The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3

by Brian D. Anderson

  “I think I understand,” he said. “I’ll do better next time.”

  “You did well this time,” she replied.

  Gewey raised an eyebrow. “A compliment?”

  “The nature of our relationship requires that I be completely honest with you,” she explained. “As a teacher, I do not give praise easily, even when warranted. But as a suitor, you will receive my honesty in all things. I suggest you do not abuse that privilege.”

  Gewey almost winced at the word ‘suitor.’ “Thank you,” he managed. “I won’t.”

  When they returned to camp, Lee was sitting next to the fire talking with the others. A box wrapped in cloth was at his feet - the same one Gewey remembered Millet handing to him the night they had left Sharpstone.

  “What’s in the box?” Gewey asked as they approached.

  “I was hoping Kaylia might help me with that,” answered Lee.

  Kaylia and Gewey sat by the fire as Lee unwrapped the box. It was made from dark, polished wood and had strange lettering carved on the lid.

  “Do you recognize the language?” Lee asked Kaylia.

  “Yes,” she said. “It’s the ancient language of my ancestors.”

  “Can you read it?” he asked.

  “I can try,” she said. “But I’m sorry to say I know very little. Only a few elven scholars know it well enough to read it fluently.”

  Lee handed her the box. She looked at it intently for several minutes.

  “The first line isn’t difficult,” she said. “It simply reads, ‘Unto the creator I sing’. That’s a common phrase used in many of our ceremonies. The second line is a bit more difficult. I think it says, ‘The time will come to receive your gifts’, but I may be wrong. The third line...and again, I’m not sure...seems to say, ‘This book I keep until the end of time.’”

  “That’s it?” Lee asked, sounding disappointed. “Nothing more?”

  “Like I said, I may be wrong,” Kaylia told him. “But I believe I’m close.”

  “What is it, exactly?” asked Gewey.

  “I don’t know,” Lee admitted. “I’ve never been able to open it.”

  “What do you mean?” Gewey asked. “Just take a bloody axe and break it.”

  Lee laughed. “I actually tried that once in a moment of frustration. But as you can see, it didn’t even make a scratch. I tried for years to discover what it is, but I haven’t found anything written describing such an object.”

  “I know what it is,” Maybell interjected.

  “You do?” Kaylia and Lee asked simultaneously.

  “Indeed I do,” said Maybell with a nod. “And you were close on the translation, elf.”

  “I had no idea you could read ancient elfish,” Kaylia said, amused.

  “I can’t,” she answered. “But I know that phrase well enough. And if I’m right, I know what’s inside that box.”

  “Well, tell us then.” Lee said impatiently.

  Maybell gave Lee a withering look, then continued. “It should say: ‘Unto the creator I sing, His gift to me I humbly receive. The end of days I fear not, for his book shall guide me.’”

  “What does it mean?” asked Lee.

  “It refers to a prophecy I first heard about when I was studying as a novice in the Great Library of Halmanteris,” she explained.

  “Do you know the whole thing?” Lee asked.

  “No,” she answered. “But I know someone who might. She’s a Sister living in the Temple of Ayliazarah in Gristol. I’ve known her for many years. She is without a doubt the most learned Sister in the Order. It’s on our way to Althetas. Perhaps we should stop on the way?”

  “We might,” said Lee. “Can you tell me anything about what’s inside the box?”

  “I can only guess,” she said. “I think it might contain the Book of Souls. It is said that it was written at the time of creation and contains all the secrets of the gods.”

  Kaylia’s eyes grew wide. “It couldn’t be.”

  “Why not?” Lee asked. “What do you know about it?”

  “The Book of Souls was kept by the elves until the time of the Great War,” she explained. “It was thought to have been lost forever. If that is the book, then it rightfully belongs to the elves.”

  “If that is the book, then it rightly belongs to everyone,” Maybell corrected her. “But you’re right; it was said that the elves guarded it for centuries. But let’s not jump to conclusions. We don’t even yet know if it is actually the book that’s in there.”

  “Good point,” Millet agreed. “And being that we don’t know how to open it, this discussion is pointless.”

  “Where did you get it?” asked Maybell.

  “It was among Lord Dauvis’s possessions,” Lee replied. “I’ve always thought it was something important, but I could never figure what. Where he acquired it, I don’t know.”

  “Lord Dauvis?” Maybell asked. “Of Hazrah? Then you must be Lee Nal’Thain. I’ve heard of you. You inherited his property and title when he died.”

  Lee nodded. “I keep that name secret. I imagine news of my inheritance is well known throughout the temples, but I would ask that you keep this to yourself.”

  “The death of Lord Dauvis was spoken of at the time,” Maybell acknowledged. “As was his successor. A lord of such wealth and influence is always of interest to us. But now I have a more important question: Why do a Lord of Hazrah and an elf take so much care to keep the true identity of a farm boy a secret? Not to mention the training you give to him. Dina here doesn’t seem to know much, but perhaps you could tell me.”

  “These are things you’re better off not knowing,” said Lee.

  “You think I might betray you?” she responded, sounding offended. “I know enough to do that already, if I so choose. Face the facts: I will either work it out on my own eventually, or I’ll learn the truth when we get to Valshara.”

  “She’s right,” Gewey said. “Besides, I don’t want people risking their lives without knowing why.”

  “Boy,” Lee snapped. “You need to listen to me and keep your mouth shut.”

  Gewey looked at Kaylia. “What do you think?”

  Kaylia took a deep breath. “I would keep this secret for as long as possible,” she said. “But you’re right; people should know why they risk their lives. And I think sister Maybell would figure it out on her own eventually.” Kaylia then looked at Dina. “But, there are two people here who know nothing. Would they both keep your secret?”

  “If you would share it,” Dina affirmed, “I will keep it, even from my own order. Though I suspect what you have to say is the very reason I’m taking you to them in the first place.”

  “If you need an oath from me,” Maybell said, “the best one I can give is my word. I will not betray you, and I will keep your secret with me until death.”

  Gewey looked around the fire. All eyes were on him. “Lee, if I reveal myself, then I reveal you as well.”

  “That doesn’t matter much,” said Lee. “I’m not the important one. Besides, the world has seen many of my kind, so it would be no great shock to see another.” He stared into the fire. “Do as you will.”

  Gewey took a breath, then told them the story from beginning to end. When he was finished, Maybell and Dina were staring at him in amazement.

  “Is this true?” Maybell whispered. “You are a god walking the earth?”

  “I am,” said Gewey. “But trust me, I don’t feel like one. Until Lee proved it to me, I had no idea. It still doesn’t seem real sometimes.”

  “Do you remember being in heaven?” asked Dina.

  “I don’t know that I was ever in heaven,” he replied. “For all I know, I was born in this world. I have no memory beyond my childhood.”

  The camp was quiet for a long time. Dina and Maybell just sat there staring at Gewey.

  “Well now,” said Maybell, breaking the silence. “This is exciting. I would say this calls for some of that wine we have in the wagon.”

 
She went over, retrieved one of the bottles, and passed it around.

  “Do you know who your real mother and father are?” Dina asked, swallowing a mouthful of wine.

  “No,” said Gewey. “Like I said, I didn’t even know I was a god until just recently. Whoever they are, they left me no clues.”

  “I think it’s important that we find out what’s inside that box,” Maybell said to Lee. “If it is the Book of Souls, then it could hold the key to why the boy is here.”

  “I agree,” said Kaylia. “But the book is said to be written in ancient elfish. Even if we open it, we have no way to read it.”

  Lee looked thoughtfully at the box. “I do think we should open it and see what it contains, but it’s more important to get Gewey to a safe place where he can train. We can stop and see this woman in Gristol, but we can’t stay for long. If she can’t help, the book will have to wait.”

  “I disagree,” Kaylia contended. “If that is the Book of Souls, then it’s the key to far more than Gewey’s power - it’s the key to victory. If we can open it and understand it, this will give us the knowledge we need to defeat the Dark Knight. Gewey may not even need to be put in danger at all.”

  “What are you saying?” Lee asked.

  “I’m saying that Gewey may not have to fight,” she answered. “The book may show us another way.”

  “This is all well and good,” said Lee. “But like you said, who can read it?”

  “The elves can,” Gewey said suddenly, his eyes turning to Kaylia. “You’re thinking about taking it to your people, aren’t you?”

  Kaylia smiled sweetly at Gewey and nodded. “That’s right.”

  “You can’t,” Gewey protested. “You’ve already said that they’ll kill you.”

  “I’ll face their judgment eventually,” she replied. “If it means victory without bloodshed, I’ll gladly take the risk.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lee cut in. “But I’m not sending it to the elves. At least, not yet. First we’ll try Gristol and see if the box can be opened. It may not be the Book of Souls at all. For all we know, it could be a recipe for lamb stew. No, it stays with me for now.”

  Gewey smiled with satisfaction, but Kaylia did not look pleased.

  “Kaylia,” said Dina. “I would like hear more about the elves before I sleep.”

  “Of course,” she replied, and led her away, out of earshot. When the wine was gone, they began settling into their blankets. For a while, Gewey lay watching Kaylia as she shared her elven heritage with Dina. Then, just as he felt himself beginning to drift off, they returned to the fire and lay down. He could feel the eyes of both women on him, so he rolled over onto his side to face away from them.

  “You haven’t been taking your jawas tea,” Kaylia said quietly.

  Gewey had not heard her approach and nearly rolled off his blanket in surprise. He took the flask from her hands and swallowed a large mouthful. He felt the familiar sensation of relaxation flowing through his limbs.

  “Can I ask a favor of you?”

  “Of course,” answered Gewey.

  “Would you allow me to touch your mind? The jawas should make it easy, if you allow it.”

  “Why?” Gewey asked, concerned.

  “I want to see who you really are,” she said. “And you will see me. If you refuse, I will understand.”

  “I…I’m not sure. How would you do it?”

  “It’s not difficult,” Kaylia assured him. “When you are falling asleep, you will feel my mind touching yours. When you do, just let me in.”

  “What will happen?” he asked, nervous and unsure.

  “That depends,” she replied gently. “Perhaps nothing. Perhaps everything. There’s really no way to know.”

  Gewey thought for a moment. “I guess it would be alright.”

  Kaylia nodded and returned to her blanket. Gewey allowed the jawas to take over, and began to drift off.

  It was then that he felt Kaylia’s presence, like a gentle knock on the door to his mind. Instead of trying to keep it shut, as Lee had taught him, he allowed it to open. He felt a warm breeze enter and wrap itself around him. It was as if kindness itself had become tangible.

  “I’m here.” It was Kaylia, but her voice sounded distant. “Can you see me?”

  “Where are you?” asked Gewey. All he could see was a deep blue mist swirling everywhere. “I can’t see you.”

  “Don’t look with your eyes,” she advised. Her voice was like a thousand tiny bells. “Just imagine what you want to see and then make it so.”

  Gewey imagined the mist lifting. It cleared slowly, revealing a lush forest. He could smell the earth and trees around him. Standing next to a tall pine was Kaylia, dressed in a flowing white dress. Her auburn hair fell loosely down her back, and her skin glistened like the night sky.

  “Can you see me now?” she asked, smiling.

  He was completely awed by her stunning beauty. “Yes,” he answered. “You look…different.”

  Kaylia’s laughter sounded almost childlike. “Here, we look as we are. I see you tall and straight, dressed in gold robes.”

  Gewey tried to look at himself, but he appeared out of focus.

  “Why can’t I see myself?”

  Kaylia walked lightly across the forest floor until she was less than a foot in front of him.

  “It takes time to learn to see yourself. But that’s not why we’re here. Come with me.” She took his hand. “Let me show you things you never dreamed of.”

  “Where are we going?” he asked as he let himself be led away.

  “Inside your mind,” she answered. “And inside mine. It’s doubtful you’ll remember what you’ve seen when you wake - at least, not until you’ve been properly trained. But the impressions will last.”

  Gewey felt a tinge of disappointment. “Will you tell me about it tomorrow?”

  “No, not unless I feel you need to know. But don’t worry, I swear I won’t force you to reveal anything you don’t want to.”

  The last thing Gewey remembered was a sensation of flying, with Kaylia’s hand locked firmly in his. When he woke the next morning, Kaylia was still sleeping nearby.

  There was a sweet smile on her face.

  Chapter 18

  Gewey was at first afraid that his experience with Kaylia would make things even more awkward than they already were, but he soon found the opposite to be true. For some reason, conversation with her the next day was much easier. He even told her some stories about his life back in Sharpstone. Dina was quiet, but her eyes kept wandering to Gewey. He pretended not to notice, but it was hard to ignore her.

  He hoped Kaylia was unaware of Dina’s gaze, but he held little hope that anything would escape the elf’s attention. By the time they reached Delhammer, Gewey was quite ready for a change of scenery.

  The city wasn’t as big as Kaltinor, but at least the gates, though guarded, were open. Millet stopped and asked one of the guards about the quality and location of the inns. The man was more than happy to help once he had been given a copper.

  The streets were busy, but much cleaner than those in Kaltinor. It seemed that commerce had not been affected by hard times, and the people were cheerful and smiled as they passed by.

  The inn they found was decent. The common room was filled with patrons enjoying the antics of a juggler and magician, something Gewey had never seen before. Lee paid for the rooms while Millet stabled the horses. Gewey shared a room with Lee, while Dina and Kaylia shared another. Millet and Maybell each got a room of their own, though both of them protested, arguing that they were perfectly willing to share, and even sleep on the floor if necessary.

  Once they were settled, Maybell left in search of the temple district, insisting that Dina accompany her. Millet and Lee went looking for a caravan headed west. Gewey persuaded Kaylia to join him in the common room and watch the acrobat who, as it turned out, also played the lute and sang. Kaylia was uneasy at first, but she soon realized that no one was paying her an
y attention. As she grew more comfortable, she even laughed at some of the more silly songs.

  Lee and Millet were the first to return. They joined them at the table. “I see your aversion to being seen in public has lessened,” Millet said cheerfully.

  “I didn’t want Gewey to be left unprotected,” she answered unenthusiastically. “And luckily, these people don’t seem so interested in the comings and goings of others. A hooded woman doesn’t seem so out of place here.”

  “I think you’ll find that to be more and more the case, the further west we go,” Millet replied.

  “Did you find a caravan?” asked Gewey, still watching the entertainment with glee.

  “We did,” Lee confirmed “It doesn’t depart for two days. Still, I think it’s the best way to travel unnoticed.”

  “I think I could use a break anyway,” Gewey noted. “This seems like a fun place.”

  “We can’t be reckless,” Lee said sternly. “And we can’t afford to expose ourselves too much.”

  “If the entertainment here is as good at night as it is at midday, then I think I’ll be happy not leaving the inn,” said Gewey.

  The acrobat was juggling six apples, taking a bite from each one as it passed, before making them disappear.

  Seeing Gewey in such high spirits, Millet couldn’t help but smile affectionately. “I think the lad does need a bit of fun in his life right now, My Lord. Who knows when he’ll get another chance, given what the future may hold?”

  Lee sighed. “You’re right, of course. I forget sometimes that he’s only seventeen.”

  “He’s sitting right here,” Gewey said, waving his hand in front of Lee’s face. “And I just want to enjoy myself while we wait. Don’t you?”

  “Good point,” said Lee, slamming his hands on the table. “I think we could all do with a bit of fun. Wait here.”

  Lee got up and went to the bar. Gewey saw the barman nod enthusiastically as Lee whispered into his ear.

  “What did you do?” asked Gewey when Lee returned.

  “You’ll see tonight,” Lee said with a sly grin.

  Kaylia shook her head, unimpressed. “I think I’ll be staying in my room tonight.”