Of Gods and Elves - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,20
the Book of Souls. Of this I am certain.”
“As the High Lady of Valshara, I will tell you this.” Selena’s voice was commanding and firm. “Any attempt to take the Book of Souls by force will fail. You may know of the location of this temple, but you do not know its secrets. Even should you succeed to breach our walls, you will never find the Book. It will be lost forever.” She slowly rose to her feet. “I promise you the moment a single elf steps inside without invitation, will be the last moment the Book of Souls will see the light of the sun. I will cast it where no one will ever find it again.”
“This is getting us nowhere.” Theopolou’s frustration bled through in his voice. “What will make you see reason?”
The door to the hall flew open, and Sister Wileminia ran straight to the High Lady and whispered in her ear. Selena's eyes widened.
“We must resume this later,” Selena announced. “Lee, Dina and Lord Theopolou, I need you to come with me at once.”
“What's happened?” asked Dina.
“Gewey and Kaylia are awake. Sister Wileminia, will you see that Theopolou's companions are fed?”
Wileminia gave a quick nod and Selena rushed out of the room. Lee, Theopolou, and Dina trailed behind.
Chapter Five
When they arrived at the healing chamber, they found it nearly empty. A healer mixed herbs with a stone pestle in the corner, and Gewey and Kaylia were sitting up in their beds, talking quietly. Their faces lit up when they saw Lee and Dina, but Kaylia's expression quickly changed to concern when Theopolou entered.
“It's about time you two woke up.” Lee laughed.
“It's good to see you, too,” said Gewey. His voice was weak and cracked.
“They mustn't speak too much,” said Selena. “At least not until they've had a few days to regain their strength. We've kept them alive with herbal mixtures, but that's not a replacement for a good hot meal.”
“We're both fine,” said Gewey. “Although I wouldn't turn down a bit of food.”
“I've already sent word to the kitchen, High Lady,” said the healer in the corner. “It should be here shortly.”
Theopolou walked next to Kaylia's bed, ignoring the others. “It is good to see you well.”
Kaylia nodded. “I am pleased to see you, uncle. I am confused, though. How did you come to be here?”
“Your... friends sent for me. They hoped I could heal you, and this one.” He motioned, indicating Gewey. “But as it seems, it was unnecessary.”
“Healing me cannot be the only reason you have come,” said Kaylia. “I am to be killed on sight. Am I not?”
“That is not of my doing,” replied Theopolou. “I have opposed it from the beginning. I despise what you are doing, but I would never see you put to death without judgment.”
“But you would see me put to death,” she shot back.
“Have you not broken the law? Are you not in the company of humans? Have you not chosen to travel with them openly?”
“And why should that be a crime?”
“You should know better than most.”
Kaylia fumed, but Gewey reached out and took her hand.
“I thank you for coming,” said Gewey. “But as you can see, neither of us is in need of help.”
Theopolou stared at Gewey holding the hand of his niece for a long moment. “I see,” he said finally. “Then you have committed yourself to treason, and there is nothing more I can do for you.”
“Treason?” Kaylia scoffed. “Then what have the elders who sent assassins to hunt me down committed?”
“I agree,” said Theopolou. “But that changes nothing. If you come home I might be able to persuade the elders to let you live, but the look in your eyes tells me that will not happen.”
“You're wrong, uncle. I have given my word that I will face judgment, and I will do so. But not until my task is finished.”
“And what task is that? What business could you have with these people?”
“That is not for me to say. At least, not yet.”
Theopolou sighed heavily. “Then if you no longer are in need of aid that only leaves one final matter.” He looked over to Selena. “The Book of Souls.”
“That can wait,” said Lee. “I would speak to Gewey and Kaylia first. There is much I have to tell them and much I would like to know.”
“Very well,” said Theopolou. “I too would hear their account. They have journeyed where no elf has gone. How this could have happened has weighed on my mind.”