Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Gewey's thoughts turned to Dina. “I'm notoffended. I don't agree, but you have the right to feel any way youwish. But then why spend the day in my company?”

“You have shown yourself to have great strengthand courage. I would know the man behind it. I am not close-minded. Irealize that virtue does not live within my people alone, and yourcompany does not cause me discomfort.”

“I'm glad,” said Gewey. “Maybe intime, I can change your mind even more.”

“One can never know the future,” saidAkakios. “You're welcome to try.”

When they had made camp, Theopolou informed Gewey thatthey would be resting until the morning. Gewey insisted that he couldcontinue, but Theopolou would not be dissuaded.

“Your stamina is already causing talk,” saidTheopolou. “Besides, as I understand, you will be releasing the flow tonight. You mayfind that your body needs to recover.”

A chill shot through Gewey's body. He had all butforgotten that he would spend time without the power of the earthinside him.

Gewey sat on his bedroll, staring at the fire when Linisapproached.

“It's time,” said Linis. “Release it.”

Anger swelled in Gewey’s chest. “I'd rathernot.”

Linis studied him for a few minutes. “I was notcertain before, but I am now. You must release the flow ,now.”

“I will not,” he growled. “There is noreason. I'm fine.”

“You are not fine,” shot Linis. “If you were, you would have notrouble doing as I request. I can see that you should not hold it forso long.”

Gewey jumped to his feet, rage swelling inside him. Hiseyes focused on Linis, and his hand felt the urge to slide to hissword.

“Gewey,” called Kaylia, from just outsidethe light of the fire. “Come here… now !”Gewey’s mind snapped to attention. It was then he realized theentire camp was staring at him. He lowered his head and startedtoward Kaylia.

Kaylia stood with her eyes fixed on Gewey. Once he stoodbeside her, she took his hand and led him away from the camp.

“You must release the power,” she saidsoftly. “And you must do it quickly before you lose yourself.”

Gewey pulled away, his anger returning. “Why? Whymust I become weak again?”

“Do not call yourself weak,” she said. “Youinsult me. My spirit would not bind itself to the weak. Yourstrength, your true strength, does not come from the flow .It comes from within.” She placed her hand on his chest. “Dothis for me.”

His heart raced at her touch and he lowered his head,allowing the power to drain away. Gewey felt weakness and fatiguewash over his entire body and he fell to his knees… weeping. Theabsence of the flow made him feel hollow and afraid. The sounds and smells he had foundso enthralling were gone, and he was left in silence. It was like theworld had been ripped away.

Kaylia knelt down in front of him and pulled his head toher shoulder. “It will pass.” She stroked his raven hair.“I am here.”

After a few minutes, Gewey regained his composure. Hewiped his face and his eyes. “It's dark,” were the onlywords he could manage.

Kaylia smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek. “Andit will get darker still… but not tonight.”

“Thank you,” said Gewey, weakly. “Youwere right. I must not hold the power for that long again. I nearlylost myself.”

“But you have returned to us, I trust,” camethe voice of Linis from a few yards away. He walked into view,Theopolou at his side.

“I'm… back to normal.” Gewey rose to hisfeet. “I'm sorry for what I did at the camp. It won't happenagain.”

“No apologies needed,” said Linis. “Thefault was mine. I should have never asked you to hold the flow for that long without knowing what it would do to you.”

“Indeed you should not have, seeker,” saidTheopolou. “I hope you will heed my advice from here on.”

“In matters such as this…I will,”said Linis.

“What about the others?” asked Gewey. “I'msure they noticed what happened.”

“They believe you pushed yourself too far and yourhuman body affected your mind,” replied Theopolou. “Afiction I am not inclined to correct at this time.”

“If you are able we should get back,” saidLinis. “You need rest.”

Gewey nodded and followed the others back to camp. Theelves all watched as he made his way to his bedroll. Embarrassmentfilled him. He rolled on his stomach and hid his face.

“All is well?” It was Akakios.

Gewey rolled over to see the elf smiling down at him.“I'm fine. Just tired.”

“I must admit I was amazed you kept pace with uswith so little rest,” said Akakios. “Don't feel bad. Wemay not show it, but we are tired as well. If it were not for thedemons that attacked us at Valshara, we would not be moving at thispace.”

“I appreciate your words,” said Gewey,forcing a smile. “I'll be better once I've had some sleep.”

“I will leave you to it then.” He walkedover to a group of elves gathered on the other side of the fire.

It didn't take long for sleep to take him, and hisfatigue held off any dreams. Kaylia woke Gewey just as the sunbreached the horizon.

“Theopolou has said we will stop at the home ofKephalos.” Kaylia handed Gewey a piece of bread and some driedmeat. She huddled close.

“Why?” asked Gewey. “I thought we werein a hurry.”

“Theopolou wants to show him the head of theVrykol,” she replied. “Kephalos is very knowledgeable inancient lore and may be able to give us information we need.”

The thought of seeing an elf dwelling excited Gewey.“When will we arrive?”

“We should be there by sundown tomorrow.”

Gewey smiled with satisfaction. Kaylia next to himseemed more natural than before, though the others stared withdisapproval. The next day he woke before dawn, ready for a new march.By midday, the trees began to thicken and the ground was covered bydense, moist grass that made walking at speed difficult. The heat ofthe sun made the air like earthy steam, and sweat beaded on Gewey'sforehead.

“How is it so hot this close to winter?”Gewey asked Linis.

“We are near the fire hills.”

“I've heard of them,” said Gewey. “Myfather said it's like summer all year there, and that great plumes ofsteam erupt from the ground. I had no idea we were so close.”

“Your father was correct,” said Linis. “Butwe will only be just outside the hills. Not within them. One day, ifyou wish, I will show them to you properly. They are truly a wonder.”

“I'd like that,” said Gewey.

By late afternoon, they found a narrow trail that woundthrough the forest. Theopolou called a halt, asked Gewey to speak tohim alone, and led him into a small clearing about one-hundred yardseast of the trail. Kaylia tried to follow, but Theopolou stopped her.

“When we arrive at the home of Kephalos it isimportant you do not speak unless spoken to,” Theopolou warned,once they were alone. “He is a kind elf, and not prone toviolence, but he fought in the Great War for many years and feels thesame as I regarding human and elf living together.”

Gewey had almost forgotten that Theopolou was not really on his side. If not for The Dark One and his bond to Kaylia,Theopolou would never suffer the company of a human, let alone a God.

“I'll keep quiet,” said Gewey. “Idon't want any trouble. At least not until it's time for it.”

“And that time will come soon enough,”Theopolou added. “If I can, I will convince Kaphalos to comewith us. If he agrees, you may be forced to travel in silence for theremainder of the journey. I tell you this because I would not haveyou feel it is an insult from me or my guard. Once we arrive at myhome you are under my protection and may speak as you wish.”