Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“I do not think it is wise for you to give me your flow ,” saidTheopolou. “But I would ask that Linis help me track down theculprit, if there is one.” Then as if a wave had hit him, hestaggered.

Gewey jumped up and placed his hand on Theopolou'sshoulder. He could feel the elf tense at the unfamiliar contact, sohe withdrew and took a step back. “Are you…”

Theopolou waved him off. “I'm fine.”

“No, you're not,” argued Kaylia. “Youshould let Gewey try to help you.” Linis nodded in agreement.“I…”

Suddenly he looked up to see that Akakios, standing afew feet away, eyes ablaze, his bow drawn and pointed at Gewey. Linisreached for his dagger, but it was too late. The arrow loosed. Timestood still as it flew through the air and Kaylia tried desperatelyto throw herself in its path. But instead of piercing Gewey’sflesh, it flew past him, missing his throat by a hair’sbreadth, and buried itself into the chest of an elf wielding avicious looking dagger, just a few feet behind them. He gasped,clutched at the arrow, and fell to his knees. Kaylia and Linis werealready running towards him, while Gewey threw his arms aroundTheopolou and pressed him towards the guards.

“Unhand me, boy,” boomed Theopolou.

Gewey ignored his protests. When he was in range of theguards, he shoved Theopolou in their direction. “Protect him,”Gewey commanded. The elves obeyed without question, surrounding theelder.

Gewey ran to Akakios' pack and retrieved his sword. Itsang as he pulled it free from its scabbard, and he could feel thewarm throb of the earth rush through him. By this time, Kaylia andLinis had reached the assassin, and were trying to remove the arrow.

“To arms,” yelled Gewey, alerting theothers, who by this time knew something was wrong and had begunforming a protective circle around the elders.

Gewey ran to Kaylia and Linis. The wounded elf wasstruggling against them, trying to reach into his belt. Gewey droppedto the ground, and with all his strength, grabbed the elf's wristsand pinned them to the ground. The assassin’s eyes shot widewhen he felt the power in Gewey's grasp. Realizing he was faroutmatched, the elf relaxed. Still, Linis, Kaylia, and Gewey did notrelease their hold.

“Who are you?” roared Linis.

The wounded elf said nothing and turned his head.

Gewey could hear the camp organizing a search of thenearby forest. He looked at the elf carefully. Then he closed hiseyes, allowing the power of the earth to flow like a relentless tideand reach every fiber of this being.

“Gewey,” whispered Kayla. “What areyou doing?”

Gewey took a deep breath. “I am going to get someanswers.” Releasing his wrists, he placed his hands on thewounded elf's chest.

The ground hummed for a moment as Gewey let the powerflow from him around the elf's body. “You can let him go,”he said to Linis and Kaylia. “He cannot move.”

Slowly Linis and Kaylia relaxed. They marveled at thesight they beheld. Gewey smiled as he also removed his hands. Stillthe wounded elf could not move.

“What have you done to him?” gasped Linis.

“Nothing,” Gewey replied. “I am justusing the same power you do. Only I'm using it to hold the elf down.”

“Amazing,” said Linis, half smiling.

Gewey nodded then turned his attention back to hisprisoner. “You will tell me what I need to know.” Hisvoiced was grim and intimidating. “Who sent you?”

The elf glared with hatred and fear. “Curse youand all of your kind,” he hissed, and looked at Kaylia. “Andyou…”

“Careful,” Gewey warned, then let the powersqueeze in tightly. The elf gasped. “Traitor,” he managedto say.

Gewey could hear some of the elves making their waytoward them. In a flash, Theopolou appeared with his knife in handand slit the elf's throat. Blood soaked the elf's shirt and spilledonto the ground. Gewey immediately released his hold on him, but itwas too late. His eyes met Gewey's for one final moment before deathovercame him. Pure hatred was the only thing Gewey could see. Thenthe blank stare of oblivion. He heard a thud, as the knife hit theground beside the slain captive’s head.

Theopolou turned to the others who were still a few feetaway. “He is dead. I have killed him.”

Chiron walked up to the body and examined it carefully.“He has no markings and his clothes could be from anywhere. Thedagger is common as well. The stains and scrapes on his boots suggestthat he has traveled through the mountains.” He turned to theothers. “Does anyone recognize him?”

Each elf in turn examined the body, but none could placehis face or guess at his origin. Even Linis could not find a clue.After it was clear that no one could solve the puzzle, the eldersgathered in a small circle to decide their next move. They invitedLinis to join them, but made it clear that Gewey and Kaylia were toremain with Akakios and the other three guards. Akakios looked as ifhe wanted to ask for Gewey's sword, but did not.

The elders talked for about an hour then split up totell their plan to the others. Linis approached Gewey, his eyesaflame.

“Fools,” spat Linis. “Bloody fools!”“What is it?” asked Gewey.

Akakios and the three guards had joined them.

“They want to press on even faster,” hereplied, in disgust. “And they still will not allow my seekersto join us.”

“You told them they were near?” askedKaylia.

“I had no choice. Whoever the assassin was, he hadthe skills to slip past my people. If there are more out there, wewon't be able to notice them if we travel too fast. And if theyallowed my seekers to come among us, we could move at speed and avoid a trap.” He checked his weapon. “I need to speak tomy comrades. I'll return soon.” He dashed off into the woodsand disappeared.

“Your weapon,” came Bellisia's voice frombehind them.

Gewey turned to her as she walked toward themaccompanied by two escorts, long knives drawn.

“If there is someone seeking to kill him,”said Theopolou. “He should be allowed to keep it.”

“You misunderstand,” she corrected. “Ionly wish to know where he acquired it.”

“It was a gift,” said Gewey.

“And such a gift it is,” she said. Her eyeslocked with Gewey's. “I will not ask you to give it up, and Isuspect that forcing it from you may prove more difficult than wewould have originally suspected. Because of that, I think that youshall be dealt with first. Theopolou's judgment must wait.” Sheturned to Theopolou. “Once we arrive, be prepared to presentyour arguments in favor of this boy, and inform him of his rights.”

“You cannot do this,” said Theopolou.

“I can and will,” Bellisia shot back. “Doyou think me blind? Did you think he could use that much of the flow and it would escape my notice?” She stepped toward Gewey,looking him up and down. “Whatever you are, I will get to thetruth of it. And if you are a danger to my people, we need to know. That gives me theright.” She spun on her heels and strode off.

“I am sorry, Gewey,” said Theopolou, in ahalf whisper. “I fear this trip may go ill for you.”

“I don't understand,” said Gewey. “Whatjust happened?”

“Bellisia is calling you to appear before thecouncil to determine if you are a danger to our race. If they decidethat you are, then they will kill you… and me, for bringing youamong us.”

Gewey tightened his jaw and re-sheathed his sword. “Theymay find that more difficult than they think.”

“Then you will be forced to slaughter yourallies,” said Theopolou. “We will fall and the Dark Onewill triumph.”

“If he allows himself to be killed, all is lostanyway,” said Kaylia.

Theopolou nodded. “The only hope is for you toconvince them to spare you. You must show them that you are not athreat.”