“Now more than ever.” The elf was grim,though shaken. “I would not have one of my kin bonded to such acreature, nor would I have my people follow you to their doom.”Gewey was taken aback.
“Oh, yes,” Eftichis continued. “I knowwhy you are here. We all do. And I would spit my last breath in yourface before standing by your side.” This brought cheers fromseveral throughout the gallery.
“Give me your knife,” Gewey said to Linis,as he sheathed his sword.
Linis did as he was asked. “What are you doing?”
“Only what I have to,” Gewey whispered, thenturned back to Eftichis. “Linis shall hold my blade and I shallfight with his.” He removed his sword and gave it to Linis.Linis opened his mouth to protest, but a quick glance from Geweystopped him short.
“What is this?” Eftichis demanded. “Youthink to mock me?”
Gewey examined the knife, then looked up. “I amnot mocking you. If I use that sword, you will die without a fight. Iwould not see you come to such an end. If I have to kill you, youwill die with honor.”
Eftichis could only stare in amazement. “Are youcertain?” asked Theopolou.
Gewey nodded and stepped forward. “Linis hastrained me well, as has Kaylia, my future unorem.I will not have our union tainted by dishonor.”
Eftichis removed his long knife and took a dagger fromhis second. “Then we shall face one another as equals.”
Gewey felt the flow enter his opponent, and he smiled.Though it was far less than he himself could channel, it was nearlyas much as Linis, or even Theopolou.
Theopolou, Linis, and Eftichis' second backed away tothe edge of the platform.
“Are you ready?” Eftichis’ voicedripped with menace.
Gewey crouched low and allowed the power to rush throughhim. “I'm ready.” This time the flowwas much less than before. And though he could feel the power heldwithin the Chamber, he could no longer use it. He waited for Eftichisto lunge.
He didn't have to wait long. The elf rushed at Geweywith blinding speed, fast enough to rival even Lee, but instead ofstriking directly, the elf rolled left and slashed at Gewey's rightthigh. Gewey was only just able to avoid the cut, as he spun away.
Eftichis smiled with satisfaction. “You have beenwell trained, I see.” The dagger shifted in his grasp. “Thatis good.”
Again the elf charged, but this time he did not strike.Instead he whirled around and pushed Gewey's shoulder hard with hisempty hand. Gewey nearly lost his balance and took a step back.Eftichis pressed his attack, attempting to drive his knife intoGewey's stomach and barely missing.
Gewey knew what he needed to do. He stepped back,allowing his blade to hang loosely in his hand. Bringhim close.
Once again Eftichis charged, but this time Gewey wasready. Eftichis feigned left, then thrust underneath Gewey's guard.Gewey caught the arm of his attacker and heaved upward, sending theelf sprawling.
Gewey did not hesitate. He sprang after his opponent andslashed the hand that wielded the knife. To Gewey's surprise, the elfregained his footing and flipped the dagger into his other hand.Blood gushed from the open wound and poured onto the pristine floor.
“Well struck.” Eftichis grimaced in pain.“But this fight is far from over.” In a flash Eftichiswas on Gewey again, twisting, and thrusting… driving Gewey back.Gewey tried to counter, but the elf's skill was astounding. Even withthe power flowing through him, he was only barely able to avoid beingslashed to ribbons. Finally, Gewey saw an opening. The elf dodgedleft, attempting to get behind him, but he stepped just a hair toofar. Instead of bringing down his blade, Gewey’s left hand cameacross, his fist smashing hard into the temple of Eftichis. The elfstaggered and fell to one knee. Gewey raced in grabbing the elf'swrist and with one twist, the knife slid across the floor. He pushedhard, pinning Eftichis.
“You must yield to me,” Gewey demanded.
Eftichis' eyes were aflame with fury. “We do notyield, human! Finish it and be done.”
“You would have me end your life?” askedGewey. He released the elf and got to his feet. “As you wouldend mine?” He turned his back.
Eftichis glanced at his dagger, several feet away butmade no move to retrieve it. “I would. It is our way.”
Gewey spun around and tossed his dagger to Eftichis.“Then kill me.”
Eftichis reached down and picked up Gewey's weapon. Hestared at it for a long moment, then rose to his feet.
Gewey walked up to Eftichis and placed his hand on theelf's shoulder. Eftichis tried to back away, but Gewey held him fast.
“What are you doing?” Eftichis cried. “Thisis not-”
“Not what?” said Gewey. “You want medead. You think my bond with Kaylia is wrong. Kill me.”
Their eyes met.
“Do it,” Gewey whispered. “Or yield.”
Eftichis pressed the knife to Gewey's chest. The gallerywas silent. Then, the sound of metal against stone as the dagger fellto the floor. Eftichis dropped to his knees and bowed his head. “Iyield.” He raised his head and looked to Theopolou. “Irelease my claim and yield to the mercy of my adversary.”
Theopolou stood silent for a moment, then steppedforward. “Gewey Stedding. The life and honor of this elf isyours. What shall you do with it?”
“Eftichis is master of his own life,”replied Gewey. His voice echoed throughout the Chamber. “As forhis honor… in my eyes, it is without question.”
Theopolou bowed his head slowly. “Then thepudnaris is at anend.”
The twang of a bow sounded. Gewey, still awash in theflow, saw the arrow coming, and twisted his body just as it reachedhim. It tore through his shirt and he felt a sharp pain as it cutacross his chest.
A voice cried from the entrance. “We areattacked!”
The entrance flooded with sword-wielding elves, clad inblack leather armor. The gallery erupted. Elves drew their swords,trying to make their way into the fray, while the attackers cut downall who stood in their way.
“Gewey!” Linis tossed Gewey his sword, anddrew his long knife. Gewey turned to Theopolou. “Get behindme.”
Another arrow whizzed through the air, strikingEftichis' second in the chest. The elf fell, desperately grasping theshaft.
Gewey drew his sword, holding the scabbard in his lefthand. The flow ragedinside him. The sound of clashing steel rang throughout the Chamber,as Gewey lowered his eyes, drawing in more and more power. Thebuilding shook violently, throwing many of the combatants off theirfeet. Gewey's eyes snapped open and the world in front of him becamechaos as the very air appeared to contract, then explode. Bodies ofthe attackers and the members of the gallery alike, were thrown asidelike paper dolls, leaving a clear path to the entrance.
“With me,” shouted Gewey, as he started up.
Linis, Theopolou, and Eftichis filed in behind. By thetime they reached the top, several of the attackers had recovered andmoved in to cut them off. Gewey cleaved the first nearly in two.Linis took down the second. This gave the others pause, allowingtheir escape.
Gewey surveyed the camp as they exited the Chamber.Fires had erupted everywhere, and the screams of the dying sent achill to the pit of his stomach. “Kaylia!” screamedGewey, and took off in the direction of Theopolou's tent.
The sights of battle were a blur as Gewey ran straightthrough the camp. One of the attackers tried to stand in his way, butGewey cut him down without even pausing. Finally, he reached thetent. It was untouched.
“Kaylia!” shouted Gewey, as he burst inside,ripping the flap to shreds, but there was no answer. He rushed to herroom, only to find that she was not there. From room to room hesearched, but could not find her. Linis and the others finallyarrived.