Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“I take it you're my escort,” said Lee.

“Indeed I am. Your mother and the elves have justentered the main receiving hall. They will begin as soon as wearrive.”

Dina led Lee though the passages of the temple to thewestern wing and down a long arched hallway. A large oak door stoodat the end. Dina entered first. The main receiving hall wasone-hundred feet long and nearly twice as wide. The walls were linedwith paintings and tapestries depicting monks, priests, andpriestesses involved in various acts of charity and bravery. Fourimmense brass chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating thehall. At the rear of the room, a cushioned mahogany chair sat on asmall crimson rug. There sat Lee's mother, dressed in the same whiterobes Dina wore, with a deep blue sash tied loosely about her waist.

A long wooden table sat in front of the high priestess.The elves were standing, backs to the door, next to their chairs.They had discarded their armor in favor of multicolored shirts andtrousers made from a material that caught the light and made themshimmer. Each had a long knife attached to their belts. That theywore no swords somehow made Lee feel better. The elf in the middle,though dressed similarly to the others, had a long silver ponytailtied tightly by a black cloth and wore no weapon.

Two chairs had been placed on either side of Selena.Dina motioned for Lee to sit in the one to her right. As he passed infront of the table, he glanced over to the elves. Their faces weregrim as they watched Lee stand next to his seat. Theopolou wasclearly the eldest.

His skin was pale compared to the others, and the tinylines around his eyes and the corners of his mouth spoke of manywinters and many worries, though only Lee's keen eyesight would havenoticed. Dina stood next to the opposite chair. Lee scanned the roomfor Linis but could not see him anywhere. In fact, there were noguards of any kind. This made Lee nervous. The only way out was theway he came in. Should the meeting go poorly, it would not be easyfor him to get his mother and Dina to safety.

Selena stood and addressed the room. “I bid youwelcome. I am Selena Starfinder, High Lady of Valshara and leader ofthe Order of Amon Dahl. This is Sister Celandine, a historian ofour order, and this is my son-”

“We know of the half-man,” said Theopolou,his voice was deep and stern but tempered. “And as you and Iare acquainted we should forgo introductions, as my companions prefernot to be named at this moment. Time is short and we have much todiscuss.”

Selena nodded and took her seat. The rest followed suit.

“I would have Linis here,” said Lee. “Itis because of his efforts we are together today.”

Theopolou furled his brow. “You speak out of turn,half-man. Your presence here is only allowed out of courtesy.”

Lee leveled his gaze. “My presence is not anoption,” he corrected. “You would do well to rememberthat.”

The other elves shifted in their seats, but Theopoloushot them a glance, and they settled down.

“Son, please,” whispered Selena. “Mindyour temper.” Lee ignored her. His eyes never left Theopolou's.

“You are bold,” said Theopolou. “I wastold as much. I was also told you ended the life of Berathis.”

Lee’s expression did not change. “I did. Hedied with honor facing me in single combat. His passing weighs heavyon my heart.”

The elves whispered to each other, but Theopolou onlynodded somberly. “If you are concerned for the safety of yourmother, you needn't fear. I gave my word to Linis just before weentered the hall, that we will commit no violence within these walls.It was the only way to keep him out.”

“Why would you want to keep him out?” askedLee.

“That is between Linis and me,” the old elfreplied. “But rest assured he is not far. I can have himsummoned if he is needed.” His eyes fixed on Selena. “Iassume you have brought it with you.”

Selena reached beneath her chair and pulled forth thebox containing the Book of Souls. An audible gasp came from the elvesas the High Lady held it aloft.

“As I promised, it is here,” she said.

“That belongs to the elves,” blurted out ayoung elf sitting at the end of the table.

“Silence,” commanded Theopolou.

The young elf lowered his eyes in obedience. “MayI approach, High Lady?” Theopolou asked.

Selena nodded and he rose to his feet and walked over toher chair. She handed him the box, and Theopolou gently ran hisfingers across the ancient letters.

“It is the Book of Souls.” He handed the box back to Selena. “Howdid you come by this?”

“It was in my possession,” said Lee. “Iinherited it from my former lord and master, Dauvis Nal’Thain.”

“I see,” Theopolou muttered and returned tohis seat. “The Nal’Thain family is known to me. They werefierce adversaries during the Great War. It is likely that it wasthey who stole the book in the first place.”

“Some may say it was stolen,” said Lee.“Some might call it the spoils of war.”

“Some might,” said Theopolou. “Itmatters little. What concerns my people is what is to become of itnow. We were the keepers of the Book of Souls for generations andbelieve it best left in our care.”

“I don't understand,” said Lee. “Fromwhat I've learned the Book of Souls was written by the Gods. UnlessI'm mistaken, you and your people don't exactly hold the Gods in highregard.”

“You are not mistaken. But we do not believe itwas written by the Gods alone. We believe it was written by the handof the Creator, and then passed into our care. We were charged withits keeping until the time of the ‘coming of the Emancipator’.The Emancipator will free us from the curse that took away ourunderstanding of The All Father. Without the Book of Souls, we willbe forever lost.”

“I understand why you would want it so badly,”said Selena. “But we believe it may hold the key to our ownsalvation, as well.”

“You refer to the power that grows in the north,”said Theopolou. “We are aware of the one you call the DarkKnight, and know that he seeks your destruction, as well as thedestruction of the Gods.”

“And we are aware that he has contacted yourpeople,” said Selena. “And that many believe him to bethe reincarnation of the Demon King Ratsterfel.”

“You know much,” said Theopolou. “Thenyou must also know that we have not agreed to join his cause.”His tone darkened. “At least not yet.”

“A threat?” asked Selena.

“No, High Lady. A fact. There are many who feelthat should Angraal march, we should join them. But we havenot decided to do so. We are still uncertain of his true intentions.”

“I'll tell you what his intentions are,”roared Lee. “He wants to destroy everything and reshape theworld in his own image. If he is not stopped, blood will cover theland.”

Selena placed her hand on Lee's forearm to calm him. “Doyou truly believe that there will be a place for your people in hisnew world?”

“It is that question that has caused much debate.”Theopolou kept his eyes on Selena, ignoring Lee's agitation. “Andalso why it is important that you return the Book to us.”

“If the Book of Souls was in your possession,”said Lee, “what's to stop you from giving it to the Dark One?”

“How dare you!” Theopolou’s age meltedaway, and he looked very much an elf warrior. The other elves jumpedto their feet, shouting curses, but none reached for their weapons.

“It's a fair question,” said Selena calmly.“Should we hand over the Book, what is to say that it will notbe used against us later? It is said that it only can be opened byone who possesses the power of heaven. The Dark Knight has the Swordof Truth. He may be able to use it to open the Book.”