Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“Do not underestimate their guile,”Theopolou warned. “They have far more experience bending thewill of others than you. Their arguments will be… persuasive.”

Gewey nodded with understanding.

Bellisia approached. “Gewey Stedding. I wouldspeak with you alone.” Theopolou and Linis bowed to her andwalked away, out of earshot.

“If you are here to talk me out of completing thebond with Kaylia-” started Gewey.

“I am here to warn you,” said Bellisia.

“Warn me?”

“I know that you intend to try and sway the elvesto join you in your fight against Angraal,” she said.“And you may accomplish your goal. But should you bond withKaylia-”

“Stop right there,” said Gewey angrily. “Myrelationship with Kaylia has nothing to do with Angraal, ormy reasons for being here.”

“You think not?” she shot back. “Doyou think the powers in the north are fools? What will they do oncethey find out they you are bonded to an elf woman?” She paused.“They will kill her.”

Gewey opened his mouth to speak but no words came.

“That's right,” she continued. “Theywill hunt Kaylia down and kill her. And they will do it to kill you.”

A cold chill filled Gewey's chest. “Why would youthink they would care about me?”

Bellisia sniffed. “You think we do not know thatthe King of Angraal is searching for you? Every elf tribeknows your name. We have all been made aware that he seeks you, andhave been made offers of friendship for your deliverance…ordeath.”

“Theopolou hasn't said anything about this,”said Gewey. “He would have told me.”

“Theopolou,” she scoffed. “You thinkTheopolou is your friend? He is no more a friend to you than I am.But at least I am not trying to make you think otherwise. Theopolouhas no love for humans. He is motivated by his love for his niece.Make no mistake, if he had his way, he would break your bond toKaylia and see you dead. “

“I don't believe you,” said Gewey. “Itwas his idea that we complete the bonding. Why would he do that ifwhat you say is true?”

“His idea?” she laughed. “And whosuggested that you wait until we get to the Chamber of the Maker?Theopolou's closest friend… Lord Chiron.”

“That doesn't prove a thing,” said Gewey.“You're just trying to confuse me.”

“No,” said Bellisia. “I am trying toclear your mind.” She glanced over to Theopolou.

Kaylia was at his side, talking quietly. “He willnot allow you to complete the bond. He thinks there is a way to breakit. He is wrong, of course. But his love for his niece blinds him.”She turned back to Gewey. “That your spirit was able to combinewith Kaylia's has caused much doubt among the elders. Enough that youmight be able to convince them to side with you against Angraal.But you will not get the chance.”

“What do you mean?” asked Gewey. “I'msupposed to prove that I'm not a threat to your people.”

“Yes. And you intend to use that as an opportunityto plead your case. But I assure you, it will not happen. You will bedead before you utter your first word inside the Chamber.”

“Are you saying Theopolou plans to have mekilled?” he cried.

“No,” said Bellisia. “I am saying thatTheopolou will stop you from completing the bond. But have youforgotten the assassin? Someone sent him. Perhaps someone among us.Whether it was Theopolou, I cannot say, but he certainly has themotivation to do so.”

“And what are your motivations?” askedGewey.

“I only want my people to be safe and free,”she replied. “You are a being of great power. That much isclear, even if I don't know what you truly are. If killing youprotects my people, then I would not hesitate. But I do not thinkthat would do any good. And I do not believe that Angraalwill leave us in peace. You may be the only way we can escapedestruction.”

“Then why not join me?” asked Gewey.

Her eyes locked with Gewey's. “Because I am notwilling to sacrifice our souls in order to survive. Whatever you are,your heart is human. To join you is to join them. That I cannot do.”

“What would you have me do?” asked Gewey.“You said it yourself. Angraal will not leave you inpeace. The Dark One will march over the land like a plague, and bothour peoples will suffer. Our only hope is to cooperate, even if it'sonly for a little while.”

“That may be,” she admitted. “And youmay be able to convince the others. But my mind is set. I have seenwhat the humans do. I will not be a part of it.” She took asmall step back. “I have said what I came to say. Think on mywords. Speak to Kaylia if you wish. But know that I have not lied toyou.”

“What would you do if you were me?” heasked, just as she turned to walk away.

Bellisia paused and turned her head. “I would run.I would take Kaylia and run.” With that she left.

Gewey stared at Theopolou and Kaylia for a time, thenwalked over, unsure what to think. One thing he knew. He had to speakto Kaylia. He had to know what they were walking into.

Gewey approached Theopolou and Kaylia and took Kaylia bythe hand. He excused himself from the old elf, and led her far enoughaway so they would not be overheard. Kaylia sat thoughtfully forseveral minutes after Gewey told her what Bellisia had said.

“Do you think she's telling the truth?” heasked.

“I think she believes it,” she replied. “Butdo I think Theopolou means to break our bond and assassinate you? Ihonestly don't know. I wish I could dismiss it, but it does fit. Hewas the one who killed the assassin, and it was his friend whosuggested we wait until we reach the Chamber of the Maker. Still, Ihave never known him to be dishonest.”

“He deceived his own elves about me,” hereminded her. “And only told them after Kaphalos revealed ourbond to the rest.”

“True. And it was to his advantage to do so. But I think the assassin would havetold us nothing, regardless of what we did to him, and Theopolouwould have known that. And we still are not certain that you were the target. Besides, it was Akakios that shot him, and Akakiosserves my uncle. No… even if what Bellisia said is true, I don'tthink he had anything to do with that.”

“We could just ask him, I suppose,” Geweysuggested. “I don't like feeling like I'm being manipulated,and whether it's Bellisia, Theopolou, or anyone else, I want it tostop.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “I feel thatconfrontation is best. I want to know his motives before we getthere. And if Bellisia is trying to drive a wedge between us, then weshould know that too.”

Kaylia and Gewey found Theopolou talking with three ofhis escorts.

“Can we speak?” asked Gewey.

Theopolou nodded and dismissed the elves. Kayliarecounted Gewey's words and waited for a response. At first,Theopolou was expressionless, then he began to laugh.

“Crafty,” said Theopolou. “Verycrafty. And correct.”

“What?” cried Kaylia. “She was tellingtruth?”

“Of course, she was,” said Theopolou. “Atleast from her perspective. I do not wish you to bond with Gewey. Andyes, if there were a way, I would seek to break it. But Bellisia iswrong to suggest that I believe I can. The bond is unbreakable…even by the two of you. I certainly couldn't force it to break, andeven if I could, it would likely kill you. As she said, I act out oflove for you. That is my motivation.” He turned to Gewey. “She told you I wasno friend to you, and she is correct. But I am an ally. I need not beboth.”

“What do you think she was trying to do?”asked Gewey.

Theopolou smiled. “I think she was being honest.And I am glad for it. I had suspected her of many things until now.”