“We are talking in circles,” said Theopolou.“We either allow Felsafell to continue with us, or we ask himto depart.” He looked at Gewey. “You say that you willnot go without him?”
Gewey nodded. “As long as he wants to come withme, I will have him.”
Theopolou turned to the others. “There you haveit. As Gewey is called before you to give testimony, you must makeyour decision. Do you withdraw your invitation?”
The elders looked at each other, but none said a word.
“Very well,” Theopolou continued, withsatisfaction. “Felsafell will be welcome among us.” Heturned to Gewey. “Watch over our new guest. I will be with youin a moment.”
Gewey bowed and walked back to where Felsafell was stillfast asleep, Linis and Kaylia close behind.
“Sometimes I can't tell the difference between anelf and a human,” muttered Gewey.
“What do you mean?” asked Linis.
Gewey had not meant his words to be heard. “I'msorry. I meant no offense. It’s just that since I've met theelders, I've seen nothing but petty squabbling and disagreements. Thecouncil back home in Sharpstone gets along better.”
“You are not wrong to say so,” Linis agreed.“Once we were a noble people, with honor and understanding. Ourforefathers would be disgusted with us now. It is as if a veil ofmistrust has been brought down upon us, and we do not know how tolift it.”
“My father thought that the generation that foughtin the war would have to leave this world before we are healed,”added Kaylia. “He believed that the bitterness it causedprevents us from regaining what we have lost.”
Linis nodded. “I think he may have been right. Itis a new way of thinking we need. Our race must find how to exist ina new world.”
“Where does he fit in?” asked Gewey,motioning to the sleeping Felsafell. “What is he? He’scertainly not an elf. He looks human, but… he isn't.”
“What am I?” said Felsafell, popping to hisfeet. “I am the oldest, I am. The most withered.”
“I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “We didn'tmean to wake you.”
Felsafell smiled cheerfully, stretching his arms. “Iwake myself. Sleep I did. Sleep well. Sleep soundly. Sleep plenty.”
“But you've only just lay down,” said Linis.“Even an elf needs more rest than that.”
“An elf I am not,” said Felsafell. “Andthe child of heaven isright. I am not human.”
“Then what are you?” asked Kaylia.
“I am the first,” he replied. “But notthe last. No. I shall soon fade. But before I do I must rescue mykin. Rescue my past.”
“I don't understand,” said Gewey.
“All will be clear,” Felsafell assured.“Clear as glass. But not now. Now with enemies about, we mustbe swift and silent.”
“Enemies?” said Gewey
“Don't fret,” said Felsafell. “Noswords or arrows will hinder us. A clear path we have. But enemiesdon't always carry swords. Be silent and still and all will be well.”
The party gathered and continued toward the Chamber ofthe Maker. Felsafell walked just behind Gewey and Kaylia, while Linisventured a few yards ahead of everyone, scouting for signs of anambush.
As the day progressed, elves began to approachFelsafell, requesting a private talk. Felsafell’s wisdom waslegendary among the elves, and they did not want to miss a chance tobenefit from it. True to his word, Felsafell was more than willing tospeak to all comers. Some walked away smiling, others angry, andothers in tears. Gewey wondered what he had told them, rememberingthe words the strange little man had for him on his porch in theSpirit Hills and how they had upset him.
They stopped once for the midday meal, and Geweylistened for signs of pursuit, but to his relief, all he could hearwas the sound of the wind and various small animals. Even though heinformed Linis of this, he still insisted on searching the area. Heenjoyed that while Linis could remain invisible to the others, he,Gewey, could still hear exactly where he was.
“Your power grows,” said Felsafell, munchingon a bit of bread. “No longer weak. No longer frail.”
“How do you know what I am?” asked Gewey.
“I am old, not blind.”
Gewey stared into Felsafell's watery, gray eyes.Something was there, deep inside. Something different. Somethingunfamiliar. “You're really not human, are you?”
“Human?” he laughed. “No, no, no. I amtoo old for that. I am the first, yet I will not be the last.”
“You said that before,” said Gewey. “Butwhat does it mean?”
“Me and kin wandered the hill and valleys, wedid.” said Felsafell. “Happy and free. Before the elvesand their ways. Before humans and their wars.”
Gewey raised an eyebrow. “So you're saying yourpeople were here first? Where are they now, and why haven't I heardof them?”
“We are all gone.” A tinge of sorrow filledFelsafell’s voice. “All but me. Poor Felsafell. Gonebefore the humans gathered, were we. We saw the coming of elves. Buttoo small the world became. Too prideful were we to remain. Deep insilence we escaped until only our voices were left.”
“So your people were here before the elves,”said Gewey. “But what about the Gods?”
“Oh, how wonderful they were,” saidFelsafell. “We loved them so. We love them still. But in time,we lost our way and our will. Spirits we became… companions to yourmother and father.”
“Do you know who my real mother is?” askedGewey. “I've guessed that my father is Gerath. But who is mymother?”
“I tell what I know,” he replied. “ButI speak of only what I know… and this I do not. Perhaps the Book ofSouls has what you seek.”
“You know about that?” said Gewey in ahushed tone.
“Oh, yes,” said Felsafell. “I wasthere. I saw the Book. I hear its cry. It longs to be opened. Butbeware… a bell that is sounded cannot be un-rung.”
“What's in it?” asked Gewey.
“Many things,” he replied. “Some Iknow and others I do not. But now is not the time for telling thesesecrets. Soon enough… yes… soon enough.”
Kaylia walked up and took a seat beside Gewey. “Youhave caused quite a stir. The entire party can't stop talking aboutyou.”
Felsafell smiled. “I have not left home in thelives of many an elf. It is good to see the world. Better to know I'mremembered.”
“I've noticed your speech has changed a bit,”said Gewey.
Felsafell cocked his head “Has it? I guess livingin the world does that… oh yes. Practicing with the living makes iteasy. Spirits have no need for speech, and elves rarely visit.”
“What about humans?” asked Kaylia. “Dothey ever seek you out?”
“No, no,” he answered. “They knownothing of me. They think me a ghost. A rumor. But time for more talkwill come later. Now we must march.”
The elves had already begun to gather their packs andgear, and soon they were on the move once again. The day was warm andthe sun shone bright in the sky. Traveling with Felsafell wasenjoyable for Gewey. He never tired of the old hermit’sstories, though he understood very little at times, and had neverheard of most of the people and places mentioned. Before he realizedit, they had walked thirty miles and it was time to stop for thenight.
The following days were much the same, though Gewey wasbecoming increasingly apprehensive as they neared their destination.The night before they were to arrive, Theopolou asked Gewey toaccompany him, away from the others.
“Are you prepared?” asked Theopolou.
“I'm not sure,” Gewey admitted. “Ireally have no idea what I'm going to say to convince them.”
Theopolou looked at Gewey thoughtfully. “Theappearance of Felsafell should help with that. Word will spread fastthat he is with us. That you have such an ancient wisdom as your allywill go far to sway the doubters. The main thing you must remember isnot to allow yourself to get angry. Your opponents will try to twistyour words. If you show anger they will see it as a sign of weaknessand you will lose support quickly.”
“I'll do my best.” Gewey sighed. He tried toimagine just what would be said to anger him but came up withnothing.