Of Gods and Elves - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,91

the others, he, Gewey, could still hear exactly where he was.

“Your power grows,” said Felsafell, munching on a bit of bread. “No longer weak. No longer frail.”

“How do you know what I am?” asked Gewey.

“I am old, not blind.”

Gewey stared into Felsafell's watery, gray eyes. Something was there, deep inside. Something different. Something unfamiliar. “You're really not human, are you?”

“Human?” he laughed. “No, no, no. I am too old for that. I am the first, yet I will not be the last.”

“You said that before,” said Gewey. “But what does it mean?”

“Me and kin wandered the hill and valleys, we did.” said Felsafell. “Happy and free. Before the elves and their ways. Before humans and their wars.”

Gewey raised an eyebrow. “So you're saying your people were here first? Where are they now, and why haven't I heard of them?”

“We are all gone.” A tinge of sorrow filled Felsafell’s voice. “All but me. Poor Felsafell. Gone before the humans gathered, were we. We saw the coming of elves. But too small the world became. Too prideful were we to remain. Deep in silence we escaped until only our voices were left.”

“So your people were here before the elves,” said Gewey. “But what about the Gods?”

“Oh, how wonderful they were,” said Felsafell. “We loved them so. We love them still. But in time, we lost our way and our will. Spirits we became... companions to your mother and father.”

“Do you know who my real mother is?” asked Gewey. “I've guessed that my father is Gerath. But who is my mother?”

“I tell what I know,” he replied. “But I speak of only what I know... and this I do not. Perhaps the Book of Souls has what you seek.”

“You know about that?” said Gewey in a hushed tone.

“Oh, yes,” said Felsafell. “I was there. I saw the Book. I hear its cry. It longs to be opened. But beware... a bell that is sounded cannot be un-rung.”

“What's in it?” asked Gewey.

“Many things,” he replied. “Some I know and others I do not. But now is not the time for telling these secrets. Soon enough... yes... soon enough.”

Kaylia walked up and took a seat beside Gewey. “You have caused quite a stir. The entire party can't stop talking about you.”

Felsafell smiled. “I have not left home in the lives of many an elf. It is good to see the world. Better to know I'm remembered.”

“I've noticed your speech has changed a bit,” said Gewey.

Felsafell cocked his head “Has it? I guess living in the world does that... oh yes. Practicing with the living makes it easy. Spirits have no need for speech, and elves rarely visit.”

“What about humans?” asked Kaylia. “Do they ever seek you out?”

“No, no,” he answered. “They know nothing of me. They think me a ghost. A rumor. But time for more talk will come later. Now we must march.”

The elves had already begun to gather their packs and gear, and soon they were on the move once again. The day was warm and the sun shone bright in the sky. Traveling with Felsafell was enjoyable for Gewey. He never tired of the old hermit’s stories, though he understood very little at times, and had never heard of most of the people and places mentioned. Before he realized it, they had walked thirty miles and it was time to stop for the night.

The following days were much the same, though Gewey was becoming increasingly apprehensive as they neared their destination. The night before they were to arrive, Theopolou asked Gewey to accompany him, away from the others.

“Are you prepared?” asked Theopolou.

“I'm not sure,” Gewey admitted. “I really have no idea what I'm going to say to convince them.”

Theopolou looked at Gewey thoughtfully. “The appearance of Felsafell should help with that. Word will spread fast that he is with us. That you have such an ancient wisdom as your ally will go far to sway the doubters. The main thing you must remember is not to allow yourself to get angry. Your opponents will try to twist your words. If you show anger they will see it as a sign of weakness and you will lose support quickly.”

“I'll do my best.” Gewey sighed. He tried to imagine just what would be said to anger him but came up with nothing.

When he returned to camp, Gewey tried to take his mind off the thought of the day ahead by listening to Felsafell sing songs in an ancient forgotten tongue. Though he couldn't understand