Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“We would never give it to him.” Theopolousettled back down. “This I swear.”

“Yet it may be taken from you if he knows you haveit,” said Lee. “It was taken once before.”

“It may be taken from you as well,”Theopolou shot back. “From what I have seen of your defensesthat could easily happen.”

“Aside from you, your escort, and a few others,”replied Selena. “None know the location of this temple. Andthough you may not think so, we have the means to defend ourselves.”

“This location is not as secret as you think. Mypeople have known of it since it was first built. It would not bedifficult for the spies of Angraal to find it, if they havenot already done so.”

“You assume the Book would be kept here,”said Selena with a wry smile.

“I assume you have summoned me to return it.”

“Let's not play games. You know why I summoned youhere.”

“I saw Kaylia and her young friend,” saidTheopolou. “I told you there is nothing I can do for them. Theyare beyond my reach.”

“We had hoped that you would know a way to openthe Book,” said Selena. “Perhaps within its pages wecould find a way to help them.”

Theopolou shook his head. “I cannot. My family hasbeen the Book’s keeper and guardian, but we have no knowledgeof how to open it or what is truly inside. Even if I knew, Iwouldn't? It is not meant for me, or any but the Emancipator.”

“Perhaps not,” said Lee. “But thethought of handing over a potential weapon to a people who have suchdeep hatred of humans does not sit well with me.”

“I understand,” Theopolou repliedthoughtfully. “As I have given my word, we will not take it byforce. But you must know that once word of this reaches my people,they will not suffer you or anyone else to possess it. They will come for it.”

“Any attempt to attack this temple will fail,”warned Lee. “And many will die in the attempt.”

“All the more reason for you to return it,”he replied. “I have no desire for bloodshed, but I cannotprevent it from happening. My kin will take back the Book of Souls.Of this I am certain.”

“As the High Lady of Valshara, I will tell youthis.” Selena’s voice was commanding and firm. “Anyattempt to take the Book of Souls by force will fail. You may know ofthe location of this temple, but you do not know its secrets. Evenshould you succeed to breach our walls, you will never find the Book.It will be lost forever.” She slowly rose to her feet. “Ipromise you the moment a single elf steps inside without invitation,will be the last moment the Book of Souls will see the light of thesun. I will cast it where no one will ever find it again.”

“This is getting us nowhere.” Theopolou’sfrustration bled through in his voice. “What will make you seereason?”

The door to the hall flew open, and Sister Wileminia ranstraight to the High Lady and whispered in her ear. Selena's eyeswidened.

“We must resume this later,” Selenaannounced. “Lee, Dina and Lord Theopolou, I need you to comewith me at once.”

“What's happened?” asked Dina.

“Gewey and Kaylia are awake. Sister Wileminia,will you see that Theopolou's companions are fed?”

Wileminia gave a quick nod and Selena rushed out of theroom. Lee, Theopolou, and Dina trailed behind.

When they arrived at the healing chamber, they found itnearly empty. A healer mixed herbs with a stone pestle in the corner,and Gewey and Kaylia were sitting up in their beds, talking quietly.Their faces lit up when they saw Lee and Dina, but Kaylia'sexpression quickly changed to concern when Theopolou entered.

“It's about time you two woke up.” Leelaughed.

“It's good to see you, too,” said Gewey. Hisvoice was weak and cracked.

“They mustn't speak too much,” said Selena.“At least not until they've had a few days to regain theirstrength. We've kept them alive with herbal mixtures, but that's nota replacement for a good hot meal.”

“We're both fine,” said Gewey. “AlthoughI wouldn't turn down a bit of food.”

“I've already sent word to the kitchen, HighLady,” said the healer in the corner. “It should be hereshortly.”

Theopolou walked next to Kaylia's bed, ignoring theothers. “It is good to see you well.”

Kaylia nodded. “I am pleased to see you, uncle. Iam confused, though. How did you come to be here?”

“Your… friends sent for me. They hoped I couldheal you, and this one.” He motioned, indicating Gewey. “Butas it seems, it was unnecessary.”

“Healing me cannot be the only reason you havecome,” said Kaylia. “I am to be killed on sight. Am Inot?”

“That is not of my doing,” repliedTheopolou. “I have opposed it from the beginning. I despisewhat you are doing, but I would never see you put to death withoutjudgment.”

“But you would see me put to death,” sheshot back.

“Have you not broken the law? Are you not in thecompany of humans? Have you not chosen to travel with them openly?”

“And why should that be a crime?”

“You should know better than most.”

Kaylia fumed, but Gewey reached out and took her hand.

“I thank you for coming,” said Gewey. “Butas you can see, neither of us is in need of help.”

Theopolou stared at Gewey holding the hand of his niecefor a long moment. “I see,” he said finally. “Thenyou have committed yourself to treason, and there is nothing more Ican do for you.”

“Treason?” Kaylia scoffed. “Then whathave the elders who sent assassins to hunt me down committed?”

“I agree,” said Theopolou. “But thatchanges nothing. If you come home I might be able to persuade theelders to let you live, but the look in your eyes tells me that willnot happen.”

“You're wrong, uncle. I have given my word that Iwill face judgment, and I will do so. But not until my task isfinished.”

“And what task is that? What business could youhave with these people?”

“That is not for me to say. At least, not yet.”

Theopolou sighed heavily. “Then if you no longerare in need of aid that only leaves one final matter.” Helooked over to Selena. “The Book of Souls.”

“That can wait,” said Lee. “I wouldspeak to Gewey and Kaylia first. There is much I have to tell themand much I would like to know.”

“Very well,” said Theopolou. “I toowould hear their account. They have journeyed where no elf has gone.How this could have happened has weighed on my mind.”

“Forgive me,” said Gewey to Theopolou. “Butthere are things you cannot know.”

“Then please omit any details you feel necessary,”he replied. “I already know that you are not what you appear tobe. That your spirit traveled beyond my reach or understanding tellsme as much. And that Kaylia was able to join you tells me even more.”

Gewey looked at Lee who just shook his head andshrugged. “Fine,” said Gewey. “But only if Kayliaallows it.”

Kaylia stared hard at her uncle. “He is wise andwill learn the truth if he stays no matter what you leave out.”

“You know me well,” stated Theopolou with ahint of pride. “But I already know that you have bonded yoursoul to the boy. That is clear. And the places his spirit traveledsay that he is either one of Felsafell's race or something… else.”

Silence fell over the room for a moment. HearingFelsafell's name caused Gewey's chest to tighten.

“What do you know about him?” asked Gewey.

“I know that he is neither human nor elf. And thathe is ancient. His people were here before humans walked the earth.Some believe that they were here before the elves, but there is noway to know. Perhaps you could ask Felsafell if he allows you to findhim. I know that his race was able to project themselves into placesunreachable by any, save the Gods. ”