“Enough of this,” said the faithful nearest the mayor. “You know they came here. And you know where they are.”
Millet smiled. “And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”
The man glared daggers, but didn't answer.
The mayor cleared his throat. “This is Toliver Hall, and the men with him are Henris Longshadow, and Alex Troungo.”
“Baltrian nobles, from the sound of them,” remarked Millet. “You are very far from home, and dressed… oddly…for a noble.”
“We are the faithful of the Reborn King,” said Toliver. “And I'll ask you again. Where are our people?”
“Yes, I know all about the faithful,” said Millet. His tone hardened. “And I already know what you've been up to here in Sharpstone. And as I said, no one called on me last night.” He shrugged. “Perhaps they longed for home, and returned to Baltria rather than come here. It would seem a sensible course. I hear that there are plenty of the faithful in Baltria. At least for now.”
Toliver's hand began to slip beneath his robe.
“Gentlemen,” said the mayor, stepping in front of Toliver. “Clearly, your companions are not here. We should leave.”
The front door opened. Barty and Randson entered. The moment they saw the three faithful, they moved to Millet's side.
“Mayor Freidly, I'm sure you know Barty and his son Randson,” said Millet. “They were here last night, and can certainly attest to the fact that no one came to welcome me home.”
“Nope,” said Barty. His eyes drilling holes through the black-cloaked men. “We saw no one.”
Millet grinned at Barty. “Is all in order?”
“Indeed it is,” Barty replied.
“Then if there is nothing further,” said Millet, stepping aside to let the men pass. “I have much to attend to.”
The mayor herded the faithful to the door, bowing as he passed.
“This isn't over,” said Toliver. He then turned on his heels and stormed out.
The door slammed shut.
“No, it isn't,” muttered Millet.
Chapter 6
About half an hour before Gewey, Kaylia, and Linis had reached the Chamber of the Maker, the sun broke through the clouds and brilliant rays of light pierced the pine needles and danced on the forest floor. The sweet song of birds hidden in the high treetops echoed and the earthy scent of pine and moss carried on a gentle breeze. Kaylia insisted they slow their pace to a leisurely stroll. Holding Gewey's hand, she merrily hummed a tune that Linis recognized and soon joined in, harmonizing in a deep baritone.
“Why the sudden cheer?” asked Gewey. He was loath to interrupt, but could no longer contain his curiosity.
Kaylia gave his hand a squeeze. “We may be at war, and darkness may swallow the world, but never forget to look around and enjoy the wonder of it.” She breathed in deeply. “And I suspect that once we reach the Chamber, these things will go unnoticed for quite some time.”
Gewey saw a squirrel darting in and out of view of a nearby pine. It made him think of Sharpstone, and the woods near his farm. As a young child just before the Long Freeze, he had built a tree house. He would spend the afternoon reading in it until the sun went down. A family of squirrels had built a nest in a nearby tree. He’d watched as the nest filled with babies and laugh when the mother would bristle every time he climbed up. Come autumn, the babies had grown enough to leave the nest. He remembered feeling sorry for the mother squirrel. Gewey smiled and shook his head at the silly things children do.
“That was a lovely vision,” said Kaylia.
Kaylia's words brought him back to the here and now. It still amazed him how much she could see through their bond. For Gewey it was different. He felt emotions and impressions, but never visions. He wondered if that would change when their bond was completed.
“I was a boy,” said Gewey. “After the Long Freeze I went back. The tree house was crumbled and rotten, and the nest was empty.”
“All things change, my friend,” said Linis. “And sometimes, not for the better.”
Soon the trail widened and met with the main road leading to their Chamber. At the crossroads, they saw three elves barring their way. Two were elf men and wore shimmering red tunics and breeches, long black coats that reached their thighs, and soft, black leather boots. On their sides hung thin long swords, the jewels on each hilt sparkling brightly in the sun. Their silver hair fell loosely over their shoulders and down their backs, and even from a distance Gewey could see their bright green elf eyes staring keenly at him.
The third was an elf woman. Half a head taller than the men, she was adorned in a blood red gown that fit nicely to her curves. A white sash was tied about her waist, and along with a thin silver belt, a small dagger hung on each hip. Unlike the others, her hair was jet black, decorated with wisps of silver which peeked out just enough to catch the sun and give her the illusion of an aura.
“Do you know them?” asked Kaylia. Her hand released Gewey's and slid to her knife.
“No,” Linis replied. “But stay your hand. We would not want to make friends into foes from our own fears.”
Kaylia tightened her jaw and moved her hand to her side.
“Greetings,” called Linis, holding his hand high. The elves didn't move. “Who are you, and what is your business?”
The elf woman whispered into the ear of the elf on her left. He nodded slowly. She took a step forward and held up a delicate hand. “Greetings,” she said. Her voice was gentle and calm, and though still several yards away she sounded as if she were just in front of them. “Come and walk with us. It would seem fortune has made our paths as one.”
Gewey, Kaylia, and Linis paused for a second, then approached.
Linis bowed. “I am Linis. This is Kaylia and Gewey. Your speech and dress are unfamiliar. From where do you hail?”
The elf woman smiled brightly, and though she bowed in turn to the group, her eyes never left Gewey. “I am Aaliyah,” she said. “My companions are Mohanisi and Nehrutu.” The elf men bowed in turn. Both elves were similar in appearance, apart from Mohanisi being a bit slighter in build, and an inch taller. “As for our home…that is a question best answered later.”
Kaylia stepped forward. That Aaliyah’s eyes still rested on Gewey, had not escaped her notice. “I think it is a question to be answered now.”
“Fierce,” said Mohanisi. “Much as we expected.”
“Decorum my friend,” scolded Aaliyah, though not too harshly. “They know us not, and have been through much hardship and pain.”
“And what do you know of it?” asked Kaylia.
“More than I care to, I'm afraid,” Aaliyah replied. Her voice was filled with pity and sorrow. Gewey found himself wanting to weep at the sound, as if her words stirred something inside him. “My dear Kaylia,” she said taking a small step forward. “We are here to bring glad tidings. We have come to help you, after many lifetimes of waiting.”
“I don't understand,” said Linis. “Where have you come from?”
Aaliyah glanced at her companions, who nodded in turn. “We are from across the sea. We are of the first race of elves to traverse the Great Sureshi, and settle these lands. And now we have returned. Though I fear we have returned too late.”
Linis' eyes widened in immediate disbelief. “Sureshi? I have not heard that word used since I was a boy. No one who has journeyed across the Great Abyss has ever returned, and you claim to be from there?”
