his mind enough to sleep.
Chapter 19
When Gewey awoke the next morning, his things had been packed for him. Lee had already left, so he made his way down to the common room, following the smell of porridge and biscuits. Maybell was sitting at a table, sipping on a cup of apple juice.
“Good morning,” Gewey said, taking the seat across from her.
Maybell smiled warmly. “Well, if it isn’t the young man. Come to keep an old woman company?”
“Absolutely,” he said. “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet,” she replied. “I was waiting for the others to roll out of bed. But now that you’re here, I say to blazes with them.”
Gewey chuckled. “I agree.”
The two of them ate while Maybell told him stories about the different temples she had seen. Gewey marveled at her ability to remember every detail.
“Now that I have you to myself,” she said. “I must ask: What do you intend to do about the two women who now compete for your affections?”
Gewey was stunned. “I don’t…” he stammered.
“I may be old,” she said, cutting him off, “but I’m not blind. Both Kaylia and Celandine seem quite taken with you-not that I blame them. But it does present you with a difficult situation.”
“I don’t think Dina sees me that way,” Gewey countered.
“Perhaps not,” Maybell laughed. “But she has at least shown interest, and I don’t think Kaylia is very happy about it.”
“I haven’t noticed anything,” Gewey said. In truth, it seemed to him she and Dina were getting along well.
“Of course you haven’t,” she chided. “You’re a man. I just want you to be careful. The last thing you want is to have a broken heart on your conscience.”
“What can I do?” he asked sincerely.
“Either choose one or choose neither.” Maybell replied. “I do not envy you. Both Kaylia and Celandine are remarkable and beautiful young women. It’s an impossible choice. But it’s one I fear you’ll eventually have to make.”
Gewey’s head reeled at the idea. He wished he had stayed in bed.
“Good morning,” Dina said, as she and Kaylia entered the common room and sat down at the table. Kaylia was once again
wearing her hooded cloak. Gewey was unable to look either of them in the eye.
“Have you been teasing the young man, Sister?” Dina asked playfully.
“Not at all,” Maybell replied. “We were just talking about the choices a man who has come of age is faced with.”
“Is that so?” Kaylia asked. “I hope he listened.”
“I think he did,” Maybell said, reaching across the table and patting Gewey’s hand.
Lee and Millet returned a few hours later, each carrying a large sack filled with supplies. Lee spent the better part of an hour separating the goods into individual packs small enough for everyone to carry. Maybell insisted on carrying her own provisions, but eventually relented when Gewey pleaded with her.
By dusk, they had made all their preparations and waited in the common room. Eventually, Kaylia stood up and motioned for the others to do the same.
“Linis approaches,” Kaylia noted. “Everyone, gather your things.”
Lee raised an eyebrow. “How can you tell?” he asked skeptically.
“We elves can sense when others are near,” she revealed. “But we can discuss this later; right now, we must leave this place.”
Outside, they saw the elf waiting, cloaked and hooded, by the corner of the inn. Kaylia made the introductions, and Linis bowed to each in turn.
“Once we arrive at the gate, you must follow me very carefully,” Linis instructed. “My kinsmen are waiting for us about one mile south of the city. The others are waiting to ambush you three miles west.”
“If elves can tell when others are near, won’t they sense you moving?” Gewey asked.
“We have ways of masking our presence,” he answered. “If we are discovered, two of us will stay with you while the others try to distract them. Now we must hurry. I have paid the gate guard to be absent for the next twenty minutes, but after that, we may be questioned.”
Linis led them at a quick pace through the city streets. Gewey kept looking back to check on Maybell, but to his surprise, she seemed to have no trouble keeping up.
As Linis had assured them, the west gate was unguarded as they passed through.
“Follow me along the wall,” Linis whispered. “In three hundred yards, there’s a path leading southwest. My people wait for us at its end.”
The path was barely visible in the fading daylight. The group tried to keep pace with Linis, but in minutes he was out of sight.
At first Gewey was nervous, but then Linis reappeared along with five other elves. They were all cloaked and hooded in the same dark brown. Two had bows across their backs, and each carried a long knife at their side. They stood in silence as the group approached.
“These are my kinsmen,” Linis told them. “All worthy Seekers.”
Gewey and the others bowed and introduced themselves. All except Kaylia.
The elves said nothing for a moment, and then one stepped forward. He was a bit taller than Linis, and broader in the shoulders. He pushed back his hood, revealing close-cropped black hair and the same defining sharp features Gewey had come to admire.
“I am Haltris,” he said. “My brethren are Sitrisa, Maltora, Santisos, and Prustos. We are honored to be of service.” He turned to Kaylia. “It is a special privilege to meet someone so distinguished among our kin.” They all bowed low.
Linis’ eyes lit up when he saw Maybell. “You bring wisdom, I see. How wonderful! If we survive the night, I hope you will favor me with stories of your times and travels.”
“An elf of exceedingly good taste and intelligence, I see,” Maybell laughed. “I would be happy to share what I know with you. Though by your standards, I think I’m quite young.”
“Wisdom cannot be measured in years,” said Linis. “Nor can value. I look forward to speaking with you.”
“What’s your plan to avoid the other elves?” Lee asked, stepping forward. “From what I’ve seen of your people, it’s not going to be easy.”
“No, it won’t be,” Linis acknowledged. “Prustos and Maltora will try to lead them away so we can slip by unnoticed. Our people are not easily fooled, but your pursuers are not Seekers as we are.”
Prustos and Maltora nodded sharply at Linis, then disappeared into the forest.
“Don’t worry,” Linis assured them. “They have never failed. Even among Seekers, they are renowned for their skills. Now come, we have far to go before the dawn.”
Linis and Santisos lead the way, while Sitrisa guarded the rear. Lee dropped back and joined Sitrisa.
After a few hours, Linis called for a halt. “We rest,” he said.
“I hope it’s not on my account,” said Maybell. “I’m not tired just yet.”
“I would think you strong as any here,” Linis laughed. “And wise enough to know when you need to stop.”
“Then why do we rest now?” Lee asked.
“Because we’re being chased,” Linis replied. “A pursuer will assume you will run as fast and as hard as you can. A smart predator will bide its time and wait until you’re spent, then strike. If you remain strong, you can turn the predator into prey.”
“I see the wisdom,” Lee said, nodding respectfully. “I wish I had known long ago that elves such as you
