“It is good you have kept this secret from meuntil now,” said Linis finally. “And I am honored thatyou have chosen to share it. Had I found out before I had come toknow the boy, I am unsure how I would have reacted.”
“I think you would have been fine,” saidDina. “When you found out about me-”
“You are different,” said Linis. “Youare the natural result of two people sharing the same world. Gewey’snature, on the other hand, stirs feelings even in me of the oldhatreds. It is a thing no elf would ever expect to be faced with.”He turned to Lee. “You mustkeep this from Theopolou and the others.”
“I only tell you because of our friendship,”said Lee. “The presence of your brethren is causing me greatconcern, and not only because of Gewey.”
“The Book of Souls,” whispered Linis. “Tothink I traveled with both The Book of Souls anda God at the same time.” He burst into laughter. “A thingworthy of a tale, wouldn't you say?”
Lee joined his laughter. “No doubt it will be toldfor ages to come.” Lee motioned for Linis to rejoin him on thecouch. “Tell me about Theopolou.”
Linis' eye shifted back and forth from Lee to Dina for amoment. “He is great among my people,” he began. “Andhis knowledge vast. His family had been the keepers of the Book ofSouls for generations until its disappearance.”
“How does he feel about what you and the othersare trying to do?” Dina asked.
“You are referring to our contact with humans….”Linis breathed deeply. “He is of the old way of thinking, butso far has done nothing to hinder our efforts. Some elders distrusthim for that very reason. They imagine that he secretly aides ourcause. This is untrue, of course, though his presence here will nothelp to quell the rumors.”
“Certainly they understand that he comes becauseof the Book,” said Dina.
“None of the others know,” Linis replied.“Aside from his personal guard, I am the only elf that knows ofhis reasons.”
“Why?” asked Lee. “Wouldn't it be tohis benefit to allow the other elders to understand why he is here?”
“Yes,” said Linis. “But there isanother complication. As you know, Kaylia is to be killed should shebe found.”
“I know,” growled Lee. “I went to seeher and Gewey just before I came here. I was stopped at the door bytwo elf guards. Theopolou was inside, though I didn't see him.”
“You needn't worry about Kaylia,” saidLinis. “She is the reason he is here, not the Book. He is heruncle.”
Dina straightened in her seat and gasped. “Heruncle? I thought her uncle was one of the elders who want her dead?”
“No,” replied Linis. “He cannotsupport her publicly, but he was strongly opposed to having herkilled before judgment could be passed. Understand, after the deathof her father he took her for his own daughter. Theopolou may be setin his ways, but he loves Kaylia. He could not abide herassassination. Especially when such an act breaks our traditions.”
“I see,” said Lee thoughtfully. “Thenhe is here to do what? Heal her, take her to be judged… whatexactly?”
“To be honest, I'm not sure.” Linisshrugged. “He knows I will not allow her to be taken. I’vetold him as much.”
“I hate to point this out,” said Lee. “Buthe has ten guards with him. There are maybe a dozen knights inValshara, and most of them are either too young to have seen battle,or too old to be effective against a trained elf warrior.”
“I don't think it will come to that,” saidLinis. “But still, I have sent word to the other seekers.They'll be here soon. I've instructed them to guard the way fromValshara. If Theopolou or any of his guards try to take Kaylia, theywill be stopped.”
“That is good,” said Lee. “Still, I amconcerned. If this meeting goes badly-”
“If that happens,” Linis interrupted, “Iwill give you time to get Dina and your mother out of danger. Mybrethren will be reluctant to fight me, and that should give youenough time to escape.”
Lee nodded. “Though I hate the idea of leaving youto fight alone, it seems the best option.”
“I don't like this discussion,” said Dina.“Nothing is going to happen, and talk of killing and escapingupsets my stomach. If it goes wrong we'll deal with it then.”
“Quite right.” A smile returned to Linus’sface. “We have so little time for good company and pleasanttalk. It would be a pity to waste what we have been given.”
The conversation was light for the next several hours.Linis told them that he had sent his band of seekers along the coastof the Western Abyss to open relations with the coastal villages,while he contacted several small groups of elves in an attempt tosway them to his cause but with only marginal success.
After a time they decided to take their afternoon mealand then retire to their quarters in order to prepare for the meetingwith Theopolou.
“I would caution you,” Linis warned Lee asthey parted. “Theopolou is soft spoken but dangerous. He maynot want to see his niece come to harm, but I doubt that sentimentextends to you or the rest of the people here. If you notice hisescort becoming agitated, get ready to make your escape.”
Lee nodded grimly and went to his room.
A fine white linen shirt and trousers embroidered withgold runes, along with a pair of black leather boots and matchingbelt lay neatly on his bed. Steam rose from the hot water filling alarge washtub in the corner. Lee smiled. He enjoyed a long soak,allowing the tension to flow from his body as he meditated on thesituation.
After he was clean and dry, he dressed, careful not towrinkle the linen, and attached his sword to his belt. It wasn't longbefore there was a light rap at the door. Lee opened it. Dina stooddressed in her best ceremonial robes, smiling sweetly.
“I take it you're my escort,” said Lee.
“Indeed I am. Your mother and the elves have justentered the main receiving hall. They will begin as soon as wearrive.”
Dina led Lee though the passages of the temple to thewestern wing and down a long arched hallway. A large oak door stoodat the end. Dina entered first. The main receiving hall wasone-hundred feet long and nearly twice as wide. The walls were linedwith paintings and tapestries depicting monks, priests, andpriestesses involved in various acts of charity and bravery. Fourimmense brass chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating thehall. At the rear of the room, a cushioned mahogany chair sat on asmall crimson rug. There sat Lee's mother, dressed in the same whiterobes Dina wore, with a deep blue sash tied loosely about her waist.
A long wooden table sat in front of the high priestess.The elves were standing, backs to the door, next to their chairs.They had discarded their armor in favor of multicolored shirts andtrousers made from a material that caught the light and made themshimmer. Each had a long knife attached to their belts. That theywore no swords somehow made Lee feel better. The elf in the middle,though dressed similarly to the others, had a long silver ponytailtied tightly by a black cloth and wore no weapon.
Two chairs had been placed on either side of Selena.Dina motioned for Lee to sit in the one to her right. As he passed infront of the table, he glanced over to the elves. Their faces weregrim as they watched Lee stand next to his seat. Theopolou wasclearly the eldest.
His skin was pale compared to the others, and the tinylines around his eyes and the corners of his mouth spoke of manywinters and many worries, though only Lee's keen eyesight would havenoticed. Dina stood next to the opposite chair. Lee scanned the roomfor Linis but could not see him anywhere. In fact, there were noguards of any kind. This made Lee nervous. The only way out was theway he came in. Should the meeting go poorly, it would not be easyfor him to get his mother andDina to safety.
Selena stood and addressed the room. “I bid youwelcome. I am Selena Starfinder, High Lady of Valshara and leader ofthe Order of Amon Dahl. This is Sister Celandine, a historian ofour order, and this is my son-”
“We know of the half-man,” said Theopolou,his voice was deep and stern but tempered. “And as you and Iare acquainted we should forgo intro
ductions, as my companions prefernot to be named at this moment. Time is short and we have much todiscuss.”
Selena nodded and took her seat. The rest followed suit.
“I would have Linis here,” said Lee. “Itis because of his efforts we are together today.”
Theopolou furled his brow. “You speak out of turn,half-man. Your presence here is only allowed out of courtesy.”
Lee leveled his gaze. “My presence is not anoption,” he corrected. “You would do well to rememberthat.”
The other elves shifted in their seats, but Theopoloushot them a glance, and they settled down.
“Son, please,” whispered Selena. “Mindyour temper.” Lee ignored her. His eyes never left Theopolou's.
“You are bold,” said Theopolou. “I wastold as much. I was also told you ended the life of Berathis.”
Lee’s expression did not change. “I did. Hedied with honor facing me in single combat. His passing weighs heavyon my heart.”
The elves whispered to each other, but Theopolou onlynodded somberly. “If you are concerned for the safety of yourmother, you needn't fear. I gave my word to Linis just before weentered the hall, that we will commit no violence within these walls.It was the only way to keep him out.”
“Why would you want to keep him out?” askedLee.
“That is between Linis and me,” the old elfreplied. “But rest assured he is not far. I can have himsummoned if he is needed.” His eyes fixed on Selena. “Iassume you have brought it with you.”
Selena reached beneath her chair and pulled forth thebox containing the Book of Souls. An audible gasp came from the elvesas the High Lady held it aloft.
“As I promised, it is here,” she said.
“That belongs to the elves,” blurted out ayoung elf sitting at the end of the table.
“Silence,” commanded Theopolou.
The young elf lowered his eyes in obedience. “MayI approach, High Lady?” Theopolou asked.
Selena nodded and he rose to his feet and walked over toher chair. She handed him the box, and Theopolou gently ran hisfingers across the ancient letters.
“It isthe Book of Souls.” He handed the box back to Selena. “Howdid you come by this?”
“It was in my possession,” said Lee. “Iinherited it from my former lord and master, Dauvis Nal’Thain.”
“I see,” Theopolou muttered and returned tohis seat. “The Nal’Thain family is known to me. They werefierce adversaries during the Great War. It is likely that it wasthey who stole the book in the first place.”
“Some may say it was stolen,” said Lee.“Some might call it the spoils of war.”
“Some might,” said Theopolou. “Itmatters little. What concerns my people is what is to become of itnow. We were the keepers of the Book of Souls for generations andbelieve it best left in our care.”
“I don't understand,” said Lee. “Fromwhat I've learned the Book of Souls was written by the Gods. UnlessI'm mistaken, you and your people don't exactly hold the Gods in highregard.”
“You are not mistaken. But we do not believe itwas written by the Gods alone. We believe it was written by the handof the Creator, and then passed into our care. We were charged withits keeping until the time of the ‘coming of the Emancipator’.The Emancipator will free us from the curse that took away ourunderstanding of The All Father. Without the Book of Souls, we willbe forever lost.”
“I understand why you would want it so badly,”said Selena. “But we believe it may hold the key to our ownsalvation, as well.”
“You refer to the power that grows in the north,”said Theopolou. “We are aware of the one you call the DarkKnight, and know that he seeks your destruction, as well as thedestruction of the Gods.”
“And we are aware that he has contacted yourpeople,” said Selena. “And that many believe him to bethe reincarnation of the Demon King Ratsterfel.”
“You know much,” said Theopolou. “Thenyou must also know that we have not agreed to join his cause.”His tone darkened. “At least not yet.”
“A threat?” asked Selena.
“No, High Lady. A fact. There are many who feelthat should Angraal march, we should join them. But we havenot decided to do so. We are still uncertain of his true intentions.”
“I'll tell you what his intentions are,”roared Lee. “He wants to destroy everything and reshape theworld in his own image. If he is not stopped, blood will cover theland.”
Selena placed her hand on Lee's forearm to calm him. “Doyou truly believe that there will be a place for your people in hisnew world?”
“It is that question that has caused much debate.”Theopolou kept his eyes on Selena, ignoring Lee's agitation. “Andalso why it is important that you return the Book to us.”
“If the Book of Souls was in your possession,”said Lee, “what's to stop you from giving it to the Dark One?”
“How dare you!” Theopolou’s age meltedaway, and he looked very much an elf warrior. The other elves jumpedto their feet, shouting curses, but none reached for their weapons.
“It's a fair question,” said Selena calmly.“Should we hand over the Book, what is to say that it will notbe used against us later? It is said that it only can be opened byone who possesses the power of heaven. The Dark Knight has the Swordof Truth. He may be able to use it to open the Book.”
“We would never give it to him.” Theopolousettled back down. “This I swear.”
“Yet it may be taken from you if he knows you haveit,” said Lee. “It was taken once before.”
“It may be taken from you as well,”Theopolou shot back. “From what I have seen of your defensesthat could easily happen.”
“Aside from you, your escort, and a few others,”replied Selena. “None know the location of this temple. Andthough you may not think so, we have the means to defend ourselves.”
“This location is not as secret as you think. Mypeople have known of it since it was first built. It would not bedifficult for the spies of Angraal to find it, if they havenot already done so.”
“You assume the Book would be kept here,”said Selena with a wry smile.
“I assumeyou have summoned me to return it.”
“Let's not play games. You know why I summoned youhere.”
“I saw Kaylia and her young friend,” saidTheopolou. “I told you there is nothing I can do for them. Theyare beyond my reach.”
“We had hoped that you would know a way to openthe Book,” said Selena. “Perhaps within its pages wecould find a way to help them.”
Theopolou shook his head. “I cannot. My family hasbeen the Book’s keeper and guardian, but we have no knowledgeof how to open it or what is truly inside. Even if I knew, Iwouldn't? It is not meant for me, or any but the Emancipator.”
“Perhaps not,” said Lee. “But thethought of handing over a potential weapon to a people who have suchdeep hatred of humans does not sit well with me.”
“I understand,” Theopolou repliedthoughtfully. “As I have given my word, we will not take it byforce. But you must know that once word of this reaches my people,they will not suffer you or anyone else to possess it. They willcome for it.”
“Any attempt to attack this temple will fail,”warned Lee. “And many will die in the attempt.”
“All the more reason for you to return it,”he replied. “I have no desire for bloodshed, but I cannotprevent it from happening. My kin will take back the Book of Souls.Of this I am certain.”
“As the High Lady of Valshara, I will tell youthis.” Selena’s voice was commanding and firm. “Anyattempt to take the Book of Souls by force will fail. You may know ofthe location of this temple, but you do not know its secrets. Evenshould you succeed to breach our walls, you will never find the Book.It will be lost forever.” She slowly rose to her feet. “Ipromise you the moment a single elf steps inside without invitation,will be the last moment the Book of Souls will see the light of thesun. I will cast it where no one will ever find it again.”
“Thi
s is getting us nowhere.” Theopolou’sfrustration bled through in his voice. “What will make you seereason?”
The door to the hall flew open, and Sister Wileminia ranstraight to the High Lady and whispered in her ear. Selena's eyeswidened.
“We must resume this later,” Selenaannounced. “Lee, Dina and Lord Theopolou, I need you to comewith me at once.”
“What's happened?” asked Dina.
“Gewey and Kaylia are awake. Sister Wileminia,will you see that Theopolou's companions are fed?”
Wileminia gave a quick nod and Selena rushed out of theroom. Lee, Theopolou, and Dina trailed behind.
Chapter Five
When they arrived at the healing chamber, they found itnearly empty. A healer mixed herbs with a stone pestle in the corner,and Gewey and Kaylia were sitting up in their beds, talking quietly.Their faces lit up when they saw Lee and Dina, but Kaylia'sexpression quickly changed to concern when Theopolou entered.
“It's about time you two woke up.” Leelaughed.
“It's good to see you, too,” said Gewey. Hisvoice was weak and cracked.
“They mustn't speak too much,” said Selena.“At least not until they've had a few days to regain theirstrength. We've kept them alive with herbal mixtures, but that's nota replacement for a good hot meal.”
“We're both fine,” said Gewey. “AlthoughI wouldn't turn down a bit of food.”
“I've already sent word to the kitchen, HighLady,” said the healer in the corner. “It should be hereshortly.”
Theopolou walked next to Kaylia's bed, ignoring theothers. “It is good to see you well.”
Kaylia nodded. “I am pleased to see you, uncle. Iam confused, though. How did you come to be here?”
“Your… friends sent for me. They hoped I couldheal you, and this one.” He motioned, indicating Gewey. “Butas it seems, it was unnecessary.”
“Healing me cannot be the only reason you havecome,” said Kaylia. “I am to be killed on sight. Am Inot?”
“That is not of my doing,” repliedTheopolou. “I have opposed it from the beginning. I despisewhat you are doing, but I would never see you put to death withoutjudgment.”
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