pace despite his growing fatigue.
“I will scout the area,” said Linis, when they finally stopped to make camp.
“No,” said Kaylia, firmly. “You are too weak. I will see that the area is unwatched.” She turned to Gewey and took his empty flask from his belt. “There is a stream nearby, and possibly some herbs. In the meantime we will risk a small fire. Attend to it, if you please, Gewey.”
Linis tossed her his flask as well. “You may find jawas roots in these parts, or perhaps yellow silisia bulbs.”
Kaylia nodded and disappeared into the brush.
Linis offered to help with the fire, but Gewey wouldn't allow it.
“We need you strong again,” said Gewey. “You must rest. I can build a fire without help.”
Linis smiled and sat down against a nearby tree. He allowed his eyes to fall shut and his mind to drift.
By the time Kaylia returned, Gewey had a small fire crackling cheerfully. Linis was still leaning against the tree, arms folded and eyes closed.
Kaylia handed Gewey his now filled flask and sat next to him by the fire. “I could not find jawas, but silisia was plentiful.”
She withdrew a handful of small yellow flowers from her belt and began tearing them in tiny pieces. The air filled with a sickly sweet odor that reminded Gewey of plum brandy, only stronger. Once she was finished she opened Linis' flask and placed the shredded bulbs inside. Tearing a strip of cloth from her sleeve she tied the flask to a long twig and held it over the fire. “It’s not as good as jawas, but it will help.” She glanced over at Linis. Her expression was grave.
“What's wrong?” asked Gewey.
“Nothing,” she replied. “It is just odd to see someone such as Linis in this state.”
“He got that way healing me,” explained Gewey. He recounted the fight with the Vrykol.
“It is a wonder he was able to make it this far,” said Kaylia. “Healing of that sort is not easy, and the cost is great. She touched the back of her head where the sword had struck, then looked deep into Gewey's eyes. She leaned in and kissed him gently. “You are powerful to have healed me the way you did. Such a feat would have incapacitated even the strongest elf.”
Gewey was flushed and his heart pounded. He could feel the warmth of her lips even when they were no longer on his. It took him a minute to speak. “I honestly don't know how I did it. Since we left the spirit world, it's like I understand the flow in my heart...but I still can't understand it in my mind.” His thoughts turned to how the Vrykol was able to block his abilities. “There's too much I don't understand.” He waved it off and smiled. “I wasn't able to reach out to you when the elves held you. I think somehow the Vrykol was responsible, but....” he shook his head and took Kaylia's hands. “Tell me what happened.”
Kaylia told him about her time in captivity. When she was done, she dropped the flask next to the fire and kissed Gewey again, this time long and deep.
“What was that for?” he stammered.
Kaylia smiled. “Because I feared I would never again have the chance. And...” She grabbed Gewey's collar roughly, and met his eyes. Her smile had vanished. “As we are bonded, it is my right.”
There was a long pause, then they both burst out in laughter. Gewey felt as if a weight had been lifted from his heart. They spent the next hour huddled together in silence, staring into the fire. Their bond made words unnecessary. Kaylia finished the tea and left it to cool.
“It will be ready by daybreak.” said Kaylia. “Linis should drink most of it, but be certain you have at least a mouthful.” She lay down on the forest floor. “Strong as you are, I can tell that healing me took its toll on you.”
Gewey hadn't noticed until that moment how much his body ached. He lay next to Kaylia and allowed his mind to drift into hers. He felt closer to her than ever before. A satisfied smile washed over his face as sleep finally took him.
Chapter 3
As Millet and Dina neared Sharpstone, Millet's spirits had noticeably lifted. When they were only a mile from town they spurred their horses to a quick trot. Millet looked to and fro, taking in familiar sights, grinning happily. Martha Tredall, one of the village mothers and the wife of Hallis