Brian Anderson - Shadow of the Gods

She donned a cotton robe and a pair of silk slippers and left the room. A few minutes later she returned with a young girl dressed in a plain, green tunic and skirt.

“Go with her,” said Kaylia. “She will see to your…grooming.” Her last word came out with a light titter.

Gewey gave himself one last look in the mirror, and sighed. “Not exactly inspiring, am I?”

“We'll change that, my lord,” said the girl, with a perky bounce.

She led him to an unused chamber, and set to work, and soon Gewey was shaved and groomed. A guard came, just as the girl was finishing, to tell Gewey that Kaylia awaited him in the receiving hall.

The guard escorted Gewey to the hall. Just outside the doors he saw Chiron, speaking quietly to Bellisia.

Chiron beamed as Gewey approached. “Ah, now you are a welcome sight.”

Gewey bowed to them both. “When did you arrive?”

“Just now,” he replied. “Both mine and Bellisia's lands are not as far away as others. The other elf nations will be here within the month.”

“Is it true Angraalhas taken the city of Skalhalis?” asked Bellisia.

“It would appear so,” Gewey replied. “It looks like time has run out. War is come.”

“I hear dear Theopolou left Ertik of Valshara to speak for the elves in Althetas,” said Chiron. “How times are changing.”

“For the better, I pray,” added Bellisia. “The idea of elf and human living together is still unsettling to many of my people. But they are coming to accept it as inevitable, as I have.”

“There is much you will hear that will surprise you, Lady Bellisia,” said Gewey. “Aaliyah and I made many discoveries in the eastern desert.”

“What could be discovered in such a barren waste?” she asked, looking doubtful.

“I am sure Gewey will tell us everything once we are inside,” said Chiron. He reached out and opened the door. “Shall we?”

Inside the receiving hall, a large oval table had been placed in the very center of the room. Most of the chairs were already filled with finely, dressed men and women, some with obvious military insignia on their attire, along with several elves Gewey recognized from the Chamber of the Maker. Aaliyah and Nehrutu sat together near the far end. Aaliyah had changed into a deep blue dress, with emerald embroidery, and her black hair was decorated with tiny white flowers. Gewey smiled when he saw her.

At the far end sat Selena, dressed in the ceremonial robes of Amon Dahl. Ertik was seated to her left, and Maybell to her right. Maybell smiled when she saw Gewey. He waved and smiled in return. Kaylia sat at the other end next to an empty chair opposite Selena.

The room went silent as Gewey made his way to his seat. Kaylia touched his hand gently. Chiron and Bellisia found a seat near Ertik. Chiron whispered something into Ertik’s ear that brought a pleased look to his face.

Selena stood and addressed the room. “We all know why we are here. War has come sooner than expected. Angraalhas landed ships in the city of Skalhalis, and will march on Althetas any day. We must decide how to act. I know that most of our force is still gathering, but we have already gathered soldiers from Queen Lilian of Farthing, Prince Loniel of Sieren Bay, along with ten-thousand elves. King Lousis will have more men here by morning.” She sat back down.

A tall, grizzled-looking man, with silver hair and rough features stood. “I am General Keise Halman, of Farthing. Do we know the numbers we will face, or shall we march blindly into battle?”

“We are trying to find out how many Angraal has sent,” Selena replied. “But we do not know as of this moment their exact number.”

Prince Loniel spoke. “I think it is more important to know if they march on Valshara, or do they look to Althetas.”

“We do not know,” said Selena.

“What, if anything, do we know?” asked General Halman.

Gewey stood. “We know that if we don't move quickly, this war will be over before it begins.” His large frame loomed tall and commanding over the gathering. “On my way back from the eastern desert, we spotted fifty ships bound for Skalhalis. Angraalis moving to end this war here and now. It doesn't matter what we do not know. What we know is that we must attack now or all is lost.”

General Halman sneered. “From the looks of you, boy, I wouldn't think you know much of battle and strategy. Perhaps you should join the rank and file, and leave the planning to the soldiers.”

Kaylia nearly jumped from her chair, but Gewey held her in place with a quick glance.

“And what experience do you have, General Halman?” asked Chiron. “Border disputes? Roving bandits? Before you embarrass yourself further, perhaps Gewey should take a moment to tell us of what he found in the desert. Those of us who know him would like to hear it. And those that do not…well, they may benefit as also.”

Gewey nodded, then recounted his adventure in the eastern desert. When he finished some of the generals and captains in attendance snickered and laughed. Only the elves nodded their heads with understanding.

“And what proof do you have of these outlandish claims?” asked General Halman, looking amused. “I mean, if you can kill fifty men, and are truly a God, then surely you can offer up some sort of proof.”

“Gewey is what he says he is,” said Bellisia. “And I do not doubt his tale. He need not prove himself to you.”

“Clearly this boy has made fools of you all,” said Halman. “Can't you see that? What does a God need with armies? Could he not vanquish our foes with a wave of his hand?”

Flames shot out of Gewey's hands and ran along the walls of the hall until they met just behind the general and exploded with a thunderous boom. Halman lurched forward crying out in fear, and scurried onto the table.

Gewey met the general’s eyes. “Do you need further demonstration? We do not have time for debate and bickering. So tell me, General Halman, is there more I can do to ease your mind?”

General Halman crawled down from the table and took his seat. His hands trembled as he shook his head.

“We will crush Angraalregardless of how many soldiers they have sent,” said Gewey. His voice thundered and echoed off the walls. “I will lay waste to the forces of the Dark Knight. I shall march with you to Skalhalis and burn them to cinders. And now we have new allies in the east.” Anger and hatred swelled inside him. His power grew. Kaylia reached out and touched his mind and he could feel her concern. He looked down at her and whispered, “I'm fine.”

“And what would you have us do?” asked Prince Loniel.

“Gather your soldiers,” said Gewey. “In two days we march on Skalhalis. And when we arrive, Angraalwill know firsthand what it means to face a God.” The ground shook for a moment then subsided. The flow of the spirit raged through him, then burst forth, spreading everywhere at once. He could see it touch the entire gathering. It passed into them, washing over the group like a torrent.

Everyone at the table jumped to their feet. The name Darshan was spoken. First, by a few, then more and more, until all but Kaylia and Selena, who looked warily at him, shouted his name.

Gewey spun around and left the room, Kaylia following close behind. She stopped him a few feet outside the door.

She took his face in her hands. “What happened just now? I have never felt such rage in you before.”

“I am changing,” Gewey replied. “Becoming more powerful. I have run so far. I have lived in fear for so long. It is time for that to stop. That has ended. In two days I will show the Dark Knight the true meaning of fear.”

“Am I speaking to Gewey….or Darshan?” She looked deep into his eyes.