The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) (44 page)

“
I never want to leave this room,” said
Gewey.

As if the fates had been challenged, there
was a knock at the door.

“
The High Lady sends word that it is
nearly time,” came a shy voice.

Gewey groaned then shouted loud enough so
that whoever it was on the other side could hear. “Very well.”

Gewey climbed out of bed and rummaged around
his pack for the elf clothes Theopolou had given him. He held them
up and frowned. They were wrinkled and stained. In fact, all his
clothes were in the same condition.

“
I have clothes for you,” said Kaylia.
“I would not have you looking like a vagabond.” She went to the
wardrobe and pulled out a black, silk shirt and matching
trousers.

Gewey held up the shirt and cocked his head.
“I'll miss the comfort of my elf clothes.”

Kaylia laughed. “I'm sure we can find you
more. But this must suffice for now.” She took out a pair of
leather boots and a silver belt. “Do not worry. You will be covered
with dirt again soon enough.” She grabbed his arm and had him sit
in the chair in front of the dressing table mirror.

He looked at himself in horror. His beard had
grown to nearly an inch long, and his hair was a tangled mess. “I
can't believe you can bear to look at me.”

“
Don't worry,” she said, kissing his
neck. “I will see to it that you are presentable. Get dressed and I
will return shortly.”

She donned a cotton robe and a pair of silk
slippers and left the room. A few minutes later she returned with a
young girl dressed in a plain, green tunic and skirt.

“
Go with her,” said Kaylia. “She will
see to your...grooming.” Her last word came out with a light
titter.

Gewey gave himself one last look in the
mirror, and sighed. “Not exactly inspiring, am I?”

“
We'll change that, my lord,” said the
girl, with a perky bounce.

She led him to an unused chamber, and set to
work, and soon Gewey was shaved and groomed. A guard came, just as
the girl was finishing, to tell Gewey that Kaylia awaited him in
the receiving hall.

The guard escorted Gewey to the hall. Just
outside the doors he saw Chiron, speaking quietly to Bellisia.

Chiron beamed as Gewey approached. “Ah, now
you are a welcome sight.”

Gewey bowed to them both. “When did you
arrive?”

“
Just now,” he replied. “Both mine and
Bellisia's lands are not as far away as others. The other elf
nations will be here within the month.”

“
Is it true Angrääl has taken the city
of Skalhalis?” asked Bellisia.

“
It would appear so,” Gewey replied.
“It looks like time has run out. War is come.”

“
I hear dear Theopolou left Ertik of
Valshara to speak for the elves in Althetas,” said Chiron. “How
times are changing.”

“
For the better, I pray,” added
Bellisia. “The idea of elf and human living together is still
unsettling to many of my people. But they are coming to accept it
as inevitable, as I have.”

“
There is much you will hear that will
surprise you, Lady Bellisia,” said Gewey. “Aaliyah and I made many
discoveries in the eastern desert.”

“
What could be discovered in such a
barren waste?” she asked, looking doubtful.

“
I am sure Gewey will tell us
everything once we are inside,” said Chiron. He reached out and
opened the door. “Shall we?”

Inside the receiving hall, a large oval table
had been placed in the very center of the room. Most of the chairs
were already filled with finely, dressed men and women, some with
obvious military insignia on their attire, along with several elves
Gewey recognized from the Chamber of the Maker. Aaliyah and Nehrutu
sat together near the far end. Aaliyah had changed into a deep blue
dress, with emerald embroidery, and her black hair was decorated
with tiny white flowers. Gewey smiled when he saw her.

At the far end sat Selena, dressed in the
ceremonial robes of Amon Dähl. Ertik was seated to her left, and
Maybell to her right. Maybell smiled when she saw Gewey. He waved
and smiled in return. Kaylia sat at the other end next to an empty
chair opposite Selena.

The room went silent as Gewey made his way to
his seat. Kaylia touched his hand gently. Chiron and Bellisia found
a seat near Ertik. Chiron whispered something into Ertik’s ear that
brought a pleased look to his face.

Selena stood and addressed the room. “We all
know why we are here. War has come sooner than expected. Angrääl
has landed ships in the city of Skalhalis, and will march on
Althetas any day. We must decide how to act. I know that most of
our force is still gathering, but we have already gathered soldiers
from Queen Lilian of Farthing, Prince Loniel of Sieren Bay, along
with ten-thousand elves. King Lousis will have more men here by
morning.” She sat back down.

A tall, grizzled-looking man, with silver
hair and rough features stood. “I am General Keise Halman, of
Farthing. Do we know the numbers we will face, or shall we march
blindly into battle?”

“
We are trying to find out how many
Angrääl has sent,” Selena replied. “But we do not know as of this
moment their exact number.”

Prince Loniel spoke. “I think it is more
important to know if they march on Valshara, or do they look to
Althetas.”

“
We do not know,” said
Selena.

“
What, if anything, do we know?” asked
General Halman.

Gewey stood. “We know that if we don't move
quickly, this war will be over before it begins.” His large frame
loomed tall and commanding over the gathering. “On my way back from
the eastern desert, we spotted fifty ships bound for Skalhalis.
Angrääl is moving to end this war here and now. It doesn't matter
what we do not know. What we know is that we must attack now or all
is lost.”

General Halman sneered. “From the looks of
you, boy, I wouldn't think you know much of battle and strategy.
Perhaps you should join the rank and file, and leave the planning
to the soldiers.”

Kaylia nearly jumped from her chair, but
Gewey held her in place with a quick glance.

“
And what experience do you have,
General Halman?” asked Chiron. “Border disputes? Roving bandits?
Before you embarrass yourself further, perhaps Gewey should take a
moment to tell us of what he found in the desert. Those of us who
know him would like to hear it. And those that do not...well, they
may benefit as also.”

Gewey nodded, then recounted his adventure in
the eastern desert. When he finished some of the generals and
captains in attendance snickered and laughed. Only the elves nodded
their heads with understanding.

“
And what proof do you have of these
outlandish claims?” asked General Halman, looking amused. “I mean,
if you can kill fifty men, and are truly a God, then surely you can
offer up some sort of proof.”

“
Gewey is what he says he is,” said
Bellisia. “And I do not doubt his tale. He need not prove himself
to you.”

“
Clearly this boy has made fools of you
all,” said Halman. “Can't you see that? What does a God need with
armies? Could he not vanquish our foes with a wave of his
hand?”

Flames shot out of Gewey's hands and ran
along the walls of the hall until they met just behind the general
and exploded with a thunderous boom. Halman lurched forward crying
out in fear, and scurried onto the table.

Gewey met the general’s eyes. “Do you need
further demonstration? We do not have time for debate and
bickering. So tell me, General Halman, is there more I can do to
ease your mind?”

General Halman crawled down from the table
and took his seat. His hands trembled as he shook his head.

“
We will crush Angrääl regardless of
how many soldiers they have sent,” said Gewey. His voice thundered
and echoed off the walls. “I will lay waste to the forces of the
Dark Knight. I shall march with you to Skalhalis and burn them to
cinders. And now we have new allies in the east.” Anger and hatred
swelled inside him. His power grew. Kaylia reached out and touched
his mind and he could feel her concern. He looked down at her and
whispered, “I'm fine.”

“
And what would you have us do?” asked
Prince Loniel.

“
Gather your soldiers,” said Gewey. “In
two days we march on Skalhalis. And when we arrive, Angrääl will
know firsthand what it means to face a God.” The ground shook for a
moment then subsided. The flow of the spirit raged through him,
then burst forth, spreading everywhere at once. He could see it
touch the entire gathering. It passed into them, washing over the
group like a torrent.

Everyone at the table jumped to their feet.
The name Darshan was spoken. First, by a few, then more and more,
until all but Kaylia and Selena, who looked warily at him, shouted
his name.

Gewey spun around and left the room, Kaylia
following close behind. She stopped him a few feet outside the
door.

She took his face in her hands. “What
happened just now? I have never felt such rage in you before.”

“
I am changing,” Gewey replied.
“Becoming more powerful. I have run so far. I have lived in fear
for so long. It is time for that to stop. That has ended. In two
days I will show the Dark Knight the true meaning of
fear.”

“
Am I speaking to Gewey....or Darshan?”
She looked deep into his eyes.

Gewey took her hands and press them to his
heart. He kissed her gently, and watched as a single tear spilled
down her cheek. “Now…I am both.”

End Book Three

Acknowledgements

Jonathan and Eleni Anderson, George Panagos,
Vincentine Williams, Gerald and Donna Anderson, Hunter and Sarah
Anderson, Bobby and Bobbie Anderson, the Ramos family, the
DiBatista family ,the Gnyp family, Jen Frith-Couch, Alex Harris,
Jaocb and Elizabeth Bunton, Jenny Bunton, HCCS teachers and staff
in Brooklyn, JKS Communication, Kitty Bullard, the writers and
staff at GMTA Publishing,and everyone who has supported me. I love
you all!

About the Authors

Brian D. Anderson was born in 1971, and grew
up in the small town of Spanish Fort, AL. He attended Fairhope
High, then later Springhill College where his love for fantasy grew
into a lifelong obsession. His hobbies include chess, history, and
spending time with his son.

Jonathan Anderson was born in March of 2003.
His creative spirit became evident by the age of three when he told
his first original story. In 2010 he came up with the concept for
The Godling Chronicles. It grew into an exciting collaboration
between father and son. Jonathan enjoys sports, chess, music,
games, and of course, telling stories.