The elves knelt around the table. Theopolou motioned forGewey to sit beside him. Kaphalos placed himself directly across fromTheopolou and stared intensely.
“Tell me, Theopolou,” said Kaphalos. “Whendid you begin befriending humans and traitors?”
“I am no traitor,” Kaylia blurted.
“Silence, girl,” Theopolou scolded.
Kaphalos sneered. “I was referring to the seeker.”
Linis glared. “You dare name me traitor? I shouldtake your life for that insult.”
“I would expect as much,” said Kaphalos.“You would kill your own kind while saving a human animal. Butbe warned, I am not unprotected. If you strike me down, you will notleave these woods alive. My kin are nearby and know that you arehere.”
“That is enough,” commanded Theopolou. “Fromeverybody. I did not come here to fight. Nor did Linis.”
“Then why did you come?” asked Kaphalos.
“To ask you to accompany us to my home,”Theopolou replied. “Surely you have received my invitation.”
“I have,” said Kaphalos dismissively. “Ihave no desire to listen to the elders bicker. I am content to remainhere.”
Theopolou nodded to Linis who brought forth the cloakcontaining the Vrykol head. Kaphalos stared, stunned, as the cloakwas opened.
“What is this abomination?” gasped Kaphalos.
“We hoped you would know,” Theopoloureplied. “It claimed to be a Vrykol.”
“Vrykol?” Kaphalos whispered. “Certainlynot. That is impossible.” He reached over the table and pulledthe cloak in front of him.
“I thought the Vrykol were merely a legend,”said Theopolou.
“In a way they are,” said Kaphalos. “Theirtrue nature has been lost to all but a few. Most stories you heartoday are but myths with not an inkling of fact.”
“What are they, then?” asked Linis.
“The damned,” replied Kaphalos. “Theyare spirits forced to serve the Gods within the decaying remains ofmortals.”
“The Gods created these beasts?” askedLinis. “Why?”
“To punish those who dared defy them,” saidKaphalos. “They were cursed assassins, roaming the earth. Howis it you came by this?”
Theopolou told of the encounter.
“You say this human killed two Vrykol?”Kaphalos laughed. “Are you certain? Or is this what he toldyou.”
“He saved the life of one of my guards in theprocess,” said Theopolou. “You may doubt the word of ahuman, but surely not that of an elf.”
Kaphalos glared at Kaylia “Depends on the elf.”
Kaylia glared back furiously.
“In any case,” Theopolou continued. “Itwas not the Gods who created these creatures.”
Kaphalos threw his head back in harsh laughter. “TheLord of Angraal has seen to that, hasn't he?”
Kaphalos rose to his feet, turning his back on thetable. “You think I am ignorant to the goings on in of thehuman world? I know what you would have our people do, and I willhave no part in it.”
“Then you would sit idle while the fate of ourpeople hangs in the balance?” Theopolou challenged.
“The fate of our people was sealed the moment thehuman plague set foot on this world,” said Kaphalos. “TheGreat War was only the end result.”
“But it does not have to be the end,” Liniscried. “Can't you see that?”
Kaphalos spun around. “I see more than you know,seeker.” His eyes fixed on Gewey. “I see what you havebrought among us. You think he will save us? Do you?”
Gewey's heart raced. Did he know?
“You're wrong,” said Theopolou. “Ourpeople may still rise again. But we must not succumb to our ownstubborn nature. We need the humans if we are to resist Angraal.”
“Resist?” Kaphalos scoffed. “Whatresistance can you offer? The humans will scatter before the might ofthe army that now gathers. Once they are gone, we will beannihilated.”
“There is something you do not know,” saidTheopolou. “We have recovered the Book of Souls.”
Kaphalos raised an eyebrow. “Have you? How nice.But even if you can open it, and even if it tells you how to defeatyour enemies, what then? Do you not see what will happen?”
“I see that we will survive,” saidTheopolou.
“Survive, yes,” Kaphalos retorted. “Butto what purpose? The humans will not suffer those unlike themselves.Our people will be absorbed, and our race will cease to exist. I havealready heard rumors that one half-breed walks the earth even now.”
Gewey tensed. This did not go unnoticed by Kaphalos.
“Human,” said Kaphalos to Gewey. “Ifthat is even what I should call you. Somehow I think not.” Hisface was one of disgust. “Theopolou wisely instructed you notto speak. But I would know your thoughts. Would you have human andelf live as one?”
Gewey took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.“Yes, I would.” There was a long pause.
“That's all you have to say? Surely you have morethan that.”
“I don't know what you want of me,” saidGewey. “I know you are wise, and I know that you believe youare of a right mind.” He chose his next words carefully. “Iwould not presume to debate you in matters that are beyond myunderstanding. So I don't see what I can offer you.”
“You offer nothing,” agreed Kaphalos. “Atleast nothing I would have from you. Still, I am interested in yourreasons for trying to deceive me.”
Gewey was aghast and suddenly afraid. Kaylia shot him aglance, feeling his dismay through their bond.
Kaphalos let out a malicious laugh. “You have nottold them that you have bonded yourself to an elf woman?” Thiscaused the elves to stir. “Theopolou has kept this a secret aswell, I see.” He shook his head slowly. “Did you reallythink I wouldn't know? I knew the moment I saw them.”
“I don't see what that has to do with anything,”Gewey growled with irritation.
“You wouldn't,” said Kaphalos. “But itjust confirms what I have already said. You are the first, but youwill not be the last.”
“Is this true?” Akakios asked Theopolou,appalled.
“It is,” said Theopolou. “Gewey andKaylia have bonded their spirits.”
“Why keep this from us?” he demanded.
“It was not for me to reveal,” Theopoloureplied. “The bonding is a personal matter and not to be spokenof lightly. I made my choice. You do not have to agree with it.”
The elves were clearly upset but calmed themselves andcontinued to listen.
“I am bonded to Kaylia,” announced Gewey ina clear strong voice. “I know this may anger you, but it wasnot my intent to do so. But know that I'm in no way ashamed.”
“Nor am I,” added Kaylia.
“It matters not,” Kaphalos said. “Itis unlikely either of you will live long enough to regret it. Angraalwill march soon and slaughter us all.”
“Is there nothing I can say to convince you tocome?” asked Theopolou.
“You know there is not,” Kaphalos replied.“But you needn't fear. I will not hinder you. There would be nopoint.”
Theopolou bowed his head. “Then we will take ourleave.” Linis gathered the Vrykol head.
“Farewell,” said Kaphalos. “Perhaps wewill meet again before we rejoin the creator. If not, know that Ihold you in high regard… though we do not see eye to eye.”
“As do I,” said Theopolou.
They left the house and filed back down the walkway.Once they had reached the beginning of the trail that led to thehouse of Kaphalos, Akakios halted.
“My Lord Theopolou,” said Akakios. “Wemust speak… all of us.” The other elves nodded in agreement.
“And what would you speak about?” Theopolouasked.
“I think you know,” replied Akakios. “Ihave never questioned you before. But to knowingly protect someonewho has…” He could hardly speak the words. “Bonded witha human.”
Theopolou crossed his arms. “So you would have mekill her here and now, I suppose? You would have me break my word?You ask if I would dishonor myself?”
“No,” Akakios stammered. “But you helpher to avoid judgment by offering your protection.”
“I am doing nothing of the kind,” saidTheopolou. “Kaylia has agreed to face judgment according to ourlaws, upon the completion of her task and not before. She enteredinto this bargain in good faith. You should know that, despite ourlaws, her life is sought even now by the very elders whom we aregoing to meet.”