Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“A hundred we shall have,” said Selena.“What you see here is not the entire strength of the Order. Ishall send word for all of the knights to gather here. That will beenough to hold this temple indefinitely.”

“How long will this take?” asked Linis.

“I can double my strength in a week,”answered Selena, her hands firmly on her hips. “In three, I candefend this place against any attacker.”

“Then I shall stay until your men arrive,”said Lee.

“No! You will protect my grandson.”

Lee sat back in his chair, stunned by his mother’ssudden anger.

Selena's face softened. “You must protect your family, as I could not. Don't worry about me. If thesewalls are breached I can escape. There are secrets here that only Iknow. I will not be captured.”

Lee took his mother’s hands and pulled her close.“Swear it!”

Selena smiled. “I swear,” she said tenderly.“We will not lose each other again.”

Lee lowered his head and sighed heavily.

“We should leave right away, Gewey,” saidLinis. “Tonight, if you are able.” He turned to Selena.“You said there are ways out of here that wouldn’t benoticed?”

“Yes.” She wiped her eyes. “I can getyou and the others out of the temple unseen.”

“Good. I'll inform Theopolou.” Linus noddedcurtly and left.

Lee stood from his chair and looked at Dina. “Prepareto leave,” he commanded. “I want to be gone ahead ofGewey. Perhaps we may draw off any pursuit.”

“Of course.” Dina rushed off to pack.

For the rest of the morning the temple was a beehive ofactivity. Lee and Dina were ready to leave by midday. Selena providedthem with gear and enough provisions to last more than a week, alongwith three strong horses. Lee had decided to leave Lord Ganflin'ssteeds behind and made his mother promise to ride one to safety ifthe need came.

Gewey and Kaylia had been informed by Theopolou thatthey would be traveling on foot, which pleased Gewey. He had not beenlooking forward to saddle sores and preferred to travel light. Linisspent the morning going over the plans with Theopolou and his guards.Theopolou was troubled when he heard the roads were being watched,but agreed that there was little to do but move forward with theirplan. The healers made the loudest protests. They insisted thatneither Gewey nor Kaylia was ready to be out of bed, let alonetravel. However, both had shown no ill effects from their ordeal. Ittook the insistence of Selena to quiet them.

Before one o'clock Lee and Dina made their way to thefront gate. The entire temple had gathered in the courtyard to seethem off. Selena, Gewey, Kaylia, and Linis stood by the large oakdoors, each trying to hide the concern in their heart.

“Be careful, son,” said Selena as sheembraced him. “And you…” she said to Dina with a smile.“Keep yourself safe at all times. I won't have my most valuedhistorian getting herself killed.” She embraced Dina tightly.

Linis handed both Lee and Dina a small flask. “Keepthis with you. Should you find yourself lacking food and drink, itwill keep you strong for several days. Only a mouthful will do.”

They received their gift gratefully and bowed in turn.

“Thank you, my friend,” said Lee.

Linis took Dina's hand. “I look forward to ournext meeting.”

Dina blushed and smiled. “As do I.”

Kaylia embraced Lee then turned to Dina. Dina laughed asKaylia whispered into her ear.

Gewey hugged Dina then turned to Lee. “Be safe,and bring your son home.”

Lee placed his hands on Gewey's shoulders and studiedhim for a moment. “You have grown up so much in such a shorttime. Still, listen to what Linis says, and be careful whom youtrust. I don't like the idea of delivering you into the hands of theelves, but I think you’re right. It is the only way.”

“I'll be careful,” said Gewey.

Lee smiled, then he and Dina mounted their horses. Asthey rode through the doors, they heard the farewells of the templecall after them. Lee's mind focused on their journey as he heard theboom of the doors close behind them. They hadn’t ridden ahundred yards when the hairs on the back of Lee's neck stood up. Theywere being watched. He knew it but from where he couldn't tell. Therocky terrain made it impossible for him to spot anyone, and ifwhoever it was could evade the elf seekers, he had little chance ofcatching him.

Lee turned to Dina who was looking around nervously. “Ifeel it too,” she whispered.

“Be ready,” warned Lee.

Dina's hand slid to the knife in her belt. By the timethey reached the end of the path, her nerves were frazzled. Lee,however, seemed calm and alert.

“We should head in the direction of Althetas,”said Lee. “If we are still followed by nightfall, we'llcontinue on to the city and try to throw them off. If not, we'llstart west. There's a road about a day’s ride that will take usto Idelia. From there we can make our way to the southern coast.”

By the time the sun began to set, Lee no longer thoughtthey were being followed. He and Dina found a small clearing and madecamp.

“It seems we are not worthy of further attention.”Lee laid out his bedroll. “Which means Gewey and the elves arethe likely targets.” His eyes scanned the nearby brush. “Still,I should scout the area. Wait here.”

Lee disappeared into the fading light, while Dinamunched on a piece of bread and some dried fruit. About an hourlater, he reappeared.

“Whoever or whatever it was is gone,” saidLee. “For now we aren't the objects of their interest.”

“I hope they feel the same way about Gewey andKaylia,” said Dina.

Lee nodded slowly, laid down on his bedroll and staredat the night sky.

Gewey, Kaylia, Selena, and Linis joined Theopolou andhis companions in the receiving chamber shortly after Lee and Dina'sdeparture. Their gear lay next to Selena's chair at the far end ofthe hall.

“Follow me,” said Selena. She walked to thefar left corner of the room where a tapestry depicting the symbols ofthe nine Gods hung. She reached behind it and a loud clack echoedthroughout the chamber. A hidden door on the floor in front of herfell open, revealing a ladder leading down into a dark hallway.

“Follow the passage for about one-thousand feet.There you'll find a small iron door.” She handed Gewey a key.“This will unlock it. The passage will let you out along thewestern wall of the temple. From there, follow the trail west untilyou reach the Sintil Sans Road.”

Gewey nodded and put the key in his pocket. “Thankyou, High Lady.”

They gathered their gear and readied themselves to climbdown the narrow ladder. Selena had packed the Book of Souls inGewey’s satchel.

Theopolou and the other elves thanked Selena for herhospitality. Linis bowed low, and held out a small silver dagger,sheathed in an ivory scabbard. The handle was wrapped in soft leatherand it was crowned with a large blood ruby. “Take this as areminder of our friendship,” he said.

Selena smiled and took the dagger. “Thank you,seeker. You and your kin are always welcome here.”

Kaylia took Selena's hand in hers. “I can neverrepay you for your kindness, High

Lady.”

“Nonsense,” she replied. “Your braveryhas saved us all. Without you, the only hope we have for survivalwould still be laying helpless in the healing chamber.”

Kaylia lowered her eyes and smiled.

“As for you,” she said to Gewey. “Icharge you with keeping yourself alive and well.”

“I'll do my best,” Gewey replied with asmile, then made his way to the ladder.

Gewey went first, followed closely by Kaylia, Linis, andthe others. The narrow hallway was pitch black, and it took a fewmoments for Gewey's eyes to adjust. The air was stale, and the roughstone walls echoed the troop’s footsteps. Just as Selena hadsaid, the hall sloped gently up for about one-thousand feet. There hecould make out the outline of small door. After retrieving the key hehad been given, Gewey felt around until he found the keyhole. Thelock was old and rusted, and for a moment he feared the key wouldbreak, but to his relief he heard the sound of grating metal as thelock gave way. Gewey pushed hard with his shoulder and the doorscreeched open.