King Lousis took Selena’s hands and kissed them fondly. “I will eagerly await our next meeting, high lady.”
Selena blushed. “As do I, your highness.”
Once the farewells were said, she watched as the party departed. Cheers erupted from both human and elf as they passed through the shattered gates. Ertik looked back at least four times before disappearing out of sight. Theopolou’s words still echoed in her mind.
She called to Lord Jeffos Windermere, who the King had left in charge of the Althetan forces. “I want you to have your men take the prisoners to the temple basement. There you will find an empty wine cellar. It hasn’t been used in many years and is large enough to house them, for the time being.” Windermere threw his fist to his chest in salute, and marched away.
“I must not doubt,” she whispered softly.
Chapter 20
The reflection of the desert sun on the sands made navigation increasingly difficult as Gewey and Aaliyah made their way back to the shore. Each dune looked the same as the last, and Aaliyah could no longer sense the direction of her ship. Though their pace started out fast and determined, after only a few hours, signs of the poison working its way through Aaliyah's system was beginning to show. Gewey did his best to keep the air around them cool with the flow, but each time Aaliyah would stumble or pause, he found it difficult to concentrate. On more than one occasion a blast of hot air washed over them, making it nearly impossible to breathe. He couldn't imagine living in such a hellish place.
By mid-afternoon their pace had decreased to a slow walk. Beads of sweat formed on Aaliyah's brow, her skin was pale, and her breathing was shallow and quick. Gewey took her arm, but she pushed him away.
“No need for that,” she said, weakly. “It would seem the poison was stronger than I anticipated. I think I will rest for a moment.” She eased herself onto the sand. “If you would just keep the air cool, I think I will be all right in a few minutes.”
Gewey could tell she was lying. He tried once again to heal her, but again his flow was thrown back. He clenched his fists with frustration. “There must be something I can do.”
“There is nothing, I'm afraid.” She reached in her pack, pulled out a blanket, and used it to cushion her head as she lay down. “I just need to rest.” She closed her eyes.
“You must fight it,” Gewey pleaded. “You must stay with me.”
She reached up and touched his cheek. “I have fought, and it would appear I have lost. But do not be sad. I am content to have lived to be part of your story. I have seen our kin reunited, and for all of this I am thankful.”
“Don't talk like that,” said Gewey, fiercely. “I will carry you, if I must.”
“There is no time,” she said. “I will be gone in a few moments. I can feel it.”
“Please.” Gewey's voice cracked. “I can’t let you die.”
Aaliyah smiled sweetly. “This is beyond your power.” She closed her eyes. “Tell Nehrutu that I am sorry. Tell him I only did what I had to do. Tell him…I…”
Gewey lifted her head and cradled her in his arms, tears flowing freely. Her body grew limp as life slipped away. He tried desperately to reach her, but still could not. Throwing his head back, he let out a primal scream. The sand exploded all around them and the earth trembled.
The ground settled and Gewey closed his eyes and allowed his spirit to drift to her. The light inside her was fading and the warmth of her spirit was growing colder. He could not bear to see her fade and he drifted skyward. Just above where they lay, he could see himself holding her limp form in his arms. It was the first time he had ever seen himself in such a manner. The scene threatened to shatter his heart. He could see his own life force burning brightly, and watched as hers flickered and vanished.
Then, as if from far away, he heard the sound of a child’s laughter. First, only one, then another and another, until he heard dozens and dozens of mirthful voices all laughing at once. Not in a clamor of incoherent sound, but in the purest of harmony. Gentle at first, they grew louder and stronger until the sound surrounded him with magnificent wonder. In between each sweet voice, the tinkling of tiny bells increased the harmony. A wave of joy washed over him, causing his heart to swell with unmeasured happiness. It was as though bliss were tangible; a treasure one could possess.
He looked back down at his body holding Aaliyah's. He looked the same, but her body was surrounded by a million tiny points of light twinkling and swirling in rhythm with the laughter. The light moved closer and closer together until they began to take form. At first it wasn't clear, then slowly he realized it was the figure of Aaliyah. She glowed and shimmered with the light of a thousand stars. Her face beamed at him as she drifted away from her body.
Gewey reached out. It was then he felt a burning on his breast. He looked to see the specter of the medallion Gerath had given him that still hung around his neck. Heat upon heat burned into his spiritual flesh, until he thought he could no longer bear it. He tried to scream, but no sound came from his lips. He could see Aaliyah drifting farther away, above him. Her spirit was fading. He called to her. She stopped. Right then he understood.
He concentrated on the sound of the laughter. In moments it took physical form. It appeared as a shimmering mist that surrounded everything. It was everywhere. Gewey could not believe he had never seen this before. He knew this was the spirit of the flow. The very soul of the earth.
He reached out to Aaliyah's spirit and shepherded it back into her body. He drifted back into his own, as the laughter grew distant, then went silent. He looked down at Aaliyah. Almost imperceptibly her chest move up and down as life returned. He reach out to her, and this time met no resistance. The poison was gone. He allowed his energy to flow into her, slowly at first, then more and more, until he could feel her strength returning.
“That is enough, Gewey.”
Her voice shocked him back into reality. She was smiling up at him, eyes closed, gently stroking his arm.
“How do you feel?” he asked, brushing her hair away from her face.
“Thanks to you, I feel alive,” she replied. “But weary. I should rest until morning, I think.” She squeezed him tight then slipped back onto the desert sands and nestled her head in the blanket. “You felt it, didn't you?” she whispered. “The spirit of the earth.”
“Yes,” said Gewey. “It was beautiful. Like nothing I could have ever imagined.”
“I wish I could have seen it.” She sighed, and fell into a deep, restful sleep.
Gewey watched over her until the dawn broke, keeping the chill night air around them warm. When she awoke, the sun was just peeking over the horizon. She looked at him and scowled.
“You have not slept,” she scolded, though not convincingly.
Gewey took out a piece of flatbread and his flask, and gave it to her. “I'm fine. I've lived with less sleep before. And after a swifter pace.” He recalled his journey from Valshara to the house of Theopolou.
“Still, what you did for me could not have been easy,” she countered.
“Actually, it was.” He tore off a piece of bread. “Though I'm not sure I could do it again.” He remembered the medallion and reached to his breast. It was gone. “It was the gift of Gerath that showed me how.”
Aaliyah touched his chest where the medallion once hung. “Such a sacrifice.”
Gewey smiled. “I don't need it anymore. The power that was in it, is now inside me. I can feel it.”
“How does it feel?”
He shrugged. “It's hard to explain. It’s not much different than when I touch the spirit of another person, only much more intense. It lacks the negative emotion and uncertainty of the mortal spirit. When your spirit left your body, I could see you join with it…in a way. Do you remember?”