared in disbelief. “You would have me
complete the bond? But I—”

“
You should think more, and act less,” said
Theopolou. “I have no desire to see you, or any elf, bonded to
anyone other than an elf. But that does not change the facts. Keep in
mind that I advise you as your uncle, not an elder. As an elder I
would see you judged.”

“
I understand, uncle,” said Kaylia. “Thank
you.”

“
We should depart,” said Linis. “There
is a clearing about two hour’s march where we can make camp.”

“
Agreed,” said Theopolou. “We have
tarried long enough.”

Chapter Eleven

Travel for the next two days was uneventful. At first,
the elves kept their distance from Gewey, but by the morning of the
second day, their curiosity got the better of them. Gewey tried to
answer their questions as best he could, but soon it became apparent
that he didn't have the information they wanted. He knew nothing
about heaven, the Creator or immortality.

The day before they arrived at Theopolou's home,
Theopolou asked to speak with Gewey and Kaylia alone. They walked a
few yards from their evening camp and sat on a large fallen dogwood.

“
When we arrive tomorrow,” Theopolou began.
“I will ask that you keep to your quarters until you are
summoned.” He looked at them disapprovingly. “And you
will be housed separately.”

“
We do not share quarters,” said Gewey,
turning bright red.

“
Good,” said Theopolou. “Until you
have completed your bond you should not.”

“
I may not share your opinions on humans,”
said Kaylia. “But I am no
scortus
.”

“
What's a
scortus
?”
asked Gewey.

“
A woman of ill repute,” Kaylia replied.

“
I was not implying that you were,” said
Theopolou. “But I'm still your uncle and am protective of your
honor.”

“
I would not dishonor Kaylia,” said Gewey,
with all the sincerity he could muster through his embarrassment.

Theopolou cracked a smile. “I believe you.”
Then his smile faded. “Now, listen to me, both of you. You
must
keep out of sight until I call for you.”

“
How long will we have to wait?” asked
Gewey.

Theopolou shrugged. “An hour. A day. There is no
way to know. But you must stay put no matter what. Each of you will
have a guard outside your door.”

Kaylia's eyes narrowed. ”Do you expect treachery?”

“
No,” Theopolou replied. “But I will
be prepared nonetheless. Timing will be crucial, and I will get us
every advantage I can. Since I opposed your assassination, I have
lost support. I still hold position and influence, but not as much as
before. You must do exactly as I tell you.”

Gewey and Kaylia both nodded in agreement.

“
Good,” said Theopolou, satisfied. “Now
we must rest. Tomorrow we will arrive. I can only hope we get there
before the others.”

They slept for only a few hours and were on their way
long before daybreak. By midday, the forest grew thicker until it was
nearly impenetrable. Gewey snagged his clothes countless times on
thorns and brambles, and the insects swarmed, making a feast of his
flesh. The elves seemed unaffected, deftly hopping between the trees
and thick brush, avoiding thorns and low hanging branches as if they
weren't there.

Linis noticed Gewey's difficulty. “Stay just
behind me,” he said. “Do as I do.” Gewey tried his
best to follow Linis' every move, and was able to lessen his hurts
considerably. Still, he managed a few extra scrapes before the forest
thinned.

“
How can he stand to live in such a place?”
Gewey asked.

“
A bit much to get through, for anyone other than
an elf.” Linis chuckled. “It is why we choose such
places. Most of our dwellings are not easily accessible, even our
towns. Some you could never find unless you knew exactly where to
look.”

Gewey tried to imagine what an elf town would look like.
Majesty and magic must be everywhere. Then he dismissed the notion.
So far, he had been far from the mark. Kaphalos lived in a house, but
although it was well-built and beautiful, it was nothing like he had
pictured.

The forest thinned even more, and soon Gewey found
himself walking along a colorful cobblestone street. It was wide
enough that the party could walk four abreast comfortably.

Theopolou turned back to Gewey. “Once we reach the
end of the road, Akakios will guide you and Kaylia to your quarters.
You should be able to get there unseen. The servants will be
preparing the house, and we are the first party to arrive.”

“
How can you tell?” asked Gewey.

“
It's
my
house,” replied Theopolou. “I know when someone is about.
Not even Linis could enter my land without my notice.”

The road ended at an immense gateway, twenty feet high
and solid as steel. It shined like silver and bore long, carved ivory
handles. A polished granite wall spanned east and west farther than
Gewey's eyes could see. He stared in wonder. Even the walls of a
human city weren't so well constructed, and the gate looked as if
nothing could bring it down.

The party halted and Theopolou approached the gate. He
placed his hand upon one of the handles. Suddenly the handle hissed
and glowed with a pale, white light. Then, as if by command, the gate
swung outward without a sound.

“
Magic,” whispered Gewey.

Theopolou sniffed. “It is not magic.” His
eyes fell on Kaylia. “If he is to be yours, then you should
teach him properly.”

Gewey could feel Kaylia's embarrassment. “I'm
sorry,” he said. “I shouldn't have said anything.”

“
It is not your fault.” Kaylia lowered her
eyes. “I have not told you enough about us. The moment we were
bonded, I should have instructed you more about our ways.”

Gewey was about to try to console her, but Theopolou
held out his palm. Akakios moved in front of Gewey and Kaylia.

“
Wait for them to enter,” said Akakios.
“Then follow me to your quarters.”