“I doubt it will harm him,” said Linis.“Seekers use the same power at times. I have used the flow,as we call it, for two straight days and it did me no harm.”
“He's notan elf,” countered Kaylia. “Or have you forgotten?”
“I have not forgotten,” Linis shot back.“But we both know what he is, don't we?”
“Mind your tongue,” hissed Kaylia, lookingaround for prying ears. “Would you have Gewey exposed?”She jerked tight Linis' bandage, causing him to wince. “Ithought Lee confiding in you might be a mistake.”
“It was not a mistake, child,” chided Linis.“Lord Starfinder thought that I should know what is at stake.Out of friendship and trust he confided in me. I will notexpose Gewey, and I will notbe scolded by you. I am a seeker.”
Gewey had never heard anyone speak to Kaylia as if shewere a mere child. He could see the fury in her eyes, but she managedto contain her rage.
“You are correct, of course,” growledKaylia. “My apologies… seeker.”
Linis' face softened. “I know you love him. Butremember, I have named him friend and care for him as kin. I only askof him what I must.”
“I know,” replied Kaylia weakly. “Ijust want to keep him safe. The bond we share can be maddening attimes.”
“You are young to have done such a thing,”said Linis. “But it seems to have been the right thing to do.”He bent and flexed his arm as Kayla finished dressing the wound.“Gewey, if you feel any ill effects from the flow,release it at once and consult me.”
“I will,” said Gewey.
Theopolou approached, his pack already on his back. “Wemust depart. Gather your things.”
Once everyone had donned their gear, they said farewellto Haldrontis and Stintos and continued down the trail. Gewey allowedthe flow of the earth to saturate his body, and took great care tolisten for anything out of the ordinary.
After an hour they left the trail and headed southacross country. The ground was level and the trees still sparse.Gewey was relieved to hear the return of the birds and small animals.The flow was difficultto maintain at first, but after an hour or so it felt more natural.By the time they halted to make camp, he couldn't imagine what itwould feel like without it. Kaylia and Linis had been keeping a closeeye on him, constantly asking how he was. Kaylia was clearly relievedthat he had shown no sign that it was hurting him. Linis, on theother hand, maintained a look of deep concern.
Once they made camp, Theopolou sat next to Gewey andhanded him a cup of honeyed wine and a small loaf of bread.
“How much rest do you need?” askedTheopolou.
“None,” answered Gewey. “I am readynow, if you'd like.”
Theopolou raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Well,you must at least appear to rest. The flowhas made you strong, but it would raise suspicions among my guard ifyou didn't look a bit fatigued. I would have them in the dark fornow.” He looked more closely as Gewey. “Why do you stilluse the power? There is no danger near.”
Gewey’s features were hard and determined. “SoI'll know if it approaches.”
“Linis has asked you to do this, I take it.”Theopolou shook his head. “You should not. Even a seeker suchas Linis cannot hold on to it indefinitely. It can be… dangerous.”
“What do you mean?” Gewey's eye wandered toKaylia, who was a few yards away changing Linis' bandages.
“Linis is a worthy seeker, likely the best thatstill lives, but he does not know all. Seekers learn to use the flowfrom a very young age, but they are too busy with other training tolearn the nature of the power that fuels them.”
“And you know these things?” asked Gewey.
Theopolou laughed softly. “More than most. I knowthat to hold the power of the earth for too long can break the mind.Seekers are taught to use it when they must and rarely hold it formore than a day, so they are in no danger.”
“In danger of what?” Gewey demanded. “Linissaid he held it for two days and he was fine.”
“Linis is strong,” Theopolou replied. “Hismind and spirit are resilient. He is counting on your… heritage, tokeep you safe. But I'm not as certain. I would not see youpossessed.”
“Possessed?” laughed Gewey. “Possessedby what? The earth?”
“Precisely. The power you use can becomeaddictive. In time you will not be able to release it without greatpain.”
Gewey shrugged. “So what? I'm stronger, faster. Ican hear and see better, and more importantly, I'm better able tokeep those I love safe.”
“All true,” said the elf. “But, intime it will burn your mind and drive you mad. You will endangereveryone near to you… even the ones you love.”
“Has this ever happened to an elf?” askedGewey.
“Long ago. It is why elves are taught to use itsparingly. And there's something else. You can use many times theamount of the flowthan any elf. It may accelerate any adverse effects.”
“It doesn't change the fact that we need to knowif more of those creatures are about,” insisted Gewey.
“True,” admitted Theopolou. “But Iwill not have a mad godling roaming the earth. Be mindful.”
“I will,” said Gewey, aware of Theopolou'simplied threat.
Theopolou got to his feet. “We will rest for twohours. That should be enough time to eliminate any suspicions aboutyou.” With that, he walked away in the direction of three ofhis guards, who were talking near the fire.
Kaylia and Linis sat next to Gewey a few moments later.“What did he say?” asked Kaylia.
“Nothing important. He just wanted to know if Iwas tired.”
“I see,” said Kaylia, clearly not believinghim. “I would rather you say nothing at all than tell me a lie.Even if it's to spare me worry or hurt.”
“I'm sorry.” Gewey sighed. “Isometimes forget I cannot fool you.”
“I think I know what Theopolou wanted,” saidLinis. “He was concerned about you using your power for toolong. Am I right?”
Gewey nodded. “He said it could drive me insane.”
“Unlikely,” said Linis from behind them.“I've heard the same tales of caution, but as wise as Theopolouis, he has no real experience with this matter. It would take manyweeks of constant use to have any lasting effect.”
“He said that because I can use so much more thanan elf, that it might take less time,” said Gewey.
“He may have a point,” admitted Linis. “Howdo you feel now?”
“Good,” Gewey replied. “In fact,better than good. I've never felt so strong in my life. I think Icould run for days without stopping.”
Linis thought for a moment. “Tomorrow I want youto release the flowwhen we rest. I and the others should be able to keep watch wellenough.”
“Okay,” said Gewey, smiling. Though thethought of releasing the power of the earth made his heart ache.Kaylia at once picked up on this feeling.
“I'll see to it,” said Kaylia.
Linis threw his head back in laughter. “Then Ihave no need to worry. I am sure all will be well so long as you arekeeping watch over our young man.” He moved to his bedroll.“Don't forget, you must at least pretend to rest, Gewey.”
Gewey lay on his blanket and closed his eyes. He couldhear the forest’s sweet song, as the wind caressed the treesand moved across the grass. Nocturnal predators stalked their prey,and high above an eagle soared in the direction of the sea. It was somuch more natural than the first time he has done this. In fact, hecouldn't imagine a time when his ears were deaf to such marvels.Sleep was not a possibility.
Chapter Nine
When the elves broke camp, Gewey was bursting withenergy. His mind raced with the thoughts of the coming days. Theelves seemed satisfied that Gewey had had enough rest and took littlenotice of his energetic behavior.
In the hours before sunrise, they covered many miles.Gewey was astounded by the speed the elves maintained. His originaljourney from Sharpstone would have taken half the time had they beenable to move this speed. He was certain Lee could match it butdoubted that, at the time, he could have.