“To live a simple existence is the desire of manyof my people,” said Akakios. “Perhaps when all of thisnonsense that plagues the world is done, we can.”
“Do you hate humans?” asked Gewey, thenrealized the rudeness of his question. “I only ask because-”
“I know why you ask,” Akakios said. “Theanswer is no. Though I have no love for them either. Hatred is auseless emotion. Though I would not choose to live among your kind, Isee no cause to dwell in the past. The world is big enough for all tolive within it.”
Gewey thought for a moment. “So you are againstwhat Linis and others like him are doing?”
“I am,” Akakios admitted. “They invitethe destruction of our culture. The result of living side by sidewith humanity would be a mixing of the races. I would not see theblood of our people corrupted.” He lowered his head. “Ihope I have not offended you, but it is how I feel.”
Gewey's thoughts turned to Dina. “I'm notoffended. I don't agree, but you have the right to feel any way youwish. But then why spend the day in my company?”
“You have shown yourself to have great strengthand courage. I would know the man behind it. I am not close-minded. Irealize that virtue does not live within my people alone, and yourcompany does not cause me discomfort.”
“I'm glad,” said Gewey. “Maybe intime, I can change your mind even more.”
“One can never know the future,” saidAkakios. “You're welcome to try.”
When they had made camp, Theopolou informed Gewey thatthey would be resting until the morning. Gewey insisted that he couldcontinue, but Theopolou would not be dissuaded.
“Your stamina is already causing talk,” saidTheopolou. “Besides, as I understand, you will be releasing theflow tonight. You mayfind that your body needs to recover.”
A chill shot through Gewey's body. He had all butforgotten that he would spend time without the power of the earthinside him.
Gewey sat on his bedroll, staring at the fire when Linisapproached.
“It's time,” said Linis. “Release it.”
Anger swelled in Gewey’s chest. “I'd rathernot.”
Linis studied him for a few minutes. “I was notcertain before, but I am now. You mustrelease the flow,now.”
“I will not,” he growled. “There is noreason. I'm fine.”
“You are notfine,” shot Linis. “If you were, you would have notrouble doing as I request. I can see that you should not hold it forso long.”
Gewey jumped to his feet, rage swelling inside him. Hiseyes focused on Linis, and his hand felt the urge to slide to hissword.
“Gewey,” called Kaylia, from just outsidethe light of the fire. “Come here… now!”Gewey’s mind snapped to attention. It was then he realized theentire camp was staring at him. He lowered his head and startedtoward Kaylia.
Kaylia stood with her eyes fixed on Gewey. Once he stoodbeside her, she took his hand and led him away from the camp.
“You must release the power,” she saidsoftly. “And you must do it quickly before you lose yourself.”
Gewey pulled away, his anger returning. “Why? Whymust I become weak again?”
“Do not call yourself weak,” she said. “Youinsult me. My spirit would not bind itself to the weak. Yourstrength, your truestrength, does not come from the flow.It comes from within.” She placed her hand on his chest. “Dothis for me.”
His heart raced at her touch and he lowered his head,allowing the power to drain away. Gewey felt weakness and fatiguewash over his entire body and he fell to his knees… weeping. Theabsence of the flowmade him feel hollow and afraid. The sounds and smells he had foundso enthralling were gone, and he was left in silence. It was like theworld had been ripped away.
Kaylia knelt down in front of him and pulled his head toher shoulder. “It will pass.” She stroked his raven hair.“I am here.”
After a few minutes, Gewey regained his composure. Hewiped his face and his eyes. “It's dark,” were the onlywords he could manage.
Kaylia smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek. “Andit will get darker still… but not tonight.”
“Thank you,” said Gewey, weakly. “Youwere right. I must not hold the power for that long again. I nearlylost myself.”
“But you have returned to us, I trust,” camethe voice of Linis from a few yards away. He walked into view,Theopolou at his side.
“I'm… back to normal.” Gewey rose to hisfeet. “I'm sorry for what I did at the camp. It won't happenagain.”
“No apologies needed,” said Linis. “Thefault was mine. I should have never asked you to hold the flowfor that long without knowing what it would do to you.”
“Indeed you should not have, seeker,” saidTheopolou. “I hope you will heed my advice from here on.”
“In matters such as this…I will,”said Linis.
“What about the others?” asked Gewey. “I'msure they noticed what happened.”
“They believe you pushed yourself too far and yourhuman body affected your mind,” replied Theopolou. “Afiction I am not inclined to correct at this time.”
“If you are able we should get back,” saidLinis. “You need rest.”
Gewey nodded and followed the others back to camp. Theelves all watched as he made his way to his bedroll. Embarrassmentfilled him. He rolled on his stomach and hid his face.
“All is well?” It was Akakios.
Gewey rolled over to see the elf smiling down at him.“I'm fine. Just tired.”
“I must admit I was amazed you kept pace with uswith so little rest,” said Akakios. “Don't feel bad. Wemay not show it, but we are tired as well. If it were not for thedemons that attacked us at Valshara, we would not be moving at thispace.”
“I appreciate your words,” said Gewey,forcing a smile. “I'll be better once I've had some sleep.”
“I will leave you to it then.” He walkedover to a group of elves gathered on the other side of the fire.
It didn't take long for sleep to take him, and hisfatigue held off any dreams. Kaylia woke Gewey just as the sunbreached the horizon.
“Theopolou has said we will stop at the home ofKephalos.” Kaylia handed Gewey a piece of bread and some driedmeat. She huddled close.
“Why?” asked Gewey. “I thought we werein a hurry.”
“Theopolou wants to show him the head of theVrykol,” she replied. “Kephalos is very knowledgeable inancient lore and may be able to give us information we need.”
The thought of seeing an elf dwelling excited Gewey.“When will we arrive?”
“We should be there by sundown tomorrow.”
Gewey smiled with satisfaction. Kaylia next to himseemed more natural than before, though the others stared withdisapproval. The next day he woke before dawn, ready for a new march.By midday, the trees began to thicken and the ground was covered bydense, moist grass that made walking at speed difficult. The heat ofthe sun made the air like earthy steam, and sweat beaded on Gewey'sforehead.
“How is it so hot this close to winter?”Gewey asked Linis.
“We are near the fire hills.”
“I've heard of them,” said Gewey. “Myfather said it's like summer all year there, and that great plumes ofsteam erupt from the ground. I had no idea we were so close.”
“Your father was correct,” said Linis. “Butwe will only be just outside the hills. Not within them. One day, ifyou wish, I will show them to you properly. They are truly a wonder.”
“I'd like that,” said Gewey.
By late afternoon, they found a narrow trail that woundthrough the forest. Theopolou called a halt, asked Gewey to speak tohim alone, and led him into a small clearing about one-hundred yardseast of the trail. Kaylia tried to follow, but Theopolou stopped her.
“When we arrive at the home of Kephalos it isimportant you do not speak unless spoken to,” Theopolou warned,once they were alone. “He is a kind elf, and not prone toviolence, but he fought in the Great War for many years and feels thesame as I regarding human and elf living to
gether.”
Gewey had almost forgotten that Theopolou was not reallyon his side. If not for The Dark One and his bond to Kaylia,Theopolou would never suffer the company of a human, let alone a God.
“I'll keep quiet,” said Gewey. “Idon't want any trouble. At least not until it's time for it.”
“And that time will come soon enough,”Theopolou added. “If I can, I will convince Kaphalos to comewith us. If he agrees, you may be forced to travel in silence for theremainder of the journey. I tell you this because I would not haveyou feel it is an insult from me or my guard. Once we arrive at myhome you are under my protection and may speak as you wish.”
Gewey almost laughed but managed not to. “I won'tbe insulted. I understand that this Kaphalos might hold hatred forme, and I don't want to make things more difficult than they have tobe.”
“One other thing,” said Theopolou with asigh. “You must refrain from speaking to Kaylia in hispresence.”
This irritated Gewey, but he nodded slowly. “If hecomes, I won't speak to her… until we get there.”
“You must convince her of this as well,”said the old elf with a hint of embarrassment that amused Gewey. “Sheis strong willed and has never been one to take orders well.”
“You're not kidding.” Gewey chuckled. “I'llspeak to her.”
“Thank you.” Theopolou held out his armmotioning Gewey to return to camp. “I advise you speak to herbefore we arrive.”
When they got back to the others Gewey told Kaylia whatTheopolou had said.
Kaylia was enraged. “If he thinks I'll pretend I'msome close minded, human-hating fool, he has lost his senses.”Her voice rose with each word.
“I understand,” said Gewey trying to calmher. “But until we reach Theopolou's home, I think we shouldlisten to him.”
“You would have this?” she demanded.
Gewey could feel the fury through their bond. “Asit is, we are deceiving the others. They don't know what has happenedbetween us. What does it matter if we keep it up a bit longer?”
“It's one thing to hide a spirit bond,” shecountered. “It's quite another to pretend we do not know eachother. That is what he is asking.”
“I don't like it either. But if it keeps thingscalm until we get there, then I think it's best.”
“Fine,” she huffed. “But once wearrive, I plan to reveal the bond between us to every one of thoseclosed minded morons.” With that she stormed off, staringdaggers at Theopolou.
Linis came up to Gewey and slapped him on the back.“That went better than we thought.”
“She's right,” said Gewey. “I enteredinto a bond with Kaylia by means I didn't understand, but I am notashamed of it. I don't like hiding it any more than she does.”
“You won't have to hide it for very long. In factI doubt you will be ableto.”
“It's time,” called Theopolou.
They continued for another hour until they came upon asmooth stone path leading east. Along either side grew waist highshrubbery that had been meticulously manicured and was dotted withtiny white flowers. The scent of lavender and magnolia wafted throughthe air, bringing a smile to Gewey's face. The path wound through theforest for about half a mile, ending in an elegantly carved, woodengate with ancient elfish symbols etched along the outer braces.Beyond the gate the forest ended and the land opened up revealinglush grass, similar to that Gewey had seen as they entered the firehills, but this was much thicker and covered with beads of dew.
When the house came into view, Gewey was filled wassurprise and disappointment. It looked rather like a human dwelling.It was a single story, wooden structure with a white tiled roof. Thewindows were small and round, and a well-kept flower garden had beenplaced around the entire building. It looked like a house Gewey mightfind in any human town.
“What's wrong,” asked Linis.
“Nothing,” Gewey replied. “I justimagined something… different.”
“Really? Like what?”
Gewey shrugged. “I don't know. I always thoughtelves lived in different houses than humans. You know. More treelike.”
“Tree like?” Linis laughed. “Do youthink us birds or squirrels? We live in houses, my friend. Though Iadmit, I expected something a bit grander from an elf of Kaphalos'stature and reputation.”
They were about fifty feet from the front door when itflew open. A tall elf stood in the doorway, dressed in a gray robemade from a fabric Gewey had never seen. It looked heavy, but itflowed like silk. His hair was silver, and tied in a pony-tail thatfell loosely down his back and shoulders. His face was wrinkled andlooked ancient. This was another shock for Gewey. The elves he hadseen did not show the ravages of time as a human did. Theopolou wasold (how old Gewey wasn't sure), but he guessed he was well overfive-hundred, and he could pass for a human in his forties.
The elf looked over the group and shook his head. “Whatdo you bring to my door, Theopolou?” His voice was deep andmenacing.
“I wish to speak to you, old friend,”Theopolou replied.
“You bring a human to my door and expect mywelcome?”
“I am an elder and your friend,” saidTheopolou. “So I do indeed expect your welcome.”
“And who else is this I see?” said Kaphalos,looking at Kaylia. “Is it the elf who comes to judgment? Ordoes she still defy her kin?”
Kaylia stepped forward to speak, but Theopolou held outhis hand to silence her. “She is under my protection,”Theopolou announced. “As is the human.”
“Times have surely changed when the greatTheopolou harbors a filthy human and a fugitive elf.” Kaphalossneered. “I would know why. Enter.” He disappearedinside.
Chapter Ten
Theopolou gave Gewey a quick glance then led the groupinside. The interior of the house was a bit more like what Geweywould have imagined. The main hall just beyond the doorway wasroughly fifty feet wide and equal in length. The walls were made of astone like Gewey had never seen. Though rough in texture, they shinedand sparkled with countless tiny, semi-precious stones, which causedthe entire room to change hue from moment to moment. The floor wascovered with a thick carpet that resembled the grass outside. It evenlooked as if it bore beads of dew, though it was not slippery. Fouropaque, glass orbs, hung from each corner of the room, giving off asoft, pleasing light that mixed perfectly with the sparkle of thewalls. No pictures or tapestries hung, but on the far wall, carvedinto the stone, and inlaid with pure gold, was the perfect likenessof an ancient willow. The room itself was devoid of furniture, withthe exception of a round oak table that only stood a foot off theground.
The elves knelt around the table. Theopolou motioned forGewey to sit beside him. Kaphalos placed himself directly across fromTheopolou and stared intensely.
“Tell me, Theopolou,” said Kaphalos. “Whendid you begin befriending humans and traitors?”
“I am no traitor,” Kaylia blurted.
“Silence, girl,” Theopolou scolded.
Kaphalos sneered. “I was referring to the seeker.”
Linis glared. “You dare name me traitor? I shouldtake your life for that insult.”
“I would expect as much,” said Kaphalos.“You would kill your own kind while saving a human animal. Butbe warned, I am not unprotected. If you strike me down, you will notleave these woods alive. My kin are nearby and know that you arehere.”
“That is enough,” commanded Theopolou. “Fromeverybody. I did not come here to fight. Nor did Linis.”
“Then why did you come?” asked Kaphalos.
“To ask you to accompany us to my home,”Theopolou replied. “Surely you have received my invitation.”
“I have,” said Kaphalos dismissively. “Ihave no desire to listen to the elders bicker. I am content to remainhere.”
Theopolou nodded to Linis who brought forth the cloakcontaining the Vrykol head. Kaphalos stared, stunned, as the cloakwas opened.
“What is this abomination?” gasped Kaphalos.
“We hoped you would know,” Theopoloure
plied. “It claimed to be a Vrykol.”
“Vrykol?” Kaphalos whispered. “Certainlynot. That is impossible.” He reached over the table and pulledthe cloak in front of him.
“I thought the Vrykol were merely a legend,”said Theopolou.
“In a way they are,” said Kaphalos. “Theirtrue nature has been lost to all but a few. Most stories you heartoday are but myths with not an inkling of fact.”
“What are they, then?” asked Linis.
“The damned,” replied Kaphalos. “Theyare spirits forced to serve the Gods within the decaying remains ofmortals.”
“The Gods created these beasts?” askedLinis. “Why?”
“To punish those who dared defy them,” saidKaphalos. “They were cursed assassins, roaming the earth. Howis it you came by this?”
Theopolou told of the encounter.
“You say this human killed two Vrykol?”Kaphalos laughed. “Are you certain? Or is this what he toldyou.”
“He saved the life of one of my guards in theprocess,” said Theopolou. “You may doubt the word of ahuman, but surely not that of an elf.”
Kaphalos glared at Kaylia “Depends on the elf.”
Kaylia glared back furiously.
“In any case,” Theopolou continued. “Itwas not the Gods who created these creatures.”
Kaphalos threw his head back in harsh laughter. “TheLord of Angraal has seen to that, hasn't he?”
Kaphalos rose to his feet, turning his back on thetable. “You think I am ignorant to the goings on in of thehuman world? I know what you would have our people do, and I willhave no part in it.”
“Then you would sit idle while the fate of ourpeople hangs in the balance?” Theopolou challenged.
“The fate of our people was sealed the moment thehuman plague set foot on this world,” said Kaphalos. “TheGreat War was only the end result.”
“But it does not have to be the end,” Liniscried. “Can't you see that?”
Kaphalos spun around. “I see more than you know,seeker.” His eyes fixed on Gewey. “I see what you havebrought among us. You think he will save us? Do you?”
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