Brian Anderson - Shadow of the Gods

“You can join me when you learn control,” she said. She held out her hand and a small droplet of water floated from the cup and hovered a few inches in the air. Then it rolled on the cups edge and slid back in. “When you can do this, you are ready to continue.” She stood up and stared down at Gewey for a moment, then with a huff, returned to the bow.

Gewey closed his eyes and allowed the flow of the air to surround the tiny cup, but quickly found that he could not lift the water. Again and again, the cup spilled over. Each time he returned with more water the navigator shot him a disapproving glance. After three hours, he leaped to his feet and let out a frustrated scream.

“What good is this?” he shouted. “How does this help me?”

The navigator strode over and picked up the cup. “Hold this in your palm.”

He obeyed, unenthusiastically. Another tiny droplet of water floated out and drifted toward the navigator.

“Not everything needs brute force,” she said. The droplet flew forward at blinding speed, and struck the cup, shattering it. Water and glass fell to the deck. Gewey stared in amazement. “Such a thing could be quite useful, wouldn't you say?” She returned to her duties and glanced over her shoulder. “You will need another cup.”

Gewey nearly broke into a run, excited by what he had seen. For six straight hours he continued to try, but was still unable to do it. The sun was setting and the navigator was being relieved. She walked over to Gewey and sat next to him.

“Show me what you are doing,” she said, in her typical, emotionless way. She took Gewey’s hand and brought her spirit close to his.

Gewey tried once again, and once again failed. He forced the water over the side. The moment it touched the deck he felt the navigator seize the flow and return it to the cup.

“You must understand the way this power works,” she explained. “Power of the earth, air and water are not different. At least, not in essence. They are pieces of the same world. You try to dig and lift the water with air, as a shovel to earth. Or you throw it, as a bale of hay into a wagon.” She reached out and touched the flow of the water, surrounding a tiny drop, pressing it in. “You transition it from one to the other. It is as one hand touching the other. The air stirred almost imperceptibly, and blended with the droplet. In unison, it rose, carried on a tiny cushion of air. “Do you see?” The droplet fell gently back into the cup.

“I understand.” His words were a gasp.

“Good,” she said, with a hint of satisfaction. “Return tomorrow and try again. You have done enough today.”

In spite of his desire to continue, he knew it was useless to argue. The rest of the evening he spent with the crew, learning the ship and listening to their tales. Aaliyah joined him for dinner, but stayed in her cabin for the rest of the evening, until she went on deck to sleep.

This time Gewey was determined to find out what troubled her and brought his blanket and pillow and lay down beside her.

“I know you think you can help me,” said Aaliyah. “But there is really nothing you can do.”

“If I can't help, would you at least tell me what is troubling you?”

She sighed, and closed her eyes. “I am trying to still my heart. Soon I must see Nehrutu again.”

Gewey raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I would think you'd be happy about that.”

“I am uncertain how I feel,” she replied. “I will be pleased to see him, but uncertain as to what to say. Through your communication with Kaylia, he will be aware of your decision…and my failure.”

Gewey chuckled. “That should make him happy.”

She looked over at Gewey. “If Kaylia left you in pursuit of another, would you be happy when she returned?”

“If it meant we would be together, I might,” he replied. “You left him out of a sense of duty, not because you stopped loving him. I’m sure he understands that.”

“He does. But I cannot help but wonder how I would feel if the situation were reversed. Would I be so willing to return to the one that spurned me?” She smiled. “I am acting as a child. But matters of the heart make children of us all. Even the most wise.”

“Have you reached out with your spirit?” he asked. “I'm sure it will ease your mind if you do.”

“I have more knowledge than you, Gewey,” she replied. “But I am not as strong. I cannot span such great distances.”

“I could help,” he offered.

Aaliyah couldn't stop herself from laughing. “I am afraid such a meeting would be too personal. But I thank you, regardless.” She closed her eyes. “Now if you intend to stay under the stars with me, you must allow me to rest.”

Gewey squeezed her hand and rolled over. The sound of the ocean swells lapping against the hull was sweet music, singing him to sleep. As he drifted, he thought of Kaylia. He considered reaching out to her, but the motion of the ship pulled him down too fast, and in seconds, his breathing was deep and steady.

The morning brought the sound of gulls and the spirited voices of the crew hard at work. Aaliyah was already busy with the running of the ship and appeared to be in much better spirits. After breakfast, he returned to the navigator carrying his cup of water. Taking his place on the deck, he continued the exercise. This time, after only two tries, he did it. A small droplet of water floated from the cup. Gewey was elated. He moved it around, making it rise, fall, and travel in a tight circle. He allowed the flow to swell, and concentrate within him. He removed another droplet….then another and another, until there were ten in all. He formed them into a ring and pushed them above the navigator’s head. Then, one by one, allowed them to fall.

The navigator turned slowly, her expression unmoved. “That is enough for today.”

Gewey tried to suppress a laugh. “Don't you have a sense of humor?”

She turned back around, saying nothing. Gewey frowned and headed toward the cabin. After only a few steps toward the door a large ball of water crashed down on his head, soaking him to the skin. The elves on deck burst into laughter. Gewey looked back at the navigator who was still facing forward.

“There is nothing wrong with my sense of humor,” she said.

Gewey grinned, boyishly. He used the flow to dry his clothes, then went in search of Aaliyah. He found, her in her quarters, pouring over a large map that covered the entire desk. He told her what the navigator had taught him…and what she had done.

“She must like you,” she noted.

“You'd never know it by the way she looks at me,” Gewey replied.

“I've known Drasalisia for seventy years and never seen her be playful.” She leaned back in her chair and grinned. “We should arrive just north of the city of Skalhalis in two days. From there we will cut across country, and arrive in Valshara the following day.”

Just then a bell sounded repeatedly from on deck. Aaliyah jumped up and flew from the cabin, Gewey on her heels. As they made their way up, he could feel the ship slowing.

“What is it?” asked Aaliyah, as she made her way to the bow.

“A fleet of ships just beyond the horizon,” said the navigator. “At least fifty.”

“Can we avoid them?” asked Aaliyah.

“We can,” she replied. “But you may wish to go ashore further north. From their course it looks as if they are heading for Skalhalis.”

Aaliyah thought for a moment. “No. I want you to plot a course that has us arriving under the cover of darkness. Once Gewey and I are away, take the ship as far off shore as possible, while still close enough to be contacted.”

“There is more.” The navigator’s countenance betrayed her worry. She took Aaliyah's hand and they closed their eyes. After a few minutes she let go and lowered her head as if fatigued. “Is that what attacked you in the desert?”