The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) (18 page)

“
What is that?” asked
Aaliyah.

“
Once you come to the edge of the
Oasis, you cannot allow Pali to continue.” Her face became
strained. “Swear it! No matter how much he pleads.”

“
I told you, mother—” Pali protested,
but another glance, once again silenced him.

Aaliyah nodded with understanding. “I swear
to you, he shall only guide us as far as the edge, and no farther.
And though you may feel my use of the powers wrong, I also swear
that I will use them to keep him safe.”

“
I do not fear for my son in the open
desert,” she replied. “But I thank you.” She leaned back. “I know I
must appear hard and inhospitable to you. But I assure you I am
not.”

“
You have no need to explain,” said
Aaliyah. “I, too, am responsible for the lives of others, and
understand the need for caution when it comes to the safety of my
people.”

Weila's countenance softened. “Then I shall
let you rest. Tomorrow you will get proper clothing for your
journey.”

Aaliyah and Gewey bowed as the Sand Master
rose to her feet.

“
That went better than I thought,”
remarked Pali.

“
You're lucky to have a mother that
cares so much,” said Gewey. He thought of his own mother and her
absence from his life. “Mine died when I was very
young.”

“
I am sorry to hear it.” Pali cocked
his head. “You share much with our kind. I see that you are
accustomed to the company of elves. That is good to know. Most of
what we have heard of the west are stories of hatred and
war.”

“
The stories are true,” said Gewey.
“But things are changing.”

They sat up for a few more minutes, then
bedded down for the night.

Chapter 12

Kaylia awoke screaming and crying
uncontrollably. In seconds Linis and Theopolou were at her
side.

“
It's gone!” she cried. “It's
gone!”

Theopolou pulled her close. “What's
gone?”

It took her a moment to stifle her sobs. “My
bond with Gewey. It's gone!”

Theopolou closed his eyes and breathed
deeply. He placed his hands on her head. “It is not gone. It has
been...somehow blocked.”

At that moment Nehrutu approached. “Is
everything all right?” His shimmering red pants and shirt, along
with his effortless, regal movements made him easy to recognize. As
graceful as the elves of this land were, they appeared awkward by
comparison.

Kaylia tried to rise, but Theopolou held her
fast. Her eyes burned. “Aaliyah is behind it! I know it!”

“
What has happened?” asked
Nehrutu.

“
I believe Aaliyah may have somehow
blocked the bond between Kaylia and Gewey,” Theopolou explained.
“At least that is the only explanation I can imagine.”

Nehrutu leaned down and placed his hand on
Kaylia's shoulder. He closed his eyes for a full minute. “Yes, she
has.”

“
That witch,” Kaylia hissed.

“
Can you undo what she has done?” asked
Theopolou.

“
I could...perhaps,” Nehrutu replied.
“But I will not.”

“
Why?” Kaylia screamed. “Why will you
not help me?”

Nehrutu sighed. “Aaliyah has done this, and
she has her reasons. It is not for me to interfere. Take comfort
that she did not break your bond. She is certainly strong
enough.”

“
Why would she do this?” asked Linis.
“What purpose does it serve?”

Nehrutu thought for a moment. “The only
reason would be to help Shivis Mol. If the bond hindered his
training, she would not hesitate to block it. I would do the
same.”

Kaylia's anger boiled. She pulled away from
Theopolou and jumped to her feet, standing inches away from
Nehrutu. “And if you did, the powers of the Creator would not save
you. Nor would they save Aaliyah, if she were here.” Tears welled
in her eyes, as the pain of Gewey's absence grew.

Nehrutu's face was expressionless, and he met
her eyes unflinchingly. “Then it is both fortunate that I did not
do this, and that she is not here to face your wrath.”

Linis gently grabbed Kaylia's arm. “There is
nothing to be done. I am certain Gewey will find a way to undo
this.”

Kaylia stepped back and walked away into the
darkness. Over and over she reached out, but to no avail. Finally,
she collapsed on the ground and wept. The vast emptiness was more
than she could bear. The bond with Gewey was a part of her. It was
as if it had always been, and until that moment, she thought it
would always be. For nearly an hour she wept in the darkness, until
she heard footfalls approaching. Expecting to see Linis or
Theopolou, she wiped her eyes and stood. But instead she saw
Nehrutu.

“
I do not want to speak to you.” Her
voice seethed with hatred.

“
You may change your mind when you hear
what I have to say,” said Nehrutu.

Kaylia folded her arms and turned away.

“
You are aware of Aaliyah's intentions
toward Shivis Mol,” he said.

“
His name is Gewey,” she shot
back.

“
As you say.” He took a step closer.
“We are not all in harmony with her intentions. Particularly
me.”

Kaylia turned. “And why is that?”

“
Before we became aware of...Gewey,” he
replied, “I was Aaliyah’s betrothed. We were to be
joined.”

This took Kaylia aback. “And now?”

“
Aaliyah is determined,” he said,
lowering his eyes. Kaylia could see the pain in his expression.
“She truly believes that it is her duty to join with Gewey, and she
will not relent. That he loves you is your greatest ally. But
Aaliyah is clever and powerful. She will not make it easy for Gewey
to refuse.”

“
What can I do?” she asked,
desperately. “How can I stop her?”

“
You must learn to use the powers that
the Creator has provided.” He took her hands and looked into her
eyes. “I can help you, but only if you let me. I do not want to
lose Aaliyah, and I fear I will. But if you show yourself to her as
an equal, she may very well step aside.”

“
How can I do this?” Her voice cracked.
“I am no seeker, nor am I an elder.”

“
You have the ability inside you,” he
assured. “If only you will allow me to show you, you will discover
your true gifts. Then perhaps we can both find peace and
contentment.”

Kaylia nodded slowly. “I would be grateful
for your help.” She pulled away and rubbed her arms from the chill
night. “How is it she simply abandoned you?”

Nehrutu gave her a sad smile. “You should not
judge her harshly. She is dedicated to the well-being of our
people. She looks to the needs of others above her own desires.
Everything she has done has been for the good of our
people...though I often wish it was not so.”

Kaylia choked back her tears. “When shall we
begin?”

“
As soon as possible,” Nehrutu replied.
“With your fire we should accomplish much.”

They walked back to camp together. Kaylia
felt more at ease, though the loss of the bond still wrenched at
her heart.

Since Gewey and Aaliyah's departure the elves
began making preparation to retake Valshara. Mohanisi, through the
power of the flow, was able to get word to his ship and send it
back to his homeland. Kaylia and Linis both remarked at the
advantage of such communication.

The elders immediately sent messengers to
muster the elves, and bear news of the events at the Chamber of the
Maker. Theopolou had one of his guards bring a letter to Selena in
Althetas, informing her of their intent. They reckoned it would
take at least four weeks to ready a viable assault, and decided to
use that time to gather intelligence on the temple occupation.

The first night of Kaylia's training was more
frustrating than anything she had ever experienced before. Nehrutu
took her away from the camp and sat her on a soft patch of
grass.

“
The earth will be first,” he said. “It
is the simplest to achieve. Once you master it, you will be able to
do many things that were far out of your reach before.”

“
I have seen Linis and Theopolou use
such power,” she said. “I know—”

“
You know nothing,” he said, cutting
her off, though he did not raise his voice. “The elders and your
seekers, have no idea of how to harness this power. In my land, elf
children can do more.” He leveled his gaze. “I am at odds with
Mohanisi by my instructing you, exclusively. Do not make me regret
this by thinking that you know what you do not.”

“
I am sorry,” said Kaylia. “I will
listen to your instructions.”

“
Good,” said Nehrutu. “Now close your
eyes and reach out with your spirit as you do through your bond.
Only touch the world around you.”

Kaylia tried, but could feel nothing. For
hours she concentrated, but with no results. Finally, Nehrutu stood
and held out his hand.

“
I am sorry,” said Kaylia. “I
tried.”

Nehrutu smiled warmly. “You did well.” She
took his hand and he pulled her up. “Most cannot sit so long
without breaking their concentration. You are using a power you
have forgotten. Should you not use your legs for a hundred years,
would you walk the first day?” He offered her a flask of honeyed
water, which she gratefully accepted. “You will get stronger very
soon. This I promise.”

Over the next three days, Kaylia's
frustration grew, but still she did not give up. Hours upon hours
she reached out, hoping to feel...anything. It was on the fourth
day it happened. It was nearly time to end the lesson when she felt
it. It was almost intangible in the beginning, so slight and quiet
at first she doubted she even felt it. Then it grew stronger. Gewey
had once described it as a pulse, but to Kaylia it was a heartbeat.
The heartbeat of the earth.

Her eyes popped open. “I felt it!”

Nehrutu smiled broadly. “That is good. And
sooner than I expected.”

“
It was wonderful.” She trembled with
excitement. “It was as if I could feel the living earth all around
me.” She closed her eyes, but Nehrutu placed his hand on her
shoulder.

“
That is enough for tonight,” he
said.

“
But—” she protested, but Nehrutu's
stare silenced her.

“
Tomorrow will come soon enough,” he
said. “And I am weary.”

The next three days were like nothing Kaylia
could have imagined. Though she felt ready, Nehrutu warned her
against actually drawing the flow inside.

“
Only see it for now,” said Nehrutu.
“Hear it sing its song. Let your own heart beat with the same
rhythm. Once you can do that, then you will be ready to go
further.”

By the end of the third week, she was ready.
Drawing in only small amounts at first, then a bit more and more,
until her entire body was saturated with power. For the first time,
she thought she understood what Gewey experienced, and the
intoxicating effect it had on him.

The field, by that time, was quickly filling
with hundreds upon hundreds of elves, and many still had yet to
arrive. Bellows had been erected and the sounds of the smith's
hammer echoed through the field and the smell of war filled the
air. The pavilion had been taken down, and the rubble cleared away,
and the field was dotted with tents and piles of provisions. By the
time they were to march, their force numbered twenty-five hundred.
More than enough, Kaylia thought, to retake Valshara. And still not
nearly a portion of what was to eventually come. On the morning of
their departure, Theopolou addressed the elves. He thought long on
what to say. He had not spoken of war in five-hundred years, and he
knew he must inspire.

“
I have received word that the High
Lady of Valshara has petitioned the King of Althetas to aid us,”
Theopolou announced. His voice was clear and forceful. “And he has
agreed. The city guard will be awaiting our forces north of the
temple.” He looked out over the gathering. “This will be the first
time in our history that we have fought alongside humans. But rest
assured, until the Dark One in the north is defeated, it will not
be the last. I know that many will resist this notion, but the time
for old hatred has passed. We fight for more than the possession of
one human temple. We will show the powers that seek to divide and
destroy us, the peril they place themselves in when choosing to
take what is not theirs. And we do not belong to Angrääl. We will
not believe their lies. We will not be played for fools. And we
will not allow them to annihilate our people.” This was met by a
roar of enthusiastic cheers. “Though our brothers and sister on the
Steppes had been brought under the yoke of the Dark One, we will
not suffer the same fate. So now we march.” He stood silent. The
gentle breeze bent the tall grass and the smell of oil and leather
permeated the air. “To war!” His voice boomed and echoed over the
field. Another round of cheers and war cries sent his heart racing.
It had been five hundred years since he had spoken words of war,
and though he hoped he would never do so again, the fire in his
people’s eyes told him that it was time. Time to live in the world
again. Time to fight for the right to survive...and it begins
here.

In less than an hour, the elves had formed
ranks. Unlike a human army, there were no wagons and horses. No
banners fluttered in the breeze. No. An elf army, was marching
death; fast and efficient. Theopolou, Linis, and Kaylia led the
way, while Nehrutu and Mohanisi followed close behind. The rest of
the elders marched among their individual tribes.