“I have more knowledge than you, Gewey,” she replied. “But I am not as strong. I cannot span such great distances.”
“I could help,” he offered.
Aaliyah couldn't stop herself from laughing. “I am afraid such a meeting would be too personal. But I thank you, regardless.” She closed her eyes. “Now if you intend to stay under the stars with me, you must allow me to rest.”
Gewey squeezed her hand and rolled over. The sound of the ocean swells lapping against the hull was sweet music, singing him to sleep. As he drifted, he thought of Kaylia. He considered reaching out to her, but the motion of the ship pulled him down too fast, and in seconds, his breathing was deep and steady.
The morning brought the sound of gulls and the spirited voices of the crew hard at work. Aaliyah was already busy with the running of the ship and appeared to be in much better spirits. After breakfast, he returned to the navigator carrying his cup of water. Taking his place on the deck, he continued the exercise. This time, after only two tries, he did it. A small droplet of water floated from the cup. Gewey was elated. He moved it around, making it rise, fall, and travel in a tight circle. He allowed the flow to swell, and concentrate within him. He removed another droplet….then another and another, until there were ten in all. He formed them into a ring and pushed them above the navigator’s head. Then, one by one, allowed them to fall.
The navigator turned slowly, her expression unmoved. “That is enough for today.”
Gewey tried to suppress a laugh. “Don't you have a sense of humor?”
She turned back around, saying nothing. Gewey frowned and headed toward the cabin. After only a few steps toward the door a large ball of water crashed down on his head, soaking him to the skin. The elves on deck burst into laughter. Gewey looked back at the navigator who was still facing forward.
“There is nothing wrong with my sense of humor,” she said.
Gewey grinned, boyishly. He used the flow to dry his clothes, then went in search of Aaliyah. He found, her in her quarters, pouring over a large map that covered the entire desk. He told her what the navigator had taught him…and what she had done.
“She must like you,” she noted.
“You'd never know it by the way she looks at me,” Gewey replied.
“I've known Drasalisia for seventy years and never seen her be playful.” She leaned back in her chair and grinned. “We should arrive just north of the city of Skalhalis in two days. From there we will cut across country, and arrive in Valshara the following day.”
Just then a bell sounded repeatedly from on deck. Aaliyah jumped up and flew from the cabin, Gewey on her heels. As they made their way up, he could feel the ship slowing.
“What is it?” asked Aaliyah, as she made her way to the bow.
“A fleet of ships just beyond the horizon,” said the navigator. “At least fifty.”
“Can we avoid them?” asked Aaliyah.
“We can,” she replied. “But you may wish to go ashore further north. From their course it looks as if they are heading for Skalhalis.”
Aaliyah thought for a moment. “No. I want you to plot a course that has us arriving under the cover of darkness. Once Gewey and I are away, take the ship as far off shore as possible, while still close enough to be contacted.”
“There is more.” The navigator’s countenance betrayed her worry. She took Aaliyah's hand and they closed their eyes. After a few minutes she let go and lowered her head as if fatigued. “Is that what attacked you in the desert?”
“It was,” replied Aaliyah. She turned to Gewey. “It would seem Angraalhas sent more forces. Vrykol are aboard ships bound for Skalhalis. They will arrive just as we get to Valshara. You must warn Kaylia.”
Gewey nodded sharply and bolted to his quarters. Sitting in front of the desk, he reached out for Kaylia, but her thoughts were presently turned to matters of the flow. “Nehrutu must be giving her another lesson,” he thought. He pressed his spirit in even harder. This time he reached her. He explained what Aaliyah had said, and at once, she broke contact.
Aaliyah enter a moment later. “Did you succeed?”
The shock of Kaylia pulling away so suddenly, made him dizzy. “Yes. I'm sure of it.”
Aaliyah walked over to the desk and stared down at the map. “We will come very close to the ships when we land, and we still may be seen from the shore if an army is mustering for war.”
“Then they will not live to tell of our passing,” said Gewey, a small fire building in his heart. The rage returned. It felt good. He smiled fiendishly, and looked sideways at Aaliyah. “I guess the war has truly begun.”
She placed her hand on his shoulder. “It would seem so.”
The rest of the day he spent with the crew, trying to calm himself and keep his mind as far from war as he could. By now, he had learned quite a bit about the workings of the ship and offered to lend a hand wherever he could. This was well received by the crew, who in short order were teaching him elven seafarer’s songs and telling old tales passed down aboard ships for thousands of years. Most were about sea monsters and adventure, but a few dealt with the Gods. Gewey tried to pretend not to be interested about those, but couldn't help wondering how much truth was hidden within the fiction. After seeing what secrets the desert held, he thought that perhaps the stories held more truth than anyone had guessed.
In spite of all his efforts, his mind kept wandering to the coming battle. The force that marched on Valshara would certainly not be enough to defeat fifty ships filled with soldiers. And he had no idea how many had already landed. There could be one-hundred thousand troops ready to sweep across the land for all he knew. If that was so, then the war would be over before it had begun.
By nightfall, he was dreading what dreams might come. He knew Kaylia would be making preparations, and would likely be unable to contact her. Aaliyah could tell he was troubled and stayed in her quarters with him.
“Should you need me, I am here,” she said, as they both slipped into bed.
“Thank you,” he replied. He rolled over and squeezed shut his eyes. “I'll be fine.”
“Do not fear the strength your feelings bring,” she said. “They are a part of you. That strength saved my life.”
He sat up and pushed his back to the wall. “I know. And when it happens, I don’t mind it. But afterwards…it’s as if I’ve lost part of who I am. I feel it changing me.”
“It is changing you,” she replied. “I told you that before. But it should not upset you. You are just becoming what you were always meant to be.”
“And what is that,” he asked, worriedly. “I feel it most when I’m angry. What if that’s what I become? An angry, vengeful God? Will the world be better off once the Dark Knight is gone, if I still remain?”
Aaliyah scowled. “You will not become evil, if that is what you are suggesting. Powerful, yes. Dangerous, inescapability. But dangerous to whom, is the question? I think not to those you love and protect.”
“I hope not.” Gewey slid back down, and wrapped himself in his blanket. ”Each time, I feel it more than the last. The name Darshan is becoming more and more natural to me. I’m just afraid I’ll lose that part of me that is Gewey.”
“You will not,” she said, her tone reassuring. “I swear it.”
His dreams were troubled and filled with visions of hopeless despair and suffering. Human and elf, bleeding and crying. The whole world trapped in an inferno of chaos and death. In the midst of it all, he stood, unable to stop it. The morning was the only thing that brought him a welcome relief.
They would arrive at sunset, so Gewey spent the morning gathering supplies and checking his gear, then rested in the cabin until the early afternoon. He wanted to be as strong as possible when they landed. He only left the cabin twice to take his meals. When he finally went on deck he brought his pack, the bow, and staff along with him, and stowed it near the landing craft.
Aaliyah was already there and ready to depart.
“I see you are excited to get underway,” she remarked.
He shrugged and leaned over the port railing, and looked out at the setting sun. The cloudless azure sky was beginning to reveal the night stars as daylight slowly faded. There would be no moon tonight. He was grateful.
As he waited to depart, the crew came one by one to bid him farewell. As night fell and the ship slowed to a halt, the navigator joined him.
“You will return once your task is done,” said Drasalisia. “I still have much to teach you.”
