Brian Anderson - Shadow of the Gods

Gewey was in no mood for flirting. “You told me you were once bonded.”

“I was,” she affirmed.

“When he died, did you think it was for the best?” He saw a pang of emotion shoot across her face. Immediately he regretted his words.

“At the time, I did not,” Her lips slowly relaxed, and she smiled sweetly. “But now, I think it might have been.”

Gewey struggled not to return her smile. Instead he reached out to Kaylia. Immense sorrow and worry is all he felt at first, then joy and relief as she reached back. Aaliyah quickened their pace.

By nightfall, Gewey was forced to use the flow more and more, to keep up his strength. At times they almost ran. He could tell Aaliyah was using only her own natural endurance and marveled, though he said nothing about it.

By midnight, the landscape flattened and the trees thinned. Patches of grass were separated by large areas of gray sand and red clay. The tall pines were being outnumbered by curved palms and thick brambles, and the musty scent of the forest was now mixed with the salty breeze coming off the Western Abyss.

“Do you need rest?” asked Aaliyah.

Gewey knew that if he released the flow fatigue would certainly set in. “No, I'm fine.”

Aaliyah reached in a pouch on her belt and pulled out a small orange berry. “Try this.” She handed it to Gewey.

Gewey examined it for a moment. It was no larger than a cherry, and was smooth and shiny. “What is it?”

“We call them Rain Berries.” She pulled out another and popped it in her mouth. Sighing with satisfaction, she motioned for Gewey to eat.

Gewey held it to his nose. It smelled like a plum, only sweeter. He slowly bit down. Sweet juice exploded, and a delicious flavor, unlike any other fruit or berry in the land he had ever encountered, filled his mouth and caressed his tongue. “I've never tasted anything like it.”

“They are my favorite,” said Aaliyah. “And very hard to come by. I searched many days to find only a small handful.”

“I wish they grew here,” said Gewey.

“Perhaps one day you will help me gather them in my homeland.”

Gewey noticed how the moonlight silhouetted the curves of her figure. She moved with a fluid grace that was unmatched by anyone he'd ever seen. She looked over just in time to catch his stare, and gave him a sly grin. He could feel himself flush with embarrassment.

An hour before sunrise he could hear the surf beating against the shore. Walking became increasingly difficult, as the sand deepened and the dunes began to rise ahead, though it didn't appear to hinder Aaliyah. As they crested the last dune, the dim light of dawn broke at his back. The azure of the Western Abyss stretched out before them. Gewey stood transfixed.

“Have you never seen the sea?” asked Aaliyah.

“No,” Gewey replied. “I haven't. I only left my small village a short time ago. Even then, we were on the run most of the time.” He breathed in the sea air.

“You will see the world soon enough,” said Aaliyah. “I must warn you. The first time on a ship at sea can be…disquieting.”

Gewey had not thought about spending two weeks aboard a seagoing vessel. He shrugged, not wanting to show his sudden apprehension. “I'll be fine.”

“Of course, you will.” She led Gewey down the beach to a small boat that had been pulled ashore and tied to a large piece of driftwood. “My ship is just over the horizon.”

Gewey looked out at the water. The waves were at least three feet high and the sea beyond the breakers was rough. “Is it safe to go that far out in this?”

Aaliyah laughed as she untied the boat. “We won't be going that far. My ship is already heading toward us.”

“How-” asked Gewey.

“My crew knows I am here because I let them know,” she said, before he could complete his question. “It is much the same as when you reach out to Kaylia, only we can do so without the bonding. You will learn soon enough.”

Gewey grabbed the side of the boat and helped Aaliyah drag it to the water. It was surprisingly light, which made him even more nervous as his eyed the churning seas. As soon as they were in the water and on board Gewey noticed something missing. Oars. Aaliyah had seated herself at the front and was sitting cross legged, hands in her lap, palms up. The boat lurched forward. Spray soaked his clothes as the craft cut through the waves and into open water. He could feel the flow coursing through her.

In the distance, he spotted red sails breaking above the horizon. “I see them,” he called out.

“Yes,” she replied. “We will be aboard soon.”

The ship came closer at an alarming rate. In only a few minutes it loomed above them. It was well over one-hundred feet in length, and its two giant masts were nearly the length of the ship itself. Gewey had only seen drawings of sea-going vessels, but could still tell that this ship was much sleeker in design, and looked faster. The sails were swollen full, and at first Gewey was afraid the ship would ram them. But just as it came within twenty yards, the sails went limp and the vessel slowed dramatically.

Dozens of elves could be seen alongside looking down at them, all dressed in tan shirts and red trousers. One unfurled a rope ladder, as well as two thin ropes. Aaliyah attached the ropes to two steel rings on either side of the boat and led Gewey up the ladder. He could already feel queasiness in his stomach as he climbed. The ship rose and dipped methodically, nearly causing him to fall twice before he reached the top. Once on deck, Gewey reached over and held the side railing to steady himself.

“You will grow accustomed to the movement soon,” Aaliyah promised. “For now, stare at the horizon. It will keep your stomach from turning sour.”

Gewey looked doubtful, but obeyed. He could hear the whispers of the elves behind him. The words Shivis Mol being repeated over and over. After a few minutes, his nausea subsided, and he turned around. The sway of the ship kept him slightly off balance, and he stumbled forward. A tall, thin elf with dusty-brown hair and ice-blue eyes, leaped forward and grabbed his arm.

“I'm fine,” said Gewey. “Thank you.”

The elf bowed. “It takes time to grow accustomed to the sea.” He smiled brightly. “But I suspect Shivis Mol will have little trouble.”

Gewey looked out over the deck. At least a dozen elves were busy about the ship. Aaliyah was standing several feet away speaking to one of the crew. To the aft end, the deck sloped upward ending at a cabin that stood nearly ten feet tall. A narrow wood door led to the interior flanked on either side by a ladder that led up to the poop deck. The main deck was smooth and glistened in the morning sun, yet despite its slick appearance, it gripped the soles of his boots. He examined the various ropes and pulleys that hung from the first mast, and marveled at the sheer complexity. The riverboats he had seen were as toys by comparison.

Aaliyah motioned for him to join her. “If you wish, you can spend time among the crew. They will be pleased to show you how the ship works.”

“I would like that,” said Gewey. His stomach growled loudly.

Several elves began to gather around each mast.

“You should watch this,” said Aaliyah. “Then you can eat and rest.”

The elves closed their eyes and folded their hands in front of them. Gewey could sense the sudden swell of the flow growing around him. He felt the air begin to stir and build, until the sails snapped full. The masts groaned and creaked as the ship lurched forward. The elves opened their eyes and all but one broke the circle and went back to their work.

“He will maintain the wind until midday,” said Aaliyah. She pointed to the bow where another elf woman stood, eyes fix on the horizon. “And she will guide us.”