The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) (17 page)

Twelve more elves appeared atop the dune.

“
We thank you for your assistance,”
Aaliyah said, bowing. “And would be grateful for your hospitality.
We have traveled far.”

“
Though not alone.” He glanced at the
boat. “You did not come here in that. Will the rest not join us? We
have never seen elves from the west and would enjoy knowing them.
We have heard of their hatred of humans; a tale clearly not true.
We would be pleased to have as many of your comrades as care to
come.”

“
You don't hate humans?” asked
Gewey.

He threw his head back in laughter. “Hate? We
have few dealing with humans. Why would we hate them? They do not
trouble us. Most beyond the heart of the desert do not even know we
are here. The humans that choose desert life keep to their own
ways, and we have respect for one another.” He glanced at the dead
Soufis. “Well, there are some that we are not fond of.” He placed
his hand on his chest. “I am Pali. And I welcome you.” He spun
around. “Come. The nights are cold and my belly is empty. Our camp
is not far.” He paused. “That is unless you would rather brave the
night alone.”

Without waiting for a reply, Pali strode off
in the direction of his companions. Gewey and Aaliyah followed as
best they could, but the soft, pliant sand hindered their steps.
Soon, they were yards behind, but Pali didn't slow his pace. When
they finally reached the dunes where Pali's companions awaited
them, Gewey was already dreading their trek. Days of wading through
sand would not be easy.

The other elves were dressed in the same
fashion as Pali, though the three females kept their hair in
lengthy braids rather than short and shaved like the men. It struck
Gewey that their skin was just as pale as Pali's. How this was
possible in such a climate, Gewey couldn't guess. Pali introduced
them, and each greeted them in turn. They all had the same cheerful
expressions and seemed very pleased to have them along.

“
We can be at our camp in less than an
hour,” said Pali. “We move fast across the sands, but we will slow
our pace, as you are not accustomed to the terrain.”

“
Thank you,” said Gewey.

Pali led them between the dunes, twisting and
turning until Gewey was certain he would be lost without their
guidance. The sun had nearly disappeared and the soft orange glow
of twilight reflected on the yellow sand, making the world seem
surreal and unnatural. The elves began singing loudly, and though
Gewey didn't recognize the tune, the words and images were easy to
understand, mostly about traveling in the desert with friends or
living free from troubles. Aaliyah remained quiet and
expressionless, and walked close by Gewey's side.

Just as Pali had said, an hour later, they
rounded a large dune, Gewey spotted several palm trees in the
distance. He could hear the sound of voices laughing and talking.
They arrived not a moment too soon. The temperature had begun to
plummet uncomfortably.

“
Don't worry,” said Pali, noticing
Gewey rubbing his hands. “Soon a warm fire and a hot meal will cure
your chill.”

As they approached the camp Gewey could see
about twenty elves, scattered about a small oasis. The scent of
camp fires mingled with the pleasing aroma of spiced meat. A
cacophony of boisterous greetings rang out, followed by murmurs of
curiosity as the camp spotted Gewey and Aaliyah.

“
These are our new friends from the
west,” Pali announced. “They will be joining us as long as it
pleases them to do so.” He turned to Gewey and Aaliyah. “Feel free
to explore what little there is to see here. There is a small
spring just over there.” He pointed north to an area behind the
last fire. “I only ask that you use it sparingly. It's a slow
spring, and takes several days to replenish itself.” He inhaled
deeply. “And I can tell you are accustomed to bathing. I'm sorry to
say that water is too precious to be used that way.”

Gewey sniffed the air. “You seem clean to
me.”

Pali laughed. “I didn't mean to say that we
don't clean ourselves. Just not by the same means. If you wish I
can show you.”

“
Perhaps later,” said Aaliyah. “For
now, a meal and your company is sufficient.”

“
Our meal will be ready soon,” said
Pali. “Until then, you may find a place by a fire.” He stopped a
passing elf and whispered in his ear. “I will have wine brought to
you right away. But now I must tell our Sand Master about the
encounter with the Soufis.”

Aaliyah and Gewey found a vacant spot near
one of the fires beside six elves. The much-needed warmth lifted
Gewey’s spirits, and he was quick to introduce himself. Aaliyah was
not as forthcoming, choosing only to say her name and be silent.
Gewey could tell something troubled her. The elves, two women and
four men, greeted them warmly.

“
I'm Dreta,” said a short thin, dark
hair woman. “How lucky we are that you chose this fire to warm
yourself. We'll be the envy of the camp.”

The rest eagerly called out their names in
turn – Freda (the other female), Hali, Ghenti, Deransil, and
Freuli.

“
How is it your people came to live in
the desert?” asked Gewey.

“
Some legends say that we were exiled
thousands of years ago for protecting humans from slavery,” said
Dreta. “Others claim that we were put here by the Gods as
punishment for defying their will.” She shrugged. “But who knows
what the truth really is. Our people belong to the sands now, and
this is our home.”

“
So you never go west?” asked
Gewey.

“
No,” said Dreta. “Why would we? As I
said, this is our home and we love it dearly.”

Gewey couldn't imagine living in such a
desolate place, let alone loving it. “But wouldn't life be so much
easier away from the desert?”

The elves burst into laughter. “I doubt life
is easy no matter where you live,” said Dreta. “But even still, we
live a good life. The sands have made us strong, and through that
strength we have become one with the Creator. No. There is no other
life for us.”

“
And if you could learn the real reason
you are here?” asked Aaliyah. “What then?”

“
What does it matter?” Dreta shook her
head and grinned. “This is where we are, and this is where we'll
stay. You would be hard pressed to find any among us who desires to
leave.”

Aaliyah leaned forward. “And if someone
did?”

“
We do not hold our people captive,”
Dreta replied. “If anyone wishes to leave, he is free to do so. It
has always been our way.”

Just then Pali joined them carrying, two
bottles of wine. “The Sand Master is in a foul mood now.” He passed
a bottle to Gewey and opened the other himself. “She was hoping the
Soufis would stop venturing this far south, after what we did to
them the last time.” He turned up the bottle then passed it Dreta.
“We must have killed fifty of them.”

“
Why would they come then?” asked
Gewey.

“
For slaves,” he replied.

Aaliyah stiffened. “They take elves as
slaves?”

“
Of course not,” said Pali. “There are
several small human settlements, and a few nomadic tribes in this
region. They raid and take what they want.”

“
And you protect the humans?” asked
Aaliyah.

“
We try,” Pali replied, eyes
down-turned. “But we cannot be everywhere at once. And the Soufis
are clever.” He looked up and his smile returned. “But enough
tragedy. I am curious; why have you journeyed so far?”

“
We seek a very special place,” said
Aaliyah. “A temple of sorts. I know it is in this area, but not
exactly where. It is urgent we find it.”

Pali thought for a moment. “There is only one
place in the southern desert I know of that would hold interest.
But I advise you to abandon the idea. It is an unnatural
place...evil lurks there.”

“
What do you mean?” asked
Gewey.

“
It is a place where the shadows live.”
He wrapped his arms. “We have not been there in many years. But
those who went did not return.”

Aaliyah refused the bottle when Gewey passed
it. “Can you tell us how to get there?”

“
Yes,” said Pali. “But it is some
distance from here, and you are not accustomed to the desert. I
doubt you would make it alone.”

“
We are stronger than you might think,”
said Aaliyah.

Pali chuckled lightly and shook his head. “If
you mean you can steal life from the earth, that will do you little
good.”

Gewey could see that Pali's words bothered
Aaliyah. “What do you mean steal?”

“
Our people once used power to control
and dominate,” he explained. “To us, using such power is
unthinkable. We believe the sands live, and we would never take
life from it for our own selfish needs.”

Gewey understood Aaliyah’s apprehension. “So
you consider it a crime?”

Pali laughed loudly. “A crime, no. We have
few laws beyond murder. But it is...immoral.” He grabbed Gewey's
shoulder and gave it a fond squeeze. “But don't worry. We do not
judge the ways of others, so long as they do not hurt our people,
or our friends.”

“
That is good,” said Aaliyah. She
relaxed noticeably.

“
You didn't think we would extend our
hospitality only to do you harm, did you?” This brought another
round of gay laughter. “You should spend more time among us. That
is if I can convince you not to complete your quest.”

“
Sadly, it is a matter of great
importance,” said Aaliyah. “We would not ignore your warnings if it
were not so.”

Pali sighed heavily. “The Sand Master will
not take you there.” He put his hands on his knees and pushed
himself to his feet. “But I will. Though I can only take you to the
edge of your destination, I will not have new friends brave the
desert alone.” He took one more drink from the bottle. “And I
thought the Sand Master was in a foul mood before...” With that he
left.

“
What is a Sand Master?” asked
Gewey.

This time it was Ghenti, a broad shouldered
elf with a hawk like nose and piercing gray eyes who spoke. “The
Sand Masters are our guides in the desert. They know the sands
better than anyone. Though we all can navigate our way, the Sand
Master can find the easiest trail, nearest water, and best shade
without hardly a thought. When an elf turns eleven, the child is
blindfolded, taken deep into the desert, and left alone. If the
child finds its way home, training begins as a Sand Master.”

“
What if the child doesn't make it?”
asked Gewey, afraid to hear the answer.

Ghenti met Gewey's eyes. “Then the child
dies.” His tone was harsh and low. He didn't look away for several
seconds, then slowly his face broke into a smile. The others began
to giggle and smirk. “We bring the child home, of course.” He
tossed Gewey the bottle, then addressed his comrades. “I do believe
the boy thinks us savages.” His tone was teasing and light, as were
the voices of agreement from the others.

Gewey felt foolish and embarrassed, but
forced a smile.

Soon after, the meal was ready. Aaliyah and
Gewey ate and talked around the fire for a few more hours. From
time to time a new face appeared by the fire for a while. They kept
the conversation away from serious matters, and though Aaliyah
seemed more at ease than before Gewey could tell something still
bothered her.

Just before they were about to lay down to
sleep, a short, stout elf woman, with deep brown hair and care-worn
eyes approached. Unlike the cheerful expressions held by the
others, her demeanor was grim. She sat across from Gewey and
Aaliyah, crossing her legs, and studying them for several minutes
before speaking.

“
I am Weila, Sand Master,” she said
finally. “Pali tells me that he is to lead you to the Black
Oasis.”

“
If that is the location of what we
seek, then yes,” said Aaliyah, “though he did not call it
that.”

“
I assume he has warned you of the
dangers?” she asked.

“
He has.”

“
Then you should also know what he does
not,” she continued. “The Oasis was always a queer place, but in
the past few years, a new evil has arrived.”

“
I did not know—” said Pali.

“
Of course, you didn't,” snapped Weila,
cutting him off. “You only think you know everything.” Her stone
gaze made Gewey uneasy. This was clearly a woman to be reckoned
with. “You are strangers here.” Her eyes drifted to Aaliyah. “And
though you are an elf, we are not the same. Certainly, you have
sensed it. Your kind steals life from the Mother. We do not, and
that leaves you blind to our presence.”

Aaliyah started to respond, but Weila held up
her hand.

“
You cannot deny that it has caused you
concern,” she continued. “I can see it in your face. But our way
has kept our people alive and strong for many generations. If you
go to the Black Oasis, you will do so alone and the creatures that
now haunt it, will know you are coming.”

“
If you cannot draw power from earth,
air, and water how can you know this?” asked Aaliyah.

Weila sneered. “You think us unaware of these
powers simply because we do not use them? You are blind to us, not
us to you.” She leaned forward. “You will face an enemy there with
no fear and no remorse. It will not hesitate to destroy you.” Her
eyes shot to Pali. “Or anyone with you. I will allow Pali to guide
you, but you must swear to me one thing.”