Of Gods and Elves - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,78

your friends.”

“Are you sure there is a plot?” asked Gewey.

Linis shook his head. “You hit upon it, my friend. I suspect there is. I feel there is. But I do not know it. Everything I have predicted would happen, and needed to happen, has happened. Theopolou is exposed, and you are unprotected... at least they think you are.” Linis leaned in and whispered. “My seekers are near, should we be attacked or should someone attempt to follow us.”

This comforted Gewey, and he could feel Kaylia's mood lift as well. “How long until we arrive?” he asked.

“Normally, it would take more than a week,” Linis replied with amusement. “But they seek to exhaust you by maintaining a pace no human could endure for very long. At this rate we will be there in five days, maybe less.”

Gewey smiled. “I'll try and look tired.”

“I will rejoin Theopolou,” said Kaylia. “I suggest you use this time to prepare for our ceremony.” She rose to her feet and walked off in the direction of the others.

“She's right,” said Linis. “You would not wish to anger your unorem on your first day of bonding.”

“Unorem?” asked Gewey.

Linis laughed. “Wife is how you would say it. But partner might be more accurate.”

Gewey blushed and whispered. “Unorem...” He looked up at Linis. “I hope I'm ready for this.”

“You're ready,” assured Linis. “And if you are not, then you soon will be. In fact, I envy you. It takes courage to enter into the bonding. To share that much of oneself is not a matter to be taken lightly, yet I cannot help but wonder what it would be like.”

“Do you have an... unorem?” asked Gewey.

“No,” Linis replied. “I loved once. But my life as a seeker kept me ever from her. In time she chose another.”

“And now,” he asked. “Is there anyone?”

Linis paused for a long moment. “There is someone I desire. And I believe she desires me. But, I fear I will never have the chance to find out.”

“Who is it?” Gewey pressed. “Tell me.”

Linis smiled dolefully. “It is not in our custom to ask such questions.”

“I'm sorry,” said Gewey. “But it's not like I would know her. The only elves I know are mostly here with us.”

“And what makes you think she is an elf?” asked Linis.

“You mean she's human?” exclaimed Gewey. Akakios and the other guards looked up for a second, then returned to their meal.

“You must learn discretion,” Linis scolded. “I did not say she was human. I did not say anything.” He sighed. “I will tell you. But you must keep this knowledge to yourself.”

“I swear.” Gewey leaned forward.

“Celandine,” said Linis.

“Dina?” Gewey laughed as quietly as he could manage.

“Is it in your custom to make sport of a friend’s emotions?” he said.

Gewey calmed himself. “I'm sorry. Really. It's just unexpected. When did this happen?”

“I knew I felt something for her the moment we met,” said Linis. “Though at the time I thought she was fully human. Then, it was easy enough to dismiss. I would live hundreds of years, and she would grow old and die. I would not court her only to watch her slip away. But when I touched her hand for the first time and felt the elf blood coursing through her veins, it became clear to me that I could not simply ignore what I felt.”

“And you say she feels the same way?” asked Gewey.

Linis shrugged. “I can tell she feels something. But what, I don't know. If we both live through this adventure, I intend to find out.”

Gewey slapped him on the shoulder. “We'll live through this. And when we do, I just know it will work out for you.”

“Perhaps,” he said. “But that is a question only the future can answer. For now, we must concern ourselves with more immediate issues.”

Linis spent the next few hours going over the ceremony with Gewey, having him repeat it back to him over and over. Once Linis was satisfied they had covered as much as they could, the two of them lay down to sleep for what little time remained. Gewey could feel Kaylia through their bond and was tempted to reach out, but decided not to risk trouble with the elders. He still wasn't sure of the extent of their abilities and didn't want to stir things up until he had to.

Chapter Twenty-Three

An hour before sunrise they were underway again. Linis spent the first few hours picking up where they had left off the night before. The bonding ceremony