Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

“I don’t know that I was ever in heaven,” he replied. “For all I know, I was born in this world. I have no memory beyond my childhood.”

The camp was quiet for a long while. Dina and Maybell just sat there staring at Gewey.

“Well now,” said Maybell, breaking the silence. “This is exciting. I would say this calls for some of that wine we have in the wagon.”

She went over, retrieved one of the bottles, and passed it around.

“Do you know who your real mother and father are?” Dina asked, swallowing a mouthful of wine.

“No,” said Gewey. “Like I said, I didn’t even know I was a God until just recently. Whoever they are, they left me no clues.”

“I think it’s important that we find out what’s in that box,” Maybell said to Lee. “If it is the Book of Souls, then it could hold the key to why the boy is here.”

“I agree,” said Kaylia. “But the book is said to be written in ancient elfish. Even if we open it, we have no way to read it.”

Lee looked thoughtfully at the box. “I do think we should open it and see what it contains, but it’s more important to get Gewey to a safe place where he can train. We can stop and see this woman in Gristol, but we can’t stay long. If she can’t help, the book will have to wait.”

“I disagree,” Kaylia contended. “If that is the Book of Souls, then it’s the key to more than Gewey’s power; it’s the key to victory. If we can open it and understand it, it will give us the knowledge we need to defeat the Dark Knight. Gewey may not even need to be put in danger at all.”

“What are you saying?” Lee asked.

“I’m saying that Gewey may not have to fight,” she answered. “The book may show us another way.”

“This is all well and good,” said Lee. “But like you said, who can read it?”

“The elves can,” Gewey said suddenly, his eyes turning to Kaylia. “You’re thinking about bringing it to the elves.”

Kaylia smiled sweetly at Gewey and nodded. “That’s right.”

“You can’t,” Gewey protested. “You said they’ll kill you.”

“I’ll face their judgment eventually,” she replied. “If it means victory without bloodshed, I’ll gladly take the risk.”

“I’m sorry,” Lee cut in. “But I’m not sending it to the elves. At least not yet. First we’ll try Gristol, and see if it can be opened. It may not be the Book of Souls at all. For all we know, it could be a recipe for lamb stew. No, it stays with me for now.”

Gewey smiled with satisfaction, but Kaylia did not look pleased.

“Kaylia,” said Dina. “I would like hear more about the elves before I sleep.”

“Of course,” she replied, and led her away, out of earshot. When the wine was gone, they began settling into their blankets. Gewey lay watching Kaylia as she shared her elven heritage with Dina. Just as he felt himself begin to drift off, they returned to the fire and lay down. He could feel the eyes of both women on him, so he rolled over on his side and faced away from them.

“You haven’t been taking your jawas tea,” Kaylia said quietly.

Gewey had not heard her approach and nearly rolled off his blanket in surprise. He took the flask from her hands and took a large drink. He felt the familiar sensation of relaxation flow through his limbs.

“Can I ask a favor of you?”

“Of course,” answered Gewey.

“Would you allow me to touch your mind? The jawas should make it easy, if you allow it.”

“Why?” Gewey asked, concerned.

“I want to see you who you really are,” she said. “And you will see me. If you refuse, I will understand.”

“I…I’m not sure. How would you do it?”

“It’s not difficult,” Kaylia assured him. “When you are falling asleep, you will feel my mind touch yours. When you do, just let me in.”

“What will happen?” he asked, nervous and unsure.

“That depends,” she replied gently. “Perhaps nothing. Perhaps everything. There’s really no way to know.”

Gewey thought for a moment. “I guess it would be alright.”

Kaylia nodded and returned to her blanket. Gewey allowed the jawas to take over, and he began to drift off.

It was then he felt Kaylia’s presence, like a gentle knock on the door to his mind. Instead of trying to keep it shut, as Lee had taught him, he allowed it to open. He felt a warm breeze enter and wrap itself around him. It was as if kindness itself had become tangible.

“I’m here.” It was Kaylia, but her voice sounded distant. “Can you see me?”

“Where are you?” asked Gewey. All he could see was a deep blue mist swirling everywhere. “I can’t see you.”

“Don’t look with your eyes,” she advised. Her voice was like a thousand tiny bells. “Imagine what you want to see and make it so.”

Gewey imagined the mist lifting. It cleared slowly, revealing a lush forest. He could smell the earth and trees around him. Standing next to a tall pine was Kaylia, dressed in a flowing white dress. Her auburn hair fell loosely down her back, and her skin glistened like the night sky.

“Can you see me now?” she asked, smiling.

He was completely awed by her stunning beauty. “Yes,” he answered. “You look…different.”

Kaylia’s laughter sounded almost childlike. “Here, we look as we are. I see you tall and straight, dressed in gold robes.”

Gewey tried to look at himself, but he looked out of focus.

“Why can’t I see myself?”

Kaylia walked lightly across the forest floor until she was less than a foot in front of him.

“It takes time to learn to see yourself. But that’s not why we’re here. Come with me.” She took his hand. “Let me show you things you never dreamed of.”

“Where are we going?” he asked as he let himself be led away.

“Inside your mind,” she answered. “And inside mine. It’s doubtful you’ll remember what you’ve seen when you wake-at least not until you’ve been properly trained. But the impressions will last.”

Gewey felt a tinge of disappointment. “Will you tell me about it tomorrow?”

“No, not unless I feel you need to know. But don’t worry, I swear I won’t force you to reveal anything you don’t want to.”

The last thing Gewey remembered was a sensation of flying, with Kaylia’s hand locked firmly in his. When he woke the next morning, Kaylia was still sleeping nearby with a sweet smile on her face.

Gewey was afraid that his experience with Kaylia would make things even more awkward than they already were, but he found that the opposite was true. For some reason, conversation with her the next day was easier. He even told her some stories about his life back in Sharpstone. Dina was quiet, but her eyes kept wandering to Gewey. He pretended not to notice, but it was hard to ignore her.

He hoped Kaylia was unaware of Dina’s gaze, but he held little hope that anything would escape the elf’s attention. By the time they reached Delhammer, Gewey was ready for a change of scenery. The city wasn’t as big as Kaltinor, but at least the gates, though guarded, were open. Millet stopped and asked one of the guards about the quality and location of the inns, and the guard was more than happy to help once he was given a copper.

The streets were busy, but much cleaner than those in Kaltinor. It seemed that commerce had not been affected by hard times, and the people were cheerful and smiled as they passed by.

The inn they found was decent, and the common room was filled with patrons enjoying the antics of a juggler and magician, something Gewey had never seen. Lee paid for the rooms while Millet stabled the horses. Gewey shared a room with Lee, while Dina and Kaylia shared another. Millet and Maybell got rooms of their own, though both of them protested, arguing that they were perfectly willing to share and even sleep on the floor if necessary. Once they were settled, Maybell left in search of the temple district, insisting that Dina accompany her. Millet and Lee went looking for a caravan headed west. Gewey persuaded Kaylia to join him in the common room and watch the acrobat who, as it turned out, played the lute and sang. Kaylia was uneasy at first, but she soon realized that no one paid her any attention; as she grew more comfortable, she even laughed at some of the more silly songs. Lee and Millet were the first to return, and they joined them at the table.