Gewey gave a deep sigh and nodded. “I'll try.”
Linis led Gewey to his room, Kaylia just behind them.
“Don't worry,” Gewey said to Kaylia, justbefore he entered. “I'll be fine.”
Kaylia smiled sweetly and put her hand on his cheek. “Iknow.” She allowed their bond to share her emotions with him.
Gewey's heart pounded as he felt the love pour through.He watched for a moment as Kaylia walked away, then went inside.
Linis smiled broadly.
“What?” said Gewey, suddenly embarrassed.
“Nothing,” Linis replied, still smiling.“You have come a long way, since I first met you in thattavern. I knew there was strength in you, even then. But I thinkKaylia has made you invincible. I pity Eftichis.”
“I'm trying not to think about it,” saidGewey. “I know what I have to do. But I still wish there wasanother way. I've killed before, but this time it's different.”
“Why?” asked Linis. “Because it's anelf?” He shook his head.
“Listen to me, Gewey. This will not be the lasttime you will face one of my kind. There is a split among my people.The idea of a second split once weighed heavily enough on our heartsto prevent it. Now it is inevitable. The world is changing, and thenew ways are struggling with the old. I regret to say that means moreblood will be spilled. We have already been attacked once by our ownkin.”
Gewey remembered the assassin and the hatred in hiseyes.
“War is upon us,” Linis continued. “Andthis time the victor will shape the future for both races. Even themost reluctant elf knows this. When you face Eftichis in the morning,you are fighting for more than just you and Kaylia. Your victory willsee that your voice is heard by all elves. Many think humans weak andwithout honor. Tomorrow you will show them differently.”
“But I'm not human,” argued Gewey. “Notreally.”
“That may be,” Linis countered. “Butyou were raised as one. You have their values, and you are what isbest in men. The strength I speak of has nothing to do with a sword,though admittedly it helps. That you have the courage to face theelders of my people and speak your mind, shows the rest true power.That you fight for the bond between you and Kaylia shows that youwill not be deterred, and should be treated with respect.” Heplaced his hand on Gewey's shoulder. “Tomorrow is about morethan the pudnaris. Bystriking down those who would challenge your rights, you send amessage that will echo throughout all the elf nations.”
Gewey's face twisted into a sour frown. “Thanks.Nothing like a bit of pressure just before a life and deathstruggle.”
Linis chuckled. “I think you can handle it. Butsleep now. I will keep watch.”
“For what?” Gewey began to remove hisclothes.
“Who knows?” Linis replied and dimmed thelight.
Gewey lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. At firsthe tried to calm his mind and sleep but soon realized that would nothappen. He decided to reach out to Kaylia, hoping that Theopolouwasn't able to block him, though he couldn't imagine why he would. Tohis relief he found her. As their spirits became one, his bodyrelaxed and he became lost in the sheer emotion.
Is this what it will be like after we're completelyjoined? he asked.
It will be better, repliedKaylia. Much better.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Yanti lounged in his cabin aboard the Moon Shadow. Itwas sturdy, as river vessels go, though not as lavish as he wouldhave liked, but the wine was good and the food passable. It had takenthem quite some time to navigate the delta and enter the GoodbranchRiver. Pushing against the wind and current with oars made for slowprogress.
Fortunately, he was in no hurry. Plans were already inmotion, and his direct intervention was no longer necessary… asleast for now. There was a soft rap at the door. He took a sip ofbrandy and got to his feet.
“Enter.”
The door opened and Braydon, the first mate, timidlystepped inside. “Beg your pardon, my lord.”
“What is it?” Yanti asked, irritably. He didnot care much for midday interruptions.
“A small craft has pulled alongside.” A beadof perspiration appeared on Braydon’s brow. “Says he hasa message for you.”
Yanti furled his brow. “Did he give his name?”
“No, my lord,” Braydon replied. “But Idon't like the looks of 'im….all covered in black, and all. Hesmells foul too. Like death. And his voice, he hisses more thanspeaks, he does.”
“Let him board and bring him to me. And be quick.”
Braydon bowed awkwardly and hurried off.
A few minutes later, the door swung open and there stoodthe figure of a man, covered in a long black cloak. His face washidden and Yanti could hear a slow growl coming from beneath thehood. Braydon stood just behind, his face pale and fearful.
“You may go,” said Yanti to the first mate,who eagerly obliged. The door slammed shut and Yanti took a seat,crossing his legs in his usual aristocratic fashion. “To whatdo I owe the pleasure of a visit from the Vrykol? I assume our Lordknows you are here.”
“He knows,” the Vrykol hissed. “Heknows much. He knows of your plans and is unhappy. They will notsucceed.”
Yanti cracked a smile. “Unhappy you say… I see.Well, my pungent friend, we shall see how unhappy he is when Ideliver the godling tohim, as well as his elf mate.” He picked up his brandy and heldit under his nose for a moment. “All is in order, I assure you.Oh, and he can look to have Lee Starfinder among the converted, aswell.”
“The Great Lord is not so optimistic,” saidthe Vrykol. “He foresees… problems.”
“What kind of problems?” Yanti tried toconceal his concerns.
The Vrykol reached inside his robes and withdrew asealed letter. Yanti took it, doing his best not to touch the Vrykol.
“By the by,” Yanti remarked. “A bitbold of you to be out in the open, don't you think?”
The Vrykol gurgled with grotesque laughter. “TheMaster has perfected us. Only a few mindless beasts still roam.Humans fear us and choose what they see or don't see.”
“Then I can look forward to more visits, I takeit,” said Yanti.
“No,” replied the Vrykol. “I will staywith you… until the end.”
Yanti scowled. “Then I hope your kind can bathe.”He opened the letter, reading it carefully. “Wait here.”He stuffed the letter inside his jacket and threw open the door.Yanti made his way on deck and found the captain busy navigating theriver. The sun was high in the sky and there was a winter chill inthe air, despite the fact that they were still far south. Hismaster’s doing.
“Pull along the bank and retrieve my horse fromthe hold,” Yanti ordered as he strode up. “I'll begetting off here.”
Captain Tarn, a stout, broad-shouldered man, didn't takehis eyes off the river. Unlike the first mate, he was clearly notintimidated by Yanti. “Not here,” he said gruffly. Toodangerous.”
“Here,” Yanti demanded. “Now.”Tarn ignored him.
Yanti turned and sought out the first mate. He found himin the galley, eating a bowl of fish stew.
“Can you pilot this vessel?” asked Yanti.
“Aye,” Braydon replied. “As well asthe skipper, I'd say.”
“Good,” said Yanti. “Come with me.”
Confused, the first mate pushed his bowl away and chasedafter Yanti, who was already on his way back on deck. The moment thecaptain came into view, Yanti drew a small dagger. Before Braydoncould utter a protest, Yanti hurled the blade. The captain's eye shotwide as the knife stuck in his throat. He grabbed at the knife,falling to his knees. He let out a gurgling groan as blood pouredfrom his throat and mouth. Yanti slowly walked over and with onestrong kick, sent the man crashing through the railing and into theriver. Three sailors stepped forward, but backed away when Yanti drewhis sword.
“You are promoted.” Yanti smiled as ifnothing had happened. “Now land on the bank and retrieve myhorse from the hold.”