fish was tender and just salty enough to be a pleasant addition to the overall experience. He smiled and moaned with satisfaction.
“I am pleased you like it,” said Aaliyah.
They ate the rest of the meal in silence. When they were finished, Aaliyah led Gewey through the door and down a narrow corridor that split at the end. To the right of Gewey was an open door that led to a small kitchen. They continued left to the end of the hall to another door. Inside was surprisingly luxurious. The floor was covered by a thick, indigo rug, woven with swirling silver patterns around its borders. A large oak desk was directly ahead, covered with maps, charts, and several leather books. On either side was a single bed, dressed with plush blue quilts and two small soft-looking, round pillows. A large ash chest had been placed at the foot of each bed. The wall was decorated with paintings of various sea creatures, some he was familiar with, others looked like something out of legend. Glowing spheres hung from the ceiling in the corners.
Aaliyah sat on the bed to the right. “You sleep there.” She nodded toward the other bed.
Gewey froze. “You mean we're staying in the same room?”
“Of course,” Aaliyah replied, clearly amused. “Space aboard ship is limited, and I will not have Shivis Mol sleep on deck.”
“I wouldn't mind.” He made no move toward the bed. Knowing her intentions made him feel uneasy, and he knew Kaylia certainly would not approve.
Her laugh rang out like music. “Calm yourself. I can have one of the crew stay with you if you wish.”
Gewey suddenly felt very much a child. He tossed his pack on the bed and settled his wits. “I wouldn't want to kick you out of your own room. I didn't mean to overreact.”
There was a knock at the door and two elf men entered, carrying a small basin filled with water. Their eyes fixed on Gewey as they placed the basin gently on the floor and left.
Aaliyah rose to her feet. “It is time for your first lesson,” She knelt in front of the basin. “The water is cold. You shall heat it.”
Gewey knelt beside her. “What do I do?”
“The same as you do with power from the earth. Only you must focus your spirit on the air that surrounds the basin.”
Gewey cocked his head. “The air? Not the water?”
Aaliyah shook her head. “No. You could heat it that way, but the effort would be much greater.” She reached over and took his hand. “You must learn to find the smooth path. Water will resist you, while the air is pliant.” She squeezed his hand tightly. “Open your mind to me. Allow me to guide you.”
Gewey breathed deep and closed his eyes. At once he saw Kaylia, her face anguished and lonely. His eyes snapped open.
Aaliyah released her grip and sprang to her feet. “This will not do.” Her voice was disapproving and sharp. “If you cannot govern your bond, I must…assist you.” Grabbing Gewey's shoulders she pressed down hard.
“What are you doing,” he demanded. Then it felt as if he had been struck between the eyes. He fell back, reeling.
Aaliyah knelt beside him. “You are not hurt, Shivis Mol.”
Gewey opened his eyes. It took him a moment before he managed to sit up and regain his focus. Something was wrong. An overwhelming sadness filled his heart, and tears began streaming down his cheeks. He closed his eyes, and reached out to his bond with Kaylia. It was gone! He glared accusingly at Aaliyah. “What have you done?” he roared. He experienced sorrow blended with sheer fury.
Aaliyah looked serene and almost satisfied. “Nothing that cannot be undone.”
Gewey leaped to his feet. His hand slid to his sword as the flow raged through him. “Then undo it!”
Aaliyah didn't appear intimidated as she slowly stood. “I will not. Not until your lessons are complete.” She turned to the door. “You are unable to control your bond with Kaylia. That will hinder our work, and we can ill afford that. The time I have to teach you is short, and I will not allow passion to cripple you.” Reaching for the door, she turned her profile to Gewey. “I will leave until you calm your storm.” With those words she left the room.
Gewey let out a tortured scream. For more than an hour he raged, pacing back and forth. Again and again he tried to reach out to Kaylia, but could feel nothing. The sensation of pure emptiness had him weeping openly several times. Finally, he sat on the bed, defeated.
The door opened and Aaliyah entered and sat next to him. Her face bore the look of deep concern and sympathy. “When you have the strength, you can overcome what I have done. I have not broken your bond, only pulled it from your grasp.” She placed her hand on Gewey's. “You must trust me.”
Gewey reached down and roughly pushed her hand away. “You had no right to do this.”
“Better for me to face your anger now, than to let you face your enemies unprepared.” She knelt back down beside the basin. “Come.”
Gewey stared with seething anger, and remained on the bed several minutes, before kneeling beside her. “You had better keep your word. Once you've taught me, undo it.”
Aaliyah took his hand. This time he did not resist. “When I have taught you what you need to know, you will not need me to undo it.” Her mouth turned up to the tiniest of smiles. “When that happens, your foes will tremble before you.”
Gewey closed his eyes and let Aaliyah enter his mind. Despite his anger, the touch of her thoughts felt soothing and warm.
“Allow yourself to feel as I feel.” Her voice lifted away the loneliness.
Gewey let himself drift nearer and nearer, until he could no long separate where his mind ended, and hers began. He had only been this close to Kaylia. Guilt and regret shot through his heart, but somehow, Aaliyah pushed it away, replacing it with a feeling of joy and contentment. He felt her spirit reach out to the air that surrounded the basin. At first it was confusing. It felt very different than when he drew power from the earth. It seemed as if it were so removed and strange, that it couldn't be part of the flow. But as Aaliyah began moving and molding it, he began to see how it melded to the actual fabric of the world. Suddenly it was so simple. He wondered how he had never seen it before.
“Magic,” he whispered.
“Yes,” said Aaliyah. “In a way.”
The air above and around the basin swirled and compressed, faster and faster, until heat sprang forth from its core. Increasingly hot, it danced and swayed, caressing the surface of the water and sides of the basin. Then, as suddenly as it began, it ended. The water steamed and rippled.
Gewey reached out and touched the basin, burning the tips of his fingers. He scarcely noticed the pain. “How didn't I see it before?”
Aaliyah squeezed his hand and helped him to his feet. “It may still elude you.”
Gewey closed his eyes and reach out for Aaliyah once again. This time she didn't allow him to join with her. “Why-”
“You must try without my help.” she said.
Gewey realized in that moment that he longed to feel her spirit, and felt ashamed. He felt as if he had betrayed Kaylia. “Of course.” He pushed his feelings aside, and tried to recreate what they had done, but as Aaliyah said, he couldn't. After three straight attempts, he threw his hands up in frustration.
“Patience,” said Aaliyah. “It will come more easily with time.” She turned to the door. “I will leave you to bathe. Then we can rest.”
“But it's still morning.”
Her voice became soft and seductive. “I prefer the night. And I am weary from our journey.”
Gewey blushed under her gaze. The feeling of guilt and betrayal returned to snap back his reason. He was very tired. And now that he had released the flow and his anger had subsided, he became keenly aware of the dull fatigue that was now washing over his entire body.
After he washed and changed into the elf clothing given to him by Theopolou, he settled into his bed. The waves rocked ever so slowly, until he drifted close to sleep. He was only barely aware of Aaliyah's return. For a moment, just before sleep completely took him, he could feel her mind touch his. It was soft and comforting, as if a mother soothing a frightened child. He felt his lips turn to a smile. Then there was only the dark oblivion of a deep, restful sleep.
