“That may be,” she admitted. “And youmay be able to convince the others. But my mind is set. I have seenwhat the humans do. I will not be a part of it.” She took asmall step back. “I have said what I came to say. Think on mywords. Speak to Kaylia if you wish. But know that I have not lied toyou.”
“What would you do if you were me?” heasked, just as she turned to walk away.
Bellisia paused and turned her head. “I would run.I would take Kaylia and run.” With that she left.
Gewey stared at Theopolou and Kaylia for a time, thenwalked over, unsure what to think. One thing he knew. He had to speakto Kaylia. He had to know what they were walking into.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gewey approached Theopolou and Kaylia and took Kaylia bythe hand. He excused himself from the old elf, and led her far enoughaway so they would not be overheard. Kaylia sat thoughtfully forseveral minutes after Gewey told her what Bellisia had said.
“Do you think she's telling the truth?” heasked.
“I think she believes it,” she replied. “Butdo I think Theopolou means to break our bond and assassinate you? Ihonestly don't know. I wish I could dismiss it, but it does fit. Hewas the one who killed the assassin, and it was his friend whosuggested we wait until we reach the Chamber of the Maker. Still, Ihave never known him to be dishonest.”
“He deceived his own elves about me,” hereminded her. “And only told them after Kaphalos revealed ourbond to the rest.”
“True. Andit was to his advantage to do so. But I think the assassin would havetold us nothing, regardless of what we did to him, and Theopolouwould have known that. And we still are not certain that youwere the target. Besides, it was Akakios that shot him, and Akakiosserves my uncle. No… even if what Bellisia said is true, I don'tthink he had anything to do with that.”
“We could just ask him, I suppose,” Geweysuggested. “I don't like feeling like I'm being manipulated,and whether it's Bellisia, Theopolou, or anyone else, I want it tostop.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “I feel thatconfrontation is best. I want to know his motives before we getthere. And if Bellisia is trying to drive a wedge between us, then weshould know that too.”
Kaylia and Gewey found Theopolou talking with three ofhis escorts.
“Can we speak?” asked Gewey.
Theopolou nodded and dismissed the elves. Kayliarecounted Gewey's words and waited for a response. At first,Theopolou was expressionless, then he began to laugh.
“Crafty,” said Theopolou. “Verycrafty. And correct.”
“What?” cried Kaylia. “She was tellingtruth?”
“Of course, she was,” said Theopolou. “Atleast from her perspective. I do not wish you to bond with Gewey. Andyes, if there were a way, I would seek to break it. But Bellisia iswrong to suggest that I believe I can. The bond is unbreakable…even by the two of you. I certainly couldn't force it to break, andeven if I could, it would likely kill you. As she said, I act out oflove for you. That ismy motivation.” He turned to Gewey. “She told you I wasno friend to you, and she is correct. But I am an ally. I need not beboth.”
“What do you think she was trying to do?”asked Gewey.
Theopolou smiled. “I think she was being honest.And I am glad for it. I had suspected her of many things until now.”
“In what way does this rest your mind, uncle?”asked Kaylia.
“Bellisia has been an opponent to me for quitesome time,” he explained. “Even in better times she and Ihave rarely seen eye to eye. But her actions have usually been toprotect our people… even her opposition of me. That she would openher mind to a human, knowing I would likely hear of it, tells memuch. And her words have merit, though not in the way you mightthink.” He placed his hands on Kaylia's shoulders. “Iswear to you that I mean your suitor no harm. Though this is not abond I would have chosen for you, I know I must accept it. If youwish I will perform the rites here and now, if that will prove myintentions to you.”
Kaylia smiled warmly and hugged Theopolou. “Ibelieve you.”
Theopolou turned to Gewey. “I amyour ally. But you must be mine in return.” His eyes felllovingly on Kaylia. “You must protect her.”
“I swear,” said Gewey. “But somethingBellisia said still bothers me. She said that the Dark One will tryto kill Kaylia to get to me.”
“She is right,” said Theopolou. “Butthey could do that now. Were either of you to die, it would rip youapart… even without completing the bond. You would be uselessshells, unable to fight. In fact, death would be kinder. But I thinkit is more likely that the Dark One would wish to capture Kaylia anduse her to control you. Were that to happen you could be made into apowerful weapon.”
Gewey nodded. “What will you do now?”
“I shall speak with Bellisia,” he replied.“Now that I feel I can trust her, I should like her council.”
Theopolou embraced Kaylia once more and walked away tofind Bellisia. “Do you believe him?” asked Gewey.
“Yes,” she replied. “He is notplotting against us.”
The elders announced that they were to remain where theywere for a few hours, then start out again before daybreak. Kaylia,Gewey, and Linis went off a few yards from the others while Theopolouspoke privately with Bellisia.
Chiron approached. Gewey and the others stood and bowed.Chiron bowed in return. He looked different than Theopolou. Though hewas the same age, he seemed younger and less careworn of spirit. Hishair still held its deep brown color, and he walked with a lightspring in his step.
“You have courage, Gewey Stedding,” saidChiron, once he reached them. “To face the council of elderswithin the Chamber of the Maker, and do so after bonding with one ofour own kind…” he laughed softly. “Truly remarkable.”
“Are you here to convince me not to go throughwith it?” asked Gewey.
“Not at all,” Chiron replied. “Besides,what can be done now? Your spirits are already joined. You have verylittle choice in the matter. That is, unless you intend to allow yoursouls to rend asunder.”
“You are friend to my uncle,” said Kaylia.
“I am,” he replied. “For many years wehave been as brothers.”
“Then I am a friend to you,” she said.
Chiron smiled, then his eyes fell on Gewey. “Andwhat of you? Shall you be a friend to me as well?”
“If you would like,” Gewey replied. “Iam eager to befriend the people of my future unorem.”
Chiron cocked his head. “I see you have beenlearning our customs. In that case, allow me to educate you further.”He took a seat on the grass. Gewey and the others did likewise. “Hasanyone told you of the rite of pudnaris?”
Gewey shook his head.
Chiron glanced to Kaylia then Linis. “Then yourfriends have been neglectful of your education.”
“I…” began Linis. But one look from Chironsilenced him.
“Let me explain,” said Chiron. “Pudnarisis when a suitor is challenged for his right to join with hisintended mate. This challenge can be made by anyone, as long as theycan give valid cause.”
“Who could have cause?” asked Kaylia. “Ihave accepted no other suitor.”
“True,” said Chiron. “But there areother arguments to be made to support the pudnarisbesides a potential rival.”
“Like what?” asked Gewey.
“In this case, anything,” he replied.
“Why are you telling me this?” asked Gewey.
“I tell you because you have the right to know.Many will oppose this. Perhaps enough to risk their lives to stopyou.” He scrutinized Gewey for a moment. “We know thatyou control great power, and open battle with you is a risk. We alsoknow of your fight with the Vrykol. If Theopolou is correct and thatis what they truly were, the fact that you defeated it tells us whatwe need to know about your skill.” He pointed at Gewey's swordthat hung at his side. “And to face thatweapon is to face death, in the hands of someone who can use the flowto gain strength.”