“Many lifetimes ago, our people journeyed across the Great Sureshi, or what you know as the Western Abyss, and settled this land. We lived and prospered for generations, and for generations we came to see this land as our own. But this was not so. For this land belonged to another people. This land first belonged to the humans.”
This caused the elves to stir.
Aaliyah held out her hand to still the crowd. “I know how many of you feel about the humans. And I know that many believe you have reason to hate them. But what you do not know is that it was we who first sinned against them. The humans were already here when we arrived. But they were not as you know them today. Mere children they were. Savage children, nomadic hunters and gatherers. We brought to them our ways, and our learning. We taught them to build, to farm, to live as a community. But in the end we did these things for our own purposes.
“In the end we subjugated the humans. We turned them into little more than a slave race, born to serve our needs.” She stepped down from the platform and stood in front of Gewey, staring deeply into his eyes. “It was not until the Gods showed us the error of our ways, did we realize what we had done. But by then, it was too late.”
She broke her gaze and looked back at her friends then back to the gathering. “The Gods created the Great Barrier, and destroyed any hope to contact our people beyond. Any who tried to cross perished. For thousands of years we have kept watch, praying for the day we could return to you. Nineteen years ago the Great Barrier disappeared, and now we have come.” She stepped back onto the platform. “My brothers and I have lived our lives with the knowledge of the sins of the elves, and the price we have paid…the price you have paid. But now, we are here to help you regain what you have lost…and to undo the wrongs of our forefathers.” She closed her eyes and bowed her head. The only sound was a soft breeze stirring the tents and pavilion.
Theopolou was the first to speak. “You say that you have been able to come here for nearly twenty years. Why have you waited so long? Why have you not revealed yourselves before now?”
Aaliyah opened her eyes and sighed. “We could not know what had become of you. The humans had clearly taken control of this land. We sent scouts to gain information. What we found was that you had become…different. You have changed from the people you once were. To us, you had become more like the humans. We were uncertain what to do.”
This caused angry shouts and curses.
“Then why now?” asked Bellisia.
“Because of him.” She pointed dramatically at Gewey. “When we discovered the coming of Shivis Mol, we knew we must act.” She said this as though it was an obvious truth. Her eyes fell on the wounded in the pavilion. “But it is clear we should have acted sooner.”
“How did you know about Gewey?” asked Theopolou. “We have only just discovered it ourselves.”
“We were given a prophecy when the Great Barrier appeared,” Aaliyah replied. “It says that a God bound to earth will come to show us the way to the Creator. He will wash away our sins and reunite us with our people. We knew when the Barrier disappeared, it heralded his coming.”
“But how did you know it was me?” asked Gewey.
“Our people have connection with what you call the flow,” she replied. “Though the elves of this land have lost much of their power, we have not. You could never hide what you are from us.” She held out her hand. Before Gewey realized what he was doing he had taken it and allowed her to pull him onto the platform. “We have learned much about our brethren since we first arrived.” She spoke to the elves, but her eyes were on Gewey. “You despise the Gods. You would turn away your one hope for salvation. But you do not understand what that would mean. You have an enemy rising against you. An enemy that will wipe you from the face of this land. An enemy that has corrupted the hearts of your brothers and sisters.” The persuasive elf released Gewey and pointed to the wounded in the pavilion. “This is the result.” Her voice was hard and cold as steel. “You have made war with your own kind once before. This we know. And though it caused us great sorrow to think of such a thing, we hoped that you had learned from your mistakes. We hoped you had not fallen so far that your spirit was lost.” The air around Aaliyah stirred as the flow rushed through her. “You asked why we reveal ourselves now. You wonder why we waited.” A flame burst to life above her head and shot skyward. The crowd backed away in shock. Gewey stood transfixed. “We waited because you are as different from us as the humans are from you. We feared your own sins would return. We feared you could not regain what you have lost.” She released the flow and the air stilled. Her features softened and a delicate smile returned. “But the time for fear is past, and we waited too long.”
“What do you intend to do?” asked Theopolou.
“We intend to teach you,” she replied. “All of you. Even those who have lost their way. Those who have attacked this place have been warped and controlled by a force they could not resist. The one you know as the Reborn King has unleashed a power beyond your understanding. It is a power you cannot hope to overcome. Even with Shivis Mol at your side, you will need more.”
“We have the Book of Souls,” said Theopolou.
“I know,” she said. “But have you tried to use it?”
“Gewey has opened it,” said Chiron.
“We know of the Book of Souls,” said Aaliyah. “And such a thing will be needed in the days ahead. But you need weapons. Weapons that can match those brought to bear against you.”
“And where shall we acquire such weapons?” asked Theopolou.
Aaliyah looked at Gewey's sword, hanging from his belt. “There is a place. It is where the sword Shivis Mol now wields was forged.”
Theopolou raised an eyebrow. “And you know where it is?”
“We know where to look,” she answered. “In the desert of the east; we have sensed its power.”
“It would take months to make the journey,” said Bellisia. “We are already attacked. I fear we have no time.”
“My ship can take us there in less than two weeks.” She stated this firmly.
Murmurs of doubt spread through the crowd.
“Our fastest ships couldn't cross the distance in twice that,” said Bellisia.
Aaliyah laughed softly. “Our shipbuilders are quite skilled. And, as you will learn, the winds can be controlled.” She surveyed the crowd for a moment. “Nehrutu and Mohanisi shall remain here. I will find the location where the weapons are held.” Nehrutu and Mohanisi stepped forward. “They will help you as best they can to prepare.”
“How many are you?” asked Theopolou.
Nehrutu stepped forward. “We set sail with three ships, and are few in number. But we can help you prepare, and teach you things your people have forgotten. We will show you how the flow can be used in ways you have never imagined.”
“Can you send for more of your people?” asked Bellisia. “Will more not come?”
“It would take many months to make the crossing,” he replied. “More to gather and return. You will be destroyed long before then. I will send one ship back to our land, but do not expect help from my people. You are on your own…for now.”
“Now I would speak to your elders,” said Aaliyah. “And Shivis Mol. We have much to discuss and little time.” She addressed the gathering. “You still have many questions, I know. Tonight, Nehrutu and Mohanisi will tell tales of our home, and answer your questions.”
She stepped down from the platform. Nehrutu and Mohanisi followed. The gathering of elves gave way as they walked toward their bedrolls. She paused and looked back. “Shivis Mol. I would have you and the elders join me. I intend to leave with the dawn.” Linis and Kaylia stepped beside Gewey. Aaliyah held out her hand. “Linis should stay with Nehrutu…but Kaylia should join us.”