The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) (14 page)

Aaliyah had already prepared to depart and
told Gewey she would await him at the edge of the encampment. Gewey
gathered his pack, Kaylia at his side.

“
I'll miss you,” said Gewey. Tears
welled in his eyes.

Kaylia pulled him close and kissed him
deeply. “Just be careful and return to me safe.” She embraced him,
choking back her own tears. Reluctantly, she released him and took
his hand. “It's time.” They made their way to Aaliyah.

Theopolou and Linis were also there. Linis
smiled as they approached. He held a small silver flask.

“
I made this last night,” said Linis.
He handed it to Gewey. “If you are to go to the desert, it may be
useful. A single sip will keep you strong should you be unable to
find water.”

“
Thank you, my friend.” Gewey put the
flask in his pack and gave Linis a fond embrace.

Theopolou bowed. “Farewell, Gewey Stedding.
My hopes go with you.” He looked at Kaylia. “You are now a part of
my house and my family. Return to us soon.”

Gewey bowed in return. “I will.” He kissed
Kaylia one last time, as tears streamed down both of their faces.
He wiped his tears and turned to Aaliyah. “I'm ready.”

Aaliyah nodded and led Gewey to the trail.
Gewey dared not look back for fear his heart would break.

“
Are we going alone?” asked
Gewey.

“
We need no escort,” Aaliyah replied.
“There is nothing so dangerous as to trouble us.”

“
How long until we get
there?”

“
Two days. But if we press our pace and
take no respite, we can reach the shore by morning,” she said. “My
ship awaits us.” She slowed as to walk beside Gewey. “I know it is
hard to leave her. But it is for the best. And you may find you are
glad you did.”

Gewey was in no mood for flirting. “You told
me you were once bonded.”

“
I was,” she affirmed.

“
When he died, did you think it was for
the best?” He saw a pang of emotion shoot across her face.
Immediately he regretted his words.

“
At the time, I did not,” Her lips
slowly relaxed, and she smiled sweetly. “But now, I think it might
have been.”

Gewey struggled not to return her smile.
Instead he reached out to Kaylia. Immense sorrow and worry is all
he felt at first, then joy and relief as she reached back. Aaliyah
quickened their pace.

By nightfall, Gewey was forced to use the
flow more and more, to keep up his strength. At times they almost
ran. He could tell Aaliyah was using only her own natural endurance
and marveled, though he said nothing about it.

By midnight, the landscape flattened and the
trees thinned. Patches of grass were separated by large areas of
gray sand and red clay. The tall pines were being outnumbered by
curved palms and thick brambles, and the musty scent of the forest
was now mixed with the salty breeze coming off the Western
Abyss.

“
Do you need rest?” asked
Aaliyah.

Gewey knew that if he released the flow
fatigue would certainly set in. “No, I'm fine.”

Aaliyah reached in a pouch on her belt and
pulled out a small orange berry. “Try this.” She handed it to
Gewey.

Gewey examined it for a moment. It was no
larger than a cherry, and was smooth and shiny. “What is it?”

“
We call them Rain Berries.” She pulled
out another and popped it in her mouth. Sighing with satisfaction,
she motioned for Gewey to eat.

Gewey held it to his nose. It smelled like a
plum, only sweeter. He slowly bit down. Sweet juice exploded, and a
delicious flavor, unlike any other fruit or berry in the land he
had ever encountered, filled his mouth and caressed his tongue.
“I've never tasted anything like it.”

“
They are my favorite,” said Aaliyah.
“And very hard to come by. I searched many days to find only a
small handful.”

“
I wish they grew here,” said
Gewey.

“
Perhaps one day you will help me
gather them in my homeland.”

Gewey noticed how the moonlight silhouetted
the curves of her figure. She moved with a fluid grace that was
unmatched by anyone he'd ever seen. She looked over just in time to
catch his stare, and gave him a sly grin. He could feel himself
flush with embarrassment.

An hour before sunrise he could hear the surf
beating against the shore. Walking became increasingly difficult,
as the sand deepened and the dunes began to rise ahead, though it
didn't appear to hinder Aaliyah. As they crested the last dune, the
dim light of dawn broke at his back. The azure of the Western Abyss
stretched out before them. Gewey stood transfixed.

“
Have you never seen the sea?” asked
Aaliyah.

“
No,” Gewey replied. “I haven't. I only
left my small village a short time ago. Even then, we were on the
run most of the time.” He breathed in the sea air.

“
You will see the world soon enough,”
said Aaliyah. “I must warn you. The first time on a ship at sea can
be...disquieting.”

Gewey had not thought about spending two
weeks aboard a seagoing vessel. He shrugged, not wanting to show
his sudden apprehension. “I'll be fine.”

“
Of course, you will.” She led Gewey
down the beach to a small boat that had been pulled ashore and tied
to a large piece of driftwood. “My ship is just over the
horizon.”

Gewey looked out at the water. The waves were
at least three feet high and the sea beyond the breakers was rough.
“Is it safe to go that far out in this?”

Aaliyah laughed as she untied the boat. “We
won't be going that far. My ship is already heading toward us.”

“
How—” asked Gewey.

“
My crew knows I am here because I let
them know,” she said, before he could complete his question. “It is
much the same as when you reach out to Kaylia, only we can do so
without the bonding. You will learn soon enough.”

Gewey grabbed the side of the boat and helped
Aaliyah drag it to the water. It was surprisingly light, which made
him even more nervous as his eyed the churning seas. As soon as
they were in the water and on board Gewey noticed something
missing. Oars. Aaliyah had seated herself at the front and was
sitting cross legged, hands in her lap, palms up. The boat lurched
forward. Spray soaked his clothes as the craft cut through the
waves and into open water. He could feel the flow coursing through
her.

In the distance, he spotted red sails
breaking above the horizon. “I see them,” he called out.

“
Yes,” she replied. “We will be aboard
soon.”

The ship came closer at an alarming rate. In
only a few minutes it loomed above them. It was well over
one-hundred feet in length, and its two giant masts were nearly the
length of the ship itself. Gewey had only seen drawings of
sea-going vessels, but could still tell that this ship was much
sleeker in design, and looked faster. The sails were swollen full,
and at first Gewey was afraid the ship would ram them. But just as
it came within twenty yards, the sails went limp and the vessel
slowed dramatically.

Dozens of elves could be seen alongside
looking down at them, all dressed in tan shirts and red trousers.
One unfurled a rope ladder, as well as two thin ropes. Aaliyah
attached the ropes to two steel rings on either side of the boat
and led Gewey up the ladder. He could already feel queasiness in
his stomach as he climbed. The ship rose and dipped methodically,
nearly causing him to fall twice before he reached the top. Once on
deck, Gewey reached over and held the side railing to steady
himself.

“
You will grow accustomed to the
movement soon,” Aaliyah promised. “For now, stare at the horizon.
It will keep your stomach from turning sour.”

Gewey looked doubtful, but obeyed. He could
hear the whispers of the elves behind him. The words Shivis Mol
being repeated over and over. After a few minutes, his nausea
subsided, and he turned around. The sway of the ship kept him
slightly off balance, and he stumbled forward. A tall, thin elf
with dusty-brown hair and ice-blue eyes, leaped forward and grabbed
his arm.

“
I'm fine,” said Gewey. “Thank
you.”

The elf bowed. “It takes time to grow
accustomed to the sea.” He smiled brightly. “But I suspect Shivis
Mol will have little trouble.”

Gewey looked out over the deck. At least a
dozen elves were busy about the ship. Aaliyah was standing several
feet away speaking to one of the crew. To the aft end, the deck
sloped upward ending at a cabin that stood nearly ten feet tall. A
narrow wood door led to the interior flanked on either side by a
ladder that led up to the poop deck. The main deck was smooth and
glistened in the morning sun, yet despite its slick appearance, it
gripped the soles of his boots. He examined the various ropes and
pulleys that hung from the first mast, and marveled at the sheer
complexity. The riverboats he had seen were as toys by
comparison.

Aaliyah motioned for him to join her. “If you
wish, you can spend time among the crew. They will be pleased to
show you how the ship works.”

“
I would like that,” said Gewey. His
stomach growled loudly.

Several elves began to gather around each
mast.

“
You should watch this,” said Aaliyah.
“Then you can eat and rest.”

The elves closed their eyes and folded their
hands in front of them. Gewey could sense the sudden swell of the
flow growing around him. He felt the air begin to stir and build,
until the sails snapped full. The masts groaned and creaked as the
ship lurched forward. The elves opened their eyes and all but one
broke the circle and went back to their work.

“
He will maintain the wind until
midday,” said Aaliyah. She pointed to the bow where another elf
woman stood, eyes fix on the horizon. “And she will guide
us.”

Gewey could scarcely believe what he had
seen. “You can teach me this?”

“
Of course.” She reached out and took
his hand. “That is why you are here, is it not? But come, there
will be time for that later.”

“
But how—”

She placed one delicate finger to his lips.
“Later. I am strong, but still I need to eat.” She led Gewey across
the deck and through the door of the cabin. The wooden interior was
polished, clean and superbly varnished. The long tables had been
placed to his right, and a narrow door was at the far end. The
walls were bare – with the exception of a silver placard with an
expertly carved relief of a dolphin leaping playfully from a
turbulent sea, situated on the far left wall just above the last
table.

Aaliyah took Gewey's pack and motioned for
him to sit. “I will take your belongings to your quarters.” She
disappeared through the door.

Gewey waited patiently. It wasn't long before
Aaliyah returned carrying two bowls, followed closely by a short,
elderly elf woman, clad in brown tunic and trousers, bearing a
bottle, two wooden cups, and two spoons. The scent of fresh fish
filled the air. After placing everything on the table, the woman
nodded and left.

Aaliyah took a seat across from Gewey. “I
hope you enjoy our fare.”

In the bowl was a thick creamy stew, dotted
with red, green, and black spices. His mouth watered. “What is it?”
He picked up a spoonful, and saw large chunks of fish mixed with
the thick broth.

“
It is a stew made from cream, fish,
and spices from my homeland.” She poured Gewey a cup of
wine.

Gewey eyes went wide at the first taste. It
was almost sweet, yet the spice caused his tongue to tingle. The
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.