Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“We must tend to your wounds,” said Gewey.“Stintos was hurt as well.”

“Is he seriously injured?” asked Linis.

“I don't think so. He was on his feet when I lefthim.”

“Good.” Linis sighed. “As for me… Iam fine. Thanks to your warning it is only a scratch.”

Gewey's eyes turned to the creature. “How does itstill live?”

“I don't know,” said Linis in a whisper.“How do you live, beast!” His voice boomed, startlingGewey.

“I was never alive,” hissed the creature.Its voice was like the wheezing of a dying man, sick and labored.

“It speaks,” gasped Gewey.

“So it does,” remarked Linis.

“You shall all fall by the hands of my brothers,”spat the creature. “The master will see that it is so.”

“You mean the Dark Knight, don't you?” saidGewey.

The creature let out a gurgling laugh. “I knowyou. The God who will die like a man. The master will see to you soonenough.”

“What manner of beast are you?” demandedLinis.

“We are the Vrykol. We are the instrument of yourdemise.”

Linis stood, gripping his long knife so hard hisknuckles turned white. “We shall see.” His blade flewdown, cutting off the Vrykol's head.

“Are you alright?” called Kaylia’svoice from behind.

Gewey turned to see Kaylia, Theopolou, Haldrontis, andthree other elves running up with weapons in hand. When they saw themangled body of the Vrykol strewn about the ground, they stoppedshort.

“What is this… thing?” gasped Kaylia inhorror.

“It's a creature of Angraal,” saidLinis. “It called itself a Vrykol.” He turned toTheopolou. “Have you heard of them?”

“I have. But they are supposed to exist only inlegend. They are said to be damned souls, forced from paradise towalk the earth. But I have never heard of them as physical beings,only spirits.”

“They're physical beings for sure,” saidGewey. “They almost killed us.”

“So you spoke to it before it died,” saidKaylia. “What did it say?”

Linis described his encounter and the short conversationwith the Vrykol.

“You should have waited until I had a chance tointerrogate it,” said Theopolou.

“It wouldn't have told you anything,” saidGewey.

Theopolou shot a glance at Gewey. “You know verylittle, young one. I may have been able to discover more than youcould guess.” He paused. “But there is no use belaboringthe point. As it stands, we know they are intelligent and resilient.Whether or not they are in fact Vrykol, or just use the name, mattersnot. They are on our trail.”

“How fairs Stintos?” asked Linis.

“His wounds are being tended,” Theopolouanswered. “But he will slow us considerably. I'm sending himback to Valshara with Haldrontis until he can travel.”Theopolou noticed Linis' wound. “Are you able to travel?”

“I am,” replied Linis, seeming to justnotice the wound on his arm. “Thanks to Gewey's warning, theVrykol's blade did not bite deeply.”

“Still, it needs to be dressed,” saidKaylia. “Come. I have salve and bandages in my pack.”

The group started toward to the trail, but Theopoloupaused. “Bring the head,” said the old elf.

Linis nodded and picked up the head by its grimy hair. Awave of nausea washed over Gewey as more of the black blood pouredonto the ground.

When they got back to the trail Gewey saw Stintos,leaning against a nearby tree. Two elves treated the wound on hisribs. Linis unpacked a spare cloak and wrapped the head inside.Stintos noticed Gewey's approach and motioned for him to come near.Gewey reluctantly obeyed.

“You saved my life, human,” said Stintos. Hewinced as an elf rubbed salve in the deep cut. “I owe you adebt.”

“Forget it,” said Gewey. “I didn't doanything you wouldn't have done in my place, I'm sure.”

Stintos smiled. “That you think an elf would cometo your aid is remarkable, and speaks to your character. However, Idon't understand how you knew to come. I was far out of sight orearshot. Only an elf seeker could have heard them coming, and even aseeker would have difficulty.”

Gewey was unsure what to say. “I…” hestammered. “Well, Kaylia and Linis have been instructing me.”

Stintos look at Gewey skeptically. “I see. Thentraining has heightened your senses. I was not aware that humanscould gain such abilities.” His eyes fixed on the boy, then hissmile returned. “It matters not. You saved my life, and forthat you have gained my friendship.”

“I value it,” said Gewey, bowing his head.

“Gewey,” called Linis.

Gewey turned to see Linis standing near the packs.Kaylia dressed a cut on his left arm. He took his leave from Stintos.

“We leave at once,” said Linis. “Theopolousays we should arrive at his home in six days if we press our pace. Idisagree with moving at too great a speed. With these so-calledVrykol about, I would not risk being taken by surprise. I would askyou to keep extra vigilant. You can hear what I cannot, it wouldseem.”

“I'll do my best,” said Gewey. “But Iheard the Vrykol because I channeled the power of the earth. I'venever done it more than a few minutes. To do it for six days…”

“You must try,” said Linis. “Our livesmay depend on it.”

Gewey’s stomach knotted at the thought of so manylives depending on him.

“I will not have him put his life at risk,”said Kaylia, fiercely.

“I doubt it will harm him,” said Linis.“Seekers use the same power at times. I have used the flow ,as we call it, for two straight days and it did me no harm.”

“He's not an elf,” countered Kaylia. “Or have you forgotten?”

“I have not forgotten,” Linis shot back.“But we both know what he is, don't we?”

“Mind your tongue,” hissed Kaylia, lookingaround for prying ears. “Would you have Gewey exposed?”She jerked tight Linis' bandage, causing him to wince. “Ithought Lee confiding in you might be a mistake.”

“It was not a mistake, child,” chided Linis.“Lord Starfinder thought that I should know what is at stake.Out of friendship and trust he confided in me. I will not expose Gewey, and I will not be scolded by you. I am a seeker .”

Gewey had never heard anyone speak to Kaylia as if shewere a mere child. He could see the fury in her eyes, but she managedto contain her rage.

“You are correct, of course,” growledKaylia. “My apologies… seeker .”

Linis' face softened. “I know you love him. Butremember, I have named him friend and care for him as kin. I only askof him what I must.”

“I know,” replied Kaylia weakly. “Ijust want to keep him safe. The bond we share can be maddening attimes.”

“You are young to have done such a thing,”said Linis. “But it seems to have been the right thing to do.”He bent and flexed his arm as Kayla finished dressing the wound.“Gewey, if you feel any ill effects from the flow ,release it at once and consult me.”

“I will,” said Gewey.

Theopolou approached, his pack already on his back. “Wemust depart. Gather your things.”

Once everyone had donned their gear, they said farewellto Haldrontis and Stintos and continued down the trail. Gewey allowedthe flow of the earth to saturate his body, and took great care tolisten for anything out of the ordinary.

After an hour they left the trail and headed southacross country. The ground was level and the trees still sparse.Gewey was relieved to hear the return of the birds and small animals.The flow was difficultto maintain at first, but after an hour or so it felt more natural.By the time they halted to make camp, he couldn't imagine what itwould feel like without it. Kaylia and Linis had been keeping a closeeye on him, constantly asking how he was. Kaylia was clearly relievedthat he had shown no sign that it was hurting him. Linis, on theother hand, maintained a look of deep concern.