Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“You speak in riddles,” said Theopolou. “Ifyou know something, tell us.”

“Know?” Felsafell sighed. “I know manythings. Yes, I do. But none to help you. Alone is the journey of thesecond born. To what end shall be your task to discover. I come toaid the heaven child. Nothing less and nothing more.”

Gewey walked up to Felsafell and bowed low. “Inever had the chance to thank you for what you did for me. If it werenot for you I'd still be trapped.”

“How did he help you?” asked Bellisia.

“The why's and what's will have their time,”Felsafell said. “I know much and will share what I can. I willindeed. Oh, yes.” He looked across the gathering. “I knowyou have questions. Always questions for old Felsafell. But bemindful of what you ask. You may learn what you should not know.”

“So you intend to accompany us?” askedChiron.

“I do, I do” he replied. “If you willhave me. To learn to speak in the world again. An adventure that Idid not see. Thought I would fade. Fade away and join my kin. Butthey have been stolen. The first are all gone.”

“You may join us,” said Gewey.

“You speak without authority,” snappedBellisia. “We must-”

“He joins me, or I don't go,” said Gewey.

Bellisia paused, then turned and walked away, muttering.

“An old man is tired,” said Felsafell. “Restis what I need. At least for a while. Questions after. Questionswaiting.”

“Come with me,” said Gewey, offering hishand.

Felsafell smiled cheerfully and allowed Gewey to leadhim through the camp to where he had set up his bedroll.

“You can take my blanket,” said Gewey. “I'mnot tired.”

“A kind child of heaven you are,” saidFelsafell. He plopped down on the ground and wrapped himself in theblanket. In seconds, he was breathing deeply.

“I can't believe he is here,” remarkedKaylia. “I wonder what he wants.”

“Whatever it is, he sure has stirred up theelders,” said Gewey, almost amused.

Theopolou approached. “We would like to speak withyou,” he said. It was clear he did not share Gewey's amusement.

Gewey, Kaylia, and Linis followed Theopolou to the farside of the camp where the elders, along with their escorts, hadgathered. They eyed Gewey as they shuffled uneasily and whispered toeach other.

“How is it you know of Felsafell?” Bellisiademanded.

Gewey considered for a moment whether or not to mentionhis experience in the spirit world, and decided not to. “I methim in the Spirit Hills, after escaping from an agent of the DarkOne.”

“And how did you come upon him?” asked LordAneili.

Gewey recounted the story of his encounter (leaving outthings that would suggest his origin).

“You stayed in his home?” said Chiron.“Remarkable. Many of my people have sought out Felsafell. Somenever to return. But even those who found him have never beenafforded such a privilege.”

“We're still not certain that is the real Felsafell,” countered Bellisia.

“You seemed certain enough when he spoke to you amoment ago,” said Theopolou.

“Gewey appears to believe him, and of all of us heseems to have the most personal knowledge.”

“Suppose this is Felsafell,” said LadyLeora. “Is it wise to have him among us?”

Lord Endymion laughed. “Just what would you haveus do, Leora? Kill him? He walked straight into our camp withoutbeing noticed. Do you think he gives us a choice?”

“I think we should hear what Gewey has to say.”Theopolou turned to Gewey. “You clearly want him with you, butis there anything you can tell us that might explain his being here?”

Bellisia leveled her gaze on Gewey. “Indeed, childof heaven . That is what he called you, is itnot? What do you think are his motives?”

“I don’t know why he’s here,”said Gewey. “But I don't think he is here to harm us. That'snot his way.”

“Tell that to my brother,” cried one ofChiron's escort. “He vanished in the Spirit Hills seekingFelsafell's so-called wisdom, never to be seen again.”

“I don't think Felsafell did anything to yourbrother,” said Gewey. “He warned me when I was with himthat the spirits would try and trick you. They could make you lostand confused. If your bother disappeared I would think the spiritsare the villains, not Felsafell.”

“So you say,” scoffed Bellisia. “Apparently,he has much interest in you. But why now? Why has he appeared just aswe are ready to gather? Are you sure you cannot answer this riddle… child of heaven ? Canyou know that he means us no harm? Perhaps he means you no harm.”

“I’m certain he is who he says he is,”replied Gewey, trying to ignore Bellisia’s repeated reference.“As for anything else, I was not alone when I met him, andFelsafell made no move to harm my companion. In fact, he did what hecould to make sure the spirits left both us in peace.”

Bellisia scowled “That proves nothing. There issomething you are not telling us. No one shows as much trust as youshow Felsafell without good reason.”

“Perhaps Gewey is not as jaded as some,”said Chiron, an obvious dig at Bellisia.

“We are talking in circles,” said Theopolou.“We either allow Felsafell to continue with us, or we ask himto depart.” He looked at Gewey. “You say that you willnot go without him?”

Gewey nodded. “As long as he wants to come withme, I will have him.”

Theopolou turned to the others. “There you haveit. As Gewey is called before you to give testimony, you must makeyour decision. Do you withdraw your invitation?”

The elders looked at each other, but none said a word.

“Very well,” Theopolou continued, withsatisfaction. “Felsafell will be welcome among us.” Heturned to Gewey. “Watch over our new guest. I will be with youin a moment.”

Gewey bowed and walked back to where Felsafell was stillfast asleep, Linis and Kaylia close behind.

“Sometimes I can't tell the difference between anelf and a human,” muttered Gewey.

“What do you mean?” asked Linis.

Gewey had not meant his words to be heard. “I'msorry. I meant no offense. It’s just that since I've met theelders, I've seen nothing but petty squabbling and disagreements. Thecouncil back home in Sharpstone gets along better.”

“You are not wrong to say so,” Linis agreed.“Once we were a noble people, with honor and understanding. Ourforefathers would be disgusted with us now. It is as if a veil ofmistrust has been brought down upon us, and we do not know how tolift it.”

“My father thought that the generation that foughtin the war would have to leave this world before we are healed,”added Kaylia. “He believed that the bitterness it causedprevents us from regaining what we have lost.”

Linis nodded. “I think he may have been right. Itis a new way of thinking we need. Our race must find how to exist ina new world.”

“Where does he fit in?” asked Gewey,motioning to the sleeping Felsafell. “What is he? He’scertainly not an elf. He looks human, but… he isn't.”

“What am I?” said Felsafell, popping to hisfeet. “I am the oldest, I am. The most withered.”

“I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “We didn'tmean to wake you.”

Felsafell smiled cheerfully, stretching his arms. “Iwake myself. Sleep I did. Sleep well. Sleep soundly. Sleep plenty.”

“But you've only just lay down,” said Linis.“Even an elf needs more rest than that.”

“An elf I am not,” said Felsafell. “Andthe child of heaven isright. I am not human.”

“Then what are you?” asked Kaylia.

“I am the first,” he replied. “But notthe last. No. I shall soon fade. But before I do I must rescue mykin. Rescue my past.”