vagabond.” She went to the wardrobe and pulled out a black, silk shirt and matching trousers.
Gewey held up the shirt and cocked his head. “I'll miss the comfort of my elf clothes.”
Kaylia laughed. “I'm sure we can find you more. But this must suffice for now.” She took out a pair of leather boots and a silver belt. “Do not worry. You will be covered with dirt again soon enough.” She grabbed his arm and had him sit in the chair in front of the dressing table mirror.
He looked at himself in horror. His beard had grown to nearly an inch long, and his hair was a tangled mess. “I can't believe you can bear to look at me.”
“Don't worry,” she said, kissing his neck. “I will see to it that you are presentable. Get dressed and I will return shortly.”
She donned a cotton robe and a pair of silk slippers and left the room. A few minutes later she returned with a young girl dressed in a plain, green tunic and skirt.
“Go with her,” said Kaylia. “She will see to your...grooming.” Her last word came out with a light titter.
Gewey gave himself one last look in the mirror, and sighed. “Not exactly inspiring, am I?”
“We'll change that, my lord,” said the girl, with a perky bounce.
She led him to an unused chamber, and set to work, and soon Gewey was shaved and groomed. A guard came, just as the girl was finishing, to tell Gewey that Kaylia awaited him in the receiving hall.
The guard escorted Gewey to the hall. Just outside the doors he saw Chiron, speaking quietly to Bellisia.
Chiron beamed as Gewey approached. “Ah, now you are a welcome sight.”
Gewey bowed to them both. “When did you arrive?”
“Just now,” he replied. “Both mine and Bellisia's lands are not as far away as others. The other elf nations will be here within the month.”
“Is it true Angrääl has taken the city of Skalhalis?” asked Bellisia.
“It would appear so,” Gewey replied. “It looks like time has run out. War is come.”
“I hear dear Theopolou left Ertik of Valshara to speak for the elves in Althetas,” said Chiron. “How times are changing.”
“For the better, I pray,” added Bellisia. “The idea of elf and human living together is still unsettling to many of my people. But they are coming to accept it as inevitable, as I have.”
“There is much you will hear that will surprise you, Lady Bellisia,” said Gewey. “Aaliyah and I made many discoveries in the eastern desert.”
“What could be discovered in such a barren waste?” she asked, looking doubtful.
“I am sure Gewey will tell us everything once we are inside,” said Chiron. He reached out and opened the door. “Shall we?”
Inside the receiving hall, a large oval table had been placed in the very center of the room. Most of the chairs were already filled with finely, dressed men and women, some with obvious military insignia on their attire, along with several elves Gewey recognized from the Chamber of the Maker. Aaliyah and Nehrutu sat together near the far end. Aaliyah had changed into a deep blue dress, with emerald embroidery, and her black hair was decorated with tiny white flowers. Gewey smiled when he saw her.
At the far end sat Selena, dressed in the ceremonial robes of Amon Dähl. Ertik was seated to her left, and Maybell to her right. Maybell smiled when she saw Gewey. He waved and smiled in return. Kaylia sat at the other end next to an empty chair opposite Selena.
The room went silent as Gewey made his way to his seat. Kaylia touched his hand gently. Chiron and Bellisia found a seat near Ertik. Chiron whispered something into Ertik’s ear that brought a pleased look to his face.
Selena stood and addressed the room. “We all know why we are here. War has come sooner than expected. Angrääl has landed ships in the city of Skalhalis, and will march on Althetas any day. We must decide how to act. I know that most of our force is still gathering, but we have already gathered soldiers from Queen Lilian of Farthing, Prince Loniel of Sieren Bay, along with ten-thousand elves. King Lousis will have more men here by morning.” She sat back down.
A tall, grizzled-looking man, with silver hair and rough features stood. “I am General Keise Halman, of Farthing. Do we know the numbers we will face, or shall we march blindly into battle?”
“We are trying to find out how many Angrääl has sent,”