Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Gewey breathed deeply, allowing fresh air to fill hislungs. The sun was still high in the sky, and for a moment he wasblinded.

“I should take the lead for now,” saidLinis.

Theopolou nodded his approval.

They followed the trail west for a few miles, then Linisordered a halt. “I assume you have no intention of travelingthe main roads.”

“Correct,” said Theopolou. “Once thispath ends I will lead us.”

They continued for several hours. The terrain becameless and less rocky, replaced by thinly spaced oaks and pines. Thelong grass bent and shifted as a constant breeze blew in from thewest. What struck Gewey as odd was the utter silence. With theexception of their footfalls and the sound of the wind, nothing, noteven birds could be heard. The elves appeared to notice this oddityand Gewey could see that it made them uneasy.

“Something foul is near,” whispered Linis.

“What do you mean?” asked Gewey.

“I'm not sure. But I intend to find out.”

Linis motioned for a halt and disappeared into the thinbrush. A while later he returned, muscles tensed and eyes wide.

“We are being followed,” said Linis. “Butby whom or what, I can't say.”

“How?” said Gewey. “I thought this waywas secret.”

“So did I. It would seem the High Lady wasmistaken. I tried to spot our pursuer, but it is as crafty as myseekers reported, assuming what they saw is the same thing thathounds us now.”

“We should try and capture it,” saidTheopolou. “I would know who this is, and why they riskfollowing elves.”

“Whatever it is, it's neither human nor elf,”said Linis.

“How do you know that?” asked Gewey.

“No human alive could avoid me. Not even ahalf-man could manage it. As for it being an elf… no elf feels like this creature. Life flees from it. Not even the birds comenear.”

Theopolou looked troubled as his brow furled and eyessurveyed the area. “Take as many from my escort as you need.”

“I should need no more than three,” saidLinis. He turned to the other elves. “Who among you have hadseeker training?”

Stintos and Haldrontis, two tall blond elves, steppedforward. “And I make three,” announced Gewey.

Linis looked at Gewey skeptically. “I know youhave training, but I do not think Lee would approve of this.”

“Lee is not here,” said Gewey. “And ifhe were, I am still the best choice.”

Linis' mouth tightened, then he sighed. “Verywell. But you must do exactly as you are told.”

Kaylia grabbed Gewey's arm. “You should let me goinstead.”

Gewey squeezed her hand. This drew uneasy stares fromthe elves. “Don't worry. I won't do anything too stupid.”

Linis motioned for the volunteers to follow him into thebrush. They walked north for about one-hundred yards, then he toldthem to halt.

“You two split up east and west. See to it thatyou make enough noise to announce your presence. I will move northwhile Gewey follows slowly behind.” His eyes met Gewey's. “Makesure you are at least three-hundred paces behind me at all times. Thething that follows us fell back north as I approached. Ahead is aclearing. The creature will likely try to avoid being exposed, whichmeans it will double back and try to sneak by me. When it does wewill close the trap.” He looked hard at the entire group. “Ifyou encounter whatever this is, do not take it on alone.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Gewey began to feel thepulse of the earth flow through his limbs. The world around himopened up, and he could sense everything around him. He closed hiseyes and listened for their prey.

“It's one-hundred yards north,” said Gewey.“And you're right. It's neither human nor elf.”

“How is it you know this?” asked Stintos.

“Never you mind,” shot Linis. “IfGewey says the creature is there, then you can count on it.” Heturned to Gewey. “Do you know what it is?”

Gewey shook his head. “No. But I think it knowswe're coming.”

“All the more reason to be mindful,” saidLinis.

Stintos and Haldrontis drew their long knives and eachheaded in opposite directions. Linis gave Gewey a final glance andwent north. Once he was out of sight Gewey slowly crept forward. Withhis heightened senses, he could hear the movements of the creatureahead. Slowly he slid his sword from its scabbard. It felt warm as itthrobbed in his hand. Energy rushed through him like a torrent, andhe could feel the sinews of his arms and legs pulse and growstronger.

Gewey heard Linis as the elf neared the creature. Linishad not yet spotted it, but Gewey was certain he soon would. Howcould he not? He was practically on top of it, but soon it was clearhe had missed it entirely. Linis continued past the creature, showingno sign he had noticed it. Gewey realized the hunters had become thehunted.

From the east, Gewey heard two more of the creaturesmove in, closing in on Stintos' position. He knew he had to decidequickly what to do.

“Linis, it's a trap!” Gewey yelled at thetop of his lungs. His legs burst to life as he sped toward Stintos.

The creatures revealed themselves just as Stintos cameinto view. Their figures were that of a man, but that was the onlything they had in common. They wore tattered clothes, blackened withgrime and decay. Their faces were burnt, misshapen, and covered withdeep scars, as if they had been assembled from the rotting corpses ofa dozen dead men. But despite their outward appearance, theirmovements were unearthly… their speed unmatched by any Gewey hadseen, save Lee.

They were on Stintos before he knew they were there.Each beast held a cruel dagger in hand, and with them they slashed atthe elf’s throat. Stintos only barely avoided death by fallingback onto the ground. But this only put him at a greaterdisadvantage. One of the creatures moved to plunge his dagger in theelf’s chest, but Gewey got there just before the fatal blowcould be struck and removed the creatures head with one swift stroke.Thick, black blood poured from the beast's neck, as the body fell.

Gewey turned his attention to the second creature thatwas already in striking distance. The creature struck at Gewey'sheart, but the power that flowed through him allowed him to easilyavoid the attack. He brought his sword down across the creature’schest, splitting it open and sending it tumbling to the ground. Butto Gewey's dismay, this did not end the battle.

No sooner had the creature landed when it sprung to itsfeet and charged again, this time at the elf. The creature slashed atthe left arm of Stintos, who deftly moved aside, and spun around,bringing his long knife across its back. But this did nothing to slowit down, as the creature also spun, swinging its own knife wildly.This time the blade struck home and slashed across the elf's ribs.Stintos groaned and staggered back.

Gewey knew this must end now. Linis was alone with oneof these creatures, and he knew he must hurry to his aid. Thehead , he thought, and aimed his blade at thecreature’s neck. It found its mark and the beast fell.

“Go back to the others,” Gewey commanded andtore off in the direction of Linis.

He found the elf three-hundred paces north, kneelingbeside the dismembered body of the third creature… dismemberedexcept for the head.

“Are you injured?” cried Gewey, relieved tosee his friend alive.

“I will live.” Linis panted. “But asfor this… thing, it has seen better days.”

Gewey moved closer. He eyes shot wide as he realized thebeast still lived. The ground was covered with the creature’sthick, black blood, and its limbs were hacked and scattered about theground. Still the thing snarled and growled, its eyes fixed on Linis.Linis stared in return.

Gewey touched Linis' shoulder. The elf looked up atGewey and forced a smile. Blood soaked Linis' shirt… elf blood.