what then? What will you do with the world you are given?” The flow was raging through him as his voice roared. He calmed his spirit and closed his eyes. His frustration and anger grew. He reached out desperately. Aaliyah was there. His spirit had flown straight to her.
“Calm your storm,” Aaliyah whispered. “I am here.”
Gewey shot an accusing glance. “You-I-” His eyes fell. “I don’t know why I said that. I suddenly felt angry. I am sorry.”
A tear spilled down Aaliyah's cheek. “There is no need to apologize. I could feel your passion. Your true nature is beginning to assert itself.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You are what your nature has made you,” she explained. “Your human side is only one part of you. The Gods are the most powerful beings ever created. And their feelings are equally powerful.”
“This is true,” agreed Weila. “Even in our stories, the anger, love, hate, and desire of the Gods are far beyond that of mortals.”
“Are you saying I am becoming more…God?” The idea frightened him.
“Perhaps,” Aaliyah replied. “I cannot say for certain. But I feel that you are changing.”
“What do you mean you feel it?” asked Gewey.
“When you saved me, it created a bond between us,” said Aaliyah, smiling sweetly. She touched his cheek. “I knew it at once. I am surprised you did not.”
“But…but,” Gewey stammered. “What of Nehrutu? And what of Kaylia?”
“What we share is different,” she explained. “When you touched the essence of my spirit, I became a part of you.” She could see Gewey’s discomfort. “Do not fret. As far as I can tell it has not interfered with your connection to Kaylia. And as far as Nehrutu is concerned, that time between us has passed.” The mention of Nehrutu brought sadness to her voice.
This did little to ease Gewey’s mind. “Please release your hold on my bond with her.”
“You could do this on your own, I suspect.” She sighed and nodded. “But very well. I will do as you ask.”
Suddenly, Gewey could feel the barrier being lifted. Instinctively, he reached out for Kaylia. She was there. Joy and rapture rushed through him, as they became one. The longing was over. He was with her.
Aaliyah was almost unable to shake him out of his communion before they arrived at their destination. Weila led them back to the surface. The sun was just going down and Gewey could taste the salty sea air. Three hours later they were back at their boat. Gewey and Aaliyah said a heartfelt farewell to Weila, then made their way back to the ship. The crew cheered wildly as they climbed on deck.
“Tales will have to wait until tomorrow,” announced Aaliyah. “We are both weary from travel.”
That night Gewey washed and slid into bed, excited that he could contact Kaylia once again.
“I envy her fortune,” said Aaliyah, as she lay down and pulled the blanket tightly around her.
Gewey looked over. “I am the fortunate one. And not only because of Kaylia.”
Chapter 22
Kaylia ran through the halls of Valshara, nearly knocking over several people as she passed. When she reached the healing chamber, she threw open the door. Nehrutu was treating a wounded soldier who had been hurt building the gallows.
“You look happy,” remarked Nehrutu, offhandedly. “Has something happened?”
“Aaliyah released her hold on Gewey,” she replied, speaking and laughing at once.
“That is good,” said Nehrutu. “Were they successful?”
“They were,” she replied. “They are returning as we speak. Better still, Aaliyah has given up her quest for Gewey's heart.”
Nehrutu nodded. “Then you have won. You should be pleased.”
“I am.” She knelt beside Nehrutu. “This means you can be with Aaliyah again.”
“Perhaps,” he replied, skeptically. “I would first like to know what happened to sway her. She does not give up easily. That she abandoned her aspirations for Gewey does not mean she wishes to return to me.”
The door opened and Selena entered. Her face was dark with worry. “I have received a message from the one called Yanti.”
“What does it say?” asked Kaylia.
“He is demanding the release of his soldiers,” she replied. “He claims that he occupied Valshara by order of King Halmara. He says that Valshara rests within the borders of his kingdom and not that of King Lousis.”
“Do you think there is any truth to this?” asked Nehrutu.
“I don't know,” she replied. “But if there is, King Lousis may be in danger. We must warn him. The council will be meeting any day now.”
“Yanti may be trying to draw you out into the open,” Nehrutu suggested. “If you leave these walls you will be vulnerable.”
“I agree.” She furled her brow. “I have already sent a messenger. But if what Salmitaya says is true, Yanti is powerful. If he defeated my son, he will be able to stop a messenger from getting through easily enough.”
“There is nothing to do but wait and see,” said Nehrutu.
The door flew open and Matrus, one of Selena's personal guards entered, looking pale and anxious. “High Lady. There is someone requesting your presence at the gate. He says his name is Yanti.”
Selena's eyes shot wide. “I want archers on the wall at once. Tell them to not let him out of their sight.”
“A bold move,” Nehrutu mused. “Or he does not fear us. Will you speak to him?”
Selena thought for a moment. “I will.”
“But high lady-” objected Matrus.
“Don't worry,” said Selena, smiling. “If this Yanti fellow makes a move to harm me, it will be his last. No, I think if assassination was his goal he wouldn't simply walk up to the gates.”
“Still,” Nehrutu interjected, “you should keep your distance. I will accompany you.”
“As will I,” added Kaylia, thumbing her knife.
“Now, go,” Selena said to Matrus. “I want archers on the wall in five minutes.”
Matrus spun around and sped off.
Selena allowed enough time for the archers to get into position, then made her way to the front gate. A few yards from the entrance stood Yanti. He was dressed in an elegant, red shirt, black trousers, and a black, satin jacket with polished gold buttons. A red, leather belt, held a beautifully crafted gold hilted rapier. His brown, curly hair was oiled and pushed back in true noble fashion. As they approached he flashed a broad smile and bowed low.
“Thank you for seeing me, high lady,” said Yanti.
“What is it you want, Yanti?” asked Selena, trying to contain her anger.
“As my message said,” he replied, “I want my men. Oh, and Salmitaya, if you please.” He spoke her name as if it were an afterthought.
“Your men are to be hanged,” said Selena. “And you will never see Salmitaya again.”
Yanti laughed and wagged his finger. “There is no reason to hang my men. They are not criminals. And as for dear, sweet Salmitaya…what possible use would you have for her? She has no information useful to you.”
“Your men are criminals,” she shot back. “They broke into my home and slaughtered my people. This is the act of thugs, not soldiers. And they will be treated as such.”
“They acted on orders of the lord of this land, my love,” said Yanti. “Your temple's very existence is in clear violation of the laws of King Halmara, and the city of Skalhalis. I simply carried out the will of a trusted ally. Your quarrel is with him, not me, not my men, and certainly not poor Salmitaya. If you release them to me, we can all put this unpleasant business behind us.”
“You waste your breath,” barked Selena. “And my time. You think you can come here after what you have done and dictate to me what I must do?”
Yanti sighed and shook his head. “I thought you would want to prevent further bloodshed, my love. I shudder to think what King Halmara will do when he learns what has happened here. Especially, if you were to execute my
