The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3 Read online

  “Kaylia,” Dina said, trying to make conversation. “Surely you have some adventures you could share to pass the time.”

  Kaylia didn’t look up. “I have no desire to pass the time,” she said flatly.

  Dina cleared her throat. “Okay, then. How’s your training going, Gewey?”

  “You’d have to ask my teachers.”

  “He needs to work harder,” Lee chimed in. “But I think he shows promise.”

  “You should feel fortunate,” said Dina. “Not many people get to train with a man like Lee, let alone an elven warrior.”

  “I’m no warrior,” Kaylia snapped. “There are no elven warriors. You humans know nothing.”

  “I’m sorry,” Dina said sincerely, reaching over to touch Kaylia’s knee. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  Kaylia’s hand immediately shot out, grabbing Dina by the wrist. Her eyes fixed stonily on Dina’s. “Abomination,” she hissed. She reached down and drew her knife. Dina screamed and tried to climb over Lee to get away, but Kaylia was too fast. Before anyone could move, she had caught Dina and pulled her to the floor of the wagon, knife pressed to her throat.

  “Abomination!” she repeated, louder than the first time.

  Gewey was stunned. “Afisul Si Damon!” he shouted in desperation. The words spilled out of his mouth before he had even the slightest idea of what he was saying.

  Kaylia stopped abruptly, her eyes wide. She stared at Gewey, utter amazement on her face. “How?” she cried. “How do you know these words?”

  Without waiting for an answer, Kaylia leapt from the wagon and ran. Gewey tried to go after her, but she was out of sight before he could make it more than a few feet.

  Millet and Maybell sat shocked, trying to piece together what had just happened. Lee reached down and helped Dina to her feet.

  “What was that about?” he demanded. “Why did she attack you?”

  Dina was shaking terribly. She tried to calm herself. “I was careless,” she said, “and Kaylia realized what I am.”

  “And what is that?” Lee inquired.

  “My father was a blacksmith from Baltria,” she told him quietly. “But my mother was an elf. That’s why she called me an abomination.”

  The wagon fell silent. Everyone stared at Dina with a combination of wonder and confusion.

  “How can that be?” Lee asked. “Such a thing is impossible.”

  “No, not impossible. But as far as I know, I’m the first. And what I am puts me in danger from both worlds. I thought my human blood would mask my identity from Kaylia, but when her hand touched mine she could sense the elven blood in me.”

  “But you look human,” Gewey remarked.

  “Yes, I do,” she acknowledged. “But do you remember when you asked me how old I am?”

  Gewey nodded.

  “I’m thirty-eight years old,” she revealed. “But my elven blood makes me look like I’m barely out of my teens.”

  “How did it happen?” Millet interjected. “With the hatred that exists between the races, it’s hard to imagine.”

  “How does anything happen?” she replied. “My father came across my mother injured in the forest when he was out hunting. He told me that he knew he loved her from the moment he first saw her. She had been attacked by soldiers who’d heard of a large group of elves in the forest near to the city. But as it turned out, my mother was the only one. She had left her people on what my father described to me as a ‘soul quest’. She was attacked while she was meditating, so she didn’t hear them coming until they were already upon her. They left her for dead, and if my father hadn’t found her and cared for her, she certainly would have died.

  “Once she had healed, she discovered that my father had moved her to a small village thirty miles north so he could care for her without raising suspicions. He’d sold everything he possessed to have enough money to keep her alive and away from other humans. Soon, she realized that she loved him as well.”

  “How were they able to stay together?” Millet asked. “Eventually, they would have been discovered.”

  “They were,” Dina said sadly. “My father did everything he could to keep her safe; at one point he moved to an even more secluded area so that they wouldn’t be found.”

  “But they were found,” said Lee. “Weren’t they?”

  “Yes,” said Dina. “But it was the elves that found them. I was only three when it happened. I remember my father embracing my mother and begging her to come with us, but she knew that was impossible. The elves didn’t know about me. They only knew that my mother loved a human. She knew they would kill me if they found out there was a child, so she sent my father and me away. I never saw her again.”

  “I don’t understand why they would want you dead,” said Gewey. “You’re innocent in all this.”

  “Elves see themselves as separate from humanity in every way you can imagine,” Dina explained. “The idea of a half elf, half human child shatters that belief. Frankly, it would be just as bad for me if humans found out. Thankfully, they have no way of knowing unless they discover my age or I tell them directly, as I’ve just told you.”

  “What now, My Lord?” Millet asked.

  “I’ll tell you what now,” Maybell cut in. “Someone needs to talk some sense into that elf. I don’t care what you are, Celandine. You’re a part of what’s going on here, and a good person to boot. If Kaylia can’t see that, then to blazes with her.”

  Dina smiled appreciatively. “Thank you,” she said. “But I don’t see what could help.”

  “You said something,” Lee said to Gewey. “Something that made her stop. What was it?”

  “I don’t know,” Gewey answered. “It just came out. I have no idea where it came from.”

  “You should go look for her then,” Lee suggested. “Perhaps she’ll listen to you.”

  Gewey nodded and got out of the wagon. He hoped finding her in the daytime would be easier than it was at night. As it turned out, he didn’t have to look very hard at all. He found her a few hundred yards off the road, kneeling next to a tiny stream. Her eyes were closed and her knife was buried in the ground beside her.

  “Kaylia,” Gewey said softly. “Are you alright?”

  Kaylia didn’t move.

  “Kaylia,” he repeated.

  Still, she didn’t move.

  Gewey sat on the grass behind her, not knowing what to do next. Twenty minutes passed before Kaylia spoke.

  “Where did you learn those words?” she whispered.

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “They just came out. What do they mean?”

  “It’s a declaration. Literally translated, it means my spirit flies to yours.”

  Gewey was taken aback. “I wasn’t trying to declare anything,” he said quickly. “I just wanted to stop you from killing Dina.”

  “What you said to me is rare and sacred,” she said, continuing as though she hadn’t heard him. “It’s something that few elves have spoken since the Great War.”

  “What do you mean by a declaration? Please, tell me what’s going on.”

  Kaylia turned to Gewey and opened her eyes. “Do you love me?” she asked.

  “I…” Gewey didn’t know what to say.

  “If not, then you should never have spoken those words.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Gewey. “I really don’t.”

  “Then understand this,” she said. “The language you spoke is known only to the elves. It is the language of our ancestors, and even among my people, only a few know it entirely. What you said can only be spoken to someone that you love, and for only one reason.”

  “What reason?” he asked nervously.

  “It means that you wish to be joined with me.”

  “Joined?” Gewey exclaimed. “You mean…”

  “Yes,” she said. “That is exactly what I mean.”

  “You can’t think I was asking you that, do you?”

  “What then?” she snapped. “Why did you sa
y it?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied hastily. “I didn’t know what it meant. It just came out.”

  “But it came from somewhere,” she insisted. “And it cannot be ignored.”

  “I take it back then. Just pretend I didn’t say it.”

  Anger flashed across Kaylia’s face. “Because you are not an elf, I will pretend you did not make that offer. Once you say the words of joining, they cannot be unsaid.”

  “What do we do now?” he asked.

  “I either accept you as my mate, or refuse.”

  Gewey laughed with relief. “That’s easy then. Just refuse.”

  “If I do, then I must leave you, never to be in your sight again. I am not prepared to do that just yet.”

  “You mean we either get married or you have to leave? That’s ridiculous.”

  “I’m sorry you think so,” Kaylia lamented. “But to my people it is very serious. However, I have one year to consider it. If at the end of that time I decide you are not a worthy mate, then I shall refuse.”

  “And what happens in the mean time?” he asked, afraid to hear the answer.

  “In the mean time, nothing. But be warned; elves are protective of their suitors. Careful you don’t let your eyes stray too far.”

  Gewey immediately thought of Dina. “What do you intend to do about Celandine?” he asked anxiously.

  Kaylia thought for a long moment. “It appears I can do nothing,” she said finally. “Your words have bound me. If you wish her unharmed, I will accept it.”

  “Thank you,” Gewey said, relieved.

  Kaylia smiled. “Send her to me. She and I should talk. Don’t worry, I won’t harm her.”

  Gewey nodded and returned to the wagon.

  “What happened?” asked Lee. “Did you find her?”

  “She wants to speak to Dina alone,” Gewey said.

  Dina looked worried.

  “She swears she won’t attack you again,” he assured her.

  Reluctantly, Dina went to join Kaylia.

  “What happened?” Lee asked. “What did she say to you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Gewey replied. “Not yet, at least.”

  An hour later, Kaylia and Dina came walking back to the wagon.

  “Kaylia has agreed to teach me about my elven heritage,” Dina said as they climbed in.

  Kaylia nodded in affirmation.

  “And that’s it?” Millet pressed. “No more attempts to kill her?”

  “That depends,” Kaylia said.

  “On what?” Lee asked.

  Kaylia did not respond. She simply smiled a knowing smile as the wagon continued down the road.

  Chapter 17

  Gewey spent the day trying to avoid conversation with the others. Kaylia was sitting next to Dina, whispering in her ear. When Lee asked what they were talking about, Kaylia told him to mind his own business. Gewey was not looking forward to the midday lesson. He knew Lee would press him about what had happened with Kaylia. The fact was, he wasn’t quite sure himself. When the time came, Gewey followed Lee to a quiet spot off the road.

  “Sit,” Lee instructed.

  Gewey sat down on the grass and crossed his legs.

  “Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the earth,” Lee continued. “Not the way you hear the forest. Stretch out with your thoughts and feel its rhythm, its heartbeat. Let it flow into you and give you strength.”

  Gewey did as he was told. At first, he felt nothing. Then, like a sound heard from a great distance, it was there, pulsing steadily. The more he listened, the nearer it came, until it beat in his mind like a great drum. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the beat grew louder.

  “You must let it in,” Lee urged him. “Let it pass into you.”

  But Gewey couldn’t. The beat pounded against him until he thought it would tear him to ribbons. He let out a scream and collapsed.

  When he came to, Lee was standing over him with a concerned look on his face. He put a water skin to Gewey’s mouth and poured. Gewey tried to drink, but he began to cough and splutter as the water stung his swollen throat.

  “Easy, Gewey,” Lee soothed him. “You’ll be fine.”

  “What happened?” asked Gewey, carefully trying to sit up. Lee put his hand on Gewey’s back and steadied him. “You’re much more powerful than I thought. I had you do too much, too soon. From now on, we take it slow.”

  “No,” Gewey insisted. “We try again. Taking it slow won’t defeat the Dark Knight.”

  “Neither will getting yourself killed,” Lee countered. “The amount of power you unleashed could have destroyed you. Look around.”

  Gewey surveyed the area and saw that large sections of the ground had been completely torn apart.

  “You see,” Lee said. “You must learn to control this power, otherwise, there’s no telling how much damage you could do to yourself and those around you.”

  Gewey nodded slowly. “I see what you mean.”

  “That’s enough for today,” said Lee, lifting Gewey to his feet.

  “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, what in blazes happened between you and that elf?”

  “Lee, I really don’t think...”

  “Listen to me, and listen to me well,” said Lee, cutting him off. “If it doesn’t affect what we have to do, then fine, keep it to yourself. But you need to remember that I have more than just you to worry about. If there’s anything that could possibly jeopardize any of us, I need to know about it.”

  Gewey sat back down on the grass and thought for a moment.

  “I’m not sure if it will affect us. At least, not all of us. And maybe not for a while.”

  Lee sat next him. “You can trust me Gewey. Whatever it is, I’ll understand.”

  Gewey looked at Lee, then told him what had happened with Kaylia. When Gewey finished, Lee sat there with his mouth open for a minute, not knowing what to say.

  “Now do you see why I didn’t want to talk about it?” Gewey asked, troubled.

  “I do indeed,” Lee finally managed to say. “Do you intend to marry her?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not even of age, and besides, she’s an elf.”

  “Yes,” said Lee. “And you’re a god. And it doesn’t appear that she cares if you’re of age or not. As I understand it, she is barely of age herself in the way elves measure years.” He shook his head. “I told you to be careful.”

  “How was I supposed to know?” Gewey cried. “The words just came out. I didn’t know what they meant.”

  “That was interesting,” Lee said pensively. “There must be some reason for this.”

  “That’s what she said, too.” Gewey noted.

  “I really don’t know what to tell you,” Lee said, laughing. “You certainly do get yourself into some tight spots. I suggest you try not to let your eyes wander to Dina too often. Heaven knows what kind of trouble that could cause.”

  Gewey wanted to deny it, but he knew his attraction to Dina often caused his eyes to wander. “I’ll try,” he said.

  “Two beautiful women,” Lee remarked. “I suppose there are worse things to happen to a young man. Then again…perhaps not.”

  Lee hopped to his feet and pulled Gewey up. “Maybe your mother was Ayliazarah, Goddess of Love,” he quipped, slapping Gewey on the back.

  Gewey was not amused.

  They headed back to the wagon and continued on their way. Kaylia had her hood pulled back, allowing Gewey to look at her closely. There was no doubt that she was beautiful, but he had never imagined a romantic relationship could be possible with an elf. But then, of course, he wasn’t really a human. His head began to swim, so he decided to try to take a nap. At least if I’m asleep, I’ll escape for a bit, he thought.

  He woke just as they were about to stop and make camp. Millet and Maybell were arguing about where the best spot would be. Lee, Kaylia, and Dina were all looking at him, trying not to laugh.

  “What?” Gewey asked, trying to shake off th
e cobwebs in his head.

  “The things you say,” said Dina. “Enough to make a lady blush.”

  “What do mean?” Gewey asked. “What did I say?”

  “More interesting,” said Kaylia, “is who were you talking to in your dreams?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, flustered. “I was bloody dreaming. Can’t I dream in peace?”

  “Don’t let them tease you,” laughed Lee. “They’re just having a bit of fun.”

  Gewey rubbed his eyes. “Enough then,” he said irritably. “I’m not in the mood.” He was nervous about the lesson with Kaylia. He wasn’t sure how to talk to her any more. He didn’t know a thing about elves, and the thought of saying the wrong thing unnerved him. When the time came, however, Kaylia acted as if nothing had happened.

  “Lee has told me you will not be learning the sword for a while,” she said. “So we need to step up your knife training. It’s not as brutish, but every bit as deadly.”

  “Do elves ever use a sword?” Gewey asked.

  “Sometimes,” she answered. “But it’s not something we prefer. The sword can be necessary in a full-on battle, but in the type of fighting we’re likely to encounter, I think you’ll find it very advantageous to have skill with a knife.”

  Gewey was grateful that the conversation didn’t stray from the lesson on to more uncomfortable subjects. Kaylia pushed him hard throughout, showing him ways to keep an opponent blind and off-balance. He found it was very much like the way he had learned to hide in shadows.

  When Kaylia attacked, she was never directly in front of an opponent, nor did she press an advantage.

  “The sword is a direct assault,” she shouted to him in between strikes. “Powerful, but slow and deliberate. The knife, on the other hand...”

  She paused, deftly tossing her weapon from hand-to-hand, “The knife is an ambush!” Suddenly she was on him, striking quickly and mercilessly from nearly every conceivable angle. For an hour he tried to imitate her movements. He watched her body twist into seemingly impossible positions that he simply could not match.

  “You must learn to be more flexible,” she said. “You must see as your opponent sees, move where he cannot reach, then strike where he cannot defend. It is no different to our other exercises, only that you are hiding in plain sight.”