A Trial of Souls

by Brian D. Anderson

  “I should go,” said Lousis.

  “No,” ordered Gewey sharply. “Continue.”

  Lousis stiffened and nodded. “As you wish.” He took a large drink of brandy and cleared his throat. “When news of Lord Starfinder’s death came, you went into a rage. Kaylia and Aaliyah tried to stop you, but you rode south to where the Angrääl ships had landed at the Tarvansia Peninsula.” Lousis smiled. “People still sing songs of that day. The High Lady Selena sent men to follow you, but it was over by the time they caught up. You drove thirty thousand soldiers back into the sea, and then burned their ships as they fled. It was said that you flew through the sky casting fire and smoke from above.”

  It all started coming back to Gewey - the screams of the men, and the stench of burning flesh. But most of all he remembered his rage. The soldiers had ravaged Lee’s body so terribly that Linis thought it best to cremate him and only bring back the ashes. Gewey looked up at the mantle where the urn still rested.

  “We thought we had bought time,” Lousis continued. “We hoped that such a slaughter would be enough to delay them long enough for us to recover from the defeat at Baltria. But we were wrong. They sailed into our harbor in such vast numbers that even the elf navigators couldn’t stop them.” This time a tear fell from Lousis’ eye. “They massacred us, burned our city, and drove us north.”

  Gewey could still hear the sobs of the Althetan children holding onto their slain parents while Angrääl soldiers marched through the streets. Even with all his power, he had been unable to stop them. They were too spread out. The longer he stayed in Althetas, the more people they killed. He remembered weeping as he rode beside Aaliyah and Kaylia when they finally fled the city. He remembered the sorrow he felt from Aaliyah as well. Nehrutu had fallen hours before while trying to save his kin as their ships were sinking into the harbor.

  Lousis had stopped talking. Gewey smiled weakly at the old king and filled his glass. “I know this seems odd. But I need to hear it.”

  “If it helps you, it is my pleasure,” he replied, taking another sip before continuing. “Our soldiers and the remaining elves fled to the Steppes. What we found was horror. The Reborn King had sent a vast army and killed nearly every living being there. Entire elf villages were gone; burned to the ground. Fearing that Angrääl was waiting for us further north, we tried to turn east, but there was nowhere left to run.

  “When the enemy finally caught us we were but forty thousand strong and outnumbered ten to one. Still, with your power on our side, we held on to hope. For three days we fought, and for three days we drove them back. They scrambled to place Vrykol where they could stop you from annihilating them, but each time you broke their hold and shattered the lines. By the fourth day, we thought we had won. The army of the Reborn King was weary and disheartened and their losses were mounting. Then…he came.”

  Memories raced through Gewey’s mind like a river flooded by melting snow. The thought of the battle made him shiver. So many dead. So much blood.

  “The Reborn King himself rode onto the battlefield.” Lousis’ hands began to tremble. “It was as if a great storm had rolled in and splintered the world.”

  Gewey tried to remember the moment, but it was shrouded in mist. Only the feeling of despair was clear.

  “I watched as the bravest and strongest of us fell to their knees and wept.” Lousis drained his glass. “Even I was paralyzed with fear. The great king of Althetas - unable to move. With a wave of his hand, five thousand men died instantly, their bodies bursting into white-hot flames. It was then that you stepped forward to meet him. Darshan faced the Reborn King at last.”

  Gewey bowed his head. The fear still gripped him. Only with a great effort was he able to keep his hands steady.

  This time it was Lousis who filled Gewey’s glass. “I can still see it as clearly as I see you now. You and the Reborn King, mere feet apart. Two gods at war. I have always wondered what you and he said to each other, though I understand why you never speak of it.” Lousis leaned back and paused.

  “And?” asked Gewey, desperate to know more.

  Lousis shrugged. “And nothing. The war was over. You ordered our surrender and made peace with Angrääl. We were allowed to return to our homes and begin rebuilding our lives.”

  He stared into Gewey’s eyes. “You’re not all right, are you? It’s this business with Linis. But it’s not your fault. He could have gone east to the desert with the rest of the elves instead of choosing rebellion. Remember, it was he who tried to kill you, not the other way around.”

  The rest of the story flashed into Gewey’s memory. He had stopped the Reborn King by serving him. The elves, fearing extinction, chose exile to the desert. He had convinced the king to leave them in peace, but some would not accept these terms and felt Gewey had betrayed them. A week after their surrender, agents of Angrääl found a group of those resistant to the peace agreement hiding in Valshara. The Reborn King ordered them all killed. Dina was among them.

  He could still see the look in Kaylia’s eyes when she found out that he had done nothing to prevent it. The day she left was utter agony. Aaliyah, he remembered…she was the one who had broken their bond. It was as if his heart had been ripped from his chest. Just thinking about it brought a cold feeling to the pit of his stomach.

  “Kaylia,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  “Darshan,” said Lousis. “Why are you doing this to yourself? Kaylia has been gone for years. She and that witch Aaliyah.”

  Gewey shot Lousis and angry glance. “Aaliyah was no witch.”

  Lousis lowered his eyes. “I beg your forgiveness if I offended you. But it was you who swore that you would flay her alive should you ever see her again.”

  Gewey rubbed his temple. “No. I am the one who should apologize. I think you’re right. This business with Linis has affected my mind.”

  There was a knock at the door. An Althetan guard entered and saluted. “My lords, I have been instructed to tell you that the prisoner awaits sentence in the courtyard.”

  Gewey sat motionless, deep in thought.

  “I know this is hard,” said Lousis. “But you must...”

  Gewey held up his hand. “Have him brought here. And see to it that his bonds are secure.”

  The guard looked unsure. “But, my lord. Ambassador Sialo said...” Gewey’s eyes silenced him at once. “Yes, my lord,” the man said, hurrying from the room.

  Lousis sighed. “You know this must be public, don’t you?”

  Gewey’s expression was stone. “I will speak with the elf that was once my friend before I end his life.”

  King Lousis rose from his seat. He wobbled and gripped the chair with an embarrassed grin. “Too much brandy.”

  Gewey got up to take hold of the old king’s arm. It felt thin and frail. “You’ve earned your brandy, your highness.”

  Lousis smiled warmly. “Indeed I have.” He opened the door and paused. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Gewey nodded, his face taut. “So do I.”

  He sat back down at the table and waited, staring at his half empty glass. He wasn’t sure why he was doing this, just that something told him he must. A few minutes later four guards entered with the prisoner. He may have been in tattered rags, and his face bruised and swollen, but there was no mistaking Linis. The moment he saw Gewey he tried to jerk free, but even his elf strength was not enough to overcome his tight bonds and four strong men.

  Gewey stood up. “Hold him still.” He approached the elf and placed his hands on his battered face, using the flow to heal him.

  This only served to increase the fury burning in Linis’ eyes. “You should just kill me, traitor.” His voice oozed hatred.

  Gewey ignored his words. “Leave us.” The guards looked at each other nervously. “He cannot harm me.”

  After one more moment of hesitation, they bowed and left.

  The second the door closed, Linis charged. But before he had taken more than a couple of st
eps, Gewey shot a burst of air that threw him back against the wall.

  “That is not going to help you,” he said calmly.

  Linis glared, but didn’t move.

  Gewey sat back down. “Please sit.”

  Linis remained defiant. “Why am I here?” he hissed. “What do you think to accomplish?”

  “I am trying to understand why you hate me so,” he replied.

  Linis spat. “You know very well why. She is dead because of you. My unorem.” Tears welled in his eyes. “My sweet wife. Her body burned and ravaged, all because of you!” His voice raged. “And if that betrayal was not enough, you send my people into exile and ally yourself with the very creature who slaughtered them.” He took a menacing step forward. “There are less than ten thousand of us left. Did you know that? Ten thousand! All because of your cowardice.”

  “It is not my fault we lost the war,” Gewey retorted angrily, before regaining his calm. “We would all be dead if I had not accepted the Reborn King’s offer of peace. If the war had continued there wouldn’t even be ten thousand remaining. And I’ve done everything I can to protect the elves. It was I who stopped the king from wiping you from the face of the earth. How is that a betrayal?” He got to his feet. “And there was nothing I could have done to save Dina.” He was unable to look at Linis. He knew that was a lie.

  Linis laughed contemptuously. “You can’t even lie about it properly. The sin is too great - even for the mighty Darshan. And now you will turn a blind eye as your master makes war on the elves across the Abyss.”

  He met Linis’ gaze. “There is no such plan. If there were, I would know of it.”

  Linis shook his head and gave a wicked smile. “You claim to rule in the name of your master, yet you know nothing? You cannot possibly expect me to believe that.”

  “I tell you that I know of no such plan,” said Gewey. “What proof do you have?”

  Linis grunted. “None that you would believe.”

  “Tell me anyway,” he pressed.

  “I captured an Angrääl captain,” said Linis. His face was proud, yet sinister. “I tortured him for a week, and imagined he was you every time he begged for death. The man held out for quite a while actually, but in the end he revealed everything to me. I saw the ships myself there in Baltria’s harbor. They were filled with thousands of Vrykol.”

  Gewey tensed. Thousands! If that were true then the Reborn King had broken his word. No more Vrykol were to ever be made…by either of them. So many of the creatures could easily lay waste to the distant elven land. “There is one way for me to know the truth,” he said, cautiously approaching Linis. “Show me.” He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift toward his former friend. At first the elf resisted. “Do not make me force you,” said Gewey firmly. Linis eventually relented.

  It took only moments for Gewey to see what he needed to. “It is true!” he exclaimed. Fury began to boil inside him. He turned and strode to the other side of the room. “They will have no warning. It will be a slaughter.”

  Linis huffed. “You speak as if you care. Even with this knowledge, you will still do nothing.”

  The fury rose. The old sensation he’d once feared, he now willingly embraced. The killing was to end. That was the bargain they’d made. He had sold away his spirit to protect life, and now killing on a scale that made his mind reel was about to happen.

  He spun around and faced Linis. His eyes were ablaze. “How long ago was this?”

  “Just before I came here to kill you,” replied Linis.

  Gewey stared at the elf for several minutes, motionless and silent. He then reached in his belt and pulled out a small dagger. Before Linis could react, he crossed the room, spun him around, and cut his bonds. He placed the dagger in Linis’ hands.

  Ripping open his shirt, Gewey spread his arms wide. “Then kill me now, or once again fight by my side.”

  Linis did not hesitate. He pushed Gewey with all of his strength, sending him sprawling across the table. Even before the falling wine glasses shattered to pieces on the floor, the blade was at Gewey’s throat. Linis pressed the sharp edge into his flesh, sending blood trickling down his neck. For a dangerously long few seconds the elf’s wild eyes reflected his inner turmoil as he battled with conflicting emotions. Then, letting out a primal scream, he slammed the knife into the tabletop and stepped away.

  Gewey wiped the blood from his neck while getting to his feet. “I take it you realize you’ll need my help.”

  “This changes nothing,” said Linis through his teeth. “I still hold you accountable for Dina’s death. But if you are really willing to help me, my kin must be warned.” He clenched his fists. “I will set aside my vengeance…for now.”

  “Good,” said Gewey. “We will warn them, I swear it. We set sail before dusk.” He went to the door and cracked it open. The guards were still outside. “Wait here,” he told Linis. “I need to get you clothes and a weapon.”

  The soldiers snapped to attention as Gewey stepped from the dining room.

  “Escort Ambassador Sialo to his chambers,” he ordered. But the guards didn’t move. He reached out to grab the one nearest to him, but his hand passed through as if the soldier were only mist. He drew back in shock.

  The guards faded away into nothing and the world became dark. Suddenly, he remembered everything.

  “It wasn’t real,” Gewey said, the words catching in his throat. But it was real…he knew it.

  “It was what could come to pass,” came the voice of Ayliazarah. “You saw yourself as you could be. A betrayer of your friends and servant of your greatest foe.”

  Gewey fell to his knees. “I would never…” But he knew his words were a lie. “Take me back. I want to go back,” he pleaded. He wanted to hold Kaylia and tell her that he would never allow these things to happen.

  “This is who you are,” she said tenderly. “There is no turning back.”

  Gewey was struck with dread at the thought of the next trial. Finally, he took a breath and gathered his courage.

  “Then so be it,” he said. “I am ready.”

  Chapter 15

  Gewey stared out at the ruined city of Althetas before lowering his head in despair. The fires had long since died, but the scent of burned timbers still caught the breeze as a reminder of its destruction.

  “Why Althetas?” asked Linis.

  Gewey looked up. “Why not?” He dismounted. “I can think of nowhere else. Can you?”

  Linis shrugged. “I don’t understand why you keep trying. They are all gone. There is nothing left to find here.”

  Gewey closed his eyes. “There is at least one more. It was my failure that caused this, and it is my duty to set her free.”

  Linis slid from his saddle. “It was no fault of yours. You did what you could.”

  “I was weak,” said Gewey. “Weak and afraid. I fled and left the world to its fate.”

  “You tried,” countered Linis. “No one else could have done more.”

  Gewey reached out with the flow. Nothing. Still he had to go on. “Don’t you understand? I could have saved them all, but I was too much of a coward. That day when I faced him…I could have destroyed him. And if I had, they would still be alive. She would have never…”

  Linis grabbed Gewey shoulders and turned him so they faced each other. “What are you talking about? The Reborn King defeated you. I was there. I saw you fight him. He was just too strong.”

  “No,” whispered Gewey. “I was too weak. There was a moment when I could have defeated him. But it would have killed us both.” A tear fell down his cheek. “To my shame, I ran away.”

  Linis looked at him intensely. “That is not true.”

  “I’m afraid it is,” admitted Gewey. “When the moment came, I realized the sacrifice I needed to make and I ran. What you saw was my shame.”

  “I refuse...”

  “Damn it!” shouted Gewey, jerking free. “Can’t you see? I am to blame for everything. All of it.”
r />   “Why have you never spoken of this before?” asked Linis. His voice was cool and understanding.

  He turned his back. “Because even after all these years, I am still a coward. I feared to lose your friendship. I knew that my shame cost you everything. I was afraid.”

  “Tell me what happened,” said Linis. “I will hear it and make my own judgment.”

  Gewey’s shoulders sagged. “Very well. It was just after Lee and Jacob were killed during the battle for Althetas. You were still fighting in the Steppes with Dina and Aaliyah.”

  The mention of Dina brought a visible reaction from Linis. Gewey rarely spoke her name, and now wished he hadn’t.

  “King Lousis had been severely injured, so High Lady Selena took control of the city. We were reeling from the battle and had found out that another Angrääl fleet was on its way. Our defenses were in ruins and our army decimated, so Selena made the decision to abandon the city and retreat to Valshara.”

  Linis nodded. “This much I know. We received word after the first assault. We were being forced from the Steppes, so I ordered the elves to withdraw and join you.”

  “Yes,” said Gewey. “We hoped you would arrive in time. But as it turned out, it didn’t matter. We defended the passage to Valshara for six days. The bodies were piled so high that our attackers were forced to climb over their own fallen comrades just to enter the fray. For a time it looked as if we had a chance. Then, on the morning of the seventh day, Angrääl pulled back. We prayed that they had given up. But they hadn’t.”

  Gewey wiped away the sweat beading on his forehead. His hands trembled.

  “Then he rode onto the field. I knew at once who he was. I could feel his mind pressing in on me. I tried to keep him out, but he was relentless. I knew I had to face him. Kaylia tried to stop me, but the Dark Knight’s challenge would not go unanswered.”

  Linis nodded. “That was when we arrived. I wanted to charge in, but some unseen force held us at bay.”

  “It was him,” said Gewey. “He intended to face me alone and end the war. He knew that if he defeated me, there would be nothing left to stop him.”