When the sun broke the horizon Linis called for a halt,but no one put down their packs. Each helped another to retrievebread and a flask from their gear and they continued, eating anddrinking along the way.
By midday, the sun blazed, and the party increased itspace, but the elves did not appear effected. Gewey, still using thepower of the earth, was as strong as he'd been when they left. Infact, with each hour that passed he felt stronger.
“Does the human need rest?” asked Akakios, ashort, stocky elf with sandy blond hair.
“The human has a name,” said Geweyirritably.
Akakios laughed and slapped Gewey on the back. “Imeant no offense, young one. Come. Walk beside me and perhaps you caninstruct me on human manners and customs.”
Gewey allowed his irritation to subside and gave the elfa friendly smile. “I'd be happy to, if you can call me Gewey.”
Akakios bowed his head. “Agreed.”
Akakios and Gewey walked together until the light of theday began to fade. Gewey told him stories of his home and hisupbringing, and he found Akakios to be an elf of good humor. Just asKaylia had when he first told her of his old life and upbringing,Akakios told Gewey that he and many other elves longed for such alife.
“To live a simple existence is the desire of manyof my people,” said Akakios. “Perhaps when all of thisnonsense that plagues the world is done, we can.”
“Do you hate humans?” asked Gewey, thenrealized the rudeness of his question. “I only ask because-”
“I know why you ask,” Akakios said. “Theanswer is no. Though I have no love for them either. Hatred is auseless emotion. Though I would not choose to live among your kind, Isee no cause to dwell in the past. The world is big enough for all tolive within it.”
Gewey thought for a moment. “So you are againstwhat Linis and others like him are doing?”
“I am,” Akakios admitted. “They invitethe destruction of our culture. The result of living side by sidewith humanity would be a mixing of the races. I would not see theblood of our people corrupted.” He lowered his head. “Ihope I have not offended you, but it is how I feel.”
Gewey's thoughts turned to Dina. “I'm notoffended. I don't agree, but you have the right to feel any way youwish. But then why spend the day in my company?”
“You have shown yourself to have great strengthand courage. I would know the man behind it. I am not close-minded. Irealize that virtue does not live within my people alone, and yourcompany does not cause me discomfort.”
“I'm glad,” said Gewey. “Maybe intime, I can change your mind even more.”
“One can never know the future,” saidAkakios. “You're welcome to try.”
When they had made camp, Theopolou informed Gewey thatthey would be resting until the morning. Gewey insisted that he couldcontinue, but Theopolou would not be dissuaded.
“Your stamina is already causing talk,” saidTheopolou. “Besides, as I understand, you will be releasing theflow tonight. You mayfind that your body needs to recover.”
A chill shot through Gewey's body. He had all butforgotten that he would spend time without the power of the earthinside him.
Gewey sat on his bedroll, staring at the fire when Linisapproached.
“It's time,” said Linis. “Release it.”
Anger swelled in Gewey’s chest. “I'd rathernot.”
Linis studied him for a few minutes. “I was notcertain before, but I am now. You mustrelease the flow,now.”
“I will not,” he growled. “There is noreason. I'm fine.”
“You are notfine,” shot Linis. “If you were, you would have notrouble doing as I request. I can see that you should not hold it forso long.”
Gewey jumped to his feet, rage swelling inside him. Hiseyes focused on Linis, and his hand felt the urge to slide to hissword.
“Gewey,” called Kaylia, from just outsidethe light of the fire. “Come here… now!”Gewey’s mind snapped to attention. It was then he realized theentire camp was staring at him. He lowered his head and startedtoward Kaylia.
Kaylia stood with her eyes fixed on Gewey. Once he stoodbeside her, she took his hand and led him away from the camp.
“You must release the power,” she saidsoftly. “And you must do it quickly before you lose yourself.”
Gewey pulled away, his anger returning. “Why? Whymust I become weak again?”
“Do not call yourself weak,” she said. “Youinsult me. My spirit would not bind itself to the weak. Yourstrength, your truestrength, does not come from the flow.It comes from within.” She placed her hand on his chest. “Dothis for me.”
His heart raced at her touch and he lowered his head,allowing the power to drain away. Gewey felt weakness and fatiguewash over his entire body and he fell to his knees… weeping. Theabsence of the flowmade him feel hollow and afraid. The sounds and smells he had foundso enthralling were gone, and he was left in silence. It was like theworld had been ripped away.
Kaylia knelt down in front of him and pulled his head toher shoulder. “It will pass.” She stroked his raven hair.“I am here.”
After a few minutes, Gewey regained his composure. Hewiped his face and his eyes. “It's dark,” were the onlywords he could manage.
Kaylia smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek. “Andit will get darker still… but not tonight.”
“Thank you,” said Gewey, weakly. “Youwere right. I must not hold the power for that long again. I nearlylost myself.”
“But you have returned to us, I trust,” camethe voice of Linis from a few yards away. He walked into view,Theopolou at his side.
“I'm… back to normal.” Gewey rose to hisfeet. “I'm sorry for what I did at the camp. It won't happenagain.”
“No apologies needed,” said Linis. “Thefault was mine. I should have never asked you to hold the flowfor that long without knowing what it would do to you.”
“Indeed you should not have, seeker,” saidTheopolou. “I hope you will heed my advice from here on.”
“In matters such as this…I will,”said Linis.
“What about the others?” asked Gewey. “I'msure they noticed what happened.”
“They believe you pushed yourself too far and yourhuman body affected your mind,” replied Theopolou. “Afiction I am not inclined to correct at this time.”
“If you are able we should get back,” saidLinis. “You need rest.”
Gewey nodded and followed the others back to camp. Theelves all watched as he made his way to his bedroll. Embarrassmentfilled him. He rolled on his stomach and hid his face.
“All is well?” It was Akakios.
Gewey rolled over to see the elf smiling down at him.“I'm fine. Just tired.”
“I must admit I was amazed you kept pace with uswith so little rest,” said Akakios. “Don't feel bad. Wemay not show it, but we are tired as well. If it were not for thedemons that attacked us at Valshara, we would not be moving at thispace.”
“I appreciate your words,” said Gewey,forcing a smile. “I'll be better once I've had some sleep.”
“I will leave you to it then.” He walkedover to a group of elves gathered on the other side of the fire.
It didn't take long for sleep to take him, and hisfatigue held off any dreams. Kaylia woke Gewey just as the sunbreached the horizon.
“Theopolou has said we will stop at the home ofKephalos.” Kaylia handed Gewey a piece of bread and some driedmeat. She huddled close.
“Why?” asked Gewey. “I thought we werein a hurry.”
“Theopolou wants to show him the head of theVrykol,” she replied. “Kephalos is very knowledgeable inancient lore and may be able to give us information we need.”
The thought of seeing an elf dwelling excited Gewey.“When will we arrive?”
“We should be there by sundown tomorrow.”