Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“Why am I being kept out?” growled Lee.

“Theopolou is in with them,” she replied.“He has asked not to be disturbed, and I have agreed.”Selena placed her hands on Lee’s chest. “Please, son. Igive you my word they are safe.”

Reluctantly Lee yielded. “Very well.” Heslowly backed away and headed for the parlor.

When he arrived, he found Dina sitting on the couch nextto Linis. Linis beamed as Lee entered the room and he sprang to hisfeet and grasped Lee's shoulders tightly. Lee returned the gesture.

“It's good to see you, my friend.” Linislaughed. “Though, I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“It's good to see you, too,” said Lee,giving Linis' shoulders one more fond squeeze before releasing him.

They took a seat on the couch across from Dina. She wasin her formal robes, just as Ertik had been, and her hair was wrappedin a tight bun.

“Dina was telling me details of your travels sincewe last parted,” Linis said. “It would seem I have missedmuch.”

“Indeed,” Lee replied. “Much that Iwish I had avoided.”

“I understand,” said Linis. “But oftenwe are beset with hardship in order to prepare for greater challengesahead.”

Dina laughed. “I don't think I want to know whatthose challenges are, if this is what it takes to prepare.”

“No doubt,” Lee agreed. “But I fearthis is but a taste of what's to come. Angraal is on themove, and if Gewey doesn't recover…”

“Do not despair, my friend,” said Linis. “Ifthe boy fought a half-man and was victorious, as I have heard, then Iam certain that he has the strength to overcome this. His true natureis still a mystery to me, but I do believe that his part in what isto come has not yet been played out.”

Lee realized that Linis was still unaware of just whatGewey was, and made the decision to tell him.

“I know how the elves feel about the Gods,”said Lee, once he had recounted the tale. “And I hope you cansee beyond old hatreds, as you have in the past.”

Linis was stunned. He rose and moved slowly to thefireplace. He stood in silence for several minutes.

“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 must keep 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 and a 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.