“I had nothing to do with this attack,” saidGewey. “Have you forgotten that they took Kaylia from me?”
“Exactly,” Marinos countered. “Why wasshe not killed? The field is littered with the dead. Why did theyspare her? Perhaps that was what you intended. Perhaps she awaits younow.”
Gewey's anger swelled, but he managed to keep it at bay.“If that is so, then why didn't I kill Theopolou, or any of theother elders? Why did I help them escape? Why am I still here?”
“Who can know the motives of a human,” saidMarinos. “If that is what you are. We all saw you in theChamber of the Maker. What human can control so much of the flowwithout destroying himself?” More murmurs of agreement.
“I told you all that I would reveal who and what Iam,” said Gewey. “I have told you who I am. I am GeweyStedding and nothing more. As for what I am…” He held up thebox containing the Book of Souls. “I assume you know what thisis.”
Marinos glared at Theopolou. “You recover whatyour family was sworn to protect, only to put it back in the hands ofa human?”
Theopolou stood expressionless.
“You have heard that only one that possesses thepower of heaven can open the Book of Souls,” said Gewey.
Marinos let out a mocking laugh. “So you proposeto open the Book of Souls? You claim to possess the power thatresides in heaven? Do you even understand the claim you are making?”He turned to the crowd. “A God. The one the prophecies speakof. Here, among us.” His gaze returned to Gewey. “Ahalf-man, most likely. You cannot open the Book with the dilutedblood of a God in your veins.”
Gewey decided this was enough. He grabbed the lip of thebox and pulled. At first, nothing happened, but then the lid moved.Gasps could be heard throughout the crowd as the box slowly opened. Astrong wind blew across the field and the only sound to be heard wasthe flapping of the nearby pavilion.
“You…” Marinos stammered. “How isthis possible? What trickery is this?”
Gewey reach in and pulled out the Book of Souls. Thecover shimmered like gold and radiated a soft light. Intricatewriting covered the spine and the cover, in a language that not evenTheopolou could recognize.
“Can you read it?” asked Theopolou.
Gewey looked at the cover. At first, the symbols made nosense, but slowly he began to understand them. “I can.”
“What does it say?” asked Chiron.
Gewey ran his hand over the cover. “It says: Within these pages is written the true historyof Heaven, of Earth, of Man, of Life, and of Gods and Elves.”He looked out on the crowd and said. “Nowyou know what I am.”
“How is this possible?” asked Bellisia, inwonder.
“I don't know,” admitted Gewey. “Infact, I know almost nothing. I only know what I am, and what I mustdo.”
“Do you expect us to follow you?” askedMarinos. “If this is true, then it was your kind that causedour people to fall. By all rights we should kill you, here and now.”
“The Gods had nothing to do with the split,”Theopolou said. “All of us that are old enough to have foughtin the Great War know this. It is time that the lie was exposed. Itis time for us to become the people we once were.”
“So you would have us follow this….creature?”asked Marinos. “You would have our people mix their blood withthat of humans?”
“I would have us become a better people,”Theopolou replied. “The idea of mixing with humans is asdisturbing to me as is to you. But how much different are we really?We plot and scheme against one another. We kill our own kind. We lieto ourselves and deceive our children. In fact, is there one of youthat sees the virtue and grace of our ancestors in the people we aretoday?”
No one spoke.
“Gewey Stedding has shown me much,”Theopolou continued. “Though he is not a human, he was raisedas one. He has defended our people, upheld our values, and kept hisword. He has shown courage and determination. He has placed the livesof others ahead of his own. And he has bonded to my kin.
“I am not fool enough to believe that all humansare as he. But he does represent what is best in man. Perfect? No.But honorable, strong, and true. Something I have not seen in elvesof late.” He looked Gewey in the eyes. “I admit that whenI started this journey, I had hoped for you to reveal yourself to befalse. The idea of one such as you leading my people into a newfuture repulsed me. My mind has been changed. I pledge my house andmy family to your cause.”
“As do I,” said Chiron.
“And I,” said Eftichis.
“There is still the matter of the traitor,”said Bellisia. “Before I make any decision, I will know how wecame to this pass.”
“The traitor is among us,” said Theopolou.“And I know who he is.”
“Who?” shouted several voices.
Theopolou let his eyes scan the gathering, until theycame to rest on Akakios. “The Book of Souls was never in thepossession of Felsafell. It went missing just after we arrived.”
Akakios opened his mouth to protest, then lowered hiseyes. “I did it to protect you, my lord. Forgive me.”
The crowd erupted. Two elves seized Akakios and disarmedhim.
“Traitor,” Eftichis roared, as he drew hisblade.
“Stay your blade, Eftichis,” Theopoloucommanded. He turned back to Akakios.
“You pretended to befriend Gewey. You wereinstrumental in the slaying of dozens of your kin. You betrayed yourlord, and dishonored your name.”
“I did what I did to help you keepyour honor,” Akakios replied, angrily. “You would have usbow to this… abomination. You would lead our people to their doom.Don't you see? I was protecting you… from yourself.” Tearsstreamed down his face. “But I swear I never meant for so manyto die.”
“For one elf to die by your actions isunforgivable,” said Chiron, furiously. “You have sealedyour fate.”
“No,” said Theopolou. “Gewey hastaught me a lesson this day. Akakios is in my service, and I willdecide what is to be done with him.” He walked close to Akakiosand leveled his eyes. “He is to be questioned. Then release himwith the prisoner in three days. He is exiled to the east. If he hasany honor left, he will abide by this decision. If not, so be it.”
“Is that wise?” asked Chiron.
“Probably not,” Theopolou admitted. “Butwe must be better than those who oppose us. We must not succumb tovengeance or hatred. I will see elves return to grace, even if thatmeans showing mercy to our enemies.” He stepped back and thetwo guards took Akakios away.
“What now?” asked Chiron.
Gewey handed the Book of Souls to Theopolou. The old elfgazed at it for a full minute before he looked up again.
“I have to leave,” said Gewey. “I haveto rescue Kaylia.”
“I understand,” said Theopolou. He put theBook back inside the box and closed it. “I will guard this foryou until you return. In the meantime, we have much to discussamongst ourselves.”
“I will come with you, Gewey Stedding,” saidEftichis.
“No,” said Theopolou. “You are neededhere. Many are still not convinced that this is the way. I will needyour help.”
“He's right,” said Gewey. “You musthelp Theopolou. Linis and I can track down the elves that tookKaylia.”
“But you will be outnumbered,” Eftichisargued. “At least let me send some of my guard with you.”
“Thank you,” said Gewey. “But I thinkLinis is all the help I'll need. If it comes down to a fight, I'drather not risk more lives than I have to.”
As if on cue, Linis returned, his face grave. “Thereare no signs of my seekers.”
“Perhaps they were driven away,” saidEftichis.
“Perhaps,” said Linis. “Whatever thecase, I have no time to look for them. I found the attackers trail.They flee north at great speed. Some on horseback. We must leave now,or we will struggle to catch up.” He turned to Gewey. “Areyou ready?”
Gewey checked the pack and sword. “I'm ready.”
“Good,” said Linis. “You can tell mewhat happened while I was gone, later. I'm sure it is worth hearing.”