Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Gewey swallowed a healthy portion of eggs. “They’recertainly different from the stories I heard as a child. My fatherwould have loved them… so would Lee, I bet.”

“I'm sure he would,” Linis face grewconcerned.

“What's wrong?” asked Gewey.

“The elders are taking a long time to gather.Theopolou was worried that we would arrive after the others werealready here. But instead we wait.”

“Maybe some of them were delayed,” offeredGewey.

Linis shrugged. “Perhaps. But too many have yet toarrive. I fear they conspire against Theopolou.”

“Conspire? To do what?”

“I do not know,” Linis admitted. “Manywho have yet to come are those who are openly against him. When andhow they arrive will tell me much.”

“Do you think they'd try something here?”asked Gewey.

Linis shook his head. “Within these walls… no.They would never break our customs to such a degree. To do violencein the home of another elf is one our greatest crimes. We considerthe home a sacred place. Besides, Theopolou controls the flow here. Even if they did the unthinkable, they'd be slaughtered.”Linis stood and paced in thought. “No. If they intend to killTheopolou they'll need to remove him from this place.”

“Easy,” said Gewey. “We just make surehe doesn't leave.”

“I wish it were easy,” said Linis. “Ifthere is a plot, it will be subtle. They will not simply threaten orforce Theopolou to expose himself. They will dress it in a manner hewill have no choice but to comply.”

“How would they do that?” asked Gewey.

“I wish I knew. I am not as wise as Theopolou, oras versed in the nuances of politics.”

“What can we do?” asked Gewey, suddenlylosing his appetite.

“Wait and see,” said Linis. “I may beseeing intrigues that do not exist. I hope so.” He walked tothe door. “I must leave you. I'm sorry that I cannot staylonger, but I have much to do before the meeting begins. Kaylia saysto pay attention to the tenth story of Lilith.” A smile creptover his face. “She is quite an elf.”

Gewey laughed. “Yes she is. Oh, one more thingbefore you go,” said Gewey remembering the lights. “Howdid you dim the lights?”

Linis laughed softly. “Rub your hand up the sideof the glass to brighten, and down to dim.”

“Thank you,” said Gewey.

Linis nodded and left. Gewey tried out the light. Justas Linis had said it became brighter as he moved his hand up theside. He marveled at the skill it must have taken to make such awondrous device.

Gewey spent the next few hours reading. He made it tothe ninth story in The Songs of Lilith when there was a knock at the door. Gewey open it to find Akakiosstanding there, a broad grin on his face.

“Theopolou granted me permission to keep youcompany,” said Akakios. “Please come in,” saidGewey, happy to have someone to talk to.

Akakio sat down at the table and gestured to the bookGewey held. “What do you think?”

“I'm loving it,” said Gewey as he sat acrossfrom the elf. “Do you know who wrote it?” Akakios raisedan eyebrow and chuckled. “You think you might know the author?”He picked up the book and thumbed through the pages. “Anyway,if I told you, you wouldn't believe me.”

“Try me.”

“Legend says it was written by Lilith herself,thousands of years ago.”

Gewey's eyes widened. “You mean these are truestories?”

“Perhaps. But I think not.” He leaned backand crossed his legs. “More likely Lilith was just the one whoinvented the stories.”

“Of course.” Gewey felt foolish. “Hasthe meeting begun?”

“Yes,” Akakios replied. “About an hourago. The last of the elders arrived just before they were going startwithout him.”

“How is it going so far?”

Akakios shrugged. “I would not know. The onlynon-elder allowed in is Linis. I'm sure he'll fill you in later. Inthe meantime…” He pulled a set of eight-sided dice from hispocket. “How would you like to learn an elf game?”

Gewey beamed. “I'd love to. But I must warn you,I'm not a very good gambler. And I really don't have much money.”

Akakios leaned back in his chair and gave Gewey adevilish grin. “Don't worry. We can play for fun… for now.”

Gewey fetched the little money he had… three coppers,a silver, and a gold (Lee had given him the gold) and tossed it onthe table. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Don't worry,” joked Akakios when he sawGewey's money. “I'll give you a loan if you need one.”

The game was similar to games played at the tavern inSharpstone, and though Gewey was not one to visit the tavern at nightoften, he caught on quickly. Soon he had nearly doubled his money.

“Not a gambler?” teased Akakios, as hefiddled with his dwindling pile of coins.

“Is that what I said?” said Gewey, feigninginnocence.

Linis entered, looking very unhappy. Akakios gatheredhis coins and excused himself.

“From the look on your face things aren't goingwell,” said Gewey as they took a seat on the couch.

Linis lowered his head and rubbed his neck. “Thatis putting it mildly. Things are turning sour and fast.”

“What happened?”

To begin with,” started Linis. “They knewyou were here.” “How?” asked Gewey.

Linis shook his head slowly. “I don't know.Somehow they found out that both you and Kaylia are here. Some of theelders are calling for Theopolou to face judgment for harboring afugitive and for treason.”

Gewey shifted nervously. Without Theopolou's protection,he wasn't sure what could happen. “They can do that?”

“It's doubtful. It's just a prelude to anothermove.” Linis looked disgusted. “Even if they can getenough support to call Theopolou to judgment, they would never beable to convict him.”

“Then why do it?”

“To force him to expose himself,” saidLinis. “If he is called to judgment, he will have to go to theChamber of the Maker.”

“What's that?” asked Gewey.

“It's where all judgments are made, and where thecouncil meets during times of war.” Linis stood up and beganpacing. “If he leaves these walls he is vulnerable.”

“You don't really think they'd try to kill him…do you?”

Linis sighed heavily. “If you had asked me thatquestion a year ago, I would have said no. Now…”

Gewey thought for a moment. He needed to speak to theelders and convince them to join him against Angraal. IfTheopolou were brought to judgment, he didn't know if there would beanother chance.

“There's more,” said Linis. “They wantto speak to you… and Kaylia.”

This sent a chill throughout his entire body.“Together?”

“Yes,” Linis replied. “They know aboutyour bonding. Needless to say they are not pleased.”

Gewey shot to his feet. “What will they do?”

Linis grabbed Gewey's shoulders, trying to calm him.“They can do nothing so long as you are under Theopolou'sprotection. If they tried, the elves who are undecided in this matterwould move against them. And don't forget, this is the house of anelf sage and council elder. Only a great fool would attack him here. He controls the flow within these walls.”

“But if we are forced to leave?”

“Then you have the greatest living seeker to fightat you side,” Linis assured. “Even the elders will pauseat that.”

“But that will put you at war with your ownpeople,” Gewey shook his head. “I won't have that.”

“I'm already at war.” Linis held a deepsadness in his eyes. “I've been called to judgment.”

Gewey's eyes shot wide. “What? What are you goingto do?”

Linis forced a weak smile. “I've refused torecognize their authority. Once I leave these walls I am to beconsidered a fugitive and a traitor.”