Of Gods and Elves - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,92
the words, he imagined an epic battle between good and evil being waged across time. He wondered what the song was really about but didn't bother to ask. Once the song was done, Gewey shut his eyes and listened to the music of the forest until he felt the dawn approach.
Linus kneeled beside him. “Today is the day.”
Gewey opened his eyes and smiled. “I'm ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
It was mid-morning when Gewey noticed the terrain around him change. The woods became thicker. So dense, in fact, that even when he used his power to listen, the sound bounced straight back, startling him. The party funneled into a narrow trail, causing their progress to slow. No sound could be heard at all, not even the footfalls of the party. Gewey nestled himself between Felsafell and Linis as Felsafell began to whistle. The sound pierced the dead silence of the woods, making some of the elves uneasy.
“We're nearly there,” whispered Linis.
“Nearly there indeed,” said Felsafell. “There and back we go. Once more and again.”
Gewey couldn’t help but smile at Felsafell's words, though most times they made no sense to him.
After about an hour, they came to a narrow stream, spanned by an elegant, wooden bridge. Theopolou motioned for everyone to halt.
“We come in brotherhood and friendship,” called Theopolou.
There was a long pause before a voice called back from the other side of the bridge. “Then enter and be welcome.”
Theopolou and the other elders slowly led the rest over the bridge. On the other side, the landscape opened up into a grassy meadow, covered with soft grass, and dotted with multicolored wildflowers. Tents lined the far end and Gewey could see elves walking among them. Far beyond the tents, a white, vaulted roof peeked out. A group of three elf women, dressed in tan leather shirts and trousers, each with a long knife at her side, approached from among the tents. Theopolou raised his hand in greeting, but the women made no reply. When they were a few feet away, Theopolou stopped and bowed.
“Matrons of the Creator,” said Theopolou, without looking up. “I offer you my friendship. As the eldest among my party, I claim the right to beg entry for all.”
The matrons examined the group, only pausing for a second when their eyes passed Gewey and Felsafell. They looked at each other and nodded.
“Be welcome,” said the elf in the middle. “But be warned. You bring two humans with you and will be responsible for their well-being, and answerable for their actions.”
“I understand,” he replied, lifting his head. “We need to be shown our quarters at once. There is much to do.”
“You, along with the other elders, have already been seen to,” said the matron on the left. “Your tents and provisions had been made ready and await you.” Her gaze fell on Gewey and Felsafell. “However, we did not expect to accommodate... humans.”
“They need no special consideration,” said Theopolou. “They will lodge with me and mine.”
“Very well,” said the matron on the right. “I assume you know your way.” With that, they turned and walked back in the direction of the tents.
Theopolou waved Gewey over. “Stay with me.” He turned to the others. “Farewell for now.”
The other elders and their escorts bowed in turn and headed off in different directions, Gewey guessed to their tents. Theopolou led Gewey, Linis, Kaylia, Felsafel and his own escort to the left, towards the western edge of the encampment. Gewey glanced several times at the domed roof, hoping to get a better look, but to his disappointment, as they neared the tents, the roof disappeared. From the far end of the meadow, Gewey couldn't tell how many tents had been erected and was surprised to see that they numbered in the hundreds, once they were among them. Elves were everywhere. Most were dressed in plain leather or linen, but some were attired in fine silks and adorned with exquisite jewelry.
“I never thought to see this many of your people at the same time,” whispered Gewey to Linis.
“I'm shocked as well,” said Linis. “I thought to see less than half this many. It seems Theopolou's call has caused quite a stir.”
“All the more reason to be cautious,” Kaylia interjected over her shoulder.
They wound their way through the camp until they reached a large silver tent. It was twelve feet tall and at least forty feet across. Gewey figured it could easily house three times the number they had with them.
Theopolou pulled back the tent flap and disappeared inside.