Of Gods and Elves

chapter Thirty-One

Linis took the lead as they raced across the bridge and back down the forest path. When they reached the end, Linis came to a halt.

“They went north through the woods from here,” said Linis. “Some on foot, some on horseback. We must hurry. If they are smart, they will split up soon.”

Gewey noticed something on the ground from the corner of his eye. It was a tiny white flower. The same that Kaylia wore in her hair for the bonding ceremony.

“This was hers,” said Gewey.

“Then perhaps we are in luck,” said Linis, hopefully. “If this was indeed left by Kaylia, then it should make finding her easy. Of course, her captors may be using it to throw us off their trail. Can you tell if she is conscious?”

Gewey reached out to Kaylia, but with no better result than before. “No. I only know she lives. Still, nothing more than that.” He brought the flower close and smelled the sweet fragrance. “But I feel that she dropped this for me to find.”

“Good,” said Linis. “Then our chances are greatly improved. Still, we must be careful.” They continued for several hours, running as fast they could without risking missing a sign. Gewey allowed the flow rush through him and soon it was Linis that lagged behind. Several times Gewey tried to hear their quarry but to no avail. He had no idea how far behind they were, and each step caused him greater anxiety. By mid-afternoon, Gewey became frantic.

They paused to check the trail. “Why haven't we caught them?” demanded Gewey.

“I do not know.” Linis shook his head. “I have never seen such a large group move so swiftly.”

Gewey sensed something approach. Something foul. Linis sensed it a moment later.

“Vrykol,” Linis whispered.

They both drew their weapons and fixed their eyes on the forest ahead. As it approached, the air chilled and the woods became silent. From behind a thick pine, the Vrykol appeared, cloaked in a long black robe. It was taller and straighter than the ones they had faced outside the Temple of Valshara, though it moved with the same terrifying speed. It stopped short, fifty feet away, and drew a long sword. Its face was hidden in the shadow of its hood, and Gewey could hear the hiss of its breath.

“This one is mine,” thundered Gewey.

Just as he took a step forward, the Vrykol burst into flames. A blinding light flashed, knocking Gewey off his feet. Then darkness.

When he regained his senses he opened his eyes, but there was only blackness.

Blind, he thought. He struggled to stand but something was wrong. He couldn't feel his limbs. He shouted for Linis and was relieved to hear his own voice. But Linis didn't answer.

“Linis cannot hear you, boy,” came a voice from the darkness.

Gewey recognized it at once. He had heard it once before... the night his adventures first began. “That's right,” said the voice. “I am here. You know me, don't you?”

“What do you want?” demanded Gewey. “Why have you brought me here? Wherever here is.”

The Dark Knight laughed softly. “Where you are is not important. As for why... I think you know.”

“Why can't I see you?” asked Gewey, straining to pierce the blackness.

“Do you want to see me?” he asked, amused.

“No,” replied Gewey. “I don't. We will see each other soon enough.”

“Indeed we will, little God. But until then I would make you an offer.” The Dark Knight's voice grew deep and menacing.

“I am not interested in anything you have to say,” said Gewey.

“I have gone to a great deal of trouble bringing you here,” he said. “I will not release you until I have said what I have to say. You will hear me.”

“You cannot hold me forever,” argued Gewey. “I am not the naïve boy you tried to trick the last time you spoke to me.”

“No?” he mocked. “If that fool of a half-man hadn't filled your head with lies and convinced you to flee, you might see things differently. You continue to challenge me, yet you still do not understand that I am not your enemy.”

This time it was Gewey's turn to laugh. “Is that so? How many people have you sent to kill me? How many more will come? You're a liar. You're nothing more than a deceiver with a sword. Release me now.”

“I have sent none to kill you,” he replied. “I have only wished for you to join me. Those I have sent could do you no lasting harm. If you used your mind, you would see that. You cannot stop me, regardless of what you have been told by anyone. And once my labors are competed, you will be the last of your kind. Though I do despise the Gods, I do not see you as one of them. Don't you see what we could accomplish if you joined me? ”

“Accomplish? You mean destroy, don't you? You think that I don't see what you mean to do to the elves?”

“I mean the elves no harm. Why should I? They can go about hiding from the world until the stars fade, for all I care. They do not concern me.”

“Again a lie,” said Gewey. “If they don't concern you then why attack them?”

“I have not attacked the elves,” he said. “Though I hear they attack each other.”

Gewey thought on this for a moment. What if Angrääl really wasn't responsible for the attack? He would have drawn them into a war based on a lie. “You expect me to believe that?”

“I expect you to do what you know you must,” he replied. “And that will lead you to me.”

“That it will,” said Gewey. “But it will be on my terms, not yours.”

The Dark Knight let out a deep, thundering laugh. “That is where you are wrong. You will come to me now... before you are able to do more harm. The half-man and his son are on their way here as we speak. They think to rescue his wife. They will fail. And my Vrykol have taken your elf mate from her captors.” The air stirred. “As you can see, I have all that you hold dear in my hands. And though it would pain me, I will flay them alive if you continue to oppose me. You may be willing to sacrifice Starfinder, but I doubt you would be so willing to allow your dearest Kaylia to suffer.”

Fear struck Gewey's heart. “If you harm her…”

“You will do what?” he boomed. “Kill me? I think not. You will do as you are told, or the ones you love will suffer for your lack of wisdom.”

The darkness pressed in. Gewey thought back to that first night, back in Sharpstone. This time Lee would not be coming.

“Gewey?” It was the voice of Linis.

The darkness faded as light from the waning day crept in. “Gewey?” Linis repeated.

Gewey groaned as he tried to sit up. “Stay still,” said Linis.

Gewey ignored him and forced himself up. “There is no time. We must catch up with Kaylia.” He tried to reach out to her but couldn't focus his mind. “What happened?”

“The Vrykol just burst into flames,” Linis answered, shaking his head. “Then you fell. Other than that, I don't know.”

Gewey struggled to his feet. “How long was I out?”

“Less than a minute,” replied Linis. “There's nothing left of the Vrykol.” He pointed to a smoldering pile of ashes several yards away. “Tell me what you saw.”

Gewey gathered his wits and recounted what happened.

“If the elves are in league with the Vrykol, it would explain why they move with such speed,” said Linis.

“Unless the Dark One is telling the truth,” Gewey offered. “What if Angrääl had nothing to do with this?”

“I doubt that,” said Linis. “But even so, it changes nothing. Even if what you were told is true, his armies will march across the land very soon, and I do not believe he will just leave us in peace.”

Gewey reached out again. This time he touched Kaylia's mind... though only for a moment. “She still lives.” He checked his pack and unsheathed his sword. “I'm ready. And I will get her back.” His eyes narrowed as he drew in the flow until the ground shook.

Linis nodded. “Then let our quarry despair.”
End Book Two