“Where's Kaylia?” Linis exclaimed.
“She's gone!” cried Gewey and started off,but Theopolou stood in his way.
“Think, Gewey,” said Theopolou. “Thecamp is too big and the battle still rages. You will not find herthat way.”
“Out of my way,” Gewey commanded, his eyesdark with rage.
“Use your bond,” Theopolou continued. “Useit to find her.”
Gewey lowered his head. His chest trembled with eachbreath. He tried to calm his mind and reach out to her. At first,there was nothing. Then, like a faint light, he found her. “She'salive,” exclaimed Gewey, unable to contain his joy. “ButI can't find where she is. It's like there’s a shroud aroundher.”
“It would take someone powerful to accomplishthis,” said Theopolou. “I was only able to do so in myown home.”
“How do we find her?” asked Linis.
Gewey's jaw tightened “I know how.” Hewalked to the entrance. “Wait here.”
Linis stepped forward, but Gewey’s eyes stoppedhim short. “Be careful,” was all he could say as Geweydisappeared from view.
“What is he doing?” asked Eftichis.
“Getting a prisoner,” Linis replied. “Andwoe be unto him, if he does not tell Gewey what he wants to know.”
“Should we not help the others?” saidEftichis. “The elders-”
“One of whom stands before you,” shot Linis.“The others are well protected. I doubt that whoever attackedus could pass their guards. Until we know what has happened, weprotect Lord Theopolou.”
Minutes seemed like hours as the party waited forGewey's return.
As the sounds of battle filtered in, Eftichis grewunsettled.
“I can wait no longer,” he roared. “Ourkin are dying.”
The body of a black-clad elf flew through the door andslid onto the table. Gewey entered just behind, his face and clothescovered in blood. The elf groaned and rolled onto his back. Linisrushed in and held his blade to the elf's neck.
Linis glanced over his shoulder to Eftichis. “Watchthe door,” he ordered. Eftichis quickly obeyed.
“The attackers are moving away,” said Gewey.“I caught this one about to set fire to the tent.”
He knelt down over his captive. “Now you will tellme everything I want to know.” The elf glared defiantly.
A malicious smile crept over Gewey's face. He reacheddown and ripped open the elf's shirt. “I'll ask you onetime…” He placed the flat of his blade on the elf's chest andthe sizzle of burning flesh rose up.
The elf winced and his jaw tightened. “A curse onyou,” he hissed.
Gewey turned the blade, allowing the edge to dig intothe elf's flesh. “Not the words I wanted to hear. And youdidn't wait for my question.” He pressed the blade in harder.
“Where is Kaylia?”
The elf moaned but said nothing.
“Gewey,” said Linis, but Gewey ignored him.
Gewey began to drag the blade across the elf's chest.“If you don't answer me, I'm going to cut you apart… piece bypiece.”
“Gewey,” said Linis again, this time moreforcefully. Gewey glared at Linis, but Linis was undeterred.
“Stop this,” said Linis. “This is notwhat you want on your heart.”
“I think I do,” snarled Gewey. “And Ithink if he doesn't tell me what I want to know, I'll make good on mypromise.” He pressed the blade even deeper.
The elf wailed, and the smell of burning flesh filledthe tent.
“Allow Linis and I to do this,” saidTheopolou. “If we fail, then you may do as you wish with him.”
“Please,” said Linis.
Gewey paused, glaring at his captive with hatred. Thenin one smooth motion, he released his hold and walked to theentrance. “Make it fast.” He stared outside at thesmoldering tents. The sound of fighting had faded, replaced by thecries of the wounded and the sobs of the survivors.
Linis dragged the captive into the back of the tent andbound his hands and feet. He and Theopolou leaned in close, speakingin soft whispers. After several minutes, Theopolou rose to his feetand walked over to Gewey.
“They have taken her north, toward the steppes,”said Theopolou. “Along with the Book of Souls.”
“So the northern tribes are responsible for this,”growled Eftichis in disgust.
“It would seem,” Theopolou affirmed.
“I leave now,” said Gewey. “They can'thave gone far.”
“True,” Theopolou agreed. “But I don'tthink the northern tribes could have acted alone. They knew exactlywhen to strike.”
“Then we were betrayed,” said Linis.
“Yes,” said Theopolou. “That seemscertain. But betrayed by whom?”
“Bellisia?” Linis offered.
“Possibly,” Theopolou replied. “Thoughnot likely. I can think of no one who would do this.”
“I don't care who did it,” said Gewey. “Theonly thing I care about is getting Kaylia back.” He pushed hisway past Theopolou and Linis, and stalked to his room. A few minuteslater he returned, wearing a set of brown travel leathers, his sword,and a small pack thrown across his back. He took a moment to stare athis captive and walked to the entrance.
“Gewey,” said Theopolou. “I understandyour urgency. You are bonded to her, but she is also my niece. Allowme one hour to gather more information. I fear you will fail if yousimply march off without knowing what you face. If we werebetrayed, you could be walking into a trap.” He placed his handon Gewey's shoulder. “Just one hour.”
Linis walked over and placed his hand on Gewey’sother shoulder. “Give him one hour. Besides, I'll need to scouttheir trail to find out where they have taken her. That will taketime.” He met Gewey's eyes. “I promise we will find her.”
Gewey muscles tensed and his body shuddered. He let outa terrifying scream. “One hour,” he roared. “That'sall.”
Theopolou nodded. “Stay with him, Linis.” Heturned to Eftichis. “Come with me.”
The two left the tent and Gewey watched as they vanishedinto the smoke and carnage. “One hour,” Gewey mutteredthrough his teeth.
Chapter Thirty
Gewey paced the tent. Occasionally he stopped to lookoutside for Theopolou's return.
“Try to be calm,” advised Linis. “Youmust have your wits about you if you want to save her.”
Gewey took a deep breath. He knew Linis was right. Hemust be able to think clearly. He reached out once again, attemptingto touch Kaylia's mind, but the result was the same. No matter howhard he tried, he could only sense that she lived. Whatever blockedhim was indeed powerful. He prayed they would not harm her.
“Why would they take her, anyway?” askedGewey. “Why single her out?”
“I can only imagine to get to you,” Linisreplied. “Strong leverage.”
“If they harm her…” the words stuck inGewey throat.
“You cannot let such thoughts enter your mind,”said Linis. “They will cloud your judgment and cause you tomake a mistake that could cost both your lives.” He handedGewey a rag. “Clean your sword and recheck your gear. Makecertain you have what you need.”
Gewey nodded and obeyed. He realized he had not broughtclothing for Kaylia. She might need it. He searched her room andrummaged through her wardrobe until he found a set a travel clothes.He could smell her scent everywhere, and tears welled in his eyes. Hefocused his mind and swallowed hard. When he finished, Theopolou hadreturned. Chiron, Bellisia, Syranis, and Eftichis stood beside him.
“Where are the others?” asked Linis.
“Lord Aneili was slain,” said Theopolou.“Lord Endymion and Lady Leora were injured in the fray and arebeing tended to. The rest are gathering nearby.”
“Have you figured out who is responsible?”asked Gewey. “Not yet,” answered Chiron. “But wewill.”
“We should join the others,” said Eftichis.
“Indeed,” said Theopolou. “Butfirst… what to do with our captive?”
“I would like the chance to question him,”said Chiron.
“As would I,” agreed Bellisia.
“As you wish,” said Theopolou. “But Idoubt you will learn anything I have not. I do not think he has anyanswers that can help us. Those who planned this attack would nothave allowed anyone to know too much.”