“Before judgment?” gasped Akakios. “Why?”
“They feel as Kaphalos,” Theopolouexplained. “They harbor hatred from the Great War, and theyfear a mixing of the races will be the end of our kind. I share someof these fears. But I will not turn my back on our traditions becauseI lack the courage to do what is right.”
Akakios bowed his head “You are right, of course.Forgive me.”
Theopolou smiled kindly. “There is nothing toforgive. But you should know that there are other things I hold assecret and have not told you. I will tell you now if you feel youmust know.” His eyes scanned his guard. They look embarrassedto have questioned their master’s motives.
Gewey snapped to attention. “You cannot,”pleaded Kaylia.
“I can,” corrected Theopolou. “And Iwill if I must.”
“Lord,” said Akakios. “If you feel weshould not know, it is enough.”
Theopolou thought for a long moment. “No,”he said. “You deserve to know what is so important that I wouldhide things from my most trusted companions.” He turned toGewey. “Step forward.”
Gewey obeyed, keenly aware that Kaylia was at his rightside fingering her knife. Linis slid to his left.
“You may have wondered how Gewey was able to killtwo Vrykol so easily,” Theopolou began. “Some may haveguessed that he is a half-man.” A few of the elves nodded. “Youare only half right. Before you stands the only being ever born fromthe union of two Gods. Before you stands a God who walks the earth asa human.”
There was dead silence and all eyes fell on Gewey.Akakios was the first to speak. “This is true?”
“It is,” Gewey affirmed “But I onlyfound out a few weeks ago. I've lived my entire life as a human.Until Lee proved it to me, I didn't know anything.”
“It is why he is here,” said Theopolou. “Wehope he will be able to open the Book of Souls.”
“Why would he need it?” asked Akakios.“Could he not simply go and defeat the Lord of Angraal?If he is a God, does he not possess such power?”
“I don't know much about my power, or what I canor can't do,” admitted Gewey. “I am only now discoveringmy abilities.”
“But you're a God?” countered Akakios. “AGod!”
“True,” interjected Linis. “But he isnot all powerful. He can be injured… maybe even killed. It would befoolish to send him to confront The Dark One until he is ready.”
“Angraal is not what concerns me,”said Akakios. “It was the Gods that split our people. It is ourlives I worry about.”
“I would never harm you or your people,”said Gewey. “I swear it. If my kind have hurt you, I am sorry.But I am not them.”
“Even so,” said Akakios. “You are oneof them.”
“I would ask that you trust my judgment in thismatter,” said Theopolou. “Gewey is not to be harmed inany way. We need him.”
“I beg that you give us a few moments to considerwhat you have revealed,” said Akakios.
Theopolou nodded his consent. Gewey, Kaylia, Linis andTheopolou watched as the others gathered in a tight circle, speakingin hushed tones. Minutes ticked by and Gewey's nerves began tounravel. Kaylia gave his hand a light squeeze and smiled. This calmedhim.
After several more minutes, the elves broke their circleand slowly walk toward Gewey. “You have done me no harm,”said Akakios. “And I trust my Lord. We will do nothing againstyou as long as Theopolou commands it. That you have bonded with oneof our kind is troubling, but I see nothing that can be done, shortof killing you both. As you are not subject to our laws, I see nocall for that.”
“I thank you,” said Gewey bowing low. “Butunderstand that should Kaylia face judgment, I will stand with her.”
“As her mate, that is your right,” saidAkakios.
“We have yet to complete the bonding,”interjected Kaylia. “And should I be sentenced to death I willnot.”
Gewey turned to Kaylia. “What do you mean?”
Kaylia locked eyes with him. “If the bond issealed and I die, you die as well. I will not have that.”
“You would doom his soul?” asked Theopolou.
“What do you mean?” asked Kaylia. “Iwould save his life.”
“You know as well as I what happens when the bondis left unsealed for too long,” said Theopolou. “It isthe same if you die. His soul will be torn apart.”
“Is there nothing to be done?” she asked.
“To my knowledge, no,” he answered. “Youshould have considered this beforehand.” “It wasn't herfault,” said Gewey. “It wasn't something either of usplanned.”
“I see,” the old elf muttered. “Thenthere is only one thing to be done. You must seal the bond betweenyou. If your souls reached out without prior knowledge, then therecan be no other choice.”
Kaylia stared in disbelief. “You would have mecomplete the bond? But I-”
“You should think more, and act less,” saidTheopolou. “I have no desire to see you, or any elf, bonded toanyone other than an elf. But that does not change the facts. Keep inmind that I advise you as your uncle, not an elder. As an elder Iwould see you judged.”
“I understand, uncle,” said Kaylia. “Thankyou.”
“We should depart,” said Linis. “Thereis a clearing about two hour’s march where we can make camp.”
“Agreed,” said Theopolou. “We havetarried long enough.”
Chapter Eleven
Travel for the next two days was uneventful. At first,the elves kept their distance from Gewey, but by the morning of thesecond day, their curiosity got the better of them. Gewey tried toanswer their questions as best he could, but soon it became apparentthat he didn't have the information they wanted. He knew nothingabout heaven, the Creator or immortality.
The day before they arrived at Theopolou's home,Theopolou asked to speak with Gewey and Kaylia alone. They walked afew yards from their evening camp and sat on a large fallen dogwood.
“When we arrive tomorrow,” Theopolou began.“I will ask that you keep to your quarters until you aresummoned.” He looked at them disapprovingly. “And youwill be housed separately.”
“We do not share quarters,” said Gewey,turning bright red.
“Good,” said Theopolou. “Until youhave completed your bond you should not.”
“I may not share your opinions on humans,”said Kaylia. “But I am no scortus.”
“What's a scortus?”asked Gewey.
“A woman of ill repute,” Kaylia replied.
“I was not implying that you were,” saidTheopolou. “But I'm still your uncle and am protective of yourhonor.”
“I would not dishonor Kaylia,” said Gewey,with all the sincerity he could muster through his embarrassment.
Theopolou cracked a smile. “I believe you.”Then his smile faded. “Now, listen to me, both of you. You mustkeep out of sight until I call for you.”
“How long will we have to wait?” askedGewey.
Theopolou shrugged. “An hour. A day. There is noway to know. But you must stay put no matter what. Each of you willhave a guard outside your door.”
Kaylia's eyes narrowed. ”Do you expect treachery?”
“No,” Theopolou replied. “But I willbe prepared nonetheless. Timing will be crucial, and I will get usevery advantage I can. Since I opposed your assassination, I havelost support. I still hold position and influence, but not as much asbefore. You must do exactly as I tell you.”
Gewey and Kaylia both nodded in agreement.
“Good,” said Theopolou, satisfied. “Nowwe must rest. Tomorrow we will arrive. I can only hope we get therebefore the others.”
They slept for only a few hours and were on their waylong before daybreak. By midday, the forest grew thicker until it wasnearly impenetrable. Gewey snagged his clothes countless times onthorns and brambles, and the insects swarmed, making a feast of hisflesh. The elves seemed unaffected, deftly hopping between the treesand thick brush, avoiding thorns and low hanging branches as if theyweren't there.